33 Scientists Honoured By Film Academy With Sci-Tech Awards

Image source: themash.com

The engineers and inventors whose creations help deliver colorful, stable film images and cutting-edge animation are getting recognition from Oscar.

Bayelsa Rerun: Police IG Bars Officers From Escorting VIPs To Polling Centres

Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase

The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, has ordered police officers not to accompany politicians to polling centres during the gubernatorial election rerun in Southern Ijaw Local Government of Bayelsa State on Saturday.

Unpaid Salary: Workers Sell Land, Household Items To Pay Children’s Tuition

Civil servants have been struggling to raise money to pay their children’s tuition, as primary and secondary schools pupils resume for the second term academic activities in many states of the federation on Monday, January 11, 2016.

UPDATE: Lassa Fever: Death Toll Hits 40

The multimamate rat is a carrier of Lassa Fever in West Africa (Science Photo Library)

The Federal Government yesterday confirmed the death of 40 Nigerians in a Lassa fever outbreak in 10 states of the country. Eighty-six people were infected in Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Plateau, Gombe and Oyo, according to Health Minister Isaac Adewole.

Fear Of Violence As Dickson, Sylva Engage In Final Battle

The challenger, Sylva (APC), and the incumbent, Dickson (PDP), go head-to-head in today’s supplementary governorship election in Bayelsa State. Image source: theabujainquirer.com

Security has been beefed up across Bayelsa State yesterday as voters in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and over 101 polling units across six local government areas prepare for today’s supplementary governorship election.

FOR THE RECORD: Buhari Wants Nigeria To Produce Nobel Laureate In Sciences

President Buhari presided over the National Research and Innovation Council maiden meeting at the state house on January 7th.

President Muhammadu Buhari has tasked the National Research and Innovation Council, NRIC, to deepen scientific research in Nigeria, with the hope of producing Nigerian Nobel laureates in sciences.

Soccer Laws Overhauled In Attempt To Remove Inconsistencies

This is a Tuesday, March 30, 2010 photo of Manchester United 's Wayne Rooney receiving medical treatment after getting injured during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Manchester United in Munich, southern Germany. (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson)

Soccer’s rule-makers have overhauled the globally-applicable laws of the game in an attempt to remove inconsistencies and make them more user-friendly. If a player is injured from a challenge which is punished by a red or yellow card he can have quick treatment on the field of play and does not have to leave. It always seemed unfair that the victim team was down to 10 men and the guilty team has 11 against 10.

Sending players off for pre-match fights. Permitting the ball to go in any direction at kickoff. Allowing more players to be treated on the field. Stopping teams benefiting from players being punished.

FG To Probe Army/Shi'ite Clash — AGF

AGF Abubakar Malami (SAN)

Barely a month after a violent clash between soldiers in the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Major-General T. Y. Buratai, and members of the Shi'ite Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, the Federal Government has opted to probe the incident, which has heightened tension in the religious circles.

Salva Kiir Apologizes Over South Sudan's Civil War

Mr Kiir and Mr Machar signed a peace deal last year (Getty Images)

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has apologized for the first time to his people for the suffering they went through during the two-year civil war. Mr Kiir says the apology is a first step toward reconciliation and justice and acknowledges that the "unnecessary" conflict has brought unbearable suffering to the people of South Sudan.

No Case Against Oritsejafor Yet — Sagay

Prof. Itse Sagay

The Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay, says so far, there is no case against the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.

Lassa Fever: Over 60 Under Surveillance In Rivers

The multimamate rat is a carrier of Lassa Fever in West Africa (Science Photo Library)

Over 60 people have been placed under surveillance in Rivers State, following the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state. A nursing mother and her two-week-old baby were said to have died on December 30, last year, and January 1, from the contagious disease.

Gabon's Aubameyang Named African Footballer Of The Year

Getty Images

Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang narrowly beat Côte d'Ivoire's Yaya Toure to win the Confederation of African Football's player of the year award.

80th Birthday Dinner: Soyinka Replies Rivers Govt

Professor Wole Soyinka

Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka has described as ‘abominable distractions,’ statement by the Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Dr Austin Tam-George, that the state would demand refund from him (Soyinka) if he collected cash from the  ₦82 million allegedly spent by immediate-past Governor, Rotimi Amaechi on a dinner to honour him.

