'On Sanusi, the Opposition and Fifth Columnists' - By Reno Omokri

Click banner for more info

Article written by Reno Omokri, Special Assistant to President Jonathan on New Media. Find below

The recent suspension of the erstwhile Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria has ignited a debate on Social Media and as has become typical with many pundits, the discourse has been dominated by sentiments rather than facts.

As Sanusi has indicated that he will be challenging his suspension in court, I will not make this piece about him and recent events surrounding him. Yes, I will cite some examples of double standards as regards the approach taken by some analysts, but in my view, the matter is now best left to the courts.

Turkish riot police fire tear gas on protest over Internet curbs

Click banner for more info

Turkish riot police in Istanbul fired tear gas and water cannon Saturday at thousands of people protesting new legislation tightening control of the Internet. Police took action to push protesters away from the city's Taksim Square, a focal rally point, media report.

Protesters responded by hurling fireworks at police, who detained dozens of people, according to media reports. The controversial law came into effect last Wednesday after it was signed into effect by the Turkish President Abdullah Gul despite repeated calls for veto.

Ukraine's Yanukovych declares coup d'état, not going to resign - President's adviser

Click banner for more info

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych declares a coup d'état and is not going to resign, the mass media report citing the Ukrainian President's adviser. Viktor Yanukovych, who has refused to resign, gave an interview to TV channels Kharkov.

Protests in Ukraine continue despite gov't-opposition deal. LIVE UPDATES

The interview was broadcasted on the 112 TV channel. In an interview he said he would not resign, and plans to tour the areas south and east. Yanukovych added that Ukraine's coup resembles the Germany events of 1930s when the Nazis came to power.

Lagos governor, Babatunde Fashola, Approves The Reopening Of LASU

Click banner for more info

Lagos governor, Babatunde Fashola, has approved the reopening of the Lagos State University (LASU) which had been shut down in the last four weeks following a protest by students over the closing of the school’s registration portal by the authorities as well as hike in school fees.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr Hakeem Bello, and made available to newsmen on Friday in Ikeja, the governor said the reopening was in the interest of students and in compliance with the recommendation of the state House of Assembly Ad-hoc Committee on the recent disturbances in the school.

Graphic Pics : A 300 level student of the University of Cape Coast, Nigerian Student Murdered On campus

Click banner for more info

A 300 level student of the University of Cape Coast, identified as Mr. Godwin Awogbo, was found dead on Thursday within the campus premises.

His lifeless body was found with his intestines gushing out from his lower abdomen, close to the Brown Palace hostel.

It was gathered that the gruesome incident happened on Wednesday night.  According to his roommate, he tried calling him on his mobile phone when he didn't return to the room on time but couldn't reach him. He got to know about the death when he recieved messages from friends in the morning informing him about the lifeless body they had found.

Pic: Fire Guts AIT Company, Houses Price Thousands Razed

Click banner for more info

The Bayelsa office of Daar Communications Plc, owners of Africa Independent Television and Raypower FM station, has been gutted by fire with properties worth millions of naira destroyed.

The fire reduced the RayPower section of the building to rubble.

It was learnt that the inferno, which started about 2am on Thursday, was caused by power surge.

It was also learnt that when the fire started, all the workers of the station had closed and the inferno was discovered by policemen in a station near the office.

Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe clocks 90, says not retiring yet

Click banner for more info

Zimbabwe's longest serving president, Robert Mugabe turned 90 today and in his address to his party faithfuls, said he's not prepared to vacate the president's seat yet 

"When the day comes and I retire, yes, sure, the day will come, but I do not want to leave my party in tatters. I want to leave it intact".

Mugabe has said that he would leave when he is 94years old, that would be in 2018, after completing his current tenure which he was elected for last year.

The Financial Reporting Council Report that got Sanusi suspended ?

Click banner for more info

President Jonathan's decision to suspend CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi yesterday Feb. 20th was centered on a written report of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, FRCR dated June 7, 2013. In the report, FRCR ripped apart the 2012 audited financial statement of CBN and exposed what it termed as'fraud ','clear display of incompetence ',and 'excesses and wastefulness of Sanusi and the CBN.'

The 13-page report claimed a whooping N1.257 billion was spent for 'lunch for policemen'. There were also bogus payments to airlines to distribute currency nationwide. The FRCR also claimed CBN has held an account with a balance of N1.423b for an unknown customer since 2008. The report had recommended the sack of Sanusi and his deputy.

You can read the full report here or continue to read a breakdown of the report..

Nigerian Driver's License now accepted in Europe, US - FRSC

Click banner for more info

The Lagos Sector Commander FRSC, Chidi Nkwonta has said that the upgraded Driver's License being issued now in Nigeria can be used in 3 states in America as well as some countries in Europe.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday, Commander Nkwonta said in the US, the states of  Washington DC, California and Maryland recognize the Nigerian Driver's license while European countries such as Germany, Turkey, Switzerland, Poland, Spain, Austria and Sweden also recognize the Nigerian Drivers License. He said the license can be used in these places for a period of time, after which their own licenses would be issued.

