INFO-WORLD

Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc, has said that he will ignore Jose Mourinho’s talk and mind games, ahead of his side’s Champions League clash with Chelsea next week. The Ligue 1 champions will be hoping to reach the semi-finals of the competition, but have to eliminate the Blues over two legs. Blanc said big talk is a part of Mourinho’s reportoire, despite all his achievements throughout his career. “Mourinho will talk and comment; that’s how he functions,” the PSG coach told a press conference. “He’s very clever and very professional. I have a lot of respect for him. He’s a great coach who has won nearly everything. “I know him very well because he was on Bobby Robson’s coaching staff when I played for Barcelona. “I know he will prepare well for this match with us because he is a very professional coach. “We mustn’t underestimate Chelsea. But like I have already said, they are no stronger or weaker than when the draw came out. They are a great side and t...

The Special Forces have arrested 31 fighters of the Boko Haram Sect who were attempting to flee the country through Taraba State and Gumti in Adamawa State into Cameroon. The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, said in an electronic mail on Thursday that one of those arrested was a mercenary claiming to be a citizen of Chad and Burkinafaso. Olukolade also said that 11 insurgents were also killed during shootouts with troops in the  border communities. He said that the terrorists who were involved in the encounter with the Special Forces were trapped and were forced out of their hideout by hunger. According for the Defence spokesman, the Special Forces arrested some of the insurgents who left one of the camps in the forest took the security men to similar camps in the area. He said that the Special Forces killed seven of the insurgents during a fierce gun battle in one of the camps. He added that four other insurgents were killed in anoth...

Residents scampered for safety on Thursday as explosion rocks Shagari Plaza on Moshood Abiola Way, Garki-Area One, Abuja. The quick succession in which the explosion occurred made customers and neighbours to scamper into safety. Many expressed fears that it was a bomb explosion. But an eyewitness account said the first explosion occurred at about 5:17pm when a gas cylinder exploded. A jeep parked close to the gas dispenser went up in flames. The gas retailer, who tried to recover his money kept under one of the cylinders, was also caught in the explosion while trying to save his earnings for the day. “He kept it under one of the cylinders. As he was trying to take the money, another cylinder exploded,” another eyewitness said. Another witness said the retailer took delivery of the gas supply on Wednesday. “They just supplied him the gas yesterday (Wednesday). We are surprised because we still don’t know what happened. We only heard a big bang,” he said. The retaile...

Nigeria’s National Economic Council, NEC on Thursday asked the Federal Government to separate the Excess Crude Accounts from the Sure-P account to facilitate easy accountability. The Council, which was meeting for the first time in six months said it was worried at the litigation filed against the ECA and therefore want the cases to be resolved quickly so that the funds in the account can be appropriately utilised. Governor Godswill Akpabio who briefed journalists after the meeting presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo said the decision followed a briefing by the Minister of Finance and the coordinating Minister for the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala that the excess crude account now stands at 3.5 billion dollars after the removal of the Sure-P money. Also, NEC moved to tackle the problem of the clashes between herdsmen and farmers which have resulted into deaths of hundreds across the country in the past few months with the setting up of a technical Committee to tackle...

Mobile telecommunications operators, especially those recently fined by the Nigerian Communications Commission, are apprehensive that the regulator may impose additional fines on them due to the persistent poor quality of services they are offering. The apprehension, our correspondent learnt from sources in the Ministry of Communication Technology and infrastructure service providers, was heightened by the persistent poor service conditions of the telecoms networks and the rising complaints by subscribers. Our correspondent gathered that the NCC was now religiously monitoring the Key Performance Indicators in the quality of service regulation and would not relent in dealing with any errant operator considering that the KPI had already been amended before the last set of fines were imposed, with some industry constraints put into consideration. A source at the NCC, who preferred not to be named, told our correspondent that the commission was carefully collating statistics f...

It was an ugly scenario at No 67, Ifelodun Street, Akingbala area, in Obatanko of Abeokuta, on Thursday morning, as a police corporal, identified as Sunkanmi Ogunbiyi, was said to have run berserk and shot dead his wife, Corporal Oluwatosin Faremi. The deceased officer was also said to have killed a commercial motorcycle rider, identified as Kunle, a landlady, simply identified as Iya Basirat, landlady’s children, Basirat, Taofeek, a Senior Secondary School two students of Nawar-u-Deen Grammar School, Obantoko and his brother, Sikiru, landlady’s granddaughter, Kaosarat and one other person, while three other persons are lying critically injured at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, for medical attention. The deceased policeman, until his death,was reported to have been attached to the Mobile Police Unit at the Command’s headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta. An eyewitness, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune, on condition of anonymity, said that the policeman perpetr...

