Bayelsa State | Government threatens to seal oil firms over alleged tax evasion

The Bayelsa Government on Sunday threatened to seal sites and premises of oil companies and oil servicing companies that default in their tax obligations to the state government.

Mr. Felix Bonny Ayah, Special Adviser to the Governor of Bayelsa on Oil and Gas, who stated this said that the government had informed oil firms that non-compliance with tax obligation was no longer tolerable.

The state government had in May sealed a gas plant operated by Shell in Yenagoa over breach of development control levies.

Atiku refutes claims that he has formed a new Political Party

Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed as a load of hogwash a newspaper report alleging that he has formed a new political platform under which he will run for President in 2019, with Ondo State Governor Segun Mimiko as his running mate.

The statement signed by his Media Adviser, Mazi Paul Ibe, said the report bears all the features of a political hatchet job planted by his opponents who have desperately tried to invent events in order to draw a wedge between him and President Buhari on one hand and APC leadership as a whole.

Brazilians protest in Rio few days before 2016 Olympics

Protesters turned out Sunday for lightly attended demonstrations in Rio against embattled President Dilma Rousseff five days before the start of the 2016 Olympic Games.

About 4,000 protesters gathered on the beach at Copacabana in a festive atmosphere with sound trucks blasting out a mix of samba and the national anthem.

Marchers carried an enormous banner that read “Dilma out and prison for Lula,” a reference to former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who was charged Friday with obstruction of justice in an ongoing corruption probe.

Dokpesi says Buhari still using strategy employed as military leader

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, at the weekend in Osogbo, contended that President Buhari is still using the same strategy he used in 1983 when he was Head of State.

Dokpesi, who was in Osun state to seek votes of delegates to the PDP National Convention holding in August while reacting to cases of money laundry against him, stressed that what Buhari did in 1983 shortly after taking over was to clampdown on political class.

Budget Padding: Group petition fresh allegations against Jibrin

As events continue to unfold in the Yakubu Dogara versus Abdulmumin Jibrin matter in House of Representatives, a fresh petition has been routed to Nigeria’s foremost anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, against Jibrin, alleging that he as former House chairman on Finance got himself involved for some years in the abuse of the appropriation process.

The petition, written by the anti-corruption unit of the National Youth Council, NYC was addressed to the Acting chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, and signed by Ifeanyi Okonkwo.

Oshonaike is #TeamNigeria’s flag bearer for 2016 Olympics

Elegant Table Tennis star, Funke Oshonaike, would lead out Team Nigeria at the Opening ceremony of the Rio Olympics, at the Maracana stadium on Friday, August 5.

The graceful and stylish ping ponger who would be competing in her sixth Olympics is also the assistant Team captain to Mikel Obi who at the weekend was also named captain of the Football team, thereby making him a double captain to the Games.

Funke Oshonaike, no doubt, would treasure to be the flag bearer as marching with her fellow athletes in an opening ceremony is considered by many athletes as the pinnacle of their Olympic journey.

Suspected Militants blow up NPDC pipeline in Delta

Suspected militants on Saturday night blasted the 24-inch oil pipeline belonging to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) in Odimodi community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC)’s 24-inch Brass Creek to Forcados Terminal Pipeline, popularly called the Trans Ramos trunk line, brings crude oil from oil well locations in Bayelsa State to the Forcados terminal.

Security sources said on Sunday that the incident occurred at 11 p.m. with a huge fire enveloping the site of the attack.

Have you seen the New Shoprite in Zaria City? (See Photos Here)

This is the trending photo of a Shoprite Center spotted in Zaria that is trending on social media. Unlike the real Shoprite mall, this one looks totally funny as it also serves as a store.

Troops kill 2 Fleeing Boko Haram Terrorists in Pulka, Borno State (Graphic Photos)

Troops on blocking position in Pulka, Borno State yesterday Friday 29th July 2016, ambushed and killed 2 fleeing Boko Haram terrorists. It is equally believed one of the terrorists escaped with gun shot wounds.

The troops also recovered 1 AK-47 rifle with registration number S 77411, a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) with registration number FN 131908, one Motorcycle, 1 Bicycle and 5 Fabrique Nationale (FN) rifle magazines.

Nigeria Defence College has No place for FAT officers – Commandant

The Commandant, National Defence College (NDC), Samuel Alade, has said only officers with average body mass index shall continue make the admission list at the elite military training institution.

Mr Alade, a Rear Admiral, said officers who are obese would not be admitted into the NDC irrespective of their other qualifications, both academic and marksmanship.

