Nigeria unions suspend strike after pay promise

Many workers in Lagos stayed at home on Wednesday, while some joined union rallies
Continue reading the main story
Nigeria - Troubled Giant

'Sham' democracy
Emirs: Power behind the throne
'I burnt my friend's house down'
Armed robber?
Nigeria's two largest unions have agreed to suspend their three-day strike after one day's stoppage.

Union leaders said the government had assured them the monthly minimum wage would double to $120 (£75).

But union leaders said they would meet again in a month's time to review progress on the issue.

The strike has disrupted flights and activities in schools, offices and hospitals in major towns and cities across the oil-rich nation.

Panic buying
The BBC's Caroline Duffield in Lagos says union leaders met as the nationwide strike brought government offices to a halt on Wednesday.

There has been panic buying and long queues at petrol stations amid fears of fuel shortages.

President Goodluck Jonathan reportedly pleaded with the two unions - the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress - to limit the strike to one day only, she says.

Continue reading the main story
Wage Demands

Unions want the government to honour a 2009 agreement on minimum wages
This doubles the minimum wage to 18,000 naira ($120; £75) from 7,500 naira
The minimum wage has not risen for a decade
Inflation running at about 11%
Key facts, figures and dates
Union leaders were demanding that the government honour the national minimum agreement made in 2009.

Inflation has been running at double-digit rates in recent years, driven by increases in food and transportation costs.

The minimum wage has not risen for a decade.

"We go to the market with the so-called senators who take home millions [of naira], and have to buy at the same level," Zachary Abu, a student in the northern city of Kaduna, told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme.

"We cannot really afford most of the basic things we need in our life."

In Lagos, the main commercial city in the south of the country, a small rally organised by the unions went ahead on Wednesday although many workers decided to stay at home.

A trader who watched the activists march past told AP news agency: "There's plenty of money in Nigeria.

"Nigeria has oil. Nigeria has everything, But we're just managing to survive."



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11729268

After a thrilling 91 days in the Brig Brother Africa All Stars house, Nigerian musician/model/actor, Uti Nwachukwu has emerged as the winner of Big Brother Africa 2010 – Big Brother Africa All Stars.
It was a tight race as Uti and Munya were the final two housemates.
According to host IK, this was the closest ever finale with the winner securing the votes from 8 countries and the runner up from 7. Uti originally participated in the 3rd season of Big Brother Africa and was one of the housemates from previous seasons chosen to enter the Big Brother All Stars house. This is the second consecutive Big Brother Africa win for Nigeria as Kevin Chuwang Pam won Big Brother Revolution in 2009.

This season of Big Brother Africa has certainly been thrilling with various twists and turns. From the ‘barn’ to Meryl and Mwisho’s engagement. There was never a dull moment.

The finale was equally exciting. With performances from Nigeria’s MI, Jesse Jagz and 2Face as well as Kenya’s Wyre and Nigerian musician Maye Hunta who performed the Big Brother All Stars theme song “African Star“.

The final five housemates were Sheila, Mwisho, Lerato, Munya and Uti. With Sheila exiting first, followed by Mwisho and then Lerato.

In addition, all the previously evicted and removed housemates were present at the grand finale. Evicted housemates Meryl provided one of the highlights of the night when she was asked by IK what she would choose, her man – Mwisho or the $200,000 prize, she replied “As much as I love paper, I love my man“. Love is beautiful! We wish them all the best.

As for Uti, it is a sweet victory after a tough 91 days. While he was in the house, his father passed away. Now, he can go home and be with his family. In addition, he launched his debut single before he entered the BBA House. We bet the $200,000 prize will help him push his music career a bit further.

Congrats to all the housemates especially Uti.

‎"Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people"---- Ab Lincoln
Men love their country, not because it is great, but because it is their own.”, Seneca
"Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country."
----- John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Freedom is the asset that cannot be replaced with anything else. Happiness confines when freedom is not given. It is a blessing to breathe under the sky on the land where you can live according to your wishes. The land that protects you and gives you the right of being its habitant, the land that gives you a sense of belonging is again a blessing in itself

The referee blows for the end of the second period of extra time.
120' HANWOOL (in) comes off the bench to replace GEUMMIN (out) (Korea Republic)
119' Korea Republic tries a shot on goal, but it is off-target.
119' Nigeria concede a free-kick following a challenge on a player from Korea Republic.
118' A player from Nigeria is adjudged to be in an offside position.
116' The goalkeeper of Korea Republic pulls off a save.
116' A player from Nigeria sees her effort hit the target.
115' BICHNA (Korea Republic) is cautioned.
112' Nigeria are ruled offside.
110' Nigeria swing in the corner.
108' Nigeria tries a shot on goal, but it is off-target.
107' A player from Korea Republic commits a foul.

