₦airaland Forum

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bamanga Tukur, vowed on Monday that henceforth the party would instill discipline among its members to check the increasing anti-party activities and sabotage as the 2015 general elections approach.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja to mark the 14th year of unbroken democratic rule in Nigeria, Mr. Tukur said the party would no longer tolerate indiscipline because of its desire to retain power.

At the PDP family dinner last Thursday, the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, BoT, Tony Anenih had asked the national chairman to ensure discipline in the party.

Read more at:===> http://premiumtimesng.com/news/137475-tukur-vows-to-enforce-discipline-in-pdp.html

The United States has officially declared the leader of the extremist Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau, wanted and placed a $7m bounty on his head.

In an announcement Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice Reward for Justice Programme says it would pay $7million to anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the Boko Haram leader.

Also declared wanted are four other alleged terrorists believed to be spreading terrorism in the West African sub-region.

They include Mokhtar Belmokhtar, described as a one-eyed mastermind of the January deadly attack on a gas plant in Algeria, which left 37 foreigners dead. Authorities say anyone who could help facilitate his capture stands a chance of reaping $5.

Read details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/137459-wanted-u-s-places-7million-bounty-on-boko-haram-leader-shekau.html

The Minster of Information, Labran Maku, on Monday at the kick-off of the 2013 ministerial platform in Abuja said Lagos is the luckiest of all the 36 states in Nigeria as it has benefitted so much from the Federal Government’s Infrastructure.

Mr. Maku said apart from Lagos, Edo is another state that has benefitted a lot from federal infrastructure.

The minister said Edo is benefitting entirely from federal roads while the Logos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, has nothing significant to do in his state than mostly environmental and traffic maintenance.

Lagos and Edo are both controlled by the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria. The governors of the two states, Mr. Fashola and Adams Oshiomhole, respectively, were also very critical of the Nigeria Good Governance Tour (NGGT) initiated by Mr. Maku to monitor state and federal government projects across Nigeria.

Read details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/137491-fashola-should-be-grateful-to-fg-for-lagos-development-maku-2.html

Despite the absence of key players, Real Madrid ended the 2012/2013 season with a victory over Osasuna in a game that is definitely the last for Coach Jose Mourinho as the club’s coach.

Higuain and Essien scored for Madrid in the first half before Osasuna equalized in the second half through Roberto Torres and Alvaro Cejudo.

Benzema and Callejon then scored to give Madrid the deserved victory.

Real Madrid had already announced that Mourinho would leave the club at the end of the season and is available to be signed by other clubs from June.

Read more here: http://premiumtimesng.com/sports/137222-mourinho-leaves-madrid-with-victory-over-osasuna.html

Officials serving with House of Representatives speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, almost seethe at suggestions the speaker may be preparing for the presidency in 2015, despite a list of high-ranking endorsements he has received lately.

Aides say reports of meetings involving the speaker for a likely presidential ticket are mere media inventions, and are largely imaginary.

“These things are all figments of the imagination of those who report them,” Imam Imam, spokesperson for the speaker, said recently.

He amplified that refutation with remarks about the speaker’s focus on his current mandate.

Read details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/137217-tambuwal-denies-presidential-bid-as-apc-leader-says-partyll-never-give-speaker-its-ticket.html

Some women and young boys who allegedly carried assault rifles, planted bombs, and helped insurgents with information that endangered the lives of soldiers and civilians were on Friday received by the Borno State Government.

The military, acting on the directive of Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan, released 20 persons (six women and 14 juveniles) to the Borno State Government for onward rehabilitation and reintegration into the society.

The juveniles were aged between 9 and 14.

Governor Kashim Shettima, who received the detainees from officials of the Joint Task Force, said the release of the ex-Boko Haram suspects was a step taken by the federal government in the right direction.

Read details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/137087-nigerian-military-releases-23-women-35-juvenile-boko-haram-suspects.html

2015 Election: Anenih Seeks Automatic PDP Ticket For Jonathan, Others

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, BoT, of the Peoples Democratic Party, Tony Anenih, has proposed an automatic second term ticket for incumbent president and governors who perform well in office, thus seeking to boycott the usual primaries.

This he said is to avoid the hassles that go with the party primaries, especially for executive positions.

Speaking at a dinner organised by President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday night, for the “PDP family” at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Mr. Anenih said the internal problem of the party must be urgently handled if Nigerians must take the party serious.

