DevelopmentNewsOnline: 2014

Wednesday, 31 December 2014

Casmir Igbokwe writes on A Nation And Her Poisoned Apples

Tunji has a shop that is well located in the heart of Ikeja. He has a habit of waving at me each time I pass by his shop. It is a way of greeting and a way of drawing my attention to what he is selling. As I was driving home a few days ago, he waved and smiled. I stopped by to buy some items.

"Do you want some biscuits for the children?" he asked. I didn't want biscuits because I had bought some tantalising red apples from Mallam, a fruit seller in one of the major streets in Ikeja.

"Apples!" the man exclaimed, "Be careful of apples o!" I was alarmed. What is it with apples again? I wondered. My mind went straight to the rumour some years back that a former Head of State died in office after munching some poisoned apples allegedly given to him by some Indian prostitutes.

I also remembered how Eve gave Adam the forbidden fruit that led to their being banished from paradise. I learnt that that forbidden fruit was an apple.

I was still ruminating when Tunji cut in, "I heard that Boko Haram people have poisoned apples in Lagos. They are targeting Lagos seriously and they want to kill as many people as possible. They recruited all these mallams selling fruits to do it."

In this report Medinat Kanabe talks to medical experts about diseases that had hitherto become extinct but are staging a return.

When Nigeria defeated the Ebola Virus Disease many turned the victory into a joke by saying Nigerians are so terrible they have 'eaten' the virus when other countries affected by it have been struggling to curb the spread. Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea are still battling with the scourge rolling back years of economic struggle.

Although Nigeria has been declared EVD free by the World Health Organisation (WHO), its representative in Nigeria Rui Gama Vaz said: "The virus is gone for now. The outbreak in Nigeria has been defeated. This is a spectacular success story that shows to the world Ebola can be contained, but we must be clear that we have only won a battle. The war will only end when West Africa is declared free of Ebola."

The victory belongs to the people, leaders and institutions that pursued their mission with vigour led by the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola.

When former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, opens his mouth to talk about governance in Nigeria, what usually comes out is poison.

Recently the former president labelled many Nigerian federal legislators as thieves and looters. According to him, they indulge in extorting money from departments, contractors and ministries. "When the guard is the thief," Obasanjo lamented, "only God can keep the house safe and secure."

With what is presently playing out at the National Assembly of Nigeria, Obasanjo may be right after all. Currently, some lawmakers are purportedly plotting to remove President Goodluck Jonathan from office. About 65 out of 109 Senators are reportedly involved in the plot.

These anti-Jonathan lawmakers have told whoever cared to listen that they would table the president's sins on December 16, 2014 when they reconvene from their current recess.

The Punch

Cancer-causing metal detected in water supplied to Lagos residents

AirAsia: Relatives faint as rescuers recover 40 corpses

2015 budget: President to spend N456.98m on honoraria

Seven terrorists die in explosive-laden vehicle

Tokunbo cars to cost more from January 1

Nigerians'll praise me after leaving office, says Jonathan

Only poverty lover will vote Jonathan – Osinbajo

It's parties' duty to verify candidates' certificates — INEC

Parents reject FG's N625m insurance for pupils

Uncertainty over Al-Makura's health

Jonathan not fighting corruption – Ex-ICPC chair

I remain in PDP, says Senate Leader

'Jonathan's scorecard'll give him victory'

Osun REC says allegations of bias baseless

NSITF boss tells FG, states to diversify economy

Avoid embarrassment, Mabo tells Keshi

Eagles failed woefully in 2014, Kanu laments

Retired athletes struggle to feed, live in squalor

Banks face risk from oil price slump

The running mate to the All Progressives Congress, APC presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Tuesday, said the poor state of the nation's economy has plunged many Nigerians into poverty.

He added that there must be a change of government at the federal level to liberate Nigerians from poverty.

The former Attorney General of Lagos State spoke at a town hall meeting with artisans, tradesmen and farmers, organised by the Lagos State Government in Ikeja.

He said only those who love poverty and would want to remain perpetually in hunger that would vote for President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

Osinbajo said, "No one is ignorant of all that is happening in this country. No one likes hunger and poverty, but people are hungry. In 2015, only those who love to continue to be hungry that would prefer that the government in power at the centre remains there.

"By God's grace, we will remove them from the seat of power. The people there presently cannot do anything because they don't know what to do. They lack the capacity and capability to govern the country."

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday said he did not expect Nigerians to shower praises on him while still in office.

He said it was normal that public office holders would only be commended after leaving office by the time their achievements were compared with those of their predecessors.

Jonathan spoke while granting audience to a delegation from his home state, Bayelsa, led by Governor Seriake Dickson.

But the President's wife, Patience, was again absent during the visit of the Bayelsa delegation.

Jonathan, however, told members of the delegation that his wife would have joined him to receive them but for an urgent trip she made outside Abuja.

He said Patience left Abuja in the morning for their home state to oversee the preparation for the traditional marriage of his cousin's daughter holding in Bayelsa State on Saturday.

He said he would also be travelling for the event on Friday and return to Abuja on Sunday.

Members of the delegation led by Dickson were in the Presidential Villa, Abuja to felicitate with the President on the Christmas and New Year festivities.

Ondo monarch’s wife killed after N2M ransom was paid

The abducted wife of the Oba Lumure Ayelomi of Ayeka in the Okitipupa area of Ondo State, Olori Dupe has been found dead 10 days after she was reportedly kidnapped.

The Olori's corpse was found at a meeting point where her family was to drop the ransom, Vanguard reports.

The kidnappers were initially said to have demanded a ransom of N30 million but accepted N2 million after pleas made by the family.

However, the Olori's abductors were apparently dissatisfied with the amount and proceeded to take her life even after collecting the money.

A desperate Bakassi refugee in Cross River State has been forced to use his 12-year-old daughter as collateral for a loan which he is now unable to repay.

Edet Okon in a bid to save his older daughter from death by cancer used her sister as a bargaining chip to acquire a sum of N600, 000.