Rapper Kanye West has pleaded no contest and been sentenced to two years probation for assaulting a photographer at Los Angeles International Airport. He must also attend 24 anger management sessions and complete 250 hours of community service for the misdemeanor battery last July. Paparazzo Daniel Ramos accuses the rapper of punching him and grabbing his camera in an unprovoked attack. The 36-year-old rapper maintains his innocence. The plea cannot be used against him in a civil lawsuit brought against him by Ramos, reports the Associated Press news agency. ‘Not safe’ The photographer alleges he still takes medication for injuries from the attack. “I was doing my job and he broke the law,” Ramos told US media. “If I did what he did to me, I’d be behind bars.” Ramos also alleged he was fearful of retaliation after comments by West on a TV show in October. “It’s not safe for you in this zoo,” West told host Jimmy Kimmel when asked about paparazzi. “Never think...

Nigerian music superstar, Wizkid, has finally confirmed his break-up with girlfriend, Tania Omotayo. This follows the recent drama on social media between the estranged lovebirds. Wizkid, who was a guest on ‘Drive Time Show’, a radio programme anchored by Gbeni, on The Beat 99.9FM, Lagos, admitted being single when asked about his relationship status. “My friend is fine. We’re cool. But I’m single now you know. But it’s all love. I got love for her. She’s like my best friend anyways,” the singer said. Some days ago, Wizkid and Tania left their fans confused with posts on the Instagram.

Nollywood actress, Ini Edo, and one of the popular faces in the Nigerian movie industry,  is rated as one of the best and successful in the industry. The 32 years old actress has had a fair share of the endorsement deals flying in the air for celebrities of her ilk and she is lucky to be signed as an ambassador with a Nigerian telecom company which earned her some millions of naira. In 2012, the screen diva bought a brand new BMW X6 which was said to have cost her about N8m and a customised plate number Ini 4p. The X6 M offers a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V-8 engine creating 555 horsepower at 5500 revolutions per minute, leveraging the standard all-wheel drive to accelerate with incredible tractive force through an eight-speed automatic transmission. It costs between $60,000 and $90,000. The BMW X6 is a four-seat SUV with an elevated ride height, a dramatically sloping rear end and only two rear seats. It is remarkably quick for its size and weight, available in two t...

Nigeria’s most popular city music tour,  Star Music Trek , has officially unveiled its exciting star line up for this year’s pan-Nigerian concert. The select list of performers was revealed to an exclusive audience comprising celebrities, members of the press and officials of the brand at a suspense-filled sign-on press conference, which held at Federal Palace Hotel Victoria Island, Lagos, on March 19, 2014. The press conference, preceded by the popular ‘My City Rocks’ campaign, attracted artistes and various celebrities who commented eagerly on what made their cities so special and unique. Excited fans all over the country engaged in the interactive campaign on electronic and online mediums where they also got an opportunity to guess the artistes on this year’s line-up. “Our theme, ‘My City Rocks,’ is inspired by the uniqueness of many Nigerian cities. Young Nigerians have connected to these special traits in a unique way as only they can and have made this campaign a...

Ibadan based prophet, Wale Olagunji of Divine Seed of God Chapel Ministry has revealed that he hasn’t taken his bath in 13 years because it was God’s instruction. He further disclosed that he was also instructed to separate from his wife and abstain from sex. “Even thought I haven’t had my bath in 13 years, I don’t smell and I still look neater than those who bathe regularly. Early 2000, the Lord told me to stop taking my bath, separate myself from my wife and that I should stop taking all those soft drinks and wines. And since then I have diligentlyobserved all those things. Whoever God wants to use for certain purposes on earth, there is a serious price attached to that calling. So I believe that is the price I am paying. As I am talking to you now, I have not taken my bath. If you want me to show you evidence, I will show you; I have not taken my bath since 2001 till this moment.” He told City People Magazine. When asked how he manages to remain hygienic and healthy, the ...

