Abuja Land-Swap Deal Scoops over N300bn

Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed

The much touted Abuja Land -Swap Scheme, which is an innovative project of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed will bring over N300 billion to the coffers of the FCT Administration (FCTA).

Mohammed disclosed this Thursday at the official signing of a Memoradum of Understanding (MoU) with 13 Land-Swap investorsat the Banquet Hall of the official residence of the FCT Minister at Gwarinpa I District (Life-Camp), Abuja .

He revealed that each of the investors paid the sum of N350 million to the FCTA being fees for survey maps, detailed land use plan, engineering design, demographic reports, legal documentation and other ancillary services to qualify.

Otu-Oke Overwhelmed by Security as Jonathan Buries Brother Saturday

President Goodluck Jonathan

Heavy security descended on the village of President Goodluck Jonathan, Otuoke, Thursday as he arrived for the burial of his  younger brother which will take place Saturday.

Chief Meni Jonathan, the president's half brother died two weeks ago in the National Hospital, Abuja after a brief illness.

Jonathan was received upon arrival at Otu-Oke by Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson, top government officials, security chiefs and family members who later briefed him privately on the funeral arrangements.

Senator Bwacha: Suntai Out of Danger, Will Return Soon

Senator Emmanuel Bwacha

Senator Emmanuel Bwacha is the Senate Committee Chairman on Agriculture and Natural Resources, representing Taraba South district. In this interview with Chuks Okocha, Bwacha gives a graphic account of his visit to Hannover, Germany, where he went to visit the ailing Taraba State Governor, Danbaba Suntai, as well as the recent Ibi crisis in the state. Excerpts:

You just returned from your to visit Governor Suntai and his aides in Germany. Did you get to see them?

Yes I did. Everyone who went to see the governor saw him and his aides.

Ohaegbulam, Yoloye Conferred with Merit Awards

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has conferred the Nigerian National Order of Merit Award to Professors Samuel Ohaegbulam and Emmanuel Yoloye for their contributions to the development of medicine and humanities.

The honour is the highest and most prestigious of its kind bestowed on outstanding, creative and talented Nigerians at home and Diaspora whose work has made impact significantly at home and abroad.

Speaking at the presentation of the 2012 Nigerian National Order of Merit Award on Thursday, the president observed that in the last three decades the esteem and integrity of the award has not declined.

Transparency Int‘l Ranks Nigeria 35th Most Corrupt Nation

Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku

Despite a marginal improvement over last year’s survey, Nigeria remained at the bottom of the heap on the global corruption index, having been ranked the 35th most corrupt country in the world by Transparency International (TI).

In its 2012 report released yesterday morning, the Washington DC-based body indicated that Nigeria scored 27 out of a maximum 100 marks to occupy the 139th place out of the 176 countries surveyed in the report.

Tackling Crude Oil Theft the Nigerian Navy Way

Ezeoba (middle) with Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogbor (Chief of Training and Operations) and Rear Admiral Olufemi Ogunjimi (Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command), on board NNS Thunder

Chiemelie Ezeobi spent one week on-board NNS THUNDER and writes on the measures adopted by the navy to tackle increasing incidents of crude oil theft and piracy in the Niger Delta region

Although the discovery of crude oil in the Niger Delta region has led to immense wealth creation for the natio, it has equally left the Niger-Delta region in the shackles of increasing criminalities ranging from crude oil theft, sea robbery, piracy and oil bunkering.

Without doubt, the Niger Delta region is touted to be the driver of the Nigerian economy as it contributes about 80 per cent of the nation’s foreign exchange earnings with the millions of barrels of oil derived from its rich soil.