Iceland no longer willing to join EU, referendum canceled – Icelandic MPs

Click banner for more info

Iceland's government supported the proposal of Foreign Minister of the country Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson to drop the plan of joining the EU. The night before both the Progressive Party and the Independence Party reached an agreement to withdraw its application for accession to the European Union, Icelandic State TV and Radio Broadcasting Service reports. The government also decided to cancel the referendum on whether to continue negotiations with the EU.

"In 2009, our former Foreign Minister suggested to submit a formal application for EU membership, so it was done. Quite naturally, I made a proposal to withdraw this statement," Sveinsson said to Icelandic reporters.

Tymoshenko released from prison - Russian lawmaker

Click banner for more info

A senior Russian lawmaker who is currently in Kharkiv has claimed that former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko has been released from prison. 

"According to my information, Tymoshenko has been released and at the moment is in Kharkiv. Her daughter is on her way to pick her up, and then she'll go to Kiev," Alexei Pushkov, chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, said.

Ukrainian Parliament vote in favour of release Tymoshenko

Click banner for more info

Ukrainian lawmakers voted on Saturday in favour of accelerating the release of jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko under quicker procedures, without requiring the president's endorsement.

Tymoshenko was jailed in 2011 for abuse of office linked to a gas deal she brokered with Russia as prime minister, following a trial denounced by the European Union as politically motivated. Lawmakers on Friday voted to amend the criminal code to release Tymoshenko, but it required the president's signature.

Graphic Pics: Dead baby found near UNILAG canal

Click banner for more info

A dead baby girl was found last tonite around 5.25pm by UNILAG canal near the main gate of the school in Akoka, Lagos. The child, dressed and wearing diapers, was already dead when people noticed and brought her out from the canal. Ants were seen around her body. Such an unbelievably heart-wrenching sight. View it after the break...*viewer discretion advised*

Suspected killers of Prince Noel Tochukwu nabbed & paraded

Click banner for more info

Two suspected killers of Prince Noel Tochukwu Unegbu, the US-based CEO of Imo Got Talent, who was shot dead in his room at Rapour Hotel in Owerri on February 4th, have been arrested by the Imo State police command.

The alleged killers, who are students of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education (AIFCE), Owerri, were paraded on Tuesday February 18th by the Imo State Police Command. The suspects are: Eze Charles Nnamdi, 22, a 400 level student of the college who hails from Abakaliki, Ebonyi State and Maduabuchi Augustine, 20, a 300 level student and a native of Ekwulobia in Anambra State.

Banker allegedly lost his life in police custody

Click banner for more info

 Based on reports and tweets from David Ekpo, a staff of Ecobank, Babatunde Oke was allegedly killed in police custody yesterday. Tunde (pictured above), who worked at the Ladipo Oluwole, Ogba branch of the bank, have been accused of fraud and handed to the police.

Davido Ekpo claims Tunde died after severe torture by the police. He left behind a wife and two children, a 2 year old and a 5-month old. Continue steadily to see more tweets after the break.

Arowolo burst into tears Video

Click banner for more info

Western countries financing and controlling Klitschko - Anonymous Ukraine

Click banner for more info

West is controlling Ukranian opposition leader Vitaly Klitschko, reported hackers from activist group Anonymous Ukraine. They said that they found the evidence in an e-mail account of the adviser to the President of Lithuania.

The Anonymous Ukraine claimed that Western countries are controlling the Ukranian opposition through intermediary of Lithuanian government, according to 15min.lt.

"We’ve hacked e-mail account of Laurynas Jonavicius – the adviser to the President of Lithuania. We’ve downloaded all the e-mails that were sent to him and discovered letters from Vitaly Klitschko.

16 Ways To Lose Weight Really Fast

Click banner for more info

From Zumba to yoga to ditching junk food, these simple lifestyle changes will help you lose 10, 30, even 50 pounds!

It’s a familiar story: You pledge to honor a daily elliptical routine and count every last calorie. But soon, you’re eating cupcakes at the office and grabbing happy hour mojitos, thinking, Oops, diet over.
There is a better way: Swap the all-or-nothing approach for one or two healthy switch-ups in your daily routine.

 “Doing this can lead to more weight loss than you ever imagined,” says Marissa Lippert, RD, author of The Cheater’s Diet.

Ondo Baby Factory: Lawyer Molests Journalists During Arraignment Of 10 Suspects

Click banner for more info

 Lawyer Molests Journalists During Arraignment Of 10 Suspects

By SaharaReporters, New York
A mild drama ensued on Thursday between journalists and some members of the bar at the resumed sitting and hearing of the 10 suspects arraigned for the illegal operation of a baby factory at Ilu-titun in Okitipupa Local Government area of Ondo State.

Horrible: University of Ibadan student Taiwo Shittu r*ped murdered in her house

Click banner for more info

27 year old Taiwo Omolara Shittu (pictured above), a 500l student of the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, University of Ibadan, was attacked and killed on the 19th of February at her sister's home at Opeyemi street, Gbagi in Ibadan.

Her sister, who she lived it, returned home from work around 5:30pm on Wednesday to find Taiwo in the pool of her own blood, her pants down to her ankle, and a machete stained with blood on the bed. Taiwo had been attacked with the machete as there was a opening on her head.