Labour gives IGP 21 days to redeploy Rivers CP

The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, and the Police Service Commission to redeploy the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu, in order to avert an indefinite workers’ strike.

The NLC and TUC, on Friday, issued the ultimatum at a joint press briefing they organised to address the dispersing of 13,000 teachers at the Port Harcourt Liberation Stadium and the continued blockade of Obio/Akpor council secretariat.

Speaking during the event that held in Port Harcourt, the State NLC Chairman, Dr. Chris Oruge, explained that apart from the call for Mbu’s redeployment, the organised labour in the state was demanding an unreserved apology from the IGP and the state police commissioner for dispersing the teachers who came to collect their letters of posting.

Massive looting going on under Jonathan – New PDP

The Chairman of the New Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, has condemned the rape of the country’s economy by the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan administration.

He said that despite claims to the contrary by the government in a futile bid to deceive Nigerians, the overwhelming evidence was  that the Nigerian economy had been run aground and  was now comatose.

An online agency, Sahara reporters, said  the assertions were contained in a statement issued by the faction in Abuja, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chukwuemeka  Eze.

It drew attention to the massive scale of officially-induced oil theft, the dwindling returns from oil and massive looting going on at the federal level as evidence that Nigeria was on the brink of economic collapse.

“One manifestation of this is the Federal Government’s inability to pay states their share of the Federal Allocation since July. The last time that states were paid was for part of July.”

Miss Philippines Emerges as Winner of the Miss World Crown in Bali Indonesia

The new Miss World has just been crowned in Bali, Indonesia and it is Miss Philippines, 23 Year Old Megan Young, an actress, TV presenter and aspiring filmmaker. Miss France and Miss Ghana were second and third runners up. Many people were rooting for another African Miss World especially Miss South Sudan who was among the top 10 contestants. See their pictures below...

Top 10

Brazil

Cameroon

Cyprus

England

France

Italy

Philippines

South Sudan

Ukraine

United States

PS - Miss World contestants usually compete in the swimsuit, fitness, world fashion, and talent segments as well as the "Beauty with a Purpose" segment meant to honor charitable work. But many, Muslims in particular, are totally opposed to the idea of beauty pageants including Miss World. When the event was slated to be held in Nigeria, it had to be moved because of religious riots in the north.


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CP accuses Amaechi of mobilising youths against Jonathan

THE Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu, on Thursday accused the Rivers State government of mobilising youths against President Goodluck Jonathan.

Mbu said this while giving reasons for the chasing out of 13,000 newly-recruited teachers from the Liberation Stadium where they had gathered to receive their letters of posting on Wednesday.

Armed policemen had stormed the stadium and chased away the teachers.

But speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt, Mbu explained that he acted on a security report that those at the stadium were hired to disrupt the peace in the state.

The CP said the people at the stadium on Wednesday were youths hired to demonstrate against Jonathan.

Putting the number of the youths inside the stadium at 18,000, Mbu displayed some placards allegedly recovered from the crowd.

Taraba: My deputy betrayed me, says Suntai

AILING Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai has accused his deputy, Alhaji Garba Umar, of betrayal. Suntai said he least expected the deputy governor to lust for his (Suntai’s) office given the  confidence he reposed in him.

Suntai, who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Sylvanus Yakubu, said the governor was not the only one that felt betrayed but the entire people of the state.

Yakubu, who was reacting to Umar’s statement on Tuesday that he was 100 per cent loyal to Suntai and would not undermine his  authority, said, “His (Umar’s) activities are a direct opposite of what he keeps saying.”.

Yakubu, in a statement made available to newsmen in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, on Thursday,  added that he had personally lost the respect for Umar, who has been the state acting governor since October last year when Suntain sustained injuries when the small aircraft he flown crashed in nearby Adamawa.

2015: Sacrifice your ambition, CAC tells Jonathan, others

The Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide  has called on President Goodluck Jonathan and other politicians jostling for the Presidency in 2015, to sacrifice their ambition in the interest of peace and national unity.

President of the church, Pastor Abraham Akinosun, said this at the church’s 2013 Pastors’ Conference on Thursday at the Babalola International Miracle Camp at Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State.

