German Star Snub Arsenal For PSG

Arsenal seems to have failed in their bid to sign JULIAN DRAXLER as the German Star is said to have joined Paris Saint-Germain after pictures emerged of him holding the shirt of the French champions.

Photos:Conte Shocks Moses, Others at Pre-Christmas Training

Nigeria and Chelsea star Victor Moses alongside his Chelsea team-mates were treated to a different atmosphere at the team's pre-Christmas training session.

'Don't Lose Hope,' President Tells Nigerians in Christmas Message

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that his government plans to quickly stimulate the economy in the new year as his immediate is to alleviate poverty in the country.

FIFA Considering Rule Change To Improve Player Behaviour Towards Refs

Marco van Basten says FIFA is considering introducing further measures to improve player behaviour towards officials.

2016 Review – A look at The African Election Timeline

The year 2016 had a series of election engagements at the presidential, legislative and local election levels. As part of our review of the ‘fading’ year, we take a quick look at all the polls that took place this year. This is the concluding part of this piece after the first review.

Another Female Corps Member Dies In Abia

Death has claimed another young graduate observing the mandatory National Youth Service Corps scheme in Abia State.

I Don’t Believe In The Bible Says Kemi Olunloyo

Kemi Olunloyo has touched on yet another controversial subject after revealing that she does not believe in the bible, talk less of reading it. See More Post.

CHRISTMAS TAKES A NEW TURN AS POLICE DEPLOY PERSONNELS TO CHURCHES AND BAN FIREWORKS

The Nigeria Police have scaled up security arrangements around churches and public locations across the country to forestall attacks by insurgents and other criminal elements during the Christmas celebration.

Similarly, the police commands across the country have banned the use of fireworks, especially around churches.

DOCTOR THAT ALWAYS RAPE HIS PATIENTS FINALLY JAILED

A doctor put a pillowcase over his victim’s head to stop her screams from being heard, while he raped her.

The 47-year-old doctor, Michael Lever, was jailed on Thursday for the abuse of two women over a period of 20 years.

SEE WHY BUHARI SHUN ENUGU SUMMIT, THIS WILL SHOCK YOU

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said there was no truth in media reports alleging that he intentionally snubbed the recent South-East Economic and Security Summit in Enugu.

Rather, he said he was advised by some stakeholders from the region not to attend on Thursday as scheduled in view of the closeness of the date to Christmas Day.

Buhari made the clarification in a statement made available to journalists by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

POLICE ARRESTED 636 KIDNAPPERS, ROBBERS IN BUCHI

Around 636 suspected kidnappers, armed robbers, and cattle rustlers were arrested in Bauchi State between January and December, 2016, the state Police Command has revealed.

A total of 163 hostages, largely women and children, were also said to have been rescued within the same period.

ORPHANAGES LAMENTS LOW SUPPLY OF GIFTS

Olufemi Atoyebi, Samuel Awoyinfa, Success Nwogu, Jesusegun Alagbe, Enyioha Opara, Peter Dada and Gibson Achonu

Orphanages across the country have said that the gifts they received during this Christmas season are lower compared to previous years.

Pointing at the economic recession in the country as responsible for this, they expressed worry that poor donations to their homes could lead to hunger among children.

Nigeria Is Progressing In Slow A Rates Osinbajo Tells Nigerians

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has spoken on challenges confronting the present administration as well as plans to develop small businesses.

Saraki Aide Arrests Over Alleged Plan To Destabilise Abuja

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested the Special Adviser to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Youth Matters, Ikenga Ugochinyere.

THE SEASON OF MORE ATM USERS LESS DISPENSATION

Adeola Balogun, Femi Makinde, Success Nwogu, Olufemi Atoyebi,Samuel Awoyinfa, Nonye Ben-Nwankwo, Jesusegun Alagbe, Eric Dumo, Armstrong Bakam, and Ovie Okpare

Millions of Nigerians were left stranded and frustrated on Friday when Automated Teller Machines in most banks across the country dispensed less cash in some cases and failed to dispense cash in some other instances.

Kemi Olunloyo’s Father Has Appeals To Me Says Jide Kosoko

The veteran actor, Jide Kosoko, hasn’t opened up so easily since the death of his wife, Henrietta, some months back. It may seem the actor is still mourning and even the controversies the death generated thereafter didn’t help matters.

FULANI HERDMEN KIDNAPPED CORPS MEMBER, DEMAND N15 MILLION RANSOM

Three women including a member of the National Youth Service Corps have been kidnapped by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The victims were said to be travelling in a bus belonging to God is Good Motors on Wednesday when they were robbed at gun point and thereafter marched into the bush. When contacted, Head of Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FCT Police Command), Yemi Ola, confirmed the kidnapping, saying his office had received a report on the case.

Fayose Blasts DSS Over Allegations Against Wike

The Governor of Ekiti state, Ayo Fayose has described the allegation levelled against Governor Nyesom Wike by the Department of State Service (DSS) as an irresponsible display of partisanship.

