Friday, December 17, 2010

Coalition of Atiku Northern Supporters (CANSU) -- The Reason Behind Atiku's Threat

THE battle for the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) presidential ticket assumed a dangerous dimension on Thursday over a statement credited to former vice-president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in which he alluded to violent take-over of government.
The statement by the former vice-president has generated hot reactions, further widening the gulf between the camps of President Goodluck Jonathan and Alhaji Abubakar.
However, in one of the reactions to Abubakar’s statement, some of his supporters from the North have declared that the office of the president of the country is North’s sole right and have threatened to unleash  mayhem of unimaginable proportions on the country, if Abubakar does not get the presidential ticket of the PDP.

President: Atiku’s Statement Treasonable

President Goodluck Jonathan blew hot yesterday at two different fora, warning politicians against unguarded statements.
He said anyone making statements that threaten the sovereignty of the country would be deemed to be engaging in treasonable felony.
The president’s warning is a veiled response to a statement by former vice-president and consensus candidate of the Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who two days ago at a political forum quoted Frantz Fanon, saying "those who make peaceful change impossible make violent change inevitable".

IBB, Atiku Supporters sad as PDP NEC, govs, endorse Jonathan

IT was a tense atmosphere last night in Abuja as the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) National Executive Council (NEC) and governors met to take crucial decisions on its order of primaries and other burning issues.

At the end of the meeting, 20 governors endorsed and adopted President Goodluck Jonathan as the PDP’s candidate of the party for the presidential primary election slated for January 13 2011.

But the Atiku Campaign Organization dismissed the endorsement, saying that it was of no significance, provided it did not take away the rights of the PDP delegates.

And against the backdrop of a statement credited to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that if peaceful change was not allowed, it would make violent change inevitable, Jonathan said that his government would not hesitate to bring anybody who made treasonable comments before the law. President Goodluck Jonathan sounded a note of warning to those making inciting statements, challenging Nigeria’s sovereignty as a nation and warned that his government would no longer “take that kind of rubbish lightly.”

Thursday, December 16, 2010

President Jonathan said: Stolen DDC machines won’t affect credible elections

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday assured all Nigerians that the process that will lead to credible elections in 2011 has not been interrupted in any way despite the stealing of the Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
This reassurance came as the president called on all Nigerians to be vigilant and watchful so that those who threatened violence if they did not have their way in 2011 were put to shame.
Jonathan, in a comment on his Facebook page warned the citizens not to allow anyone to rob the nation of the unique opportunity to decide the direction the country will go in 2011.
He said there was need not to politicise any incident and inject suspicion into the polity.
The president stated that he was glad that the police had lived up to their responsibilities and had made arrests and recovery of the stolen DDC machines, insisting that the feat was laudable and should be supported by everyone.

WikiLeaks Reveals Star Leadership Qualities Of Jonathan

A political commentator and public affairs analyst, Mr. Paul Obanua, said yesterday that contrary to the way the opposition wants the public to see it, the WikiLeaks report on President Goodluck Jonathan further revealed his star leadership qualities. In some reports in the national dailies recently, some opposition groups were quoted as saying that the WikiLeaks report succeeded in exposing the president's desperation for power and as somebody who should not be trusted with power.
But speaking with LEADERSHIP last night, Mr. Obanua said there was nothing in that report that portrays the president as such.
According to him, "I read the so-called WikiLeaks; there is nothing in that report, assuming the report on President Jonathan was correct that portrayed him as a desperate person.  In fact the report further revealed the star leadership qualities of the president; it shows that he is not desperate for power."

Jonathan, IBB supporters clash at Igbo summit

Battle for the 2011 presidency shifted to Owerri, Imo state yesterday, as supporters of President Goodluck Jonathan and General Ibrahim Babangida engaged in an altercation.
The Igbo Political Forum, which is believed to be working for IBB had scheduled a stakeholder's conference at the Concorde Hotel, Owerri, but was denied access to the venue by the hotel management and security agencies.
Those locked out include former Vice-President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, former Senate President Ken Nnamani, former governors Jim Nwobodo, Achike Udenwa, Sam Egwu and Chris Ngige.
Others are Ambassador George Obiozor, former Minister of Education, Prof. Chinwe Obaji; former Minister of Health, Prof. ABC Nwosu; Air commodore Luke Ochulor, Prince BB Apugo, Senator Ben Obi, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, Chief Dubem Onyia, Chief Simon Okeke and Chief Chyna Iwuanyanwu.

