SaharaReporters Releases First Batch Of Ministers' Phone Numbers

SaharaReporters on Friday published the phone numbers of 15 of Nigeria’s Federal Ministers on Facebook and Twitter as part of its efforts to enhance governmental transparency and accountability in the country.

By arming Nigerians with those contact numbers, SaharaReporters hopes to foster greater interaction and communication between voters and their government. In April, SaharaReporters published the direct lines of members of Nigeria's National Assembly and of all the State governors.


They are as follows:

US Diplomats Walk Out Of Uganda President's Inauguration


The U.S. delegation to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni's inauguration walked out of Thursday's ceremony in protest against his disparaging comments about an international war crimes tribunal and the presence of Sudan's leader, whom the court has indicted, the State Department said.

Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau said U.S. Ambassador to Uganda Deborah Malac and a visiting Washington-based official, along with several European and Canadian diplomats, abruptly left the inauguration after Museveni made negative remarks about the International Criminal Court in his inaugural address. She added that the U.S. also objected to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir's participation in the inauguration. Al-Bashir has been charged by the court for atrocities in Sudan's western Darfur region.


Kenya Security Forces Kill 10, Arrest 36 In Operation Against Islamists


Kenyan security forces operation said it has killed 10 suspected al Shabaab Islamist militants and arrested 36 others in nine months since launching an operation against the insurgents on the coast.

James Ole’Serian, Head of the Aoint Army and Police Operation, said on Friday in Momcasa that Somalia’s al Shabaab has claimed a series of attacks in the past three years or so in Kenya that have killed hundreds of people.

He said several raids targeted coastal sites have been launched from Boni forest hideouts and troops had swept the forest and destroyed hideouts used by the militants.

“We are having a permanent base set up within the forest that will be used by both our military and police to ensure continuous security.10 suspected militants who refused to surrender had been killed, while at least 36 had been detained,” he said.


FIRS Seals Jimoh Ibrahim’s NICON Luxury Hotel, NICON Insurance Over Unpaid Taxes


The Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, enforcement team has sealed up two companies belonging to business mogul, Jimoh Ibrahim due to unpaid tax. The two companies, NICON Luxury Hotel and NICON Insurance were among others sealed in Lagos, Abuja, Owerri and Kaduna on Thursday.


FIRS Warrant of Distraint revealed that Ibrahim’s NICON Luxury Hotel located in Garki, Area 11, Abuja was sealed off for owing about N392, 623,765.00 in unpaid tax liabilities. The service claimed the amount was made up of unpaid/unremitted liabilities of the hotel in Company Income Tax, Education Tax, Withholding Tax and Value Added Tax between year 2009 to 2013.

Beyoncé's Cousin Has Dropped A Major Bombshell About Her Marriage To Jay Z


 When Beyoncé dropped her new album, Lemonade, there was one song, "Sorry," that really stuck out. There had been rumors that there was trouble in Beyoncé and Jay Z's marriage prior to the track, but it seemed to confirm the speculation surrounding Jay Z and his alleged infidelity.

"Beyoncé's been encouraged to write about the affair rumors to help her deal with it all and help her determine whether she could work through everything or had to end the marriage," Shanica told Heat Magazine.


"This has been a long process and I've heard they've had to deal with silent separations and splits over the past few years, but Beyoncé is praying that this album will actually save their marriage," she continued.

Bids In George Zimmerman Gun Auction Top $65M


Bidding in an online auction for the gun that George Zimmerman used to kill Trayvon Martin topped $65 million Friday morning, though it was unclear if the bids were serious. The United Gun Group website began hosting the auction after another website, GunBroker.com, halted bidding.


United Gun Group said in a statement Thursday night that it pulled Zimmerman's listing because the auction is not in the organization's best interest. “Our mission is to esteem the 2nd amendment and provide a safe and secure platform for firearms enthusiasts and law-abiding citizens; our association with Mr. Zimmerman does not help us achieve that objective," the organization wrote.

