No plans to increase fuel price – FG

The Federal Government said, yesterday, that it had no plans to increase the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, popularly known as petrol from the prevailing pump price of N97 per litre, describing the growing fear of imminent price hike as unfounded.
Equally, what appeared to be a major change in policy, the Federal Government, yesterday, said it has no plans to sell any of the country’s refineries.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, who spoke on the issue, also said that if selling the refineries was the basis for the plan by the junior oil workers to embark on strike, then the action would be fruitless.

Jonathan to inaugurate solar power programme Saturday

The Federal Government on Thursday in Abuja commenced its Operation Light Up Rural Nigeria project.

The inauguration of the project, which was initially planned to be performed by President Goodluck Jonathan in Durumi, a suburb in Mpape area of Abuja on Thursday, was, however, postponed to Saturday.

Hundreds of residents, who thronged the venue, were left disappointed when it was announced that the President could not make it to the community for undisclosed reasons.

The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, in an interview with our correspondent, stated that the solar power project would provide improved and less expensive lighting for rural dwellers.

He said the project would incorporate the installation of non-grid decentralised mini solar wind power generation plants that would be able to serve the electricity needs of the community.

Strike: Jonathan agrees to meet doctors’ demands

President Goodluck Jonathan has agreed to meet the demands of the Nigeria Medical Association in order to avert an industrial action scheduled to commence on January 6.

One of the major demands of the NMA that Jonathan has agreed to meet is the appointment of a Surgeon-General of the Federation.

He has also agreed that the call duty allowance of the doctors running into billions of naira could be sorted out.

These were parts of the decisions reached at the end of the fourth meeting called by the President on Thursday to avert the strike.

A source, who pleaded anonymity, told journalists at the end of the meeting held inside the Presidential Villa in Abuja, that government had decided to yield to the NMA by appointing a Surgeon-General of the Federation who would be a medical doctor.

Rivers assembly Majority Leader, Lloyd, arrested for alleged murder

THE Rivers State Police Command said it had arrested the Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr. Chidi Lloyd, for the alleged murder of his kinsman, Mr. Kingsley Ejeuo and a police sergeant, Urang Obediah.

A statement made available to The PUNCH on Thursday night indicated that Lloyd was purportedly arrested on his way to join the state Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, in his private jet in order to escape justice.

The statement sent via e-mail by the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad, specified that Lloyd knocked down Obediah while pursuing Ejeuo, identified to be his political opponent.

Lloyd, who was still standing trial for his involvement in the fracas that took place in the State House on July 9, 2013, was said to have rammed into Ejeuo’s Passat car with a bulletproof vehicle and killed him (Ejeo).

The police command pointed out that it had initially thought it was an auto accident until Lloyd relocated to another hospital, “conscious of what he did.”

Three killed, 16 wounded in Plateau church attack

The peaceful atmosphere that pervaded the Christmas celebration in Plateau State was shattered on Wednesday when  two persons were reportedly killed while 16 others were wounded when a group of gunmen invaded the Church of Christ in Nations on the eve of the New Year at  Maiakworigold Maikatako village in Bokkos Local Government Council of Plateau State.

One other person was said to have been killed in Manguna area of Bokkos Local Government of the state in the early hours of Wednesday.

The gunmen, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, were said to have stormed the COCIN Church Maiakworigold Maikatako  and started shooting sporadically. The two people were killed on the spot while the 16 people sustained various degrees of injuries in the ensuing stampede.

The third victim in Manguna area of the same local council area was said to have been killed by the retreating gunmen.

One of the eyewitnesses, Mr. Augustine Bim, told newsmen that during the service to usher in the New Year, some gunmen stormed the church and started  to shoot at different directions

Awo was greater than Mandela – Ofeimun

Writer and poet, Odia Ofeimun, has rated the late Premier of the old Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, above late former South African President, Nelson Mandela.

