Latest Breaking News and JOBS in Nigeria 2012 Blog

2013-05-13T19:02:00.001+01:00

2012-10-19T13:15:00.001+01:00

Hon Patrick Obahiagbon bursts again in his Ingedpendence Speech

2012-10-01T19:53:00.001+01:00

"This was the gobbledegook of the kpotokios in the crass and macadam vituperation of our grey matter from the terminus a quo to the
terminus ad quem of their colonial peregrination and I dare say that FIFTY TWO YEARS after our flag and territorial shambolic autarky, our modus vivendi both at the leadership and followership sub- stratum still exudes and sustains that kpotokian diatribe.

This is indeed the sphinxian conundrum of a Nation at FIFTY TWO." - Hon Patrick Obahiagbon.

President Jonathan suspends the Introduction of N5000 Note by the CBN

2012-09-21T06:16:00.001+01:00

The Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, was on Thursday directed by President Goodluck Jonathan to suspend the planned introduction of N5,000 note.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media, Dr. Reuben Abati, disclosed the development to State House correspondents in Abuja. Abati told newsmen that Jonathan’s latest disposition to the issue was based on the need for more “enlightenment and consultation”.

He said, “The introduction of the new note is being suspended for now to enable the CBN do more enlightenment on the issue. In his words, "Yes, President Jonathan has directed that the implementation of the new N5,000 note be suspended for now". “This is to enable the apex bank to do more in terms of enabling Nigerians understand why it proposed it in the first place. So, for now, the full implementation is on hold.”

The CBN, in a statement on Thursday, also confirmed that it had received a presidential directive to stop action on the currency restructuring plan. The statement by the apex bank’s spokesperson, Ugo Okoroafor, reads, “The CBN hereby informs the general public that the President, on Thursday, September 20, 2012, directed that further action on the approved restructuring exercise be stopped. “It is important to stress that till date, no contract whatsoever has been awarded by the CBN in connection with the printing and minting of the new currency notes and coins. Consequently, no currency note or coin has been printed or minted under the proposed exercise.”

The planned introduction of the note had attracted a huge outcry in the public domain. Those against the move had hinged their position on the fact that it could worsen inflation in the country. They also said it was contrary to the apex bank’s cash-less policy.
At resumption on Tuesday, both arms of the National Assembly passed resolutions asking the CBN not to go ahead with the plan. But the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, said that the resolutions are advisory. Jonathan was said to have expressed his readiness to halt the process when he met with the President of the Senate, Mr. David Mark, and Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tambuwwal, on Tuesday.

Watchers say that the suspension might be government’s way of cancelling the project without much fuss. The controversial restructuring of the naira was to be headlined by the introduction of the N5,000 note and the conversion of lower denominations into coins. Mixed reactions had followed the announcement. Some renowned economists faulted the move, saying the action was uncalled for. Reacting to the latest development, an economist, Mr.
Olujimi Boyo, said the President should have cancelled the project instead of suspending it.

He said, “This is an indication that it may still be revived. If the President has really considered people’s opinion on this action by the CBN, then it should be stopped and not suspended. Telling them to do more work on the project is not what the people are calling for. “The CBN needs to do more research on what is really affecting the value of the naira, instead of introducing a higher currency or even redenomination. Both moves are not what we need to stabilise our currency. They should find out what can be done to address inflation because this is the main reason why they keep talking about redenomination or introduction of higher currency. “If the CBN is claiming that the introduction of higher currency will complement the cash-less policy, then they are wrong because redenomination would have been better,” Boyo added.

Also speaking, the Managing Director, Lambeth Trust Investment Limited, Mr. David Adonri, said the suspension of the project was reasonable. He said, “It is logical that they did not annul the project because the public debate on the issue has been more of politics. The introduction of the policy will be economically beneficial. “Unfortunately, most of the commentators are not enlightened on the benefits of the policy, especially members of the National Assembly.”

According to some analysts, the introduction of the N5000 bill will defeat the cash-less policy initiative of the bank and increase the amount of currency in circulation. The Chief Executive Officer, B. Adedipe Associates Limited, who is also a consultant economist, Dr. Biodun Adedipe,
said the introduction of a bigger currency note would encourage people to carry more cash around. He said, “One can easily argue that talking about a bigger
note in terms of denomination is more like an endorsement of people carrying even more cash than what we have now. This means there will be more currency in circulation. “So, if that is what the CBN has been trying to discourage before now, then it will be counter-productive to have a bigger denomination that will encourage people to carry more cash.”

The Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Muda Yusuf, had also said that the plan would defeat the cash-less policy initiative.

