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Showing posts from May, 2015

Tanker driver kills 69 in Onitsha

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 (Nigeria) A fully loaded petrol tanker, conveying Premium Motor Spirit otherwise known as petrol, has crashed into the Asaba Motor Park on Upper Iwekas Onitsha, killing no fewer than 69 persons in the ensuing explosion.

EFCC arrests 6 CBN, 16 bank officials over N8b currency fraud

(Nigeria) Six top officials of Central of Bank Nigeria, CBN, and 16 other workers of commercial banks in the country, namely Zenith Bank, FCMB, Wema Bank, Access Bank, First Bank, Skye Bank, Ecobank and Sterling Bank have been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, over their alleged involvement in N8 billion fraud.

Okowa appoints Ovie Agas, SSG

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(Nigeria) Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, has appointed Mr Ovie Agas, former Director-General of Delta State Direct Labour Agency, as the Secretary to the State Government.

Rivers dissolves board of Greater Port Harcourt Authority

(Nigeria) The Rivers State Government has dissolved the Board of Directors of Greater Port Harcourt Authority with immediate effect.

Fayose's defence on lawmakers salary, a ruse ----APC

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(Nigeria) The All Progressives Congress, APC, lawmakers in Ekiti State, have faulted claimed by Governor Ayodele Fayose that outstanding salaries of the APC lawmakers had been paid.

Nicki Minaj shows off her cleavage, washboard stomach in Las Vegas performance

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Fab abs! nicki Minaj shows off her washboard stomach and impressive cleavage in a prink pink and green lycra two-piece at the iHeart Radio Summer Pool Party in Las Vegas on Saturday She's famous for her amazing curves, so it was no surprise that Nicki Minaj was in the mood for displaying them in all their glory at the iHeart Radio Summer Las Vegas Pool Party.

China rejects US criticism over South China Sea

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China rejected United States criticism of its activities in the South China Sea on the final day of a major Asia-Pacific defence summit.

Gas explosion kills scores in Syria

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Scores of patients, children and nurses were killed while dozens of others were injured in a gas explosion that took place in a clinic located in Syria's northeastern province of Hasakah, a monitoring group and activists said.

My government will comprise politicians, technocrats ----Wike

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(Nigeria) Rivers  State  governor,  Mr Nyesom Wike, has stated that his government  would  comprise tested  technocrats and trusted politicians with  strategic  aim of developing  the state.

Ijaw youths oppose Buhari's December deadline for Amnesty Programme

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(Nigeria) The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, has expressed concerns over the position of President Muhammadu Buhari that the amnesty programme for Niger Delta former militants will terminate in December 2015.

German FM, Steinmeier to visit Gaza

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Germany's foreign minister says he will visit the Gaza Strip — a rare trip to the Hamas-ruled territory by a Western leader.

4 injured in Maiduguri market explosion

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A witness says a bomb injured four people in a market in Maiduguri, Borno State,  Nigeria, a day after a suicide bomber killed 16 in a mosque in the same city.

2 killed in trip wire mine explosion in Luganskaya-Lugansk

One adult and a teenager were killed after running into a trip wire mine in the settlement of Luganskaya in the government-controlled Ukraine’s Lugansk region, the press service of the Lugansk region state administration said on Sunday.

Moscow's ‘blacklist’ a response to EU actions

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Moscow confirms it has sent to the European Union’s countries a list of persons who were denied entry to Russia but says it would prefer to refrain from comments on personalities, a high-ranking official at the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Donetsk accuses Kiev of 28 truce breaches in past 24 hours

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The Ukrainian military shelled populated areas on the territory controlled by the Donetsk People’s Republic, DPR, 28 times over the past twenty-four hours, the DPR Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

SERAP urges Buhari, Osinbajo to declare assets publicly

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(Nigeria) Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to “swiftly move to declare their assets publicly, consistent with their apparent anticorruption credentials and their expressed commitments to do so and in the best interest of transparency and accountability.”