There are strong indications that President Goodluck Jonathan’s daughter, Faith Elizabeth Sakwe, is about to get married. According to E24-7 Magazine, she will be having her traditional wedding in Bayelsa at the Otuoke, Bayelsa State residence of the president on April, 5, 2014, Saturday, 1 p.m. Her white wedding will take place at the International Conference Centre, Herbert Macaulay Way, Abuja, on April 12, 2014, Saturday. The lucky bridegroom is Godswill Osim Edward. Since the news broke that Godswill and Faith would be wedding, bespoke tailors and bridal wears designers have started to besiege Aso Rock to get the nod of the President’s daughter to make the wedding dress, while event managers have inundated the office with proposals and quotations. It is expected that the wedding, being first since Jonathan became President, many of his aides revealed, promises to ooze with style and status.

Nigeria is blessed with so many beautiful sights and sites, both natural and man-made. From the east, west, north and south, these breath-taking attractions have become a source of pride, both for the communities where they are found and the nation at large. Game reserves, rivers, caves, landscapes, natural springs, well-rounded hills and rolling valleys…just name it; the nation has got them all. Nigeria’s abundance also pervades the tourism sector. All across the country are tourist sites that are capable of turning in huge chunks of money into the nation’s economy if well developed and managed. However, it seems, this sector has been one of the most neglected in Nigeria over the years. If countries like the United Arab Emirate (UAE), the Bahamas, South Africa, Kenya, etc., depend so much on tourism and are making without much of the oil we have here, then the sector is worth taking more seriously. We have some popular tourist sites that are actually competing with others els...

Justice Saliu Saidu of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Thursday nullified the collection of toll or tariff on the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge. The court based its judgment on the grounds that there is no existing law in Lagos State permitting the collection of toll on the newly constructed Lekki- Ikoyi bridge. The court held that the power of control of all navigable waterways in Nigeria resides with the Federal Government. Justice Saidu also declared that from the documents before the court, the only justification for the toll fee on the bridge by Lagos State is the Private Partnership Law. The judge, however, said that PP Law could not apply to the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge as it was built with the money of Lagos State without any private partnership involved. The suit was filed by a Lagos-based human rights activist, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, against the Lagos State Government to contest imposition of toll on the bridge. The Attorney-General of the Federation, the Nationa...

A former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, has accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of being the brain behind the formation, growth and sustenance of the Boko Haram sect currently terrorising the nation. The APC leader was reacting to a recent allegation by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, who said that Buhari’s comments, prior to the 2011 election showed that he founded the group. Buhari, while reacting to the claim through the former national publicity secretary of the now rested Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Rotimi Fashakin, in a text message to Punch, in Abuja, on Monday, said, Metuh, the PDP spokesman, was showing as much desperation as Joseph Goebbels in the last days of the Hitler regime. According to him, Metuh was only out to dent the image and reputation of the former Military General. Fashakin said, “The former National Security Adviser, Late Gen. Andrew Azazi, was unequivocal in his assertion that...

More troubles mount for suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor,Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the Kano Emirate sends emissaries to thepresidency disassociating itself from recent comments credited to the ousted CBN Governor disparaging the Nigerian government, the Presidency and President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Pointblanknews  authoritatively reports that reacting to bitter complaints from the Presidency over Sanusi Lamido’s attacks and disregard to Federal authorities, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Abdullahi Bayero personally chided Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, urging him to, “shut up and stop embarrassing the Kano Emirate.” A reliable source from Kano Emirate Council told Pointblanknews.com that Emir Ado Bayero has continued to express concern over Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s actions and utterances since he was suspended as CBN Governor. “In fact, I must tell you that His Highness, Alhaji Ado Bayero is upset over recent comments credited to Majen Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido S...

ABAKALIKI, Ebonyi (Salt of The Nation) Known for its fine rice and irresistible yams, Abakaliki is the capital of Ebonyi State in southeastern Nigeria. The name of the city was derived from Aba Nkaleke which is the name of a community among the Izzi people, one of the predominant ethnic groups in Ebonyi. Izziland is also referred to as Nkaleke. Aba Nkaleke is also translated to mean Main Abakaliki. ABEOKUTA, Ogun (Gateway State) The name was derived from two Yoruba words ‘abe’ and ‘okuta’, which mean ‘under’ and ‘rock’ i.e under the rock. The rock being referred to here is the historic Olumo Rock which served as a place of refuge and reconnaissance for the Egba people during various wars. ADO EKITI (Land of Honour) ‘Ekiti’ is a term that is said to denote a settlement of many hills. Hills are common geographical features in Ekitiland and are responsible for the division of Ekitiland into smaller kingdoms and subunits. Ado has been defined as a name for a political society. Hist...