Africa remains central to Nigeria’s foreign policy - Jonathan

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has reiterated the centrality of Africa, its peace, political stability and socio-economic development to Nigeria’s foreign policy.

Ekiti, teachers disagree on test

The face -off between Ekiti State Government and teachers in the state over the conduct of competence and assessment test slated for tomorrow has taken a twist, as the umbrella body of the unions, Nigeria Union of Teachers and Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) have directed their members to stay away from the designated centres earmarked for the exams.

S-Court dashes ACN’s bid to sack Governor Akpabio

The Supreme Court, yesterday, quashed moves by the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, to sack Governor Goodswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State through the election petition tribunal.

Extra-judicial killings in the North: We didn’t do it, JTF tells Elders

THE Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno State Operation Restore Order took on Northern Elders, yesterday, over the claim that the military outfit, raised to curb insurgency, engaged in extra-judicial killings.

Catholic Bishops Meet Jonathan On ‘Worrisome State Of Insecurity’

REPRESENTATIVES of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of Nigeria met with President Jonathan yesterday in Abuja with terror attacks by the Boko Haram sect, alleged discrimination against Christians in the North and corruption top on the agenda.

Car bombing Bauchi, north Nigeria church kills 3

A suicide car bomber drove into a north Nigeria church's compound Sunday and detonated his explosives as worshippers left an early morning service, killing at least three people and wounding dozens more, officials and witnesses said.

Corps members now posted to only where they are secure – NYSC D-G

Brig-Gen. Nnamdi Okore-Affia is indeed an army officer who says it the way he sees it. When he spoke with journalists in Abuja on Thursday, he was blunt on the contentious issue of posting corps members to volatile areas where several of them were killed by insurgents last year. According to him, female corps members now receive marshal arts training and members will no longer be posted to areas where their lives could be threatened. Excerpts:

NMA directs Lagos doctors to resume work

The national body of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, yesterday, directed all doctors under the umbrella body of the association to immediately resume work including those in Lagos State.

Five dead as fire rages on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

10 vehicles burnt as tanker spills 30,000 litres of petrol. MOTORISTS had another nasty experience yesterday on the ever-busy Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

NNPC’s inefficiency costs Nigeria $65m – KPMG

MORE revelations emerged, yesterday, at the Senate resumed hearing in the ongoing investigation into the mismanagement of fuel subsidy in the country, as the international auditing firm, KPMG, said inefficiency in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, costs the country $65 million from 2007 till December 2010.

New electricity tariff takes off today

A NEW electricity tariff regime with potentially grave cost implications for urban dwellers, the rich and commercial concerns commences today.

Some governors suppress their legislative houses – Speaker Ikufuroji

Ahead of the commissioning of the brand new legislative complex of the Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday, Speaker Adeyemi Ikufuroji spoke with newsmen during which he gave an overview of the issues and challenges that have confronted the legislative branch of government in the country.

US congress rejects Nigerian lawmakers over truancy - Ekweremadu

The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on Wednesday, revealed that some Nigerian lawmakers were tarnishing the image of the country through non-participation in sponsored foreign training and legislative experience with US Congress,

UNN student commits suicide

TRAGEDY struck on Wednesday night at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), when Onyebuchi Okonkwo, a 300-level student of Physics and Astronomy, committed suicide by allegedly hanging himself.

Edo gov poll: INEC must guarantee security of NYSC members - DG

THE Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigaider-General Nnamdi Okore-Affia, has said he would request the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to guarantee the safety of the NYSC members to be used during the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State.

FirstBank shareholders approve 80 kobo dividend, holding company

Shareholders of FirstBank of Nigeria, on Thursday, at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos, approved 80 kobo dividend and a new holding company (HoldCo) for the bank.

Police prosecute 45 over post – election violence in Kaduna

ABOUT 45 suspects arrested over last year’s post-election violence in some parts of Kaduna State, are presently facing prosecution for various offences, said Kaduna State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Jonathan Adamu Kish.

Lagos can accommodate 40m people, says Fashola

LAGOS State can accommodate no fewer than 40 million people if basic infrastructure are enhanced, Governor Babatunde Fashola has said.

Oyo govt to construct rail track, direct gas link to Ibadan

The Oyo State government has said it has chosen the development option of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP), through which it has attracted foreign direct investment, as well as local investment for the transformation of the state economy, in view of the apparent inadequacy of the monthly federal allocation from Abuja in financing envisioned projects.

Dragon capsule ends historic mission

"Splashdown at 11:42 am EDT (1542 GMT)!" California-based private company SpaceXannounced through its Twitter account. " Welcome home Dragon!"