However, the sick daughter, Blessing died, in 2013 and the younger one, Mary is forced to remain in slavery due to her father's inability to pay back the money he borrowed.

Okon told Punch of his ordeal:

"I was desperate to save Blessing from dying. Her situation had become critical at that time. That was the only thing I could do to salvage the situation. I am heartbroken. I don't know what came over me. It was sheer desperation I gave out my daughter so that the man would accept to give us the money," he said.

Mary on the other hand opened up on her life in slavery:

Mechanic stabs man for allegedly pinging and driving

A mechanic, Olajide Olaniran, stabbed a 34-year-old man, Julius Joseph recently for allegedly pinging while driving in the Ijaiye area of Lagos State.

Our correspondent gathered that Joseph was returning from a bank in the area to withdraw money when Olaniran, who was in a Toyota Corolla, blocked the road and accused him of pinging and driving.

It was, however, learnt that Joseph was checking an alert he received on his phone when the incident occured.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Joseph challenged the 42-year-old mechanic for driving against the traffic and both men alighted from their cars.

Following an altercation between the two, Olaniyan, who hails from Ibadan, Oyo State, allegedly used a bottle to stab Joseph after which he made off with his (Joseph's) two phones and N5,000.

The victim reportedly slumped at the spot having lost much blood. He was said to have been rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, and was later referred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi for intensive care.

Yobe Gov begs 4,000 refugees in Niger to return

Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, has visited Niger Republic to persuade over 4,000 residents of the state, who fled the Boko Haram crisis, to return.

Gaidam, who was in Maine Soroa in Niger Republic on Saturday to see more than 4,000 Gaidam, Kanamma and Yunusari residents that fled to Niger recently as a result of the attacks on their towns by Boko Haram militants, was conducted round by the premier (Governor) of Diffa region, Alhaji Yakuba Usman.

Usman revealed that over 4,000 people were offered shelter in the area with 1,385 out of the number been camped and fed by Niger Government while 3,000 refuges lived with friends and relatives in Maine Soroa town.

Addressing the refugees, Gaidam promised that the state government would extend support to them, but asked them to return home, noting that more military operatives would be deplored in the area to beef up security.

One dies as bomb blasts in Yobe

One person has died as an explosive planted in a football field in Potiskum, Yobe State in north-east Nigeria detonated.

Residents of Potiskum told Channels Television that the explosion occurred at the Arikime Primary School playing ground and killed a sugar-cane vendor who was heading home after the day's trading.

They believe the planted bomb that went off around 6:30pm local time on Sunday was targeted at footballers using the playing ground.

The bomber, according to witnesses, was aiming at killing early morning football players who often besiege the busy Arikime playing ground for early exercise only to be triggered prematurely by the sugar-cane seller.

The Punch

We didn't rob; we only collected our dues – Suspects

Show your anti-corruption feats, Buhari dares Jonathan

My certificates consumed by fire, Sambo tells INEC

Nigeria's problems increasing –Jonathan

Plane with 16 children, 146 others disappears

I regret supporting Amaechi to become gov – Odili

Protests stall N625m insurance for unity schools' pupils

Don't abandon my husband, Patience Jonathan begs voters

Ajibola backs splitting of AGF/ Justice minister's office

'Unarmed policemen'll be at polling units in 2015't

Buhari, threat to Jonathan's re-election – PDP leader

Obasanjo has sympathy for us – APC

Reps to summon Jega over readiness for 2015

Osun bars revenue collectors from receiving cash

APC slams Fayose over unpaid workers' salary

Platini insists on football sin-bins

Why I'm building three stadiums – Adeyemi

Enyimba'll win Champions League –Ikhana

Weah wins Liberian senate seat

Patience Jonathan, has called for the support of voters in Abia State and the South-East in general in the re-election bid of her husband, President Goodluck Jonathan.

Patience, spoke at a reception organised for her by her maternal kinsmen of Ohuhu clan in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, where she added that a vote for Jonathan would guarantee sustainable transformation of the country.

She was also honoured with the chieftaincy title of 'Nkalari' at the event, which also doubled as a fund raiser and ground-breaking ceremony of Ohuhu Civic Centre.

Mrs. Jonathan noted that her husband had the interest of Ndigbo and Nigeria at heart, saying that he had demonstrated enough commitment to give the people of the South-East a sense of belonging.

The First Lady identified the upgrading of Enugu and Owerri airports to international status, rehabilitation of Onitsha-Enugu Expressway, Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, the second Niger Bridge, among others, as some of the key projects undertaken by her husband in the region.

Newspapers Headlines for Dec 28

The Punch

Jonathan's government not responsible —Osinbajo

Assassins killed Akure doctor, set body ablaze — Family

Why I'm against Obasanjo —Kashamu

Boko Haram abducts 592 in 2014

FG tackles ISIS threat

Police arrest man over murder of Austrian-based lover

$30bn not missing, FG replies Oshiomhole

Buhari unfit to rule Nigeria —South-West PDP

Kaduna: Muslims guard Christians during Xmas service

'Jonathan's N21.27b donation legalises corruption'

Winners has six million members — Oyedepo

Buhari is better than Jonathan —ACF chieftain

Christmas without Chibok girls painful –Principal

Volatile statements: PDP defends Jonathan, flays APC

FG owes Lagos N51bn — Ambode

Clearing fees rise by 50% at ports

24 states adopt contributory pension scheme

An Air Asia flight said to have taken off from the Indonesian city of Surabaya and was heading to Singapore when it lost contact with air traffic control early today has gone missing.

An airplane with 162 people on board has gone missing in Indonesia, the country's Metro TV station reports.

The Air Asia flight is said to have taken off from the Indonesian city of Surabaya and was heading to Singapore when it lost contact with air traffic control early today, December 28.

According to an official of Indonesia's Transport Ministry, Hadi Mustofa the aircraft, flight number QZ 8501, lost contact with the Jakarta air traffic control tower at 6:17 am local time.

Borno State government says it is expending over N600 million monthly on the feeding of those displaced by the activities of insurgency in 20 local government areas of the state.

