ECA: Jonathan bows to pressure, releases $1bn

. S’Court will resolve dispute –Govs
President Goodluck Jonathan has succumbed to pressure from state governors to share accruals into the Excess Crude Account, ECA, with the approval of the disbursement of $1bn to the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
The approval was given to enable states to execute people-oriented projects and follows the deduction of another $1bn for fuel subsidy payment. Briefing State House correspondents yesterday at the end of the 45th meeting of the National Economic Council, NEC, in Abuja, Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, said the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama, reported to the council that the ECA had a balance of $9.24bn after the $1bn subsidy payments.
“The minister also told the council that the President had approved the distribution of $1bn among the 36 states and FCT to enable them to execute more people-oriented projects in line with the government’s Transformation Agenda and the need to deliver more democracy dividends,” Amaechi said.
http://nigeriannews.com/

State of the nation: Southern leaders insist on national conference

…Ekwueme, Clark, Gbonigi demand state creation, LG autonomy
The Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly, SNPA, yesterday called for the convocation of a national conference for the resolution of some of the problems threatening the existence of the country.
The SNPA also declared that the ongoing constitutional amendment by the National Assembly was akin to usurping the sovereign rights of Nigerians to produce a people-oriented constitution.
Arising from its second General Assembly in Enugu, the SNPA also said that with the recognition of the six geo-political zones by the constitution as the federating units, the creation of states and local governments should be the responsibility of the zonal federating units.
These positions were made known in the 13-point communiqué issued at the end of the summit signed by Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Chairman (South-East), Chief Edwin Clark, Coordinating Chairman (South- South) and Bishop Emmanuel Gbonigi, Co-Chairman (South-West).
http://nigeriannews.com/

Four in court over importation of harmful waste

THE Federal Government on Monday charged two men, a company and a vessel to a Federal High Court, Lagos, for illegally importing harmful waste.

The accused persons, Rumok David, Mgbachi Chibuzo, his company, Bonicks Investment and the vessel, which conveyed the waste into the country, MV Marivia, were charged on a three-count charge bordering on the offence.
The prosecutor, who is a deputy director, department of public prosecution of the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Akin Akintewe, said David on or about January 2013 in Lagos did import without lawful authority electronic harmful waste in 40ft container containing a mixture of functioning and non-functioning electrical/electronic equipment imported in a vessel named MV Marivia.
http://nigeriannews.com/

NCAA meets airport security chiefs over terrorist threats

THE Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren, Monday presided over a special meeting of security operatives at the Lagos Airport in the wake of the crisis in Mali and threats of attacks on Nigeria by the Al-Qeada terrorist network.

In attendance were the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Air Force, Nigeria Police, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service and Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).
Others were Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Director of Security and his team, Nigeria Airspace Management Agency, State Security Service (SSS), the NCAA’s Aviation Security team led by its Director. Mr. Joyce Nkem.
Demuren emphasised the need for all the operatives to be alert so as not to allow any security breach at nation’s main gateway.
http://nigeriannews.com/

Fika panel submits report, seeks cut in top civil servants’ perks

• Says allowances take N1.031tr out of N1.126tr salary vote
• Presidential flood committee presents final findings
WITH the submission of the report of the Adamu Fika-led Presidential Committee on the review of the reform processes in the nation’s public service Monday, huge allowances being paid to top civil servants may be stopped.
The report submission exclusively reported by The Guardian Monday recommended that only directors that have spent a number of years on general administration should be made permanent secretaries.
But Fika refused to answer questions from journalists after presenting the report that among other contending issues questions the rationale behind the payment N1.031 trillion in allowances to top civil servants.
http://nigeriannews.com/