He said, “Let the message be communicated to all politicians who seek the good of Nigeria, forget 2015, let fresh blood who are less controversial come to power. Let us try fresh and unknown hands in the art of governance.

“What our theme is saying to all politicians who genuinely love Nigeria and who genuinely desire its peace and prosperity is that they should sacrifice their ambition for the sake of peace of this nation.

B’Haram linked to group behind Kenya mall attack

A report by a committee of  the United States House of Representatives has linked the  fundamentalist Islamist sect, Boko Haram,  to al Shabaab, the terror group that carried out the September 21 Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi, Kenya.

Al-Shabaab is a Somali-based group whose members are said to be highly proficient in suicide bombing.

The  report dated September 13, 2013 and  entitled,  ‘Boko Haram: Growing Threat to the US Homeland’, also acknowledged the growing relationship between the  Nigerian sect  and another terror group, the Al Qaeda in the land of the Islamic Maghreb.

The  39-page report noted that “while there is no evidence that al Qaeda’s core in Afghanistan and Pakistan commands Boko Haram’s operations, it is clear from the words of multiple US  officials and  media reports  that Boko Haram is supportive of, and supported by  Al Qaeda networks such as AQIM.”

Michael Jackson Was Fully Responsible For His Death- Lawyer

AEG Live lawyer Maryin Putnam remarked in a closing arguments of the wrongful death lawsuit brought by relatives of the late King of Pop.

Jackson’s family blame the concert promoter for his June 2009 death on the eve of his sold-out comeback tour, claiming the company hired Jackson’s doctor and pressured him to bend medical rules in order to ensure the tour would go ahead.

But in his closing arguments, Putnam denied that the company had hired Dr Conrad Murray, pointing out that he had been treating Jackson and his family for years before the tour.

Murray was found guilty of providing the insomniac Jackson with the surgical anesthetic Propofil as a sleeping aid, which a coroner found had caused Jackson’s death.

Faulty power cable throws Lagos airport into darkness

The Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos was thrown into darkness on Tuesday and Wednesday due to a burnt power cable.

Findings by our correspondent on Wednesday revealed that some facilities such as the chillers were not functioning at the airport due to the problem.

As a result of the power cut, airlines operating from the international terminal resorted to manual check-in of passengers as all their systems packed up.

Also, profilers resorted to the use of torchlight to authenticate the profile of departing passengers, while workers on the fifth floor of the airport also had to use torchlight to access their offices.

The outage affected the two foreign carriers, which landed simultaneously on Wednesday evening at the airport, Air France and Lufthansa Airlines.

‘I impersonated policeman to get free ride’

A 48-year-old man, who was arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for impersonating a policeman, said he did it to get favours from members of the public.

The suspect, Felix Braimoh, told policemen at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad that he usually got free rides from private and commercial drivers by wearing police uniform.

The suspect, who claimed to be a driver, however, said he never extorted money from members of the public.

The Edo State indigene said, “I am a driver and I have worked for several companies. However, after I had a hernia surgery, the company I was working with decided to sack me. I was given N32,000 and asked to leave.

“I used part of my savings to set up a barber shop and a music studio. However, I could not make ends meet as a barber and a deejay and things became very difficult.”

£3,000 visa bond plan being reviewed – UK

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Pocock, has said the British government is reviewing its plan to introduce a £3,000 visa bond scheme.

He also said while there were security concerns in Nigeria, they were not overwhelming in many respects and could be managed.

Pocock said this on Wednesday when he visited the Nigerian Stock Exchange to ring the closing bell, and to discuss ways in which more British companies could be encouraged to invest in the nation’s capital market.

Reports had emerged earlier this year that the British government was planning to implement a new scheme under which some visitors from some Commonwealth countries, including Nigeria, would be asked to pay a £3,000 cash bond in return for visitor visas that allowed them to stay in the UK for up to six months.

“In the long run, we are interested in a system of bonds that deters overstaying and recovers costs if a foreign national has used our public services,” an unnamed Home Office official had been quoted as saying in June.

