Badeh, Alkali’s Murder Meant To Hide Corruption In The Military - Punch - Politics -

Adelani Adepegba, Abuja


A Washington-based group, International Strategic Studies Association, has stated that the death of a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, and that of a former Chief of Administration of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Idris Alkali, was not a mere coincidence.

Alkali was allegedly killed by a gang of protesting youths along Jos-Bauchi Road on September 3, while Badeh was gunned down along the Abuja-Keffi Road by suspected assassins on December 18.

ISSA, a non-governmental organisation with a worldwide membership of professionals involved in national and international security and strategic policy, stated in a special report on Friday that the two men were killed to hide what it described as the pattern of corruption in the current military leadership in the country.

Specifically, the report obtained by our correspondent on Sunday, alleged that Badeh was murdered to prevent him from divulging in court details of corruption which it said had grown even more rampant in the current defence leadership.

The report noted that the President was unwilling to publicise the findings of the arms panel which was presented to him over a year ago.

It added, “The commission investigating defence procurement from 2007 onwards made significant strides which were initially accepted by the Buhari government, until the scope of the inquiry went beyond the period relating to the former government of President Goodluck Jonathan and began to show corruption patterns extending into officers still serving under President Buhari.”

INEC Meets ASUU On Friday, Considers Recalling Ex-corps Members For Election - Politics -

Following the failure of the federal government to find a lasting solution to the lingering strike by public university lecturers, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has decided to hold a consultative meeting with the lecturers’ union, the Academic Staff Union if Nigerian Universities (ASUU) on January 4, ahead of the 2019 polls, THISDAY has learnt.

The meeting, according to the electoral body, will be limited to the involvement of their members in the 2019 general elections.

ASUU had last month embarked on industrial action to protest the poor funding of Nigerian universities and alleged plan by the federal government to increase students’ fees and introduce an education bank.

But INEC had raised the alarm that the lingering ASUU strike would no doubt have serious impact on the preparations for the conduct of the 2019 elections.

“They are one critical resource and their absence will have adverse effects on the ad hoc staff requirement of INEC,” the commission had said.

Ghanaian footballer Asamoah Gyan is reportedly broke, he has just '£600 in his bank account.'

Flamboyant footballer, Asamoah Gyan, who plays as a striker for Turkey's Kayserispor and captains the Ghanaian national team, is reportedly broke and has just £600 in his bank account.

Asamoah who left Sunderland in 2012, spent three years at UAE club Al Ain where he earned almost £200k a week and scored an impressive 123 goals in 120 appearances. He later made a big money move to the Chinese Super League, spending the 2015 and 2016 seasons at Shanghai SIPG where he earned £227,000-a-week before returning to the UAE with Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai.

Meghan Markle will have a girl, Taylor Swift will get engaged: Psychic makes predictions for 2019

A male psychic who claims he was an Egyptian queen in a former life has made a series of ‘psychic’ predictions for 2019.

Nicolas Aujula, 33, claims his dreams have led him to predict outcomes of major events including the Syrian war and the winner of the Apprentice. He says he’s a past-life regression therapist, hypnotherapist and psychic astrologer.

Below are some of his predictions:

Royal baby:

Nicolas says that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s first child, due in spring 2019, will be a girl.

