CBN orders banks to keep database of fraudulent customers

                          

The Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN ) on Thursday directed banks to establish a database of their customers identified through their Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) to be involved in confirmed fraudulent activities.

The directive is contained in the Regulatory Framework for Bank Verification Number (BVN) Operation and Watch-list for Nigerian Financial System released by the CBN. The implementation of the framework is with immediate effect.

Bizarre religions around the world that will leave you intrigued

Religion can be understood largely as an attempt of a group of individuals to understand Existential questions based on a set of cultural practices specific to that group. Sometimes these practices may not seemingly conform to our normal expectations from a 'religion'. But they succeed in fulfilling what is expected of a religion- uniting people because of the belief that they may share. However, there is one condition that all religions must comply. They must not hinder the lives of others.

Some of world's unusual religions are described below.

All Police Commands Will Be Involved in Anambra Guber Poll, Says IG

Ahead of the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State, the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris, wednesday said all police commands across the country would be involved in the provision of security.

The IG explained that there are great expectations in the area of security, which would also lead to adequate security and mobilisation of personnel.

Do You Chew Your Food 32 Times? If Not, Then You Must

                    

Incomplete food chewing makes you vulnerable to microbial infections, gums diseases and mouth cavities, according to a latest study.

University of Manchester and National Institute of Health in the US scientists have found out that when the food is properly broken down into smaller particles, it activates the immune cells and instigate the Helper T cells production. Proper mastication not only improves digestion, but also act as a barrier against the infectious germs.

Eight brothers allegedly strangle their father in Kano

Two brothers, who allegedly strangled their father, to be remanded in prison until November, a Kano Chief Magistrates’ Court ruled on Wednesday.

They were said to have conspired with six other brothers who are now at large.

The duo of Rabiu Adamu, 27, and Auwal Adamu, 26, had strangled their 55-year-old father, Adamu Gamji, in Sumaila Local Government Area of Kano, the prosecution said.

The accused pleaded not guilty.

Pope expresses sorrow over Somalia carnage

                               Pope Francis

Pope Francis on Wednesday expressed his sorrow over the worst bombing in Somalia’s history, a deadly truck attack that left at least 276 people dead in Mogadishu at the weekend.


“I pray for the conversion of the violent and send my encouragement to all those who, in the face of enormous difficulties, work for peace in this martyred country,” Francis said at his weekly audience in St Peter’s square.

Man in court for seducing married woman

                                 

The Police on Wednesday arraigned one Ibrahim Bawa in a Minna Magistrates’ Court for allegedly seducing a married woman.

Bawa is standing trial on a count charge of seducing a married woman, punishable under Section 389 of the Penal Code .

Buhari to receive freed 82 Chibok girls exchanged for Boko haram suspects

President Muhammadu Buhari is billed to receive the 82 Chibok girls released on Saturday by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

A statement on Saturday night by the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said that the girls were exchanged for some Boko Haram suspects in custody.
It reads “The President is pleased announce that negotiations to release more of the Chibok Girls have born fruit with the release of 82 more Girls today.

Mobile telecommunications firm, MTN Nigeria, has sacked about 280 of its workers across its different operational units.

Our correspondent gathered that the affected workers left the company on Friday, having embraced the firm’s offer of voluntary disengagement, which was offered to employees who had served for a minimum of five years.

NLC,Workers demand N65,000 minimum salary

The call for pay rise and improved working conditions resonated across the 36 states yesterday as workers marked the 2017 May Day.

The umbrella bodies – Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) – asked employers for a review of minimum monthly salary from N18, 000 to N65, 000.

Rita Dominic opens up on why she's still single

Nollywood actress, Rita Dominic has opened up on the reason why she hasn't tied the knot. Speaking in an interview with Schick magazine ,she said

“I believe that God is in charge of my life and will present the right man to me at the right time.”

On social pressure getting to her,she said

Champions League: How Bayern Munich players confronted referee, Kassai’s in dressing room

Reports in Spain said that Madrid police intervened after three Bayern Munich players stormed into the referee’s dressing room following their team’s elimination from the Champions League.

Bayern lost 4-2 in extra time at Real Madrid to go out of the Champions League quarterfinals 6-3 on aggregate.

Reps attack El-Rufai as Dogara unveils his pay

                          

House to governor: face your problems

How much does a member of the House of Representatives earn?
Nigerians got a rare insight into the package – for long a well kept secret – yesterday, with House Speaker Yakubu Dogara tendering a copy of his November 2016 pay slip.
The net pay is N346,577.87, according to the little document.
The basic salary is N206,425.83. There are constituency allowance (N175,461.96); and recess (N20,642.58).

Tank collector buys military vehicle on Ebay ,finds £2million gold bars hidden in the fuel compartment

An army tank fanatic got a new model in a £30,000 trade-in — and found more than £2million of gold bullion hidden in the fuel tank.

