New Music Video: Banky W (@Bankyw) -- Yes/No

New Music Video: Banky W-- Yes/No

No plan to hike fuel price, says NNPC's Spokesman

The pump price of premium motor spirit (PMS) will not be increased in January, the Acting Group General Manager, Public Affairs of the NNPC, Mr Fidel Pepple, has assured. He gave the assurance on Sunday in Abuja while speaking with newsmen, restating that the Federal Government had earmarked some money for fuel subsidy in the 2013 budget. Pepple also announced that the vandalised Ije-Ododo and Arepo pipelines in Lagos and Ogun had been restored. “I can affirm to you that our engineers from the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company Ltd. (PPMC), have finally fixed the Ije-Ododo pipeline that was ruptured last Monday by pipeline vandals. "Going forward, the good news for Nigerians is that we have resumed pumping petroleum products through the pipeline and system 2B is equally working after the restoration of the pipeline," he said. Pepple assured motorists that with the restoration of the Ije-Ododo pipeline and the NNPC system 2B pipeline, normalcy had been restored in the supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country. 

Police intensifies search for importers of bangers

Lagos - The Police in Lagos have intensified efforts to arrest persons involved in the storage of bangers that exploded, burnt 10 houses and killed one person on Wednesday at the Jankara Market. 

The Commissioner of Police, Malam Umar Manko, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that no fewer than 13 people were injured, four were still receiving treatment, and 12 houses were burnt. 

NAN reports that the fire, which an eyewitness said started at about 9:00 am was caused by bangers that were packed in a shop in Folawiyo House, located at No. 45, Ojogiwa St., Idumota. However, NAN gathered that the police at the Area A Command, Lagos Island, have embarked on seizure of firecrackers from hawkers and users within the area. 

NAN's investigation shows that the importers and some dealers in the firecrackers were on the run after the fire incident. 

Mercy Johnson Gives Birth to a Baby Girl

Mercy Johnson Okojie is now a mother! The actress flew to United States last month, and is reported to have given birth to a baby girl just a few hours ago in a hospital in US. Congrats to the new mother.

Check back on the post to see picture of the child when we get it.

The Story is long o: Covenant University expels 200 students for not attending Church service

*Students beg, Parents react…* School declines comment
*I’m not aware — Prof Okojie, NUC boss

CULLED FROM VANGUARD NG.

About 200 students may have been expelled by the authorities of Covenant University, Cannanland, Ota, Ogun State, recently for what was described as “disregard of paramount core values.”

Frustrated and angered by the development, some of the affected students who gave account of what happened battled emotions while narrating their situations to Saturday Vanguard recently. They however pleaded with the school authorities to tamper justice with mercy in order to save their future.

Four killed, 10 injured in accident along Benin-Ore Expressway

At least four people were killed and 10 others injured when two vehicles collided along the Benin-Ore Expressway, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has said.

The dead include two men and two women while the 10 injured were four men, four women, and two children.

The FRSC said the accident involved a truck with registration number XW 471 ABC and a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number XA 911 AAH.

The accident occurred at Igbogui Village on the Benin-Ore Expressway on Saturday evening.

“The corpses and the injured have been taken to Shiloh Medical Clinic, Igbogui. Clearing of the road is ongoing,” the FRSC said on its facebook post.

Thank God: Bag snatchers on holidays in Onitsha market

Bag snatchers notorious for plying their acts in Nigeria’s busy market of Onitsha, in the eastern state of Anambra, appeared to have gone on vacation, as the traders’ union recorded a zero incidence.

It was not however a voluntary vacation for the hoodlums.

Mr Nnamdi Unobuagha, the Chairman of the Onitsha Main Market Traders Union (OMMATU) said the union established a special force of vigilantes to police strategic areas to curb the bag pilferers, ahead of the Christmas holidays.

“If it is before, by now, you would have seen some people complaining and some crying over the snatching of their bags or purses.

“We have placed over 60 people at flash-points and over-crowded spots to monitor what people do as well as apprehend and hand over anybody caught in the act to the vigilante groups.

“It has worked out and people are moving with their belongings notwithstanding the human traffic.”

The market leader, however, lauded the police for supporting their effort, by also posting officers and men at strategic locations in and outside the market.

