Drogba To Remain With Chelsea After Retirement.

Striker Didier Drogba will have a role to play at Chelsea when he quits playing, says Blues boss Jose Mourinho.

The 36-year-old Drogba, in his second spell at the club, scored as Chelsea beat Tottenham 3-0 on Wednesday.
"The important thing is he is here and will finish his career with Chelsea," said Mourinho, whose team top the Premier League by six points.
Mourinho added: "It looks, for me, that he's going to stay doing other things when he finishes his career."

"Spurs were out-played, out-thought and out muscled. If you have no conviction in your play, don't be surprised if you don't get any points. It is a very worrying time for Spurs fans."
Drogba won 10 trophies in his first spell at Chelsea between 2004 and 2012, and scored 157 goals in 341 games. He rejoined the club at the start of the season after leaving Turkish side Galatasaray.
Since returning to Stamford Bridge, the Ivorian has netted five times and set up Eden Hazard's opener against Spurs.
The league leaders are now unbeaten in 23 games in all competitions, equalling a club record.
"It's remarkable," said Mourinho, when asked about Drogba's displays. "First of all, he's a team player. He's not selfish, not vain. He's a humble guy who plays for the team, fights for the team. He's fantastic.
"I was expecting exactly this. I played against him at Real Madrid and I could feel the kind of potential he still has."
Mourinho also confirmed Gary Cahill suffered no lasting damage after the defender was substituted at half-time against Tottenham following an earlier clash of heads with Jan Vertonghen.
"No concussion, no need for special care," Mourinho said. "He was just feeling maybe afraid of heading the ball."

APC Picks Gubernatorial Flag Bearers. Returns First Term Governors.

As predicted, all governors seeking re-election under the All Progressive Congress (APC) have emerged as candidates to contest the 2015 governorship elections in their respective states.

However, the second term plans of the Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha remains unclear after he picked the APC presidential nomination form.

Eight APC governors would be completing their first terms in 2015. They are: Governors Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Umar Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and Rochas Okorocha (Imo).

Imo

In the case of Imo State, the APC governorship primaries has been suspended. Although, no specific date has been fixed for the postponed primaries, the Imo State APC chairman, Hillary Eke, disclosed that a new date for the primaries might be fixed after a general meeting of the party held yesterday.

The deputy chairman of the party, Hon. Ugochukwu Nzekwe, told LEADERSHIP that the party was still working on the list of aspirants.

Zamfara

In Zamfara, Governor Abdulaziz Yari was returned as the sole candidate at the end of the APC primary election yesterday.

A total of 2,336 delegates from the 14 local government areas of the state, including 38 from the party executive, voted in favour of Governor Yari.

Declaring the governor as party’s flag bearer, the supervisor of the election Chief John Nebo, announced that out of total of 2,336 votes, Yari garnered 2,298 and was declared winner.

Ogun

In Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun emerged the APC gubernatorial candidate. His deputy, Segun Adesegun, declared his intention to get the gubernatorial ticket of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

At the APC gubernatorial primary election held at MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta, the state governor, who was the sole aspirant, polled a total of 3,554 out of 3,681 total votes while 16 votes were void.

Oyo

In Oyo State, the incumbent governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi defeated the son of the former governor of the state, Dr. Wasiu Adesina, to win the APC ticket for the 2015 governorship election.

At the congress midwifed by the Hon. Lumumpa Adeh-led five-man electoral committee, Ajimobi polled 4,662 votes to defeat his Adesina, who polled 22 votes. Ninety votes were declared invalid.

The result was declared at 7.40 pm.

The third aspirant, Alhaji Adebayo Shittu, who was on Monday cleared in Lagos to contest along with the two others, however pulled out on Wednesday after he filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Ibadan praying the court to declare the congress invalid and illegal in view of the manner the delegates were selected.

Accreditation of the 4,776 delegates from the 33 local government councils began at 9:30 am while voting commenced at 3.30 pm at the main bowl of Lekan Salami Stadium, ending at 5:15 pm.

Rivers

At the Alfred Diete Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the gubernatorial delegates of APC numbering 3,774 formally elected Hon. Dakuku Adol Peterside as their gubernatorial candidate for the 2015 polls.

The election was supervised by the six-man National Electoral Committee under the chairmanship of Prince Austin Eweka from Edo State.

