Jonathan, Others Immortalise Fallen Heroes

The 2013 edition of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day closed Tuesday with the laying of wreaths by President Goodluck Jonathan,  leaders of the National Assembly, the judiciary, service chiefs and the para-military.

The ceremony, which started at about 10:00 am Tuesday, was a culmination of a week-long activity including prayer sessions held at the National Mosque and the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja.

During the ceremony, held at the National Arcade in the Three Arms Zone, the President, who is also the Grand Patron of the Nigerian Legion, received a general salute upon his arrival.

Soon afterwards he inspected  a parade in four colours; the National and the three regimental colours of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.

FEATURES: The Harrowing Life of Domestic Workers

Adeola Akinremi writes that increasing numbers of domestic workers face difficult times in the hands of their employers

On a bright, cold morning in January 2005, Rosemary arrived in Lagos bubbling with life.  Her prayer on New Year’s eve had been answered. It centred around one thing. It was to get a job in Lagos. Domestic work appealed to her more than anything else.

NY Seals First State Gun Laws Since Newtown Massacre

Gov. Andrew Cuomo

New York lawmakers agreed to pass the toughest gun control law in the nation and the first since the Newtown, Conn., school shooting, and now dare other states and Washington to follow.

"This is a scourge on society," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday night, six days after making gun control a centerpiece of his progressive agenda in his State of the State address. The bipartisan effort was fueled by the Newtown tragedy that took the lives of 20 first graders and six educators. "At what point do you say, 'No more innocent loss of life.'"

Artillery Boom Nearly Falls Minister of Defence

Minister of Defence (State), Erelu Olusola Obada

An unexpected boom of artillery fire at the National Arcade venue of  the 2013 edition of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day shook and nearly fell the Minister of Defence (State), Erelu Olusola Obada Tuesday.

Obada, who was flanked by other dignitaries, was apparently shocked by the volley of deafening shots, which observers say were usually preceded by an announcement to prepare the minds of participants to the event.

Tension, as Gunmen Kill Four Near Jos

Governor Jonah Jang

Palpable tension enveloped Riyom Local Government Council and its neigbour,  Jos South Local Government Council of Plateau State on Tuesday following the killing of four persons at Fang village in the council late Monday night.

The four were confirmed dead by the lawmaker representing Riyom constituency in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Daniel Dem, who said the four people were shot dead around 5pm in a vehicle heading to Fang village in Riyom.

Dem, who is also the Majority Leader in the Assembly, condemned the attack, describing it as “barbaric and unacceptable, at this time that the state is experiencing total peace.”

Recruitment Saga: Immigration Boss Axed

Former Comptroller General of Service Mrs. Rose Chinyere Uzoma

The much publicised controversy trailing the alleged "secretive" recruitment by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has climaxed with the retirement of the Comptroller General of Service Mrs. Rose Chinyere Uzoma.

The news of her retirement was conveyed Tuesday in a letter signed by the Director/Secretary,  Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Services Board (CDFIPB), Dr. R. K Attahiru on behalf of the Minister of Interior and Chairman of CDFIPB, Comrade Abba Moro.

Uzoma is to be replaced by the  most senior Deputy Comptroller General of Immigration, Mr. Rilwan Bala Musa, who will act as Comptroller General, NIS pending the appointment of a substantive CG of Immigration.

Kano: Two Policemen Killed, One Injured

Kano Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Idris

Suspected gunmen on Tuesday morning ambushed policemen on patrol killing two of them and injuring another at Yan’awaki area of Unguwa Uku in the outskirts of Kano Metropolis.

The attack on the police patrol team occurred barely 24 hours after gunmen had killed two policemen and injured two civilians at Tishama Kawo quarters in the outskirt of the city.

It was learnt that the policemen where on motorcycles when the gunmen ambushed them.

Fed Govt Embarks on Large Scale Production of Rice

Minister for State Agricultural and Rural Development, Dr. Bukar Tijani

The  administration of President Goodluck Jonathan  is totally committed  to ensure rice sufficiency in the country by 2015.

The feat which will be achieved in two seasonal farming cycle  in a given year will ensure the stoppage to importation of the product by 2015.

This was disclosed  by the Minister for State Agricultural and Rural Development, Dr. Bukar Tijani, while flagging off the ceremony for the distribution of PADDY Rice seedlings and fertilizer,  to farmers in Lokoja, Kogi State.

Flood: U.K , NGO Spend N400m on Tents, Mosquito Nets in Kogi

Flood menace

A United Kingdom based ,NGO,  Shelter Box, said  it  spent over $1.4m in providing shelter for the victims of the last year flood disaster across the nine local government areas of kogi state.

The Coordinator of the organisation in the state,   Mr Tony Amego,  while presenting the score card  Tuesday in Lokoja at the end of their operations in the state said they were able to supply 12000 shelter tents to over 20,000 displaced families.

According to him,  the NGO  was  touched  by the harsh condition of  living of the victims  to wade in to  the matter to bring succor to the vulnerable families

Mali: FG Okay's a Battalion of 776 Soldiers, Air Force Involved

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Ola Sa'ad Ibrahim

Federal Government has approved the deployment of a battalion, comprising of 776 soldiers, with over 100 of them departing in the next 24 hours for peace enforcement in the war-ravaged West African sister state of Mali.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Ola Sa'ad Ibrahim, disclosed this at a press briefing Tuesday, in Abuja, through the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Colonel Mohammed Yerima.

Ibrahim disclosed that out of the battalion, a Company, comprising 190 soldiers were due to depart the country for Mali within the next 24 hours.