600 injured demonstrators treated — ICRC

The International Committee of the Red Cross has said the number of injured protesters treated by its volunteers since the beginning of the nationwide strike by the organised labour and civil society groups over the removal of fuel subsidy has risen to about 600. The ICRC also said its volunteers under the aegis of the Nigeria Red Cross had also provided basic health services to the over 4,000 persons temporarily displaced by the violence that attended the fuel subsidy removal protest in Benin City.

FG releases N7bn pension arrears for ex-servicemen

Abuja – The Minister of Defence, Dr Bello Haliru, said on Sunday that N7 billion had been released by the Federal Government for the payment of pension arrears of ex-servicemen. Haliru told newsmen in Abuja at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day ceremony that the legionnaires would receive their pensions without delay immediately. “Only two days ago I launched the conversion of the military pension back to its former position and the sum of N7

I don’t believe fuel subsidy proceeds would not be stolen – Bishop Kukah

Everybody is aware of the problems of Nigeria. If there is any anxiety about Islam or about Boko Haram, Sokoto should be the centre. But I remember the Sultan said something when we were discussing one time. He said, “People keep talking about a plot by Muslims to take over Nigeria. But if there is anything like that, I should be in possession of the documents since I am the head of the Muslims in Nigeria.”

I rejected money to campaign for Jonathan –Eedris

Fiery musician, Eedris Abdulkareem, has dared his musical colleague, Dbanj, to come and stand on the side of the people and see if he would be treated with the same respect and love the people accorded other musicians that did not “campaign for Jonathan”. While speaking at the ongoing rally at Ojota, Eedris called out stars that supported Jonathan and specifically mentioned D’Banj using four-letter word against him.

Domestic Airlines Resume Flights as Foreign Carriers Boost Operations

Life has come back to the domestic terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, (MMA2), as organised labour suspended a nationwide strike for two days at the weekend after a five-day protest in major parts of the country. All the major domestic airlines in the country, including Arik Air, Aero Contractors, Air Nigeria, Dana Air, Chanchangi, IRS and First Nation Airways had commenced flight operations at both General Aviation Terminal (GAT)

Bamidele Salutes NMA for Free Medical Services

The chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Budget and Research, Hon Opeyemi Bamidele, has showered encomiums on the members of the Nigeria Medical Association for offering free medical services to wounded protesters during last week’s nationwide protest against the removal of oil subsidy. Bamidele, who represents Ado/Irepodun/Ifelodun Federal Constituency of Ekiti State at the National Assembly, specifically

US Issues Travel Warning on Nigeria

The United States has issued a fresh travel warning on Nigeria citing the recent declaration of state of emergency in some states by President Goodluck Jonathan and the protests trailing the removal of fuel subsidy. The new warning, which was issued by the State Department, was dated January 12 and replace that of October 13, 2011. US citizens were not only warned against travelling to Nigeria, they were also cautioned not to travel to 10 states of the federation

Police arrest suspect in Borno Gov’s Lodge

THE Police appear to have recorded a breakthrough in their investigation of the Christmas Day bombing of St.Theresa's Catholic Church, Madalla, near Abuja. They arrested yesterday a man suspected to be the mastermind of the attack in which over 40 people died. The Islamic Sect,Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the bombing. His arrest was effected in an unlikely place : a Governor's Lodge-that of Borno State in Abuja. The suspect, Kabir Sokoto, was picked up in the company of a serving military officer whose name was not immediately

Protest shouldn’t end until there is a change, insists ACN UK

THE Ondo State Chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the United Kingdom (UK) at the weekend expressed solidarity with Nigerian masses over the ongoing strike occasioned by the removal of oil subsidy by the federal government. The party maintained that the protests should not end until there is a change, saying “it is time Nigerians give it all it takes to get the kind of country they deserve.” The group also said the appointment of a former World Bank official as the Finance Minister has enslaved the country.

Kano approves N12m to buy communication gadgets

DETERMINED to ensure the security of lives and property, the Kano State government has earmarked over N12 million for the purchase of modern communication gadgets and the setting up of container observation posts in strategic locations across the state.  Disclosing this on Thursday in Kano, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports and Culture, Professor Umar Faruk Jibril, at a news briefing after yesterday’s executive council meeting, the 30th such meeting of the present Kano State government, presided over by

Broadcaster, seven others arraigned for criminal conspiracy

A broadcaster with the Zamfara State Radio and Television, Adamu Abdullahi Kanoma was among the eight persons arraigned before the Gusau Chief Magistrate Court 1 Gusau for inciting the public during the nationwide strike embarked upon by workers in the country.  According to Police FIR, the eight suspects were charged for criminal conspiracy, inciting public disturbance, mischief by fire and abatement, contrary to section 97,85,102,114,327 and 337 of the penal code.