2-IN-1 STORY: US$2.1 BILLION ARMS FUNDS: I, 8 Other Prominent Northerners Collected ₦53m From Anenih — Yakassai

Tanko Yakasai

…Says money was for northern traditional rulers to mobilize their subjects

Elder Statesman, Tanko Yakasai yesterday confirmed that Chief Tony Anenih gave him and eight other prominent Northerners ₦53m for advocacy visit to northern traditional rulers.

SPORT DOPING: Canadian Doctor, Pharmacist Face Probes After Sports-Doping Video

Screengrab from December television documentary

A Canadian doctor and pharmacist face inquiries by health authorities over allegations made by a December television documentary that they obtained banned performance-enhancing drugs for athletes, officials said on Wednesday.

The two men appeared in a Dec. 27 investigative report by Al Jazeera network that linked well-known players from the National Football League, such as Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, and Major League Baseball (MLB) with banned substances.

Lassa Fever Kills 35, Infects 76, Says FG

Prof Isaac Adewole

The Federal Government has put the number of reported cases of Lassa Fever outbreak in eight states at 76 with 35 deaths already recorded and 14 cases confirmed by laboratories. The government, which said measures had been put in place to curtail further spread and reduce mortality among those affected, however, ruled out placing travel restrictions from and to areas currently affected.

Samuel Eto'o's Coaching Stint With Antalyaspor Ends

Samuel Eto'o

Former Cameroon captain Samuel Eto'o's stint as interim player-manager at Turkish side Antalyaspor has ended. He has been replaced by Jose Morais, who was Chelsea's assistant coach under his compatriot Jose Mourinho until December.

Lassa Fever 'Kills 26' In Nigeria

The multi-mammate rat is a carrier of Lassa Fever in West Africa (Science Photo Library)

About 26 people are suspected to have died of Lassa fever in seven states across Nigeria, the BBC Hausa service reports. More than 150 others are feared to have been infected, the head of Nigeria's Centre for Disease Control Abdussalam Nasidi said.

Oil Drops To 11-Year Low Amid Middle East Turmoil

© Sheng Li / Reuters

Crude fell to its lowest level in more than 11 years on Wednesday. The conflict between oil-producing countries in the Middle East spells doom for any possible production cap deal.

Global Brent crude benchmarks were at US$34.93 a barrel at 12300 GMT, down 1.5 percent from the day before and the lowest since 2004. US crude futures subsided 46 cents to US$35.95 per barrel, continuing their slide from Tuesday.

Ex-Chelsea FC Doctor Eva Carneiro At Constructive Dismissal Tribunal

Eva Carneiro arrived at court holding hands with her husband, Jason De Carteret, and surrounded by her legal team

Former Chelsea FC team doctor Eva Carneiro has arrived at a tribunal court for her constructive dismissal case against the Premier League club. The preliminary hearing is taking place at the London South Employment Tribunal in Croydon and is being held in private before an employment judge.

Nigeria Football Federation Official Ibrahim Abubakar Shot Dead At His Home In Abuja

Nigerian Football Federation head of protocol Ibrahim Abubakar was killed this morning.

Nigerian Football Federation official Ibrahim Abubakar was shot dead by at his home in Abuja this morning, according to reports. The country’s football governing body announced on Twitter that armed robbers had killed the head of protocol.

Death Penalty For Nigeria Islamic Cleric

Prophet Muhammad is buried in the Saudi city of Medina AFP

An Islamic Court in northern Nigeria has sentenced to death a Muslim cleric for blaspheming Islam's holiest figure, Prophet Muhammad.  Abdul Niasse was sentenced at a secret trial in Kano, the main northern city, to "avoid a repeat of the mob action" seen at a previous hearing of the court, prosecutor Lamido Abba Soron-Dinki told the AFP news agency. 

Oyo State Governor, Ajimobi, Makes A U-Turn, Okays Ladoja, Others’ Promotion

Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi

The Ibadan Elders Forum (IEF) on Tuesday mediated in the crisis between the Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana, over the elevation of Senator Lekan Balogun, a former governor of the state, Rashidi Ladoja, and seven other Ibadan high chiefs.

We Won’t Scrap NYSC, Says FG

Members of the National Youth Service Corps scheme

The Federal Government has said it will not succumb to agitations from some quarters to scrap the National Youth Service Corps scheme. The Minister of Youth Development and Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalong, in Lagos on Tuesday said the NYSC had come to stay, adding that its merits outweighed its disadvantages.

