Racism in Dubai: Hotel Staff Refuses To Serve Nigerian Woman, Asks Her To Leave

Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach in Dubai has apologized to a Nigerian woman, after the hotel staff refused to serve her, asking her to leave instead.

The incident occured on the 8th of July to a woman identified as Hanna Fanni, who was showed the door by the hotel staff when she visited the hotel's popular West Beach Bistro & Sports Lounge with her black American friend.

The outraged Nigerian said what they did to them reminded her of 1930s America. 

"They suspected us of being prostitutes and targeted us solely because of the colour of our skin. I have lived here for 10 years and have never been treated in such a disrespectful and despicable manner." Hannah said

“My friend had just graduated and we were hoping to enjoy a girls’ night out at the bar but came back traumatised. First the waitress refused to serve us and then a security guard ordered us to leave the hotel.

"At one stage he was ready to engage with us physically which is classified as assault and sexual harassment in UAE. He kept telling us that the bar didn’t allow unaccompanied women. I found it strange because there were several tables occupied by women. When I pointed to them, he said he was merely following orders.” Hannah told Dubai News Express

9 Britons And Others Arrested For Distributing Terrorist Videos In China

Following the arrest of a group of foreigners in China which includes 9 Britons, there have been questions as regards the action by security operatives in the country.

According to BBC, the group were on a tour of ancient China when they were held on July 10 at Ordos in the Inner Mongolia region.

A Chinese local official has released a statement which claims they are suspected of distributing “terrorist videos,”

Six of the Britons are to be deported, the Chinese Foreign Office has said. The three other Britons and two people with joint UK-South African nationality are understood still to be in custody.

Gift of the Givers, a humanitarian relief organisation based in South Africa, said none of the group had been charged.

Former American President, George W. Bush Falls And Breaks Neck

One time president of the United States of America, George H.W Bush broke a bone in his neck after falling at his Maine, US home.

The 91-year-old is said to be in stable condition at Maine Medical Center, USA Today reports.

Bush was the 41st president of America.

According to reports, he suffers from vascular Parkinsonism — a form of Parkinson’s disease that requires him to use a wheelchair or scooter to get around.

Tragedy : Trailer Crushes Car In Fatal Accident In Ogun State

Reports say that a trailer has crushed a car in a fatal accident in the early hours of today, Thursday, July 16, in Ogun State.

According to an eye witness who was on his way to work this morning, the accident occurred at about 7:30 am at Lagos/Ogun border and he could not confirm the number of casualties.

See more photos after the jump:

Baby-Mama Drama: Is Chris Brown About To Lose Partial Custody Of Daughter Royalty?

Just after the robbery incident at Chri Brown's home on Wednesday, July 15, the American artiste's baby mama has expressed concern that their daughter Royalty is in danger with Chris and his friends.

Sources close to Nia Guzman revealed that she thinks many of Chris' friends are gang members or gang-affiliated, and the robbery shows they have now turned on Chris.

According to reports, she thinks his friends are riff raffs, and is not in any way comfortable with her daughter being around them.

Chris' mother also thinks last night's hit was an inside job. It's bad timing for Chris.

Chris had just filed documents asking a judge to hammer out a formal custody agreement  partly because he says Nia's been denying him visits with Royalty.

Caitlyn Jenner Breaks Down In Tears As She Accepts Arthur Ashe Courage Award At The ESPYs

Currently the world's most trending transgender woman, Caitlyn Jenner tearfully thanked her family last night while accepting the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs in Los Angeles. The 65-year old honoree received a standing ovation as she made her first major public appearance at the awards show since announcing her transitioning to a woman.

Caitlyn Jenner in tears while accepting the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs in Los Angeles

The kardashian star got tearful toward the end of her acceptance speech as she thanked her family, including mother, sister and nine adult children in the audience.

"The biggest fear in Caitlyn Jenner coming out was I never wanted to hurt anyone else, most of all my family and my kids . I'm so, so grateful to have all of you in my life. Thank you," Caitlyn said of the long-time struggle over her sexuality.

DSS Smashes Child-Trafficking Syndicate In Bayelsa, Rescues 36 Children

The Bayelsa Command of the Department of State Services (DSS) announced on Wednesday that it has smashed a child-trafficking syndicate and rescued 36 children.

Briefing journalists, DDS Deputy Director Friday Onuche said four suspects were arrested during the operation, which took place on July 6. The operation also rescued 12 males and 24 females from homes where they had been given out as house help in Yenagoa and Kaiama in Bayelsa State, Port Harcourt in Rivers State, and Enugu-Agidi in Anambra State.

Mr. Onuche said the syndicates are suspected to operate under the guise of missionaries and non-governmental organizations, targeting vulnerable children from Zamfara, Kaduna, and Kebbi States, whom they then traffic into the southern part of the country.

According to the DSS, the parents of the target children are usually approached and convinced to release their wards under the pretext that the children would be assisted to acquire a good education, not suspecting that their children would end up as servants. Mr. Onuche emphasized the need for parents to be on guard for traffickers.