The development had resulted in an outcry by nationals of the affected countries with the Nigerian government calling on its British counterpart to renounce the policy.

However, the British High Commissioner, after ringing the closing bell at NSE in Lagos told journalists that, “We have made it very clear to our government in London that there is concern about this. So, this is being reviewed and considered in London as we speak now.”

PDP crisis: Baraje, Tukur camps clash in Senate

Barely a week after a similar clash at the House of Representatives, supporters of the main Peoples Democratic Party and those of the Kawu Baraje-led faction of the party clashed again at the Senate on Wednesday.

A timely intervention by Senate President, David Mark however saved a crisis situation on the floor of the senate when members were making their contributions on a motion on the demise of late former Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu.

Trouble started when a former governor of Gombe State, Danjuma Goje, representing Gombe Central Senatorial district, while extolling Agagu’s virtues, described himself as a member of the New PDP with Alhaji Kawu Baraje as the National Chairman.

The Senator representing Kogi West,  Smart Adeyemi, immediately raised a point of order which was granted by the Senate President.

Boko Haram leader, Shekau resurfaces in new video

A video believed to have been released by the wanted leader of  the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad, also known as Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, surfaced in Maiduguri on Wednesday.

In it, a man claiming to be Shekau, debunked earlier claims by the Nigerian military that he died from gunshot wounds on August 19, 2013.

The  then JTF spokesman in Borno State,   Lt Col Sagir Musa, had in a statement said, “Intelligence report available to the JTF  Operation Restore Order revealed that  Shekau, the most dreaded and wanted terrorists’ leader may have died.

“He died of gunshots wounds received in an encounter with the JTF in one of their camps in Sambisa Forest on  June 30 , 2013. Shekau was mortally wounded in the encounter and was sneaked into Amitchide-a border community in Cameroon for treatment from which he never recovered.”

I’m no longer bothered by criticism – Rukky Sanda

PUNCH - In less than three days, Rukky Sanda’s latest film, ‘Keeping My Man,’ will be premiered at The Wheatbaker Hotel in Lagos. Already the Nollywood producer cum actress is in high spirits.

Armed with a “catchy and unique storyline”, as she puts it, as well as a stellar cast led by Ramsey Noah, the Banking and Finance graduate of the Lagos State University boasts that it is her best work so far.

“It is an awesome movie. I dare say that the crew and the cast of the film did a very good job. I’m sure that many people will love it. There is a message for everybody. Ramsey is, no doubt, the best actor in Nigeria at present. I have a lot of respect for him. I have no regrets starring him in the movie,” she says, in an interview with our correspondent on Tuesday.

Regarding what inspired the movie, Sanda, who has six movies to her credit, says the idea to shoot the movie derived from real life experiences.

Mixed reactions trail Muslimah beauty pageant won by Nigerian girl

Mixed reactions have trailed the just concluded World Muslimah Beauty Pageant organized for the Islamic womenfolk as a suitable option to the glamorous Miss World beauty pageant. The pageant which held in Jakatar, Indonesia last week, saw young Nigerian University of Lagos student, Aisha Ajibola Olabiyi, clinch the winning title, with a cash prize of $2,200 and a trip to Mecca.

Muslim women and scholars have reacted to the pageant. Some feel the pageant violated the Islamic rule on women, while others say it's a welcome development.

Why we moved against illegal private jet operators

When the Federal Ministry of Aviation, earlier in the year, unveiled the revised National Civil Aviation Policy in Abuja, many stakeholders in the aviation sector cried foul. Not a few were those that protested certain parts of the document, insisting that such parts were targeted at some enemies of the present administration. The part that worried many, at the time, was the provision in the new policy barring owners of private jets from using their aircraft to ferry their friends and associates, as well as the clause that pilots of private jets must always declare their manifest.
Many people raised issues with Part seven of the 10-part new aviation policy. The part deals with General Aviation (GA) and provides for measures to generate definite policies, develop regulatory framework and adequate infrastructure to support it. The part equally focuses on the need to control and monitor all non-scheduled flights operations – including helicopter operations (offshore and onshore) in Nigeria as well as the operation of foreign non-scheduled flights and flying schools.

