There was riot in Igbariam campus in Anambra State University this morning. Heard things have died down a bit. According to unconfirmed reports from students of the school, who also sent in photos, armed robbers invaded the students' lodge last night to rob and they ended up shooting quite a few students. One student died last night, while another one who was shot died early this morning in the hospital.

Some students decided the best way to respond to the incident was to riot against the school and state government, blaming lack of security for their fellow students' deaths. 

Students say they pay N135,000 per session for new students and 107,000 for old students and still don't have security or even a functioning hospital, plus no light!

The rioting students went on the streets insisting on speaking with Governor Peter Obi. The students calmed down after the school Vice Chancellor addressed them.

INTRODUCING THE WORLD'S MOST EXPENSIVE CHAMPAGNE!!!!

Nigerian luxury designer Alexander Amosu has created the most expensive champagne in the world called Taste of Diamonds. The drink costs 1.2million pounds. Converted to Naira it is - N250million, which can get you three luxury duplexes in Abuja
Amosu created a design which takes its inspiration from the Superman style signature and hand crafted it from 18ct solid white gold weighing approximately 48gsm of solid gold centred by a single flawless deep cut white diamond weighing 19cts. The label is also handmade in 18ct solid gold and weighs approximately 36gsm, handcrafted and engraved with the client's name

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CBN reacts to Premium Times report on Sanusi's sexapades

 CBN has reacted to the allegations. Find it below...
3rd June, 2013
The Ag. Managing Editor,
Premium Times
Our attention has been drawn to the libelous story posted on your website on 2nd June, 2013, on the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and which has now been circulated by other online websites and blogging groups.
The post was full of fabrication and inaccuracies. Ordinarily this would have been best ignored. We are however constrained to write to you on account of the severe implications of the allegations for the integrity of the CBN, as an institution.
 Continue...



It is also important to reaffirm our long-standing commitment to due process and international best practice in the discharge of every aspect of our statutory mandate.
We wish to state that CBN is an equal opportunity employer, which prides itself with having female members of staff that possess the highest qualifications, competencies and skills. It is rather reprehensible for anyone to cast such aspersions on the qualifications and integrity of our female staff.
In the publication, you made the following false allegations:
That Dr. Maryam Yaro is a staff of the CBN at the level of Assistant Director and that she was recruited without due process, as  she was not qualified for the role.
That the CBN Governor introduced Dr. Yaro to the CBN and exerted pressure on the Human Resources Department to recruit her.
We wish to state the fact as follows:
Dr. Maryam Yaro is not, and has never been an employee of the Central Bank of Nigeria. She was one of four consultants (three of whom were male), hired by the Nigeria Incentive-based Risk-sharing System for Agricultural Lending  (NIRSAL) Plc; on a one year contract, renewable on the basis of satisfactory performance. NIRSAL Plc is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) set up by the Federal Government of Nigeria, through a partnership between the CBN and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD).
In the course of establishing NIRSAL, the Hon. Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, through a formal letter, recommended Dr. Yaro to participate in the project as a Specialist on Rural Finance Access.
Dr. Yaro was hired after a rigorous selection process conducted by the the NIRSAL Project Implementation Office. This clearly contradicts the claim that Dr. Yaro was brought in by the CBN Governor.
Contrary to allegation that the Governor expedited recruitment of Dr. Yaro, the PIO’s recommendation to hire her as a Consultant, was written on March 30, 2012 but only received final approval on June 20, 2012.
It is pertinent to add that Dr. Yaro’s academic qualifications and experience eminently qualify her for the job. She is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), who speaks three Nigerian languages, and has extensive experience working with farmers across the country on different agricultural programmes. She has also been a consultant to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO); and was one of the experts working in the National Programme on Food Security before she was engaged by NIRSAL.
Please find attached, the relevant documents in support of the facts stated above and we hope you will give this the same publicity you gave your initial story.
We have noted that the other allegations in the post border on the person of the CBN Governor and are consistent with previous attacks. In line with the Governor’s usual practice of not responding to these libelous comments on his person, we have decided not to respond.
The CBN shall remain resolute in the pursuit of its statutory mandates regardless of any attempt to distract the institution or its officers.
Thank you
 Ugochukwu A. Okoroafor
Director, Corporate Communications,
Central Bank of Nigeria
Reacting to the statement, , Premium Times Acting Managing Editor, Idris Akinbajo, said the paper is standing firmly by its story.
“We knew the story was going to shock a lot of people. We were under no illusion that Nigerians would hurriedly swallow the bitter truth of the revelations made in the story. We have discharged our responsibility of providing information we believe citizens need to hold officials accountable.
“Our job is done, as we will only continue to provide additional information as necessary. It is left for Nigerians to either demand accountability or live with, and celebrate the indiscretions of their leaders.
“We stand firmly by our story and look forward to the moment the CBN Governor will boldly look Nigerians in the face and say the things we reported in that story did not happen.”

