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.

Timaya still sees me as a threat – Oritse Femi

Oritsefemi Majemite,simply known as Oritse Femi took the music scene by storm when he released his hit tracks “Mercies of the Lord” and “Oleju” which enjoyed massive airplay and an evergreen status in the hearts of music lovers. Though he plays gospel,  there is so much of dance-hall infusion into it that it cannot be ignored by a wide spectrum of the society. In this encounter with WG, the Delta State-born Itsekiri Femi, born and bred in Ajegunle, bares all on his journey from the shanty settlements of Ajegunle to the limelight. Excerpts:
How have you been surviving ?
It’s hardwork and most especially, you must be prolific and realise you must change as your environment changes. Presently, Afro Hip-hop rules the music industry. For instance, if you are a Fuji musician, Reggae star or a rapper, you must infuse Afro into it because it is what rules the scene now. This Afro is generated from Fela Anikulapo Kuti. If you listen to Fela Music, he usually sings with our local pidgin English which they call commercial. So, you must infuse that commercial and Hip-hop in it. So, I keep including that in my music.

Foreign private jet operators scramble for Nigerian market

Private jet and chartered aircraft companies from Europe and North America, especially the United States and Canada, are bracing for a boom in the Nigeria’s private jet market as the nation gets ready for general elections in 2015, findings have shown.

Top aviation officials disclosed that a significant number of the companies from Europe, the US and Canada were already submitting applications through local representatives to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Ministry of Aviation to bring in aircraft into the country for charter operations.

It was also learnt that some foreign private jets had started coming into country in preparation for the boom, expected to begin as early as the first quarter of 2014. The source said, “I think 2014 is going to be a very booming year for private jet operators in the country. The local operators are warming up for this seriously. But the interesting and surprising thing about this is that a number of foreign companies, especially from Europe, the US and Canada, have submitted documents, seeking permission to bring in private jets into the country for charter operations.

Obama signs two-year cross-party budget bill

US President Barack Obama has signed a two-year bipartisan federal budget bill, averting the risk of a government shutdown in January.
The hard-fought legislation was passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives earlier this month.
The bill had been drafted by a cross-party budget committee set up after October’s 16-day government shutdown.
Mr Obama also signed a bill cracking down on a sexual assault in the military and six other bills.
He did so while holidaying in Hawaii at the end of the year that has seen a political gridlock over his signature healthcare law, the federal debt limit and issues ranging from immigration to gun control.
Congress will now have until 15 January to pass a $1.012tn (£617bn) fiscal spending bill for 2014.
But any hopes that a new era of cross-party unity between Democrats and Republicans could be dawning in Washington DC may be premature, analysts say.

Banker arrested for withdrawing N50m from customers’ accounts

The Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, Lagos State, has arrested an account officer with Guaranty Trust Homes, Adeola Olokojobi, in connection with a N50m fraud at the financial institution.

Prior to his arrest, Olokojobi was said to be working at the GT Homes, Saka Tinubu branch, Victoria Island.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the SFU had received a petition in October 2013, from a customer of the branch where Olokojobi worked. The customer had alleged that Olokojobi, who was his account officer, had “not been forthcoming with his account balances.”

A statement by the SFU Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, said, “The petitioner also alleged that the balance given to him was at variance with his actual balance in the account.

“An internal investigation conducted by GT Homes into the account revealed that Olokojobi in April 2013, forged an instruction, transferring N15m from the petitioner’s account, to an unknown account.

“The bank also discovered other various fraudulent withdrawals made by the account officer from other customers’ accounts in his care through fake transfer instructions. It amounted to over N50m.

Jonathan orders probe into battering of pregnant woman

 President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered a probe into the case of a 34-year-old woman, Mrs. Alexandra Ossai, who accused her Lebanese boss, Kaveh Noine, of causing her to lose her seven-month pregnancy after he kicked her in the stomach.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, disclosed this in his Twitter handle as well as his Facebook page on Thursday.