Health Benefits of Banana


When things are too common, we tend to overlook them. In this case, we would be learning some new things about Bananas. It would amaze you how beneficial Bananas can be to your health.
Did you know that Bananas combat depression, cure hangovers, decrease morning sickness, diabetes, osteoporosis and blindness? Apparently, you didn’t. In this article, we have outlined seven health benefits of eating Banana daily.

Healthy Eyes

Adding banana to your diet helps keep the eyes healthy. Bananas have a small amount of vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin which is vital for protecting the eyes and normal vision. The term “vitamin A” refers to a series of compounds, including beta-carotene in addition to alpha-carotene. These compounds preserve the actual membranes that surround your eyes and they are a component of on the list of proteins that brings light-weight into your cornea. Adequate daily vitamin A intake also lessens the risk of night blindness which is essential for everyday vision.

 Lowers Constipation
Are you experiencing constipation? The best treatment for constipation is eating banana daily. Bananas are rich in fibre which will help to restore normal intestinal action, and overcome constipation devoid of resorting to laxatives. A single serving (one medium-sized banana) contains 16 percent of the daily proposed dietary fibre intake for the normal adult.

Eases Depression
People experiencing depression feel more elevated after eating a banana. Bananas contain Tryptophan, a form of protein that the body converts into serotonin which helps the entire body to relax, improve feelings and generally make more comfortable. Studies show that bananas are helpful in reducing stress levels.

Soothes Heart Burn
If you are suffering from heart burn, try eating a banana for its soothing relief. Bananas have a natural antacid effect by the body processes.

Weight Loss
Finding foods to adjust to into your weight-loss diet can be challenging, but bananas produce a perfect fit. Bananas are naturally sweet and can help curb your sweet tooth if you get that afternoon sugars craving. A 6-inch banana incorporates a minimal 90 calories, about one-fourth with the calories you would get from a chocolate candy bar.

Also, about half of the actual fiber content in apples is soluble. When soluble fiber reaches your digestive system, it absorbs water in addition to slows digestion. Food is forced in order to sit in your stomach for a while, making you feel whole. If you have a new banana before lunch, you will be less likely to overeat whenever your food comes to the actual table.

Cut Down Risk Of Stroke
A recent study shows that eating three bananas each day cuts risk for stroke by 21 percent. What is in a new banana? The miracle ingredient is potassium, which reduces blood pressure, thus combating a major cause of stroke.

Banana Can Stop You From Smoking Cigarettes
Bananas can help minimize the effects of nicotine withdrawal apples are rich potassium, magnesium along with other vital vitamins present which give the brain a soothing whenever it screams for cigarette smoking.

Improves Your Memory
Bananas make you smarter and help with learning by making you more alert. Eat a banana before an exam to benefit from the high levels of potassium. Bananas will make your thought pattern alert and eventually boost your memory.

Makes Shoe Shine
Apart from keeping us healthy, bananas also help to make us neater. Simply rub the inside of a banana peel on your leather shoes or handbag and polish with a dry cloth for a quick shine.

Helps In Workouts
Eat two bananas before a strenuous workout to pack an energy punch and sustain your blood sugar. We can see that Bananas are so important in our lives, neglected by many but very powerful in ensuring our overall well-being.

Prevention of Anaemia
Banana can strengthen your blood and relieve anaemia with the added iron from bananas. Anaemia is a condition in which there is a deficiency of red cells or of haemoglobin in the blood, resulting in pallor and weariness.

Lowers Blood Pressure
High in potassium and low in salt, bananas are officially recognized by the FDA as being able to lower blood pressure and protect against heart attack and stroke.

Aids in Digestion
Bananas act as a prebiotic, stimulating the growth of friendly bacteria in the bowel. They also produce digestive enzymes to assist in absorbing nutrients.

 Antioxidants
Bananas are high in antioxidants, providing protection from free radicals and chronic disease. Chronic diseases are long-term medical conditions that are generally progressive. Some examples of chronic diseases include heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and chronic respiratory problems (e.g. COPD). At present, these are the major cause of disability and death globally.

Lowers Body Temperature
Eating a banana can lower the body temperature and cool you during a fever or on a hot day. When you have that fever, don’t forget to eat Bananas, it helps.

