APC, PDP Reps Clash Over Amaechi

The All Progressives Congress members of the House of Representatives clashed with their Peoples Democratic Party colleagues on Thursday over the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi.

Amaechi appeared before the joint Committee on Marine/Land Transport to defend the 2016 budget proposals of the ministry, but the lawmakers tried to turn the session into a venue for political party supremacy battle.

The APC members, who control the majority of 213, out of the 360-member legislature, felt that the former Rivers State governor deserved some protection from the committee, as he came under a barrage of questions.

One Civil Servant Collects 20 Salaries - Finance Minister

The outcry over the menace of ghost worker fraud reverberated in the Senate yesterday when the finance minister, Kemi Adeosun, threw a bombshell by revealing that, with the help of the Biometric Verification Number (BVN) policy, it has been discovered that one civil servant alone collected 20 salaries every month.

She also told the Senate Committee on Finance that the 23,000 ghost workers discovered in the Federal Civil Service would be handed over to EFCC for prosecution.

The adoption of BVN in processing salary payments by the federal government had stunningly thrown up no fewer than 23,000 ghost names on its payroll, a development that raised concerns about the huge amount of monies that may have been stolen from the nation’s coffers through such leakages in the federal civil service.

Making the Same Mistake ? US Resumes Training Of Nigerian Troops For Anti-terror War

Fourteen months after a U.S. army-led combat training for Nigerian soldiers was aborted, American authorities have announced a resumption of the programme.

The American Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said, Tuesday, that the training would resume this February.  Speaking on U.S. strategy against Boko Haram at a meeting in Washington DC, Ms. Thomas-Greenfield said U.S. expects would “inaugurate the first round of training for an infantry battalion later this month.”

Naira Falls To 325 On Dollar Shortage -punch

The naira hit a record low of 325 to the dollar at the parallel market on Thursday as desperate importers scrambled for dollars to meet their obligations overseas.

The local currency had closed at 318 against the greenback on Wednesday, after hitting 313.5 and 310 on Tuesday and Monday, respectively.“The dollar is falling because importers need forex to bring in their goods. They cannot keep on folding their arms because there is scarcity; they must keep buying; the only thing is that the quantity may reduce,” a forex dealer told our correspondent under condition of anonymity.

Any difference between Saudi Arabia and ISIS ?

Facts on ground are that saudi arabia is the major sponsor of Wahhabi ideology in Syria and Nigeria as their affilliate boko haram has claimed allegiance several times to this terrorist intistuition. Cutting someone's else hand is only common with Sharia law practiced in Saudi. What's allarming is that the west continue to back this terror states and using all sorts of media propaganda against any force fighting against them. Is this another confirmation that Saudi arabia is in to to ISIS ?

Facts on ground are that, ISIS gets dirrect supply of arms from Turkey and that implicates turkey is the main player here.

Fayose Destroys Olukere’s Billboard: Riot In Ekiti

The destruction of a billboard bearing the picture of the Olukere of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Ganiyu Ayodele Obasoyin, by Governor Ayodele Fayose on Wednesday has sparked a riot in the town.

The violence, which began at 6pm when Fayose was passing through the town on his way from Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, where he attended the thanksgiving service to mark the electoral victory of Governor Udom Emmanuel, continued yesterday.

Youths blocked major roads leading to the town, condemning Fayose for “descending too low” and vowed to “spill their blood” to defend the Olukere.

Why Supreme Court Declared Wike Winner

Supreme Court; Tribunal Denied Wike Fair Hearing

The supreme court on Friday explained why it declared Nyesom Wike, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the April 11 2015 governorship election in Rivers state, as the duly elected governor of the state.

The court held that the judgment of the appeal court affirming the judgment of the election petition tribunal sacking Wike was a nullity because the governor did not get a fair hearing as the facts he presented were not considered by the tribunal.

Swept Under the Carpet: British Middle East Crimes Brought to Light

The British political elite is making every effort to prevent an investigation into their criminal policies in the Middle East, Czech-based analyst Martin Berger stresses.

The Cameron government is going to cut its social spending to be able to contribute more to overseas military operations, most notably those taking place in the Middle East, Czech-based journalist and political analyst Martin Berger notes. Needless to say, the British Army still enjoys substantial budgets to the benefit of the UK's major military contractors and their lobbyists in the British parliament.