PUNCH Metro had on Tuesday published the story of Ossai, who until December 13, 2013, was a supervisor with a Lebanese owned firm, Toppan Printing Company. She had alleged that Noine assaulted her many times during her eight months stay at the company.

Presidency, APC clash over Obasanjo-Jonathan letters

 The All Progressives Congress  and the Presidency returned to a  familiar turf  on Thursday  as they engaged each other in a war of words over the exchange of letters between President Goodluck Jonathan and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

While the APC accused Jonathan of   desecrating  his  Presidency by responding in an indecent manner to Obasanjo’s letter, the Presidency said it was the opposition party that was doing a damage to the Presidency.

The APC , in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed,  said the    President   crossed the threshold of decency and brought the Presidency – and indeed the country -into disrepute by not exercising caution in its response to the letter  written to Jonathan by Obasanjo.

It added that Jonathan  had further diminished  the  Presidency with the way he replied   Obasanjo’s letter.

It  argued that in other climes, the President would have simply issued a terse response to such a letter denying the allegations that border on national security, if any; as well as saying the former President’s observations had been noted.

Jonathan, Sambo’s 2014 trips to gulp N2.47bn

The Presidency will next year spend N2.466bn on the foreign and local trips of President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice-President Namadi Sambo.

Jonathan alone will spend N2.4bn on travels and transport while Sambo will spend N67m.

These are contained in the details of the 2014 Appropriation Bill presented to the National Assembly last week by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on behalf of the President.

A further breakdown of the sum shows that Jonathan will spend N1.159bn on international travels and transport
while he will spend N1.219bn on local travel, and transport.

On his part, Sambo will spend about N29m on local travels and transport and N39m on  international travel, and transport.

These figures are apart from the N239.8m (N124m for foreign and N115m for local) that is budgeted for travels and transport for the State House itself.

15 soldiers, 55 others died in Bama attack –DHQ

No  fewer than 70 persons, including 15 soldiers,  died  in the military operations to track down the  insurgents who carried out the last Friday’s  pre-dawn attacks on Mohammed Kur Barracks in Bama, Borno State.

The remaining 55 comprised of 50 insurgents and five villagers.

The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, who made this known in a statement on  Monday, added that 20 vehicles belonging to the insurgents were also destroyed during the attack.

Olukolade said the vehicles were sighted during an air connoisseur exercise while  they were about  to escape to Cameroun.

He  said that some of the insurgents were arrested while several  others escaped with gunshot wounds.

Olukolade’s statement reads in part,  “The military operations to track insurgents who carried out the last Friday pre-dawn attacks on Mohammed Kur Barracks, Bama,  has led to the destruction of over 20 vehicles conveying escaping terrorists.

Ogun fire truck kills woman, son, grandpa

It was tears at Ijako Owode Road, Sango Ota area of Ogun State after an emergency fire service truck belonging to the Ogun State Government Fire Service swerved off the road and crushed a trader, Bunmi Fatoyinbo, her seven-year-old son, Emmanuel Fatoyinbo and her 76-year-old father, Pa Moses Sogunro.

The incident, which happened on Friday afternoon, was said to have thrown residents into confusion and caused a gridlock for hours.

An eyewitness, who identified himself as Baba Vulcaniser, said the crimson-coloured Mercedez Benz 911 water truck, marked, Ogun AG 123 A09, was occupied by two men and a woman.

Our correspondent learnt that it was driven by one Sokunbo Michael of Ogun State Fire Service, Ota.

The eyewitness added the driver was on top speed, before he  lost control and rammed the vehicle into where the victims were sitting.

He said, “We have all been here together for the past eight years and Fatoyinbo (Bunmi) had been the one selling food, recharge cards to all of us.

SEASON'S GREETINGS

Behold, the virgin shall be with a child, and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, Jehovah, The Saviour, Everlasting Father, Ancient of days....

May the birth of Jesus Christ bring about greater joy, peace, wealth, love and other wonderful things in your life in Jesus name, amen.

