Kush Alabi's Blog

Punch • Job losses loom in telecoms industry • Beware of our political enemies, PDP govs warn Mu’azu • 2014 budget: Senators blast Okonjo-Iweala … accuse minister of imposing World Bank/ IMF policies • National dialogue commences February • Defection: Saraki, 10 other PDP senators write Mark • S’Sudan frees seven detainees accused of coup • EPL: M’City knock Arsenal off top spot • Italy mourns 3-year-old killed in suspected mafia hit • Christians, Muslims unite against B’Haram • Stop fighting Aregbesola, Speaker begs Baptists • Security: Mbu demands written applications from me, says Amaechi • Aggrieved PDP senators shun meeting with Mu’azu, govs • Akanbi warns Jonathan, Amaechi about Rivers crisis • SURE-P: FG to buy N240m locally-made vehicles • Suntai’s aide debunks video, says it’s fake

Punch • INEC releases timetable for Ekiti, Osun gov polls • APC senators ignore party directive, screen service chiefs • Ministers with political ambitions should resign – President • SSS detains el-Rufai • B’Haram kills 74 in church, village • N5.2bn scam: Absence of EFCC counsel stalls Borishade’s trial • Defected governors absent at PDP suit • 2015: No permit, no rally, says police • 2015: My loyalty is to my party – Gov Aliyu • Bayelsa: Amaechi, Ikimi to lead APC peace committee • B’Haram: ACF asks Mbu to release 320 suspects • 2015: Ohanaeze tells Kalu to drop presidential ambition • ‘Produce witnesses in ex-DPO trial’ • Mu’azu’s peace moves’ll fail, says Atiku

I am constrained to make this an open letter for a number of reasons. One, I've been inundated on the social media on my opinion on the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill recently assented to by President Goodluck Jonathan. Two, knowing full that silent is consent, my silence could be misconstrued to mean that I am gay or sympathetic to their cause and have go ne 'underground'. Three, I have siblings on the social media who earnestly await my response since they look up to me as their role model. Four, this is the right channel to pass my message across to my friends in the Diaspora, especially those who have threatened fire and brimstone to our dear President.

Many should know by now that forgoing condoms during sex puts them at a higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases or getting pregnant every other month, but they still prefer not to use it. According to a recent study conducted by the Society for Family Health, 80 per cent of the 1.8 billion sexual activities that occur in Nigeria yearly take place without condom use.

Former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasir ElRufai, Senator Chris Ngige and the governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi stormed the headquarters of the State Security Services (SSS) earlier today to turn in Mr. ElRufai who was declared wanted by the SSS for expressing his views about the upcoming general election in Nigeria.

Punch We’ll overcome our challenges, says Jonathan Hoodlums vandalise buildings, 50 cars in Lagos Mu’azu meets Obasanjo over Ogun PDP cris is 17 PDP senators’ll defect to APC this week –Saraki APC holds national convention April 26 Controversy rages over APC’s directive to members in N’Assembly ‘Amaechi has shamed his detractors’ 2015: Atiku begins nationwide consultations 2015: S’West PDP endorses Jonathan APGA petitions Jega, chides Umeh for contempt Jega meets US policy makers on 2015

  This is to remind you that the Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Lagos State Branch. Date: January 25, 2014 Venue: 2, Makoko Road, Adekunle, Yaba, Lagos Time: 10am prompt. Please be in your full Red Cross Uniform. Thank you.

Punch Anti-Amaechi protesters threaten to shut down P’Harcourt airport M inisters: Senate to screen Gusau, Obanikoro, 10 others next week Commotion in House of Reps over leadership change Otudeko’s $48m suit against Dangote for hearing Feb. 6 Amaechi, others can’t be APC states’ leaders – Shekarau Chinese activist lawyer Xu Zhiyong on trial Tukur asks for wisdom for Mu’azu Pepper theft: IG takes over probe into torture I’ll reconcile PDP members, says Mu’azu Violence: Impeach Amosun, LP tells lawmakers Rivers: crisis worries Tambuwal Rivers: Anarchy looms, APC warns Jonathan Oyinlola may regain position in PDP –Investigation Emergency rule has failed – Human Rights Watch Rivers crisis: Police arrest pro-Amaechi council chairmen

The Lagos State House of Assembly has passed a bill for a law, which would in effect, ban smoking in public places in the state. Scaling through the third reading, the bill prohibits residents from smoking in all public places such as libraries, museum, public toilets, schools, hospital, day care centres, public transportation and restaurants among others.