Irregular Account: Where are the Remaining Direct Data Capture Machines

WE have come a long way in all things, including the attempt to checkmate that big monster called corruption. The joke is  told of how a machine that catches thieves was invented outside these coasts. That machine was dispatched to us to help catch those big  thieves around.
But as soon as the machine landed in Nigeria, it was stolen! Does this sound any different from what is happening to the Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines, which were imported into this country to facilitate the process of registering us to vote?

A Law Maker in Nigeria Can Pay His Counterpart in USA -- Compare

A comparative analysis of Nigerian legislators‘ earnings and those of other countries reveals that the former can pay many of their counterparts in other countries and still remain very rich, NNAEMEKA MERIBE and GBENGA ADENIJI write.

An Indian lawmaker needs to work for at least 49 years to earn the annual salary of a Nigerian senator. A lawmaker in India earns $23,988 (N3.7m) per annum while a Nigerian senator earns $1.2m (N182m) per annum. A monthly breakdown shows that while an Indian lawmaker earns $1,999 (N305, 058) per month, a Nigerian senator earns $ 99,167(N15.18m) per month.

Goodluck Presents N1.39trn deficit budget to the N'Assembly

President Jonathan
ABUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, presented to the National Assembly, a budget proposal of N4.226 trillion which is 18 per cent less than  the N5.1599 trillion budget proposal of 2010.
The proposal has a built-in deficit of N1.390 trillion. The proposed spending for 2011 is based on a benchmark oil price of $65 per barrel, production of 2.3 million barrels per day (bpd) and an exchange rate of 150 naira to the dollar.
President Jonathan’s revenue forecast indicates that the Federal Government would earn N2.836 trillion while planning to spend N4.226 trillion leaving a deficit of N1.390 trillion, which represents 3.62 per cent of GDP

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

One dies, two injured in Lagos accident


A female student of the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Ekere Itoro, was crushed on Tuesday, while two other people suffered injuries in a hit-and-run motor accident in Oshodi area of Lagos State.

In another incident, a policeman at Amukoko area of Lagos allegedly shot another man thus throwing the neighbourhood into confusion.

Eye witnesses in the Oshodi incident said the accident which occurred around 8am involved a mini tanker with registration number XT 343 EPE.

Elder statesman, Enahoro dies at 87: Gowon and other Nationalists react over His death

The rank of Nigeria’s founding fathers was further depleted this morning with the passing on of frontline nationalist and elder statesman, Chief Anthony Eromosele Enahoro.
Enahoro, 87, died in the early hours of today after a protracted illness.
He had been ill since late September when he fell into coma and had been a regular occupant of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, where he died.
The death of foremost journalist, anti-colonial and pro-democracy activist, threw the pro-democracy community into mourning Wednesday because of the octogenarian’s his evergreen usefulness, resourcefulness and relevance in nation-building.

Minister of Information and Communication Prof. Akunyili Resigns, and Joins APGA

SPECULATIONS were Wednesday laid to rest when President Goodluck Jonathan reluctantly accepted the resignation of the Minister of Information and Communication, Professor Dora Akunyili.
Consequently, the President has approved the appointment of Minister of State in the Ministry, Mr Labaran Maku, as the substantive Minister. The new senior Minister is now to function without a Minister of State.
Akunyili, in an emotion-laden last briefing after the Federal Executive Council, FEC, disclosed that she was quitting both the government and the ruling People Democratic Party, PDP, in order to achieve her age-long ambition to become a senator.

The National Assembly Members retreat under Governors’ fire

ABUJA—THE Senate and House of Representatives, yesterday, beat a retreat in their confrontation with the nation’s 36 governors over amendment to the Electoral Act that would make the federal lawmakers members of their political parties’ National Executive Committees.
While the Senate passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill without the controversial proposal to make members of the National Assembly automatic members of the NECs of political parties, the House of Representatives on its part suspended passage of the bill containing the controversial clauses indefinitely.
Meanwhile, the stage for the battle between the governors and the lawmakers in the dominant Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was closed temporarily after the scheduled NEC meeting was deferred till tomorrow. Party chieftains resolved to shift the meeting to enable further consultations on the cantankerous issues.