Chairman, Consumer Protection Agency, Alhaji Abdulkadir Hadejia Says "the way man treats Chicken is Cruel"

A Nigerian state has guaranteed chickens and other poultry birds such as chickens, guinea fowl, duck and pigeon a new lease of life, at least a better, gentler handling by man, before they end up in the soup pot or the barbecue stove.

Nigeria’s Jigawa State has banned their maltreatment by man and has threatened to prosecute traders, who do so in the state.

The Chairman, Consumer Protection Agency in the state, Alhaji Abdulkadir Hadejia, gave the warning during a sensitisation exercise at Furji Market in Yankwashi Local Government Area.

The News Agency of Nigeria quoted him as saying the government had placed a ban on the manhandling of chickens in all markets across the state and warned that defaulters would be prosecuted. He did not spell out the specific sanctions.

“The action is cruel, inhuman and exposes the animals to maltreatment.

“Hawkers of chickens should pack their animals in a crate rather than hanging them with their head down in the name of marketing.

“The ban applies to all poultry sellers, such as chicken, guinea fowl, duck and pigeon.

“Anybody found manhandling the animals will be prosecuted,” he warned.

Hadejia said the action was part of a comprehensive campaign to check the abuse and encourage proper handling of chicken and other poultry animals by traders.

He said the agency had conducted similar sensitisation exercise in more than 40 village markets across the state.

According to him, the government has also worked out modalities to upgrade some markets in the state to enhance commercial activities at the grassroots.

New Music: FirstBorn- Erotic Evening

Afro hiphop artist, FirstBorn, who recently concluded his NYSC service year hits the Naija music scene with a brand new flavour having recently featured in Shaka El's "Christmas time" Video. This is quite evident in his new single 'Erotic Evening' which was mixed by Jo'D.
On the new song, the Nnamdi Azikiwe University graduate exudes great confidence, wit and versatility by
blending "Kwaito tune" into the song
With a grovy beat, nice flow, catchy hook, this song is set to hit!!!
DOWNLOAD

Fuel scarcity takes toll on Lokoja residents

People living in Lokoja, Kogi on Friday cried out to the Federal Government to solve the acute shortage of petrol in the state. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes residents of Lokoja as saying that the acute fuel scarcity had marred the Christmas festivities. Mr Sunday Owolabi, a resident of Kabawa in Lokoja, expressed regrets that for the past two weeks there had been queues at fuel stations in Lokoja.
 ``Even with the queue, the prices were just too high," Owolabi said.

Chicago sued for alleged discrimination against black teachers

The Chicago Teachers Union has sued the nation's third largest school district, saying Mayor Rahm Emanuel's campaign to reform or close under performing public schools discriminates against African-American teachers and staff. The federal lawsuit filed on Wednesday and announced on Thursday is the latest battle with the city since teachers staged a week-long strike in September. It alleges that more than half of the tenured teachers fired in the most recent round of school closings and turnarounds were African American. But blacks make up less than 30 per cent of the tenured teaching staff in the district and 35 per cent of the tenured teacher population in the failing schools, the lawsuit claims. The suit in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois seeks an immediate moratorium on any additional school closings in the city. 
The school district declined to comment on the lawsuit while it is pending, but said, ``We have an obligation to expand high quality school options to all families and children in every neighborhood and turnarounds is just one tool that allows us to provide those options.’’

Villagers flee as Lagos pipeline fire rages

RESIDENTS of Ijeododo in Ijegun, Lagos have fled the community following a pipeline explosion and the inferno in the village, located in Ojo Local Government of the state.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation pipeline exploded on Monday night  in the community.

 As at 9.15pm on Tuesday, no casualty had been reported in the explosion said to have been caused by suspected pipeline vandals.

Our correspondent gathered the incident might worsen the fuel scarcity in the South-West as the pipeline transports petrol pumped from Atlas Cove.

 The NNPC, it was learnt, had discontinued supply of petrol through the line following the explosion. The corporation pumps about 11 million litres of petrol per day through the pipeline.

News Agency of Nigeria reported that fire fighters arrived the scene four hours after the fire started but could not immediately access the area.

The spokesman of National Emergency Management Agency  Mr.  Ibrahim Farinloye, said, “We contacted the fire fighters though they could not get to the scene because of the nature of the area.

EFCC arrests, releases NPL’s Babalola

The Acting Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Premier League Mr. Tunji Babalola, was on Monday arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly playing a role in a missing N15m belonging to the league body.