2015: I will run – Jonathan

From JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE, New York CityAfter months of dodging the question, President Goodluck Jonathan in New York, United States on Sunday broke his silence on the 2015 presidential election when he said the Constitution allows him to do eight years of two term

This is even as he warned those fanning the embers of disintegration in the country to refrain from doing so as the interest of the nation was greater than that of any individual. He urged politicians to drop the “do or die” approach to politics and allow him to concentrate on his core mandate of governance.
He said that having been elected by Nigerians, he should be allowed to work, adding that they have the right to vote out anybody they are not comfortable with his style of work.
The President stated this on Sunday during lunch with Nigerian professionals in New York. He said, “already, we have a constitution that makes provision for maximum of eight years for anyone who wants to become president or governor. There is no president or governor that all citizens did not vote for, but at the end of the election if somebody emerges, you must allow the person to work. If you love your country, you would want your country to work. That does not mean that you will not vote against the person if you don’t like the way he works, but you must allow him to work”.

"I Can Pose Nude For A Mag 200%" - AfroCandy's Revelation

AfroCandy has said she is not into pornography, her movies are not porn but rather, adult movies.

Speaking in a recent interview, the Nigerian movie star and mother of two who is based in America recounts how her husband dumped her and her daughters, and she also spoke about her offer of a movie role to BBA finalist, Beverly Osu.

See excerpts from the interview:

Why did you go into pornographic movies?
I did not go into pornographic movies. I reiterate that I am not into pornography and it seems the press and Nigerians are really wishing I did. I started doing regular movies with some sort of nudity or adult content but they kept saying porn, and calling me a porn star. I have cleared the air several times in my interviews but I don’t think you guys get it all. Do you call Hollywood movies they show on HBO pornographic? Do you call movies like Basic Instinct, Monster Ball, Savages and so on pornographic? I guess it’s because I am a Nigerian, that’s why. Anyway, since you guys can’t get it, I will just do a hardcore pornography so you can all get off by back.

Kenyan Mall Attack: How 4yr old confronted gunman who gave him chocolate & begged for forgiveness

A four-year-old British boy caught up in the Kenya mall massacre showed astonishing bravery by confronting a marauding gunman who ended up begging for his forgiveness, UK Daily Mail reports.

Elliot Prior, from Windsor, Berkshire, told one of the terrorists that he was a 'very bad man' as he protected his mother, Amber, who had been shot in the leg, and six-year-old sister Amelie. Incredibly, the attacker took pity on the family and bizarrely handed the children Mars bars before telling them: 'Please forgive me, we are not monsters.'

His story emerged as sporadic gunfire continued to ring out from inside the mall early today as Kenyan security forces battled Al Qaeda-linked terrorists into a fourth day.

25-hour rain: 7 feared killed, 30 houses submerged in Benin, Ibadan

A 25-hour heavy rain across three states left seven people dead in Ibadan, Oyo State capital and 30 houses submerged in Benin, Edo State, while paralysing business activities in the states.
The rain, which started in the evening of Sunday and continued for most part of Monday, resulted in traffic snarls in all the affected cities and towns, leaving many commuters stranded.
In Ibadan, although the Oyo State police command confirmed only two people dead in Orita Challenge area of the city, residents of some communities in Oluyole Local Government Area of the state claimed five other people were swept away while attempting to cross a bridge, which they did not know had collapsed.
One of the victims, said to be an unidentified elderly man, was said to have disembarked from a commercial motorcycle and had attempted to cross the flooded bridge at LAD Hospital area at about 8.00 a.m on Monday.
He reportedly died when he slipped and hit his head on the slab of the bridge.

I’ll get pregnant when God decides –Stephanie Okereke -Linus

Nollywood actress, Stephanie Okereke Linus (MFR) speaks with TADE MAKINDE in this interview about her marriage and career. Excerpts:
How has life been as a wife?
Beautiful.  Life has been beautiful, good and fun

Fun how?
Fun because you are happy with someone you really love and looking forward to share the rest of your life with. It makes it interesting because it’s a long journey.

