Call us if your bank doesn't supply you with FOREX within 24 hours- CBN tells Nigerians

Friday, 31 March 2017

In a statement released on its website today, the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, has asked Nigerians seeking to buy forex for BTA, PTA, medical and school fees but are being frustrated by any bank, to call this number 07002255226 to report such bank. 

 

According to the statement, some Bank customers have complained that since the apex bank issued a directive that banks should sell forex at N360/$1 to its customers (Read here), some of the banks have refused their request for FOREX, saying they do not have enough foreign exchange. CBN says this is a lie as the banks have been adequately supplied with forex. Read the statement below

Information reaching the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reveals that some customers seeking to buy forex for BTA, PTA, medical and school fees are being frustrated by some banks with the false claim that the CBN is not allocating enough forex to them for BTA, PTA, Tuition and Medical fees. This claim is totally untrue. All banks have more than enough stock of forex in their possession for the purpose of meeting genuine customers’ demand for BTA, PTA, tuition and medical fees. 

Indeed, on a weekly basis, the CBN has been selling at least $80m to banks for onward sale to their customers for these invisible items. Members of the public seeking to buy forex for the above-mentioned purposes are, therefore, advised to go to their banks and obtain their forex. 

Any customer who is not attended to within 24 hours for BTA/PTA or 48 hours for tuition and medical fees should call 07002255226 or send an email to cpd@cbn.gov.ng, with the name and branch of the non-cooperating bank. Furthermore, no customer should accept to buy forex from any bank at more than the CURRENTLY prescribed rate of N360/$1. 

Woman loses all three of her sons and their wives in helicopter crash as they traveled to surprise their niece

Friday, 31 March 2017

An elderly mother of a millionaire family is mourning the death of her sons and their wives who died while they were all flying to Ireland to surprise their niece at her confirmation party.

Mrs Noeleen Burke, who is in her 80s, lost her husband three years ago and with the loss of her sons and daughters-in-law recently, she has only one remaining daughter.
Kevin, 56, Donald, 55, and Barry 51 together with their wives were killed when their helicopter crashed in Snowdonia on Wednesday. The ill-fated Twin Squirrel red helicopter left the Burke's Milton Keynes mansion heading to Dublin. The helicopter lost contact as it passed over North Wales, which was battered by gale force winds, heavy rain and had visibility of less than 10 metres in places because of low cloud. It crashed into the Rhinog Fawr mountains in Snowdonia near the giant Trawsfynydd lake reservoir on Wednesday afternoon.

The helicopter was being flown by Kevin who is said to be an experienced helicopter pilot and would have done anything to protect his family. All five passengers on board died, leaving six of the victims' children without parents. The bodies of the victims are still at the crash site as at today after bad weather first hampered the hunt for the wreckage and is now preventing their remains being removed from the mountains.

A spokesman for the family said last night:

 "Six children have lost their parents in this tragedy. At this stage the family wants to be left alone to be able to deal with their grief over this terrible loss and concentrate upon looking after the children."

A family friend spoke to the Irish Sun, saying that the family began to receive words that same afternoon that the plane had disappeared but they kept calm and hoped for the best. Sadly, that was not to be.

"The family were flying in to attend a confirmation for a niece and wanted to surprise her on the big day. They were due to arrive in for a party that evening," the family friend said. "Then word started to filter through that something was wrong during the afternoon, but the family made every effort to keep their composure."

Another told the Irish Herald:

 "We were all a very close family. We're absolutely devastated. They were coming to Dublin for a family confirmation. Kevin was a very experienced pilot. He never took chances. He was an excellent pilot and he had a lot of flight hours and he never took risks. They only decided to come when they checked the weather, which was supposedly okay, but it doesn't look like it was. We were all looking forward to seeing them. We're all devastated. They were lovely people and they were very family orientated. We were all very close. Kevin was generous and loving. They were all generous and loving people."

A joint investigation led by the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) is now underway and a no-fly zone has been enforced. The helicopter is owned by Staske Construction Ltd, which is run by Mr and Mrs Burke, and they rent out the red aircraft and others they own to TV and film crews from a helipad in the grounds of their Buckinghamshire farmhouse. Their business has been running for 21 years. Kevin and his wife, Ruth, recently moved into their large farmhouse with their teenage son Jamie and their daughter jess, who is in her 20s.

