Jonathan slams critics of his style of governance.

President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday chided critics of his style and government, accusing them of trying to force him to act in ways that were contrary to his nature. 

The President also noted that while he was condemned at home, he was celebrated outside the shores of the country.

“Some Nigerians still want the President of this country to be a lion or a tiger; somebody that has the kind of strength, force and agility to make things happen the way they think. 

“I don’t need to be a lion, I don’t need to be Nebuchadnezzar, I don’t need to operate like the Pharaoh of Egypt, and I don’t need to be an army general. I can change this country without those traits,” he said.

Jonathan spoke at an inter-denominational service to mark the nation’s 51st independence anniversary at the National Christian Centre, Abuja on Sunday. 

At least 10 people died during the 50th Independence anniversary in Abuja, last year, when twin bomb explosions went off near the Eagle Square venue of the event in Abuja. 

The incidences of bombing have grown since then with the Islamic violent sect, Boko Haram, prosecuting a campaign of bombing against the Federal Government. Analysts and critics of the government have expressed worries at what they considered the failure of the Federal Government to take decisive actions to tackle the worsening insecurity in the country.

The President, who read the second reading during the service, described such critics as Nigerians who wanted a leader who would rule with impunity.

He said, “Some others will want the President to operate like an Army general, like my Chief of Army Staff commanding his troops. Incidentally, I am not a lion; I am also not a general. 

“Somebody will want the President to operate like the Kings of Syria, Babylon, Egypt, and the Pharaoh-all powerful people that you read about in the Bible. They want the President to operate that way, unfortunately, I am not one of those. 

“But God knows why I am here, even though I don’t have any of those attributes, or those kinds of characters I have used as an example. But through your prayers, God placed me here. The only thing I ask you to do for me, and that is the prayer I pray every time, is for God to use me to change this country.” 

The President said there were forces that were bent on frustrating his administration, adding that these enemies must be dealt with for the nation to move forward. 

“There are Goliaths everywhere; very terrible Goliaths, the ones that can even kill their father, their mother and even their children in order to stop government. And they are willing to do it. So, we have these terrible Goliaths that are trying to frustrate us, but surely with God we will conquer them.

“Every Goliath has an exposed forehead; all the Goliaths that are stumbling blocks to the development and growth of this country, God will expose their foreheads for the stone of David,” he declared. 

The President urged Christians to continue to pray for his administration as there are many people, especially politicians who do not want the government to make any “meaningful progress.” 

Specifically, he asked Nigerians to pray that God should use him to change the country. 

The President, who appeared to be concerned about recent criticisms of his government, chided Nigerians for criticizing him, while world leaders such as President Barak Obama and others kept commending him. 

He said, “You know, these days, for you to be an intellectual and for people to listen to you, you have to abuse government. Somebody was asking, is Nigeria on auto pilot? Meaning a plane without a pilot, and I say Nigeria is being piloted by God himself, 

“I just returned from the United Nations General Assembly in the US. (Barak) Obama, when he spoke, commended Nigeria, but back home we are being abused. When we had the Security Council meeting outside the General Assembly, Nigeria was commended, but here we are being abused. 

“When the Presidents of South Africa, Gabon spoke they commended Nigeria but here we are not being appreciated. But what I can assure you is that Nigeria is on course and with your prayers and guidance of God, we will surely get to the destination we are going.”

Weezy adds another year.

Lil Wayne celebrates another birthday. While many have their opinions about what he’s done in the past or how he chooses to live his rock-star lifestyle, Dwayne Carter Jr. is turns 29 years old today!

Africa’s First Female Nobel Peace Prize Winner Wangari Maathai Passes On

Environmentalist and women’s rights advocate, Wangari Maathai is dead. The 71 year old Nobel Peace Prize winner passed on after a protracted battle with cancer.

Her organization, the Green Belt Movement worked to educate people on the dangers of deforestation. In her later years, the organization expanded its focus to include peace, democracy, civil and women’s rights.

Wangari Maathai was a true trailblazer – she was the first woman in East Africa to complete a doctorate and was also the deputy minister for environment and natural resources in Kenya.

May her soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.

What are our Universities turning into??

We've all heard stories of the Abia State University Rape, no doubt by cultists. Below is a video (I must warn quite graphic and x-rated), of cultists, once more bullying innocent people. 

Where are the school authorities, where are the parents, where is the government? What are our Universities turning into??

