Reports reaching us has it that there has been a blast at the UN house in Abuja.

Fire fighters and police vans have been seen racing to the area. Residents and workers in that area, and surrounding areas have panicked over fears that it might be another attack by radical Islamic sect, Boko Haram.


Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/blast-un-house-abuja

Three communities were affected by the over flowing of the Lugu Dam

Wurno Local Government Council of Sokoto State has evacuated more than 6,000 persons and 4,000 livestock from three communities as a result of the over flowing of the Lugu Dam.

The Council Chairman, Shehu Chacho, said the affected communities are Gidan-Bango, Gidan-Kamba and Gidan-Modi. He said residents evacuated and their livestock were accommodated at the Staff Housing Estate in Wurno and other public buildings in the area.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/flood-sokoto-council-evacuates-6000-residents

The Yobe State Emergency Relief Agency had so far distributed N3 million to the victims

More than 182 residents of Machina, Yobe State, were on Wednesday rendered homeless following a flood which submerged their homes and farmlands.

The flood followed heavy rains which caused considerable damage as the drains constructed could not check the heavy flow of water.

The Yobe State Emergency Relief Agency had so far distributed N3 million to 182 victims of the flood.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/flood-renders-182-homeless-yobe

According to presidential spokesperson, Section 158 of the 1999 Constitution does not allow the president to withhold the recommendations of the NJC

The Presidency has said that the appointment of Justice Dalhatu Adamu as the Acting President of the Court of Appeal by President Goodluck Jonathan was done in good faith.

Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, made the clarification on Thursday, while briefing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/presidency-clarifies-stance-salami-issue

About 200000m² of new retail space is scheduled to come on stream over the next few years.

Nigeria in recent times has become a hub for most business organisations, although there are other international companies in the retail sector who have been slow to come into the country, based on perceptions that it is too difficult to do business here.

More than 500 Nigerians fly to Dubai every day to shop. This translates into more than $1bn being shipped from Africa’s biggest market to the tiny emirate. That is a retailing market gap by anyone’s standards.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/nigeria-newest-bride-town

Attacks on banks and a police station in Adamawa state are blamed on the Islamist sect

Radical Islamist sect, Boko Haram bombed a police station and raided banks in Adamawa state on Thursday, leaving 12 people dead including policemen and a soldier.

"The Boko Haram members have killed 12 people today," police commissioner of Adamawa state, A.T. Shinafa said.

"They bombed Gombi police station, killing four policemen and one soldier before driving off to the First Bank and Union Bank where they killed seven staffers of the two banks and carted away an unspecified amount of money."

Read More >>http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/boko-haram-kills-12

Garshon Nyengonum was arrested on July 8 and has been in detention for more than one month

Justice Ugochukwu Ogakwu of the Abuja High Court, on Thursday, ordered the Inspector General of Police (IG), Hafiz Ringim, to pay N500,000 compensation to one Garshon Nyengonum for unlawful detention.

He gave the order while delivering judgment in a suit filed by Nyengonum against the IG and the FCT Commissioner of Police, Michael Zuokumor.

Nyengonum was arrested on July 8 at Nneka, Rivers State, over a land dispute and transferred to the FCT Police Command, where he has been in detention for more than one month.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/court-orders-police-boss-pay-n5m-suspect-unlawful-detention

Economic experts say the various plans will revamp the nation’s economy

Some economic experts, on Thursday in Lagos, commended the economic blueprint released by Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, saying its strict implementation would revamp the nation’s economy.

According to them, the minister’s decision to slash the nation’s recurrent expenditure was in the right direction. They also said that the economy would experience growth if the government placed emphasis on capital expenditure rather than recurrent expenditure.

Read More >> [url]http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/experts-laud-okonjo-iweala%E2%80%99s-economic-blueprint[/url]

CEC will perform its due dillegence this year in preparation for the bidding which begins in Q1 of next year

Zambia's largest supplier of power to the mines, Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) , plans to bid for a stake in a Nigerian state power company that is scheduled for privatisation, a senior executive said on Thursday.