From a total 4,574 delegates, 4,321 were accredited. There were 3914 valid votes. A total number of 3774 voted for Peterside. Total invalid votes (140).

Nasarawa

In Nasarawa State, Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura has emerged winner of the gubernatorial primary election of the APC in the state in a landslide victory.

Results as declared by the chairman of the electoral committee, Chief Ike Chunwo, show that Governor Al-Makura polled 1,630 votes to beat two other contestants, Dr. James Angbazo and Engr. Reuben Audu who polled 73 and 17 votes respectively.

Kwara

In Kwara State, 3,007 delegates of the APC yesterday unanimously elected the incumbent governor of the state, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed as the party’s candidate for the 2015 governorship election in the state.

Ahmed, who was the sole aspirant of the party, emerged unopposed with 3,007 votes cast from delegates across the 16 local government areas of the state.

Announcing the result, the chairman of the APC governorship primary in the state, Azu Nwandu, said that a total of 3016 votes were cast but nine were invalid.

Borno

In Borno State, the APC governorship primaries was shifted to Monday. However, Governor Kashim Shettima is expected to emerge as the sole and consensus candidate.

Yobe

In Yobe, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam emerged winner after Yobe APC delegates endorsed him as the party’s 2015 governorship candidate, according to the chairman of Electoral Committee, Babagana Tijjani.

New Entrants

Sokoto

The Speaker, House of Representatives Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and one of the aspirants for the Sokoto governorship job was yesterday declared winner of the primary election held at the state township stadium after a landslide victory against his co-contestants..

Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal got 3,466 of the 3503 valid votes cast. His opponents Senator Umaru Dahiru Tambuwal got 23, Yusha’u Kebbe got 13, while Professor Lawal Bashar, Barrister Aliyu Sayinna and Senator Jibril Gada had no vote.

Responding shortly after been declared winner, Speaker Tambuwal said he will strive to continue with the legacies of the incumbent governor, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko.

Delta

The APC governorship primary which ended at about 6:45 pm in the Delta State capital, Asaba, produced Olorogun O’tega Emerhor.

He was overwhelmingly elected as the candidate of the party for February 2015 governorship election

Going by the result of the primary as declared by Alhaji Aliyu Sa’ad, the Chairman of the five man electoral committee, Emerhor, Evwreni, Ughelli North Local Council from district polled 3, 584 votes out of the 3, 587 vote cast.

Shortly before the commencement of voting, his main challenger, Mr. Fidelis Tilije staged a walkout, alleging that the primary was skewed in favour of Emerhor from Delta Central senatorial.

Tilije, a running mate to Chief Great Ogboru of the defunct Democratic Party (DPP) in the 2011 election however scored a paltry195 vote to come out second best while Princess Nana Onwordi recorded only two votes.

Enugu

Chief Okey Ezea, lawyer and shipping magnate, was elected as candidate of the APC for the 2015 governorship election in Enugu State, following the last minute withdrawal of three aspirants to the race on the party’s platform.

One of the aspirants Dr. Ifeanyi Asogwa had earlier pulled out of the governorship race to contest the Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.

The two other aspirants announced their withdrawal from the race shortly before commencement of voting leading to the emergence of Ezea through affirmative voting.

Jigawa

The APC in Jigawa State yesterday suspended its scheduled gubernatorial primary election to produce a consensus candidate.

Despite instructions given by the party’s national secretariat for the conduct of the governorship primary elections nationwide, the Jigawa State chapter of the party appeared to have a different plan.

Going round the state, LEADERSHIP Friday noticed the party state headquarters in Dutse, the state capital, was deserted with no any official or party executive in the office. All the party offices at the local governments were closed with no sign of any exercise.

Lagos

The result of the APC gubernatorial primary in Lagos was still being awaited at press time. However, Akinwunmi Ambode was already touted as winner of the APC gubernatorial primary.

Curiously, the duo of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Raji Fashola, widely regarded as kingmaker in the state, stayed away from the Onikan Stadium, venue of the APC primaries.

Though no reason was given for their absence, sources told LEADERSHIP that the inability of Tinubu and Fashola to reach a compromise on who should be the APC flaagbearer necessitated their decisions to stay away and monitor proceedings through their aides.

While Tinubu is backing Akin Ambode, former accountant general in the state, Fashola preferred Supo Shasore, a former Attorney General and commissioner for Justice in the state.