PDP Govs. Frown at Nwodo's Orders in NEC meeting



Okwesilieze Nwodo
 The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party worsened on Tuesday as its National Chairman, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, was shouted down by the governors at the party’s National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja.

Trouble started when Nwodo ordered the Enugu State Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Vita Abba, out of the NEC meeting. Nwodo was said to have pointed out that Abba was not the authentic chairman of the PDP in the state.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Former Delta State Governor Ibori to face Extradition to UK as Dubai Court Rules


Former Delta State Governor James Onanefe Ibori.

HE sought to escape from justice. And for months, he thought he had found a safe haven from the wrath of the law in Dubai.  

But yesterday marked the beginning of the end for former Delta State Governor James Onanefe Ibori. It is the end of his alleged attempt to flee from justice while it is the beginning of his accounting for his alleged misdeeds while he was the helmsman in Delta.  

Kidnappers Frustrate Immunisation in Uyo, The Akwa-ibom State Capital

In Akwa Ibom State, particularly in Uyo metropolis, it was one huddle after another recently when health officials went on a house to house immunization campaign in the state. Reason: big shots weren’t taking chances, being afraid that kidnappers might as well put on immunization aprons to gain access into their homes for their evil mandate.
While Akwa Ibom is one of the states that have ensured the absence of wild polio virus, the officials are lamenting that the high rate of kidnapping in the state is threatening their efforts as people are now scared too open their doors to unknown persons.
Daily Sun was in Akwa Ibom to monitor the Immunization Plus Days (IPDs) last month. Although the level of non-compliance was said to have remained very low with high successes, officials felt that they could cover more grounds during the national campaign if they did not have to grapple with the problem of access to their targeted population following the high level of insecurity.

Ebsu Supplementary List and Admission Acceptance Form is out

Ebonyi State University has released the 2010/2011 Admission list. Candidates seeking admission in the institution are asviced to check their names on by clicking on either of these links http://www.jamb.org.ng/postregistrationefacility/CheckAdmissionStatus.aspx?id=03 or www.ebsu-edu.net to confirm if they have been offered an admission. Any candidate whose name has been shortlisted should proceed to the UBA Ogoja Road, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State for the purchase of the ACCEPTANCE SCRATCH CARD, then Proceed to STARMAC CYBERLAND for the confirmation of the Acceptance payment online. But in case u need an assistance you can call 07037178159 or you can reach me on ksjlad@yahoo.com You can always chech this site for more information.

Former Lagos Boss, Tinubu -- Action Congress of Nigeria will win Ogun, Oyo in 2011


Former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, on Monday said that the Action Congress of Nigeria would “clean up” Ogun and Oyo states in the general elections of 2011.

Tinubu, who spoke to journalists at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, said the ACN was already strategising towards achieving the goal.

“We are cleaning up Ogun and Oyo in 2011. This is the time our party is strategising to enlarge its scope. Akala (Governor Adebayo Alao Akala) does not understand the politics of Oyo State,” he said.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Crime in Nigeria: The Erstwhile First Lady Turai Yar’adua, and Others were Alleged of Bribery

Wife of Late Umaru Yar’adua, former Nigeria president, Lady Hajia Turai Yar’adua and two others are alleged to have taken millions of dollars as bribe on all tankers exporting oil from Nigeria. According to the American state Department cables leaked by online whistleblower, Wikileaks, the other two people are former Chief Economic Adviser, Tanimu Yakubu and former Group MD of NNPC, Lawal Yar’adua. Also, former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Michael Kaase Aondoaaka allegedly told a visitor that he would only sign a document if he was given about N300m immediately, with another N270m to be paid to him the next day.

2011: Govs, PDP chieftains storm Abuja

LAGOS—GOVERNORS and chairmen of State chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on the receiving end of the proposal to foist members of the National Assembly on the National Executive Committees, NECs, of political parties are gathering in Abuja today to battle the proposal.
Besides Governors, Speakers of State Houses of Assembly representing their members, chairmen, secretaries, youth and women leaders of state chapters of the PDP are also gathering in Abuja to protest the proposal which will deny them delegate status in the forthcoming national convention of the party.

