Agagu: Mimiko declares 3 days of fasting, prayers

Embattled and emotion-laden in his state broadcast to the people of his state, Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has declared a 3-day of fasting and prayer in the state following the death of four officials of the state in the Thursday morning ill-fated plane crash which had the body of the former Governor of the state, Dr Olusegun Agagu and 20 others on board.

In a state broadcast aired on the electronic media channels in the state, Dr. Mimiko said, the Associated Airline plane crash that happened on Thursday morning in Lagos has further thrown the state into sadness and mourning adding that certainly “this is trying time in the history of our beloved state”.

He narrated that “a few weeks ago, when the news filtered in that our former governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu had passed on, we were shocked and completely devastated “in grief, we declared seven days of mourning and praying. We also set up a burial planning committee to work in conjunction with the family, with a view to giving our departed former Governor a befitting state burial.

Liverpool place £55m price tag on Suarez

Liverpool are braced for Real Madrid to return with a £45m bid for star striker Luis Suarez in January.

The Uruguay forward was desperate for a move to the La Liga giants in the summer but it did not materialise, thanks to Madrid’s capture of Gareth Bale.

After forking out £86m for the Welshman they did not want to pay Liverpool’s asking price of £55m for Suarez.

Liverpool would still demand the same fee in January and any potential transfer would depend on how the sides are performing by December.

Madrid may decide they do not need the striker if their form improves, while if Liverpool are still in a position to contend for the title, they will be more reluctant to sell Suarez.

The player is still keen on the idea of moving to Madrid – and his agent Pere Guardiola is also happy for him to do so.

If any potential transfer looks like happening, Arsenal may try and intervene – although Liverpool are not keen on selling to a domestic rival.

Arsene Wenger wanted to secure the striker’s services in the summer but could not, instead splashing £42.5m on Mesut Ozil.

Agagu buried without fanfare

The remains of the former governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, were buried in a new casket in his home town in Iju Odo, Ondo State, on Friday in a sombre atmosphere devoid of any form of pomp and pageantry. Though there was a reception at the Civic Centre in the village, most of the guests shunned the reception.

The entire village wore a mournful look with villagers discussing the tragic plane crash that led to the death of 13 people in Lagos on Thursday. Though there was a large turnout of the villagers and dignitaries, the church service was solemn.

The Associated Airline with registration number SCD 361 conveying the corpse of the late former governor,  some family  members  and close friends, crashed in Lagos on Thursday on its way to Akure less than two minutes after  its take-off from the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, killing 13 persons on board while seven others survived.  News of  the crash  led to the  abrupt cancellation of the governor’s lying in state  previously scheduled to hold in Akure, the state capital.

For three years, I lied to my mother I was in UNILAG – KSA

Juju music maestro, King Sunny Ade, shares his life experiences in this interview with ADEOLA BALOGUN

A lot of people might find it very difficult to believe that you are 67 with your looks; what is the magic?

There is no magic; I just find myself like this. It’s true people tell me that I don’t look my age and whenever they say so, I get back home and look at myself in the mirror. But within myself, I know I am old. Truth is, I don’t have any magic than to give God the glory for a good health.

Maybe you do sports to keep you in shape.

Well, I wouldn’t call myself a sports man in that sense but I love sports. Within my compound, I have a squash court, tennis court, small basketball court and other outdoor sports but that doesn’t mean I do sports often. The stage alone is enough sport where I dance and jump all over the place. I think that I am just lucky because I don’t wake up in the morning and do any exercise like a workout.

History of ill-fated plane

The Associated Airlines Embraer 120 plane with registration number 5N-BJY, which crashed in Lagos on Thursday, was manufactured in Brazil in 1990.

Although its first flight date is unknown, the aircraft, with serial number 174, was said to be 23.5 years old.

According to Airfleets.net, it had been flown by three United States-based airlines namely, Britt Airlines, Continental Express and JRM Air LLC.

Britt Airlines bought the plane on March 23, 1990, and marked it in US registration as N51726. Continental Express later bought it on September 1, 1990 and kept it under US registration as N51726.

Before coming to Nigeria, the plane was later bought by JRM Air LCC which also marked it N 388JR. It was flown for six years in the country by Associated Airlines before Thursday’s accident.

Generally, the Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia is a twin-turboprop commuter airliner, produced by Embraer of Brazil. It had its first flight on July 27, 1983. The plane was introduced into the market in October 1985.

