El Rufai replies Ayo Oritsejafor, tells him to look beyond his bling

Mallam Nasir El Rufai has reacted to the statement released yesterday by Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor-led Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, where he (El-Rufai) was accused of trying to tarnish the image of Oritsejafor (read here).

In a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, Mallam El Rufai advised the CAN President to look beyond his bling and answer questions surrounding the private jet seized by SA authorities and his involvement in the controversy. Find the statement below...

When light unexpectedly shines on murkiness, those exposed by the stinging rays often berate the light rather than regret the muck. That is the plight of Ayo Oritsejafor whose private jet was identified as the vessel impounded by the South African authorities for ferrying $9.3m cash into their country. A statement from Eagle Air admitted Oritsejafor's interests in the aircraft, but said it leased the plane to Green Coast which in turn acknowledged hiring the plane out for the trip to South Africa.

Delta state lawmaker walked out of Assembly for improper dressing

A member of the Delta State House of Assembly, Keston Okoro, was yesterday September 16th sent out of the floor of the Assembly for improper dressing. Leadership reports that House Speaker Peter Onwunsanya gave the order after a member of the house, Daniel Mayuku raised an objection to the mode of dressing of the lawmaker, saying that his dressing fell short of the rules and regulations of the House.

"My dear Speaker and members of this House, as honorable members, we are here to work according to the rules and regulations of this House. Therefore, let me draw your attention to the sitting position of the member representing Udu constituency and to say his mode of dressing is a total disrespect to this honorable House. Our mode of dressing should depict us as responsible members of the House, representing the people in our respective constituencies.’’ Mayuku said.

The Speaker immediately ordered Keston out of the chamber and warned that he should not return until he is 'properly dressed.'

FG defends $9.3m cash seized in SA, releases data on transaction

Nigerian Government has defended the controversial $9.3million seized from a private jet by South African immigration on September 5th. In a diplomatic discussion it opened with the South African government yesterday September 16th, FG said they are aware of the deal (money was meant to procure arms) and have presented documents on the transaction process to the South African govt as proof that the entire operation involving the seized aircraft belonging to CAN president, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, was genuine.

School resumption: Jonathan pleads with NUT, says govt isn't foolish

Speaking with journalists yesterday September 16th in Abuja, President Jonathan appealed to members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT to return to the classrooms on Sept. 22 as there is no known case of Ebola in the country at the moment. Below is what he said...

"We have been able to manage Ebola and the whole world is happy with us and we must tell the whole world that we have managed Ebola and no Nigerian should be segregated because of Ebola. In fact Osun State was to have their festival and the news came to me to cancel it I said no, Ebola is no longer a threat in Nigeria and we must tell the world that we have been able to contained Ebola."

Beyonce shows off her amazing bikini body in new photos

Beyonce took to her Tumblr page yesterday to share some pictures from her 33rd birthday which she celebrated with Jay Z, Blue Ivy, her mother and mother-in-law in the South of France. See more photos after the cut...

Beyonce subtly shuts down pregnancy rumours

A few days ago, rumors spread that Beyonce was pregnant with her second child after Jay Z changed his lyrics to mention a new baby during the Paris stop of their On the Run Tour. It looks like it may not be true because yesterday pictures of Beyonce holding a full champagne glass to celebrate the end of their On the Run tour popped up online.

This power couple have a way of shutting down rumours. No need to release a statement or tweet, just release pics...

South African government say 67 of its citizens died in Synagogue building collapse

 

South African president, Jacob Zuma announced today that 67 of its citizens died in the Synagogue building collapse that occurred on September 12th. The South Africans were in Nigeria to seek spiritual help and were staying at the guest house before it collapsed. Read the full statement from President Zuma after the cut...

NUT ask teachers to ignore September 22 resumption date

Minister of Health has said there's no single confirmed case of Ebola in Nigeria currently and it's safe for primary and secondary schools to resume but the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, is not convinced. Today September 16th, NUT directed its members to ignore the Sept. 22nd resumption date of schools in Nigeria.

Speaking today to journalists in Abuja, the NUT National President, Comrade Micheal Olukoya, said teachers should only resume if the government provides them with necessary preventive & protective gadgets on Ebola virus.

Ayo Oritsejafor admits ownership of cash-stacked jet seized in South Africa

Yesterday there were reports that a private jet was seized and two Nigerians were being investigated for trying to smuggling $9.3 million in cash into South Africa (read here). It turns out that the private jet the money was found in belongs to the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN president, Ayo Oritsejafor via a company he co-owns, Eagle Air. But in a statement released today, Pastor Oritsejafor said he had leased the jet to another company so had no control over the use of the jet.

 "On behalf of Pastor Oritsejafor, we can confirm that although he holds an interest in Eagle Air, the aircraft in question is not operated by Pastor Oritsejafor. The aircraft was leased to, and is operated by Green Coast Produce Limited since August 2” a statement from the church read.