The social critic, in an interview granted to Sahara TV which was uploaded to YouTube and seen by our correspondent, said although “Mandela was good for the liberation” of his people, Awolowo made far-reaching impacts on the lives of many Nigerians.

Ofeimun, while comparing the two leaders, said the processes leading to independence in South Africa and Nigeria “followed exactly the same pattern” noting that the liberation struggle championed by Mandela did “not create the end of apartheid.”

He said Awolowo negotiated Nigeria’s independence just as Mandela did, adding that it would amount to a “hype” to think that there were differences in what the two leaders essentially fought for in their respective countries to end colonisation.

Osun acquires farmland to build church

Osun State Government has paid N51m compensation to farmers on a large expanse of land where the state is building an interdenominational worship centre known as “Open Heaven Worship Centre”.

Commissioner for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Muyiwa Ige, presented the cheques to the owners of the land in Osogbo on Tuesday.

Ige also said the state government had paid a total of N11m as compensation to 243 farmers who had their farms destroyed due to the ongoing construction of the MKO Abiola International Airport in Ido Osun in Egbedore Local Government Area of the state.

He said the administration took the decision to compensate the farmers on humanitarian grounds.

The commissioner, who expressed gratitude to those whose property was used for the projects, said the government’s decision to develop the state was in fulfilment of his electioneering promises and the governor’s desire to develop the economy of the state.

Ige assured that the state government would not hesitate to compensate those with genuine documents on any property taken over in the course of developing the state.

We’re ready for legal battle with PDP, says Amaechi

The five  Peoples Democratic Party who defected to the opposition All Progressives Congress  are  ready to meet the ruling party in court, the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has said.

Amaechi made this known in Port Harcourt on Wednesday just as the PDP National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur, boasted that Amaechi and his colleagues would willingly return to the party soon.

The PDP had  last month asked an Abuja Federal High Court to sack the five governors. It    also prayed the court to   order the houses of assembly of Adamawa, Rivers, Sokoto, Kano and Kwara states to commence impeachment proceedings against the governors.

The Rivers State governor ,who  featured in   a radio (95.1 FM, Port Harcourt) phone-in programme  in Port Harcourt, said they had hired reputable    lawyers to  battle with the PDP .

He    recalled that many governors had in the  past left   other political parties and joined   the  PDP without being sacked by the courts.

COMPLIMENT OF THE SEASON

 Hurray! Its' a brand new year, welcome to 2014; I call it my year of breakthrough and accelerated progress, don't know about you. But whichever one you choose to call it, my prayer is that the year will be a very good one for us all, it will be better than the previous years in Jesus name, amen. This Nation will move forwards and things will get better in Jesus name, amen.

Wishing you all a prosperous year 2014!

SHALOM!

Presidency moves to stop PDP senators’ defection

The  Presidency has mounted pressure on the leadership of the Senate to persuade aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party senators not to carry out their plan to dump the ruling party for the All Progressives Congress, investigation by The PUNCH has revealed.

A  source close to the Senate leadership said that the Senate President, David Mark, had personally held a series of meetings with  some of the aggrieved senators with a view to making them have a rethink.

“Meetings are being held to prevent the PDP senators from going ahead with their planned action. I am sure the peace moves are yielding fruitful results, “ he told one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity on Sunday night.

He however did not say when and where the meetings were held and the number of aggrieved lawmakers in attendance.

 One of the  senators, who  also confirmed that the meetings were at the instance of the Presidency, however said most of them had made up their minds to defect to the APC.

Gunmen abduct pastor, six children

A 27-man gang on Friday abducted a pastor, Mr. Godson Akubiro, and six of his children from their Adeosun Street residence, Koya Estate, Igbo Olomu, Ikorodu, Lagos State.

Akubiro is said to be the founder of Mountain of Breakthrough Church in the area. The incident was said to have occurred about 1.30am.

