Swift News Nigeria: 2015

Thursday 31 December 2015

Dubai fire: Major fire engulfs skyscraper

A huge fire has broken out at a hotel in Dubai - one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world - ahead of New Year celebrations in the city.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has felicitated with the people of Delta State, as they mark the New Year, with a call for all to remain united to the course of developing the state- irrespective of ethnic or party differences.

Finally it’s a wrap. It’s the last day of the year 2015.

Bill Cosby was charged yesterday with aggravated indecent assault stemming from an incident that allegedly took place in Pennsylvania more than a decade ago between the comedian and his accuser Andrea Constand.

There seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel regarding the financial crisis rocking Nigeria’s CAF Champions League campaigners, Warri Wolves and their players.

Lagosians who residents on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway have appealed to the Lagos State Government to beef up security around pedestrian bridges to check robbery attacks on them.

The abductors of a consultant neurologist, Dr. Obiabo Yahaya, with the Delta State Teaching Hospital, DELSUTH, Oghara, have demanded N15million ransom for his release, Vanguard reports.

After the war of words between Ovation Boss Dele Momodu and OBO Boss, Davido, the artiste has taken to Twitter to issue a public apology to the media guru.

The family of the final year student, Oghenekevwe Edah, of Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, who was killed by a police van driving against traffic, has demanded a N25m compensation from the police.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested 37-year-old Uju Gloria Ezeabata pictured left, with 1.325kg of methamphetamine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos. According to a report by The Nation,

On a night Lionel Messi made his 500^thappearance for the Spanish champions, Barcelona broke Real Madrid’s record of most goals scored in a calendar year.

A businessman who said he got a dream in 1997 to build a giant statue of Jesus is set to unveil it on New Year’s Day.

Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech insists he joined the club because he felt they could win the Premier League.

Wife of embattled former National Security Adviser, Mrs Sambo Dasuki has called on the Federal government to release her husband who according to her "served his nation".

MoneyGram has announced that it is the first money transfer company to offer customers in France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain a way to send money to most personal Nigerian naira bank accounts within minutes at competitive exchange rates.

The Federal Government has declared Friday, January 1, 2016 as public holiday to mark the New Year celebration.

THE NATION

*Ambode frees artisan from Air Force cadets' car trunk

*Arms cash: PDP vice chairmen disown Bafarawa, others

*Reps sponsored 327 bills in six months, says Gbajabiamila

*Ex-PDP chair Bello, son to be arraigned Jan 5

*Govt votes N165.3b for new projects

*Wife pleads for mercy as ex-NSA is re-arrested

With the nation still jittery over shooting massacres in California and Paris, New York City officials sought to assure revelers Tuesday that the New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square will be the safest place in the world,heavily secured by thousands of New York Police Department officers, including a new specialised counter terrorism unit.

Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, has urged factions in the leadership crisis currently engulfing the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), to come to the table and dialogue.

President Muhammadu Buhari held his first Presidential Media Chat on Wednesday fielding questions about some of the key issues in the country from the whereabouts of the Chibok girls, the Nigerian Army-Shiites clash and pressure to devalue the naira.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed on Tuesday gave insight into how the Federal Government intends to fund the N5,000 monthly stipends to vulnerable Nigerians.

Bill Cosby Arraigned for Alleged Aggravated Indecent Assault

Bill Cosby arrived in court today after he was charged with alleged aggravated indecent assault earlier this morning by the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office in Pennsylvania.

A 26-year-old man, Lukmon Muhammed, was Wednesday arraigned in a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court sitting in Lagos over alleged theft of two Automated Teller Machine, ATM cards and two phones valued at N25, 000, belonging to one Miss Stella Abube.

Arsenal goalkeeper, Petr Cech, has revealed his record against Barcelona forward, Lionel Messi, who has never scored against him in eight games.

Frozen food sellers in Asaba and its environs recorded high patronage in spite the availability of live chickens and turkeys during Christmas celebrations, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Chelsea and Nigeria midfielder John Mikel Obi says Chelsea is much more happier under Guus Hiddink and have a better atmosphere in the team than under former manager Jose Mourinho, who was removed by the club owner, Roman Abramovich, before Chelsea's 3-1 victory over Sunderland on 19 December. Obi said;

VANGUARD

*Nnewi fire, major setback to economic devt of S' East 'Ekweremadu

*NDDC contractors protest non-payment for jobs completed

*Imo budgets N102.2bn for 2016 fiscal year

*2016 Budget: FG to spend N4.1bn on cars

*How we'll fund N5,000 welfare scheme 'Lai Mohammed

*Man, 28, docked over alleged theft, presentation of fake US currency

*World mobile internet users to hit 3.2bn in 2016

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra and founder of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has apologised to President Muhammadu Buhari for calling him a terrorist, evil and a paedophile in his radio broadcasts.

