House Finance Committee’s 50 Questions: Okonjo-Iweala presents detailed 102-page response.

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Find a press statement below...

The Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has provided a detailed 102-page documented response to the 50 questions posed by the House of Representatives Committee on Finance. The document provides, in extensive detail, including tables and graphs, answers to the committee’s well publicized questions. 

In her response, the Minister stressed that, in spite of many challenges which government has acknowledged, the Nigerian economy is showing real and measurable progress in many areas. This can be seen in the fact that more jobs are being created; roads, rail and other infrastructure are being improved; the country is saving for the future and planning better for the present. Continue...

Uganda President refuses to sign anti-gay bill into law

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President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has refused to sign into law an anti-gay bill passed by the country's parliament, which is aimed at imprisoning not just homosexuals, but people who talk about it without condemning the lifestyle. The President in a letter to the Country's parliament speaker said homosexuals are 'abnormal' but could be 'rescued' by improving the economy.

"Even with legislation, they will simply go underground and continue practicing homosexuality or lesbianism for mercenary reasons. You cannot call an abnormality an alternative orientation. It could be that the Western societies, on account of random breeding, have generated many abnormal people." President Museveni said

In December 2013, the Ugandan parliament passed its anti-gay bill going against  the President's advice and now seeks his assent. The President had initially advised that the homosexuality situation in the country be studied deeply and carefully before any laws against the practice be enacted.

The Ugandan anti-gay bill seeks to make all form of homosexual activities a criminal offense to be punishable under law. Homosexuals can get as much as a life term imprisonment punishment. Also anyone who knows a homosexual and doesn't report such to police authorities would also face some sanctions if found wanting.

Russian President Putin names three qualities a politician needs.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has named three qualities he believes a politician should have.

During a meeting between the president and volunteers taking part in the preparations for the Sochi Olympics, which are scheduled to be held in February, a Mongolian student of a Krasnodar Territory university asked Putin what three strong qualities a politician should have.

"Honesty, professionalism, and - that probably applies more to healthcare workers - a feeling of compassion and involvement in the life of an ordinary citizen. It's extremely important," Putin said.

Russia doesn't prohibit homosexual relations, only propaganda among minors is banned - Putin

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 During his meeting with Sochi Olympics volunteers, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia does not seek to hold anyone legally responsible for homosexual relations, as it is widely stipulated in the West. More specifically, he underlined that Russia does not arrest anyone for homosexual relations, and it is only the promotion of homosexuality and pedophilia among minors that is strictly banned.

The maradona: France's Hollande visits First Lady Trierweiler in hospital.

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French President Francois Hollande has paid his first visit to his official partner Valerie Trierweiler since she was hospitalised in the wake of revelations he was having an affair, his office said.

Hollande visited Trierweiler at a Paris hospital on Thursday evening, six days after she was admitted, a spokesman said.

Obama Set to announce end of NSA telephone metadata collection program - official

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President Barack Obama on Friday will announce the end of a telephone metadata collection program that has come under harsh criticism, a senior US official said.

"In his speech, the President will say that he is ordering a transition that will end the Section 215 telephone metadata program as it currently exists," the official said, as Obama prepares to unveil long awaited reforms of NSA surveillance techniques.

WHITECIOUS: Vanity Fair accused of lightening Lupita Nyong'o's skin

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Vanity Fair yesterday announced that 30 year old Oscar nominee Lupita Nyong'o was among the faces photographed for the Vanities section of its February issue and tweeted the pic on the right. And as the Kenyan beauty looks great in the pic, everyone was quick to point out that she looks way lighter in the pic than she really is. Compare and contrast the pics above. African is beautiful Vanity Fair!
Continue after the break.

Senate President's Younger sister Dies During Child labour

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A statement by David Mark's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, on Thursday, confirmed the develoment and quoted the late Onma-Adakole's younger brother, Mr. Igoche Mark, saying that the deceased would be buried in her home town, Otukpo, Benue State, on Friday.
    Mark described his late sister "as a straight forward, hardworking and benevolent person with plenty of vision and hope for a greater tomorrow" adding that the death was a huge loss to the Mark's family.

R.I.P: 3-Year-Old Nigerian Boy Crushed To Death By Lift In Ireland

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A Nigerian boy, Solomon Soremekun,  was crushed to death by a lift after getting out of his pushchair and walking into the shaft, Irish media reported on Wednesday.  According to reports, Soremekun was in the company of his mother and three siblings at the time of the incident.  He reportedly got out of his pushchair after he became separated from his family on the first floor and went through open lift doors into the shaft. Unfortunately, the lift came down and crushed him.

Fashola, APC Governors, Leaders converge to honour Bisi Akande at 75

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Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Thursday joined several notable Nigerians like Governors Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo, Tanko Al-Makura of Nassarawa, Dr Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Owelle Rochas Okorocha of Imo, Senator Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and several others in celebrating the National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande as he turned 75.