Taraba

Three APC governorship aspirants in Taraba boycotted the party’s governorship primaries, alleging that the process lacked credibility.

In a joint press conference yesterday in Jalingo, the three aspirants alleged that the state executives of the party refused to carry them along in the process leading to the exercise.

The aspirants include Dr Suleiman Julde, Alhaji Tumba Ibrahim and Barr. Yusufu Akirikwen.

LEADERSHIP Friday further reports that senator Aisha Jumai Alhassan stands a better chance of emerging winner.

Adamawa

The APC gubernatorial primary election in Adamawa was still in progress at the Lamido Cinema in the state capital at press time.

Four contestants are aspiring for the party’s guber ticket, including Senator Muhammdu Umaru Jibrilla, the candidate of the party in the botched October 11 gubernatorial election. Others are Mijinyawa Yayaji, Dr. Mamman Tahir and Kobis Ari Thimnu.

It appears that the contest is likely to be a two horse race between Senator Muhammadu Umaru Jibrilla and Alhaji Mijinyawa Yayaji who is believed to be backed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

APC Postpones Governorship Primaries in Benue

The APC in Benue State yesterday postponed the conduct of the governorship primaries in the state.

The public relations officer of the party, Mr. Ayem T. Atsem announced this in Makurdi while speaking to LEADERSHIP Friday. He said the postponement is due to the inclusiveness of the state assembly primaries in the state.

Kano

The leading APC gubernatorial contenders in Kano, deputy minority whip, House of Representatives, Hon Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila and two others have withdrawn for the Kano deputy governor, Dr. Abdullahi Kumar Ganduje. The deputy governor is expected to emerge victorious after the exercise

The primaries held at Kofar Mata indoor stadium was ongoing at press time. Kawu Sumaila had publicly announced his withdrawal at the venue after consultations some of the party leadership.

Niger

Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has won the Niger State APC governorship primaries. He polled 3,829 votes to defeat Senator Musa Ibrahim who had 61 votes out of the total 3,932 votes cast in the election.

The Founder, LEADERSHIP Group and presidential aspirant of the APC, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah was among the top party stalwarts from Niger state who voted at the party’s primary in the state.

Akwa Ibom

Former Akwa Ibom State Secretary to Government, Umana Okon Umana has emerged winner of the APC governorship primaries.

Umana emerged winner by scoring 2,444 out of 2453 valid votes cast, while Senator James Udoedehe had six votes. Umana who defected from the PDP to APC is said to have brought into the APC, his supporters and a robust political structure that cuts across every part of the state.

Source Leadership Newspapers

Drama As Thugs Beat Up Assembly Aspirant,INEC Officers In Benue.

The Benue State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Abba Yaro, Thursday led thugs to beat up a House of Assembly Aspirant for Guma State Constituency, Barr. Mike Utsaha, for contesting the election unopposed.

The drama took place at the Benue State Secretariat of the party in Makurdi the state capital, just as the committee saddled with the responsibility of conducting the elections were not spared.The state Assembly primaries of the party were held last Tuesday across the country, but that of Guma was postponed to Wednesday for late arrival of election materials. According to Barr. Mike Utsaha, who was beaten by Comrade Abba Yaro and his team of thugs, materials meant for the conduct of the primaries were on Tuesday diverted by some persons who were traced and brought back to Gbajimba in the evening hours of Tuesday.
The primary election which was rescheduled to hold last Wednesday was again postponed on the auspices of Comrade Abba Yaro, who shifted the exercise to Thursday, 4th December, 2014. However hell was let lose when the woman in charge of the primaries in the state, identified as Mrs Okafor, an electoral committee member who came from Abuja to conduct the election dared to ask why the primary election was still being delayed, as according to records available to her, nobody was contesting the primaries with Barr. Mike Utsaha.
Source revealed that, the APC state Administrative Secretary, Mr. Mark Haamation, pounced on her and pushed her down from her seat, beating her mercilessly. Election materials in her custody were seized including Hon. Mike’s clearance certificate and torn by the state chairman who was assisted by thugs loyal to him.Yaro went after Mr. Babatunde, leader of the electoral committee that came from Abuja to conduct the election.
Barr. Mike Utsaha, who was video recording the drama was immediately noticed by the chairman and his cohorts.

