Argentina’s Jorge Mario Bergoglio is the new Pope

Pope Francis 1

He will known as Pope Francis I.

French cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran made the announcement from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica.

Bergoglio, 76, was believed to be the runner-up to Benedict XVI at the last conclave in 2005. He has now been elected the 266th Pope, in Papal history.

The 76-year-old conservative emerged from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica to the cry of "Habemus Papam!" ("We Have a Pope!"), as tens of thousands of pilgrims clambered over barriers and broke down in tears, overcome with emotion after suspenseful prayer vigils worldwide.

White smoke earlier billowed from the Sistine Chapel and the bells of St Peter's Basilica rang out, signalling the election had taken place after five rounds of voting in the Vatican — one more than when Benedict XVI was elected in 2005.

Bergoglio is the first Jesuit to become pope and is believed to have been the runner-up in 2005.

The first wisps of smoke in the evening sky prompted cries of "Long live the pope!" from pilgrims clutching rosaries and waving flags in the square, where the image of the tiny copper chimney was projected onto four giant screens.

Bergoglio, who is the 266th pope in the Catholic Church's 2,000-year history, retired to a chamber known as the "Room of Tears" immediately after the nomination to don his papal vestments and then prayed in the Pauline Chapel.

PTDF 2013/2014 Scholarship for Undergraduates, MSc. and Phd - Apply Now

Sample of the PTDF Scratch Card

The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) is a parastatal of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources established by Decree 25 of 1973 for the purpose of developing and promoting petroleum technology and for creating the manpower needs of the oil and gas industry through research and training of Nigerians.

Our mission therefore is to train Nigerians to qualify as graduates, professionals, technicians and craftsmen in the field of engineering, geology, science and management in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria or abroad. We have a vision to serve not only as a vessel for the development of indigenous manpower and technology transfer/acquisition in the petroleum industry but also to make Nigeria a human resource centre for the West African sub-region.

To ensure a steadfast implementation of this mandate, PTDF is inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates for Overseas MSc and PhD Scholarships. Scholarships will be awarded for studies in the 2013/2014 academic session in the United Kingdom and France (Grenoble INP) and upgraded Universities in Nigeria for the 2013/2014 session. However, the Undergraduate level will be awarded for studies in Nigeria only on subject areas listed below.

Application Forms can be accessed online at the APPLICATION WEBSITE (stated below this publication) using an ATM card or through purchase of a scratch card from designated main branches of First Bank of Nigeria Plc in all the States and FCT, upon payment of a NON-REFUNDABLE sum of N1,000 (One Thousand Naira Only). Instructions on how to access the form online is clearly stated on the backside of the cards.

Applicants may please note that only those who meet the requirements below shall be shortlisted and invited for Electronic Aptitude Test, in the case of Master's, while oral interview will be conducted for PhD (full time) on dates to be announced later. Following the aptitude tests and interview, the best qualified candidates will be selected and awarded the PTDF Scholarship.

PTDF however wishes to inform applicants that the Overseas Scholarship Scheme was instituted as a short term measure to address identified skills gaps, pending the outcome of the various capacity building efforts being made to enable our domestic universities effectively handle the onerous task of grooming qualitative professionals in the oil and gas related disciplines. With the numerous upgrade programmes executed by the Fund in some Federal Universities in Nigeria, emphasis has shifted to training Nigerians in-country. Consequently, only a limited number of candidates will be sponsored overseas and the rest in Nigerian Universities listed below.

LIST OF NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES:

- African University of Science and Technology
– Petroleum Engineering
- Institute of Petroleum Studies, Port Harcourt
- University of Port Harcourt- Gas Eng
- University of Ibadan- Petroleum Eng
- University of Nigeria Nsukka- Geology
- University of Benin- Chemical Engineering
- University of Jos- Mining & Geology
- University of Maiduguri - Geology
- Ahmadu Bello University – Chemical Eng
- Usman Dan Fodio University – Industrial Chemistry
- University of Uyo – Chemical & Petroleum Eng
- Bayero University Kano – Electrical Eng

PLEASE NOTE THAT UNDERGRADUATE APPLICANTS MUST BE IN THEIR 2ND YEAR IN ANY OF THE LISTED NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES, WHILE THE POSSESSION OF A VALID UNIVERSITY ADMISSION LETTER IS COMPULSORY FOR ALL PHD APPLICANTS.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

A. UNDER GRADUATE (Nigeria Only)

1. Possession of 5 credits in WAEC/SSCE/NECO including English Language and Mathematics

2. Must have concluded the 1st year of their study in any of the PTDF upgraded Federal Universities listed above.

3. Must have scored a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on scale of 5 or 4.5 on a scale of 7 in their 1st Year.

4. Must scan and attach a copy of their admission letter

5. Students admitted into the University through Direct Entry i.e. 200 level must have either of the following:

i. Minimum of Upper Credit at the Diploma level

ii. Minimum of 10 points in interim Joint Matriculation Board (I.J.M.B) examination.

iii. Minimum of 8 points at the Advanced Level General Certificate of Education (G.C.E).

B. MSc (Overseas)

1. A minimum of Second Class Upper (2.1) in an Oil and Gas related field OR a 2.2 with oil and gas industry experience

2. National Youth Service (NYSC) certificate

3. Applicants must be computer literate

4. Possession of O/level with Credit in English Language in WAEC/SSCE (C6) or NECO (C4);

5. Applicants must not be above 30 years of age

Applicants without credit in English language as in (4) above but possess any of the following may apply

i. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

ii. G.R.E ( Graduate Record Examination)

iii. GMAT –for Management related courses

iv. International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

C. PhD

1. Applicants must be in the academics in Nigerian Institutions, teaching an oil and gas related discipline;

2. Applicants must possess minimum of 2.2 in their first degree and a good second degree certificate;

3. Applicants must submit a research proposal relevant to the oil and gas industry (of not more than 5 pages) to include: Topic, introduction, objective, methodology and mode of data collection;

4. Applicants must include a valid admission letter;

5. Applicants must not be over 40 years of age; and;

6. Applicants must include their masters degree project

DOCUMENTS TO SCAN AND ATTACH TO THE APPLICATION FORM

Applicants are advised to scan copies of the following documents and attach to their online application forms:

1. First Degree Certificate or Statement of Result

2. NYSC discharge certificate

3. WAEC/GCE/SSCE/NECO Results or provide PIN numbers on the application forms to enable PTDF view the results on the relevant website.