Africa's most populous nation of more than 140 million is the continent's biggest oil and gas producer but is blighted by persistent electricity outages. It plans a multi-billion dollar privatisation of its power sector to improve efficiency.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/zambian-firm-wants-buy-part-phcn

The World Health Organisation says Nigeria records an average of 100,000 new cases of cancer every year

The House of Representatives will back improved government measures, including new legislations, to boost a national response to cancer as demanded by medical experts, Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha said on Thursday.

Amid mounting fears over rising cases of cancer in the country, experts have argued for a more determined government’s response to the condition, and have warned that the figures of those affected may double in the next few years.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/house-plans-legislation-regional-cancer-centers

The World Health Organisation says Nigeria records an average of 100,000 new cases of cancer every year

The House of Representatives will back improved government measures, including new legislations, to boost a national response to cancer as demanded by medical experts, Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha said on Thursday.

Amid mounting fears over rising cases of cancer in the country, experts have argued for a more determined government’s response to the condition, and have warned that the figures of those affected may double in the next few years.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/house-plans-legislation-regional-cancer-centers

Bube Yakubu allegedly connived with others to rob a motorcycle

A 26-year-old suspect, Bube Yakubu, who claimed to be a vigilante, was on Thursday arraigned in Ibadan on a two-count charge of conspiracy and attempted armed robbery.

Police Prosecutor, Adewale Amos, had alleged that Yababu, with others now at large, on May 24 at Akinyele area, Ibadan, attempted to rob one Munru Ifamakinde of his motorcycle

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/guard-court-armed-robbery

The mobile giant aims to strengthen its position against low-cost Asian rivals Dual-SIM phones

Ailing Nokia Oyj unveiled two cheap cell phone models inspired by consumer needs in Africa, aiming to strengthen its position against low-cost Asian rivals.

Nokia shares have roughly halved this year as the company struggled to keep up with the pace of smart phone development while also losing ground at the cheaper end of the market to Asian brands such as ZTE and G'Five.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/nokia-unveils-two-cheap-phones-emerging-markets

The Nigerian Stock Exchange has said that it is working very hard at improving investors confidence in the market.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange has said that it is working very hard at improving investors confidence in the market.

According to the CEO, Mr Oscar Onyema the current push of the Lagos bourse is to regain investors’ confidence. He said this at the facts behind session of the Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc in Lagos.

He revealed that the Exchange had put in place strong, firm, but fair regulations because of the realisation that that was essential to make the market a choice investment destination.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/nse-harps-investors-confidence

There was a leakage at Utorogu-UPS pipeline in western Niger Delta

Royal Dutch Shell said on Thursday a pipeline leak forced it to shut down its 270 million standard cubic feet per day Nigerian Utorogu Gas Plant on Aug. 24.

"The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) Joint Venture last night shut down Utorogu Gas Plant following a leak on the Utorogu-UPS trunkline in western Niger Delta," the Anglo-Dutch oil major said in a statement.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/shell-shuts-down-nigerian-gas-plant

The African nations have joined a list of more than 40 countries that recognise the rebels

Burkina Faso, a former recipient of large amounts of Libyan aid, has offered Muammar Gaddafi exile but has also recognised the rebel National Transitional Council (NTC) as Libya's government.

Chad, another major aid recipient, also recognised the rebel council.

The African nations join a list of more than 40 countries who have recognised the rebels who have taken control of most of Libya and are now hunting the veteran leader.


Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/burkina-faso-offers-gaddafi-exile

The farmers complain of being short-changed by the state government in the distribution of the commodity

Farmers in Maiduguri and neighbouring communities have appealed to the Borno State Government to assist them with fertilisers for this year's farming season.

The farmers expressed frustration over their inability to obtain the commodity at government-subsidised rates.

