Saturday 29 December 2012

Top ten private jets owned by wealthy Nigerians And Pastors(Pastor Adeboye made the list)

Top ten private jets owned by wealthy Nigerians And Pastors(Pastor Adeboye made the list)


This list was said to have been culled from Encomium magazine, and it is quite revealing. The magazine wrote thus:
More exciting revelations have emerged that the penchant for private jets acquisition has cost wealthy Nigerians over N1 trillion in five years. The luxury trend actually rose by 650% between 2007 and 2012, this has increased the rate of private jet acquisition from 20 in 2007 to over 150 in 2012 which has placed Nigeria  and china as the fastest growing private jets markets in the world.
Top ten private jets by wealthy Nigerians.
Type                                                              Price                           Owner
1. Falcons 7X.                                          $51m(N8.2billion)           Mike Adenuga
2. Bombardier Global 6000                       $45.5m(N7.3billion)       Unknown
3. Bombardier Global Express 5000          $45m(N7.2billion)          Aliko Dangote
4. Gulfstream G550                                   $40m(N6.4billion)         Bishop Oyedepo
5. Gulfstream V                                        $30m(N4.8billion)         Bishop Oyedepo & Pastor Adeboye
6. Bombardier Challenger 604                $30m(N4.8b)             Mike Adenuga
7. Embracer Legacy 650                        $30m (N4.8b)            Ifeanyi Uba
8. Hawker 900XP                                 $20m(N3.2b)             Dr Kashim and Sir Aremu Johnson
9. Gulfstream G450                               $15m(N2.4b)              Bishop oyedepo
10. LearJet                                           $13.3m (N2.1b)          Bishop Oyedepo and Dr Kashim

Source;information nigeria

Friday 28 December 2012

2Face Awarded for Contribution Towards Eradicating Hunger

2Face Awarded for Contribution Towards Eradicating Hunger

2face-idibia-b-howard-fly 2012 was certainly a great year for 2face Idibia as not only did he burn up the airwaves with tracks like “Ihe Ne Me” but also, the talented singer settled down with long time lover Annie Macaulay. As the year winds down, there’s no slowing down the MTV Europe Music Awards recipient as he was recently recognized for his selfless contribution to expelling hunger from Nigeria and Africa by Oxfam, a confederation of 15-like minded organisations working together to find solution to poverty and injustice. 2Face who has been widely acknowledged for his humility which endears him to fans and colleagues alike received the award alongside Oxfam spokespersons, Sound Sultan and Lami Phillips.

 Source; pulse.com.ng.

Police Foil Attempt To Bomb Enugu Airport

Police Foil Attempt To Bomb Enugu Airport

The Enugu state Police Command has claimed that it foiled an attempt by four persons to blow up the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu with explosives and the four suspects arrested.
The state’s police Public Relations Officer, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the arrest said when the suspect’s vehicle was searched by the operatives of the Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD) of the state police command, some items believed to be dangerous fireworks contained in two cartons were discovered.
He added that the suspects, whose identities had been kept secret for security reasons, were apprehended while driving to the airport at about 8.30AM, Thursday morning.
They (the suspects) are helping the police with their investigation, he added.

Source; channelstv

We Will Not Agree To Bury Azazi InYenagoa-Kinsmen

We Will Not Agree To Bury Azazi InYenagoa-Kinsmen


Elders and youths from Peretorugbene, the hometown of the late National Security Adviser; General Andrew Owoeye Azazi, have kicked against the plan to bury the late General in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital
The immediate family of the late General in consultation with the Bayelsa state government had fixed the December 28th and 29th for his burial ceremony in the state, with plans to bury him in a site within Yenagoa.
Addressing a news conference in the state capital on Thursday, some natives of Peretorugbene in Ekeremor local government council of the state led by the Tonkepa of Oporomor kingdom, Chief Abeke Ebikake, described late General Azazi as a great leader who had tremendous respect for the Ijaw tradition and culture, hence their demand for his body to be interred in his home town.
Also speaking at the occasion, the youth leader of Peretorugbene Kingdom, Mr Clement Ekpefa appealed to the wife of the late General to reconsider the decision of the family, saying the planned burial of General Azazi in Yenagoa is an “aberration.”
Peretorugbene is a riverine community in Bayelsa. It is reported that the families decision was based on averting numerous helicopter flights that will be needed to convey the General’s corpse and guest to the community.
The former NSA died in a helicopter crash in Nembe area of Bayelsa state on the 15th of December, alongside the former governor of Kaduna state, Mr Patrick Yakowa and four others.
As part of funeral activities for the late General Owoye Azazi, a service of songs was held in his honour in Lagos on Wednesday.

Source; channels tv

Kogi Governor Involved In Ghastly Car Crash

Kogi Governor Involved In Ghastly Car Crash

The Kogi state Governor, Idris Wada was on Friday seriously injured in an auto crash.

The Kogi State Governor, Idris Wada
The governor was initially rushed to the Emergency Ward of the Kogi State Specialist Hospital in Lokoja after the accident, which occurred on the bad Lokoja – Ajaokuta expressway, around Salem University.
Mr Wada and his convoy were returning from an official assignment and were close to Lokoja, the state capital before the accident occurred.
The governor’s Aide-de-Camp (ADC) died instantly at the scene of the accident.

source;channelstv

Obasanjo Sings as Fire Guts Mansion

Obasanjo Sings as Fire Guts Mansion


281212N.Fire-on-Obasanjo-Ma.jpg - 281212N.Fire-on-Obasanjo-Ma.jpg


Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was at his comical best on thursday  notwithstanding the outbreak of fire that gutted his multi-million naira Hilltop residence in an upscale neighbourhood in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The fire at his home, which happened barely 48 hours after rows of buildings went up in flames in Jankara Market, Lagos Island, destroying about 12 buildings, gutted an office in the expansive residence.
Obasanjo, who was not around when the fire broke out, returned shortly after the incident to assess the damage.
He told reporters that it was part of his secretary's office that was gutted by the fire.
Obasanjo, who showed no signs of distress over the incident, in his usual jovial self, broke out in a song: “Ile Obasanjo to jo, ewa lo bu kun. Eyin journalists e ma wi bee kiri... (Obasanjo’s house that was burnt has added to its grandeur. Journalists keep on broadcasting that).”
He said the house would soon bounce back in a better form after repairs.
Sources, however, said the fire, which started around 4.30 pm, was caused by an electricity surge from one of the personal offices of the former president and it destroyed some important documents.
Security personnel, which included men from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and State Security Service (SSS), joined hands with the fire fighters from the Ogun State Fire Service to curtail the fire from spreading to other parts of the building.
THISDAY gathered that the fire started barely 20 minutes after the former president left the house for his family house at Ita-Eko, a suburb of the Abeokuta metropolis.
The incident, however, forced him to return to ascertain the level of damage to the building as well as the welfare of his wife, Mrs. Bola Obasanjo, who was said to be indoors during the fire incident.
Reacting, the Chairman of the state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Dipo Odujinrin, confirmed that valuable documents were lost in the fire.
Odujinrin, who spoke to journalists 20 minutes after the fire was extinguished, thanked God that no life was lost to the inferno.
The Chief of Staff to the state governor, Alhaji Shuaib Salisu; the state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite; former Commissioner for Environment in the state, Anthony Ojesina; the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikhemefuna Okoye; and the state Director of SSS, Mr. Joseph Okpu, were some of the early sympathisers who called on Obasanjo to commiserate with him.