4. Recent Passport Photograph

5. Local Government Identification Letter

6. Master's Degree Certificate (PhD Applicants only)

7. Admission Letter (PhD Applicants)

LIST OF APPROVED COURSES FOR SPONSORSHIP

A. MSC

Scholarships will be offered for admission into the under listed courses (for overseas MSc). Candidates are advised, to apply for admission into Universities in the UK and France that offer these courses, while applying for the Petroleum Technology Development Fund Scholarship.

1. Asset Management (Engineering Asset Management)
2. Basin Evolution and Dynamics
3. Diving and Underwater Technology
4. Energy Systems Engineering
5. Environmental Engineering
6. Environmental Remote Sensing
7. Fire & Explosion Engineering
8. Health Safety and Environment
9. Marine Computational Fluid Dynamics
10. Maritime Operations
11. Occupational Health and Safety
12. Offshore and Ocean Technology
13. Offshore Engineering
14. Pipeline Engineering
15. Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
16. Refinery Design and Operations
17. Subsea Engineering
18. Thermal Power (Gas Turbine Option)
19. Welding Engineering
20. Design of Rotating Machines
21. Control Systems
22. Hydraulic Engineering (France)
23. Fluid Mechanics and Energetics (France)

B. PhD PRIORITY RESEARCH AREAS

The PhD research areas in addition to the afore-listed MSc program areas may also include any of the following related areas:

1. Environmental Studies and HSE (Health, Safety and Environment).
2. Marginal Fields Development.
3. Flow Assurance and Pipeline Engineering.
4. Geology and Petroleum Geology.
5. Civil and Marine Engineering.
6. Renewable Energy.
7. Reservoir Engineering/Production Technology.
8. Refining Technology.
9. Ship Building & Marine Technology.

PLEASE NOTE THAT:

i. RECIPIENTS OF A SIMILAR SCHOLARSHIP NEED NOT APPLY

ii. APPLICANTS WHO ALREADY POSSESS A MASTER'S DEGREE SHOULD NOT APPLY FOR MSC PROGRAMME, BUT ARE QUALIFIED TO APPLY FOR THE PHD.

iii. CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 26 MARCH 2013.

iv. To apply now, visit the application website at http://ptdf.cinfores.com/

Signed
Management

Samsung To Reveal Galaxy S4 On Thursday

Samsung's Galaxy S4 won't be revealed until Thursday but the phone is already getting the buzz typically reserved for an Apple iPhone.

The Galaxy S3 was the first Android phone to truly tango with the iPhone; the S4 will be bigger, sharper and faster, trumping its predecessor in practically every regard. With the iPhone 5 getting refreshed this summer, Samsung needs to make a big statement if the company wants to sell the 10 million phones a month it is reportedly ordering from suppliers.

Here's what to expect from the next generation of the company's blockbuster flagship.

5-inch HD screen
There's no fighting the trend: Phones keep getting bigger and so is the Galaxy S4. A 4.99-inch Super AMOLED 1080p screen was spotted at CES, and tech watchers believe it's the screen for the new S4. That means the phone would have a resolution of 1,080 x 1,920 with 440 pixels per inch (PPI), up from the S3, which is already a substantial 4.8-inches. But bigger is better, right?

Here comes Jelly Bean
The S4 will be running Android 4.2. Code-named Jelly Bean, the latest update to Google's mobile operating system promises a brand new camera experience and a novel new way to type.

An eight-core processor?
It's possible that Samsung will equip its new flagship with its powerful Exynos 5 Octa eight-core processor, making the S4 one of the most powerful phones on the planet, but the company might save it for the Note III. Instead, recently leaked photos seem to indicate a quad-core processor running at 1.8 GHz, up from the 1.4-GHz chip in the S3.

13-megapixels by 2.2 megapixels
There aren't too many details about the camera, but most reports indicate a 13-megapixel camera accompanied by a 2.2. megapixel front-facing camera.

Networked beast
4G LTE and 802.11 ac — a faster Wi-Fi specification — make sure the S4 keeps up the pace.

Eyetracking?
Perhaps the most exciting rumors is the prospect of eye-tracking technology that will enable the phone to detect when you are finished reading a page and automatically scroll for you, according to a New York Times report. It will even pause your video when you look away.

Still plastic
A big complaint against the Galaxy SIII was that its plastic materials felt cheap and lacked the heft of the iPhone's sleek aluminum unibody. But fans hoping for a switch to metal are out of luck. Samsung is sticking with plastic, Y.H. Lee, executive vice president of Samsung's mobile division, indicated to CNET, citing the need to balance aesthetics with durability and manufacturability.

Wireless charging capabilities
The Galaxy S4 will have the ability to charge its 2,600-mAh battery wirelessly with an optional dock, according to Samsung blog SamMobile.

Ready in April?
Although the SII and the SIII were both released in May, the S4 is expected to go on sale sometime in mid April after the 15th, one month after its planned announcement.

Leaked images on a Chinese forum seem to confirm most of the rumors. The photos showed a 5-inch phone with textured plastic and a metal band. And while the phone's screen is bigger, some of that extra real estate is cancelled out by a smaller bezel. Stay tuned for our complete coverage Thursday.

Kim Kardashian, Joe Biden and Beyoncé among THIRTEEN celebrity victims of hacker - who posted their financial details on the web

Authorities have been grappling with how to respond to a website that posted what appears to be private financial information of numerous Hollywood A-listers and government officials.

The Los Angeles police and the FBI are reportedly investigating after purported Social Security numbers and credit reports of the leaders of both agencies were posted online on Monday.

And FBI Director Robert Mueller and LAPD boss Charlie Beck weren't alone.

In the cross hairs: Two of the personalities that have been exposed in the hack are FBI Director Robert Mueller, left, and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck - and both agencies are reportedly investigating

Cyber steal: The site, which bore an internet suffix originally assigned to the Soviet Union, remains active

Bold hack: Information posted on Vice President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton did not include credit reports but included addresses and other sensitive information

Power couple targeted: Beyonce and Jay-Z are among the celebs whose financial information has been posted on the website

Socialites: The social security numbers and credit reports of Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton were also exposed by the elaborate hack

Pages posted on Vice President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton did not include credit reports but included addresses and other sensitive information.

Social Security numbers posted on Braveheart star Mel Gibson, rapper Jay-Z and others matched records in public databases.

Singers Beyoncé Knowles and Britney Spears, Two and a Half Men actor Ashton Kutcher, reality TV star Kim Kardashian, socialite Paris Hilton, real estate mogul Donald Trump and Attorney General Eric Holder also appeared.

The site, which bore an internet suffix originally assigned to the Soviet Union, remained active on Monday afternoon.