Pakistan militants kill 19 kidnapped bus passengers

Militants killed at least 19 passengers kidnapped from buses in an overnight attack in Pakistan's south-western province of Balochistan, officials said Saturday. About half a dozen rebels wearing uniforms of the security forces stopped two Karachi-bound buses in a mountainous area 70 kilometers south-east of provincial capital Quetta, reports dpa. They kidnapped at least 25 people, provincial Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said. "They took the passengers to the mountains and killed 19 of them," he said. A passenger who was spared due to his Baloch ethnicity told Geo TV that militants checked the national identity cards of the passengers before killing them. "All Pashtuns were killed while the Baloch were spared," he said without revealing his name. Baloch and Pashtun are the two dominant ethnic groups in Balochistan, which is marred by more than decade of low-intensity co0nflict.   No group claimed immediate responsibility for the killings. Baloch insurgent

Jonathan attributes success in politics to Alamieyeseigha

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(Nigeria) Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday attributed his successful political career to the efforts of former governor of Bayelsa, Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha. Jonathan, who was speaking at the thanksgiving service to round-off the civic reception organised in his honour by the Bayelsa State Government, said he remained grateful to the former governor. Jonathan, who equally expressed gratitude to his aides and associates, said Alamieyeseigha discovered, mentored and brought him into politics. “I am grateful to my aides and all those that worked with me to ensure our success. “The business community, some of whom are here with us, on behalf of myself and wife, we thank you, we owe you so much. I will not forget to thank Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, without him, I won’t have been here talking about being a former president. “At a time I was not even thinking about being a commissioner in the state, he invited me to run with him. Of course that is why I am here to also thank

Suicide bomber kills 26 in Borno Mosque

(Nigeria) Twenty six people were killed on Saturday after a suspected suicide bomber detonated his Improvised Explosive Device, IED, in a Mosque near the Monday Market in Maiduguri, Borno Stats. A trader at the market, Mallam Modu Walama, told newsmen that the blast occurred shortly before the commencement of the afternoon prayer at the mosque. ``I had wanted to say my afternoon prayer but something told me to go inside the market. ``But immediately I left the vicinity, I heard a loud blast emanating from the mosque,'' Walama said. He said that on hearing the blast, he took to his heels to escape being injured. ``I cannot say exactly the casualty figure but I know so many people died,'' Walama said. Mallam Mohammed Abubakar, another trader, corroborated the claim. ``I think about 20 people died going by the magnitude of the blast,'' Abubakar said. Reacting, Mr Aderemi Opadokun, the Borno State Commissioner of Police, confirmed the blast. ``A suicide bom

We've not banned anyone from travelling ----Buhari

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(Nigeria)President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday, said officials of past administrations including ministers are entitled to their full rights and privileges under the constitution and must not be subjected to any undue harassment and intimidation at the airports or at other points of entry and exit. "We have not banned anyone from travelling," said the President. Responding to some cases of "V.I.P stoppages" at the airports as reported to him on Saturday, President Buhari directed all agencies under the government to run their affairs in full compliance with extant rules, regulations and the constitution of the country. "Unless otherwise directed by the courts, no law-abiding citizens should be barred from travelling abroad. We must treat fellow citizens with courtesy and respect. "Officials at the borders and other points of entry and exit should conduct their affairs in strict compliance with due process. No one has my permission to bar anyone from tr

Blatter re-elected FIFA president despite corruption scandal

Football’s world governing body FIFA on Friday in Zurich, Switzerland re-elected 79-year-old Swiss, Sepp Blatter, its president in a vote overshadowed by arrests and corruption allegations. Blatter's rival, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan, had withdrawn to give Blatter victory, after the first round of voting had seen Blatter with 133 votes and al-Hussein 73. The Swiss had fallen seven votes short of the two-thirds needed, but his challenger opted not to contest further. Seven top FIFA officials had been arrested in Switzerland on Wednesday as part of a United States prosecution which indicted 14 people. Blatter had then, as before, faced calls to resign, including from UK Prime Minister David Cameron, who said in Berlin on Thursday that the FIFA president should quit ``the sooner the better’’. Speaking later, Blatter hailed his victory, thanking all those who voted from him and his rival. He also hinted that this term in office, his fifth, could be his last, saying ``at

