EAGLES EYE UPDATE

Advertising is being introduced to WhatsApp in 2019(Image: Carl Court/Getty Images) WhatsApp users are being warned to brace themselves for some big changes next year. The mobile phone chat application, which is used by 1.5 billion users every month, is set to incorporate advertisements in 2019 within its 'Status' section. The move is being made in an attempt to monetise the world's most popular chatting app, which is owned by Facebook. It will be a big first for WhatsApp, which has so far remained ad-free. And people have been quick to express their dissatisfaction at  the news, reported by the Sunday Express . One Twitter user tweeted: "People don't want advertising on WhatsApp. They will find another platform to use when they get sick of adverts." And another described the situation as "insane", adding: "WhatsApp will start showing ads on status updates in 2019. Insane I tell you.... I miss the old basic WhatsApp." WHAT TO DO I...

The Pastor in charge of The Redeemed Christian church of God, Bountiful Sanctuary Area head quarters, Oyo Province 6, Pastor Raphael Taiwo, say this in the last Sunday of the year service held at the church auditorium, Bashorun, Ibadan. While speaking under the topic that says, "Making your way plain before God in 2019" with a text from the book of prophet Isaiah 30:21. He added that "The only people that kill and distroy things during election are those that did not have focus, and if you ask them the reason behind their act, they will not have a tangible reason" "Most of the politicians are close friend in real sense. It doesn't matter the party that eventually emerge, the other will not suffer but rather maneuver his way to benefit in the government" he added. He said, "either party A or party B win, it doesn't matter but If you walk with God, he will reveals the hidden secret to you" and made reference to Daniel I. Daniel 1:8 Pas...

Scores of police personnel have invaded the residence of the controversial lawmaker representing Kogi West in the National Assembly, Senator Dino Melaye  The invasion of the lawmaker’s Abuja residence located at 11 Sangha street, off Mississippi, Maitama, took place some minutes after Midday today. Presently,  the street where his house is located has been cordoned off by security operatives with Toyota Hilux operational vehicles.  Melaye had raised the alarm a few days ago over an attempt by the Federal Government to assassinate him.  Attempts by our correspondent to speak with the embattled senator failed as of the time of filing this report because his two mobile numbers were switched off.  Details later…

The richest man in Africa, Aliko Dangote, Friday made list of those who would take part in the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential campaign for the forthcoming 2019 general elections. The business mogul was named with six others to form the special advisory committee to Mr. President. They include, Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Ahmed Lawan (Senate Leader), Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila ( Leader of the House ), APC Party National Chairman Comrade Adams Oshiomole, Mr. Femi Otedola. In a statement disclosed by the special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari, on Media and publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, the party equally announced other members who formed the Presidential Campaign Council. They are as follows: CHAIRMAN President Muhammadu Buhari CO-CHAIRMAN Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu DEPUTY CHAIRMEN The Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo. The APC National Chairman Comrade Adams Oshiomole VICE CHAIRMAN NORTH Senator George Akume VI...

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, has unveiled a special app, to address electoral malpractice ahead of the forthcoming 2019 general elections. The app will provide Nigerians opportunity to give report on observations from their polling unit. The app which can be freely downloaded through the INEC website or google play store has geo-referencing features which can enable officials of the Commission identify wherever challenges may arise and alert security agencies to take charge in any part of the country. Dr Mustapha Leeky, INEC’s National Commissioner, noted that the app was developed to address the new phenomenon of “vote buying” which partly characterized recent elections in some states of the federation. Leeky who doubles as Chairman, Board of the Electoral Institute (BEI) stated this on Thursday, while declaring open a three-day workshop on Electoral Security Training of Trainers Workshop for State Training Officers in Abuja He said, “We have deployed som...

Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun on Thursday presented a N152 billion budget before the Osun House of Assembly as the fiscal proposal for 2019. He promised that workers’ salary would now be paid promptly and in full. The governor, during the budget presentation, said the era of modulated salaries had ended and workers and pensioners would now be paid full salaries and pensions as and when due. Mr Oyetola, who tagged the fiscal proposal as ‘Budget of Hope’, said it was largely hinged on consolidation of social security protection and welfare programmes of the immediate past administration. He said about N92 billion would be spent on capital projects, while N15.9 billion would be spent on recurrent expenditure. A further breakdown of the budget reveals that N37 billion would also be spent on personnel during the fiscal year. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that projections on raising the money for the budget were hinged on statutory allocation from the federal g...

