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Pictures from Mohits collabo with Snoop Dogg

2011-01-16T18:39:00.000+01:00

SDMP Presidential Candidate : Utomi adopted unanimously

2011-01-14T12:18:00.001+01:00

The Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP) has adopted Prof. Pat Utomi as its presidential candidate in the 2011 polls.
Prof . Utomi who was unanimously adopted by the party promised to provide infrastructure and create jobs for the unemployed if voted in as the president.

He says that he will rehabilitate all the countries railway and airways system as well as effect a total transformation of all the structures if voted in as Nigeria President.

While appreciating the leadership of the party and the founding father, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Utomi noted that though Enahoro is no more, his spirit should ascend and lead Nigeria to a better place.

He noted that he is an unlikely candidate because Nigerian politics is in a time of politics of big men, politics of sharing money, a time where there is an anti-intellectual disposition in the polity and a war against Nigerians.

Utomi said he is the embodiment of what Nigeria should be and he is humbled by the fact that he has been trusted with the dreams of a better future for Nigerians.

JONATHAN WINS PDP PRIMARY

2011-01-14T12:01:00.001+01:00

Nigeria incumbent president Dr . Goodluck Jonathan has won the Peoples Democratic Party presidential primaries at the Eagles Square in Abuja.

In an exciting poll which began yesterday, and spilled over to the early hours of today January, President Goodluck Jonathan polled 2,736 votes defeating former vice president Atiku Abubakar who scored 805 votes and Sarah Jubril who scored only one vote. while 61 votes were declared void.

President Goodluck Jonathan picked a total of 31 states and the federal capital territory out of Nigeria`s 36 states to win the PDP presidential ticket.
His closet rival, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar won only five states including, Sokoto, Kano, Niger, Kebbi and Zamfara.

President Jonathan won in his home state, Bayelsa while Alhaji Abubakar lost in his home state, Adamawa.

In his acceptance speech, President Jonathan invited his opponents, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mrs. Sarah Jubril to join hands with him to face the challenges facing the country. He said his victory shows the country has overcome primordial considerations that holds the nation back.

DELE MOMODU NCP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

2011-01-13T17:00:00.000+01:00

Bashorun Dele Momodu emerged presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) after a keenly contested primaries at the party's National Convention today Wednesday 12 January, 2011 in Lagos. Dele Momodu polled 169 votes to clinch the ticket ahead of co-aspirants Chief Martin Onovo and Atei Beredugo with 8 and 14 votes respectively.

Speaking shortly after accepting his nomination, Bashorun Dele Momodu said that the biggest task ahead of Nigerians is a total rejection of the People's Democratic Party (PDP); a party that has been in power for twelve years without achieving anything meaningful for the people of Nigeria. He admonished Nigerians to make it a critical part of their daily prayer points. According to him, "the end of PDP has come."

He also bemoaned the dearth of competent leaders in the country today noting that a Dele Momodu presidency would turn around the fortunes of Nigerians as the NCP is on a mission to abolish the poverty of the people and the poverty of ideas which has brought our nation to its knees. When asked if he would join forces with any other presidential candidate against the PDP in the forthcoming election, the NCP presidential flag-bearer noted that the greatest alliance Nigeria needs now is the alliance of the people against the PDP behemoth.

Bashorun Dele Momodu attributed a large part of his preparation for the presidential race to the mentorship of Chief MKO Abiola and Chief Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi, SAN

NICKI MINAJ'S BADDEST PHOTO SHOOT.

2011-01-13T16:54:00.000+01:00

Nicki Minaj Pushes the Boundary on her baddest photo shoot til date...

These pics were shot for V magazine...

RAP-UP

Whether Na One Naira!…Yeah Right!

2011-01-13T16:43:00.001+01:00

Undoubtedly, the track “One Naira” off Nigerian rap sensation, MI’s sophomore album MI2 is easily a fan favourite. Coming off a much anticipated, yet not-quite-up-to-par with his hit debut album. The track dwells on the idyllic topic of romance with or without finance. Well, as nice and as well-meaning as it may sound, One Naira tries to sell us a lie – the lie that love (the true one as well as the fake one) does not require money.

Like any Nigerian who listened to music in the 80s, African American songstress Gwen Guthrie said it all in her 1986 hit, Ain’t Nothin’ Goin’ on But the Rent: men have to have a J-O-B if they want to be with her or any woman for that matter. Money, excuse me, plenty money is certainly a sine qua non in matters of the heart for without it, like erstwhile rapper Freestyle said in his track Money, “Woman cannot gel!” Allow me to illustrate.

At the university, my friend Ayo met a very lovely and pretty girl, let’s call her Shade. Ayo and Shade became good friends and he carried a torch for her. At the time however, Shade was in a relationship that lasted all through university, so Ayo bid his time and waited for his chance. His chance came at graduation when Shade broke up with her boyfriend. He said that it was as if heaven had smiled down upon him; finally Shade was his. They served in different states and they tried to see each other as often as possible. They would take long walks, hold hands and declare their love for each other. They talked about their plans for the future as he said he had every intention of spending the rest of his life with her. She said she felt the same way, and things could not have been better. They declared their love for each other saying all the sweet nothings – truths and lies – that accompany such tender moments. And of course she said what I am sure most women have said at one time or the other: “I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. It doesn’t matter even if we don’t have any money…money is not a big deal…I could live under the bridge with you if that was our only option, just as long as I am with you!” And did Ayo believe her? Hmm…he did o! Of course he had no plans of residing anywhere near a bridge or flyover but it seemed very reassuring to know that Shade was someone who would support him even if he didn’t have much; someone who would not push him into doing things that he could not do. Alas, Ayo was wrong. Only four months post-service, and no job, Shade told him that he was not ambitious. Ouch!!! Whatever happened to “staying with me under the bridge?” The writing was definitely on the wall. Well, needless to say things did not work out between them as I guess there were a few issues that one naira could not solve.

Funny enough, I find that it is always the women who are the ones who make such promises. It is not like the guys made them make such commitments at the threat of breaking up with them now? So why even bring it up? Truth be told, (responsible) guys know that they need to have money to take care of a woman; they wouldn’t want to date or marry a woman only to have her suffer. Man is meant to be the primary provider, with the woman acting as a help-meet. So we don’t need such declarations! Or I could be wrong o; maybe it serves to add weight to the depth of feeling and emotions being felt by the woman. Maybe guys see it as an ego boost when they imagine that their girlfriends or wives would not leave them even if they had just one naira!

