Baba Sala: Legendary comedian celebrates 80th birthday

Legendary comedian and actor Pa Pa Moses Adejumo Olaiya popularly known as Baba Sala turned 80 on Monday, May 18, 2015.

A birthday party was held in his honour. The party was attended by members of his family and his friends as well.

Baba Sala started off as a highlife act in 1964 and was the head of the group known as Federal Rhythm Dandies. The comedian discovered, tutored and mentored the lead guitarist who later became the world renowned King Sunny Ade.

Yemi Osinbajo: ‘We’re inheriting worst economy in history,’ Vice President-elect says

Vice President-elect, Yemi Osinbajo, has said that the incoming government of President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari will inherit the worst economy in Nigeria’s history.

Osinbajo made the comment on Wednesday, May 19, 2015, during the opening of a two-day Policy Dialogue on the Implementation of the Agenda for Change in Abuja.

“We are concerned that our economy is currently in perhaps its worst moment in history. Local and international debts stand at US$ 60bn,” the Vice President-elect said.

“Our debt servicing bill for 2015 is N953.6bn, 21 per cent of our budget. On account of severely dwindled resources, over two-thirds of the states in Nigeria owe salaries. Federal institutions are not in much better shape. Today, the nation borrows to fund recurrent expenditure,” he added.

Nigerian Army: 509 soldiers standing trial for conspiracy, disobedience, mutiny

The Nigerian army has said a total of 509 officers and soldiers are said to be facing separate courts martial for offences relating to conspiracy, disobedience to lawful orders, neglect and mutiny, reports say.

The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, said this in Abuja on Wednesday, May 20.

He said 473 officers and soldiers are standing trial at the General Court Martial sitting at the Army Headquarters Garrison Command in Abuja, while 106 officers and soldiers are facing another General Court Martial at 81 Division in Lagos.

Genocide: Leader of Armenian Church files lawsuit against Turkey to reclaim property seized 100 years ago

Worldwide leader of the Armenian Church said that the church has filed a lawsuit in Turkey to recover its ancient headquarters is merely the first legal step towards reclaiming all Armenian property seized by the Turks.

Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, told the New York Times that if Turkey rejects the lawsuit it will "deepen the divide" between Turkey and the Armenian diaspora.

He said: "About 10 million Armenians live in the diaspora. They have been marking a century since the Armenian genocide began on April 24, 1915. Between 800,000 and 1.5 million people were killed by Ottoman forces."

Turkey rejects the term "genocide" to describe the slaughter and insists the deaths were the results of civil conflict. Turkey recently recalled its envoy to the Vatican after Pope Francis used the term during an Armenian-rite Mass at St Peter's, Rome.

Christian Today reports that Aram I,  has filed a lawsuit at the Turkish Constitutional Court demanding the return of the Spiritual Centre of the Catholicosate in Sis in the Kozan district.

Shameful: Driver, 49, accused of sexually molesting girl, 7

Sesan Tianu, 49, a commercial driver accused of sexually molesting the 7-year-old daughter of his neighbour, was arraigned in a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, on Wednesday.

Tianu, who resides at No. 18b, Adetoke St, Bariga area of Lagos, and is standing trial for child rape, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Prosecutor, ASP Godwin Anyanwu, had said earlier that the accused committed the offence on May 3, around his residence.

Gunmen abduct President Jonathan’s cousins in Bayelsa

Yenagoa—Armed gunmen have again struck in the creeks of Bayelsa State, kidnapping two maternal cousins of President Goodluck Jonathan at Akipelai in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.

The victims, both female, identified as Patience Egbeni, 35, and Kate Eni, were reportedly seized, Tuesday, at gunpoint and whisked away from the sleepy riverine settlement, home town of the President’s mother.

Eyewitnesses told Vanguard that the six unidentified gunmen, clad in military camouflage, stormed the community at about 8.30a.m. and abducted the women from their provision stores along the waterfront.

The gunmen were said to have forced their victims into a waiting speedboat and disappeared into the creeks.