He was thoroughly beaten with his agent, Ashinjo Peter, his agent and his phone almost snatched from him, but for his fastness, he threw it to his supporters who took it away. Investigations by our correspondent reports that the person allegedly contesting against Barr. Mike, Hon. Peter Agu, was not cleared for the election.

According to our sources, Agu did not even show up for the election because he was only been conscripted to act the drama.Mrs. Okaafor and other electoral committee members were escorted out of the APC premises by men of the State Security Service, SSS and whisked away to safety.

Aggrieved Rivers State PDP Members Storm National Secretariat With Coffin.

Hell was let loose at the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today when protesters from the Rivers State chapter of the party stormed the Wadata Plaza national secretariat of the party in protest against perceived injustice meted out to them during the primaries.

The protesters who were mostly aggrieved aspirants and militants started arriving the secretariat as early as 7;30am and had taken over the entire premises even before the arrival of secretariat staff.

The protestants carrying various placards with inscription, "Wike can't be our Governor"; "We want clearance to contest 2015 elections"; "Give us back our money"; "We are tired of two man state exco"; "Felix Obuh must go"; "Wike has bought the soul of River PDP" and "Criminals have been cleared to be PDP aspirants in River State" among others were displayed by the protesters who clustered and sang in front of the party secretariat.

The police looked on as there was the belief that some of the militants were carrying guns and other dangerous weapons.

Details later

Source Thisdaylive

Mariah Carey & NIck Cannon Getting Back Together?

Larry Busacca/Getty Images

After months apart and divorce buzz, Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey may have just discovered what everyone else has always known: They can’t do any better than each other.The pair spent a cozy Thanksgiving together at Nick’s LA home “for the sake of the kids,” but I wonder if it wasn’t something more.

Mariah gleefully posted a photo of herself at his house before the meal, so she clearly isn’t shy about letting people know they’re still hanging out. (And don’t you wear something equally glam each year to your family festivities, too?

Still, things may not be looking so rosy for this couple after all. Spies admit that after the feasting was done, She took their twins to a hotel and spent the night. No extra room at Casa de Cannon, MC?

Personally, I think these two need to just work out their issues and stay together until the cold hands of death parts them.

Do you think Mariah could do better than Nick or vice versa?

Nollywood Love Birds Tchidi & Nuella Welcome Baby Girl In The US.

Nollywood producer and director Tchidi Chikere and Nuella welcomed a baby girl today in the US .They named her Adachi Testimony Tchidi Chikere. The proud dad said... 

We call her baby Tess. Welcm to our home n d love we hv waitin for u. God has done it. N to my wifey..Teee loves ya! 

Unveiling Gen Buhari's Adorable Family Photo Shoot.Click For More.

(Bottom-row-From-left): Safina Buhari, Mrs Aisha Buhari, Halima Buhari Sheriff,(top-row-from-right), Noor & Mohammed Sheriff

Former head of state and 2015 APC presidential aspirant, Muhammadu Buhari’s family look so adorable in their new photo shoot. Click for moreread more

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Host Is Now Officially Married.

Who wants to be a millionaire host, Frank Edoho and wife Sandra Onyenucheya got married again yesterday. Frank Edoho and Sandra have already been married the traditional way while Sandra was pregnant and are blessed with a Son. Sandra has a child from a previous relationship while Frank is also blessed with three children from his previous marriage to TV host Katherine
More Photos of Frank Edoho and wife below:read more

Singer,Kelly Rolland Loses Mum Doris Rowland Garrison.

The news of death of Doris Rowland Garrison, the mother of singer Kelly Rowland has just reached us.Although multiple sources are confirming the unfortunate news, Kelly or anyone from her camp is yet to release a formal statement. However, friends, families and a number of notable names have offered their condolences on Twitter.

The unfortunate news comes after the birth of Kelly Rowland son, Titan, just last month. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kelly and her family.

Source BeyondGossip.Com.

Photos: Tiwa Savage and Patoranking’s Hot Stage Performance at ChannelO Awards.