NYSC Rewards Outstanding Corpers

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) of Igabi Local Government area of Kaduna State last Thursday awarded corps members who were outstanding in their service year.

The awards were presented during the Collection of Certificates (COC) of the 2014 Batch B corps members at the state secretariat of the scheme.

Suleiman Mubarak, the outgoing Corps Liaison Officer (CLO) was given award for ‘exemplary leadership, Saratu Abdulkadir for ‘humanitarian service’ and Kemi Busari, the only Batch C recipient was rewarded for his role as the mouthpiece of the local government. He was given an award for ‘excellence in journalism’

The Batch B corps members also decorated the local government inspector Hajia Hauwa Dauda with an award of honour.

In her reaction, the Local Government Inspector, congratulated the corps members for the successful completion of their service and appreciated them for their effort especially in carrying out most of the programs for their project.

Read The Letter From Anyim Pius Anyim To Former President Goodluck Jonathan

Former Secretary of state, Ayim Pius Ayim has sent a letter of appreciation to his former boss, ex President Goodluck Jonathan. See the letter below.

Pastor Charged In Court For Hiring Assasin to Murder 2 Of His Church Members

Founder and General Overseer of Gospel of the Kingdom Ministries, Pastor Thomas Makoni has been reportedly arrested and charged with attempted murder for hiring assassins to kill two members of his congregation after they exposed him as a sexual pervert.

The accused pastor appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate, Renika Dzikiti, who remanded him in prison custody while adjourning the case to July 27, 2015, after the prosecutor, Ntombikayise Nleya, said allegations against Makoni arose on June 5, when he hired his childhood friend, Talent Nyakunengwa, to kill two of his church members, accusing them of being the cause of his problems.

It was later revealed that after Kudakwashe Elliot and Afra Nhanhanga, both of Chitungwiza, had exposed Makoni's sex escapades with several women in his church, Makoni allegedly went to Nyakunengwa’s house during the night where he narrated his story and plan.

The Power Of Inspiration - By Femi Fani-Kayode (Must Read)

PDP politician, lawyer and poet Femi Fani-Olukayode has written an interesting article...read below and enjoy!

Dark is the heart that weeps and bleeds. Pure is the spirit that overcomes pain. Free is the soul that activates faith. Pure is the joy that true love brings. Yet most important of all is the power of inspiration. That grace and strength that encouraging words, steeped in knowledge and experience, bring. We can only heal and help those in pain when we ourselves once experienced that pain. We can only shed light in darkness when we ourselves once walked in that darkness.

We can only lift others up when we ourselves have once been down. Inspirational prose is like speaking in tongues to the unlettered- they cannot possibly understand or appreciate it. They know not it’s value and they have no use for it’s strength. Like Shakespeare once said, to them, ‘’tis caviar to the general’’.

Yet to refined souls and sensitive spirits it is everything. It is the shield that protects and preserves our hearts, thoughts and emotions- it is the very essence of our being.

2015 MTV Music Awards: 2Face, Banky W, Darey, Others Head To SA (Photos)

The biggest music award event in Africa is happening this weekend and our favourite stars are already in South Africa.

The event is the MTV Africa Music Awards, slated for the night of Saturday, July 18, 2015 at the Durban International Convention Centre, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

2face Idibia, Banky W, KCee, Darey, Sean Tizzle were spotted earlier today aboard their South Africa bound flight.

Other Nigerian acts aboard the flight were Iceberg Slim and Shaydee. E.M.E exec, Tunde Demuren, also joined the party.

Meet South Africa's Only Black Billionaire, Patrice Motsepe, Valued at $2.2 Billion

Soccer enthusiast and the owner of South African Premier League club, Mamelodi Sundowns, Patrice Motsepe, has been termed as the wealthiest black man in South Africa. The mining magnate, philanthropist and lawyer was reportedly valued at $2.2 billion by Forbes magazine, and has a 5.5% stake in Sanlam, a global financial services company based in Cape Town.

He is the founder of African Rainbow Minerals, South Africa first black-owned mining company, which currently employs over 12,000 people. In 1997, when the gold market was close to its lowest in the last three decades, he started buying gold mines at favorable prices and later founded the first South African black-owned mining company, African Rainbow Minerals.

Below are 7 key facts about his life:

1. His name, Patrice, is a homage to Patrice Lumumba, the first elected Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Lumumba played a crucial role in the country's path to independence from Belgium, and was executed in 1961 following a coup that deposed his government.

2. In 2013, Motsepe donated half his wealth to charity, a move inspired by the actions of Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, who have long been encouraging billionaires to distribute their wealth. The money is managed by the Motsepe Foundation, and used to improve the lifestyles and living conditions of the poor, the disabled, unemployed, women, youth, workers and marginalized South Africans.