Jermaine Jackson On Joe’s Discipline, Plan To Smuggle Michael To Mid East & More

From hearing a young Michael Jackson endure a beating from their disciplinarian father, to smuggling Michael out of the country, to staring at Michael's casket, Jermaine Jackson held nothing back in an emotional ABC News interview in support of his new book, You Are Not Alone: Michael, Through a Brother's Eyes.

Jermaine said he was excited the first time he heard Jackson family patriarch Joe, discipline the young King of Pop with a switch (a thin rod used for whipping) because he knew that behind the discipline, there was care.

“[Joe] wanted to show us, 'I care about you,’” Jermaine said during a preview which aired onGood Morning America. “Even if I have to whip your butt, I care about you.’”

He continued, "We wouldn't want to be raised any other way, with the way he raised us. It's hard raising nine kids, bringing them from Indiana out here ... that was his whole thing, to wanting to keep his family together."

In a soundbite sure to stir some controversy, Jermaine said he was fully prepared to smuggle his younger brother out of the country when he was accused of child molestation in 2004.

"We would have gone to the Middle East, to Bahrain, to Saudi," Jermaine said, noting he wasn't worried about running afoul of the law because authorities "wouldn't have caught me."

"Why should he go to jail for something he didn't do?" he said of his brother, who was eventually acquitted of the charges in 2005.

Jermaine dug deep and discussed the moments following Michael's June 25, 2009 death in Holmby Hills, California.

"To hear my mother say, 'He's dead' -- to hear her say this -- I lost it. It couldn't be. It couldn't be. But when my mother said, 'He's dead,' I knew.

"And there he was, laying there," Jermaine said. "And La Toya was there before us. And he was lifeless. I touched his forehead, his face. And it was still soft. And I kissed him. And I pulled back his eyeballs to look in his eyes. And I just told him how much I love him and, 'I'm gonna miss you so much.'"

Jermaine said to this day, he finds himself "saying, Michael, you're supposed to be here ... you have so many more years left on your life."

You Are Not Alone: Michael, Through a Brother's Eyes is in stores now.

'Suddenly' - by Billy Ocean

The following video is one of my best of Billy Ocean's songs. Was just listening to it and thought to share. Please enjoy.

Michael Jackson’s Children Prince Michael And Paris Want To Testify Against Dr. Conrad Murray!!

Michael Jackson's two eldest children, Prince Michael and Paris, have told their grandmother Katherine they want to testify in the manslaughter trial of the doctor accused of killing the pop superstar with an overdose of a powerful anesthetic.

A Jackson family insider said: "Katherine is resisting the move, because she knows how traumatic it would be for them, but both Prince Michael and Paris have said they want to tell the jury what they saw on the day their father died."

The King of Pop's sister LaToya has privately declared her support of the children's stance to take the witness stand against Dr. Conrad Murray.

Murray is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the Thriller singer's death on June 25, 2009, at age 50.

"Both LaToya and Katherine agree, however, that Blanket should not testify as he is too young," the source said.

"Prince and Paris are determined to take the stand, though. Ultimately, I don't believe Katherine will deny them that chance, even though she doesn't want them to and has told them so. The kids have said they don't want their father's legacy to be tarnished by the trial and they believe their evidence will help convict Doctor Murray.

"LaToya has said it would be good for the children to, 'Get what is inside them, out of them.' She feels it is a way for them to release the hurt. Above all though, she believes her brother was murdered and what Prince Michael and Paris could tell the jury, would inevitably help convict the doctor."

A second source close to the legal proceedings confirmed that they too had been told Prince Michael and Paris wanted to testify, but predicted only one of them would be called, and only if "things were going bad" in the trial for prosecutors.

Prince Michael, Paris and Blanket were all included on a potential witness list passed out to the jurors in an attempt to ascertain their familiarity with the family. Also listed were siblings Janet, LaToya, Jermaine, Marlon, Rebbie, Tito and Randy as well as parents Katherine and Joe Jackson.

If the teenage star witnesses were called, it could be problematic for prosecutors, who have said Murray caused Jackson's death by giving him the powerful anesthetic propofol as a sleep aid at the singer's Los Angeles mansion and not properly monitoring him.

As the source close to the Jackson clan has said: "Prince and Paris adored Doctor Murray and thought he was a God send for their father. It was only after their father's death that they formed a subsequent opinion of him. Both Prince and Paris could take the stand and wind up providing evidence which supports the doctor."

Another source familiar with the inner workings of the legal case said the children could be cross examined about whether their father had long-standing drug addictions.