Aircraft conveying Agagu’s corpse crashes in Lagos

Another tragedy struck in Lagos on Thursday morning  when a chartered aircraft  carrying the remains of  a former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, 20 passengers  and crew crashed  less than a minute after take-off from the local wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.

The Embraer 120 aircraft with registration number SCD 361 belonging to Associated Aviation Limited,  was heading for Akure in Ondo State where dignitaries, family members, friends and associates of the former governor, had gathered for his final burial ceremonies. Agagu died  on September 13 in Lagos.

Although the  metal casket  bearing his body was recovered intact, 13 out of the 20 passengers aboard the flight were confirmed dead by the management of the AAL.

Others, who survived the crash, were rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja and the nearby Nigerian Air Force Hospital  for treatment.

ASUU: FG may involve Shagari, Obasanjo in negotiation

There are indications that the Federal Government may seek the intervention of past Presidents/Heads of States, Governors, traditional rulers and serving Senators to mediate in its current face-off with the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

The supervisory Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, said this on Wednesday in Abuja during a palliative meeting with the President of Nigeria Union of Teachers, Michael Olukoya; and Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu.

Olukoya had suggested that following the inability of the committees earlier set up to settle the crisis, the Federal Government should seek the intervention of past presidents, governors, traditional rulers and serving senators.

He also said that the  NUT still stood by its threat to solidarise with ASUU over the university teachers’ demands  unless directed otherwise by the union’s National Executive Council.

FG to buy made-in-Nigeria vehicles

The Federal Government on Wednesday approved the Automotive Industrial Policy Development Plan for the country.

The decision was taken at the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Through the policy, the government hopes to significantly reduce the high vehicle importation bill, which stood at $3.4bn (N550bn) in 2012.

As a first step, the Federal Government said all vehicles purchased by it would be from local assembly plants, except they were specialised and could not be produced in the country.

The ministers of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku; Federal Capital Territory, Bala Muhammed; and Industry, Trade and Investment,  Olusegun Aganga, briefed State House correspondents at the end of the meeting.

Aganga said the policy was aimed at transforming the Nigerian automotive industry and attracting investments into the sector.

He said a situation where the nation spent N4.2bn on the importation of vehicles into the country in 2010 was eating deep into the foreign reserves.

Keshi clears Ameobi

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi says  injured Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi will be fit for a 2014 World Cup playoff in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia host Nigeria on October 13 in a first leg play-off for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Ameobi has been sidelined by a knock he picked up while on international duty last month with his club saying he will be sidelined for several weeks thus raising fears he may miss the match in Addis Ababa.

“Shola is fine. He will be ready for the game against Ethiopia. I spoke with him last week and he said he is good. In any case he is a very disciplined player who really wants to play for his country,” Keshi was quoted by MTNFootball.com as saying on Wednesday.

“So, my list remains intact, there would be no changes.”

Ameobi has won four caps for Nigeria and scored a goal since he made his long-awaited international debut against Venezuela last year in the United States.

"‘Demons’ Themselves Are Throwing Insults At Jim" - Okey Bakassi

Okey Bakassy seems to be very upset about the way Nigerians have voiced out so much displeasure over Jim iyke’s “deliverance” at T.B Joshua’s church.. Read what Okey said below…

“Yesterday was The 53rd Anniversary of Nigeria’s ‘Independence’, I refused to comment or send messages for reasons u and I know. If u are reading this message, u are lucky to be alive. Thank God.
I’m fed up with all the noise about my Actor colleague who gained Independence from ‘demonic influence ‘ or ‘Deliverance’ at Synagogue. I respect him for seeking spiritual help when others are shying away from the reality of their situation.

Even those who are ‘Demons’ themselves are throwing insults at Jim. Our level of hypocrisy in Nigeria is nauseating. Established ‘Sinners’ find it convenient to throw stones at those whose stories become public, making it more difficult for people to seek help.

If you have never presented yourself for ‘Deliverance’ keep quiet because ur not sure of what forces are speaking through you.
Congrats Jim for being ‘man enough’……
Have a blessed day pals”. @okeybakassy

Source

New PDP shelves rebel govs’ meeting with Jonathan

The much-expected October 7 meeting  between President Goodluck Jonathan and  the seven aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party governors has been called off.

This is because, members of the New PDP under the leadership of Alhaji  Abubakar  Baraje, said they had sent an emissary to   Jonathan, seeking a postponement of the reconciliatory meeting.

 Jonathan,  the aggrieved governors, some   elders  of the PDP and some governors loyal to the President had met at the Presidential Villa on September 15, where issues relating to the crisis in the party were discussed.

