Presidency Picks Holes in Asari’s Comments

Mujaheed Asari-Dokubo

The presidency has described the recent media statements by the leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, Mujaheed Asari-Dokubo foreclosing President Goodluck Jonathan's rule beyond 2015 as a load of crap.

Asari had in an interview reasoned that the president may not scale through in the next election because gullible people have taken over his administration.

However, spokesperson to the President, Dr Reuben. Abati dismissed Asari's viewpoint saying it arose from a skewed reasoning that is anti-theatrical to the prevailing dispositions of many Nigerians the present administration and the president.

-Culled from THISDAY

Odili: How Jonathan Displaced Me as Yar’Adua’s Running Mate

Dr. Peter Otunuya Odili

BY Tunde Rahman          
He kept sealed lips for more than five years over what  actually transpired in those dying days in 2006, at the height of the race towards the 2007 presidential election.

Former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Otunuya Odili, has now revealed the intrigues and power-plays that led to the emergence of the late Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate.

Odili also explained how he was nominated as Yar’Adua’s running mate only to be dropped dramatically at the Convention venue in Abuja through a complex power game between then President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Nuhu Ribadu.

Army: Retirement of Officers, A Routine Exercise

Nigerian Army logo

The Nigerian Army has said that the reported retirement of  several senior officers of the service; mostly generals, colonels and other middle level officers is a routine exercise that does not require publicity or listing of names.

The retirement came in the wake of the promotion of 150 top officers by the Army Council with some sections of the country questioning why the list of the retired officers was not published in line with that of the promoted officers. 

Furore in Immigration over Recruitment

Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Comptroller-General, Mrs. Rose Uzoma

By Chinedu Eze

AAfter two years in the saddle, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Comptroller-General, Mrs. Rose Uzoma, may be leaving in a blaze of controversy. Already, the stage is being set for the controversy, which if not quickly doused, could rubbish all she had laboured for since she emerged the first female substantive head of the service in 2010.

At the heart of the simmering controversy, which has pitted her against other top shots in the Immigration is an alleged secret recruitment of personnel, a few months to her retirement from the service.
According to top NIS officials, Uzoma with the assistance of a few of her trusted allies, has embarked on the task of recruiting over 5,000 Nigerians into the NIS  and sidelining others in the process.

Islamic Group Claims Responsibility for Kidnapping French Citizen

The radical Islamist group, Ansaru, yesterday claimed responsibility for the recent kidnapping of a French citizen in Katsina State, citing France’s push for military intervention in Mali as a justification.
This came as an explosion suspected to be bomb blast yesterday night rocked the Kano metropolis.

Ansaru “announces to the world, especially the French government, that it was responsible for the abduction of engineer Francis Colump, 63, working for the French company, Vergnet,” said a statement e-mailed to journalists. Vergnet has a wind power project in Katsina.

Yuletide: IG Orders Increased Security Nationwide

General of Police (IG) Mohammed Abubakar

As part of efforts aimed at ensuring a peaceful and incident-free Christmas celebration, the Inspector General of Police (IG) Mohammed Abubakar has directed all Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) and State Command Commissioners of Police (CPs) to take all necessary measures to provide adequate security across the country before, during and after the yuletide season.

This is just as the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced the death of the AIG in charge of Zone 6 in Calabar, Mr. Muktari Ibrahim, who passed away after a brief illness at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State, last Saturday.

Achebe, Fashola, Mo Ibrahim Link Terrorism to Inequalities

•ACHEBE

Participants at the fourth edition of the Chinua Achebe Colloquium on Africa, which held in the United States recently, have blamed socio-political inequalities and pathologies for the current terrorism attacks and other increasing acts of violence in Nigeria.

In a communiqué issued yesterday, the colloquium, convened by foremost Nigerian novelist and humanist, Professor Chinua Achebe, also suggested political solutions to the crises plaguing many African nations.

Enugu Lawmakers Threaten to Move against Chime over Prolonged Absence

Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime

•CNPP seeks gov’s removal

The Enugu State House of Assembly is warming up to deal with the simmering crisis in the state following the prolonged absence of the Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime. Chime has been away from the state since September 19 after transmitting a letter to the Assembly informing the lawmakers that he was going on his annual leave and notifying them that his deputy, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, would function as acting governor in his absence.

However, since his departure, only a few people know of his whereabouts, fuelling speculations that the governor is suffering from an undisclosed ailment. His prolonged absence also triggered rumours about his death penultimate weekend, but this was immediately dispelled by the state government.

HALIMA ABUBAKAR AGAIN: ‘I’m not a Lesbian’

Halima Abubakar

Best Supporting Actress for Afro Hollywood Awards, Halima Abubakar speaks to Chinyere Okoye about her journey so far in the movie industry and how she has been able to surmount the several challenges of life, including being labeled a lesbian

When did you diversify into producing  and directing?
I made my debut as an Executive Producer in a recent movie, Mistresses which starred myself and Ghanain actress, Yvonne Nelson.

How has the journey been so far?
It ha been rough but thank God, at least I’m still here to tell the story. I’m very grateful for all the decisions I’ve taken, the struggles, the pain, the rejection but I’m glad I went through all that.

Jonathan Visits, Condoles Azazi's Family in Lagos

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday paid condolence visit to the family of erstwhile National Security Adviser(NSA), Gen Andrew Owoye Azazi at his family home in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Gen. Azazi along with former Kaduna State governor Patrick Yakowa and four others had perished when the Naval chopper conveying them to Port Harcourt from Okoroba  crashed in the creeks of Bayelsa on December 15.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Mike Oghiadomhe, the president was received by late Azazi's wife, children, grandchildren and other relatives.

Christmas in a Box for Slum Kids

Chiemelie Ezeobi writes on the 1,000 children in Makoko, Bariga and Ajegunle communities in Lagos State who were recently feted by the Slum to School (S2S) project in the spirit of Christmas

With a broad smile, eight-year-old Antimi Niejo clutched a red box in her hand. She sauntered in and out of the venue as if she was in a paradise.

“This Christmas is the best I have ever had in my life. I was fed, I met with Santa Claus, I danced and on top of that, I was given a gift box. I could not believe my eyes when I opened the box. It was filled with gifts and it was just for me,” She gushed.

The young girl was one the beneficiaries of the spirit of giving that has become synonymous with the Christmas season. Worldwide, the Christmas season is usually seen as a period of giving and sharing, a fact that is not lost on Nigerians as they get themselves involved in the joyful atmosphere of the Yuletide that comes with cheerful giving.