Nedu Echianu's Blog

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria said some unscrupulous persons have hacked into the Facebook account of its Managing Director, Engr. Saleh Dunoma, and are now using the channel to solicit for funds. Making this known in a statement, Yakubu Dati , General Manager, Corporate Communications said the act clearly violates Engr. Dunoma’s privacy and must be stopped henceforth as the laws of the land frown at it. While warning the perpetrators of the unscrupulous act to desist from it, the statement called on the general public to disregard such financial pleas from the hackers on the platform.

The Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has called on men from 40 years and above and women in the State to come to the ultramodern Ochiedike Dialysis and Diagnostic Centre, Owerri and receive free tests for Prostate and Breast Cancer respectively.

  Jude Dawam, on air personality at Dream FM, Enugu recently got into the studio and came out with this nice track "Awele", featuring Slim Brown.  

Rivers state Police Command has confirmed that Osiya Agama, sister of the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, who was kidnapped nine days ago, finally regained her freedom from her abductors on Wednesday evening. In a statement by Rivers state Police Command Spokesman, Ahmad Muhammad, he said the rescue was due to the combined efforts of the Police, Army and Department of State Security.

Reports say President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the immediate reinstatement of Stephen Keshi as the Super Eagles coach. The order, according to the Eagle Online was issued during a meeting Jonathan had with the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday night. The President was said to have expressed belief in the ability of Keshi to qualify the Super Eagles for the Nations Cup. The Big Boss, as Keshi is fondly called, led Nigeria to win the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa and also qualified the Super Eagles for the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Two days after formally communicating his defection to the All Progressives Congress, the security details of the Speaker of the House of Reps, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, have been withdrawn,  sources say the order came from the Presidency.

President Goodluck Jonathan has said he will pick his nomination form on or before the expiration of the deadline given to all aspirants, by the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. He stated his decision at a private meeting with governors held at the House 7 wing of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has resigned her appointment as a “Super” Permanent Secretary in the Bayelsa State Civil Service. It was gathered that the resignation followed  alleged  final breakdown in relationship between the First Lady and the Governor of the state, Mr. Seriake Dickson.

The Nigeria Labour Congress NLC has condemned in strong terms the removal of Wages from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent Legislative list by the National Assembly in the on-going fourth amendment exercise to the 1999 constitution, saying it is considering a total strike action to protest the decision.

A Bill for an Act to abolish and prohibit dichotomy and discrimination between first degree and Higher National Diplomas, Wednesday passed through second reading at the Senate but not without a prolonged debate which almost led to the Bill being thrown out. The Bill brought to the floor of the Senate chambers by Senator Ayo Akinyelure representing Ondo Central sought to place degree and HND holders at the same level both in the public and private sector. Listen to my full report on the debate...

The Punch Newspaper reports that Nigeria's House of Representatives moved on Tuesday to contain the “arbitrary” subscription rates charged by Multichoice for its Digital Satellite Television services in the country. The House observed that high pricing by Dstv had made access to its “premium” programming difficult for the majority of Nigerians.

South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has been given five years in jail for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Judge Thokozile Masipa also gave Pistorius a three-year suspended sentence for a firearms charge.

The Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal has defected to Nigeria’s Opposition All Progressives Congress, APC dumping the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP a platform through which he emerged speaker of the green chamber.

Indications emerged Sunday morning that President Goodluck Jonathan may have queried one of his aides Mr. Reno Omokhri over an online opinion poll initiated by him which has turned against Jonathan’s candidature.

Senate President, David Mark (middle), Chairman o f the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), the  Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh  (left) and Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), John Kennedy Opara during the flag off ceremony for the 2014 Annual Pilgrimage to Israel at Nnamdi Azikwe International       Airport  (NAIA) Abuja on Saturday.                                                                                                             More Pictures after the cut...

Despite the ceasefire the Nigerian government announced it reached with the extremist Boko Haram sect, deadly attacks on remote communities by the group have continued in Borno State.

In a world where Heads of states and governments are seen by many as Super Humans, gloriously wealthy and having everything at their beck and call, especially in less advanced countries, the American people are letting us know that their democratic system and institutions are so matured that their President is just like any American.

