ENYA'S GIST BLOG

Enyimba v Akwa Utd @UJ Esuene Stadium @4pm on April 28 Enyimba are on an eight-match unbeaten run though Paul Aigbogun will be seriously looking at how to turn the draws into wins by scoring more goals. With just 14 goals in 16 matches and seven points off the leaders, Lobi Stars, Sunday is a great opportunity to move above their opponents, Akwa United. The Abdu Maikaba-tutored Akwa United have been dumped out of Africa and will be facing league business very seriously from now on, which makes them a very dangerous side. United have lost five matches away but also have one away win already this season. Enyimba might need to score more than one goal to win this one. Current Form:  Enyimba [W-D-D-D-D]; Akwa Utd [W-W-L-L-L] Head to head 02/07/17         NPF      Akwa Utd         1 – 0     Enyimba 09/02/17  ...

A Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said one of the reasons he parted ways with his former party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), was the inability of President Muhammadu Buhari to address the negative manner in which the party was being run. Mr Abubakar stated this on Saturday in an interview with BBC Hausa Good Morning programme. “After 2015 general election, I met the president. I told him the activities of the party have been crippled and there is a need for restructure. Also I advised the president on issues concerning his administration. I said to him, if things continued like this, I will quit but Mr Buhari turned deaf ears and remained mum,” he said. When asked how he would battle corruption if elected in 2019, the presidential candidate said: “If Nigerians can recall, we initiated the Economic and Financial (Crimes) Commission (EFCC). I’m the person that sourced for the takeoff funds for the EFCC. “In this administration (Buhari’s), there are people...

Mohamed Salah scored two goals and the same number of assists as Liverpool secured a 5-2 victory over Roma in the first leg of their semi-final Champions League clash on Tuesday night at Anfield. Surprisingly, it was Roma that dominated the early proceedings in Tuesday’s game before Liverpool got into their usual self and predictably it was Salah that broke the deadlock in the 31st minute before adding another goal just before half time. The Reds continued from where they stopped in the second half as Salah provided an assist for Sadio Mane who was quite wasteful on the night and then for Roberto Firmino who socred another goal later in the game. With Liverpool leading 5-0, Jurgen Klopp thought it wise to remove Salah and that didn’t look like the best of decisions as Roma had more audacity to look for goals afterwards. Their efforts paid off in the 81st minute as Edin Dzeko got Roma’s first away goal and a Diego Perotti penalty ensured that it is not yet over fo...

A former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, has hit back at former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on her revelations that he tried to dissuade her from joining the Good luck Jonathan administration in order to undermine it. Mrs Okonjo-Iweala had in a new book titled ‘fighting corruption is dangerous’ revealed that Mr. Duke visited her in Washington DC, USA and asked her not to accept an impending appointment from Mr Jonathan because people like him wanted the government to lose credibility and fail. The revelation by the former minister drew widespread reaction at a time Mr. Duke is considered one of the leading candidates to run for president in the 2019 Nigerian elections. Mr Duke took to his Twitter handle on Wednesday to react to the allegation by the former coordinator of Nigerian economy. He admitted that it is true he met with Mrs Okonjo-Oweala “when the rumors were swirling about her being considered for appointment.” He also said “as f...

The Lagos State Government on Wednesday said all is set for the prosecution of a Danish national, Peter Nielsen, who allegedly murdered his Nigerian wife, Zainab, in Lagos on April 5. Adeniji Kazeem, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, said forensic investigation into the matter revealed overwhelming and compelling evidence to the effect that the suspect killed his wife and daughter. Mr Nielsen, 53, is accused of murdering Zainab, 37, and his three year old daughter, Petra, in their home at Banana Island, Ikoyi. The Attorney General said a prima facie case (evidence) of murder had already been established against the suspect contrary to Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, adding that he would be prosecuted at the High Court of Lagos State for the crime. “The Office of Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice on the 19th of April, 2018 issued Legal Advice to the effect that a prima facie case of murder Contrary to Section 223 o...

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has denied links with questions on President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent statement on the Nigerian youth. The institution’s director of media and publicity, Ibrahim Sheme, said this in a press statement  on Tuesday evening. According to the statement, the so-called examination questionnaire issued by one “Henry Osas” had nothing to do with NOUN as all the institution’s exams were concluded long before the President’s visit to the United Kingdom, where he delivered the speech Mr Osas quoted. It further said its attention had been drawn to a publication on social media in which a purported examination questionnaire, titled “School of Education Course Code GST 103,” was circulated as a document emanating from the University. “In the fake exam sheet, four questions were posed, built around His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent statement on the Nigerian youth. Each question was said to attract 30 marks if a...