Buhari Declines Comment In Shagari’s Condolence Register - Politics -

By Felix Nwaneri, Anule Emmanuel and Regina Otokpa


It was drama yesterday in Sokoto as President Muhammadu Buhari wrote only his name and date in the condolence register in honour of former President Shehu Shagari, who passed on Friday and was buried on Saturday. Shagari, who died at 93, was President of Nigeria between 1979 and 1983. He was overthrown in a coup d’état that brought in Buhari to power as military head of state, three months after he (Shagari) was sworn in for a second term. Although the President had, on Saturday, paid tribute to the late former president through a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, he wrote only his name – M. Buhari – and date – 30/12/ 2018 in the condolence register, when he visited the Sama road, Sokoto residence of Shagari to condole with members of his family. Buhari, who was accompanied on the visit by Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto) and Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Senator Aliyu Wamakko and Sokoto State deputy governor, Alhaji Mannir Dan-Iya, among others, however, presented a letter of condolence to the family, which was read by Tambuwal, who rode in the same car with him. But, former President Goodluck Jonathan, wrote in the condolence register: “I called with King A. J. Turner, Hon Tobias James, former governor of Anambra State and now the PDP vice presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to condole with the family and state on the death of our former president. “H. E. Alhaji Shagari was a man with pure heart. He was a good leader who meant well for our country. He served in various capacities and made significant contribution to the growth and development of Nigeria.

He did his best as a president from 1979-1983. May his soul rest in peace.” Buhari’s visit was cheered by a crowd chanting: “Nigeria Sai Maigaskiya” meaning Nigeria is for a truthful person. The President joined sympathisers and family members to offer special prayers led by the Chief Imam/Administrator of the National Mosque, Prof. Shehu Galadanchi, for the repose of Shagari’s soul. Promising to immortalize Shagari, Buhari said through the condolence letter read by Tambuwal that the Federal Government will, in due course, institute a suitable memorial to immortalize the late president.

Men in Black: International trailer features Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson taking down aliens

The universe is expanding — and Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson are to thank.

Sony Pictures has just dropped the first trailer for Men in Black: International, the forthcoming spin-off flick that reboots the Men in Black film franchise, starring Thor: Ragnarok buddies Hemsworth and Thompson as a pair of alien-butt-kicking agents prepared to defend the galaxy from all kinds of scum.

The footage opens on Liam Neeson's character, the head of the Men in Black's U.K. branch, speaking in voiceover. "Always remember: the universe has a way of leading you to where you're supposed to be, at the moment you're supposed to be there," he says, seemingly talking to Hemsworth's Agent H, who slips on a sleek pair of shades and amps himself up for an adventure.

We then hear Thompson's Agent M revealing that she's spent 20 years trying to find the Men in Black, and watch as she pushes her hand through a fence via a ripple in space. It's clear she's no ordinary woman — and she just might be the smartest, most adept addition to the agency in history.

"You are the best kept secret in the universe," she says in the trailer. "And I found you, which makes me perfect for this job."

From the outside, Agent M is an obvious choice to join the Men in Black, but one very important person isn't completely sold just yet: Agent O (Emma Thompson), the ex-secretary who rose to the position of the chief of MIB following the death of Agent Zed (Rip Torn, then Kirk Larsen) ahead of Men in Black III. While Agent M doesn't think a sweet black suit is the answer to all her problems, Agent O has an inkling that the ingenue is a little in over her head.

Still, she gives Agent M the full rundown of how MIB operates — "we're a rumor, recognizable only as déjà vu and dismissed just as quickly" — and sends her to London to prove herself on a high-stakes mission: tracking down the mole amongst the Men in Black. At the headquarters in London, Agent M comes face to face (or foot to face, really) with the coffee-guzzling Worm Guys and meets Neeson's character, who assigns her as Agent H's partner.

From there, the footage leans into the humor of the Men in Black property and underscores the charm and charisma Hemsworth and Thompson bring to the screen. As Fergie's "London Bridge" plays in the background, the spunky Agent M and goofy, taco-loving Agent H fire off laser guns, fly (and then crash) a high-tech motorcycle, put the famous neuralyzer to good use, race across the open sea, fight a multi-armed woman with the strangest hair we've ever seen on a person's head, and launch their car into the skies.

The Men in Black: International trailer wraps on the best note imaginable: with a cheeky wink to Hemsworth's Marvel Cinematic Universe role as Thor. In the last few seconds of the clip, Agent H grabs a teensy hammer and hurls it at a blue-faced alien.

Check it out above, then take a look at the newest poster for Men in Black: International below.