Embarrassing! National Theatre in total darkness over N9m power debt

The Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EKEDC) on Sunday said electricity supply to the National Arts Theatre in Lagos was disconnected because its management failed to pay over N9 million debt.

Idemudia Godwin, General Manger, Media Communications of EKEDC, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the complex was disconnected after several appeals and demand notices went unheeded.

According to him, the debt is an accumulation of unpaid bills over time.

Muslims and Catholics Pray together over priest’s ‘barbaric’ murder in France

Muslims attended Catholic mass in churches around France on Sunday in solidarity and sorrow following the brutal jihadist murder of a priest, the latest in a string of attacks.

More than 100 Muslims were among the 2,000 faithful who packed the 11th-century Gothic cathedral of Rouen, near the Normandy town where two jihadi teenagers slit the throat of 85-year-old Father Jacques Hamel. 

“I thank you in the name of all Christians,” Rouen Archbishop Dominique Lebrun told them. “In this way you are affirming that you reject death and violence in the name of God.”

SHOCKING | Watch Strippers Dancing at a Man's Funeral (Video)

A dead man's family were left horrified after strippers invaded the burial ceremony to dance.

According to reports, the dead man had instructed strippers to dance at his burial and they just obeyed him.  The strippers could be seen dancing in suggestive ways to seduce and entice people.

Arsene Wenger says Pogba transfer fee ´absolutely crazy´

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger feels the €120 million transfer fee Manchester United are believed to be willing to pay for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is "absolutely crazy", but has admitted the Old Trafford sides revenues might justify it.

The France international is widely expected to set a new world transfer record, beating the €100m Real Madrid paid to sign Gareth Bale from Tottenham, by swapping Turin for Manchester.

Wenger thinks fees might approach the €200m mark in the not too distant future if the current developments continue.

Jamie Vardy says ‘It Was Easy To Snub Arsenal’

Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has revealed it was an easy decision to remain at the club over a proposed move to Arsenal.

The England international was believed to be heading to the Emirates after the North London club triggered his contract, but the player eventually signed a contract with the reigning champions during the Euro 2016 tournament.

Heartbroken Man Strips N*ked, Lie on the Middle Of The Road

A heartbroken French man was discovered lying unclad in the middle of the road on Friday night in Prachuap Khiri Khan city, Thailand.

The 62-year-old man was found just on Sala Cheep Road in front of a Guesthouse where he had been staying since July 14. His wailing could be heard all along the road at about 5:30pm.

Notified by some good Samaritans, police came and helped take the man, whose name was withheld, back to his room. At that point he decided to lock himself inside, but after a chat, officers were able to persuade him to come out again.

General John Allen blast Donald Trump says He has 'No Credibility'

Retired Marine Corps Gen. John Allen excoriated Republican nominee Donald Trump after the businessman called him a 'failed general' and criticized Allen's endorsement of Hillary Clinton.

"He has no credibility to criticize me or my record or anything I have done," Allen said on ABC's "This Week." "If he'd spent a minute in the deserts of Afghanistan or in the deserts of Iraq, I might listen to what he has to say."

Just In | JAMB withdraws 2016 admission lists sent to varsities

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has withdrawn the list of recommended candidates for admission earlier sent to the tertiary institutions, the Board said in a statement on Sunday.

Read Statement below:

Buhari Government got N2.2trillion from Federation Account in one year - Report

The Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari got N2,203,573,573,563.25 (Two trillion, two hundred and three billion, five hundred and seventy-three million, five hundred and seventy-three thousand, five hundred and sixty-three naira and twenty-five kobo) from the Federation Account as allocation between June 2015 and May 2016, Economic Confidential is reporting.

The economic magazine said in a report on Sunday that its computation showed that the administration got the highest allocation in July 2015 (N412.60 billion) and the lowest in the period under review in May 2016 (N113.80 billion).

Checkout Actor Jim Iyke's stylish look (PHOTOS)

He always knows how to slay ...

2019 Election: Atiku, Mimiko in secret collaboration meeting

Apparently dissatisfied with the suppressed musings in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the perennial crisis in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), key figures in both parties are mulling what a source called ‘a strong third force’.

If ongoing secret consultations are fruitful, the third force is a new political party ahead of the 2019 presidential election that would witness the pairing of former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and the incumbent governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, as a presidential candidate and running mate respectively, Sunday Telegraph gathered. Curiously, while Atiku, with eyes glued to the presidency, belongs to the APC, the Ondo State governor is of the PDP and indeed, a key figure in the resolution of the crisis in the opposition party.