The proposal by Mr. Anenih, if accepted by the party, would mean that President Goodluck Jonathan would be unchallenged for the PDP presidential ticket in 2015.

Read details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/137049-2015-election-anenih-seeks-automatic-pdp-ticket-for-jonathan-others.html

Nigerian security agencies have linked a co-owner of two major ongoing businesses in the nation’s capital as a ring leader in a major terrorist operation in the country.

In a statement by the spokesman of the Joint Task Force in Kano, Ikedichi Iweha, Fauzi Fawad, the co-owner of Amigo Supermarket and Wonderland Amusement Park, was named as a member of a Lebanese Hezbollah terrorist cell in Nigeria.

Wonderland is Abuja’s biggest and most popular amusement park, while Amigo is one of the largest supermarkets in the Nigerian capital.

The JTF said Mr. Fawad’s name was mentioned by “all those arrested,” for being in possession of heavy weapons, and other terrorism related activities.

Read details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/137033-owner-of-abujas-wonderland-amusement-park-amigo-supermarket-linked-to-terrorism.html

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi, has been conferred with the 2013 Central Bank Governor of the year award.

This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Ugochukwu Okoroafor, Director of Communications of the Central Bank.

It said the award was conferred on Sanusi at the seventh African Banker Awards gala dinner which held on Wednesday at the Taj Palace, Marrakech, Morocco.

The statement said Omar Ben Yedder, Publisher, African Banker, said the award committee recognised Mr. Sanusi’s outstanding work in the past years in sustaining banking reforms in Nigeria. It commended Mr. Sanusi for ensuring stability in macro economy, protecting the independence of the central bank, enhancing many aspects of Nigerian banking, and adoption of new technologies for financial inclusion.

Read details here:http://premiumtimesng.com/business/136911-sanusi-bags-africa-central-bank-governor-of-the-year-award.html

A former army general and major player during Nigeria’s decades of military rule, Major General Mamman Kontagora, is dead.

Mr. Kontagora, born on April 20, 1944, died on Wednesday night according to a statement by the Governors Forum.

Read details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/136908-general-mamman-kontagora-is-dead.html

American civil rights activist, Jesse Jackson, after listening in on the presentation of the mid-term report of the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, described the latter’s administration as transparent and unequalled in contemporary democracy.

Mr. Jackson, subsequently, urged Nigerians to rally round him in order to entrench democracy and good governance in Nigeria.

Apparently impressed by the achievements listed in the president’s report, Mr. Jackson said with the mid-term report, it is obvious that the ship of the Nigerian nation is sailing in the right course and should be supported by every Nigerian.

Do you agree with him?
See details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/136872-jesse-jackson-commends-jonathans-transparency.html

Welcome to the live blog of the presentation of President Goodluck Jonathan’s mid term report.

14.35 :Presentation ends. Thanks for following out live updates. We will bring you detailed analysis of the mid term report in subsequent reports.


14.18 :Bukar Aji, head of the civil service of Nigeria giving vote of thanks.

14.16: The president is welcomed back to his seat by Patience with a smile and a nods signifying a job well done at his brief speech.

14.15 :The president berates media assessments which scored his planning, and trade and investment ministries average in terms of performance.

He thinks the media is unfair.

He presents the report, by raising it before the crowd. “Developer your marking scheme and mark us” he said.

14.08 :The president promises not “to talk” because he has been asked not to. He will just present the report.

14.04 - President Goodluck Jonathan climbs the stage.

13.58 - Now on set, a documentary of fresh fruits and vegetables in Nigeria.

13.53 -Sammie Okposo now performing.

13.49 - Guests at the conference center now receiving copies of the mid term report.

13.48 - Amos Sawyer, former Liberian interim president, on stage. Congratulates President Goodluck Jonathan for producing the transformation agenda document and presenting a mid term report.

13.44 - Rev. Jesse delivers an American styled inspirational speech where he urges Nigeria to dream big.

13.40 - Former presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo, and Ibrahim Babangida, both leading politicians absent at the occasion.

13.36 - President Jonathan gets a round of applause, a standing ovation, ordered by Jesse Jackson.

“Put your hands together like you mean it,” he tells the crowd.

13.34 - Documentary recounting the achievements of the Goodluck Jonathan administration ends. Jesse Jackson, special guest, on stage.