Osisikankwu, kidnap kingpin killed by soldiers

UMUAHIA—The Joint Military Task Force operating in Abia State, yesterday, killed the notorious kidnap kingpin, Mr. Obioma Nwankwo, popularly known as Osisikankwu, who was declared wanted by the police for alleged kidnapping.
Army spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, who confirmed the killing, said the notorious criminal was killed at Ugwuati Evil Forest during a gun battle between the task force and the gang led by Osisikankwu.
Though information about the killing was sketchy at press time, Vanguard learnt that the soldiers displayed the body of the notorious kidnapper in an open van round Aba to the jubilation of Aba residents.

Niger State Governor Accuses National Assembly of Killing Democracy in Nigeria




Niger State Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu
 
Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, has criticised the National Assembly of allegedly smuggling “questionable clauses” into the amended Electoral Act, saying the lawmakers’ action was capable of killing democracy in the country.
Aliyu accused the lawmakers of selfishness in introducing clauses aimed at making themselves members of the National Executive Committee of their political parties and automatic delegates to the parties’ conventions.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Experts Explain - How legislators’ 25% allocation would have improved Nigeria

Imagine the difference the 25% allocation to Federal legislators over the years would have made to the lives of Nigerians. The nation’s budgets in the last 10 years stand at about N22.5 trillion and based on the revelation from the CBN Governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi that 25% of recurrent budget is spent by the National Assembly, as much as N5.62 trillion has accrued to the NASS in the last ten years.
Saturday Vanguard sounded out experts in the various sectors on the difference this amount would have made in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

Voter Registration: Court Determines INEC’s Fate Monday

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed next Monday for hearing of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction filed by Bedding Holdings Limited stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from continuing with voter registration exercise, pending the outcome of the substantive suit.
The company had  earlier dragged INEC, its chairman, the Attorney-General of the federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice,  and three

The Reasons Behind PDP's Proposal For Automatic Ticket To The Lawmakers

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may have started feeling the pressure of  plans to dislodge it from power in 2011 and has settled down for fire brigade approaches meant to enhance its chances in the 2011 general elections.
The Board of Trustees of PDP, during its last meeting in Abuja, had set out plans for the party to infuse a winning spirit in the party ahead of the 2011 general elections and that was after reviewing the party’s dwindling electoral fortunes across the federation, the opposition parties having preyed on some of the states it hitherto had in its firm grip.

Police Arrest Four in Connection with the Stolen DDC Machines

Four persons, suspected to have stolen Direct Data Capture Machines (DDCM) from the cargo terminal at Lagos Airport, were on Friday paraded by the police at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA). Briefing newsmen, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Airport Command, Mosses Onireti, said the four suspects were arrested on Friday.

He gave the names of the suspects as Suleiman Isa, who was arrested at Shasha and Mrs Sunmonu Modupe, arrested at 17, Samuel Street, Akowonjo. Sunmonu was a cleaner at the airport three years ago, under the employ of Emapo Cleaning Services.

Friday, December 10, 2010

2011:Why we can’t back the North, by Ozobu, ex-Ohanaeze President

Ndigbo have not benefited anything from the North

You see, our brothers in Abuja, called me. I will not give their names. They said that they have signed an agreement with the northerners. On the phone, I asked them if the northerners came to them requesting for help to present a candidate for the office of the president?

Some of the DDC Machines Stolen from INEC were Recovered

The Direct Data Capturing computers belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stolen at the cargo section of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos on Tuesday night have been recovered by security operatives at the Shasha area of Lagos yesterday morning.

Governor Amaechi – N’Assembly is taking Nigerians for granted

RIVERS State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has accused members of the National Assembly of taking Nigerians for granted by passing into law the bill that will automatically make them members of the National Executive Committee of their political parties.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

FG, Senate succumb as Sanusi wins spending debate

ABUJA—THE Senate, yesterday, hit back at national backlash over alleged huge salaries and allowances being earned by members of the National Assembly saying that it was ready to have a salary cut if other arms of government would also subject themselves to similar cuts.
The Presidency on its part said the Federal Government’s plans to cut down on its recurrent expenditure were not borne out of any panicky measure but to sustain economic policy of government and agenda growth.

PDP NWC meets over IBB’s threat

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday in Abuja held a crucial meeting in response to the threat by a former presidential aspirant, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), to leave the party.