We can excuse the relationships because after all as some guys would say, “Na me be her papa?” But money is important in every relationship, especially in marriage as the man has to provide and care for his wife. Truth be told, most women today are not even willing to settle for ‘potential’ – you know the intelligent guy that has a good first degree and has the potential to make it in life. They would prefer ready-made guys. MI raps about how his babe should stick with him “although the money is a maybe”! Laugh Out Loud!! All I can say is that he has keyed into the seemingly romantic notion of love without limits and turned it into a hit song. Sharp guy. I have seen too many marriages shake and crumble because the man had challenges providing for his wife and/or family. The irony is that this one naira part is actually part of the traditional Christian wedding vows, remember “for richer, for poorer”? Or maybe they should take that part out of the vows, like a girl I met said with all seriousness, “If he can’t take care of me, why bother?”

So in all seriousness, please, let’s not deceive ourselves here. There is no such thing as “romance without finance.” I daresay money is what makes the romance sweet sef; it is what oils the gears of love. Or do you want to be trekking when you can jump BRT; or enter BRT when you can enter okada; or enter okada when you can take a ride in a taxi? Guys please do not be deceived when a woman tells you such things like what Waje is crooning in One Naira o! it is just empty, sweet nothings and should not be taken seriously or else you might just get the shock of your life. And ladies, please don’t tell me it is a euphemism. Stop deceiving us, thank you.

Courtesy: Bellanaija

D’Banj & Don Jazzy film “Mr Endowed” Remix Video with Hip Hop Royalty, Snoop Dogg in Los Angeles

2011-01-13T16:35:00.001+01:00

It is being anticipated as the hottest international collaboration between a Nigerian artiste and an international star in recent times. In October 2010, Mo’Hits Records CEO, Don Jazzy uploaded album art for the remix of D’Banj‘s track “Mr Endowed” onto social networking site, Twitter. Immediately, the news spread like wildfire as it depicted D’Banj alongside American Hip Hop legend Snoop Dogg.

For months, fans have been searching for the track but it still has not surfaced. Prior to the December 2010 “Koko Concert” which took place in Lagos, rumours were swirling that Snoop Dogg would make an appearance and premiere the song live alongside D’Banj but those rumours proved unfounded.

Fast forward a few weeks to Wednesday, 12th January 2011, D’Banj and Don Jazzy were on set in Los Angeles, California to film the official video for the track and the special guest, Snoop was there to make it happen! After two decades in the music industry, Snoop Dogg (real name: Cordozar Calvin Broadus) is still incredibly relevant with mass appeal. His collaboration with Katy Perry, “California Gurls” was one of the biggest songs of 2010. The song was named as the No 4 song on the official 2010 year-end Billboard Top 100 chart.

Luti & Snoop

The video is directed by BAFTA nominated film producer, Luti Fagbenle of LUT! MED!A. Luti is best known for producing music videos for high profile recording artists such as Flo Rida, Akon, Pitbull, N-Dubz and Alexandra Burke. Based on the photos seen so far, the video seems to have an opulent theme, shot on location in a decadent mansion, with D’Banj and Don Jazzy decked to the nines in sleek velvet dinner jackets while Snoop rocks a long black coat with a black flat cap. Mo’Hits artiste Wande Coal is also in Los Angeles. No word yet on if he makes a cameo in the video.

This is really exciting and we are hoping that this is a springboard to even more international attention and global appeal for the Nigerian music industry. We hope the song and video lives up to the hype!

Photo Source: Bellanaija

Messi:World’s Best player(Ballon d’Or 2010)

2011-01-11T17:13:00.000+01:00

Argentinian player Lionel Messi last night won the Fifa Ballon d’Or title for World’s best player. The winner of the award was decided by a poll in which the captains and head coaches of national teams as well as international media representatives were made to vote.

The event which took place at the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala, Zurich was attended by retired and currently playing footballers, top personalities to mention but few. The event also saw the ‘FIFA World Player of the Year award‘ and the ‘Ballon d’Or prize‘ merged into one single title.

Even though Messi’s hands did not lift the Champions League Cup last season, winning the Spanish League with his club Barcelona was enough for him to outshine the other contestants Andrés Iniesta and Xavi who coincidentally happen to be his club team mates.

Similarly, Brazilian female player, Marta won the ‘Women’s World Player of the Year award’ for the fifth time in a row ahead of her German counterparts Birgit Prinz and Fatmire Bajramaj.

Coaches Jose Mourinho and Silvia Neid picked up the first ever awards for FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football and FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football awards, respectively.

Ajumoke Nwaeze, Loses Everything For Nigerian Idol

2011-01-11T17:08:00.000+01:00

At last week’s result show, it was a shocker for many to see the talented singer Ajumoke Nwaeze, fondly known as AJ leave the competition.

“I’m excited about being in the competition, but if there was anyone I thought would have made it, it will be AJ and Godson. Godson, because he has real depth and AJ because she really has control”, Zoe the sixth contestant to make it to the top 10 phase said minutes after she was announced the contestant with the highest number of votes in group three.

Before now, the 22 year old singer who is a 300 level undergraduate of Genetics and Biology was a member of ‘Diamonds‘- the 2008 winners of popular talent show Star Quest and had gone on to perform with them at tours and shows.

“She always wanted a solo career for herself, and saw Idols as an opportunity to make this happen. Other members of the band didn’t approve of this, so she had to leave the group, the house they all lived in and refused to play Star Mega Jam last year”, a source tells NET.

Nwaeze dedicated two of her renditions to one of the judges, Jeffery Daniel. During her audition in Calabar, she sang with a guitar and devoted the song to Jeffery. “He will be my sweet love today” she said to co host Misi back stage minutes before performing on Sunday January 2, 2010.

“Cool little AJ, from the day you sang to me with a guitar in Calabar, you have grown. It’s really good to see a lot come out from that cute little body of yours” Jeffery Daniel said amidst cheering from the crowd after AJ’s performance of Anita Baker’s ‘Sweet Love’.