Outrage as pension funds’ fraudster gets two-year sentence

CAN the nation’s laws really fight corruption? This poser Monday ran through reactions to a two-year jail term given to a man who confessed to embezzling N23.3 billion belonging to the Police Pension Board (PPB).
A former head of the PPB, Yakubu Yusufu, got the sentence from an Abuja High Court.
The court also gave him the option of paying N750, 000 and walking away a free man. But it ordered that Yusufu forfeits a property valued at N325 million.
Yusufu, the eighth accused person on the charge sheet specifically pleaded guilty to counts 18, 19 and 20 wherein he was alleged to have connived with Mr. Essai Dangabar, Atiku Abubakar Kigo, Ahmed Inuwa Wada, Mrs. Veronica Ulonma, Sani Habila Zira, Mrs. Uzoma Cyril Attang and Mr. Christian Madubuike, to convert the sums of N24.2 billion, N1.3 billion and N1.7 billion respectively, belonging to the Pension Office to their own use, an offence punishable under Section 309 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria 2007.
http://nigeriannews.com/

Boko Haram declares ceasefire, gives conditions for peace

 

• Seeks freedom for arrested members, rebuilding of Yusuf’s mosque
CITING the need to spare women and children further calamities engendered by its activities, Boko Haram Monday declared a ceasefire.
But the ceasefire came with some conditions: Freedom for the arrested members of the group and the rebuilding of the destroyed mosque of its leader, Mohammed Yusuf.
Declaring the ceasefire Monday through a tele-conference at the Borno State Radio and Television (BRTV), spokesman of Boko Haram, and second-in-command of the group, Sheikh Abdul Aziz said: “This ceasefire being announced today, is a goodwill message from the Jamaatul Ahlus Sunnah Lid Dawatil wal Jihad (Boko Haram), following a series of meetings with government officials and leaders of thought in Borno State.
“I am announcing this ceasefire with the consent and approval of the leader of Boko Haram sect, Sheikh Abubakar Shekau. We therefore, call on all our members to stop all acts of violence immediately and await further directives. We have adopted this measure as a result of the hardship women and children are subjected to.”
He added that members of the Boko Haram should relate the ceasefire message to those “who are not aware or informed of today’s (Monday) development.”
http://nigeriannews.com/

INEC ready to issue permanent voter cards –Jega

 

The National Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said the body was ready to begin the process of issuance of permanent voter cards. Jega said INEC would this year embark on the continuous voter registration and delimitation of constituencies to prepare the commission for the 2015 general elections.

He made the disclosure at a three-day workshop organised for public affairs officers with the theme: “Managing the media for successful electoral process,” at the Benue Hotels in Makurdi, in collaboration with Nan-Bizcom.
The chairman, who spoke through INEC Resident Administration Secretary in Benue State, Mr. Bankole Oladapo, emphasised the importance of these projects to the democratic process before the eventual conduct of the general elections and sought the cooperation of stakeholders.
http://nigeriannews.com/

Oyinlola: PDP no longer at ease

The sack of former governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last Friday by a Federal High Court has further threatens to tear apart the ‘big umbrella’ and put in disarray the self acclaimed ‘biggest party in Africa’. OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU writes on the intrigues surrounding the development.
For a long time to come, the centre may continue to be scattered in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which had prided itself as the largest party in Africa. The reason for this may not be unconnected with the sack from office of the party’s National Secretary, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, by an Abuja Federal High Court last Friday and his consequent removal by the National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur.
As things stand, the party seemed polarised along two factions: the loyalists of President Goodluck Jonathan on the one hand and that of former President Olusegun Obasanjo/PDP governors on the other hand.
The bone of contention is nothing but the 2015 presidential ticket of the party. Prior to the PDP 2012 national convention, the party zoned its national offices to different geo-political zones.
http://nigeriannews.com/

Many NYSC members can’t read, write –DG

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brigadier General Nnamdi Okore-Affia, yesterday said there were many corps members who could neither read nor write.
The DG, who made the disclosure at the opening of the 2013 Batch ‘A’ Pre-Mobilisation Workshop holding in Ilorin, Kwara State, however, promised that institutions producing half-baked graduates for NYSC would henceforth be sanctioned.
Okore-Affia, who painted a sordid picture of illiterate- graduates churned out by the universities and polytechnics, said this had culminated in mass rejection of corps members in their places of primary assignment.
He said: “We have corps members who can hardly communicate in English Language, let alone being able to teach in the classrooms. The level of academic deficiency among corps members has heightened corps members’ rejection and redundancy.
“This worrisome development has resulted in a situation whereby members of the public wrongly condemn the NYSC for the poor academic standard displayed by these corps members.”
http://nigeriannews.com/