Source;thisday

Tuesday 25 December 2012

Revealed: Okonjo- Iweala. Paid N40m For Mom’s Release… Suspects Nabbed While Making Deposit

Revealed: Okonjo- Iweala. Paid N40m For Mom’s Release… Suspects Nabbed While Making Deposit

In what might be termed a sting operation, operatives of the State Security Service, SSS, have arrested six of the abductors of Prof. Kamene Okonjo, mother of the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala.Kamene-Okonjo ngozi
Recall that the minister’s mother who also happens to be wife of the Obi of Ogwuashi-Ukwu, Prof. Chukwuka Okonjo, was kidnapped on December 9, 2012 at the palace of the traditional ruler but was released five days after following concerted efforts of the combined security agencies in the country.
But in a bid to unravel the masterminds behind the kidnapping, arrests were made by the police, Army and men of the SSS.
Last week, 63 of the suspects earlier arrested by the Army were released unconditionally when their culpability could not be established. However, yesterday, six of the real suspects were eventually arrested in Asaba, Delta State, and might be flown to Abuja today.
We also gathered that a N40m ransom was actually paid for the release of the 82-year- old retired professor of Sociology from the University of Nigeria Nsukka.
A security source while narrating how the suspects were arrested said: “The N40m, which was paid to the kidnappers was marked money from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. What happened was that the money was paid on Wednesday by our men and by Thursday, two persons had gone to the Nebisi Road branch of an old generation bank to deposit N15m out of the money.
“Because it was marked money, they were promptly arrested. Our men were able to track four of the kidnappers with the aid of the two persons. Right now, we are on the trail of the remaining four suspects.
“The six suspects are supposed to be brought to Abuja tomorrow (today) to face further interrogation.”
When pressed on why the operatives did not immediately apprehend the suspects when the excahnge was made, the source explained: “Don’t forget that as at that time the woman was still with the kidnappers and they could decide to kill her if they suspect anything phony. Our major concern then was to ensure that the woman regained her freedom and was not harmed in any way.
“In fact, that was the point the minister kept hammering to us. She said that we should do everything possible to secure her mother alive, even if it meant paying whatever ransom the kidnappers asked for. If you know how this is done, once they came for the money, we knew that the game was up for them. We knew that we must get them unless they would not spend that money in Nigeria.”

source; http://247nigerianewsupdate.com

Succumb! Jonathan Meet Obasanjo Secretly Ahead 2015.

Succumb! Jonathan Meet, Beg Obasanjo Secretly Ahead 2015.

As part of efforts to keep his second term bid on track, indications have emerged suggesting that President Goodluck Jonathan has commenced moves to pacify one of his predecessors in office, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
This is coming on the heels of reports yesterday in which the President denied insinuations that the relationship between him and ex-president Obasanjo was strained.
The relationship between the two seemed to be on the slide in recent times owing to the verbal exchanges that have ensued between them, prompting suggestions in some quarters that the Owu-born soldier-turned-politician might dump his protégé for another candidate in 2015.
There were speculations that two serving governors had been lined up to square up against President Jonathan in the event that he decides to contest the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). One of the two being propped up and others from the northern part of the country have been making contact with the former president with a view to enlisting his support, especially to lend them his platform in the south west.
Sources close to the former president told LEADERSHIP in Lagos that President Jonathan penultimate Friday paid a secret visit to Obasanjo to reconcile issues with him over some grievances that the former leader might habour against him.
The source said one of the nation’s respected Christian clergymen (names withheld) was part of the presidential delegation, during which the two spoke for some hours before Jonathan proceeded to the retreat camp of the Redeemed Christian Church of God for the monthly Holy Ghost service.
“The president was in the Lagos-Abeokuta axis two Fridays ago (December 14) to see Baba (Obasanjo) on the perceived gulf between the two of them, which has become common knowledge. Owing to the respect which the former leader has for the office of the president, he (Obasanjo) had to wait for him as he was scheduled to travel on the said day,” the source said.
After Jonathan’s visit, the national chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur,  was also reported to have visited Obasanjo in Ota and the two met behind closed-doors, after which the host was reported as saying that he would not stop speaking out when he sees anything going wrong in the nation’s polity. The full details of the meeting between Obasanjo and Tukur are still very sketchy at the time of filing this report, but sources said the visit might not be unconnected to the fallout of the earlier visit by the president.
According to the source, a former deputy-governor of Lagos State, the president used the opportunity of the visit to really ascertain the misgivings of his host, with a view to mending the cracks cropping up in their relationship.
The former leader reportedly gave some conditions that should be met for him to soft-pedal on his continued opposition to the president’s second term bid, which he reportedly promised to look into.
“One of such conditions was that the president must not in any way try to diminish his  (Obasanjo’s) status as the leader of the party in the south west, as he was the most senior former or current office holder as recognised by the PDP constitution,” the source stated. Details of the other conditions are still being closely guarded for strategic reasons, but the source stated that President Jonathan seems disposed to meeting with them, “at least half way in the interest of peace and progress.”
Obasanjo also called on the president to ensure that a party member from the south west replace him as the chairman of the board of trustees (BoT) of the party, contrary to the suggestion that he was rooting for the candidacy of Senator Ahmadu Ali, a former national chairman of the party.
On whether the former leader was scheming to stage a return, the source said an emphatic no, but stated that the demand was due to too much pressure on Obasanjo by party members in the zone who have continued to lament their marginalisation from the power loop.
“Though it might be tough for the zone to produce any candidate that can match the status of Senator Ali amongst members of the board from the south west caucus, Baba’s demand   is premised on the need to look for something worthwhile for members of the party in the zone,” said the source.

Source; Leadership

Immigration recruitment mess; Jonathan gets 250 slots, Mother gets 40, Patience Jonathan gets 100, Minister gets 100

  Immigration recruitment mess; Jonathan gets 250 slots, Mother gets 40, Patience Jonathan gets 100, Minister gets 100...


ShareThe Federal Government yesterday cancelled the controversial recruitment being done by the Nigerian Immigration Service following reports of slanted distribution of job slots as well as failure to advertise the vacancies.

Daily Trust reported in its edition of yesterday that the Immigration service has been conducting a secret recruitment exercise that allegedly favoured the Southeast, just three months to the exit of Controller General Mrs. Rose Chinyere Uzoma.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday, the Interior Ministry ordered that the exercise be canceled “until a more transparent, acceptable” procedure is adopted.
“Minister of Interior Comrade Abba Moro has directed the cancellation of the ongoing recruitment exercise in the Nigeria Immigration Service,” a statement by the minister’s spokesman Ubong George Udoh said.
“(The) Minister stated that following apparent controversy trailing the ongoing recruitment exercise in Nigeria Immigration Service, the responsible thing to do is to cancel the exercise until a more transparent, acceptable and effaceable platform is established to enlist qualified Nigerians into the service.
“Comrade Moro directed further that all appointment letters issued and documentations carried out stand cancelled, until the Civil Defence, Immigration and Prisons Service Board, meet to consider the waivers granted Nigeria Immigration service to recruit men and women into the service.
“Finally the Honorable Minister has also directed that forthwith all recruitment into the services of the Federal Fire Service, Nigerian Prisons Service, Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps are suspended until a more transparent exercise based on already established guidelines before such requirements will be conducted.”

