Jonathan Vs Kwankwaso over 250Bn Naira Grants for Kano LGAs

President Goodluck Jonathan took the political combat yesterday when he visited Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, summoning that the Governor gives account of over 250Bn Naira grants of Kano 44 Local Government Areas since year 2011. President Jonathan while speaking at a unity rally organized by the PDP to welcome to their fold from APC the erstwhile governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, maintained that his party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are poised to clinch Kano from Kwankwaso and his All Progressive Congress Party – APC. Meanwhile, the PDP rally took place at the popular Polo Ground in the city of the state, graced by multitudes of PDP party faithful and supports of Mallam Shakarau…

Nyanya – Abuja Bomb Blast claimed 80 lives

It was yet another bombing explosion in the heart of the capital Abuja. This time around, it happened at the crowded bus station early morning on Monday 14th April, 2014 at a suburb of Nigeria’s capital – Nyanya where a car bomb planted in a Volkswagen Golf car exploded amidst vehicles loaded with passengers traveling to the various -places around and outside Abuja. No claims by any terrorist group has been alleged but meanwhile, the People’s Democratic Party has accused the All Progressive Congress of being behind the ugly mayhem. No fewer than 80 people lost their lives while more than a 100 people are being hospitalised at the designated hospitals in the Abuja FCT.

Public smokers to face 6-month jail in Nigeria

Those who smoke in non-smoking designated areas, will henceforth pay N50,000 fine or get six months imprisonment or both, if the new Tobacco Control Bill 2014, which is being forwarded to the National Assembly eventually sails through. Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of Health disclosed this Wednesday when he spoke on the Bill.  He was addressing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting which was presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan. The FEC has given its approval to the Draft Tobacco Control Bill 2014, said the Minister, who also disclosed that companies that infringe on the Bill when passed into law, would pay between N1 million and N5 million fine…

Pope Francis‎ discuss extensively on same-sex marriage with President Jonathan As Nigeria, Vatican partner in education, health

President Goodluck Jonathan and‎ Pope Francis ‎yesterday held extensive discussion on Nigeria’s position on same-sex marriage law recently passed in the country. The Executive Secretary of Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, Kennedy Opara, disclosed this to newsmen yesterday at the Holy Sea after President Jonathan’s audience with the Pope as well as his tour of the Vatican City. Opara said the President used the opportunity to state Nigeria’s position on same sex-marriage while the Pope commended Jonathan’s effort in tackling the various challenges facing the country. The Pilgrims from Anambra, Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory, were part of President  Jonathan’s delegation to Vatican City in Rome, Italy but remained at the courtyard while the audience…

Tight security as confab begins in Abuja today

• Why we chose NJI venue SUNNEWSONLINE – There has been water tight security in and around Abuja, the federal Capital, where the national conference is scheduled to open today. Personnel of the Army, police, Department of State Security (DSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, have taken-up strategic positions at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) venue of the three months conference to forestall any breach of security throughout the duration of the conference. Top security operatives told Daily Sun that the NJI located along the bypass of the Abuja airport road was chosen instead of the International Conference Centre (ICC), to curtail activities of Boko Haram and other criminal groups who may want to…

Uncertainty over Gusau’s alleged resignation – I have not resigned, says Minister

There was confusion on Wednesday at government circles in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following reports in the social media that the newly appointed Minister of Defence, Aliyu Gusau, a retired Army General, has resigned his appointment. But while the news was still viral, Gusau, a one-time Chief of Army Staff and ex-National Security Adviser, denied his purported resignation. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), which spoke to him, and another national newspaper, hours after, quoted him as denying the story of his resignation. The Ministry of Defence also refuted the report, even though there was confusion at the Ship House headquarters of the ministry. Members of staff were surprised about the news while the information…

Justice Kutigi heads National Confab As Okorocha unveils Imo State delegates

President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of the leadership of the National Conference with Justice Idris Kutigi as Chairman. According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, the appointees are to resume in Abuja on Wednesday. Other members are Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Vice Chairman and Dr. Valerie Azinge, Secretary. President Jonathan had during his centenary media chat said that the members would be named while the team would be inaugurated on March 10. In a related development, Governor of the State, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha, has approved and forwarded the names of five delegates of the state for the forthcoming National Conference to be…

