Femi Gbajabiamila, a member of the House of Representatives, has defended his much talked about car gift to his wife. The lawmaker trended on social media after a photo and video of a brand new Benz G-Wagon he got his wife for her 50th birthday surfaced online.

Reacting in a statement today, Gbajabiamila said he saved for “a couple of years” to buy his wife the luxury vehicle.

Part of his statement reads… “My attention has been drawn to the extensive reports especially on social media regarding the presentation of a gift to my wife and best friend in celebration of her 50th birthday anniversary."

Naturally I had anticipated this occasion for quite a while and prepared by saving up for it in the last couple of years. I took the decision far back to present her with a significant gift, she was totally unaware of, to convey in part, the debt of my gratitude to her for standing by me through ‘thick and thin’. I could never have been half the man I am today without her support and unbelievable understanding. Truly, the monetary value of any gift real or imagined, pales in significance when I consider how much of a ‘rock and pillar’ she has been to me.

“The presentation of the gift contrary to public perception, was to be a family affair in our home but it suffered some delays finally arriving when a number of guests were in to celebrate with my wife. It still would have remained a private affair, but I guess we underestimated the power of social media and very excited friends."

“Having said this, I understand and appreciate the reaction of the public. As a public official, one must be held to a higher standard. My action was not meant to offend sensibilities and I regret that it did."

“Being a leader in many spheres, I can very well understand the optics of it. But I would rather want it to be seen as what it is-an expression of deep appreciation and love for my wife of almost thirty years, rather than one of flamboyance."

“I remain truly committed to my values of improving lives for my constituents and Nigerians at large. As the records will show, I have consistently expended much more in achieving this goal especially within my constituency, than I spend on my wife.”

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are returning hundreds of wedding gifts believed to be worth more than £7m.

Following strict palace guidelines, royal aides are trying to stop companies from using the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex in a bid to get publicity. As a result, they are returning gift sent by business organizations.

Kensington Palace on receiving freebies from businesses say: "When gifts are accepted, the consent of the Member of the Royal Family should be contingent upon the enterprise undertaking not to exploit the gift for commercial purposes."

Kensington Palace's guidelines state: "Gifts offered by private individuals living in the UK not personally known to the Member of the Royal Family should be refused where there are concerns about the propriety or motives of the donor or the gift itself."

Harry and Meghan specifically requested well-wishers did not send gifts and instead donate to a list of chosen charities that champion issues that are close to their hearts.


Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau granted their request by issuing a statement on the couple's wedding day to say the country would donate £29,000 to a youth charity called Jumpstart. New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Arden told reporters that on behalf of the country, New Zealand was making a £2,500 donation to a charity the supports children and families of prisoners called Pillars. The Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the country will make a donation to the Invictus Games charity, which is hosted in Sydney this year.

As shared by Mikel Obi.

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) deputy governor in charge of Operations, Adebayo Adelabu has resigned.

Adelabu whose disengagement notice has already been accepted by President Muhammadu Buhari, has indicated interest to join the gubernatorial race in his home state, Oyo.

In an acceptance letter dated May 24, President Buhari thanked Mr. Adelabu for his services to the country and wished him the best in his future ambitions.

“While appreciating your services in the Central Bank of Nigeria since April 9, 2014, I wish you the very best in your future ambitions and continued commitment to public service in our country and specifically, as you seek to play a more active role in politics, in your home State,” the president said in the letter.

Adelabu has served at different times as deputy governor in charge of Financial System Stability (FSS) and Corporate Services (CS), before his last position as the deputy governor in charge of Operations.

The Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU, on Thursday called off its 43-day-old strike.

It directed its members to resume work on Friday.

The body also slamed the Federal Government for failing to meet its demands.

The directive was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the National Executive Council meeting of JOHESU and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations in Abuja.

The communiqué read in part, “The various gains from the meetings with the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, were presented to the NEC of JOHESU.

