APGA Confirm Labaran Maku As Nasarawa Governorship Candidate

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has said that the
controversy surrounding the party's governorship candidate in Nasarawa
State has been resolved as the name of immediate past Information
Minister, Labaran Maku, has been submitted and accepted by INEC.

The party's National Chairman, Mr Victor Umeh, confirmed this to our
correspondent on the phone.

He stated categorically, "Mr Labaran Maku is our governorship
candidate in Nasarawa State. We have submitted his name and same has
been accepted by INEC.

"There is no question about the party's governorship candidate in
Nasarawa State, Maku's name has been accepted by the party and INEC."

There was some drama a week before, over who would fly the party's
flag in Nasarawa State, when news of Mr Maku emerging as APGA
candidate broke.

The controversy stemmed from the claim by Mr Matthew Unbugaku who
reportedly claimed the ticket.

The coast seems clear for Mr Labaran Maku to run for governor on the
platform of APGA, after failing to secure the ticketof the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), where he had been very visible in confronting
opposition parties.
--ChannelsTV

We Are Not With Buhari's Original Copies Of Certificates --Army

Few days after the former Head of State and Presidential candidate of
the All Progressives Congress, APC, Major General Muhammadu Buhari,
retd, explained in an affidavit submitted to the Independent National
Electoral Commission, INEC, that all his academic credentials were
with the Military Board, the Army have stated that they do not keep
the certificates of any serving or retired officer or soldier.

General Buhari is contesting the presidential election for the fourth
time under different political parties including the defunct All
Nigeria People's Party, ANPP and the Congress for Progressive Change,
CPC, but the issue of his qualifications had never been controversial
until the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, recently described him
as a ''semi- illiterate.''

However, against the backdrop of Buhari's affidavit in court, a
military source said ''that the Army can not keep anybody's original
certificate because it is the personal property of the owner,'' adding
that such original certificates were only needed at the point of entry
into the service.

According to the source, the Military only kept photocopies of
credentials of officers and soldiers in their personal files that were
in the military secretary's office.

"The original certificate of any officer or soldier is only needed at
the point of entry into the service either as a cadet officer entering
the Nigerian Defence Academy, or the recruitment officers when
interviewing recruits to be sent to the depot for training. That is
so, because they are needed to verify what were in the photocopies
supplied by them or from the necessary examining bodies."

The source further stated that anybody claiming that his original
certificates were with the Military Secretary (Army), had ''ulterior
motive(s) or something he or she cannot explain.''

He further added, "Let me tell you now, in the Navy, the Navy
Secretary, NAVSEC, keep the documents of all Naval officers and
ratings and not their original certificates which are their personal
property.
--Vanguard

Steven Gerrard To Leave Liverpool At End Of Season

Steven Gerrard has played for Liverpool since making his debut in November 1998

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says being told he will start fewer
games is the main reason he has decided to leave Anfield for America
in the summer.

Gerrard will join a Major League Soccer (MLS) club at the end of the season.

The midfielder, 34, told Liverpool's website:"The key conversation
was when the manager sat me down and said it was time to manage my
games.

"It was a very difficult conversation to have. I'm bright enough to
realise it is the right thing. I accept it."

Gerrard has started 17 of Liverpool's 20 league games this season.
Only Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson have started more.

But the former England skipper had to deny rumours of a rift with
boss Brendan Rodgersafter being omitted from the Reds' side which beat
Stoke in November - on the 16th anniversary of his debut for the club.

Gerrard added: "When you've been a starter and a mainstay in the team
for such a long time... I had an idea the conversation was going to
come at some time, but it was a painful conversation."

Gerrard in 'turmoil' over Liverpool exit

MLS club Los Angeles Galaxy have been mooted as a possible destination
for the former England skipper, but Gerrard said he is yet to agree
terms with a club.

"I'm not over the line with any team yet. I'm close and as soon as I
know, I'll make the announcement," he said.

A clearly emotional Gerrard said he had been "blown away" by the
reaction to the news that he is to end his long association with
Liverpool.

"I can't read much of the reaction at the moment. I keep switching the
TV over," he said.

"I didn't realise it would be as big as this. It's very flattering and
I'm very humbled by it. "

He also expressed regret that his association with Rodgers had not
begun earlier.

"I wish I'd met Brendan when I was 24 because I think I'd be sitting
here talking about a lot of titles that we'd won together," he said.

"Brendan came into this club when I was 32 years of age and it's a
shame that relationship didn't start 10 years ago."

Gerrard could join his former England team-mate Frank Lampard in the MLS.

Lampard, 36, left Chelsea last year to join New York City FC,but has
been playing for their co-owners Manchester City, where he will stay
until the end of this season.

Gerrard stressed that he is fully focused on doing his best for
Liverpool for the remainder of the season.

Gerrard's best Premier League goals

"These next six months are a very important period for myself and the
team," he said. "I'd love to leave this team with a top-four finish."

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has said the club should
have made more of an effort to keep Gerrard.

"Steven is not someone who would be comfortable just sitting on the
bench and, in that sense, he has made the right decision," Carragher
wrote in his column for the Daily Mail.

"Still, I cannot help feeling Liverpool's hierarchy should have done
more to ensure he remained at Anfield."

Rodgers said he had wanted Gerrard to stay, and that the midfielder
wanted to carry on playing and was not ready to move into coaching.

Meanwhile, Reds midfielder Henderson says the club should aim to win
the FA Cup this season to give Gerrard a fitting send-off.

The 24-year-old told BBC Football Focus: "That'd be nice for him
because he deserves something like that for how good he's been over so
many years for Liverpool.

"That's what we hope to achieve and it would be brilliant for us as a
team and for him personally to get something in his last year."

Gerrard's 35th birthday falls on the day of the final at Wembley.
--BBC

My Quotes

"I just won my 600th game out of 1000, that means I won 60 percent of
the games and after 18 years" -- Arsene Wenger

My Quotes

"We made defensive errors. Wasn't easy for us to cope with an amazing
Kane. It wasn't also easy for them to cope with Hazard and Costa."
--Mourinho speaking on Chelsea's 3-5 defeat.

4 Silent Signs You May Have Clogged Arteries And The Best Foods To Eat To Prevent It

Preventing heart disease in patients is the main goal, but early
detection is the next best thing. This can lead to changes in
lifestyle and medical therapies that can delay or deny the onset of a
heart attack; almost 80 percent of heart disease is preventable with
lifestyle changes. Many of my patients are shocked to learn about the
following clues to underlying heart disease.

1. Erectile dysfunction (ED) could mean clogged arteries.

Men have a built-in warning system for silent CHD. When achieving an
erection is difficult or impossible, it can be a sign of clogged
arteries in the pelvis that presents before a heart attack hits. There
are, on average, three to five years between the onset of ED and the
finding of CHD, which is plenty of time to detect and to work on
preventing heart issues. If you and your partner are worried about
s*xual performance, look for and treat root causes of diseased
arteries before just popping a blue pill.

2. Baldness could indicate clogged arteries.

In a comprehensive new study of almost 37,000 men, severe baldness at
the crown of the head strongly predicted the presence of silent CHD at
any age. In a separate study of more than 7,000 people (including over
4,000 women), moderate to severe baldness doubled the risk of dying
from heart disease in both sexes.