The state Deputy Governor, Zannah Mustapha, made this known while speaking to newsmen in Yola, Adamawa State, on Saturday.

Mr. Mustapha said there were about two million internally displaced persons in Maiduguri.

"We have of recent also evacuated about 43,000 IDPs of Borno indigene from Adamawa to Maiduguri," he said.

He explained that the government had commenced free food programme for both the IDPs in camps and those staying with relatives in the state.

Mr. Mustapha, who solicited for Federal Government's assistance, said the state government was expending almost all its monthly allocation on IDPs.

Mr. Mustapha said 90 per cent of the people could not cultivate their farmland due to insecurity, a development, he explained, posed a serious threat to food security in the state.

The Federal Government has said that the allegations by Governor Adams Oshiomhole, that the sum of $30bn (N5.04trn) is missing from the Excess Crude Account is not true.

The Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said in a statement on Saturday by her Special Adviser on Communications, Mr Paul Nwabuikwu, that the allegation was "shocking."

Oshiomhole had on Thursday accused the Federal Government of failing to account for about $30bn that had accrued to the excess crude account in the last three years.

The governor had said Nigeria's budgets for the past three years had been based on an oil benchmark of $77 and $79, while the average price of the country's crude had been $108 per barrel.

This, according to the governor, gives an average surplus of $30 per barrel.

He had said, "Ideally, we ought to be saving $36 per barrel on the 2.3 million barrel a day over the past three years and if you look at these numbers you will find that what we have in our excess crude oil account should be over $30bn but as we speak, we have barely $3bn in our excess crude account.

Ekiti unpaid salary: Gov. Fayose wants you to blame it on Fayemi by Kolapo Olapoju

According to Ayo Fayose, the immediate past governor of Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi, is responsible for the unpaid salaries of Ekiti state workers.

During his monthly media chat, "Meet Your Governor", governor Fayose said the financial situation of the state has made it difficult for him to pay the salary arrears he inherited from Fayemi.

The governor explained that the deductions from the allocation of the state from the bond sourced by the last administration and commercial loans obtained from banks had adversely affected the state's finances.

He said: "I became governor on October 16 and that is two months and ten days now and I want to state categorically that I have managed the resources of the state very well."

"Now coming here to tell the people that I will pay September salaries, no, no, I will not say that. The salaries I am paying now, I had interface with banks to give me leeway for six months to be able to arrange myself.

The Punch

Again, Fayose slams Fayemi over unpaid salary

I can only work with Femi when I'm broke –Seun Kuti

Fashola blames PDP for Nigeria's woes

Jonathan, PDP plan to campaign in B'Haram territory

Boko Haram not Islamic group –Sultan

Jonathan's declaration has occult undertone – Okotie

2015: INEC fails to publish presidential candidates' names

Ivory Coast trial of Simone Gbagbo begins

Court dismisses murder charge against Sylva's former aide

Probe tax returns of Jonathan's campaign donors – Utomi

Insecurity: Aregbesola asks Nigerians to vote out Jonathan

Police arrest rape victim's brother for stealing

2011 post-election violence: Coalition drags Buhari to ICC

Campaign: Prepare for hard task, APC tells Amaechi

Military warns politicians against inciting comments

Nigeria has a lot to learn about stadium security – Akinsola

I can't win Ballon d'Or – Neuer

Man drowns in Lagos on Christmas Day

Tragedy struck on Christmas day in Lagos when, Sodiq Ojomo, working with a catering service, drowned in a swimming pool at an event centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Mr Rasak Fadipe, disclosed this on Friday to NAN while reacting to the service activities for the year.

Fadipe said that the incident occurred at No. 3/5, Durosinmi Etti Street, Victoria Island.

He said that the 23 year-old man was at the centre with his colleagues to entertain some guests with food.

He said that the victim allegedly jumped into the swimming pool against the advice of his supervisor.

The director said police from Maroko division came and picked the corpse and deposited at the public mortuary.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has concluded plans to declare 'war' on Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido over his alleged support for a 45-year-old non-student, Tijjani Usman, who is parading himself as NANS president.

In a telephone interview with LEADERSHIP on Friday, the legitimate President of NANS, Comrade Ali Wali, who was duly elected by Nigerian students to represent them, alleged that Governor Sule Lamido was using Tijjani Usman to work against the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan by turning Nigerian students against him.

He said Governor Lamido's grand plan was to ensure that President Jonathan no longer enjoyed the tremendous support of the students, by mobilising student protests against government policies and programmes, especially in the education sector, thereby, damaging the President's popularity and credibility.

A 14-year-old Nigerian girl who was arrested with explosives strapped to her body told journalists Wednesday that her parents volunteered her to take part in a suicide attack.

The girl, who was identified as Zahra'u Babangida, was arrested in Kano on December 10 following a double suicide bombing in a market that killed 10 people.

She was presented to journalists by police and instructed to recount how Islamist militants allegedly forced her to take part in the attack.

She said her mother and father, both Boko Haram sympathisers, took her to an insurgent hideout in a forest near the town of Gidan Zana in Kano state.

She said one alleged militant leader asked her whether she knew what a suicide bombing was.

"They said, 'Can you do it?' I said no.

"They said, 'You will go to heaven if you do it.' I said 'No I can't.' They said they would shoot me or throw me into a dungeon," Zahra'u told journalists.

Former president Marc Ravalomanana is being allowed to serve his house arrest at his own home, Madagascar's government said Friday.

Ravalomanana, ousted in a 2009 coup, had been held under house arrest in the northern town of Antsiranana (also known as Diego Suarez) since returning from exile in South Africa in October.

However he discreetly returned home Wednesday evening and spent the Christmas holiday with this family.

"The decree assigning Marc Ravalomanana to house arrest has not been rescinded but the place has been changed … he has been transferred to his home in Antananarivo," a senior Interior Ministry official, Thierry Rakotonarivo, told AFP.

The former president's spokesman told the daily Madagascar Express that Ravalomanana's contacts with the outside world were still extremely restricted and that he cannot receive visitors without permission.

Ravalomanana slipped back into Madagascar in October, five years after a military coup and two months of violent protests forced him to flee abroad.

