Gist Arena

S ince August, I have been the anchorperson of a program on television called ThisDay Live where we discuss political matters - local and global. The program is available on Arise News TV at 6pm, 9pm and sometimes at midnight every Sunday. Two days ago, we discussed the situation in Zimbabwe, the elections in Anambra, Nigeria’s decision to hire Malaysian experts at a cost of N485 million to figure out new pathways for Nigeria’s economic growth (with all the experts in Nigeria oh!), the proposed expansion of President Buhari’s cabinet, the burial of 26 teenage Nigerians by the Italian authorities without Nigeria showing up, the sale of Nigerians and other Africans into slavery in Libya… But our top story was Zimbabwe and the travails of a once-upon-a-time Comrade Robert Mugabe. We started the program by joining the Arise News studio in London where our colleague Tham who has been on the Zimbabwean story provided all the updates. He had said that he thought that the Lagos studi...

D amini Ogulu, a dancehall artiste better known as Burna Boy, has been accused of being complicit in a recent robbery attack on his colleague, Mr 2Kay. The singer had said he was robbed in room 847 on the eighth floor of EKO Hotel & Suites during the Buckwyld & Breathless concert. Mr 2Kay said four heavily armed men robbed him of his valuables, including a gold wristwatch, jewelries, and expensive phones. Edgal Imohimi, Lagos state commissioner of police, on Monday, asked Burna Boy to report to the police station for questioning over the incident. “Four armed robbers carried out the attack and detectives were able to arrest one of their girlfriends who is identified as ‘Matejero’ which led to the capture of the others,” he said. The robbers apprehended by the police reportedly said they were hired by Burna Boy, through his manager, Joel Kantiock, who was arrested in Zaria, Kaduna state. According to them, they received a part payment of N50,000 fr...

T he immediate past President, Goodluck Jonathan, has revealed why he was not able to implement the 2014 Confab report. Jonathan said it was because time was too short for him to do so, as the report was submitted in the twilight of his administration. Jonathan’s explanation was contained in a goodwill message he delivered on the occasion of Integration Summit Roundtable in Abuja. According to the former President, the 2014 Confab report held the key for reshaping and consolidating the necessary common grounds and shred values needed to move the nation forward. Jonathan said the 2014 confab held the answers to most of what Nigerians were agitating for today, adding that his administration did not have enough time to implement the conference recommendations, given that the report was submitted to him in August 2014, a few months before the 2015 general elections. He said, “I am aware that some people have raised some issues with the fact that I did not impleme...

T he trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has been adjourned till December 5, with the court insisting that the defendant’s sureties either produce him or explain his disappearance to the court. The Abuja Division of Federal High Court, presided over by judge, Binta Nyako, had in October adjourned the matter till Monday (today), in expectation of the appearance of the sureties. She had further given instructions that the sureties had three options regarding their roles in the disappearance of Mr. Kanu. Reacting to an application by one of the sureties, Eyinnaya Abaribe, through his lawyer, Ogechi Ogbonna, that he should be relieved of his role as Mr. Kanu’s surety and that the court withdraws its order for a bond of N100 million, Mrs. Nyako noted that only the appearance of the defendant would prevent a possible forfeiture of the bond. “Even if you apply from today till next year, this court will only have one of these three options fo...

P astor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy was reportedly gifted a jet aircraft by some members of his church on Sunday night. The gift came from the church’s Music and Art group during the Loveworld International Music Award which took place on Sunday night to close the week-long International Pastors and Partners Conference (IPPC) held in Lagos Nigeria. A member of the Believers Loveworld Ministry (aka Christ Embassy) shared the news on Facebook and another revealed that the gift was from three members – Evangelist Katy, her husband and her son – while other church members sowed seeds. The member wrote; Reverend Chris Oyakhilome, this night receives a gift of a Jet Aircraft at the Loveworld International Music Award which took place on Sunday night at the prestigious Loveworld Convocation Arena (LCA) to close the week long International Pastors and Partners Conference (IPPC) held in Lagos Nigeria. The Jet Aircraft gift was given by the Loveworld Music and A...

T he All Progressives Congress (APC) has described former President Goodluck Jonathan as a patriotic and humble leader. APC said this in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdulahi, congratulating the former President on his 60th birthday. The party said Jonathan demonstrated love for the country during the 2015 Presidential election. The statement reads: “The All Progressives Congress APC warmly congratulates former president, H.E. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on his 60th birthday. “We join well-wishers in celebrating a statesman whose life and politics have been defined by patriotism and humility. “The APC recalls the commendable and exemplary conduct of Dr. Jonathan before and after the 2015 presidential election, which demonstrated his patriotism and love for Nigeria. “The Party urges Dr. Jonathan to remain steadfast to the positive ideals he stands for and continue to support the development of the country. The Party wis...

Z imbabwe’s embattled leader, Robert Mugabe, has vowed to stay in power for several weeks, despite intense pressure on him to stand down. “The (ruling ZANU-PF) party congress is due in a few weeks and I will preside over its processes,” Mr. Mugabe said in in a live TV address monitored by BBC. Earlier on Sunday, the ruling party in Zimbabwe, Zanu-PF, sacked Mr. Mugabe who has been in power since 1980. After a meeting of party leaders on Sunday, officials said ex-Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was fired by Mr. Mugabe two weeks ago, has been appointed leader of the party. Mr Mugabe’s 52-year-old wife, Grace, was expelled from the party, alongside a number of other senior officials. It is not entirely clear how Mr. Mugabe can preside over Zanu-PF’s congress next month, following his dismissal as party leader. Officials of the Southern African Development Commission, led by South African officials, are currently leading mediation talks between Mr. ...