3. Ear crease might indicate clogged arteries.

One of the stranger markers, a crease in your earlobe (specifically,
an angled crease in the ear that runs diagonally from the canal to the
lower edge of the earlobe) has been mentioned in medical research
reports as a sign of silent CHD for decades. The ear crease may result
from poor circulation, including in arteries in the heart. Although
some medical professionals have argued that a crease is just a general
sign of aging, researchers last year used the most sophisticated CT
scan method to measure silent CHD and found that ear crease predicted
heart disease even after the authors accounted for other risk factors,
such as age and smoking.

4. Calf pain when you walk might mean clogged arteries.

This is known as claudication (from the Latin for "to limp").
Atherosclerosis can block leg arteries, particularly in smokers,
before CHD is diagnosed. This symptom requires an evaluation without
delay. Your doctor will examine the pulses in your legs and perform
simple measurements of leg blood pressure and blood flow to confirm a
diagnosis of poor circulation. It is critical that heart disease be
diagnosed as early as possible because there are many dietary and
medical treatments that can help reverse the issue. Some of my
patients took these early clues to heart. I advised them to eat more
plant-based foods and fewer animal products and to start a walking
program. Their calf pain completely resolved within weeks and has not
recurred for years. Anyone with any of the above signs of silent CHD
should know his or her numbers (blood pressure, cholesterol, fasting
glucose). Ask your doctor if you should be checked for heart disease
with an EKG, a coronary calcium CT imaging, or an exercise stress
testing. To borrow from Ben Franklin, an ounce of prevention (plus a
bowl of kale) is worth a pound of cure.
--healthdigezt.com

North Korea's Kim Jong Un Offers Talks With South In New Year's Message

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said in a New Year's speech on
Thursday that he is open to more talks or even a summit with his South
Korean counterpart, a statement that is welcomed by Seoul, which in
turn urged the North to take concrete steps toward normalization of
relations.report:

Kim's call for improving inter-Korea relations comes as Pyongyang is
facing heightened criticism over its human rights record and souring
ties with Washington over allegations it was involved in the massive
hacking attack on Sony Pictures linked to "The Interview," a dark
comedy that portrayed an assassination attempt on Kim.

North Korea has denied involvement, but said the hack was a "righteous
deed" and suggested it might have been carried out by sympathizers or
supporters abroad.

"We believe we can resume suspended senior-level talks and hold other
talks on specific issues if South Korea sincerely has a position that
it wants to improve North-South relations through a dialogue," Kim
said in the nationally televised address. "And there is no reason not
to hold the highest-level talks if the atmosphere and conditions are
met."

Meeting such conditions has proven to be virtually impossible in the
past. The two countries have not held a summit since 2007 and, despite
Kim's remarks, the likelihood of one happening again soon is very low
given the deep distrust that remains between the two countries.

2015: Jonathan To Inaugurate Presidential Campaign Team Monday

Ahead of the February 14 presidential election, President Goodluck
Jonathan will inaugurate his campaign team on Monday in Abuja.

A press release by the Special Adviser on Political Matters to the
President, Prof. Rufai Alkali, on Thursday, said the inauguration will
take place at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign
office at Legacy House, in the Maitama District of Abuja by 2p.m.

According to Alkali, the Chairman of the Board of trustees of the PDP,
Chief Tony Anenih, has been appointed the national campaign adviser,
while a former National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, will
serve as the Director-General of the campaign organisation.

A former minister, Tunde Adeniran, will serve as deputy director
general of the campaign's head office, while the duo of Special Duties
Minister, Kabiru Turaki and ex-Anambra governor, Peter Obi, will serve
as Deputy Directors-General for North and South respectively.

Quite surprisingly, former All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain
and ex-Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, made the cut as Director
of Media and Publicity, while former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry
Gana, heads the campaign's contact and mobilization unit.

Other members of the campaign team include a former Minister of
Information, Aliyu Umar, who will head the directorate of
administration and logistics, while ex-Finance Minister and Senator,
Nenadi usman, will head the finance directorate.

Former Senator Nimi Amange will head the directorate of Planning,
Research and Statistics, the directorate of security and intelligence
will be headed by Emmanuel Imohe, and Youth Mobilisation by PDP's
National Youth leader, Abdullahi Maibasira.

The release also indicates that Nick Eze will head the directorate on
Civil Society and Support groups, while Becky Igwe will head that of
Women Mobilization.

Obama Rings In New Year With Friends, Family

President Barack Obama -- still on vacation in Hawaii -- spent New
Year's eve with loved ones at home, the White House said.

"The president plans to stay at home tonight and ring in the New Year
with family and friends," the White House said in a brief statement
released late Wednesday.

The White House shortly after midnight tweeted a picture of the
president planting a kiss on the cheek of a beaming First Lady
Michelle Obama, beneath a garland of mistletoe.

"Happy New Year!" read the photo caption.

Obama has been on holiday in Hawaii, his birth state, for a two-week
break. He returns to Washington on Sunday.

West Brom Confirm Pulis As Head Coach

West Bromwich Albion have officially named Tony Pulis as their new manager.

Pulis, 56, succeeds Alan Irvine, who was sacked after Albion's defeat
at Stoke City last year.

Pulis has agreed a two-and-a-half-year contract to manage the Midland
club and will resume duty for the Baggies's FA Cup third round home
clash with Gateshead after today's Premier League trip to West Ham
United.

Tony Pulis Named New West Brom Manager. Image: Getty.

The Welsh coach had been out of management since living Crystal Palace
"by mutual consent" shortly before the start of the season.

He guided Palace to an 11th-place finish in the 2013-14 season and was
named Premier League manager of the year.

West Brom are a point above the relegation zone, with the league right
a the halfway stage.

Female Suicide Bomber Killed In Kano

A female suicide bomber wearing an explosives belt was killed in Kano
as she tried to enter a military barracks December 31.

AFP reports with reference to eyewitnesses that the soldiers opened
fire on the woman wearing hijab after she had refused to be searched
upon approaching the barracks in Bolari. The shots were said to have
immediately detonated the explosives belt wrapped around her.

The woman died on the spot. One of the witnesses, Shuaibu Nasir, narrated:

"The woman refused to stop and continued to advance towards the
military guards at the gates despite repeated orders from them to stop
at a distance.

"The soldiers opened fire on the woman who quickened her pace towards
them and as they fired shots at her she exploded with a loud sound
that shook our buildings."

According to another local, Ahmed Baballe, the bomber was "blown to
pieces" by the impact of the explosion.

"The soldiers didn't take chances with the woman and opened fire when
she showed no sign of stopping to be searched."

It would be recalled that Nigeria's security have recently arrested
Zaharau Babangida, a 13-year-old Kano could-be suicide bomber. The
girl narrated how her own father had introduced her into insurgency
and what had happened on the fateful day of the attack at Kwari
market.

Why We Have Not Reclaimed All Towns Captured By Boko Haram --Army

The Nigerian Army has been criticized in several quarters for
allegedly being lackadaisical in its fight against insurgency in
Nigeria's north east. The army however said on Wednesday that the need
to reduce collateral damage had delayed the recapture of some towns
seized by Boko Haram.

Brig.-Gen. Olajide Laleye, the Director, Army Public Relations gave
the explanation while responding to questions from journalists.

"We are not interested in collateral damage," he said.

"The Nigeria Army is very careful about collateral damage, to that
extent our operations are carefully planned to make sure that
collateral damage is reduced to the barest minimum.

"If certain areas have not been recaptured it is because the Nigerian
army is giving such areas very careful plans, the plans are ongoing.