Neighbours, who requested anonymity, told PUNCH Metro that the gunmen arrived at  Akubiro residence in three jeeps and a Toyota Tundra vehicle. The  number plates of the vehicles were said to have been covered. The gunmen, who wore army camouflage, had allegedly gained entrance into the house with the aid of an iron cutter.

It was learnt that since the abduction, no one had heard from Akubiro and his six children.

The Community Developmen Association  Chairman, Mr. Yinka Obasan, said he was alerted about the development about 2am.

B’Haram: FG bars airlines from Maiduguri airport

The Federal Government has barred airlines from flying into the Maiduguri airport until March 2014; documents obtained by our correspondent have shown.

According to a Notice to Airmen sent by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency to airline operators, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent, the carriers were told that the airport would no longer be available for flights until March 2014.

In the NOTAM, which was filed through NAMA’s Aeronautical Information Services, and sent to some Control Towers across the country, pilots were informed that the Maiduguri airport was shut during the first week of December and would not be available until early March next year.

Further investigations by our correspondent revealed that the Federal Government decided to shut the airport after Boko Haram insurgents destroyed some equipment belonging to NAMA.

Security forces kill 63 insurgents in Borno

The men of the Nigerian Army have killed 63 insurgents in two different encounters in Borno State.

Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, said in an electronic mail to our correspondent in Abuja on Monday that the insurgents were killed at Alafa Forests, 21 kilometres from Bama, the scene of the gruesome attack by the Boko Haram two weeks ago; and Lake Chad Islands.

The defence spokesman said that while 56 insurgents were killed at Alafa, seven lost their lives to another military offensive at the Lake Chad Islands.

Olukolade also said that two soldiers sustained injuries in the two attacks put in place to track fleeing insurgents in the area..

Oge Okoye Grabs Chieftaincy Title In Enugu

For her hardwork and contributions to the growth and development of Igbo land, star actress, Oge Okoye has been rewarded with a chieftaincy title in Enugu State by one of the traditional rulers in the state.

Report reaching us confirms that the popular and gifted Oge Okoye is now a chief in Enugu State. She was honoured with a chieftaincy titled.

Oge Okoye is now the Igolo Nwanyi 1 of Amoli kingdom in Awgu local government area of Enugu State.

We will have a woman Pope one day - Pope Francis

All religions are true, because they are true in the hearts of all those who believe in them. What other kind of truth is there? In the past, the church has been harsh on those it deemed morally wrong or sinful. Today, we no longer judge. Like a loving father, we never condemn our children.

Our church is big enough for heterosexuals and homosexuals, for the pro-life and the pro-choice! For conservatives and liberals, even communists are welcome and have joined us. We all love and worship the same God......
“God is changing and evolving as we are, For God lives in us and in our hearts. When we spread love and kindness in the world, we touch our own divinity and recognize it. The Bible is a beautiful holy book, but like all great and ancient works, some passages are outdated. Some even call for intolerance or judgment.

Mercy Johnson Donates Materials to 5000 Widows

On Monday Dec 23, 2013 top actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie donated various material things for livelihood to 5000 widows in Uromi, her husband’s home town. According to the information gathered, she made the entire widows and the people of Uromi visibly joyful. The actress was able to achieve this through her Mercy Johnson Okojie’s Foundation, which is geared towards helping towards the improvement of less endowed people and women in the society. Each widow of over 5000 received a bag of rice, 6 yards of super print, a bag of salt, groundnut oil, tin tomatoes and maggi cubes.

Frank Idoho's Wife Heavily Pregnant

The new wife of 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' host, Frank Edoho, Sandra Onyenenecheya is heavily pregnant. From the look of things, the heartthrob of the former Metro FM, Lagos' presenter of Cruise Control will give Frank his fourth child. The baby will also be the first Sandra will be having with Frank.

On Monday, December 23, 2013, friends of the Abia State-born Sandra threw a baby shower bash for her. The excited expectant mother, as we gathered, was smiling through out the event.