Punch • Boko Haram members kill another 18 in Borno • Court orders Reps not to change leadership • We’ll end B’Haram insurgency before April – CDS • Don’t expect perfect elections in 2015 –Jega • Mu’azu to PDP govs: I won’t interfere in state affairs • Groups call on NASS to act on PIB • Information Minister rewards FEPSGA medalists • Winter olympics: Police warn Sochi hotels of terror suspect • Lagos Assembly bans smoking in public places • We’ll change House leadership – Rep • Ekiti 2014: LP cautions APC against mischief • Anti-gay law may affect HIV/AIDS funding –US • Ihejirika debunks reports on military retirements • Ministerial list not yet in Senate – Investigation • Anti-gay law: Jonathan’s Canada trip not cancelled, says FG

The name self sounds like one of those “short time” joints. .I mean, how will someone name his Church COZA?..COZA, if doubled, sounds coza coza (sharp sharp). But that is not the issue; COZA has been in the news of late for the wrong reasons. Just like Kris Okotie’s Household of God’s Church, a particular Pastor in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja is also hitting the headlines. His Church has become a beehive of activities, attracting all the fine babes and upwardly mobile young men in Abuja. Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (What a name) is located right in the Central Area of Abuja.

Circled is the Salvadorean nun who said she had no idea she was pregnant when she gave birth to a baby boy last week. 33 year old Roxana Rodriguez, a nun with the order of the Little Disciples of Jesus, initially claimed she thought her labour pains were 'stomach cramps' when an ambulance rushed her to the hospital.

  The Guardian • Mimiko appoints Akinbobola as ODSFA Chair • Google Glass driver Abadie has case dropped • UN panel confronts Vatican on child sex abuse by clergy • Syrian opposition meets to decide on peace talks • UN says South Sudan civilians tied and shot in war • Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan sacks military chiefs • Mother of jailed Vietnam activist warns on trade pact • UN calls for faster deployment of Mali force • One killed in US 'Night Stalkers' hard landing • Roger Lloyd Pack, star of Only Fools and Horses, dies aged 69 • Experienced Bafana will be tough, says Keshi • Leave this trophy for us, South Africans plead with Eagles • NASS will co-operate with NSC, NFF on budget defence, says Gaiya

The 2014 Oscar nominees list is out and some African actors are really shining this year. Chiwetel Ejiofor got a Best Actor nomination for his role in '12 Years a Slave', while Kenyan beauty Lupita Nyong'o got a Best Supporting actress nomination for same movie. Somalian Barkhad Abdi got Best Supporting actor nomination for his role as the main villain in Captain Phillips. American Hustle and Gravity lead this year's Oscars with 10 nominations each, followed by 12 Years a Slave with 9. Captain Phillips - 6. Dallas Buyers Club - 6. Nebraska - 6. Her - 5 and The Wolf of Wall Street - 5. See the full list of nominations after the cut..

President Jonathan has sacked Nigeria's Service Chiefs and appointed new ones. According to a statement by Presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati, Air Marshall Alex Badeh is the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing Admiral Ola Ibrahim. Major-General Kenneth Tobiah Jacob Minimah takes over from Lt.-General Azubike O. Ihejirika as Chief of Army Staff. Read the State House press release

The Rivers police has denied shooting him, but here are pictures of the Senator as he's being prepared to be flown abroad after being shot with rubber bullets during a political rally in Port Harcourt today. The injured senator is reportedly on his way to London for further treatment after doctors in Rivers state said he was hit with an object that might have caused internal bleeding.

  According to a report by Punch , the committee set up by President Jonathan to probe the N255m bulletproof car scandal in the aviation ministry has indicted Aviation Minister, Ms. Stella Oduah. It was gathered  in Abuja on Sunday  that the report of the presidential committee tallied  with some findings of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation on the scandal. On  December 19, 2013, the House endorsed the report of its committee and agreed that the minister breached the 2013 Appropriation Act.

  Punch   Baby dies in inferno, another petrol tanker crashes   Sanusi’s successor: President considers S’West candidates   Tukur pa nics, seeks deputy national leaders’ support N255m car scandal: Presidential panel indicts Oduah Rivers crisis: Police shoot pro-Amaechi senator … disperse political rally Jet crash in Germany kills four UN concerns mount over besieged Syrians Caffeine pill ‘could boost memory’ Police investigate murder of girl, 17, in Gombe UniAbuja fire outbreak injures two JTF acquires equipment to check illegal refineries Iran to start scaling back nuclear program January 20 Sanusi, not bigger than government, says Jang NDLEA to spend N134.9m as security vote in 2014 ‘I’m not under pressure to be governor’

HBO has finally revealed the date for the premiere of the 4th season of its much adored &  popular series  Game of Thrones  and it’s not so faraway – April 6th. That’s right the new season of Game of Thrones will air 9pm on Sunday’s like the previous seasons.