They had spent two years building the large house on the outskirts of Milton Keynes and moved in there just before Christmas. Three helicopters were seen parked in the grounds and seven cars were on the drive when newsmen visited the place but there was no answer at the property. Neighbors spoke about them in flowery terms and said though they were new they left an indelible mark.

Photos: Westminster terror survivor who lost her husband pictured in hospital for the first time

Friday, 31 March 2017

Survivor of Westminster Bridge terror attack, Melissa Cochran is pictured all smiles in a London hospital today.

The 46-year-old suffered terrible injuries when British-born terrorist Khalid Masood drove a car through crowds on Westminster Bridge last week. Three people were killed including her husband, Kurt, 54.

Her family has thanked well-wishers for the outpouring of love and generosity she has received. Images of Mrs Cochran, were posted on a GoFundMe page today set up to raise money for her and her children. In one, she stands on crutches, with her leg sheathed in a brace and a gash visible on her forehead.

In another she can be seen smiling surrounded by her parents Dimmon and Sandra Payne and brother Clint Payne as she lies in bed speaking to relatives by phone.

"Her health is steadily improving and she has been strengthened by the presence of her family. She is so grateful for the outpouring of love and generosity," said Clint.

The couple, who were visiting London from the US to celebrate 25 years of marriage, were enjoying the final day of a trip of a lifetime when they were caught up in the atrocity. Mrs Cochran was left with a broken leg and rib and a badly cut head. She was comforted on the pavement in one of the defining images of the attack.

Relatives realised the couple were involved after seeing Mrs Cochran hurt in photographs posted online.

"The most difficult part of all of this is that Kurt is no longer with us, and we miss him terribly. He was an amazing individual who loved everyone and tried to make the world a better place." Clint added.

'Don't call yourself half black, and half white' - Jidenna speaks on racial discrimination

Friday, 31 March 2017

Nigerian-American singer, Jidenna has spoken on the racial discrimination between black and white people. 

The 'Classic Man' singer who is currently in South Africa promoting the release of his debut album, 'The Chief,' granted an interview to Times Live, where candidly gave his thought on racial divide between people.

 'If people come at me as somebody in between races, they are killing themselves. I am a human. It's like my dad said, 'don't call yourself half black, and half white,'  if anything you're twice, but you're not half anything.  One of my jobs is to teach everyone that we're all human. That's what mixed people do,' Jidenna said.

He added that he intends to help bring people together through his music and spoke openly about the inspiration behind the track 'White Niggas' on his album.

'White Niggas encourages people to really put themselves in other peoples' shoes,' he explained.

He further disclosed that growing up as African child in America, they (African children) were teased a lot, but he promises to embed a sense of pride amongst the African youth.

'I know growing up it was hard to claim your 'Africanness.' We were teased a lot. Now I get parents telling me that their kids are proud to be Nigerian. I'm all about building up and building pride in who we are.'

The music star also told Timeslive that helping to educate children in Nigeria was something that was close to his heart and that day he would help build a stronger nation.

The Chief Album' is his first studio album which was released in February 2017.

This 18-year old wants to take his grandma to prom, but his high school says 'No Way'

Friday, 31 March 2017

High School student, Bryce Maine celebrated turning 18 by making a very sweet request; he asked his grandmother to prom. She agreed and they made arrangements and she even bought a dress but then the school said no.

"She's never been to a prom so I figured, 'Why not take her?' Every woman deserves to go to a prom, no matter how old you are." Maine said.

 

His school however said NO because there was concern that allowing Maine's grandmother to attend prom would prompt other students at the Alabama school to "make the school a mockery" by inviting their grandparents as a joke.

It is a Eufaula High School policy that prom attendees must be 20 years old or younger. According to Maine, the school told him he could not bring his grandmother to prom because she could potentially bring and distribute alcohol to underage students.

Northern man dragged on twitter for saying certain ethnic groups embarrass Nigeria & the country should be divided

Friday, 31 March 2017

A Northern Abuja based poet, Abdulbaqi Jari took to his twitter handle @Bahaushee, to blame the Yoruba and Igbo ethnic groups for embarrassing Nigeria in other countries. Using some kind of twisted logic, Jari feels the Xenophobia and recent attack against some Nigerian students in India were caused by the Igbos. Twitter users of course clapped back at him. See more tweets after the cut.

