Army intercepts eight suspected terrorrists in Yola

Yola – A major tragedy was averted during Eld-el-Fitri celebration in Yola yesterday as the military intercepted about eight heavily armed terrorists heading towards the main Eid praying ground ostensibly to attack Muslim faithfuls observing the prayers.

The men and officers of the 23 Armoured Brigade, which intercepted the people said to be on a mission to kill said the suspects were armed with AK 47 riffles, when they ran into a patrol team at Song, a few kilometres to Yola, along the Yola-Maiduguri trunk A road.

It was learnt that one of the suspects was killed during a scuffle with military men, even as those arrested were detained at the army cantonment in Yola.

Eagles will qualify, Mikel assures

Super  Eagles star John Mikel Obi has assured the nation that Nigeria would definitely qualify for the 2012 African Cup of Nations to be co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.


Mikel gave the assurance yesterday during an interaction with sports writers at the Abuja National Stadium where the National team  assembled for training ahead of the Nation’s Cup cracker between the Super Eagles and Beara of Madagascar slated for next Sunday in Antananarivo.

PDP begs Nigerians to support Jonathan

ABUJA-AS Muslims across the country join the rest of the world to mark this year’s Eid-El-Fitri, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday urged all Nigerians irrespective of their religion to support President Goodluck Jonathan in his determination to bring about development in the country.

In a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Professor Rufai Ahmed Alkali, the PDP also called on Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love, peace, tolerance and sacrifice.

Kano govt cancels durbar over Bayero’s ill-health

KANO – Following the diminishing health status of Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, Kano State Government has suspended the age-long traditional durbar (horse race) as part of activities marking this year’s  Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.

Commissioner for Information, Dr. Faruk Jibril, said the decision was to save the ailing monarch the rigour associated with the  yearly ritual.

The government took Bayero, the 13th Fulani emir of Kano, to India in an air ambulance last week, after a similar trip to London penultimate week.

Labour tasks FG on Boko Haram

TRADE Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, yesterday, called on the Federal Government to apply the same level of force used to cripple the Movement for Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, and Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, on Boko Haram, arguing that operations of the trio were not as dastardly as what Boko Haram has inflicted on the nation.
This came as Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, called on government to immediately overhaul the nation’s security agencies to meet exigencies of the time.

Michael Jackson's children, mother Katherine gather at his Boyhood Home to Commemorate his 53rd birthday

Katherine Jackson, Michael’s three children; Prince, 14, Paris, 13 and nine-year-old Blanket, pictured here earlier this month, and Latoya attended a gathering at Michael Jackson's former childhood home in Gary, Indiana, over the weekend

Mail Online

Monday marked what would have been late pop star Michael Jackson's 53rd birthday.

And to commemorate the occasion, the singer's children, mother Katherine and father Joe, all gathered to visit his childhood home in Gary, Indiana, over the weekend.

Katherine, 81, was seen seated inside the property for the occasion. The Jackson family matriarch was granted permanent guardianship to Micheal's three children Prince, 14, Paris, 13 and nine-year-old Blanket, following his untimely death in 2009.

US Embassy Suspends Consular Services

United States Embassy

 

Applicants for visa at the United States Embassy in Abuja were disappointed yesterday as the mission cancelled interview appointments scheduled for the day.

The cancellation may not be unconnected with Friday's bomb explosion at the UN House that killed about 23 persons, with 73 others injured.

The embassy is about one kilometre to the UN House. Earlier, when the applicants arrived, they were not allowed to get close to the embassy premises as they were stopped halfway on the road leading to the compound, Xinxua reported.

Japan Confirms Noda as New PM

Japan's Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda has been elected new PM

AFP

Yoshihiko Noda has been confirmed as Japan's sixth prime minister in five years, starting a term in which he must revive the troubled economy, push quake recovery and contain a nuclear crisis, reports AFP.

The cabinet of outgoing premier Naoto Kan resigned en masse Tuesday morning, while Noda, Kan's Finance Minister, must start picking candidates for his new ministerial line-up, expected to be named in the coming days.

Access Bank to Acquire 75% Stake in Intercontinental

GMD and CEO, Access Bank, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede

Access Bank Plc yesterday said its Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), scheduled to take place on September 26, is to enable it to get the approval of its shareholders to acquire a 75-per-cent stake in Intercontinental Bank Plc.

The bank, which disclosed this in an advertorial in THISDAY, also said it intends to fund the transaction from the N53.471 billion “standing to the credit of the bank’s 2007 public offer proceeds or any part thereof as at the date thereof for the purpose of making the investment”.

Medvedev: Russia to Elect Parliament on December 4

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev

President Dmitry Medvedev Monday set a parliamentary election for December 4 that will set the stage for Russia's presidential vote next March.

Medvedev signed a decree setting the date for the election to the 450-seat State Duma, the lower house of parliament, which is dominated by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's ruling United Russia party, reports Reuters.

"I would very much like the makeup of the future Duma to reflect the preferences of the broadest circle of our citizens to the maximum extent possible," Medvedev told party leaders.

FG to Commit N1.5bn on Egbin Power Station

Minister of Power, Prof Barth Nnaji

 

The Federal Government has pledged to commit N1.5billion to fund the repair of the Unit 6 of the Egbin Power Station in Lagos, the biggest power-generating plant in the country, to ensure that the station realises its full capacity of 1,320megawatts of electricity.