Four days later, at the result show, everyone was shocked to hear Co host Anis announce AJ as one of the contestants who will be leaving the competition. Amidst murmurs and mutters, she left the stage. But it was the same AJ that was a shoulder for the seven other contestants, explaining to them that it was not the end of the world and that they should be happy for the opportunity.

“It is true I left my band to be a part of the competition, and even though I didn’t make it, Nigerian Idol has exposed me to a lot of things, it’s not the end of the world, I am ready to launch my solo career and I am so sure that I will succeed. It’s the beginning of new things for me”, AJ tells NET.

And even though Misi put her money on it during auditions that the first Nigerian Idol will emerge from Calabar, it appears Misi might be losing a lot of money as there are no contestants from the Calabar auditions left in the competition – AJ and Graycee, the last set of contestants from the Calabar auditions didn’t have enough votes to take them to the next phase.

Source: www.thenetng.com

Get Ready To Grove And Giggle With Yaw

2011-01-11T16:30:00.000+01:00

After staging ‘PO‘, a two casts play which featured Yaw and Koffi and “Private Lies” written by Tyrone E. Terrence, Yaw9ja Entertainment presents ‘Grove and Giggle With Yaw‘.

The project is designed to tour Nigerian universities with Yaw as host. It’s a time out for the university community to meet their favorite radio presenters, artistes like Wiz-Kid, Wande Cole, Ice Prince, M.I, J-Martins, Durella and even comedians such as Basketmouth, Gordons and Mc Abbey.

The first university to be visited will be the University of Lagos on the 27^th of January, 2011. Music, comedy and most importantly, maximum security is guarantied.

Yaw is the popular on-air personality at 95.1 Wazobia Fm, an actor, producer, presenter and compere.

Naeto C’s Mother Runs For Senate

2011-01-11T16:21:00.001+01:00

Nigerian ambassador to Ireland and Iceland, Dr. Kema Chikwe who happens to be the mother of Storm Records rapper, Naeto C has joined the senatorial race of the OwerriImo State. Riding on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, the former Minister for Aviation doesn’t look like she will back down despite numerous text messages kicking against her intentions have circulated. zone in

She had this to say to the National Mirror: “You know the senate is a high stake, it is not a position one comes out for and expects people to be happy about. You also know that in any community, people usually over value themselves, whether you qualify for a position or not, you want to contest. It is fine but the people will decide even who is qualified or not, it is their democratic right. So, honestly I will not worry about text messages. It shows that those people are already feeling defeated.”

Last year Naeto C pursued and acquired a Masters degree in Oil and Gas Engineering at the University of Dundee.

Source: www.thenetng.com

Armed Robbers Attack Mr. Nigeria; Shoot Him 7 Times

2011-01-11T16:04:00.001+01:00

It was a horrible day for Mr. Nigeria 2010, Kenneth Okolie on the dusk of Tuesday, January 4, 2010 while driving along Festac road in Lagos, as unknown gun men ambushed him, robbed him off his jewelry and accessories worth N350, 000; and upon taking off shot at him seven times – burying 7 bullets inside his body.

Survivor Okolie who was rushed to the hospital on time by good samaritans in the neighborhood recounted his ordeal to NET over the telephone; revealing that the doctors had already removed six bullets from his body.

‘I was driving on the street so I slowed down. All of a sudden some guys just came out from nowhere on a bike and on the side walk. I wanted to move but one of them just shot in the air so I had to come down slowly. They took my chains, white gold, and wristwatch, wallet containing my complementary cards, ID card and ATM card but there was no money in the wallet. All the things they took from me amounted to N350, 000 or thereabout and I was trying to plead with them but they cursed in Yoruba language. I was shot seven times but six bullets have been removed already’, he tells us.

According to the model who also emerged as the second runner up at the Mr World contest in 2010, the robbers took to their heels when the residents of the area started screaming ‘ole’ (thief) – leaving him by his Prado jeep as he writhed in pain.

As at the time of filing this report, Mr Okolie was fast healing up at home upon his discharge from the hospital.

‘I can’t really stretch my head but I’m walking well with my legs. I’ve been discharged from the hospital but still receiving medications’, he adds.

Source: www.thenetng.com

Jeta Amata’s “Black Gold – Struggle for the Niger Delta”

2011-01-10T22:17:00.000+01:00

They hope to tell the story from the perspective of people who have lived through it.
The people who have seen their land and rivers polluted by oil, the people that are struggling.
Jeta Amata Concepts/Wells Entertainment, Starkid Inc and Rock City Entertainment have just concluded shooting of “Black Gold – Struggle for the Niger Delta“.
The movie is described as a political suspense drama;

A powerful story of greed, murder and corruption in the murky waters of the volatile oil rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Black Gold is an epic film about environmental justice and the fight over the control of the scarce oil resources that the world runs on. The line between good and evil is blurred as corrupt government officials, greedy oil companies and violent rebels go on a war path over oil spills and degradation of the land caused by oil exploration.

Black Gold features a Nollywood meets Hollywood cast, the cast of the movie includes Tom Sizemore (Saving Private Ryan, Black Hawk Down, Heat), Vivica A. Fox (Independence Day, Kill Bill), Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs, Donnie Brasco, Kill Bill), Eric RobertsBilly Zane (Titanic), Sarah Wayne Callies (Prison Break), Hakeem Kae-Kazim (Pirates of the Carribean, Hotel Rwanda), Razaaq AdotiMbong Amata (Inale, Amazing Grace). (The Dark Knight, The Expendables), (Black Hawk Down, Resident Evil: Apocalypse) and

Black Gold is currently in post production and according to the producers, “this movie is especially significant and will be of great interest as it is the first time a production of this calibre has ever been attempted in Africa. Usually in movies like Hotel Rwanda and Blood Diamond, Hollywood comes in to tell the story, but in this case, the story of the Niger Delta is being told and produced for the screen by a group of film makers from the Niger Delta. There is no better time to showcase this project, as it deals with all the pertinent issues being faced in the region like oil spills, kidnappings and corruption.“

The movie’s executive producers are Walter Wagbatsoma and Suzanne Delaurentiis. “Black Gold – Struggle for the Niger Delta” was written and directed by acclaimed African filmmaker Jeta Amata and produced by Ori Ayonmike and Wilson Ebiye. Plans are in motion for the movie to premiere in Lagos and Abuja during the first quarter of 2011. Black Gold will be released in movie theaters across Africa and in select cinemas worldwide.