A former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, had at a roundtable advocacy forum organised by the Institute of
Directors, Nigeria, in Lagos, submitted that the N5000 note would kill production and affect small businesses negatively. He had added that the way Sanusi was fighting inflation by removing money from circulation was improper.
(Punch)

PDP gives Defectors wishing to return, 30 days to do so.

2012-09-21T05:56:00.001+01:00

Peoples Democratic Party has given defectors wishing to return 30 days to do so. This decision was taken at the meeting of the National Working Committee of the party at its national secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday. Chairman of the party, Dr. Bamanga Tukur,said this in a statement on Thursday.

He, however, said the defectors could only return to the party through their wards. The statement read, “In keeping with the on-going efforts to promote reconciliation within the party, the NWC decided as follows:

“That the PDP umbrella is big enough to accommodate everybody and therefore calls on all those who left the party, or are not actively working with the party, for any reason(s) to return to the party through their wards.
“That this exercise (should) be carried out within 30 days from now and that ward chairmen and secretaries should register such returning members without inhibitions.”

Tukur advised anyone not allowed to go through this process to report to the national secretariat. He called on the six zonal national vice-chairmen to ensure compliance with the directive. He said the PDP NWC was also setting up zonal reconciliation committees which he said would handle lingering disagreements and forge a more united party.

From the foregoing, it is obvious that the PDP is not happy with the high rate at which their members are defecting to other parties.

President Goodluck Jonathan is unprepared to lead Nigeria - Orji Uzor Kalu

2012-09-21T05:37:00.001+01:00

Former Abia State Governor Orji Kalu stated that President Goodluck Jonathan is unprepared to lead the Nigeria, saying
that all the president “wanted in 2007 was to get a full term in office as governor.”

Kalu said this at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife on Thursday at the Professor David Ijalaye annual lecture. He traced the failure of Nigeria’s socio economic development to “unprepared leadership,” lamenting that Nigeria had been beset with reluctant leaders forced upon the masses by the ruling elite.

Kalu, whose lecture was entitled, ‘Leadership: Key factor to a better Nigeria,’ said the lack of committed and foresighted leaders was the bane of the country’s development. Making a case for true federalism, Kalu bemoaned the deplorable condition of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway even as he supported the call for the creation of state police.

He, however, clarified that for state police not to be used as agent of oppression, police chiefs like Divisional Police Officers must be elected, “like we have in the United States of America”.

Tracing the emergence of Nigeria’s past Heads of State and Presidents, Kalu said past leaders such as Maj.-Gen. JTU Aguiyi-Ironsi, Gen Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Sheu Shagari, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua, and Jonathan were all unprepared for leadership.

He said, “Goodluck Jonathan became Bayelsa State Governor when his former principal DSP Alamieyiesegha was impeached. “All he wanted in 2007 was to get a full term in office as governor. But he was drafted to be Vice President and
within three years he became president. Was he prepared to be president? The answer is no.”

University of Nigeria, Nsukka(UNN) releases First Semester Calender cum Resumption date for the 2012/2013 academic session

2012-09-11T11:44:00.001+01:00

FIRST SEMESTER 2012/2013 CALENDER

SEPTEMBER 2012

Thursday 27 - Arrival of freshmen provision of accommodation

OCTOBER 2012

Tuesday 02 - Registration begins for freshmen

Thursday 04 - Arrival of old students provision of accommodation

Monday 08 - Registration begins for old students
- Lectures begin
- Orientation for freshmen begins

Friday 12 - Orientation for freshmen ends

Friday 19 - Registration ends for all students

Monday 22 - Late registration begins for all students

Friday 26 - Late registration ends for old students

NOVEMBER 2012 - Lectures Continue

DECEMBER 2012

Friday 14 - Christmas break for regular students
- Sandwich students return for examinations

Monday 17 - Examinations begin for sandwich students

Friday 28 - Examinations end for sandwich students

JANUARY 2013

Thursday 03 - Lectures resume for regular students

Friday 11 - Late registration ends for freshmen

SATURDAY 12 MATRICULATION CEREMONY

Friday 18 - Lectures end

WEDNESDAY 23 – SATURDAY 26
CONVOCATION CEREMONIES

Monday 21 - Revisions begin

FEBRUARY 2012

Friday 01 - Revisions end

Monday 04 - Departmental Examinations begin

Friday 08 - Departmental Examinations end

Monday 11 - Examinations in Inter-Faculty and Inter-Disciplinary
Courses begin

Friday 22 - Examinations in Inter-Faculty and Inter-Disciplinary Courses end
- End of First Semester/Students Vacate Campus

A student wins a laptop for being the first in School on resumption date.

2012-09-10T22:51:00.001+01:00

A student of Army Day Secondary School, Ikpoba Hill, Benin, Master Hendris Obasuyi, has received a laptop for being the first to resume at school for the session.