Babalakin, others arraigned over N4b Ibori loot

 

• Get bail on self-recognition
AFTER weeks of controversy that trailed the alleged hunt for the Chairman of Bi-Courtney Services Limited, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)), he was arraigned before an Ikeja High Court Thursday on a 27-count charge bordering on money laundering.
Babalakin, who was declared wanted on Wednesday, made a surprise appearance at the crowded courtroom presided over by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo. He was arraigned alongside Alex Okoh, three of their companies, Bi-Courtney Ltd, Stabilini Visioni Ltd and Renix Nigeria Limited for laundering about N4.7 billion on behalf of the convicted former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori.
The EFCC had declared Babalakin wanted only a day earlier for his alleged failure to report to the anti-graft agency’s office in defiance of his earlier bail condition.
http://nigeriannews.com/

Gov Chime Undergoing Treatment In London Hospital - Diplomat

Fresh facts emerged yesterday on the whereabouts of Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, who has not been seen in public since September 19, 2012, when some of his aides said he left the country for overseas to enjoy his accumulated leave.
He is undergoing treatment for an undisclosed ailment at Cromwell Hospital, an internationally renowned private hospital based in Central London.
This disclosure contradicts persistent reports by some sections of the media that the PDP governor, who is serving his second term in office, has been receiving medical attention in an Indian hospital since he quietly left the country last September.
http://nigeriannews.com/

Reps Probe Missing N2bn From Mint Vault

The House of Representatives yesterday resolved to set up an ad- hoc committee to investigate the alleged disappearance of over N2 billion from the vault of the Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company, NSPMC.
The committee is to present its report within four weeks.
The House also insisted on the sack of the director-general of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Harold Demuren, and the revocation of Dana Air’s licence.
Adopting the resolutions of a motion moved by Hon Albert Sam Tsokwa, chairman of the Business and Rules Committee, the lawmakers expressed worry that there have been conflicting information on the actual amount declared missing.
http://nigeriannews.com/

Nigeria Declares War On Malian Rebels

Nigeria Army troops of all ranks numbering 900 were yesterday deployed to Mali as part of the Africa-led international Mission in Support of Mali (AFISMA) in the search of global peace and security.
Already, the Senate yesterday approved the participation of Nigerian troops in the war, while President Goodluck Jonathan leaves for Cote d’Ivoire today in furtherance of the situation in Mali.
The officers and soldiers were drawn from the 333 battalion (NIBATT 1 AFISMA) who went through pre-deployment training on peace enforcement and counter -insurgency training.
The officers and soldiers were trained in patrolling, cordon and search, anti-ambush drills, base camp security, VIP protection, convoy movements, and refresher training in weapons handling, and support weapons such as mortar, RPG and BMG.
http://nigeriannews.com/

SSS arrest wanted Boko Haram chieftain in residence of former Rep

 

The SSS has arrested one of the wanted leaders of the Boko Haram at the residence of a former member of the House of Representatives in Abuja.

Hassan Pagi Bukur was arrested on Saturday in the Gwarinpa district of Abuja at the private residence of Honourable Tijani Umar Kumalia, a member of the lower house between 2003 and 2007, according to reports in the local media, which quoted an unnamed security source.

A security guard employed by Honourable Kumalia, a politician from Borno State, the spiritual headquarters of the Boko Haram, was also arrested by the SSS.

The unnamed source also revealed that the former lawmaker was interrogated by SSS officials and released. The detained Boko Haram leader, Bukur according to the security source was responsible for handling stolen vehicles used by the Boko Haram in its deadly car bombings (The Will Nigeria)
http://www.lindaikeji.blogspot.com/

Nigerian celebrities buying fake Twitter followers...lol!

 

So I got a mail yesterday from an IT person revealing a lot about what some of our Nigerian celebs are doing on Twitter. Quite a number of them are artificially inflating their Twitter followers to make themselves appear popular online. It's like a big competition now; who has the most followers, who has the biggest fans etc...hehe!

