Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from November, 2018

Sowore raises N37.6m on GoFundMe for presidential campaign, needs N400m more

The Sahara Reporters founder has disclosed that his campaign has raised N73 million in total. The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has made N37.6 million ($103,045) in campaign donations from his GoFundMe fundraiser for the 2019 presidential election. Sowore set up the account on March 13, 2018 to raise $2 million for his presidential campaign on the platform of his new party. Even though the account was suspended a day later, he regained control of it and has now raised the sum of $103,045 (as at November 30, 2018). While speaking during an interview on Arise News Television on Thursday, November 29, the candidate said his campaign has raised N73 million in total. When quizzed on what he would do if he runs out of money, he said he has more than just monetary support from Nigerians. He said, "Running short of money is not the same as running out of support. To break it down, apart from the cash, people are also making kind donati

Tech: 'Pokémon Go' is finally getting the key feature that players have wanted for years — the ability to battle each other

Niantic announced on Friday that trainer battles will soon be coming to "Pokémon Go," after nearly than two and a half years. Developer Niantic revealed on Friday that trainer battles are coming to "Pokémon Go." Despite player-versus-player (PvP) battles being a major part of the traditional Pokémon games, "Pokémon Go" has always focused more on exploration and catching wild monsters. Niantic has yet to offer specific details on how battles between players will function. "Pokémon Go" creator Niantic revealed via Twitter that player-versus-player battles will be coming soon, answering the wishes of the game's most dedicated fans after some two and a half years. Battles between Pokémon trainers have always been a core component of traditional Pokémon games, but have been missing from "Pokémon Go" since the game launched in July 2016. In fact, their absence was one of the core criticisms that longtime Pokémon fans he

President Buhari takes a walk down memory lane in military career photos

As President Buhari reflects about his career in the Nigerian Army, his Twitter followers comment on his impact in government. President Muhammadu Buhari has received a compilation of pictures to remind him of his military career before becoming the president of Nigeria in the year 2015. The president confirms that he received a copy of his old memories at the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference on Wednesday, November 28, 2018. "I was presented with a compilation of photographs from my military career. "From cadet to General, even my time at the US Army War College. I seized the opportunity to take the audience on a journey down memory lane," President Buhari writes on his Twitter. ALSO READ: Fashola explains why it took President Buhari six months to form his cabinet In many cities across Nigeria, Buhari's campaign posters have filed up in numbers making known his intention to retain his seat as president in the year 2019. His memories while in the army

Boko Haram: Buratai charges troops to take offensive posture

Buratai gave charge on Friday in Maiduguri at the conclusion of the Fourth Quarter Chief of Army Conference. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has charged field commanders to complement whatever approach they take in prosecuting the ongoing counter insurgency operations with offensive posture. Buratai gave charge on Friday in Maiduguri at the conclusion of the Fourth Quarter Chief of Army Conference. He said such posture was necessary to instill fear in the terrorists. Buratai warned troops not to be deterred by the recent setbacks, especially at Metele, where the Boko Haram terrorists attacked troops of157 Task Force Battalion, killed 23 of them and wounded 31 other others. “Operational commanders at all levels must show leadership and inculcate such virtue in subordinate commanders. “The recent unfortunate incidences involving our troops have given me great concern and should concern all of us. “We have not focus on providing adequate force protection and our o

Tech: Just missed millions: These 8 people walked away from early jobs at billion-dollar companies

See which Silicon Valley techies turned down job offers from startups like Facebook or Instagram, or jumped ship too early. Startups come and go, meaning that those in the tech world often face the dilmemma of pick at which company where they'll actually be successful in the future. Major tech executives who have turned down lucrative offers include Instagram's Kevin Systrom and Bachelorette's Ali Fedotowsky . Here are some other big names in Silicon Valley who may have missed out on millions from opportunities they turned down. Ali Fedotowsky walked away from Facebook when she opted to be ABC's Bachelorette. Robert Cezar Matei missed his chance to join early Facebook, Square and Instagram teams. It's impossible to know which startup is going to become the next billion dollar success story, and the risk of letting a golden opportunity slip through your fingers is something that tech workers grapple with every day. While some who turn down lucrative