Stabilizes Blood Sugar
Eating a banana between meals helps stabilize blood sugar and reduce nausea from morning sickness. Control blood sugar and avoid binging between meals.

Ulcers
Bananas are the only raw fruit that can be consumed without distress to relieve stomach ulcers by coating the lining of the stomach against corrosive acids.

Relieves Irritation and Itching
Rub a bug bite or hives with the inside of the banana peel to relieve itching and irritation. A lot of people with irritation have gotten cheap relief using Banana hives or bite and it works like a charm.

Removes Wart
Remove a wart by placing the inside of a piece of banana peel against the wart and taping it in place.

Reduces Swelling
Bananas reduce swelling, protect against type II diabetes, aid weight loss, strengthen the nervous system, and help with the production of white blood cells, all due to high levels of vitamin B-6.

Niger Delta Avengers Unmasked


Commander Bibi Oduku, the Commandant General, Riverine Security (Coast Guard of the Federation), has said the militants bombing oil installations in Delta State under the cover of Niger Delta Avengers, NDA hails from Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state.

He also fingered an ex-militant leader, who he accused of “aiding and abetting criminals in their community in the recent attack on oil and gas installations within and outside the kingdom. Investigation by our security outfit has shown that Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, which has claimed responsibility for the recent attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta are from Gbaramatu kingdom.”

Speaking to Vanguard earlier, Ijaw leader from Gbaramatu kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, said: “Gbaramatu people are not part of Niger Delta Avengers, which took responsibility for the recent bombing of oil installations in the state and can never be part of them. We condemn their actions and are against pipeline vandalism of any sort. So, we do not see why the army should turn our community to a hunting ground.”

FG Orders Audit Of Military Payroll

Finance Min. Kemi Adeosun
The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has ordered an investigation into the payrolls of the Air Force, the Navy and the Army by the Continuous Audit Team of the Federal Government.

This was followed by revelations in the course of the trial of the former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, that the sum of N558.2 million was allegedly diverted monthly from the Nigeria Air Force account into private pockets.

A statement from the ministry signed by Salisu Na’Inna Dambatta, Director (Information) of the ministry said “the Continuous Audit team has been charged with the responsibility of scrutinizing the payrolls of the three services, which have not yet been put on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), to ensure that all possible loopholes that could lead to leakages were blocked.”

Arsenal Ready To Make Ozil First £200,000-A-Week Player


In a bid to keep Mesut Ozil at the club, Arsene Wenger is ready to make the midfielder Arsenal’s first £200,000-a-week player.

The German playmaker has two years left on his current £140,000-a-week contract, but manager Wenger is confident that he will put pen to paper on a new deal. Keeping Ozil will be a huge boost for the North London team, who finish the 2015/2016 campaign without silverware.

There is less certainty about Alexis Sanchez, who is attracting interest from Bayern Munich and Juventus. But Ozil is in advanced negotiations and is expected to stay at the Emirates. According to reports, the new deal is heavily weighted with potential bonuses based on success, appearances and goals.

Senate Committee Threatens To Order Arrest Of Sports Minister


The Senate Committee on Sports on Thursday threatened to issue warrant of arrest on Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr Solomon Dalong, for failing to appear before it for a second time.

The Chairman of the committee, Sen. Obinna Ogba, who issued the threat in Abuja on Thursday, however, gave the Minister Thursday May 19, 2016 to appear before it.
He said the minister had failed twice to appear before the committee without any reason, adding that it was an affront and disrespect to the Senate.

“The sports minister has not been respecting the Senate, we cannot continue this way.We are giving the minister a new date of Thursday next week to brief the Senate on the level of preparation for the Olympics,’’ he said.

Reasons Your Body Smells Bad

One of the most important traits of your personality is your body odor. The better you smell, the more attractive you are. Unfortunately for some, body odor problems can’t be helped, as they don’t know its cause. So I have sorted out possible and mysterious reasons your body may be stinking.