Out in the open: Information belonging to Two and a Half Men star Ashton Kutcher and singer Britney Spears were also revealed by the website

Huge: The site does not did not state how the information was obtained or why the 13 people - like Attorney General Eric Holder and real estate mogul Donald Trump - were selected

It did not state how the information was obtained or why the 13 people targeted on the site were selected, describing the records only as 'secret files.'

Its existence was first reported Monday by celebrity website TMZ.

Homage? The site's page on LAPD chief Charlie Beck includes a taunting reference to former officer Christopher Dorner, pictured

The site reported that both the LAPD and the FBI are investigating the hack.

Several of the purported credit reports appear to have been generated last week.

Representatives for each person targeted either declined to comment on the accuracy of the information that was posted, or they did not return messages seeking comment.

Several of the pages featured unflattering pictures of the celebrities or government officials whose information was posted.

The site's page on Beck includes a taunting reference to former officer Christopher Dorner, who was killed in a shootout after killing four people over several days last month.

Beck's page included the message '(hash)YouCantCornerTheDorner' and an image of a woman protesting police corruption.

While government officials often have to disclose details on their finances - and celebrity divorces sometimes feature public financial data - the information posted online exceeds those disclosures.

Social Security numbers are rarely included in public records anymore because they can be used for identity theft.

P-Square Spreading Its Business to the Oil Sector?

When they say Igbo people are enterprising, don't take it for granted. And, even though we don't know who 'they' are, stereotypes are there for a reason, right?

Peter Okoye (of P-Square) posted the above photo on Instagram a few moments ago with the tag -

"Hustle must continue…. Oil business tinz….. No time."

"When u start from the bottom..Who knows? God bless ma hustle. Wink*"

In all honesty, I can't tell if this should be taken literally (seriously) or not, but nonetheless, with all that security and with the look of that location, whatever type of 'meeting' they may be having there, must be bringing in the big bucks.

What do you guys think? Have P-Square gone 'importer-exporter'?

Photo Credits: Instagram – Peterpsquare

Obafemi Martins completes transfer from Levante to MLS side, Sounders FC

Obafemi Martins has confirmed that he left La Liga side, Levante, for Major League Soccer side, Sounders FC.

The 'weapon of mass destruction', who recently got recalled to the Super Eagles, took to his Twitter page  to announce his next career move.

"Wow..Finally,I can now announce that I have just signed for Sounders FC..A big step to take in my career.it's a big challenge but I'm ready," he said.

Martins, who moved to Spain from Russia, added that: "I will like to thank Levante UD for giving me a great opportunity to play in one of the best leagues in the world…



"This is so difficult for me to do, but I really do love my fans..Levante fans are the best… I will always cherish the time I played here..

However, the striker said he was excited about the move and looking forward to plying his trade in the US.

"I look forward to this new era in my career… I also look forward to meet my new teammates and the Sounders FC fans, my new family…

"God bless you all… I appreciate all your love, support and well wishes… OBAFEMI MARTINS"

Suspected Boko Haram Militants kill four in drive-by shooting in Kano

Four persons were killed in drive-by shooting Sunday morning by suspected Boko Haram militants driving around on a tricycle in a Kano suburb.

Eyewitnesses told Saharareporters that the gunmen first struck at Dakata bus stop and then drove down and fatally shot two more people at Dakata Kawaji area opposite a graveyard near the Custom's barrack in the area.

One of the gunmen carrying an AK 47 assault rifle wore a dark blue kaftan according to one our sources.



Policemen and Nigerian troops of JTF eventually arrived the scene about ten minutes after the gunmen had left to evacuate the people shot from the scene of the latest attack.

Security remains tight in the city as Vice President Namadi Sambo is expected to visit the ancient city during the week.

 

[Sahara Reporters]

Happy Birthday Didier Drogba

The amazing footballer is 35 today... He was born 11 March 1978... We wish him a very happy birthday...

Justin Bieber Attacks Paparazzi

Is Justin Bieber unraveling before our eyes?

Just hours after he passed out backstage at his London concert and was rushed to hospital, the teenage pop star almost got violent with the paparazzi. Photos show the 19-year-old lunging at photographers, and he evidently had to be restrained by his own bodyguard.

Video footage of the altercation shows Bieber angrily responding to a photographer's insults, by yelling "I'll f**king beat the f**k out of you."

The pop star almost immediately realized this was not his best move and turned to Twitter to do some preemptive damage control. In a series of tweets he wrote:

Ahhhhh! Rough morning. Trying to feel better for this show tonight but let the paps get the best of me…Sometimes when people r shoving cameras in your face all day and yelling the worst thing possible at u…well I'm human. Rough week. Not gonna let them get the best of me again. Gonna get focused on this show tonight. Adrenaline is high now. Gonna put it on the stage. Only way someone can break u is if u let them.

Rough week, indeed. Ever since Bieber trekked across the pond it's been nothing but problems. First Bieber turned 19 and proclaimed he had the "worst birthday." Then he was told to put his "f**king shirt on" by Olivia Wilde, and angered fans when he showed up late at a London gig. Then on Wednesday, he had a mini-meltdown on Twitter, slamming "fake stories" that are used to sell papers.

Just prior to the singer's collapse on Thursday, came reports that Bieber had been warned by his record label to cut back on the partying:

"After an emergency meeting in the U.S., Justin's people had him on Skype to bosses and he was given a serious talking-to," a source told the U.K. paper the Mirror. "It was suggested he start staying in more and basically cleaning up his act. He's kicking off the European leg of his tour next week and has been told to stay in more when he's not performing. Justin took the news well and has promised to go back to putting his fans first."

With Bieber displaying such uncharacteristic behavior, some are worried that he's quickly spiraling out of control.

Lil Twist Wrecks Justin Bieber’s Car, Then Flees

Justin Bieber & Lil Twist
It seems Lil Twist is set out to ruin Justin Bieber. He's been bashing the teenage millionaire's cars and rolling joints for him. Justin's advisers just have to tell him to steer clear of Lil Twist who had yet another mishap with one of Bieb's expensive cars.
The latest mishap TMZ say involves a hit and run. Lil Twist was driving Justin's chromed-out Fisker Karma Tuesday, just after 6PM, when he crashed into cement poles protecting a wall at a San Fernando Valley liquor store … damaging the poles and badly damaging the front-end of the car.