Army re-appoints Gen. Usman as spokesman

In a statement posted on its Whatsapp platform on Friday, the army said Usman re-appointment followed his completion of the “Strategic course at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies’’ – NIPSS, at Kuru in Jos. The Nigerian Army has re-appointed Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman as its spokesman. In a statement posted on its Whatsapp platform on Friday, the army said Usman re-appointment followed his completion of the “ Strategic course at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies’’ – NIPSS, at Kuru in Jos. The army maintained the re-appointment of Usman was routine, and not as a result media management by current spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, as alleged by an online publication. Usman proceeded to NIPSS for the executive course in January, 2018 Chukwu, who had been the spokesman of the army until now is to proceed to the same institute for same course with immediate effect. The Directorate of Army Public Relations said in the statement that its attention

Buhari set to depart for Poland

President Buhari will deliver a national statement highlighting Nigeria's commitment to addressing climate change. President Muhammadu Buhari is set to leave Nigeria for Poland to attend the  24th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP24) under the United Nations' Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). According to a statement released by the president's special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina , the president will depart Nigeria on Saturday, December 1, 2018. At the conference, scheduled for December 2, Buhari will deliver a national statement highlighting Nigeria's commitment to addressing climate change by implementing the goals set out in its National Determined Contributions. He will also hold an interactive session with the  Nigerian community in Poland. The president will be accompanied by Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi : Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello ; and Abubakar Bello of Niger state. ridoola.blogspot.com.n

Police begin recruitment of 10,000 personnel

A statement by the commission’s Head, Press and Public Relations, Mr Ikechukwu Ani, on Friday in Abuja, said the exercise was free of charge. The Police Service Commission (PSC) says it has begun the process of recruitment of 10,000 constables into the Nigeria Police Force. A statement by the commission’s Head, Press and Public Relations, Mr Ikechukwu Ani, on Friday in Abuja, said the exercise was free of charge. Ani warned interested candidates against paying any money to apply and not to return the completed forms to anybody who might in the process demand for processing fees. He added that applications from interested candidates would be received online through the commission’s portal,  https://ift.tt/2Sk84uX The spokesman said application would close on Jan 11 2019, adding that applicants who must have passion for a career in the force must be Nigerian citizens. The head of press and public relations said applicants should be not less than 18 or more than 25 years. “Candid

Tech: Here's how to check if you were one of the 500 million customers affected by the Marriott hack

Around 500 million guests of Starwood hotels had their information compromised, Marriott announced Friday. Mariott Starwood hotels suffered a massive data breach , meaning that around 500 million customers have had their information compromised. Hackers accessed sensitive information from Starwood's reservation database in 2014, including mailing addresses, passport info, and credit card numbers. Marriott says guests who were affected — anyone who stayed at a Starwood property on or before September 10, 2018 — will be notified "on a rolling bases" starting November 30. Here's how you can find out more about whether your information was hacked and what you can do to protect yourself. Hackers have accessed the sensitive information of around 500 million people who have stayed in Marriott's Starwood line of hotels, the hotel chain announced Friday . Marriott says it discovered earlier this month that hackers had access to its reservation system used for gue

Tech: 'Super Smash Bros. Ultimate' is less than a week away and features more than 70 characters — here they all are (NTDOY)

"Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" has more than 70 characters. Do you remember which games they're from? When Nintendo announced " Super Smash Bros. Ultimate " earlier this year, producer Masahiro Sakurai confirmed that every character from the prior four games in the franchise would be returning for the series' first entry on the Nintendo Switch. The game will be released on Friday, December 7th. As a result, "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" has one of the largest rosters of any fighting game ever made, bringing back more than 60 returning characters, and adding 12 fresh new faces. That's 72 playable characters from across video game history, right out of the box, plus one more coming as a download in early 2019. If that's not enough Nintendo recently confirmed that at least five more fighters will be added to "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" through February 2020. Those who have played prior "Smash" games may reco

Presidency says military will never get enough funding

The president's media aide said the military has to compete for funding with other problems facing the nation. The presidency has revealed that even though President Muhammadu Buhari is doing his best to provide for the Nigerian military, there will never be enough funding as troops continue to deal with the resurgence of terrorist group, Boko Haram, in the northeast. While speaking during an interview on Arise News Television on Friday, November 30, 2018, President Buhari's Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu , said the military has to compete for funding with other problems facing the nation. Despite the challenge, he said President Buhari's administration has funded the military's operations more than any other leader in Nigeria's democratic history. He said, "I make this statement, on my honour, to the best of my knowledge, that there's not been one administration under this constitution that has funded the military as

