₦airaland Forum

South Africa has tendered "unreserved apology" to Nigeria over a mass deportation of its citizens, saying officials at Johannesburg’s main airport did not properly check their health certificates, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

At a news conference in Pretoria Thursday, Deputy Foreign Minister, Ibrahim Ibrahim said: “We wish to humbly apologize to them, and we have.”

Two diplomats from the Nigerian High Commission accompanied Mr. Ibrahim to the news conference, but refused to comment beyond a joint statement that says the tit-for-tat deportations between the two countries in the past days should not affect their relations, the Associated Press said.
Read More: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/4128-south_africa_apologises_to_nigeria_over_deportation.html

Two weeks before the Federal Government announced the removal of fuel subsidy on Petroleum products, leading to a hike in petrol price, Nigerian Senators got an unexpected largesse, Premium Times can authoritatively report.

Between December 15 and Christmas, the President of the Senate, David Mark, distributed mint-fresh cash in U.S. dollars to each of the country's 109 Senators, multiple knowledgeable sources have told Premium Times.

There is no evidence that any Senator rejected the largesse. Even activist members who got elected on the platform of opposition parties, promising to expose corruption in parliament, quietly got and pocketed their shares.

“Each Senator got sixty thousand dollars and principal officers even got more, I think between seventy and eighty thousand dollars,” one of our sources, a top Senate official, said, Read more:http://premiumtimesng.com/news/4109-dollar_rain_for_nigerian_senators.html

The Gambia has appealed to Nigeria to assist it in the management of the HIV and AIDS pandemic.

The Deputy Speaker of Gambia Parliament, Fatou Mbye, made the appeal on Tuesday in New York, at a meeting with the Minister of Woman Affairs and Social Development, Zainab Maina.

She also solicited for cooperation on issues bordering on gender discrimination as well as promotion of trade and tourism.

Ms. Mbye, however, disclosed that about 50 per cent of teachers in Gambia were Nigerians.

Read more at: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/4113-50_per_cent_of_teachers_in_gambia_are_nigerians.html

The Supreme Court has this morning upheld the elections of Governors Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara, Martin Elechi of Ebonyi and Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nassarawa States.

http://premiumtimesng.com/news/4090-supreme_court_affirms_elections_of_ebonyi_kwara_nassarawa_govern.html

A serious controversy is raging in Yola over the death of a 20-year-old student of Government Day Secondary School, Damare, Ismail Mohammed, who allegedly died while in police custody.

His family members believe he was murdered by the police, and are asking for justice.

Mr. Mohammed's death yesterday sparked riot in Yola as angry youth marched through the streets with his corpse, making a stop at the palace of the Lamido of Adamawa to register their complaints. Read more at: http://premiumtimesng.com/metro/4040-tension_in_yola_over_death_of_student_in_police_custody.html

The Supreme Court has validated the elections of Governors Rochas Okorocha of Imo and Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta.
Our correspondent say the appeals filed against Mr. Okorocha by former governor, Ikedi Ohakim of the PDP was dismissed because the 180 days within which election dispute must be judicially resolved had lapsed, Read more at: http://premiumtimesng.com/politics/4038-supreme_court_affirms_okorocha_uduaghan_as_governors.html

A monumental fraud involving the embezzlement of monies running into millions of naira belonging to the Nigerian Ports Pensioners' Ventures allegedly by the current board of the Nigeria Ports Authority Pensioners' Welfare Association is threatening to put the retirees at loggerheads with one another, investigations by Premium Times have revealed.

The Nigerian Ports Pensioners' Ventures Limited, a limited liability company wholly owned by the Nigerian Ports Authority Pensioners and their branches, is an entity distinct from the Nigerian Ports Authority Pensioners' Welfare Association by way of purchase of shares of the former by members of the latter.

Read more at: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/3996-fraud_allegations_tear_npa_pensioners_apart.html

Armed robbers on Wednesday raided a commercial bank inside the premises of Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who visited the institution shortly after the incident, reports that the robbers had raided the Wema Bank branch on the campus.