Mrs Florence Edokpa, the Principal of the school, confirmed the laptop presentation on Monday in Benin, and said, the student was presented with the laptop for his punctuality. “Obasuyi was the first student to arrive to school for the 2012/2013 Academic Session on Monday. “The laptop was presented by Mr Yusuf Bako, the Chief Inspector of Education, Ikpoba-Ohka Local Government Area of the state, on behalf of the state governor to, him for his punctuality to school.”

Obasuyi, an SS 2 student, said that he was very grateful to receive the award. In his words, he said "The laptop will assist me in doing my assignments and research when connected to the Internet.”

He, however, advised students to be more serious with their academic work and always be punctual to school this session. The Edo Commissioner for Education, Mr Ekpenisi Omorotonmwan, had recently said that pupils and students from 25 selected schools in the state would be presented with Laptops.

According to him, this is coming under the Adams Oshiomhole Resumption Compliant Award for the 2012/2013 academic session In some schools observed like the Russell International Schools, Benin, teachers were found teaching some students and pupils present in school. Also at the Iwongban Primary School, Benin, teachers were seen collecting registers, lesson notes and dairies from their Head teacher.

Mrs Jossfine Isemede, a teacher in the school, said that teachers would be more effective in their teaching this session. “We have been given our working materials, so we will teach our pupils effectively.” (NAN)

My wife, a Nollywood actress is flirting at Act locations - Petitioner at a Lagos Magistrate Court

2012-09-09T10:29:00.001+01:00

Mr. Micheal Suaib wants Agege Grade A Customary Court to dissolve his marriage to Nancy, a Nollywood actress, for not being submissive, flirting and other irreconcilable differences.

Micheal, who is a resident of 4, Moses Eleya Street new Oko, Oba, informed the court that he got married to his wife 19 years ago in accordance with native and
custom of the land.
The 52-year-old Michael also said that
their union is blessed with three children, He said Nancy has been going in and out of her matrimonial home, adding that he started suspecting his wife of flirting when he got to know that she was nowhere to be found on location.

AHe claimed that the first time the wife moved out, he threatened to sue for divorce, but, according to him,
Nancy has confessed to having illicit affairs on
location.http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheOfficialBreakingNewsInNigeria2012sBlog

Why FG lifted the ban on Dana Airline Before the release of crash reports- SA to Aviation Minister.

2012-09-07T08:35:00.001+01:00

The lifting of Dana Airline's suspension has been greeted with widespread outrage by members of the society.

Many felt that it was too early to lift their suspension especially since the coroner's inquest into the cause of the death has not reached a conclusion. Also not all the families of the 153 victims who passed on have been paid their full compensation and there are still ongoing investigations by the Accidents and Investigations Bureau (AIB) into the cause of the crash.

However, Joe Obi, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Aviation was a guest on Channels TV yesterday to discuss the return of Dana Airline to flight operations after the suspension placed on the airline company was lifted. During the interview, the special adviser noted that the crash came at a period when Nigeria was beginning to build a formidable record in terms of safety in air travel and it was completely unexpected.

"We send our condolences, we share their pain and their grief. It was entirely unexpected, it was a tragedy that no one thought would happen, so we still feel the pain of families who lost their loved ones." "The practice even internationally is not to shut down their airline when one aircraft in their fleet is involved in an air crash. But you know, we don't operate in a very robust environment like what obtains in the outside world, in more developed countries where their safety records are quite high"
"When this happened, we had to sit back and do a reality check to see if there were some loop holes in the system." "I want to make it very clear that the suspension of the operating license of Dana Airline was never punitive; it was never intended to punish the airline. it was supposed to give
us an opportunity to sit back and look at what may have gone wrong."
When asked about the results of the Ministry's findings to have warranted the reinstatement of the license of Dana
Airline, he said: "What NCAA did was to go into a technical, operational and administrative including financial audit of the Airline to find out what went wrong.
As you all are aware, the investigation into the air crash is still ongoing by the Accident and Investigation Bureau. And you also are aware that reports of air accidents don't come out in a jiffy, they took a while." "In the mean time we are satisfied with the technical audit that the airline is air worthy and is ready to go to the air again."
"Now government is satisfied that what they have in their fleet is air worthy and the safety of passengers is assured if they go back to the sky." When asked if the government was under any pressure to revert the Airline's suspension because they were only two airlines left operating domestic flights, he said" "Not at all. Government was not under any pressure."
When asked why the Airline's suspension was reversed even when investigations were still on, why the rush? He said that investigations into air crashes usually take years to be completed.
"Dana Air, even before the air crash… professionally, up till the time of the crash, there was nothing that our investigators and our regulatory body had found to be very defective in their operations."
He noted that they were still expecting the final report "while that is ongoing, the airline needs to go back to air. But I want to make the point very clear, Government was not under any pressure."

