Buhari registers for national identity card(Photos)

President Muhammadu Buhari was on Tuesday in Abuja registered by officials of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to enable him to obtain his national identity card.

Fielding questions from State House correspondents after his registration inside the Presidential Villa, Buhari said the exercise would confirm the country’s population, especially of those aged 18 years and above.

“I think this exercise is very important as it will confirm our population and those, who are entitled to vote – that is those, who are 18 years and above.

“It will complement the exercise of the Permanent Voters Card.

 “So, for those who want their votes to count from whichever party or constituency, they should ensure that they and their families are properly captured like I have been captured.“

Mercy Johnson Is Pregnant; Expecting Baby No.3!

It has been confirmed that popular Nollywood Actress, Mercy Johnson and Husband, Prince Odianosen Okojie  are expecting their third child. Mercy is said to already be in her second trimester and is due to give birth this December. 

Congratulations to Mercy and Prince Odianosen Okojie.

NDLEA begins probe of Arik Air operations after its staff was arrested with cocaine at Heathrow airport

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has threatened to sanction Arik Air over the arrest of its crew member in Heathrow, London over trafficking of cocaine into the country.

Chika Egwu Udensi, a flight attendant with the airline was on Monday, arrested at Heathrow Airport, London for possession of cocaine.

Spokesman of the airline, Mr. Ola Adebanji, in a statement released Tuesday, said the airline was presently investigating the matter.

But the NDLEA is furious at the airline because more than two of its attendants have been arrested in the past for similar case.

The latest arrest came barely two years after two crew members of the same airline were arrested, also in London, for the same offence.

Their aircraft had departed the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos, for a flight to London.

Also in December 2011, a 29-year-old Arik Air cabin crew, Ms. Chiwendu Uwakaoyenma, was arrested in London for drug trafficking.

Lamenting the trend, NDLEA said it had commenced investigations into the operations of the airline.

Media statement by the spokesman of the agency, Mr. Mitchell Odoyeju stated that the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, NDLEA, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, gave the order following the seizure of 20kg substances that tested positive for cocaine.

The statement said, “The agency will carry out full scale investigation into this case to ascertain those behind the criminal act. We shall work closely with our international collaborators on the matter. Arik Airline will be sanctioned if found wanting.

“The agency shall invoke section 25 of the NDLEA Act against the airline, which states that it shall be the duty of every commercial carrier to take reasonable precaution to ensure that its means of transport are not used in the commission of offences under this Act.

“Every commercial carrier is to comply with appropriate security measures at points of entry and exit in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other customs control areas, to prevent unauthorised cargo in its means of transportation.”

I Discovered Reekado Banks On Twitter - Don Jazzy

Mavin Boss, Don Jazzy in an interview with Tech Cabal has revealed how he found Reekado Banks on Twitter and what upcoming artistes should do to get noticed.

When asked on what he would do as a young talented artist if he wants to be know, he had this to say,

‘I would find a way to stand out in social media as I showcase my talent.  FalzTheBahdGuy with his “Broda Taju” alter ego Instagram videos turned him into a sensation. More recently, a talented guitarist named Godwyn was posting some of his renditions on Instagram which I ended up discovering. Within 48 hrs, we had him at Mavin studio recording and releasing “Promise”. He has gone on from there to get paid performances and continues to establish himself. Mavin artist Reekado Banks was discovered via Twitter. Linda Ikeji worked hard and smart and is the biggest online personality today. You don’t need a prophet to tell you that social media is the fastest place you can get noticed today. Don’t be in a hurry to get a million fans in a day. As long as you are doing something right, your fan base will grow daily even if it’s 10 new people that you convert each day. Before you know it the right person will notice and the rest will be history.’

Those against Buhari’s anti-corruption war benefited from the dollars stolen under Jonathan – Oshiomole

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole yesterday said that those criticising President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade were those who benefited massively from the loot of former president, Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

He insisted that critics will not deter Buhari in his fight against corruption.

Oshiomhole stated this in Kaduna while addressing the 27th Annual National Education Conference of National Union of Textile Garments and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN).

He said, “People are wondering why some people are saying the president’s war against corruption is a distraction. All manner of people talking, but check, those who are taking are those who benefited from the dollars that were stolen from the treasury and shared at the eve of the election.

“If the group of beneficiaries are talking and the labour movement keeps quite, you will be the victims. President Buhari needs your assurances that you are with him in this fight. All manners of advisory committee are coming up, all in attempt to divert attention,” he asserted.

