FRESH 4RM GIM

There are very strong indications to suggest that al-Qaeda, the global terror organization founded by the late  Osama Bin Laden , may have taken control of the notorious and deadly Jama’atu Ahliss-Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad, popularly known as Boko Haram, Sunday Vanguard can report authoritatively. In addition, it was learnt that some of the camps used by Boko Haram members as safe haven in Cameroun have been detected by Nigeria’s security forces. The problem, however, according to sources, is that “except Cameroun enters into concrete collaboration with Nigeria, nothing can be done”. Aqim and Boko Haram The alleged  arrowhead  of the take-over, which is the al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, AQIM, has its headquarters in Algeria.

Former  Vice president of the  World Bank ,  Dr Oby Ezekwesili ,on Thursday ,during the All Progressive Congress’ (APC) Summit  in Abuja came down heavily on the political class, insisting that switching camps at short intervals was not a solution to Nigeria’s myriad of problems. Ezekwesili also told her host that the leadership that would serve above self was not yet in the  (APC)  She said “Doing the migratory dance between one set of acronyms and another does not  solve the problem , Structural problems require structural solutions. Changing acronyms don’t solve the problem” –  Ezekwesili who was  guest speaker   knew she would ruffle feathers when she reminded the audience made up of Bola Tinubu, Muhammadu Buhari, APC Governors, and all its stake holders that “ you asked me to speak , you will have to bear with me”

President  Goodluck  Jonathan  has disclosed that he does not own any  bank account  or property outside the country, adding that all his kids live and school on the shores of Nigeria.His revelation came few days after the United States ordered a freeze on $458 million in assets stolen by former Nigerian dictator, Sani Abacha and his accomplices. The stolen funds were hidden in European accounts. Jonathan however made the remark during the swearing-in of 11 new  Ministers  yesterday. His words as tweeted by his Special Assistant on  New Media , Reno Omokri, @renoomokri, “I am loyal to Nigeria’s economy. I don’t have accounts or property abroad. All my children live and school in Nigeria” Nigeria  former leaders have severally come under heavy attacks for slashing stolen money in  foreign accounts and owning expensive property abroad. Daily Post.

The Senate President,   David Mark , has pledged the support of the North Central zone of PDP to President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election. Mr. Mark made the pledge during the `Unity Rally` of the  North  Central zone of the party in Minna on Saturday. He said, “We are here today to assure Mr. President that we are solidly behind him; we will go with the leader who has brought us good luck. “The leader who has brought good luck to Nigerians; the leader who has made a lot of sacrifice to lead this country by example. “We in the North Central zone of the PDP, when we say yes, it will remain yes, come rain, come sunshine. I can vouch for my people. When we say yes; it is yes.’’

The  Minister of Finance , Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has explained how the Olusegun Obasanjo administration spent the loot recovered from the late maxiumn dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha. She said that contrary to reports that the sum of $2bn was recovered from Abacha’s loot, only $500m was recovered under her watch when she was first made finance minister. The minister made the clarification amidst conflicting figures about the actual amount recovered. For instance, speaking in London in November 2006, the pioneer Chairman of the Economic and  Financial Crimes  Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, had said that “Abacha took over $6bn from Nigeria,” and that $2bn of the loot had been recovered. Ribadu repeated the same figure in the same month during the 12th International Anti-Corruption Conference in Guatemela. Three months ago, Ribadu repeated the same claim in Dakar at the 2nd Annual High Level Dialogue on Governance and Democracy in Africa.

The cause of the fire is yet to be  determined . A petrol tanker inside a filling station in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, is currently on fire. The fire was still on inside the MRS Filling station at Piwei junction, along the Airport Road, as at 7:05 p.m. Fire service  officials were battling to put out the fire. The cause of the fire has not been confirmed. Motorists who were on a long queue at the filling station trying to buy petrol have since driven away with their vehicles. More details later…

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, who defended the posthumous award given to Abacha during Nigeria’s centenary celebration last week, said that the award was not meant to celebrate moral virtues. A cross section of Nigerians had questioned the government for honouring some controversial recipients, one of whom was Abacha. Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, even rejected his nomination for the centenary award, saying he could not share the award with Abacha, who he described as a “murderer and thief of no redeeming quality”. However, Abati said that the award did not mean that the government was supporting sharp or corrupt practices, adding that the allegation about money laundering and forfeiture of money was another matter entirely in which the government was also interested. He said, “This (award) does not in any means translate to supporting sharp practices or corrupt practices. It is important to make the clear distinction in this rega...

The 2014 AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) took place at Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos on Saturday. Find the winners’ list below: -Best Movie of 2013 – The Contract -Best Actpr in a Drama Award goes to Tope Tedela for A Mile From Home -Best Actress in a Drama Award goes to Nse Ikpe-Etim for Journey To Self - Industry Merit Award goes to Peter Edochie -Best Movie Drama goes to Frank Rajah Arase for The Price -Best actor in a comedy award goes to Elvis Chucks -New era award goes to Rita Dominic for The Meeting -Trailblazer Award goes to: Michelle Bello -Best supporting actor in a Drama goes to Desmond Elliot for Finding Mercy -Best supporting actress in a Drama goes to Bikiya Graham-Douglas for Flower Girl -Best Director goes to Shirley Frimpong-Manso – Contract -Best Actor in a Comedy goes to: Osita Iheme – The Hero -Best Online Video goes to: Amarachukwu Onoh – Mother Tongue -Best Short Film awa...

There is no doubt that pockets of gay people in the country would be living in fear as a result of a recent law that criminalises homoséxuality in Nigeria, with the possibility of 14 years imprisonment. But investigations by Punch shows that a bar by the roadside in the Agege area of Lagos, might be offering a sort of comfort zone to those who have decided to go with same séx partners. A true confession: “My family confronted me about whether I was gay once but when I got the girl pregnant, they stopped doubting me. People in my area were the ones feeding them with all sorts of rumours,” a confirmed gay opened up.Aware of how dangerous this kind of curiosity could be, our correspondent went under the guise of being a model looking for where to have fun and also “organise” young men and women for his clients…. Our correspondent visited the bar. The bar, which is located next to a popular petrol station in the area, brings to mind the popular saying that the best way to hide an...