Orits Wilikithe confesses to marrying his “mother’s last born

Orits Wiliki who just marked 30 years in the music industry made a shocking revelation.

Unveiling the secret of his 20-year marriage to popular actress and singer, Becky, he told Punch Newspapers:

"I married my kid sister – my mother's last born. We are as close siblings can be. That is why we have stayed together for this long."

Some say it is a figure of speech, while some say it is some sort of incestuous relationship. We'll poke our nose further into this story to confirm exactly what the veteran artiste really means.

Metronaija

Police stop bring back our girls Protesters

Men of the Nigerian Police, on Thursday, disrupted the street protest by members of the Bring Back Our Girls movement along the Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja.

The protesters had converged, distributing fliers to motorists and passers-by to remind them of the plight of the 219 Chibok school girls that are still being held captive by the Boko Haram sect.

They had intended to marh to the Presidential Villa but were stopped by policemen numbering about 20, who barricaded the road with their vehicles at the junction to the Presidential Villa.

The death toll in recent cult clashes in Benin has risen to 12, following reprisal attacks by suspected rival cult groups in the Edo State capital. This came nearly a week after ‎similar attacks claimed the lives of at least seven persons in some parts of Benin.

In the latest attack which occurred on Thursday, three youths were said to have been killed at New Benin while the other two deaths were said to have occurred at Upper Sakponba in the state capital.It was learnt that those allegedly behind the New Benin attack brandished their weapons after committing the act.

Our correspondent gathered that among the victims of the December 19 incident were a popular car wash operator and another man identified as Jude.

Nasarawa magistrates demand review of salaries

The Chairman, Magistrates Association of Nigeria, Nasarawa State Chapter, Mr Victor Manga has called on the state government to improve the salaries of Judicial workers in the state.

The chairman, who made the call on Friday in Lafia during the end of year meeting of the association, said that improved salaries would help in quick dispensation of justice.

"If judicial staff especially judges are well paid, it will go a long way in changing their orientation especially in accepting gift or bribe to influence judgement," he said.

Manga said most criminal cases in the state were handled by magistrates hence the need to take care of their welfare for better service delivery.

He, therefore, appealed to the state Chief Judge and the state government to urgently look into the request.

News Headlines for Dec 26

The Punch

NICON to insure 125,000 Unity School pupils for N625m

N21bn: Activists ask INEC to disqualify Jonathan, PDP

Pope prays for peace in Nigeria, M'East, others

Wike accuses Amaechi of funding Buhari's campaign with N30bn

Chibok girls: Police stop protesters in Abuja

President warns politicians against negative statements

Osinbajo campaigns in BRT bus, says Nigeria needs Buhari

Confusion over Jonathan's campaign committee

N21.27bn donation to President insensitive – Opadokun

'Army not responsible for terror war petition'

Oritsejafor wants Nigerians to be vigilant

B'Haram: We'll pay our men soon, says IG

Help the poor, Obasanjo urges wealthy citizens

Recreational parks in Abuja record low turnout

Faithful celebrate in Jos amid tight security

Christmas lessons I learnt from children's home

The oil pricing paradox

Who killed Uncle Bola Ige?

From this side of Nigerian TV stations

AFCON no-show, blessing to Nigeria – Shofoluwe

Wenger criticism baffles Redknapp

Ferdinand tips United for top three finish

Enyeama makes Glo/CAF final list

Ogunlewe commends Agbaje, Obanikoro for ending disagreement

Pay Ekiti workers their salaries, APC tells Fayose

Non-oil revenue declined by N329bn in H1 2014

PenCom to prosecute 101 employers for pension default

Police arraign man for having fake $38,000

Six in court for stealing N10.4m goods

Bribe 'evader': Police arrest cop who fired shot

Horrible Christmas as fire consumes doctor in hospital

TETFund condemns attack on schools

1,007 schools receive instructional materials

16-year-old wins PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge

Parents hold the ace for pupils' performance – Experts

Coping with the harmattan

Choosing a healthy bird

Essiet sues police for N1bn

Game On reality show gets first eviction

Serious mistakes to avoid in marketing

Customers do not always know what they want

A beginner's guide to Google Adwords

It's painful Chibok girls couldn't celebrate Christmas —Jonathan

Naira trades below CBN band at Christmas

CAN sets up tuition support fund

An evening of songs with the Ajumogobias

Count me out of indecent lyrics – Aimee

Nigeria's outsourcing industry is underdeveloped —Uzoukwu

Easy ways to recover N52bn unclaimed dividends

The Vanguard

Synagogue: TB Joshua flies families of South African victims to Lagos

2015: Osinbajo takes campaign to BRT buses

Passengers stranded at Lagos airports over increased fares

Christmas: Recreation parks in FCT record low turnout

God will intervene in Ekiti – Adeboye, Kumuyi

Christmas : No reports of ugly incidents so far – I.G

Christmas: Agbaje, others urges Nigerians to remain committed to the nation

'More blood is being shed in Nigeria', says Pope Francis

Lampard hope lights Man City's striker gloom

Mourinho demands Christmas show from Mikel, others

Liverpool's Rodgers targets Burnley bounce

Ivory Coast set for Nations Cup after budget approved

Christmas : No reports of ugly incidents so far – I.G

National Mirror

Ekiti workers besiege ATMs for salary

Lagos retirees to get N1.5bn under CPS

Wike accuses Amaechi of funding APC campaign with N30bn

– •It's a lie –Rivers govt

How we averted terrorist attacks on churches –IGP

NSCDC to deploy sniffer dogs on election day –CG

I never thought I'll be in politics –Tejuoso

Buhari remains solution to Nigeria's woes-Campaign organisation

Heavyweights in guber race'll be shocked, says Makinde, Oyo SDP candidate

APC plans post 2015 polls' violence, PDP candidate alleges

Group wants youths to contribute to transparent 2015 poll

The Sun

Xmas: Kaduna Christians, Muslims worship together

Jonathan to politicians: Watch your utterances

Tragedy: Midnight inferno razes hospital in Ondo

Police kill 4 armed robbery suspects in Kano 

2015: War in Enugu PDP is over, says Ekweremadu

Pope seeks divine peace for Nigeria

APC, PDP bicker over Ekiti workers' salaries

Amaechi spent N30bn on Buhari –Wike

Passengers Stranded At Lagos Domestic Airports Over Increased Fares

2 Robbers killed on Xmas Day in Warri

Compiled by Demola Adefajo

Thursday, 25 December 2014

PDP did a good job falsely branding Buhari an Islamic extremist – Osinbajo

The Vice Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Yemi Osinbajo, Wednesday said the Islamic extremist tag hung on Muhammadu Buhari does not reflect his character.

