Benchmark Naija

There was palpable panic yesterday  at the Lagos international airport when a Nigerian, who had been cured of  the   Ebola virus disease in Sierra Leone arrived    the country. Theophilus Onnakhinon, arrived at Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in company of his younger brother onboard Royal Air Maroc at 6:00 a.m. He  was said to have been treated of Ebola virus in Sierra Leone and cured of the disease by the health authorities of that country and released after few weeks in their custody. The victim, according to information gathered, was accompanied into the country by the Nigeria’s consular official, Mrs T. Mohammed. According to the source, the consular officer accompanied the victim into the country in order to avoid stigmatisation by the Nigerian health officials and other authorities at the airport. On arrival in Nigeria, the victim was immediately handed over to the Port Health officials at the Lagos ai...

True to widely held belief, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan's Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for the Delta South Senatorial district were submitted at the Peoples Democratic Party State Headquarters Asaba, Thursday. Governor Uduaghan, whose forms were bought on October 17 by some of his political associates in G3 at the National Secretariat of the P DP, Wadata House, Abuja, has expressed his deep appreciation to all PDP faithful and Deltans for their outpouring of love and support and promised quality representation at the Red Chambers. In his words, “History is in the making and I have to heed the calls of my people who have severally urged me to go to the Senate after my tenure as Governor of Delta State. I will not disappoint them. I will, by the grace of God  give my senatorial zone quality representation. I also want to appreciate President Goodluck Jonathan and assure him that I will put all my National and International reach at his disposa...

A 28-year-old mechanic, Abdulkadir Salihu, has been remanded in a prison custody by a Lokoja senior magistrate’s court for reportedly abducting and raping a 13-year-old girl. The court’s senior magistrate, Mrs Joyce Abdulmalik gave the order, Wednesday, in her verdict on arraignment of the accused in Lokoja, Kogi State Salihu was arraigned on a two-count charge of kidnapping and rape, being offences contrary to Sections 273 and 283 of the Penal Code Law. Prosecuting police officer, Corporal Ubi Ubana, told the court that one Adama Ibrahim of Galilee Street, Lokoja reported the matter at the ‘A’ Division Police headquarters and Department of Criminal Investigation Ibrahim had alleged that on October 16, at about 1:25 pm, his niece (names withheld), aged 13, was sent to buy Okro from Adankolo New Layout Market, when the accused “enticed her into his house on Agbai Street.” “During the period, he had sex with his captive for several times before releasing her on October 20,” he ...

It was a gory sight this morning, when residents of Second East Circular road in Benin city, Edo state woke up to the shocking discovery of dead bodies of three children abandoned at two points along the 2nd East Circular Road by unknown individuals. Two were wrapped in clothes and kept inside a carton under a palm-tree, while the other, a baby girl of few months was dumped along the road by Uwa street junction. The two babies, believed to be twins, were already decomposing when they were found.Policemen were seen taking photographs of the bodies. Thereafter, some officials of the state Ministry of Environment arrived at the scene to take the bodies off the street.

Sources claim that Jonathan held a meeting with the Amaji Pinnick-led board on Wednesday night in Abuja and expressed his embarrassment over the crisis that has engulfed the NFF. He ordered Pinnick to reach a compromise with the Giwa faction and look for solutions. Giwa reportedly gave two conditions for him to withdraw the case. First, he asked for the NFF Committee to be dissolved and reconstituted to accomodate him. Both parties are understood to have reached some form of agreement and Giwa submitted 10 names to be put on all Boards of the NFF. The second condition was for Stephen Keshi to be reinstated as Super Eagles coach. Although this suggestion was met wit resistance, the Pinnick-led board eventually conceded. Meanwhile the court case instituted by the Giwa led board has been withdrawn, Nigeria has finally avoided Fifa Hammer

President Goodluck Jonathan has formally accepted his endorsement as the sole presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as he picked his expression of interest and nomination forms this afternoon at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja. The president was accompanied to the Wadata Housel, headquarters of the PDP by Vice President, Namadi Sambo, PDP governors and members of the National Assembly. This has laid to rest months of speculation about the willingness of the President to seek a second term in office.Speaking to newsmen, the president says he is ready for re-election,.

Multitalented gospel artiste and     Glo ambassador Sammie Okposo has been nominated in this year’s Best of Africa category at the biggest South-Africa gospel music awards, SABC Crown Music Awards. Okposo is the only Nigerian artiste nominated for the awards and in same category with four other revered African gospel artistes, Frank Chimpazi, Shongwe & Khuphuka, Saved Group and Seapour N. The awards  which is in its seventh year will be held at ICC Arena, Durban on 23 November 2014. Speaking concerning his nomination, Sammie said the nomination came as shock because he was not expecting it. “Firstly, all thanks to God for his grace and excellent spirit. He is the only one that blesses a man and lifts him up. I’m grateful for the nomination but for me it means more hard work. Many y ears after I won the Kora Awards Best Gospel Artiste in Africa, my works are still much in demand and here is another nomination as the Best of Africa Gospel Artiste. It’s an honour”. ...

