Nwodo Warns States Against Imposition of Candidates
National chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, yesterday warned party officers particularly state chairmen, at all levels to desist from imposing candidate of their choice. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Today, 4:49am
Jonathan Fires Security Chiefs - Appoints New Bosses for Military, Police, SSS
Top brass of the armed forces, the police and the State Security Services were removed and replaced yesterday by President Goodluck Jonathan, apparently to consolidate his hold on power five months before the general elections in which he said he will be contesting. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Today, 4:42am
2011 Election Not Realistic-ACN
ACTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday, described as unrealistic, the 2011 elections time-table release by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).INEC had on Tuesday released the time-table, which showed that the staggered elections will hold on January 2011.While the National Assembly electioin will hold on January 15, the presidential election is scheduled for January 22. In the same vein, the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are expected to take place on January 29.But reacting to the development, the ACN through a press statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, warned that to avoid the pitfalls of the past, where billions of naira are spent in election without commiserate results, the National Assembly should suspend the implementation of the amended constitution, until after the 2011 general elections to enable INEC conduct the election in April 2011.The problem of impossible time-lines which the... Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Today, 4:23am
PDP Chair Warns State EXCOs
National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo yesterday cautioned party state executive committees, saying they must adhere to the constitutional provisions of the party and stop imposing candidates on the party.He also condemned the lawless situation in Ogun and Taraba states, telling them that the country is not a banana republic where anything goes .Speaking at a meeting with a delegation from the Ogun State chapter of the party led by the impeached Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Tunji Egbetokun, Nwodo told them pointedly that the NWC is distressed about the situation in Ogun State.Egbetokun was on Monday removed as Speaker by nine of the 26 members of the House while 14 others were suspended from the House indefinitely. Hon. Soyemi Coker representing Odeda state constituency was reportedly elected to fill the vacuum.Nwodo who condemned the removal of the former Speaker under controversial circumstances, said lawlessness must not be condoned... Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Today, 4:17am
Elections Will be Expensive-PDP
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday predicted an expensive general election next year, going by the stringent provisions in the 2010 Electoral Act just released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Today, 4:11am
Jonathan Sacks Service Chiefs, IG, D-G SSS
Forty years after the Nigeria-Biafra war, an Igbo man was yesterday named chief of Army staff. President Goodluck Jonathan appointed Major-General O. Azubuike Ihejirika as the new head of the Army. He takes over from Lt.-General Abdulrahaman Dambazau.By the action, Major-General Ihejirika becomes the first Igbo man to occupy the office of chief of Army staff (COAS) since the end of the civil war in 1970.However, it was not all too good for Inspector- General of Police (IGP), Ogbonna Onovo who was removed and replaced with Assistant Inspector- General (AIG), Hafiz Ringim.The changes were announced in a sweeping overhaul of the leadership of the forces and the State Security Services (SSS) where Ita Ekpeyong was appointed to replace Afarkiya Gadzama.Other replacements announced yesterday by President Jonathan include that of chief of defence staff, Air Marshal Paul Dike who was replaced with Air Marshal Oluseyi Petirin, immediate past chief of the Air Force.Also removed was chief... Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Today, 4:05am
Two Policemen Arrested for Kidnapping
Police yesterday said two of their non-commissioned personnel (names withheld), are currently being detained at the prison in Awka, Anambra State for alleged kidnapping and conspiracy. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Today, 3:51am
Controversy Trails Jonathan, IBB, Buhari's Meeting
About a week ago, President Goodluck Jonathan finally let the cat out of the bag when he confirmed not to the amazement of many that he was interested in contesting the presidential seat, come 2011. That confirmation had come on the heels of much speculation on the president's interest. In fact, he opened up when many people were beginning to think that he was no longer interested in the most coveted office in the country. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Today, 3:45am
Kidnapping- American General for National Security Summit