The referee blows for the end of the first period of extra time.
103' (5 - 6) AYILA (Nigeria) scores!!
101' The goalkeeper of Nigeria pulls off a save.
101' Korea Republic hit their free-kick on target.
100' Nigeria are penalised after committing a foul.
100' Nigeria concede a free-kick following a challenge on a player from Korea Republic.
98' (4 - 6) MINJI (Korea Republic) scores!!
97' Korea Republic take the corner kick.
96' A player from Nigeria is adjudged to be in an offside position.
94' (4 - 5) AREUM (Korea Republic) scores!!
91' A player from Korea Republic commits a foul.

End of regular time - extra time to follow,
90' +4 The goalkeeper of Nigeria pulls off a save.
90' +4 A player from Korea Republic sees her effort hit the target.
90' +1 (4 - 4) OKOBI (Nigeria) scores!!

(3 - 4) MINJI (Korea Republic) scores!!
84' Nigeria tries a shot on goal, but it is off-target.
81' The goalkeeper of Korea Republic pulls off a save.
81' A player from Nigeria sees her effort hit the target.
80' ALUKO (in) comes off the bench to replace ORDEGA (out) (Nigeria)
79' Korea Republic tries a shot on goal, but it is off-target.
74' SODAM (in) comes off the bench to replace NARI (out) (Korea Republic)
73' Korea Republic are penalised after committing a foul.
71' Nigeria concede a free-kick following a challenge on a player from Korea Republic.
70' (3 - 3) MINJI (Korea Republic) successfully converts the penalty!
70' OKOYE (Nigeria) is yellow carded.
69' A player from Korea Republic is fouled inside the box by a player from Nigeria.
68' Korea Republic are ruled offside.
61' The goalkeeper of Korea Republic pulls off a save.
61' A player from Nigeria sees her effort hit the target.
61' NJOKU (in) comes off the bench to replace NNODIM (out) (Nigeria)
61' Nigeria swing in the corner.
61' The goalkeeper of Korea Republic pulls off a save.
61' A player from Nigeria sees her effort hit the target.
60' BICHNA (in) comes off the bench to replace SOOJIN (out) (Korea Republic)
60' A player from Korea Republic commits a foul.
59' A player from Nigeria is adjudged to be in an offside position.
56' Korea Republic tries a shot on goal, but it is off-target.
56' Nigeria are penalised after committing a foul.
55' Nigeria are ruled offside.
54' Nigeria concede a free-kick following a challenge on a player from Korea Republic.
52' The goalkeeper of Korea Republic pulls off a save.
52' A player from Nigeria sees her effort hit the target.
51' A player from Nigeria commits a foul.
48' Korea Republic take the corner kick.
48' Nigeria are penalised after committing a foul.

The referee brings the first half to an end.
45' The goalkeeper of Korea Republic pulls off a save.
45' A player from Nigeria sees her effort hit the target.
42' Nigeria tries a shot on goal, but it is off-target.
42' Nigeria has a shot blocked.
40' Nigeria concede a free-kick following a challenge on a player from Korea Republic.
37' (3 - 2) OKOBI (Nigeria) scores!!
36' Nigeria swing in the corner.
36' Nigeria tries a shot on goal, but it is off-target.
35' Nigeria strike their free-kick wide.
34' A player from Korea Republic commits a foul.
33' Nigeria tries a shot on goal, but it is off-target.
32' Korea Republic strike their free-kick wide.
31' NNODIM (Nigeria) is booked by the referee.
30' Nigeria are penalised after committing a foul.
29' A player from Korea Republic illegally handles the ball.
28' Korea Republic concede a free-kick following a challenge on a player from Nigeria.
28' Korea Republic tries a shot on goal, but it is off-target.
27' Korea Republic take the corner kick.
23' (2 - 2) MINJI (Korea Republic) scores!!
21' A player from Nigeria commits a foul.
21' The goalkeeper of Korea Republic pulls off a save.
21' A player from Nigeria sees her effort hit the target.
20' A player from Korea Republic is adjudged to be in an offside position.
18' Nigeria are ruled offside.
16' A player from Nigeria illegally handles the ball.
15' (2 - 1) GEUMMIN (Korea Republic) scores!!
14' The goalkeeper of Korea Republic pulls off a save.
14' A player from Nigeria sees her effort hit the target.
11' The goalkeeper of Korea Republic pulls off a save.
11' A player from Nigeria sees her effort hit the target.
6' The goalkeeper of Nigeria pulls off a save.
6' A player from Korea Republic sees her effort hit the target.
3' (2 - 0) EYEBHORIA (Nigeria) scores!!
2' (1 - 0) AYILA (Nigeria) scores!!
1' Nigeria swing in the corner.
1' Nigeria take the corner kick.
The match kicks off.