Hopes of an end to hostility and mayhem perpetuated by the estremist Islamic sect, Boko Haram seems to have finally dawned as the Federal Government on Friday reached a Cease Fire agreement with members of the terrorist group. Reports say the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh has directed all Service Chiefs to obey the cease Fire agreement in all sectors of operations against the insurgents. The ceasefire agreement followed a meeting between the Principal Private Secretary, Ambassador Hassan Tukur, representative of Boko Haram Banladi Ahmaduu and Chadian officials.The meeting which took place in Chad is also geared towards the release of over 219 Chibok School Girls. The Late leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau had threatened that he would sell the abducted girls out as well as marry them out to willing suitors except the government release some of their members held in different detention cells in the count

There are reports of ongoing negotiations between the deadly Boko Haram sect and officials of the Nigerian government for the release of over 200 school girls kidnapped by the sect and a subsequent ceasefire, Voice of America website has details...

The Nigerian football Federation has sacked Stephen Keshi as Super Eagles coach after an emergency midnight meeting by the federation. This followed an emergency meeting of the NFF Thursday morning in Abuja. A statement signed by executive committee memeber Sulaiman Yahaya-Kwande, read that Amodu Shuaibu has replaced Keshi.

Declaration Speech by General Muhammadu Buhari For APC's Presidential Primaries At Eagle Square, Abuja, October 15th, 2014 Wednesday, October 15th, 2014 Protocols First I would like, Mr Chairman, if I may, pay tribute to Nigerians as a whole who are enduring all sorts of hardships and deprivations on a daily basis. Many millions are grappling with extreme poverty and barely eking out a living. Nearly all are in fear of their lives or safety for themselves and their families due to  Insurgency by the godless movement called Boko Haram;

  The Super Eagles of Nigeria got their first victory Wednesday in the qualification round for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations after a hard fought 3-1 victory over their Sudanese counterpart. The team came into the game with so much pressure after scandalous home and away defeats to Congo and the same Sudanese team respectively but two second half goals from CSKA Moscow's Ahmed Musa and one from debutant Aaron Samuel restored a glimmer of hope for Nigeria in her quest for qualification for 2015 Afcon. What many didn't know however is that under Pressure coach of the team, Stephen Keshi whom some members of Nigeria's FA and indeed some other Nigerians had earlier called for his sack had visited a pastor at the Divine Hand Prophetic Ministry in Abuja, Nigeria's capital seeking for spiritual help as it seemed his technical abilities had failed him. A reliable source told Nedu Echianu's blog that she stumbled on the visibly worried coach at the church Tuesday w

Richest Lifestyle, a US-based website, has listed President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria as the 6th Richest African president. In an article titled, ‘Richest African Presidents 2014′ , the US website compiled a list of the nine richest presidents and kings in Africa. According to the article, President Jonathan is worth $100million. Other African presidents and kings on the list include;

Spanish Health Minister Ana Mato has confirmed that a nurse who treated two victims of Ebola in Madrid has tested positive for the disease. The nurse is said to be the first person in the current outbreak known to have contracted Ebola outside Africa.

Arsene Wenger's push on Jose Mourinho was one of those classic moments that sends the internet into meltdown. Thankfully, the internet did not disappoint with a collection of hilarious tweets and memes celebrating the incident.

National Security Adviser - Sambo Dasuki South African authorities have confiscated yet another US$5.7 million arms money from Nigeria, nearly three weeks after seizing $9.3 million in cash transported by two Nigerians and an Israeli for arms purchase, South Africa-based City Express reported Monday.

Please let us not delude ourselves that we have conquered the Ebola virus, the Nigerian Government has done very well in tackling the disease following its arrival in the form of a victim, Patrick Sawyer, but the virus still ravages parts of West Africa, therefore we should not be complacent as i have seen many international accolades on Nigeria on the manner its been able to curtail the spread of the disease. Our borders-Land, Sea and Air MUST be properly monitored to avoid another case of the disease sneaking into our territory.

                                    The first person diagnosed with Ebola in the United States was fighting for his life at a Dallas hospital on Sunday and appeared to be receiving none of the experimental medicines for the virus, a top U.S. health official said.

The video shows the pilot on his knees right hand in a sling. The militant beside him hovers menacingly with an axe. The victim identifies himself as a wing commander in the Nigerian Air Force, who had been on a mission in Borno State on Sept. 11. "We were shot down and our aircraft crashed," he says. "To this day I don't know the whereabouts of my second pilot." The video is after the cut...

As you mark this special occasion, may all your prayers and supplications to God, be heard, wishing you and yours a wonderful celebration.

A video purporting to show UK hostage Alan Henning being beheaded has been released by Islamic State militants. The Salford taxi driver was delivering aid to Syria in December when he was kidnapped and then held hostage by IS.

    A new video is reported to have been released to AP by Boko Haram men showing the beheading of a man said to be a military pilot who co-piloted the missing Naval air force jet. The video also shows burnt out plane parts with Nigerian military markings. Two pilots and an Alpha jet have been missing since Sept. 11. 