Minister of Power, Professor Bart Nnaji stated this at a recent inspection tour of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) installations in the south west part of the country.

Drama, Confusion as WAEC Releases Conflicting, Dowgraded Results

WAEC logo

There was confusion yesterday in Minna, Niger State, as candidates who sat for the May/June Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) had two conflicting results of the same exam released to them, in the last two weeks, by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

The examination body had, two weeks ago, posted on its website results of the examination. However, the council’s office in Minna went ahead at the weekend to post another set of results which were totally different from the earlier set released thereby forcing the candidates to troop to the state WAEC office to ask questions on the authentic result.

UN Blast Suspects Arrested

Security agencies have made some arrests in connection with last Friday’s blast at the United Nations House in Abuja, the Inspector General of Police (IG), Alhaji Hafiz Ringim, has said.

However, he was silent on the number of arrests as well as the identities and the nationalities of the suspects.
Speaking at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja yesterday at a media briefing held to reassure diplomats of their safety in Nigeria, Ringim added that President Goodluck Jonathan would soon brief the nation on the arrests.

“I wish to inform you that our security agencies have made some arrests and His Excellency (Jonathan) would soon make pronouncements in that regard to you and the nation where this is concerned,” he said.

Osun: Aregbesola Okays N19,001 as Minimum Wage

Governor Rauf Aregbesola

Osun State government yesterday approved N19,001 as minimum wage for its workers in the state.

Following the approval, the state government said it has fully implemented the Minimum Wage Law for workers from Levels 01 to 07 as contained in the Minimum Wage Law recently enacted by the Federal Government.

PDP Chief Blames ACN for Unemployment

PDP Chief Blames ACN for Unemployment

 

PDP Logo

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Mr. Owolabi Salis, has blamed the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)-led administration of Lagos state over the resurging spate of crime in the state.

The financial technocrat and Leader of the Operation Rescue Lagos, berated the government for its neglect of mass employment, while paying lip service to its much vaunted mega city project, which at best remained a farce.

United maul Arsenal 8-2 …as City demolish Spurs (Video Inside)

Manchester United swept to a magnificent 8-2 victory over 10-man Arsenal as the champions produced the perfect response after Manchester City had underlined their title credentials with a 5-1 rout of Tottenham earlier on Sunday.


City had thrown down the gauntlet to United as Edin Dzeko scored four times to destroy Tottenham at White Hart Lane, but Sir Alex Ferguson’s team emphasised their determination to hold onto the Premier League crown with a Wayne Rooney hat-trick reducing beleaguered Arsenal to rubble in a sublime display at Old Trafford.

CBN Extends Interbank Guarantee for ETB

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said it has extended the interbank guarantee for Equitorial Trust Bank Limited (ETB) to December 31, following the successful signing of a Transactions Implementation Agreement (TIA) between the rescued bank and Sterling Bank Plc.

A statement from the Head, Corporate Communications, CBN, Mr. Mohammed Abdullahi, made available to THISDAY at the weekend, explained that the extension granted to the bank was based on the same conditions given to other banks that had also attained the advanced stage in their recapitalisation journey.

World Bank approves $82m for Kainji dam

 Kainji  —  The Chief Executive Officer of Kainji Hydro Electricity Plc,  Mr Reuben Akinwumi,  said, weekend, the World Bank has approved $82 million loan for the rehabilitation of  the Kainji  Dam.
Akinwumi who announced this when  the Minister of  Power, Prof.  Barth Nnaji, visited the dam on  an inspection tour said the loan deal was  signed between the World Bank and Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, on June 27.

He said the country was a beneficiary because of  its membership of  the Niger Basin Authority, NBA.
Akinwumi said the first set of generating units at the dam was installed between 1968 and 1969 with a capacity of 320 mega watts while the second set was installed between 1976 and 1978 with a capacity of  440 mega watts.

Boko Haram, plot to destabilise Jonathan – S/South leaders

ELDERS and leaders of the South-South region have condemned the activities of Boko Haram, describing it as an orchestra-ted plot by a tiny minority to make the country ungover-nable under President Goodluck Jonathan.


South South Peoples Assembly, an umbrella body of people of the region, in a statement by Ambassador Mathew Mbu, Justice AdolphusKaribi-Whyte (rtd) and Dr. Kalada Iruenabere called on President Jonathan to fish out sponsors of the terrorist religious sect for prosecution.

NBA kicks as Musdapher takes over as CJN today

Sequel to a recommendation by the National Judicial Council, NJC, to President Goodluck Jonathan, he will today confirm Justice Dahiru Musdapher as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, even as the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, kicked against his appointment.


The legal body through a communiqué at the end of its annual general conference in Port Harcourt, contended that “the next CJN should not be anyone who has either directly or indirectly participated in the on-going embarrassing murk at the apex judicial body and at best must be appointed from outside the Supreme Court to ensure transparency and continued sanctity of the judicial process.”

UN Probes Attack on Abuja Office

United Nations has said it would undertake a probe of the bomb attack on its building in Abuja  with a view to knowing how its defences were breached.