You took your time before you eventually got married. There must have been some pressures while single from many. How did you handle it?
In the Nigerian context, there can be pressures maybe when you get to a certain age or stage, you know what is knocking on your door. I was talking to someone recently and she was like no one is coming, but it is not a race. When you understand marriage is not a race and that when your time comes, it is your time. Some people can marry early and live 10 years of misery and pain and then you just get married in one year and you are having so much bliss in your life and that person that had married for a long time is even wishing that she could just have this moment with this man that I am staying with. One of the biggest trap that the enemy has is to pressurise you and put you in a corner so you can make a wrong decision, especially in marriage. That is the biggest thing and when you make that wrong decision, then you are in for it. It is so good that you take your time and ask God for the actual direction. You know He gives you the endurance, patience and everything to stay in that marriage.

The price we pay for fame -Ireti Doyle

Ireti Doyle seems to have defied age and now looks more radiant everyday. The actress, who debuted in Nollywood about two decades ago in the movie, Sakobi the Snake Girl, has been as versatile as anyone in the showbiz industry. She spoke with JOAN  OMIONAWELE on various aspects of her life, marriage and career. Excerpts
You seem to have dumped home videos for soaps
I am an actress, meaning that I can work for any media, and I have worked in all the different media; but yes, I tend to do more of television series than home videos.

Why
No particular reason; I work where I find work.

You were once a broadcaster…
(Cuts in) I am still a broadcaster.

How do you manage being an actress, a broadcaster, mother and motivational speaker all in one personality?
It’s pretty easy; everything is well structured. There is a timetable for everything I need to do.
Aside Tinsel, I present a weekly show called Mimasa, the public information of the Nigerian Maritime Agency; and I go there once a week to shoot. I also present a Hausa show called Turingiwa, produced by Mnet. When we shoot, it has a separate schedule; so things are arranged in such a way that they don’t clash.

Did you live in the North at a point in your life?
Yes I did. I have a diploma and a first degree from the University of Jos. I lived there for 12 years.

What was life back in the North then?
It was beautiful and very peaceful. It was very accommodating. It did not matter who you were or where you were from. Anyone could come in to study or leave a good life. It is very unfortunate the damage that has been done to that beautiful city over the last couple of years.

You are also a public speaker. How did that come up?
First, you cannot have or receive anything unless it is given to you by God. For me, I was forced to discover as many talents as I could possibly find, because I had always wanted to do something. In the early days, while I was building my career as an actress, I needed to find a job to pay the bills, so it was just a natural progression going into production. From production, I went into presenting. It was just a natural step to go into public speaking.

What is your greatest fear?
Failure.

What has been the highest point of your career so far?
That moment hasn’t come yet.

You are ageing gracefully. What’s the secret?
I would first and foremost say grace, because I don’t think I am doing anything different from the next person. I eat in bits and watch what I eat. This is not to say that I don’t overindulge with chocolates and amala. I am fully aware of who I am, age, experience, life. If you are wise and you work in that full awareness, you can get a lot of work done, not just for yourself, but for general good.

You are in your 40s. Do you still get advances from men?
Yes, I get those most times.

What are your hobbies?
When I am free, I love to read books, watch movies and I also like to travel.

If you were not in the public eye, what else would you have become?
I would have been the Public Relation Officer of some big multinational company.

Going down the memory lane, what was your first movie role?
Sakobi the Snake Girl. She had a boyfriend and I was dating the guy before him; and there was a confrontation scene between me and the snake girl. I was supposed to be with the guy and at the same time I was all in her face. She was meant to transform into a snake. Though I was meant to appear in one scene in the movie, I was given the opportunity to display so many emotions, and it surprised me because it stood me out and got talked about for a long time.

Whom do you enjoy working with most on the Tinsel crew?
Well… my immediate family members: Fred-Ade Williams (Victor Olaotan) and Phillip (Gideon Okeke).

How has it been acting in the most popular TV series, Tinsel?      
 It’s been a lot of hard work that is for the most part fulfilling.