Atiku said he was shocked by “reports from unimpeachable sources that the first family now plays big in the nation’s financial sector after acquiring mouth-watering shares in Keystone Bank with total assets of $1.916bn The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has asked relevant agencies to investigate President Muhammadu Buhari’s family’s alleged ownership of shares in the Etisalat Nigeria and Keystone Bank. Atiku, in a statement yesterday by his Special Assistant to Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said: “Such a probe was necessary in view of reports that members of President Muhammadu Buhari’s family now own substantial share in Etisalat Nigeria which has an estimated $2bn of its estimated $20bn global net worth.” Atiku said he was shocked by “reports from unimpeachable sources that the first family now plays big in the nation’s financial sector after acquiring mouth-watering shares in Keystone Bank with total assets of $1.916bn as well a...

- President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that he would rid Kwara state of criminals before 2019 general elections - The president made the pledge in Offa on Thursday, December 27, through the minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed - Buhari lamented that the state has been in the news for negative reasons in the recent time President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his determination to rid Kwara state of all criminals ahead of the forthcoming 2019 general elections in view of the recent unpleasant developments in the state. Vanguard reports that said on Thursday, December 27, in Offa local government area of the state, during the official commissioning of the ultra modern mobile police barracks solely built by the community at the cost of N700million and donated to the Nigeria police. It was gathered that the project was approved by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to beef up security within and around the community following the killings of thirty-t...

… parade suspects tomorrow The Nigeria Police Force is set to parade some suspects involved in the murder of the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (retd.). The suspects will be paraded at the headquarters of the NPF in Abuja on Thursday. “We have made a breakthrough in the case and we’ve arrested suspects who will be paraded on Thursday,” a source said. The former CDS was killed in the evening of December 18, 2018 while returning from his farm. His Tundra Toyota truck was riddled with bullets piercing the windscreen and killing him instantly. Out of the three occupants of the vehicle, however, Badeh was the only one that was killed thereby fueling speculations that he was assassinated.

President Muhammadu Buhari has demanded evidence for the claim that his government is being run by a cabal. He spoke in an interview with Voice of America, Hausa Service. The President’s wife, Aisha Buhari, during an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation, Hausa Service, had first alleged that her husband was being controlled by a cabal. She had said, “The President does not know 45 out of 50 of the people he appointed and I don’t know them either, despite being his wife of 27 years. Some people are sitting down in their homes folding their arms only for them to be called to come and head an agency or a ministerial position.” She had threatened not to campaign for him if things continued that way. The President had dismissed that statement by saying his wife belonged to the kitchen and the “other room.” But while speaking at a leadership summit in Abuja earlier this month, Mrs Buhari challenged Nigerians to fight the “two or three people who have dominated this gover...

Phebe Boluwatife Oyeleye, a final year student of Urban and Regional Planning of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State was on Christmas day knocked down by hit and run car.  A Twitter user with handler @_dr90210 posted her picture before and after the incident with her student Identification card with a post that read "This beautiful girl was hit by a car this evening, a bike man took her aside and no one assisted him in taking her to the hospital so he left and she was left for dead by the road side till police men came.The person who caused her death God saw you and karma will catch up." He added that, her phone had been stolen by an unknown person. 

Deji Adeyanju (Photo Credit: Politics Nigeria) Deji Adeyanju, a detained political activist, has said he is in good spirit, his associate told PREMIUM TIMES. Theophilus Agada, a social critic and friend of Mr Adeyanju, was in Kano Central Prison to see the activist on Christmas Day. “His message to Nigerians is that he is in good in spirit,” Mr Agada told PREMIUM TIMES Tuesday night. “Although he looks really emaciated, in all he is doing fine.” “I met him playing football with the inmates,” he added. Mr Agada said he arrived at the prison at about 2:00 p.m. and spent some time with the activist before leaving. Mr Adeyanju has been in prison since November 28 when the police first arrested him as he led a protest to demand police neutrality ahead of the general elections in February. President Muhammadu Buhari is seeking reelection, and Mr Adeyanju and other members of his Concerned Nigerians group said the police and other security agencies have become increasingly partisan i...

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has extended his benevolence hands to Aisha Haruna, a 13 year-old orphan from Daura, Kastina state, who was involved in an inferno that burnt her beyond recognition. Atik The former vice president has approved immediate payment of all the hospital bills, including her plastic reconstructive surgery. In a statement disclosed by Paul Ibe, Media Adviser to the former vice president, Atiku gave the directive through his Cares Foundation (ACF) after the plight of the young girl was brought to the attention of the former Vice President. Atiku Abubakar, who is also the Grand Patron of Atiku Cares Foundation (ACF) and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, approved the immediate payment of all the hospital bills, including plastic reconstructive surgery for Miss Aisha Haruna, an orphan. The ACF got to know of the news of this life threatening situation of Aisha via Facebook. The victim,...