"At the right time you will see the outcome; we will not tell you, of
course, before hand, of what we intend to do; but you will see the
outcome," Laleye said.

He however said Nigerians will be pleased at the end of the operations
going on to dislodge the terrorists, such that collateral damage is
reduced to the barest minimum.

"The Nigerian Army wishes to restate its determination to bring this
counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations to a speedy and
decisive end.

"Equally, the Nigerian Army seizes this opportunity to reassure
Nigerians of its preparedness to support relevant agencies in the
successful conduct of the 2015 general elections,'' he said.

Finally Tonto Dikeh Shows Off Her Man

Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh has finally decided to show off her man
but did not mention his name.

Initially she called him her manager but subsequent captions in other
photos she shared were beyond ordinary but very romantic.
--infonaija

President Jonathan’s New Year Broadcast Speech

Dear Great People of our nation,

1. I greet and felicitate with you all as we enter the New Year today.
As we mark the beginning of this New Year, 2015, a new nation is being
born. A new nation is being born because of the foundations we have
all laid, working together for the good and progress of our dear
fatherland.

2. I join you all in thanking God Almighty who has brought us this
far, for continually bestowing His Grace upon us and for guiding our
great nation safely through all the challenges of the past year.

3. This year, as in the year past, I reaffirm my commitment to work to
ensure a secure future for our dear country and the generations yet
unborn.

4. Last year, we celebrated our hundredth year of nationhood. The year
brought us further progress, challenges and fresh opportunities.

5. We have contended with the normal challenges of nation-building
and the unusual challenges of terrorism.

6. But we have continued to vigorously confront those who seek to
destroy the bonds of unity that hold us together.

7. On this first day of the New Year, I want to pay special tribute to
the gallant officers, men and women of our Armed Forces and other
security agencies who have been in the forefront of the war against
terrorism and violent extremism in our country and sub-region.

8. I also commend all Nigerians who have remained vigilant and
cooperative with our security agencies in the fight against the common
enemy.

9. We are re-equipping and re-positioning our armed forces to enhance
their capacity to win the ongoing war against terror and insurgency.

10. Regrettably, terrorists have unleashed much pain and agony on our
land. They have made widows of our mothers and sisters and orphans of
our children. They have shut down businesses, desecrated places of
worship and brought untold hardship to both men and women. They have
violated the culture and peaceful way of life in our country, which
took generations to build.

11. They have destroyed countless schools and displaced people from
their communities, driving them into exile.

12. I want to assure you that the terrorists will not get away with
their atrocities: they will not win; they will be routed. As
President, I feel the pain of all affected communities and families. I
hear their cries and share their sorrow and pain.

13. We will not forget; we will not look the other way. We have done a
lot of painstaking planning and work to resolve the current security
challenge. We will bring justice to the savage terrorists known as
Boko Haram. They will be defeated.

14. That is the solemn commitment I make today as President of the
Federal Republic, and Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces.

15. By the Special Grace of God, the Federal Government, under my
leadership, has continued, in the past four years to lead our country
forward, even under the most trying circumstances.

16. The progress we have made in priority areas bears us testimony.

17. Amongst other achievements, we have rehabilitated and expanded our
rail transportation network, successfully privatized power generation
and distribution, significantly reformed and increased local
participation in our oil and gas industry, and improved nationwide
access to potable water from 57% in 2010, to 70% at present.

18. We have also made significant progress in improving access to
primary, secondary and tertiary education by building and equipping
more schools, including special Almajiri schools, and establishing
additional universities to ensure that each state of the nation now
has at least one Federal University.

19. Our national economy maintained a steady growth rate of close to
seven per cent in the past four years and millions of fresh employment
opportunities were created for our people as a direct consequence.

20. Recently, we launched the Youth Employment in Agriculture
Programme (YEAP) and the $100 million dollars Government and Donor
Fund for Agriculture Finance in Nigeria (FAFIN) to fast-track the
positive transformation of our agricultural sector.

Read more here:
https://m.facebook.com/groups/476665029132874?view=permalink&id=608300995969276&refid=7&_ft_=qid.6099396510680808525%3Amf_story_key.5027304050159854412&__tn__=%2As

Suicide Bombing Injures Many In Gombe Church

A suicide bomber blew himself up outside an evangelist church in Gombe
on Thursday injuring several people, witnesses and a rescue worker
said.

"There was an explosion outside the ECWA church this morning. A
suicide bomber who was restrained from getting into the church blew
himself up," said Abubakar Yakubu, who heads the Nigeria Red Cross in
Gombe. "Luckily no one was killed but some people were mildly
injured," he added.
--V anguard

Happy New Year

Happy New Year 2015!

Wikileaks Documents : Tinubu Called Buhari 'Agent Of Destabilization'

Wikileakshas released a 2003 document where APC leader,Bola
Tinubucalled Buhari an "agent of destabilization".

The documents was released by Presidential spokesmanReuben Abativia
Wikileaks on his website.

According to the Wikileaks document, Bola Tinubu wanted Obasanjo to be
president in order to stop former head of state, General Muhammadu
Buhari, who he reportedly said would jeopardise Nigeria's national
unity.

Jada Pinkett Reveals Why Will Smith Can't Take His Eyes Off Her

Jada Pinkett, wife of popular American actorWill Smithrevealed why her
husband can't take his eyes off her body shape.
The 43 year old told Shape Magazine that;

"When my husband of almost 20 years can't take his eyes off me? That's
amazing. But the number one reason I go to the gym is because it keeps
me sane... I can deal with whatever's coming at me.Will and I were just
reading The Tao of Physics by Fritjof Capra together and having long
discussions about it. We love books about religion and spiritual
expression. It's a big turn on for me to be spiritually and
intellectually challenged by Will. To me, it's like foreplay."

"Of course, I enjoy that I have sex in my relationship, but I think
this other intellectual aspect is quite unique and something that
strongly connects us."

Buhari Explains Why He Didn't Submit His Certificate To INEC

Reports have it that the APC Presidential Candidate didn't submit his
certificates and credentials to theIndependent National Electoral
Commission[INEC].

Buhari said his certificates are with the military. This report was
made known to the public when journalists visited INEC headquarters in
Abuja. They found out that Buhari certificates were not on display
unlike other Presidential aspirants.

When asked why his certificate is not with INEC, Buhari said all his
certificates were with theSecetary, Millitary Board. Buhari said the
affidavit was dated November 24, 2014 and was stamped and received by
INEC on December 18, 2014.

In his words,

"I am the above-named person and deponent to this affidavit therein.
All my academic qualifications documents as filled in my presidential
form, President APC/001/2015, are currently with the Secretary,
Military Board, as of the time of presenting this affidavit. The
affidavit is made in good faith and for record purpose."

Nicki Minaj Reveals Why She Had To Abort Her First Child

In a recent interview withRolling Stone,Nicki Minajrevealed why she
had to abort her first child when she was dating her first
boyfriend,Aaron.

Nicki said that the incident still haunts her, and she even talked
about it in a song where she said her baby would have been 16 by now.

In her words,

'I thought I was going to die. I was a teenager. It was the hardest
thing I'd ever gone through.
'[It's] haunted me all my life. It'd be contradictory if I said I
wasn't pro-choice. I wasn't ready. I didn't have anything to offer a
child.'

On Being too sexy in Videos and On Stage

"With a video like 'Anaconda,' I'm a grown-ass fucking woman!" she
says. "I stand for girls wanting to be sexy and dance, but also having
a strong sense of themselves. If you got a big ol' butt? Shake it! Who
cares? That doesn't mean you shouldn't be graduating from college."