Nollywood then and now; how much growth has taken place?
Very huge growth. It started with a group of people who wanted to do something creative and it has grown into a multimillionaire business, which sustains hundreds of thousands of people everyday, with little or no help from anywhere (though they are getting help nowadays). Some of the best public relation our nation has received over the last few years has come from some of the work done in Nollwood. Nollywood is responsible for creating a new set of young people doing great work. So, it’s been a success story.

What part of being an actress do you hate the most?
Sometimes your public (my public whom I truly respect because without them, what’s the point of what we do?), sometimes they expect you to perform all the time.
I can’t perform all the time. There are times when I just want to be Ireti, somebody’s wife, somebody’s mother, not an actress. Maybe I don’t want to talk to anybody, but you are in their TV screen everyday. So, they think they own you and want you to act in a particular way. Sometimes, you just want to go get groceries in flip flops and an everyday T-Shirt, but that isn’t possible.

Your most recent movie, Torn; why did you take up that role?
The movie is hot. That’s a role that any actress would die for. When I got the call, I had to make enquiries and I found out that though the producer was much younger, he was good. I later asked for the script, and when I read it, it was an original story, a deviation from the conventional Nigerian story and I fell in love with a particular character – which ended up being given to me. It’s a wonderful movie.

When you are stressed, how do you pamper yourself?
I like to pack my bags and take off for a few days, alone. If I can’t do that, then a day at the spa with the full works will do.
Marriage could get rough at times. When your husband  gets you upset or angry, what is that thing that he does that still keeps you attracted to him?
(Laughs) The fact that no matter what, I am still his number one priority.

Lastly, with your wealth of experience as a married woman, what can you say is the cause of failed Nollywood marriages these days?
It’s wrong to say Nollywood marriages are failing. There are divorce cases everyday in courts. Well, maybe (it’s) because we are in the public eye; but I think it’s because one doesn’t take time to understand oneself,  before rushing to understand someone else. Sometimes, it is even difficult to accommodate oneself, let alone live with someone else.

Source

Funke Akindele denies launching Jenifa perfume

The report that Funke Akindele was getting ready to launch her own perfume line called Jenifa went viral online a few weeks back. But according to the award winning actress, there's no such thing. She recently dissociated herself from the perfume line, telling Encomium magazine:

"That's not true. I'm not aware of anything like Jenifa perfume. I'm not launching any perfume. I don't know anything about it"

The Funny nicknames Nigerians give vehicles

If you are not a Nigerian and you want to buy a car in Nigeria soon, or visit a mechanic, you really have to know the car brands in Nigeria with the funny appellations most cars now bear

It is a fact that all vehicles have makers and models but rather than identify them by such, some Nigerians prefer to localise their names. The reason for such renaming is as diverse as the car brands.

When the Volkswagen Beetle, known officially as Volkswagen Type 1, was manufactured, the car was rechristened in Nigeria with names such as Ijapa (tortoise)and So kinso (the occupant beside the driver needs to get down before those on the back seat can alight) when it hit the country auto market in the 70s.

Nollywood Actress Rita Dominic Speaks About Being Single At 38

Unknown to many of her teeming fans, one of the biggest heart aches giving famous thespian, Rita Dominic, sleepless nights is her single status. And the Imo State-born star, who recently clocked 38, has finally bared her mind on the circumstances that led to her being single and searching at almost four scores on earth.

"I don’t talk about my personal life because some years ago, I was in this relationship that became public, and the press killed it. The relationship didn’t work out because the press put a lot of pressure on it and it didn’t work out; since then I decided to guard my personal life jealously.

"After that relationship I met somebody else and we dated for four years. We thought we were almost going to get married but it didn’t work out. I met somebody else and it didn’t work out again so I decided to just concentrate on my work. I embarked on a whole lot of projects, now I’m through with them and I think I am now ready for another. I am single and searching," she said in a chat with Toolz on the Juice.

Ajimobi sacks commissioners, advisers

Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Monday dissolved the state executive council.

The action, he said, was taken to enable him to inject “fresh blood into the administration of the state.”

In a statement signed by the state’s Director of Cabinet, Mr. Dotun Omokemi, the decision was made after the executive council meeting, which lasted for just 11 minutes on Monday.