President Goodluck Jonathan shocked over the leakage of his wife's illness

2012-09-05T02:40:00.001+01:00

Information coming from Aso Rock Villa revealed that President Goodluck Jonathan is angry about the leakage of information concerning the sickness of his wife, Patience.

Investigations by our correspondent in Abuja on Tuesday indicated that the President and those closed to him had planned to keep Mrs. Jonathan’s trip “a top secret.” Mrs. Jonathan is presently in Germany, where she was said to have undergone surgery for ruptured appendicitis. But the Presidency had denied that the President’s wife was ill, saying that she was only resting abroad.
Her spokesman, Mr. Ayo Osinlu, said the President’s wife travelled out of the country to take a “moment’s rest.” It was learnt that the President had thought that his wife whereabouts would be kept under wraps by those considered to be his close associates of Patience aids and
few security officials, who it was gathered, knew about her movement.

Investigations further showed that in order to avoid leakage of information on her trip, only those considered to be “very trusted” aides knew about it. However, when the story was published by an online medium, Saharareporters, the President was said to be angry that there were moles among those considered to be trusted aides.

A Presidency source said, “The President is angry that the story could still leak when a very few staff of the President and security men knew about the travelling. “He had thought that the movement could be kept secret as planned, but was astonished when news started filtering on the Internet about the sickness that made her to travel. “At some point, he felt bad that despite the overhaul of the security system in the Villa, the movement of his wife would still not be kept secret.”

It was learnt that the entire security system in the Presidential Villa had been overhauled more than three times since the President assumed office. Before now, the President’s aides were said to have thought that some foreign media houses working at the Presidential Villa were responsible for the leakage of information in the Presidency. However, the postage of some photographs on the Internet and online media were said to have changed the thought. It was learnt that though the President had not ordered any probe, but “is likely going to order the overhauling of security in the Villa.”

Presidency sources said the President felt that some “elements who took the photographs of a son of late President Umaru Yar’Adua in the Villa with Ak47 and some new naira notes of one thousand denominations might still be in the Villa.”

The President, it was further gathered, might direct that some aides of his aides and that of his wife be either transferred or removed.
(Informationnigeria)

Armed Masquerade arrested along others during a robbery in Ekiti state

2012-09-05T02:29:00.001+01:00

The Nigeria Police Force, Ekiti State Command has arrested a masquerade
and other four suspected armed robbers during a shoot-out in Ado-Ekiti.

The masquerade, who identified himself as Sunday Osalusi, 24, was said to have worn the masquerade costume of ‘Sinrinminyin’ to Stadium Area of Ado Ekiti where he and other members of his gang unleashed terror on the residents.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr. Victor Babayemi, while parading the suspects on Tuesday told journalists that the leader of the gang, Odunayo Kolawole, was shot dead during the shoot-out with the policemen.
The PPRO gave the name of other members of the gang as Deji Owolabi, Ayodeji Obamoyegun, Peter Akinwale and Oluwatosin Adefemi. Two other members of the gang who were reported to have escaped are Danjuma Saheed and Oguntayo Saheed. He added that the gang inflicted machete cut injuries on their victims and attempted to rape some of the ladies among them.
The PPRO said three guns, 10 live cartridges, five expended cartridges, three machetes, six handsets, masks, two wrist watches and assorted charms were recovered from the gang".

One wonders why people choose to use the guise of masquerade to commit crime

Jonathan Met with Ex-governors to discuss his Presidency in 2015

2012-09-05T02:18:00.001+01:00

President Goodluck Jonathan met with former Peoples Democratic Party governors from the South-West at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday night. The meeting, it was learnt, was aimed at preparing the ground for Jonathan second term ambition. Apart from this, investigations also showed that the President used the opportunity to appeal to the former governors to ignore insinuations that he had abandoned them.

It was learnt that the former Governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, and a former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, were among those at the meeting. Presidency sources said the President convened the meeting to disabuse the minds of the former governors that he had ignored them after leaving office. Apart from that, the meeting was said to have also been called to discuss how to wrest power from the Action Congress of Nigeria, which is now controlling the region.

The ACN controls five out of the six states in the South- West, while the Labour Party controls Ondo State. The ACN is in charge in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti and Osun states.

The leadership of the PDP had vowed to wrest power from the ACN the region in 2015. It was gathered that the fate of Alao-Akala and Daniel, who are currently being tried by the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission for alleged corruption, was giving serving governors some headache. Other former governors were said to be grumbling that the President had forgotten them and had left them to carry their cross alone.

NUJ Executives in Edo State dissloved

2012-09-05T02:09:00.001+01:00

The National leadership of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has set up a 4-man caretaker committee to run the affairs of the union in Edo State for three months, pending the election of a new state
executive.