FIRE GUTS OBJ’S HOUSE

BARELY 24 hours after fire gutted a part of Jankara Market in Lagos, where properties worth millions of naira were destroyed, an office section within the multi-billion naira Hilltop private residence of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, was gutted by fire on Thursday.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the inferno started at about 4.45 p.m. and lasted for an hour. The prompt intervention of the Rescue Team of the Ogun State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was said to have put the situation under control.

The fire incident, according to a source who pleaded anonymity, was caused by an electrical spark which destroyed vital documents, computer sets and other office appliances.

Army retires 51 officers

Nigerian Army, yesterday, retired 51 senior officers, with their retirement letters stipulating that they proceed on terminal leave with effect from December 31, 2012.

Vanguard gathered that many of the officers protested to the Presidency and National Assembly over the retirement, claiming it did not follow the terms and conditions of service of the Armed Forces.

Affected officers

A breakdown of the retired officers shows that 12 Major-Generals, 24 Brigadier-Generals and 15 Colonels were served letters.

Among those retired is the former UN Force Commander in South Sudan, Major-General Moses Obi; Commander Infantry Centre Corps, Jaji, Major-General M. D. Isah, who also doubled as Cantonment Commander of Jaji Cantonment that was recently breached by suicide bombers.

However, Army Spokesman, newly-promoted Major-General Mobolaji Koleoso, said the retirement of General Isa had nothing to do with the Jaji bomb blast as he was already due to go.

He said the board of inquiry report on the Jaji incident was being studied and that Nigerians will be informed of the outcome at the appropriate time.

NFF sets semi-final target for Keshi

The Nigeria Football Federation have revealed that Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi signed a clause in his contract that he will ensure he takes the team to at least the semifinal of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

Keshi was handed a four year contract by the NFF last year, and it was initially not clear if he was handed a target for AFCON.

But head of the NFF Technical sub-committee Chris Green revealed that Keshi was given a semifinal target for the 2013 AFCON.

Nollywood Actress Ngozi Nwosu Still Urgently Needs Your Help

Ngozi Nwosu is dying. She has lost it all; weight, strength and vigor but not her talent and deep sense of humor .  Sources handling the campaign say that about N1.5million has been realized at the moment which is still N4.5million less of the N6million needed to save Ngozi’s life.

Lets Join Hands Together and save Ngozi’s Life.

Bank Name: GT Bank
Acct Name: Ngozi Nwosu
Bank Acct No: 0052851673

God Bless Y’all !

Boxing Day Tragedy: One dies, 40 injured, 10 houses burnt, 7 cars destroyed as Fire Crackers wreak havoc in Lagos.

One person was, yesterday, burnt to death and over 40 persons injured when a three-storey building where firecrackers were stored went up in flames at the Idumagbo area of Lagos Island Local Government, Lagos State.

The South West information officer of the National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA), Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed that one unidentified person was burnt to death by the raging fire.

He said: "The body has been deposited at the Lagos State General Hospital on the Island."

He also said that 40 persons were injured, with five sustaining severe injuries, adding "they have been referred to their personal hospitals based on their demands."

Vanguard gathered that few minutes after the explosion occurred, some of the residents ran helter skelter, following fears that a plane had crashed.

The building located at 45 Ojo Giwa Street, went up in flames at 9:30 am, destroying nine other buildings within 60 metres radius.

The fire also razed over seven vehicles, including those with Number Plates: PK 788 KJA, LG 140 LSR, CG 190 APP. They were parked on the street by the traders and their customers.

I prefer to be dead – affected trader

According to Mr. Hilary Oduegwu, a trader whose office was burnt; "I prefer to be dead by now because I do not know what to do. My business is gone. How do I start again?"

According to him, "I am confused at this time. I have lost everything in my office. I was unable to remove any of my goods worth over N3.5 million.


"I am the breadwinner of my family. I couldn't go home for the festival because I had to settle some issues. So I told my siblings to leave while I stay back and make more money."

Speaking on how the explosion occurred, Oduegwu said: "I arrived here at about 10:00 am and I discovered that my office had been razed by fire."

Mr. Henry Awaroye, another trader who deals in electrical appliances, explained: "I arrived at the office this morning at about 8:30 am and began to display my goods at  2, Okoya Street.