Babangida had on Tuesday threatened to quit the fold if the party did not rescind its decision to allow President Goodluck Jonathan contest the 2011 presidential election. THE PUNCH learnt that the party’s National Working Committee was still meeting as at 6.30pm.

Some DDC Machines Stolen on arrival at the Lagos Int'l Airport

The porous nature of the nation’s airports has again been laid bare as some of the Direct Data Capture machines for the registration of voters for the 2011 elections were allegedly stolen at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

Sources at the airport, who made this known to our correspondent on Wednesday, did not give the number of units that was stolen. But they said the incident took place on Monday night at the Cargo Terminal of MMIA.
They also claimed that the machines were awaiting clearance by Independent National Electoral Commission agent when the theft took place.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Senator Dalhatu Tafida - 2011 is pay back time for Niger Delta

NIGERIA'S High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Director-General of Goodluck/Sambo Presidential Campaign Organisation, Senator Dalhatu Tafida yesterday in Ibadan, Oyo State, urged Nigerians to see the 2011 presidential bid of Goodluck Jonathan as "pay back time for the people of the Niger Delta" just as he said that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cannot afford to lose Oyo state to the opposition in the forthcoming elections.
While urging Governor Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala to step up dialogue with aggrieved PDP leaders in the state to ensure the party's victory at the 2011 general elections, Senator Tafida maintained that "when you talk of the South West and you don't bring in Oyo state, the equation is not complete."

I didn’t insult Fayose – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday denied exchanging hot words with a former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, at the thanksgiving reception organised by the sacked former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, in his Okuku hometown, Oyo State, because he (Obasanjo) could not condenscend to the level of the former Ekiti governor.


Fayose, impeached as governor in 2006 in controversial circumstances during the second term tenure of the Obasanjo’s eight-year regime, was reported to have launched a verbal attack on Obasanjo at the Okuku event but the former president told our correspondent on Monday that he did not respond to Fayose’s diatribe.

DDCmachines arrive from China, Dubai

All seems set for the commencement of the registration of voters as the Direct Data Capture machines ordered by the Independent National Electoral Commission have started arriving the country.


Sources close to the transaction told THE PUNCH on Monday that one of the suppliers, Zinox Technologies Limited, had so far brought in 14,000 units of the electronic equipment.


The machines, according to him, came in aboard three Boeing 747 aircraft. One of the aircraft flew into the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos exactly one week ago, while the others arrived from China and Dubai on Sunday.


Zinox is one of the three companies that got Request for Quotations from INEC to supply 132,000 units of the DDC machines.

The Almighty UNIBEN, Igbinedion medical schools lose accreditation

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria has withdrawn the accreditation of the medical and dental schools in the University of Benin and Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State.


This was announced by the Chairman of MDCN, Dr. Roger Makanjuola, at the inauguration of the council’s new secretariat building in Abuja on Monday. Makanjuola said the accreditation was withdrawn because both universities had inadequate medical facilities and had more students than they could properly train.

Monday, December 6, 2010

West Africa takes lead in fighting 419 scams

The Vice President  of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Arch. Namadi Sambo, GCON,  at the jus concluded  first West Africa Cybercrime summit held in Nigeria last week  addressed  how the public and private sector must work together to eliminate cybercrime and foster legitimate economic opportunity for West Africans.
Hosted in a region with some of the highest number of cybercrime incidents in the world,  the summit is focused on the theme, “The Fight against Cybercrime: Towards Innovative and Sustainable Economic Development,” by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Microsoft.

I’m not planning to abandon Atiku – IBB

ABUJA—Former military Head of State and the losing contender to the candidate of the Northern elders forum in the consensus arrangement, General Ibrahim Babangida, has expressed disaffection over claims making the rounds that he had jettisoned the option to run the 2011 elections. Babangida’s reaction came even as he reiterated that “his call for respect of the provisions of the PDP constitution as regards zoning still stands and must be respected by all members who subscribe to the party.”
Media reports had insinuated that General Babangida was making a U-turn because the consensus option had collapsed and that in deference to his supporters, he was bowing to pressures from his associates, friends, political allies and followers to take a shot at the presidential election.
However, the former military president in a statement by his spokesman, Kassim Afegbua, said: “To state the obvious, General IBB is not contemplating jettisoning the consensus option b