President Muhammadu Buhari display a sign for 4+4 to join Legislators who supported his re-election bid as he addressed a joint session of the National Assembly for the the presentation of the 2019 Appropriation Bill at the National Assembly, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 19/12/2018 Foremost activist and co-founder of the Bring Back Our Girls Movement, Aisha Yesufu has taken a swipe at President Muhammadu Buhari over his handling of the recent spate of killings in Zamfara state, North-West Nigeria. President Buhari interacting with troops deployed to curb the activities of bandits and criminals in Zamfara and neighbouring states under Operations Sharan Daji and Diran Mikiya, at Katsina Airport shortly before departing for Abuja on 25th Aug 2018 Aisha in a minute and 43 seconds video recording made available to our correspondent accused the President of playing the ostrich and doing too little to curtail the senseless killings going on in some parts of the country. Questioning t...

A final year student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, FUNAAB, identified as Olaniyi Ashimi, has reportedly died due to lack of oxygen and ambulance at FMC Abeokuta, Ogun State. According to Twitter user   @sammiee_oj95, the deceased was rushed to the hospital following an accident that occurred on their way back from a conference along Abeokuta-Ibadan road. On getting to the hospital, there was no one to attend to them even after 24hrs, he further explained that there was no functioning X-ray machines at the hospital to properly scan the accident victims. It was the following day they detected that the deceased had an internal bleeding and was referred to UCH but unfortunately, FMC allegedly had no ambulance to convey the victim to Ibadan and worst of all, they had no enough oxygen to sustain him. The twitter user also blamed the government over the poor Federal road, she explain the terrible state of the road.  Re...

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on the Academic Staff Union of Nigeria Universities to call off the industrial action embarked upon by its members in the overall interest of the nation. "> The President made the call in Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki, during the third convocation of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State. Represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Mr. Victor Onuoha, Buhari said the Federal Government had provided the requisite environment for teaching and learning in Nigerian universities. “Consequently, I urge ASUU to suspend its ongoing industrial action in the overall national interest. “This administration is not unmindful of the fact that funding for education may not be adequate largely due to lean resources and other competing national needs. I want to assure Nigerians that we will continue to do the needful within the limited available resources,” he said. The President also congratulated the...

"> Jose Mourinho is unlikely to be out of work for very long, after being sacked by Manchester United, with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, reportedly keen to bring him back to the Bernabeu. Mourinho was fired at Old Trafford on Tuesday morning, after overseeing United’s worst start to a Premier League season in 28 years. However, his stock remains high in Europe and according to Spanish newspaper, El Pais, he is already being lined up to lead a rebuild of Real Madrid. It is claimed that he was infact offered a return this season twice. Madrid have endured a difficult campaign themselves, with Julen Lopetegui replaced by Santiago Solari and they still sit fourth in the LaLiga table. Perez does not see Solari as the long-term solution and wants Mourinho to oversee a complete overhaul of the squad. He reached out to Mourinho’s camp twice in recent months, offering him £18m a year after tax, as well as promising him complete control over buying and selling p...

“Due to heavy traffic at the Onitsha/Asaba Bridge, all South-East #APC members coming home for the Christmas are hereby advised to use their SECOND NIGER BRIDGE already completed on Social Media by Buhari. Drive safe on the spiritual bridge.” "> Onitsha bridge The above is one of tweets by a Nigerian on social media who is taunting the APC government for allegedly claiming the Second Niger Bridge will soon be completed. The statement which is currently trending with “Onitsha” on social media is also making jest at some travellers going to the east for Christmas celebration. Days after President Muhammadu Buhari presented the 2019 budget at the joint session of the national Assembly, criticisms have continued to trickle in, especially as concerns claims of development that the president made while defending the budget.  One of such criticisms is on the Second Niger Bridge. President Buhari had said during the budget presentation that his government had c...

Two buses branded ‘Buhari/Osibanjo campaign’ and the campaign office of one of the All Progressives Congress, APC, party factional governorship candidate in Enugu state, Mr. George Tagbo Ogara,  were on Saturday, set ablaze by hoodlums still at large. "> Buses branded ‘Buhari/Osibanjo campaign,’ APC office set ablaze in Enugu Both the buses and the office were alleged to be burnt by some improvised explosive device, IEDs, a Premium Times report claims. According to the report, Mr. Ogara claimed the Improvised Explosive Devices were used to destroy his buses and campaign office by hoodlums he said he does not know where they came from or who sent them. "> Buses branded ‘Buhari/Osibanjo campaign,’ APC office set ablaze in Enugu According to him, “Improvised Explosive Device, IED, bomb is not a matter a civilian like me can intervene. The police and DSS will investigate that matter.” Mr. Ogara is currently embroiled in a legal battle with his party, APC, for publishi...