Pep Guardiola Considering 'Several Offers' From Premier League

Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola is eyeing a move to the Premier League

Pep Guardiola has revealed he is weighing up multiple offers from England as elite Premier League clubs battle to attract the Bayern Munich manager. The Spaniard last month revealed he would be leaving Bayern at the end of this season, and on Tuesday confirmed his next move, providing he can find the right club, would be to the Premier League.

2-IN-1 STORY: Algeria Proposes New Draft Constitution With Term Limits

Abdelaziz Bouteflika was first elected president in 1999 (Image source: Bouteflika)

Algeria's government has released a new draft constitution that would limit presidents to two terms and recognize the language used by Berber minorities as official. The draft, published in state media Tuesday, is part of reforms promised by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and his government after Arab Spring uprisings in neighboring countries in 2011.

UPDATE: IMF's Lagarde 'impressed' by Nigeria

Image source: Lagarde on Twitter

IMF chief Christine Lagarde has tweeted her reaction after meeting Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari in the capital, Abuja.

The government is facing an US$11bn (£7.4bn) budget deficit and is trying to cope with the loss of revenue following the big drop in oil prices.

No IMF Programme Needed For Nigeria, Says Lagarde

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde flanked by Kemi Adeosun, Minister of Finance (L) and Godwin Emefiele, CBN Governor (R). Image source: Breaking Times)

Africa’s biggest economy Nigeria, battling a revenue shortfall caused by the global oil shock, does not need assistance from the International Monetary Fund, the group’s head said on Tuesday.  “Let me be very clear: I’m not here nor is my team here to negotiate a loan with conditionalities, we’re not programming negotiations,” said IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde.

Venus, Ivanovic Crash Out In First Round In Auckland

Former world number one Venus Williams is currently ranked seventh in the world ©Fred Dufour (AFP)

The top two seeds -- Venus Williams and Ana Ivanovic -- were shock first-round losers in the WTA Auckland Classic on Tuesday. Williams, 35, the tournament top seed and defending champion, was beaten in three sets by 18-year-old Russian Daria Kasatkina, while Ivanovic went down in straight sets to British qualifier Naomi Broady.

Women Take Key Positions In New Guinea Government

Prime Minister Mamady Youla's cabinet has women in key ministerial positions for the first time in Guinea AFP

Women have been given key roles in Guinea's new cabinet which was announced on Monday, as the country seeks to rebuild its economy after being declared officially free of Ebola transmission. 

Why I Called Nigeria A Zoo, Threatened War — Kanu

Nnamdi Kanu when he was “on air”

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and founder of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, described Nigeria as a zoo and accused Governor Rochas Okorocha of Islamizing Imo State in an interview he granted an online medium, Sahara Reporters. He, however, said in one of the statements he made to the Department of State Services after he was arrested at a Lagos hotel on October 14, 2015 that he made the said comments in order to facilitate societal change.

Oil Prices Fall Even With Spat Between 2 Big Producers

OPEC logo

It turns out that thanks to a glut of crude, even tension between two big oil-producing countries isn't enough to drive prices higher. Oil futures spiked briefly on Monday after the news that Saudi Arabia would cut diplomatic ties with Iran, a development that could be seen as a threat to oil supplies.

Marketers Defy Fed Govt Directive On New Pump Price

From Port Harcourt in Southsouth to Damaturu in Northeast; Owerri in Southeast and Akure in Southwest, the story was the same yesterday.  Filling stations defied the Federal Government directive on the new price regime it introduced for petrol. They sold above the approved pump prices of ₦86 and ₦86.50.

Accidental Hero: The Muslim Who Saved Jews In Paris Attack

Lassana Bathily was granted French citizenship by the president himself, something he says had been a dream since his childhood in a small village on the Mali-Senegal border ©Eric Feferberg (AFP)

Lassana Bathily was an undocumented migrant from Mali until he became an unlikely hero by saving shoppers' lives during the jihadist attack on a Jewish supermarket in Paris a year ago.

Late Adadevoh’s Family May Sue Ebola Filmmakers

Late physician, Dr. Stella Adadevo

The family of the late physician, Dr. Stella Adadevoh, has threatened to take a legal action against the makers of 93 Days, a movie dedicated to the memory of Ebola victims and survivors in the country.

Ebola-Free Guinea Clear For International Soccer Matches

Baby Noubia, Guinea's last Ebola patient, was released from hospital in November AFP/Getty

The African soccer confederation says it has ended a ban on Guinea hosting international matches after the country was declared free of Ebola. Health concerns forced Guinea to play its first home qualifying match for the 2018 World Cup in Morocco.