"But few minutes after, I heard a loud bang. Immediately, I ran out of my office to know what was happening. When I got outside, I discovered that people were running and a thick smoke had enveloped the area.

"While I was still busy investigating what may have led to the explosion, I didn't know that my office has also been affected by the explosion."

40 injured

About 40 persons reportedly sustained various degrees of injuries in the resultant stampede.

The raging fire said to have defied efforts of fire fighters, spread to other buildings, with the occupants scampering in different directions for safety.

The affected buildings had stores, majority of which were closed for the Christmas celebration and residential apartments. Also affected was King Ado Senior /Junior school.

Most of the traders who were contacted on phone rushedto the scene in an attempt to salvage some of their goods. Unfortunately, it was the charred remains they met.

One of them who identified himself as Mufutau Ajade, an electronics dealer, could not utter a word when Vanguard approached him at first. But when he summoned courage to speak, he said, "it is so painful that this is happening to me now. When I was informed, I took a cab and rushed down to see if I could salvage some of my electronics. But as you can see, they are all gone. I can not quantify what I lost in the fire. It is worth several millions of Naira. This is not a good way to start the coming new year.  It means I have to start life all over again", he lamented.

I borrowed my capital – Victim

A woman, simply identified as Mrs Gboyega, was seen wailing and rolling on the ground. Speaking in Yoruba, she said the money she used to stockpile her shop for the Christmas was borrowed with a promise to pay the lender at the end of January 2013.

Another trader, Ndubuisi Okafor said: "I just started my own business this December. I had to borrow the sum of N3.5 million to start this electronics business just two weeks ago, only for every thing to go down the drain just like that".

It was discovered that aside the goods that were destroyed by the fire, cash was also destroyed as some of the traders reportedly had in-built safes in their shops. Some of the affected traders were discovered to have traveled to their home states for the Christmas celebration.

Rescue teams such as policemen, officials of the National Emergency Management Agency  NEMA, LASEMA, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal and state fire services, Red Cross among others were sighted at the scene.

Affected buildings to be pulled down

Already, the  two-storey building where the fire started, had been brought down completely. General Manager of LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, who was at the scene, disclosed that all affected buildings would be completely brought down. Asked whether there were plans to compensate occupants of the affected buildings, he said there were no plans for that yet, until investigation into the cause of the fire was concluded. The affected buildings included numbers 43, 45, 47, 49 Ojogiwa Street and others which numbers could not be immediately ascertained because of the manner they were numbered.

The Director of the Lagos State Fire Service, Rasaq Fadipe told Vanguard that effort to contain the fire started at about 10am.

Spokes person of the Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide who was also at the scene, described the incident as one that could have been prevented, had report on the sale of fireworks at the warehouse been reported to the Police.

Stop this dangerous business, Fashola warns residents

Speaking on the incident, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State appealed to the residents to desist from the dangerous business, saying "the consequences are more than the gain."

Fashola recalled that few months ago, he urged the residents to desist from storing inflammable materials in their homes, because the dry season has commenced.

"But they have failed to listen to our appeals. We know that people have the right in a democratic government to decide whatever they wish to do but they can only embark on such act when it is not injurious to others.

"The government cannot be everywhere; all that the government could do is to appeal to the residents to desist from such business of storing these inflammables in our homes."

According to him: "Two weeks ago, the state fire service responded to over 22 fire cases. We can reduce such statistics but government cannot commence door-to-door check to know who have stored any inflammable materials in their homes."

Culled from Vanguard Nig.

FRSC fix minimum age of drivers at 26

Kwara State Sector Commander, Federal Road
Safety Corps, Mr. Christopher Ademoluti, on
Wednesday said the FRSC had put the minimum
age of commercial drivers in Nigeria at 26.
Speaking during the inauguration of the
commercial driving licence in Ilorin, Ademoluti
also said underage commercial drivers were
responsible for some of the road crashes in the
country.
He said, "We want to put the minimum age of a
commercial driver in Nigeria at 26 to enable them
to have the experience, maturity and expertise to
drive and convey people, unlike the current
system where we have underage people driving
commercial vehicles.
"With the new driving licence, we want to have all
the data of the commercial drivers.
"We don't want to have a driver who drives 18-
seater bus to endanger the lives of the 18 people.
It is only one commercial driver that dies where
18 people die."
He stated that the upgraded National Drivers
Licence would help reduce accidents.

