Ocean News

Jennifer Abubakar, the wife of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has issued an exclusive statement to The Trent on the ongoing divorce saga with her husband in which she provided insights into her marriage and the circumstances concerning their estrangement. The third wife of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Dr Jennifer Abubakar, who originally hails from Onitsha, Anambra, while replying to the newspaper’s enquiry on circulating rumours on social media accusing her of disposing of the couple’s Dubai real estate illegally, among other allegations mentioned that she requested for the divorce from her husband and mentioned prominent Nigerians who had mediated in their relationship crisis. The full statement, delivered to The Trent by Dr Abubakar is reproduced below: For some time now, especially in the last few weeks, there has been a whole lot of rumours and in circulation about the state of my marriage to his Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Waziri Adamawa, GCON. The stories got more vic

A man,  Farouk Ojo Ahmed, has reportedly passed away in Ilorin, Kwara State. It was gathered that he was allegedly murdered by his neighbor, Ahmed Yusuf, on Friday, January 28.  According to a source, “Farouk returned from the mosque on that faithful day and was accosted by Ahmed over a plate of food they had bought before heading to the mosque.  An argument ensued which led to a f!ght. Ahmed increased the volume of his sound system so that other neighbors won’t hear Farouk screaming for help. He slammed the victim’s head with a center table and st#bbed him multiple times leaving him in a pool of blood. Farouk was rushed to the hospital and was pronounced de#d while Ahmed is presently thinking about his actions in police detention.”  

Mr Sylvester Oromoni has given reasons for not attending the last sitting of the coroner’s inquest into the controversial death of his 12-year-old son, Sylvester, a student of Dowen College, Lagos. The school had claimed that the deceased sustained injuries from playing football. However, the family said before he gave up the ghost, he revealed that he was br*tal*sed by bul*ies and a substance was forced down his throat. In the case which is now before Magistrate Mikhail Kadiri, sitting in Epe, Lagos, Oromoni was supposed to have appeared before the court as a witness last week but was absent. The family lawyer, Mr Olawanle Taiwo of Femi Falana’s Chambers, also requested that the coroner adjourn the hearing indefinitely. Explaining the circumstances to The PUNCH, Oromoni said he decided not to appear because the other party had failed to file their witness statements on oath. “We filed our witness statements on oath but the other party has failed to file theirs. “We don’t want a situat

Sterling Bank Plc, Nigeria’s leading commercial bank, has said it will organize an award in early February, known as the Sterling Heart Fellowship Award, for tech founders whose businesses employ innovative solutions to tackle challenges in the HEART sectors and have been selected to partake in the Founder Institute Lagos Virtual Spring Program. The HEART sectors include health, education, agriculture, renewable energy and transportation. They represent the sectors where the bank is focusing investments on in its HEART’s of Sterling strategy. Head, Business Growth and Partnerships with Sterling Bank, Mr. David Adebayo who disclosed this in a statement issued by the bank recently, said recipients for the forthcoming awards includes founders who applied through the Founder Institute application link and whose businesses align with the Sterling HEART Fellowship guidelines.  Concerning eligibility, he added that a founder's business must fall within the HEART Sectors and the founder mu

The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has urged manufacturers in the construction industry to bring down prices of building materials in the interest of the Nigerian masses. Mr Emefiele made the appeal in a statement on Thursday in Sokoto, at the inauguration of a three million metric ton cement plant by the BUA Group. The CBN governor urged cement manufacturers to pay more attention to satisfying domestic demand. “Permit me to seize this opportunity to appeal to our manufacturers in the construction sector to take urgent action in bringing down the prices of building materials in Nigeria,” said Mr Emefiele. “Indeed, there have recently been calls by construction companies, urging cement and steel manufacturers to do something about the skyrocketing prices of these two essential items in the construction sector.” According to him, the sector is one of the major sectors in the economy helping to create employment and boosting growth in our country. “We are

The Chicago State University says All Progressives Congress stalwart and presidential hopeful, Bola Tinubu, indeed attended the university. Beverly Poindexter, who is in charge of official transcript requests, enrolment and degree verification at the Office of the Registrar, CSU, said this in a terse email response to The PUNCH on Tuesday. “Mr Tinubu did attend our university, however, if further information is needed, go to studentclearinghouse.org website to make a formal request,” Poindexter wrote. In an earlier letter dated August 20, 1999 and signed by then Registrar, Lois Davis, the university stated that Tinubu was its student between 1977 and 1979.  