On Friday, a car rigged with explosives exploded at the Abuja office of the UN - which houses 26 humanitarian and development agencies of the global body - killing not less than 19 people and injuring several others.

Speaking in New York on the blast, Acting Deputy Spokesperson for the secretary-general, Farhan Haq, who noted that the  building was considered well-defended, said the investigation would also help prevent future attack.

Hope rises on lagos-Ibadan Expressway

Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

 

Nigerians, who are set to travel for the end-of-Ramadan celebration through the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, have been promised a smooth ride, as palliative works on the highway was being completed far ahead of the 60-day ultimatum given by the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen.

The Dark Side of the Nigerian Police

At 10pm on June 7, 2005, six people aged 21 to 25, met the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Danjuma at a nightclub in Area 11, Abuja. They were Ifeanyi Ozor, Chinedu Meniru, Isaac Ekene, Paulinus Ogbonna, Anthony Nwodike and Augustina Arebun - all traders at the Apo mechanic village.

According to eyewitness accounts at the court hearing, Mr Danjuma propositioned Ms Arebun at the club but was turned down. He then proceeded to a nearby police checkpoint and informed the officers that armed robbers were thereabouts. When the vehicle conveying the six young people got to the checkpoint, Mr Danjuma ordered the officers to open fire. They did, instantly killing four people in the car. The survivors, which included the lady, were taken to the Garki Police Division and executed.

Bolt false starts, eliminated from 100m final

Usain Bolt again did the unbelievable when it mattered most in the 100 metres.

This time, no gold medal or world record, but a false start and straight elimination from the world championships in a race he has regally reigned over for three years.

In a stunning few seconds, Bolt's showboating turned into real-life despair when he jumped the gun and was led away from the track before Jamaican teammate Yohan Blake won gold ahead of American rival Walter Dix.

UN office attack: We’ll bring perpetrators to justice – Jonathan

ABUJA – President Goodluck Jonathan has reacted to the attack on the United Nation’s Building in Abuja, Friday, saying that “the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria utterly condemns the barbaric, senseless and cowardly assault.

A statement by Dr Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said “the President believes that the attack is a most despicable assault on the United Nations’ objectives of global peace and security, and the sanctity of human life to which Nigeria wholly subscribes”.
He extends his sincere condolences to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon and all members of the United Nations family who have lost loved ones in the heinous attack.

Abuja bombing: Ba Ki-moon dispatches deputy, security chief to Nigeria

United Nations Secretary General, Ba Ki-moon has condemned the suicide bombing attack  on the organisation’s building in Abuja.
In a statement, Friday, the Secretary-General said he is dispatching the Deputy UN Secretary-General, Ms. Asha-Rose Migiro and the UN security chief, Under-Secretary-General Gregory Starr to the country to mobilized the UN sysytem to respond to the emergency.
The statement:


Around 11:00 o’clock this morning, local time, the United Nations House in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, was struck by a car bomb.
These buildings house 26 humanitarian and development agencies of the United Nations family.
This was an assault on those who devote their lives to helping others.

At least 18 dead in ‘suicide blast’ at UN in Abuja

ABUJA(AFP/NAN) – A suicide blast that rocked the UN building in the Nigerian capital Abuja on Friday has killed at least 18 people and wounded eight others, a police commissioner said as rescue operations continued.
“So far, we have 18 dead and eight injured,” local police commissioner Mike Zuokumor told journalists.
“It was a Honda Accord car. The suicide bomber died immediately as the bomb cut him into three. I cannot say how many people are still in the building. The rescue operation is still on.”
An eye witness told NAN that the blasts which occurred around 10.am, ripped through the five-storey building housing about 300 members of staff, drawn from all arms of the UN System.

FG to cut wages, remove subsidy

ABUJA— THE Federal Government plans to remove subsidy in petroleum products, cut recurrent spending; the overhead cost of running government in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to reduce the budget deficit to a manageable level of three per cent of output while boosting infrastructure investment to create jobs.
Finance Minister and Coordinator of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said yesterday while speaking on fiscal discipline and freeing more funds from recurrent budget for more attention on capital. She said the move would affect all arms of government and all categories of staff.

Miles of bunkers, tunnels at Gaddafi compound

TRIPOLI: (AFP) – Libyan leader Muammer Gaddafi’s plundered Bab al-Aziziya compound is a maze of dark tunnels and bunkers that reputedly also also houses an Olympic size swimming pool and a garage for luxury cars.

“It’s the money of the Libyan people which paid for all of this,” commented Said, 35, on Thursday, a date after his release from a prison where he languished for several weeks for having demonstrated against Gaddafi’s regime.

FG laments loss of $300bn to capital flight

LAGOS — THE Federal Government has expressed concern over the huge capital flight in the oil and gas sector which has been blamed largely on several years of dependency on foreign products and services, costing the nation about $300 billion.


This came on the heels of government’s public disclosure, Thursday, that it had concluded plans to sell the 17 PHCN successor companies for $100 billion.

Gaddafi calls on Libyans to march on Tripoli

People hold a rally to support Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in Moscow August 24, 2011.Photo: REUTERS 

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi called on his supporters to march on Tripoli and "purify" the capital of rebels, who he denounced as "rats, crusaders and unbelievers".