Among those who were at the September 15 meeting, which was held inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja,  were the Vice-President,  Alhaji Namadi Sambo; the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the party, Chief Tony Anenih; governors  Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); and Rabiu Kwankwaso(Kano).

A communique  issued at the end of the meeting, which was read by Aliyu, said the meeting agreed that all parties must sheathe their swords and stop  provocative statements until October 7.

Five million customers borrow N97bn from MFBs

The total loan portfolio of microfinance banks operating in the country stood at N97bn as of December 31, 2012, the President, National Association of Microfinance Banks, Mr. Jethro Akun, has said.

Akun stated this in a presentation made to the Managing Director, Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, when the executives of the association visited the NDIC headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

He noted that the microfinance sector had about five million borrowers, and had in the past few years, contributed significantly to the economic development of the country.

For instance, the NAMB president said between 2012 and now, 22,000 people had been employed in 1,732 branches and cash centres of the MFBs.

Akun said with six million customers, the total deposit of the sector had grown to N125bn, while the total assets stood at N222bn.

FG, PHCN workers resolve severance package dispute

The Federal Government on Wednesday announced that it had resolved the disagreement with workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria.

The workers had on Monday embarked on a nationwide protest following the Federal Government’s decision to hand over share certificates to the core investors in the PHCN successor companies.

A statement issued by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Dr. Goodnews Igali, said the payment implementation committee had resolved all contending issues and promised that before the end of this week, at least over 38,000 PHCN workers would have been paid their terminal benefits.

Nigeria must stop gas flaring —UN, others

The Chairman, United Nations Sustainable Energy for All, Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, and other experts have called on the Federal Government to end gas flaring in Nigeria.

Yumkella, in a keynote address at the 26th World LP Gas Forum in London on Wednesday, condemned the continuous and unsustainable level of gas flaring by international oil firms operating in the country.

According to him, it is not fair that children still play at night in the Niger Delta looking at gas being flared in the distance.

For a country that requires gas to power thermal stations and attain equitable energy distribution to all and sundry, the UN executive called for an urgent action from the government to reduce gas flaring in the country.

He also said gas flaring must be stopped throughout the African continent in order to ensure sustainable development.

Cash-less policy: Charges on withdrawals, deposits begin Wednesday

The Central Bank of Nigeria will on Wednesday begin the full implementation of its cash-less policy in the Federal Capital Territory, Rivers, Kano, Anambra, Ogun and Abia states.

This follows the end of a three-month moratorium on the charges given to customers who withdraw or deposit higher than the amount stipulated in the cash-less policy document.

The policy allows the CBN to peg the daily cumulative cash withdrawal or deposit limit for individual accounts at N500,000, while that of corporate accounts is fixed at N3m per day.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on the commencement of the policy in the FCT and the five states, the Deputy Governor, Operations, CBN, Mr. Tunde Lemo, said the imposition of the charges on withdrawals higher than the prescribed limit would ensure an effective implementation of the cash-less policy.

He said, “We will start applying the charges from October 2, which is Wednesday, because the three months moratorium would have expired.

Taraba crisis: Suntai seeks out-of-court settlement

Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State on Monday sought for an out-of-court settlement in a suit he filed challenging the state House of Assembly’s decision to reject his letter of resumption to duty.

Suntai had filed an action before a Jalingo High Court challenging the decision of the assembly, which rejected his  letter of resumption of duty after returning from a medical treatment abroad.

The presiding judge, Justice Ali Andenyatso, adjourned the case to October 28, for further hearing or for the court to receive the outcome of the out-of-the-court settlement.

Counsel to Suntai, Elijah Nyaro, who stood in for Mr. Alex Iziyon (SAN), filed an oral application seeking a three-week adjournment to enable the parties to reach an out-of-court settlement.

Jonathan didn’t tell the truth about 2015 –New PDP

The New Peoples Democratic Party said on Monday that President Goodluck Jonathan did not tell the truth when he  claimed on Sunday evening that he  never told  anyone that  he would not contest in 2015.

Rather, the faction of the ruling party insisted that the President promised in February 2011 not to contest after one term.

Jonathan had during  a media chat said, “There was no agreement with anybody that I will serve for only one term. If I had signed any agreement with anybody, they would have shown you the agreement.

“I did not say that I will not contest in 2015. In Addis Ababa, that was when I advocated single term of seven years. My argument was that to  be more productive, maybe we should consider single term of seven years.