Police warn Abia residents against extra-judicial killing

DSP Geoffrey Ogbonna, the Police Public Relations Officer for the command in the state gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Aba. The Police Command in Abia has warned residents of the state against extra judicial killing. DSP Geoffrey Ogbonna , the Police Public Relations Officer for the command in the state gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Aba. He was reacting to the killing of two suspected robbers by the mob on Wednesday in the state. Ogbonna said although the command had zero tolerance for crime and criminal activities, it was wrong for citizens to take the laws into their hands. He also urged members of the public to exercise restraint and any time they have such incident, they should draw the attention of the police. “ As much as we are not in support of criminal acts such as forcefully taking people’s property, we enjoin people to report or hand over suspected criminals to the police. “We know

Lawyers boycott court sittings, protest alleged assassination of magistrate

The chairman of the Orlu branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Chuzzy Attama, read the position of the lawyers while addressing newsmen in Owerri shortly before the protest began. Lawyers in Imo on Friday, boycotted court sittings while protesting the alleged assassination of Senior Magistrate, Remmy Ogu. The chairman of the Orlu branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Chuzzy Attama , read the position of the lawyers while addressing newsmen in Owerri shortly before the protest began. Attama said that the courts in the state lacked adequate security adding, that the alleged  killing of the magistrate was designed to intimidate the judiciary in the state. “We will march to the state government house, police headquarters, office of the chief judge, the state House of Assembly and the office of the director of state security service to register our protest over the gruesome murder of the legal advocate. “We call on the Inspector- General of Police to expedite action to bring

Army to conduct bush exercise, advises residents to keep-off

The Army said in a statement in Kaduna on Friday. The Nigerian Army says its Nigerian Military School (NMS) in Zaria will conduct bush exercise from Monday, Dec. 3 to Dec. 12 and advised residents of the exercise areas to keep-off. The Army said in a statement in Kaduna on Friday. The statement was signed by Lt. Adekunle Adeyemi-Akinleye , Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Nigerian Army/Nigerian Military School, Zaria, Kaduna State on Friday. “In line with the Nigerian Military School (NMS) Training Directives for the 2018/2019 Academic Session, the Final Bush Exercise for the SS3 Boys of the School is scheduled to commence from Monday 3 to Wednesday 12 December, 2018.” Adeyemi-Akinleye said the exercise was expected to hold within Chindit Cantonment, Hanwa and Shika Dam in Sabongari Local Government area and Karau-Karau in Giwa Local Government area. “ The Exercise is tagged “EX DOGON-DUTSE”. He said the exercise would be training activities on Map Reading, Da

EFCC catches Lebanese man with $2m at Abuja airport

Lakis was arrested aboard Egypt Airline on his way to Lebanon following an intelligence report revealed to operatives. Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have apprehended a Lebanese man, Abbas Lakis, at the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport, Abuja on charges of money laundering. Lakis was arrested aboard Egypt Airline on his way to Lebanon following an intelligence report revealed to operatives. A thorough search of his luggage led to the discovery of $2,104,936, £163,740 and €144,680. Other currencies found were Riyal 391,838, CHF 3,420, Lira 435, Lebanese £109,000, Dirhams 10,135, ¥10,000 and 10 Qatar Riyals. The anti-graft agency said the suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded. ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

PDP appoints Dino Melaye spokesperson for Atiku's 2019 presidential campaign

PDP announced the appointment during the inauguration of Atiku's campaign organisation council. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed Senator Dino Melaye as the spokesperson of Atiku Abubakar's presidential campaign council. The lawmaker was appointed during the inauguration of the party's presidential campaign council in Abuja on Thursday, November 29. Melaye, representing the Kogi West Senatorial district, thanked PDP for the appointment on his Twitter account (@dinomelaye) on Friday, November 30. He wrote, "Thank you, PDP for my appointment as Director in charge of Civil Societies/ NGO’S and Campaign Spokesperson in the PDP Presidential Campaign. We shall usually overcome. Light will always rejoice over darkness. Power to the People." The lawmaker, alongside Senate President, Bukola Saraki , who serves as the Director-General of the council, will work towards ensuring PDP's flagbearer Atiku Abubakar emerges victorious in the forthcomi