Nick Mead, 55, discovered the five gold bars in the Russian T54/69 while restoring it to add to his collection of 150 military vehicles.He and mechanic Todd Chamberlain were filming themselves prising open the diesel tank in case they found munitions and needed to show it to bomb disposal crews.

Killing you serves no purpose, Obasanjo replies Bamaiyi

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday replied to former Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi’s allegation that he (Obasanjo) wanted to kill him.

Obasanjo said he had no plan to kill Gen. Bamaiyi, adding that his administration only asked him to answer questions on people he allegedly killed.

I Almost Jumped Into A Well To Commit Suicide but Micheal Bolton's Song Saved Me-Mr. Ibu

Nollywood Actor, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu has narrated how he almost jumped into a well to commit suicide . According to him, several years ago the man he was living with at Ajao Estate area of Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria threw him out of his house with his loads.

Mr. Ibu, who was a guest on Brilla FM with Murphy Ijemba, said after his friend threw him out, he had already opened a well to jump inside when he heard the song from Michael Bolton being played from a neighbour’s house.

IMF’s Naira revival pill rejected

•Fund: currency overvalued by 20%

If the Federal Government heeds the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF’s) advice, it will collapse the exchange rates—official N306/$ and Bureau De Change N360/$.

To the IMF, the Naira is overvalued by 10 to 20 per cent.

The IMF mission chief for Nigeria, Gene Leon, said that the Naira overvaluation “is somewhere to the tune of 10 to 20 per cent and that the country’s 2017 projections for non-oil revenues are more optimistic than the Fund’s.

FG pledges to refund expenditure on federal roads to state govts

Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing on Thursday pledged the commitment of the Federal Government to refund expenditure on the execution of federal roads to state governments.

Fashola, who stated this in Ado-Ekiti during a courtesy visit to Gov. Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state, said the planned refund followed request by several state governments.

Doctor jumps into Lagos lagoon

•Police lead rescue operation

In what appeared to be a suicide, a medical doctor, Allwell Oji, jumped into the Lagos lagoon yesterday. The incident happened at 4:45pm on Third Mainland Bridge when Oji, 35, was on his way to Victoria Island where he was going to attend a Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) meeting.

Zimbabwean boxer kills himself to avoid being deported from the UK

A former boxer apparently killed himself rather than face deportation back to Zimbabwe from the UK.
Bhekitshe Moyo had lived in London for 15 years but had recently been informed he would have to leave. Moyo, 42, a former bank manager, taught boxing to children near his home in Wallington.

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigeria, South Africa agree terms

Nigeria and South Africa have agreed to setup a new mechanism tagged the Early Warning Unit to proffer a lasting solution to repeated attacks on Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, in a joint briefing with the Minister of Interior, Lt-Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazau (rtd) at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Abuja yesterday described the initiative as the concrete outcome of their meeting with the South African government.

Only an Igbo Man Can Rescue Nigeria from Recession - Primate Ayodele Talks on the Nation's Economic Woes

The Spiritual head of INRI Spiritual Evangelical Church, Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, has stated that the only way to end recession in Nigeria is to appoint an Igbo indigene to manage the economy.

He advocated that the head of Nigeria’s Economic Team and the Minister of Finance should be an Igbo, and warned that failure to do this would see the country go in circles.

If You Leave Your Marriage Because Your Husband Cheats, You Are A Fool - Nollywood Actress

                   

Nolywood actress, Seyi Hunter, has some words of advise per se for colleagues Lilian Esoro and Tonto Dikeh.

The actress, in a recent interview with Potpourri bared her thoughts on the many cases of infidelity rocking some marriages in the industry.

In her words:

I Hawked Locally Fried Plantain While Growing up - Toyin Aimakhu

            
Nollywood sensation, Toyin Abraham, in a new interview, opned up on a lot of things about herself.

During the interview, the 'Alakada reloaded' actress, revealed that she actually did hawk plantain while growing up.


Watch video below:

26 Things He Does That Make You Think He Likes You, But Really Mean Nothing

There’s a difference between someone being mildly interested in you and someone actually having feelings for you. 

Needless to say, that leaves a lot of room for interpretation. And by “room for interpretation,” I mean “room for us to overanalyze dumb stuff that literally means nothing at all.” The thing is, someone who really has feelings for you is going to do all of the things that a person who is mildly interested in you does. 

My wife is cheating on me, says police officer

A 37-year-old police officer, Adoyi Okiwori, yesterday approached a Lagos Island Customary Court seeking the dissolution of his three-year-old marriage over alleged infidelity of his wife.

Adoyi told the court that he met his wife, Grace, in Abuja while they were in the university and she got pregnant and gave birth to their five-year-old son, Divine.