The founder of Living Faith Church (aka Winner Chapel), Bishop David Oyedepo, has said that God could pick Nigeria’s next president from his denomination. Oyedepo spoke during a sermon at the church’s headquarters in Ota, Ogun State on Sunday. The Christian cleric appealed to the members of his church aspiring for political positions to always seek counsel. Oyedepo said, “And it is important for me to mention to members of the church because another time is here now. You better ask counsel of the priest before you torment your life by yourself. “What office will you win election to that I will now need you? No. My eternal helper is up there, and they know if I have ever asked a thing of anyone. Allow God to lead you. Don’t let greed and avarice lead you. “Don’t get me wrong, God can pick a president from this church. That President could even be a female.”

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board oJAMB has announced that the registration for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and the Direct Entry examination will commence by February 12, 2022. The board made this known in a statement released by its Director of Public Relations, Dr Fabian Benjamin. In the timeline of events attached to the bulletin, the board announced that the “UTME/DE registration starts 12th February 2022 and ends 19th March 2022. The board added that the Mock examination holds on 20th April 2022 while the UTME holds from 20th to 30th April 2022.

Yoruba Actor, Moshood Mayegun has laid to rest, his father, Late Chief Aliasau Bashir Laani Mayegun, the Baale of Baruwa Village, Eti Osa Local Government. Late Chief Mayegun was a prominent Lagos traditional ruler, who died after a brief illness on November 24 at the Lagos Island General Hospital. Eulogizing his late father and recalling some of their last moment together, Mayegun said, "My father, Chief Christopher Aliasau Mayegun (aka. The Baale of Baruwa Town, Ekun Omo Laani) lived a prosperous life. He was known for his good acts, leadership character, God fearing and a loving father to all". "My father and I were very close. His palace is just like a second home. He used to call me whenever he needs something or have something very important to discuss. I visited him regularly. But I regret not seeing him before he died, he made several efforts to see me, two weeks before he died, unfortunately, there is no network where I was, I was later informed he was eager to

Guinea-Bissau national football team captain Jonas Azevedo Mendes has said that they will rather ‘die’ than see themselves lose today’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON 2021) match to the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Mendes, who is the team’s first-choice goalkeeper, said they will battle the Super Eagles with all their might, adding that they are determined to ensure they do not crash out of the tournament after the tie. Asked if there was any particular player in the Eagles team they were targeting, Mendes said, “We know Nigeria is a good team. It will be a mistake to target any particular player. We are facing all of them with equal attention.” Raised in Portugal, the goalkeeper once played for Beira-Mar, in the Primera Liga but has spent most of his playing career in the third tier of Portuguese football. Guinea-Bissau has been a revelation in AFCON 2021, and Nigeria would be doing themselves in if they underate today’s opponents. The game kicks off by 8 pm (Nigeria time). In a group that

Agric-focused lender, Unity Bank Plc has partnered Nigerian rice farmers under the aegis of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria,  The event, which coincided with the flag-off of the dry season farming, was used to showcase the gains produced by rice farmers in driving self-sufficiency in rice production through the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers Programme, ABP. Speaking to newsmen at the event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Unity Bank, Mrs. Tomi Somefun, while going down memory lane on the support of the rice farmers by the Bank since the inception of the Anchor Borrowers Programme, ABP commended the rice farmers for their unwavering belief and collaboration in the implementation of the intervention programme, adding that as the PFI (Preferred Financial Institution) for the ABP transactions, the Bank will continue to support the farmers and ensure that more smallholder farmers get the requisite financial support to boost rice production. She said: “Our st