This is definitely an ambitious project and we are looking forward to viewing how the vision translates on screen. However, this is an absolutely fantastic way for our African film industry to start the year. We often complain when “our story”" is misrepresented by international filmmakers. It is time for us to take the reins. We are looking forward to seeing this!

Obasanjo threatens to quit PDP

2011-01-06T18:42:00.001+01:00

AFTER several months of absence from the headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday stormed the place with a mission, asking the leadership of the party to either urgently resolve the crisis rocking the South West zone or be prepared to witness exodus of members including himself.

Meanwhile, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has urged South-South delegates to respect the zoning policy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because of the zone’s demographic weakness and posterity.

Atiku accused President Goodluck Jonathan of wanting to bribe each delegate with N2 million if he had succeeded in the exclusion of local council chairmen, state lawmakers and party chairmen as delegates.

The former president, who arrived the PDP premises about 1:00p.m. dressed in sky blue outfit asked whether the national chairman was in the office and when told that he was, he walked straight to the second floor of Wadata Plaza where the chairman’s office is located.

The former president was joined by the Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala and some other stalwarts of the party from Oyo, particularly those loyal to the camp of the governor of the state.

The Guardian learnt that because of the presence of the former president, the national chairman of PDP, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, had to ask members of the Enugu State chapter who had come for the resolution of the chapter’s crisis to wait.

At the meeting with Nwodo who was later joined by other members of the National Working Committee (NWC), Obasanjo lamented the crises that have engulfed the South West zone of the party and urged the leadership of the party to take urgent measures to restore peace, “failing which the PDP faces a challenge of exodus of members,” Obasanjo said.

According to party sources, he singled out the killing of the PDP factional leader of the proscribed National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Lateef Salako (Eleweomo) warning that it was time for the party to stand up and take drastic measures so as to avoid a recurrence which would give the opposition room to castigate PDP.

Obasanjo equally expressed his displeasure over the way and manner the party’s congresses had been conducted so far, citing his state, Ogun, as a case study and pleaded with the NWC to take up the challenge.

In the case of Oyo State, he noted that grave as the challenge was, if the party took the right step, the issue could be resolved before the main elections. Sources said that the former president suggested to the party to set up a team to visit the South West and Oyo in particular with a view to assessing the situation on the ground.

He alerted the leadership of the party to the threat of the rival Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) that has claimed some states in the South West and other political parties making inroad into the area stressing that “if we don’t wake up, things may become difficult for us a party in the zone.”
There was no member of the Senator Teslim Folarin’s camp at the meeting.

The NWC members led by Nwodo, commended the former president for the mature approach he employed to tackle the problem of PDP in the zone, saying: “This is a welcome development and it is what we expect leaders of the party to do at all levels.” The party also promised to “do all that is possible to address the matter.”

The national chairman asked Alao-Akala and his entourage to remain behind for a meeting over the matter.

After the meeting, Obasanjo refused to respond to questions asked by journalists on his mission to the party headquarters until when asked: “Are you still laughing?” He responded: “May God never take laughter out of my mouth and out of your mouth.”
The NWC members later took a group photograph with him before he left the premises.

Immediately after Obasanjo’s departure, the governor of Adamawa State, Admiral Murtala Nyako, arrived PDP secretariat and went straight to Nwodo’s office. Before then, the national chairman had started a meeting with the chieftains of the Enugu State branch where the party structure is torn between the governor, Sullivan Chime and the national chairman.

As at the time of filing this report, the meeting was ongoing while the Oyo delegation was still waiting for its turn of the meeting. Among the Oyo delegation were former governor, Omololu Olunloyo, deputy governor, Taofik Arapaja; former military governor of Lagos State, Brig. Gen. Raji Rasaki (rtd); Sola Filani and former minister of Justice, Richard Akinjide, among others.

In the Enugu State PDP delegation were the governor, Chime, Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, former president of the Senate; Ken Nnamani; former governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo and a host of others.
It would be recalled that the crisis has stalled the planned congress in the state.

Atiku while addressing delegates at the Rivers State PDP secretariat in Port Harcourt yesterday, stressed that the power sharing policy of the party, made it possible for an Ijaw to be current President of the country.

He said: “I was telling Bayelsa delegates that do you know that the whole of you are not up to one senatorial district in Kano? Let us be very thoughtful of what we are doing. I was telling some people last night that you want to abandon zoning, not so. You want to abandon zoning. As of today, 61 per cent of PDP delegates are from the North. I don’t need to come here and talk to you.”

He added: “All I need is to mobilise all the northern delegates to vote for me, even if I take 55 per cent of that 61 per cent, I am okay. You have only 31 per cent here in the South. The entire number of delegates from the South-South are not half of that of the North West. Tell me when it comes to numbers how you are going to win this election? Let us abide by the zoning policy made by this party because these are the stark realities. We are talking about figures and numbers.”

Atiku who was accompanied by former Governor of the Central Bank, Prof. Charles Soludo; former Information Minister, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, Prince Tonye Princewill; the Deputy Zonal Coordinator in charge of Rivers and Bayelsa States and other members of his campaign team, said the events of the next one week are critical to the future of Nigeria.

Atiku insisted that the PDP had a zoning policy which is enshrined in its constitution and which every member of the party must abide by for the stability of the polity.

The former Vice President said if he was an over ambitious person, he would have in 2003 succumbed to pressure from PDP governors to vie for the party’s presidential ticket against former President Obasanjo. According to him, he declined because of the zoning policy of the party.

“I have sacrificed the presidency in 1993 for the unity, peace and stability of this country by stepping down for Chief MKO Abiola. In 1998/99, the entire PDP machinery was in my hand. If I had been over ambitious like some people say, I would have given the PDP ticket to myself but I took PDP ticket to Obasanjo in his farm, who had just been released from jail. I said take the ticket. Come and be our president because I always put the interest of this country before mine” he said.
He said ironically, President Jonathan had three weeks ago sent a bill to the National Assembly with the intent of excluding state lawmakers, council chairmen and party chairmen as delegates. According to him, had the president not been resisted, he would have narrowed the democratic space, which ought to be expanded.