The recently held Channel O Africa Music Video Awards in South Africa has come and gone, but stories of racy outfits and fired up stage performances are still being talked about. Tiwa Savage and Patoranking performed their hit collabo, Girlie O remix and fans could not get enough, what with the great onstage chemistry between Tiwa Savage and Patoranking.
Another noticeable fact at the awards ceremony was that Tiwa Savage did not acknowledge her husband, Teebillz during her speech while she accepted her award for the Most Gifted Female Video award.Savage gave a special shout out to 323 Entertainment and Don Jazzy of Mavin Record but her husband, Tee Billz did not accompany her on stage as usual. Is this a publicity stunt

Read below some tweets about Tiwa Savage’s acceptance speech.

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Mikel Obi And His Wealthy Soon To Be In-Laws.

It’s no news that Super Eagles/Chelsea midfielder, Mikel Obi is in love with a Russian lady, and not just any lady at that but one who comes from a very wealthy family.

Mikel Obi’s lady love, Olga Diyachenko celebrated her birthday three weeks ago with her family and of course, her man was there celebrating with her too at the lavish birthday party.

You can tell from the photos that Mikel Obi is loved and has been accepted by Olga’s family!

Check out photos of Mikel Obi’s soon to be Russian in-laws

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Fashola Opens Sex Offenders' Register.

Worried by the increasing cases of sexual crimes including rape, paedophilia and incest, the Lagos State government has established a Sex Offenders’ Register.
The Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, at the Lagos House in Ikeja on Monday, signed an executive order that includes the compulsory reporting of suspected and actual child abuse. 

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Meet The Boss: Kofoworola Oyeleye; Creative Director/CEO, Iyin-Creative- See more.

Building a global sustainable brand can start with an epiphany in the middle of chores but not many go the extra mile to do that which is required. Kofoworola Oyeleye, Creative Director/CEO, Iyin-Creative has a degree in History and International Relations from Lagos State University (LASU) and has taken courses in Branding from University of East Anglia and numerous other training programmes that has helped hone her skills. She tells Connect Nigeria how Iyin-Creative was birthed and speaks about the brand’s competitive edge.continue to read more 

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Cristiano Ronaldo extends his debut fashion brand, CR7 by CristianoRonaldo, with the introduction of a premium shirt collection.

Today, celebrated sporting icon Cristiano Ronaldo used international fashion exhibition Bread & Butter Berlin to officially announce the introduction of a premium shirt line to his growing CR7 by Cristiano Ronaldo brand.click for more..

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African Music Stars Re-Record Remix of ” We Are The World” AgainstEbola.

With the outbreak of the Ebola virus that terrorized the African continent and the rest of the world this year.

Some of biggest names in Africans music industry, were all united to create awareness campaign for the deadly Ebola virus.

African music stars such as Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Banky W, Praiz, Iyanya, D’Prince, Mafikizolo, Dr. Sid,  Di’Ja, Reekado Banks, Iceberg Slim, D’Prince, Diamond, Mosa, Sean Tizzle and many others are in studio to re-record the remix ever green American song ” We are the world’‘ which will feature African music stars.

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American mother, 37, murdered by knife-wielding burqa-clad 'woman' in the toilet at a mall in Abu DhabI

A murder investigation has been launched after an American mother was stabbed to death during a clash with a burqa-clad 'woman' in shopping mall toilets in Abu Dhabi.

The 37-year-old kindergarten teacher, who has 11-year-old twin boys, was stabbed with a knife in the altercation in the ladies' toilets a supermarket in Boutik Mall on Reem island in the United Arab Emirates capital.

She was taken to be treated at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City but died later from her injuries in the incident on Monday afternoon.

The victim - who is divorced from the father of the twins - has not been identified. Her initials are only known as ABR. 

Police say they do not know if it was a woman or a man in the burqa. 

Witnesses told police the pair had been embroiled in an argument in the public toilets, which are beside a branch of Waitrose, an upscale British supermarket chain which has a presence in the Middle East.read more here http://pgj.cc/Wp74DE

Twitter Embraces African-American Males With #DearBlackMen Hashtag.

With the disturbing rash of black men who have been killed recently at the hands of police officers, a social media hashtag, #DearBlackMen, has sprung up in support of the brothas and become a full-blown trending topic.

Photos-Gov Fashola Is Still Working.Hands Over 34 Brand New Fire Fighting Vans To Lagos Fire Service.

Click for more pictures 

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Kourtney Is The Latest Kardashian To Pose Nude In New Spread For DuJourMagazine (PHOTOS)

Kourtney is now the latest member of the krew to show off her lady lumps, along with the bun cooking in her oven.Kourtney is due with her third child any day now, but in the meantime, she de-robed for DuJour magazine for a tastefully done feature. Keep reading to see some of the photos.