Nigeria international, Victor Moses, was in action from start to finish as Chelsea sealed their place in the final of the FA Cup in England on Sunday with a 2-0 win over Southampton. Second half goals from Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata ensured that Chelsea will stake another chance at winning the FA Cup after being beaten in last year’s final by Arsenal. Qualifying for the final wasn’t a stroll in the park for Chelsea as they failed to find a way through the Saints in the first half. Giroud, however, gave the Blues the perfect start they craved for in the second half; scoring in the first minute after resumption. While it was looking like Chelsea will only be relying on the goal by the French man to qualify for the final, Morata who has endured a long goals drought sealed the victory with his 82nd minute strike. An epic final is now on the cards as Chelsea will be facing Manchester United. Interestingly, this is the only chance of silverware for either Jose Mourinho...

A trio of Nollywood’s biggest actors, Ini Edo, Nkem Owoh(Osofia) and Patience Ozokwor (Mama G), are starring in a new movie titled, Chief Daddy. The movie is currently being shot in Lagos by Ebony Life Films and is projected to be released in December. ‘Chief Daddy’ tells the story of a billionaire industrialist Chief Bee croft, who is a flamboyant benefactor to a large extended family of relatives, household staff and assorted mistresses. Chief lives large, like there’s no tomorrow, until the day he dies suddenly and the ‘bullion van’ stops! What’s in his will and who gets all that money? What happens next will surprise you, as Chief Daddy has the last laugh from beyond the grave, reveals the producer. ‘Chief Daddy’ is written by Bode Asiyanbi and directed by Niyi Akinmolayan. Temidayo Abudu and Queen Martins are the producers of the film. The cast includes, Bisola Aiyeola, Funke Akindele, Zainab Balogun, Shaffi Bello, Lepacious Bose, Ini Edo, Dakore Egbuson, Linda Ejiof...

Nollywood actress and producer Omoni Oboli unveiled a new book, ‘The Stars Are Ageless’ to mark her 40th birthday. Oboli, is one of the 27 participants selected from among 300 nominees from over 30 African countries for the 2018 Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellowship. She made the announcement on her Instagram handle @omonioboli. She wrote, “It’s my birthday niccur! I deserve some accolades!!! I paid my dues!!! I work so hard! I wrote a book! #TheStarsAreAgeless. “You can now add author to my name. Been working on this baby for a while and she’s finally here! Thank you Lord! 40 sure look good on me! “Thanks to my publishers @narrativelscape we burnt the midnight candle on this one! Thanks to everyone that worked tirelessly to make this happen! Love you all. “Copies available for sale from tomorrow, I can’t keep still,” she added as she unveiled the cover to her fans on her page. Oboli began her formal movie career in 1996 with her first movie role in ‘Bit...

Nigerian singer, Banky W, has waded into a recent comment by President Muhammadu Buhari which sparked public outrage. Mr Buhari on Wednesday criticised the attitude of some Nigerian youth, saying they are lazy and uneducated, and want free education, housing and healthcare. The president was quoted as saying this during a panel appearance with world leaders at the Commonwealth Business Forum in London. The comment has drawn widespread criticisms from Nigerians with a former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Governor Ayo Fayose, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, and others denouncing the comment. In a recent post on Instagram, Thursday, the artist shared his thoughts and used the medium to urge Nigerian youths to get their permanent voter’s card (PVC). He started the post by asking what his fans thought about Mr Buhari’s recent comment. “So apparently, this is what our President thinks about ‘a lot of the Nigerian youth’. What do you guys think?” he asked. Knowing how most...

Sulaiman Kazaure, the Director General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), says the increase in corps members monthly allowance would be determined by the new national minimum wage ”when it takes effect.” The official said this on Monday while fielding questions from journalists newsmen shortly after the swearing-in ceremony of the 2018 Batch ‘A’ corps members at the NYSC orientation camp in Kusalla, Karaye Local Government Area of Kano state. According to him, “our efforts to ensure that the monthly allowance of the corps members is increased have yielded a very good result following series of discussion with the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige.” Mr Kazaure added that the N18,800 paid to them is grossly inadequate to cater for their needs during the mandatory one year service to the nation. The federal government had set-up a committee to look into the upward review of the minimum wage which he said will also determine the increase of the corp...