DSS Arraigns Suspect For Threatening To Blow Pipelines

The Department of State Security (DSS), Thursday, dragged Mr. Nengi Samuel Ikiba, to the Magistrate Court 11, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, accusing him of threatening to blow up a pipeline belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC).

Ikiba was said to have threatened the management of Agip through a text message he composed and sent to the company on January 25, 2016. The suspect in the text message allegedly asked the company to either award him a surveillance contract or risk an attack on its pipelines.

Murtala Nyako Wrongly Removed, Appeal Court Rules

After 18 months of being removed from office, former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako has now gotten some restitution from the court, although delayed.
The Yola Division of Federal Court of Appeal on Thursday declared his impeachment by the PDP dominated House as unconstitutional, null and void.
The House had on July 16, 2014, impeached and removed Nyako for gross misconduct, few days after a panel was set up and without Nyako appearing to give his own side to the various allegations levelled against him.

Don’t Allow Corruption Kill Nigeria, Magu Tells NBA

The acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, has charged members of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, to join hands with the Commission to stamp out corruption from the Nigerian society.
He also decried the practice by some members of the NBA who have been aiding some individuals and corporate organizations to perpetrate economic and financial crimes.

Uganda Polls: I’ll Repatriate Idi Amin’s Remains If Elected – Presidential candidate

Amama Mbabaz, a candidate in Uganda’s presidential elections has promised to repatriate the remains of the former dictator, Idi Amin, and build a museum in his honour. Idi-Amin Former Ugandan dictator, Idi-Amin Mbabazi, a former prime minister, is quoted as saying that the move would help reconcile Ugandans divided over the legacy of Amin and other leaders. Mr Mbabazi is running against President Yoweri Museveni in next week’s polls. Amin’s rule was notorious for its brutality. He was overthrown in 1979 and died in exile in 2003.

Don’t Expect Much From APC — Lamido

Dutse—Former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Dr. Sule Lamido, on Wednesday, dismissed President Muhammad Buhari-led All Progressives Congress, APC-led government change mantra.
The former governor insisted that with over 80 percent of APC members being Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, members who had served in various capacities during the PDP regime, Nigerians should not expect anything exceptional. *Sule Lamido *Sule Lamido Lamido argued that with the caliber of PDP defectors who were at present occupying various positions in the Buhari’s administration, it would be difficult for him to fulfill the promises he made to Nigerians because they joined the APC to achieve their personal ambitions.

NBA To Buhari: Fight Corruption Within The Law

ABUJA — The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, yesterday, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that his fight against corruption was conducted within the ambit of the law. President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari NBA, which is the umbrella body of legal practitioners in the country, decried what it described as over-zealousness by security agencies currently engaged in the prosecution of alleged corrupt persons, who it said had by their conduct, exhibited little regard for the due process of the law.

Top Lawyers Frustrating War Against Corruption – Magu

The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, yesterday passed a damning verdict on members of the inner bar as he accused prominent lawyers of frustrating the ongoing war against corruption in the country.
According to him, these prominent members of the bar collect corruption-tainted briefs, then aid and abet those who commit crimes by furnishing them with technical knowledge of how to escape the long arms of the law, as well as how to hide the loot they had stolen.

Russian Operation in Syria Has Changed the Outlook in Washington

Russia's operation in Syria has weakened the position of US-backed Islamic militants, changed opinions in the US and brought a resolution to the conflict closer, Northeastern University professor and terrorism expert Max Abrahms told Sputnik.

Washington and the Syrian rebels who are backed by the White House are coming to terms with the impact of Russia's involvement in the Syrian conflict, a "game-changer" which has strengthened the government's position and brought a resolution to the conflict closer, Northeastern University professor and terrorism expert Max Abrahms told Radio Sputnik.

Lagos Assembly makes Yoruba language compulsory in public, private schools

Worried by the dwindling popularity of Yoruba language among residents of the state, the Lagos State House of Assembly has directed that teaching and learning of the language be made compulsory in all public and private schools in the state.

The House, in a Motion, ruled that Yoruba language should be taught for at least three periods in a week for proper effect.