Sources say either Twist or one of his passengers told an eyewitness, "Do you know whose car this is? It's Justin Bieber's car." A few minutes later, it was learnt that a BMW roared up to the parking lot and the driver told Twist and the passengers, "Get all the pieces from the car [that fell] and put it in the car [the BMW]." After putting the Fisker parts in the BMW, the 3 men took off in the BMW, leaving the Fisker behind.
Sources say one of the 2 passengers was Chris Brown. Chris Brown's people however said he wasn't in the car and wasn't even in town the day of the crash.
.FYI — it's a crime to leave the scene of an accident that causes injury or property damage without exchanging info with the victim — in this case the liquor store owner. We're told this was NOT done. You'll recall … Twist also caused thousands of dollars worth of damage when he bottomed out Justin's Ferrari in the Four Seasons Hotel parking lot. And Twist was speeding in Justin's Ferrari January 1st when he was stopped by the CHP. A photog died while taking pics of the scene. Please Justin, don't let Lil Twist ruin you.

AC Milan Owner Silvio Berlusconi Sentenced To One Year In Prison

AC Milan owner and former Italian prime minister was on Thursday sentenced to a year in prison by an Italian court on Thursday over the publication of leaked transcripts from a police wiretap in a newspaper owned by him.

Berlusconi, who faces two more verdicts this month for tax fraud and having s*x with an underage prostitute, can appeal the conviction which would suspend the sentence under Italian law.

Italian sentencing guidelines indicate that people aged over 75 and with sentences of less than two years do not have to actually go to prison. Berlusconi is 76.

He stood accused of violating secrecy laws after his Il Giornale daily published transcripts in 2005 about the attempted takeover of BNL bank by insurance giant Unipol, transcripts that were widely seen as an attempt to discredit a senior member of the centre-left Democratic Party ahead of elections in 2006.
.
Berlusconi’s brother Paolo, editor of Il Giornale, who doubles as the Vice President of the billionaire’s football club, was sentenced to two years and three months.

Silvio Berlusconi also faces a verdict possibly as early as March 18 as he stands trial for allegedly having s*x with a then 17-year-old prostitute when he was prime minister and then abusing the power of his office by putting pressure on police to release her from custody.

A verdict in his appeal trial against a tax fraud conviction from last year in which he was also sentenced to a year in prison is also expected around March 23.

If he had to go to prison after his Thursday sentence, he’d be watching his team’s 2nd leg clash with Barcelona at Camp Nou from the yard. If nothing is going on well for the business tycoon, AC Milan is. The Italian giants go into the UEFA Champions league round of 16 2nd leg next week, with a 2-goal lead over Barcelona. [AFP]

(PHOTO +18) Rihanna Poses in White Thong & Thigh High Boots

Rihanna showed her appreciation for the Prada boots she received as a gift by posing nude in it. I know Rihanna's nudity is becoming tiring, but what the heck....

see pic after the cut..

PHOTOS From the Nollywood @ 20 Presidential Dinner

 

From top left, lady with Rita Dominic, Genevieve Nnaji, Susan Peters, Fathia Balogun, Uru Eke and Chika Ike. See more photos after the cut...

New Video: Get Wid (ft. Iyanya) - N6

VIDEO: Bovi - The Fish

 Lol...enjoy your weekend and don't forget to set aside the 10th of March for Bovi's show, "Man on Fire" Eko Hotels &Suites..abi you think all these laughter is for free(grin)
DOWNLOAD HERE

The Verdict: The Politics of a Certificate by Olusegun Adeniyi

The challenge now is that while Eze may indeed have gone to school, the new powers-that-be in Abia State have decreed that the certificate he obtained would not be worth the paper on which it was written!

Sometime in 2002, I was in my office as editor of the Sunday edition of THISDAY when some officials of the Abia State Government walked in with a photograph they said was exclusive to my paper. It was then Governor Orji Uzor Kalu in a classroom among other students of Abia State University (ABSU). He was said to be sitting for an examination at the university. Even without the solicitation, I knew it was a remarkable photograph fit only for the front page because of its news value.

However, after my guests had left, I spent considerable time examining the photograph and ruminating over its real essence. After a while, I concluded that I would be doing the readers a disservice if I just put the photograph on the front page without a few lines. Then I began to write what turned out to be one of my most memorable back-page columns. The pertinent questions I interrogated were whether it was not incestuous that the Visitor to a university was also a student; whether Kalu could combine being a student with his stewardship as governor; whether any lecturer would dare to fail a governor who practically “owned” the school. Of course, the fact of the photograph itself amused me in that examination halls are not where you invite paparazzi to while I wondered what would happen if His Excellency were caught “giraffing” into the exam sheet of his student-colleague seated behind him. When I finished what turned out to be a rather hilarious piece, I chose a title which became popular in describing Kalu’s educational adventure at the time: Eze Goes to School!

'Naked Runway’: Daring Designer at London Fashion Week (GRAPHIC PHOTOS)

We’ve seen models who walked the runway flashing some butt cheek. We’ve seen models hit the runway topless. But rarely do we see models walk the Fashion Week runway completely and utterly naked.
So thank you to Pam Hogg, who rectified that dearth of nudity with her London Fashion Week show on Saturday. The British designer sent her models down the runway in a bold palette of black, red and white done in shiny materials with sculptural hats.
WARNING: The photos below contain full-frontal nudity and are not safe for viewing at work.
But mostly, her models were naked. Really, really naked. Like, more naked than Lena Dunham in an episode of “Girls.”
It was a bold move, one Pam Hogg has toyed with before. But does it detract from the fashion? Take a peek at the extremely NSFW photos and let us know what you think of Fashion Week nudity

Airtel Unveils Data Plan for BlackBerry 10

Shortly after becoming the first operator to sell the flagship BlackBerry 10 in its shops nation-wide, leading telecommunications service provider, Airtel Nigeria has unveiled special data bundled packages exclusively for the top notch smartphone device.

The Airtel’s BlackBerry10 (BB10) Data Plan which features three different bundles: BB10 Max, BB10 Mid and BB10 Lite, is currently the best package in the country as customers get up to 1.5GB, offering more bytes than any other in the market.

@Praiz8 Is A Year Older Today

Praise Adejo popularly known as Praiz, is a year older. The R&B/Soul singer who clocked 29-years old today, was born in Lagos.
From the days of late night studio sessions to fried yam and akara in between recordings inside a cramped studio in an obscure corner of a small shopping complex in kaduna, Praiz rose to critical acclaim with a sterling performance at the Project Fame West Africa show which earned him a second runner up spot in the year


Yet to release an album, Praiz who is signed to X3M Music, enjoys massive support from fans and music lovers for his collaborative effort on the 'Stupid Song' track with Bez and his smash single 'Rich & Famous' with a video to his credit.
Wish Praiz a very Happy Birthday here.