At an interaction with young people, volunteers, and social media influencers in Lagos, Mr. Osinbajo blamed the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] for stamping that false identity on Mr. Buhari.

"The PDP did a good job in branding General Buhari as an Islamic extremist," said Mr. Osinbajo, a professor of Law, noting that Mr. Buhari joined the Nigerian army at a time the military was filled with detribalized officers.

"During his time as a Head of State, he had more Christians in his cabinet than he had Muslims. He even gave his daughter in marriage to a Christian. Which Islamic extremist would even tolerate that.

"Buhari had full powers during his military era to make Nigeria join the Muslim Organization, OIC, but refused."

On Tuesday, Mr. Buhari, the APC's presidential candidate, had met with a similar group of young people in Lagos to discuss ideas and vision about the country's future. On Monday, he had announced his entry into the social media space by garnering over 30,000 Twitter followers within 12 hours.

Wednesday's meeting with Mr. Osinbajo began with the airing of a video reeling out grim statistics of the Nigerian situation.

Minster of Education Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, yesterday, disclosed that severe punishment awaits any university management who invest universities intervention funds to earn interest.

He revealed this in Abuja, at a one-day sensitization retreat on the implementation of needs assessment intervention in Nigerian public universities.

According to him, "The first place this retreat is about calling their attention to the need to on the need assessment funds you will all recall led sometime last year the government agreed to released 1.3trillion to address all the most basic problem of our universities especially in the area of infrastructure staff development and training

"We thought, we should bring all the Vice Chancellor and all their management staff concern with management of fund to inject into their heads that this money coming must be prudently utilize and there is implementation monitoring committee put in place chair by my humble self will be monitoring every naira and kobo release to every universities and we will make sure that due process is complied with we will not spare any head of any institutions that violate the rule and regulation guiding the expenditure of this funds.

The Punch

Soyinka blasts Obasanjo …says ex-President is a liar

Military uncovers bomb factory in Kano, kills suicide bomber

Jonathan greets, promises peaceful polls in 2015

I'll meet other generals to draft anti-terror plan – Buhari

N21bn donation: We can't probe donors, says INEC

Heavy taxation driving people out of Lagos –Sambo

'INEC mismanaged PVC collection'

Oshiomhole accuses FG of mismanaging resources

Xmas: Cash-strapped Reps stay back in Abuja

Ogun to spend N22bn on roads in 2015

2014 your last year in bondage, APC tells Nigerians

Mark, Ekweremadu urge Nigerians to be tolerant

Fashola, Asafa urge peaceful coexistence

Amaechi, Wike desire love, political tolerance

Ademowo asks politicians to embrace peace

Oil price decline not a surprise –NACCIMA

Food prices rise in Lagos markets

News Headlines for Dec 24

The Punch

Xmas: Military restricts vehicular movement in Borno

Campaign: Buhari raises N54.4m from 'crowd funding platform'

Lt. Col., 15 others jailed over Chibok girls' abduction

Jonathan's N21.27bn campaign war chest: Lawyers demand PDP, donors' trial

Buhari'll end insurgency, corruption –Amaechi

NDLEA forces suspect to excrete drugs

Synagogue: Witness says NEMA, LASEMA lack equipment

SERAP asks UN to stop execution of 54 soldiers

Jonathan won't sign anti-violence agreement –Presidency

Dankwabo blames opposition for Gombe violence

President says Nollywood stars Nigeria's greatest ambassadors

Aregbesola budgets N197bn for 2015

No over-voting in primary, PDP replies Obanikoro

Ugbade warns Flying Eagles, Eaglets on mentality

Budget: FG slashes projected oil revenue by N1tn

Jonathan to inaugurate 40MW Kashimbila Dam in February

Banks move to cut non-performing loans

Cry, my beloved country!

UGHELLI—A heavy duty truck, conveying crates of soft drinks, yesterday, at the Okorodafe Roundabout in Ughelli, Delta State, crushed a four-month-old baby girl, who had fallen off the back of her mother travelling on a commercial motorcycle, popularly known as Okada.

According to witnesses, the mother of the baby, who is in her 30s and simply identified as Ese, was said to have been struggling to adjust the wrapper with which she strapped the baby to her back, while the Okada was in motion.

NIGERIA'S Ambassador to the United States (U.S.), Prof. Ade Adefuye has refuted a report in The Guardian of Sunday, December 21, 2014 entitled, 'Why we stopped buying Nigeria's oil by White House,' expressing his disagreement with what he called "some of the assumptions, projections and conclusions" in the publication.

Adefuye said: "On the issue of U.S. purchase of Nigeria's oil, the explanation by the U.S. Director of National Economic Council, Mr. Jeff Zients is correct. The increase in America's domestic oil production by 50 per cent naturally reduced the need for America to buy oil from abroad. America is now much less dependent on oil import. But the quantity of oil production is subject to fluctuation. Whenever the quantity of internal oil production in the U.S. necessitates the need to import, Nigeria's oil because of its quality will be top of U.S. priority. This much the Embassy had been assured.

CHINESE e-commerce giant Alibaba says it has spent more than $160m (£103m) fighting fake goods on its websites from the beginning of 2013 to November of this year.

The company will add another 200 people next year to the 2,000 workers tackling counterfeit goods on its sites.

That is in addition to the 5,400 volunteers who are already involved in its daily online surveillance plan.

The prevalence of fake goods in China is still a big problem.