Yesterday’s cancellation of the recruitment came on the heels of a probe opened by the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character which had also asked the Immigration service to suspend the exercise.
Daily Trust reported yesterday that Uzoma appeared before the House committee last week to defend accusations of failure to publicly advertise vacancies and giving undue favouritism to the Southeast.
She told the lawmakers that the service did not advertise the jobs so as not to unknowingly employ terrorists, but the lawmakers reminded her that even the Military and Police are advertising their vacancies in spite of the prevailing insurgency.

She also said she had already obtained approval from the Head of Service of the Federation to employ 4,560 people.
The House committee found out that out of the over 25,000 existing Immigration staff, Uzoma’s husband’s state of origin Imo has the highest number with 1,190; Kano has 350; Lagos has 400; while Sokoto has the least with 200.

In the now cancelled recruitment exercise, Uzoma had offered hundreds of job slots to top government functionaries, including the Presidency which is offered 250 slots, Jonathan’s mother 40 slots, First Lady 100 slots, Interior Minister Abba Moro 100 slots, two commissioners of the Immigration board 30 slots each, and the Federal Character Commission 250 slots.
A source said the Federal Character Commission was given those job slots for giving the Immigration service waiver on the advertisement of the vacancies, but the commission’s spokesman Usman Jimada denied any wrongdoing.

Spokesman for the Immigration service Mr. Olumbar Joachim said on Sunday he was not aware of the Presidency getting offers to fill certain vacancies but added that there was nothing wrong with the Presidency or other officials making recommendations to the service.

Via Daily Post

Monday 24 December 2012

Shame!!! Nigeria Now Imports Diesel, Gas from Niger Republic – DPR

Shame!!! Nigeria Now Imports Diesel, Gas from Niger Republic – DPR


pump diesel According to Alhaji Sayyadi Suleiman Abubakar, the Kano Controller, Department of Petroleum Product (DPR), Nigerian marketers now import AGO and Liquefied Petroleum Gas(LPG) from neighboring OPEC member country, Niger Republic. The Daily Post reports that Abubakar explained that the two products are in the exclusive list of deregulated items, adding that “it could be acquired from anywhere and sold in the Nigerian market.

Source;nigeriabulletin

Osaze blasts Keshi

Osaze blasts Keshi

Peter Odemwingie has reacted angrily to being omitted from Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations squad.
The West Bromwich Albion forward last played for Nigeria in February’s goalless draw with Rwanda in the Cup of Nations qualifying.
“Every manager has got his own plans and tactics – if I don’t figure in your plans, please be honest to tell me directly,” Odemwingie told BBC Sport.
The 31-year-old played at the 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010 Nations Cups.
Osaze Odemwingie in a with the press
File Photo: Osaze Odemwingie with the press
“For 10 years I gave my all to the country as a player on the pitch, played for the nation and fans, not individuals,” he pointed out.
Odemwingie believes he is being overlooked because he often speaks his mind about the national team.
“Because I speak out when things are not right, I guess some people are not just comfortable with that openness,” he said.
“No one seeks preferential treatment, footballers are like the average people and not perfect individuals.
“There’s a long history of problems between the players, coaches and the federation and if they are not sorted – the country will continue to struggle.
“Football means so much to Nigerians and the fans deserve success and not be fed with lies in the media.”
However Odemwingie says he will not completely shut the door on his international career.
“It’s sudden and to be honest I don’t know, because the individuals change but the problems remain,” Odemwingie said.
“If the chance to play for my country presents itself, then I will speak to my dad and those close to me – then we’ll see.
“Personally, I’ve got to be playing regularly for my club, focus my energy on being a better person every day.
“At the moment, all I can do is to wish the team all the best in South Africa.”
The Super Eagles begin their Nations Cup campaign against Burkina Faso on 21 January and then face Zambia and Ethiopia in Group C.
Osaze wants to be Eagles captain — Keshi
Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has dropped a bombshell by revealing Osaze Odemwingie has proposed himself as team skipper.
Keshi told a stunned Nigeria Football Federation technical committee that the West Bromwich Albion striker has put himself forward to be the Eagles skipper.
“He told them that he wants to be captain as he considers himself one of the most senior players in the current squad,” an official revealed.
“But how he has behaved in the national team over the years has really run counter to his ambition to be the leader of this team. You can only lead by example.”
The 31-year-old Osaze made his Eagles debut in 2002, but it was not until the 2004 Nations Cup that he established himself in the national team.
Goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide as well as defender and present skipper Joseph Yobo are more senior players than Osaze in the Eagles.
However, he has rowed with national team bosses, from Austin Eguavoen to Lars Lagerback, and his clash with Samson Siasia was widely regarded as one of the problems that caused Nigeria to sensationally fail to qualify for the 2012 Nations Cup.
It is such poor attitude that has now denied him a fifth Nations Cup appearance.
In the meantime, the Eagles coach has said he wishes to run the rule over shock invitee Rabiu Ibrahim who has failed to establish himself at Celtic.
Ibrahim has only managed a handful of games in his second season at Celtic Park and has yet to be capped by Nigeria at full international.
“Keshi said he has watched Rabiu in a couple of cup games and will want to have a closer look at the midfielder in Faro, Portugal,” a top official told MTNFootball.com
The gifted Ibrahim has held out a lot of promise since he featured for the U17s in 2007, but he has yet to establish himself in Europe ever since.
This will be his second Eagles call-up as he was also considered for the 2010 Nations Cup, but opted out as he had just undergone a groin operation.
The West Bromwich Albion forward last played for Nigeria in February’s goalless draw with Rwanda in the Cup of Nations qualifying.
“Every manager has got his own plans and tactics – if I don’t figure in your plans, please be honest to tell me directly,” Odemwingie told BBC Sport.
The 31-year-old played at the 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010 Nations Cups.
Osaze Odemwingie in a with the press
File Photo: Osaze Odemwingie with the press
“For 10 years I gave my all to the country as a player on the pitch, played for the nation and fans, not individuals,” he pointed out.
Odemwingie believes he is being overlooked because he often speaks his mind about the national team.
“Because I speak out when things are not right, I guess some people are not just comfortable with that openness,” he said.
“No one seeks preferential treatment, footballers are like the average people and not perfect individuals.
“There’s a long history of problems between the players, coaches and the federation and if they are not sorted – the country will continue to struggle.
“Football means so much to Nigerians and the fans deserve success and not be fed with lies in the media.”
However Odemwingie says he will not completely shut the door on his international career.
“It’s sudden and to be honest I don’t know, because the individuals change but the problems remain,” Odemwingie said.
“If the chance to play for my country presents itself, then I will speak to my dad and those close to me – then we’ll see.
“Personally, I’ve got to be playing regularly for my club, focus my energy on being a better person every day.
“At the moment, all I can do is to wish the team all the best in South Africa.”
The Super Eagles begin their Nations Cup campaign against Burkina Faso on 21 January and then face Zambia and Ethiopia in Group C.
Osaze wants to be Eagles captain — Keshi
Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has dropped a bombshell by revealing Osaze Odemwingie has proposed himself as team skipper.
Keshi told a stunned Nigeria Football Federation technical committee that the West Bromwich Albion striker has put himself forward to be the Eagles skipper.
“He told them that he wants to be captain as he considers himself one of the most senior players in the current squad,” an official revealed.
“But how he has behaved in the national team over the years has really run counter to his ambition to be the leader of this team. You can only lead by example.”
The 31-year-old Osaze made his Eagles debut in 2002, but it was not until the 2004 Nations Cup that he established himself in the national team.
Goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide as well as defender and present skipper Joseph Yobo are more senior players than Osaze in the Eagles.
However, he has rowed with national team bosses, from Austin Eguavoen to Lars Lagerback, and his clash with Samson Siasia was widely regarded as one of the problems that caused Nigeria to sensationally fail to qualify for the 2012 Nations Cup.
It is such poor attitude that has now denied him a fifth Nations Cup appearance.
In the meantime, the Eagles coach has said he wishes to run the rule over shock invitee Rabiu Ibrahim who has failed to establish himself at Celtic.
Ibrahim has only managed a handful of games in his second season at Celtic Park and has yet to be capped by Nigeria at full international.
“Keshi said he has watched Rabiu in a couple of cup games and will want to have a closer look at the midfielder in Faro, Portugal,” a top official told MTNFootball.com
The gifted Ibrahim has held out a lot of promise since he featured for the U17s in 2007, but he has yet to establish himself in Europe ever since.
This will be his second Eagles call-up as he was also considered for the 2010 Nations Cup, but opted out as he had just undergone a groin operation.

via vanguard

Ahead 2015,Professor Pat Utomi Joined ACN

Ahead 2015,Professor Pat Utomi Joined ACN


pat-utomi-2 The former Presidential candidate for the party, African Democratic Party, Pat Utomi, announced in a statement put up on his Facebook page on Sunday night that he is now a member of the ACN Party. According to an interview with the Punch Newspaper, the Professor explained that a two-party state would be a better option for the country. He also added that the whole idea of a two-party arrangement should be handled with care so that the goal of having a state where there is the freedom of expression would not be thwarted by so doing.
He stated that the ACN party already had a well developed structure where there was an already on-going movement against the ruling party, PDP; moreover, the ACN is already the leading party in the south west geo-political zone, and in order to bring all the opposition parties under one group, there had to be a viable structure in place, so he decided to join the ACN in the hope that others would follow his lead.
In his own words “I would therefore encourage all opposition parties to join the ACN. As far as I’m concerned, Nigeria should run a PDP-ACN political party structure”.

source;nigeriabulletin

Few hours to Christmas, petrol shortage worsen

Few hours to Christmas, petrol shortage worsen

Vehicles queuing for fuel at a filling station.
Fuel shortage bit harder across the country on Sunday, few hours to Christmas.
The situation, which became evident in Lagos on Friday, worsened on Sunday, with many filling stations not having the product to sell. Those with the product, had long queues of motorists awaiting attention.
Also, some filling stations had also resorted to profiteering, as they sold above the regulated price of N97 per litre.
It was gathered that some filling stations at Mile 2, Lagos-Badagry Expressway, among others, sold petrol for between N100 and N150 per litre. This was aside from others that dispensed via adjusted pumps.
Our correspondent gathered from market sources that in Abuja, the problem was worse, as stations with petrol had very long queues of motorists.
A top official of one of the oil marketing companies in Apapa, Lagos, who spoke to our correspondent in confidence, said almost all the depots in Apapa had not received any product since Thursday last week.
“In fact, this Saturday, we didn’t do anything. It will be very serious this Christmas because we don’t see any magic happening between now and Tuesday,” he said.
The President, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, South-West branch, Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, had said supply was still being rationed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, and that there were no signs yet of adequate fuel supply in the Yuletide season.
“Petrol supply is not yet enough. They are still rationing the product,” Korodo said.
This is coming few days after the NNPC pipeline explosion at Ijeododo in Ijegun, located in Ojo Local Government of Lagos State. The explosion occurred on Tuesday night last week. It was said to have been caused by suspected pipeline vandals.
Our correspondent gathered that the incident might have worsened the fuel scarcity in the South-West and other parts of the country, as the pipeline transports petrol pumped from Atlas Cove to Ejigbo, Mosimi, Ibadan, Ore,and Ilorin depots.
The NNPC had discontinued supply of petrol through the line following the explosion. The corporation pumps about 11 million litres of petrol per day through the pipeline.
The Chairman, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Western Zone, Mr. Olumide Ogunmade, had described the incident as “a bad thing,” that would have an effect on product supply.
According to him, the Ije-Ododo axis is a route to all depots, and the explosion on the line was like cutting off the supply route from Atlas Cove.
He said, “It is serious. It is like going back to square one.”Government needs to tackle pipeline vandalism holistically. We must not surrender to vandals.
“Government has the resources to fight this. It should set up the machinery needed.”

Via Punch

Youths Kill Pastor, Two Others In Calabar Over Land Tussle

Youths Kill Pastor, Two Others In Calabar Over Land Tussle

A pastor and founder of a Pentecostal church in Calabar Municipal Council of Cross River state, Rev. John Ene-Obong has been killed along with two others by irate youths over a land tussle in Ikot Ene-Obong community.
THE SLAIN MEN
THE SLAIN MEN
Ene-Obong, founder of Faith Builders Ministry, who reportedly returned to Nigeria from Canada barely a week before his death, went to inspect the land in company with the two other victims whose names were given as Effiong Koko-Ette and Victor Ene-Boco when they were ambushed and killed.
We gathered that the disputed land belongs to the family of the slain pastor and that his death might not be unconnected with a vengeance mission over the killing of one Eton, who was also killed on the same disputed land.
The late Eton we learnt was accused of maiming another man identified simply as Effiong – a victim of the protracted land dispute, who has one of his legs amputated following an injury sustained when he was shot.
Residents of the community and its environs now live in palpable fear following the war of attrition the land dispute had caused among members of late Chief Ene-Obong’s family even as the land dispute had polarised the family and factions now resorted to use of thugs to intimidate one another.
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. John Umoh, said six persons had been arrested.
Umoh, who stated that investigation was ongoing on the matter, however, added that the principal suspect was still at large.
He said, “The state Criminal Investigation Department has taken over the matter. Six persons have so far been arrested in connection with the killings.
“There is one principal suspect that is still at large. However, those arrested are still in our custody and we will not release them until investigations have been concluded.”

Source;information nigeria

Revealed! Why Babangida overthrew, detained me — Buhari

Revealed! Why Babangida overthrew, detained me — Buhari

Muhammadu Buhari… The interview provides rare details about Buhari’s upbringing, military career, politics and life as a flirting youngster who smoked and kept girlfriends.
Former military ruler, Muhammadu Buhari, has spoken up on the high-wired intrigues that, in 1985, terminated his barely two-year-old government, blaming his ouster on an attempt to fire Ibrahim Babangida, the then army chief, and Aliyu Gusau, the army intelligence chief.
Mr. Buhari, a retired General, said he had tabled proposal for the retirement of Mr. Gusau, the Director of Military Intelligence and a close ally of Mr. Babangida’s, and it became clear to Mr. Babangida he could be the next target.
The move alerted Mr. Babangida who soon mobilized the military and forced the Buhari regime out, before detaining Mr. Buhari for three years, the retired general said in a rare interview with the Sun newspaper published weekend.
“I moved to retire his Director of Military Intelligence,”  Mr Buhari said. “I took a paper to Army Council. Babangida was there… Idiagbon was there, Bali was there as Minister of Defence, and I was there as the head of state and commander-in-chief. And reasons for him to be removed was in that memo. Go and find out from him or from Babangida. They are both alive.”
He continued, “…But if you touch Gusau, his intelligence chief, invariably, you were going to inch towards the Chief of Army Staff, Babangida. Eventually, he might have been touched. I didn’t know but at that point, it was Aliyu Gusau.
“Yes, we were inching closer. You could say that.
Mr. Buhari’s revelation corroborated Mr. Gusau’s narrative of his military career.
In a bio published on his website, Mr. Gusau said he was Director of Military Intelligence (DMI) from November 1979 to December 1983 and played an important role in the coup that ousted President Shehu Shagari and the corrupt National Party of Nigeria, NPN, from power on 31 December 1983, bringing Mr. Buhari to power.
He said following the coup, he was proposed as overall head of Intelligence, with the support of Babangida, who was then Chief of Army Staff, but that his appointment was opposed by Mr. Buhari.
Mr. Buhari later confirmed Mr. Shagari’s appointee, Muhammadu Lawal Rafindadi, as director of the National Security Organization (NSO). He removed Mr. Gusau from the DMI, replacing him with Colonel Halilu Akilu. Mr. Gusau was then sent on training at the Royal College of Defence Studies in Britain.
Mr Gusau felt badly treated and the Buhari regime suspected he was planning an insurrection. In response, Mr. Buhari moved fast by trying to retire him from the army, an action Mr. Babangida resisted.
Mr. Babangida then teamed up with Mr. Gusau and a few other disgruntled officers to topple the Buhari regime.
Mr. Buhari said he felt betrayed by Mr. Babangida, and felt even more upset after his detention made him miss his mother’s funeral in 1988.
The general however said he has forgiven Mr. Babangida, although the events remained unforgettable. He also wished President Shehu Shagari, who he had earlier toppled and detained too, will forgive him.
Mr. Buhari, who served as petroleum minister under the military government of former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, said he still begrudged Mr. Obasanjo for mobilizing voters against him during past elections.
“No, I haven’t forgiven him,” he said of Mr. Obasanjo.
The lengthy interview, commemorating Mr. Buhari’s 70th birthday, provided rare details about the former head of state’s upbringing, military career, politics and life as a flirting youngster who smoked and kept girlfriends.
He said he quit smoking in 1977.
Since leaving office August 1985, Mr. Buhari maintained a low profile before taking a role as head of the Petroleum Trust Fund under Sani Abacha government, and then joining politics in 2003 when he first contested for president on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party.
He said he would continue with party politics as long as “I have breath in me”, but was not certain about running for president in 2015.
That decision will be taken after the outcome of the alliance plan between his party, the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, and other opposition parties, he said.
Mr. Buhari said his turning point for democracy came in 1991 after the former Soviet Union split into more than a dozen countries.
“I have said this so often that an empire in the 20th century, collapsed and a lot of people ran back home, leaving strategic installations behind, like missile sites, nuclear formation and so on,” he said.
“It was then that I believed, personally, in my own assessment, that multi-party democratic system was and is still superior to despotism.”
But the new convictions altered none of his draconian convictions about media restrictions, and basic rights, he said, offering no regret for his government’s suppression of the media- a reference often cashed upon by critics to taunt his presidential ambition.
He said the infamous Decree 4, under which his administration jailed journalists, and refused clemency for drug traffickers, was merely enforcing what the highest military council agreed upon at the time.
While the regime received accolades for its anti-corruption stance and discipline, it came under severe criticism for its high-handedness and violation of rights.
The anti-media law and the administration’s penchant for summary executions typified those excesses. Mr. Buhari said he had no regrets.
“What we did was that you must not embarrass those civil servants.  If you have got evidence that somebody was corrupt, the courts were there. Take the evidence to court; the court will not spare whoever it was. But you don’t just go and write articles that were embarrassing,” he said.
“Those who did it, the editors, the reporters, we jailed them. But we never closed a whole institution, as others did.”
Asked if he regretted the decision, he replied: “No regret, because we did it according to the laws we made.  We neither closed a whole institution nor caused job losses.”
Mr. Buhari also denied N2.8 billion oil money disappeared while he was minister of petroleum. He said the allegation was politically motivated.
“At that time, Nigeria was exporting about 1.82 million barrels a day. And the cost of barrel a day was about $18. You work out N2.8billion. How could N2.8billion be missing and we still have money to run the country?”
The general gave a telling portrait of the military coup that brought him to power, and that which saw him pushed out of office and thrown into detention.
He denied ever participating in coup plotting, and said he was merely invited as the most senior officer to take over the reins of governance after Mr. Shagari, the second republic president, was sacked.
Those backers later “changed their minds” and booted him out of office, he said.
A key reason for this, he said, was his attempt to retire Mr. Gusau, and potentially, Mr. Babangida. Mr. Gusau, a well-connected intelligence officer, has remained a long standing associate of Mr. Babangida.
As a retired officer, he repeatedly held the office of the National Security Adviser under civilian regimes, the latest under President Goodluck Jonathan.
At each turn too, Mr. Gusau has taken a shot at the presidency, and in 2007, Mr. Babangida stood down from the contest citing his relationship with Mr. Gusau and the late Umaru Yar’adua, who won the election.
Mr. Buhari said he took the papers for Mr. Gusau’s retirement to the army council which had Mr. Babangida as a key member. He said with the move, he was “inching closer” to Mr. Babangida.
On a light note, Mr. Buhari said he smoked and had affairs while a young officer. He said he didn’t touch alcohol because his religion, Islam, forbids him from doing so.
He added for effect that he was surprised that not many women had interest in him despite his position and looks.
“I thought women ought to have taken more interest in me but I don’t know why they didn’t. I must have something they didn’t like. I assure you of that. I didn’t drink, I smoked, I had girlfriends; it was true.”
Then the former head of state jokingly told the interviwers they would be doing him a lot of good by not printing that aspect of the interview, saying “because my wife will read the interview”.

Source; Premium Times

Jonathan Is Wrong For Calling Ex-Convict (Alamieyeseigha) Is Benefactor- Bola Ajibola

 Jonathan Is Wrong For Calling Ex-Convict (Alamieyeseigha) Is Benefactor- Bola Ajibola


On December 10, President Jonathan while addressing stakeholders of the ruling party in his home state of Bayelsa, referred to the convicted former governor of the state, DSP Alamieyeseigha as his political benefactor. But a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Bola Ajibola has described the statement as insensitive and  an insult to Nigerians.
DIEPREYE ALAMIEYESEIGHA
DIEPREYE ALAMIEYESEIGHA
Ajibola, a former judge at the Hague, said Jonathan was wrong to have described “an ex-convict” as his benefactor and asked him to “say it again.”
His words: “One other thing that bothers me lately is a statement credited to President Goodluck Jonathan where he said that Alamieyeseigha was his benefactor.  I think he was misquoted and he should say it again!
“Jonathan should speak on this statement because it is not safe for us as a nation and as a people that an ex-convict is the benefactor of our President.  He should speak up now because any further delay may be dangerous for our national image.”