….APC women sweep stadium to remove footprints of PDP members after rally

Meanwhile, as early as 7am on Monday angry Imo  APC women numbering over 3,000 and armed with brooms stormed the streets of Owerri, the capital of Imo State in protest against what they described as the provocative rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the weekend. The women, who were chanting war songs also went to the Dan Anyiam Stadium where the PDP rally was held and swept the stadium apparently to sweep away the footprints of the PDP leaders and members who held a unity rally at the stadium to welcome back the party’s former members. The protesting women marched along the major streets of Owerri including Wetheral, Okigwe and Mbaise roads sweeping…

APGA nominates Ejike Uche to lead CONFAB delegation – As party vows to reclaim Imo State in 2015

The national leadership of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, led by Chief Maxi Okwu has nominated the Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief  Chris Ejike Uche and Dr. Sagir Anwal Maidoyn, the National Secretary of the party to represent it at the forthcoming National CONFAB in Abuja. Chief Maxi Okwu stated this at the Owerri residence of Chief Ralph Uwazuruike on Friday, February 21, 2014. According to him, he had extended olive branch to Chief Chekwas Okorie and recovered the soul of APGA.  To ensure that the party regains its glory in the scheme of things in Nigeria.  He was however sad that his peace efforts and overtures were rebuffed by Chief Victor Umeh. Chief Maxi…

Your Excellency put our people to work – Archbishop Obinna tells President Jonathan

The Archbishop of Owerri, His Grace, Most Rev. Anthony J.V. Obinnna, has identified jobs creation as the number one priority in ImoState. In a brief message prepared for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan during his visit to the state, the Archbishop emphasized that jobs would come through the provision of industrial and commercial projects. He worried about the teeming population of unemployed graduates in the state and appealed to the President to give job creation some more attention. “Since Imo State is part and parcel of Nigeria, I pray that you continue to give attention to and make provision for industrial and commercial projects that would help employ more and more of the many graduates and…

Jonathan sacks chief of staff

President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed his chief of staff; three senior government sources told Reuters on Monday, extending a wave of government changes a year before elections. Nigeria is advancing as an investment destination but political instability is a concern for investors, especially as wasteful government spending tends to spike ahead of elections. Presidency spokesman Reuben Abati told reporters that chief of staff Mike Oghiadomhe had resigned because he wanted to pursue political opportunities in the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP). But government sources said he was sacked. Jonathan is facing a crisis within the PDP centred on his assumed intention to run for another term in the 2015 election. He has yet to say…

On the 2014 Abuja World Economic Forum: What is at Stake for Nigeria’s Entertainment Industry?

At the recently concluded World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting at Davos, Switzerland, President Goodluck Jonathan once again called for a more inclusive economy especially in Africa, echoing thus theme of forthcoming WEF in Africa to be held in Abuja in May 2014, “Forging Inclusive Growth and Creating Jobs.” The president’s address at the forum for the most part reiterated the point that he sought to drive home earlier in November 2013 during his address to the Honorary International Investors Conference in London that the choice of Nigeria as host of the Africa chapter of the forum is“a strong sign of Nigeria’s central economic and political role on the continent.”The words of the finance minister Dr….

Security challenges in North’ll be resolved before April 2014 —CDS

The new service chiefs, have recently pledged that the security challenges in the three northern states occasioned by the activities of the  Boko Haram Islamic sect would be resolved before April 2014. This was made known by the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, moments after taking over from their predecessors who were removed from office by President Goodluck Jonathan, recently. The Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Major General Kenneth Minimah; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Adesola Amosu, also, took over command of their various services yesterday. Speaking after taking over from Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim, Badeh said: “I am aware…

Jonathan nominates 12 ministers

President Jonathan has sent names of 12 ministerial nominees to the Senate for confirmation. The nominees include Mohammed Wakil (Borno), Jamila Salik and  Aminu Wali (both Kano State) and  Akon Eyakenyi (Akwa Ibom). Others are  Musiliu Obanikoro (Lagos State), Dr T.W. Danagogo (Rivers), Asabe Ahmed (Niger) and Abduljelili Adesiyan (Osun). The rest are Lawrencia Mallam (Kaduna State),  Aliu Gusau (Zamfara),  Boni Haruna (Adamawa) and Dr Khaliru Alhassan (Sokoto State). Jonathan also sent for confirmation the names of the newly-appointed Chief of Defence Staff and other service chiefs to the upper legislative chamber. The Senate President, David Mark, read out to the Senate the letters sent by the President for the confirmation of the ministers and…