Niger State Increases NYSC Corpers Monthly Allowance

Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger announced on Thursday in Minna that the state government had increased the allowances paid to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the state.Also the state govenment said it planned easy transportation needs by constructing a light rail system on the Minna-Abuja route to ease .
Aliyu announced this  at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp at Paiko while inaugurating the 2013 Batch `A' corps members.
He said that the increase was to enable the corps members to cope with the prevailing economic realities in the country, adding that the gesture would motivate them to put in their best during the service year.


The governor added that the corps members would receive the allowances in addition to the N19,800 allowance paid by the Federal Government.
He said that medical doctors would now receive N29,000 as against the previous  N28,000 monthly allowance from the state government while those who previously received N13,000 monthly in the para-medical sector would now be paid N14,000.
He further announced that other categories of corps members be paid N6,000 as against N3,000 previously. (NAN)

Vector’s Mean Mugging for the new issue of MyStreetz Magazine

The Phenomous Viper, rapper extraordinaire, Vector has slowly grown from an underground Hip-Hop act to a household name especially in a industry that has been so cold to a large amount of talented Rap artists. With his "Follow Me Dey Go" video & single still enjoying a lot of airplay, the rapper covers the new edition of MyStreetz Magazine.

Publisher of MyStreetz Magazine Sesan Adeniji says, "it's amazing how Hip-hop/Rap music made it to the forefront  of the Nigerian music industry. Alongside other major rappers, Vector is making this genre more befitting and also claiming a major part of the Budget for shows but what is it about him that we still can't figure out? how come his critics are suddenly his  fans?. THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT VECTOR". 

The cover photograph was shot by August Udoh and the magazine is due to hit stands very soon. What do you think about Vector's "Mean Muggin' " cover?

2013 Forbes Billionaires List. Aliko Dangote Moves Up from 76th to 43rd Richest Man in the World while Mike Adenuga takes the 269th Spot

Nigerian billionaire business mogul, Aliko Dangote has moved up in the latest Forbes world's richest ranking from the 76th position which he maintained in 2012 to the 43rd position.

According to the list which was released on Monday by Forbes, Dangote – President of Dangote Group and Chairman of Globacom, Mike Adenuga were the only Nigerians on the list.

With a net worth of $16.1 Billion as of March 2013, Dangote retained his position as the richest man in Africa. Meanwhile, Adenuga ranked 269 on the list with a net worth of $4.7 Billion.

Here's what Forbes had to say about Dangote:

Nigerian Cement tycoon retains his position as Africa's richest man for the third year in a row. The past year has been eventful for Dangote. In October, he sold off a controlling stake in his flour milling company to Tiger Brands of South Africa. He pocketed $190 million in cash. In February, his Dangote Sugar Refineries acquired a 95% stake in Nigerian sugar producer Savannah Sugar in a bid to maintain its dominant position in the Nigerian sugar industry. Dangote stepped up his philanthropy in the past year, giving over $100 million to causes ranging from education to health, flood relief, poverty alleviation and the arts. He also acquired a yacht, which he named after his mother, Amiya. Dangote started building his fortune more than three decades ago when he began trading in commodities like cement, flour and sugar with a loan he received from his maternal uncle. He delved into full production of these items in the early 2000s and went on to build the Dangote Group, West Africa's largest publicly-listed conglomerate, which now owns sugar refineries, salt processing facilities and Dangote Cement, the continent's largest cement producer. A fitness buff, Dangote jogs everyday.

Carlos Slim (Mexico) maintains his position as the world's richest man with a net worth of $73 Billion followed by Bill Gates (United States) with a net worth of $67 Billion. Amancio Ortega (Spain) takes the third position with a net worth of $57 Billion, Warren Buffet (United States) ranks fourth with $53.5 Billion while Larry Ellison (United States) ranks fifth with $43 Billion.

Cardinals Begin Pre-Conclave Meetings Amid Scandal

Cardinals from around the world gathered Monday inside the Vatican for their first round of meetings before the conclave to elect the next pope, amid scandals inside and out of the Vatican and the continued reverberations of Benedict XVI's decision to retire.

Cardinals were treated like rock stars as they entered the Vatican on Monday morning, with television crews swarming around the red-capped churchmen and their handlers pushing their way through the crowds. "A Latin American Pope is possible, everything is possible!" said Portuguese Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins as he entered.

The core agenda item is to set the date for the conclave and set in place procedures to prepare for it, including closing the Sistine Chapel to visitors and getting the Vatican hotel cleared out and de-bugged, lest anyone try to listen in on the secret conversations of the cardinals. But a date may not be agreed upon Monday as the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, has said the date won't be finalized until all cardinals have arrived in Rome.

The first day of discussion was again rocked by revelations of scandal, with Scottish Cardinal Keith O'Brien admitting that he had engaged in sexual misconduct not befitting a priest, archbishop or cardinal. O'Brien last week resigned as archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh and said he wouldn't participate in the conclave after four men came forward with allegations that he had acted inappropriately with them - the first time a cardinal has stayed away from a conclave because of personal scandal.

Separately, the Vatican is still reeling from the fallout of the scandal over leaked papal documents, and the investigation by three cardinals into who was behind it. Italian news reports have been rife with unsourced reports about the contents of the cardinals' dossier.

Even if the reports are false, as the Vatican maintains, the leaks themselves confirmed a fairly high level of dysfunction within the Vatican bureaucracy, with intrigues, turf battles and allegations of corruption, nepotism and cronyism at the highest levels of the church hierarchy. In one of his last audiences before resigning, Benedict met with the three cardinals who prepared the report and decided that their dossier would remain secret. But he gave them the go-ahead to answer cardinals' questions about its contents.

Another topic facing the cardinals is the reason they're here in the first place: Benedict's resignation and its implications. His decision to end 600 years of tradition and retire rather than stay on the job until death has completely altered the concept of the papacy, and cardinals haven't shied from weighing in about the implications for the next pope.

"Holy Spirit Led Me To Start This Church"- General Overseer Of Nigerian Gay Church

Despite the Federal Government's intolerance for Gay activities in Nigeria, Reverend Jide Macaulay, has damned all consequences and reopened his gay church, House of Rainbow in Lagos.

Its primary vision is to reach out to sexual minorities in Nigeria, UK, and around the world.

Rev Rowland Jide Macaulay is a confirmed and ordained Pastor who founded the House Of Rainbow Church in 2006. He openly held Sunday services in a Lagos hotel hall decked out with rainbow flags until the public revolted against the church.

He then fled to the UK after death threats.

Read Pastor Jide's views on homo-sexuality below:

"For me I have always been gay and I never became gay.

I became aware of my same sex attraction whilst living in Nigeria at the age of seven. Boys flirt with each other unknowing all the time and it was at this stage that I was more aware of my emotional, physical, mental and sexual attraction to boys.