Loveth AYILA (2')
Winifred EYEBHORIA (3')
Ngozi OKOBI (37')

Hi, Trust the facts?? ?? This is a real story of a young ex-Unilag girl who passed away last month.Her name was Lola. She was hit by a train at Oyingbo on her way to work at Apapa. She was working at the MTN call center. She had a boy friend named Emeka, a banker who was recently transfered to Abuja . Both of them are true lovers even distance could not separate them. They were always talking on the phone. You could never see her without her Cellphone.In fact she also changed Emeka's SIM from Celtel to MTN, so both of them can be on the same network, and save on the cost of calls. She spends half of the day and most nights talking with Emeka because she gets free calls. Lola's family knows about their relationship.Emeka is very close with Lola's family in spite of the tribal differences.(Just imagine their love). Before she passed away at LUTH where she was rushed to after the accident, she told her friends, "If I pass away please bury me with my Cellphone", she also said the same thing to her parents. After her death at LUTH, they arranged her burial same day. But a strange thing happened; the hospital attendants couldn't carry her body which had been placed in a casket into the waiting ambulance that was to convey the body to the cemetery.A lot of them tried to do so but still couldn't. They called more people and everybody tried to carry the casket, the result was still the same. Eventually, they called a person who knew one of her priests in church who had the gift of communicating with the dead. As soon as the priest came, he started by sprinkling some salt and water on the casket and later started speaking to himself slowly. After a few minutes, he said "this girl misses something here." Then her friends told him about her intentions to bury her with her phone. Fortunately, her friend who was with her when the accident occurred had the phone with her, quickly; she gave the phone to the priest.He asked them to open the casket, then he placed her phone and sim card inside the casket.After that they tried to carry the casket; It could now be moved and they carried it away easily. Everyone was shocked and sad, they were so shocked that Lola's parents did not inform Emeka that Lola had passed away and buried her quickly because of all the unusual circumstances. After 2 weeks Emeka called Lola's mom, Emeka :, "Aunty, I'm coming to the house today, it is Lola's birthday please I hope you will cook something nice for me.Don't tell Lola that I'm coming to Lagos today, I want to surprise her." Her mother replied, "OK You come to Lagos first, I want to tell you something very important." After he came, they told him the truth about Lola. Emeka thought that they were playing an April fool's joke. He was laughing and said "don't try to fool me - tell Lola to come out, i have a Birthday gift for her. Please stop this nonsense". Then they showed the original death certificate to him. They also gave him other proof to make him believe. (Emeka started to sweat) He said, "Its not true. We spoke yesterday. She still calls me. Emeka was shaking Suddenly, Emeka's phone rang. "He said, see this is from Lola, see this, " he showed the phone to Lola's family. All of them told him to answer. He talked using the loudspeaker mode. All of them heard his conversation. Loud and clear, no cross lines, no humming. It was the actual voice of Lola & there was no way others could use her staff sim card since it is nailed inside the casket before she was hurriedly buried. They were so shocked and asked for the same priest (who can speak with the souls of the dead) again. This time he brought his Bishop along to help solve this matter. > >He & his Bishop worked for 5 hours. > >Then they discovered one thing which really shocked them, > > > > > > > > > >Scroll down, > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >MTN still has the best coverage! > >"MTN Everywhere you go" is true!! Where ever you go, MTN follows!!! > >Don't shoot me yet, I am also looking for the person who sent me> >this > >mail, so I can kill him/her too,

dis post na "NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIEvvv"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIEv"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIEv"NA LIE YOU DEY LIEv"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE"NA LIE YOU DEY LIE

s > >INEC to recruit and deploy 360,000 personnel for 2011 general elections!
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would need 360,000 personnel to
conduct the 2011 general elections. This is in addition to compiling a fresh voters’ register and
procuring equipment to effect the registration exercise.