Before its record-setting $25bn listing in New York, the world's largest e-commerce company had said in its IPO prospectus that counterfeits goods could hurt its ability to win customers, investors and US retail partners.

In comparison, US e-commerce site eBay said in a court filing in 2010 that it spends up to $20m a year on "buyer protection programs" such as reimbursing buyers for fake goods bought on its site.

"We bear a serious responsibility in this fight against counterfeits," said Jonathan Lu, chief executive of Alibaba Group in a

CNN set out on a hunt to find the women who excelled in their professions in 2014 and fifteen women emerged leading women of the year as it comes to a close.

"We wanted to know which women you felt deserved an accolade for their achievements this year and turned to our readers, partners, and organizations we've worked with this year to find out." The company said in a statement.

The women with the most votes have been crowned Leading Women of 2014 and three Nigerian made the list this year.

They are; Dr Stella Ameyo Adadevoh — The Nigerian doctor who died this year after overseeing the treatment of Ebola patient Patrick Sawyer. Her efforts prevented the wider spread of Ebola in the country.

Hadiza Bala Usman — Activist and initiator of the protest movement asking for the release of 200 schoolgirls girls abducted in Borno State, Nigeria which spread worldwide.

Court orders accelerated hearing of suit over Niger PDP Gov primaries

A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, ordered accelerated hearing in the suit instituted by a governorship aspirant under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the results of the party's recently -held governorship primaries in Niger State.

In a ruling on Monday, on a motion for an interlocutory injunction filed by the plaintiff, Mr Mu'azu Hanafi Sudan, to restrain the PDP from submitting the name of Alhaji Umar Nasko to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as governorship candidate for Niger State, the court held that since time was of essence in the matter, it would order for an accelerated hearing of the case.

The presiding judge, Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed, held that the court could not grant the plaintiff's requests without delving into the main issues that were for consideration.

Justice Mohammed said: "The court should refrain from making positive pronouncements that touch on the substantive suit because it prejudges the real matter in controversy" and consequently, he declined Sudan's application.

"Based on the above reasoning, I am unable to grant the prayers contained in the plaintiff's motion for order of interlocutory injunction.

Newspapers Headlines for Dec 23

The Punch

Jonathan's N21bn donation: Impunity taken too far

Jonathan condones corruption, says Osinbajo

PDP names Ahmadu Ali as Jonathan's campaign director

Jonathan to contest against semi-literate candidate –PDP

B'Haram attacks two state capitals again

Stop praising Fashola, PDP chairman tells Lagosians

Synagogue: Weapon investigator says collapsed building attacked

IG deploys specialised police units for Christmas

Jega: Parallel congresses not known to INEC

Northern PDP leaders'll support Buhari – APC

Gumi says Nigeria needs new leaders

B'Haram: Ihejirika slams N100bn libel suit on Australian negotiator

'Workers' salaries'll be paid before Xmas'

Ekiti PDP, APC clash over stomach infrastructure

I'm not funding APC, says Amaechi

Power firms to get N213bn loan in January

World Bank pledges N282bn to Nigerian power sector

Fuel queues resurface in Abuja

The Vice-Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Yemi Osinbajo has allowed Nigerians to peep into his world.

Osinbajo shared a photo of himself seated in his office and looking into a desktop while surrounded by books.

The running mate to APC presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari is also pictured in some snaps with his wife, Dolapo who is a granddaughter to the late Obafemi Awolowo.

The national leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party may not appeal to members who defected from the party as a result of the rancour that followed its just-concluded primaries, The PUNCH has learnt.

The party has also named a former National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, as the Director-General, Goodluck Jonathan Presidential Campaign Organisation.

It was also learnt that the party had foreclosed talking to those who moved to other political parties where they felt they could achieve their political aspirations.

Among those who left were a former Governor of Oyo State, Chief Bayo Alao-Akala, who is now a member of the Labour Party; a former Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom (All Progressives Congress); and a former National Chairman of the party, Senator Bernabas Gemade.

Many other aggrieved members of the party, despite the plea by President Goodluck Jonathan not to leave the PDP, have also left the party as a result of the controversial primaries.

Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang names son as commissioner

The Plateau State Governor, Mr. Jonah Jang, has named his son, Yakubu, as the state Commissioner for Lands and Urban Planning.

Before this new development, Yakubu was his father's Special Adviser on Special Duties. Yakubu, according to the Commissioner for Information. Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, will take over from Mr. Yilji Gomwalk, who has been picked as the running mate to the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate for the 2015 governorship election, Mr. Gyang Pwajok.

Abubakar, who briefed newsmen in Jos on Sunday, said the action was to allow for continuity in governance.

Meanwhile, the PDP governorship candidate has appealed to all those who contested with him in the primary to close ranks and work with him for the growth of the state.

Pwajok told newsmen in Jos on Sunday that he would run an all-inclusive government, adding that his mission is to continue with the redemption agenda of the outgoing governor.

FIRS arrests eight management staff for tax evasion in Ondo

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has arrested eight management staff of companies in Ondo State over their failure to pay the company income tax and remit the Value Added Tax (VAT) of their companies to the coffers of the government.

It listed the offences of the companies to include the refusal of the companies to register for VAT, failure to file returns for VAT and the inability to pay companies income tax.

Some of the companies are owned by the State government while others are owned by corporate and private individuals in the state.

The Head of Legal of FIRS, Southwest geo-political zone, Mr Daniel Onukun who led the recovery enforcement for two days said the state government was owing the Federal government about N100million.

Also, he said about N1million was recovered from some companies who came to pay to avoid being arraigned in the court of law for tax default.

UNILORIN admits only 11% applicants

About 114,700 students applied to the University of Ilorin for admissions, but only 11% of them could secure a spot leaving over 100,000 disappointed.

As many as 102,050 of the 114,700 prospective students who applied to the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) for the 2014/2015 academic session were not offered admissions by the institution.

The institution's Vice-Chancellor, Prof.AbdulGaniyu Ambali, said only 12,650 students were able to secure admission.