13.19 - Transformation Agenda documentary say Nigeria’s economy is growing by 7%. The previous speaker, Mrs Iweala, the finance minister said 6.5%.

13.18 - Most speakers at today’s event, even the documentaries, have praised the president for appointing “strong” Atahiru Jega, as Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission. His appointment, they say, is the hi highlight of the president’s electoral reform.

13.16 - Now playing on the large screen is a documentary titled Transformation Agenda.

13.15- Mrs. Iweala ends with an Igbo proverb, saying if the left hand washes the right, both will end up clean. It’s an invite to the public to work with the government.

13.09- 10.6 million Nigerian children out of school. That is not acceptable! – Mrs. Iweala

13.07- In the past two years, the government have built 68,100 social houses across the six geopolitical zone – Mrs. Iweala

13.05- Nigeria now produces 28 million metric tons of cement, but needs only 20 million. So Nigeria is now a net exporter if cement, Mrs. Iweala.

13.00- On power.

In the past week, 800 MW was withdrawn for maintenance issues. Power have improved in many Nigerian cities, she said.

34 independent power producers have gotten licenses, three have actually commenced works.


12.57- More achievements from Mrs. iweala:

Sure-p: Federal government earned N180 billion. Spent on improving child delivery. Trained 9,000 midwives.

Money has been directed to roads too. Port Hacourt to Maiduguri rail line will be completed in 2013. More rail line to go live by the end of 2013.

Inland cargo depots now handling over 4 million metric tons, rising from 2.9 metric tons.


12.52- Our banks are strong, our stock market is strong! Our job now is to see how the banks can lend to individual real estate developers at lower interest rates, – Mrs. Iweala.

12.49- Amongst the guests listening to Mrs. Iweala and other speakers include Ikedi Ohakim, former governor of Imo state who had gone underground after losing the last election in 2011.


12.48- Power, aviation and agriculture can now import at zero import duty, Mrs Iweala lists as the achievement of the government in the past two years.

12.46- Exchange rate is stable (N155-160), reserves are rising,inflation has reduced,our economy is growing- Okonjo-Iweala says, apparently rushing through her speech.

12.45- Nigeria’s economy growing at 6.5%, one of the fastest in Africa.

12.43-Her burden is to get Nigerians to believe in the figures that show the administration is doing well.

12.41- Ngozi Okonjo Iweala on stage. Issues of the economy next.

12.35- Sani Danja is on stage, clad in red suit and black pants, performing ‘transformation’ in Hausa.

12.34- Other measures the government have taken include increasing use if electronic payment systems.

Mr. Anyim urges Nigerians to expect greener corruption perception index in future because the government is recording success in the fight agains corruption. He however did not mention any specific case of success.


12.31- On corruption, the usual emphasis on the hunters approach is not productive, so the government has adopted different approach, to tighten loose ends and eliminate all opportunities of corruption, amongst others.

The policy drive is to make it almost impossible for citizens to be corrupt, the SGF argues.

12.23- Ballot box snatching and thuggery has become almost extinct, Mr. Anyim says.

12.12- It’s the presidents deliberate policy to listen and respects the views of Nigerians.

The negative deployments of freedom of expression, which has left Nigerians bolder and more asserting, and the president the most criticized in the world, is the cost of the president’s deliberate policy of openness, Mr. Anyim argues.

12.09- “In the last two years, the civic space have been expanded,” Anyim Pius Anyim.


11.59- This part of the report will highlight the achievements of the government promoting the rule of law, integrity of state institutions and rights of citizens.

11.57- Anyim Pius Anyim is the Secretary General of the federation. He will present the governance report.

11.55- Anyim Pius Anyim on stage to present part one of the full report.

11.51- Respondents praise President Jonathan for handling criticisms properly.

11.47- A vox pop documentary shows Nigerians praising the performance of the president. All the respondents say the government is doing well and are optimistic “things” will get better.

11.43- Ogechukwu Godwin, violinist, a Nigeria-Got-Talent dicovery, treats the guests to a violin rendition of some old school Nigerian pop.

11.38- The planning minister said part of the president’s reward for good works in the past two years will be in heaven. And for some guests, their rewards lie in their invitation to the occasion.

11.36- Eight out of 14 strategic targets set by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 have been achieved, the planning minister has said.

11.32- “Home remittances are now higher than foreign direct investments in Nigeria,” – Usman

11.31- “Even if you doubt the macro economic figure, you cannot deny the huge investments flowing into Nigeria,” – Usman

11.29- He said there are figures to show remarkable improvements in infrastructure in the last two year.