Xmas: Police, others put nation under 24-hour watch

THE Nigeria Police Force and paramilitary agencies in the country on Sunday assured Nigerians that they were prepared to make the Yuletide devoid of disasters.

While the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, said he had directed all the zonal assistant Inspectors-General of Police and commissioners in charge of state Police commands to put worship centres across the country under a 24-hour security watch, Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Osita Chidoka, said he had sent 800 patrol vehicles to the roads across the country.

The heightened preparation by the agencies, our correspondents gathered, was to prevent a recurrence of violence and waste of lives via accidents during the Christmas festivities.

We kidnapped Frenchman in Katsina –New sect

A new radical Islamist sect, Ansaru, on Sunday claimed responsibility for the recent kidnapping of a French national in Katsina.

The group cited France’s push for military intervention in Mali as a justification, accordint to AFP.

A statement by the group said, “Ansaru announces to the world, especially the French government, that it was responsible for the abduction of engineer Francis Colump, 63, working for the French company Vergnet.”

Wednesday last week, about 30 gunmen stormed Vergnet’s residence in Katsina State, where the alternative energy firm has a wind power project.

“The reason for his kidnap is the stance of the French government and the French people on Islam,” said the statement written in Hausa.

Police arrest 60 okada operators in a raid

 The FCT Police Command on Saturday in Abuja arrested 60 commercial motorcycle operators for operating within the city centre.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of the FCT, Mr Aderenle Shinaba, who led the operation, said the suspects violated the ban on operating in the metropolis.

Shinaba said that 50 of the operators were arrested at Area 1, while 10 were picked up at AYA roundabout in Asokoro.

The commissioner said the raid was part of efforts to rid the city of hoodlums and criminals during the yuletide.

He also said that it was part of efforts to ensure a crime-free Christmas and New Year celebrations.

``It is our mandate to ensure that residents of the territory have crime-free Christmas,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Federal Capital Territory Administration banned commercial motorcyclists from operating in the city centre, limiting them to the satellite towns. (NAN)

Nkiru Sylvanus, Kenneth Okolie released!

Fair skinned Nollywood actress Nkiru Sylvanus and former Mr Nigeria Kenneth Okolie who were kidnapped, Monday, in Owerri have been released, Thursday night, by their captors.

Nkiru and Kenneth were both kidnapped at 2.30pm close to the famous Concord Hotel, Owerri. The kidnappers had then contacted family and some friends of Nkiru to demand N100m as ransom. But barely hours after an open letter was written to the IG of Police on the matter by concerned friends of the kidnap victims, their release was eventually secured.

As at the time of filling this report, it is uncertain if any ransom was paid.

Senate approves $7.1bn foreign loans for FG, states

The Senate on Thursday approved a total of $7.109bn for the federal and state governments under the 2012-2014 Medium Term External Borrowing Plan.

While the Federal Government got approval for $4.846bn, 23 states got $2.263bn as their share of the borrowing plan to be funded by the World Bank, African Development Bank, China Exim Bank, French Development Agency and the Islamic Development Bank.

However, what was approved by the Senate was $791m less than what was earlier forwarded to the National Assembly by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Senate also urged the Federal Government to forward a request on behalf of Lagos State for a borrowing plan of $600m from the World Bank.

Yaya Toure of Cote d’Ivoire wins 2012 African Footballer of the Year

The Manchester City midfielder who arrived in Ghana as the 2011 winner was named the best player on the continent following the Glo-CAF awards which was conducted in Accra late Thursday.

The former Barcelona player was voted in first place ahead of his compatriot Didier Drogba and Cameroonian Alexander Song who now plays for Barcelona. Drogba who practically helped Chelsea win their first UEFA Champions League trophy last season was the fans favourite from the start and was a surprise to the packed hall in Ghana on Thursday. It was the second time Drogba would come so close only to finish second following the controversial lose of the 2008 edition to Mali’s Frederick Kanoute.

Fire causes pandemonium at Lagos airport

Confusion hit  hundreds of intending  passengers at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, on Thursday after a mid-day fire erupted at a section of the building.

The inferno, which caused a thick cloud of smoke to invade the terminal building, forced air travellers and airport officials to scamper to safety around the 33-year-old airport.

Investigation revealed that the fire started from a piece of electric equipment at a section of the airport under reconstruction.

When our correspondent visited the scene,   pallets of foam worth millions of Naira were seen to have been consumed by the fire.