In a short audio broadcast on loyalist TV channels on Thursday, Gaddafi sounded more defiant than in recent speeches. He called on all of Libya's tribes to rally and expel what he called foreign agents from the country.

"Libya is for the Libyan people and not for the agents, not for imperialism, not for France, not for Sarkozy, not for Italy," he said. "Tripoli is for you, not for those who rely on NATO."

Removal of Salami: Jonathan fights back

ABUJA—The Presidency yesterday took a swipe at critics of President Goodluck Jonathan over his role in the removal of the former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, and dismissed such critics as self serving.

Presidential Spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati, who fielded questions from State House Correspondents, at an interactive session, described the widespread criticism as unfair to the President; insisting that Jonathan acted swiftly to avoid vacuum that could lead to a constitutional lacuna.

6 Surprising facts about 6 Jobs

It's safe to say most investors are well acquainted with the charisma, drive, and brilliance of Steve Jobs. He's the most well-known CEO in the world, and arguably the best too. His announced resignation as Apple CEO is not unexpected, but is still being met with some degree of shock. Here's a short list of facts (not opinions) about Jobs and Apple that are truly surprising.

1) Not A Single Downgrade Today
Jobs' resignation is arguably the worst news out of Apple (AAPL) in years and the Wall Street crowd didn't even blink. 49 out of 51 analysts currently rate Apple a "BUY" with an average price target of $497 a share (according to Factset Data), which is roughly 32% above yesterday's closing price. The Jobs shocker was met not with a flurry of downgrades and panic selling, but rather with a chorus of reiterations and calls to buy on any weakness.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (middle), signing into law the Bill at theConference Room, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Wednesday, August 24, 2011. With him are the Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Bosun Jeje (right) and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye (left). Photo: SEGUN BALOGUN

Fashola signs Tenancy Bill

Finally, there is a law regulating the relationship between property owners and their tenants in Lagos State.
Governor Babatunde Fashola gave his assent to the Tenancy Bill on Wednesday, thus giving a margin of relief to millions of Lagos tenants who daily carry the burdens created by landlords.

Poisonous beans scare in Port Harcourt

Consumers of beans in Rivers State are scared of buying the food item in the markets because of alleged “rumour” in the state that Boko Haram had brought contaminated bags of the commodity that would lead to massive deaths when consumed.


Although the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Emmanuel Chinda has told the public to ignore the text messages warning people not to buy beans in the markets, Vanguard gathered, yesterday, that many consumers of beans are not taking the rumour lightly as they do not want to be used as guinea pigs in the Boko Haram beans scare.

S’Africa Kicks as Nigeria Recognises Libyan Rebels

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru

 

As pol breached the official residence of the country’s leader for 42 years, Colonel Muamar Gaddafi yesterday, the Federal Government formally recognised the National Transitional Council (NTC) of Libya as a legitimate representative of the northern African country’s people.

But this has drawn some flak from South Africa.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, told reporters in Abuja that Nigeria would back Libya in its bid to install democratic rule and enforce the rule of law.

Presidency set to redeploy permanent secretaries

There are indications that there will be posting and re-posting of federal permanent secretaries before the end of August 2011.

Already, there are vacancies created in some ministries and qualified directors have been interviewed while the creation of the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology also provided a vacant position to be filled soon.

Residents vow to resist FG’s plan to demolish community for power project

Umuahia—LEKWESI Community in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State has threatened to resist alleged plans to demolish the community for construction of an electricity transmission line by the Federal Government unless they are paid adequate compensation.

According to them,  executing the electricity project would warrant relocation of the entire community, noting that they would lose crops, farmlands, economic trees and residential houses.

Lekwesi, an agrarian community, expressed worry that contractors handling the project were eager to go ahead with the construction of a 330 KVA High Tension Electricity Transmission Line from Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State to Ugwaji in Enugu State, when the community has not been compensated to enable them relocate to a new settlement.

Nigeria is sliding toward anarchy and imperial presidency, says ACN

Lai Mohammed, called on “all lovers of democracy and the rule of law to come together to say no to the emerging Emperor Jonathan”.

An opposition party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has warned that the country is tottering on the brink of anarchy and imperial presidency.

Condemning the action taken by President Goodluck Jonathan on the lingering judicial crisis, the party in a statement made by its national publicity secretary, Lai Mohammed, called on “all lovers of democracy and the rule of law to come together to say no to the emerging Emperor Jonathan”.

‘Indigenous satellite will provide better, cheaper services in Africa’

The Nigerian Communication Satellite (NigComSat) will provide the best and cheapest satellite services to subscribers within Africa, NigComSat Managing Director, Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai, has said.

Mr Ahmed-Rufai told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday that the satellite had been designed to effectively focus on Africa with better reception.

According to him, “Our services are better, our footprints are better than any satellite that is overseeing Africa. The design of the satellite also took into consideration the weather conditions of Africa.

“We narrowed the footprint of the satellite to make it regional so that we can have a higher power and spend less on customer premises equipment because small dishes can be used for perfect reception.”

MTEL Contractors Protest N500m Debt

Vice President Namadi Sambo

 

A group of contractors of the mobile subsidiary of the Nigerian Telecommunications Ltd, M-tel, called the Mtel Creditors Group,  is set to embark on a protest  to compel the Federal Government to pay debts totalling N500million being owed the group.