Damascus officially confirms its participation in Geneva-2 - UN

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The Syrian government has officially confirmed its participation in the Geneva-2 peace conference. This came today as a statement by Deputy Official Representative of the UN Secretary General, Farhan Haq.

"Yes, they will participate," Farhan Haq said and added that Damascus had formally informed about this in a letter to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. "As far as I understand, the delegation of the SAR government will be headed by Foreign Minister Walid Muallem ", said the UN representative.

Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu slams EU 'hypocrisy' on settlements.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the European Union Thursday for summoning envoys over recently unveiled plans for some 1,800 new settler homes in the occupied West Bank.

"This is hypocrisy. The EU calls our ambassadors in because of the construction of a few houses? When did the EU call in the Palestinian ambassadors about incitement that calls for Israel's destruction?" Netanyahu asked foreign correspondents at his annual new year reception.

"It's time to stop this hypocrisy," he said. "This imbalance... doesn't advance peace, I think it pushes peace further away."

Oby Ezekwesili got great questions for Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Twitter

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 Ex-Vice President of World Bank's Africa division & former Nigerian minister Oby Ezekwesili is seeking to understand what happened to the $10billion missing from the NNPC account. She tweeted at the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala a few minutes ago. See more tweets following the break.

President Jonathan, Please end the tragic farce in Rivers State now!

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DEAR President Goodluck  Jonathan , I never thought I would join in the letter writing orgy that has seized all of Nigeria by the wrist! Certainly, not given the self-serving purposes of the Epistle of Saint Matthew of Otta to the people of Nigeria through you and the many replies to it.

8 People Shot As Ogun APC Crisis Turns Violent

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The crisis in the Ogun State All Progressives Congress, APC, turned violent on Thursday with some members sustaining gunshot injuries.

Eight people were reportedly shot during the clash at Wasimi Market Square, Ewekoro Local Government Area. They are said to be currently receiving treatment at a hospital.

For real ? Woman Gives Birth To Tortoise In Lagos

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A tradomedical practitioner in Lagos has claimed that a 20-year old woman delivered a tortoise and a baby girl in his clinic. The woman, Rasheedat Raimi, said she had carried the pregnancy for 10 months before she eventually delivered the baby girl and the tortoise at a trado-medical clinic on Mutairu Street, Off Ijegun Road, outskirts of Lagos. She was in pains as she talked to P.M.NEWS about the strange delivery. “I came to Yakafi for prayers because of the terrible pains I was having in my stomach. Immediately I got here, prayers were offered and immediately there was a burst of water and blood under me.

Weird: Hindu worshipers drink fresh cow urine to prevent cancer (Phot'd)

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It might seem absurd but its true and the is practice carried out by some Hindu worshipers in India.

An increasing cult of Hindu worshipers in India nest a strong belief that cow's urine help prevent cancer.

Hindus feel that cows are sacred creatures, hence its divine healing powers which comes from the animals urine.

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Police begin clampdown on gay people as 38 homosexuals are arrested in Bauchi

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POLICE across Nigeria have begun arresting lesbians and gays following President Goodluck Jonathan's recent signing into law of a new Draconian bill that makes being homosexual an offence punishable for 14 years in jail.   Earlier this month, President Jonathan put his signature to the controversial Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill into law. Condemned internationally as a fundamental breach of human rights, the law stipulates that anyone convicted of engaging in a same sex marriage is liable to serve 14 years in prison, while anyone aiding or abetting such relationships faces a 10 year jail term.  

Jonathan announces Tukur’s resignation, produces letter from pocket

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The National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has just accepted the resignation of the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.  President Goodluck Jonathan announced to the members of NEC that Tukur has resigned from his job. Jonathan, who brought out Tukur’s letter of resignation from his pocket, handed it over to the National Secretary of the party, Prof. Wale Oladipo. As soon as he announced the resignation, the audience clapped in acceptance. President Jonathan therefore directed the Governor of Cross Rivers State, Mr. Liyel Imoke to move the motion for the acceptance of Tukur’s resignation.  Imoke appealed to Tukur not to abandon the party despite his resignation.

Nigeria anti-gay law ’ll fuel violence –UN Secretary General

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United Nations’ Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed deep concern on Wednesday at a new Nigerian law that criminalises same-sex relationships, which he fears could fuel prejudice and violence and risks obstructing an effective HIV/AIDS response.

The bill, which contains penalties of up to 14 years in prison and bans gay marriage, same-sex “amorous relationships” and membership of gay rights groups, was passed by the National Assembly last May and signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday.

 “The Secretary-General fears that the law may fuel prejudice and violence, and notes with alarm reports that police in northern Nigeria have arrested individuals believed by the authorities to be homosexuals, and may even have tortured them,” Ban’s press office said in a statement quoted by Reuters.