INSTAROK

ABUJA—The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, Monday, heard how an alleged member of the Boko Haram sect, Mustapher Umar, bombed office of the ThisDay Newspaper in Kaduna State with 12 camp gas cylinders.

Joy erupted on Sunday at the residence of the Chairman of Ejigbo Local Government Development Area, Kehinde Bamigbetan, who rejoined his family at 11.00pm on Saturday after he was released by kidnappers. As relations, well-wishers and party faithful thronged his residence at Ona Iwa Mimo Street, off Ikotun Ejigbo Road, there were songs of praise and thanksgiving at a service the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the area organised .

Five persons have so far been confirmed dead following a fatal multiple accident yesterday involving four vehicles on the Benin-Onitsha Expressway. Reports said 16 persons including 12 males and four females were in the vehicles at the time of the accident. Out of the 11 injured victims, who were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, seven laid critical in the emergency section of the hospital, just as the other four with fractured bodies were also receiving medical attention.

Just like several of her peers, Bimbo Thomas decided to earn her living in Nollywood some years back. She had continued to hope for a better day until luck smiled on her when Funke Akindele invited her to play a cameo in her flick, Omo Ghetto. And since then she has been waxing stronger. How did your first kiss happen? My first kiss ever, haaa… it was stolen and it was my first love. We were talking and I was angry, trying to report something to him, and he was like ‘don’t be angry’ and before I could say Jack Robinson, he had planted a kiss on me. And I was like ‘what did you just do?’ That was how I had my first kiss. In fact, my first kiss was stolen.

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, was discharged from UK Hospital yesterday evening. Commissioner for Information, Mr.Chinedu Offor, who announced his discharge, said Governor Okorocha is now an out-patient. A medical examination carried out on the governor at the hospital revealed that Okorocha did not suffer any fracture or internal bleeding after his convoy was involved in an accident  on Friday.

It was a mixture of encomium and grief, as remains of the late publisher of the Nigerian Tribune titles, Chief Oluwole Awolowo, were laid to rest yesterday in Ikenne, Ogun State. His remains arrived Our Saviour’s Anglican Church in a Hearse led by a chariot shortly before the service began at about 10.15 a.m.

Two weeks ago, many families mourned, following the death of no fewer than 80 people, including 57 passengers of a commercial luxury bus, which collided with a fuel tanker in Ugbogui, on the Benin-Lagos expressway and burst into flames. The victims were burnt beyond recognition and were given mass burial last week. However, today the family of Kenneth Chinedu Nwaokoro, a 24-year-old final year student of Information Technology of Caritas University, Enugu, who survived the accident, is rejoicing.

Under pressure from prominent northern leaders to contest the 2015 presidential election, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has begun moves to actualise his ambition on the platform of the newly formed opposition mega party, All Progressives Congress (APC) should President Goodluck Jonathan press on with plans to seek re-election on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

\ Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, who made the denial yesterday when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Education, described the purported scrapping of NECO and UTME as a rumor. His words: “I don’t know where they got the information that government wanted to scrap NECO. Government as at no time scrapped NECO and UTME. “Even if the government has to scrap any of these agencies, it has to give reasons for its action. No position has been taken.

POLICE in Delta State, weekend, raided Kokori, an Urhobo community in Ethiope East Local Government Area, alleged to be the headquarters of the flourishing kidnap industry in the state and demolished the country home of the “commander-in-chief”, one Mr. Kelvin.

Reports yesterday said a suspect in the fatal bombings at the Boston Marathon has been arrested. Details about the suspect’s identity and motive were not immediately available as at press time. A federal law enforcement source confirmed the arrest, CNN reported. But investigators in Washington and Boston denied that an arrest had been made. They had earlier said there was “substantial” progress in the case. The claims come after investigators believe they identified a suspect from CCTV video taken before the attacks, some US media reported. The footage apparently shows a man carrying and possibly dropping a black bag on the street where the second explosion took place and then walking away.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, yesterday came down heavily on ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s eight-year rule, describing the administration as the worst defaulter of the principles of the rule of law. He gave the indictment at the 30th Mallam Aminu Kano Memorial Lecture, which took place at the Sa’Adu Zungur Auditorium, Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Research and Training, Mambayya House, Kano.

Fresh facts have emerged over the nationality of the lady kidnapped in an Abia community some weeks ago who was reported to be an American citizen and to have died in the hands of her abductors. The lady, whose name was given as Nora Mankel is a Briton and was still alive although had not been freed by her captors weeks after she was kidnapped." Daily Sun "

LONDON – Margaret Thatcher was given a final farewell Wednesday with full military honours that saw her coffin applauded through the streets of London, as the queen led mourners in paying their respects to Britain’s divisive and influential former prime minister. Tens of thousands of well-wishers turned out to watch Thatcher’s coffin as it travelled to St Paul’s Cathedral, many breaking into spontaneous applause and throwing flowers. Some 700 soldiers, sailors and airmen in full ceremonial uniform lined the route from the Houses of Parliament where Thatcher’s body had lain overnight, as guns were fired every minute from the Tower of London.