One killed, market set ablaze in Benue

TENSION is reportedly mounting in Wannune, Tarkaa Local Government Area of Benue State, following a clash between supporters of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) just as gunmen suspected to be robbers shot and killed an Igbo businessman in the town. Wannune is located along Makurdi-Gboko federal highway and is the home town of Dr. George Akume, the immediate past governor and ACN senator representing Benue-North West. An eye witness who identified himself as Austine Africa Anzembe, told The Nation that troubled started when the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Tarkaa Local Government, HON. Samuel Atsuku went round and ordered shop owners to stop playing “Ishior chenji” music Ishior chenji music is ACN campaign song.

Subsidy removal: ACN chiefs diagree over Oshiomhole

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Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria in Edo State, Mr. Thomas Okosun, on Saturday said his chapter would report the Ekiti ACN chairman, Mr. Jide Awe, to the national leadership of the party. Speaking with our correspondent in the state capital, Benin, Okosun said the state chapter would drag Awe to the party’s headquarters over statements credited to the latter, who allegedly described the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, as ‘confused.’

Fire outbreak occurs at N’Assembly

But for the timely intervention of men of the Fire Service, The National Assembly complex would have been razed by fire on Saturday. The fire, which was said to have started at the Office of the Clerk on the third floor was reportedly preceded by thick smoke.The fire began about 1:00pm when heavy smoke was seen from the third floor of the White House building, which houses the twin dome chambers of the National Assembly. The sight of the smoke drew the attention of security men on duty, who immediately alerted men of the Fire Service Department located at the complex and they put out the fire before serious damage was done.

Boko Haram: 20 Security officials for training abroad

As part of efforts to enhance the capacity of Nigerian security establishment to tackle the menace of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram, 20 officials have been selected to undergo specialised training abroad.The officials include eight from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), eight from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and four officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser. Speaking in Abuja, yesterday, the Italian envoy to Nigeria , Ambassador Roberto Colamine, noted that the course in Italy will be adjusted to suit the Nigerian situation.

Subsidy: PDP leaders, Anenih, Dangote mount pressure on Tambuwal

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party and some prominent Nigerians visited the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, in Abuja on Friday. They were led by the acting National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Kawu Baraje and other members of the National Working Committee of the party. A former Minister of Works, Chief Tony Anenih was also in the entourage. After they had departed, businessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Governor Adams Oshiomohole of Edo State were also at the Speaker’s residence at Apo Legislative quarters, Abuja.

Diezani ordered subsidy removal –Investigation

Some members of the Federal Executive Council are irked by the role played by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, in the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government on Jan 1, 2012. The cabinet members are said to be grumbling secretly about the removal of the subsidy amidst the serious security tension in the country earlier than the anticipated date. Investigations showed that Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s first female petroleum minister, played a central role in the removal of the petrol subsidy on Jan 1, 2012 to the consternation of many of the ministers who were not expecting the announcement.

Lagos Ports Shun Strike Relaxation, Remain Closed

Leaders at the Lagos ports on Saturday stood their grounds, saying that the ports should remain closed until the strike is called off.
Mr Oladimeji May, District Chairman, Maritime Workers' Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Apapa Port, said the union officials were at the gates to enforce the mandate of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).According to him, the mandate is that the strike is on but people can go to their various places, get cash and buy food.

Two killed in Nigerian pub attack

Gunmen have attacked a pub in northeastern Nigeria, killing two people amid a wave of such violence blamed on Islamist group Boko Haram, residents and police said Saturday.Two gunmen who arrived on a motorbike and opened fire on the open-air pub in the Dandu area in the Adamawa state capital Yola late Friday, also wounding a policeman while fleeing."We took two dead bodies of the victims to the hospital last night," local community leader Tijjani Tukur said. "The gunmen arrived in the area and opened fire on people drinking at the open air tavern."

Nollywood stars who dumped GEJ!

As the protest over fuel subsidy removal rages, many Nigerian entertainers who initially supported Goodluck Jonathan during his presidential campaign last year have eventually dumped him to his fate.Top on the list of these entertainers is actor Desmond Elliot. He was one of the many Nollywood stars that endorsed Goodluck Jonathan months before the April 2011 polls.
Surprisingly, the same actor on Wednesday, made a U-turn on his support for the president, while speaking at the mass protest against the fuel subsidy removal, in Ojota, Lagos.

Nigerian Unions, Government Fail to End Strike

Nigerian unions failed to reach an agreement with President Goodluck Jonathan to end a strike that threatens oil exports from Africa’s top crude producer after talks in Abuja, the capital, union officials said.

“We’ve not reached a compromise, the status quo remains” Abdulwaheed Omar, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, told reporters after the meeting yesterday in Abuja. The strike, now in the seventh day, has limited trade in stocks and the naira, closed ports and banks and sparked street protests.