This was disclosed by the INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, when students of the
Zimbabwe Staff College, led by their Commandant, Brigadier-General Thomas Moyo, visited
the Commission.

Professor Jega said the elections would be preceded by massive training, supervision and
logistic arrangements. He said that the Commission was beset in the past by a doubtful voters’

register, costly logistics and saddled with voters who were indifferent to the electoral process

because they had concluded that their votes would not count.

The INEC Chairman said that the Commission was determined to put in place a credible
voters’ register, to cut down on the high cost of logistics and to ensure that the votes of
Nigerians counted.

Professor Jega observed that the students were visiting the Commission when there was
overwhelming support by Nigerians for credible elections and there was great concern for
getting it right by the Commission.

tabolaji:

@Malix, whats your source of info. please confirm

source http://www.inecnigeria.org/newsview.php?newsid=498

I recently went on a shopping trip downtown with my friend. While riding the bus on our way back home it stopped and let a drunk man get on.
I new he was drunk because he could hardly walk up the aisle, he was staggering so much. Guess where he sat down? Right next to my friend. Unfortunately, my friend is not very tactful.

"I've got news for you" she said as she looked him up and down.

"You're going straight to hell!"

All of a sudden the man started, then jumped up out of his seat shouting, "I'm on the wrong bus

A very dirty little fellow came in from playing in the yard and asked his mother,
"Who am I?"

Ready to play the game she said, "I don't know! Who are you?"

"WOW!" cried the little fellow. "Mrs. Johnson was right! She said I was so dirty, my own mother wouldn't recognize me!"



I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

A woman who claims to be the wife ofthe late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Hajiya Asabe has been arrested by men of the Nigeria Police in Lagos for allegedly defrauding several members of the public through visa scam.
Hajiya Asabe Yar-Adua was arrested in her home yesterday following several petitions to the police by members of the public over her fraudulent activities.
Police sources told our reporter that she was interrogated for several hours at the state criminal investigation department SCID, Panti, yesterday and may soon be charged to court for fraud.
Although our reporter could not confirm if Hajiya was truly the wife of the late Shehu Musa Yar-Adua, he was able to obtain a copy of one of the petitions that led to her arrest.
In the petition dated June 3, 2010, the petitioner, Liberty Chambers, acting on behalf of their client, Mr. Chijioke Onyekwuluje alleged that at various times collected over N4.5 million from him under the pretence that she was going to procure visa for him.
In one of the instances, the chamber alleged that Hajiya claimed to be the matron of the Nigerian Football Association (NFA) and promised to secure a visa to Shenge countries for their client at a cost of N650, 000.
According to the chamber, Hajiya never made good her promise but rather seized the passport of their client with a threat to deal with him if he reported the matter to the police.
The chamber said their client was only able to get back his international passport after Hajiya Asabe was remanded in prison custody sometime last year by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a separate allegation of fraud.

PM

http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2010/07/07/yaraduas-wife-arrested-in-lagos/

Baby militancy.

7below

e_udom33

CuteAngel:

What is happening with the moderators, my number of post are [b]decreasing instead of increasing[/b].

is now u r joking

SAY AMEN

happy mother's day' I love u mummy ,one thing I asked for u is for God to protect and keep u alive for me , I love my mum so much bless u mum, and to all mothers Amen

One of the greatest things you can do for another person is to tell him or her about Jesus Christ and the way He has saved you from your sins through your belief in Him. You don't have to be a pastor or perfect speaker to introduce others to Jesus; if you are a Christian and filled with the Holy Spirit by faith, you can introduce others to Jesus Christ and see many people saved through your witness. Jesus told His disciples, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me, " (Acts 1:.

The Bible tells us that God wants every person to believe in His Son that they may be saved (John 3:16), but "How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14). As Christians, we are the ones to tell those who do not know about Jesus. There are many good ways to share your faith. One such way is by sharing The Four Spiritual Laws with someone who doesn't know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It is a booklet that explains the message of the gospel in an easy-to-understand manner. If you would like this tool to help you share the gospel or would like to receive more training, please contact us at www.globalmediaoutreach.com. As a Christian, the Holy Spirit has been given to you to be your Helper, and He will empower you to be an effective witness for Jesus Christ.