That source said: "After saying goodbye to her dad at the hospital, Paris is said to have remarked, 'My daddy is so cold again. He was always cold. He would sit by the fire to get warm. We were always afraid he would fall in as he was so close to the flames. He couldn't get warm. Now there he is... so cold.'

"Prince and Paris knew their dad relied on Dr. Murray to survive and knew their father adored him. Their comments could save him from jail because it would work well in the eyes of a jury."

The Jackson family insider said Prince Michael, if he testifies, would tell court how he walked into his father’s bedroom in the middle of his doctor’s doomed attempts to revive him.

Murray has insisted Prince Michael and Paris were bundled from the room after the star’s daughter burst into tears and screamed ‘Daddy’.

Murray, who was hired as the late singer's personal doctor to assist Jackson in preparing for a series of planned comeback concerts in London has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter.

Opening statements are scheduled to begin Tuesday before Judge Michael Pastor in Los Angeles Superior Court.

A jury of seven men and five women was selected last week.

T.I.’s Get Out Of Jail Party Is Going To Cost $100K And Rain Ciroc

T.I. is re-writing the book when it comes to welcome home parties. The recently-released rapper isn't throwing himself a nightclub bash … he’s having a brunch in Atlanta!

But don’t expect tea and crumpets, good pal Diddy is personally shipping in 150 bottles of Ciroc, one for each person in attendance. The jist is that the whole bash will cost around $100K, with $20K just on food and additional $8K on dessert.

The big surprise of the night? Reps from AKOO Clothing, T.I.’s clothing line, will measure the VIP guests for custom-made clothing gifts.

It’s set to go down on October 2, two days after T.I. gets released from the halfway house.

Damn, must be nice. Hopefully this is the last welcome back party T.I. will have. Tip is going to be broke if he has to do this every time he’s released from jail don’t you think? 

Charlie Sheen and Warner Brothers Officially Settle Their Differences.

It's now official ... Charlie Sheen and Warner Bros. have settled their bitter "Two & a Half Men" dispute.

A rep for WB released a statement claiming, "Warner Bros. Television, Chuck Lorre, and Charlie Sheen have resolved their dispute to the parties’ mutual satisfaction."

Charlie will get $25 million almost immediately, mostly for work he already performed and profits he has already earned. And, as sources say, Charlie will get around $100 million in profits from syndication of the show over the next 7 years.

Warner Bros. and Charlie have also agreed to dismiss their mutual lawsuit against each other.

Don't you just love happy endings?

Brother-In-Law Of Slain Boko Haram Leader Has Been Assassinated

Baba Kura Alhaji Fugu, the eldest son of the late Baba Fugu, who also met with former president Olusegun Obasanjo last Thursday to discuss the plight of the late leader of Boko Haram, Mohammed Yusuf, has been killed in Maiduguri by Boko Haram militants yesterday.

The Sexy Women That Broke Rappers’ Hearts

Yeah, rappers have access to endless amounts of women and groupies, but they can still suffer from broken hearts. It takes a special woman to make a hard rapper melt and get all weepy. But these ladies did it.

And let’s not forget that they’re ALL (well, mostly…) lookers! Below is a few of the ladies that broke rappers’ hearts.

Jennifer Lopez - She had Diddy making sappy songs about needing love and shit after she took her cakes down the aisle with her next conquests, leaving the Bad Boy CEO in the dust. Maybe he can do a remix with Marc Anthony for the 2011 version.

Tahiry - She took her ample goodies to another team, leaving Jump Off Joe Budden to lick his wounds. Fortunately, his turmoil leads to better music. Unfortunately, it also leads to more attention whoring and drama. Win/lose.

Erykah Badu - She eats rappers for lunch and finds another one to gobble up for dessert. We just heard about how she dumped Common OVER THE PHONE! He’s still reeling, but he moved on to bigger and plumper things…

Serena Williams - Serena’s fat ass had Common feeling all weepy after their relationship ended. While he’ll probably find love again, he won’t find a rump like that.

Lauryn Hill – Before (or maybe kind of during) she had her unique relationship with Mr. Marley, she was getting taken to the chop shop by Wyclef. It ended pretty nastily with diss records flying left and right. I’d argue that he never really recovered creatively. Poor ‘Clef.

Tammy Torres - “I had my heart broken by some woman named Tammy/ but hoes gon’ be hoes so I couldn’t blame Tammy” Weezy got his little heart torn to bits by the chick from the “Ms. Officer” video. Maybe that’s what those tattoo tears are for. No?