I have names and numbers...and how much some of them are paying to get these fake followers, but I will leave all that out, there's no point! :-). One celeb went from 73k followers to 150k followers in less than one week. Choi! Lol. They do it in a way that people who are following them do not even know they are following them, and when you find out you are following them, you can't even unfollow them. But the good thing about it is that the Twitter accounts they target are mostly those of foreigners. And it cost less N1.5k per follower..in case anyone is interested...:-)

US presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, was recently called out for his fake twitter followers and Youtube recently stripped 2 billion views from Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Beyonce, Rita Ora, Michael Jackson's videos on its site amid fears the figures were artificial inflated.

http://www.lindaikeji.blogspot.com/

Banks To Sack More Workers

The banking industry may yet again send scores of its workers to the job market this year following rising cost of running their business, analysts have said.
The rising overhead cost is mostly a fallout of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directives to deposit money banks (DMBs) to reduce charges on turnover (COT) from N5 per N1,000 to N3 and the removal of the N100 charged by banks for withdrawal of money through automated teller machines (ATMs).
Part of the fallout is that most banks now keep one ATM operational at a time in a bid to save cost. Most banks that have three or more ATMs have one or more out of operations as the weight of servicing becomes heavier with the removal of N100 charges.
http://nigeriannews.com/
 

Dana Air Resumes Operation, Slashes Flight Rate

DANA Air, the operator of plane that crashed on June 3, 2012 in Lagos, has resumed operation on Friday, seven months after the revocation of its licence.
The Station Manager of the airline, Mr Kayode Adeniran, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the Nnamidi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. He said, one of the airline’s refurbished planes, MD 83, which made the first flight, departed Abuja for Lagos at about 7.20 am local time with 90 passengers on board.
It will be recalled that the aviation authorities revoked the Dana Air operation licence following the June 3.
Adeniran said that the company had slashed its flight rate to woo customers and had also trained its entire staff to ensure safety. He said that the airline decided to reduce its flight rate to a minimum of N9,000 and maximum of N22,000 to regain customers’ confidence in them. Adeniran said the airline had perfected all necessary standards required by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
Four airplanes had been added to the functional two the company had before the crash.
http://nigeriannews.com/

Boko Haram Attacks Prison Farm, Frees Inmates In Borno

GUNMEN suspected to be members of Boko Haram sect attacked the Nigerian Prison Service (NPS) Farm Centre, Maiduguri, with improvised explosive devices (IED) and petrol-bombs at about 12pm on Thursday, freeing several inmates from detention.
The farm centre, which is used for farming and reformation of inmates by NPS, is located on Maiduguri-Gamboru/Ngala Road in the outskirt of the state’s capital.
Other facilities destroyed by the gunmen included office blocks, clinic and toilets and bathrooms used by the inmates.
http://nigeriannews.com/

FBN Offers Investment Opportunities

FBN Capital has announced bouquet of high-yield investment products designed to meet individuals and organisations’ desire for good returns and safe investments.

For as low as N5,000 with no upper limit, the firm said it is offering investment window for small, medium and large scale investors seeking to secure funds,while benefiting from high returns accruable from expertise of the investment banking firm.
FBN Capital is the investment banking and asset management business of FBN Holdings Plc., Nigeria’s oldest banking group.
http://nigeriannews.com/

20 Inmates Escape In Sagamu Jail Break

THE police are interrogating some prison officials over the jailbreak that occurred in Sagamu Prison, Ogun State involving 20 inmates at dawn on Wednesday.

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Prisons Service, Mr. Zakari Ohinoyi Ibrahim confirmed the jailbreak at the facility during an inspection of the Sagamu Prison yesterday.
http://nigeriannews.com/

Expert Warns Against Excessive Intake Of Cabbage, Unprocessed Cassava

A SURGEON, Dr Dades Obed, has advised that people guard against excessive ingestion of cabbage and unprocessed cassava to avoid goitre.

Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday, Obed called on the people to help the government to curtail the occurrence of goitre.
He said cassava, cabbage and soya products contained goitrogens, which interfere with the synthesis of thyroid hormones.
http://nigeriannews.com/

what will someone eat now?  I am getting scared o.