I was 14 when I had my first sex with a guy, it was filled with curiousity, passion, embarassment and guilt as with with any heterosexual having sex for the first time.

By this age I had become a youth leader in the church and had spent time reading the bible including discovering chapters that "condemned" homosexuality.

Imagine the furore of my life? Now I have to be discrete, secretive and live a lie. When I look back at my life it never stopped my same sex attractions.

Fast forward thirty years, I am now fully confident that being gay is my natural being and I regretted ever trying to be straight.

I regretted that I did not get the education and appropriate spiritual development to be a gay man. I can understand that and that is why I am determined that the short life I may live in this world I trust God for the development of inclusive Christian education to enable the freedom of the mind, body, soul and spirit.

Recently, my father asked me to prove that homosexuality is genetics. I just looked at him and pointed to myself, "ME" you made me, you gave birth to a homosexual boy he was anxious to know more, so I asked him to prove to me that God is real, not that I don't know but if we were to play "doubting Thomas", lets lay all the cards out.

My homosexuality is real, I am gay and I did not become gay, just like I am black and I did not become black. This is a great way to move forward in life and let the world know that they may hate us but God Adores Us.

House Of Rainbow Fellowship is an inclusive Christian community, that welcomes all people and does not discriminate against LGBTI people (of faith or no faith).

I am proud that the Holy Spirit has led me to start this group, (nearly five years). We are growing with passion and relevance and it is my hope that we would be able to advance the learning and inclusion of all people.

I love myself and it is my daily prayer and hope that millions of LGBTI people around the world, their friends and families will come to understand and love them."

Interview: CNN disowns US lobbying firm, raising questions about Jonathan’s $40,000 payment

Cable News Network, CNN, has denied being paid, or contacted by American lobbying firm, Fleishman-Hillard, for a 2010 interview with President Goodluck Jonathan, contradicting the firm's claim that it contacted CNN, and other media for a string of interviews.

Fleishman-Hillard, contracted through a Nigerian consultant to the presidency, Caser's group, was to receive $58,200 to pitch interviews with advocacy groups, and major media outlets including Reuters, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNN and Bloomberg.

In its filings to the US Justice Department, the company claimed that while it reached the media organizations, it only succeeded in securing a CNN interview for the president. It added that its fee was lowered by $20,000 after the rest of the interviews were rescheduled. CNN has however denied arranging its interviews through agencies, specifically denying receiving contacts, or funds, from Fleishman-Hillard to speak to Mr. Jonathan.

The TV station's claim has now stirred fresh questions concerning the services the firm delivered for the president to warrant payment of thousands of dollars in public funds to it. "We never have to deal with agencies for interviews. We don't work for the government of Nigeria, and Nigeria does not work for us, so there's no reason to make payments," a spokesperson for CNN, Jennifer Dargan.

"CNN does not pay for interviews; we don't pay for interviews and we don't receive money for interviews. Not CNN." Asked specifically whether there was an understanding between the broadcast station and Fleishman-Hillard for setting up interviews, Ms. Dargan replied, "No, no!" Fleishman-Hillard declined to state in exact details what its services to the presidency involved. The firm said the deal was a "one time" arrangement, that entailed "communication services".

Contacted last week on why it claimed to have contacted CNN when indeed it did not, the company said it would not discuss further details of a job completed three years back. "Fleishman-Hillard cannot provide any further details on the work completed in 2010," a Nigerian representative for the company, The Quadrant company, said. But the company admitted it didn't share the funds released to it by the presidency with the CNN.

It kept the entire sum to itself even when the service it rendered remained unclear. A spokesperson, Eyitayo Olatoye, said the firm never transferred funds it received to CNN or other outlets for the interview with the president; confirming CNN's claim, but stoking even more concerns about what service it delivered that justifies the firm's $60,000 bill to the presidency. "Fleishman-Hillard however categorically stated that no money was paid to any media organization or media representative at any point," Mr. Olatoye said.

Questionable money-for-interview The deal between the president and firm has sparked concerns regarding why Mr. Jonathan chose to channel state funds to secure an interview, when, as president of one of the world's most important countries, he should have no problems getting leading broadcast stations to interview him.

The interview held in 2010, months after Nigeria's turbulent power transfer from late president, Umaru Yar'adua; and amid President Jonathan's preparation to stand for the 2011 election-two events that sure boosted the president's news value. Critics say that period naturally placed Mr. Jonathan as an appealing subject that any media organization around the world would like to interview for no fee. Should the president found need to arrange an interview, they say, his officials and aides could easily have reached, say, CNN correspondents in Nigeria; or directly contact the network's headquarters in Atlanta.

With news organizations perpetually scrambling to be ahead of one another everyday, Mr. Jonathan's critics say the president did not need to hire a lobbyist or pay anyone to interview him. Why the president's team opted for a third party to secure the media interview for thousands of dollars, remains unclear. Spokesperson for the president, Reuben Abati and Doyin Okupe, declined to comment for this story while Ima Niboro, who was the president's chief media adviser in 2010, did not answer or return calls. Information minister, Labaran Maku, also did not reach PREMIUM TIMES back after an aide promised the minister would do so.

It is not clear whether the aide passed our questions to the minister. But if the president's decision to pay for the interview generated concerns, the CNN's denial that it was neither contacted by Fleishman-Hillard nor received funds from the firm has left even more questions about the nature of the deal between the Nigerian presidency and the firm.

Many sides of the deal With its insistence that the firm had never contacted it to interview President Jonathan, Fleishman-Hillard appears to have lied to the US Justice Department, for it clearly claimed in its filing that it contacted, arranged and coordinated multiple media interviews for the president.

"Caser's has requested and Registrant (Fleishman-Hillard) agreed to arrange and coordinate interviews for the president with major media outlets and advocacy groups in the USA and in Nigeria…" Fleishman-Hillard states in the filing. "Registrant contacted media outlets such as CNN, Bloomberg/ Bloomberg Business Week, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, etc. and advocacy/ human rights groups to coordinate interviews for the president," the firm adds.

None of the interviews occurred in the United States of America, it said, except one in Nigeria with the CNN Nigeria affiliate. Even so, should the firm's service, as detailed in its filing to the US authorities, been about contacting media organizations, then the CNN denial would seem to invalidate the company's claim, that purportedly justified its $58,200 bill.

The television channel said its interviews are arranged professionally, and it had no need for third parties to reach world leaders for interviews. Citing the example of the president's interview with Christiane Amanpour in January, Ms. Dargan said the station merely contacted the Nigerian embassy in the US, which in turn contacted the president's media team. "We interview many presidents and heads of states on that programme pretty much everyday. It's quite routine to have such guests on the programme," she said.