The federal government may increase the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), better known as petrol, to N302 per litre in February 2022 as part of the recommendation of the National Economic Council (NEC) in November 2021.  This is part of the government’s plan to fully deregulate the PMS prices, eliminating monthly subsidy payments with provisions to ensure fair competition in the market, TheCable is reporting. Petrol price is currently between N162 and N165 per litre in Nigeria. The recommendations were put forward by the NEC ad-hoc committee interfacing with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on the appropriate pricing of PMS in Nigeria.  The report was presented by Nasir El-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state and head of the committee. The committee was established last year by NEC headed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo to look into the dwindling revenues of states. Other members of the committee include Godwin Obaseki, Kayode Fayemi, and David Umahi, governors of Edo,

INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political parties. The Independent National Electoral Commission has said that it will not release the 2023 general election timetable until the Electoral Act Amendment Bill was signed into law. INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political parties. He said, “On the Electoral Amendment Bill currently before the National Assembly, the commission is encouraged by the Senate President’s assurance to give priority attention to the bill when the National Assembly reconvenes from its recess today, and the commitment by the President to assent to the bill as soon as the issue of mode of primaries by political parties is resolved. “We look forward to a speedy passage of the bill, which is crucial to our preparations for future elections. “As soon as it is sign

A judge of an Abuja Federal High Court, Binta Nyako, has ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to allow Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to change his clothes. Previously, Nyako had directed the DSS to allow the IPOB leader to have a bath whenever he wants to, change his clothes, eat properly and practice his faith. However, at the court session on Tuesday, Mike Ozekhome, Kanu’s lead counsel, complained that his client is still being subjected to poor treatment in DSS custody. He said Kanu is still being kept in solitary confinement and that any other detainee who greets him is also kept in solitary confinement. Shortly before adjourning the matter, Nyako reminded the defendant that a detention facility is not a five-star hotel. However, she reiterated her previous order that the IPOB leader should be allowed the maximum comfort possible, including changing his Fendi outfit with which he was brought back into the country in June 2021. “I don’t wan

Female presidential aspirant, Khadija Okunnu-Lamidi, has said despite the respect she has for the National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, she still believes Nigerians are yearning for a young person with a vibrancy to steer the country out of its current woes. “Yes, we are somehow related,” she said when asked in an interview with BBC Pidgin. “He’s the national leader of the APC; he has contributed to national politics and I have great respect for him. But that doesn’t change the fact that Nigerians are looking for a young person with vibrancy. Nigerians are looking for a way out of poverty, they want 24 hours electricity supply, good health care and good roads which are what I’m here to provide,” she said. Asked if she has political experience, she said, “Many people will say they have never heard of my name but I’ve been in politics for at least 20 years learning. Many people do declare their political ambition before they are actually ready, whi

Amember of Enugu State Basic Education Board, Hon. Nnaemeka Charles Eze has revealed some of the tremendous efforts of His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in Enugu State, particularly, the Institute Of Management And Technology. Hon. Eze who was a guest at the commissioning of the many lifetime projects carried out by the current administration in the institute, said although the governor is not awash with cash, Ugwuanyi has been able to manage the little resources at his disposal. "His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Lawrence Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is the political Savior Enugu State has always prayed and long waited for in the State. Prior to His administration, I.M.T Enugu was not in a good state – both in infrastructure and otherwise. "As a matter of fact, the people had given up until Gburugburu came and restored the people’s hope. Today, we have first class state of the art facilities at the Institute Of Management And Technology, Enugu. Truth be told, Gburugburu has transformed e

Aide to former president Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri has urged Nigerian youths to patiently wait for 2023 Presidential election the same way they waits for BBNaija. According to him, Don’t be BBNaija wise and Aso Rock foolish! Stressing that rigging is only successful when there is low voter turnout. Read his post: Dear Nigerian youths, The 2023 elections are almost here. Approach it like you did with #BBNaija. Form teams for your preferred candidate. Spend your money campaigning for them. Broadcast their manifestos to all your contacts. Forget about rice and pay try price for your future. Don’t be BBNaija wise and Aso Rock foolish! You say your PVC does not count. Who told you? Rigging is only successful when there is low voter turnout out. But where there is a high voter turnout, rigging is all but impossible. You waited patiently until the BBNaija phone lines were open for voting. Now, prepare to wait patiently in line, until the PVC machine reads you vote! 