Looking for Nigeria’s Attention? Watch Kylie Jenner Dance to Wizkid’s “Ojuelegba”

Wizkid is definitely gaining ground in the international scene. His smash hit “Ojuelegba” was remixed and it featuredSkepta and Drake Grammy Award-winning couple, Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz have also contributed to his growing international fame by sharing videos of themselves dancing to the song .

And now Keeping Up With The Kardashians TV star – Kylie Jenner was recorded dancing to the Legendury Beatz-produced track on her SnapChat.

Robbery suspects escape from Police cell in Lagos(Photo)

Two of the robbery suspects, who were arrested while they were operating on Iju Road, in the Agege area of Lagos, have escaped from the police cell.

The three suspected members of the gang, which reportedly laid siege to a hotel and some residences of Sands Avenue, off Iju Road, had been handed over to the Pen Cinema Police Division, before two of them escaped from the cell.

It was gathered that policemen, who were on duty on the fateful day, had been arrested, while the fleeing suspects had yet to be re-arrested.

Our correspondent learnt that on Sunday, August 9, at about 2am, the armed robbers, said to be about 10 men, invaded the area, and robbed a hotel and some private homes.It was learnt that the robbers carted away money and valuables from the hotel lodgers, workers, and other places during the operation.

PUNCH Metro gathered that men of the Oodua Peoples’ Congress, who were the local vigilance group in the area, however, apprehended three of the robbers and took them to the Pen Cinema Police Division.

Our correspondent learnt that the three robbery suspects, identified as Dare Drain, Akeem AK, and LekanStudent, were locked up in the cell by the policemen on duty.

It was gathered that on Wednesday evening, two of the suspects had, however, cut through the burglar bars in the cell, and escaped from custody.

Victims of the robbery and the OPC men, who were aggrieved by the development, were said to have been invited by a policemen in the station, who pacified them that the robbers would be re-arrested.

When PUNCH Metro visited Sands Avenue on Tuesday, the manager of the hotel, which was robbed, declined to give any comment.

However, one of the workers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the robbers carted away a huge amount of money and also injured the hotel’s guard.
He added that the robbers raped some of the hotel’s female workers, who had yet to resume work.
He said,
“The robbery lasted for more than an hour. We were helpless. The robbers overpowered our security guard and injured him.
“They carted away valuables. They raped some of our female workers during the operation. I was told that the OPC men later caught three of them and took them to the police station.”

The OPC coordinator in the area, who did not want his name in print, said they were taken aback when the police in the Pen Cinema station told them that two of the suspects escaped from the cell.

He added that the suspects, who had yet to be re-arrested, raped some of their victims during the operation, including a 13-year-old.
“The security man at the hotel, who is our member, recognised one of the robbers and led us to his place, where he was arrested. The man confessed to taking part in the operation. His name is DareDrain, and he was caught in the Idi-Agbon area of Ifako.

“He was the one who took the OPC men to arrest the other two. The three that were caught on Sunday were taken to the police station.
“It was on Wednesday that information got to us that Drain and Akeem have escaped from the cell. We were shocked at the development. The DPO then invited us, and pleaded with us to assist the police with information to re-arrest them, adding that the policemen on duty had been detained.
“But as we speak, we have not got them. What the police told us was that the robbers cut the burglar bars, and escaped from the cell. The robbers, apart from carting away money, also raped their victims.

“The robbers were led by Dare Drain, he and his boys had earlier come to Tarkwa Crescent, before the Sands Avenue incident.”

Punch

Chika Egwu Udensi, Arik Air Attendant Arrested For Coccaine Possession At Heathrow Airport(Photo)

A flight attendant at Arik Air, Chika Egwu Udensi, have been arrested at Heathrow airport for the possession of illicit drugs. According to local media reports, Udensi was found with a 2.76 kilogramme of a substance suspected to be cocaine.

Speaking on the embarassing incident, Spokesman of the airline, Mr. Ola Adebanji, in his statement said ;

The airline again reaffirms its commitment to the fight against drug and illicit substances’ trafficking and will not tolerate the use of any of its aircraft or crew for the courier of banned items and substances.

Arik Air is a responsible Nigerian company always seeking to maintain and uphold the integrity and proud reputation of the nation.

Arik Air carries out very stringent checks on all members of staff and its travelling guests ahead of all flights. The airline will continue to focus its attention on measures to prevent the possibility of any future similar incidents.

Heartless Landlord sets tenant ablaze in Lagos(Photo)

A landlord in the Idumota, Lagos Island area of Lagos State, Sola Solomon, has allegedly poured petrol and set fire to one of his tenants, identified simply as Abeeb, aka Ogbon.

PUNCH Metro learnt that as the victim struggled to put out the flames, the 67-year-old landlord pushed him down from the top floor of the three-storey building.

