At last, FG dissolves PHCN, pays workers N360bn

The Federal Government on Friday officially dissolved the Power Holding Company of Nigeria after it handed over the 14 successor companies created from the unbundling of PHCN to their respective new owners across the country.
Speaking at the official physical handover ceremony of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company to its new owner, Kann Utility Consortium Nigeria Limited, the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, stated that the government had paid N360bn to workers of the defunct PHCN.
He explained that there might be some teething issues such as an increase in electricity tariff as soon as the new power owners commenced operations in earnest, but stressed that the problems would abate with time.
He said, “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, PHCN has essentially cease to exist. We now have (electricity) distribution, generating and transmission companies. So it is no longer PHCN.

N255m bulletproof car scandal: Oduah denies wrongdoing, blames NCAA DG, aides

The embattled Minister of Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah,   has been   accused by the  House of Representatives Committee on Aviation of approving  N564m for the purchase of 54 cars   beyond her power.

The committee alleged that Oduah, who  finally appeared before it  on Thursday after  failing to honour  earlier invitations,  did not follow the budget approved for the Aviation ministry and its agencies  by the National Assembly.

  The minister, who wore a striped blue ankara dress with a matching blue head scarf, walked into the hall at 11.42am looking somewhat disturbed.  She also wore white beaded jewellery to complement her embroidered blouse.

Oduah   first walked to take a seat facing the committee  members and made to sit but changed her mind.  She    went halfway between her seat and the high table, where she exchanged pleasantries with the Chairman of the committee, Mrs. Nkiruka Onyejeocha.

After that she walked out of the hall, spending about 10 minutes before returning   to   her seat to make a presentation.

Wizkid is not a threat – Davido

PUNCH - Davido is one artiste who sure knows how to blow his own trumpet. But, who won’t, when one has certain things going on well for oneself or when ‘the lines have fallen unto pleasant places’ as the Psalmist says. A rich father, a successful career which is barely three years old, a multi-million naira endorsement deal, sold-out concerts, a string of hits, a personal home, an enviable fleet of cars and a growing fan base – Davido boast all at the moment.

At 20, he has no doubt garnered what has taken many artistes years to achieve, that is, if God and mother-luck shines generously on them.

Ever since he drew the attention of millions of music fans to himself when he introduced himself as ‘Omo baba olowo’ in his 2011 hit song titled ‘Dami duro’, there has been no looking back for the singer, who says he is currently a part time student at Babcock University, Ilishan Remo.

“Everything is just God because I just wanted to do music, be happy and comfortable but He just turned my fortunes around and I thank Him for that,” he quips.

For some established artistes, fame and wealth can be a tad difficult to manage. But for Davido, it’s been a tough call especially since he has achieved both at a young age.

UNN graduate wins Gulder Ultimate Search, gets N10m

Twenty-year old graduate of Electronics Engineering from the University of Nigeria,  Nsukka, Daniel Okike, has emerged winner of the 10th edition of the Gulder Ultimate Reality Show.

With the victory, the Abia State native has won N10m and a brand new Mitsubishi Pajero.

The guy that had initially said he intended to establish a successful international import and export business outsmarted Edmund Umeabuani and Ifunanya Onike in the waters of the Usaka River, where the battle for the ultimate symbol held.

But it is a fair story for Onike, too, as she is the Last Female Standing, winning an added  one million naira.

Also, a  final year student of Industrial Mathematics in the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Kalu Kalu,  emerged the first winner of the first ever fans edition of the Gulder Ultimate Search.

Kalu also won  a brand new Mitsubishi Pajero 3.0L GLX MT, courtesy of CFAO Motors, the automotive partner of Gulder Ultimate Search 10.

Cholera: Death toll rises to 86, says FG

The Federal Government has said 86 persons out of the 1,623 persons reportedly infected by the cholera outbreak in some parts of the country have died.

The government also directed the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to immediately coordinate all its response activities and report to the Ministry of Health daily on both the patterns of occurrence.

It said the efforts were to achieve total control of the outbreak.

The cholera  outbreak has affected a number of states including Ogun, Oyo, Plateau, Zamfara, Nasarawa and Lagos.

The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, in a statement by his Special Assistant (Media and Communication), Mr. Dan Nwomeh, on Monday, also directed all federal  health facilities in the country to provide free services to cholera patients.

Jonathan, Amaechi, Dickson hold secret talks

THERE were indications that President Goodluck Jonathan, the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, and his Bayelsa State counterpart, Mr. Seriake  Dickson, on Thursday had a closed-door meeting in Rivers State.

The venue and agenda of the meeting were not clear as at the time of sending this report.

However, sources said the ongoing feud between the Peoples Democratic Party and the seven rebel governors loyal to the New PDP could be part of the discussion.

It was gathered that Amaechi and Dickson flew in the same chopper with Jonathan from the Port Harcourt International Airport to Okrika in Rivers State, where the remains of the President’s wife’s foster mother, late Mrs. Charity Oba, would be buried today (Friday).

A Government House source said Jonathan, Amaechi and Dickson might have met in the private residence of the President’s wife, Patience.

More facts emerge on Oduah car scandal

PUNCH - More cans of worms were thrown up  on Wednesday in Abuja  during  the public hearing  by  the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation on the controversial N255m bulletproof cars purchased by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

But the woman at the centre of the scandal, Ms Stella Oduah, dared the committee   as she again reneged on her promise to honour an invitation earlier extended to her.

Her absence however  led to  a near  disagreement between the Committee Chairman, Mrs. Nkiruka Onyejeocha, and a member, Jerry Manwe.

Manwe had complained that the committee started proceedings without first clarifying why Oduah, who is the Minister of Aviation,  was absent.

He said, “We adjourned  (on Tuesday)to take the minister today (Wednesday). Why is she not here?

“She should have been the main issue today (Wednesday).