"It's not very difficult for her to interview a head of state. But there has never been any exchange of payment." The controversial 2010 interview was anchored by Isha Sesay, ahead of Mr. Jonathan's declaration to run in the 2011 election. Part of the understanding between the presidency and Fleishman-Hillard was that interviewers do not ask the president questions about his plan to run in the election.

Total Nigeria Scholarship Application for 2013 Begins - Apply Now

Total Nigeria hereby invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for its 2013 National Merit Scholarship Awards for undergraduate students currently in their 1st and 2nd year of studies in recognized Nigeria Universities.

Over the years, Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria have demonstrated a high level of commitment towards the Educational development of Nigerian Students.

This commitment has been demonstrated in several ways, one of which is the annual award of scholarships to deserving Nigerian students in secondary and tertiary institutions as well as those in postgraduate studies.

The programme is aimed at promoting academic excellence and qualitative manpower development in our host communities and the nation.

WHO IS QUALIFIED TO APPLY?

The NNPC/TEPNG National Merit Scholarship Award is open to duly admitted, recognized full time Nigerian students, pursuing undergraduate programmes in recognized universities, who are in their first or second year of studies and who are NOT beneficiaries of any other scholarships. In addition to the above conditions, applicants must show:

- Proof of SSCE or equivalent certificate,
- Proof of UME scores (Get your JAMB Result Slip)
- Proof of Admission to the course of study (Get your JAMB Admission Letter)

LIST OF QUALIFYING COURSES
- Accounting
- Agricultural Sciences
- Business Administration
- Banking & Finance
- Engineering
- Computer Sciences
- Environmental Sciences
- Pure and Applied Sciences
- Land & Quantity Surveying
- Law
- Medical Sciences

Application forms must be completed on-line at (scholarships.totalsdd.com).

Applications will close on the 31st of March 2013

Selection tests will hold on a latter date at designated centres nationwide.

Please note that only short listed candidates would be contacted for the tests.

How to start your application

1. Using a computer system, visit the official site by clicking here.
2. At the top links on the website, click on "Apply". The site should reload.
3. Click "UNDERGRADUATE" under programmes in the list provided.
4. Read the instructions and click on "Fresh Application" and generate a free PIN from the site and continue to provide your information.
5. KEEP THE PIN SAFE. YOU WILL BE NEEDING IT LATER IN YOUR APPLICATION

Remember that you can always come back and "Update your Record" using the instructions above.

Goodluck!

Don't forget to share this information with your friends and family. You can never tell who you can bless by doing so. Use the facebook and twitter buttons provided below.

Application for Chevron Agbami Scholarship 2013/2014 is on!

This is to inform the general public that 2013 /2014 Chevron/Agbami undergraduate scholarship form is currently available. This scholarship is meant for 100L and 200 level students of various universities in the following courses:

Applications are invited from FULL-TIME, 100 and 200 level undergraduates from any state of the Federation, studying any of the under listed courses in universities or other relevant institutions within Nigeria:

All Fields of Engineering
Medicine/Surgery/Dentistry/Pharmacy
Medical Laboratory Sciences
Nursing/Midwifery

Eligible States

Eligible for the program are indigenes from all Niger Delta States and Lagos State – (Bayelsa State, Rivers State, Delta State, Ondo State, Imo State, Abia State, Akwa Ibom State, Edo State and Cross River State).

Scholarship Grant Criteria

1. A qualified applicant must have scored 60% or above in the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board examination for Year 1 applicants or 60% or above in their Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) for Year 2 applicants.

2. Eligible candidates shall be 1st & 2nd year students in Nigerian Universities

3. An existing beneficiary shall drop out of the program if:
- Participant's CGPA drops lower than 60% of the total score.
- Participant fails to participate in the annual verification exercise
- There is a change of course to one outside the list of eligible courses
- Participant withdraws from school
- Participant fails to meet the verification requirements

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION
Eligible applicants should proceed to apply. Application closes Midnight 4th March, 2013.

NOTE THAT ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.
BEFORE YOU APPLY ONLINE
1. Ensure you have clear scanned copies of all your documents.
2. Ensure you name these scanned documents accordingly, to avoid mixing up documents during upload.
3. The documents you will need for this stage of application are as follows:
- Passport photograph with white background not more than 3 months old
- School ID card
- Birth certificate
- O' level result
- Local government certificate
- Admission letter
- Jamb Result

To start your application, visit http://www.dragnetnigeria.com/agbami/apply.aspx

Then click on "Register Now" to begin.
Contact email: agbami@dragnet-solutions.com

All current beneficiaries of the Agbami scholarship are expected to visit the web at www.dragnetnigeria.com/agbamiupdate/apply.aspx and upload their academic/personal data to ensure 2013 payment.

Also all current beneficiaries who wish to confirm their current status and or log complaints should visit www.dragnetnigeria.com/agbami/status 

please for full detail or information, go to www.dragnetnigeria.com/agbami/index.aspx

Pope Benedict Announces Shocking Conversion to Islam

Don't know how true this is, but heck, just read it:

HOLY SEE – In a shocking press conference Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI revealed to the world that he will be stepping down from the Catholic Church's highest office. "Through prayer and reflection over the past years," the world's holiest man began, "I've realized that Allah is the one true God."

Amid clattering camera shutters and roaring reporters, Pope Benedict patiently answered questions, citing traditional Muslim folklore as well as passages from the Qur'an to explain his decision. His session was interrupted only once, when he swiveled South-East to face Mecca, stooped to the ground, and recited the Asr, one of the five daily prayers central to Muslim belief.
The startling reversal comes as a shock to many familiar with the Pope's policies on Islam. "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached," the Bishop of the Vatican famously said of Islam in his 2006 lecture Faith, Reason and the University—Memories and Reflections.

When asked about the quote, Pope Benedict sighed with good-humored remorse and chuckled quietly to himself: "Yeah I've regretted that for some time. But I was young and naïve… I see things much clearer now. Besides, I've always kinda liked the thought of having a sword. The Cardinals were a real pain on that one."

When asked whether he would be reverting to his born name, Pope Benedict enthusiastically interjected. "I've decided to change my name to Sajjad Sayyid Ratzinger," His Ex-Holiness explained. "I'm keeping my surname purely for logistical reasons, so my Facebook friends and Twitter followers won't be confused."

