ENYA'S GIST BLOG

The UN political affairs chief expressed willingness to ease tension on the Korean peninsula during a visit to North Korea on Wednesday, state media said on Saturday, amid a rising war of words over the North’s missile and nuclear programmes. North Korea also said in a statement carried by its official KCNA news agency that the UN envoy acknowledged the negative impact of sanctions on humanitarian aid to North Korea. Jeffrey Feltman, the highest-level UN official to visit North Korea since 2012, did not speak to newsmen upon arriving back from Pyongyang at Beijing airport on Saturday. “The UN expressed concerns over the heightened situation on the Korean peninsula. “UN also expressed willingness to work on easing tensions on the Korean peninsula in accordance with the UN Charter which is based on international peace and security,” KCNA said. Speaking at an academic forum, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the situation on the Korean peninsula had entered a vi...

Adesua and Banky W Having carved a niche for himself in the competitive Nigerian music industry, Olubankole Wellington, who is better known as Banky W, says he is also hoping to make a name for himself in Nollywood. Since he tied the knot with Nollywood actress, Adesua Etomi, in an elaborate wedding, the couple have come under intense scrutiny on social media.  The singer was approached for an interview at the screening of the Wedding Party 2, he made it clear that no question is out of bounds save for his marriage. Asked to speak about his union to Adesua as well as his recent ‘infamous’ Instagram post, Banky W, said, “My wife and I have chosen not to discuss our private lives in the media or social media. So, I will appreciate that you don’t ask us any personal questions. Please respect our privacies.” Making a movie debut playing a lead role is a rarity in this part of the world. Indeed very few actors have been lucky in this regard. Banky W considers...

Another aspirant to the office of the national chairman of PDP, Jimi Agbaje, has withdrawn from the race. The withdrawal was announced on his verified Twitter handle, @Jimiagbaje, on Saturday, few hours before the commencement of the national convention to elect new leaders for the PDP. In a letter addressed to the PDP National Convention Planning Committee, Mr. Agbaje said the PDP had from inception adopted the principle of zoning offices among the country’s geo-political zones. “In line with such zoning and other parameters I have at different fora, expressed my strong belief that the next National Chairman of our great party should come from the South West,” he said. He also said he was however, convinced that “with 7 out of all 9 aspirants coming from the South West, this multiplicity of co tenders will work to the detriment of our zone when it comes to voting”. Mr. Agbaje said delegates’ votes split seven ways will not produce a chairman from the South West, ...

The Nigerian Former President,Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has become a reference point as Nigeria moves toward another election. He said this on Saturday in Abuja while delivering a goodwill message at the party’s National Convention. Mr. Jonathan said the party had over the years, remained focused and resilient in spite of several challenges, adding that he believed the party would remain foremost in leadership. According to him, the PDP is a party with an indelible history and principles, and expressed optimism that the party will remain at the forefront of leadership by example. “Ours is a party with an indelible history and proven record on its tradition and we have been consistent in standing firm. “PDP is the only party that from the beginning, we have not changed our name or our identity in any form, we do not change based on election cycle. PDP is the only stable party in Nigeria,’’ he said. He, however, urged all leaders ...

The Peoples Democratic Party is holding its national convention at the Eagle Square, Abuja, today. Unlike the last convention in Port Harcourt which was doomed by lawsuits that went up to the Supreme Court, today’s event appears less controversial. Delegates and other party faithful from across the country have been arriving at the nation’s capital for the big event since last week. About 3,000 delegates — elected and statutory— are expected to vote to fill the positions of the national chairman and several other national offices. An official list of all the candidates and their targeted offices is expected to be released later today. The party has been under the supervision of different interim national executives since May 2015 when Adamu Mu’azu resigned as part of the fallout from the 2015 election woes. Mr. Mu’azu, a former governor of Bauchi State, was confirmed as the party’s national chairman in January 2014. Nine people were cleared to run in the race fo...