NUC Approves 89 Universities In The Last 13 Years

NATIONAL Universities Commission (NUC) has approved 89 universities in the last 13 years.

Among those approved between 1999 and 2012 by the agency are 50 private universities, 27states universities and 12 federal universities. This puts the total number of universities in Nigeria at 125.
According to the information posted on the NUC website, eight universities were granted approval in 2012. They are Evangel University, Akaeze, Ebonyi State, Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State; Mcpherson University, Ajebo, Ogun State and Southwestern University, Oku-Owa, Ogun State (Private); Northwest University Unversity, Kano, Technical University Ibadan, Oyo State (State); and Police Academy Wudil, Kano states (Federal).
http://nigeriannews.com/

Wada Returns To Abuja Hospital For Check Up

KOGI State Governor, Captain Idris Wada, who was involved a ghastly motor accident last month, yesterday spoke to journalists for the first time since the incident.
He spoke as he came back to the private hospital in Garki, Abuja where he was treated for check up.
Wada, who was full of smiles wore a white traditional outfit with a matching cap, came in a convoy of three cars at about 10am. As he spoke to journalists, supported by crutches, he took time out to express appreciation to President Goodluck Jonathan and Nigerians for their prayers.
His words: “I thank God almighty and all Nigerians, especially Mr. President and all the people who have been praying for me.”
On the accident that involved the Speaker’s entourage, he said: “It is unfortunate and everybody is to take heart. Death is from almighty God, it’s from him we came and to God we’ll return.”
http://nigeriannews.com/

North Ready To Chase Jonathan Out Of Power In 2015, Says Arewa Patriots

 

AS the emergence, on the streets of Abuja, of President Goodluck Jonathan’s posters for the 2015 election continues to generate comments and controversies, a political group, Concerned Arewa Patriots (CAP), believing that the President may have clandestinely flagged off his campaign, has vowed to mobilise Northerners to beat him in the elections.
The group has, therefore, called on northerners to unite and support the move “to chase him out of the Villa through election.”
http://nigeriannews.com/

Photos from President Jonathan's Visit to Governor Wada in Hospital

The president visited Kogi State Governor, Idris Wada, at the Cedarcrest Hospital, Abuja, where he was receiving treatments for the injuries he sustained in a car crash last Friday. Governor Wada's ADC, Idris Mohammed died in the crash and has since been buried while Governor Wada has been discharged. Other Governors has started saying interesting things few days into the New Year.  We are expecting Governor Wada to join them soon.

http://www.lindaikeji.blogspot.com/

RIP Bisi Komolafe!

I''m sure by now you all have heard of the sad passing of popular Yoruba actress, Bisi Komolafe. She died on Monday December 31st at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan after battling an undisclosed ailment for a while. Such a sad loss. May her soul rest in peace...Amen!
http://www.lindaikeji.blogspot.com/

Actress Chika Ike Releases 2013 Calendar

Actress Chika Ike just released her 2013 calendar. Above are some of the pictures in the calendar. I like them!

http://www.lindaikeji.blogspot.com/

Linda Ikeji, Others Receive Certificates of Honour from Lagos State Governor!

Music star Davido, young author Chibundu Onuzo, ex-model and blogger, Linda Ikeji, phenomenal singer Asa, the incredible Ms Funmi Iyanda, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and Ebuka Obi-Uchendu at the Change-A-Life TV special which held this morning at NTA Studios in Victoria Island.

Davido, Chibundu, Asa and Linda Ikeji received Certificates of Honour from Governor Fashola for all the charitable things they did in 2012. A great way to start the year!
http://www.lindaikeji.blogspot.com/

Suspected bombers of Police HQ, UN House under arrest, says Jonathan

• Take governance more seriously, ACN tells govt
JUST a day after President Goodluck Jonathan restated his commitment to the anti-terror war in 2013, he made a disclosure that further demonstrated the tough stand of his government in this regard.
The President Tuesday revealed that the suspected masterminds of dastardly terror attacks on some installations in the country in the past two years had been apprehended. Those already held include suspects of terror attacks on the Louis Edet House, Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, United Nations (UN) Building and the St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla in Niger State.
http://nigeriannews.com/

Ekiti to build 5,000 housing units

  IN order to provide decent and affordable accommodation for the increasing number of residents of Ekiti State, Governor Kayode Fayemi Tuesday disclosed that his administration plans to build 5,000 housing units this year.