Here's wishing all my blog readers Merry Christmas and a prosperous year ahead. SEASON'S GREETINGS

Nigerians slam Kumuyi for preaching against Christmas

An outrage has trailed the sermon of the General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, in which he described the celebration of Christmas as “idolatrous.”

The cleric had during the annual December convention of the church which ended on Sunday warned his members against partaking in celebrating  Christmas.

But a cross-section of Nigerians have disagreed with Kumuyi saying observing Christmas was erroneously being tagged a sin.

Those who dropped comments online argued that it was wrong for the pastor to tag the day set aside worldwide for the observance of the birth of  Jesus Christ as idolatrous.

Those who said they had collected Christmas allowances in their work places also wondered if they were expected to return such bonuses.

Anambra PDP candidate, Nwoye, heads to tribunal

The  governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the November 16 election in Anambra State, Mr.  Tony Nwoye, has filed a petition at the election petition tribunal to challenge the election of Chief Willie Obiano of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.

Nwoye, who disclosed this in Awka on Monday during an interactive session with some stakeholders of the party in the state, said he was challenging the election because it was fraudulent.

According to him, the  party heirarchies at the national, zonal and state levels are in support of the decision to challenge the election result, contrary to widely-held notion that PDP will not go to court over the governorship election.

Nwoye said the party would turn out victorious at the tribunal.

He commended the party loyalists for supporting the PDP to come second in the election not minding the conspiracy and distractions as a result of which the party was only able to campaign for just two weeks before the election.

EFCC arrests Kano Speaker, 10 other lawmakers

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday arrested the Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly, Gambo Sallau and 10 other principal officers of the house.

The PUNCH gathered their arrest followed a petition over the N25bn supplementary budget presented by the governor, Rabiu Kwakwanso to the lawmakers on December 5.

There are suspicions that the supplementary budget is a cover up to financial misappropriation.

Kwakwanso recently left the ruling Peoples Democratic Party with four other governors to join the opposition party-All Progressives Congress.

The EFCC’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the arrest to our correspondent in Abuja.

He said, “It is true they were invited. They are still with us. They were brought in from Kano today (Monday).”

First ladies are ‘executive prisoners’ –Aregbesola’s wife

Wife of Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola,  Sherifat, on Monday described all first ladies in Nigeria as ‘executive prisoners.’

The first ladies comprised of the wife of the President and wives of the state governors.

Mrs. Aregbesola, who spoke in an interview with journalists before the end of the year party she organised for children in Osogbo, said contrary to the belief that first ladies were enjoying, she said that governors’ wives had no freedom to live the way they liked.

She said that herself and her colleagues were involved in some projects in order not to be useless throughout their stay at the various Government Houses.

She said, “All first ladies are executive prisoners. They are all here now (referring to security aides) and I can’t go to anywhere without them following me.

Adebayor slams Tottenham

Striker Emmanuel Adebayor has accused Tottenham of disrespecting him.

He scored twice on his first Premier League start of the season as Spurs beat Southampton 3-2 on Sunday.

But the 29-year-old forward was not included on the club’s official photograph and trained on his own while Andre Villas-Boas was manager.

“It was difficult,” said Adebayor. “When I come to train and see the team picture, which I’m not involved in, that shows me a lot of disrespect.”

Adebayor spent a season on loan at Tottenham from Manchester City in 2011-12 and scored 17 goals in 33 Premier League matches, before joining Spurs in a permanent deal for £5m in August 2012.

However, he only found the net nine times in 36 appearances in all competitions in 2012-13 and had only played 45 minutes of first-team football under Villas-Boas this season.

“I’m a professional footballer, I had to keep my head up and I did what they asked me to do,” said the Togo player.

“They asked me to train with the reserves, which I did with pleasure, and they asked me to train on my own, which I did with pleasure.”

Source 

Edo sacks 836 teachers

The Edo State government has sacked 836 teachers following a verification exercise carried out by the state’s Department of Information and Communication Technology.