The leader of the defunct Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, has reacted to the planned attack of mosques by the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), describing the group as fake. Asari-Dokubo said MEND only exists on the internet and pages of newspapers, insisting the faceless group has succeeded in rubbishing the real struggle of the Niger Delta. The MEND had in a statement threatened to launch attacks on mosques, hajj camps, Islamic institutions, congregations of Islamic followers, as well as assassinations of clerics, who propagate doctrines of hate, in a crusade code named “Operation Barbarossa,” from Friday, May 31, 2013. MEND said the crusade was to save Christianity in Nigeria from annihilation.

The Federal Government has assured that all ongoing projects including the Second Niger Bridge will be completed and commissioned before May 2015. Minister of Works, Mike Onolemenmen, who gave the assurance, listed other priority projects that must be completed before the end of the current administration to include the Enugu-Port-Harcourt Road, the Ikorodu-Sagamu Road

WASHINGTON  (AFP) – President Barack Obama. “We still do not know who did this or why but  vowed to find those accountable and punish them,” he added, hinting that he believed the explosions were planned but stopping short of calling them a terrorist attack. At least two people were killed and three dozen wounded when two explosions struck near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday, sparking scenes of panic.

The award winning saxophonist  Adeyemi Adeosun popularly known as "YEMI SAX"    went to his fiancee's family house at Ibafo, Ogun state today to formally ask for her hand in marriage. See more photos from their marriage introduction HERE...

Doose Nomhwange left home one morning, unaware that danger lurked ahead. Her friend of many years lured her to a man who traded in human parts. But fate pulled a fast one on her captor who, on the verge of killing her, became mad. Call it a demonstration of power between the forces of light and darkness in which the former roundly won. Read the heartrending account of how this middle-aged widow went to hell and came back alive to tell her story. All about the incident

Disaster struck yesterday at Majidun in Lagos State as a Hilux bus with four passengers veered off the bridge and plunged into the river. The accident, according to eyewitnesses, happened around 5.20am. The bodies of the occupants of the vehicle were yet to be found. Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said the bodies could only be found within 24 hours if the victims did not eat before the incident and after 36 hours if they ate. The vehicle with registration number KSF 918 AU that belongs to Ikoyi Golf Club, was said to have been driven by the manager of the club identified as Kolawole Ahmed.

The day had started like it was going to be full of fun and joy as the groom, a Nollywood actor, Solomon Akiyesi, looked dapper in his suit and red bowtie while his bride, Uloma Frances Agwu, was resplendent but visibly pregnant in her wedding gown. As the ‘couple’ waited yesterday, to be pronounced man and wife by the General Overseer of Overcomers Church World Outreach International, Aguda , Lagos, Rev Moses, an angry woman stormed the aisle, bringing the wedding ceremony to an abrupt halt. Time was 10.30am. The lady, identified as sister of the well-known actor’s wife came up with a long list of verbal allegations, and Akiyesi’s wedding to his pregnant ‘beau’ was stopped. According to his sister-in-law who stormed the wedding venue with their wedding certificate, the actor and her sister, Lillian, had got married on November 25, 2011, in Port Harcourt. She said they got the information about the wedding on Friday night, disclosing that Lillian had called the new ‘wife’, Ulo...

It was gathered that no fewer than 20 women and girls, including an eight-year-old daughter of the Vicar of an Anglican church in the community were raped by the hooligans, who also set ablaze a police patrol vehicle. A number of police officers were, at the outset, sent to the palace of the monarch of Agbarha-Otor, His Royal Majesty Richard Oghenevwogaga, Ebelle-Okorefe I, to secure the king’s abode following a breakdown of law and order in the community, Wednesday night, but rampaging hoodlums overpowered them.

Long time after her divorce, screen siren, Monalisa Chinda, has refused to grant press interviews. But in a rare chance, the beautiful mother of one, who has been at the centre of various speculations, spoke on a wide range of issues surrounding her personality and career. She spoke extensively on her latest movie, foundation, cosmetic business and her private life. INTERVIEW:  You were once married and the marriage crashed. Is Monalisa having plans of remarrying? In fact, recently a marriage rumour trailed you, but you denied. Let’s hear from you. Do you have plans of settling down in the nearest future? I would love to. I am designed to be under a man. I am not going to lie that I like the single mother thing going on, but whereby there is no one at the moment; it is not like a do-or-die affair for me though. I have been there before and anything I am going to do now has to be done right. I won’t say because this one happened and the second one happened okay, I’ll ...