Members of the House, on the seventh year anniversary since the adoption of Yoruba language for Thursdays’ plenary, bemoaned the non-familiarity with the language often called “vernacular” in schools, particularly the private ones, just as the “ban” on speaking Yoruba and other indigenous languages in some homes is not helping matters.

Light Up Lagos initiative

The Lagos State Government is planning to have its own electricity grid as part of its ‘Light Up Lagos’ initiative aimed at providing regular power supply in the state. The Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Olawale Oluwo, who disclosed this at a briefing, said the state’s Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had in December inaugurated a Light Up Lagos Committee. According to Oluwo, the initiative is divided into six stages, including the power advisory committee, independent power supply, street lighting, and rural electrification. The commissioner noted that the state already had five Independent Power Plants that provide power to the state’s institutions, saying the government was considering building two or three additional IPPs.

Teen carrying gun falls off Hoverboard and fatally shoots 13-year-old

A Florida teen was killed this week after his friend fell from a hoverboard and accidentally discharged a gun.  The Orange County Sheriff's Office says 13-year-old Lavardo Fisher succumbed to his injuries on Monday after he was accidentally shot on Sunday afternoon.

Fisher was visiting a relative’s home in Orlando with two 18-year-olds when the older teens found a gun, reports WKMG.
One of the 18-year-olds began to ride a hoverboard while playing with the gun, police say. He then lost his balance, causing the gun to go off.

Student kills own baby in Kaduna

An SS1 student of the Federal Government Girls College, Malali, Kaduna state has been arrested after she allegedly murdered her own baby and tried to dispose of the corpse today February 10th. According toDaily Trust, the student attempted to throw the baby over a female hostel fence, but the corpse got caught on the fence

 

Confirming the incident, the state Police spokesperson, DSP Zubairu Abubakar said one Ummu-Salam Umar; has been arrested in connection with the crime.

Photo: Man arrested for killing his stepmother 's boyfriend in Calabar

41-year old King Akpanke pictured above, has been arrested by officers of the Cross Rivers state police command for murdering his step-mother’s lover. King who was paraded before newsmen at the state police command headquarters in Calabar today February 10th, said he had on several occasions warned the deceased from coming to his late father’s house to have sexual intercourse with his step-mother.

Photos: Nigerian troops anihilate B'Haram terrorists in Borno, recover cans of petroleum, arms and grenades

The Nigerian Army said troops of 212 Tank Battalion, 29 Task Force Brigade laid ambush on some Boko Haram terrorists at a cattle market in Gwai Mainari around Mainok area in Borno State on Wednesday morning. The statement issued yesterday, February 10 by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman read:

Photos: Ineffective implementation of past budgets affected the country's economy - Bukola Saraki

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki said that the ineffective implementation of past budgets and abandonment of projects have led to wastages that have negatively affected the nation's economy in the last 16 years.

Saraki who stated this in his speech during the National Assembly's interactive session with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on the 2016 budget on Wednesday, in Abuja, said in response to the unacceptable trend, the 8th National Assembly has stepped up its oversight functions to ensure that funds are spent ‘how’, ‘where’ and on ‘what’ they were earmarked for.

Iran Releases New Photos of Detained US Sailors Crying in Persian Gulf

Tehran has released provocative new photographs and video of the US sailors who were detained in the Persian Gulf hours before President Obama’s State of the Union Address last month, after they strayed into Iranian waters. The photos and video were aired on state television and shared to social media by Iranian reporters. Some of the images feature one of the sailors emotionally wiping away tears.

#Iran state TV publishes new pictures of #US sailors in which one sailor is crying after being detained. pic.twitter.com/Kl0WkN3QFG

— Abas Aslani (@abasinfo) February 10, 2016

#Iran state TV airs a new footage of #US sailor crying while he was detained in Iran's waters in #PersianGulf. pic.twitter.com/8st5Uihncc

— Abas Aslani (@abasinfo) February 10, 2016

Photos of victims of Dikwa bomb blast receiving treatment

Over 60 people were killed in a twin suicide attack in Dikwa village in Borno state on Tuesday February 9th. Some of the injured victims pictured above are currently receiving treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Another photo after the jump..