President Buhari appoints Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub as Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters following resignation of Kawu Sumaila

Following the resignation of Hon. Kawu Sumaila as the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), President Buhari has appointed Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub as his replacement.

 

Hon. Sumaila, appointed SSA resigned to contest for membership of the House of Representatives representing Sumaila/Takai Federal Constituency in Kano State under the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

His successor, El-Yakub, an APC stalwart from Kano State, was a member of the House of Representatives, 1998 and 2003-2007 representing Kano Municipal Federal Constituency.

Meghan the stylist! Watch the Duchess of Sussex as she helps pick out clothes for the unemployed and vulnerable women at Smart Works.

Meghan Markle paid a visit to Smart Works at St. Charles Hospital in West London where she helped pick out suitable clothes for unemployed and vulnerable women.

Meghan, who just became a royal patron at Smart Works – one of her four new patronages announced today – was all smiles and constantly cradled her bump as she met with the women.

 

Smart Works is a charity that helps unemployed and vulnerable women get back into the workplace. The charity provides high-quality interview clothes and training to unemployed women in need.

While visiting today, Meghan helped give fashion tips to women and declared: ‘I’m so happy to be here.’

 

 

Meghan – who is about 6 months pregnant  – looked stunning in a black dress from the maternity brand, Hatch. She also sported a long, brown Oscar de la Renta coat.

Patsy Wardally, who’d been out of work for 16 years, said:

It was so exhilarating to meet the Duchess. She picked out a Hobbs cape, a pair of earrings, a bracelet and a handbag for me.

She chose things that were fantastic and now I feel much more confident and more beautiful.

 

Co-founder Juliet Hughes-Hallett said:

She is really good at it. She instantly wanted to get stuck in.

When you see these women dressed well their shoulders go back, their confidence blooms and they think ‘this is possible. I can get this job.

 

Kate Stephens, CEO of Smart Works said afterwards:

She’s a natural. She’s very empathetic, relates to our clients. She’s very relaxed and puts everyone at ease and offers great advice as well. She was very hands on in there. She helped with the dressing, the interview coaching.

 

 

Kensington Palace revealed Smart Works as just one of Meghan’s several volunteering gigs. She’s also taking over 2 of Queen Elizabeth’s patronages – at the National Theatre and the Association of Commonwealth Universities – and working with an animal welfare group.

Watch videos of Meghan helping the women out below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

N19bn Paris Club Scam: Court Adjourns Saraki’s Aide, Makanjuola’s N3.5bn Fraud Trial to March 13

Justice Babs Kuewumi of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, January 10, 2019, adjourned to March 13, 2019, a N3.5bn fraud trial involving Gbenga Makanjuola, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, and three others.

 

Makanjuola  alongside Kolawole Shittu, cashier to Senate; Robert Chidozie Mbonu, a former Managing Director, Societe Generale Bank of Nigeria, SGBN (at large),  Melrose General Services Limited and Obiora Amobi, Operation Manager,  Melrose General Services Limited were arraigned on October 3, 2018 on an amended 11-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, accepting cash payment beyond threshold and money laundering to the tune of N3.5billion ((Three Billion, Five Hundred Million Naira) only.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Gbenga Makanjuola, sometime in December 2016 in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did accept cash payment of the sum of $500, 000. 00 (Five Hundred Thousand Dollars) only from   Kolawole Shittu without going through a financial institution and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended by Act No. 1 of 2012) and punishable under Section 16 (2) (b) of the same Act.”
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them. Consequently, the prosecution counsel, Ekene Iheanacho, had asked for a trial date and also prayed the court to remand the defendants in prison custody.
The prosecution counsel had also urged the court to refuse the bail applications filed by the defence counsels on behalf of their clients. Justice Kuewumi had, therefore, adjourned to October 9, 2019 for ruling on the bail applications.
In his ruling, Justice Kuewumi had granted the defendants bail in the sum of N250m each on October 9, 2018 and adjourned till December 4, 2018 for commencement of trial. At the resumed hearing today, Justice Kuewumi announced that he had been transferred to the Sokoto State Division.
“I have been posted out of Lagos State to Sokoto State. I can’t open a matter that will not be concluded. So, we have to adjourn the matter”, the Judge had said.
However, in his submission, counsel to the prosecution, Iheanacho, told the court that the matter was adjourned to today for the prosecution to open its case. “My Lord, I am ready to proceed with the trial”, he further stated.
Counsel to the first defendant, K. T. Olawuni, as well as counsel to the third defendant, Omeoga Chukwu, said they were also ready to proceed with the trial. Also, counsel to the second and fourth defendants, Paul Erokoro, SAN, said he was ready to proceed with the trial.
Erokoro, however, said that the prosecuting counsel had just served him with an additional proof of evidence. “My Lord, I need time to go through it very well,” he pleaded. Justice Kuewumi thereafter, adjourned the matter to March 13 for mention.