I ‘ll endear PDP to Nigerians – Nwodo

ABUJA — The National Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo, has said he would take steps to endear the party to Nigerians.
Chief Nwodo, who admitted during a chat in Abuja that PDP has not been loved by Nigerians as much as it had won elections, pledged that he was prepared to change the public perception of the party.
He spoke against the background of recent losses suffered by the PDP which has lost four governorship seats to Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and Labour Party in Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, and penultimate week, Osun State in recent times. The party also lost Anambra to APGA.
His words: “We were winning elections but not winning the hearts of the people.  We were winning elections but if you go down there, I don’t think the people like us as much as we were winning because we were not delivering to them the dividends of democracy.”
Nwodo, who has launched a concerted image laundering campaign for the party, said it was established on very sound principles of social justice in an egalitarian society where all Nigerians can realise their full potentials.

Fashola under pressure to declare for guber race

LAGOS—GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola is under pressure from close associates to dump his gentle approach to politics and fight for his political survival.
The pressure on the governor, weekend, came against the background of emerging intentions by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, and some other senior party officials to contest the gubernatorial ticket of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, the dominant party in Lagos State.
Vanguard gathered that the continued silence of the Governor over his second term aspiration was not going down well with elements in his kitchen cabinet who were now putting pressure on him to declare his intention.
The unease among the governor’s associates followed weekend’s reported declaration  for the office of Governor by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji.
The Speaker and some other chieftains who are reportedly eyeing the Governor’s office are known associates of the erstwhile Governor of the State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Governor Fashola is equally a protegee of the former governor and leader of the party.

EBSU 2010/2011 Supplementary Admission List is out

Ebonyi State University has finally released their 2010/2011 supplementary Admission List. You can check your admission status by logging on to  www.ebsu-edu.net, then click on prospective student, and also on the check admission status link type your JAMB Reg. No. on the new window that will appear and click submit  or click on this link http://portal.ebsu-edu.net/site/prospective_student.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1#

What Nigerians say on Legislators’ jumbo pay: Sanusi versus National Assembly

Last Wednesday, the Central Bank Governor, Lamido Sanusi, appeared before the Senate to defend his submission that 25 per cent of the overhead in the nation‘s annual budget is spent on the National Assembly. The comments left by readers to PUNCH’s coverage of the controversy show that Sanusi has the support of Nigerians, who agree that the NASS has become a financial burden on the nation’s resources.



Why are we embarrassing our country with this display of illiteracy and raw brutality by those who are supposed to be honourable? Why is the NASS trying to crucify an honest servant of the nation for saying the obvious? Who is in this country that does not know that our NASS is a drain pipe on our national budget? I want to advise Nigerians to utilise this election season and get rid of these touts and liberate this country from their shackles.

Exorbitant Monthly pay: Senators earn N15.18m each, Reps N10.59m – Investigation

EACH senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria earns N15.18m in salaries and allowances monthly, just as each member of the House of Representatives takes home N10.59m a month, investigation has revealed.

For the Senate, each senator (excluding the Senate President and his deputy) takes home about N198.54m annually (N16.64m per month). This translates into a total of N21.243bn.

The amount includes each senator‘s N45m quarterly allowance, which amount to N180m annually for the four quarters of the year, and the official N18.54m that goes into their individual accounts annually as salaries and other emoluments.

According to our correspondents‘ findings, every member of the House of Representatives takes home about N127.18m annually (or N10.59m per month).

The amount includes N28m quarterly allowance for each member, which translates into N112m annually for the four quarters of the year. It also includes the official N15.18m annual salary and other emoluments of each member, contained in a document obtained from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

INEC to display voter register on Internet

The Independent National Electoral Commission will display the register of voters on the Internet for validation and verification.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, who made this known on Friday, added that the Direct Data Capturing machines needed for the exercise would arrive in the country before the end of this month.

He reaffirmed at the second annual Achebe Colloquium at the Brown University, in Providence, United States, that ad-hoc staff comprising mainly National Youth Service Corps members and university students would conduct the voter registration.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Senator Jubril Aminu calls for more seriousness on the Goodluck Campaign organisation

Senator Jubril Aminu on Friday said it would be dangerous to overrate or underrate the importance of former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the consensus aspirant of the Northern Political Leaders’ Forum.