The affected teachers were said to have learnt of their lay-off when they discovered that their names were missing from the December salary voucher.

Those sacked were said to have either over-stayed their number of years in service or falsified their age and credentials. Others were those who have become mentally unstable and the blind.

A man, who gave his name as Osahon, said his wife was affected by the lay-off.

The Commissioner for Basic Education, Patrick Aguinede, who confirmed the retrenchment, said those affected were de-certified by the ICT after the screening.

Mikel gives us balance – Mourinho

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has again singled out his midfielder Mikel Obi for praise. Barely two hours before the big match against Arsenal on Monday at the Emirates, Mourinho told Chelsea FC website that even though the Stamford Bridge had not done exceptionally well in their last few games, they have been able to retain some respect and points because of the work rate of the Nigerian national player.

Mourinho said, “We have a lot of possession but are not killing opponents, they are killing us and we are exposed. Mikel (Obi) gives us balance.”

This is the second time within two months that the Portuguese has specially mentioned the Nigerian preparing to lead the Super Eagles midfield at the Brazil 2014 World Cup. In November Mourinho attributed Frank Lampard’s quality attacking display largely to the presence of Mikel on the pitch.

Aggrieved PDP senators may join APC in January

SOME Peoples Democratic Party’s senators are set to dump the ruling party for the opposition All Progressives Congress as soon as the senate resumes in January.

A source told our correspondent in Abuja on Monday that the number of PDP senators, who have concluded their defection plan, was “enough to alter the configuration of the upper chamber.”

The senators are said to be aggrieved over what they described as the shoddy handling of their party affairs by its elected officials and they are set to join their 37 colleagues in the House of Representatives who defected from the PDP to the APC last week.

One of the senators confirmed to our correspondent in Abuja on Monday that their movement to the APC had become fait accompli.

The senator, who craved anonymity, said, “The country should be restructured on the foundation of truth. That is our position. We will soon join the APC like our governors and our colleagues in the House of Representatives. This will happen in January by God’s grace.

I will not react to Jonathan’s reply –Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said he will not react to the response of President Goodluck Jonathan to his letter.
Jonathan had on Sunday sent an 11-page reply to Obasanjo’s letter, dated December 2 and titled ‘Before it is too late’, where the President debunked various allegations leveled against him by the Obasanjo ranging from corruption; Jonathan 2015 ambition; to training of a killer squad.
In a statement on Monday by Obasanjo’s Media aide, Tunde Oladunjoye,  the ex-president said he had fulfilled his desire to call the attention of Jonathan to salient issues, adding that he would no longer elaborate on the content on the letter.

APC’ll collapse soon –Presidency

The Presidency on Sunday boasted that it was not  perturbed by “the parade of the All Progressives Congress.”

It said it  was evident that the party was suffering from a leadership deficiency and  hence its  penchant for   embarking  on   journeys  in search of leaders to give  it direction.

The Presidency, through the Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, therefore predicted that the APC would soon collapse.

Okupe, in an interview with journalists after addressing a press conference on the achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan in Lagos, was apparently referring to the visit of the opposition party leaders to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday.

The APC leaders had also paid a similar visit to a former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

Made-in-Nigeria vehicles to sell for N1.2m – FG

The Federal Government, in a bid to ensure the successful implementation of its recently approved National Automotive Industry Development Plan, said it would encourage local auto manufacturers to produce less expensive models with price range of between N1.2m and N1.5m.

It also said it would collaborate with auto manufacturers, franchise holders, reputable motor dealers and selected banks to put in place an all-inclusive domestic dealership network through which a user-friendly vehicle purchase scheme could be funded by the National Automotive Council.

These are contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the NAC and obtained by our correspondent in Abuja.

The statement said, “Under market development, the NAIDP anticipated that higher-end expensive models will still be imported into the country in the initial stage, but the new strategy is to encourage local auto manufacturers to focus primarily on lower-end less expensive models with price range of between N1.2m and N1.5m; which is affordable to the middle class, coupled with other finance options.”