Rihanna – If you believe the rumors, then you’d believe that she’s been through quite the Hip-Hop Chop Shop. But she only broke one person’s heart: Drake. Drizzy’s been crooning and rapping about his one-night stand with Rihanna like it damn near changed his life. It just might have.

Amber Rose - We’re not sure how much she broke Kanye’s heart, but we do know she cut him deep. Now she’s moved on to Wiz Khalifa. Hopefully lightning doesn’t strike twice!

Alexis Phiifer - Amber may not have hurt Kanye too badly, but his ex-fiancee Alexis Phifer really did a number on him. Yeezy made a whole weepy autotuned album about the girl! Those are heartaches for real.

Ciara - See that, Bow Wow? That’s the best piece of ass you’ve ever got and probably ever will get. We’d be making shitty, mushy songs too if we had to live with that realization. Bow probably had Omarion sing him to sleep for months after Ciara left.

Kat Stacks - She broke Soulja Boy’s heart by making videos of him with that white girl on his hotel dresser. I know I said these were sexy pics, but Kat Stacks and “sexy” don’t go together at all. Sorry peeps.

Chelsea Handler - No, this isn't Chelsea Handler. This’ porn star Alicia Tyler.

^That’s Chelsea Handler. But I promised you sexy, so we had to deliver before scaring you away. Believe it or not, that old mug had 50 Cent weeping into his G-Unit body pillow. How the mighty have fallen.

Janet Jackson - She had Jermaine Durpi’s hearts all in knots, and we don’t blame him one bit for being torn up. It’s Janet Freaking Jackson! Poor little munchkin.

Did Amber Rose & Wiz Khalifa Get Married?

Rumors are swirling that Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose recently tied the knot in Vegas. Though we’re waiting to see if the marriage talk is actually true, but if so, congrats! When they’re not too busy being super affectionate with one another on the red carpet, we actually like seeing the sweet couple together. Khalifa’s style leans more towards tanks and tees and Amber’s a straight up glamazon with skin-tight jumpsuits and bandage dresses. However, the duo somehow makes their different fashion choices come together for a look that grabs attention on the carpet.

Plantet Rock Freeway Rick Ross Speaks on How Rick Ross Stole His Identity

Freeway Rick Ross saying how Rick Ross the rapper stole his identity.

WIZ KHALIFA TALKS ABOUT AMBER'S NUDE PHOTOS

Once again, nude photos of Wiz’s main squeeze have hit the ‘net. In an interview with Sister 2 Sister, Wiz discussed the numerous leaks.

"I could see if that was what she was doing while I’m with her or something like that and it was in a disrespectful way, but it’s nothing like that. It’s not even, like, the pictures or her past is a raunchy past. She did what she had to do. There’s plenty of powerful women who overcame that, and that’s what she really is, an example of what work and faith in God, you know what I’m saying, can get you into a positive situation. You can make a positive out of a negative.The biggest misconception about Amber is that she wants attention. Everybody thinks that she does stuff for attention and that she loves attention, but she’s really, really reserved and shy. She just gets attention ’cause she’s dope."

50 Cent Launches Street King

50 Cent is launching his new energy shot, Street King. His goal is to provide 1 billion meals over the next five years. With every shot purchased, a meal is provided for a child in need.

RAPPER " T.I " RELEASED FROM PRISON TO A HALFWAY HOUSE!!

Once again, T.I. has been released from prison and moved back into a halfway house to wrap up the remainder of his sentence. A few weeks ago, he was removed from his halfway house in Atlanta after his prison release in Arkansas for having one too many on board of his bus. His lawyer tells TMZ:

“We have good reason to believe that this favorable result was reached because of the proactive and assertive approach taken to protect T.I.’s rights by providing B.O.P. officials and the media with reliable and accurate information and that T.I. did not intend to violate his transfer furlough or any other B.O.P. rules en route from the prison facility in Arkansas to the halfway house in Atlanta.”

The King will officially be uncaged September 29 then under probation supervision for a year.

Miss France Throws Shade On New Miss Universe From Angola – “We Were All Surprised By Her Win”

Who knew Miss France was “so unattractive on the inside” as Serena would say?

After going no further than the Top 10 in the Miss Universe competition, a French magazine interviewed Laury Thilleman about representing her country. She said all kinds of politically correct stuff about how awesome it was for France to get to the top ten and how fantastic of an experience it was to hang out with 88 beautiful girls from all over the world for a week or whatever.