Iyabo Ojo, Ronke Oshodi Oke pray for MC Oluomo’s quick recovery after he got stabbed at APC rally in Lagos

Nollywood actresses, Ronke Oshodi Oke and Iyabo Ojo have sent  ‘get well soon’ messages to NURTW top-shot, MC Oluomo who was stabbed at the APC governorship rally in Lagos a few days back.

 

Oluomo was immediately rushed to Eko Hospital where he is currently receiving medical attention and according to his close ally, Kokozaria, ‘my boss is perfectly okay and alright. Oluomo State Chairman 2019 o ti set, he is the one already I pray God will continue to guide and protect us all. 2019 our enemies will run’.

Jennifer Lopez flaunts her long legs and curves as she covers Harper’s Bazaar magazine (Photos)

Singer and actress, Jennifer Lopez is the cover star for the February issue of Harper’s Bazaar magazine.

In one of the photos, the 49-year-old flaunted her enviable curves and long legs while posing in a black bodysuit.

 

During her interview with the Magazine, Jennifer Lopez spoke on sexism, saying: ‘I feel very proud that I’ve survived as long as I have in this business. At this point in my life, I’m trying to give myself more credit,’ began the mother of two.

‘It’s hard when people are always telling you that you’re not good at things or saying, “Why is she successful?” You get a lot of that when you’re a successful woman. You don’t get that as much when you’re a man.

‘The thing about people, women especially, is that you can have 12 people telling you you’re amazing, but that one person kind of putting you down, that’s the voice that sticks in your head…

Then finally you go, “Wait, I’m not lying. I’ve been doing this a long time. This is not a mistake. I worked hard to be here.” And you know what? Congratulations to myself. Not in an arrogant way, by any means. It’s like, “You’re doing good, baby. Give yourself a break.”

Photo: EFCC arrests man for failure to disclose $207,000 at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport

The Kano state zonal office of EFCC arrested Sani Abdullahi, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, for money laundering offence.
Abdullahi was arrested on board Ethiopian Air enroute Kano to China, for failing to fully declare the sum of $207,000 (Two Hundred and Seven Thousand Dollars) in his possession, to the authorities.

He declared the sum of $86,000 (Eighty Six Thousand Dollars), but concealed the sum of $121,000 (One Hundred and Twenty One Thousand Dollars). The concealed sum was discovered after he was searched by operatives of the Commission. It is an offence contrary to the Money Laundering Act 2011 (as amended).

The suspect has been granted administrative bail and will soon be charged to court.

Kidnappers demand $10m in cryptocurrency for 68-year old wife of wealthy businessman

Kidnappers who took Anne-Elisabeth Hagen, wife of a wealthy Norwegian businessman, are demanding $10m ransom in cryptocurrency.

 

Anne-Elisabeth, 68, the wife of real estate investor,Tom Hagen, went missing last year but news of her disappearance had not previously been disclosed and police said they could not confirm whether she was still alive.

 

“There has been demand for ransom, and serious threats have been made in this case. As things now stand, we advise the family not to pay” Police Inspector Tommy Broeske told a news conference.

 

Norwegian tabloid Verdens Gang, quoting unnamed sources, reported that a demand for ransom corresponding to 9 million euros ($10 million) had been made, payable in the Monero cryptocurrency.  Police declined to comment on the size of the demand.

 

“The family sees this as a cruel and inhumane act. We hope that by going public, contact will be established and that the family gets confirmation that all is well with Anne-Elisabeth…If we do, they are prepared to start a process that could lead to her return,” lawyer Svein Holden told reporters.

 

The business magazine Kapital estimated Tom Hagen’s net worth at around $200 million. Kidnappings are rare in Norway, which prides itself on low crime rates.