Her Mother is Insane”, Says Husband To Woman Who Chained Her 10-year-old Daughter For Stealing

Husband of Chiamaka Okafor, the woman alleged to have chained a 10-year-old girl, Promise Udeh, rescued by the Ogun State Police Command, has made an excuse for his wife’s actions, saying that she has partial insanity.

The rescue of Udeh at Alawaye community, Saraki in Adigbe area of Abeokuta came on the heels of the earlier rescue of a nine-year-old boy who was similarly chained by his father, a pastor of a white garment church in Ogun State

Daughter busted after faking her Kidnapping to Her Mum (VIDEO)

A daughter sent into her mother, a sick hoax kidnapping video, claiming she was tied up in a hotel room after being kidnapped.

22-year-old Jessica Johnson filmed herself on a bed bound and gagged in South Carolina, US.

Her mother Christie called the police who managed to track her down and find her slumped on the bed and unresponsive. It was now discovered to be a hoax .

In Bayelsa | Nigerian Navy Seizes Vessel Loaded With 600,000 Litres Of Diesel

The Central Naval Command, CNC, Yenagoa on Saturday announced the seizure of a vessel laden with 600,000 litres of suspected illegally refined automotive gas oil also known as diesel.

A statement by Lieutenant Commander Edward Yeibo on behalf of Flag Officer Commanding, CNC, Rear Admiral Mohammed Garba, said two of the four suspected oil thieves were arrested while loading the barge with diesel.The statement reiterated the Navy’s Zero Tolerance of crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, illegal oil bunkering and other sundry crimes in the Niger Delta Region. According to Mr Yeibo, the operation which yielded the feat is in line with the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas’ strategic directive to the Navy.

Oh Dear! See Why these Couples Had to Wed in A Hospital (PHOTOS)

The new bride, Steph Murphy’s £36,000 dream wedding took a nightmarish twist, just two days before the ceremony.

With a Croatian palace booked for the nuptials, Steph and hubby-to-be James Goss had been planning their wedding for 18 months. Everything was in place, but disaster struck on a pre-wedding cruise when James slipped and snapped his leg at an extreme angle.

He was confined to the hospital for five days.

PHOTOS | Actress, Juliet Ibrahim debuts Low Cut Hairstyle

Juliet Ibrahim is one Actress who can slay in almost anything. The Ghanaian Actress has been rocking a low cut hairstyles for some days now and we love her new looks. One thing we really can't take our eyes from is her curves *winks*

“I’m Going To Act Forever... I can’t imagine not acting” – Actress, Bimbo Akintola

Bimbo Akintola, who starred in “93 Days”, an adaptation of a true-life story has revealed that she plans to act for a very long time.

Akintola, who played the role of late Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, alongside Hollywood veteran actor, Danny Glover, said she felt to be casted in the inspirational movie.

“I feel honoured to have been given the opportunity to play such a great woman. Everyone I met had something good to say about Adadevoh, and that helped me to have a good understanding of the character.”

Nollywood Actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo’s Daughter Graduates From Secondary School (PHOTOS)

Nollywood actor Kanayo Onyekwere, popularly known as Kanayo O. Kanayo, is celebrating his daughter Uloaku Valerie’s graduation from Rainbow College – a secondary school in Nigeria.

He shared some photos via one of his social media accounts and his caption read, “My daughter, Valerie’s graduation from college! Proud dad!”

Pastor E.A Adeboye reveals “Why He Won’t Seek Vengeance Against Killers Of Abuja Preacher”

General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has revealed why he will not seek vengeance against killers of Abuja preacher, Deaconess Eunice Olawale Elisha.

Forty-two-year old Mrs Elisha was hacked to death by hoodlums on June 9 at Gbazango-West area of Kubwa, a satellite town in the Federal Capital Territory while preaching early in the morning.

She was an assistant pastor at the RCCG, Divine Touch parish, Old NEPA road, Phase 4, Kubwa, before she was slashed in the neck and stabbed in the stomach by suspected religious fanatics.

Linda Ikeji Deletes Controversial #SaveMayowa post off Blog

Popular blogger Linda Ikeji is in the spotlight over a post regarding the #SaveMayowa saga.

In a sense, it can be said that she set the ball rolling as it was a post found on her site that broke the story of allegations of falsehood which was then carried about and snowballed into a national phenomenon.

Whether the deletion is a tacit acceptance of wrongdoing or something else is unknown, but a cursory search of her site shows that the post is no longer there.