He said they later got married on December 27, 2014, adding that the union was blissful until 2016 when he started noticing the strange behaviour of his wife.

Don't marry anyone who puts password on their phone -Counselor warns

A Ghanaian counselor has warned intending couples to avoiding marrying anyone who puts passwords on their phones..Counselor Adofoli wrote

If you are single and thinking of marriage then please don't marry anyone who puts passwords or locks on their phone as a form of security to prevent you from accessing their conversations.
They can surely do this for other security measures, but you must not be the reason for this action. I am very much aware that passwords or lock are for security purposes but one thing I don't approve of is when a spouse becomes the reason for that security measure.

How we got Turkish School kidnap suspects, by police

•One of the suspects holding the cash allegedly retrieved from him...yesterday and The other suspects being paraded ...yesterday PHOTO: POLICE

The Police have arrested four persons over the kidnap of some teachers and pupils of the Nigeria Tulip College (NTIC) in Isheri north of Ogun State on January 23.

The suspects are Bekewei Agbojule, aka Prince Yellow, Are Philip Joel Kakadu, aka “General Kakadu,” a militant leader, Romeo Council, aka Raw and Totki Okoda.

I Want To Thank My Husband For Being So Patient With Me, Omawunmi Writes As They Clock Two In Marriage

The singer took to IG about nine hours ago to thank her husband for being so patient with her and also gave herself a high five for being a fabulous WIFE! She wrote;

Ibinabo recounts pains of surgery, failed marriage

                            

It was a different kind of celebration for embattled actress, Ibinabo Fiberesima who clocked 44 years last Friday.The mother of three, at her birthday gig in Lekki Phase one, hosted her celebrity colleagues, the media and officials of Heritage Bank, sponsors of her annual scholarship scheme tagged ‘Go To School’, meant for kids under the age of 10.

It Was Strong Temptation That Made Me Rape My Wife's Niece - Married Father Of One Pleads

34-year old Kingsley Agbini, has developed stroke following accusations of raping his wife’s niece, Comfort, in their house at Agbarho Community in Ughelli North LGA of Delta State.

According to Dailypost, Agbini who is still recovering from the stroke, admitted to the crime revealing that he developed stroke after he raped the young girl, Comfort on 12 December, 2016, and his wife was told.

He said,

Southern Kaduna Crisis: Nigeria getting to point where human lives do not mean anything – Abdulsalami Abubakar

Former Military head of state, General Abubakar Abdulsalam (Rtd), the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, Catholic Bishops of Abuja and Sokoto state, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, held a closed door meeting with Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai over killings in Southern Kaduna.

The elder statesman and religious leaders said it was part of efforts by the National Peace Committee to tackle the incessant attacks in the Southern part of Kaduna State.

Speaking shortly after the meeting with governor El-Rufai, General Abdulsalam said, “We are here due to the recent happenings in Southern Kaduna.

Victoria Beckham Regrets Getting A B*ob Job, Says It Was A Sign Of Insecurity

Over the two decades that have seen her shoot from obscurity to superstardom, Victoria Beckham's countless sartorial choices have been well documented.

But one of her biggest regrets when it comes to aesthetics - possibly more than any possible fashion faux - was her much talked-about move to enhance her bosom.

Woman caught trying to sneak her boyfriend out of jail in a suitcase

Antonieta Robles Saouda, 25, was arrested after she tried to break her boyfriend out of prison by stuffing him into a hot pink suitcase and wheeling him out, according to Central European News agency.

She went to the Jose Antonio Anzoategui prison in Venezuela with her 6-year-old daughter to visit her lover, Ibrain Jose Vargas Garcia, with a plan to leave the facility as a happy family.

Biafra: Court to rule Feb 10 on Kanu’s motion to quash charges

A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed February 10 for ruling on a motion by Biafra agitator, Nnamdi Kanu, seeking to quash the charge against him.

Justice Binta Nyako chose the date yesterday after listening to arguments for and against the motion by lawyers to Kanu and the prosecution.

Mikel gets N1.1b severance fee from Chelsea

Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi despite getting a free transfer to China is reported to have also received a severance fee worth £2m (about N1.1b) from Chelsea, which is the total pay package of the last six months of his deal with the London side.

The report was coming on the heels of Mikel’s transfer to the Chinese league where he is to earn a whooping N78m weekly according to owngoal.com

Monkey caught trying to have sex with deer

But exceptional cases are known to occur, chiefly in domesticated and captive animals, scientists reported in the journal Primates.

In their study — only the second on the phenomenon — a Japanese macaque or “snow monkey” was filmed mounting at least two female Sika deer, much larger than itself.

Without penetration, the young monkey makes sexual movements while riding on the does’ backs on Japan’s Yakushima Island.