You’re Fond Of Spicy Food
Many spicy foods have a huge amount ingredients like curry, garlic etc., which result in sulfur-containing gases when the body breaks them down. These gases are stinky and are released through pores, giving the body an unpleasant smell for the rest of the day. You can keep your mouth fresh with mouth wash or chewing gum, but this gases leave you helpless.

Not Including Enough Green Veggies In Your Meal
Eating green veggies has always been beneficial for the body, with one benefit being it prevents bad body odor. These foods are high in chlorophyll and thus they restrain internal causes of odor, such as those mentioned above. If you can’t resist having a spicy meal, try a side of spinach to help reduce internal odor caused by gases.

Magnesium Deficiency
Magnesium is really helpful for healthy hair and nails, but it also averts unpleasant body odor. Eat dark chocolate or almonds to increase the magnesium in your diet & you can get rid of that stinky odor.

Alcohol
Last night’s hangover may spoil your entire day at work. Your habit of having alcohol may be the major cause of your body odor. As it is broken down and moves through the body, some of it oozing out through the pores resulting in body odor. Stopping the habit, or drinking in moderation may work wonders.

Ovulating
ome women may wonder that despite doing so much, they aren’t able to get relief from body odor, this one is for you. When you’re ovulating, body temperature rises causing more sweat & ultimately body odor. The only solution is using a stronger deodorant about two weeks after your period ends.

Your Footwears
Wearing shoes that don’t circulate air and/or without socks may make people hate you as soon as you remove your shoes. Try applying an antiperspirant to your feet before slipping on your shoes & do not forget to wash your feet after each wear to keep your feet sweat and odor free.

 Stress
The worst part is when you’re going for an important appointment or meeting, and suddenly your sweat starts smelling worst, and you wonder why your precautions failed. The stinky smell of your sweat is caused by high stress levels. So be calm and relaxed to avoid facing that smelly situation.

You May Have Trimethylaminuria
Trimethylaminuria is an exceptionally rare genetic disorder that makes it impossible for your body to break down the chemical compound known as trimethylamine. Thus trimethylamine produces extremely unpleasant rotten egg or fish-like smell. If your body smells like one of those, take it as a major symptom and go get a checkup.

It’s Genetic.
In this case you can do nothing, blame your parents! The way we smell has a lot to do with the genes we inherited. If after doing every possible thing to avoid odor, and you’re still smelly, blame your parents.

Certain Medicines
Certain medicines like antidepressants, ibuprofen, and other less common drugs can cause excessive sweating – thus increased foul body odor. Consult with your doctor if you notice increased sweat or odor after taking these medications.

Aging
Age plays a key role in your body odor. The older you get the more unpleasant you smell. Studies have proven that just by smell you can detect the age of a person. Oh well…

Dehydration
Hectic schedules can make you sweat more, thus making you dehydrated. A dehydrated body starts smelling, along with causing bad breath. There are many more problems your body may face due to dehydration so keep sipping!

Skipping Meals
Competitive life, busy schedules may make you skip your meals. Due to which there is a breakdown in body chemicals known as Ketoacidosis, which results in stinky smells. Skipping meals can cause some other serious problems too, so avoid this by carrying some healthy eatables with you all the time.

Reverse Subsidy Removal Or Face Mother-Of-All Protest – Melaye Dares Buhari


The Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Sen. Dino Melaye, Thursday, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to rescind his decision on fuel subsidy withdrawal within 7 days or face what he called mother-of-all protest.

Melaye equally urged the National Chairman of his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Odigie Oyegun, to prevail on the Buhari-led Federal government to do the needful.

Melaye took to his Facebook page threatening that if after seven days (from Monday next week) there is no reversal, he will mobilize Nigerians from all walks of life for the mother of all protest.

He said: “My sincere advice is for the National Chairman of our party to suggest that the federal government immediately reverse the announced increase in the pump price of PMS. If after seven days from Monday, there is no reversal, I will mobilize Nigerians from all walks of life for the mother of all protest. This is not what we promised Nigerians. The time is not right and the negative effects will be unbearable. A word is enough for the wise.”

Cameroon: Stadium Collpase Leaves 2 Casualities


Two labourers have lost their lives following a partial collapse of Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium in Cameroonian capital Yaoundé, it has been reported.