National Secretary of NUJ, Mr Shu’aibu Leman, in a statement, said the committee was set up following the expiration of the tenure of the Friday Obanor-led executive.

Members of the Committee are Mr. Simon Ebegbulem of Vanguard as Secretary while Mr. Tunde Egberemole of the Observer Newspaper is chairman. Others are Eghobamien (NTA) and Friday Isewede.

Leman said: “The former executive led by Obanor has been directed. They are to hand over all union property in their possession to the Interim Management Committee and to cooperate fully with the committee to ensure a smooth transition.”

Nicki Minaj is still a VIRGIN

2012-09-05T00:25:00.001+01:00

Wonders never end. Nicki Minaj as reported by Urban daily is still a virgin. She says ” I never gave up my box, I put that on my life”. Nicki Minaj has carved a niche for herself as being the rap game and really come far.According to her, she is yet to pop her cherry.
Nicki Minaj says this on being a virgin. “Yes, and I encourage all my young Barbies to do the same. I just don’t have time.”

Flood killed two children in Minna, Niger State

2012-09-02T09:50:00.001+01:00

Two children, Basiru Kudu and Mustafa Kudu was reported to have died on Saturday while trying to cross a flooded drain in Minna. The brothers, who had attended the graduation ceremony at their Islamiyya school, were drowned while trying to cross the drain on their way home in Tunga Ward of the Niger state capital.

Eye witnesses reported that the incident followed a heavy down pour that lasted for about three hours,flooding most of the
drains and roads in the area. They further said that their mother, who was with them raised alarm to attract rescuers who recovered the bodies of the children and rushed them to the IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna, where they were confirmed dead.

The Director General of Niger State Emergency Agency, Malam Mohammed Shaba confirmed the story and said the
agency was investigating the incident. “I can confirm to you that two children were drowned this afternoon in Minna, “The director of investigation has commenced investigation into the cause of the incident, and we will speak with the mother of the kids before we release further details on the incident. “The agency will provide the necessary support for the family in line with our mandate, but we appeal to parents to keep vigil on their wards and stop them from going close to drains or water channel after down pour,“he said.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Pius Edobor also confirmed the story and said it was the first incident of drowning in Minna.

Balotelli is to have an eye surgery on September 4th

2012-09-01T16:21:00.001+01:00

The 22yr old Italian striker, Mario Balotelli is no longer able to wear contact lenses and requires immediate surgery to correct his Myopia. Myopia is commonly known as
shortsightedness which means he can only see close objects.

The Manchester City Coach said 'Mario is not ready to return to the pitch yet. He no longer seems to tolerate contact lenses. He's feeling alright now, but the problem can return anytime'- the coach told reporters

The surgery is set for Sept 4th.

Sen. Bukola Saraki to be arraigned for stealing N11 billion while still Kwara state governor.

2012-08-31T18:00:00.001+01:00

Kwara State former Governor, Sen. Bukola
Saraki, will soon be arraingned in court over fraud cases involving over N11
billion. According to the police Commissioner Special Fraud Unit in Lagos, Mr. Ayotunde Ogunsakin, during a press briefing with journalists on Wednesday, the delay in the case is to ensure that the investigation is thorough so that the prosecution is not thrown out by a court on a technicality.

According to him, as a matter that involves an important personality and some other individuals, the Saraki case cannot be hidden: “It’s not that we have
refused to prosecute him, you must be aware that we are doing a very extensive and painstaking investigation, we don’t want a situation where we rush him to court and the case will be thrown out.”
He also assured that the security intelligence have carried out extensive investigation and it involves a lot of work, stressing that the investigation is almost
concluded, “The whole world we know when we conclude the investigation. It’s not a case that can be hidden as it involves an important personality and some other individuals. So we are doing a painstaking and intensive investigation so as not to get to court unprepared. That’s all I can tell you. We want to be as
diligent as possible.”

Cynthia Osokogu: CCTV must be in every hotel- NTDC Boss

2012-08-28T09:31:00.001+01:00

Mr. Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), has called on hoteliers in the country to improve security in their hotels by providing close circuit TV camera in the interest of their guests and their business.

He said this yesterday while speaking with journalists in Abuja. Runsewe stated the call became necessary in view of the recent murder of a post graduate student of the Nasarawa State University, Miss Cynthia Osokogu, by her Facebook ‘friends’ in a Lagos hotel. “But for the CCTV, it would most probably be difficult to trace the suspects who are now being held by the police,” he said. The NTDC boss reminded hoteliers to also register with the corporation in accordance with the law, revealing that from NTDC investigations only four of the five hotels patronized by the alleged killers registered with the corporation.