Then they brought up a sensitive subject and asked her what she thought about the winner,Leila Lopes from Angola.

“She was the only girl I didn’t know very well. We didn’t see her much; she was very discreet. She was often in jeans and not wearing makeup. We were all surprised by her win. Many girls made efforts that were not rewarded. I don’t know, something is missing in her temperament. The fact that the competition was held in Brazil surely played a role.”

Really hater? Wouldn't that have been a shoe-in for Miss Brazil or the girls representing any of Brazil’s neighboring countries? Have a seat!

Question Of The Day: What Would You Do If You Found A Sex Tape Of Your Significant Other Online???

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have been married for 10 years, and it is a wonderful marriage. We love each other very much, never argue and get along great. We have a 2-year-old child.Recently I found a “sex tape” online of my wife with the guy she dated before me. This video was taken without her knowledge and is from 13 years ago, Because of this, I am not upset about it.My question is, should I bring this to her attention, and if so, how? I feel she needs to know it’s out there. I’m reacting to this as a man would. I don’t know how a woman would react. Please help. — IT’S PRIVATE

DEAR IT’S PRIVATE: Although there are no sex tapes of me floating around, I can tell you from a woman’s perspective that if there was one (and the lighting was unflattering), I’d be furious. Your wife has a right to know, so don’t keep her in the dark.

P.S. How did you come across that video? I’m sure she will be interested to know.

What would you do???

Nas Celebrates His 38th Birthday With 2 Ladies And A Gang Of Fellas

AZ, Common, Hov, Khaled, ‘Melo, Ne-Yo, DJ Premier, Steve Stout, and Tyson Beckford were all on hand to celebrate Nas on his 38th birthday yesterday.

It looked like a very lowkey affair, as any grown man’s birthday should be, with Nas sharing a few laughs and breaking bread with his boys. In fact, from looking at the pics, only two women were even invited:

Carmelo’s wife…

And Zoe Saldana? Hmmm…

Oh, wait!

If you look really carefully in this one, you can see a few ladies. It was still a sausage fest in there though.

Dewumi and Olisa make peace.

This video was shot on Tuesday, September 13th, 2011. Please people stop the negativity. Let's all embrace peace. Olisa has taken the bold step to make a public apology. The offended party has obviously accepted, so people let's bury the hatchet an move on.

Another Nigerian Celerity Passes.

Eastern highlife artiste, MC Loph, is dead. He lost his life earlier today, when he crashed his recently-acquired SUV along the infamous Benin/Ore Road on his way to Anambra for his traditional wedding. Reports say he was travelling along with his wife to be and his sister from Lagos. Himself and his sister died on the spot. His wife to be is reported to have survived with a broken arm.

MC Loph real name Nwaozo Obiajulu, famed for his hit single “Osondi Owendi” featuring Flavour N’Abania, has been gaining buzz across the East and other parts of the country over the past 12 months. It’s really unfortunate that something this tragic would happen to such a man with real promise. May his soul rest in peace.


Enjoy below the video that brought him fame and prominence. It's his hit single 'Osondi Owendi' feat. Flavour N'Abania.

Lady Gaga Strips Down and Parties After CFDA Nip Slip

Lady Gaga had a nipple slip at the CFDA Fashion Awards, but I'm fairly certain the mother monster wasn’t too bothered by it.

After popping out of her bodice dress on the red carpet, Gaga got down and dirty at the after-party wearing only a sheer bodysuit and pasties covering her nipples.

Like Khloe Kardashian, the “Judas” singer isn't one to let a wardrobe malfunction slow her down.

CLAIM: Beyonce and Jay-Z’s Baby is Band-Aid to “Rocky Marriage”

“Beyonce Baby Puts Marriage Back on Track,” reads a headline from the National Enquirer, which claims the singer’s pregnancy is “shoring up her rocky marriage to rap mogul Jay-Z.”

According to an alleged “insider” for the tabloid, “Preparing for the baby has put their marriage back on track after some recent turbulent times.”

What “turbulent times”?

The mag claims that while Beyonce was on tour in Europe this summer, “Jay-Z was spotted partying in the Big Apple with model Selita Ebanks on July 20 and at the club 1Oak with a bevy of beauties on July 8.”

“Beyonce called Jay out on his party-boy behavior,” claims a supposed source, who says, “She told him that as a father-to-be he needed to act like a family man. After a heart-to-heart, Jay-Z committed himself totally to Beyonce and their baby.”