Speaking at the university's matriculation ceremony for new students, Ambali said only 41, 470 of the applicants scored 180 marks, which is the minimum requirement for the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination screening.

At least 19 people were killed and more than 40 others wounded on Monday when a female suicide bomber detonated explosives at Dukku motor park in Gombe, Gombe State.

The bomber was said to have disguised herself as a passenger with the lethal weapon hidden in a sack, which she used in deceiving other passengers at the park.

Eyewitnesses said the incident happened at about 10.50am when the park was said to be filled with passengers, who were eager to travel out of the state capital to their respective destinations for the Yuletide.

The female bomber was said to have detonated the explosives on her near a Sharoon bus that was already filled with passengers.

"The bomber chose her target carefully because she timed when the bus was fully loaded with passengers. It appeared she was standing by and observing before carrying out her nefarious act," an eyewitness said.

Ondo APC begs primaries losers to support candidates

Following the outcome of the All Progressives Congress national and state assembly primaries in Ondo State, losers have been urged to shelve their personal ambitions and support those who emerged as the party's candidates.

Chairman of the party, Mr Isaac Kekemeke, while meeting with the party leaders from the 18 local governments in the state on Monday, said it was the only way the party would be successful in the coming elections.

He said, "The only way for the party to win the forthcoming general elections in the state and country as a whole in 2015, is to be united and go to the elections as a team and not as a divided house. Elections cannot be won when members of the party are aggrieved.

"I plead that no matter what energy, time and material resources you have expended, we must correctly see such as our contribution to the growth, development and victory of our party.

" I wish to, on behalf of the leadership of the party, assure you that the party will never forget your labour.

News Headlines for Dec 21

Punch

We know how to cage Alao-Akala ' Folarin

Nobody can cage me ' Alao-Akala

Waldorf buyer invests in property, banking stakes

Taiwan declares Uber illegal after 63 fines

The growing influence of technology in politics

BlackBerry revenue miss overshadows turnaround progress

Sony hack adds to security pressure on companies

SMEs can generate 80% jobs ' Masari

Osinbajo: APC, PDP change zoning formula

Agbaje seeks new PVC registration in Lagos

Obanikoro has no electoral value ' Ex-minister, Ogunlewe

N'Korea seeks joint probe over Sony hacking

NIMASA warns maritime operators against non-remittance of dues

Manchester United end winning run, held 1-1 at Villa Park

Malaria: The world cheers, Nigeria despairs

Jonathan vs Buhari: The running mate politics

Dimensions of corruption

Teenager stabs father in the eye for refusing to buy him Christmas wears

A Senior Secondary School student who is currently in SS 3 in Oshodi area of Lagos, on Thursday stabbed his father in the right eye for failing to buy him Christmas wears.

The boy, simply identified as Ikechi, was reported to have held his father, Anthony, hostage in their apartment at Arowojobe Street in Oshodi, for some minutes before committing the dastardly act because his victim failed to buy him Christmas clothes.

Family sources quoted Anthony as having explained to his son, Ikechi that he had only "small money" which could barely pay for the Christmas clothes of his three siblings, yet all appeals made by the father fell on his deaf ears.

Ikechi's cousin, Ukachukwu, disclosed that Ikechi got so angry that he quarreled with his father through the night, insisting that he must get his Christmas clothes, because he wanted to rock it to the birthday bash of a friend holding at a beach along the Victoria Island-Epe Expressway on Sunday.

Ukachukwu continued that when Anthony, who works in a hotel as a guard, wanted to leave for work, his son would not allow him leave.

"He accused his father of hating him and, fed up with his complaints, the man got his belt and began to flog the boy.

Kidnappers of UNIOSUN ASUU chair’s wife demand N50m ransom

Gunmen on Friday kidnapped wife of the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities, Osun State University chapter, Mrs. Funmilayo Abiona.

Abiona was abducted in Osogbo around 7:30pm.

Our correspondent gathered on Saturday that Mrs. Abiona closed from her shop around Oke Bale area of Osogbo and was heading home to meet her husband, Dr. Oluseye Abiona, when the hoodlums, who had been on her trail, caught up with her and forcefully took her away after a hot argument.

The hoodlums, according to some residents of the area, were dressed in red shirts.

The abducted woman, who was said to be driving Lexuscar, was with her two children when the incident happened.

Mrs. Abiona was said to have struggled with her captors, who eventually overpowered her and forced her into a red car, which they used for the operation.

The hoodlums, out of anger, were said to have smashed the rear screen of the Lexus car, leaving the children and driving away with their target.

The abductors were said to have called her husband to demand a N50m ransom, saying his wife was okay where she was being kept.

The year 2014 is almost coming and to an end, so the roundup begins for the most searched things or people on internet.

According to Bible Gateway, bible searches of over 150 million people showed that Romans 12:2 from the New Testament which reads: ["Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...." (NIV)], took the number one spot for the most searched bible verses in 2014.

The second most searched bible verse went to Philippians 4:8 which reads: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

'Pray for me' President Goodluck Jonathan begs Nigerians

President Jonathan called on all Nigerians on Thursday, December 18, during the 2014 Christmas Carol ceremony in the Aso Villa Chapel at the Presidential Villa in Abuja to pray for him so that he can acquire wisdom to lead the country right.

Jonathan said this on Thursday, December 18, this during the 2014 Christmas Carol ceremony in the Aso Villa Chapel at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The president also lamented the fact that he always receives contradictory advice on important issues and decisions.

"We pray that God should give those of us who are in charge the grace to do things with the fear of God. If we begin to do what is right in our own little way, this nation will survive. God knows why we are here. Nobody will place himself in any position without God. So, God that gives all of us the opportunity, will see us through," Jonathan said.

The centenary N100 note was unveiled by President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday, November 12, 2014.

The N100 banknote released in commemoration of Nigeria's centenary celebration is set to go into circulation, today, December 19.

The centenary note was unveiled byPresident Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday, November 12, 2014.