The senator spoke during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja.

The NPLF, led by Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, recently picked Abubakar as the consensus aspirant of the North after conducting a ballot for four Northern PDP presidential aspirants.

The politicians Abubakar floored to emerge as the consensus aspirant are former military ruler, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida; another retired General, Aliyu Gusau and Kwara State Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki.

Reacting to the development, Aminu, who, like Abubakar, is from Adamawa State, said it would be wrong to handle Abubakar with kid gloves.

He noted that the fact that the three other aspirants had honoured their commitment to pull out of the presidential race and support Abubakar meant that the consensus idea should be taken seriously.

The senator said, “There is danger in over-blowing the importance of the exercise and there is also danger in underrating it.

About Eight killed, four injured in fresh Jos attack By Jude Owuamanam, Jos

were killed in Rikwe Chongu village in Bass Local Government Area of Plateau State in another pre-dawn attack allegedly perpetrated by herdsmen.

Our correspondent gathered that the herdsmen invaded the village at about 2.30 am on Friday morning, shooting sporadically in the air.

The village is about 30km west of Jos, the state capital.

The villagers, who recognised the style of previous attacks, refused to come out of their houses.

However, in another attempt to lure the villagers out of their homes, the herdsmen set their houses ablaze and positioned themselves at the entrances so that anybody that came out was either gunned down or killed with a cutlass.

The Commander of the Special Task Force on Jos crises, Brig.-Gen. Hassan Umoru, who confirmed the fresh attack to our correspondent, said, “The attack was carried out at about 02: 23 Hours of Friday, December 3, 2010. Seven people were killed and four others sustained injuries.”

The spokesman for the STF, Lt. Jerry Ayim-Odu, said, “The four people injured are currently receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, while the corpses of the dead were deposited in the same hospital.

DELSU Admission List is out

Delta State University's Admission Exercise for 2010/2011 Academic Session First Batch Admission List (UTME) is out. To check your admission status you can log on to 
http://www.delsung.net click 2010-2011 Final 2nd Batch UTME List (pdf) 

Another Tragedy occured at the Lagos - Ibadan express way

TRAGEDY struck in Lagos on Wednesday as 15 passengers were burnt beyond recognition in an accident involving an 18-seater passenger bus on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway opposite the MKO Abiola Gardens, Alausa.
The driver of the vehicle with registration number LAGOS XW812APP and three other passengers were however lucky to escape, though with varying degrees of burns and were said to have been taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) by the men of the Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS).
Two passengers in the vehicle also tried to escape through the door but they were not so lucky as the fire had completely engulfed their bodies and they died on the spot while the other passengers inside the vehicles were almost burnt to ashes.
An eyewitness told the Nigerian Tribune that the accident occurred around 5.00 p.m. as a result of a burst tyre which forced the driver of the vehicle to apply the brakes causing the vehicle to somersault several times before it caught fire.

Police arrest man for stealing Bible,Area Boys kill Minna patent medicine dealer

The police in Gwada town of Niger State have arrested one Christian James for allegedly stealing three Bibles and other Christian materials.
The value of the Bibles according to the Nigerian Tribune findings, was put at N3,400.
Other religious items allegedly stolen from the Christ the King Catholic Bookshop on Dandaodu road near Gwada were five pictures valued at N1,500; 60 prayer rosaries that had a market value of N4,800; one St Michael statute costing N250 and a Sunday Missal valued at N1,500.
It was said that the suspect broke into the shop while the manager, one Andrew Joseph, was out and made away with the items.
The items were later recovered in the suspect’s residence by the police, the Nigerian Tribune further learnt.
The police in the area confirmed the story, saying James had been arraigned before a senior magistrate court.
In another develop-ment, the police in Minna, the Niger State capital, have begun a manhunt for one Hudu Abdulkareem and two others who allegedly stabbed to death a patent medicine dealer, Baba Out.
According to the Nigerian Tribune’s investigation, the incident occurred on Tuesday at about 8.40a.m at the Makera area of the state capital.

ATM fraud - Bank customers, officials assess MasterCard’s valve

Although many banks have replaced their former ATM card with Master Card, which has more security features, some people are still not impressed about the device, NIKE POPOOLA and STANLEY OPARA report.