Lethal Bizzle, Davido set for Ghana Rocks Conert 2012

Award winning Ghanaian-born UK act, Lethal Bizzle will headline this year’s edition of the Ghana Rocks Concert, scheduled to take place at the Dome of the Accra International Conference Centre on 27 December.

Born Maxwell Ansah, Lethal Bizzle mixes a variety of urban music styles and has over the years earned a huge fan base in the UK.

This is the second time that Bizzle is headlining the annual concert. He first rocked the show in 2009.

He will perform alongside FUSE ODG and Nigerian sensation, Davido.

The three acts will be joined by a host of other local acts including VIP, for what is expected to be an assemblage of the best from the United Kingdom and Ghana.

The Ghana Rocks concert is an annual event organized by Charterhouse Ghana and Akwaaba UK.

Fashola seeks partnership with stakeholders to boost provision of quality education

Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has urged individuals, clubs and corporate bodies to partner with the government in the provision of social amenities that could aid quality education.
He made the call on Wednesday at the formal commissioning of Dr Lucas Memorial High School’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre, built by Techno Oil Limited in Lagos.
The governor, who was represented by Mr Wale Akanni, his Special Adviser on State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), said such partnership was very necessary.

FCT students scored 38.39 % credit pass in WASCE in 2012 - Education Secretariat

Students in the FCT in 2012 scored 38.39 per cent credit pass in five WASCE subjects, including English and Mathematics, the FCT Education Secretary, Alhaji Kabir Usman, has said.
He disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at the 2012 Education Media Luncheon, saying FCT students had improved when compared with the 2011 result of 20.42 per cent credit pass.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that WAEC conducts the West African School Certificate Examinations (WASCE).
Usman attributed the improvement to employment of more teachers in the relevant subjects and ensuring that teachers put in more efforts for the success of their students.

FIFA rankings: Nigeria end 2012 in CAF top 10

The Super Eagles are ending the year 2012 as the 10th best team in Africa and 52nd in the world following the release of the December edition of the FIFA rankings on Wednesday.

Nigeria climbed back up to the 10th spot in November but despite gaining 28 points and moving up five places in the world rankings they are still ranked below Central African Republic, who are joint 52nd with same points, and Gabon, who are seventh in Africa and 10 places better than Nigeria in the world rankings.

African champions and one of Nigeria’s opponents in Group C of the Nations Cup, Zambia, also move five place up in the world ranking but remain fifth best in Africa behind leaders Cote d’Ivoire, while Algeria and Mali are in second and third places respectively.

Police arrest 15 undergraduates for robbery

Police in Ekiti State have arrested 15 polytechnic students for armed robbery.

The students were said to have carried out some operations on December 14 using a white bus with number plate SUG 002 Thunder Attack.

According to a  statement by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Victor Babayemi, the suspects said to be students of a polytechnic in Kwara State, invaded two filling stations in Otun-Ekiti  in Moba Local Government Area  and dispossessed  the attendants of the sales proceeds for that day.

The suspects, it added, destroyed fuel dispensers at the filling stations.

Babayemi said a pistol and a  single barrel gun were recovered from the gang.

I narrowly missed crashed helicopter –Yakubu Gowon

Former  Head of State  Gen. Yakubu Gowon said on Wednesday in Kafanchan, Kaduna State he narrowly missed the helicopter that crashed killing Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa and ex-National Security Adviser Andrew Azazi in Bayelsa State on Saturday.

Four others also died in the crash.

Gowon said this during a Special Service Session to mark the 50th birthday   of Apostle Emmanuel Kure of Throney in Broom Ministry, Kafanchan.

He said, “As we were with the aide  to the President to pay our condolences, they were arranging  a Navy helicopter to take us to Yenogoa (with Yakowa). But, another helicopter was arranged for me and five others. And that was it.

Two feared killed in Osun bank robbery

Two persons were feared dead while five others were injured in the robbery attacks on the Ikirun branches of two banks, on Wednesday.

It was gathered that the armed robbers that numbered about six, gained entry into the bank at about 4pm, catching the customers and workers unaware.

An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “The robbers shot into the air as they stormed the bank, scaring away customers using the ATM located outside the banking hall.

“Upon gaining entry, they threatened to kill anyone who tried to play smart, warning the bankers to cooperate fully with them.”