BBNaija: Fans drag DJ Xclusive for predicting Tboss as winner of the reality show

Friday, 31 March 2017

Yesterday, DJ Xclusive tweeted that Tboss who is up for possible eviction this Sunday will win the Big Brother Naija show and that his followers should favourite the tweet for future references.

Minutes after the tweet went up, fans of other housemates (Bisola &Efe) came for him.

Today, he frowned at the fans reaction and tweeted again that ' But 'Based on logistics''~ "Tboss will win #BBNaija' See the replies he got after the cut..

Photos: Members of Senator Ndume's constituency stage protest over his supension from the senate

Friday, 31 March 2017

Members of Senator Ali Ndume's constituency in Borno state this morning staged a protest over his suspension from the senate. Ndume was suspended by the senate for moving a motion for the senate to investigate Sahara reporters claim that Dino Melaye forged his certificate and Senate President Bukola Saraki purchased a Range Rover Bulletproof SUV without paying the necessary Customs duty.

His suspension for 6 months was announced on Wednesday on the floor of the house, following recommendations by the senate's committee on Ethics and Priviledges.

Future brings $1m in cash to DJ Khaled's studio for Inspiration (Photos)

Friday, 31 March 2017

Atlanta rapper, Future who's among the all-star guest list on DJ Khaled's forthcoming album 'Grateful', showed up at his studio on Thursday for a recording session with $1M in cash.

According to reports, the stacks was his inspiration for the recording they worked on. More photos below...

Shocking new photos of Brad Pitt looking incredibly thin

Friday, 31 March 2017

Brad Pitt is obviously not taking his divorce well. The actor, who won People magazine's sexiest man alive for two years, looked absolutely nothing like his usual self as he stepped out in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The father-of-six, 53, has been holed up in a Los Angeles art studio for weeks and emerged looking unusually thin. See more photos after the cut...

Following his divorce from Angelina Jolie, 41, and the ensuing legal battle, the Troy star stepped away from the spotlight to spend time creating a sculpture under the direction of his friend, British artist Thomas Houseago.

It was revealed by Daily Mail that he has been spending up to 15 hours a day in the studio working until the early hours of the morning and listening to playlists of sad songs.

All of that has obviously taken a toll on him

Man raped girlfriend's 4-year-old son to death and his mum helped him escape from the cops

Friday, 31 March 2017

A Pennsylvania man is accused of raping and killing his girlfriend’s 4-year-old son, and his mum is accused of helping him escape. 20-year-old Keith Jordan had been asked by his girlfriend to take care of her son, Bentley Miller, on March 21, because she had to go to work.

After Mackenzie Peters left for work, Jordan called his mother, Kristen Harold, 43, that same morning, telling her that Bentley was in need of medical attention.

On getting to the Super 8 motel in Butler, Pennsylvania where her son was staying, she picked Bentley who was bleeding profusely and started driving him to his biological father's house. When he became unresponsive, she pulled over and called 911 at around 9:30 a.m. Bentley later died at Butler Memorial Hospital where he was rushed to.

Police disclosed that Kristen hid her son in the attic of an abandoned home in Butler to avoid police detection. They were both arrested and are being held in Butler County Prison. Court documents show that Bentley died as a result of severe blood loss due to sodomy.

He also had a severe burn to his left hand, bruises on his head, pelvic region, and extremities. Police said Jordan was alone with the child when he was assaulted.

He was charged with criminal homicide, rape of a child, aggravated indecent assault of a child, and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse causing serious bodily injury. Bentley's mother was at work at the time of the incident, and investigators do not suspect she had any involvement in his death. She was charged with child endangerment and hindering apprehension.

The boy's mother, Mackenzie Peters, was at work when the assault took place, yet police said she may be charged in the future as well, though what charges are unclear. Lambing was already facing charges of burglary, criminal trespass, and conspiracy as well as terroristic threats and harassment, and had failed to show up for a court appointment the day before the boy's murder.

He had been arrested for retail theft in 2013 and had a bench warrant out for required payments as restitution. There is a possibility that the prosecutor may seek the death penalty for Lambing.