The father of one was said to have landed with a thud, as the flames ate through his body.
Our correspondent was told that Abeeb had barely spent five months in the house located on Iga Idunganran Street, Idumota, when he was killed.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the incident was caused by a disagreement over the use of the compound toilet.

A tenant in the house, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained that the quarrel had been settled in the evening and she had pleaded with both parties to maintain the peace.
She said,

“Before the incident of yesterday (Monday), there has been a quarrel in the house over the use of the toilet.Everybody had complained that the landlord always messed up the toilet after use.
“But yesterday, he had another quarrel with the Abeeb over the use of the toilet. During the argument, he threatened to set the man ablaze; the man also dared him.
“I called Abeeb and calmed him down; I also called the landlord and appealed to him to let the matter go, and he said he had forgiven Abeeb.”
PUNCH Metro learnt that the landlord, however, was sighted by residents later that evening carrying a jerrycan, saying he was going to buy fuel.

The Ondo State indigene was alleged to have bought the fuel and waited patiently in his room till the victim returned from a football viewing centre where he had gone to watch an European league match between Arsenal and Liverpool football clubs.

It was learnt that around 12am, the landlord wet the passageway of the house and knocked on the door of the deceased.Another tenant, who asked not to be named, said the victim’s wife pleaded with him not to go out.The continuous rap on the door was said to have forced Abeeb out to confront the intruder, only to see the landlord with a container of fuel.
He said,

“As he stepped out of the house, the landlord poured the petrol on him. Before Abeeb could snatch the jerrycan from him, the landlord had ignited fire with a lighter in his hand.Abeeb struggled to put out the fire, but the landlord pushed him down from the third floor. He fell to the ground and died.”
Our correspondent gathered that the quick intervention of security guards in the area stopped the fire from escalating.The other tenants in the house were said to have abandoned the building and fled for fear of being killed.

PUNCH Metro learnt that policemen from the Adeniji Adele Police Division later arrived at the scene to remove Abeeb’s corpse. The police also took the landlord, who sustained burns injuries to the hospital.
A resident, John Ameh, said the landlord was initially rejected at the Lagos Island General Hospital and was taken to the Gbagada General Hospital.
The former occupant of Abeeb’s room, Ruka Rufai, regretted passing the room to the deceased, saying she left the room due to constant threat to her life from the landlord.
She said,

“I left that the room about five months ago. The landlord threatened me, so I decided to vacate the room. Abeeb pleaded with me that he needed the accommodation. Now, he has been killed.”

One of Abeeb’s friends, who did not want to be identified, expressed doubt that the suspect would face justice.
The friend, who claimed to be in the same football academy with the victim, said he was shocked when he learnt about the incident on the Facebook wall of a mutual friend.

PUNCH Metro was told that grief-stricken friends of the victim had planned to set the house ablaze, but could not due to the heavy presence of security agents.

A resident, Habib Suleiman, urged the state government to pursue the case against the suspect to a logical end and seize the property.

Customs agents seize $40K from Nigerian traveler at US airport

Customs and Border Patrol agents have seized more than $40,000 in unreported currency from a Nigerian traveler at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

The Department of Homeland Security announced Monday that the man who arrived at BWI on a flight from London on Sunday initially declared that he had $5,000. The man later amended that to $22,000, but officials say customs agents ultimately discovered more than $42,700 on the man and in his luggage. The money was seized and the man was advised on how to file a petition for the return of the currency. He has not been charged with a crime.

There’s no limit on how much currency travelers can import and export, but they must report amounts larger than $10,000.

Janet Jackson Pays Tribute to Aaliyah on 14th Anniversary of Singer's Death

Gone but not forgotten. 

Tuesday marked the 14th anniversary of singer Aaliyah's tragic death and judging from the thousands of tributes on social media, she's still as loved as ever. 

One special tribute came from music icon Janet Jackson. 

Jackson Tweeted a photo of a note to Aaliyah. 

"What I shared with u [is] ever sacred, everlasting [and] it's pure and  it will endure. I love u Aaliyah. #RIP," the handwritten letter read, along with the caption "I know u r there shining down on me. #ConversationsInACafe" 

Before she died at the age of 22 in plane crash, Aaliyah was very vocal about her admiration for Jackson, calling her one of her her idols and saying that she hoped to work Jackson with some day. 

Although the pair never had the chance to work together, Jackson dedicated the song "Come Back to Me" to the young singer while in concert. 

Aaliyah's close friends Timbaland and Missy Elliot – who also collaborated with her on multiple songs – also shared their own tributes to their lost friend, posting photos and retweets in her memory.