In his New Year broadcast, he also revealed that the newly established Peace Corps would become operational this year to complement the efforts of security agencies in tackling crimes and making the state more secure.
Describing 2013 as Ekiti’s Year of Empowerment and Consolidation, Fayemi stated that the year would witness wealth creation through the provision of a conducive environment for job creation, youth and women empowerment, among others.
He pledged that his administration would continue to support government workers by improving their welfare in 2013 through various incentives to motivate them for greater performance.
Speaking on the plan to build at least 5,000 new houses in 2013, Fayemi noted that the move was to save more citizens of the state from shylock landlords and dubious property developers cashing in on the inadequacy of decent houses. He said the scheme, to be known as “Homes Agenda,” would co-ordinate the efforts of various stakeholders in the housing sector and also incorporate the engagement of the private sector through a Public-Private Partnership arrangement.
 http://nigeriannews.com/

SURE-P a conduit pipe, says labour leader

DEPUTY National President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Promise Adewusi, has described the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P) of the Federal Government as a conduit pipe being used to fritter away Nigeria’s common wealth.

He also berated politicians for using the programme as a political weapon to cajole Nigerians for votes. Adewusi, who criticised the Federal Government for the shoddy implementation of the fund accruing into the Dr. Christopher Kolade-led programme, maintained that it has failed to impact positively on the lives of poor Nigerians since its inception in January last year.
Speaking with journalists at his Iyin Ekiti country home in Ekiti State Tuesday, Adewusi aid the fund, which was set up following the partial removal of fuel subsidy due to the increase in pump price from N65 to N97, has not trickled down to the poor masses it was meant to positively affect.
http://nigeriannews.com/

Police arrest importer of fireworks in Lagos

 

THE importer of fireworks popularly called ‘banger’ which wreaked havoc in Lagos on Boxing Day, celebrated the new year in police custody. The Lagos State Police Command arrested him a few days ago.
The Guardian learnt the suspect was arrested on the order of the Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Umar Manko who was miffed over the destruction of houses and properties worth millions of naira by the inferno caused by the fireworks.
The suspect, Semilore Olalekan was arrested on Lagos Island by the command to answer questions that would assist the police in unraveling the incident.
It was learnt that Olalekan had the permission of the Commissioner of Police Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD) of Nigeria Police Anti-Bomb Disposal Unit, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo and the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to import the firework.
It was further gathered that he was not new in the business of fireworks importation as he began the business in 1998. He was given a recent permit to import the ones he stored in a warehouse which wreaked havoc in August 2012.
No fewer than 15 houses and dozens of cars were burnt on Boxing Day in an early morning inferno caused by the fireworks belonging to the suspect in Jankara area of Isale-Eko, Lagos.
The fire started from a building,which served as a warehouse for the fireworks and spread to other buildings around the area.
http://nigeriannews.com/

Tinubu, NOA boss task Jonathan, Nigerians on development

THE national leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said that unless the government of President Goodluck Jonathan steps up and applies itself to the challenge of running the country properly, “Nigeria will remain lost at sea.”

In his new year message to Nigerians, Tinubu argued that developments in the past year revealed a gulf between what the present government promises and what it eventually delivers, saying it is difficult to point to any incremental or minimal improvement in the overall governance of Nigeria as it affects the quality of life of the average Nigerian.
“Nigerians deserve a better deal than they are now getting. Nigerians deserve better roads, better health delivery services, better security, better jobs and better power supply”, he said.
He, however, urged Nigerians to persevere and seek to partner the government to ensure change and bring about the much desired development. That partnership, he explained, must go beyond merely expecting the government to always do the right thing or make the right policies, but must extend to the people’s determination to call the government out and protest against anti-people policies and deliberate government inaction and brazen corruption.
In his own New Year message, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mike Omeri, challenged Nigerians to resolve that all forms of insecurity would be brought to end and foster a future where national development is unhindered.
He also urged them to exhibit more tolerance and good neighbourliness in order to enjoy greater peace and stability in 2013. He also praised the determination of Nigerians to remain indivisible and urged them not to be distracted by elements who are hell-bent on creating chaos in the land. Omeri further asked Nigerians to continue to have faith in President Goodluck Jonathan’s leadership, just as he assured of better days ahead.
http://nigeriannews.com/