A Magistrate Court in Abuja on Friday discharged Amaechi Anakwe, a journalist with the African Independent Television of charges relating to describing the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in Charge of Zone 7, Abuja, Mr. Joseph Mbu, as “controversial.” on his programme, "Matters Arising"

S ome unscrupulous officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, have been supplying passports in hundreds to criminals, including drug traffickers, visa racketeers and fraudsters trying to escape the long arm of the law, using the names of prominent Nigerians and their family members, a long running investigation by the  icirnigeria.org   has revealed.

As a man widely known for his involvement with Everton and Manchester United , the forthcoming English Premier League clash between the two clubs leaves David Moyes with a painful decision. Does he watch the match? Does he go to the match? WHAT DOES HE DO?! Since the game is on a Sunday, here are some alternative things he could do to take his mind off the whole situation.

                     Amaechi Anakwe, presenter of a TV Programme, Matters Arising on Africa Independent Television seems to have gotten himself into a little "problem" after being detained by Police under the orders of Assistant Inspector General, Joseph Mbu. His offence- describing the high ranking police officer as "controversial" on his TV Programme.

A few hours after the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, claimed in a new video, that he was “alive and well,” the Nigerian military authorities have debunked the claim, insisting that he had been killed

Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Islamist militant group Boko Haram, has appeared in a new propaganda video dismissing claims of his killing by the Nigerian military. In the latest video, just released by the Islamist terrorist group, Mr. Shekau spoke at length on his reported death in a 36-minute video. The video was originally obtained by the French news agency AFP.  

A leading charity has warned that a rate of five new Ebola cases an hour in Sierra Leone means healthcare demands are far outstripping supply. Save the Children said there were 765 new cases of Ebola reported in the West African state last week, while there are only 327 beds in the country.

The immediate past Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and the first female President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mrs Oluremi Oyo, is dead. Reports say Oyo died on Wednesday, October 1, in a hospital in London at the age of 62. Her husband, Vincent Oyo was reported to have confirmed her death this morning. Sources revealed that Dr. (Mrs) Oluremi Oyo, had been battling with cancer for a while. May her soul rest in peace

Award-winning Zimbabwean writer Chenjerai Hove has called on Grace Mugabe, the wife of Zimbabwe's leader Robert Mugabe, to hand back her PhD. She was awarded a doctorate from the University of Zimbabwe last month.

The "About" page of the Nigerian House Of Representatives website was hacked today, by a hacker calling himself or herself "Haxor Ositilife Leet".

In a press statement released today, Deputy Director of Public Relations for the Department of State Services, Marilyn Ogar, reacted on behalf of the department to the judgement of the Federal High Court given yesterday, which ruled in favor of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai in a case against the SSS. The case, which Rl-Rufai brought against the SSS following his detainment last November during the Anambra gubernatiorial election.

A Nigerian who authorities say ran one of the most expansive heroin smuggling networks ever uncovered involving Houston's main airport has been sentenced to nearly 25 years in prison.   Koyode Lawrence was sentenced on Tuesday in a Houston federal courtroom after having earlier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import a controlled substance.

The Federal High Court in Lagos, Tuesday, sentenced three Boko Haram suspects to a total of 75 years in prison. Each of the three convicts, who were among the 17 accused earlier charged before the court in November last year, bagged 25 years. Just like the trial, the journalists were barred from covering the judgment.

If you missed President Goodluck Jonathan's 54th Independence anniversary broadcast to Nigerians earlier this morning,  here is the complete speech.

As part of Nigeria's 54th Independence day celebration, I'm glad to present to you some rare  pictures from Nigeria's rich history, happy viewing...

A traveler from Liberia to the United States has been officially diagnosed with the Ebola virus, the United States Center For Disease Control and Prevention said yesterday.  Online Newspaper, Sahara Reporters said the individual left Liberia on the 19th of the month and arrived a day later, with no symptoms. Some days later the patient began to show signs of the virus, prompting hospitalization and quarantine Sunday at a Texas, US, hospital.

54 years after our independence from the Imperialists, Nigeria is not yet where it ought to be, considering her potentials both human and material, but as we mark this year's Independence day let us all resolve to restore the pride and glory of this Great Country. Beginning from the ruling class to the ordinary man on the streets, let us join hands to ensure that first, peace is restored to our Motherland because without peace, there can be no significant development, we must all frown at corrupt practices which has brought the country down on its knees, whatever your role in the development of our dear country, please insist on putting in your best. Congratulations to all Nigerians, happy 54th Independence celebration, Nigeria is one indivisible entity and will remain so to the glory of God.