Court Freezes Patience Jonathan’s Multiple Accounts

A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the freezing of multiple bank accounts linked to the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience.

I Don’t Know The Next Governor, But I Know Who Won’t Succeed Me –Amosun

Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has said that though he does not know who will succeed him as governor, he definitely knows who would not become the governor after his tenure may have ended.

Trump Appoints His Business Attorney To Manage International Negotiations.

President-elect Donald Trump is moving a top Trump Organization attorney over to serve as the administration's man to manage sensitive diplomatic and international negotiations.

UN Security Council Calls For An End

The United Nations Security Council has passed a resolution urging an end to illegal Israeli settlements after the US refused to veto it.

The Egyptian-drafted resolution had been withdrawn after Israel asked Donald Trump to intervene but it was proposed again by Malaysia, New Zealand, Senegal and Venezuela.

The US has traditionally sheltered Israel from condemnatory resolutions.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said he would not abide by the vote.

Israel announced its ambassadors to New Zealand and Senegal had been ordered to return for consultations. Israel has no diplomatic ties with Malaysia and Venezuela.

The Palestinian leadership welcomed the UN resolution, which was passed by 14 votes to zero, with one abstention.

President-elect Trump, who will be inaugurated on 20 January, tweeted after the vote: "As to the UN, things will be different after Jan. 20th."

The issue of Jewish settlements is one of the most contentious between Israel and the Palestinians, who see them as an obstacle to peace.

About 500,000 Jews live in about 140 settlements built since Israel's 1967 occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.

Nigerians React To Headies Awards

The 2016 Headies awards went down at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, yesterday. Though there were palpable anticipation and excitement before the event, the organisers put up a good show, in spite of the economic recession and dearth of sponsors.

Cleaner Kills Boss For Not Paying Salary In Advance

A 22-year-old Cameroonian, Joel Ludguo, is currently in police custody at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba, Lagos State, for allegedly killing his boss, Miss Temidayo Adeleke.

TOP THREE NOMINEEES FOR AFRICAN FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR

Borussia Dortmund’s Gabonese  striker  Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang,  Leicester City’s Algeria  forward  Riyad Mahrez and  Liverpool’s Senegalese  attacker Sadio Mane  completed the final shortlist for the 2016  Glo-CAF African Player of the Year award.

 Roma’s Egyptian defender  Mohamed Salah and Leicester City’s Algeria  striker  Islam Slimani, who  made the five-man CAF shortlist  last month, were dropped from the final shortlist.

SEE SUPER EAGLES NEW FIFA RANKING. THE RANK WILL SUPRISE YOU

Nigeria  dropped  to the 51st position in the latest FIFA Rankings, which were released by the world football body on Thursday.

However, the Super Eagles, who rose 10 places to place  50th  in November, retained their eighth position in Africa.

WAEC BEGINS REGISTRATION FOR 2017 CANDIDATES

As the registration of candidates for the 2017 West African Senior School Certificate Examination begins, parents whose children sat for the examinations in Ogun public schools in the year under review have become deeply worried over the withheld results.

POLICE KILLED DRIVER FOR BRIBERY REFUSAL

A trigger-happy policeman, Mr. Pius Senu, has shot and killed a driver, Michael Ishola, at Awo in the Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State.

Our correspondent gathered that Ishola’s wife was just delivered of a baby about two weeks ago.

FIRSTBANK CAPITAL GETS GLOBAL RECOGNITION

FBN Capital Limited, the investment banking and asset management subsidiary of FBN Holdings Plc, has been named the ‘Best Local Investment Bank in Nigeria’ and the ‘Best Asset Manager in Nigeria’ at the ninth  EMEA Finance African Banking Awards 2016.

NO PLASTIC RICE IN NIGERIA, SAYS HEALTH MINISTER

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has laid to rest the claims about the presence of plastic rice in Nigeria.

The said plastic rice purportedly originated from China.

CLEANER KILLED BOSS FOR ADVANCE PAYMENT REFUSAL

A 22-year-old Cameroonian, Joel Ludguo, is currently in police custody at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba, Lagos State, for allegedly killing his boss, Miss Temidayo Adeleke.

Ludguo was a cleaner and lived with the victim on Prince Tayo Adesanya Street, Park View Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.

BUHARI AND OSINBAJO TO SPEND N1.05 BILLION OUT OF 2017 BUDGET ON FOREIGN TRIPS

The foreign trips of President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the State House headquarters will gulp about N1.05bn in the 2017 fiscal year.

Their local trips will cost the nation N353.115m.

These are some of the details of the 2017 Appropriation Bill currently before the National Assembly as obtained by our correspondent on Thursday in Abuja.

MIKEL TAKES FINAL DECISION

Mikel Obi has  some tough decisions to make when the transfer window opens in January as more European  clubs  have shown strong interest in the Chelsea outcast.

The Super Eagles captain has been frozen out at Stamford Bridge  since the arrival of former Italy manager Antonio Conte in the summer.