Pope decries violence, threats of war

THE Pope, Benedict XVI, has condemned continuation of violent conflicts and threats of war in the world and stressed the need for a new and shared commitment in pursuit of the common good and development of all men.
Delivering his message Tuesday on the celebration of the World Day of Peace at the Holy Cross Cathedral, the Pope said that it was alarming to see hotbeds of tension and conflict caused by growing instances of inequality between rich and poor, by the prevalence of a selfish and individualistic mindset which also finds expression in an unregulated financial capitalism.
“In addition to the varied forms of terrorism and international crime, peace is also endangered by those forms of fundamentalism and fanaticism which distort the true nature of religion, which is called to foster fellowship and reconciliation among people,” the Catholic Pontiff said.
http://nigeriannews.com/

Clerics task Jonathan on better Nigeria in 2013

 

THE Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins and the Anglican Bishop of Lagos Mainland, Most Rev. Adebayo Akinde have urged President Jonathan to prove his commitment to improving the lot of Nigerians in the New Year by practically addressing the myriad of challenges confronting the nation such as insecurity, poverty, unemployment and erratic power supply.
From the Prelate of the Methodist Church, Dr. Ola Makinde, came a call on the Federal Government to initiate policies and programmes that would bring smiles to the faces of Nigerians and help everyone forget the traumatic experiences of 2012.
Referring to the president’s Christmas message, in which he asked Nigerians to expect positive transformation in the New Year, Martins said that the past two years or thereabout was enough time for him to acquaint himself with the numerous problems confronting the nation and come out with realistic solutions, noting that Nigerians were getting tired of listening to endless promises from their leaders without corresponding actions to show for it.
Speaking at a news conference in Lagos Tuesday, the Catholic archbishop said, “issues concerning good governance have been a subject of concern in the nation which has necessitated setting up of various panels which have never come out with solutions.
“Where solutions are proffered, they were swept under the carpet and such reports never saw the light of the day.”
The cleric attributed the problems in the northern part of the country to those he described as selfish leaders who believed they should be in control of what belonged to all Nigerians.
“There should be respect for other Nigerians and people should not selfishly arrogate to themselves what belongs to every Nigerian. They should remember that God is the creator of everybody who created every thing for the benefit of his creatures.”
http://nigeriannews.com/

Kogi Governor, Wada leaves hospital

BARELY 24-hours after President Goodluck Jonathan visited him at the Cedar Crest Hospital in Abuja, Kogi State Governor Idris Ichalla Wada has left the hospital, but he may not return home to his state soonest.
Confirming the discharge of the governor from the hospital in a telephone chat with The Guardian Tuesday in Abuja, his media spokesman, Jacob Eddy, said his boss had been certified fit enough to leave, but added that he wanted sometime to rest fully before resuming duty in the state.
Responding to the enquiry about his boss, Eddy said: “ I can confirm to you that he has left the hospital today (yesterday) but the question of returning to the state soon is not there yet because he requires sometimes to rest and fully recover. You know because he is a man of the people, if he goes back to Kogi now, people will not allow him to rest.”
Wada’s aide, however, did not disclose where the governor is, saying that he required enough time to fully recuperate before resuming duty in the state.
Wada was hospitalised last Friday following injuries he sustained in an auto crash at Emi Woro Village, between Prime Polytechnic and Salem University, in Ajaokuta Council, about 12 kilometres to the state capital, Lokoja.
His aide-de-camp, Idris Mohammed, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, died while many others in the governor’s convoy sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The governor was said to have refused to be taken abroad for treatment because of his confidence in Nigeria’s health sector.
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