Dwindling Economy | Airlines seek 45 per cent increase in fares

The current spike in the exchange rate of the dollar to the naira may be taking its toll on the country’s foreign-exchange-dependent aviation sector as airline operators seek to increase their fares by 45 per cent.

The dollar exchange rate, which currently stands at N350, according to the airline operators, has further pushed the cost of running the business beyond them.

Some operators said that their plight was not helped by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) disapproval of a new airfare regime that should have officially gone up by 45 percent, to keep pace with the dollar rate.

Rio 2016 | We didn’t reject Mikel – NOC on #TeamNigeria Captaincy

The Secretary-General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Tunde Popoola, has reaffirmed the appointment of John Mikel Obi as captain of Team Nigeria to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

Popoola, who was at the office of the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, with the President of the NOC, Engr. Habu Gumel, for a meeting with Dalung, stated categorically that at no time did the Nigeria Olympic Committee deny or reject Mikel Obi as Captain of Team Nigeria.

He said: “I did not tell the press that Mikel is not the Captain of Team Nigeria.

Arsenal FC defeat MLS Allstars (2-1) but not without Didier Drogba Scoring (Watch Full Highlights)

Arsenal travelled to the US to take on MLS Allstar in a preseason friendly match. Some of the faces that were pictured on MLS sides includes Didier Drogba, Andres Pirlo, Kaka, Dos Santos and a host of others.

The match saw some exciting moments but it was Arsenal that went ahead after Jo Campbell was awarded a penalty which he smashes pass the goalkeeper. Then came the old jinx, it was Didier Drogba who equalize for the MLS bringing his total goals against Arsenal to 16 in 16 appearances.

Lol | Pennsylvania Police Found Missing Marijuana and Wants the Owner to Come Collect It

The Cheltenham Township Police Department in Pennsylvania is seeking to do their civic duty and return a block of lost marijuana to its rightful owner. 

The department shared a photo of the weed alongside a post that read:

PHOTOS: Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and husband Ikemba celebrate 37th Wedding Annniversary

Former Nigerian Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala and her husband, Ikemba Iweala are celebrating their 37th wedding anniversary today. The couple have 4 children. Their son, Uzodimma Iweala, the author of the novel 'Beasts of No Nation'. Uzodimma Iweala took to his Instagram today, to celebrate his parents.

PHOTOS | Young elephant withstand 14 lionesses then see what happened next ...

Jesse Nash, a safari goer on tour of the Chinzombo Safari Camp in Zambia witnessed one brave elephant fight off fourteen hungry lionesses. The lionesses set on the elephant as it makes its way to the water but he swats them aside almost without effort. A few persistent lionesses follow it into the water but just like on land, they were no match for it in the water either.

Actor Pete Edochie says APC Governors Fighting Ekweremadu Should Resign Immediately

Veteran actor Pete Edochie has reacted to the recent demands for the resignation of Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.

The renowed actor lambasted  the Muhammadu Buhari led government and his party, the All Progressives Congress, over their insistence on the removal of Chief Ike Ekweremadu as the Deputy Senate President.

The APC leadership, including some governors elected under the party’s platform have repeatedly said the plan to remove Ekweremadu was a task that must be accomplished.

Woman faking her disability escape lynching in Kenya after she was caught stealing

A woman faking to be disabled was almost lynched by an angry mob on Tuesday, after she was caught red-handed with a screw stealing side mirror along Koinange street, Kenya.

Breaking | Indonesia execute 3 Nigerian Drug Convict

Three Nigerians and one Indonesia were executed by firing squad shortly after midnight local time, reports say. Those who were executed have been named as three Nigerians - Seck Osmane, Humphrey Jefferson Ejike, Michael Titus Igweh and one Indonesian Freddy Budiman.

Those who remain on death row include three other Indonesians, a Pakistani, an Indian, two other Nigerians and two Zimbabweans. It is not clear why their executions did not proceed.

Delta State | Suspected robbers beaten and arrested (PHOTOS)

Three suspected robbers pictured above were apprehended while trying to break into a pastor’s house located at  Utagba Ogbe in Ndokwa West local government area of Delta state. They have been handed over to the police.