DELTA MONARCH COMMITS SUICIDE.THE REASON WILL SHOCK YOU

Tragedy hit the Umuachi-Ogo community of Ndokwa-East Local Government Area, Delta State, on Wednesday, when the traditional ruler of the community, HRM Onotuku Joseph Onyemali, committed suicide.

Our correspondent gathered that the monarch was found dead after consuming a substance suspected to be poisonous after an allegation of witchcraft was levelled against him by some of his subjects.

RELEASED CHIBOK GIRLS RETURN HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

The 21 freed Chibok schoolgirls were on Thursday sighted at the International Airport, Yola, Adamawa State, going home for the Christmas season.

This is just as rumours that the girls were a new set of rescued Chibok schoolgirls went viral on the media.

ROBBERS SNATCHED NIGERIA POLICE VAN..SEE HOW

A tragedy hit the Ekiti State Police Command on Thursday as robbers  killed a policeman, identified simply as Inspector Gada, and injured another cop called Sergeant Sunday.

It was learnt that the robbers escaped with a police van in the robbery, which took place in Ilupeju, in the Oye Local Government Area of the state.

Nigeria Army Warns On Fleeing Boko Haram Terrorists

The Nigerian Army has urged the public to be vigilant as remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists are fleeing to different parts of the country.

Egypt Delays UN Rsolution On Israel As Trump Raises Concerns

Egypt has suddenly delayed a vote on its UN resolution condemning Israeli settlements in the West Bank as Donald Trump made his opposition clear.

Tiger Woods Poses As Mac Dad Santa For His Kids

Golf legend, Tiger Woods posed as Santa, aka Mac Daddy Santa for his kids for Christmas. He shared the photo above and wrote Below:

NAFDAC Releases Preliminary Test Result On ‘Plastic Rice’

National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control, Thursday, disclosed that result of the preliminary test on alleged plastic rice sent by the Nigerian Customs, reveal there is no evidence that there was plastic rice in Lagos.

Ibori Supported Saraki, Dogara, Others From Prison –Senator

A Senator, Peter Nwabaoshi, on Thursday, claimed that a former Governor of Delta State, Mr James Ibori, who was released from prison in the United Kingdom on Wednesday, supported Dr Bukola Saraki and Mr Yakubu Dogara to emerge as Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively.

DSS Accuses Wike Of Sponsoring Abuja Protests

The Department of State Services has accused the Governor of Rivers State, Mr  Nyesom Wike, of sponsoring protests to disrupt public peace in strategic Federal Government’s offices in Abuja and its environs.

Nigeria A Graveyard For Pensioners Says Pensioners

Nigeria is a big fraud and this explains why politicians, political office holders, technocrats and their cronies see the country as a big cow available for milking by those who have its custody, while a majority of Nigerians watch helplessly from a distance. 

Headies 2016 Awards Winners

*BEST RECORDING OF THE YEAR

EMERGENCY – D’BANJ

PRAY FOR ME – DAREY FEAT. SOWETO CHOIR = WINNER

LOVE DON’T CARE – SIMI

ORENTE – ADEKUNLE GOLD

SOMETHING GOOD IS HAPPENING – BRYMO

Tinubu, Aregbesola Won’t Leave APC For Anybody Reps Voice Out

An All Progressives Congress member of the House of Representatives, Mrs Ayo Omidiran, on Thursday, dismissed insinuations that the party’s national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, would leave the APC for another political party.

Buhari, Ministers Shun South-East Summit After IPOB Threat

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, stayed away from the maiden South-East Economic and Security Summit in Enugu, about 48 hours after some pro-Biafra agitators warned him not to set foot on Igbo land.

President Shuns South-East Security Summit

President Buhari was absent at the South-East security summit which held at the Enugu State Government House on Thursday, December 22, 2016, reports say.

Ogwashi-Uku Prison Inmate Dies Over Negligence As Prison Chief Threatens NGO Coordinator Over Exposé

Peter Onyema, one of many sick inmates held in dismal conditions at the Ogwashi-Uku prison in Aniocha South local government area of Delta State, has died. 

Where Lagosians Can Buy A Bag of Rice For N12k

To ease burden on residents this festive season, the Lagos state government has made provision for a 50kg bag of rice to be sold at N12,000.

Twenty-five kg is sold at N6,000, while 10kg goes for N2,500.

Why spend as high as N18,000 on a bag of rice when you can get at a subsidised rate.

Here are the designated zones where you can benefit from this special offer, which is an initiative of Lagos and Kebbi governments.

China Confirms Second Human Infection This Week

Chinese authorities have confirmed a second case of human bird flu infection this week, state media reported late on Wednesday, as South Korea and Japan battle to control outbreaks of the deadly virus.

140 NIGERIANS DEPORTED FROM LIBYA

No fewer than 140 Nigerians, who were deported from Libya, arrived in the country on Tuesday through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The PUNCH learnt that the deportees, who arrived on board a Libyan Airline, were received by the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Sani Sidi, who was represented by the South-West Coordinator of the agency, Dr. Onimode Bamdele.