Coordinator of the group, Mtel Creditors Group, Sebagen Henry Noboh disclosed that the group will storm the Headquarters of the Bureau of Public Enterprise BPE (BPE) to protest the non- payment of the debt, which he said had been unpaid since 2005/2006.

UBA Targets Unbanked with ‘U-Mo’

MD UBA, Mr. Phillips Oduoza.

The United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) said its mobile payment service – U-Mo, has been designed to help bring the country’s huge unbanked population into the banking system.

Broadband Boosts Mobile Network Operations

NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Eugene Juwah

 

A new report has disclosed that broadband is having a revolutionary impact on mobile network operators.

The report by Heavy Reading, research analysts,  said that the big increase in interest in deployment of broadband in the mobile sector has given a major revenue boost to the sector.

The report tagged Mobile Broadband and  the Rise of Policy: Technology Review & Forecast,  stressed that after years of development and discussion, policy management had finally gone mainstream, as mobile network operators scramble to resolve key challenges created by the mobile broadband data boom.

The result, according to the report, was that there has been a major increase in policy deployments, with most vendors reporting double-digit revenue growth in 2010, and similar growth likely in 2011.

Steve Jobs resigns as Apple CEO

SAN FRANCISCO-(AFP) – Apple’s legendary co-founder and top ideas man Steve Jobs resigned as chief executive Wednesday, the company said, in a long expected move after he began a dramatic fight with cancer.
In a written statement, Apple, the world’s second biggest company by market capitalization, announced that chief operating officer Tim Cook would take over as CEO but that Jobs would stay on as chairman of the board.

Minister slams UNIABUJA teaching hospital over woman’s death(She fell from Theatre Table)

*Says circumstances surrounding her death unacceptable

BY VICTORIA OJEME
ABUJA-Minister of State for Health, Dr Muhammed Pate, yesterday expressed displeasure at the death of a woman during child birth at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, describing the circumstances of her death as unacceptable.

The Minister, who visited the hospital on a fact-finding mission, said: “This is a case of maternal mortality happening in a tertiary hospital, it is really regrettable and unacceptable, and there is no reason for a woman to die on a normal physiological exercise of pregnancy case.

Salami to know fate on September 7

Suspended President of the Court of Appeal, Ayo Salami.

The next move of the suspended President of the Court of Appeal, Ayo Salami, who is asking the court to set aside the decision of the National Judicial Council (NJC) suspending him from office, will remain unknown till September 7, as a Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned the matter till that date, for mention.

Government unfolds medium-term economic plan

Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said government was not discarding its blueprint for economic development captured under the Vision 20-2020 and the Transforming Nigeria document.

The Federal Government yesterday identified key priority areas of the economy it plans to focus its attention on under a medium-term economic programme to create jobs and opportunities for development.

Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said at her maiden media briefing yesterday in Abuja that though government was not discarding its blueprint for economic development captured under the Vision 20-2020 and the Transforming Nigeria document, government has identified some key sectors that must be addressed to create the enabling environment for growth.

FG Approves On-the-spot Visas for Foreign Investors

Dr. Olusegun Aganga

Genuine foreign investors coming to Nigeria can now receive their visas on arrival, the Federal Government announced yesterday.

Two soldiers to face Court Martial over kidnap of Mikel Obi’s father

ARMY authorities in Abuja, yesterday, confirmed the arrest of two of their personnel attached to the Special Task Force known as Operation Safe Haven maintaining security in Plateau State, over alleged abduction of Pa Michael Obi, father of international footballer, Mikel who was rescued in Kano, Monday, even as hundreds of people thronged police headquarters in Jos to catch a glimpse of Pa Obi who was re-united with his family, yesterday.


Pa Michael Obi had while speaking on his ordeal in the hands of the kidnappers, pointed accusing fingers at some soldiers as his abductors. Parading six of the suspects, Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Dipo Ayeni said two of the soldiers had been identified and gave their names as Sergeant Victor Essien with service number 96NA/43/11213 and Private Jaduwa Thloma with number 03NA/54/5527 both of 2 Battalion but on temporary posting to Plateau State. The soldiers were, however, not among the six suspects paraded as they were said to be in military custody.

Russia's Anzhi Makhachkala make Samuel Eto’o the world’s highest paid footballer

Italian Serie A soccer club Inter Milan"s new striker Samuel Eto"o, formerly of FC Barcelona, poses in a jersey while visiting the team"s training centre of Appiano Gentile, near Milan July 28, 2009.Photo: REUTERS 

Samuel Eto'o is on his way to Russia, where billionaire oligarch Suleyman Kerimov will make him the highest paid footballer in the world. All the 30-year-old has to do is pass a medical and play with Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos for small-club-with-big-ambitions Anzhi Makhachkala in the Russian province of Dagestan and he'll reportedly get €20 million per season over the next three years.

From the AP:

Justice Adamu Takes Charge at Appeal Court

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, yesterday inaugurated Justice Dalhatu Adamu as the Acting President of the Court of Appeal (PCA) following the controversial suspension of Justice Ayo Salami by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

President Goodluck Jonathan had on Sunday approved the appointment of Adamu pending the resolution of issues relating to the Salami saga. Adamu was sworn in at exactly 8:40am at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Katsina-Alu advised Adamu to be forthright and focused as no one was a repository of wisdom, asking him to always listen to wise counsel and follow the dictates of his conscience and the provisions of the constitution.

