Political stability and national security summit holds Sept

About 500 politicians are billed to participate in a summit on political stability and national security. The summit is to hold in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, in September.

 

Similarly groups such as Pro National Conference Organization, PRONACO, The Patriots, Arewa

Consultative Forum, Northern Political Leaders Forum, Northern Elders Forum, Ohaneze Ndigbo, MiddleBelt Forum, Key Niger Delta Nationality Platforms, Afenifere, leaders of thought in the traditional institution and the academia, key leaders of labour and civil society, among others are expected to be represented at the forum.

'Boko Haram is being progressively weakened' – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan declared on Friday that the insurgent group, “Boko Haram, is being progressively weakened’’ by the security architecture put in place by the administration.

The President stated this at an audience with the outgoing Representative of the Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr David Mac Rae.

The President said that the measures taken by his administration had resulted in a significant reduction in the occurrence of terrorist attacks in the country.

Lagos seeks fresh census in 14 LGAs



Ipaye

Lagos State Government has called on the National Population Commission to honour the recent Judgment the National Census Tribunal and conduct a fresh census in 14 affected local government areas in the state.

Taraba: ‘Umar remains acting Governor’ - NASS caucus, Speakers Conference

The Taraba State caucus in the National Assembly and the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria on Friday affirmed the ailing Danbaba Suntai as the undisputed governor of the state.

 

The two bodies, however, backed the decision of the state House of Assembly that Garba Umar should continue in his role as acting of the state.

2015: Anglican Primate warns on conflicts

The Anglican Primate of Nigeria, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, has warned politicians against giving out wrong information to the media, to avoid crises in the nation.

 

He said the mismanagement of information could lead to serious conflict.

 

Okoh gave the advice at the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) communicators’ conference held in Abuja on Friday.

 

The theme of the conference is: “Optimum use of electronic media in the proclamation of the gospel and the furtherance of the Anglican Communion.”

 

Okoh explained that with regard to the 2015 general election, information will float about in the nation’s political terrain, adding that issues that affect government are very sensitive and if handled properly will assist those in authority to govern the country and also help general public to relate with government.

 

“My worry is that when conventions, rallies or elections are held, the way politicians will report back, especially those that did not make it or even those that won, will be different. People need to be careful because their interest is only to get you to support them. They are not actually interested in the real issues that concern the ordinary people,” he said.

NBA rejects calls for national conference

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Friday said Nigeria does not need to convene a sovereign national conference to address its problems.

 

NBA President, Okechukwu Wali (SAN), at a press conference, said the country “does not need another gathering in Abuja.”

 

He said rather than convening such a national conference, attention should be paid towards amending the Constitution on a piecemeal basis according to the needs of Nigerians.

 

“Any modification to the Constitution can be done through the National Assembly. We recommend piecemeal amendment of the Constitution. We don’t think we need to create another gathering.

 

“We do not call for a sovereign national conference, because are we going to get people elected to do that? We don’t think it’s necessary,” Wali said.

 

In a communiqué read by Wali at the end of its Annual General Conference in Calabar, Cross River State, NBA, however, said the Constitution, as it currently operates, does not truly reflect the people’s yearnings and aspirations.

 

It added that ordinary amendments to its provisions may not necessarily cure the fundamental flaws in it.

“There is, therefore, a dire need for a people-oriented Constitution, which will be subjected to a national referendum and will be self-enforcing,” NBA said.

 

The association called for the enactment of a law to regulate the granting of amnesty to repentant criminals.

 

It said such important government policy should not be executed at the discretion of the President or the executive alone.

 

“It is high time to legislate and enact laws on amnesty in Nigeria with a view to regulating its application,” NBA said.

 

The NBA condemned the deplorable security situation in the country and “challenged” the Federal Government to review the strategy for fighting the menace of kidnapping and other forms of criminality

Nwabueze to Jonathan: Shelve 2015 ambition, organise National Conference

One of Nigeria’s most senior lawyers, Ben Nwabueze, has advised President Goodluck Jonathan to shelve his ambition for 2015 and focus on transforming the country.

 

This he said would make the President go down in history as a hero.

Police smash criminals hideout in Aba, arrest 20

Twenty suspected criminals are now in detention in Aba following a raid by the Police from Ariaria Division of the city on two Indian hemp spots said to be haven for notorious criminals within Ariaria International Market.

The arrest came barely one week after the Police from the Area Command in Aba raided a hotel which allegedly serves as criminals hide-out in the city centre where no fewer than 20  suspected criminals were apprehended.

Court declares suspended Andy Uba Anambra PDP guber candidate

Justice H.A. Nganjiwa of a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept the result of the primary election conducted by Ejike Oguebego’s faction of PDP in Anambra State which declared Senator Andy Uba governorship candidate for the party in the November 16 election.

