National Assembly shutdown for PDP conference

The two Chambers of the National Assembly were yesterday shutdown for the rebranding conference of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) holding today in Abuja, our correspondents report.

The Upper Chamber announced the adjournment of sitting to Tuesday, after a closed door session presided over by the Senate President Bukola Saraki.

An open letter to all Nigerians

In his address to the members of the Christian Legislators Fellowship of Nigeria at their 6th Annual Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, October 22, in Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari is quoted to have said:

“The time has come for Nigeria to have godly leaders in a permanently changing world. Change, though usually resisted, is the most constant component of life. Thus the need of a Godly leader in our ever changing world cannot be over- emphasized. Whenever God’s people have been without godly leadership, the result has been disastrous.”(The Nation).

With this statement, Mr. President has given an indication of what he expects of all he has invited to participate in his government specifically and Nigerians in general. In a private audience with him last July, this writer, after listening to him speak on the state of the nation prayed for him this prayer, “Allah shi taya ka riko” and he responded very quickly: “Allah shi taya mu riko”! Meaning: Mr. President, may God assist you in this mission” to which he responded, “ May God help us in this assignment”. Again, it is clear, this is a mission of rescue and restoration to decency in which all Nigerians are invited to participate. All who have been studying the body language of President Buhari would have seen that he is committed to zero tolerance for corruption from all those who are in this government and believe that it is their turn to loot the wealth of this nation and enrich themselves. So, Mr. President has made his clarion call, let Nigerians say, ‘amen’ in whatever language but be prepared to live it out!

Justin Bieber Stars In A Movie With Ariana Grande; Selena Gomez Jealous?

Justin Bieber may allegedly be starring in a movie with Ariana Grande.

According to a report, Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande attract the same fan base and their managers are allegedly convinced that making a movie would earn both camps big bucks.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter Is Hospitalized

Klaus Stohlker, who is a spokesman of Sepp Blatter, says that the suspended FIFA President is spending the week in a Swiss hospital following a stress-related incident.

According to the latest news, the 79-years-old had originally undergone tests and planned to stay home, but his doctors elected to keep him under observation in hospital over the weekend.

Human Rights Commission Overturns UNN’s Firing Of Professor Who Exposed Colleague’s Academic Fraud

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has suspended the recent decision by the Governing Council of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) to sack Ugochukwu Uche, a professor at the university, who exposed several falsifications and apparent forgeries by another professor, Uche Modum. 

SaharaReporters has done several investigative reports on the questionable credentials used by Mrs. Modum, a former Commissioner with the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), to obtain promotion to the rank of professor at UNN. Our reports have also detailed various attempts by UNN’s Governing Council, headed by Emmanuel C. Ukala, a lawyer, to shield Mrs. Modum and pressure the whistleblower, Mr. Uche, to recant. 

The Glitz and Glamour of Olokun Festival

The famous Olokun festival was celebrated amidst glitz and glamour spanning a week of cultural festivities in Lagos. Zacheaus Somorin who covered the events, reports

Everything good that has a beginning must have an end. This aptly describes this year’s Olokun Festival, themed “Traditional Festival and the Prospects of Cultural Dividends”.

Advocacy group, journalists canvass stiffer penalty for sex, domestic violence offenders

THE Counselling Ambassadors Organisation (TCAO) on Monday canvassed stiffer penalties for sex offenders, perpetrators of domestic violence and those who protect them from prosecution.

The Non-Government Organisation said such cover- ups by traditional rulers, neighbours and family members of victims were conspiracies that have encouraged perpetrators to continue in the crime.

Coldplay, Gwen Stefani to perform at American Music Awards

Coldplay and Gwen Stefani have been added to the list of performers for the 2015 American Music Awards.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis will also hit the stage at the Nov. 22 show at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Heroes welcome for victorious Eaglets

The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria today, returned to the country from Chile amidst fanfare and jubilations from fans and well wishers after clinching the 2015 U-17 World Cup trophy, beating Mali 2-0 in the finals. The Coach Emmanuel Amuneke –led Eaglets aboard Emirates Airline flight EK 785 from Dubai touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The team had stayed the night in Dubai on Tuesday after flying from Santiago the previous day.

On hand to receive the victorious boys and their officials were Director-General, Sports, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mallam Yakmut praised the players for their feat saying “The entire nation is proud of you. You have done a great thing to bring honour to this country, and Mr. President is very delighted. I also wish to convey to you the joy of the new Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports,”On hand to receive the victorious boys and their officials were Director-General, Sports, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mallam Alhassan Saleh Yakmut, NFF 1st Vice President, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, NFF 2nd Vice President, Mr. Shehu Dikko, directors of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, NFF Board members, Otunba Sunday Dele-Ajayi, Alh. Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, Alh. Ahmad Kawu, and NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

‘Islam Is a Doctrine Spawned in Hell’: Pastor Set to Go on Trial After Fiery Sermon Calling Islam ‘Satanic’

An evangelical pastor in Northern Ireland who is going on trial next month after calling Islam “satanic” and “spawned in hell” during a 2014 sermon is imploring his countrymen to support his right to free speech.