“You cannot deny that there have been improvements in power supply,” he said. “We have given you the figures.”

11.27- Mr. Usman recounts how a journalist once challenged him to state the similarities between the Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda and a pre existing Vision 20-20-20 document.

Although he claims he was misconstrued, he failed to state the similarities.

11.23- Samshudeen Usman praises the president for producing the “transformation agenda” document in hard copy on the swearing in day, and having a mid term report on the exact hour two years later.

He said president Jonathan has set a record.

11.19- Minister of national planning on stage for a presentation of 17 slides. He has promised to limit it to just two and focus the president.

11.17- Another documentary showing the first family, centered on the beauty and family love of the First Lady, Patience is showing.

Message, the government is “resting on the shoulders of women.”

11.15- A documentary is on set, showing industries producing made in Nigeria goods. Some includes Proforce – armored vehicles, Obajana – Cement, and Innoson – motors.

The message is buy naija – buying made in Nigeria goods – and create jobs, transform Nigeria.

11.09- Details of the achievements of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration will be made available to guests in a hard copy booklet, in the course of the occasion.

11.05- On stage is Timi Dakolo, performing ‘Great Nation’

11.02- Speaker of the House of Reps, Aminu Tambuwal, is absent at the occasion but represented by the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha.

11.00- The Vice President ended his speech with a prayer for the Nigeria and its people. “God bless Nigeria,” he said.

10.55- “Our public institution are being rebuilt, our National Assembly is vibrant, our judiciary is truly independent and our press is feared all over the world,” – Sambo

10.54- He said the government has in the last two years placed a special premium on the rule of law and expanding the democratic space.

10.52- Vice President, Namadi Sambo, reading his speech, where he admonishes the good leadership qualities of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Democracy Day celebration is a day to renew resolve to build a better nation, he said.

10.45- Jibril Young, MC of the occasion welcomes guests with a short speech that missed to recognize the Speaker of the House of Reps, Aminu Tambuwal, in its recognition of dignitaries.





http://premiumtimesng.com/news/136704-president-goodluck-jonathan-midterm-report-live-updates.html

Award winning singer, 9ice, is surely not having good times as prominent artistes under his Alapomeji label quit.

Yoruba lingo rapper, Seriki; singer, Kayefi; and Wise are said to have left the relatively successful record label after series of problems which includes alleged lack of support from the 9ice.

Read more here: http://premiumtimesng.com/arts-entertainment/136700-seriki-others-quit-9ices-alapomeji-records.html

The opposition Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, said President Goodluck Jonathan disgraced Nigeria and her citizens when he failed to present the country’s speech at the just concluded 50th anniversary summit of the African Union, AU.

The president had failed to show up to deliver his speech to the confusion of other delegates and Nigerian officials.

There had been rumours of the president’s whereabouts, including that he had too much to eat and drink the night before and that he went to the toilet just before he was called.

The president’s spokesperson, Reuben Abati, however, denied the rumours, saying the president went to have a smaller meeting on the sidelines to sell Nigeria as one of the Africa’s power house.

See details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/136659-au-summit-jonathan-embarrassed-nigeria-cpc-says.html

Twenty four hours after the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bamanga Tukur, announced that the national secretariat is not officially aware of the problems in its Rivers State chapter, the party chairman, approved the suspension of the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.

The issues that Mr. Tukur claimed ignorance of on Sunday are the same reasons for which the party’s National Working Committee, headed by him, held an emergency meeting on Monday morning to suspend the Rivers Governor.

While hosting selected journalists in his house on Sunday, Mr. Tukur said the Rivers PDP crisis is a state matter as the matter has not been bought to the national secretariat.

“It is a state affair for the time being. If somebody is fighting, you have to know what is happening. When they bring to us what is happening, at the centre, we take action,” the party chairman said.

See details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/136342-update-why-pdp-controversially-suspended-governor-amaechi.html

The Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, has vowed to sue President Goodluck Jonathan and the Federal Governor over the plans of the latter to use funds meant for the state to finance the emergency rule declaration.

President Jonathan on May 14 declared a State of Emergency in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno States to quell the insurgency of the Boko Haram and other militants in the area. Controversy trailed the funding for the Nigerian troops as the president proposed that the affected states’ federal allocations be used.