Zambia Sets Presidential And Parliamentary Elections Date

AFP

Zambia's presidential and parliamentary elections will be held on 11 August under a new constitution, a government spokesman said, Reuters news agency reports.

Mugabe Defies ’Death Prophets’ By Living Into 2016

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe © Adnan Abidi / Reuters

Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe has defied “death prophecies”, which had predicted he would not survive 2015.  The first such claim came in January when Austin Liabunya, founder and president of BSI Winning Life Ministries in Malawi and self-proclaimed "healing minister", claimed “Mugabe’s biological clock will not tick beyond this year,” Harare 24 reported on January 3, 2015.

Ex-PM Touadera Leads CAR Vote Count

Faustin Touadera leads CAR presidential poll first round AFP

Results from the Central African Republic presidential election show former Prime Minister Faustin Touadera has a surprise lead with a quarter of votes counted. Thirty candidates contested the poll, which is likely to go to a run-off on 31 January.

BPL: Results Will Ease Manchester United Pressure, Says Louis Van Gaal

Louis van Gaal has been encouraged after taking four points from the last two games

Louis van Gaal believes the pressure is easing on Manchester United after they recorded their first win in nine matches. Wayne Rooney secured a welcome 2-1 victory over Swansea on Saturday with a clever backheel in the 77th minute.

Kenya's Militant-Hit University Reopens

The attack was the deadliest by al-Shabaab AFP

Kenya's Garissa University College has reopened - some nine months after the killing of nearly 150 people by militant Islamist group al-Shabab forced its closure. 

Banks To Lose ₦100b Revenue As Zero COT Begins

Banks’ revenues will drop by about ₦100 billion this year, with the implementation of the zero Commission On Transactions (COT) policy. It is the last phase of the “Guide to Bank Charges” policy initiated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

US NBA: Butler Breaks Jordan's Record As Bulls Beat Raptors

Chicago Bulls' Jimmy Butler celebrates a three-point basket against the Toronto Raptors during second half NBA basketball action in Toronto on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Chicago's Jimmy Butler broke Michael Jordan's team record for points in a half, scoring 40 of his 42 after the break to lead the Bulls to a 115-113 win against Toronto on Sunday. Jordan had 39 in the second half of a game against Milwaukee in 1989.

Lawyers To INEC: Allow Neutral Workers To Conduct Bayelsa Rerun

#BayelsaHopefullyDecides2016: “Inconclusive” gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State is slated to run January 9

Lawyers have said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will fail neutrality test if it allows those who conducted the December 5 “inconclusive” election in Bayelsa State to handle the rerun on January 9. The lawyers, who conducted legal clinic on Bayelsa election with civil society groups, said their findings revealed that the current composition of INEC in Bayelsa State would not guarantee a free and fair rerun.

Kwara Teachers Begin Strike Over Unpaid Salaries

Governor Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Kwara State has said primary school teachers in the state will embark on strike, today, to protest the non-payment of their four months’ salary arrears. Chairman of the union, Comrade Musa Abubakar, made this known yesterday.

6.7 Magnitude Quake Hits India's Northeast, Leaves 4 Dead

People work on the outer wall of a house that collapsed in an earthquake in Imphal, capital of the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, Monday, Jan. 4, 2016. A 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit India's remote northeast region before dawn on Monday. (AP Photo/Yurreipem Arthur)

A 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit India's remote northeast region before dawn on Monday, killing at least four people, injuring 100 others and causing damage to several buildings. The death and injuries were caused by falling debris in and around Imphal, the capital of Manipur state, police said.

FOR THE RECORD: Taraba Government Confirms Lassa Fever Outbreak

Darius Ishaku, Taraba State Governor

The Taraba State Government has confirmed the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state. The Commissioner of Health, Innocent Vakkai, who confirmed the outbreak said, “One person died and two others quarantined and their blood samples have already been taken to Irrua Specialists’ Hospital in Edo State for further confirmation.”

Saudi Severs Ties With Iran After Embassy Attacked

Iranian protesters on January 2, 2016 set fire to the Saudi Embassy in Tehran during a demonstration against the execution of Nimr al-Nimr by Saudi authorities ©Mohammadreza Nadimi (ISNA/AFP)

Saudi Arabia broke off diplomatic ties with Iran on Sunday after protesters ransacked its embassy in Tehran to protest the execution of a Shiite cleric whose killing has sparked fury. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir made the announcement at a news conference in Riyadh, and said Iranian diplomats had 48 hours to leave the kingdom.