CBN reacts to Premium Times report on Sanusi's sexapades

 CBN has reacted to the allegations. Find it below...
3rd June, 2013
The Ag. Managing Editor,
Premium Times
Our attention has been drawn to the libelous story posted on your website on 2nd June, 2013, on the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and which has now been circulated by other online websites and blogging groups.
The post was full of fabrication and inaccuracies. Ordinarily this would have been best ignored. We are however constrained to write to you on account of the severe implications of the allegations for the integrity of the CBN, as an institution.
 Continue...



It is also important to reaffirm our long-standing commitment to due process and international best practice in the discharge of every aspect of our statutory mandate.
We wish to state that CBN is an equal opportunity employer, which prides itself with having female members of staff that possess the highest qualifications, competencies and skills. It is rather reprehensible for anyone to cast such aspersions on the qualifications and integrity of our female staff.
In the publication, you made the following false allegations:
That Dr. Maryam Yaro is a staff of the CBN at the level of Assistant Director and that she was recruited without due process, as  she was not qualified for the role.
That the CBN Governor introduced Dr. Yaro to the CBN and exerted pressure on the Human Resources Department to recruit her.
We wish to state the fact as follows:
Dr. Maryam Yaro is not, and has never been an employee of the Central Bank of Nigeria. She was one of four consultants (three of whom were male), hired by the Nigeria Incentive-based Risk-sharing System for Agricultural Lending  (NIRSAL) Plc; on a one year contract, renewable on the basis of satisfactory performance. NIRSAL Plc is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) set up by the Federal Government of Nigeria, through a partnership between the CBN and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD).
In the course of establishing NIRSAL, the Hon. Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, through a formal letter, recommended Dr. Yaro to participate in the project as a Specialist on Rural Finance Access.
Dr. Yaro was hired after a rigorous selection process conducted by the the NIRSAL Project Implementation Office. This clearly contradicts the claim that Dr. Yaro was brought in by the CBN Governor.
Contrary to allegation that the Governor expedited recruitment of Dr. Yaro, the PIO’s recommendation to hire her as a Consultant, was written on March 30, 2012 but only received final approval on June 20, 2012.
It is pertinent to add that Dr. Yaro’s academic qualifications and experience eminently qualify her for the job. She is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), who speaks three Nigerian languages, and has extensive experience working with farmers across the country on different agricultural programmes. She has also been a consultant to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO); and was one of the experts working in the National Programme on Food Security before she was engaged by NIRSAL.
Please find attached, the relevant documents in support of the facts stated above and we hope you will give this the same publicity you gave your initial story.
We have noted that the other allegations in the post border on the person of the CBN Governor and are consistent with previous attacks. In line with the Governor’s usual practice of not responding to these libelous comments on his person, we have decided not to respond.
The CBN shall remain resolute in the pursuit of its statutory mandates regardless of any attempt to distract the institution or its officers.
Thank you
 Ugochukwu A. Okoroafor
Director, Corporate Communications,
Central Bank of Nigeria
Reacting to the statement, , Premium Times Acting Managing Editor, Idris Akinbajo, said the paper is standing firmly by its story.
“We knew the story was going to shock a lot of people. We were under no illusion that Nigerians would hurriedly swallow the bitter truth of the revelations made in the story. We have discharged our responsibility of providing information we believe citizens need to hold officials accountable.
“Our job is done, as we will only continue to provide additional information as necessary. It is left for Nigerians to either demand accountability or live with, and celebrate the indiscretions of their leaders.
“We stand firmly by our story and look forward to the moment the CBN Governor will boldly look Nigerians in the face and say the things we reported in that story did not happen.”