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru told Atiku to be rest assured that having listened to him, the state delegates would definitely meet later to take decision on how to support him. According to Ikuru, every delegate is an adult and knows the direction the country should go.

Chairman of the state Council of Traditional Rulers, Amanyanabo of Kalabari, Prof. Theophilus Princewill Amachree told Atiku during his visit to the council secretariat to approach the primaries with decorum, devoid of acrimony, thuggery and any action that could bring about disrepute to his name.

He insisted that what Nigeria and Nigerians needed at this stage of her history were men and women of proven integrity imbued with selfless service to lead the country in unity to the desired destination.

Meanwhile, there was palpable anxiety on Tuesday in the political camp of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole as all the three candidates he sponsored to the PDP House of Assembly primaries in Ogun State lost.

The primaries had taken place on Monday but were cancelled by the panel set up by the party’s national body for the exercise. The panel’s Secretary, Chief Obinna Nnaji who announced the annulment explained that the exercise was concluded before the arrival of the panel members which ordered a repeat on Tuesday.
But at the fresh exercise, all the three candidates presented by Bankole, Mr. Sarafa Oloyunebi, Idowu Owolabi and Mr. Ganiyu Bankole were defeated at the exercise. Ganiyu is the Speaker’s relation.

They contested at Bankole’s (Speaker) Abeokuta South Federal constituency I and II. The candidates had participated in the Monday exercise which was later annulled.
Ganiyu was defeated in Odeda Federal Constituency by the factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Soyemi Coker while Oloyunebi was defeated by the immediate past Secretary of the Abeokuta South Local Council, Mr. Nurudeen Olaleye and Owolabi was floored by Gbenga Ogunfolaji.

But Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye’s group, which organised its own parallel primaries on Monday refused to participate in yesterday’s exercise, insisting that the panel that cancelled Monday’s exercise did so illegally hence their action was null and void.

The Martins-Kuye group’s parallel executive is led by Chief Dayo Soremi while the other group which is being backed by Governor Gbenga Daniel is led by Joju Fadairo.

Soremi in a statement explained why they rejected the decision: “Mr. Nnaji cannot give what he does not have. The powers to fix dates of primaries of our party have been exercised by the National Working Committee (NWC) and confirmed by the National Executive Council (NEC) of our great party. No individual, or group, panel or panelists can exercise such authority except as a day-dream exercise in futility.

“The House of Assembly primaries in Ogun State conducted on January 3, 2011 were very peaceful as could be attested to by members of the media, SSS, police, CIB and INEC; we wonder why anybody could then be induced to create chaos, which is the predictable outcome of a so-called new primaries.

“It was clear that the Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel and his faction, lost out woefully in the primaries conducted Monday, as the authentic members of the party whose names are in Abuja voted overwhelmingly for our aspirants who have now emerged as our party candidates.

“Documentary evidence in form of pictures, video recordings, etc abound to show that our primaries were conducted properly and peaceful.”

Source: Guardian Newspaper.

Nigerian Jailed in the US for gun-running

2011-01-06T18:36:00.000+01:00

A federal judge in Greenbelt, Maryland, United States has sentenced a Nigerian to more than three years in prison for shipping guns and ammunition to Nigeria.

According to a report by the Associated Press, 50 years old Emenike Nwankwoala, a former state probation officer, was sentenced on Monday in U.S. District court in Greenbelt.

Prosecutors said Emenike told an undercover agent from Immigration and Customs Enforcement that he had been buying shotguns and shipping them to Nigeria for the past decade, turning a large profit. and he also told the agent that he hid the guns in shipping containers with vehicles.

Sanusi bags FT’s global awards

2011-01-06T18:30:00.001+01:00

The awards are the Central Bank Governor of the Year for the entire world and that of the African continent. According to a release signed by the Country Representative, Nigeria, The Banker Magazine, Financial Times, London, United Kingdom, Mr. Kunle Ogedengbe, the magazine noted in its 2011 January edition, which will also be distributed at the World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland, that in the last 18 months that Sanusi has been in office, he has salvaged a crumbling Nigerian financial sector, including implementing reforms that have put Africa’s most promising market back on the map for investors globally.

Editor of the magazine, Mr. Brian Caplen, noted that few candidate names can generate an overall consensus on judging panels and yet, when it came to finding the best global central bank governor of the year, Sanusi was chosen unanimously.
Caplen stresses that Sanusi embarked on a radical anti-corruption campaign aimed at saving 24 banks on the brink of collapse and pressed for the managers involved in the most blatant cases of corruption to be charged and, in the case of two senior bankers, convicted.
Despite the big challenge of facing up to powerful people who held considerable sway in the country, Sanusi never looked back and got the support of the public as they were made aware of the scale of corruption, which made the public to support the change he promoted.
Two months into his governorship, Sanusi embarked on the bailout of Afribank, Intercontinental Bank, Union Bank, Oceanic Bank and Finbank and dismissed their chief executive officers in a move designed to show that banking is no longer business as usual but institutions that must serve the economy as a whole.

Another key reform of the banking sector introduced by Sanusi has been to limit the tenure of bank CEOs to a maximum of 10 years. They will have to leave office at the end of their term regardless of their record. This policy has already led to change of leadership at UBA, Zenith and Skye banks.
Caplen added that the reforms initiated by Sanusi have been hailed as necessary to sanitise the banking industry and that observers have argued that, had these reforms not been initiated, Nigeria would have entered into another round of banking distress.
The implementation of stricter disclosure policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria has also led to a culture of greater transparency in the sector, he said.
The magazine noted that the reforms of Sanusi are to enhance the quality of the Nigerian banks, establish financial stability in the system, provide enabling and healthy financial-sector evolution as well as ensuring that the financial sector contributes to the real sector rather than just serving the banking sector alone.

Nigeria: Presidency dismisses N500m donations claim

2011-01-06T18:24:00.001+01:00

Nigeria president Dr. Goodluck Jonathan yesterday dismissed N500m donations claim.