Condemnation continued to trail the suspension of Salami and the decision of Jonathan to appoint an acting president for the court.
Among the groups that condemned the action are Access to Justice (AJ) and Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), which has already instituted a legal action.

Salami drags Jonathan to Court

ABUJA—The suspended President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, yesterday, dragged President Goodluck Jonathan before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, praying the court to declare the appointment of an acting President of the Court of Appeal, by the President as illegal and unconstitutional.
Salami in his fresh suit, specifically prayed the High Court for an order nullifying both his suspension by the National Judicial Council, NJC and immediate replacement by President Jonathan, without recourse to the rule of law, as unconstitutional, arbitrary, illegal and null and void.

The crisis in the judiciary also yesterday formally spilled into the political arena with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP taking on the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN accusing the opposition party of crying more than the bereaved.

Works Minister assures on rehabilitation of Lagos-Benin, Apapa-Oshodi roads

Minister of Works, Arc Mike Onolememen, has assured Nigerians of his determination to bring to an end the long suffering of people on the popular Lagos-Benin/Ore and Apapa-Oshodi roads in the shortest possible time.


The minister stated this at a reception in his honour and other political leaders in Edo State by Engr Elens Eigbekhan and his family in Lagos.

Arc Onolememen said he had instructed the contractor handling the road, Reynold Construction Company, RCC, to carry out a palliative work before the end of the rainy season and begin full reconstruction after the rains.

Arsenal agree to sell Nasri to Man City

Arsenal have agreed to sell French midfielder Samir Nasri to their Premier League rivals Manchester City, the London club said on Tuesday.

Nasri has been omitted from the Arsenal squad travelling to Italy for Wednesday's Champions league playoff second leg against Udinese.

"Arsenal can confirm that they have agreed terms for Samir Nasri to move to Manchester City," Arsenal said in a statement on their website, adding that Nasri was on his way to Manchester for a medical on Tuesday afternoon.

Shoprite takes on Wal-Mart with $416 million upgrades

Shoprite, Africa's biggest grocery retailer, is spending $416 million to expand and upgrade its distribution centres as South African merchants gear up to take on U.S-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc.


Shoprite, one of the companies seen likely to lose from the entry of the world's biggest retailer into South Africa, said on Tuesday it spent 1.5 billion rand in the year to June at its centres in Durban, Pretoria and Cape Town and would spend a similar amount in the coming year.

Central Bank demands monthly reports on card payments from banks

The Central Bank of Nigeria yesterday directed all Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to ensure that they submit comprehensive data on all issued cards as well as total number of active cards on a monthly basis to enable it monitor the progress on the ongoing card payment implementation project.

The apex bank in a August 22, 2011 circular Ref. No. BPS/DIR/CIR/01/009 signed by the acting director, Banking and Payment Systems Department, Gaius Emokpae, and posted on the CBN website yesterday, all banks were directed to ensure that their reports, which should take effect September 3, 2011, captured the total number of active accounts, cumulative cards issued, cumulative active cards, number of cards issued in the reporting month and number of cards activated.

Jonathan inaugurates board of electricity trading company

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday inaugurated the board of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (Bulk Trader), with the minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as chairperson.

Speaking at a short ceremony at the chambers hall of the Presidential Villa, Mr Jonathan told the board members that government expects them to use their experiences and skills to add value to the work "in our ongoing efforts to transform the power sector".

Virginia earthquake felt in Washington and New York

A magnitude-5.8 earthquake has rattled the east coast of the United States.

The quake centred on the state of Virginia but was felt in Washington, where the Pentagon and US Capitol were evacuated, as well as in New York.

The National Cathedral was damaged and the Washington Monument closed. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

John Mikel Obi's kidnapped father found alive

Mikel's father Michael Obi told of his ordeal at a press conference

The kidnapped father of Chelsea and Nigeria footballer John Mikel Obi has been freed by police.

Officers raided a neighbourhood in the Nigerian city Kano on Monday where they found Michael Obi and arrested five suspects.

Former governor of Ogun state, Gbenga Daniel.

Ogun PDP denies Daniel membership

The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party {PDP) yesterday denied the former governor of the state, Gbenga Daniel membership of the party, just as the party said it had commenced move to re-brand the party ahead of 2015 general elections.

The party made this known yesterday at a press conference held at its secretariat in Abeokuta, the state capital, stressing that Mr Daniel could only be re-admitted into the party if he followed due process as contained in the party’s constitution, Articles 8{4}, 8{9} and 10{c}.

Mikel Obi’s Father Regains Freedom, Recounts Ordeal

Michael Obi

Relief and joy came the way of the Obi family yesterday following the eventual rescue of Pa Michael Obi, Mikel’s father, from his abductors, by the Kano State Police Command. The father of the Chelsea of England’s midfielder was kidnapped by some hoodlums 12 days ago.

The state Police Commissioner Ibrahim Idris, who paraded all five suspects before reporters in Kano, said the kidnappers were apprehended in Kabuga Quarters of the commercial city of Kano.