How Tania Omotayo, Lola OJ, Lala Akindoju, others turned up for Adekunle Gold and Simi’s wedding

Adekunle Gold and Simi’s traditional wedding held today at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island and the ladies turned up looking elegant.

 

Some of the female celebs who attended the wedding included Tania Omotayo, Lola OJ, Lala Akindoju, Yetunde Babaeko and others.

 

See photos below,….

Like father like son! Cristiano Ronaldo and his son strike a pose in matching suits (Photo)

Juventus striker, Cristiano Ronaldo shared this good looking photo of himself and his son Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. striking a pose in matching suits.

Government money will not be used for my campaign- President Buhari

President Buhari today reiterated his commitment to eliminate corruption in campaign financing in the country, pledging that he will not authorise the use of any money from the treasury for his re-election campaign.

Speaking at the close of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, President Buhari directed cabinet ministers to take advantage of technology to reach out to voters on the need to return the All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration in next month’s general elections.

“As political parties spread their ideologies and views to every nook and corner of the country, the issue of cash payment to voters and its corrupting influence in electioneering has once again become a topical issue. Try and use text and multi-media messages to seek votes for the party and government. ‘There is no money from the treasury for use in the campaigns. I will not authorize that,” he said.

President Buhari declared that the APC-led administration has a clear development agenda best suited to take Nigeria forward and sustain economic development.

‘‘This message needs to be taken to all Nigerians but we cannot use money from the treasury to share out to prospective voters. Nigerians want change and we alone can deliver that change. Our people can no longer be swayed by money politics,’’ he said.

President Buhari’s government is corrupt – Bukola Saraki

Senate President Bukola Saraki has said that President Buhari’s government has lost its moral ground in the fight against corruption because of corrupt practices within the administration.

 

Saraki in an exclusive interview with Channels Television said the Buhari-led government came in on a promise to oust corruption but have rather allowed a new set of corrupt officials to thrive. Saraki said there is no way the present government can be speaking of integrity when it has “a member who has been found wanting, left without charge or prosecution”.

 

According to Saraki, in 2015 the Jonathan administration was ousted on three major promises which are: security, economic growth and the fight against corruption. The lawmaker, however, opined that “Nigerians are not better off today than they were in 2015”.

 

He said that Boko Haram insurgency has worsened, in that “more territories are being lost”.

 

Speaking about the economic situation in the country, the Senate President said: “creation of more jobs has failed”. He also added that Nigeria has dropped to a very disturbing position on the poverty chart.

 

Regarding the pace of the PDP campaign, Saraki said the steam has not fizzled out for the opposition party. He, however, noted that the environment has become very different and hostile under the All Progressives Congress.

“the people are more edgy because of the intolerance of the government”, citing the arrest of Deji Adeyanju. The Senate President further noted that there is no issue within the PDP, arguing that the opposition presidential candidate has the full backing of all members and stands a great chance against President Muhammadu Buhari. he said

 

Saraki also alleged that there is massive fraud within the oil sector saying, ‘applying subsidy on assumption that Nigeria consumes fifty million litres (50million litres) of fuel a day, is fraudulent.

 

Saraki said in the Jonathan administration subsidy was based on an assumption that the nation consumes 30million litres of fuel daily. He added that he and some other lawmakers warned that the Jonathan government was condoning corruption “by over importing fuel and because of that we were losing a lot of money”.

 

The Senate President said the present government instead of changing the process, jerked up the importation by 20 million litres extra.  He said, “you would have thought that a government that was to fight corruption and prevent leakages would even if you are going to continue subsidy, ensure that it is better managed.”

 

Saraki added that there is no way Nigerians can consume 50million litres a day, “it is just money being stolen,” he alleged. He further argued that there is almost no way that President Muhammadu Buhari is not aware of what is going on within his government, stressing that the Senate has investigated the issue but “we have an environment where agencies of government are emboldened to disregard the National Assembly, it is a big issue”.

First video from Simi and Adekunle Gold’s wedding digging it out on the dance floor

 

Here’s the first video from the traditional wedding of Simi and Adekunle Gold.

 

The latest couple is seen in this video digging it out on the dance floor. Watch the video below….

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Finally, something we have all been waiting for. #AdekunleGold and #Simi digging it at their wedding today. Love is sweet! ❤ #GoldWedding Video: @nostorytv #BellaNaijaWeddings

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