Key verses:
"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witness to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8

"For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard." Acts 22:15

Eight Reasons Jesus Wants You To Witness

Permit me to give you, briefly, eight reasons God desires all believers to share their faith.
First, as you witness, you bring glory to God. Jesus says in John 15:8, "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples."
Second, the love of Christ compels us to share our faith. In Paul's words, "The love of Christ constrains us." If you have experienced the love of the Lord Jesus, you will also want to introduce him to others.
Third, sharing your faith is a direct command from Jesus Christ. He says, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." And, "You did not choose me, but I chose you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last."
Fourth, people without Christ are lost. Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." The Word of God declares emphatically, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
Fifth, God wants you to witness because of the benefits He offers to those who receive Christ. When you introduce others to Christ, they become children of God; their bodies become temples of God; all their sins are forgiven - past, present and future! They begin to experience the peace and love of God; they receive God's direction and purpose for their lives; they experience the power of God to change their lives; and they have assurance of eternal life.
Sixth, God wants you to witness because of the benefits to those who witness. Witnessing stimulates your spiritual growth. Witnessing leads you to pray and to study God's Word and encourages you to depend on Christ. As you witness in the power of the Holy Spirit, you sow love and joy and peace. According to the law for sowing and reaping, you always harvest what you sow and even more. For example, if you sow love, you will harvest love. If you sow joy, you will reap joy. If you sow peace, you will reap peace. And always, the harvest is greater than the seed sown.
Seventh, God wants you to witness to experience the tremendous privilege and honor of representing Jesus to the world. In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote, "We are Christ's ambassadors. God is using us to speak to you. We beg you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, receive the love he offers you - be reconciled to God."
Most people consider it a high honor to serve as an ambassador for the head of their country - the president or king - but as a believer in Christ, you are an ambassador for the King of kings and the Lord of lords!
Eighth, God wants you to witness because the Holy Spirit has been given to provide the power for you to do so. Jesus says, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." To fail to witness for Christ is to deny the Holy Spirit His right to empower and to use you to introduce others to our Savior.

President Walks, Talks, Eats, Says Cousin

Against the backdrop of several speculations surrounding the actual state of health of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, his cousin, Zubaru Ali, has been quoted by Al-jazeera television station as saying the President is able to walk, talk and eat.

The Doha, Qatar-based television station said it travelled to Katsina State to track down members of Yar’Adua’s family in an effort to find out the true state of health of the ailing head of state.
Ali said he was given permission to meet with the ailing president because he is his first cousin and family spokesperson.
He added that Yar’Adua thanked them for their prayers.

The President has been back in Nigeria for seven days after spending more than three months receiving medical treatment at a Saudi Arabian hospital.
However, he has not been seen or heard in public since his return on February 24, fuelling speculation that he is incapable of carrying out his job.

His silence has led to reports that he is on a life support machine.
There is also speculation that the president’s aides and first family are holding him hostage in the presidential villa until they can figure out how to retain influence and power in the event of his exit.
Yar’Adua left Nigeria on November 23, 2009 to receive treatment for pericarditis, an inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart.


http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=167794

Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua 'returns home'


President Yar'Adua has been absent from Nigeria since November
Ailing Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua has returned home secretly after three months' medical treatment in Saudi Arabia, reports say.
A plane landed from Jeddah at the presidential wing of Abuja airport in the middle of the night, where an ambulance was waiting on the tarmac.
Earlier this month, Vice President Goodluck Jonathan became acting leader as fears mounted of a power vacuum.
Mr Yar'Adua had been suffering from a heart condition and kidney problems.
There has been no official confirmation of his return, although Reuters news agency quoted an unnamed government source as saying: "He just landed at Abuja airport on a Saudi plane escorted by the presidential plane. He is on his way to the [presidential] villa now."
His state of health is unclear, and it is not known whether he wants to return to his post.
Soldiers were reported to be lining the main road from the airport to the city.
A delegation of Nigerian ministers had travelled to Saudi Arabia on Monday for an update on Mr Yar'Adua's health.
They had been expected to report back to a weekly cabinet meeting on Wednesday, and reports suggest they arrived back on another plane shortly after that thought to be carrying the ailing leader.
The BBC's Ahmed Idris in Abuja says the next three or four hours will be crucial, as Nigerians wait to see whether the president himself turns up to the cabinet meeting.
If he does not appear, questions will be asked as to whether Mr Yar'Adua is fit enough to resume his duties.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8533380.stm

The Anambra State command of the Nigerian Police yesterday confirmed the arrest of a politician for allegedly printing ballot papers to be used during Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Emeka Chukwu identified the arrested man as the chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Nnewi South Local Government, Jude Okwudiba.