The Osogbo-Ikirun road was deserted by motorists, who abandoned the road for the fear of running into the robbers.

This caused gridlock in adjoining roads in Ikirun, even as traders locked up their shops and closed for the day.

When our correspondent called the telephone number of Police Public Relations Officer, Osun Command, Mrs Sade Odoro, a male voice that picked her call said she had gone to the “control room.”

Also, when a call was placed to the telephone of the Commissioner of Police, Osun Command, Mrs. Kalafite Adeyemi, a female voice that picked her mobile set said, “You can call back. She is busy now, she is busy now.”

How The Weeping Actress Was Abducted

Nkiru Sylvanus, Nigerian actress and Special Assistant on Public Relations to the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, was kidnapped from a movie location in Owerri, Imo State by unknown gunmen on Saturday night.

Nkiru, who was kidnapped alongside two others, was waylaid and abducted by the gunmen between Concorde Hotel and Cathedral Road, Owerri.

The incident occurred when the actress, who had a misunderstanding with some crew members on the movie location, decided to take her leave in annoyance.

"Yes, she had a minor misunderstanding with someone on location, so she decided to leave. She had barely driven more than 100 metres from the location when the gunmen blocked her car and took her away," a source in the Actors' Guild of Nigeria, AGN, who craved anonymity, told P.M.NEWS this morning.

The kidnappers would later demand N100 million ransom before Nkiru, popularly known for playing 'weeping' roles in movies, would be released.

National President, AGN, Ibinabo Fiberesima, while speaking with our reporter this morning, said there are some issues on the kidnap saga she would not want to disclose on phone, but said the Guild was making efforts to secure Nkiru's release.

"She is one of us, so there is definitely no way we would fold our arms when she is in trouble. We are making some moves, and I know that she will be freed unhurt by the grace of God. Her safety is very important to us.

"There are some things I will not want to say on phone right now, but Nkiru's safety is our priority at this point in time. Let's keep praying for her," Ibinabo stated.

General Secretary of the Guild, Abubakar Yakub, described the abduction of Nkiru as an unfortunate incident and a further indication that the security of the country is in jeopardy.

"It is unfortunate that an entertainer, who makes a lot of people happy is the target of these kidnappers. Besides, it is sad that as a serving government official, Nkiru was kidnapped in that manner. It is high time the government found a lasting solution to our security problems," Yakub stated.

Nkiru Sylvanus took the movie industry by storm with her exemplary performance in A Cry for Help.

She is not the first thespian to be kidnapped. Actors like Pete Edochie, Nkem Owoh and John Okafor, a.k.a. Mr. Ibu, had also been kidnapped at one time or the other. Mr. Ibu's son, Mandela (now deceased), was also kidnapped alongside his mother some years back.

Source:Pm News.

FG declares Dec 25, 26, Jan 1 holidays

THE Federal Government has declared Tuesday, December 25 and Wednesday, December 26, as public holidays, to commemorate Christmas and Boxing Day.
Similarly, Tuesday, January 1, 2013 has been declared as public holiday, to mark the New Year.
Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, made the declaration on behalf of the government in a statement in Abuja, on Monday.

Lagos impounds 6,972 motorcycles in three months

The Lagos State Government has impounded 6,972 motorcycles between September and November for plying restricted roads in the state.

Lagos Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Manko told the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday that all the motorcycles were moved to Alausa as directed by the government.

He said when the restriction started in September, 440 motorcycles were impounded in different parts of the metropolis.

The Commissioner noted that 2,827 motorcycles were impounded from roads they were not supposed to ply in October, and 3,705 in November.

He said some motorcyclists were arrested for various offences, including destroying government’s property under the guise of a protest.

He said the seizure of motorcycles in Lagos was directed by the government and not a decision of the police.

Manko explained that the duty of the force was to enforce the law.

The Commissioner, however, noted that some bad elements were still using motorcycles to rob innocent persons and organisations.

He said, “We will not condone any person or group of persons, who would perpetuate evil with motorcycles. Some of the riders are reckless and don’t obey traffic laws or respect other road users.

FG to ban packaged sugar importation in January

The Federal Government has announced that packaged sugar (finished cube and granulated) importation into the country will officially become prohibited in January 2013, under a new sugar policy intended to replicate the successes achieved with the Backward Integration Policy in the cement industry.