The Central Bank of Nigeria announced the release of the note through a statement signed by its Head of Corporate Communications, Ibrahim Mu'azu in Abuja. It reads:

"The commemorative note will circulate alongside the existing N100 note," Mr. Mu'azu said. "The note, which is embedded with features to assist the visually impaired recognise genuine notes, also has other security features easily identifiable through look, feel and tilt of the currency note."

olaniran faith

Newspapers Headlines for Dec 20

The Punch

Life of struggle: Tales of children who survive on firewood

We asked for better weapons, got death sentence – Condemned soldier

Job losses loom as Naira sells 194 to dollar

Ekiti APC lawmakers form parallel assembly

Lawyers slam military over soldiers' death sentence

Nigerian education among best in Africa –Okebukola

Military operation based on discipline –Jemibewon

Udoedehe threatens to dump APC for PDP

Defection: A'Ibom Speaker seeks official notification

Heavy security as Aregbesola, Osinbajo appear before tribunal

Police step up security after Lagos slaughter incidents

Fire kills family of seven in Benue

2015: UPN picks female presidential candidate

2015: INEC raises task force on IDPs

End B'Haram activities now, Islamic council urges Jonathan

Iheanacho ripe enough for Super Eagles – Taribo

Mikel among world's best – Dosu

Yobo endorses Jonathan

The continuous fall in the price of crude oil in the international market and the recent devaluation of the nation's currency, the naira, are putting serious pressure on the economy, with the currency experiencing a free fall.

The naira exchanged for between 192 and 194 to the United States dollar at the parallel or street market on Friday. Earlier in the week, it sold for N188 against the dollar at the same market.

Our correspondents similarly gathered that the pound and euro sold for between N294 and N296, and N236 to N238, respectively on the streets of Lagos on Friday.

The continued fall in crude oil price had forced the Central Bank of Nigeria to use a huge chunk of the nation's external reserves to defend the naira.

The persistent depreciation of the naira, however, forced the CBN to on November 25 devalue the currency against the dollar by eight per cent from N155 to N168.

The central bank thus expected the naira to sell against the dollar for between N160 and N176.

However, the naira has been selling outside the CBN target band at the interbank forex market (where the banks sell to themselves and their customers), a situation that has fuelled speculation among analysts that the bank may be forced to devalue the currency soon again.

As of Friday, the naira closed against the dollar at N184.50 at the interbank market.

The victims who were dressed fully in hijab were spotted at the central mosque Minna by some members of the public

Two female students of the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna were nearly lynched on Friday by a mob after they were suspected and accused of being suicide bombers.

The victims who were dressed fully in hijab were spotted at the central mosque Minnaby some members of the public as they were returning to school.

According to reports, the girls covered from head to toe were trying to walk past the front of the Central mosque when Jumat prayerswere about to begin.

The bags the girls were carrying were reportedly suspicious alerting other worshippers who immediately raised an alarm.

It was gathered that the ladies were almost lynched to death but for the intervention of the state police.

One of the girls was injured by the mob and is currently receiving treatment at the Police Clinic in Minna.

The 19 All Progressives Congress lawmakers of the Ekiti State House of Assembly yesterday made a surprise re-entry into the state and suspended the leader of the seven Peoples Democratic Party lawmakers, Dele Olugbemi and others.

The lawmakers, who are members of the PDP, are Samuel Ajibola, Israel Olowo, Alex Ade Ojo, Mrs. Adunni Olayinka and Ayoka Fatumbi.

At the plenary held at a secret location in Ado-Ekiti and presided over by the embattled Speaker, Dr. Adewale Omirin, the APC lawmakers also nullified all legislative actions purportedly carried out by the PDP caucus.

‎Punch

Friday, 19 December 2014

Two in court for theft, stabbing student with broken bottle

Two men, Morufu Cole, 27 and Suleman Tukur, 26, were on Friday arraigned in a Tinubu Chief Magistrates' Court, Lagos, for stabbing a student with a broken bottle and stealing his property.

Cole lives at No. 4, Iduntafa St., Lagos Island, Lagos, while Tukur resides at No. 14, Iduntafa St., Lagos Island, Lagos.

The accused, both of whom claimed to be businessmen, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, assault occasioning harm and stealing.

The prosecutor, SP Chidi Okoye, told the court that the accused committed the offences along with others now at large, at 8 p.m., on Dec. 15, at Lagos Island, Lagos.

He said that Cole and Tukur attacked one, Ahmed Fashola by stabbing him repeatedly in the face with broken bottles during an argument at a party.

Okoye said that the complainant sustained serious facial injuries which required urgent medical attention.

The Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Aliyu Gusau, on Friday reassured the military of government continued support in the ongoing war against terrorism.

Gusau, who gave charge at the burial of two Air Force officers at the military cemetery, in Abuja charged them to exhibit selflessness, courage and commitment in prosecuting the war.

The late officers, Group Capt. Ubong Akpan and Master Warrant Officer Zabesan Hosea, died when an air force helicopter crashed in Adamawa on Nov. 13 during operational flight.

The minister urged the military to emulate the courage of the late officers, who he said, gallantly paid the supreme sacrifices by confronting the insurgents boldly while serving their fatherland.

"We must remind ourselves that no sacrifice is too big to secure the future of our children.

"Those gallant men lost their lives in the course of a noble duty; their sacrifice shall not be in vain. Good men will die but death cannot kill their name.

"The name and memory of Ubong Akpan and Zabesan Hosea will not die in our heart. They shall be written in gold in the history of this nation and humanity at large.''

Customs agents withdraw from Maritime Advocacy Group

The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) on Friday announced that it had withdrawn membership of Maritime Advocacy and Action Group (MAAG).

The association, in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos said that it had notified MAAG of the decision.

The statement quotes ANLCA's National Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Oparah, as saying that the decision to withdraw from MAAG was taken at a well-attended meeting by its national leaders.

It explained that the association withdrew its membership because the MAAG appeared to be losing focus.

The statement added that ANLCA may not reverse the decision ''until otherwise directed by the association's national executive council''.

NAN reports that ANLCA had on Nov. 27, 2014, after a meeting of its national leaders, gave notice of its intention to withdraw from MAAG. (NAN)

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