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Nigerian Ex Footballer Sworn In As Councilor In Dabrowka,Poland.Clickfor more pictures.

Nigerian Ex Footballer Justin Nnorom took  oath of office as Councilor in Dabrowka region in Poland.He was appointed Regional chairman of the National Electoral Commission.Click for more pictures.....

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Breaking News:Damaturu Under Siege Now,Sporadic Shootings Started Around 5.am Today.

Men of the dreaded Boko Haram sect Monday morning invaded Damaturu the Yobe State Capital.The insurgents who came into the town at about 5am from the Gujba axis south east of the town were shooting sporadically and triggering off explosives.

The Nation correspondent  who was run out of his house in Jerusalem area along with other thousands of residents heard more than five explosions with deafening sound in the air.Residents of Jerusalem and Pawari, bye pass along Gujba road have all deserted their house for safety.

The Yobe State University was reported to be under attack but there was no report of casualties.

More details soon.

Who Rocked It Better? Kate Or Goodluck?

Nigerian entertainers met with President Jonathan at the Creative Industry event which took place friday night at Eko Hotel, Lagos. Ms Henshaw dressed like President Jonathan to the event.Classy ! Who wore it better.

PSC Set To Investigate Suswam's ADC Over Alleged Gun Running WorthN3.7bn And Abuse Of Office.

According to NigerianPilot. There are strong indications that the top hierarchy of the Nigerian police force in conjunction with the Police Service Commission, PSC, will soon begin interrogation of the Aide De Camp, ADC to Governor Gabriel Suswam, DSP Dickson Orlu Pawa over alleged gun running and abuse of office.
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The Sun Publishers Name Mrs Yemisi Suswam As "Most SupportiveFirstLady".

Benue Firstlady,Mrs. Yemisi Suswam,has been named the Most Supportive First Lady for her exemplary humanitarian and charity works in Benue State. Through her pet project, SEV-AV Foundation, according to the organizers,Mrs. Suswam has provided succour to thousands of women, children, jobless youths and students throughout the state.

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Suspected Thugs Snatch Permanent Voters Cards In Nassarawa State.

Not less than 230 voters cards were on Saturday snatched by hoodlums at the ongoing distribution of Permanent Voters Card, PVC, in Nasarawa State.
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"G-wagon".......The Official Car Of Big Boys Now Used For Transport Service?

A Mercedes Benz G wagon was spotted in Lagos and its been used for transport service, infact the luxury car transports passengers from Lagos to Ibadan and also plies Ile-Ife and Akure. Big men do big things...........Na waohhhh.

50 Persons Escaped Death As Overland Airlines Crash-Landed In Ilorin On Saturday.

An Overland Airlines plane from Abuja on Saturday with fifty nine passengers and four crew members escaped death by whiskers after it crash-landed and slipped off the runway in Ilorin, Kwara State.
A statement by the General Manager, Public Affairs, of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Fan Ndubuoke, on Saturday, said no life was lost in the incident, which he added, was already being investigated.
The statement read, “An Overland flight 1186, an ATR 72 aircraft with Registration number 5N-BPG from Abuja airport to Ilorin, carrying fifty nine passengers and four crew members,veered off the runway at low speed after a normal landing at the Ilorin Airport.

“The incident which occurred today Saturday, November 29, at 4.45pm, has no casualty recorded. However, the Accident and Prevention Bureau in conjunction with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has begun an investigation into the cause of the incident.

“The authority wishes to use this medium to reassure Nigerians that safety of the traveling public is still paramount and cannot be compromised.”

A source disclosed that three professors –a former Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. Ishaq Oleyede, Prof. Lanre Badmus and one unnamed professor — were on board the flight.

One of the passengers, Mr. Ayuba Balami, commended the pilot for showing great experience by maneuvering the plane to safety.

Pope Francis Worships In A Mosque With Islamic Clerics.

 Pope Francis conducted a silent prayer alongside a senior Islamic cleric in Istanbul’s Blue Mosque on Saturday. Facing Mecca, Francis bowed his head in prayer for several minutes while standing next to Istanbul’s Grand Mufti Rahmi Yaran. The Vatican described the gesture as a “moment of silent adoration” of God.

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