News coming in from reliable sources speculate that Stephen Keshi has been recalled as the Super Eagles Coach Sources from Abuja say that the news is heavy enough to be believed but is however, yet to be confirmed by the Nigeria Football Federation Media officer of the Super Eagles, @ ToyinIbitoye  posted on twitter that the 52 year-old two time Nations Cup winner has been recalled as senior National Team Coach   In a twist of events, Ambassador Chris Giwa is reported to have withdrawn the court case against the Amaju Pinnick led NFF board. However, stronger claims point to the intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan who is said to have demanded that the Big Boss be recalled after meeting with  Chris Giwa  and  Amaju Pinnick  in a private meeting

Abolore Akande or  9ice  to his fans, is really taking his political ambition very seriously and is doing everything possible to win the All Progressive Party, APC, ticket for the  2015  Ogbomosho Federal Constituency seat in the  House of Representatives . The Gongo Aso crooner who has been touring the states and visiting party elders stakeholders including the governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, has come up with a new scheme to get into the heart of the people. While other politicians are sleeping and thinking they have all it takes to get the ticket, the Photocopy singer went into the factory and came up with 9ice Table water, palmwine and Zobo Drinks. He also took to his Instagram page to post photos of the new products. See them here.

President Goodluck Jonathan  today, October 29, received N98 million in donations from supporters for the purpose of purchasing his nomination form for the 2015 elections. The president is expected to pick up the form, which costs N22 million, from the  Peoples Democratic Party  on Thursday, October 30. Jonathan is also expected to make a formal declaration of his intention to run for a second term on November 11. See the full list of people who contributed  below:  Mr. Kennedy Ikenna Odoeme – N5, 000  Mr. Ezemagu Sunday Nnamdi – N10, 000  PDP Governors – N22million Transformation Agenda of Nigeria  (TAN) – N22 million  Ogbia LGA Stakeholders, Bayelsa State – N5million  Otuoke Community Stakeholders – N2million,  Brass LGA Stakeholders, Bayelsa state – N50, 000,  Bayelsa State PDP Stakeholders- N5million  Northern Youths’ Forum – N2millioN  Central Market Traders Union, Kaduna Sta...

English Premier League side Manchester United have extended their frontiers of sponsorship to Nigeria as they have now entered a partnership deal with a Food and Beverages company in the country. The deal will allow the Nigerian Company to use the legendary Manchester United crest and club imagery on a range of products throughout Nigeria. The Red Devils today announced a multi-year sponsorship with fruit juice brand Chi to become the club’s official soft drinks partner in Nigeria. -f On the latest partnership, Manchester United’s group managing director Richard Arnold said: “We are delighted to welcome Chi Limited as an official partner of Manchester United. With over 30 years of experience, Chi has a commitment to the health and well-being of the local population by producing high quality, market leading products. “We have close to 35m followers in Nigeria who are some of the most passionate in our global fanbase, something that we fondly remember after playing in Abuja ...

IT Was a sight to behold yesterday at Asaba as Naked old women were seen naked demonstrating. According to one of them, they are demanding for free and fair election in Ndokwa East local government Area of Delta State. this is as a result of the fact that Election was held as scheduled in the LGA last saturday.

The governor of Kano State has formally declared his intention of running for the of office of the president come 2015. the governor today declared his intention in Abuja. Dignitaries include governors and former governors under the platform of APC. Meanwhile the Speaker of House of Representatives has formally defected to the opposition party, APC. recall that the Honourable Speaker attended a meeting of the APC in Kano last week.

A heavy duty vehicle (caterpillar) slammed into Army Day Schol, Jikoko, Mpape in Abuja, killing ten of the pupils instantly.  This tragic even happened at about 9am on Monday while the school was in session.  One mother lose two of her children during the crash. She fainted when the news was broken to her. According to reports, the same woman has a six year old daughter who sustained serious injuries in the accident. The girl is now at the Maitama General Hospital. The girl was unconscious when she was rushed into the hospital, but he had already lost some fingers and her two knees were broken by the caterpillar vehicle. An eyewitness, Tosin Ayomide said it was shocking to see the vehicle veer into the school, given that the school itself is an open field. He said the accident was so horrifying that the children (including the dead ones) had had to be dug out of the ground  facebook.com

Controversy arose recently when  Peter Okoye of  PSquare  was named brand ambassador of Nutricima's  Olympic Milk  but his brother, Paul was left out. PSquare has done literally everything together throughout their career so the endorsement of only Peter as brand ambassador came as a shock to the duo's fans. However, Peter has opened up about the development during his inaugural speech as brand ambassador saying that it’s about him alone and not about PSquare.   “Music is like football. For example, if I play for Barcelona and I get endorsed by Nike, it doesn’t mean the whole Barcelona team has been endorsed. This is about me and not me and Paul.” “Among thousands or perhaps millions of people in the  entertainment  industry, I felt honoured to be chosen as the brand ambassador. The deal means a lot, not just to me but also to my fans. If a brand isn’t worth it I have nothing to do with such a brand.”  Rumours have had it tha...