Ahmadou Aijdo stadium was subject to renovation as it is one of venues that is expected to host Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon later this year. According to BBC, The stadium debacle caused the death of two people and seriously injuring many other workers.

CAF Executive Committee has previously approved Cameroon’s hosting of the 2016 African Women’s championship. Competition will take place in Yaounde and Limbe and is set to kick off on November 19 with the final showdown planned on the 3rd of December.


Cameroon: Journalists Boycott Prime Minister’s Coverage

Philemon Yang
Some private media in Cameroon are refusing to cover the prime minister after he seized a reporter’s equipment earlier this week. Journalists say they are fed up with government intimidation, mistreatment and difficulties accessing information.

CRTV reporter Teke Julius was covering a visit by Prime Minister Philomen Yang to a stadium construction site when reporters say Yang personally grabbed Julius’ equipment and ordered it destroyed. Julius was then detained by the police for several hours. 


"Besides the boycott and blackout on any activity that the PM is present, the PM has to publicly apologize to all the journalists in Cameroon. What the prime minister did is total disrespect of journalists in Cameroon. In fact, total disrespect of the media as a whole," said Eugene Ndi, the public relations officer of the Cameroon Association of English Newspaper Journalists.

Zimmerman To Auction Gun He Used To Kill Black Teenager Martin


The Florida man who shot and killed the black teenager Trayvon Martin in an incident that triggered nationwide civil rights protests will auction the gun he used on Thursday and use some of the proceeds to challenge presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's gun control policies, the auction website said.

The US Department of Justice recently returned to George Zimmerman the Kel Tec 9mm gun that he had used to kill Martin, an unarmed youth, on Feb. 26, 2012, according to Gunbroker.com, the website where the weapon is being auctioned

Stop Making Mockery Of Yourself By Attacking Buhari – PDP Group Advises Fayose


A group under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, known as the Concerned PDP Stakeholders, has charge Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose to bring to an abrupt end his attacks on President Muhammadu Buhari’s policies.

This is contained in a statement issued by its patron, Prof. T Akinyemi , where he noted that by repeatedly condemning President Buhari policies, Fayose was making mockery of himself because the President had good intentions for Nigeria.

The group however noted it supported Fayose’s views on what should be the position of old men within the PDP.

The statement reads, “We would like Fayose to stop ridiculing himself in his efforts to attack Buhari. Buhari has good intentions and he is a man we all respect, irrespective of his political affiliation. Moreover, the office of the President deserves the respect of all Nigerians. God is the one who puts people in power.We condemn Fayose’s unguided, repeated attacks on Buhari. It is better to keep shut if you have nothing to say.”


Biafra: Buhari Influencing Judges To Convict Nnamdi Kanu Of Felony – Lawyer


 Embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu on Wednesday accused President Muhammadu Buhari of influencing judges to convict him of treasonable felony.
 Speaking through his counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor at a media briefing in Abuja, Kanu said Buhari’s pronouncement on matters relating to Biafra was prejudicial and capable of forcing the hands of the court to convict him.

Citing Buhari’s recent comment where he stated that nobody could divide the country, and in his December 2015 Presidential Media Chat, where he said that Kanu should not be granted bail because he was a flight risk, Ejiofor explained that Buhari was inadvertently compelling the court to convict Kanu.
“The pronouncements of the president are affecting the decisions of the court. We consider the pronouncements prejudicial. The president should not be making pronouncements that are indirectly influencing the decision of the judges.”
Buttressing that the embattled IPOB leader had filed a fundamental rights suit against the Federal Government at the ECOWAS court over his continued imprisonment, Ejiofor said, “We went to ECOWAS court because we believe we will be given justice. Only ECOWAS court can give us justice.”

Bus Preacher Loses His Cool After Being Told "You Are Lying"


What was supposed to be a holy journey filled with good news from the Bible turned into and aggressive exchange of derogatory words as commuters told preacher to "stop preaching lies.''

The exchange took place in a Putco bus travelling from Sandton to Soweto. What sparked the tension were words said by the preacher who claimed God is not obliged to respect people as he quoted his Bible in hand.