Ini Edo Opens Her Multimillion Naira Home in Lagos

Nollywood actress,Ini Edoopened her multimillion naira home yesterday,
December 30, 2014 in Lekki, Lagos. Top celebrities were spotted at the
house warming party.2faceandAnnie Idibia,Alexx Ekubo,Chichi
Igbo,Belinda Effahand more were at the event.

Ini Edo said opening her own house with her own money is a big
achievement for her. In her words,"This is a big achievement for me, I
moved into my own house built with my own money, awesome"
--GistReel

Missing AirAsia Flight: Plane Found Upside Down At The Bottom Of The Sea, Two Victims Found Holding Hands

It has now been confirmed that the missing AirAsia flight has been
found. The missing flight was found on radar upside down on at the
bottom of the sea. Also it was found not far from where three of the
bodies from the missing AirAsia flight were found. The victims were
said to have been holding hands when they were discovered in the Java
sea.

Families of the victims have been at the airport since the flight was
discovered missing and according to recent developments, they have
been asked for DNA samples to identify the victims.

There have been a lot of scouting on the Java sea for flight QZ8501.
Ships and planes have been searching the Java Sea since Sunday that
the AirAsia plane lost contact due to bad weather.

Seven bodies have now been recovered from the sea, some fully clothed,
which could indicate the Airbus A320-200 was intact when it hit the
water.
--DailyMail

Mr Ibu Turns Footballer, Hosts Friends To Football Match In Enugu

Nollywood actor,John Okaforbetter known asMr Ibumight be planning to
change career. Mr Ibu hosted his friends and colleagues to a football
match in Enugu.

Friends and Fans spotted at the football match
areChidinmaandChidiebere Aneke,Mr Ibu's wifeandkids,Steve
Eboh,Christabel Egbenya,Okoronkwo Solomon.

We don't know the position Mr Ibu is playing, but we doubt if he will
be able to strike because of his ...
--GistReel

Tunisia's First Democratically Elected President Sworn-In

Tunisia's President Beji Caid Essebsi has pledged to work towards
national reconciliation after winning the country's first free
election.

After taking his oath of office, he told parliament he would be "the
president of all Tunisians".

The 88-year-old secured victory last week over incumbent Moncef Marzouki.

Mr Essebsi was speaker of parliament under President Zine al-Abidine
Ben Ali, who was ousted in 2011 in the first "Arab Spring" uprising.

Tunisia is the only Arab country to have moved from authoritarian rule
to democracy since a wave of popular uprisings spread across the
region.

Tunisia presidential elections
55.6% voted for Beji Caid Essebsi
44.3% voted for Moncef Marzouki
Votes cast:3,110,048
Turnout:60%
Source: National Tunisian TVAP

On Monday, electoral authorities confirmed that Mr Essebsi had won a
run-off vote against Mr Marzouki.

Mr Essebsi's secular Nidaa Tounes also won the largest number of seats
in parliament, defeating the moderate Islamist party, Ennahda, in
October's elections.

"There is no future for Tunisia without consensus among political
parties and members of civil society," Mr Essebsi said in his
inaugural speech.

His critics say his election victory marks the return of the former
establishment, pointing out that he served under President Ben Ali,
and was also interior minister under the country's first president
Habib Bourguiba.

Beji Caid Essebsi

*.88-year-old lawyer and politician

*.Studied law in Paris

*.Interior minister under Habib Bourguiba, Tunisia's first president
after independence

*.Speaker of parliament under ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali

*.Interim prime minister in 2011 after the uprising

*.Founder of secular-leaning Nidaa Tounes party in 2014

*.Supported by both trade unions and some business groups

Journalist Naveena Kottoor in Tunis says that while this is a
democratic milestone for Tunisia, many in the country are arguing that
political transition will only succeed if newly-elected politicians
usher in social and economic changes.

This month's vote was the first time Tunisians have been able to vote
freely for their president since independence from France in 1956.

The new president will have restricted powers under a constitution
passed earlier this year.

He will be commander-in-chief of the armed forces but can appoint or
sack senior officers only in consultation with the prime minister.
--BBC

Bishop Slams Obasanjo Over Constant Criticism Of Jonathan

The Anglican Bishop of Okigwe, Rt. Rev. Dr. Edward Osuegbu, has
described as shocking, the continuous attack on President Goodluck
Jonathan by Former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He accused Obasanjo of having done "similar or worse things while in office".

"Some of us who have been watching for many years now, know that it is
the kettle calling the pot black. Obasanjo did similar things he is
accusing the incumbent of and even worse", Osuegbu told Vanguard.

According to him, Obasanjo is now taking pleasure in criticizing and
calling Jonathan names. "That is most unfair," the cleric said.

Osuegbu noted that such criticisms had never come from any past
President of the United States of America, saying real statesmen only
advise the incumbents and nobody hears about it.

"They do not make noise if their advice is not taken by the incumbent.
It is also noteworthy that no former President of the USA has ever
castigated President Barrack Obama. This does not mean that Obama is
infallible," the Bishop said.

While past presidents of America respected the office of the President
of USA as if their lives depended on it, "in our own case, a former
president is at the fore front of criticizing, castigating and
attacking an incumbent President with a view to destroying the
system," the Anglican cleric lamented.
--infonaija

Nine People Killed In Canadian City Of Edmonton Mass Murder

Seven adults and two children have been found dead in the Canadian
city of Edmonton after a man carried out what police called a
"senseless mass murder" linked to "extreme domestic violence".

The gunman is believed to have killed himself after the murders.
Police are not looking for any other suspects.

The suspected killer, whose relatives said was "suicidal", shot to
death a woman in her 30s in the south of the city of nearly one
million people before heading to a residence in the north where he
killed another seven people - three women, two men, a girl and a boy.

According to witnesses cited by the Edmonton Journal, the owner of the
house where the seven bodies were found, had experienced financial
difficulties.

Police chief Rod Knecht said it was the worst mass killing in Edmonton
since six people were killed in 1956.

"This series of events are not believed to be random acts, and there
is no risk to the broader public. These events do not appear to be
gang-related, but rather tragic incidents of domestic violence."

Police say that the gunman used a stolen 9mm handgun and later killed
himself at a restaurant north of Edmonton. They have only released the
names of one of the victims and have not detailed the relationship
between the shooter and his victims.

Mr Knecht said that the man, who committed suicide, had a criminal
record going back to 1987.

Mass killings and gun crime are relatively rare in Canada compared to
the neighboring United States, where gun ownership is much more
widespread.
--ChannelsTV

FG Declares Jan 1st And 2nd, 2015 As Public Holidays

The Federal Government has declared January 2nd 2015 as public holiday
to mark Eid el Maloud celebration. In a statement released today by
the Minister of Interior affairs, Abba Moro, the Federal Government
asked Muslim faithfuls to offer prayers to God for the peace and Unity
of Nigeria.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, on
behalf of the government.

In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of
Interior, Makaji Abdulahi, Moro urged Muslim faithful and all
Nigerians to pray for the peace and unity of the country.

Moro further urged all Nigerians to engage in violent free activities
in the run off to the 2015 general elections and to support President
Goodluck Jonathan's transformation agenda to move Nigeria to the next
level of development.

Moro also wished all Muslim faithful and Nigerians a very peaceful celebration.