Isyaku Mamman, a farmer in Jere, said that he had made several efforts to secure the nutrients without success. “My crops are shrinking because they need fertiliser, but the commodity is not forthcoming,” he said. “We went to enquire about the fertilisers at the state Ministry of Agriculture only to be directed to the secretariat of the local government council.”

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/borno-farmers-beg-fertiliser

Human Rights Watch says the federal government needs to intensify the fight against corruption

Human Rights Watch, on Thursday, advised President Goodluck Jonathan to “fix Nigeria’s key anti-corruption agency and refrain from political interference in its work".

In a press statement which accompanied the organisations latest report on Nigeria, the president was urged to "break from the bad practices of past administrations, publicly signal he will not perpetrate or tolerate interference in corruption cases, and grant the chairperson security of tenure by amending the legislation that created the commission."

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/group-advocates-overhaul-efcc

Finance minister, Okonjo-Iweala says the national budget process needs to be changed

Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said on Wednesday that there was broad agreement by government on ending fuel subsidies in the country but no timeframe has been set for this yet.

The former World Bank managing director, while addressing journalists in Abuja, said:n “There has been a lot of debate on fuel subsidies and we have all resolved that removing it is a good direction to go on. You have to leave it to us to decide when it is prudent to do so.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/no-timeframe-ending-fuel-subsidy

Two communities in Cross River state may soon go to war over the ownership of limestone deposits

There are strong indications that two communities in Cross River State may soon go to war over the recent discovery of large deposit of limestone within the neighbourhood and the surrounding areas. Already, the two communities, Ito and Idere in the Eburutu axis of Odukpani local government area of the state are claiming ownership of the area where the limestone is located.

Tension is heightening as a company from neighbouring Abia State is said to have commenced negotiations with the Idere chiefs towards the extraction of the raw material.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/cross-river-communities-loggerheads-over-resources

Apple legend resigns citing failing health

Steve Jobs resigned as CEO of Apple Inc on Wednesday and passed the reins to his right-hand man Tim Cook, saying he could no longer fulfill the duties in a bombshell announcement that raised fears his health has deteriorated further.

Jobs, who fought and survived a rare form of pancreatic cancer and revolutionized the technology arena with the iPhone and the iPad in the past four years, is deemed the heart and soul of a company that this month briefly became the most valuable in America.

"I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come," Jobs, who takes on the new position of chairman, said in a short letter announcing his resignation.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/steve-jobs-resigns

Governor Babatunde Fashola signs the new law which seeks to protect tenants from prohibitive rents

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, on Wednesday, signed the Tenancy Bill into law.

The new law, which has received wide commendations from Lagos residents, mandates that no tenant will pay estate agent fees any longer; shifting the obligation to landlords. The new law states that: “It shall be unlawful for a landlord or his agent to demand or receive from a sitting tenant rent in excess of six (6) months [one year in the case of a new tenant] in respect of any premises.”

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/two-year-rent-abolished-lagos

The lawmakers insist that President Goodluck Jonathan followed the constitution in the matter

The Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Isiaka Bawa, has said the House will not intervene in the crisis in the judiciary over the naming of an acting President of the Court of Appeal.

The House will not be permitted by its rules to debate or take a position on the controversy since it is before a court, the lawmaker said, after protesters urged the National Assembly to press President Goodluck Jonathan to rescind the order or be fired.

“There is no room for that; the case is in court therefore there is nothing House could do on it,” he said on Wednesday.


Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/reps-refuse-step-salami-crisis

The authorities say the number of traffic offences recorded at the area necessitates the change

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Bala Mohammed, has directed the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, to convert Nyanya Market to a motor park.