Daddy Time - President Obama Jokes About His Daughters Beginning to Date

President Barack Obama says his daughters Malia, 15, and Sasha, 12, are "very sensible, and that "he's not worried about them starting to date because he's got help keeping an eye on them. Obama joked that he's "got men with guns following them around all the time," referring to the Secret Service protection that the first family has.          

This is the main reason I ran for re-election. You know I'm going to have them covered for most of high school." He added.

Obasanjo’s letter: Jonathan sees landmines, other dangers ahead

President Goodluck Jonathan has hit back at ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo, describing the former president’s letter to him as “distinctly ominous” and “a threat to national security.”
In the President’s response to Mr. Obasanjo’s letter titled “Before It is too late” released by his media aide, Reuben Abati, on Sunday, Mr. Jonathan said the letter “may deliberately or inadvertently set the stage for subversion.”
On December 11, PREMIUM TIMES exclusively published Mr. Obasanjo’s strong-worded 18-page letter to the President. In the letter, which subsequently dominated political discourse in the country, the former president accused Mr. Jonathan of incompetence, encouraging corruption, being dishonourable and leading the country to destruction.
Mr. Jonathan, in a tone that unsuccessfully tried to be polite, said Mr. Obasanjo’s letter was calculated to further embarrass him at a period he was accused of encouraging corruption by the Speaker of the House of representative, Taminu Tambuwa and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Lamido Sanusi.
“The timing of your letter coincided with other vicious releases. The Speaker of the House of Representatives spoke of my “body language” encouraging corruption. A letter written to me by the CBN Governor alleging that NNPC, within a period of 19 months did not remit the sum of USD49.8 billion to the federation account, was also deliberately leaked to the public,” he wrote.

Deeper Life Kumuyi says Christmas is idolatrous, warns members against celebrating

The General Overseer of The Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor W.F Kumuyi warned his church members during their annual National December Convention which held on Saturday Dec 21st, against celebrating Christmas, because according to him it is idolatrous and unscriptural.

Kumuyi said;

“We don’t celebrate Christmas. It actually came from idolatrous background. That is why you don’t hear us sing what they call Christmas carol, Never! We always say it is the December retreat. We are only gathering together because it is the holiday period and love the lord more, and rededicate ourselves more.

I’m Not Engaged, I Bought The Ring Myself – Nadia Buari

Nadia Buari wears what looks like an engagement ring; but I’m not engaged; I bought the ring myself, she says in reaction to media reports that she is engaged.

Since Nadia Buari and Nollywood ‘bad boy’ Jim Iyke developed a certain bond, the pair have been in the news for all the love reasons.

Although they have vehemently denied any love relationship brewing between them, the Nollywood actor recently took her on a five-city European tour for her 31st birthday.

The rumours that the two are in a relationship gained currency when it was reported that Jim might have popped the all important “Will you marry me,” question to Nadia with an engagement ring.

Reacting to the rumours in an interview with Myjoyonline.com, Nadia dispelled the rumour saying the media are always bent on making news out of nothing.

Stretching her beautiful, delicate fingers to show some rings, she said, “When you look at these rings, I think there are three of the same kind of ring so is this an engagement ring? I think you guys want to make a story out of nothing.”

WAEC releases poor November SSCE results

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released what its official called ‘a discouraging’ result for the November/December 2013 West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
The WAEC Head of the National Office, Mr Charles Eguridu said that there was worrisome decline in candidates’ performance in the examination when compared with students’ performance in 2011 and 2012.
“This year, 2013, we have a total of 86,612 candidates representing 29.17 per cent obtaining credits in five subjects and above, including English Language and Mathematics.
“In 2012, a total of 150,615 candidates representing 37.97 per cent obtained credits in five subjects and above, including English Language and Mathematics.
“In 2011, a total of 139, 827 candidates representing 36. 07 per cent also obtained credits in five subjects and above including English Language and Mathematics,” he said.Eguridu said that of the 308,217 candidates that registered and sat for the 2013 examination, 299,784 had their results fully released while 38,260 other had theirs withheld in connection with examination malpractice.
Giving further breakdown of the results, Eguridu said that 120,115 candidates obtained six credits and above, while 161,721 others recorded five credits and above.