An eye witness told NAN that the incident happened at about 2:20 p.m, forcing students as well as staff of the institution to scamper for safety while the operation lasted.

Read more at: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/4012-robbers_storm_babcock_university.html

State governments keen on providing their citizens with improved access to electricity can now enter an agreement with any of the power distribution firms on sharing the capital investments required to rehabilitate and expand electricity distribution network in their domains.

The National Council on Privatisation (NCP), which gave the approval at its first meeting for 2012 in Abuja, said the capital contribution would have to be secured and repaid on terms mutually agreed with the distribution company.

Read more at: http://premiumtimesng.com/business/4010-ncp_endorses_states_distribution_firms_pact_to_boost_electricity.html

The Federal Government has awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of the Julius Berger Terminal at Old Warri Sea Port in Delta State to construction giant, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, at a total contract sum of N9.046 billion naira.

The Minister of Transport, Idris Umar, who made the disclosure to news men after the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council at the state house Abuja said the completion period of the contract is 25 months.

Read more at: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/national/4007-awards-N9b-contract-Julius-Berger-rehabilitate-Berger-port-Warri.html

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has signed the state Public Procurement Bill into Law, re-affirming his commitment to due process and accountability in governance.

Speaking at the ceremony yesterday, Oshiomhole said “the essence of the law is to consolidate and institutionalize transparency, accountability, due process and above all to ensure that tax payers get value for money.

Read more at: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/national/4003-Oshiomhole-signs-Public-Procurement-Bill-into-Law.html

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met Wednesday in Abuja and approved the zoning of offices of its National Working Committee (NWC).

A copy of the NEC’s resolution,  the 59th meeting and the last one to be held by the current NEC members, was made available to Premium Times in Abuja, signed by the party’s national publicity secretary, Rufai Ahmed Alkali.

The office of National Chairman was zoned to the north east.

Read more at: http://premiumtimesng.com/politics/4006-PDP-NEC-approves-zoning-national-offices.html

The national football team of Rwanda, the Amavubis, Wednesday afternoon forced the Super Eagles of Nigeria to a goalles draw in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match at the Stade De Regional in Kigali.

The Eagles were favoured to beat their host even in their backyard going by the array of Stars in the team but the Stephen Keshi tutored side failed to live to the expectations of million of soccer loving Nigerians.

Parading a blend of home and foreign based players, the Eagles were not too convincing all through the game.

Read more at: http://premiumtimesng.com/sports/4002-rwanda_cage_eagles_in_kigali.html

Following the visit to China by top government official under the leadership of the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, recently, the Federal government has sealed a deal to set up 100 rice mills across the country.
The Minister of Agriculture, Akinwumi Adeshina, who was part of the delegation made the announcement Wednesday in Abuja after the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in the state house. Read more: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/national/4008-collaborate-with-china-set-100-rice-mills.html

The eight suspects arrested in Unguwar Ring in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State have been transferred to the Police Headquarters in Abuja.

In a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Hassan Mohammed, said the suspects were arrested on Sunday while attempting to blow up the COCIN Church.

He said the case had been transferred to Abuja following an order by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, Read more here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/4009-bauchi_christian_bombers_church_moved_to_abuja.html

The Nigerian economy would save about N280.8billion (about $1.8billion) from the operations of indigenous vessels contracted to International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the country by June 2012, says the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Ernest Nwapa.

According to Mr. Nwapa, about 40 vessels owned by Nigerians are to replace those contracted by foreign-owned vessels in line with the marine vessels and rig ownership strategies adopted by the Board pursuant to the provisions of the Nigerian Content development law in the oil and gas industry. Read more: http://premiumtimesng.com/business/4011-economy_to_gain_n281billion_from_indigenous_vessel_charter_opera.html

An Abuja High Court on Wednesday ordered the Nigeria Police to pay N12 million to a 34-year-old man, Odu Johnson, as damages for unlawful detention and violation of his fundamental rights.