4 dead, 5 injured in ghastly motor accident in Nasarawa

Mrs Faustina Alegbe, Sector Commander of FRSC in Nasarawa, confirmed the development to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia on Friday. The Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC) Nasarawa command has confirmed the death of four persons and five others injured in a ghastly motor accident that occurred on Keffi-Makurdi highway. Mrs Faustina Alegbe , Sector Commander of FRSC in Nasarawa, confirmed the development to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia on Friday. Alegbe said the accident occurred at Gako community in Nasarawa-Eggon Local Government Area of the state on Thursday night. She said the accident involved a Volkswagen Sharon Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV), a Peugeot J5 Van and 12 passengers, who were in different degrees affected by the crash. “ My men from the Akwanga command went for the rescue. Twelve persons were involved and they were rescued and taken to the General hospital in Akwanga, but on getting there, four were confirmed dead and five injured by doctors,” she said.

Building collapse: Buhari condoles with people, govt. of Rivers

The president made the condolence in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Friday. President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the people and government of Rivers and families of the deceased over the loss of lives after a seven-storey building collapsed. The president made the condolence in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina , in Abuja on Friday. Buhari shared in the grief with families who lost loved ones, and prayed for the recuperation of those who sustained injuries. He commended the State government for the urgent steps taken to unravel the cause of the accident, provide healthcare for victims and ensure safety in the future. The president prayed that the almighty God would comfort all those who lost loved ones, and grant grace of quick recovery to the injured. ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

Golden Putters are number one in MiniGolf League

Golden Putters did not fail to disappoint their numerous fans as they stole the top position from the electrifying Power Club with a 12 point lead. The Coca-Cola Minigolf League recorded a spectacular showdown on Sunday as the 11 participating teams — Fly Club, Golden Putters, Power Club, Satayou, Forbes Club, Nutterz Putterz, Wonder Club, Brave Warriors, Kama Club and Black Putters — went “putter to putter” to save as many points as the race intensified for the Top 6 positions. In all Minigolf Competitions, the GMF ensured that camera equipment and digital scoring systems were in apt and in good shape for playback and accuracy in record keeping. Golden Putters did not fail to disappoint their numerous fans as they stole the top position from the electrifying Power Club with a 12 point lead. The Club garnered a total score of 792 which placed them in a comfortable lead with 24 points. READ MORE: Cowboys' Amari Cooper celebrates touchdown by imitating Markelle Fultz's infa

Tech: NASA's first moon landings in nearly 50 years may happen in 2019. The agency thinks these 9 companies can get them to the lunar surface.

NASA announced the next phase of its Commercial Lunar Payload Services program. Nine companies will bid to get the US back to the moon by 2022. It's been nearly half a century since NASA last landed a spacecraft on the lunar surface. On Thursday, the space agency announced it is offering up to $2.6 billion in contracts to nine American companies in hopes of landing on the moon by 2022. NASA wants the companies to submit bids to fly the agency's experiments aboard commercial moon landers . The administrator of NASA hopes the program will help forge a "robust marketplace" for faster, lower-cost commercial exploration of the moon and eventually Mars. The last time a NASA spacecraft safely landed on the moon was in December 1972. Nearly half a century after Apollo 17, though, the space agency is itching to return. NASA announced on Thursday that it's offering up to $2.6 billion in contracts to nine American companies to get the agency back to the lunar sur

Tech: Data predicted Netflix would cancel 'Daredevil,' and its remaining Marvel shows are probably next

Data showed why Netflix would cancel "Daredevil." Fans should prepare to say goodbye to its other Marvel shows, "Jessica Jones" and "The Punisher." Netflix canceled "Daredevil" after three seasons on Thursday. Social-media data suggested that this could happen, and the streaming company's other Marvel shows are likely next. Data showed that interest in "Daredevil" had fallen dramatically over time, similar to other canceled shows, "Luke Cage" and "Iron Fist." To the disappointment of loyal fans who had called on Netflix to renew one of its remaining Marvel TV shows, "Daredevil," the streaming giant canceled the show on Thursday after three seasons. But data showed interest in the series had dramatically fallen since its first season in 2015, so news that it got the ax wasn't surprising. The show followed a similar pattern to "Luke Cage" and "Iron Fist,&

