Omowunmi Akinnifesi Comes Back with a Bang

For those inquiring into the whereabouts of former beauty queen, Omowunmi Akinnifesi, ask no more. Y! Magazine has brought her right to your doorstep. The beauty queen has been crowned the Most Beautiful Woman in the World 2013 according to Y! Magazine.

The intro by the magazine reads; She’s back! And already, she is taking no prisoners. Omowunmi Akinnifesi, who was Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2005, has just returned from a 2-year public break, armed with a Master’s degree from King's College, London and already busy working on 
policy for the Lagos government.

Finally! Jonathan Approves Proscription of Boko Haram, Ansaru

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan, today formally approved the proscription of Boko Haram and authorized the gazetting of an order declaring the group’s activities illegal and acts of terrorism.

The order, which has been gazetted as the Terrorism (Prevention) (Proscription Order) Notice 2013 affects both Boko Haram (Jamaatu Ahlis-Sunna Liddaawati Wal Jihad) and another group – Jama’atu Ansarul  Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudanan was approved by President Jonathan pursuant  to section 2 of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011 (As Amended).

EXCLUSIVE: Boko Haram-IG Lauds $7M Bounty on Sect's Leader

IG, MOHAMMED ABUBAKAR

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, on Tuesday lauded the pricey sum of $7million placed on the leader of the dreaded Boko Haram militia sect, Abubakar Shekau, by the United States Government.

The United States Government had in its continuous war against terrorism and terrorists placed a joint bounty of 23million dollars on five leaders of militant groups in West Africa.

Gunmen Kill Sokoto Lawmaker, Flees with Victim's Car

IG, MOHAMMED ABUBAKAR 

Unknown gunmen Monday night  assasinated a member representing Gada West constituency in the Sokoto State House of Asssembly, Alhaji Murtala Attahiru Wauru. The slain lawmaker was killed while on his way to his residence at Mabera area of Sokoto metropolis around 9.45 pm Monday night. It was gathered that the assasins went away with the deceased vehicle after perpetrating the heinous act.

Finally! CBN Refutes Premium Times's Allegations Against Sanusi

Sanusi and Yaro

 The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has finally reacted to media reports on its Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, claiming that he recruited his alleged girlfriend, Mrs Maryam Yaro, into the institution based on the romantic relationship between them.

In a rebuttal statement addressed to Premium Times, which broke the story, the CBN Director, Corporate Communications, Ugochukwu A Okoroafor, specifically made clarification on the allegation that Yaro is a staff of CBN but on the allegations regarding the alleged romance between Sanusi and Yaro, Okoroafor said, “in line with the Governor’s usual practice of not responding to these libelous comments on his person, we have decided not to respond.

Yeah! The Future Awards Goes Continental For Season 8

The Central Working Committee for The Future Awards has announced the formal calendar of activities for The Future Awards 2013, which is the 8th season of the awards – and the formal statement comes with a big announcement!

“It has been seven years of inspiring young Nigerian leaders across the country,” said Chude Jideonwo, who is executive director of The Future Project. “We have visited 23 states with the awards, the town hall meetings, conferences amongst others and we have touched thousands of lives. That legacy will remain.

FG to Declare Sect Terrorist Organisation

Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu

In its latest offensive against Boko Haram, the federal government has decided to officially declare the Islamic sect a "terrorist organisation", a designation it has shied away from labelling the group since it started its attacks in the country four years ago.

The decision by the federal government coincided with the $7 million bounty offered by the United States Government for the capture of the leader of the sect, Abubakar Shekau, and the declaration by the Niger State Governor, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, that the time for amnesty for members of Boko Haram was not ripe.

Mourinho: Chelsea Return was 'Easy Decision'

Jose Mourinho talking with Chelsea TV 

Jose Mourinho said it was an "easy decision" for him to return to Chelsea for a second spell in charge. It was announced on Monday that the 50-year-old had signed a four-year deal to manage the club he had previously helped to two Premier League titles.

"It was an easy decision," ex-Real Madrid boss Mourinho told Chelsea TV. The Portuguese manager, who also helped the Blues to two League Cup wins and one FA Cup triumph, takes over from interim boss Rafael Benitez following a three-year period in charge at Real Madrid.

Bollywood Actress Jiah Khan Found Dead At Her Residence

Bollywood actress Nafisa, aka Jiah Khan, who was seen opposite Amitabh Bachchan in “Nishabd”, committed suicide at her residence in Mumbai’s Juhu area, police said Tuesday. She was 25. The Britain-born actress was found hanging at her flat in Sagar Sangeet Building in the posh Juhu area of northwest Mumbai around midnight. The cause of the suicide is not yet clear, police said, adding that autopsy reports were awaited. The body of the actress was taken to the Cooper Hospital in Vile Parle Monday night and later moved to J.J. Hospital in Byculla.

IG: Report on Slain Policemen to be Made Public Soon

Mohammed Abubakar, Inspector General of Police

The Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar,  monday assured the public  that the police would soon make public  the report of investigation into the killing of 49 policemen in Nasarawa State. Abubakar gave the assurance in Abuja in an interview with reporters shortly after the inauguration of 12 patrol vehicles for the Abuja-Kaduna highway.

Dangote Hits $20bn Mark, Now 25th Richest in the World

Aliko Dangote

In line with his goal to become one of the five wealthiest people in the world in four year's time, Aliko Dangote kept faith with his target last week, when he moved up 18 places on the Forbes magazine Rich List to emerge the 25th richest man in the world.

With the share price of his flagship Dangote Cement Plc skyrocketing to N191 per share by the close of trading last Friday on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the business mogul saw his personal networth correspondingly inch up to $20 billion, making him the first African to hit the $20 billion mark.

Boko Haram: US Offers $23m Bounty for Shekau

Boko Haram leader,  Abubakar Shekau

In an unprecedented move, the United States monday posted up to $23 million in rewards to help track down five leaders of militant groups accused of spreading terror in West Africa. The highest reward of $7 million was offered for the Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, who last week called on Islamists in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq to join the bloody fight to create an Islamic state in Nigeria.

The US State Department's Rewards for Justice programme also targeted Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), offering its first ever bounties for wanted militants in West Africa.