A sad news coming straight from the kardashians… Kris Jenner’s only son, Rob Kardashian was rushed to a Los Angeles-area hospital over the weekend when he began feeling ill and his condition worsened.

The Lagos State Police Command says it has contacted the International Police over a runaway murder suspect, identified only as Sunday, who allegedly stabbed his 21-year-old girlfriend, Cecilia Joseph, to death in the FESTAC Town area of the state.

Residents of Big Daddy Street in the Atinplome, Bagadry area of Lagos State on Tuesday stormed an uncompleted building in the area, which they suspected to be a ritual killer’s den, after a female victim raised the alarm.

No fewer than seven people cheated death on Tuesday in the Lekki tollgate area of Lagos State after a white Iveco truck suspected to be loaded with fuel burst into flames.

Leicester finished 2015 level on points with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League after a goalless draw with Manchester City at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Federal Government said as from January 1, 2016, all retail stations of the NNPC would start selling petrol at N86 per litre while other oil marketers would sell at N86.50k per litre.

Nigerian students have been urged to rise up and challenge members of the ruling class, who are bent on taking the entire country for a ride with their corrupt practices.

Legendary Nigerian musician and “Galala” dance originator Daddy Showkey has signed a new endorsement deal with Multichoice Nigeria.

Less than two weeks to the January 9, 2016 date for the supplementary governorship election in Bayelsa, the State Governor, Sariake Dickson, today made a surprise visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

FRSC returns N.5m recovered at accident scene to owners

The sum of N514,150 was recovered at an accident scene at Kwaita village, on the Abuja-Lokoja road by a rescue team of the Yangoji unit command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Saturday, December 26.

Arsenal's record-breaking goalkeeper Petr Cech knows all about keeping clean sheets and the importance they play in winning Premier League titles.

Senate President Bukola Saraki has described his Deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, as a man who has the interest of Nigeria at heart.

CRISTIANO RONALDO is returning to Morroco to see kick boxer Badr Hari who it is alleged he is in a gay relationship with.

Diehard Real Madrid fan Sergi Guardiola’s decision to write offensive tweets aimed at Barcelona came back to haunt him Monday when he was hired and fired by the Spanish giants on the same day.

Guinea was declared free of Ebola on Tuesday after more than 2,500 people died from the virus in the West African nation, leaving Liberia as the only country still awaiting a countdown for the end of the epidemic.

Officials at the Spanish La Liga side, Atletico Madrid, are preparing a massive £12 million bid for Nigeria international Odion Ighalo after they watched him five times this season.

THIS DAY

*Minister: Buhari to Offer Unfettered Health Services to 60m Poor Nigerians Annually

*Kachikwu: US Likely to Resume Buying Nigeria's Crude Oil

*Iraq to Cut Turkish Cooking Oil Imports over Political Tensions

*Oil Companies Rush to Exploit End of US Crude Export Ban

*Religious Crisis Looms in Osun Over Planned Demolition of Traditionalists' Shrine

*Doctors Threaten Strike in A'Ibom Over 15 Months' Unpaid Salaries

In a bid to wind down the year 2015 in grand style, weekly entertainment event – Industry Nite is putting together the biggest concert ever witnessed in Nigeria. It’s the Industry Nite December Special with our very own StarBoy - Wizkid.

Wenger does not know when Arsenal's Wilshere will return

Arsene Wenger does not know when Jack Wilshere will be back for Arsenal, raising serious doubts about the injury-plagued England midfielder's availability for Euro 2016.

Lionel Messi won the Best Player of the Year award at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai last night and he's the overwhelming favorite to scoop the Ballon d'or 2015 best player of the year award in January.

According to reports making rounds, Spanish playmaker, Cesc Fabregas wants out of Chelsea and has told the club so.

DAILY POST

*Nnewi gas fire: Angry river gods reportedly responsible for explosion

*Why we rejected Jonathan’s $3m during presidential election – Muslim group

*Diversion of petroleum products attracts N150 fine per liter in Kano

*Wike swears-in 15 new Special

Advisers

*Don’t judge Islam by misbehaviour of some Muslims – Don

Thursday 31 December 2015

Wednesday 30 December 2015

Tuesday 29 December 2015

Monday 28 December 2015