Miss Tourism Nigeria 2014 releases stunning new pics

Queen Collete Nwadike, the current Miss Tourism Nigeria 2014 who is also SA on Tourism to Anambra State Governor, has just released some very stunning pics. The photos are promotional images as Collete prepares to represent Nigeria this November in far away Bangkok-Thailand amongst over 80 countries for the 2014 Miss Tourism World. See more beautiful photos after the cut...

Synagogue building collapse: 45 year old woman walks out of rubble alive

A 45-year-old-woman today Tuesday September 16th allegedly walked out alive from the rubbles of the collapsed building at the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Ikotun, Lagos.

Ibrahim Farinloye, the PRO of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, South-West Zone, told journalists in Lagos that the woman walked out on her own at 2a.m very early today but the woman was not identified.

"A woman of about 45 years old walked out of the rubble on her own around 2a.m today. She was able to walk away from the collapse with just a broken wrist. 10 more bodies were recovered, leaving 59 dead and 131 rescued alive,“ Farinloye said.

So far 59 bodies have been recovered and Farinloye expect rescue workers to recover more bodies.

Photo: Father allegedly rapes his own daughter

The man you see in this photo is being accused of sexually molesting his own 5 year old daughter (pictured right). This happened in the Italuwo community in Ikorodu Road, Lagos. A neighbour suspected the man was assaulting the little girl and alerted people in the area. When confronted, he denied it but the girl confirmed she'd been molested. He was beaten and taken to the community security post. This photo was taken as he was being interrogated. Details later...

Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes welcome daughter

Hollywood couple Eva Mendes, 40, and Ryan Gosling, 33, welcomed a daughter on Friday Sept. 12th according to Us Weekly magazine.

The very private couple, who met on the set of their movie, A Place Beyond The Pines, in 2011, hid that they were expecting a child until Eva was about seven months pregnant. She has not been seen in public for months. Congrats to them.

How I survived Ebola after contact with Patrick Sawyer - Dr. Ada Igonoh

This is the amazing story of Dr.Ada Igonoh,of First Consultants Hospital,Lagos.She was one of the health workers who came in contact with Liberian, Patrick Sawyer and she has lived to tell her amazing story as shared by BellaNaija. It is long but worth the read.

On the night of Sunday July 20, 2014, Patrick Sawyer was wheeled into the Emergency Room at First Consultants Medical Centre, Obalende, Lagos, with complaints of fever and body weakness. The male doctor on call admitted him as a case of malaria and took a full history. Knowing that Mr Sawyer had recently arrived from Liberia, the doctor asked if he had been in contact with an Ebola patient in the last couple of weeks, and Mr. Sawyer denied any such contact. He also denied attending any funeral ceremony recently. Blood samples were taken for full blood count, malaria parasites, liver function test and other baseline investigations. He was admitted into a private room and started on antimalarial drugs and analgesics. That night, the full blood count result came back as normal and not indicative of infection.

Mother drowned toddler son before jumping with older child to their deaths

A suicidal 24 year old mum drowned her 2-year-old son in their family home before going to a rock in Dartmoor and plunging 100ft to her death - with her five year old son on her back. Read the full story from the Mirror below...

Katherine Hooper and five-year-old son Joshua Patterson were killed when they fell between 80-100 feet from Lowman Tor at Haytor Rock on Dartmoor last July.

When police later went to her family home in Paignton, Devon, they discovered her youngest son Sam dead in a double bed.

An inquest at Torquay, Devon, heard that a suicide note was found by police hidden within a book on a shelf at her home. It was not dated but detectives believe it was written a couple of weeks before the tragic triple deaths.

Newlyweds Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt enjoy honeymoon onboard luxury yacht

Newly married Hollywood couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have six children together so it will probably be hard for them to leave the kids behind and go on their honeymoon...so their kids are with them as they enjoy their honeymoon and prepare for their new movie together, By The Sea.

They are pictured above aboard a luxury yacht in Malta. See more photos after the cut...

Pics: 9ice welcomes his 4th child with girlfriend

Singer turned politician 9ice recently welcomed his 4th child with his girlfriend, Sunkanmi Ajala. Their daughter was in born in the US last week.

9ice has a son with his ex-wife, Toni Payne, a set of twins with his ex-girlfriend, Victoria Godis and now a daughter with Sunkanmi. Big congrats to them.

Police sniffer dogs to help locate trapped victims at Synagogue building collapse site

The Nigeria police say they will be sending sniffer dogs to the collapsed Synagogue building site to help search for victims who are believed to still be trapped under the rubble. As of today, the death toll has risen to 45 with 130 survivors.

Photo of the day

Lol....

Two Nigerians and an Isreali arrested for smuggling $9.3m into South African

South African police are currently investigating two Nigerians and an Israeli citizen who tried to smuggle $9.3 million in cash into the country on September 5th.