Most Nigerians especially fans of English club Chelsea  cried ‘blue murder’ yesterday night, when Ivorian and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure was announced winner of 2013 African Footballer of the Year (making it a third in a row). But statistics point to the fact that the Ivorian deserves the accolades based on his performances in 2013.

Former heavyweight boxing champ Evander Holyfield , 51, says being gay is not normal and he compared the sexual behaviour to a handicap that needed fixing. He made the controversial statements to reality star Luisa Zissman in the UK Celebrity Big Brother 2014 house in London . Holyfield says he disagrees with the popular gay agenda theory that gays are born that way.

Samsung is launching its strongest challenge yet to Apple’s iPad, releasing new tablet devices that it claims contain the sharpest screens on the market. The Korean company is pinning its hopes on the machines, which feature displays containing four million pixels, making them among the most powerful and clearest screens to be built within a tablet.

  Guardian Kano APC crisis worsens How Sambo averted mass defection to APC Lamido proposes N114.7b budget for 2014 Nebo confirms review of Manitoba’s contract PDP accuses APC of splitting nation along religious lines Monarch’s mother kidnapped in Bayelsa Why clashes in Kaduna community persist’ ASUU, others task relevant authorities on missing professor Nigeria LNG exports landmark 3000th cargo Ekiti LP clears air on alleged faction, murder suspects

Stella Oduah’s new bio without a university Embattled Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, and her associates have spent the last several hours scrambling to clean up the minister’s biographies on the Internet, following allegations that she lied about her academic qualifications, PREMIUM TIMES can report today. News website, SaharaReporters, had Monday quoted authorities at St. Paul’s College, where Mrs. Oduah claimed she studied for Bachelor and Masters degrees, as saying they did not award her an MBA at anytime as the university does not  even have a graduate school or graduate programme.

Do you want to know how to access fund to grow your business? Then register for the Grow your BusinessIQ Seminar tagged "Business Plan 3.0." where an expert from The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) will show you how to write your own business plan to harness resources from local and foreign investors.  Who should attend? Entrepreneurs, Aspiring Entrepreneurs, Corpers, Graduate and Under-graduate students and employees who are passionate to start their own businesses.  The date is: Saturday, January 25th, 2014.  Time: 11am to 2pm.  Kindly note that we have limited seats left to be filled. For quick registration and seminar fee, text your NAME and PHONE NUMBER to 07067596254. If you have done that earlier, please don't resend as an official will contact you shortly.

  Punch Stop defection, Akpabio begs Tambuwal Obasanjo, an unrepentant troublemaker, says Clark Explosion, fire destroy Rivers’ courts PDP BoT to intervene in Jonathan, Obasanjo rift Gunmen kill 30, burn 40 houses in Plateau Defection won’t change APC senate minority status –Investigation Suspect hides 9.2kg drug in palm oil for export Ogun APC, opposition parties disagree over Amosun’s performance Woman dies in Aliyu’s office Jonathan’s presidency is incompetent, says APC Budget scandal: Again, EFCC summons Kano government officials Health workers begin five-day strike Wednesday We didn’t join APC for leadership positions –Nyako Court restrains police, NDLEA, others from arresting Kashamu Oshiomhole presides over SEC meeting, denies sustaining injuries

From Kush Alabi's Blog we wish you a wonderful world in 2014. God bless you all Enjoy!

   The Guardian • Before dust settles on Jonathan’s exchange of letters with Obasanjo • Govt not satisfied with Manitoba’s performance • NNPC insists $10.8b oil revenue not missing • Youths protest killing of colleague in Akure • UI students resume, UNIJOS ASUU rejects directive • Nigeria steps up security ties with neighbours to check terrorism • FAAN denies shutting Gombe airport against APC officials’ plane • Aviation experts laud minister, NAMA over radar services, others • Yobe debunks govt’s claim on road construction • Reps panel seeks evacuation of Nigerians in South Sudan • NSC budgets N2.418b for Commonwealth Games, others • Mikel scores in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Derby • Eagles’ World Cup camp to open in Mexico • NFF settles Keshi’s four-month salary arrears, one still outstanding