The National Assembly, however, rejected the president’s proposal, in their approval of the emergency declaration, saying the federal government should fund it.

Mr. Nyako had in his state broadcast after the declaration questioned the inclusion of Adamawa, saying the state was most the peaceful among the six north eastern states.

Read details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/136338-governor-nyako-of-adamawa-vows-to-sue-jonathan-over-funding-for-state-of-emergency.html

Defying logic, and objections from lawmakers, the Nigerian government has channelled nearly a quarter of a billion naira this year to fuelling and maintaining electricity generators in its embassies abroad, when many of the missions have no such need, as their host nations provide stable power supply.

These missions include those located in the United States, the United Kingdom as well as China and several dozens of developed, or emerging nations.

Despite paying N523 million for electricity charges in 2013, the embassies will spend an extra N170 million to power generators they have no need for, in a bizarre spending spree that surprises even ambassadors who are expected to deploy the cash.

The figure is expected to cover N117 million for fuelling and N51.9 million for maintenance of plants in some 100 foreign missions. This is more than double what would be needed if strictly deserving nations were considered as has been done in years past.

Read details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/136185-investigation-how-nigeria-squanders-millions-on-generators-its-foreign-missions-dont-need.html

Some governors on Friday evening rejected the re-election of Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF.

The governors, led by Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, claim Mr. Amaechi’s election held earlier was rigged.

Addressing the press at the end of an emergency meeting at the Akwa Ibom Government House in Abuja, Mr. Akpabio, leading Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo, Peter Obi of Anambra, and others, said the ballot papers used for the election were not serialized thus allowing for manipulation.

They said they would not recognise Mr. Amaechi’s victory and would instead recognise Mr. Amaechi’s challenger, Jonah Jang of Plateau, as the Governors Forum chairman.

Read more here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/136038-breaking-akpabio-mimiko-others-reject-amaechis-victory-allege-rigging.html

The Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has been re-elected as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum.

Official results said Mr. Amaechi won the election by 19 to 16 votes to defeat his challenger, Jonah Jang of Plateau at the election held at the Rivers State Government House in Abuja.

Mr. Amaechi”s re-election was opposed by President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party hierachy.

Follow details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/136014-amaechi-floors-jonathan-wins-re-election-as-governors-forum-chairman.html

All sexually active women are at greater risk of having breast cancer, a gynaecologist, Yinka Olaniyan, has said.

Mr. Olaniyan told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday that the exact cause of breast cancer was unknown.

He said that it was important for all women to examine their breasts immediately after their period as this would help to notice any form of irregularities. The doctor said that although a lot of women ignored changes in their breasts, it was important to cultivate the habit of checking them routinely.

A breast self examination is a check-up a woman does at home to look for changes or problems in the breast tissue.

Read details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/135873-sexually-active-women-at-greater-risk-of-breast-cancer-gynaecologist.html

The Edo State Government has said that it will not subsidize the cost of religious ,pilgrimage as such subsidy will put a strain on an economy that is already dire.

The state governor, Adams Oshiomhole stated this on Thursday in Benin when the zonal Federal Commissioners and officials of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission paid him a courtesy visit.

The governor said he feels really strongly against subsidizing luxury especially when there are challenges confronting the state including homelessness, lack of potable water, decayed infrastructure, unemployment and hunger.

He described pilgrimage as a luxury, which the state’s taxpayers’ money would not be used to subsidize especially having had a deeper insight into the challenges that confront the Nigerian nation and Edo State.

DETAILS: Continue reading...http://premiumtimesng.com/regional/135799-pilgrimage-to-jerusalem-mecca-is-a-luxury-that-edo-will-not-subsidise-oshiomhole.html

The federal government’s allegation that Rivers State Government falsified permits used in operating its aircraft, is a deliberate falsehood that cannot be substantiated and enforces the state’s claim that it was a victim of federal “witch-hunting”, a House of Representatives committee has said in its report of an investigation into the matter.

The report, submitted by the investigating committees to the House plenary Thursday, said federal aviation authorities deliberately refused to acknowledge Rivers State’s ownership of the aircraft, and may have indeed pressured aviation agent, Caverton Helicopter, to deny having a business relationship with Rivers State.

The committees said it was clear Caverton willfully misled the authorities by denying it acted on behalf of Rivers State. The report recommends officials of the company be prosecuted.