According to a statement signed by Dr. Akilu Sani Indabawa, the Special Adviser to the president on political matters , Akilu said the presidency strongly repudiate a report in sections of media on 05/01/11 alleging that six state governors have each contributed N500 million to the campaign of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, he said the false reports quoted a forged letter purportedly written by him to the six governors acknowledging receipt of their donations on behalf of the Jonathan/Sambo Presidential Campaign Organisation.

The report is entirely false and fabricated to ridicule Mr. President in the eyes of the Nigerian public. The forged letter attempts to criminally portray Mr. President and the six mentioned governors, who incidentally are co-ordinators of the President’s campaign in the zones, as treasury looters.

This is no doubt a wicked concoction to cast a shadow of doubt on Mr. President’s widespread support nationwide and we are not going to take it lying low.

I have officially written to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, reporting the matter and seeking adequate legal redress. Forgery is a criminal offence in our laws, and this matter must be pursued to a logical conclusion. Akilu added

Tinubu Finally Backs Fashola for second term

2011-01-06T18:19:00.001+01:00

Former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, publicly endorsed the current Lagos State governor, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, for a second term in office.

Announcing his endorsement at a stakeholders meeting held at the state secretariat of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), in Ikeja, Tinubu said the decision to endorse Fashola for a second term was taken after consultation with party leaders, who resolved that the governor should be allowed to complete the good works he had started.

Tinubu said no party would have a performing governor like Fashola and would not want him to continue his good works, adding that there were much rumours about a strained relationship between him and Fashola.

“As an elder statesman, I do not have to comment on everything,” some people had exaggerated the issue so that they could benefit by selling such falsehood. Tinubu added

Meanwhile, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola has accepted his nomination.

In his acceptance speech, Fashola said he accepted the nomination and endorsement with a sense of humility and promised not to let the party down.

“It is an experience I will not take for granted. As you give me the mandate and endorsement, I carry the flag with humility. I promise not to let you down,” Fashola added.

Mr. Ibu’s Kidnapped Family Members Still At Large

2011-01-06T17:54:00.001+01:00

As many are still basking in the euphoria of a brand new year, Nigerian actor and comedian John Okafor better known as Mr Ibu is on his toes, finding a way out of the kidnap pandemonium that struck his family late Tuesday (January 4, 2010) evening with kidnappers reportedly abducted his entire household, demanding a N50million ransom to release his wife, 14 month old baby, brother and sister-in-law in their custody.

NET sources say the victims were driving to their Enugu home when the abductors pulled their car and whisked them to an unknown destination.

When NET spoke to the Lagos State Police Spokesman Frank Mba on the telephone, he expectedly refused to give any information on the incident.

‘I don’t have any information and I am not competent to speak on that’, Mba tells us.

Efforts to reach both the actor (Mr Ibu) and the Enugu police command as at press time proved abortive but sources in the know have confirmed to NET that the victims have not been recovered.

‘They have not been found but the police officers are combing the city to fast-track their recovery’, our source quipped.

Source: www.thenetng.com

A 94-YEAR-OLD Indian farmer is world’s oldest dad

2011-01-06T17:42:00.001+01:00

A 94-YEAR-OLD Indian farmer is claiming to be the world’s oldest dad. Ramajit Raghav claims his wife Shakuntala, 59, gave birth to their son Karamjit just last month. The couple have described the boy as “god’s gift” — and aren’t ruling out having more. Ramajit said: “It is great that I have become the world’s oldest dad. “I am a strong follower of Lord Shiva. I wanted to have an offspring and prayed for him. This child is god’s gift to me.” The proud father, who was a wrestler in his youth, puts his virility down to his high-calorie diet. He added: “My daily diet comprises of three litres of milk, half a kilo of almonds and half a kilo ghee (clarified butter).

“I had visited a quack in the village and he gave me some tablets but I didn’t take them and threw them away.” When asked whether he was worried about his child’s future, Ramajit said he would still be playing with his son in a decade. He added: “Nothing will happen to my child as I will die only if a black snake bites me and that is very far.

“Visit me after 10 years and you will find me in the same appearance.”

It is unknown how many children Ramajit has.

The farmer lives in the village of Kharkhoda in Haryana, northern India.

If his claim is true Ramajit would take the title of the world’s oldest dad from another Indian Nanu Ram Jogi,
Nanu fathered his 22nd child at the age of 90 in 2007.

Doctors have, however, questioned the validity of Ramajit’s claim.
Dr Paramjeet Singh, chief Medical officer at the Kharkhoda civil hospital said: “It was a normal delivery and the baby is quite healthy and fine.

“Having babies at such an age is a remote possibility but then it can’t be ruled out as it just needs one sperm to fertilise the egg.”

Villager, Karan Singh, 39, was surprised to hear one of the elders had become a father.

She said: “At first I didn’t believe it but it is the god’s grace and most importantly Ramajit is quite healthy and hard-working.”

Ramajit claims to be 100, but according to the old-age pension records he is 94.
The farm labourer earns just £44 per month.

Britain’s oldest father is Raymond Calvert, 79, who fathered a son this year with a woman 54 years his junior
The pensioner and 25-year-old Charlotte Calvert became proud parents of Jamie Rai.

IBB WITHDRAWS FROM 2011PDP PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION

2011-01-05T20:00:00.001+01:00

Former military president, Ibrahim Babangida, has written the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Okwwesilieze Nwodo, to formally announce his withdrawal from the 2011 party’s presidential primaries scheduled for January 13.

In the letter, which he personally signed, Mr. Babangida said though he obtained the nomination form last September, he is voluntarily withdrawing from the race because of the consensus arrangement which he had with three other presidential aspirants.

The letter is titled ‘Withdrawal of Participation in the 2011 PDP Presidential Primary Election.’

“This letter submits for the kind consideration and approval of the National Working Committee of our great party – the Peoples Democratic Party of Nigeria (PDP), a request to withdraw from all the processes leading to and including the PDP Primary elections scheduled for 13th January, 2011,” Mr. Babangida said.

“You will recall that in September, 2010, I had collected, completed, and submitted the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms, in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Guidelines set out by the party.

“As a consequence of the Consensus arrangement to which I voluntarily and willingly subscribed, I write to inform you of my decision to withdraw forthwith from all the processes leading to the selection and emergence of our Party’s Presidential flag bearer,” he added.