Runsewe stated that registration of hotels is important as it would enable the corporation keep data on each hotel for
proper supervision. “We put all registered hotels in a database and on our website for prospective guest to know the credible ones available,” he said noting that the NTDC would work with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to get the details of the profile of hotels, other hospitality outfits and their owners stressing that a lot of them are yet to register with the NTDC. “Some try to go to CAC only but they know they cannot
start their businesses without NTDC. It is a must but we are working with CAC along this line,” he said.
He noted that some hoteliers have been found to be doing other illegal businesses, using their hotels as décor warning that such hoteliers would soon be exposed as their identities would be forwarded to the appropriate security agencies Runsewe said that the corporation would not relent in its effort at ensuring that Nigeria is a safe destination for Nigerian and foreign tourists.

The Director-General also commended the security agencies that tracked down the alleged killers of Osokogu.

al-Qaeda plans to attack Nigeria and others

2012-08-26T13:45:00.001+01:00

As if what the country is currently facing in the hands of Islamic fundamentalist sect, Boko Haramis not enough, international intelligence agencies have revealed plans by al-Qaeda, to launch fresh attacks on Nigeria, Ghana and two other African countries.

Al-Qaeda, which is a terrorist group founded by the late Osama bin Laden,
has launching attacks all over the world. Investigations showedthat the targeted countries were receiving help from
Western nations on how to prevent the onslaught. However, it was not clear if the attacks would be launched by al-Qaeda in the Maghreb or the main terrorist organisation in the country.

The Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, confirmed the al-Qaeda plot to our correspondent. Mba, however, noted that such threats were received in the past, and added that security agencies were determined to ensure the group's plan did not succeed. According to him, the police are receiving immense support from developed countries that have counter- terrorism expertise.

Mba said, "That al-Qaeda and similar groups want to attack some certain countries is not new. As security operatives, we treat information at our disposal with uttermost care. We test their veracity and analyse them. "Here in Nigeria, we stop most of the domestic attacks before they take place. We defuse more bombs than they detonate. We save thousands of lives daily but we do this discretely and quietly. "More than ever, we have so much support from the
international community. We are getting help from both ECOWAS and western countries. We are doing our best with
the resources we have and we will continue to do so. "We have stepped up security everywhere but we won't
disclose how we are doing that and the specifics of our mechanisms. "I want to assure Nigerians and the international community that government is irrevocably committed to its mandate of
providing adequate security in the country."
Ghana, another country on the radar of al-Qaeda, last Tuesday stepped up security at its Kotoka International Airport, Accra, with heavy deployment of soldiers, who frisked passengers using metal detectors. Armed troops are not a regular feature in Kotota and Ghanaians described the movement of troops as strange. Al-Qaeda's foot prints abound in Nigerian as it has cells in the northern part of the country and had also claimed responsibility for some terrorist activities.

In April, the State Security Service arrested Mohammed Ashafa said to be al-Qaeda linkman with a terror group in
Nigeria. Ashafa was reportedly apprehended by the Pakistani government through the National Intelligence Agency and handed over to the Federal Government for prosecution.
When he was arraigned at the Federal High Court, the SSS told the court that the accused person facilitated terrorist exchange programmes between al-Qaeda and its allies in the country.

The intelligence agency further said its investigations showed that Ashafa was allegedly the second in command to one Adnan Ibrahim, who was said to be the Resident al-Qaeda chief in West Africa, but based in Kano. Also, in May, al-Qaeda in the Maghreb claimed responsibility for the murder of a German, Edgar Raupach,
in Kano. Raupach was killed by his abductors when security forces tried to free him during a rescue operation. A Briton, Christopher McManus, and an Italian, Franco Lamolinara suffered similar fate in March.

Okonjo Iweala among top 100 most powerful women - Forbes

2012-08-24T09:38:00.001+01:00

The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Thursday emerged the 81 "World's 100 Most Powerful Women," in a survey conducted by Forbes. The finance minister who emerged in the politics category, was 87th in 2011. Only three African women were on the list.

Okonjo-Iweala, according to the list obtained on the Forbes website was listed among Joyce Banda, President of Malawi (71) and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia's President (82). The list was dominated by women from the United States. Angela Merkel, German Chancellor topped the list and she was closely followed by secretary of state Hilary Clinton with 59 others American which amongst others included Melinda Gates (4), Michelle Obama (7), Oprah Winfrey (11), Christiane Amanpour (53), Lady Gaga (14), Beyonce Knowles (32), Jennifer Lopez (38), Marissa Mayer - CEO
Yahoo (21) and Sheryl Sandberge - COO Facebook (10). In her reaction, in a chat with THISDAY, Okonjo Iweala said: "I thank God that this has come to Nigeria. I am happy about it for Nigeria and Africa."
Other women of power on the list were President of Brazil, Dilma Roosseff (3), Sonia Gandhi, president, National Congress Party of India (6), Manging Director of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde (8), Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, president of Argentina (16), Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma (19), Queen Elizabeth II of the UK (26), Julia Gillard, prime minister of Australia (27), Yingluck Shinawatra, prime minister of Thailand (30) and Sri Mulvani Indrawati, MD World Bank (72).