The Belgium boss thinks there is a lack of understanding about his main striker and the way he plays for Manchester United Manchester United  striker Romelu Lukaku has been unfairly criticised for his performances this season,  Belgium  boss Roberto Martinez says. The 25-year-old has only managed six goals in all competitions in 2018-19 and was not always guaranteed a regular starting spot during former manager Jose Mourinho's final few weeks in charge. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer  oversaw a 5-1 thrashing of Cardiff City on Saturday  in his first match as caretaker boss, but Lukaku was absent after missing training in the build-up to the trip to  Wales . Despite his struggles at club level, Lukaku is a key part of Martinez's Belgium side, scoring 14 goals in as many games in 2018. And the former  Everton  boss thinks the scrutiny on the striker's scoring record for United is often unfairly used against him. "There is a negative way of assess...

The Manchester United man trained alone as he began to step up his recovery from a hamstring injury Alexis Sanchez returned to   Manchester United’s  Carrington training ground on Saturday. The Chilean has been missing since the Red Devils’ disappointing  0-0 draw against Crystal Palace  with a hamstring injury, which Jose Mourinho had previously confirmed would  keep him out until the new year  . While Sanchez is not expected to have recovered in time for the festive  Premier League  fixtures, his return to individual training will be a boost for new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The 30-year-old took to social media to show fans he was back training, with three posts on his  official Instagram account  . After a short video which showed Sanchez driving into the training ground, he posted two pictures of him working alone in the gym. It has been a frustrating 2018 for Sanchez, since his extremely  high-profile move fr...

uzoma-dozie Uzoma Dozie had the world on a string. A thoroughbred silver spoon with Ivy League education, his father, Paschal Dozie, is one of Nigeria’s foremost businessmen with interests in virtually all the lucrative sectors of the economy. Uzoma also had a thriving banking career which began at Guaranty Trust Bank back in the mid-90s and culminated in his appointment in 2014 as the group managing director and chief executive officer of Diamond Bank Plc founded by his father. The older Dozie was CEO until 2006 and later, chairman and majority shareholder. With Uzoma’s youthfulness and qualification – an MSc in Chemical Research from University College, London and an MBA with specialization in Finance from the Imperial College Management School, London – and solid banking experience at GTB and defunct Citizens Bank before joining Diamond Bank as Manager and Head of the Oil and Gas Unit, he was expected to take the bank to the top of the pack. He had no w...

No fewer than 17  persons have reportedly lost their lives in some Anambra State communities due to a disease outbreak suspected to be cholera. The affected areas were in the Anambra West Local Government Area of the state. Our correspondent learnt that the affected communities included Igbedor, Nzam, Umuenwenum Anam and Ode. Nine persons reportedly died of the disease in Igbedor, three in Nzam,  three in Umuenwelum and two in Ode community. A community leader in one of the communities, Cyprian Akpofe, told our correspondent that the community usually experiences cholera around this time of the year, annually. “It’s pure cholera. All those that died exhibited all symptoms of cholera before they died. It’s pure cholera. It happens here annually. But the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike, who led some officials of the ministry to the council area, said the deaths recorded in the area was not that of cholera outbreak as being speculated. ...

Top African philosopher, Professor Sophie Oluwole is dead. Professor Oluwole known for her pan-African stance passed on at the age of 83. Her death was confirmed by one of her colleagues, Professor Yomi Akinyeye of the Department of History and Strategic Studies, University of Lagos. He said, “Yes, I just confirmed it now. I spoke to her daughter who confirmed it to me. I don’t have the details just yet.” It was reported that Oluwole died around 8pm on Sunday evening after a protracted illness. Oluwole was the first Nigerian female doctorate degree holder in philosophy and a practitioner of Yoruba philosophy. Born in Igbara-oke, Ondo State in 1936, she studied history, geography and philosophy at the University of Lagos and eventually settled on philosophy.

Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, on Saturday said there was no truth in the media report (not  THE PUNCH)  that quoted him as saying he fears President Muhammadu. “To put the record straight, I never said I fear President Muhammadu Buhari. I only said I fear God. I don’t fear President Buhari,” Amosun said during the 2018 Christmas Carol and Service of Nine Lessons organised by the state government in Abeokuta, the state capital. The governor had earlier been quoted to have said that he fears God and Buhari while addressing leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress at the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta shortly after the National Working Committee inaugurated the state caretaker committee. The NWC had on Friday inaugurated the caretaker committee for the state to replace the embattled state executive led by Chief Derin Adebiyi. While reacting to the media report, Amosun said he was shocked to read on the pages of newspapers on Saturday that he fears God a...

There was confusion in several parts of Warri and environs yesterday when a lady was said to be vomiting money around Effurun market area of Uvwie local government area after her pant was allegedly stolen at her residence few weeks ago. The news of the lady vomiting money spread to several parts of Warri, with friends calling the other to alert of the development. Some of those who called were not sure of where it happened. Some persons said the lady was seen vomiting dollars while others said she vomited high denomination of naira notes. At Effurun market , a lady said it took the extra effort of a Pastor to pray for several hours before the lady stopped vomiting the money. When pressed for photographs those who gave the story at the market said good neighbors around Ogaga street where the incident allegedly happened covered her face with wrapper while the prayer lasted. Meantime, the fear of Yahoo boys in Warri is the beginning of wisdom as speculations are rife in the city th...

- The friend of Alex Badeh, who was abducted by killers of the former air chief marshal, has been released - Authorities are reportedly working on the theory that the ex defense chief's murder may have been an abduction gone wrong - An Air Force officer reportedly said members of the public would be informed about the development after the Christmas break The murderers of Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, the immediate past chief of defense staff, have released his abducted friend. According to Punch, Badeh's friend was released following payment of ransom money running into millions of naira by his family. It was recalled that the police had previously stated:  “The former CDS suffered gunshot injury which resulted to his death, while his driver was injured and Badeh’s friend abducted.” Following the release of Badeh's friend, authorities are reportedly working on the theory that the ex defense chief's murder may have been an abduction gone wrong. It was further lea...

Nigerian billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola is set to sell his 75 per cent direct and indirect shareholdings in Forte Oil. This was revealed by the Nigerian Stock Exchange in a statement on its website on Monday. The statement was signed and made available to reporters by Akinleye Olagbende, the  General Counsel of the company. The statement entitled ‘notification of divestment by the majority shareholder in the downstream business operations,’ reads, “Forte Oil Plc hereby notifies the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Securities and Exchange Commission, Shareholders and the investing community that its Majority Shareholder, Mr. Femi Otedola, CON has reached an agreement with the Prudent Energy team, investing through Ignite Investments and Commodities Limited, to divest of his full 75% direct and indirect shareholding in the Company’s downstream business. “Mr. Otedola’s divestment from the downstream business is pursuant to his decision to explore and maximise business op...

...direct IGP, ICPC to immediately investigate, prosecute him …ask Unijos, NBA, Nigerian Law School, Body of Benchers, CJN to withdraw his law degree certificate, close chamber House of Representatives Thursday asked President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately sack the Chairman, Special Presidential Investigation Panel, SPIP, Okoi Obono-Obla for certificate forgery and corruption. The House also urged the president to dissolve the panel headed by Obla, requesting that the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, be effectively utilized to perform the function meant for it in the anti-corruption fight. Okoi Obono-Obla Members of the House reached the decisions following the recommendations of an adhoc committee set up to investigate the legality and modus oparandi of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel. It will be recalled that the adhoc committee conducted an extended public investigation on the activities of SPIP in July this year. The exercise was essentially based on the allegation...

It was a memorable experience as one of the son of the late veteran broadcaster, Mr Toba Opaleye, Oluwaseun Gbenga Opaleye tied the knot with Toluwanimi Olamide Sotayo, at the Celestial Church of Christ, Okejigbo Parish, Egba province B Headquarters, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The solemnization was witnessed by many officiating minister of the church on Thursday, 20th December, 2018. The reception followed at Sacred Heart Secondary School Hall, Òkè ilewo was honored by staffs of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta and FIBAN elders including Abiodun Fagboro, Ambrose Somide, Basiru Adisa, Yemi Sonde, Yemi Ajide and host of others. All of us at Eagles eye update wishes them happy married life .

The Senate on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye as Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Also confirmed were eight others as members of the ICPC board. They are Grace Chinda from Delta, Okolo Titus (Enugu), Obiora Igwedebia (Anambra), Olubukola Balogun (Lagos) and Justice Adamu Bello (Katsina). The other members are Hannatu Muhammed (Jigawa), Abdullahi Saidu (Niger) and Yahaya Dauda (Nasarawa). The Senate also confirmed the appointment of Justice Uwani Abba as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Details later.