The Federal Government had earlier declared January 1, 2015 as public
holiday to mark the New Year.
--Channels TV

UNSC Rejects Resolution On Palestinian State

The UN Security Council has rejected a Palestinian resolution calling
for peace with Israel within a year and an end to Israel's occupation
by 2017.

The resolution failed to muster the minimum nine "yes" votes required
in the council for adoption.

The motion received eight "yes" votes, including from Russia and
France, two "no" votes from the United States and Australia, and five
abstentions.

Riyad Mansour, Palestinian ambassador to the UN, criticised the world
body for the failure of the vote.

"The Security Council has once again failed to uphold its charter
duties to address this crises and to meaningfully contribute to a
lasting solution in accordance with its own resolutions," Mansour
said.

"This year, our people under Israeli occupation endured the further
theft and colonisation of their land, the demolition of their homes,
daily military raids, arrests and detention of thousands of civilians
including children, rampant settler terrorism, constant affronts to
their human dignity and repeated incursions at our holiest sites."

Following the vote, the US, Israel's closest ally, reiterated its
opposition to the draft resolution.

Samantha Power, the US ambassador to the UN, said the resolution
undermined efforts to "achieve two states for two people".

"It is deeply imbalanced and contains many elements that are not
conducive to negotiations between the parties including unconstructive
deadlines that take no account for Israelis legitimate security
concerns," she said.

Gambia President Returns Home After Reports Of Attempted Coup

Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh arrived back in Banjul on Wednesday,
official sources said, one day after gunfire erupted around the
presidential palace and the government denied media reports of a coup
attempt.

Jammeh was in France or Dubai when violence broke out and he returned
home via N'Djamena, where he told officials from Chad during a
refueling stop on Tuesday evening that he planned to return home.

Jammeh, 49, himself took power in a coup 20 years ago and since then
has stifled dissent in his impoverished West African nation. He has
come under increasing criticism from abroad over issues ranging from
human rights to his claims he can cure AIDS.

Banks reopened on Wednesday, people headed to work and the city's key
Denton Bridge was also open, witnesses said.

On Tuesday, state radio played traditional music and an announcer read
a government statement playing down the incident.

"Contrary to rumours being circulated, peace and calm continue to
prevail in The Gambia," it said. "(The) government would like to urge
the public and all businesses to continue with their normal
activities."

Gambia, a splinter of land wedged into Senegal, has ocean beaches that
attract tourists, particularly during the northern hemisphere's
winter. They include about 60,000 Britons a year. The British foreign
office advised its citizens to stay indoors and avoid public
gatherings.

Witnesses in the centre of Banjul, which is situated on an island and
connected to rest of the city by the Denton Bridge, said on Tuesday
that security forces were stationed on street corners and patrolled
streets after hours of shooting earlier in the day.

This year the European Union withdrew millions of dollars in aid,
shortly after Jammeh signed into law an act that could imprison
homosexuals for life. In 2012, he was criticised for executing nine
people being held in prison.
--Reuters

Real Madrid End 2014 With Defeat Against AC MilanIn Dubai Friendly

Stephan El Shaarawy scored twice as AC Milan became the first side to
defeat Real Madrid since September in a 4-2 friendly win in Dubai.

With the trio of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez not
included in Real's starting XI; Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock
for the La Liga leaders.

But El Shaarawy came up with goals on either side of the interval to
pull the Italians ahead before Frenchman Jeremy Menez and Giampaolo
Pazzini sealed victory.

(Photo: BOY vs. MASTER: AC Milan Manager Filippo Inzaghi (L) and Real
Madrid Boss Carlo Ancelotti (R) Trade Wits on the Touchline in Dubai.
Image: Karim Sahib/ AFP.)

Real came into the friendly match on a 22-game winning streak in all
competitions following a 2-0 win over Argentine club San Lorenzo de
Almagro at the Fifa Club World Cup final in Morocco.

Substitute Benzema converted from the penalty spot in the closing
stages but it was too little to stop the European champions from
ending 2014 with a defeat.

It was also the 'Los Blancos's' first match in their crested world
champions jersey.

"How My Husband Defiled Our 9-Yr-Old Daughter, Impregnated Another"

A 55-year-old man, identified as Osaro, has been arrested by men of
the Edo State Police Command for allegedly defiling his nine-year-old
daughter.

Osaro, according to his wife, Stella, had earlier impregnated their
17-year-old daughter, just as she told newsmen at the Ogida Police
Division, Benin, that she recently returned to her husband's house
after he said he had repented.

She said: "My husband wanted to sleep with my second daughter. He
later succeeded in sleeping with my other daughter. After impregnating
the girl, he begged me several times to forgive him.

"He started the church I attended and confessed what he had done. The
church members begged me and I accepted him. He has already paid my
bride price so I went back.

"After we had settled, my husband started with our daughter again. The
little girl told me what she was going through in the hands of her
father. I asked my husband, but he denied. He said he had stopped the
act since he repented.

"One afternoon, I caught him with our daughter. I went to the church
and vowed that I cannot continue with the marriage. I am tired of
forgiving him all the time.

"On Christmas Day, he drove me outside at about 8 p.m. He was alone
inside with the children. The next day, my daughter told me what he
did to her. When I decided to check my daughter's private part, he
wanted to beat me, but neighbours intervened."

The victim asked police to jail her father.
--Vanguard

Justin Bieber Didn't Buy Any Jet, He Chartered It

According to new reports,JustinBieberdidn't buy any jet, he leased the
private jet. The singer who is worth about $200m shared photos of the
jet which costs around$60m.

TMZ revealed that Bieber posed with the jet and merely chartered it
for a Christmas flight from Canada to NYC.

"TMZ has learned the jet Bieber posed on is a G4, which is for sale
but was not purchased by JB. Sources with direct knowledge of the
aircraft tell us Justin merely chartered it for a Christmas flight
from Canada to NYC. In other words,just a really expensive Uber.

Justin captioned the pic "New jet for Christmas, and she's beautiful"
prompting many to believe he'd just made the biggest purchase of his
life. Not so though it's true that it was new to him, and the 22-seat
ride is undeniably beautiful.

We were always skeptical since Justin's reportedly worth about $200
mil and a brand new G could run up to $60 million. Even for Bieber,
that would be a huge hit.

Biebs pulled this back in April too posing with a Bugatti (it was
Birdman's) and a yacht (it belonged to a FL fam)

The good news? We're told the 1996 G4 is still on the market for just
under $60 million if you've got it like that"

I Don't Expect Your Praises Now; You Will Know My Worth After I'm Gone --Jonathan

The administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is arguably the most
widely criticized in the history of democracy in Nigeria, especially
due to the several economic challenges being faced at this time.
Regardless of negative comments about his administration, the
president has said that Nigerians will appreciate the good works he
has done for the country after he might have left office.

The president said this on Tuesday, when he received a delegation from
Bayelsa State who paid him a visit as part of the Christmas
celebration.

"The new year is full of challenges. Everywhere will be hot from the
2nd of January. I am here by the grace of God and the will of
Nigerians," Jonathan said.

He continued: "If I don't do well the shame will be on you. I will do
my best. I don't expect praises now. It's when you leave that people
will begin to compare you with others. I will do my best to address
all the challenges we are having. I will do my best so that when I
leave the people will compare what I have done and what others before
me have done.

"The seat belongs to the country and it is only the country that can
decide who occupies it," he said.