Former American Commander of the Coalition Ground Forces in Iraq, Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, is among accomplished security experts lined up as resource persons for the fist Nigerian Internal Security Summit being organized by the Ministry of Interior.It is aimed at finding a lasting solution to the menace of kidnapping and other internal security challenges in the country especially in the south east.Disclosing this in a statement, Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho said the summit will see the ministry brainstorming with stakeholders and security agencies on how to stem the incidence of kidnapping and other criminal activities in the country.The statement made available to the Daily Champion yesterday said the stakeholders summit would discuss, among other things, critical issues bothering on internal security, saying in an era of general insecurity arising from increasing crime waves in the country, it has become imperative to mobilize relevant stakeholders to complement the efforts of the... Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Today, 3:35am
FG Okays N4.56 Trillion for 2011 budget
Federal government yesterday approved a budgetary proposal of N4.56 trillion for the 2011 fiscal year. The figure which is about 10 per cent less than that of 2010 appropriation, is however, part of the 2011-2013 Medium Term Fiscal Frame. The decision was the main highlight of the federal executive council (FEC) meeting yesterday and presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo, in the absence of President Goodluck Jonathan who was reportedly busy with other state matters.With this approval, government may have began the implementation of the 2011-2013 Medium Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF) and Fiscal Strategy Pare (FSP), which is the revenue and expenditure frameworks of the government as agreed to by FEC. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Today, 3:26am
Sylva Debunks Plot to Deceive Jonathan
The Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, yesterday dismissed as misplaced, claims by some politicians in the state that his administration had plotted to deceive President Goodlcuk Jonathan through the listing of already commissioned projects for commissioning during the proposed Presidential visit to the state. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Today, 2:48am
Tertiary Institutions in Lagos Set for Total, Indefinite Closure - Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola Speaking With Protesters During a Protest Rally
Tertiary education may collapse at anytime from now in Lagos State as the academic and non-academic unions in all the institutions of higher learning have declared trade dispute over non-implementation of negotiated agreements reached with government. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Today, 2:48am
Sheikh Gumi's Release Will Sustain Relationship With Saudi Arabia, IBB - Says He is a Reference Point in Nigeria
FORMER Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida said yesterday that the release of Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi in far away Saudi Arabia will further help cement and sustain the existing relationship between the government of Nigeria and that of Saudi Arabia. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Today, 2:48am
Citizens in Europe Mobilise Support for Jonathan
BARELY 24 hours after a group in began the mobilisation of Nigerians in Europe to support President Goodluck Jonathan, Nigerians-Americans in Chicago have resolved to support the President,s bid to contest the 2011 elections. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Today, 2:48am
2011 Poll Already Being Rigged
THE rigging of elections is a more complex operation than meets the ordinary, untutored eye. The objective of rigging election is to ensure the processes are artificially orchestrated to result in the emergence of a particular, premeditated individual as the winner. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Today, 2:48am
Striking South East Lecturers
On Monday September 6, 2010, the striking lecturers of state-owned universities in the South East geopolitical zone donned full academic regalia and staged a protest march in Enugu, the political capital of the defunct Eastern Region, over the failure of governments in the zone to implement the Federal Government/Academic Staff Union of Universities (FG/ASUU) pact reached last year after a prolonged national strike. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Today, 2:48am
Injaro Sees Growth in West African SMEs
Africa_focused fund Injaro Investments is raising money to invest in West African businesses too big for microfinance but which are unable to get bank loans, especially in the agricultural sector, its Managing Principal Jerry Parkes said on Tuesday. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Today, 2:46am
Nation Shocked by Sacking of Military Chiefs
Most Nigerians who spoke with LEADERSHIP last night expressed shock at the sudden removal of the service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, Ogbona Onovo as well as the director-general of the State Security Service (SSS), Alhaji Afakriya Gazama by President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Today, 2:44am
Fifa U17 Womens World Cup - Flamingoes Wins 2 1
The Nigerian Flamingoes have defeated the counterpart the Trinidad-Tobago team at the Fifa U17 Women World Cup Football League ongoing in Trinidad-Tobago Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Today, 2:43am
Declare Now, Okonma Urges Jonathan
A politician from Delta North senatorial district, Mr Dom Okonma, has advised the President Goodluck Jonathan, to make his political ambition known urgently. Okonma disclosed this in a chat with journalists at the Murtala Muhammad Airport, Lagos on his way to Abuja for a political engagement. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Today, 2:43am
Cross River Deputy Governor Calls for NFF Rebranding