The baby Mackenzie and Jordan have together has been placed in protective custody.

Photos: Kenyan millionaire weds two friends same weekend

Friday, 31 March 2017

According to the story trending online, Kenyan millionaire, Javan Bidogo got married to two friends, Elvas and Asha same weekend in different lavish occasions.

A Facebook user, Maybelline Boma who shared the news said that the man found the two ladies attractive and decided to marry them both.
He first got married to Elvas on Saturday the 25th of March at Golden Jubilee Towers while he married Asha the next day at Serena Hotel In Dar es Salaam.

"oh oh !! Kenyan Millionaire Javan Bidogo Wed's Two Friends Same Weekend

Mr Javan Bidogo is a man who doesn't believe in loosing anything no matter how small. And with that mentality he finds these two beautiful friends attractive and is not ready to let go any one of them.
Mr Javan decided to spice it up a little by getting married to these friends same weekend. He got married to the first Elvas on Saturday the 25th of March, and the second Asha on the 26th of March.

Both at different expensive location's and strictly by invitation.Asha Juma wed Javan at the Serena Hotel In Dar es Salaam while Elvas Kulengwa said her vows at the Golden Jubilee Tower in Dar es Salaam.Asha's colour code was maroon, gold and blue while Elvas's was maroon, gold and white." The facebook user wrote.

More photos below...

'Abacha loot' is media creation, he 'deposited' funds in foreign countries to buy arms for peacekeeping - Bamaiyi

Friday, 31 March 2017

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi (rtd), has disclosed that what Nigerians refer to as 'Abacha loot' was media creation, saying that the late military Head of State, deposited funds to some 'friendly' foreign countries to enable Nigeria buy arms and ammunition for peacekeeping missions in the West African region.
Bamaiyi spoke on Thursday, March 30, in Abuja at the launch of his tell-all book ‘Vindication of a General.’ Excerpt from the memoir reads:

“It is in this same spirit that I feel obliged to offer some insight into what has come to be known as ‘Abacha loot.’ A lot has been said about the Abacha loot. It is the sexiest story that Nigerian journalists make from headlines. The social media is equally awash with all manners of comments, including some expensive joke about Abacha. But even more importantly, the subject of money supposedly looted by the late General Abacha is a key issue in Nigeria’s diplomatic relationship with many Western countries. I am not in a position to defend Abacha or suggest he did not tamper with the wealth of Nigeria, because I was not in a position to know how as a Head of State he handled Nigeria’s funds.”

The book further discloses that during the Abacha era, there was an agreement to deposit Nigeria’s funds in foreign countries that were friendly to the nation. The decision to deposit funds in some foreign accounts, according to the book, was hinged on the hostile disposition of some Western countries against Nigeria’s interests.

“I am however in a position to say what I know led to the transfer of funds to some countries in Europe and may be other countries outside Europe. It is a known fact that Nigerian was virtually abandoned by some of its traditional Western allies during the Abacha government and it became difficult for the country to purchase arms and ammunition to conduct operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone at that time, especially after the execution of Ken Saro Wiwa. In the light of the increasingly battered international image of Nigeria and even references to Nigeria in academic circle as a “rogue” state, some decisions had to be taken if Nigeria was to continue to play its role as a stabilizer in the West African region, a role very much valued by the United Nations. 

“A decision was therefore reached to keep money in some countries that were a bit friendly to Nigeria. This decision was taken at a meeting in which the then Minister of Finance, Chief Anthony Ani, was present. It was agreed that some funds be transferred to some selected countries to ensure that government was in a position to get vital imports as and when necessary. That informed the transfer of funds to some countries. I am glad that Chief Anthony Ani, the then Finance Minister, once tried to explain this in a newspaper interview publication,” the book further recalls.

Bamaiyi further recalls that such funds deposited in foreign countries were readily used to import arms and ammunition in 1997 or 1998 for the country.

“The purchase of this ammunition within a short while also brought me into serious conflict with the security operatives, especially the DMI, as contractors who flew this ammunition into Kaduna, where the Army has an Army Ammunition Depot were invited for questioning on the ground that I brought in the ammunition with the intent of overthrowing General Abacha Government. I was then out of Lagos and the contractors contacted me and told me what was happening. I told them not to worry and should not answer any question. I believe that the security operatives contacted General Abacha who must have told them that he approved the purchase of the ammunition. No one ever asked me or talked to me about this issue till I retired from service,” the memoir recalls.