The former military ruler, while extending his highest regard to the chairman and the party, conveyed his gratitude for the opportunity given him to express his interest in the race. Mr. Nwodo has since acknowledged receipt of the letter and wished the former president well. He also thanked him for his maturity.

It will be recalled that Mr. Babangida entered into a consensus arrangement with former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, former national security adviser, Aliyu Gusau, and Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State. The project, which was coordinated by the Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF), and led by former finance minister, Adamu Ciroma, produced Mr. Abubakar as the consensus candidate for the north.

The Power Behind Getting What You Want In Life.

2011-01-05T19:50:00.001+01:00

The Power to get what we want out of life, lies in our hands.To have the greatest achievers of all state is by Choice and not by Force. If we look at this two words that merely rhyme in pronunciation, the power to do all things also lies in the state of our Mind towards what we are intending to achieve. Life is not how hold you are into the work or practice you are doing, but what life is interested is what you have achieved doing that Job. The wayward attitude towards achieving ones goal is a major concern about having wealth,because the uncontrol attitude we have formed cannot made us what we want.Am going to take you through the Step of Acquiring Wealth.

Step 1: Know What You Want

The first and most important part of the process is KNOWING what you want. It‘s amazing how many people live their lives without setting any clear, specific goals.

If you‘re unclear on this part of the process, re-read lesson three.

Once you have a clear, definite idea of the type of life you want to build, you‘re ready for.

Step 2: Meditation

Once you‘ve identified your goals, write them down somewhere. There‘s power in commiting goals to paper.

The next step is to pick a time of the day, where you can spend 5 to 15 minutes, uninterrupted and do nothing but focus on your goals.

The best time to do this is in the morning when you‘ve just woken up. Lie up in bed or on a comfy couch. You‘ll spend the next few minutes focusing on your goals.

This will be your daily “meditation” time.

First, move into a state of relaxed meditation. Don‘t get hung up on the word ―meditation‖. We‘re not talking about specific forms of Eastern or Religious meditation. We‘re talking about moving into a peaceful relaxed state where you can connect to your subconscious.

Find a comfortable position – maybe lying on a bed or on the sofa. Be comfortable enough that you can relax – but not too comfy that you might fall asleep.

You do not have to worry about ―clearing your mind‖ or sitting cross-legged or any other type of meditation cliche. All we want you to do is get into a peaceful relaxed state.

It could be health, money, love, giving back to society – anything that pulls you out of the current reality trap and excites you.

If you still have no idea what you want at present don‘t worry – a state of peaceful meditation can be the perfect time to reflect and realize what you desire. Research shows that people tend to be more creative and in touch with their intuitive sides when they are in such states of meditation. Use this time to think creatively about what you wish to do with your life.

Step 3: Visualize What You Want

While at your state of relaxed meditation, visualize yourself having attained that which you‘re seeking to attract.

For example, if you‘re seeking to move into a bigger home, see yourself having this home. Picture yourself living out your dreams in your new home, such as wining and dining friends in the spacious kitchen, playing with the kids in the living room, mowing the greenest lawn and perfecting your flourishing garden. Bring in images that reflect the quality and type of home you want for your ideal lifestyle. If you want a pool – see yourself lounging by the poolside and enjoying the sun.

There are many ways to practice visualization. What you‘re doing here is called ―Creative Visualization‖. It‘s creative in the sense that you‘re attracting to you — creating— that which you visualize.

Use Your Senses

It‘s important to make your imagery clear, vivid and colorful. The more realistic the visualization, the better the results. Some people may have difficulty visualizing. Don‘t worry about this – it could simply mean that your dominant sense is not sight. But maybe it‘s taste, or touch or hearing. That‘s fine – feel the warmth of your new fireplace, hear the sound of your kids playing in the pool, smell the gorgeous smells wafting from your new kitchen. The more senses you bring into this imagery, the better the results.

Bring Emotions Into The Mix

Remember the equation?

Emotions help magnify your power of attraction. When visualizing the life you want, feel the joy, happiness and excitement of the situation.

The stronger your emotions – the faster you can manifest into your reality that which you‘re trying to attract.

To increase the emotions associated with your visualization – build the feeling of having it NOW. IN other words, when you see your dream home, don‘t think of it as something that COULD come to you in the future. Imagine you had your dream home right now – picture yourself there and just think how you would feel if you were in that home right now – NOT sometime in the future IF you had enough money – but in the HERE and NOW.

Seek the Greater Good

Another way to increase the emotions behind your creative visualization practice is to imagine more than just you benefiting from your attraction. Staying with the house analogy – see your kids loving the lawn because they have space to play ball. See

your spouse loving the brand new living room. See your friends and family visiting and feeling the warmth and beauty of the new home.

Do you recall the good feelings you get when you do a charitable act like donate money, or when you give a gift to someone who means a lot to you?

Remember what we said about feelings? Feelings are the soul‘s way of letting you know you‘re on the right track. The act of giving feels good because it‘s aligned with your inner being. The joy you feel is a sign of the appropriateness of your thoughts.

So when you practice creative visualization, see others benefiting. Family, kids, spouse, community, friends – the more people the better. When you see the smiles and happiness on someone else‘s face (even if you‘re just imagining a possible outcome), it helps to draw out more positive emotion. This added emotion in turn makes the process of manifesting faster and smoother.

That‘s really all it takes. Bring in your senses. Make the image real. Feel emotions and see others benefiting.

This whole process can take 5 – 20 mins. It‘s up to you. Just 10 minutes a day is enough to set the gears of the Universe moving in your favor.

Exclusive Pictures From Barrister’s Burial

2011-01-05T19:20:00.001+01:00

Fuji maestro Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister’s death at a London hospital on December 17, 2010.

And, after weeks of delays and multiple confusions, his corpse was finally flown into the country aboard Air France at 7. 55pm on Thursday December 30, 2010.

Expectedly, Barrister’s remains was received by a huge crowd including his colleagues (Kollington, Obesere, Kwam 1, Saheed Osupa, Pasuma amongst others) at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport; and was committed to mother-earth at his Isolo home later that night…Here are a few pictures from the burial:

Obesere, Sir Shina Peters and kollington Waiting for the arrival of Barrister's corpse.