Cross River State Deputy governor, Mr. Efiok Cobham has called for re-branding of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) in an effort to reposition football in Nigeria. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Today, 2:35am
Jonathan Sacks Service Chiefs, Petirin now CDS
PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has approved sweeping changes in the nation's Armed Forces, with the sacking of all service chiefs, Inspector General of Police, IGP, and Director-General of the State Security Service, SSS. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Today, 2:35am
Sect Frees 721 Prison Inmates in Attack
The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Prisons Service, Mr. Olusola Ogundipe, has revealed that 721 out of the 759 inmates at the Bauchi Prisons escaped, following an attack by the Boko Haram sect. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Today, 2:28am
President Appoints New Security Chiefs
PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday approved sweeping changes in the nation's Armed Forces, with the sacking of all service chiefs, Inspector General of Police, IGP, and Director-General of the State Security Service, SSS. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 11:50pm
President Replaces Military, Security Heads
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has appointed new military, intelligence and police chiefs, his office said on Wednesday, ahead of January elections in the oil-rich country. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 11:25pm
Nigerian Rights Defender Jailed in the Gambia
The Banjul Magistrate court presided over by Hilary Abeke on September 6, 2010 suspended indefinitely, a human rights NGO, Africa in Democracy and Good Governance (ADG) from operating in the country and sentenced its Nigerian Director of Programmes, Edwin Nebolisa Kwakaeme, to a mandatory six-month prison term with hard labour for giving false information to the office of President Yahya Jammeh. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 12:49pm
Organisation Slams World Bank Stance on Biofuels
Commenting on a new World Bank report published today in which the Bank backs the practice of nations selling vast agricultural lands to foreign investors, Mariann Bassey, African food and agriculture coordinator for Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria said: Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 10:56am
Militants Free Hundreds in Attack on Prison
Suspected members of an Islamist sect have raided a prison in northern Nigeria, freeing 732 inmates, including members of the extremist group. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 10:11am
EFCC Docks Four Ex-NFF Officials Over N1.5 Billion Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes yesterday arraigned four former board members of the Nigerian Football Federation(NFF), over a N1.5billion fraud. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 8:40am
Fashola Showers Naira On Traditional Sports Champions
The maiden Draughts, Ayo-Olopon, Cards and Ram Charging Championship organised by Mainland Movers Organisation and Lagos State Traditional Sports Association in conjunction with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Grassroots Sports Development to Governor Raji Fashola came to an end on Sunday. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 6:44am
10, 000 Athletes for Nation at 50 Marathon
No fewer than 10, 000 athletes will participate in the Abuja marathon race slated for October 30 as part of activities to mark the Golden Jubilee anniversary of Nigeria's Independence. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 6:44am
'FG Must Individualize Land for Capital Value'
Chairman of the Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform, Prof. Akin Mabogunje has vehemently declared that government must individualize land in Nigeria for it to have any form of capital value. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 6:44am
'Fake' Corps Member Accused of Forgery
A suspected fake corps member was on Monday arraigned before an Abuja Magistrate Court for allegedly forging a National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) posting letter. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 6:44am
Danjuma Medical Centre at Nasarawa Varsity to be Redesigned
The ultra modern medical centre which General Theophilus Danjuma built and donated to Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), is undergoing restructuring in what the university authorities say, "is to suit the taste of the donor." Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 6:44am
Why Jonathan Can't Run (ii)
Okay, let me swallow my foolish pride and confess that I am an unpatriotic Nigerian. Only an unpatriotic person could ignore the giant strides that Nigeria has made under President Goodluck Jonathan and fail to join the infectious bandwagon who have rented every available building in Asokoro, Maitama, Wuse II and Garki Central, where rents are denominated in dollars to drum up support for Mr. President. Only an unpatriotic Nigerian, blinded by hate and ethnic supremacy, would fail to see the rapid transformation on the horizon once Jonathan clinks the PDP ticket which is a fait accompli. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 6:44am
Deregulation - Between the Government, Masses And Workers
With the Nigeria Labour Congress declaration of total war against the planned removal of subsidy on oil by the federal government, there is fear that the development would plunge the nation's petroleum sector into another crisis. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 6:44am
