FG appoints VC, registrars for nine new Universities

The Federal Government on Wednesday announced the appointment of vice-chancellors and registrars for the nine new federal universities.

Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, made the announcement at a media briefing in Abuja.

She explained that the decision to appoint the chief executives was in line with the Federal Government’s desire to ensure the commencement of academic activities in the institutions in September 2011.

PDP ticket: I can't compromise my chance - Bankole

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, on Wednesday declared that he would not give up the struggle for a return ticket to the legislature.

Bankole spoke in a veiled reference to the uncertainty surrounding his bid. This is even as majority of the 360 members of the House failed to secure return tickets in the primaries of their respective parties.

President Goodluck Jonathan on a hot Seat

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday came under fire for describing governors in South-West states not controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party as ‘rascals.’

The attacks came from the Action Congress of Nigeria which has three out of the six governors in South-West and the Labour Party which has one governor.

16 Political parties adopted Shekarau as presidential candidate

KANO—leaders of 16 registered political parties have adopted the All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP, flag bearer in the forthcoming election, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau as their common candidate for the April presidential polls.
A communiqué read on behalf of the other parties by Dr. Lawrence Atuanan, of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, explained that the step was informed by Shekarau’s political maturity which the group believed was needed for the improvement of the national polity.
Lawrence, who is the chairman of NNPP, explained that the parties would offer tacit support to Shekarau candidature, stressing that the group would stop at nothing short of ensuring his victory.
The Communiqué enjoined Nigerians of voting age to offer wholesome support to the ANPP flag bearer for him to showcase the ’Kano magic’ in the overall interest national cohesion and development.
The communique read in part: “We have collectively and voluntarily agreed to avail Shekarau of the structure of our parties from the wards to the national level to work for the realisation of Shekarau Presidency come April.”

Two Teenagers in Police net for $9.7m, €664,100 at Lagos airport

The Airport Command of the Nigerian Police Force has arrested two teenagers with $9,734,225 and €664,100 at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

The 18-year-old teenagers, identified as Abdul Bashir and Rabiu Bashir, said to be brothers, were arrested at the old domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport at about 6.30 pm on Thursday, shortly after arriving with the huge sum of money aboard an Arik Air flight from Kano.

According to security and airline sources, the money was packed in four travelling bags, which the suspects checked in as hand luggage.

Tension arises as INEC prepares to release list Sunday

There is rising anxiety among the political class, especially with the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and their supporters as the Independent National Electoral Commission releases the lists of candidates for the 2011 general elections (on Sunday) tomorrow.

Forty-three parties had submitted the names of their candidates to INEC, as the official list for the general elections holding in April across the nation is being awaited.

Some PDP candidates, who emerged from the controversial primaries of the party, are worried that some of their rivals who lost out in the primaries, but had been contending with them for the tickets, may smuggle their names into the INEC list.