Speaking openly here, Men in Black: International looks all kinds of fun based on this first trailer. The interplay between Thompson and Hemsworth is fantastic, as it always is, and it's great to see that their characters aren't just new versions of Will Smith's Agent J and Tommy Lee Jones' Agent K. (Because how boring would that be?)

In the same regard, it seems like International is less focused on recreating the magic of the three MIB movies that came before it and is more concerned with establishing itself as its own fresh-and-cool entity within the franchise and taking the series to new heights. (Quite literally, given all that soaring through the air Agents M and H do.) And this is a good thing. It's incredibly hard to get reboots and sequels right, as they often wind up feeling too different from or too similar to their predecessors, but Men in Black: International seems to have found the sweet spot between those extremes.

Directed by F. Gary Gray (The Fate of the Furious) and featuring Kumail Nanjiani, Rebecca Ferguson, and Rafe Spall, Men in Black: International will open wide — and might win the summer box office, in our opinion — on June 14, 2019.



Read More: https://www.looper.com/58711/movies-will-blow-everyone-away-2019/?utm_campaign=clip

OMG!! Soldiers Kill Three Suspected Female Suicide Bombers, Recover RPG - Crime -

Troops of the 22 Brigade Garrison have killed three suspected female suicide bombers in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State.

According to a statement by the Deputy Director of Public Relations, Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole, Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu on Monday, the suspected terrorists were neutralised on Sunday during a patrol around Kubtara village in the LGA.

The troops also recovered some weapons from the terrorist comprising one Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) and a suicide vest.

Nwachukwu stated that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, commended the troops for the quick response in tracking the terrorists.

He, however, encouraged them to be more daring, vigilant and steadfast, as they clear the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists.

Source: https://www.channelstv.com/2018/12/31/troops-kill-three-suspected-female-suicide-bombers-recover-rpg/

Jessie J shares very emotional tributes as she reveals her security guard and "rock" has died

Jessie J, 30, has shared a series of emotional posts to pay tribute to her security guard who died.

The singer revealed on Sunday that her bodyguard Dave has passed away. Sharing photos of them together, she wrote captions that were as touching as they were lengthy. The captions spoke about the memories they had shared together.

Jessie wrote:

The love you had for your children. Was everything. We would laugh till we cried nearly everyday. We created Penelope and the blue Shetland pony together. We talked about our dreams. We talked about what our biggest fears were. You weren’t just my security, we ARE family. 4 years. Me and you.

Remember when you got me the blue Shetland pony cake for the end of The Voice Aus. When we went to see fifty shades in Aus and giggled the whole way through. When you would text me when I was filming The Voice on the breaks to make me laugh. The late night walks we would take together to get some air. Who would shout “banana” quickest. When you came to see me when I was in hospital to cheer me up and I was out of it on anaesthetic and we again just laughed. You were so worried about me. You looked after me.

Working out by the side of the bus everyday before the tour. You would push me and tell me I could do better. 

When you would do anything so I could see my fans waiting. You would always sort it out so it was safe for them and me. 

When I was terrified on that flight from Dubai to London because of the turbulence and you held my hand for 8 hours. I will never forget that. 

When we would go shopping and try on silly hats and glasses. 

When you would carry me to stage because my shoes wouldn’t make it through the mud. 

The way we laughed. I keep going back to that. We had so much fun Dave. 
Your love for working out. 

The way you would eat your meals and I would always wish I could be so disciplined. I am now. You inspired me. 

Your love for your dogs. 

Your love for tattoos. 

Your love for travelling. 

Your gentleness. 

Your voice.

The way you stuck by me when everyone else left. It was me and you in Aus. You were my rock.

I wrote this because I want everyone to remember the man you were. You were a gentle giant with a heart so big everyone felt it. 

I love you so much. We were supposed to meet for hot chocolate next week. 
I miss you. I will see you on the other side one day. Rest easy Dave / give your Dad a hug from me ????

It is still not clear how Dave died.

Below are the tributes Jessie J shared in Dave's honour.