Frank left his former wife, Kathrine, who also is a broadcaster. Few days ago, it was reported that the new couple held their traditional marriage in Sandra's hometown.




Source: Nigeriafilms

Policemen live like refugees in dilapidated barracks

PUNCH - In this follow-up report to “DPOs’ confessions: We run police stations on bribes and charity” and “No computers, no uniforms: Sorry state of Nigeria Police,” Temitayo Famutimi captures the state of police barracks in Lagos

 It was on a sunny Friday afternoon. Inspector Joy (not real name) stopped by at the stall of a pepper seller on the premises of the Obalende Police Barracks, Lagos. After buying some spices she dashed into a beer parlour adjacent the pepper sellers’ spot.

“I really need to step down. It’s been a long and tiring day. You can join me if you wish,” she advises this correspondent who  had requested to have an audience with her as she walked into the beer parlour.

The traffic policewoman who later requested a bottle of stout resides in the Women Police Barracks,  situated behind the Obalende Barracks.

In a chat with this correspondent in the drinks joint, she laments that her experience over the years in service has made her desist from raising her hopes too high over improvement in welfare of policemen and women.

2014 budget: Outrage over allocations for zoo, new jet

There was outrage on Sunday over some allocations to the Presidency as well as ministries, departments and agencies  of the Federal Government  in the 2014 budget.

 The anger was expressed by the Arewa Consultative Forum, the  Northern Elders Forum and the Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre and the Anti-Corruption Network and activists.

They  condemned  the allocations for the Villa Zoo  and  the amount budgeted for President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice-President Namadi Sambo’s local and foreign trips.

According to them, the allocations are not only wasteful, they boldly signpost government’s    insensitivity  to the plight of Nigerians.

The groups were reacting to media reports that the Presidency had budgeted N1.6bn for a new jet;  N34.5m for two animals  for the Villa Zoo; N2.4bn for  Jonathan and Sambo’s foreign and local trips; N362m for meals and refreshment and N834m for fuelling generators in  the Presidency and the  MDAs.

 Condemning the allocations,  the ACF said  Nigerians must insist on service delivery.

Obasanjo guilty of his allegations against Jonathan – Bakare

The Serving Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Lagos, Pastor Tunde Bakare, says former President Olusegun Obasanjo is guilty of the sundry allegations he levelled against President Goodluck Jonathan in his (Obasanjo) recent letter to the President.

Bakare, who said this during his sermon in his church in Lagos on Sunday, noted that the former President’s letter to Jonathan painted a portrait of Obasanjo himself while he was in office as the nation’s helmsman.

Obasanjo had written an 18-page letter to Jonathan, calling the President’s attention to critical issues in the polity, which he believed could plunge the nation into chaos if not urgently addressed before they degenerated.

Jonathan had responded to the ex-President letter, where he tried to justify his actions and policies while calling Obasanjo to produce the evidence to back up his claims, especially the former President’s assertion that Jonathan was raising about 1,000 strong snipers against political opponents.

Wole Soyinka loses 48-year-old daughter

A daughter of Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, Iyetade, is dead.

A statement signed on behalf of the family by a former Editor of the Guardian on Sunday, Mr. Jahman Anikulapo and a close aide to Soyinka,  stated that Iyetade, a mother of two, died while  receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment at the University College Hospital, Ibadan,  the Oyo State capital.

 Born on June 6, 1965, the deceased, according to Anikulapo, attended Staff School and Queens School, Ibadan before reading Medicine at the University of Ibadan.

He described Iyetade as an “affable, intelligent and sometimes capricious,” lady who “struggled with her health in recent years.

“In spite of this, she greeted every day with a smile and doted on her two children. She took ill quite suddenly and passed away while being treated at UCH, Ibadan. Iyetade leaves behind two children, both parents, numerous siblings, nieces and nephews,” the statement added.

The statement did not, however, disclose burial plans for the deceased.