Benazir Bhutto son Bilawal gives Pakistan political vow

The son of Pakistan's murdered ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has promised to fight militancy to maintain democracy, in his first major political speech.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari told party supporters marking five years since his mother's death that she "sacrificed her life to uphold democracy".
Ms Bhutto died in a gun and bomb attack during her 2007 election campaign.

Iran sacks sole female minister Dastjerdi from health post

Ms Dastjerdi was the first woman minister in the 30-year history of the Islamic republic

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has sacked Health Minister Marziyeh Vahid Dastjerdi, the sole woman in his cabinet, state television reports.

Ms Dastjerdi was also the first woman minister in the 30-year history of the Islamic republic.
While no reason has been given, the dismissal is being linked to her call for drug price rises to fight shortages caused by international sanctions.

Goal-scoring Without Trophies Means Nothing, Says Messi

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi has insisted his own goal-scoring exploits mean nothing unless Barcelona are able to win matches. The striker has enjoyed a remarkable 12 months in front of goal, scoring 91 times to break Gerd Muller's long-standing record of 85 strikes in a calendar year, but he has stressed that the team's results will always take precedence over his personal triumphs.

He told Mundo Deportivo: "I'm happy about the goals I've scored and the records I've broken, but this year could have been better in terms of silverware. I've always said that if the team isn't winning things my goals are meaningless."

Runsewe Urges Keshi, Odemwingie to Ceasefire

Chief Olusegun Runsewe

Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi and West Brom striker, Osaze Odemwingie should end their war of words over the national team list to next month’s African Cup of Nations in South Africa in the interest of the team, Chief Olusegun Runsewe cautioned Wednesday.

Runsewe, a patron of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) spoke Wednesday in a statement while reviewing the Eagles programme for Africa’s top soccer competition.

“There is no need for any distraction at the time when all hands should be on deck to ensure total victory for Nigeria in South Africa,” observed Runsewe who is the director general of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC).

Fireworks Explosion: 20 Arrested for Looting

Scene from the Warehouse Explosion

By Gboyega Akinsanmi and Chiemelie Ezeobi and Onyebuchi Ezigbo

A yet-to-be identified female teenager was Wednesday feared dead in the explosion that rocked a fireworks’ warehouse at Jankara Market, Isale-Eko, Lagos Island, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

It was learnt that the victim was killed in one of the buildings razed by the inferno that lasted for hours despite efforts to put out the blaze.

The fire had started with an explosion, causing panic among Lagos residents as many had thought a bomb had been detonated in the nation’s commercial capital city.

Christmas: A Brand Violated

Picture a child walking up to you and looking somewhat perplexed. The little fellow unsure, whether to ask you the question you can see lingering on the young lips or not. Then it pops out: “Please is this the real Christmas, or shall we wait for the other one?” By the other Christmas the child has in mind the Christmas during which people are said to talk about Jesus Christ, man’s spiritual salvation, going to heaven, remembering the good things that Christ taught mankind, etc.

This image of a perplexed child asking about Christmas may seem an unlikely scenario to many, but it is not. The real message of Christmas does not exist in what is masquerading under that umbrella everywhere today. That is why any child or adult for that matter, who sets out to find the Christmas in these events, celebrations and parties will be appalled and scandalised. The symbols under which Christmas is now celebrated, like bags of sweet, silly toys and Father Christmas, have nothing whatsoever to do with the real thing. There are no genuine reminders about the meaning of Christianity, no mementoes or artworks of the birth scene with the Star of Bethlehem shining over it. 

Some Christians are Deadlier than Boko Haram, Says Gumi

Bishop of Abuja Diocese, Most Rev Nicholas Okoh

The proliferation of violence in the country has been linked to the ‘sinister’ activities of some unidentified Christian elements who over the years have been scheming through political subterfuge driven by personal ambition to take over the leadership of the nation.
This allegation is coming in the wake of an observation by the Primate of all Nigeria/Bishop of Abuja Diocese, Most Rev Nicholas Okoh there has to be an end the Boko Haram harassment, which has forced many Christians from going to church.

Task Force Arrests Doctor, 24 Others for Pipeline Vandalism

Pipeline Vandalism

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

The Police Special Task Force on Anti-Pipeline Vandalism, Force Headquarters, has arrested a 35-year-old medical doctor, Salifu Odiba and 24 others for oil pipeline vandalism.

Confirming the arrests, the officer-in-charge of the task force, Friday Ibadin, said some of the suspects were arrested in different parts of the country for operating their oil businesses without a licence.

The suspects are identified as; Onadipe Abdullateef, Samuel Oyewunmi, Samuel Okunuga, Kayode Akinsanya, Alaba Ademola, Hehinde Alagboye, Muritala Karim, Akeem Ahmed, Musiliu Azeez, Jelilat Olalekan and Elizabeth Folusho.

Blaze in Lagos 'after Fireworks Blast

Smoke can be seen billowing from the warehouse

An explosion in a warehouse has sparked a major fire in Lagos, the nation's largest city and commercial capital.

Witnesses said fireworks were stored in the warehouse in the busy market area of Lagos Island, and the blaze quickly spread to other buildings.

The blast reportedly shook windows of homes several miles away and a thick cloud of smoke could be seen rising over the island, reports the BBC.

Scarity: Fuel Vendors Take Over Abuja Streets

Fuel vendors hawking petrol in jerry cans on the street

The current upsurge in the illegal hawking of fuel in streets of major cities across the country might be a disaster waiting to happen.

Following weeks of biting fuel scarcity resulting from hiccups in the supply and distribution of petroleum products, major roads and streets in our cities have been turn into mini-markets for the sale of fuel in jerry cans.

With the harmattan season already around the corner, the possibility of fire outbreak emanating from the careless open display of petroleum products by these hawkers poses a serious threat to lives and properties.