NAFDAC intercepts more than 6bn tablets of Tramadol worth N193 bn in 1 year

Adeyeye disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Friday, where she presented her scorecard for the last one year since her assumption of office as director general of the agency. Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), says the agency has intercepted more than six billion tablets of Tramadol worth about N193 billion in the last one year. Adeyeye disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Friday, where she presented her scorecard for the last one year since her assumption of office as director general of the agency. She said that in the period under review, the agency also intercepted 321,146 cartons of unregistered pharmaceutical products worth hundreds of millions of naira. “Since my assumption of duty, the new director of Ports Inspection Directorate and his team have intercepted 86 containers containing tramadol and other unregulated drug products. “These include 23 40ft containers that were r

2019: 56 card readers fail test in Kebbi, Reps Committee says

Angulu made this known on Friday in Birnin Kebbi when his committee visited the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state on an oversight function. The Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Electoral and Political Parties Matters, Alhaji Zakari Angulu, says over 56 card readers failed test out of 3,882 in Kebbi. Angulu made this known on Friday in Birnin Kebbi when his committee visited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state on an oversight function. The visit was to find out the level of INEC’s preparedness ahead of the 2019 general elections. “What we have observed is that INEC is trying in terms of Permanent Voters Cards and other election facilities in spite of the 56 card readers that failed test out of 3,882,” he said. Angulu explained that the available card readers were okay to be used for the election despite the little challenges observed. “ The state still has enough time to be fully prepared. ”W

Police warn social media users, bloggers against fake news

The command gave the warning in a statement by its Spokesperson, Mrs Irene Ugbo, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, on Friday in Calabar. The Police Command in Cross River has warned social media users and bloggers operating in the state to desist from using `online’ to spread fake news. The command gave the warning in a statement by its Spokesperson, Mrs Irene Ugbo , a Deputy Superintendent of Police, on Friday in Calabar. Ugbo said that some bloggers and social media users were in the habit of posting fake news in their blogs and websites to propagate cheap blackmail by inciting the public against government institutions. She said that the command, in collaboration with the leadership of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state would not hesitate to deal decisively with any individual or group peddling fake news. According to her, some of the bloggers who have joined the media profession without requisite training and journalism background were frustrating the cordial wo

European Centre pledges to support INEC to deliver credible elections in 2019

ECES’ Project Coordinator for Nigeria Mr. Rudolf Elbling made this known at a two-day workshop organised for INEC officials in the North-West zone in Kaduna. The European Center for Electoral Support (ECES) on Friday said it was proud to support efforts by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deliver credible, free and fair elections in 2019. ECES’ Project Coordinator for Nigeria Mr. Rudolf Elbling made this known at a two-day workshop organised for INEC officials in the North-West zone in Kaduna. Elbling, who was represented by Mr. Samson Fadare , Consultant, Election Monitoring and Support Center (EMSC),  said that the Election Monitoring and Support Center (EMSC) was working to integrate the Election Project Plan (EPP) and the Election Management System (EMS) for effective monitoring of the 2019 elections. “ECES is proud to support this laudable initiative which among other functions seeks to ensure a seamless logistical and operational deployment plan that

Kwara Gov Ahmed approves promotion of 1,511 civil servants

Kwara Gov Ahmed has approved the promotion of 1,511 civil servants in the state civil service. Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, has approved the promotion of 1,511 civil servants in the state civil service. Promotion letters will now be distributed to the affected civil servants from GL.07 to 17 next week. The State Chairman, Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Adelodun Ibrahim disclosed the development during an interview with newsmen in Ilorin. 1,658 candidates sat for the examination, Ibrahim said. He explained that the state government had consistently maintained the yearly promotion of civil servants since 2003. "Let me state with every sense of pride that with the implementation of the 2018 promotion exercise, the state government has consistently maintained the yearly promotion of civil servants since 2003. Consequently, the state is not in any arrears of promotion to any civil servants in the state," the chairman reaffirmed. Alh. Ibrahim confirmed that