Official | Tiwa Savage signs deal with Roc Nation

Big Congratulations to Mavin Records First Lady, Tiwa Savage ... She annouce the official deal signing on her social media page. The details of this endorsement as at press time hasn't been reveal.

A reliable source confirmed it is likely a partnership deal as Tiwa Savage would still be signed under Mavin Records and as well as Jay Z own Roc Nation

Sultan of Sokoto throws support on Buhari's Anti Corruption Fight

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has endorsed the ongoing anti-corruption war of President Muhammadu Buhari. 

The Sultan made the endorsement when he spoke with top United States officials at the Woodrow Wilson Centre, Washington DC, on Wednesday, July 27, Vanguard reports. 

Mary J. Blige files for divorce from husband of 12 years

Mary J. Blige reportedly files for divorce from her husband and manager, Kendu Isaacs, after 12 years of marriage.

Us Weekly reports that the R&B singer, 45, filed on Tuesday, July 26, citing irreconcilable differences and listing the date of separation as "to be determined."

Lamar Odom's Kids furious about their dad recent Behavior

Lamar Odom’s recent antics haven’t been easy for anyone to watch but it’s been especially painful for his two kids, Destiny, 17, and Lamar Jr., 15.

According to a new report by Us Weekly, his children with Liza Morales are “so upset” with his behavior as of late.

"We are making efforts to correct our lapses" – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that lapses that have characterised Nigeria as a nation would be corrected.

The President said this when he received a team led by Dr. Seth Berkley, Chief Executive Officer of Gavi and The Global Fund in State House, Abuja, on Thursday.

FIFA President writes NFF to express delight on his two day visit

FIFA President, Gianni Infantino has written to NFF President Amaju Pinnick, to express delight about “many memorable moments” during the recent two–day visit of himself and Secretary General, Fatma Samoura, to Nigeria.

In a letter personally addressed to Pinnick, the world’s number one football administrator said, “The FIFA delegation has now returned to Zurich with a host of unforgettable memories and having made many cordial new friendships.”

Ize-Iyamu didn't make me Governor, He was hiding from EFCC during My Election, He didn't even vote – Gov Oshiomhole

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole has debuked claims by the gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu that he made him (Oshiomhole) Governor.

Speaking at a rally on Thursday, Oshiomhole said Ize Iyamu was in hiding from the EFCC on April 14 and therefore, did not vote for him and could not have made him Governor.

Studio were James Bond, Harry Potter was filmed to be sold for £323m

Britain’s Pinewood Studios, where Harry Potter and James Bond movies were filmed, could be sold to a property company for £323 million (384 million euros, $426 million) under a draft deal revealed Thursday.

Pinewood “announces that it has reached agreement… on key terms of a possible cash offer for Pinewood by Venus Grafton,” a subsidiary of PW Real Estate Fund, Pinewood Group said in a statement.

Pinewood owns television and film studios around the world including in the US and Canada, but the jewel in its crown is the original Pinewood Studios.

‘My husband dates four girls on our street’ - Woman tells Court

A 42-year-old woman, Mrs. Cecilia Ajayi, on Thursday pleaded with an Igando Customary Court in Lagos State to dissolve her marriage with her husband, John Ajayi, aged 46.

Cecilia, the petitioner, accused Ajayi, the defendant, to whom she had been married for 20 years of being as a womaniser.

“My husband is a womaniser; he is dating four girls in our street and brings them into our matrimonial home.

Breaking | Federal High Court Affirms Sheriff As PDP Chairman 48Hours After INEC Backed Makarfi

A Federal High Court sitting at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, today, Thursday, July 28, 2016, affirmed the former Governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, as the National Chairman of Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Recall Mr. Sheriff had approached the court seeking his authentication as the National Chairman of the PDP after his Committee had been dissolved at the National Convention of the party in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, a situation which gave rise to the former Governor of Kano state, Ahmed Makarfi being the new Acting National Chairman of the PDP.

Benue State | Cultists kill father and son

A suspected cult group on Thursday killed a father and his son in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

The Punch gathered that ASP Daniel Akogwu (retired) was killed alongside his son by a cult group.