Justice Mudashiru Oniyanyi gave the order, while delivering judgment in a suit filed by Mr. Johnson, asking for N150 million from the police as damages for unlawful detention. Read more: http://premiumtimesng.com/metro/3999-court_orders_police_to_pay_n12m_damages_to_salesboy.html

Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, was thoroughly humiliated Tuesday when a section of the crowd that thronged the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, to witness the lying in state of the late Biafra warlord, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, booed him repeatedly and pelted him with satchet water. Read more: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/3992-abia_governor_disgraced_at_ojukwu_lying_in_state.html

A monumental fraud involving the embezzlement of monies running into millions of naira belonging to the Nigerian Ports Pensioners' Ventures allegedly by the current board of the Nigeria Ports Authority Pensioners' Welfare Association is threatening to put the retirees at loggerheads with one another, investigations by Premium Times have revealed.

The Nigerian Ports Pensioners' Ventures Limited, a limited liability company wholly owned by the Nigerian Ports Authority Pensioners and their branches, is an entity distinct from the Nigerian Ports Authority Pensioners' Welfare Association by way of purchase of shares of the former by members of the latter, Read more: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/3996-fraud_allegations_tear_npa_pensioners_apart.html

A polythene bag containing food, left for a madman by a good samaritan on Katsina-Dutsinma expressway, on Tuesday caused a bomb scare in Katsina metropolis .

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident occurred at about noon, when passers-by, including motorists, noticed the polythene bag and raised alarm.

The incident sent people running helter-skelter, forcing shop owners and other traders to lock up their businesses and evacuate the area,

Read more at: http://premiumtimesng.com/metro/4000-bomb_scare_in_katsina.html

A monumental fraud involving the embezzlement of monies running into millions of naira belonging to the Nigerian Ports Pensioners' Ventures allegedly by the current board of the Nigeria Ports Authority Pensioners' Welfare Association is threatening to put the retirees at loggerheads with one another, investigations by Premium Times have revealed.

The Nigerian Ports Pensioners' Ventures Limited, a limited liability company wholly owned by the Nigerian Ports Authority Pensioners and their branches, is an entity distinct from the Nigerian Ports Authority Pensioners' Welfare Association by way of purchase of shares of the former by members of the latter.

Between 2009 and 2011, a series of withdrawals from the Pensioners' Ventures Union Bank Account No. 010120000535 allegedly by the board of the Pensioners' Welfare Association headed by Oweibena Atie effectively threw the company into insolvency.

Read more at: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/3996-fraud_allegations_tear_npa_pensioners_apart.html

Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, was thoroughly humiliated Tuesday when a section of the crowd that thronged the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, to witness the lying in state of the late Biafra warlord, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, booed him repeatedly and pelted him with satchet water.

It is not clear what angered the crowd about Mr. Orji, who was the host governor at the ceremony. But the Abia State helsman has become very unpopular for sacking public servants from other Igbo-speaking states in the employ of his state, and then ordering them to return to their home states.

Residents also say he has performed poorly as governor with unemployment and poverty soaring in his state, and Aba, the state's commercial capital, reeking with filth.

A resident of Aba, who withnessed the incident, said when the governor arrived the stadium, he started waving to the crowd. But rather than wave back at him, some people in the crowd responded by throwing sachet water at him.

Read more at: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/3992-abia_governor_disgraced_at_ojukwu_lying_in_state.html

Chairman, Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force constituted by the Federal Government to help recover outstanding debts in the country’s oil and gas industry, Nuhu Ribadu, talked tough Tuesday, saying his team would reverse what appears a resource curse on the country and show unscrupulous oil players the red card.
Mr. Ribadu, who was speaking at the formal inauguration of the task force by Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, in Abuja, said members are not only honoured by the call to national duty, but are committed to do their best to bring value and balance to the country’s most important sector of the economy.

Read more at: http://premiumtimesng.com/business/3990-ribadu_talks_tough_says_unscrupulous_oil-players_will_get_red_ca.html

A polythene bag containing food, left for a madman by a good samaritan on Katsina-Dutsinma expressway, on Tuesday caused a bomb scare in Katsina metropolis .