A Zenith Bank Staff identified as Nwokorie Nnamdi Godson has reportedly committed suicide in Sapele, Delta State. We learnt that his remains was found dangling from the scaffold of the water tank where he allegedly hanged himself at the Ugbeyiyi area of the town. According to reports, the deceased made a post on his Facebook account but no one knew that it was a suicide note. The post read; “I no longer have a mind of my own. Because I now do things I later regret. The struggle is not funny any more. I am still good at heart so you know.”

Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala, a former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, is dead. Details of his death are unknown but sources close to the politician confirmed the tragic incident. He was Born on June 3, 1950, in Ogbomoso, North Local Government Area of Oyo State. Details shortly.

  The editorial team, Zebra Newspapers, and entire management, ELLAAP Communications has felicitated with his Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa on the occasion of his birthday. This was contained in a congratulatory message issued earlier today in Lagos, and signed by the group director, Abiola Alaba Peters. The Editor-In-Chief, in his statement, enjoined his family, friends, political loyalists, and well-wishers to celebrate this iconic mentor on the milestone of him attaining the joyous age of fifty-seven in good health and sound mind. Abiola Alaba Peters further expressed gratitude to God for rewarding Nigerians, particularly Ondo State with a pragmatic leader who has displayed a high sense of leadership, in governing the affairs of the state. The statement reads; "Your Excellency sir, we the management of ELLAAP Communications and the editorial office of Zebra Newspaper celebrates you on the occasion of your 57th birthday. We are using this opp

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a Dubai-based internet celebrity, Ismailia Mustapha, aka Mompha and his firm, Ismalob Global Investment Limited for alleged money laundering to the tune of over N6billion. The agency arraigned Mompha and Ismalob before Justice Mojisola Dada of an Ikeja Special Offences Court on eight counts bordering on the offences. The defendants were accused of conspiracy to launder funds obtained through unlawful activity, retention of such funds, transfer of funds for a suspect Olayinka Jimoh a.k.a Nappy Boy, and unlawful transfer of funds for a record label, among others. The sums named in the charge seen by The Nation are N5,998,884.653.18, N32million, N120million and N15,960,000, totalling over N6billion. The EFCC also alleged that Mompha concealed his interest in expensive wristwatches and other movable assets valued at over N70million. Mompha pleaded “Not guilty” to the eight counts while Islamob Limited (represented by Mompha)

Nollywood actress, Jumoke Odetola is home breaker scandal after News of her sexual affairs with rich married men and politicians leaked online. According to controversial blog, Gist lover, Jumoke Odetola is in a sexual affair with one Senator Solomon Adeola, FCA popularly known as Senator Yayi who has just secretly bought a mansion in her name. Gistlover post read: “Hello tueh tueh, meet Jumoke Odetola Idamu industry, wey Dey use PUNA scatter homes but she got the very calm look and Na coded geh. Senator Yayi constituency y’all should come out ooo, e bode ooo, Yayi don use una money buy house for Jumoke odetola ooo, Yayi should be probed ooo, they bought the house codedly so Yayi wife and his constituency won’t query him but the Matter later cast oooo” The blog further wrote “Jumoke is known for the habit of going after peoples husband codedly without the wife suspecting, Yayi has been the one linking her up to all the government officials she’s been rolling with recently, he is planin