“Again I appeal to every born-again child of God and every true servant of God to support me in my coming trial, by your presence and prayers, regarding the issue of free speech, freedom of conscience and ‘lawful’ liberty,” Pastor James McConnell recently wrote on his website.

Key figures in Buhari’s new cabinet and profiles

Here are some of the key figures in Nigeria’s new cabinet, which was announced on Wednesday, more than five months after President Muhammadu Buhari took office:

– Kemi Adeosun (finance) –

The 48-year-old was born and raised in London, where she studied economics and public financial management, going on to become a senior manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Men: Can Helping With Chores Really Improve Your Sex Life?

Although many men may have known this little secret for years, it has only recently been studied and suggested to indeed be true. If you’re interested in improving your sex life with your partner, you may need to make less of an effort to be adventurous in bed and help with household chores instead. According to a recent study published in the Journal of Family Psychology, partners who help each other with household chores have better sex lives. The study specifically pinpoints the benefits of equally shared housework in relation to “sex among egalitarian couples,” but the researchers point out that the positive benefits (e.g., increased sex) do not come to fruition for all couples.

“In any relationship, the amount of housework is going to mean something different based on the couple’s context. Based on their own expectations for what each partner should be doing, and their comparison levels of what happens with other couples they know,” explained Dr. Matt Johnson, a family ecology professor in the Department of Human Ecology at the University of Alberta, in Medical Daily. Johnson and his colleagues analyzed 1,338 couples who had participated in the German Panel Analysis of Intimate Relationships and Family Dynamics (pairfam) project, controlled that couples had been together for five years, and revealed that men whofelt like they contributed their fair share of housework reported having a lot more sex.

PHOTOS: 26-Year Old Woman Marries 74-Year Old Billionaire

Two years after 74-year old Nigerian billionaire and businessman Chief Emmanuel Iwuanywu lost his wife to cancer, he married 26-year old Frances Enwerem in 2013. 

Frances is now expecting her first child. She is reported to be in her second trimester and currently in the United States (US) where she plans to deliver the baby.

See More Photos Below:

"Spectre" Set Guinness World Record for Biggest Movie

James Bond’s latest globe-trotting adventure, Spectre, hit theaters last weekend to fairly solid reviews. Even if the movie will not leave a legacy as one of the great Bond flicks, it has made history in its own way: An explosion from the film set a Guinness world record for the largest film stunt explosion.

At GQ, we love when things go boom. (Though no one has responded to my emails about changing the magazine’s tagline.) So how do I feel about this Spectreexplosion? It’s not bad, but bigger isn’t always better. Does it have the surprise factor of the explosion from the Disney Channel hit The Famous Jett Jackson Movie? Or what about the carnage and utter destruction (and scientific realism!) of the nuclear blast from Terminator 2? And let’s not forget about The Joker blowing up a freaking hospital in The Dark Knight.

The list of President Buhari's ministers and their portfolios

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday swore in 36 ministers to form his cabinet at the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock and assigned them portfolios.

The swearing-in, which was done in nine batches, was witnessed by two guests each of the appointees, some governors and chieftains of APC.

Solomon Dalong: 7 things to know about Nigeria's new Minister of Youths and Sports

President Muhammadu Buhari has sworn in the ministers of his federal cabinets.

Plateau-State born lawyer Solomon Dalong was sworn in as the new Minister of Sports.

These are five things you should know about him.

1. Birth and early education

 Dalong was born on September 26, 1964, in the town of Sabon Gida, Langtang South Local Council and had his primary education at LEA Primary School Sabon Gida from 1971 to 1977.

Bayelsa Election: Dickson, Sylva, Others Sign Peace Accord

Less than one month to the December 5th Gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa State, aspirants from various political parties have converged to sign a peace accord, to ensure peaceful and credible poll, ChannelsTV reports.

The signing of the peace pact which was initiated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in collaboration with United Nations Development Program (UNDP), had heads of security agencies, traditional and religious leaders in attendance.

Happy Birthday To DJ Cuppy And Baba Dee

Nigerians celebrate with 2 celebrities today, DJ Cuppy and Baba Dee.

Florence Otedola aka DJ Cuppy, is a DJ and music producer.

7 scandals Karim Benzema should have avoided

Karim Benzema is in the spotlight again for his problems off the field. The Real Madrid striker faces a prison sentence for having allegedly cooperated with a friend of his who tried to blackmail Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Mathieu Valbuena.

Here at Freshest Gist, we’ve spent a few hours searching in our archives for all the scandals Benzema has been involved in. We’ve found at least seven incidents that have damaged the club’s reputation and could have been easily avoided:The French forward has had a very controversial personal life since he arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu. This is not the first time he has paid a visit to the Police Station, nor the first he faces a trial.