Wizkid  was reportedly arrested in Kenya last weekend, a Kenyan website has reported. Standard Digital News  says the Nigerian pop singer was arrested for smoking in a non-smoking hotel. Just last weekend Wizkid who wrapped up the shooting of music video with  Victoria Kimani, Del B  and  Patrick Elis  was lodged in the Nairobi Crown Plaza Hotel.  The  'Joy'  singer was travelling from Kenya back to Lagos where he was scheduled to appear for the Hennessey Artistry Club Tour 2014  and while checking out of his hotel room was accosted for smoking illegal substances in a hotel that prohibited smoking of any sort. Chocolate C ity   artiste   Victoria Kimani   came to his rescue after he was made to pay a fine of Sh 50,000 ($560). Though Wizkid was released and made it to Lagos, Victoria on the other hand wasn't so lucky. Reacting to the report however, Wizkid via his manager  Seun Johnson  in a telephone co...

Benchmark Naija: Amechi Replies Abati, Presidency

The Student Union Govermnent of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife  recently paraded a man for allegedly raping one of their students. this they confirmed on their twitter handle. Rape issues have been prevalent in our public higher institution.

The Ekiti State government has accused the former governor of the state of commissioning an uncompleted project. Few days before he left office, Governor Fayemi brought an APC Presidential candidate to commission the project.  A statement from Lere Olayinka,  SA (Information & Social Media) to Governor Ayo Fayose "Here is the inside of Oba Adejuyigbe General Hospital, Ado Ekiti that was commissioned on October 6, 2014. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar was brought to Ado-Ekiti by former Governor Kayode Fayemi to commission the uncompleted project. As at today, the building is still being painted while other structural works are still going on there. Only the outside was painted before it was commissioned. No single medical equipment is in the building!" "These are pictures of how the hospital is as at today.

Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state has reacted to yesterday's  statement  from the presidency where he was advised to stop political rascality and blackmail. Speaking through the state's Commissioner for Information, Ibim Semenitari, Governor Amaechi said there was never a time he discussed First lady, Dame Patience Jonathan. He also described Presidential Spokesman, Reuben Abati as the rascality within the Presidency "I would want to say that the Presidential Spokesman should be careful for the kind of threats he issues to an elected Governor. He should remember that the President is not a prefect of the governor. He was elected as President just as the Governor was elected as a governor, and Nigeria is a federation. And please, Abati should know his limits and need not attempt to cross his boundaries. "It is a bit strange to hear the kind of comments coming out of the Presidency and this shows that the statement was already prepared before governor...

Nigeria football looks to be, unfortunately, heading into a long, dark night as world football –governing body is set to wield the big stick on Monday (27th October, 2014) against the most populous black nation on earth. Even as the Super Eagles still have a chance of qualifying for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations to defend their crown, despite a poor start in the race; even with the Golden Eaglets, the reiging champions of the world, ready to compete at the African Championship to be eligible to travel to Chile to defend their world title next year, and with the Super Falcons reclaiming their continental title in Namibia on Saturday, non –conformity to simple football rules and regulations has put Nigeria at the danger of a big slam. On Saturday in Windhoek, Namibia, CAF President Issa Hayatou told Nigeria’s Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo in clear terms that the world was fed up with Nigeria’s incorrigibility in the area of football administration. Hayatou’s words: “I had to p...

The Super Falcons on Saturday beat Cameroon to lift the African Women’s Championship cup for the seventh time. The Falcons defeated Cameroon 2-0 in a match that saw the girls dominate every department on the pitch. The Falcons remained unbeaten in the tournament hosted by Namibia. The two goals came the 1st half through Oparanozie and Oshiola

THE Executive Chairman, Delta Board of Internal Revenue DBIR, Mr Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, has been turbaned as the Majidadin Kaigama of Katsina by His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, Emir of Katsina. The Katsina monarch bestowed the title on Thomas at a gala night at the Protea Hotel, Warri, Delta State, with Alhaji Kabir Muhammed Mashi, the Kaigama of Katsina State, the Emir’s representative performing the turbaning. Mashi, Chairman of the Joint Task Board who said the decision to honour the DBIR boss was taken after “an extensive consultation,” added that the title demonstrates the Emir’s detribalised posture and promotion of unity amongst the diverse people of Nigeria and the recipient’s outstanding performance. “It is in recognition of your outstanding contributions to the development of taxation in the country, both at the state and national levels,” Mashi, told Thomas. He advised the Majidadin Kaigama of Katsina to uphold and promote the cultural heritage o...