The statement, credited to the governor read, “There was the need to inject fresh blood into the administration, in the quest to serve the state better.”

Ajimobi thanked the commissioners and special advisers who made up the executive council, for their contributions, instructing them to hand over to the permanent secretaries in their various ministries.

Diplomatic passports: NIS denies ‘presidential directive’

The Nigerian Immigration Service on Monday refuted claims that President Goodluck Jonathan directed it to withdraw the diplomatic passports of some federal legislators.

This clarification followed allegations by the New Peoples Democratic Party, that the President ordered the withdrawal of the travel document.

The Public Relations Officer of the service, Mr. Emeka Obua, issued the denial in a statement in Abuja.

He explained that extant guidelines on the issuance of such travel documents had not been changed as such; they remained firmly in place.

The NIS said “…no instruction has been received to review the guideline to target any segment or category of Nigerians.

“Members of the National Assembly are being issued diplomatic passports upon applications.”

My critics implemented a shoddy privatisation programme – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has berated  his opponents, particularly those who handled the past privitisation exercise, saying they are now “opening their mouth wide” to attack his administration.

Jonathan, who said this while addressing Nigerian professionals in New York, United States, on Monday said the privatisation of public utilities by his administration was being done in a transparent manner.

He also said the problem of the Boko Haram insurgency was being exploited to blackmail his administration.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria report, the President said that   so far $3bn had been realised without any form of corruption compared to the privatisation that took place in the past.

Jonathan’s critics that played key role in the past privatisation included former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and an ex-minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

Berating his critics, the President said, “In the country’s past privatisation, we know what happened there and yet those who sat over the exercise are the same people who are opening their mouths wide to attack this administration.”

Jonathan, in talks with Obama, urges global action on terrorism

President Goodluck Jonathan Monday in New York called for a stronger global consensus and determination to end the scourge of terrorism as quickly as possible.
He made the call during discussions with President Barack Obama of the United States ahead of the opening of the 68th session of the United Nations tomorrow,.
President Jonathan said that unless the international community unites and deploys its enormous resources to eradicate terrorism, it will continue to be embarrassed by terrorist outrages such as the heinous attack on defenceless shoppers in Nairobi at the weekend.
Both Obama and Jonathan have strongly condemned the attacks.

Rebel govs, Atiku may face PDP disciplinary panel

The seven aggrieved governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party may be summoned to appear before the disciplinary committee of the party if they fail to attend the October 7 meeting with some selected leaders of the party, including President Goodluck Jonathan.

The rebel governors, party leaders and the President had met on September 15, where they agreed to keep  discussing  and  that parties in the dispute should  stop further inflammatory statements on the areas of disagreement.

Governors in the New PDP, who were at the meeting were Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Rabiu Kwankwanso(Kano), Murtala Nyako(Adamawa), Sule Lamido(Jigawa), Abdulfatah Ahmed(Kwara) and Babangida Aliyu(Niger).

Ministerial appointment: 22 jostle to replace Obada

No fewer than 22 members of the Peoples Democratic Party from Osun State are jostling to replace a former Minister of State for Defence, Mrs. Olusola Obada, who was recently sacked by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The PDP chairman in Osun State, Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa, said this in an interview with one of our correspondents in Osogbo on Sunday.

He  said the State Working Committee had compiled the list and would send it to the President to pick a replacement for Obada. He declined to disclose the names of those jostling for the plum job, but said  the lucky one would be known when appointed.

14,000 ex-bankers sue CBN over unpaid entitlements

FOURTEEN thousand ex-workers of non-consolidated banks in Nigeria have sued the Central Bank of Nigeria over the bank’s alleged refusal to pay their entitlements.

The ex-bank workers sued as registered trustees of the Association of Non-Consolidated Banks, Nigeria, in the matter that came up for hearing at the National Industrial Court, Enugu Judicial Division, on Friday.

Joined in the suit are the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation; ministers of Finance, Labour and Productivity; and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

Other defendants in the suit, which is being presided over by Justice A.K Ibrahim, include Eco Bank PLC, United Bank for Africa, AfriBank (now Mainstream Bank) and Zenith Bank.