CBN net income drops to N35bn ----Report

(Nigeria) The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, net income has dropped to N35.4 billion in 2014 from N209.6 billion in 2013, according to a financial statement report released by the apex bank on Friday in Abuja. ``The net income of the bank for 2013 was to N209.6 billion while that of 2014 is N 35.4 billion," the report said. It said that 80 per cent of the amount had been remitted to the Federal Government in accordance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act. According to the report, the balance of 20 per cent has also been transferred to the Reserves within the apex bank. It said that CBN’s audited financial statements for 2013 and 2014 had been released officially and that the International Financial Reporting Standards, IFRS, was adopted for its financial statements. The report further said that the two financial statements posted on the apex bank's website had been approved by its board in accordance with the provisions of the CBN Act 2007. ``The IFRS, one of the framework

Suicide bomber kills 5, self at wedding venue in Borno

(Nigeria) The Borno State Police Command on Friday, confirmed the killing of six persons when a suicide bomber attacked the venue of a wedding ‘fatiha’ in Tashan Alade town of Hawul Local Government Area in Borno State. The state's Commissioner of Police, Mr Aderemi Opadokun, confirmed casualty figure in Maiduguri. Opadokun said that no fewer than 30 people were also injured during the attack. ``I confirm the report on an alleged suicide bombing in Tashan Alade in Hawul Local Government Area. The incident was reported to have occurred at a wedding fatiha. ``Presently, six persons, all males, whose identities are unknown, are confirmed dead, while 30 others were injured,'' he said. Opadokun said that the police had commenced investigations into the matter. ``Investigation is in progress on the issue,'' he said. Opadoku, however, said that the inauguration of Governor Kashim Shettima for a second term of office in Maiduguri ,was peaceful.

No room for parochial interests in Delta -----Okowa

(Nigeria) Governof Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has said his administration was determined to build a new future for the state and its people. In doing this, he stated that there would be no room for parochial interests and selfish ambition. Okowa while addressing people of the state after his inauguration as governor on Friday in Asaba, warned that government business would no longer be “business as usual. "The future we all seek has no room for parochial interest and selfish ambition but for mutual cooperation and benevolent spirit that recognises ad caters for the yearnings and aspirations of the citizens," he said. He assured that he would abide with his oath of office to deliver good governance to the people. He called on persons jostling for political offices, including elected officials, to brace up to the challenge of building a state that everyone would be proud of, warning that anyone who failed to comply would be dropped. He thanked God and all the people of

I remain grateful to Bayelsa people, Nigerians - Jonathan

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(Nigeria) Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday in Yenagoa said he remained grateful to Bayelsa people for the support he enjoyed during his political career from 1999 to date. Jonathan, who expressed his gratitude at the civic reception organised in his honour by Bayelsa State Government, said that he was honoured to have been found worthy of public service. He expressed appreciation to the state government for organising the civic reception, adding that he would dedicate the remaining part of his life to peace building across the country. "Having befitted so much from the rare privilege of serving, I shall dedicate the remaining part of my life to peace building in all parts of Nigeria. "I will urge all to support the new administration to develop Nigeria and work with the state government to develop our own state," Jonathan said. Speaking earlier, Governor Seriake Dickson said that the administration organised the reception to express appreciation to Niger

Uduaghan says Accountant-General irresponsible for abandoning office

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(Nigeria) Outgoing Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, has said that the Accountant-General of the state, Mr Cyril Agbele, was an irresponsible man for abandoning office six days ago.

Nigeria agric minister wins AfDB Presidency

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(Nigeria) The minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has emerged president of the African Development Bank, AfDB.

Corruption scandal: Blatter refused to quit as FIFA president

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Defying calls to quit, Sepp Blatter has confirmed his decision to seek a fifth term as the president of global football's governing FIFA in Friday's election, despite the corruption scandal that hit the world football governing body.

Ukrainian president signs law freezing foreign debt repayment

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Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has signed a law allowing the government to impose a moratorium on foreign debt payment, the Verkhovna Rada reported on its website on Thursday.

Ukraine's interior minister calls for total blockade of Donbas

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Ukraine's Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said on Thursday there was a need to fully separate the territories of the East-Ukrainian Donetsk and Luhansk regions controlled by militia forces.