The former army boss also disclosed how he had said he met with former president Goodluck Jonathan over allegation of poor funding of troops fighting insurgency in North East but nothing was done to address it.

Speaking further, he said lack of leadership at both the top and bottom got soldiers demoralized during the past administration. He said when he was released from prison,  he met a soldier that ran away from the battlefront and the soldier complained that they were not having access to food and ammunitions.

"President Jonathan told me he was surprised too at what was happening as money released for the military was not being judiciously put to use. He promised to look into it, but nothing was done to address it".

He challenged the present service chiefs to always consider the welfare of soldiers above their own.

"Without soldiers, there won’t be officers. This consideration is what makes a successful officer," he said.

Source: Forefront, Daily Trust

Kim Kardashian undergoes surgery on her uterus to enable her have a third child

Friday, 31 March 2017

Guess she loves the attention that comes from pregnancy and having a baby which is why she has changed her mind after saying she will never have another baby.

Asides making a decision on her own not to have babies anymore, Kim had been warned by doctors that it was risky for her to conceive and have another child but she's determined to try and revealed to her family that she will be having surgery on her uterus to make that possible.
The 36-year-old mother-of-two revealed this in a sneak peek from Sunday's episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashian and succeeded in making her family look worried for her.

"I have to go in and repair my uterus because I decided I'm going to try to have one more baby," she said to her mom and sisters at dinner. "Isn't that exciting?"

But her family did not seem excited at all and they tried to talk her out of it.

Kendal said: "Oh my god, I thought you were for sure done."

Cory Gamble, Kris' boyfriend also warned her about the risk, saying, "I don't want you to, like, do anything risky."

Everyone pitched in to try to discourage her, but Kourtney was simply dumbfounded and continued to stare at her, worry evident in her features. Khloe, who has made no secret of the fact that she will love to have babies too, seemed both interested and confused and asked her big sister:

"What surgery are we having? I have to have a surgery on my uterus to kind of repair this hole, so they need to like clean that out and then there's scar tissue. It will still be a really high-risk pregnancy, just you'd be able to get pregnant." Kim clarified.

"So, why do you want to do it again?" Khloe asked

"Having more kids is definitely going to be a struggle," Kim admits in her confessional. "I've gone through so much with really bad deliveries that the doctors don't feel like it's safe for me to conceive again myself. This surgery is really the one last thing I can try."

Kim went on to reveal that she's doing it because she wants to give her kids siblings just like she has for herself. Another clip showed Kris and Kim at the doctors where they were taken through the process and the risks involved in the surgery.

Shock video is livestreamed showing a woman fall to her death. But is it suicide or murder (graphic video)

There's a shocking video that's making the rounds online that shows a woman falling off of a building in Saudi Arabia. But nobody can say for sure if it's suicide or murder. The woman is said to be an African Migrant working as a maid. The people who shared the video claim it was suicide but if you watch the video, you will see her screaming. Below is the translation of what was said in the video

The women hanging on the window is a servant, and she is asking her employer which is from Arabian gulf. The Ethiopian servant is begging her emplyer “catch me catch me.”

But the employer laughs it off lik eit’s a joke She is heard saying,” what are you doing you are crazy” with a laugh in her voice." Watch the graphic video HERE

Ex-South Korean president Park Geun-hye arrested in corruption probe (Photos)

Friday, 31 March 2017

Former South Korean president, Park Geun -hye has been arrested over a high-profile corruption scandal that has already seen her ousted from office and prompted early elections.

A court approved her arrest before dawn on Friday, on charges of bribery, abuse of authority, coercion and leaking government secrets. The 65-year-old was immediately driven to a detention centre in the south of Seoul after the Court approval.

 

She is accused of allowing her close friend Choi Soon-sil to extort money from companies, including Samsung, in return for political favours.

However, Ms.Park who was removed from office earlier this months denied the claims.

Park Geun -hye, the third former president of South Korea to be arrested over criminal allegations, could be held for up to 20 days before being formally charged. If convicted she could face more than 10 years in prison.