President Jonathan however enjoined the people of Bayelsa state to
pray for the country. He promised that he will continue to do his best
for the country.

Governor of Bayelsa state, Seriake Dickson, while speaking, said the
delegation visited Jonathan to show solidarity with him, as well as
express appreciation to Nigerians for supporting Jonathan thus far.

"We are here to show solidarity and to let everybody know that your
people in Bayelsa are with you. It is in the spirit of Christmas that
we are here on behalf of the people of Bayelsa to wish you, your
government and family compliments of the season and a very happy,
prosperous and victorious 2015," Dickson said.

"We bring you prayers and strong message of solidarity. We are here to
thank Nigerians for their support for your government," he added.
--infonaija

31 Dead, Seven Missing In Philippines Storm

Flash floods and landslides triggered by Tropical Storm Jangmi have
left at least 31 people dead and seven missing in the Philippines,
including in areas still recovering from last year's Typhoon Haiyan,
officials have said.

Jangmi, packing winds of 65 kilometres per hour and gusts of 80 kph,
had dumped heavy rains on southern Mindanao Island.

Floods destroyed bridges and highways, sending thousands of residents
to evacuation centres.

The storm then pushed its way through eastern and central islands,
where most of the deaths occurred on Tuesday.

The government weather bureau said that as of late Tuesday afternoon,
the eye of the storm was 140 kilometres southwest of central Iloilo
City, moving west at 19kph towards western Palawan Island.

Mayor Stephanie Uy-Tan said 12 people died when a landslide buried two
vans and six houses near a mountainside highway in eastern Catbalogan
City.

She said voices could still be heard from one of the vans and that
rescue efforts were ongoing.

Olive Luces, a regional civil defence official, said 11 members of a
family died after a creek-side house where they had gathered was
washed away by flash floods in central Cebu province.

Six other people were missing in the same town.

In eastern Leyte province's Tanauan town, which was devastated last
year by Typhoon Haiyan, army rescuers retrieved five bodies from a
house buried by landslide.

A 65-year-old man died due to drowning in southern Compostela Valley
province, while another resident remains missing after crossing a
swollen river.

In central Bohol province, an 80-year old man drowned to death, while
a 10-year-old girl died in a landslide that hit her home in southern
Butuan City, officials said.
--Aljazeera

2015: INEC Releases Names Of Presidential Candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the
names of the presidential candidates and their running mates for the
2015 elections.

Only 11 parties submitted names of candidates to run for the
presidency out of the 26 registered political parties in the country,
according to the commission.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) submitted the names of President
Goodluck Jonathan and his vice, Namadi Sambo. The Labour Party (LP)
and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have adopted the PDP
candidate.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) submitted the names of Muhammadu
Buhari and Yemi Osinbajo as presidential and vice presidential
candidates.

Kowa Party registered Oluremi Sonaiya and Saidu Bobboi, Ambrose Albert
and Haruna Shaba were registered as candidates of the Hope Democratic
Party. Ganiyu Galadima and Balarabe Ahmed were registers as candidates
of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Rafiu Salau and Clinton
Cliff Akuchie for Alliance for Democracy (AD) and Godson Okoye and
Haruna Adamu, for United Democratic Party (UDP).

Others are Nani Ibrahim Ahmad and Obianuju Murphy-Uzohue of African
Democratic Congress, Martin Onovo and Ibrahim Mohammed of National
Conscience Party, NCP, Tunde Anifowoshe-Kelani and Paul Ishaka Ofomile
of Action Alliance and Chekwas Okorie and Bello Umar of United
Progressive Party.
--infonaija

Man Returns Stolen Tablet When He Couldn't Make It Work

A man has been fined for stealing a tablet computer from a charity
store and returning it eight days later because he couldn't get it to
work. UPIreports:

Christopher Hooson, 33, was recorded by CCTV camerastaking the Android
tablet from the window display at the Jonny Kennedy store in Whitley
Bay, England. Store workers recognized him from the footage when he
came back eight days later to return the tablet, which prosecutors
said he was unable to work because he did not have the necessary
"equipment."

Prosecutor Lynne Russell said the tablet taken during the Nov. 11
theft was valued at about $78.

"He was taken to the police station. He admitted taking the item. He
said he saw it in the window and thought it would be cheap or free, as
it was in a charity shop, so took it," Russell said. "He took it and
realized it didn't work without further equipment, so returned it to
the shop." Hooson initially told the court the theft was an accident.
"I didn't intend to steal it. I forgot I had it in my bag, so I
returned it when I noticed."

Hooson, who admitted his version of events "sounds ridiculous,"
eventually admitted during questioning by District Judge Bernard
Begley that his story was not true. "It's not very nice to steal from
a charity shop. At least some sense eventually returned to you and you
returned the item. However, it is a particularly mean offense," Begley
said.

Longest Living Conjoined Twins Ever Celebrate Their 63rd Birthday

Ronnie and Donnie Galyon surpassed the world record for longest living
conjoined twins and celebrated their 63rd birthday recently, Ohio,
USA.

The Galyon twins turned 63 on Oct. 28 are yet to receive their
official certificate from the Guinness World Records confirming
they're the longest-living conjoined twins in history.

Ronnie and Donnie are joined at the waist and face each other. They
have four arms and four legs and separate hearts and stomachs but
share a lower digestive tract, a groin, a rectum and man-hood, over
which Donnie has control.

The twins were born healthy in October 1951 but stayed in the hospital
for two years as doctors tried to figure out how to separate them.When
experts said they could not guarantee both babies would survive an
operation to part them, the parents said they would stay as they were.

The boys did not go to school as teachers asked them to leave because
they were too distracting to the other students. From the age of four
to 39, they supported their family by performing in carnival sideshows
in the U.S. and circuses throughout Central and South America.

Cisse Gets Three-Game Ban For Violent Conduct

Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse has received a three-match suspension
after accepting an FA charge of violent conduct.

This follows an incident during the Magpies 3-2 win over Everton on
Sunday involving defender Seamus Coleman. The Senegalese is believed
to have elbowed Coleman passed unnoticed by the match officials.

Cisse has accepted the charge and will now serve a three-match
suspension which starts with immediate effect.

The 29-year-old has scored nine times this season and has been named
in Senegal's squad for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in
Equatorial Guinea.

Ninth-placed Newcastle host Burnley on New Year's Day.

Justin Bieber Hit The Ground Hard While Skating

Justin Bieberwas skating on the streets of NYC, causing the fans and
tourists to gather outside Madison Square Garden.

The singer was accompanied by his rumored girlfriend,Hailey Baldwin.
Justin had a hard time showing his skills on the stairs, so he he
ended up on the floor after failing to finish a difficult move.

Justin didn't let the incident bother him, he took to Twitter to
thanks his beliebers. He wrote'Fun day in nyc. Love all my beliebers'.
--GistReel

Jonathan Pockets N43.23m As Salary In 3 Years --Presidency

FOR presiding over the affairs of Nigeria as its president in the last
three years, President Goodluck Jonathan has pocketed N43.23 million
as salary.

In the same vein, he had within the last three years,paid N626.422
million as tax to the country.

The years which the president earned the salary and paid the tax,
according to document from the Federal Inland. Revenue Service,FIRS,
he released to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,
were 2011,2012 and 2013.

The document which was placed at the INEC office at Area 10, Abuja,
showed that the president, in 2011,2012 and 2013, received the said
amount.

The document showed that the president yearly salary stands at N14,
410, 290. 48 yearly.