 A Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar , has said he is not desperate to become Nigeria’s president, come 2019, as some Nigerians have said. “If I am desperate, I wouldn’t have stepped down for M.K.O Abiola in 1993 presidential race,” he said. Mr. Abubakar stated this on Tuesday, in an interview with BBC Hausa morning programme. He said if Nigerians could follow his political antecedent, they would not see him as a desperate politician. “In 1993, I contested with M.K.O Abiola. I later withdrew from the race. In 1999, I was elected a governor of Adamawa state, then invited to be Nigeria’s vice president, under Olusegun Obasanjo,” he said. Mr Abubakar said in 2007 he contested against former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, “to show the world that I have the right to contest and I did that to satisfy my conscience”. “All the times I have been contesting for the presidency, I have been opportune only once to be presented to Nigerians as a candidate,” he said, addi...

The police on Wednesday afternoon arrested suspended senator, Ovie Omo-Agege, at the National Assembly premises. Mr Omo-Agege was whisked away in a black hilux van at about 1:54 p.m. The arrest is in connection to the theft of the Senate mace, hours earlier. Senate spokesperson, Sabi Abdullahi, accused the senator of leading hoodlums to the Senate chamber to seize the mace . Mr Omo-Agege after the incident returned to the chamber.

Ekama Itomo Enya & Cletus Felix known as (VjKtoolz) Actor, Cletus Felix aka VjKtoolz, is officially taken. The Actor popped the question to his  partner, Ekama Itomo Enya , on his birthday. Photos of the Event  

The Senate has resumed plenary about an hour after thugs stole its symbol of authority, the mace. The lawmakers appear to have secured a replacement mace which is being used for the plenary. The thugs, who stormed the Senate chamber on Wednesday morning, are believed to have been led by a suspended lawmaker Ovie Omo-Agege. The Senate has already accused Mr Omo-Agege of leading the thugs who went away with the mace in a black SUV. Mr Omo-Agege was suspended for 90 days after accusing his colleagues of working against the interest of President Muhammadu Buhari. After the thugs left, the Senate went into an executive session after which it announced it was starting plenary. The plenary is being presided by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu. Sabi Abdullahi, the senate spokesperson, in a statement sent, he said “The Senate has mandated the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Idris Kpotum Ibrahim and Director General of the State Security Services (SSS), Mallam Lawan D...

A total of 89 writers are competing for the 2018 edition of the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas -sponsored Prize for Literature. The sponsors of the prize announced this during a formal ceremony held in Lagos. At the ceremony, the entries were handed over to the Advisory Board of the Prize signifying the beginning of the selection process. The process will culminate in the announcement of the winner in October. The Deputy Managing Director of the company, Sadeeq Mai-Bornu, represented by Acting Manager, Community Relations, Godson Dienye, handed over the entries to the Advisory Board of the prize. An emeritus professor, Ayo Banjo, heads the Advisory Board for the literature prize. Other members are former Minister of State for Education, Jerry Agada, and former president of the Nigerian Academy of Letters, Ben Elugbe, an emeritus professor. Mr. Dienye noted, “We have received 89 entries this year; lower than what we had in 2014 when drama was also in focus. We must change th...

Some Nigerians on Twitter have applauded the American music star, Beyoncé, for paying tribute to Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, and honouring Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Adichie. Beyonce, who became the first black woman to headline Coachella on Saturday, did so with a two-hour performance and had her band perform a rendition of Fela’s 1976 classic ‘Zombie’. Fela Kuti was a Nigerian musician and activist, who launched Afro-beat, which then fused American blues, jazz and funk with traditional Yoruba music. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigerians were excited that she decided to honour two Nigerians, alongside other black legends including Nina Simone and Malcolm X. Nigerian singer, Emma Nyra, using her Twitter handle @emmanyra wrote, “Beyonce just made me so proud to be who I am. Unapologetically black, female and talented. Our voice matters. She even paid tribute to Fela! I will forever be a fan.” @Blackdot_Mandy tweeted, “Beyonce just pai...