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident occurred at about noon, when passers-by, including motorists, noticed the polythene bag and raised alarm. Read more here: http://premiumtimesng.com/metro/4000-bomb_scare_in_katsina.html

An Abuja High Court on Wednesday ordered the Nigeria Police to pay N12 million to a 34-year-old man, Odu Johnson, as damages for unlawful detention and violation of his fundamental rights.

Justice Mudashiru Oniyanyi gave the order, while delivering judgment in a suit filed by Mr. Johnson, asking for N150 million from the police as damages for unlawful detention.

Mr. Johnson had dragged the Inspector-General of Police and FCT Commissioner of Police to court, claiming that he was detained for allegedly stealing 12 tyres belonging to one Suzy Micheal.

Read more at: http://premiumtimesng.com/metro/3999-court_orders_police_to_pay_n12m_damages_to_salesboy.html

A fire raged for 120 minutes, Monday night, and defied the "inept" fire service of the University of Lagos, claiming a car in a university that recently produced 118 First Class degrees at a go.

A suicidal twist almost became part of the incident as bystanders had to restrain the driver of the burning car from killing himself out of apparent despair. He tried to re-enter the burning vehicle. Co-workers said he got the car on hired purchase.

read more at: http://premiumtimesng.com/metro/3995-angry_students_battle_unilag_authorities_over_car_fire.html

Former governor James Onanefe Ibori of Delta State today entered a guilty plea before a Southwark Crown Court in London where he was being tried on fraud and money laundering charges.

Mr. Ibori pleaded guilty to 10 counts of fraud, money laundering and corrutption charges before Judge Anthony Pitts, Read more here: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/3963-ibori_pleads_guilty_to_money_laundering_charges_in_london_court.html

Gunmen suspected to be members of the extremist Boko Haram sect attacked a mosque in central Kano last night killing   worshippers.

Spokesperson of the Kano State Command of the Nigeria Police, Musa Majiya,  who confirmed the incident to Premium Times, said the gunmen arrived the mosque riding motorcycles, and then opened fire on worshippers,  Read more: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/3939-gunmen_attack_mosque_kill_5.html

Dismissed Police Commissioner, Zakari Biu, whose removal on Wednesday on account of the escape of Boko Haram kingpin, Kabir Sokoto, has denied blame for the escape that humiliated the force, and roused public anger.

The former officer currently faces charges over the escape, and his sack, announced by the Police Service Commission yesterday, came two weeks after former police top boss, Hafiz Ringim, was fired, Read more here:http://premiumtimesng.com/news/3924-zakari_biu_denies_aiding_kabir_sokoto_s_escape.html

uper Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has dispelled rumours that he has any axe to grind with Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi, hence his non-inclusion in the team that will battle Rwanda next week Wednesday.

The team’s Media Officer, Ben Alaiya, quotes Keshi as saying: “this camp is a national team’s camp of love and not of hate, how can a father like me quarrel with a son like Mikel. The young man is full of talent and is a player who has several years left in him, but he was just coming back from an injury lay-off and we thought it wise to leave him to settle down before we call on him again to come and fight for his fatherland”,
Read more at: http://premiumtimesng.com/sports/3891-keshi_denies_rift_with_mikel_declares_kaita_fit.html

The Senate has asked for the swift trial of Assistant Police Commissioner, Zakari Biu, under whose watch the recently re-arrested Kabiru Sokoto made his escape. Mr. Sokoto, who escaped police custody on January 15 but was rearrested almost one month later, has been accused of masterminding the Madalla Christmas day bombings, Read more at: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/national/3889-senate_wants_speedy_trial_for_zakari_biu_over_kabiru_sokoto_s_es.html

The Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chidi Odinkalu, today declared his asset publicly.

Mr. Odinkalu, whose appointment by President Goodluck Jonathan was confirmed by the Nigerian Senate late last year, declared that he has four bank accounts. Two of the accounts are with Standard Chartered Bank in Nigeria. The first has N94, 000 in it while the other has $11,700 in it, Read more at: http://premiumtimesng.com/news/national/3888-human_rights_boss_declares_assets.html