The document tagged: "To whom it may concern", indicated that the
president's source of income was "employment".

The clearance which was stamped and received in the Legal Services
Department of INEC on December 18 2014 reads: "This is to certify that
Dr. JONATHAN, Ebele Goodluck (Presidency) has paid income tax
assessment for the past three years.

Meanwhile, the Code of Conduct Bureau has cleared Vice President
Namadi Sambo to contest the 2015 general elections.

The letter of clearance was issued by the chairman of CCB, Mr. Sam
Saba, to Sambo for the 2011 general elections.

It reads: "This is to certify that Arc. Namadi Sambo, the Vice
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has never breached any
of the Code of Conduct for public officers as contained in 5th
schedule to (sic) the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
(1999), and has been declaring his assets as and when due.

He is therefore cleared to contest the 2011 Presidential election."
--Vanguard

AirAsia Flight QZ8501 Crash: 40 Bodies From Missing Plane Found And 'Emergency Slide And Plane Door' Spotted

At least 40 bodies have been spotted and six recovered from missing
AirAsia Flight QZ8501 amid reports that the plane door and emergency
slide belonging to the passenger jet have been found and a "shadow"
spotted on the seabed.

Around 10 objects have been found in the Java Sea, roughly six miles
from where the plane lost contact with air traffic control, including
what Indonesian air force officials claim are items resembling a plane
door and emergency slide and the shadow of what appeared to be the
outline of the Flight QZ8501 just under the water.

Rescue efforts are being hampered by 20 knot winds and strong waves,
however, additional ships are en route to discovery site according to
Indonesia's defence minister Ng Eng Hen.

A press conference held this evening (local time) said that permitting
weather conditions recovery teams would continue through the night
with additional divers and underwater survey ships arriving to help.

First Lieutenant Tri Wibowo, who was on board a Hercules during the
first search operation, described finding the debris: "We thought that
the passengers were still alive and waved at us for help. But when we
approached closer [we saw] they were already dead."

"As we approached, the body seemed bloated," he told national
Indonesian newspaperKompas.

National Search and Rescue Director SB Supriyadi later told reporters
in Pangkalan Bun that bodies had been brought onto an Indonesian ship.
The bodies, found off the coast of Borneo about 105 miles south of the
town, were not reportedly wearing life jackets.

Indonesian navy spokesman Manahan Simorangkir told AFP: "Based on the
navy radio, it has been reported that the warship Bung Tomo has
retrieved 40 bodies and the number is growing".

The bodies are due to be identified at Bhayangkara Hospital, Surabaya,
east Java, although the condition of the bodies remains unclear that
may affect identification.

An Indonesian Navy helicopter assists in the search for missing
AirAsia flight QZ8501 near Batam, south of Singapore

The CEO of AirAsia Tony Fernandes tweeted: "My heart is filled with
sadness for all the families involved in QZ 8501. On behalf of AirAsia
my condolences". He has arrived in Surabaya to see families and is
reported as appearing "utterly dejected."

The company has released a statement confirming the find and offering
"sincere sympathies" to the families of passengers and crew members.

Indonesia's vice-president is due to give a press conference in
Jakarta shortly, as the president travels to Surabaya to meet families
and view the crash site.
akarta's Air Force base commander Rear Marshal Dwi Putranto (C) and
Indonesian Air Force crew show pieces recovered from the wreck

Search and Rescue Agency chief Henry Bambang Soelistyo told reporters
"more than one" body had been recovered.

During the press conference, held at around 2pm local time, he said
that search teams had seen a shadow underneath the water, allegedly in
the shape of a plane.

Yusef Latif, a spokesperson for the Indonesian Search and Rescue team,
said an Indonesian military aircraft saw white, red and black objects,
including what appears to be a life jacket. AirAsia's livery is red
and white.

Relatives of the families were visibly upset when local TV channels
aired footage of the discovery, some of which appeared to show not
only the debris but also a floating body.

Very difficult to hear the screaming and crying relatives. They've
been waiting for a miracle, but had to watch the worst possible news.--
Alice Budisatrijo (@alicebudi) December 30, 2014

BBC news teams based in Surabaya allegedly heard screaming and crying
from inside the relatives crisis centre.

Asian TV News station Channel NewsAsia has apologised after they
"inadvertently" aired images of the bodies taken from local channels.

My heart is filled with sadness for all the families involved in QZ
8501. On behalf of AirAsia my condolences ... http://t.co /OJGobL93cR--
Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) December 30, 2014
--The Independent

INEC Redeploys RECs In 36 States, FCT

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has redeployed
its resident electoral commissioners in 36 states and the FCT as part
of its preparations for 2015 general elections.

According to the commission's daily bulletin issued on Monday in
Abuja, the deployment is contained in a letter dated December 24 and
signed by INEC secretary, Augusta Ogakwu.

"The commissioners were directed to conclude all handing and taking
over formalities by December 31, 2014," it said.

According to the bulletin, O.E. Onukaogu has been deployed from Abia
to Enugu State; Tukur Sa'ad from Adamawa to Bauchi State and Ahmed
Makama from Bauchi State to Taraba.

Accordingly, Mike Igini has been deployed from Edo to Delta; Selina
Oko from Ebonyi to Abia; Edwin Nwatarali from Enugu State to Anambra
and Sadiq Abubakar from Kaduna State to Sokoto State.

Similarly, Jibrin Zarewa from Kano State to Kebbi; Hussaini Mahuta
from Kastina to Kaduna; Abubakar Wara from Kebbi to Zamfara; Emmanuel
Onucheyo from Kogi to Kwara and Rufus Akeju from Lagos to Oyo State.

Abdullahi Danyaya from Niger to Nasarawa; Timothy Ibitoye from Osun to
Ogun; A.L. Ogunmola from Oyo to Osun; Barito Kphagih from Rivers to
Bayelsa and Haliru Tambuwal from Sokoto to Jigawa.

Kassim Geidam from Yobe to Gombe; Ibrahim Marafa from Zamfara to
Kastina State; Aniedi Ikoiwak from Akwa Ibom to Delta; Habu Zarma from
Gombe to Yobe and Akin Orebiyi from Ogun to Lagos.

Hussaini Halilu Pai from Kogi to FCT; Kwanga Mbatsavbee from Benue to
Plateau; Sylvester Ezeani from Anambra to Cross-River; Minkaila
Abdullahi from Jigawa to Kano State and Lawrence Azubuike from Imo to
Ebonyi.

Sam Olumekun from Ondo State to Ekiti; Istifanus Dafwang from Plateau
to Benue; Gesila Khan from Bayelsa to Rivers; Samuel Madaki from
Taraba to Borno and Gabriel Ada from Cross-Rivers to Imo.

Jacob Jatau from Nasarawa to FCT; Baba Yusuf from Borno to Adamawa;
Segun Agbaje from Ekiti to Ondo State; Nasir Ayilara from Kwara to
Niger and Austine Okojie from Edo to Akwa-Ibom.
--(NAN)

Cross River Govt Set To Privatize Calabar Carnival

GOVERNOR Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, weekend, said that the
state government was putting plans in motion to privatize the popular
Carnival Calabar, describing the festival as a big boost to the
economy of the state.

Calabar Carnival'14:View amazing images of the biggest street party in
Africa here.

Imoke at the carnival, urged whoever would success him to ensure that
the carnival was sustained in the years ahead.