Also, the importation of raw sugar, which is the basic raw material for refined sugar, will soon stop being an all-comers’ affair under a reviewed importation policy to be introduced in the sector soon.

According to the new policy, a full era of backward integration will soon begin, which will tie importation of brown raw sugar by producers and manufacturers in the country to the quantum of their local productive capacity in sugarcane cultivation and development, either as fresh growers or outgrowers.

Police disqualify SSCE, Third Class holders from recruitment

Police Service Commission says holders of Secondary School Certificate would no longer be accepted into the Nigeria Police Force as constables.

It said the minimum entry requirement now was Ordinary National Diploma.

The commission also stated that Third Class degree holders were no longer accepted as Cadet Inspectors, in line with the reform in the force.

UNIABUJA graduates students with multiple carryovers —Panel

The Presidential (Special) Visitation Panel to the University of Abuja, in its report to the Federal Government, has said that the university graduated students who had carryovers in its 2003/2004 session. It also identified the absence of an academic culture in the management of the affairs of the institution from inception.

The Dr. T. C Osanakpo-led Panel in the report which was exclusively obtained by our correspondent, and accessed on Monday, said it took into cognizance the general environment, conduct and the host community as the major concepts in the term of reference addressed under the focus area of conduct of academic and non-academic staff.

The panel noted that the graduation of 31 students of the English Department who had varying numbers of carry-over courses in the 2003/2004 session, “indicates the highest degree of carelessness, incompetence, and insensitivity.’’

No clue to TV presenter’s whereabouts– Police

The Lagos State Police Command has said there is no clue yet on the popular TV presenter, Alhaji Razaq Gawat, who has gone missing since July 10.

Despite that, the police said they had not reached a dead end as investigation was still ongoing.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, who spoke with our correspondent on the phone on Monday, said, “What we did was to see whether the fingerprints found on his car would match those of the arrested suspects but none matched.

“All the suspects arrested were picked on circumstances and they have all been released when there was nothing linking them with the incident.

“No clue was left on the man’s vehicle. The vehicle was carefully parked off the road and there was no sign of struggle in it. With this, we cannot say he was abducted. We are still treating the case as that of a missing person.”

Wife of conductor killed by policeman seeks justice

Kafayat Adeoye, whose bus conductor-husband, Kazeem, was shot dead by a trigger-happy policeman on November 7, 2012, at Tipper Garage, Ketu, Lagos, over N50 change, has called on police authorities to ensure that justice is done.

Kazeem was shot dead by a policeman attached to the Mopol 50, Abuja, Corporal Oluwakiyesi Adegboyega,

Kafayat and her husband had a seven-year-old son.

 PUNCH Metro tracked down Kazeem’s wife on Saturday; at the time of the incident, no one knew the deceased’s family.

Kafayat stated that she was more devastated because her husband was killed by a policeman who is paid to protect members of the public.

While Kazeem was struggling to make end meets in Lagos, his wife and son live in Osogbo, Osun State.

Kafayat said, “My husband has not seen his son in the last three years, not because he did not want to, but because it has been hard for me to bring him to Lagos.

“I was planning to bring my son to see his father soon. Kazeem sent money for his upkeep, asking each time when he would be able to see his son.”

Dead Nigerian Governor Yakowa for burial on Thursday

The newly sworn-in Governor of Nigeria's northern state of Kaduna, Alhaji Mukhtar Yero on Sunday said the remains of late Governor Patrick Yakowa would be buried on Thursday.

Yero made this known in an interview with newsmen at the Government House shortly after a broadcast to the people of the state.

In the broadcast, the governor declared Monday, December 17 as work free day and a seven day mourning period in honour of the deceased, beginning from Sunday.

According to him, the remains of the late governor and the other victim, Mr Dauda Tsoho would be received in Kaduna on Monday.

"Details of necessary arrangements for their internment would be made known in due course.
"During the period of mourning, all national flags in the state should be flown at half staff,'' he said.

He directed all the 23 local government chairmen in the state to open condolence registers at their various offices, adding that two have been opened at the Government House and the Hassan Usman Katsina House.

Yero described the late governor as a humble, dedicated and fair person, who always related well with people, irrespective of religious, tribal or sectional inclinations.

" I plead with citizens of Kaduna State to accept this sad situation, that we cannot change, with total submission to the Will of God,'' he said.

He reiterated his commitment towards continuing with the legacies of his predecessor.