Guard Accused of Rice Theft
A 19-year-old security guard was yesterday arraigned before an Abuja Magistrate Court for allegedly stealing two bags of rice belonging to one Agatin Evelyn. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 6:44am
Sallah - Abaji FRSC Commences Special Patrol
THE Abaji unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Joseph Ezeh, yesterday said the command has commenced a special patrol along Abaji- Lokoja road in order to control vehicles travelling home for the sallah break. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 6:44am
50 Years of Nigeria's Public Service (iii)
The GO and FI during the colonial times and soon after independence were fully applied uniformly throughout the federation. The expatriate officers were no saints, but as the story goes they were upright in conforming to the rules and financial accountability. We inherited the system but seem to have lost grounds under the military during which in line with their centralised style of administration controls were centralised in the office of the chief executive; whereas previously expenditure was easily incurred at all levels once the items had been budgeted and approved in the estimates. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 6:44am
Ekeji Avoids Commonwealth Games Medals Target
Director General of the National Sports Commission, Chief Patrick Ekeji yesterday refused to announce the number of medals Nigerians should expect from the country's contingent to the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India, insisting that Nigeria's target remains to emerge the best among African countries to the games. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 6:44am
NSE Suspends AP, Conoil, 53 Others From Market
The Council of the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday suspended the shares of African Petroleum, Conoil and 53 other quoted companies from being traded on the floor of the market, while seven others were placed on watch list. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 6:44am
Arisekola, June 12 And Zoning
The story is told of the king's barber, Audu Wanzami, who alone knew that the king had a horn, unicorn-like, sticking out of the centre of his head. No one else knew. Then, for some reasons, the knowledge choked him to a point he could not keep the secret to himself any longer. He dug a deep pit where inside, he rapped to no one's hearing - "the king has a horn sticking out of the middle of his head; says who? Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 6:44am
Man Disguised as Woman Causes Stir in Police Station
Hundreds of Tudun Wada residents yesterday besieged the Lugbe Police Outpost in the area to see a man dressed up as a woman. A police source said a man brought a complaint to their station, stating that he picked up a female prostitute at Zone 4, Abuja and discovered he was a male after spending three days with the person. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 6:44am
'My Mum's Death Led Me to Steal a Car'
A mechanic Monday told a judge that his mother's death led him to steal a car in order for him to have money to spend. After listening to the confession, Judge Umar Yusuf Kargarako of Gudu Upper Area Court sentenced Jonah Usman to nine months imprisonment for stealing a car belonging to one Friday Idowu. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 6:44am
Of Balewa, Mbu And Fani-Kayode
I don't like Femi Fani-Kayode's arrogance one bit. I am also pained by his alleged corrupt past in the aviation sector under Olusegun Obasanjo. But those are not the issue here! Considering Chief Mathew Mbu's age and pedigree, I would not look into his eyes and call him a liar even if he is one. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 6:44am
Banker in Court Over N2.5 Million Theft
An official of Intercontinental Bank was yesterday arraigned before an Abuja Magistrate Court for allegedly stealing N2.5 million belonging to the bank's branch at Durumi. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 6:44am
I Can Still Play for Another Eight Years - Yobo
Super Eagles skipper Joseph Yobo has told MTNFootball.com that he plans to play till 2018 even amid calls from a section of the public that he is already too old for the national team. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 5:51am
Ladipo - Say No to Foreign Coach
The President of Nigeria Football and other Sports Supporters Club, Dr. Rauf Ladipo, has told Nigerians to rise up and challenge any move by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to employ a foreign coach to tinker the Super Eagles. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 5:51am
Ekiti Distributes Cholera Vaccines to Hospitals
The Ekiti State government has commenced the distribution of cholera vaccines to hospitals in communities that are prone to the epidemic. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 4:25am
Bajju Community Strategises for 2011 Elections
The people of Bajju community in Kaduna State have agreed to participate fully in the 2011 elections to take their rightful positions in the state. At the swearing-in ceremony of executives of the Bajju Development Association (BADA) the former Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Mr. James Bawa Magaji, who is the political leader of BADA, said the people of Bajju would come out en masse for the voters' registration. Read more...
AllAfrica News: Nigeria, Yesterday, 4:25am