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) says all necessary documents required from prospective corps members, both foreign and local graduates, must be presented before camp registration for the 2018 Batch ‘A’ Orientation Course. According to the NYSC official twitter handle @nysc_ng, the corps members must therefore take note of all required documents and make adequate preparation ahead of the commencement of orientation course. It said those who studied in the country should bring to their respective camps their degree or HND certificates or statement of results and a personal Identity Card (ID) from the institution of graduation. It said foreign graduates should endeavour to bring for verification, original copies of all their uploaded credentials and travel documents including international passport. According to the NYSC twitter handle, foreign graduates must ensure that academic papers in languages other than English must be translated into English accordin...

Some Oando Plc shareholders on Sunday demanded the immediate sack of the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, accusing her of “unwholesome interference in the smooth operation of the capital market.” The aggrieved investors also accused Mrs Adeosun of meddling with the functions of the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), causing “severe damage to the capital market.” The National President, Trusted Shareholders Association of Nigeria (TSAN), Mukhtar, along with the National Coordinator, Proactive Shareholders Association (PROSAN), Taiwo Oderinde, and the Coordinator, Oando Shareholders Solidarity Group (OSSG) made the accusations in a joint statement in Lagos. Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun They asked President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the minister, saying the suspension of the former director-general of SEC, Mounir Gwarzo, and last Friday’s removal of the acting director-general, Abdul Zubair, reflect Mrs Adeosun’s “desperate attempt to shield Oando from...

MADRID –   Spanish authorities have detained seven people in Catalonia as part of a crackdown on disturbances associated with the region's attempts to secede from Spain. Spanish news agency Europa Press says the Catalan police force Mossos d'Esquadra has detained six people on suspicion of public disorder offenses during tense protests outside the region's parliament in January. A large crowd gathered outside when lawmakers attempted to elect Carles Puigdemont, a pro-independence leader who is now a fugitive, as Catalan president. The Guardia Civil says it arrested Tuesday a woman believed to be a leader of Catalonia's so-called Committees for the...

President Trump told reporters Monday night that the U.S. would respond "forcefully" to this past weekend's suspected chemical attack in Syria, but declined to discuss when such a response would occur. "We're making a decision as to what we do with respect to the horrible attack that was made near Damascus, and it will be met and it will be met forcefully," the president said at the top of a meeting with top military leaders at the White House. "When, I will not say because I don’t like talking about timing." The meeting's attendees included Vice President Mike Pence, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph Dunford. John Bolton, marking his first day on the job as national security adviser, sat to Trump's immediate left in the Cabinet Room. ...

The 44-kilometre Obajana–Kabba concrete road project in Kogi will be ready in December, the Managing Director of AG-Dangote Construction Company, Ashif Juma, has said. Mr Juma, who stated this in a statement obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja on Monday, said that the longest concrete road project in Nigeria was being built according to specifications. According to him, so far 33 kilometers earthwork and 22 kilometres concrete pavement have already been accomplished. “We will deliver the project by December this year as planned,” Mr Juma said. He urged government at all levels to switch over to construction of concrete road instead of asphalt as it is far superior, durable and cheaper, as it does not require frequent maintenance. The statement signed by Anthony Chiejina, Corporate Communication Officer, Dangote Group said that the Obajana-Kabba rigid pavement road project was part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) of the Dangote Group...

Leaders of Nigeria’s ruling party and those of the opposition parties reacted differently to President Muhammadu Buhari’s announcement on re-election on Monday. Mr Buhari told a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the APC that in response “to the clamour by Nigerians to re-contest in 2019,” he has decided to accept the offer. He said at the closed door meeting that he wanted to give NEC the honour of notifying them first. Membership of the NEC comprises the president, his vice, leadership of the National Assembly, elected governors as well as chairpersons of the party across the states among others. For many APC governors, the president’s declaration was great news. The first governor to react to the declaration was Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai. Mr El-Rufai who often refers to himself as a “Buharist”, took to his verified Twitter page to post a “Breaking News” announcing the president’s decision immediately. “BREAKING NEWS: PMB has just a...

Popular Nigerian comedian and actor, Ayo Makun, popularly known as AY, has credited his success in the entertainment industry to encouragement from people like comic actor, John Okafor also known as Mr Ibu. AY’s debut film is ’30 Days in Atlanta.’ AY The award winning actor, from Ifon, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, but prefers to be referred to as ‘Warri Boy,’ made this known on his Instagram handle @aycomedian. “Success is the fruit of personal effort plus support and encouragement from people like @realmribu Thank you boss.’’ However, AY’ crediting Mr Ibu for his success could not be far from the fact that Ibu who acted in over 200 films and got popularity, awards and endowments also came from a poor and humble background. The script writer and movie producer with over 3.1 million followers on Instagram is the host of the popular AY live shows and AY comedy skits. The awards include Comedian of the year for Diamond Awards for Comedy, Teens Favorite Awa...