Actor Odunlade Adekola goes back to school

Former Glo ambassador and one of Yoruba film leading actors, Odunlade Adekola has gone back to school to acquire a degree. The actor is currently a 100 level student at the University of Lagos.

A source close to the actor said his decision to go back to school is as a result of many opportunities that he has lost over the years due to his lack of a university degree.

25 Students Graduated from her Drama School this year

The Scene One School of Drama, a sub unit of Jenifa Foundation was established in 2011 by Funke Akindele with 25 students on admission with a minimum Secondary School Certificate of Education (SSCE) qualification, the school which is specialized in wide variety of creative courses including Introduction of Drama, Traditional and Contemporary Dance, Music, Etiquette and Manners just graduated the first set of graduands in Lagos on Thursday.

Star actress, Funke Akindele has urged Nigerian youths to believe in themselves and go out and conquer in their bid to realise their dreams. The graduation ceremony which took place at the school's rehearsal ground was attended by the graduands parents, family members and friends, who, she said, like the graduands, would remember the occasion for the rest of their lives.

Tukur, Tambuwal, PDP govs, others meet over defection

As part of the efforts aimed at resolving the crisis rocking the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, the governors elected on its platform met with some national officers of the party in Abuja on Thursday night.

The meeting, which was held behind closed doors, was held at the Akwa Ibom Governors’s Lodge, Asokoro.

At the meeting were the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur;  Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, PDP governors, Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus while the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim came briefly.

Journalists were not allowed to enter the compound where the meeting was held as security men that manned the gate said they were under strict instructions not to allow them (journalists) access into the compound.

Apart from discussing the crisis in the party, it was also gathered that the meeting discussed the gale of defection in the party among its members, especially in the House of Representatives.

Four governors later joined Tukur at the meeting with the House members.

Strike: No work, no pay, Oshiomhole tells doctors

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has described the ongoing nationwide warning strike by the Nigerian Medical Association as provocative, illegal, avoidable and unnecessary.

The governor also said that any doctor that joined the strike in the state would not be paid.

Oshiomhole said this on Thursday at a meeting with the Association of Resident Doctors and Medical and Dental Consultants Association in Government House, Benin.

The governor said, “There is nothing in the convention or the law that allows you to simply walk out on your job. The fact that your colleagues under federal employment had dispute and they sought meeting with the minister of health, those are meetings between your colleagues and the Federal Government. How is Edo State a part of that?

“I expect that if you feel obliged to go on that strike, I think you should inform us that the strike is inevitable. I do understand the logic and essence of solidarity, but in this business, before you resort to solidarity action, people who are themselves directly involved in the dispute may choose on their own to first go on strike.

“If after sometime you feel that no one is listening and there is a need to reinforce by way of solidarity, subject to the rule of law, then you can decide to go on a secondary action.

Confusion in PDP over 37 Reps’ defection

There   was  confusion in the leadership of  the Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday as it made two conflicting demands  from  both the House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal , and  the  Federal High Court, Abuja on the defection of 37 of its  members to the All Progressives Congress.

While  the PDP  released a statement  in which it requested Tambuwal to  declare the defectors’ seats in the House vacant,  in the court, it asked  for an  order   compelling them  to return to its fold.

In the statement by its National Publicity Secretary,  Olisa Metuh, the  party argued that  since the 37 lawmakers  had   renounced their membership, the Presiding Officers of  the House must declare their   seats vacant without any further delay.

The PDP  said that a court order  which the 37  lawmakers  referred to while announcing their defection on Wednesday  was wrongly interpreted.

