FG to begin direct flight to Israel

The Federal Government is concluding the Bilateral Air Service Agreements between Nigeria and Israel, which will result in the commencement of direct flights from Nigeria to the Middle East nation before the next Christian pilgrimage scheduled for October this year. When this is done, it is expected that the nine hours in-flight travelling time to Israel will be reduced to about six hours under the arrangement.

Jonathan’s Borno, Yobe visits have worsened violence – ACN

The Action Congress of Nigeria said President Goodluck Jonathan’s “tactless show” during his visit to Borno and Yobe States last week had worsened the Boko Haram insurgency, which subsequently killed and maimed hundreds of innocent people, especially in the two states.

Oyakhilome’s church sues Fashola over land revocation

Believers Love World (aka Christ Embassy), a church presided over by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, has sued Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, for revoking its parcel of land in Oregun, Ikeja. The church filed an application before Justice Samuel Candide-Johnson, seeking an order restraining the government from further interfering with the land.

Rep decries NDCC chairman, chief’s feud

A MEMBER of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Shuaibu Gwanda Gobir, has said that the bickering between the Chairman and Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC) has been hampering development in the areas the commission was mandated to serve.

CAF: Maigari calmly accepts defeat

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Aminu Maigari, said on Monday that he has gained tremendous experience in football politics by participating in Sunday’s Confederation of African Football elections held in Marrakech, Morocco. The Nigerian FA boss, whose aides complained bitterly about the outcome of the elections, said that he was not bitter but called on CAF to strive to entrench a system that would allow the best candidates win and manage the game on the continent.

Obafemi Martins finally joins Seattle Sounders

Returnee Nigeria striker, Obafemi Martins, has finally moved to the Major League Soccer. The former Inter Milan player joined Seattle Sounders on Monday after the United States club paid for the buyout clause in his contract with Levante of Spain.

Policeman electrocuted while rescuing boy trapped by cable

A police officer, Sunday Joseph, was on Sunday electrocuted at a police barracks opposite the Ogun State Government House while attempting to rescue a 17-year-old boy, Moses, earlier trapped by a Power Holding Company’s high-tension cable. The boy also died from electrocution in the incident which occurred at one of the road – expansion construction sites in the Isale Igbein area of the state.

Why govt will not encourage indigenous VCs, by Okojie

THE Federal Government will not heed the clamour for indigenous vice chancellors as is being canvassed by communities where federal universities are to be sited. The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie, who disclosed this Monday, said it is due to experiences in the past, which have proved such experiment counter-productive.

Policeman to die by hanging

AN Abia State High Court sitting in Umuahia on Monday convicted Corporal Umaru Mohammed for the murder of a fellow officer, Corporal Clement Amaechi, who was attached to Abia State Government House, on July 19, 2011.

Three kidnapped seamen freed by Nigeria pirates -company

(Reuters) - Three foreign sailors kidnapped from their British-operated cargo ship by pirates last month off the coast of Nigeria have been released, the vessel's operator said on Monday. There has been a surge in piracy attacks off the coast of Africa's most populous nation this year with gangs showing signs of moving further afield and using more violent tactics.

Imo Assembly, PDP insist on deputy gov’s impeachment

IMO State House of Assembly Monday insisted that the impeachment process against Deputy Governor Jude Agbaso would go on and that it would not allow external forces to deter it from carrying out its duties.

OBJ better leader than Jonathan - ACN lawmaker

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has been described as a leader with qualities which always propelled him to take decisions at the right time, even if such decisions might be faulted in the end. Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator Babajide Omoworare, made this known while answering questions from newsmen at the National Assembly on Monday.

Jonathan sacks aviation boss

Abuja - Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan sacked the head of the civil aviation authority on Monday, citing an “unsatisfactory response to concerns of stakeholders in the aviation sector”, nine months after the country's worst air disaster in 20 years.

Tension In Ekiti NYSC Camp Over Robbery Operation

There was palpable tension yesterday at Ise/Orun/Emure Ekiti as armed robbery operation in one of the towns was mistaken for a terrorist attack on the National Youth Service Corps(NYSC) orientation camp. The robbers, who stormed Orun Ekiti, with the intention of robbing a wholesale beer distributor in the town had their attempt foiled by some security men and youths.

Reps Say No Going Back On Power Privatisation

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Power, Hon Patrick Ikharhiale, has supported the federal government’s decision to privatise the power sector, saying that is the only way that Nigeria can break out of the shackles of irregular power supply.

NASS To Review BASA Agreements In Aviation

The senate committee on aviation said it was working towards the review of all Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) Nigeria has signed with other countries to make them favourable to the nation. This is coming following efforts by the aviation ministry to review some sections of the 2006 Civil Aviation Act to ensure effective and efficient regulation of the aviation industry in line with global aviation standards.

Dangote Begins Cement Export To Ghana

Dangote Cement has officially commenced export of cement from its Ibese Cement Plant, Ogun State to Ghana. The commencement of the export is coming on the heels of the meeting of national demand for cement by Nigerian cement manufacturers.

23 Years After: Landlords To Transcorp, Federal Secretariat, Abuja Millennium Park Demand Compensation

The original landlords of the large expanse of land where Transcorp Hilton Hotel, the Federal Secretariat and the Millennium Park are situated have demanded payment for their land, 23 years after they were forcefully acquired. Mr. Chawandana Kaura, an octogenarian, stated this at the weekend when he led his kinsmen to a public hearing on Compensation, Resettlement and Integration in the FCT, organised by Original Inhabitants Association of Abuja (OIDA) with the support of the Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE).

Fear Grips Enugu Residents Over Incessant Killing Of Policemen

Palpable fear has gripped residents of Enugu following the brutal murder of some policemen in the city by unknown gunmen in recent times. Our investigations revealed that hoodlums have killed more than three policemen, including the Kwara State Commission of Police Chinwike Asadu, since the beginning of this year.

Wukari Violence: TY Danjuma Foundation Gives Succour To Ravaged Communities

The TY Danjuma Foundation (TYDF) has lent a helping hand to people displaced from their homes following the recent violent conflict that engulfed parts of Wukari local government area (LGA) in Taraba State.