“God does not respect us, he has no obligation to that,” the preacher said before one woman sternly opposed saying he must stop spreading lies. "He lying, stop lying, there is no such,” she shouted stubbornly. The preacher confronted the woman and questioned her faith.

As the woman continued her protest against the preacher, the young preacher dug deeper in his spiritual world and eventually started praying for the woman in tongues claiming that a prophecy that the woman will stop drinking alcohol and will find true love and a man who will ask for her hand in marriage soon.

A group of other female commuters joined in defence of the woman questioning the preacher’s faith. As they pressed harder with questions the preacher could not handle the pressure and lost his temper then started yelling at the women using the word mfazi.

“You are a woman, you shouldn’t talk to a man that way,” he shouted to another woman.
One of the women tried to calm the clearly infuriated preacher down, he did not have any of it as he lost his cool and repeatedly shout the word “ Mfazi,” “uwumfazi into oyiyo (you are nothing more but a woman) and you should submit to a man just as the Bible commands you to do so, you have no respect.''

The word “mfazi” sparked rage and the women retaliated in kind.

“You are a mistaken child, you Devil worshipper, your mother never loved you, go back to church and ask your pastor to teach you how to preach again,” the women shouted at him as they tried to chase him away.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff Suspended From Office


Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff was suspended Thursday to face impeachment, ceding power to her vice-president-turned-enemy Michel Temer in a political earthquake ending 13 years of leftist rule over Latin America's biggest nation.

A nearly 22-hour debate in the Senate closed with an overwhelming 55-22 vote against Brazil's first female president. Pro-impeachment senators broke into applause.

Only a simple majority of the 81-member Senate had been required to suspend Rousseff for six months pending judgement on charges that she broke budget accounting laws. A trial could now take months, with a two-thirds majority vote eventually needed to force Rousseff, 68, from office altogether.

Within hours, Temer, from the centre-right PMDB party, was to take over as interim president, drawing the curtain on more than a decade of dominance by Rousseff's leftist Workers' Party.

He was preparing to announce a new government shortly and said his priority is to address Brazil's worst recession in decades and end the paralysis gripping Congress during the battle over Rousseff. 

Ugandan Opposition Leaders Detained Ahead of Inauguration


Uganda's main opposition figure was arrested Wednesday ahead of the inauguration of long-time President Yoweri Museveni, raising the possibility of violence as police try to quell possible opposition protests.

Kizza Besigye, who claims he won the presidential election in February, was arrested Wednesday as he addressed a crowd of supporters in the capital, Kampala, said Patrick Onyango, a police spokesman in Kampala, the capital. Police used force, including beatings, to disperse the crowd and then Besigye's car was towed away.

"He is in a gazetted detention facility," Onyango said of Besigye.

The police crackdown comes before Museveni, in power for 30 years, is sworn in to another term on Thursday. On Wednesday social media sites like Facebook and Twitter appeared to have been shut down by a government censor. Besigye's party, the Forum for Democratic Chance, reported on Twitter earlier on Wednesday that Besigye had been sworn in as Uganda's president in a mock ceremony before the police took him away.


Many opposition figures have been detained inside their homes, in what police say are measures to prevent the officials from committing crimes. One of the detainees, lawmaker Semujju Nganda, said Wednesday that he has been unable to leave his house since Monday, with heavily armed security personnel standing guard at his gate.

Lagos Chamber Of Commerce Hails Removal Of Fuel Subsidy


The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Thursday hailed the federal Government’s decision to liberalise the downstream sector of the petroleum, which effectively brought the removal of fuel subsidy form the country’s petroleum pricing template.

The Director General of the Chamber, Muda Yusuf, said in Lagos that considering the serious transparency issues that characterized the management of the fuel subsidy regime, it was inevitable that the decision had to be taken to create a level playing field for all consumers.

Mr. Yusuf said over-regulation of the downstream petroleum sector had resulted in acute constraints that the country had been facing; pointing out that the subsidy regime had put enormous pressure on government finances and the country’s foreign reserves.