The court held “that the 1st and 2nd defendants are to forthwith comply with the order of this Honourable court made on August 6, 2013.

Arsenal: Flamini returns, Podolski out for 10 weeks

France International, Mathieu Flamini has been signed on a two-year contract by Arsenal.

The utility player, signed from AC Milan, will help strengthen the central midfield and will also offer defensive option for Arsenal.

The 29-year old, who left Arsenal for AC Milan in 2008, will earn £50,000 a week after agreement was concluded on Wednesday. He has been training with Arsenal since his release from the Rosenneri at the end of last season.

The deal which includes an option of an extra year has officially been announced.

...Podolski out for up to 10 weeks

Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski will be unavailable for up to 10 weeks due to a hamstring injury, manager Arsene Wenger revealed on Thursday.

Go back to hospital - Taraba Speaker to Suntai:

The Speaker of Taraba State House of Assembly, Haruna Tsokwa, on Thursday ordered Governor Danbaba Suntai to go back to the hospital for treatment until he is “capable of administering the state.”

 

In a press release, signed by Tsokwa, the House said the Deputy Governor Garba Umar, remains acting governor.

 

16 out of the 24-member House signed that Suntai should not resume on health grounds.

Address House ‘in person’ - NBA tells Suntai



Wali

 

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Thursday urged Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai to address the House of Assembly in person if he is indeed healthy enough to resume official duties.

The association took the position during its Annual General Meeting at the ongoing Annual General Conference in Calabar, Cross River State capital.

It said the controversy over the governor’s health status is capable of creating constitutional and political crisis in the state.

Taraba acting Governor still in charge - House of Assembly



Umar



Taraba State House of Assembly has reaffirmed Alhaji Garba Umar as the Acting Governor of the state.

The assembly also advised ailing Gov. Danbaba Suntai to proceed for further treatment.

In a statement signed by 16 out the 24 members of the House of Assembly, the legislators said the decision was taken in the interest of the state.

Fake CNN reporter arrested in Bayelsa

 

Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Bayelsa State, Comrade Tare Akono, has apprehended and handed over to the Department of State Service (DSS) a 36years old man identified as Paul Yempe over his false claim to be a Correspondent to the Cable News Network (CNN) in the Niger Delta region.

Stowaway boy Daniel has accomplished his dreams – Sister

 

The street of the 13 -year old stowaway boy Daniel (Rikcy) Oikhena, Ehiegba street, off Goodwill, Off Ekenwan road, Benin City, has turned to a tourists site since last Saturday with all sort of people trooping into the street to find out what really happened. 

 

Journalists, security agents, market women led the bulk of visitors to the street and the family house of Daniel Oikhena.

What senators earn monthly – Ndoma-Egba

T

he highest paid senator earns no more than N900, 000 monthly in basic salary, Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) has said.

 The highest paid senator earns no more than N900, 000 monthly in basic salary, Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) has said.

 

He said claims that lawmakers earn “jumbo” salaries were not true, and that he once earned N25,000 per month in the Senate.

He said contrary to the figures peddled in the media, only five per cent of the national budget goes to the National Assembly.

FEC approved 3rd Mainland Bridge for comprehensive test

 

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N290, 745, 000.00 for a comprehensive test to be carried out on the 3^rd Mainland Bridge in Lagos.

 

Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of Federal Executive Council  meeting in Abuja, Minister of Information, Labaran Maku  said that the Council took the decision based on a memo submitted by the Federal Ministry of Works.

Power assets: Govt rakes in N304bn from sale

 

About N304.82 billion ($1.957 billion) was paid into Federal Government's coffers last week when 14 of the preferred bidders who won the bids for the successor generation and distribution companies created from the unbundling of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) finally paid up 75 per cent of the transaction value for the power utilities.

APC may zone Vice Presidency to South East

 

As All Progressives Congress (APC) continues to strategise to gain nationwide acceptance and triumph over the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general election, the party may have decided to zone the vice presidency to the South-east geopolitical zone, it was learnt. 

ASUU strike: Students, groups' protest ground Benin

 

Economic activities were grounded in Benin City Tuesday for over one hour, when coalition of civil society organizations and students, protested against the attitude of the Federal Government in the current strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Call drops: Nigeria lost N20b in 2012

 

Prof. Seidu Mohammed, Director General, National Air Space and Research Development Agency, said on Tuesday that the nation lost a whooping 20 billion to call drops last year.

He explained that the lost could easily have been avoided by the impact of modern communication satellites.

Why Jonathan fired Abdul-kadir as Minister

 

Minister of Youth Development Inuwa Abdul-kadir may have been fired for his role in the new political association floated by seven PDP governors. He was relieved of his appointment by President Goodluck Jonathan.

 

According to a statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim, the President’s directive takes immediate effect.