Drake, has kept to his promise and released his highly anticipated single, “Nice for What”. He also announced during his visit to Toronto, where he told a crowd at Majid Jordan’s set, that he was in town to put finishing touches to his soon to be released album. To serve as a teaser to the highly anticipated album, the award-winning rapper has decided to share the new single, accompanied by befitting visuals. The video as expected, has cameo appearances from some of the finest diva’s in the game like Olivia Wilde, Issa Rae, Tiffany Haddish, Zoe Saldana, Jourdan Dunn, Rashida Jones, Michelle Rodriguez , Letitia Wright, and a host of others. The track was produced by highly talented record producer, Murda Beatz and samples Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill classic record “Ex-Factor.” This new potential chart-topper adds to Drake’s inventory of hits. “Nice For What” is a follow up to his record-breaker “God’s Plan” which clinched a number one spot on the ...

The Lagos State Police Command on Sunday said it had dispatched letters to the Embassy of Denmark over investigation of the murder of a Nigerian singer allegedly by her Danish husband. Chike Oti, the state police spokesperson, said the letters were to inform the embassy about its investigation of Peter Nielsen, a Dane, for an alleged case of murder. Mr Nielsen, 53, had been arrested in connection with the murder of his Nigerian wife, Zainab, and their four-year-old daughter. Zainab, a musician popularly known as Alizee, was murdered, alongside her daughter, last Thursday at Bellasta Tower, Banana Island in Ikoyi. “In respect of the unfortunate incident, the Command declares as follows: that on the 5th day of April, 2018, at about 11am, it received a complaint from the Facility Manager of Bellasta Tower, Banana Island, Mr. Kunle Kukoyi, that at about 7am of 5th April, 2018,” the police statement on Sunday evening began, “He was informed by 13-year-old Miss Gift Mad...

Facebook would start informing its users on Monday if their information “may have been’’ improperly shared with Cambridge Analytica, Cambridge Analytica is a consultancy suspected of improperly using the data of as many as 87 million people. In a statement, Facebook said 70.6 million people affected were based in the U.S. Up to 2.7 million Facebook users in the EU were affected, with another two million affected in the Philippines and Indonesia. Other countries affected include Mexico, Canada, India, Brazil, Vietnam and Australia, according to Facebook. In a further effort to improve transparency after the scandal, Facebook would send all 2.2 billion of its users a notice that would allow them to see what apps they use and what data they are sharing with those apps. The company said this would allow people to shut off the apps completely or turn off third-party access to their apps. Cambridge Analytica is at the centre of a debate over whether it used the personal...

Two Nigerian banks, Access Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), paid a combined fee of over N96 million in 2017 for contravening various regulations put in place by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), a analysis of the banks’ financial statements for the year ending December 2017 has shown. The penalties were paid for various offenses ranging from unutilized foreign exchange from CBN, late rendition of returns, violations of guide on bank charges, among other infractions. A breakdown shows that during the year, while GTB paid about N18 million as fines, Access Bank paid over N78 million to the regulatory agencies. Details of the payments are contained in the banks’ financial returns submitted to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE. The various regulatory bodies in the banking sector routinely impose sanctions as a means of strengthening corporate governance in the financial institutions and ensuring transparency. For Access Bank, analysis shows that N60 million was pai...

President Muhammadu Buhari has formally announced his intention to seek a second term in 2019. The president made his plan known to the National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress. His office issued the statement below on the announcement giving further details on the president’s decision. See Full statement below: PRESIDENT BUHARI TO SEEK RE-ELECTION IN 2019 President Muhammadu Monday in Abuja declared his intention to seek re-election in 2019. President Buhari made the declaration at a closed-door meeting of the National Executive Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The President said he was responding to the clamour by Nigerians to re-contest in 2019, adding that he wanted to give NEC the honour of notifying them first. Shortly before making the declaration, the President presented a speech on the report submitted by the APC National Executive Technical Committee. His remarks: REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT,...