The list also had Angela Braly CEO, WellPoint (24), 25. Susan Wojcicki Senior Vice-President, Google (25), Queen Elizabeth II Monarch, United Kingdom(26) Kathleen Sebelius Secretary, Department of Health and Human Service, United States (31), Beth Brooke Global Vice Chair - Public Policy, Ernst & Young (99) and Sheikha Mayassa Al Thani Chair, Qatar Museums Authority, Qatar (100) "When Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, left the World Bank in 2011, where she was a managing director and the second-in-command, to become the finance minister of Nigeria,
eyebrows were raised. So it was no surprise that she was on the short-list of candidates when the organisation conducted an international search for a new leader this April," Forbes said.(Thisday)

Chinedu Ikedieze now a father, bOy TiMe has Passed

2012-08-23T23:00:00.001+01:00

The Nollywood Star, Chinedu Ikedieze is now a father to a bouncing baby girl. Wow! and the baby appears big already. Who knows she could be among the tallest ladies in Nigeria in the near future. Or what do you think. Comments Please

CBN to introduce N5, 000 Naira Note by 2013 - Sanusi

2012-08-23T22:46:00.001+01:00

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on Thursday, 23rd August, made public the introduction of a new currency series under which the existing denominations of N50, N100, N200, N500 and the N1,000 notes will be redesigned with added security features.
CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, told newsmen at a press conference in Abuja that N5,000 note
would also be introduced, while the lowest denominations of N5, N10 and N20 are to be coined.
The N5,000 note he said will have the images of three Nigerian women and is to be introduced in 2013, in Abuja.

According to him, “On November 28, 2011, the CBN Board considered and approved the new currency series. It subsequently sought and, on December 19, 2011, obtained the approval of President Goodluck Jonathan. “Under the new structure, the existing denominations
of N50, N100, N200, N500 and N1,000 will be redesigned with added new security features. It is also our pleasure to inform you that a new high currency denomination will also be introduced. It is the N5,000 note.”
According to him, the CBN plans to launch the redesigned N50 and new N5,000 notes in early March 2013.

He said the introduction of the new currency series “will be a gradual process, as the banknotes will circulate simultaneously with the old series until they are fully withdrawn from circulation.
“Therefore, there will be no urgent need for exchange of the old for the new banknotes by the general public for as long as the old notes are in circulation, they remain legal tender.”

Mallam Sanusi revealed that the N5,000 note will bear the pictures of three notable Nigerian women: Margaret Ekpo, Funmi Kuti and Gambo Sawaba, all deceased, as a way of recognising their contributions to the development of the nation. The second side of the note, he added, will carry the picture of the National Assembly, which represents the symbol of democracy in Nigeria.

The governor declined to disclose the contractors that carried out the re-designing work and the overall cost
of the project. Reacting to concerns that introducing higher denominations at this period could push up inflation, Sanusi said: “Inflation in Nigeria is a monetary phenomenon. Secondly, in some countries such as Singapore, Germany and Japan, the highest denominations are 10,000 SGD, 500 Euro and Yen
10,000, respectively. “These denominations have relatively high dollar equivalent. The levels of inflation are, however, low at 2.8, 1.1 and -0.7, respectively as at 2010. “We believe that the introduction of a higher bill would complement the bank’s cashless policy as it would substantially reduce the volume of currency in circulation, particularly in the long term.”

Boko Haram denies Planning to Dialogue with Govt.

2012-08-23T07:57:00.001+01:00

There was no Meccah meeting with us
Tear Allah before they get into the hands of Allah’s army.
**Govt must embrace the Holy Quran/Sharia as the final law in the land or there will no peace in Nigeria.