The unpleasant experience Mr. Wale Atolagbe had last year when he tried to withdraw money from his bank account using the Automated Teller Machine card is not something he will forget in a hurry.

He had tried the card on three ATMs at different locations at Lekki in Lagos, but none of them dispensed money. He was angry but there was nothing he could do.

The next day, he had to go to his bank for clarification, only to be told that he had withdrawn N60,000 with his ATM card, a day earlier. His countenance instantly changed and he demanded an immediate explanation.

Atolagbe was asked to lodge a formal complaint at the bank, which he did.

Although the bank later resolved the matter and refunded his money, this was several weeks after the incident. He had had to look for money elsewhere to meet his urgent needs.

After this experience, he stopped using the ATM card. He also decided not to use the new MasterCard when his bank introduced it with enhanced security features to check fraud.

PDP Reps explain backing for Jonathan - why must we look up to Jonathan

ABUJA – HOUSE of Representatives spokesman, Eseme Eyiboh, yesterday, explained why the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, caucus of the House has agreed to support President Jonathan Goodluck for the ticket of the party during its forth coming primaries.
Eyiboh, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, said that after a meeting between the President and the caucus, Wednesday night, at the residence of the Speaker, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, the caucus was “very impressed with his commitment towards building a new Nigeria.”
He added that of all the aspirants, they found him to have the “strongest potential for wining the ticket,” because he had “a strong selling point.”
This came just as a Federal High Court in Abuja reinstated the six sacked lawmakers and

EFCC to Charge Ex-US Vice President to Court for Bribery

Abuja—Indications emerged yesterday that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is planing to drag former Vice President of the the Unites States , Dick Cheney, to court over the roles he allegedly played in the $180 million Halliburton bribery scandal.
EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Femi Babafemi, confirmed yesterday that

Labour Party chieftain calls for Reduction in the Salaries of the National Assembly Members

AKURE—AGAINST the backdrop of criticism over the remunerations of members of the National Assembly, a Chieftain of the  Labour Party, LP, in Ondo State, Chief Olufemi Adekanmbi yesterday called for a drastic reduction in their remunerations in the interest of the nation’s economy.
Adekanmbi suggested that the monthly salaries of Senators and members of the House of Representatives should be trimmed down to N100, 000 and N75, 000 respectively.
Speaking while officially declaring his intention to represent the people of Owo/Ose Federal constituency at the National Assembly in Owo, Adekanmbi said if the claims made by Central Bank Governor

Friday, December 3, 2010

PDP Flag Bearer to be unveiled on Saturday Jan. 11 2011

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has proposed January 11-13 to pick its presidential candidate.


The frontrunners are President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) decided the dates at its meeting yesterday in Abuja, a member of the body told our reporter last night.

But the decision

Methodist Bishop, Rt. Rev. Sunday Onuoha may unseat Uche Chukwumerije as he joins politics

The Bishop of Evangelism and Discipleship, Methodist Church, Nigeria, Rt. Rev. Sunday Onuoha, has declared his intention to contest for a senatorial seat in Abia State.


Onuoha, who will be contesting for the Abia North Senatorial seat under the People’s Democratic Party, seeks to unseat Senator Uche Chukwumerije.

The clergy, who is also chairman, Vision Africa Radio (FM 101), Umuahia, announced his plan late on Wednesday at a fund-raising dinner organised by his friends in Lagos.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria that he was bringing integrity, uprightness, exemplary living and experience to politics.

NAN reports that Onuoha served under former President Olusegun Obasanjo as Special Adviser on Privatisation.

According to Onuoha, God has ordained him to proclaim freedom to Nigerians, hence his decision to go into politics which many perceive as dirty.

“If politics is dirty, it has to be washed. I know that there are clean people who entered into politics and came out clean, and I hope to follow their footsteps,” he said.

A FEDERAL UNIVERSITY TO BE SITED IN EBONYI STATE

The Federal Government of Nigeria's proposal to site more six universities one for each of the six geopolitical zones in the country has been welcomed by the well meaning Nigerians. Both Government and the people of the South East Nigeria have lauded Mr. President's initiave and commitment towards the development of the human resources of this nation as they argued that the establishment of more universities will not only give room for the citizens to acquire university education but also