I Never Collected Money From Politicians For #DumsorMustStop Campaign, Says Ghanaian Actress, Yvonne Nelson

Remember the 'Dumsor Must Stop' campaign in Ghana and on social media with the hashtag of same title some time in May this year?

Well, the Ghanaian opposition party, New Patriotic Party (NPP), has alleged that it made some financial contributions to the campaign, which was led by actress Yvonne Nelson.

The campaign was a protest led mostly by Ghanaian celebrities to protest the inadequate supply of electricity in the country. 

Earlier today, a comunication member of the opposition party, Mr. Baah Acheamfour, alleged that the National Organiser of NPP paid GH¢5000 to Ms Nelson to support her campaign.

Buhari's Aide Denies Alleged President's Anti-Igbo Comment As Played By Radio Biafra

President Buhari has on Wednesday, July 15, denied reports by 'Radio Biafra' that he expressed anti-Igbo sentiments in a recent interview with BBC Hausa Service.

A statement issued by the President's Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said the claim is "completely false, malicious and slanderous.''

He said the voice being ascribed to President Buhari in the recording repeatedly played back by the station was definitely not the President's voice.

He said the claim that the station got the recording from a BBC interview is also totally untrue.

"No one should be deceived by the pirate radio station's hate propaganda against the President.

"President Buhari has not had any interview with BBC Hausa Service since his assumption of office as alleged by the agents of disunity behind the pirate radio station's inflammatory and divisive broadcasts," he added.

I Chose Yar' Adua Because Others Were Corrupt - Obasanjo Says of His Choise of Successor (Video)

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed in an exclusive interview granted to the Channels Television at his residence in Abeokuta, capital of Ogun state; that late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was the best choice among those who wanted to succeed him.

The outspoken former leader also stated that Yar'Adua was the only one amongst the contenders that was not corrupt and so he could confidently stand “before God and man” to show that he did his best for Nigeria.

Obasanjo said: “With all the people that are available, for successor, what we came up with was about the best that, at that time we could think of.”

“Even if you take your son as your successor, you are not sure of what he will do when he gets there. Don’t ever kid yourself.

“What do I know about any successor? What he presents. When he gets there he presents it differently.

Obasanjo challenged those who felt he had poor judgment in choice of his replacement to “wait for their time” and see if they would be capable of doing better.

Civil Defence : Who Takes Over From Abolurin Tomorrow?

Although federal government has been tight-lipped over key appointments, security experts, stakeholders and the civil populace are apprehensive over who succeeds Prof. Ade Abolurin.

LEADERSHIP had exclusively reported yesterday that Abolurin would bow out tomorrow after 10 years of two consecutive five-year tenure as the Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

But the lingering wait for appointment to the most critical position in the civil defence corps hierarchy is about to end.

In line with the tradition of succession politics in Nigeria, the issue of who becomes the next Commandant-General of the NSCDC has led to big tussle for the top job, a situation which may delay the hand over formalities including a valedictory session in honour of Abolurin by his colleagues.

Today's Newspaper Headlines : Thursday, July 16, 2015

Find below the news headlines from leading national newspapers across the nation. Have a nice day as you prepare for the festives.....

PUNCH

• Clarify NLNG payments
• Review B'Haram strategies
• FG's prodigal act
• Kogi salary situation
• Stop Ogun demolition
• Ensure prudent use of funds
• Unite against Boko Haram
• EFCC nabs alleged impostor
• Houseboy bags death sentence for killing Ogun magistrate
• Cultists kill Alfa for refusing to buy hemp
• Gunmen waylay, hack ex-TASUED student to death
• Lagos council provides 75 with training
• Our policiesll boost economic ties with neighbouring countries Ambode
• George Bush falls, breaks neck bone
• Redeemed Church curses BHaram, says insurgencyll end 2015
• Mother stabs seven-year-old for defiling sister, neigbours daughter
• Landlords storm police command, report suspected homosexual rapist
• PENGASSAN faults el-Rufai on NNPC disbandment
• Nigerian oil faces fresh trouble over Iran deal
• LafargeHolcim to save '1.4bn in costs
• Oando, Transcorp, 38 others push NSE index lower
• Expert calls for investment in modular power plants

Former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke Has “No Reputation To Protect,” Lawsuit Asserts

Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke has no reputation to protect, as the married woman has a notorious reputation and a penchant for adulterous affairs, a lawsuit claims.

The suit, filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja by Moremi Publishing House Limited, publishers of Osun Defender, asserts that Alison-Madueke’s illicit affairs outside her marriage have been undertaken using the nation’s wealth upon which she sat as Minister of Petroleum.

The suit is a response to a libel suit filed by Alison-Madueke filed in june 2015

The defendants insist in their statement of defence that there is a treasure trove of documentation in the nation’s press as well as in various public investigations which include the reports of the audit firms KPMG and PriceWaterHouse Coopers on the Nigeria National Petroleum (NNPC), as well as that of the House of Representatives on the activities of Alison-Madueke.