A statement from the ministry on Wednesday said that the minister gave the directive, while receiving reports from the field officers of the ministry on the traffic situation in the FCT.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/minister-wants-nyanya-market-converted-motor-park

The proposed expedition by the environmentalist will be by road, traversing the Sahara Desert

Renowned environmentalist, Newton Jibuno, will at the end of the year, undertake his fourth and last expedition to fast track support for climate change campaign.

The proposed expedition, like the previous ones, would be undertaken on road, traversing the Sahara Desert, Jibuno said on Tuesday in Asaba.

In a goodwill message to the 2ndedition of States Climate Change Dialogue (SCCD) hosted by Delta State Government, he said that he would be accompanied on the global journey by his 32-year-old youngest child and his 13-year-old grandson.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/jibuno-undertakes-final-expedition

Nigeria Loses N280b As Shell Suspends Bonny Light Exports

The development was caused by the oil giant’s declaration of force majeure due to pipeline vandalisation

Nigeria would lose about $1.75 billion (N280 billion) due to Shell Petroleum Development Nigeria’s declaration of “Force Majeure” on its Bonny Light exports between August 23 and end of October, this year, Tony Okonedo, the Corporate Affairs Manager of the company, said on Tuesday.

Shell produces 300,000 barrels per day on its Bonny Light. The oil giant’s declaration of Force Majeure (suspension) was due to production deferment from several pipeline incidents in Eastern operations of the Niger Delta.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/nigeria-loses-n280b-shell-suspends-bonny-light-exports

The four-year term will be the final one for the 78-year-old after serving as the federation's top official since November 1999.

Senegal's Lamine Diack was overwhelmingly re-elected president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) on Wednesday, but vice president Sergei Bubka needed a controversial second vote to retain his position.

Bubka, the retired world pole vault record holder from Ukraine, had finished an out-of-the running fifth in the original vote by the governing body's congress.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/diack-re-elected-iaaf-president

The former minister says the statements accredited to him were misrepresented

Former Tourism Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has retracted his remarks against former President Olusegun Obasanjo, claiming the reports of his comments were “misconstrued.”

Fani-Kayode had openly defended former military ruler, Ibrahim Babangida, last week in Babangida’s row with Obasanjo in which they labeled each other “fools”.

In a widely reported statement to the media, Fani-Kayode said Obasanjo, under whom he served as Aviation and later Tourism Minister, was not as protective of his loyalists as Babangida.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/fani-kayode-backtracks-obasanjo

A clash between thugs and members of the three-wheeler association reportedly results in the death of a resident

Residents of Mashalasi Street, Orile, have called on Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and police authorities to investigate the killing of Monsuru Ganiyu, who also lived in the area, by unidentified thugs who raided houses in the area on August 13.

Some of the residents said they are living in fear while others have relocated from the area due to threats by suspected gangsters that they will continue to cause mayhem in the area if they are not allowed to take over the three-wheeler (Keke-Marwa) park at Mashalasi Street.

read more >>http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/murder-orile

Governor Babatunde Fashola says the state is challenged by the success of the EPL

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, on Tuesday, received the English Premier League (EPL) trophy at Alausa, Ikeja as part of the global tour to African countries.

While receiving the trophy, presented by the management of MultiChoice Limited, the governor said the EPL has demonstrated the capacity to create an economy where none seems to exist.

Fashola said the country, especially Lagos, is challenged by the success of the EPL which "started from very humble background where there was very little advertising and has metamorphosed into a global economy that is viable and providing livelihood for many."

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/english-premier-league-trophy-comes-lagos

Nigeria abandoned its plans to host the Africa Basketball Nations' Cup after losing the bid to Libya in 2009, the former assistant NBBF coach said

Masai Ujiri, a former assistant coach, Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), has decried the country’s apathy to host the Africa Basketball Nations' Cup after losing the bid to Libya in 2009.

Ujiri, speaking in Lagos on Tuesday, said that Nigeria was long overdue to host the Africa Basketball Nations' Cup and the World Basketball Championships.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/fiba-championship-ujiri-decries-lack-concern