“Yes somebody was arrested. The investigation is on-going; somebody was arrested with 200 voting cards. He is Jude Okwudiba, they said he is the APGA chairman of Nnewi South,” said Mr. Chukwu, in a telephone interview.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the state’s Criminal Investigation Department, Mike Okoli who initially broke the news to reporters Tuesday evening, said the policemen who carried out the arrest were acting on a tip off.

The suspect was reportedly caught with 20 National Identity cards which he was using to print the ballot papers.

“He would have printed over 2000”, stated a police officer investigating the case, “but we caught him red-handed and stopped him in his tracks”.

Mr. Chukwu also confirmed that the police will be pressing charges against Mr. Okwudiba at the conclusion of its investigations.

“If somebody is arrested for committing an offence, what will the person do? There are electoral laws against him that means he will be prosecuted,” he said.



http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/Metro/Politics/5521899-146/anambra_election_snares_first_major_culprit.csp

I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me.
Psalm 3:5,

LUANDA, Angola - Gunmen in an area plagued by separatist violence used machine guns to open fire Friday on a bus carrying Togo’s national soccer team to a tournament in this southwest African country, killing the driver and wounding at least nine people, including two players.

Some players said they wanted to pull out of the African Cup of Nations tournament following the violence, but an official in Angola said it would go ahead as planned.

Togo’s bus in a convoy from Congo was six miles across the border in Angola when it came under fire. The bus driver died in the 30-minute ambush, according to Togo captain Emmanuel Adebayor, who was not hurt.

“We were machine-gunned like dogs,” Togo player Thomas Dossevi, who plays for French club Nantes, told Radio Monte Carlo. “They were armed to the teeth , We spent 20 minutes underneath the seats of the bus.”

The wounded were taken to a hospital in Cabinda, and Portugal’s state-run Lusa news agency said it received a communication from the region’s main separatist group, FLEC, claiming to have carried out the attack.

Human Rights Watch called the apparent rebel attack “shocking.” The New York-based rights group said a 2006 peace agreement between Angola’s government and a faction of the separatist Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda was supposed to end conflict in the area, but “sporadic attacks on government forces and expatriate workers have continued.”

In Togo, the government put the total number of injured at nine, and said the slain driver was Angolan.

Togo said it was dispatching a delegation to Pointe Noire in Congo, where the Togolese team was holed up.

Togo Football Federation vice president Gabriel Ameyi said the team should have flown to Angola instead of traveling by road. He said defender Serge Akakpo and backup goalkeeper Obilale Kossi were among those hurt.

FC Vaslui said on its Web site that the 22-year-old Akakpo, who joined the Romanian club from Auxerre last year, was hit by two bullets and lost a lot of blood but was now out of danger.

Midfielder Alaixys Romao felt Togo should not go ahead with the tournament.

“If we can boycott it, let’s do it,” Romao told French TV channel Infosport. “It’s just not on for us to be shot at because of a football match. All I can think about is stopping this competition and going home.”

Dossevi agreed: “We don’t want to play this African Cup of Nations,” he told Infosport. “We’re thinking about our teammates — to be hit by bullets when you’ve come to play football is disgusting.”

The 16-team African championship starts Sunday in Angola, with Togo due to play its opening match on Monday against Ghana in Cabinda.

Togo captain Adebayor told the BBC that a lot of players want to leave “because they have seen their death already.”

The African Football Confederation (CAF) condemned the attack against the Togolese delegation and held an emergency meeting. A delegation of Angolan officials and a CAF delegation will go to Cabinda on Saturday, while the Angolan Prime Minister will meet CAF president Issa Hayatou “to take decisions to guarantee the smooth running of the competition.”

FIFA also expressed “utmost sympathy” in a statement and said it expected a report from CAF.

A senior member of the local organizing committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press, said the tournament would go ahead as planned. He said Ivory Coast, considered the top African team, arrived early Friday in Cabinda, where Togo was also to be based as part of Group B. Burkina Faso had been there since Jan. 2, and Ghana was the other group member.