Read details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/135841-jonathan-vs-amaechi-house-of-reps-report-indicts-aviation-ministry-caverton-helicopters.html

The Senate President, David Mark, on Wednesday challenged Nigeria’s northern governors to urgently ban the almajiri system that has seen millions of children, abandoned by their parents, roam the streets in their states.

Mr. Mark blamed the governors for encouraging the almajiri system, saying the system is “counter-productive” and had continued to undermine the development of the northern states.

He gave the charge during the senate debates on the Bill for an Act to re-enact the trafficking in persons (prohibition) Act, which scaled through the second reading in Abuja.

“It is a system that is counter-productive, it is a breeding ground for irresponsible miscreants and we cannot tolerate it,” Mr. Mark warned.

Read details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/135647-northern-governors-politicians-responsible-for-unislamic-almajiri-system-david-mark.html

The presidency on Wednesday explained its decision to authorise the release of women, children and other suspected Boko Haram members currently being detained by Nigeria’s security agencies.

The Nigerian military on Tuesday said it had received a directive from President Goodluck Jonathan to release all the women being held in connection with insurgent activities.

The military also said some other detainees would be released in phases from the different military areas to the respective state governors for onward re-absorption into the society.

In explaining the reason for the authorisation, the presidency said it was part of the interim recommendations of the amnesty committee set up by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Read details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/135626-why-jonathan-ordered-release-of-boko-haram-women-children-others-okupe.html

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on May 20, arraigned Monday Agha before Maureen Onyetenu, Judge of the Federal High Court, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, on an eight-count charge of obtaining money under false pretence.

The suspect, who was investigated by the Enugu Zonal office of the EFCC, is alleged to have fraudulently opened several accounts in different banks using fictitious names with which he conspired with one Moses to defraud some persons of the sum of five hundred and fifteen thousand naira only.

Read details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/135604-efcc-arraigns-man-for-contract-scam.html

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bamanga Tukur, on Tuesday, said the party’s 23 state governors were the best in the country as they have performed better than their contemporaries in other parties.

The party chairman, however, warned the governors not to ascribe the glory of their achievements to themselves, but instead give it to the party which offered them the platform to serve.

He warned the governors never to fall prey to the antics of praise singers, adulators and those he described as “grovellers,” who, according to him, will always be around them.

He added that “the grovellers” have mastered the trick of causing government officials to derail, stressing that such people are responsible for making public servants to develop swollen heads and feel bigger than the party.

See details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/national/135466-pdp-governors-have-performed-best-in-nigeria-tukur.html

The Nigerian Senate has decided to hold a closed door session to debate the controversial State of Emergency announced by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Senate President made the announcement after reading the president’s letter informing the Senate of the emergency declaration in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

Follow details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/135289-breaking-news-nigerian-senate-to-debate-state-of-emergency-in-secret.html

The burial rites of Nigeria’s literary icon, Chinua Achebe, will begin properly with the arrival of his body at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Tuesday morning.

The rites will climax with his interment on Thursday, in his hometown, Ogidi, Anambra state. PREMIUM TIMES will provide updates on the burial as the events unfold.

Gov Peter Obi is personally overseeing the conveyance of the corpse. A source just informed us that he was responsible for chattering the Overland Airline that is conveying the corpse.

Mr. Obi made arrangements for the flight at the Airport.

Follow live blogging here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/135210-chinua-achebe-burial-live-blog.html



Burial Arrangements

BURIAL PROGRAMME OF PROFESSOR CHINUALUMOGU ACHEBE


DAY 1
May 19th Sunday DAY OF PRAYERS AND RELIGIOUS WORSHIP. 3.00pm. National Christian Center, Abuja.It shall also hold at other Centres throughout Nigeria and beyond.

DAY 2
ANA SYMPOSIUM Association of Nigerian Authors’ Symposium on the life and times of Professor Chinualumogu Achebe DAY OF TRIBUTES.Tributes from National and International leaders, writers and associates of Professor Achebe from all over the World. Arrangements will be made for those who are not present to relay their tributes via live telecast. 10.00am – 1.00pm.International Conference Centre, Abuja 5.00pm – 8.00pm.International Conference Centre, Abuja

BODY ARRIVES NIGERIA. Airport Reception.Body will be received upon arrival by a delegation of Nigerian Leaders. Diplomatic and Cultural representatives from African Nations shall be in attendance to pay their respects.Cultural troupes from different parts of the African continent shall perform at the airport reception.