“After exhaustive deliberations and discussions, the NEC in session approved that the six-week old strike be suspended this day Thursday, May 31, 2018 because of the sympathy the unions have for the suffering Nigerian masses and also to pave way for further negotiations to continue on Monday, June 4, 2018.”

President Muhammadu Buhari has extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the Chairman of Punch Nigeria Limited, Mr Gbadebowale Aboderin.

Adoderin was reported to have died on Wednesday at about 6.05am after a heart surgery at the age of 60.

The late Aboderin was also the Chairman of Lukahed Properties Limited.

The President equally commiserated with all members of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the media and sports industry in the country on the death of the respected entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Buhari, in a statement by Garba Shehu, said Aboderin, who was greatly admired by his peers in the media and sports industry, “will be long remembered for his resourcefulness, managerial proficiency and invaluable contributions to the growth of these sectors”.

“The President prays that God Almighty will comfort all who mourn him and grant his soul eternal rest”, it added.

Big Brother Naija season 3 winner, Miracle Igbokwe has been heavily criticized by some fans on social media reacting to his birthday message to ‘girlfriend’ and former strategic partner Nina.

Miracle took to his Instagram page to celebrate Nina who turned 22 today by sharing a photo of her and writing a birthday message which many fans have termed cold, dry and without love or emotion.

Miracle wrote;

May your Birthday bring a Smile to your Face, Happiness to your Heart and many Blessings to your Life. Happy Birthday dear @nina_ivy_

Check out some reactions below:

Forrmer governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, has been remanded in prison till June 6 by a Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on Thursday.

Yero was arraigned alongside former PDP Chairman in Kaduna, Abubakar Gaiya Haruna, a former Minister of State for Power, Nuhu Wya and former Secretary to the State Government, Hamza Ishaq, by EFCC.

The men were all arrested on charges of money laundering and criminal conspiracy to the tune of N700 million.

Justice Mohammed Shuaibu rejected the oral application for bail put forward by Yero’s counsel, Yunus Ustaz Usman (SAN).  The applicants were also ordered to be remanded in EFCC custody until  a written application for their bail would be filed.

The Libyan authorities deported 221 illegal immigrants from African and Asian countries as part of the immigration department’s voluntary return programme.

The department said in the statement that 163 Somali nationals had left for their home country on an airplane of local airliner Al-Buraq.

The department said the deportation was in cooperation with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

“This is the first direct flight to leave Tripoli’s M’etiga international airport to the Somali capital Mogadishu,” the department said.

In addition, the department said, 30 migrants from Bangladesh and 28 from Pakistan were sent to their countries of origin.

Libya has become a preferred point of departure for immigrants hoping to reach Europe after domestic conflicts erupted in the North African country in 2011.

The voluntary return program is carried out by the IOM in Libya to help illegal immigrants stranded in Libya return to their countries of origin.

Some 20,000 illegal immigrants returned home via the program in 2017.

Below is the picture of one of the Nigerian immigrants who have sued Italy:

President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the Not Too Young to Run bill today.

Buhari had, during his Democracy Day speech on Tuesday, revealed that he’ll be signing the bill into law “in few days”.

The Reduction of Age for Election Bill popularly known on social media as #NotTooYoungToRun, will see the reduction of the minimum age to run for President from 40 to 35 years, State and Federal representatives from 30 to 25 years and 30 years for Governors and Senators.



Speaking at the signing ceremony, President Buhari said:

“If you really want to change something in Nigeria, and if you can organise yourselves and work hard towards it – you can achieve it. The outcome of such efforts is this remarkable feat.”

Watch the signing below:

At 2.30pm today May 31, 2018, I signed into law the #NotTooYoungToRun Bill, a landmark piece of legislation that was conceived, championed and accomplished by young Nigerians. The Bill has now become an Act of Parliament. It is a historic day for Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/yDbiQUX6l5

— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) May 31, 2018

Read Buhari’s speech at the signing ceremony below: