Friday April 2, 2010 Updated 5:19 A.M. CET
Edo state police arrested 6 suspected kidnappers
Six suspected kidnappers who went to a military formation to purchase sophisticated firearms for their criminal enterprise, have been apprehended in Benin City, Edo state.
Three students who allegedly kidnapped their co-student and kept him in their private Universities hostel were also arrested in Benin.
The arrest of the suspects formed a major breakthrough recorded within 48 hours by Edo State Police Command as arms, ammunition and N1.4 million cash was recovered, and two suspected armed robbers were equally caged while two others met their waterloo.
Briefing Journalists in his office at the State Police Headquarters, Benin City, yesterday, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emmanuel Kachi Udeoji advised criminals in the state to change from their evil ways warning that the State Police Command had declared zero tolerance for crime in Edo State. Although, no-one knows whether it was a first time for the suspects to visit the military formation for arms purchase or a betrayal of business trust, Mr. Kachi Udeoji disclosed that “in order to further boost and strengthen their kidnapping they went to the military formation, to purchase some more arms. “As God would have it the military men played along with them, supplied the arms, they paid, as they were leaving with the arms they were rounded up and handed over to the police”.
According to him investigation has confirmed that they were responsible for the kidnapping of one Mrs. Ebose on the 25th March, 2010 from whom they received N750,000.00 as a ransom for her release. The suspects identified themselves as Kelvin Odiase, 25, Alex Ororogha, 19, Imafidon Ehinoma, 25, Innocent Ikpewe, Nelson Ikpewe and Ehigie Emmanuel, 42.
Niger teachers to share N2.5bn housing loans
To stimulate performance of teachers in the Niger state towards academic excellence in schools, Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has announced N2.5 billion interest free loans would be given to teachers in the state.
The move, according to the governor, is to provide relief to teachers, adding that a good percentage of them are not opportune to stay in staff quarters which he said is bad for performance especially at a time education is dwindling in the country.
Aliyu, who made this known at an interactive session of education stakeholders in Minna yesterday, stated that he had earlier sent all elected public officers and appointees to their local government to scale up the standard of education to stimulate productivity in the sector.
He lamented the abysmal performance by Senior Secondary Students across the federation in the recent West African School Certificate Examination (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO) result, and declared that all hands must me on the plough to revamp the sector. The Commissioner of Education, Hajiya Asmau Usman Yusuf, in her remark at the forum said it was a positive move by the state government to indulge itself in the monitoring of schools to enhance performance in the quality of results at SSCE level. She also said deplorable infrastructure must be tackled to provide a conducive learning environment for students towards enhancing academic excellence.
Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida fail to rule-out possible 2011 presidential Candidate
Former military president, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida yesterday gave a condition for any Nigerian who wishes to mount the presidential saddle in 2011, saying such a person must see true federalism as a critical issue.
Those speculating that former President Ibrahim Babangida may be contesting the 2011 presidency election may be right as the General, on Thursday, said he was still on consultation if to contest. Babangida, at the presidential lounge of the Lagos Murtala Muhammed Airport, on his way from the birthday lecture to mark the 54th birthday of the Ogun State governor, Chief Gbenga Daniel, said in a brief interview with airport journalists that he would make his decision known to Nigerians after his final consultations findings.
The former military leader, who said he did not belong to the school of thought that saw him as the solution to the country’s social political problem, declared: “No, there is no such thing, absolutely nothing like that, but if Nigerians are convinced that I have a contribution to make, surely this is the only country I have and I will do it. I am still doing some consultations and honestly, I will hint you on that when I have finished doing that. I will give you a feedback very soon.” When further asked if the general opinion indicated that he should run, Babangida replied: ”I will be directed by the general opinion.”
On his position on the attitude of politicians to governance, he replied: “What I want is for all of you, people like you, me and politicians to be very tolerant and if we are tolerant, we will be able to move the country forward.” Speaking on the clamour for Professor Maurice Iwu’s removal as the chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Babangida said he does not comment on individuals. General Babangida, had earlier said that he would only vote for an advocate of true federalism as president of Nigeria in the next general election.
Nigerian ministerial nominees narrowly Passed
The Nigerian Senate confirmed acting President Goodluck Jonathan's 38 cabinet nominees Wednesday, including Prof. Dora Akunyili who almost lost out from the nigerian cabinet confirmation vote and a managing director of Goldman Sachs' London office, effectively sealing Mr. Jonathan's place at the helm of Africa's second-biggest economy. result as members of the new Federal Executive Council.
The cabinet overhaul provides further stability to Nigeria, which was left largely rudderless since ailing President Umaru Yar'adua fell out of public view in November and spent 2½ months out of the country for medical treatment. Vice President Jonathan's appointment as acting president in February was initially resisted by those close to Mr. Yar'adua, who returned to Nigeria later in
The Goldman Sachs managing director Segun Aganga, is exepected to the hold the finance minister position. Mr Segun Aganga has outlined some of his ambitious reform plans to support transparency and anticorruption efforts for the nation.
Nigeria drops case against former anti-corruption chief
Weeks after acting president takes office, Nigeria's Attorney General has applied for the withdrawal of charges against Ribadu for not declaring his assets after he was fired as head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in late 2007, a justice ministry spokeswoman said.
Ribadu was appointed as the first head of the EFCC after international pressure mounted on Nigeria to clean up its atrocious record on corruption. He quickly won respect among diplomats for making arrests and seizures in a country where the rich and powerful had long considered themselves immune.
But Ribadu also earned enemies for pursuing cases against powerful former state governors and was fired several months after President Umaru Yar'Adua took power almost three years ago. He has since fled the country and lives in Britain. Yar'Adua promised zero tolerance for graft when he came to power in May 2007 but the removal of Ribadu and lack of progress in prosecuting politically sensitive cases have done little to boost confidence, not least among European donors who have poured $35 million into the EFCC.
Oba of Benin, Erediauwa celebrates his 31st coronation anniversary occasion
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State joined the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, in rejoicing on the occasion of his 31st coronation anniversary.
The governor's letter to the monarch, said: “This is a worthy occasion for the people of Edo State to celebrate our foremost Royal Father, to rejoice with you and the royal household as well as make supplication to God to grant you the best of health and many more years on the throne of your ancestors.”
On his part, the royal father, also signed a letter lauding the governor for transforming Benin from an ancient city to a modern one.
According to the Oba, “I write to once more congratulate you on the giant stride in changing the face and fortune of the ancient city of Benin, as well as change perception of the city held by the outside world, through its beautification projects (exercise) in the state, especially the King’s Square axis as well as other major projects such as road constructions and education.”
The Oba, who urged the governor to come up with a holistic plan on the upgrading and celebration of the annual Igue festival, said: “I have no doubt that the plan would impact positively on the beautification exercise around King’s Square, and make the city one of the major tourist sites in the nation.”
Felicitating with the royal father on the 31st anniversary of the ascension to the throne, Governor Oshiomhole said the state government would continue to value and count on the Oba’s tremendous fatherly goodwill, counsel and support, which flow from a deep-seated and well-demonstrated passion for the peace, progress and development of Edo State.
“Your support has made the difference and has continued to guide our path in our delivery of development.
I feel specially indebted to Your Royal Majesty and wish to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for your generous support,” Oshiomhole said
Nigeria’s Parliament Passed a 4.6 trillion-naira ($30.7-billion) Budget
The Senate and the House of Representatives yesterday approved a harmonized 2010 Appropriation Bill authorizing the executive arm of government to issue from the consolidated revenue fund of the Federal Government the sum of N4,608,616,278,213.
Of the approved figure, the sum of N2,077,358,560,347 has been approved for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure whilst the balance of N1,853,906,761,420 only is for contribution to the development fund for capital expenditure for the year ending on December 31.
Similarly, the sum of N180, 279,158,994 is for statutory transfers while N497,071,797,452 is for debt service.
The 2010 Appropriation Bill is predicated on a benchmark oil price of $67 dollars at crude oil production level of 2.350 million barrels per day with a joint venture cash calls of $7 billion while the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is put at 5.47 per cent just as inflation rate is estimated at 11.2 per cent with the exchange rate fixed at N150 to the US dollar.
Similarly, a detailed tabulation of the approved budget showed that Net Retained Revenue stands at N3.086 trillion while debt service is put at N497 billion and deficit/surplus put at N1521 trillion
Indian firm, Bharti Airtel, acquires Zain, a Nigerian telecommunications firm, for $10.7 billion
The Zain Group has finally sold off its operations in Africa, with the exception of Sudan and Morocco, to Bharti Airtel of India.
This means that Zain Nigeria, the third largest GSM operator in the country, is now in the hands of another owner, marking the sixth time the telecommunications company has changed hands.
The development followed a confirmation by the group that its board of directors, in Kuwait, on Thursday, approved the offer from Indian operator, Bharti Airtel, to acquire its African assets, other than those in Morocco and Sudan.
The Zain board said due diligence had been completed and parties were finalising agreements which were expected to be signed soon.
Bharti will pay $9 billion to acquire Zain's assets spread across 15 African countries.
From 2011, Nigerian president, govs must be graduates
The Senate and the House of Representatives, on Thursday, respectively endorsed the Constitution Amendment Report by the (House) Committee on Constitution Review and passed into law, the electoral reform aspect of the constitution amendment bill. The approved report also indicated that to become president, vice-president, governor, deputy governor and member of the National Assembly, candidates must possess a degree from a recognised tertiary institution, just as it also indicated that a member of the National Assembly who had served before could contest, even without being a graduate.
The Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and Media, Senator Anthony Manzo, told journalists after Thursday’s plenary that the Senate acted in the best interest of Nigerians.
He explained that most of the amended clauses had to do with electoral matters, in line with the desire of Nigerians to make the electoral process credible.
Manzo said, “It has been a history-making occasion for us since last week. Just this afternoon, the Senate effected very far-reaching and significant amendments to the 1999 Constitution.
35.5 percent of Marriages in Kano Divorces
A research conducted in 2008 by the Kano State Societal Reorientation Directorate shows that in every two marriages in Kano, one divorce is recorded. Speaking yesterday in Kano at an occasion to mark the International Women’s Day, organised by the Partnership for the Promotion of Maternal and Child Health, a lecturer at the Department of Sociology in the Bayero University Kano, Dr Isma’ila Zango, said the revelation was alarming.
The sociologist said a survey conducted in 2001 across three states of the North-West region had a similar result. Dr. Zango said the data collected from 500 women from Kano, Sokoto and Katsina States revealed that 35.5 percent of the women were divorced.
Approving of ministerial nominees begins on Monday
The Senate will on Monday begin the screening of 33 ministerial nominees sent to it for approval by Acting President Goodluck Jonathan.
Ten nominees that were not on the 25-member list widely published in the media on Wednesday appeared in the new list read by the President of the Senate, Mr. David Mark, during the Senate’s plenary in Abuja later in the day
Nigerian Senate Seperated and Empowered INEC from president
The Senate approved the participation of independent candidates in the 2011 elections, on Wednesday. Senators approved the amendment to Section 65 of the Constitution to pave the way for the emergence of independent candidates in subsequent elections in Nigeria.
During the clause by clause consideration of the electoral reform bill on Wednesday, the senators, for the first time in 11 years, demonstrated the use of electronic voting to ensure a faster passage of bills.
The Senate President, Mr. David Mark, who presided over the sitting, said that the electronic voting pattern was adopted to hasten the process of passage of the bill.
On Wednesday, 96 senators were on the floor, with 85 voting for the approval of Section 65 to pave the way for independent candidates
Lagos LG disburses N6.5m bursary to students
The Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Council in Lagos State, on Wednesday disbursed bursary of N6.5m to 400 indigent students of the council studying in various tertiary institutions nationwide.
It has also inaugurated a block of six classrooms at St. Kizito’s School; extra-mural classes for candidates preparing for the West African School Certificate, National Examination Council and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board examinations as well as vocational programmes to enable those without tertiary knowledge to produce things like juice, pounded yam powder and disinfectant in order to be self-reliant.
Protesters are Calling for the remover of the INEC Chairman
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) have joined the call for the removal of Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Maurice Iwu, to pave way for a free and fair election in the country.
The call is coming ahead of the planned protest by the Nigerian Labour Congress for the removal of the national electoral umpire.
Speaking at the first annual law lecture series in honour of the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Lawal Gummi, Chairman of the Abuja chapter of the NBA, Abdul Ibrahim, said for the country to achieve credible and lasting democracy demands that the electoral body should be apolitical, independent and non-aligned.
NLC Accused Northern Governors of Failure
Kaduna State Chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has accused the 19 Northern Governors of failing to provide solution to the myriads of problems facing the region. Addressing journalists yesterday in Kaduna, the State NLC Chairman, Comrade Daniel Bissalah lamented that the high level of poverty in the northern states has reached an alarming stage that the governors have to wake up from their slumber and tackle the problems head on.
Bissalah also blamed the Northern leaders for the dwindling problem of the Northern- based New Nigerian Newspapers (NNN), saying that the Governors were not up and doing in their responsibilities to salvage the region. The NLC boss reminded the Northern Governors Forum that the former Managing Director (MD) of NNN, Ndanusa Alao was the architect of the dwindling fortune of the print medium organization, noting that his nomination for a ministerial position should be reviewed.
Acting President Goodluck Jonathan adds Dora Akunyili and four others names to ministerial list
Acting President Goodluck Jonathan adds five more names to ministerial list. They are Dora Akunyili, Shamsuddeen Usman, Emmanuel Iheanacho, Musa Sada and Prof Sheikh Abdullah.... The missing of the formal Information minister, Dora Akunyili from the first batch list have kept many people wondering
Bini chief, wife arrested over 2 actors' death
BENIN—A Benin palace chief and his wife (names withheld) have been arrested by the police in Benin in connection with the recent murder of two movie stars in his house. Also, the police are hunting for two of their children in connection with the murder of the actors.
Police spokesman, Mr. Peter Ogboi, while confirming the arrest of the couple, disclosed that the police have intensified their investigation to unmask those behind the brutal killing of the movie stars. According to Ogboi, the couple, said to be the proposed in-laws of one of the slain actors, Mr. Erauyi Ogbeide, a.k.a, Ukeke, invited him to their family house in Benin City only to be killed along with his colleague, Mr. Eghosa Idehen, a.k.a Erejiro who had accompanied him there.
It was alleged that the chief, on witnessing the killing of his guests in his sitting room, went into hiding instead of contacting the police, while his wife allegedly told the police that her husband was receiving medical attention in an undisclosed hospital for bullet injuries he sustained during the attack. The police, in its investigation, however, found the claim to be false
The Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan selected Nigeria ministers
Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria's acting president, has selected 25 nominees of 18 fresh people and seven old members of the dissolved Federal Executive Council to be the first members of his cabinet.
The list has been sent to senate on Tuesday for approval as political uncertainty continues in the country following Jonathan sacking all members of the federal cabinet last week.
Nigeria to prosecute hundreds of suspects in Jos slaughter
Many of suspects arrested over the recent slaughter in Jos, Nigeria are scheduled to be prosecuted as early as this week. Plateau State police spokesman Mohammed Lerama said they hope to go to court this week and begin the prosecution of about 200 suspects, according to Agence France-Presse.
Goldman Sachs Managing Director and Yar’Adua’s Son has been norminated for minsters
Acting President Goodluck Jonathan pulled a major surprise yesterday in the ministerial nominee list he sent to the Senate for confirmation. A notable newcomer on the list is Mr. Olusegun Aganga, a Managing Director of Goldman Sachs International, who is expected to man the finance portfolio. Another notable inlcusion is Alhaji Mutallab Yar’Adua, son of late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, elder brother to President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
The list below was submitted to Nigeria Senate President David Mark about 3.45 p.m. by the Special Assistant to the President (in charge of Senate), Dr. Cairo Ojougboh. The first batch of nominees will be screened on Thursday in the Committee of the Whole.
Full List (1st Batch)
1. Chris Ogienwonyi2. Josephine Anenih
3. Adetokunbo Kayode
4. Godsday Orubebe
5. Diezani Allison-Madueke
6. Fidelia Njeze
7. Somo Nuhu Wya
8. Odein Ajumogobia
9. Akinlabi Olasunkanmi
10. M.K. Abubakar
11. N. S. Olubolade
12. Awodele Alao
13. Mutallab Yar’Adua
14. Nduese Essien
15. Umaru Aliyu
16. Abubakar Sadiq
17. Olusegun Aganga
18. Labaran Maku
19. Josephine Tapgun
20. Bello Adoke
21. Adamu Waziri
22. Chukwuemeka Wogu
23. Suleiman Bello
24. Sanusi Daggash
25. Bala Mohammed
The United States sends investigative team to Nigeria
The US gorvernment has launched an independent investigation into sectarian violence killings in Jos, Plateau State, and other parts of the northern states, and has sent its investigative team to Nigeria for that purpose.
The US investigative team which visited the National Assembly on Tuesday, is relying on initial investigations on same issue done by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, which berated the Federal Government for failing to apply correct measures in tackling religious crisis in the country.
The American investigators had met some members of the Senate and House of Representatives for directions on how get the appropriate authorities in Nigeria to appreciate the danger lying in waiting for Nigeria on the unceasing clashes between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria.
Nigeria Oil riched region Ex-militants protested yesterday in Benin City
Ex-militants yesterday in Benin City peacefully demonstrated in numbers over the lack of the implementation of the Post-Amnesty Rehabilitation Programme. The demonstrator hindered trafic flow of the Benin - Lagos Highway at the Uselu-Ugbowo-Lagos session and many motorists carried green leaves as a sign of solidarity.
They also took over the premises of the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC) at Ugbowo, saying they did not have anywhere again to go other than to go to the premises of the college where their colleagues who, also surrendered their arms and ammunition were initially camped, before they were moved to Warri for rehabilitation
Yar´adua Miniters loyalists ready to fight the Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan
It was gathered that the aggrieved kitchen cabinet members had resolved to fight the acting president for taking the decision without recourse to the sitting president.
A source said that members of the dislodged cabal were bitter over the dissolution of the cabinet, which meant that all of them had lost their plum positions.
The group is said to have raised N500 million to prosecute its legal challenge. About 25 companies which got major contracts from the leaders of the plot when they were in government had been mandated to raise the required funds to pay the legal fees and also lead the charge to lobby members of the National Assembly
It was gathered that the group was also planning to embark on lobbying of members of the Senate to ensure that they delayed the screening and confirmation of ministerial nominees for, at least, two weeks.
UNIBEN Chemistry lecturer Kidnapped at a gunpoint in Benin City
The Punch correspondent learnt that the incident took place on Sunday night at his home near the Bendel Development and Property Authority Estate in Ugbowo, Benin. The Public Relations Officer of UNIBEN and the family sources said the kidnappers are demanding a N20m ransom.
Lagos State Governor Fashola, Commissioners Undergo FREE HIV/AIDS Test
The Head, Lagos State Aids Control Project, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, told journalists that the aim of the exercise was to enable the Exco members to lead and convince Lagos State residents to make use of the free HIV/AIDS medical screening provided in all government hospitals across the state.
United States of America to assist Nigeria on Nuclear Power Plant
As one of the available means for FG to improve its electricity generation capabilities, which at present is at its lowest ebb, with per capita electricity consumption rate of 136KWh/capita as against 563KWh by other African countries.
Egboga the Special Adviser to the President on Petroleum Matters and the Alternate Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority said government is pursuing a programme of accelerated expansion of the country's power generation infrastructure with nuclear power programme as an important aspect of the plan.
Edo State governor assured the menbers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) about his commitment to develoment plans
“I want to assure the people of Esan land that we would try the best we can to be equitable with geo-political distribution of appointment and of development. Comrade Adams Oshiomhole said.
Edo Elders speark out on Speaker impeachment
The EECF chief said the group was disturbed that up till this moment the governor was yet to react to allegations that N25 billion loan had been secured by his administration with no specific projects tied to it.
Acting President Goodluck Jonathan defining moments
The effort by Acting President Goodluck Jonathan to re-appoints sacked ministers had put him on a collision course with some influential state governors in the country.
Missing Nigerian Oil Workers From Niger Delta Found Dead
Two workers of National Petroleum Development Company, (NPDC), Benin City , Edo State, Danjuma Bashir and Malabu Ahmad, missing since March 13, have been found dead in a bush in Monsogar area of Delta State.
The bodies were found on Saturday morning, by a joint search team of police, State Security Service and workers, put in place by Edo State government. The workers were said to have left Benin for Delta State University, Abraka, but never got there.
Nigeria received $400m from Global Fund in eight years An international funding organisation, The Global Fund, has, since 2003, disbursed $400m to Nigeria to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
Niger Delta unrest dampens Shell Royal Dutch Shell has seen its first quarter profits climb by 12% but reports reduced output in Nigeria and the Gulf of Mexico.- BBC News
US cautions Nigeria on third term The US warns Nigeria against changing its constitution to allow President Obasanjo to stand for a third term. - BBC News
China's Hu urges more Africa ties - Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao addresses Nigerian MPs after agreeing some $4bn-worth of investment.- BBC News
Nigeria Delivers Final Debt Payments - yahoo News
Man Held Hostage in Nigeria Fined in Theft -Yahoo News
Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown (L) and World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz (C) listen to remarks by Nigeria Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at a news conference for the 2006 World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington April 21, 2006. The news conference was a discussion of education as an antidote to poverty. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - Yahoo News Nigeria confirm Eguavoen as national team coach
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