Metuh’s  statement    reads,  “The attention of the PDP has been drawn to claims by 37 defecting members of the House elected on the platform of the PDP to the APC that they obtained an injunction restraining the leadership of the National Assembly and the party from declaring their seats vacant in line with provisions of the  1999 Constitution.

Reps raise 50 questions on economy for Okonjo-Iweala

Members of the House of Representatives on Thursday engaged their guest, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in hot exchange over the state of the economy.

At the end of the day, the lawmakers sent the minister away with 50-question homework.

Okonjo-Iweala, who is also the coordinating minister for the economy for the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, had appeared before the House Committee on Finance to address members on the state of the nation’s economy.

But, the session, which was chaired by Mr. Abdulmumini Jibrin, turned stormy shortly after the minister complained that she was indisposed to speak.

About three hours earlier, Okonko-Iweala had laid the estimates of the 2014 budget before the whole House where she looked excited, smiling and waving at lawmakers in acknowledgement of their cheers.

World Cup camping: Keshi proposes USA

Nigeria coach, Stephen Keshi, has proposed the United States as camp venue for the Super Eagles ahead of the Brazil 2014 World Cup.

Keshi who spoke at the weekly media interaction of the team in Abuja on Wednesday, said he chose the USA because some of the cities have similar weather conditions with Brazil. The two venues listed for consideration are Miami in Florida and Houston, Texas. The final decision will be taken by the Nigeria Football Federation. The NFF and Keshi were scheduled to meet with the Minister of Sports Bolaji Abdullahi late on Wednesday but the meeting could not eventually hold. The World Cup programmes of the coach and the FA were top on the agenda.

APC will meet Obasanjo soon, says Buhari

The leadership of the All Progressives Congress is to meet with former President Olusegun Obasanjo to explain the reason behind the formation of the party.

A former Head of State and a chief of the party, Gen.  Muhammadu Buhari, said this in an interview with journalists at the residence of a former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in Abuja on Wednesday.

Buhari said the leadership of APC had been visiting other notable Nigerians and that it was time to also pay a visit to Obasanjo.

He said,  “We have been visiting others like the G7 Governors; we have visited former heads of state, and we intend to visit former President Olusegun Obasanjo any time he is available, to ask for understanding and brief him on why we formed the APC.”

He said that he was happy with the discussion the leadership of the party had with Abubakar, who he said had promised to discuss with his supporters and political associates before taking a decision on whether to defect from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party to the APC or not.

Iyabo Obasanjo’s purported letter to her father stirs controversy

Controversy on Wednesday surrounded a letter purportedly written by Senator Iyabo Obasanjo to her father, former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

A national newspaper (not The PUNCH) had on Wednesday published the letter.

In the letter, Iyabo allegedly denounced Obasanjo as a self-seeking man lacking in all key expectations of a father and a leader, but often appearing quick to accuse others of the same ills.

Iyabo  also allegedly commented on a letter written by his father to President Goodluck Jonathan.

Obasanjo had  in an 18-page letter to Jonathan accused him, among other things, of not honouring his words and taking actions calculated at destroying Nigeria.

The letter dated December 2, 2013 and titled, “Before it is too late” became public knowledge on December 11.

Obasanjo had accused the President of pursuing “selfish personal and political interests based on advice from his “self-centered aides.”

Bode George, others’ release angers EFCC

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has described as “unfortunate” that the Supreme Court set aside the court judgment that jailed former chairman of the board of  Nigerian Ports Authority, Chief Olabode George and five former members.

The five directors of the NPA whose sentensing was also quashed are Aminu Dabo, Captain Oluwasegun Abidoye, Alhaji Abdullahi Tafida, Alhaji Zanna Maidaribe and Sule Aliyu, an Engineer.

The apex court discharged and acquitted them of corruption, inflation of contracts and contracts splitting, for which they had been convicted after prosecution by the anti-graft agency.

George, a Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, was the NPA chairman between 2001 and 2003 when the alleged offences were said to have been committed.