Pasuma and other fuji artistes at the airport

KWAM 1 addressing the fans

Saheed Osupa arriving at the airport

Fans queuing to pay their last respect at his house at Isolo

Fans carrying Barrister's corpse

Prayer session on the corpse

Credit: www.thenetng.com

EUCHARIA ANUNOBI – ‘I’ll Soon Find Mr. Right’

2011-01-05T19:17:00.001+01:00

Actress Eucharia Anunobi opens up to NET in this short conversation…

Nollywood seems to be taking a revolution with ‘IJE’, ‘ANCHOR BABY’ and some other movies that are rebranding Nollywood. In the movies you have participated in do you think they are worthy of rebranding Nigeria?

Yes Absolutely, I’ve always said that whether we like it or not the stories we tell in our movies since we actually started has always been our story in different forms; the stories of ritual, people who are non-conformist, kidnappers. So definitely, we’re rebranding Nigeria but first of all, we cannot rebrand if we don’t appraise the things that we have on ground and know we got a lot of dirt and to sweep it out we got to showcase them to tell people that this things are not good. So obviously, when we’re done with this and people have come to realize them like all this internet fraud is not right, we start rebranding.

When you want to start rebranding, you must give people thanks for them to have things to do. I’ve always given kudos to all the producers who have brought money to put up this industry but we need government to come in and now by the grace of God, I heard not too long ago that the President of this country has given out some money to the industry, now they’re thinking. Whether we like it or not, everybody cannot be in the banking industry, everybody cannot be a doctor or an accountant. There are millions of people that the entertainment industry employ; the camera men, personal assistants, lighting men and editors. So tell me if this industry was not in place, where would we all be? It is better and high time that the government realizes that this industry is too big and would incorporate so many other people that rather would have been on the streets and cause havoc. For me, when you say you want to rebrand Nigeria, they should appraise the fact that they need to pump in money so that sucks in all the restless youths, and all of us as we’re all gearing to go. We got talent so if you don’t cap us and put us down in a place there’s nothing we can do about it, they’ll just be on the street looking for things to do.

Do you think President Jonathan will live up to his promise, based on the fact that previous promises have failed?

The thing about life is that faith is believing in the things you’ve not seen and hoping that they’ll come to pass. So well we have faith and believe that he’s promised and we’ll pray. What we should do is pray that he puts those things into his sect because whether we like it or not, we have to realize there’s spiritual power because the bible says ‘We fight not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities of darkness’. So whether you like it or not there are powers of principalities and darkness who are dream killers, so we want to say that this dream should not be killed by putting up our prayers, going down on our knees in our homes, offices and wherever we are that that which he has uttered will come to pass because sometimes when you utter your dream, the dream killers will kill it. There are evil forces and people who don’t want this nation to go higher than this, maybe because they’ve already sold their soul to Satan and if you don’t pray against them, they’ll hinder the promises he has made

You have experienced all sort of controversial issues in the last few years, how do you live and cope with all that?

If you talk about the news concerning my divorce case, well because I’m a celebrity, they have to talk about it so I don’t see the big deal about it as I’m not embarrassed about it and there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I’m not the first one to get divorced and I don’t think I asked for a divorce so I want to believe that I was the best wife and best mother that any man can get; It’s just that anyone could marry the wrong guy or girl. So maybe in my case I just married the wrong guy and I pray that very soon I’ll get the right guy and all these things would come to an end because for me I’m straight.

So you’re looking forward to another marital experience?

Absolutely because our God says we should not be alone.

So how soon is that?

As soon as the right man comes along. I don’t want to get entangled with the one that’ll bale off with my things again.

Source: www.thenetng.com

Presidency to spend N1.57m on food daily

2011-01-05T18:22:00.000+01:00

Emerging details of this year’s budget proposals indicate that the Presidency has proposed to spend N574m on food in 2011. When this total is spread over the 365 days in 2011, the average amount that the Presidency will spend on food per day is a little over N1.57m.

The N574m is N168.7m more than the N405.3m spent by the same office on ‘food stuff supplies’ in 2010. However, the 2010 figure is exclusive of the sum expended on foods eaten during summits. A separate sub-head for “meals/entertainment” for summits held at the State House last year totalled N73m.

It (N574m) is also part of the N13.9bn that will be used to fund sub-heads and the overhead cost of the State House or Presidential Villa.

The details, which our correspondent obtained on Monday, showed that the rehabilitation of the State House Guest House in the Marina, Lagos, would cost N1.2bn.

Similarly, “residential furniture” items for the Presidency are to be purchased for a whopping N1.1bn this year.

The furnishing of Vice-President’s two guest houses — one in Asokoro and the other called “Aguda House,”— will cost N500m.

The furniture for the guest house in Asokoro will cost N100m, while that of Aguda House will consume N400m.

Incidentally, the lounge of Aguda Guest House was extended in 2010 for N50m. Another guest house was also furnished for the Vice-President’s use in 2010 for N50m.

This year, the “purchase of canteen/kitchen equipment” for the Presidential Villa will also gulp N553.6m.

Further details of the 2011 budget estimates showed that out of the N553.6m, N150m will be used to fund “household equipment and materials for the Vice-President’s office.”

However, in 2010, a provision of N240m was made for the purchase of office, household and kitchen equipment for Asokoro Guest House.

Other details show that the Director of Protocol to the Vice-President, his Aide- De- Camp, and other aides are to be housed in new official quarters to cost N560m in 2011.

Dodan Barracks in Lagos will also benefit from the presidential renovation in 2011, as it has a provision of N400m in the budget.

President Goodluck Jonathan presented a N4.23tn budget to the National Assembly for approval on December 15.

The sum comprises N198.12bn for statutory transfers, N542.32bn for debt service; N2,481.71tn for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure; and N1,005.9tn for capital expenditure.

The government also earmarked the sum of N347.2bn for critical infrastructure development.

This includes capital allocations of N86.25bn for power; N20.74bn for Aviation; N10.27bn for petroleum resources; N136.88bn for works; N48.9bn for transport; N44.18bn for the Federal Capital Territory; N35.01bn for education; N33.35bn for health; N29.46bn for agricultural development; and N24.76bn for water resources.