He said the suspected kidnappers included one Ifeanyi Esseit, Ndubisi Friday, Basil Chukwumah, a woman - Nkechi Ossai - and a Nigerien national, Sule Ibrahim, who all camouflaged as soldiers, using a vehicle painted in military colours.

Nigeria Offers Backing to Libyan Rebels

Col Gaddafi

Nigeria yesterday promised the Libyan rebels and the people of the country of her assistance, saying she would do everything possible to ensure an orderly transition to democratic rule and enforcement of rule of law in the North African country.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, who revealed Nigeria’s position at a press conference, said the unfolding scenario in Libya would be tabled at the African Union (AU) meeting by the country over the weekend to chart a roadmap for Libya.

Colombia 2011: Brazil Five Times Lucky

Brazil celebrate their World Cup victory

A hat-trick from Oscar lifted Brazil to a 3-2 extra-time triumph over Portugal in the final of the under-20 World Cup played early hours of Sunday.

After opening the scoring in the fifth minute on Saturday, Oscar struck a second half equalizer that sent the match to extra-time after full-time saw the teams deadlocked at 2-2, reports AFP.

Shell laments increasing sabotage spills

company laments over oil spill

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) yesterday, said the number of oil spill incidents, especially on a trunk line in Bayelsa by unknown persons is increasing. This month alone, the company said it has recorded six separate oil spill incidents on the Okordia-Rumuekpe trunk line at Ikarama in Bayelsa State.

Son rallies loyalists for Gaddafi's Tripoli fightback

Saif Al-Islam, son of Muammar Gaddafi, greets supporters in Tripoli August 23, 2011. Photo: REUTERS

Saif al-Islam, who has been seen as his father's heir apparent, visited the Tripoli hotel where foreign journalists are staying to declare that the government was winning the battle against the rebels.

He took journalists to his father's Bab al-Aziziyah stronghold. Television footage showed Saif smiling, waving and shaking hands with supporters, as well as holding his arms aloft and making the V for victory sign.

Aregbesola denies cancer

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has denied being afflicted by cancer.

Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola

Aregbesola, who is currently on lesser pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, spoke through the Director, Bureau of Communications and Information, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, in an electronic mail on Sunday.

Debunking a newspaper publication (not The PUNCH), which claimed the governor was suffering from cancer, the statement said Aregbesola was hale and hearty.

Govt warns of radioactive vehicles, rice from Asia

The Federal Government on Sunday warned Nigerians to beware of the importation of contaminated items from Asian countries.

The warning was contained in a statement from the Consumer Protection Council. It said the items, which could be contaminated radioactive goods, might be sent in form of support or assistance to faith-based institutions and non-governmental organisations. Some of the items, according to the statement, are vehicles, rice and vegetables.

Libyan rebels reach Tripoli encircle Gaddahfi ...fighting spills to Tunisia

Rebel fighters riding towards Gadayem, west of Tripoli, on Sunday. A Libyan rebel push towards the capital Tripoli has run into stiff resistance, as the Gaddafi regime renewed claims that it wants a ceasefire. Buoyed by recent gains, the rebels took the town of Jaddayim but were forced to retreat when they reached Maya, 35km (22 miles) west of Tripoli. A BBC correspondent said the lightly armed rebels are little match for

Obasanjo does not reward loyalty –Fani-Kayode

A former Minister of Aviation(Under Obasanjo), Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has said former President Olusegun Obasanjo does not reward loyalty like a leader is supposed to do.

He equally said Obasanjo should be grateful to ex-military dictator, Gen. Ibrahim Babagida for being instrumental to his release from prison and emerging the nation’s president in 1999.

Fani-Kayode, however, described the performance of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in office between 1999 and 2007 as first class and second to none.

Fani-Kayode, who was reacting to the face-off between Obasanjo and Babangida, said such performance had made Obasanjo one of the greatest presidents Nigeria ever had.

Reps to probe NNPC, others over fraud allegations

The House of Representatives is set to investigate activities of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, the Department of Petroleum Regulations and the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency over allegations of fraud, abuse of due process and irregularities in the award of oil blocks since 1999.

A statement by the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr. Suleiman Kawu, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent in Abuja on Sunday, stated that the investigation was necessitated by petitions from the oil sector.

He listed areas where the alleged frauds were noticed to include awards of crude oil lifting, round tripping, lack of due process in oil block allocations, bloated budgetary allocations and breach of procedures in crude oil lifting.

Jumbo pay cut: Lawmakers having problems repaying huge bank loans

Federal lawmakers who took huge short-term loans shortly after their inauguration in May are having problems repaying the loans, THE PUNCH has learnt.

Our correspondent gathered that the banks operating within the National Assembly, which also gave out the loans, are at a loss as to how get the lawmakers to start repaying.

Investigations by our correspondent showed that many of the lawmakers, especially the first timers, collected between N200m and N250m with the hope of commencing repayment with their quarterly jumbo allocations. Most of these lawmakers, a source said, used the loans to buy houses in Abuja.

Jonathan phones Obasanjo, Babangida to cease fire

President Goodluck Jonathan has intervened in the public feud between two of his predecessors, Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida, asking them to bury the hatchet. Obasanjo and Babangida, both former heads of government and retired generals, had last week exchange words, calling each other fools.