NSA organisers salute Mikel

Nigeria international and Chelsea midfielder, Mikel Obi, at the weekend raised the stake to justify his double nomination for the Footballer of the Year and the Sportsman of the Year Award in the 2013 edition of the Nigerian Sports Award by sealing victory for the Stamford Bridge side in their 2-0 win at home to Fulham.

The 85th minute stunner was Mikel’s first Premiership League goal since joining the Blues about eight seasons ago playing his 185th league game.

Mikel, who won the Footballer of the Year Award in the maiden edition of the award last year, is up for the two categories against Victor Moses who is currently on loan at Liverpool.

Reacting to the player’s historic goal, Kayode Idowu, General Manager, Unmissable Incentives Limited, organisers of the Nigerian Sports Award, praised the courage of the midfielder for being focused and playing at his best during the long wait to open his EPL goal account.

 “The Nigerian Sports Award wishes to salute, Mikel Obi, the current holder of the Footballer of the Year Award 2012 and one of the nominees for the same category for this year and also a nominee for the Sportsman of the Year Award on his first long awaited EPL goal for Chelsea” Idowu said.

Lawmakers’ diplomatic passports: New PDP, Presidency trade words

There was controversy in Abuja  on Sunday over  the  alleged move by the Federal Government to withdraw the diplomatic passports  of the Senate President,   David Mark, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal,  and other members of the National Assembly.

A national newspaper (not Sunday PUNCH), had on Sunday reported that President Goodluck Jonathan  had ordered that the diplomatic passports of all members of the National Assembly be withdrawn.

The  Peoples Democratic Party’s faction, known as the New PDP, condemned the alleged plan , accusing   Jonathan of  overheating the polity through some of  his  actions.

The New PDP claimed,  in a statement  by its National Publicity Secretary,  Chukwuemeka Eze, that  the plan to withdraw the lawmakers’ passports  was because of their sympathy for  it.

Amaechi blames PH airport neglect on rift with Jonathan

Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, on Saturday accused the Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah, of abandoning the remodelling of the Port Harcourt International Airport because of his rift with President Goodluck Jonathan.

Amaechi, who said this in an interview with Channels Television, monitored by one of our correspondents, said apart from leaving the airport in deplorable state, the minister  impounded the aircrafts belonging to the state “for no reason.”

The governor said he had reported the minister to the President to no avail.

He said, “I have gone to the President and told him that because of the disagreement between Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who is not Rivers State, and the President, the minister of aviation has abandoned the airport. They started that airport with Kano, Lagos, Abuja, Benin, and Calabar. The rest have been completed, including Enugu which has been commissioned. It is hatred. The Minister of Aviation is reckless on that.”

Plot to impeach Tambuwal hits a dead end

The plot by some members of the House of Representatives to impeach the Speaker, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal hit a dead end on Saturday as it became extremely difficult to muster the statutorily required two-third majority for Tambuwal’s removal.

Reports about an impeachment plan against Tambuwal spread on Friday following an allegation by the Abubakar Baraje-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party that the Presidency had dangled a N2.5million carrot before lawmakers to remove Tambuwal.

The faction alleged that Tambuwal’s sin against the Presidency was that he received the Baraje group during a visit to the National Assembly on Tuesday to brief members on why they pulled out of the main PDP led by  Dr.  Bamanga Tukur.

On Friday, some lawmakers in favour of the impeachment against Tambuwal, reportedly held a meeting in Abuja,  to strategise on the said plan.

Tukur, Amaechi lock horns again

The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party got messier on Friday with the ruling party asking the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, to write a formal letter to the Dr. Bamanga Tukur-led National Executive Council for his suspension to be lifted.

Amaechi, who spoke to SUNDAY PUNCH, over the weekend has, however, vowed that he would not write the letter.

The lifting of Amaechi’s suspension was one of the conditions given by a faction of the party, New PDP, for reconciliation to take place in the troubled party.

The party, which spoke through the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Abdullahi Jalo, told one of our correspondents in Abuja, on Friday that only the NEC could decide Amaechi’s fate.