Source;informationnigeria

Friday 21 December 2012

UK Court jails four for killing a Nigerian

UK Court jails four for killing a Nigerian


A UK court judge, John Bevan, has condemned what he calls Britain’s “endemic” knife culture as he jailed four members of the barking-based Harts Lane street gang for 93 years in total.
Kelvin Chibueze,17, was stabbed repeatedly with a foot-long blade.
The four member gang were jailed for repeatedly stabbing a Nigerian Teenager, Kelvin Chibueze.
Dale William, 21, Lerone Boye, 25, Hugo Nwwanko, 18, and Roger Damali, 31, denied murder charges but were convicted after trial at the old Bailey.
A fifth man, Ibrahim Zakari, who threw a bottle at Kelvin during the chase earlier got a two-year jail sentence but has been set free because he had served more than a year in jail on remand.
The judge identified Williams and Boye as ringleaders in the attack, while Nwankwo joined in the violence outside the club. He said all three carried knives.
Williams was jailed for life, to serve a minimum of 26 years. He denied murder but admitted violent disorder.
Boye, was jailed for life, with a minimum of 28 years, while Damali, was jailed for life with a minimum of 23 years and Nwankwo, who was 16 at the time of the murder, was sentenced to 16 years in a young offenders institute.
Damali, told the court that he joined in the attack out of loyalty to others rather than any direct involvement.
Zakari, was cleared of murder but convicted of violent disorder, having denied both charges.
Kelvin Chibueze, rushed out of a private party at an east London venue after he was attacked in a mass brawl involving knives and bar stools.
But he tripped outside a Lidl supermarket and the rival gang members sat on his legs to stop him running away before stabbing him repeatedly with a foot-long blade.
A petty squabble over a girl is thought to have started the row because Kelvin, from Croydon, was affiliated to the notorious Dagenham Boys gang and went by the street name Boss Don Gramz.

Some corrupt people must be killed for Nigeria to progress- CPC spokesperson, Fashakin

 Some corrupt people must be killed for Nigeria to progress- CPC spokesperson, Fashakin


Mr. Fashakin of the CPC said it is time to execute some Nigerians for national progress.
Some Nigerian leaders who have used their positions to oppress and exploit the people need to be executed for Nigeria to progress, the spokesperson of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Rotimi Fashakin, has said.
Mr. Fasakin, in the second part of an exclusive interview granted PREMIUM TIMES advocated for the Ghana style execution of corrupt leaders. He said this has become necessary for Nigeria to move forward.
“There are some necessary execution that should be done in this nation,” he said. “I think some people that have put us in this mess, that have use their position unjustly to oppress the prepodonant population of the people … I think this people should be executed like the Ghanaians did”
Mr. Fashakin also described the kind of corruption going on in the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan as ‘nuclear powered’.
“The kind of Corruption that existed under Obasanjo eight year rule is not the level of corruption we are seeing now,” he said. “If Obasanjo is just a mere BAZOOKA, this one is getting towards a nuclear range. It is a massive corruption that we have now.”

Source; Premium times

EFCC Arraigns Bank Official For Defrauding Customer of N672 million

EFCC Arraigns Bank Official For Defrauding Customer of N672 million


A regional manager with Intercontinental Bank (now Access Bank), Olayinka Sanni was on Thursday docked before a Lagos High Court in Igbosere over alleged fraudulent conversion of N672 million from the account of one of the bank’s customers, Murhi International Group.
Sanni, who has now been relieved of his job, was said to have committed the fraud while serving at the Ikeja regional office of the bank.
Sanni along with others, were brought before Justice Deborah Oluwayemi on an eight-count charge of fraudulent conversion by stealing and other sundry offences by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Others docked alongside Sanni are Oyebode Atoyebi and a company linked with him, Sidaw Ventures Limited.
The three accused persons were said to have conspired to perpetrate the fraud.
Counsel to Sanni, M.O Atanda, said he was under the instruction to announce appearance for only the first accused (Sanni) and not the third (Sidaw Venturtes) because there was no link between them.
But Counsel to EFCC, Oyedepo Rotimi, faulted the claim, saying it was just a mere ploy to frustrate the arraignment.
After entertaining all the submissions, Justice Oluwayemi said that it would be neater for the preliminary issues to be resolved, and fixed December 21, 2012 for arraignment.

Source; Channelstv

Condemnation Likely To Trail The Appointment Of "Mr Fix It" (Anenih) As NPA Chairman

  Condemnation Likely To Trail The Appointment Of "Mr Fix It" (Anenih) As NPA Chairman

President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the constitution of the Boards of Directors of three agencies of the Federal Government- Nigerian Ports Authority, Corporate Affairs Commission and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety.

The approval which was announced through a statement signed by the Secretary to the Government of Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim includes, Nigerian Ports Authority which has Tony Anenih as Chairman.
The date for the formal inauguration of the above Boards according to the statement will be announced in due course.
Other members the NPA board include Florence Ita Giwa, Hamza Dan Mahawi, Lekan Mustapha, Aminu Baba Danagundi, Austin Enyonnia Cosmos and Representative of the Ministry of Transport.
Also announced is the board of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety which has Lt. Col Agbu Kefas (Rtd) as Chairman.
Other members are Ibrahim Mark, Hassan Baba, Aliyu Usman, Representative of Ministry of Transport, Representative of Ministry of Labour and Representative of Nigeria Navy.
The board of Corporate Affairs Commission has Funsho Lawal as Chairman with members as Sanusi Maijama’a, (Rep. NACCIMA), Okoro Osita Franklin (Rep. NBA) Elizabeth Omereson, (Rep. ICAN), Ausbeth N. Ajagu, (Rep. MAN)
Edosa Aigbekeen, (Rep. SEC), N. Salma-Mann, (Rep. Min. of Trade & Investment), Prof. Adedeji Adekunle (Rep. Min of Justice), Rep. of Ministry of Finance.

Chika Egbo, 25 Year Old Acid Victim Passes On

Chika Egbo, 25 Year Old Acid Victim Passes On

chika egbo Chika Egbo, the unfortunate young woman who was bathed with acid by her disgruntled former fiancé has given up the ghost. The young woman who was only 25 years passed on in the early hours of Thursday morning at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Ikeja, where she was receiving treatment for her burns.
Her father, Matthew Egbo confirmed her passing to members of the press. He said that she had gone into a coma at about 11:00am and was placed on life support. She gave up the ghost at about 1:00am. David Sulieman, her estranged fiancé attacked her on November 5th 2012 for denying him access to see their child. He has since been in police custody.

Source;nigerianbulletin

Despite That The World Did Not End Today,Guatemalan Celebrates The Beginning Of The New World


Despite That The World Did Not End Today,Guatemalan Celebrates The Beginning Of The New World




According to legend, the ancient Mayans' long-count calendar ends at midnight Thursday, ushering in the end of the world. But it didn't happen
As the appointed time came and went in several parts of the world, there was no sign of the apocalypse.
'This is not the end of the world. This is the beginning of the new world,' Star Johnsen-Moser, an American seer, said at a gathering of hundreds of spiritualists at a convention centre in Mexico's Yucatan city of Merida, an hour and a half from the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza.
'It is most important that we hold a positive, beautiful reality for ourselves and our planet. ... Fear is out of place.'
As the appointed time came and went in several parts of the world, there was no sign of the apocalypse.
Indeed, the social network Imgur posted photos of clocks turning midnight in the Asia-Pacific region with messages such as: 'The world has not ended. Sincerely, New Zealand.'
In Merida, the celebration of the cosmic dawn opened inauspiciously, with a fumbling of the sacred fire meant to honour the calendar's conclusion.
Gabriel Lemus, the white-haired guardian of the flame, burned his finger on the kindling and later had to scoop up a burning log that fell from the ceremonial brazier on to the stage.
Still, he was convinced that it was a good start, as he was joined by about 1,000 other shamans, seers, stargazers, crystal enthusiasts, yogis, sufis and swamis.


Reps Passes 2013 Budget,Blocked SEC Budget, Insist Oteh Must Go

The National Assembly on Thursday formally okayed a budget of N4.987tn for 2013, slightly raising the total  figure by about N63bn.
The original proposal by President Goodluck Jonathan was N4.924tn.
The passage which was done independently by both arms of the assembly – the Senate and House of Representatives – was hailed by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party  and Jonathan’s Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emodi.
 New versus ongoing
Before giving its  final nod to the budget, the Senate  said it  had identified entirely new projects designated as ongoing   in the 2013 financial document.
The members  warned that with the passage,  the Executive now had no excuse not to fully implement the budget.
Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Mohammed Maccido, while presenting the Joint Committee report, said, “There should be a verifiable template for budgeting, especially on capital projects. If the painful sight of abandoned projects in Nigeria will be a thing of the past, then ongoing projects must be properly defined.
“A situation where projects not found in 2011 and 2012 budgets are found in 2013 as ongoing is very misleading.
“In the same vein, a situation where uncompleted projects are not included in the budgets of succeeding years is wasteful.”
He   said that the Executive   must  be more thorough in compiling annual budgets, adding that it was noticed that some critical areas were still underfunded.
Before passing the budget, the Senate went into  a closed-door session to iron out the thorny issues  in the budget.
Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the session said the Executive must begin the implementation of the budget on January 1, 2013 and should ensure that it was fully implemented within the fiscal year.
He said, “This should challenge the Executive to properly implement the budget. There should be no more excuses. The 2013 budget should be fully implemented.
“The committees of the National Assembly should from January 1, 2013 begin their oversight of the implementation of the budget.”
 Recurrent expenditure slashed
In the  House of Representatives,  members slashed the recurrent expenditure by over N100bn and  increased  capital projects allocation to  N100bn.
In the original proposal, Jonathan had set aside N2.41tn for recurrent expenditure, but the lawmakers  slashed it to N2.38tn.
Similarly, they raised capital vote to N1.62tn, up from Jonathan’s N1.54tn.
The sum of N591.7bn was earmarked for debt servicing, while N387.9bn was allocated to statutory transfers. The crude oil benchmark also increased from the Executive proposal of $75 to $79 per barrel.
The Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, Mr. John Enoh, gave reasons why the House rejected the $75 crude oil benchmark  proposed by the Executive.
He explained that the House was concerned about cutting the deficit and reducing borrowing to fund the budget.
According to him, the extra $4 to be saved from raising the benchmark to $79 will be used to “bring the deficit of N1.03tn down to around N887bn.”
Enoh added that the budget passed by the House reflected a  debt to Gross Domestic Product  ratio of 1.8 per cent, as against the 2.7 per cent in  the Executive  proposal.
“So, going by the work done on this budget, domestic borrowing has now dropped to a little above N500bn”, he said.
 Reps jubilate
There was a bit of drama  in the House before  the passage of the budget.
Many lawmakers jubilated when the presiding Deputy Speaker, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, called for the consideration of the report of the House Joint Committee on Appropriation/Finance on the 2013 Appropriation Bill.
Members wanted the budget to be passed quickly. They kicked against a move by Enoh to make a “brief synopsis” of the report of the committee. They shouted, “carried”, “carried”, “no need”, “no need”, “no need.”
Ihedioha insisted that there was the need to hear from the committee that worked on the budget. It took a few minutes to restore order in the chamber.
The lawmakers had initially threatened not to pass the budget on the grounds of alleged “poor implementation” of the 2012 budget.
They   had held a lengthy closed-door session over the budget on Wednesday.
It was gathered that at the session, they reviewed their stance and came to the conclusion that Nigerians might blame them for delaying the 2013 budget.
 Implementation continues
The Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Zakari Mohammed, admitted that the 2012 budget had dominated discussions at the closed-door session.
He said the session resolved that to ensure a comprehensive implementation of the 2012 budget, the capital component should be extended to April 2013.
 Mohammed added, “We resolved that the 2012 budget should not stop us from passing the 2013 budget.
“We opted for a roll-over, which the Executive did not want.
“If we didn’t do that, by December 31, they will start talking about mopping up the unspent funds for 2012.
“But, for us, implementing the budget and touching lives are most important.”
He claimed that the collective decision to pass the budget was responsible for the jubilant mood in the chamber on Thursday.
 No budget for SEC
The House kept its word not to have any dealings with the Securities and Exchange Commission until its Director-General, Ms. Arunma Oteh, was removed from office.
The House stated in the Appropriation Bill passed on Thursday that the agency must not spend any funds in 2013 without appropriation by the National Assembly.
A clause dedicated to SEC in the bill reads, “All revenue however so described, including all fees received, fines, grants, budgetary provisions and all internally and externally generated revenue shall not be spent by the Securities and Exchange Commission for recurrent or capital purposes or for any other matters, nor liabilities thereon incurred except with the prior appropriation and approval by the National Assembly.”
Mohammed later said, “We want to see which money will be used to run SEC in the years ahead. It is a resolution of the House that Oteh should go and we will continue to keep the situation that way. Oteh must go; if she doesn’t go, we will not have any dealings with SEC or touch their budget. We are on the same page with the Senate on this and it is only a matter of time.”
The House thereafter adjourned for the Christmas/New Year. But it will reconvene on January 16.
 PDP, Emodi hail Senators, Reps
Meanwhile,  the PDP  and  Emodi have commended the members of the National Assembly for passing the budget on time.
The PDP, in a statement  by  its  National Publicity Secretary , Chief Olisa Metuh, added that the passage was a clear indication that democracy was not only gaining firm footing but was safe in its hands.
The statement says, “The seriousness and the high degree of scrutiny which guided the consideration of the 2013 budget proposal, serves directly, the long stringent quest for transparent and workable national budget. We commend them for this.”
 Emodi, in a statement  after the passage of the budget, said the early passage of the budget would facilitate its better implementation.
“The budget is a government’s most important economic policy tool. By the early passage of this budget, the executive and the legislature have indeed made a joint statement that they are truly partners in governance and are increasingly taking steps to place Nigeria on a path to economic growth and prosperity,” she said.

Via Punch

Policeman kills youth over illegal land charge


Policeman kills youth over illegal land charge

Mohammed Abubakar
A policeman, identified simply as Smart, from Ilaje Police Station, Bariga, Lagos, has allegedly killed a youth in the area following a disagreement between two rival groups over sharing of N250,000 suspected to have been collected from the owner of a newly-constructed building in the area.
The youth identified as Banji was hit by a bullet fired by the policeman.
A source said a member of one of the groups invited the policeman to mediate when tension rose on how to share the money.
It was learnt that after the tension had subsided, the policeman was offered N20,000 but he felt cheated.
The source said, “As usual, when a new house is about to be built or has been built in the area, the touts go there to collect a charge – Owo Ile- from the owner.
“So, what happened was that the house falls between the jurisdictions of two different gangs. One of the group is from Seriki Street and the other from Odunisi Street.
“A faction of the gangs having realised that they may lose out, called a policeman, popularly called Smart to support them. On his arrival, he scared the opposition group away. After they have collected the money, the policeman was given N20, 000.
“Unfortunately, one of the area boys informed him that N250,000 was collected and he ought to have been given more money.
On hearing this, he became angry and vowed to shoot if he was not given more money. Some of the area boys begged him, but he refused. Suddenly, he shot and a stray bullet killed Banji.”
He added that after the killing, the area boys decided to attack the police station to register their grievances.
 “Pained by the death of Banji, the area boys mobilised to attack the police station. They would have succeeded but they were repelled by the policemen who got wind of their plan on time.
“The policemen shot two of them and they were severely injured.  I don’t really know where the people injured were taken to.“
When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, said she had yet to be briefed on the incident and promised to call back as soon as she had details.
However, she did not call back before this paper went to bed.