According to South Africa's City Press newspaper, the money which was in bundles of unused $100 bills packed in three suitcase were transported in a small business jet, a bombadier Challenger 600 with a Nigerian crew and piloted by Captain Tunde Ojongbede.

Photos: Joke Silva, Liz Benson, others step out to celebrate Monalisa Chinda at 40

Actress Monalisa Chinda, marked her 40th birthday with friends and colleagues at a private birthday dinner on Saturday, 13 September at Villa Medici in VI.

Eminent personalities that stepped out to celebrate Monalisa included; Liz Benson, Joke Silva, Tonye Cole, Mai Atafo, Uti Nwachukwu, Julius Agwu, AY, Segun Arinze, Rukky Sanda, Olisa Adibua, Ibinabo Fiberesima, Basorge Tariah Jnr, Zik Zulu Okafor, Lola Maja-Okojevoh, Patrick and Iretiola Doyle, Gloria Ibru amongst others. See the pics after the cut...

Girl accused of breaking into a man's home and raping him

This pretty 26 year old woman, Chantae Gilman, is being accused of breaking into her neighbour's house and raping him.

From TheSmokingGun

A Seattle woman has been charged with raping a man who told cops he awoke in his bed to find his attacker sexually assaulting him while she had his hands pinned down, according to a police report. Chantae Gilman, 26, was charged this week in connection with the alleged June 2013 attack inside the 31-year-old victim’s Seattle apartment. Gilman has prior felony convictions for attempted robbery and possession of a stolen vehicle, as well as several misdemeanor convictions, according to court records.

Photos: Tiwa Savage & Davido rock African Unplugged concert

Tiwa Savage and Davido headlined the African Unplugged concert which held yesterday Sunday September 14th at the O2 Brixton Academy in London. So Tiwa was in Lagos on Saturday night for Mo Abudu's show where she performed and flew out same time to make it in time for this show in London on Sunday night. See more photos from the concert after the cut...

Pics: Jay Z and Beyonce make out in their Bang Bang trilogy

The couple made out behind a screen in the first part of their Bang Bang trilogy on story telling site, Nowness. The 3min video to promote their On The Run tour was directed by Hollywood director Quentin Tarantino and it premiered early this morning. See more loved up stills from the movie after the cut...

Photos from actress Mercy Johnson's baby shower

Here are some pics from Mercy Johnson Okojie's baby shower which took place yesterday in the US. The actress and her husband are expecting a boy this time. See more photos after the cut...

Nigerian army release photos from recent battle in Konduga

About 150 Boko Haram members were killed on Friday September 12th by the Nigerian army as the militants attempted to attack Konduga village in Borno State. (read the story here). The military has released some pictures from the battle scene to re-assure the public that they are capable of defending them. See some of the photos after the cut...

Nigerian man dies after jumping off 3rd floor during drug raid in India

A 35 year old Nigerian man named Obyeka Anwanbukwa suspected to be involved in drugs peddling died on Saturday September 13th after jumping from the window of a third floor flat from a high rise (pictured above) during a drug raid in Akash Bhavan in th eBhaunagar area of Pimple Gurav in India

According to reports, a joint team of India's Narcotic Control Bureau, NCB, and some police officers, stormed the apartment where the deceased and his other Nigerian friends were staying around 8 on Saturday night and while being interrogated, Obyeka allegedly ran off and jumped from the 3rd floor of the building. He died of his injuries a few hours later.

Pic: Robber electrocuted at Iju, Lagos

This is a dead photot of a robber who got electrocuted while trying to steal cable from a transformer just beside a house on Iju road by Lonlo bus stop. He apparently tried to steal the cable in the very early hours of today when he got electrocuted and remained in that position until residents woke up this morning. Residents say they are waiting for Government officials to come and carry his dead body.

Comedienne Princess speaks once again about her failed marriage, says negative media contributed to it

Comedian Princess Damilola was a guest on YNaija's Rubbin Minds yestesday September 14th and she once again spoke about her failed marriage.

Princess, who revealed her marriage ended just two weeks after her wedding in May 2013, said negative media contributed to the failure of her marriage.

"Its like a mystery. It was based on the fact that individual differences came up and after the two weeks when the marriage ended, I didn't think it was something of joy for me to start announcing to everyone and then my family and the guy's family believed that we could all make it work so we started trying to see how...and then I think around July things came back, wasn't too smooth but we were determined to make it work and that is the most important thing but when everything finally ended, it was really very painful and all that but I didn't tell anybody."

Tchidi Chikere & Nuella Njubigbo expecting first baby, see her baby bump

Movie producer Tchidi Chikere and his actress wife Nuella Njubigbo are expecting their first child together. The father of three proudly showed off his wife's baby bump by sharing photos on twitter. The couple are currently in the US to await the birth of their child. They got married in March this year.