president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of Nigeria officially declares Boko Haram a terrorist Organisation

 Following the spite of insecurity ravaging some part of the nation, President Goodluck Jonathan has formally approved the proscription of Boko Haram and authorized the gazetting of an order declaring

the group's activities as acts of terrorism. The proclamation which has been gazetted as the Terrorism (Prevention) (Proscription Order) Notice 2013, affects both Boko Haram (Jamaatu Ahlis-Sunna Liddaawati Wal Jihad) and Jama'atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru). The order was approved by President Jonathan pursuant to section 2 0f the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011 (As Amended).



A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Rueben Abati, said this "officially brings the activities of both groups within the purview of the Terrorism Prevention Act and any persons associated with the two groups can now be legally prosecuted and sentenced to penalties specified in the Act".

The statement said the proscription order warns the general public that any person "participating in any form of activities involving or concerning the collective intentions of the said groups will be violating the provisions of the Terrorism Prevention Act".

Consequently, any persons associated with the two groups or renders support to them in any manner, directly or indirectly would be prosecuted and sentenced to penalties specified in the act.

Section 5 (1) of the act prescribes a term of imprisonment of not less than 20 years for any person who "knowingly, in any manner, directly or indirectly, solicits or renders support for the commission of an act of terrorism or to a terrorist group.

For the purposes of subsection (1) of section, "support" includes:

(a) Incitement to commit a terrorist act through the internet, or any electronic means or through the use of printed materials or through the
dissemination of terrorist information;
(b) receipt or provision of material assistance, weapons including biological, chemical or nuclear weapons, explosives, training, transportation, false documentation or identification to terrorists or terrorist groups;
(c) Receipt or provision of information or moral assistance, including invitation to adhere to a terrorist or terrorist group;
(d) Entering or remaining in a country for the benefit of, or at the direction of or in association with a terrorist group; or
(e) the provision of, or making available, such financial or other related services prohibited under this Act or as may be prescribed by regulations made pursuant to this Act.

Boko Haram sect has claimed responsibility or is blamed for the killing of thousands of people since it launched its violent offensive in 2009.

President Jonathan last month declared a State of Emergency in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa in order to curtail the activities of the insurgents after other options appeared not to be working.

The other group Ansaru carried out fewer attacks and largely focuses on the kidnap of foreigners and attack on security personnel

US places $7M reward on boko haram leader:Abubakar shekau

 The US yesterday; Monday June 3rd 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 is 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 program also targeted Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), offering its first ever bounties for wanted militants in west Africa.


Up to $5 million was posted for Al-Qaeda veteran Mokhtar Belmokhtar, the one-eyed Islamist behind the devastating attack on an Algerian gas plant in January in which 37 foreigners, including three Americans, were killed.

A further $5 million was offered for top AQIM leader Yahya Abou Al-Hammam, reportedly involved in the 2010 murder of an elderly French hostage in Niger.

 Malik Abou Abdelkarim, a senior fighter with AQIM, and Oumar Ould Hamaha, the spokesman for Mali’s Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO), were also targeted by the rewards program, which will give up to $3 million each for information leading to their arrests.

Source: AFP