“I said if Nigerians agree to that, I may not be involved. I did not say I will contest or not. Those who said I have signed an agreement, they should show the agreement.”

Labour accuses FG of not protecting Nigerians

Organised labour on Monday accused the Federal Government of failing in its responsibility of ensuring the protection of lives and property of the Nigerian citizenry.

 President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Abdulwahed Omar; and his counterpart in the Trade Union Congress, Mr. Bobboi Kaigama, said that the bombings, killings, assassinations, kidnappings and other vices in the society had become rather disturbing.

In a joint Independence anniversary statement, Omar and Kaigama lamented that the ugly scenes that were only seen in movies had become daily occurrences in the country and that the situation  seemed to have overwhelmed the government.

They said that violence perpetrated by the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, in Borno, Yobe and Kano states; the killings by the Fulani herdsmen; and the threat by Niger Delta militants to destroy oil pipeline infrastructure had placed a question mark on the security of the nation.

Police nab three teenage stowaways at Lagos airport

The Airport Command of the Nigeria Police Force has arrested three teenagers for allegedly attempting to illegally board some international flights in Lagos.

Commissioner of Police for the command, Salahu Waheed, said the suspects, Lateef Popoola, 13; Amadi Joshua, 14; and Ukpabio Onyedikachi, 14, were arrested at different times at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja.

Waheed, while handing over the suspects to their mothers, said there was a need for their respective state governments to rehabilitate them like the Edo State Government did with teenage stowaway, Daniel Ihekina, who was arrested on August 24, 2013 after sneaking into the tyre compartment of a Lagos-bound Arik plane.

He said, “These boys were found at different times at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. Their aim was to get into any plane and travel out of Nigeria.

Jonathan meets security chiefs, says attacks depressing

President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday  had   an emergency meeting with service chiefs over the killing of  50 students of the  College of Agriculture  in Yobe State.

Jonathan  disclosed this while fielding questions during the Presidential Media Chat broadcast live on television stations. He had  earlier at the 53rd Independence Anniversary Interdenominational Church Service   at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, admitted that  activities of the sect  were depressing him and his administration.

He said after meeting with the service chiefs, he  directed them  to meet and come up with ideas  on how to step up the efforts aimed at curbing   the  attacks  and killings by the insurgents which he described as “ embarrassing.”

The President  said, “Like I said earlier today (Sunday),  sometimes one needs a lot of courage to move on. My seat as the President can be very hot and can also be very cold.

Agagu burial rites commences today

The late former governor of Ondo State,  Dr Olusegun Agagu, will begin his final journey home on Monday (today) with a tribute session to be held in his honour at the International Conference Center, University of Ibadan.

Agagu was a Senior Lecturer in the Geology Department of the UI before he ventured into politics.

Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, told journalists in Akure, the state capital, on Sunday that the state was prepared to receive the body of the former governor at the Akure Airport by 9am on Thursday. The body will be lying-in -state at the Democracy Park, Akure, on Thursday.

President: I never said I wouldn’t contest 2015 election

President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday said contrary to reports making the rounds, he had never at anytime promised that he would not contest the 2015 presidential election.

He also denied the claim by Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State that he signed an agreement with some Peoples Democratic Party governors for only one term in office. He challenged anybody with a copy of such agreement to produce it.

Jonathan was fielding questions from a panel of journalists during the Presidential Media Chat in Abuja on Sunday.

He answered questions ranging from politics and education to security, economy and power.

When pressed to be specific on whether he would contest the 2015 election, the President insisted that it was too early to make his intention known adding that doing so would violate the Electoral Act which stipulates the time frame within which politicians can declare their interests.

October 1: IG places policemen on red alert

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has placed all officers and men of the Nigeria Police, as well as other special operatives, on red alert nationwide as part of security preparation for the Independence Day celebration.

The IG directed all Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, Command Commissioners of Police, including the Maritime Command, to ensure adequate deployment of all operational tools and manpower within their commands.

He directed them to pay special attention to shopping malls, public parks, beaches, highways and other critical infrastructure to guarantee the safety of the citizenry.

Obasanjo not part of us –New PDP

Members of the New Peoples Democratic Party have said former President Olusegun Obasanjo is not a member of the faction.

It said the former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP was not directly or  by proxy, linked to the faction of the ruling party.

A statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the faction, Chief Chukwuemeka Eze in Abuja on Sunday, also cautioned against arresting or ridiculing the former President over his alleged closeness to the faction.

Eze said former President Obasanjo played an important role in making Dr. Goodluck Jonathan the President of Nigeria and deserved respect.