Via Punch

Nollywood actress, Ngozi Nwosu, seeks N6m To Cure Ailment

 Nollywood actress, Ngozi Nwosu, seeks N6m To Cure Ailment

Ngozi Nwosu
Call it a classic case of irony and you won’t be far from the truth. A few years back, Nollywood actress, Ngozi Nwosu, most famous for her role, “Peaceful Peace’, one of the troublesome wives of Chief Fuji in the Amaka Igwe’s soap, Fuji House of Commotion,  was on the hot seat of the popular TV Game Show, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, helping to raise funds for Usman Pategi of Samaja fame.
But little did Nwosu know that, a few years down the line, she would appear on the same show, in company with two other persons, playing to raise funds for her medical treatment.
A few months back, when hush-hush tales that the actress had contracted HIV/AIDS and cancer of the blood — said to be responsible for her frail looking — surfaced online, the once lively Nwosu kept mum and subsequently went underground. Many found it difficult to get the true picture.
It was not until Saturday December 15, 2012 when she appeared as a guest contestant on the popular TV game show — her first public outing since she fell ill – that her frail appearance caught the attention of many.
The actress was a recipient of the N1m that was won on the show to  aid her treatment and was assisted by entertainment journalist, Seun Oloketuyi, and fellow thespian Lillian Amah.
Narrating his encounter with her on the set of the programme, Oloketuyi said, “One of the first signs that things were no longer right with Ngozi was the fact that we had to delay recording because while everybody else was virtually fanning themselves due to the studio lights, Ngozi was shivering from cold, so much that the producers had to get her cardigans. I was flustered. When the programme eventually got underway, Ngozi still helped to answer some questions.”
According to Oloketuyi, he was invited to participate in the game show and had no inkling that the actress was going to be his partner. The Director only informed him a few minutes before recording began when Nwosu sauntered in.
“When we probed further on what exactly her ailment is, Ngozi wouldn’t say but instead invited me to her home. Last Sunday, I was Ngozi’s guest, when she showed me results of tests stating that she had kidney and heart-related issues. I spent hours in her house as she led me by the hand through the whole gamut of her illness. So far, she said  Igwe and her husband have been very supportive.
“She told me she decided to divulge everything because of widespread speculation that she was HIV positive. I don’t have AIDS o, she declared. The bottom line now is that Ngozi needs N6m to treat herself abroad. And she needs it fast. Ngozi is willing to live longer but we have to support her. If you would like to help her, and then send your widow’s mite to Ngozi Nwosu – GTBank – 005285167,” Oloketuyi added.
When asked how every penny contributed by good-spirited individuals will be accounted for, Oloketuyi said, “No money is coming to me. I asked her to give me her GTB account number so everything will go straight to her. She needs the money urgently to travel to the UK for treatment. She will stay with her sister in the UK while undergoing treatment. We need 600 people to donate at least N1000 and we will be fine.”

Via Punch

Principal Suspended For Conducting Virginity Test On Student

Principal Suspended For Conducting Virginity Test On Student

Principal, two nurses conducted virginity test –Pupil
Fifteen-year-old Janet (not real name), one of the victims of the virginity test allegedly conducted on pupils of Ajuwon Senior High School, Ajuwon, Ifo Local Government Area, Ogun State, spoke with our correspondent,TEMITAYO FAMUTIMI. Excerpt:
 What happened in your school on December 10, 2012?
Rev. Olufunke Oladeojobi, our school principal, came to some Senior Secondary School One classes and announced that she would be conducting virginity test on us. She marched us with the assistance of some members of staff into her office and thereafter conducted the test on us.
 What do you think prompted her to conduct the test?
Our principal is a disciplinarian and she always lament on the assembly ground that she used to receive reports that we (female pupils) were in the habit of sleeping around with our classmates and technicians.
 Did she force the test on you?
Yes, it was like a form of compulsion because she went after some of us who ran away after claiming to be virgins and compelled them to take the test. At least I know two of them like that. The first person who did the test was in that category. She didn’t do it willingly.
 How many of you did the test?
Ten of us but initially, she said she was going to conduct the test on all the pupils who claimed to be virgins but she stopped after she discovered a pupil who had lost her virginity from the first group comprising 10 pupils.
 Where did the test take place and how many people conducted it?
The test was carried out in the principal’s office. A bed was placed on the floor of the office and our principal and two other nurses were there with two other members of staff. One of the nurses works in our school’s sick bay while the other nurse was invited.
 Who conducted the test on you?
It was the resident nurse in our school that conducted the test on me. Our principal was at the door entrance and she (the principal) ushered me in when it got to my turn.
 How was the test conducted?
The resident nurse removed the glove she used for the person before me and wore another one. She positioned me on the bed, removed my pants, spread my legs and observed my private parts with her eyes. She then dipped two fingers into my private parts. The principal was beside her that time and the nurse told her (principal) that I was a virgin.
 What was your principal’s reaction when the nurse said you are a virgin?
The principal said I should not mess around with boys and she gave me an Ogun State Government customised exercise book.
 Did you lose blood after the test?
I did not lose blood but I heard that some people lost blood. I left the vicinity of the principal’s office after the test was conducted on me.
 Did she conduct the test on those who were menstruating?
No she didn’t. They asked them to go whenever they noticed it and gave them exercise books.
 How did you feel after the test?
I didn’t understand the gravity of the incident until our senior colleagues in school started threatening to cause mayhem after the test. I told my mum when I got home.
 What did the principal do to the person who was discovered to have lost her virginity?
When I came back for my bag, I saw the girl who was said to have lost her virginity kneeling down in her office and I saw the principal talking tough. She wrote down her name on the black board in her office and announced verbally that she had been suspended.

Via Punch

Monday 17 December 2012

General Buhari Silence Over Whether He Will Run Again Or Not ...Happy 70th birthday to him

General Buhari Silence Over Whether He Will Run Again Or Not

...Happy 70th birthday to him



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During the run up to the 2011 elections, Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria's former military strongman and veteran presidential candidate said 2011 would be his last presidential run, but when asked yesterday by journalists in Kaduna whether he would run again, Buhari responded cautiously and said 'let's wait and see'.
This answer is bound to send shivers down the spine of the pint sized controversial former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) who many believes is waiting in the wings to be crowned as Buhari's successful should he decide not to contest in 2015.
The ex-Minister who is facing corruption charges had tried to befriend President Goodluck in 2010 after he ascended to the presidency when president Yar'adua died. He was one of the first persons to declare that he could support President Jonathan to run if he met some conditions. In the same year, Elrufai fell out with Buhari and openly called him "perpetually unelectable" and accused him of having a "parochial" focus unsuited to ruling Nigeria.
However, in a remarkable switch after he was spurned by the President, Elrufai turned to bashing Dr. Goodluck Jonathan while praising his former enemy, Buhari, before eventually joining his party, the CPC hoping to actualize his political
Today on twitter, he had wished Buhari many more years and expressed the hope Buhari would lead Nigeria into prosperity.
  
source; naijapundit.com