Speaking at the grand finale of the 10th year anniversary of Carnival
Calabar, which was flagged off at the Millennium Park, the governor
said that the carnival has grown in leaps and bounds, becoming the
biggest street party in Africa.

According to him, for the first time in the history of the carnival,
the state government did not advertise the carnival, yet the crowd
that thronged Calabar to witness it was unprecedented.

He said, "This year's carnival is my last carnival as the governor of
this state. But I believe it will continue in the years ahead. It has
truly become the ambassador event for Africa. We are planning to
privatize it. There must be continuity in leadership which is very
critical for us. Once we can do that, I believe we will continue to
deliver great performances and improve on what we have already done
over the years."

Imoke was accompanied to the Millennium Park, where he cut the tape to
signal the commencement of the carnival by his wife, the deputy
governor and his wife, the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National
Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, the duo of Peter and Paul Okoye of
P-Square fame, Senator Ben Ajade, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP
governorship candidate for 2015 election in the state. Also, present
were Nollywood stars including Kate Henshaw, Jim Iyke and Angela Okoro
among others.

This year's carnival attracted a huge number of tourists and local fun
seekers from across the world. Prominent among them were the Israeli
ambassador to Nigeria and the Rwandan Minister of Sport and Culture,
Ambassador Joseph Habineza.

As usual, the 12 kilometers carnival route was a bevy of activities as
the five traditional bands dressed in different colourful attires
entertained spectators while dancing and partying all the way.
--Vanguard

Ebola Case Confirmed In Glasgow Hospital

A healthcare worker who has just returned from West Africa has been
diagnosed with Ebola and is being treated in hospital in Glasgow.

The woman, who arrived from Sierra Leone on Sunday night, is in
isolation at Glasgow's Gartnavel Hospital.

All possible contacts with the case are being investigated, including
on flights to Scotland via Heathrow.

UK Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt confirmed that the woman would be
taken to a specialist unit in London.

She will be flown from Glasgow and taken to the Royal Free Hospital in
north London"as soon as we possibly can," Mr Hunt said.

The hospital has a specialist isolation unit and treated William
Pooley, the British nurse who contracted and recovered from Ebola.

Low risk

Mr Hunt said the government was doing "absolutely everything it needs
to be" to keep the UK safe.
He insisted NHS processes "worked well" after the woman starting
exhibiting symptoms.

The health secretary added: "We are also reviewing our procedures and
protocols for all the other NHS workers who are working at the moment
in Sierra Leone."

Charity Save the Children confirmed the woman was an NHS health worker
who was working with them at the Ebola Treatment Centre in Kerry Town,
Sierra Leone.

The organisation's humanitarian director, Michael von Bertele, said:
"Save the Children is working closely with the UK government, Scottish
government and Public Health England to look into the circumstances
surrounding the case."

At a news conference in Glasgow, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
stressed that the risk to the general public was very low.

She added that the patient was thought to have had contact with only
one other person since arriving in the city, but that all passengers
on the flights the woman took will be traced.

Ms Sturgeon said: "Apart from other passengers on the flights and
obviously the hospital staff since this patient's admittance to
hospital, she, the patient is thought to have had contact with only
one other person in Scotland since returning to Scotland last night
and that person will also be contacted and given appropriate
reassurance."

Glasgow Ebola case

Patient flight details - 28 December

Flight AT596from Freetown, Sierra Leone, to Casablanca

Flight AT0800 from Casablanca to London Heathrow

Flight BA1478 from London Heathrow to Glasgow, arriving 23:30

Alisdair MacConachie, of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: "She's
being managed in an isolation facility by staff who are comfortable
managing patients in such a situation. She herself is quite stable and
is not showing any great clinical concern at the minute."

NHS Scotland said infectious diseases procedures had been put into
effect at the Brownlee Unit for Infectious Diseases at Gartnavel.

Ebola is transmitted by direct contact with the bodily fluids - such
as blood, vomit or faeces - of an infected person.

The patient returned to Scotland from Sierra Leone late on Sunday via
Casablanca and London Heathrow, arriving into Glasgow Airport on a
British Airways flight at about 23:30.

While public health experts have emphasised that the risks are
negligible, a telephone helpline has been set up for anyone who was on
the BA 1478 Heathrow to Glasgow flight. The number is:08000 858531

The woman had been admitted to hospital early on Monday morning after
feeling unwell and was placed into isolation at 07.50.

What are the symptoms?

The Ebola virus causes a range of painful and debilitating symptoms
The early symptoms are a sudden fever, muscle pain, fatigue, headache
and sore throat.

This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, a rash and bleeding - both
internal and external - which can be seen in the gums, eyes, nose and
in the stools.

Patients tend to die from dehydration and multiple organ failure.

A British Airways spokesman said: "We are working closely with the
health authorities in England and Scotland and will offer assistance
with any information they require.

"The safety and security of our customers and crew is always our top
priority and the risk to people on board that individual flight is
extremely low."

Ms Sturgeon has chaired a meeting of the Scottish Government
Resilience Committee (SGoRR) and has also spoken to Prime Minister
David Cameron.

Mr Hunt is to chair a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee on
Monday evening.

Ms Sturgeon said: "Our first thoughts at this time must be with the
patient diagnosed with Ebola and their friends and family. I wish them
a speedy recovery.

"Scotland has been preparing for this possibility from the beginning
of the outbreak in West Africa and I am confident that we are well
prepared."
--BBC

Cameroon Launches Air Strikes On Boko Haram

Cameroon says its military has carried out the first round of air
strikes against Boko Haram in northern Nigeria, after the group
overran a military base, and attacked five villages.

Army spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Didier Badjeck, confirmed that
about 1,000 militants attacked the villages, including Amchide, and
seized the nearby Achigachia military base, where they raised their
black flag.

He also confirmed the Cameroonian President, Paul Biya, had ordered
the Air Force to intervene, and force the militants out.

He said that the air strikes would be a lesson to Boko Haram that it
faced a hard reaction if it attacked Cameroon again, as the government
is determined to use all its capability to protect its territory.

Cameroon's Information Minister, Issa Bakary said that at least 34
militants were killed after the army raided one of their bases in
Cameroon, while another seven were killed in a separate clash which
also claimed the life of a soldier.

He said that the multiple attacks showed that Boko Haram had adopted a
new strategy aimed at "distracting Cameroonian troops on different
fronts, making them more vulnerable in the face of the mobility and
unpredictability of their attacks".

About a week before this, Cameroon said it had dismantled a Boko Haram
training camp on its territory, and had seized 84 children who were
being trained there.

2015: Buhari Fails To Submit Academic Qualifications To INEC

Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji
Muhammadu Buhari, did not present his academic qualifications to the
Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, even as he prepares
for the 2015 presidential contest.

Unlike his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, counterpart, President
Goodluck Jonathan, whose academic certificates were conspicously
displayed by the commission upon presentation, Buhari's credentials
were visibly without trace at the commission's office at Area 10,
Abuja.

The former Head of State, explained in an affidavit he deposed, which
he submitted to the commission that all his academic credentials were
with the Secretary, Military Board.

The affidavit deposed at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High
Court, Abuja and dated November 24,2014, was stamped and received at
INEC headquarters on December 18, 2014.

In the affidavit, Buhari said: "All my academic qualifications
(documents) as filled in my presidential form, President APC/001/2015,
are currently with the Secretary Military Boards as at the time of
this affidavit."

He added: "The affidavit is made in good faith and for record purpose."
--Vanguard