It’s awfully convenient that the Enquirer hadn’t “committed” itself to this premise until afterBeyonce and Jay-Z announced the pregnancy, only bringing up allegations of ”turbulent times” now that the baby supposedly fixed everything.

The magazine is using the couple’s happy news to revise history and create scandal where none existed.

A source close to the couple said that Beyonce and Jay-Z’s marriage was “never off track.”

Actually, the only thing off-track, once again, is the Enquirer’s reporting.

Officials confirm 'credible but unconfirmed' 9/11 threat

U.S. officials said Thursday evening they have "specific, credible but unconfirmed" information about a potential threat against the United States coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

"We have received credible information very recently about a possible plot directed at the homeland that seems to be focused on New York and Washington, D.C.," a senior administration official told CNN Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr.

The official said the plot was believed to involve three individuals, including a U.S. citizen. U.S. officials believed the threat was a vehicle laden with explosives, but "the intelligence picture is not completely formed," the official said. "Not enough is known about the potential operatives and their plotting."

The threat is believed to entail a vehicle bomb, but "we cannot rule out other means," a U.S. official said.

A senior law enforcement official involved in briefings about the matter told CNN Justice Department Producer Terry Frieden that his best information is that the three individuals had not yet entered the United States.

The information came in around noon Wednesday, one official said.

A senior federal law enforcement official intimately involved in counterterrorism efforts told CNN Chief National Correspondent John King authorities "aren't sure if this is or real or just chatter."

The official confirmed the threat was vehicle-related.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg told reporters Thursday night that while additional police will be deployed around the city, "There's no reason for any of the rest of us to change ... our daily routines."

Gov. Andrew Cuomo urged residents to be cautious, but said "there is no reason to panic."

Officials said they were taking the threat seriously, while evidently trying to temper the news by saying such threats are commonplace during key events.

"It's accurate that there is specific, credible but unconfirmed threat information," said Matthew Chandler, spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security. "As we always do before important dates like the anniversary of 9/11, we will undoubtedly get more reporting in the coming days. Sometimes this reporting is credible and warrants intense focus, other times it lacks credibility and is highly unlikely to be reflective of real plots under way.

"Regardless, we take all threat reporting seriously, and we have taken, and will continue to take, all steps necessary to mitigate any threats that arise. We continue to ask the American people to remain vigilant as we head into the weekend," Chandler said in a prepared statement.

A Department of Homeland Security official, speaking on background, said, "We will continue to respond appropriately to protect the American people from an evolving threat picture in the coming days and beyond. This may include an increased law enforcement presence at airports and other transit hubs, land and sea ports of entry, federal buildings, and other high-profile and critical infrastructure locations."

The information originated from the tribal border area of Pakistan and Afghanistan, a federal official told CNN producer Mike Ahlers.

Another source gave CNN conflicting information about possible details of the threat.

Rep. Peter King, R-New York, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said very specific details were made known to lawmakers about the threat. "Many agencies are looking at this from every possible angle," he said.

But it is not known yet if the threat is real, he said, adding, "I would tell people now to go about their lives. There's no need to panic."

A senior administration official with firsthand knowledge told CNN National Security Contributor Fran Townsend that although there is "specific, credible but unconfirmed threat information," there are a lot of questions about this information -- "weird things."

A federal law enforcement official told CNN National Correspondent Susan Candiotti that the threat appears to go beyond intelligence gathered from Osama bin Laden's compound after he was killed by Navy SEALs. That information talked about aspirations to carry out an attack on U.S. interests on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

"The president was briefed," a senior administration official said. "He directed that the intelligence community and the administration take all necessary steps to ensure vigilance."

Earlier Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told reporters that intelligence officials had picked up "lots of chatter" on jihadi websites and elsewhere about the impending 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks "and we're taking it all seriously," but nothing yet that warranted issuing a threat advisory.

Nonetheless, the department will be at a heightened level of readiness as the nation commemorates the anniversary, "staffing up" the Federal Air Marshals Service and other agencies, she said.

Napolitano said it is not uncommon to see increased chatter before major events. "We know it's an iconic day to al Qaeda, in part because of what was found at the (Osama bin Laden) compound. So we are preparing accordingly," she said.

"I don't want to give those (details) out because I don't want to tell the bad guys exactly what we're doing," Napolitano said. "But I think it's fair to say that in addition to asking citizens to be vigilant and so forth, that we have ourselves leaned forward and have made sure that we are doing all that we can from the DHS perspective."

CNN's Jessica Yellin, Jim Barnett and Pam Benson also contributed to this