On Sunday, a source in the Presidency told one of our correspondents that Jonathan, who was “embarrassed” by the conduct of the two former heads of state, had intervened on Saturday.

Four injured in three-storey building collapse in Lagos

At least four persons were injured when a three-storey residential building collapsed at Number 3, Orosanye Street, Lagos Island, at about 6pm on Saturday.


The Managing Director of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Femi Osanyintolu, told SUNDAY PUNCH around 8pm on Saturday that his team had concluded preliminary rescue operation, and there was no other person trapped under the debris.

Taye Taiwo Is The Highest Paid Nigerian Footballer

One of the hottest stories right now is the story of how Taye Taiwo is now the highest paid footballer in Nigeria’s firmament.

  According to MTNFootball.com, Taiwo has landed 12 million euros in a three-year contract and this is exclusive of bonuses and other benefits.
He will also receive a signing-on fee of 1.5 million euros.Ac Milan will also throw in a Maserati, the world famous stylish luxury sports car which could go for as much as $120,000.

Nigerian Accent Is The 5th Most Sexiest Accent In The World - CNN

 

 

For all those killing themselves to speak like Americans, Canadians and British, you can stop now, because CNN has just ranked the ORIGINAL Nigerian accent as the 5the sexiest accent in the whole world, see below:


1.Italian accent
2.French accent
3.Spanish accent
4.Czech accent
5.Nigeria accent

"I Have 3 Children From 3 Different Women" - JJC Skillz

In a recent interview with city people magazine, JJC reveals that he is not yet married but already has three kids with three different women (groupies?). His children are 14, 11 and years respectively.



Now my worry is this, why will a man in his right senses have 3 kids from 3 different women?

States Scramble for Funds from Bond Market

CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

There are indications that as costs of funds in the banking industry remain high, the state governments' appetite for bonds to meet pressing funding needs will remain an attractive alternative.

Speaking on the trend, financial experts explained that the capital market can prove cheaper funds than bank loans and may be the only option for some governments seeking to fill budget gaps or fund big infrastructure projects.

Helios Set to Acquire Valucard

Chief Operating Officer, Helios Investment Partners, Henry Obi

After its successful acquisition of a two thirds stake in Interswitch Nigeria Limited, a leading electronic transaction switching and payment processing service provider in Nigeria last year, Helios Investment Partners LLC is set to expand its reach in the Nigerian e-payment market with its planned acquisition of another major operator, Valucard Nigeria Plc.

 

Sports Minister Wants Mikel’s Dad Released

Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman , Sports Minister

Minister of Sports and Chairman National Sports Commission(NSC) , Alhaji Yusuf Suleman, weekend in Benin  City,  appealed for the immediate and unconditional release of the father of Nigerian international, Mikel Obi.(the government's work is to protect people not to make appeals)

Suleman made the appeal while addressing journalists at the Etete camp site of the Nigerian boxing team to the All African Games in Maputo, Mozambique.

Abiola’s Aide Blasts Obasanjo, Babangida

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

Ripples of the faceoff between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and General Ibrahim Babangida continued at the weekend as former personal assistant to Chief M.K.O. Abiola, Lisa Olu Akerele, described the confrontation between the former leaders as a well deserved poetic justice.

Akerele said what happened  between Obasanjo and Babangida was nothing but nemesis catching up with the duo, the result of which is the current washing of their dirty linens in public.

Nigerian Ex-militants ‘Repatriated’ After Brawl

Godsday  Orubebe , Minister of Niger Delta Affairs

Eight Nigerian ex-militants sent for a training programme in Sri Lanka have been brought back to face trial at home after they fought and destroyed property, an AFP report quoted an official as saying  Saturday.

(Lol @ this, should we be surprised?)

"They came back home yesterday (Friday) as scheduled and they were immediately handed over to security agents for investigation and prosecution," said the spokesman of the amnesty office, Henry Ugbolue.

Senate: Ekweremadu Explains Delay in Constituting C’ttees

Senator Ike Ekweremadu , Deputy Senate President

 Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has explained why the senate has not constituted its standing committees, three months after the inauguration of the seventh session of the federal legislature.

Ekweremadu, in an interview with THISDAY, dismissed insinuations that the inability of the senate to constitute its standing committees was due to disagreements over the sharing posts among lawmakers and the bodies of principal officers that make up the selection committees in both chambers.

Premier Breweries: SEC Orders UBA Registrar to Accept Applications

SEC DG, Arunma Oteh

The controversy surrounding the just-concluded rights issue of Premier Breweries Plc, may have been laid to rest as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) at the weekend, directed UBA Registrars Limited, to accept all rejected applications.

SEC’s Head of Media, Mr. Lanre Oloyi, who confirmed the news to THISDAY, said SEC further ruled that the initial investors should be given their full allotment first before any other subscriber could be considered.

He however said SEC could not establish any form of malpractice in the allotment process,  adding that the discrepancies that led to the dispute arose from the delay in submission of applications by agents.

The issuing house to the offer, Cowry Assets Limited, in a message to the investors said, “Good morning all. We have received a letter from SEC directing UBA Registrars to accept the earlier rejected applications, meaning this matter should be laid to rest this week.”