EXPLOSION KILLS ONE IN LAGOS An explosion at Festac link bridge in Lagos has killed a man and left others injured. Police Area E Festac spokesman Dan Okoro confirmed the incident and said the person that died is the chairman of the sand dredgers association. It is not yet clear if bomb was the cause of the explosion. The bridge links Festac with Amuwo Odofin.

I DIED FOR SEVEN DAYS- PATIENCE JONATHAN First lady Dame Patience Jonathan on Sunday admitted that she was hospitalised last year in Germany saying that she passed through 'hell'. According to her, the doctors lost hope at a point thinking that she won't make it. She said 'I passed on for a week'. According to her, she had about 9 surgeries in a month and her tummy and intestine were opened. She spoke at Aso Rock Villa Chapel to mark her thanksgiving. She said God gave her a second chance adding that she has devoted herself to the service of the poor. According to the Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa state, some of her close friends thought she had died and would not return to the country alive, they started scrambling and even selling her properties, she added. The occassion was attended by President Goodluck Jonathan and top government functionaries.

GOLDIE DIDN'T DIE OF DRUG COMPLICATIONS- HUSBAND Andrew Harvey, the widow of flamboyant Nigeria singer Goldie Harvey has dispelled speculations that his wife died of doping complications. A lagos-based tabloid P.M News had reported on Friday that a close source told the paper that Goldie died after issues from drugs. Goldie died on thursday after returning from the U.S where she went for the Grammys. Andrew said for the past 10 years he knew Goldie, she had not used drugs. He also released pictures of their wedding and Goldie's childhood pictures.

POPE BENEDICT RESIGNS Catholic pontiff Pope Benedict the Sixteenth has annouced his intention to resign as Bishop of Rome and successor to Saint Peter on the 28th February citing health challenges. The Pope thanked the clergy and the faithfuls for their support since his election since April 2005. The cardinals are to convoke a special conclave to elect his successor.

HAPPYNIGERIA CONDEMNS KILLING OF HEALTH WORKERS

Health Advocacy, Promotion and Partnership by Youth in Nigeria (HAPPYNigeria)  has strongly condemned the killing of health workers in Kano. Below is a press statement by the Director of Communications and Advocacy, Dr Laz Ude Eze;

HAPPYNigeria received with rude shock and disappointment the news of the killing of nine female health workers who were administering polio vaccines in Kano.  We condemn this senseless, callous, inhuman and unprovoked violence against health workers in the strongest terms. We are particularly worried about the adverse effect this reprehensible act would have on the families of the deceased, the anti-polio campaign and the availability of health services in Kano State and other troubled regions of the country. Nigeria presently accounts for about a half of the global polio burden. Therefore, successful polio immunization program in the country is required for a successful global polio eradication campaign.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased health workers, the people and government of Kano State. We call on government to identify and punish the culprits, and also take measures urgently to protect lives and properties. We will continue to mobilize young Nigerians to support every measure aimed at improving the health of the Nigerian people.

For more about HAPPYNigeria, check out the website - www.happynigeria.org and facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/messages/100002512417595#!/HAPPYNigeria 

3 KOREAN DOCTORS MURDERED IN NOTHERN NIGERIA According to a report in the Associated Press, three South Korean doctors who are working with the Yobe state government were in the early hours of Sunday killed by unknown gunmen. Two of them had their throats slit while one was beheaded. Yobe state Police Commissioner Sanusi Rufai confirmed the incident but said that no group has claimed responsibility.

JONATHAN IN LONDON HOSPITAL OVER INTESTINAL PROBLEM President Goodluck Jonathan has undergone medical screening at London Clinic in Harley street, a dependable source told Saharareporters. He is said to have an intestinal disorder referred to as Amoebic Colitis. His case is not pathetic as sources say he just needed the screening regularly. Jonathan has been on a whirlwind 3 country tour to Egypt, United Kingdom and France. He is expected to be in Paris on Monday but it is not immediately clear if he will still make that day. He was to surprise the Super Eagles by making appearance at Sunday's final clash with the Burkina Faso's players at the AFCON 2013 in South Africa. Super-rich Nigerians have made London hospitals their choices while health institutions in Nigeria continue to be rated low.

JONATHAN OFF TO LONDON, PARIS, EGYPT President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday night left the country for London and Paris. He is to confer with David Cameron and Francois Hollande on matters of mutual interest. The talks will focus on bilateral trade between the countries. The president is expected to stop over at Cairo Egypt. He is also expected to attend the launch of the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation in London on Friday. He is expected to return to the country on Monday.

ACN, CPC, APGA, ANPP MERGE The much awaited merger of major opposition parties took place today at the Lagos House in Marina Lagos. Four parties- Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) today merged. Ten state governors were present including those of Lagos, Imo, osun, Ogun, Oyo and others. Details later.

JONATHAN SPENDS $60,000 ARRANGE CNN INTERVIEWS President Goodluck Jonathan's penchant for foreign media's interview costs Nigerians thousands of dollar. According to documents exclusively obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, the president pays at least $59,200 to appear on CNN. In at least one of the documents seen by PREMIUM TIMES, a lobbying firm Flechman-Hillard demanded $59,200 to arrange for an interview with CNN in 2010. It was learnt that the lobbying agency was hired since 2010 to help arrange interviews with such foreign media organisations as Bloomberg, Reuters, CNN, New York Times and others. Jonathan two weeks ago appeared on CNN with Christiane Amanpour as host. The interview received widespread condemnation as Nigerians were not happy with the president's shallow answers and poor use of grammar.

UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN SACKS 75 STUDENTS FOR POOR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE The premier institution University of Ibadan has sacked 75 100 level students admitted in the 2011/2012 academic session for poor academic performance. The Vice chancellor of the university Professor Isaac Adewole disclosed this on friday at the institution's matriculation ceremony for new students. The university admitted about 2691 out of over 41000 admission-seekers that applied. In essence, the university admitted one out of 16 candidates representing 6 percent. The event was held at the International Conference Centre of the school.

FAROUK LAWAN, EMENALO REMANDED IN PRISON Former Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Farouk Lawan and Secretary of the committee Boniface Emenalo have been remanded in prison custody after being arraigned today at an Abuja High Court. They were dragged to court by the government over the allegation of demanding bribe from Femi Otedola in order to remove Zenon Oil and Gas from the list of those that fraudulently took monies for fuel subsidy. The judge refused their bail applications. The case was adjourned to February 8th.