Newly emerged Mr. Nigeria International, Ajewole Emmanuel Odunayo has said one of his many dreams in life, is to influence the African youths positively. The Ondo State born, who was crowned 2021 winner at a glamorous event in Lagos, also revealed that although, wining the completion has changed his status, he is still that young Mushin boy, not forgetting his humble beginning. ZEBRA NEWS had an exclusive chat with the Unilag graduate of Insurance. Tell us about yourself? I’m Ajewole Emmanuel Odunayo, a graduate of Insurance from the prestigious University of Lagos (Unilag). I’m Event planner, Fitness Instructor, Model and Fashion Entrepreneur. I won the 2021 edition of Mr. Nigeria International. One key characteristic has been high level of creativity and drive, putting in the required energy to always achieve top-notch results in key areas. Ajewole Emmanuel Odunayo, winner, 2021 Mr. Nigeria International What would you say has changed about you since you won Mr. Nigeria International

A 42-year-old man identified as Akeem Ogunnibi has narrated how he connived with operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) to ‘k!dnap’ a businessman, Mallam Bala, in Osogbo area of Osun state.  The suspect, who was arrested and recently paraded by the state commissioner of police, Olowale Olokode, said he was assisted by five DSS operatives to retrieve the money he was underpaid from a sale of a gold chain. According to him, “Bala, (the victim) is a friend, he underpaid for a gold chain he bought from my brothers and when I confronted him, I was not satisfied with his explanation. Hence, I decided to call people I know in the DSS to deal with him. He paid N680,000 for a chain that is worth N972,000. So, I went to five DSS officers and we went to his place, picked him and took him to their command in Osogbo. He was not taken into the command. They collected the money from him, I was in the car when they negotiated. I am not aware of what was demanded, but he paid N210,000 and

Chief Ernest Shonekan who headed the Interim National Government that succeeded the junta of General Ibrahim Babangida, has died. Shonekan died in a hospital in Lagos today January 11. He was 85. He was the interim head of the Nigerian Government between August 26 and November 17 1993 when he was ousted in a coup led by late General Sani Abacha. Born on 9 May 1936 in Lagos, Shonekan, an Abeokuta-born civil servant, he was one of six children born into the family. He attended the CMS Grammar School and Igbobi college. He received a law degree from the University of London and was called to the bar. He later attended Harvard Business School.

Energetic and celebrity dancer, Kaffy Shafau has announced the end of her 10-years-old marriage to husband, Joseph Ameh in a new podcast. The Guinness World Book of Records holder spoke on the reason why she and her drummer and singer ex-husband had to call it quit. Kaffy stated that she still wants to see the father of her children be the best version of himself and pointed that marriage is supposed to be an alignment of purpose to help both parties reach their full potential but in their case, it wasn’t so. She added that there was no one to blame for the breakup as they both could have been each other’s problems and went on to add that a separation isn’t the end of life for both parties. “Separation isn’t the end of life for both parties. In fact, if you both are honest about why you have to be apart, you will realise how much better life can be. “Some people make it back together, some don’t. What is ultimate is the outcome borne out of love.” https://www.instagram.com/reel/CYkUskP

Due to a surge of interest from filmmakers from Africa and the Diaspora, the Realness Institute, in partnership with Netflix, has announced an extension for submissions for the 2022 Episodic Lab and Development Executive Traineeship (DET) programmes. Applicants will now have until 21 January 2022 to apply. The Episodic Lab is aimed at developing story concepts by screenwriters from South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria; while the DET offers African producers an opportunity to hone their story development skills. These programmes are designed for television and film professionals at an intermediate level.  Both programmes are intimately supervised and mentored by highly skilled and experienced Story Experts and Creative Producers, whilst also drawing expertise and advice from the Netflix team.  The 2022 Episodic Lab and DET take place online from 1 May to 31 July 2022. Each of the twelve selected participants (six per programme) will receive a monthly stipend of USD 2 000 for this period to

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arrested businessman and suspected internet fraudster, Ismailia Mustapha better known as Mompha. EFCC Head of Media, Wilson Uwujaren in a statement said Mompha was arrested on Monday, January 10, 2022 for “laundering funds” obtained through unlawful activities and retention of alleged proceeds of crime. Mompha is already standing trial alongside his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited. They face an amended 22-count charge bordering on cyber fr#ud and money laundering to the tune of N32.9billion. Mompha was first nabbed on October 18, 2019 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport while boarding an Emirates flight to Dubai. He was then taken into custody by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) following a watchlist by the EFCC. Mompha is alleged to have used his companies to receive illicit funds on behalf of ‘Yahoo Yahoo boys’ from across the world in return for commission/percentage. “Investigation has revealed a fr#