It was alleged that one of Akogwu’s sons, who is now at large, is a member of the group.

It was further learnt that the suspected cultists at about 4am invaded residence of the deceased in search of the son.

Finally OAU to resume after two months strike

The authorities of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife have asked students of the institution to resume next Wednesday.

The Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr Biodun Olarewaju, confirmed this in a press statement on Thursday.

The announcement came two months after activities on OAU campus were halted by members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities.

Indonesia allows families to see Nigerians lined up for execution

The families of six Nigerians and eight others on death row in Indonesia for drug trafficking offences were granted last visits on Thursday as their executions loomed, a lawyer said.

The lawyer, Antonius Karwayu, who represented two of the convicts, said that the convicts could face a firing squad at the Nusa Kambangan prison complex off the coast of Java on Thursday.

Karwayu said, “The families have been notified that there would be executions and the convicts had been asked for their last wishes.

Ekiti States | Court remands 19-year-old in prison for alleged rape of 35-yr-old woman

An Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday remanded in prison custody a 19-year-old man, John Julius, for alleged rape of a 35-year-old woman.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Bayo Ajiboye, had told the court that the accused allegedly committed the offence on July 12 at Efon Alaaye-Ekiti.

Rio 2016 | Mikel Obi denies donating $30,000 to Dream Team

Captain of Team Nigeria to the Rio Olympics, John Mikel Obi has denied media reports making the rounds in Nigeria that he gave $30,000 dollars to his teammates in the U23 football team.

Speaking from the team’s camp at the Hyatt Place in Atlanta, USA, Mikel said, “I was first told of this unfortunate story by a friend who called me from Nigeria. I thought he was joking until he sent me the link.

UPDATES | FUTA Rusticates Four Students Arrested For N16m Internet Fraud

The Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) has indefinitely suspended four students of the institution, who were arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the roles they played in an alleged N16 million Internet fraud. Out of the five suspected undergraduate scammers that were arrested, 4 are from (FUTA) while 1 is from Adekunle Ajashin University, Akungba. A statement released by the Head, Information and Protocol Unit of FUTA, Mr. Adegbenro Adebanjo, said the university’s vice chancellor approved the sanction based on the school rules, which stipulate indefinite suspension for students arrested and being investigated for allegation of criminal activities. 

Part of it reads:

Gbagyi Villa Residents in Kaduna Protest Planned Demolition By Government

Residents of Gbagyi community in Kaduna State have asked the state government to drop the planned demolition of their houses that have been marked as illegal structures in the interest of peace in the state.

The residents of the community in Chikun Local Government Area, who staged a protest against the planned demolition on Thursday, insisted that they were the legal owners of the disputed land.

Carrying placards with various inscriptions and chanting anti-government songs, they demanded that the demolition plan is suspended, stating that the matter was already before a court of competent jurisdiction.

Breaking | Two dead as Unknown Gunmen attack new UNIJOS VC

The new Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Sebastian Maimako, on Wednesday, escaped death as some gunmen invaded his private residence in Eto Baba area of Jos North.

The gunmen who were said to have attacked the house at about 8.30pm on Wednesday, were, however, not able to penetrate the house.

Ambassadorial Nominees Recited National Anthem Correctly – SA to President Buhari

The Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, on Wednesday, dismissed a report that some ambassadorial nominees failed to recite the National Anthem and the Pledge.

Enang in a statement titled – “Ambassadorial Nominees: ‎Media report a misrepresentation of fact,” faulted the report that some ambassadorial nominees faltered when they were asked to recite the National Anthem and the Pledge during their screening at the Senate.

Say What! Chinese woman set hotel in Nigeria ablaze to kill lover

Forty-seven-year-old Zhen Zhen attempted to kill her lover, Leo Feng, 41, when she set Ernest Hotel in the Ikeja area of Lagos on fire.

The hotel attendant, Emeka Nwaegbo, said this at the resumed hearing of the case at the Ebute-Meta Magistrate’s court.

Nwaegbo told the court that Zhen accused Feng of sleeping with her without giving her food, which informed her decision.