Ronaldo wins Best FIFA Men’s Player award

Cristiano Ronaldo was named FIFA’s Best Men’s Player for 2016 on Monday, beating Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann on the three-man shortlist to claim the prize in Zurich.

Ronaldo, who picked up his fourth Ballon d’Or in December, also landed the first separate FIFA prize since world football’s governing body and France Football announced in September that they would be presenting two separate awards.

The best (and worst) ways to beat mosquito bites

First one, then another. Bite! Slap! Bite! Before you know it, mosquitoes are descending from the skies to disrupt your backyard summer soiree.

How can such a tiny, fragile insect cause so much pain, suffering and annoyance?

Notwithstanding the death and disease that mosquito-borne pathogens cause around the world, the annoyance caused by mosquito bites can be seriously disruptive (and yes, they might bite you more than your friends). The reactions to bites can be severe, and when swarms of mosquitoes swell in the suburbs, the impacts can be substantial.

Conte Salutes Mikel’s Impact In Chelsea

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has praised Mikel Obi’s contribution to ‘The Blues’ in the 10 years he was at the club.

Mikel has left for Chinese club Tianjin Teda after he lost his first-team place on arrival of Conte at Stamford Bridge.

Electricity tariff hike: Court faults NERC, DISCOs

The application instituted by the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) for stay of action on the landmark judgment against electricity tariff hike has suffered a serious setback as the court has overruled the application.

In the ruling delivered by the Federal High Court Judge, Justice M.B Idris recently, the judge described the application to stay the judgment of the court as unreasonable, lacking in merit and therefore dismissed.

Buhari okays arms for airport security

                               

Airports security personnel will now bear arms, Minister of State (Aviation) Senator Hadi Sirika said yesterday.

He told reporters at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting – the first in the year – that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the use of arms and ammunition by airport security personnel.

With Sirika were Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Dambazau and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina.

Abuja airport to be closed on March 8

The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja will be closed on March 8 for repairs, the Ministry of Transportation said yesterday.

The nation’s capital’s airport’s runway is to be reactivated after closure. It will last for six weeks

The announcement of the date, which was previously fixed for next month, was after a meeting between Minister of State (Aviation) Hadi Sirika and stakeholders in the sector. No reason was given for the date change.

35 killed in Istanbul nightclub attack

  
An official statement just released today on the Istanbul nightclub attack records at least 35 people were killed and 40 wounded when an attacker opened fire on New Year's revelers at a nightclub in Istanbul on Sunday, Istanbul Governor Vasip Sahin told reporters.

Jibrin to Dogara: Return $600,000 you took from Ibori

•You’re wrong, Speaker tells sacked committee chair

Sacked Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin (APC, Kano), claimed yesterday that his fight against corruption in the Green Chamber has the backing of two international organisations.

He did not name the two organisations but challenged House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara to publicly acknowledge the funding of his emergence as Speaker by former governor of Delta State, James Ibori.

'Heavy Cold' Forces Queen Elizabeth II To Miss Christmas Church Service

                          

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, 90, missed a traditional Christmas church service on Sunday for the first time in decades due to a heavy cold, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said.

Elizabeth, the world’s longest-reigning living monarch, and her husband Prince Philip, 95, suffering what the Palace described as heavy colds this week, delayed by a day the journey to their Sandringham country residence in eastern England. They traveled instead by helicopter on Thursday.

Let us talk, Buhari tells N’Delta militants

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday appealed to the militants vandalizing oil installations in the Niger Delta to come to the negotiation table in order to end their arms campaign in the oil-rich Niger Delta.

Buhari said this would afford both the government and the militants the opportunity to decide how the nation’s resources could be managed instead of agitators picking up arms against their fatherland.

In 2017 Nigeria will thrive says Jonathan

Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, has said the country will thrive in 2017.

He said this in his goodwill message to celebrate Christmas, where he urged all Nigerians to “treasure our common brotherhood”.


“The essential message of Christmas is that Christ came to earth to live and die for the purpose of reconciling us to God,” part of the message read.

Couple married 64yrs hold each other's hands before dying minutes apart

 

A couple married for 64 years spent their final few moments together clutching each other's hands tightly before dying minutes apart in neighbouring hospital beds.

Dolores Winstead, 83, and husband Trent Winstead, 88, from Tennessee died in Nashville's Saint Thomas West Hospital - five weeks short of their 64th wedding anniversary.Only days earlier Dolores had been completely healthy when Trent was admitted over his failing kidneys.

Adeboye commends Fayose’s boldness, prays for him

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has prayed for Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, to succeed in standing up for the masses.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by Fayose’s Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, the cleric said the prayer during a visit to the state as part of his nationwide tour for the RCCG’s annual ‘Let’s go a-fishing’ programme.