Court upholds DStv’s 20 % increment on subscription

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(Nigeria) A Federal High Court, Lagos, on Thursday said that Digital Satellite Television, DStv,  operated by Multi-Choice Nigeria Ltd., had the right to increase its subscription rate as it did last month.

Jonathan presents handovernotes, confab recommendations to Buhari

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(Nigeria) President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday presented his handover notes and the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference to the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari.

Court stops NERC from increasing electricity tariff June 1

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(Nigeria) A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday restrained the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, from implementing the new electricity tariff which was to take effect from June 1.

I'll restore security of lives, property-- Wike to Riverspeople

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(Nigeria) Rivers  State  governor-elect,   Mr Nyesom Wike, has assured  the people of  the state   that his administration  will  restore  security  across  the  state.

3 Boko Haram bomb makers arrested

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(Nigeria) A cordon and search operation conducted by troops in Gombe State has yielded the arrest of three bomb making experts, allegedly working for Boko Haram.

Uduaghan swears in new CJ in Delta

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(Nigeria) Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State  has  swore in Justice Marshall Umukoro as the new Chief Judge of the state.

Iraq says its retaken some towns captured by ISIS

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Iraqi forces recaptured towns from Islamic State fighters near militant-held Ramadi on Wednesday, a day after the government started an offensive to drive the jihadist militia out of Anbar province, a security official said.

May 29: IG greets Nigerians

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(Nigeria) The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, on Thursday, pledged continued unalloyed loyalty of the police to the government and people of Nigeria.

Niger arrests 600 people with Boko Haram links

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Niger’s Security Minister, Hassoumi Massaoudou, has said that the country has detained and charged 643 people since February for their alleged links with Boko Haram.

Pakistan hangs 3 hijackers, 5 others

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Three rebels behind a hijacking attempt 17 years ago were among eight death row prisoners hanged in Pakistan on Thursday, officials said, as authorities stepped up planned executions this week.

Jonathan wants total probe of past administrations

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(Nigeria) Out-going President Goodluck Jonathan said in Abuja on Wednesday that those calling for the probe of his administration should ensure that all past administrations were subjected to it.

I have no candidate for Senate presidency ----Buhari

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(Nigeria) General Muhammadu Buhari, the president-elect, has reiterated his willingness to work with any leader of the National Assembly that the process throws up, irrespective of what part of the country he or she originates from.

Court strikes out suit challenging Otti's guber candidacy for APGA

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(Nigeria) The Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, Abia State on Wednesday struck out a suit challenging Dr Alex Otti’s candidacy in the April 28 governorship election in Abia State.

Court stops army from harassing electricity workers in Nasarawa state

(Nigeria) A Nasarawa State High Court sitting in Mararaba, has restrained the Nigerian Army from harassing and preventing the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company Plc., from carrying out its duty. The court gave the order following a motion ex parte by Mr Abel Yarigo, a staff of the company and 11 others members of staff.

Jonathan didn’t starve EFCC of funds

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(Nigeria) The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has denied media report that the out-going administration of Dr Goodluck Jonathan starved the commission of funds.

Nigeria to deport Chinese textile smugglers

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(Nigeria) The Chinese businessmen behind the massive illegal importation of textiles to Kano State are to be deported from Nigeria.

Okonjo-Iweala mismanaged Nigeria's economy -----Oshiomhole

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Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has accused the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of mismanaging of the nation’s economy in the last four years and feeding Nigerians with half-truths.

Senate leadership: 40 APC senators-elect, others endorse Lawan

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(Nigeria) Senate Unity Forum, the group supporting Ahmed Lawan for Senate President and George Akume as deputy, said it had the support of 40 senators-elect of All Progressives Congress, APC.

Amaechi, creator of modern Rivers ----APC

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(Nigeria) Out-going Rivers State governor, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, has been hailed as the creator of modern Rivers State only comparable to the creator of the old Rivers State, HRH Alfred Diete-Spiff by the All Progressives Congress, APC.

17 killed in ISIS suicide attacks on Iraqi army

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Islamic State extremists unleashed a wave of suicide attacks targeting the Iraqi army in western Anbar province, killing at least 17 troops in a major blow to government efforts to dislodge the militants from the sprawling Sunni heartland, an Iraqi military spokesman said Wednesday.