The Anti-gay Law As kudos for Nigeria

A couple of weeks ago, President Goodluck Jonathan, after several months of procrastination finally signed into law the new Anti-gay Bill submitted to him by the National Assembly in May last year. Before now, what was in existence in Nigeria was a colonial law that prescribed punishments ranging from fines to jail terms for those convicted of sodomy. But the new law prohibiting gay marriage and same-sex partnership stipulates 14-year prison term for anyone who enters into same-sex union and a 10-year prison term for anyone who “administers, witnesses or aids” a same sex marriage or civil union ceremony.  This includes: those who organize meetings of homosexuals, operate or attend gay club, carry out public…

Gay-Marriage Law: US threatens to sanction Nigeria

Leading western countries piled pressure on the Federal government recently, following President Goodluck Jonathan’s signing of the Same-Sex Prohibition Act 2014. The latest country is the United States of America, whose Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr James Entwistle threatened that the United States will scale down its support for HIV/AIDS and anti-malaria programmes in response to the Federal Government’s position on the gay rights issue. Member countries of the European Union and Canada have expressed their objection to the law but United States Ambassador to Nigeria said he was worried about “the implications of the anti-same sex marriage law which seems to restrict the fundamental rights of a section of the Nigerian population.” This came as a…

Jonathan sacks Ihejirika, other service chiefs

President Goodluck Jonathan has approved sweeping charges in the  military high command, his spokesman Dr. Reuben Abati has said. No reason was given but the dismissals came amid growing concern about the military’s failure to end the Islamist-led insurgency in the North. Dr Abati said Air Marshal Alex Badeh replaces Admiral Ola Ibrahim as the new chief of defence staff, the most senior post in the military. Dr Abati said the new appointments would come into effect immediately. The president had briefed the leadership of the National Assembly on the changes “and will, in keeping with the provisions of the law, request the National Assembly to formally confirm the appointments when it reconvenes”, he added….

You’re a trouble maker, Clark lambasts OBJ in an open letter

One-time Federal Minister of Information and Ijaw leader has written a blistering open letter to former President Olusegun Obasanjo describing him as an impenitent trouble maker and hypocrite guilty of many of the things he recently charged the serving President, Goodluck Jonathan of. Clerk wrote a 10-page letter to Obasanjo, drew reference from the time of their common service in the Yakubu Gowon government and Obasanjo’s relationship with all former heads of state that succeeded him to describe the former president as one who is determined to shape Nigeria according to his own whims. He traced Obasanjo’s opposition to Jonathan to frustration arising from his failure to manipulate the president on issues just as he…

My trouble with Jonathan – Gov. Amaechi

Recently some reports made the rounds that Governor Amaechi Rotimi  impregnated the daughter of a prominent professor, and that the girl had already moved into his house.  Another version of the story had it that the governor had problems with his wife over her advice that he should soft-pedal on his approach to the rift between him and the presidency for his own safety. But the governor, during a chat with newsmen at the Government House, said his marriage was intact, contrary to what his opponents alleged that his wife ran away from Nigeria because he impregnated another girl. He said: “That story is bad, but at least, it brought back my wife.  I don’t…

Duruiheoma appointed NPC Chairman

President Goodluck Jonathan has nominated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman in Imo State, Chief Eze Duruiheoma as the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC). Eze Duruiheoma (SAN) was nominated to replace Chief Festus Odimegwu who resigned his appointment as NPC Chairman two months ago. Odiumegwu ruffled political feathers when he vowed to clean up the NPC by ensuring that the expected 2016 census was credible, adding that figures presented as census figure for the country had always been cooked up by interested parties.  He was forced to resign. The Senate is required to confirm the appointment of Duruiheoma, who incidentally hails from the same Orlu Zone of Imo State as Odimegwu.