The leadership of Jamaatu ahlis sunnah lil daawati wal jihad, popularly known as Boko Haram, has again, denied engaging
in talks with the Nigerian government, contrary to widespread reports that the sect had re-entered into dialogue with the
government. The group made this denial in an email to PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday evening. The sect not only denied talks with the government, but also described the purported press statement by one Abu Muhammad, who claimed to be the second in Command to the sect’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, as the creation of the media.
The sect said its position on dialogue was made clear in a recent video address by its leader, where Mr. Shekau foreclosed any possibility of dialogue with the government, but which it said many media houses ignored, but were quick to publicise the “purported Meccah meeting”.
The sect recalled that it was because of such misrepresentations by the media that it attacked Thisday Newspaper, adding that as far as it is concerned, “those who fight us with guns and those who use pen are one and the same”.
The sect also said it is aware that many people were using its name to get huge sums of money under the pretext that they would “arrange dialogue with us”. It called on such fake intermediaries to “fear Allah before they get into the hands of Allah’s army”. In the statement, the sect said since the Federal Government
“lured and arrested one of our leaders, Abu Darda who was sent to dialogue on our behalf and also frustrated the one
facilitated by a journalist, Ahmad Salkida and headed by Dr. Ibrahim Datti, we have foreclosed any possibility of talks with the government”.
The group says it is aware Mr. Datti had entered into a fresh round of talks with the government. It therefore warned Mr. Datti to “respect his age and desist forth with”. The sect added that the only guarantee to peace is the full implementation of Sharia in Nigeria. “As long as the government has not put aside the constitution and embrace the Holy Quran as the final law in the land, government should stop dreaming of peace because we will never stop fighting,” it said. (Premium Times)

Obasanjo is distracting President Goodluck - Gulak

2012-08-23T07:41:00.001+01:00

Against the backdrop of insinuations in political circles that former President Olusegun Obasanjo has endorsed Governors Sule Lamido and Rotimi Amaechi of Jigawa and Rivers states respectively as President and Vice President in 2015 elections, Special Adviser on Political Matters to the President, Mr. Ahmed Gulak yesterday warned the former president to desist from dabbling into the political future of President Goodluck Jonathan but to join hand with him in delivering his electoral promises to Nigerians.
Obasanjo has, however, denied working towards installing anyone in the next polls, saying he has been pre-occupied with more pressing national issues such as security, poverty, malaria, polio and infant and maternal mortality, to have time for politics.
Governor Amaechi had also denied he was running with Lamido, while some northern groups had received the news of Lamido’s choice with jubilation. Gulak, who handed down the warning in an exclusive interview with newsmen in Abuja, asked Obasanjo to stop distracting the president by unnecessarily stirring the political waters.
The 27 Local Government Areas in Jigawa State are reported to have burst into dancing and singing when the news of the governor’s consideration for the nation’s top job, filtered into Dutse, the state capital on Monday.
Jonathan’s political adviser, who was apparently irked by the development, said it was unfortunate for the former President to be involved in the alleged endorsement of the two serving governors, when there was a sitting President and leader of the party. Gulak said, “If it is true that Obasanjo is fronting
Lamido and Amaechi for 2015, I assume it is not true, I would say that he has his own right. But the question is in what capacity would he do that?
“Is it as the father of the nation or the President of Nigeria or what? First, Obasanjo is not the president of Nigeria and secondly, although he is one of our leaders, nobody has arrogated the monopoly of anointing candidates to him.
“Having said that, if it is true that Obasanjo has done what has been credited to him, then it is safe to say that he is not fair to this country and I believe that what this country needs to do is to deliver on the promises made to the electorate in 2011″.
“Obasanjo was part of the system from 1976 to 1979 and then from 1999 to 2007. Obasanjo should play the role of a father-figure, to advise and not to keep on pock- nosing into the affairs of the nation by choosing people who should run and who should not.
“He had played his role, everybody gave him their support. One good turn deserves another. It is therefore incumbent on him to support President Goodluck Jonathan to deliver on his electoral promises to the people and not to distract the system by stirring the political waters unnecessarily. “When we reach the bridge we shall cross it. But we are only in 2012, just one year after the last election. Are we therefore telling Nigerians that everything is just about election? Why are we relegating to the background our promises to the nation?” Gulak queried angrily.
Turning to some northern elders said to be opposed to the re-election of President Jonathan in 2015 as prescribed by law, Gulak described the call as the ‘greatest joke of the century’, saying that nobody had the right to stop the President from contesting if he decides to do so in 2015.
According to him, “President Jonathan has that constitutional right and nobody can abridge it; it is left for him to decide whether to contest or not. But no individual, group or institution can take away that right if we agree we are running a constitutional and democratic government. “It is his right to run or not. No individual or group has the right to warn President Jonathan not to aspire to
lead the nation as provided by the law of the land. You can’t ask him not to pick the party’s nomination form. “Nob ody can intimidate President Goodluck Jonathan; absolutely nobody because by the grace of God, he is the president of Nigeria. The fact that the man is simple, humble and does not abuse executive powers like some of our past leaders does not mean that he is weak,” he declared.
The political aide also took on former FCT Minister, Malam Nasir el-Rufai and former parliamentarian, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, for recently asking Jonathan to resign over his inability to solve the nation’s rising security challenges, saying that they were not fit to speak for the north.
However, the former President has denied the allegation saying that " he has not annoited anyone for presidency in 2015" (Vanguard)