His transition hasn't been without opposition. Hours after the press conference, a special Fox and Friends segment aired on FOXNEWS, featuring a picture of the Pope photoshopped to include stereotypical Islāmic features, including: a turban in place of his mitre, darkened complexion, black hair, and Arabic letters spelling out an endorsement of Barack Hussein Obama tattooed across his chest. Beneath the picture, the panel discussed the possible involvement of Pope Benedict XVI, 85, in 9/11. The segment's title, "The Holy Heathen," emblazoned the lower left corner of the screen.

This morning, newspapers nationwide featured an editorial by Bill O'Reilly detailing the parallels between the Pope's "betrayal of God-loving Christians everywhere" with the "betrayal of the American people and the Constitution by Benedict Arnold, his liberal agenda, and his radical left-wing entourage."

House of Reps Reject Proposal to Pay Unemployed Graduates

Unemployed graduates in Nigeria might not be smiling anytime soon as a bill seeking to provide monetary incentives for them by the state was rejected on Wednesday by the House of Representatives. The proposed legislation, titled: "A Bill for an Act to amend the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) Act, Cap. N28 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, by creating specific functions and objectives for the Directorate to specifically cater for unemployed graduates of tertiary institutions," failed to scale second reading when it was put to vote by the Speaker, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
 
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has also endorsed a bill seeking to overhaul the Consumer Protection Council.
The bill, sponsored by Daniel Reyeneiju (PDP, Delta State), seeks to amend the Consumer Protection Council Act to modify its composition; widen the scope of its functions and powers so as to provide for a broader and more effective Council.
Sponsor of the bill, Arua Arunsi, had, during his submission on the floor, said the objective of the bill was to design implementation programmes to combat mass unemployment of graduates that are between the ages of 18 to 35 years and also between third to fifth year of post-graduation experience.
According to him, the bill also seeks to pay certain amount of allowances to the unemployed graduates in Nigeria.
But opponents of the proposed legislation pointed out that the provisions of the bill failed to meet critical criteria of filling gaps inherent in the existing laws it was seeking to amend.
A member, Ibrahim El sudi, noted that the bill had nothing new as a similar programme for unemployed graduates was already in existence at the NDE. He added: "There is a graduate attachment programme that does exactly what this bill is seeking.
"Even, a similar programme exists for non-graduates on the social aspect for unemployed non-graduates at the National Social Insurance Trust Fund (NISTF).
What should happen is for the authorities to strengthen these programmes".
Also, James Faleke said providing such monetary incentives could only compound the economic challenges facing the country.
According to him, since the Nigerian economy was not production-based, industrial revival efforts would be defeated. "Rather than turn our unemployed youths into lazy ones, government should channel the monthly stipends towards the revival of our industries", he said.
The bill equally seeks to repeal the Consumer Protection Council Act and re-enact the Consumer Protection Agency Bill to provide for the establishment of an investigation unit; ensure effective civil action for damages and other unfair or deceptive practices".
"It will also ensure discontinuance of prohibited acts and, among other things, compliment other laws governing restraints of trade, unfair competition and unfair, deceptive and fraudulent acts or practices in order to protect the public and foster fair and honest competition".
Reyeneiju, in defending the bill, stated: "There is an urgent need to completely review the Consumer Protection Council Act and get it re-enacted on a yearly basis and this will give us the appropriate form of buying and selling in the country."
He said: "But if this Act is strengthened, most Nigerians will get justice when they buy goods that have expired or are not in order. Here in Nigeria, we have Made-in-Nigeria-Chinese machines, when you pay millions to buy such machines and they become faulty after a month, what happens?
"This bill seeks to address such issues and adequately protect the interests of the Nigerian buyer/consumer if passed into law.
"Our rights, including us (lawmakers) that are also consumers, will be protected as we strengthen this law. I urge you to support the passage of this bill."
The bill was later referred to the Committees on Commerce and Justice for further legislative actions.

Cross River Governor, Liyel Imoke Returns to Nigeria After 3 Months

After three months away from Nigeria to receive treatment for a supposedly minor health concern in the US, governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke is back in the country. He came into the country around 6:50 this evening via a British Airways flight. He will resume office next week!

Court Frees 7 Suspects - UNIPORT/ALUU 4

A Port Harcourt Magistrate Court in Rivers State today freed Seven suspects out of 18 charged with the murder of the four students of the University of Port Harcourt in Umuokiri, Aluu in October last year.

The Chief Magistrate, Emmanuel Woke said the seven persons including the only woman, Cynthia Chinda, were released based on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP.

The DPP told the Court that the seven were victims of circumstance arrested on mere suspicion by Police.

The DPP has however referred 11 other suspects including the Paramount ruler of Umuokiri, Aluu and a Police Sergeant to the Port Harcourt High Court to face charges of murder and negligence in the killing of four UNIPORT students.

The students were Ugonna Obuzor, 18; Lloyd Toku, 19, Tekena Elkanah, 20 and Chiadika Biringa,20.

However the prime suspect Coxson Lelebari Lucky,popularly known as Bright and five others are still at large.

Covenant University Student Expelled Over Pornography. Sues School.

An expelled student of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun state has dragged the institution to court, challenging his illegal expulsion over allegations of watching pornography and secular music on his laptop.

The student, Vwamhi Longji Felix, stated that before he was expelled his parents had spent not less than N10 million on his school fees and other expenses. He was a 400 level student of Communication Technology reportedly expelled on 23rd November 2012, following a night raid by the Student Affairs' Unit of the institution. This was followed by his appearance before the school's disciplinary panel which recommended his expulsion.

Vanguard reports that at the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, the prosecuting counsel Segun Fatoki, told the court that Felix was allegedly expelled without an opportunity of a proper hearing or viewing the evidence in accordance with the standard practice as guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

He also claimed that his expulsion was a violation of Section 44 of Chapter 4 of the student Handbook of the Covenant University.

However, the school in its counter affidavit stated that in the school hand book it was noted that students are not allowed to be in possession of unholy films and home video or circular music tapes, either stored or directly in the computer or listen through the use of computer radio or any other electronic device when on campus during an academic session.

Also, the school claimed that it is an offence that will attract punishment of expulsion for any student who indulges himself or herself in public display of or be in possession of pornographic films or photographs, exploring or viewing pornographic websites on the internet.

Vanguard reports that after listening to both parties, Justice Mobolaji Ojo of Ogun State High Court said they should allow every individual to grow life that they need to live adding that if at age 15 to 17 they don't live that life, they would live it when they are 30 to 35 because of too much rules. "A youth must live like a youth and an adolescent must live like an adolescent. If all of the traits of a youth are not allowed to be exhibited at the right time, it would be done at the wrong time," Vanguard quoted him as saying. The case was adjourned till March 27, 2013.