The Managements of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its downstream and marketing subsidiary, the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) have urged members of the public to disregard the reports of imminent fuel scarcity in the South-West carried in a section of the media as there is no iota of truth in them.

Seven suspects, including a Permanent Secretary in the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Atiku Abubakar Kigo and a Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Communications, Mrs. Uzoma Cyril Attang were yesterday re-arraigned before Justice Hussein Baba of the FCT High Court over the N46 billion Police Pension fraud.

Police operatives have arrested a man with a locally made double barrel gun and three toy guns at the Tolu area of Ajegunle, Lagos. The police are investigating to know what the man who residents described as mentally unbalanced was doing with guns. The man simply identified as Monday was arrested in an abandoned school described by the police as hideout for armed robbers. While some residents believed that Monday is insane, others said he is an armorer to armed robbers.

The remains of the late deputy governor of Ekiti State, Mrs Funmilayo Adunni Olayinka, would be buried on Friday, April 26. The weeklong activities for her state burial will commence on April 22. Mrs Olayinka, 52, died in Lagos last Saturday, April 6, after a long battle with cancer. According to a statement signed on behalf of the state government by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr. Tayo Ekundayo, activities for the state burial of the late deputy governor would be held in Ekiti and Lagos states.- Sun

Chief Victor Umeh who was recently reinstated as National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) by the Appeal Court sitting in Enugu has said the controversial factional chairman of the party, Maxi Okwu, must apologize to the Igbo as well as the party for publicly insulting the late leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. Addressing newsmen in Enugu yesterday, Umeh insisted that Okwu must be ostracised for discrediting the late leader of APGA as an extremist . In a post convention speech, which came hours before the Appeal Court reinstated Umeh as chairman, Okwu was reported to have said that the reality of the time must be faced even though he would not out-rightly dump the late Ojukwu’s seeming extremist stance in matters concerning Ndigbo.

President Goodluck Jonathan joined other world leaders in mourning the death of former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher describing her as one of the world’s greatest leaders. In a condolence message signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, he said  “having already attained a legendary status in her lifetime after positively transforming Britain forever in her eleven and half years as Prime Minister, Baroness Thatcher will, with her passage today formally take her place in history as one the greatest world leaders of our time”.

Following the killing of 12 policemen by gunmen at Azuzuama community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Governor Seriake Dickson, has vowed to collaborate with security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

Actress Nse Ikpe Etim and Clifford Sule's traditional wedding held yesterday Thursday April 4th   at St. Stephen Primary School, Ikot Etobon, Akwa Ibom State. Big congrats to them.

A photo scene of an accident that occurred this afternoon at Igbogui village in Benin and involved three heavy duty vehicles; a Young Shall Grow Motors luxury bus, a fuel tanker with registration number GA 71 XA, and a Dangote truck carrying cement.  Over 100 people were burnt to death when the fuel tanker exploded following the accident. The fire spread to surrounding shops and burnt several cars packed nearby. Survivors have been rushed to the hospital while rescue efforts by the Federal Road Safety Corps & Civil Defence Corps continues.

There are reports that the FG is scrapping the National Examinations Council, NECO, and the National Poverty Eradication Programme, NAPEP. Also on the list of adjustments is FG divesting the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board of powers to conduct examinations into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

DJ JamJam has made a habit out of uncovering major talent within the Afrobeats industry and he’s done it again! This time he features Malaysia-based singer Prince Micah on this new single aptly titled  “Dance Forever” . DJ JamJam has done very well in the UK Afrobeats scene; breaking out new tunes on his radio shows as well as releasing mixtapes which serve to promote the growth of African music across the globe.  “Dance Forever”  is the perfect mash-up of the African sound and European Dance music. It has all the elements needed to become a hit single. *O.O*

Here is a photograph of the Ghanaian actress in a model’s pose. What do you think of the pic…sexy or too skinny?

Upcoming artiste Ajebutter is proving to be a formidable rap artiste to reckon with with his single ‘Senrenre’ and ‘Omo Pastor’ ft Boj of DRB, now closely followed by a new release called “Gbono,” which features Mavin Records Dr SID. ‘Gbono’ is the 3rd official single from the upcoming collaboration album “Anytime Soon” with producers Studio Magic. Ajebutter said “I present my 3rd Official Single ‘Gbono (Ft. Dr Sid)’ from my forth-coming collaboration album with Studio Magic titled, “Anytime Soon”. Hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed making it.

After midnight tonight, we'll no longer be taking video uploads. It's been eight amazing years, and we finally have enough videos to select a winner. Stay tuned for the live ceremony.