  Suspected hackers have allegedly hacked into the server of the National Identity Management Commission NIMC and stolen three million National Identity Numbers of Nigerians. SaharaReporters reports that the hacker disclosed how easy it was for him to breach the NIMC server and access personal information of millions of Nigerians in an article he shared on a website. The report says the hacker boasted that he got access to “juice” on the Nigerian Government agency’s server and that he could go-ahead to do whatever he desired with other sensitive data at his disposal. Displaying a defaced National Identity card of a Nigerian alongside the article, the hacker was said to have writtern. “I've got one more output for s3 bucket, I casually tried to access it without any hope, and damn! The s3 bucket is full of juice. I just simply got access to their (Nigeria) data of internal files, users and everything they have. I can download everything, even the whole bucket. I am sure that the buc

Bola Tinubu, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says he has informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his ambition to contest for the presidency in the 2023 general election. Speaking after a closed-door meeting with the president in Abuja, on Monday, January 10, Tinubu said it was a lifelong ambition and that he has the confidence, the vision and the capacity to build on the vision of President Buhari. He said he was at the State House to see the President on general issues concerning Nigeria including some of the concerns in the APC as well as security issues. “I have informed the President of my ambition but I have not informed Nigerians yet, I am still consulting,” he told journalists.  

Actor Kolawole Ajeyemi has addressed those comparing his financial status and age to that of his wife and colleague, Toyin Abraham. In a recent chat with Tribune, the Actor/Producer stated that he is less bothered if his wife is richer than him. In his words :  “ I was born in 1979 and I have a lot of colleagues that know my age. As I said earlier, I joined the industry in 1997 and I believe she hasn’t joined the industry then. So, subtract my age from 1997 when I joined the industry and compare it. So, I am older than my wife. Then on the issue of being richer or more popular, money or no money, popular or not, God is the one who owns money or fame and freely gives to whoever. Whether I am the one who is more popular or rich, or she is, the fact remains that we are both popular and rich. It is no big deal if my wife is richer than I am, in as much as none of us is being arrogant to the other over this. There is no issue because, at the end of the day, it is good for both parties, you

Head of the Catholic Church worldwide, Pope Francis has addressed couples who have replaced children with pets, calling them selfish. Speaking on parenthood during a general audience at the Vatican, the pontiff lamented that pets “sometimes take the place of children” in society. “Today, we see a form of selfishness. We see that some people do not want to have a child. Sometimes they have one and that’s it, but they have dogs and cats that take the place of children. This may make people laugh but it is a reality,” he said. The practice, said the head of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics, “is a denial of fatherhood and motherhood and diminishes us, takes away our humanity. Thus civilisation grows old without humanity because we lose the richness of fatherhood and motherhood, and it is the country that suffers.”  

  Family of Olowu Ogunkalu and 12 other family inOreki Village, Lagos State is calling on the DIG, Force C.I.D, Abuja, The Director of State Security Services and the Lagos State Governor as well as the Commissioner of Justice and Anthony General of Lagos to Save their souls over infringement of the rights by some Bandit sponsors, who are allegedly working with some landgrabbers in  Police Uniform. The said Bandit Sponsorers are allegedly pretending to be land grabbers but in reality what they do is using the Ogunkalu Family land that has been sold to Harmony Gardens and other assignee in Oreki as Bandit training camp where they are training Fulani Terrorists. The Family decried how a billionaire fraudster who specializes in using government acquisition or land that have been excised by government to others to defraud innocent land buyers, one of who veiled as Real Estate Agent, known as Otunba Steve Ajose, and an aliens of Hong Kong origin in person of David Chang of Cento Design, who