Reception in the Federal Capital

Body departs for Enugu


DAY 3.
Enugu Airport Reception.
The body shall be received at the Enugu airport by the South Eastern Governors under the chairmanship of H.E. Peter Obi, Governor of Anambra State/Ohanaeze leadership/Traditional Rulers.


Academic Procession and Ceremony
The University of Nigeria and sister Universities in the region and beyond, will participate in an academic procession and ceremony at the Enugu campus, where a short and solemn ceremony will be conducted.


Ohanaeze Night of Mourning and Ikoro Salute.

Enugu Airport Reception.

The body shall be received at the Enugu airport by the South Eastern Governors under the chairmanship of H.E. Peter Obi, Governor of Anambra State/Ohanaeze leadership/Traditional Rulers.


DAY 4.
Body departs for Anambra State and is received at the boundary of Enugu and Anambra States by the Governor of Anambra State and other leaders.CELEBRATION OF LIFE CARNIVALA carnival of African culture shall be on display to celebrate the life and works of Chinua Achebe

All State Governors and Federal Ministers will participate.

The body departs Awka and will be received at Ogidi by members of the family, the President General of Ogidi Town Union, Ogidi Regent in Council and the Elders of Ogidi.

Body will then proceed and be received at the Idemmili Local Government Headquarters.

Body will proceed and be received at the Ogidi Town Hall.

Body will then proceed to Achebe’s compound for Christian Service of Songs.

Literary Obsequies and wake-keep by the Association of Nigerian Authors till dawn.


DAY 5
BURIAL SERVICE AND INTERMENT
Body will lie in state in his residence. Family groups will undertake a procession.Body departs to the church for a traditional Anglican Burial Service

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and other Heads of State, State Governors, Diplomats and International Literary dignitaries will be in attendance.

Body moves back to the Family residence after the Church service for interment.

The family begins to receive condolence visits from guests.



DAY 6
May 24th Friday
IKWA OZU MUSLIM JU’MAT SERVICE. Nigerians offer prayers. Achebe’s Family Compound.Central Mosque Abuja.

DAY 7
May 25th Saturday IKWA OZU CONTINUES Achebe’s Family Compound.

DAY 8th
May 26thSunday CHRISTIAN OUTING SERVICE/THANKSGIVING St Phillips Anglican Church, Ogidi.

On a recent Thursday afternoon, Yunus Mohammed, was rounding off a video editing project when his phone beeped.

He tried to answered the call after finding it was a foreign number – +88233010830. But just before he could press the answer button, the call, it dropped.

He called back immediately. “I thought it was my boss who was away in Luxembourg calling,” he said.

The call went through. An automated white female voice responded, taking him through a maze of instructions. By the time he figured the call was a scam, he had listened into the phone for a minute.

He was charged N250 for the call that lasted barely one minute.

See details on;How the numbers looks like, how the fraudsters operates and victims stories. All can be found here:http://premiumtimesng.com/news/135195-phone-fraudsters-target-nigerians-in-multi-billion-naira-scam.html

The Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, on Monday locked out at least three of his commissioners as well as hundreds of civil servants for coming late to work.

The lock-out order of the governor was carried out by the Head of Service, Modupe Adekunle and Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, who personally supervised locking of the gates.

The two top government functionaries commenced the operations precisely 8:00 a.m. accompanied by armed policemen and locked the two gates leading to the secretariat at Oke-Mosan, where the governor’s office is also located.

Read details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/135077-ogun-governor-locks-out-three-commissioners-civil-servants-for-lateness.html

In 2011, before casting his vote in the presidential elections, Bayo Babalola, a Nigerian investment manager, did a critical review of the top three candidates.

On the eve of the elections, he published his review entitled “On Your Marks” in which he announced he would “pless [his] hand on the umblerra” – a comical phrase made popular by Nigeria’s first lady, Patience Jonathan – interpreted to mean that he will vote the Peoples Democratic Party.

Mr. Babalola is one of the 22 million Nigerians who voted for President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2011 election.

Mr. Babalola’s decision, like millions of other voters, depended solely on an isolated review of the candidates. Millions of voters pressed their inked thumbs on the umbrella logo of the PDP on ballot papers without considering the manifestos of their preferred candidate’s party.

Read details here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/134944-exclusive-two-years-on-jonathan-pdp-rule-nigeria-with-three-page-clueless-manifesto.html