Nigeria May Not Meet 2020 Target, Says Usman

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Hopes that Nigeria could be counted among the 20 developed economies in the world  by 2020 may have been dashed as the Minister of National Planning Commission, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, said the target may not be realised.

Usman disclosed this on Tuesday when he presented his scorecard to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC).

He blamed the crisis in the power sector on the more than 30 years of military in power.
The minister said when government started the documentation of vision 20:2020 in 2009 to be among the top 20 economies in the world, Nigeria was number 44, adding that if by 2020 the nation rises to number 25, he will be a proud man.

Sacked Air Nigeria Workers May not Get their Pension

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Chinedu Eze

There are indications that the over 700 workers of the now-rested Air Nigeria who were sacked last year may not secure the 25 per cent of their pension deposits.

This is because they were not issued with disengagement letters and the company which relieved them of their jobs did not communicate to the Pension Commission (PENCOM) that they have been sacked, THISDAY has learnt.

The workers are eligible to receive 25 per cent of their contributions to the scheme after they have remained unemployed six months after their sack, but that hope seems to have been dashed as the workers who lost their jobs when the company closed on September 10, 2012 may not receive the contributions, unless the Chairman of the company, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, intervenes.

President Jonathan May Increase Petrol Prices, Again

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President Goodluck Jonathan says he will definitely raise gas prices again, but will “discuss” with the public the easiest way to do it.  

 In New Year’s Day 2012, Jonathan greeted Nigerians with the shock of new oil prices as he attempted to scrap so-called oil subsidies, leading to widespread strikes and protests that almost toppled his government.  

He solved the problem at that time by partially revoking the effort.  He raised the price to 97 Naira a liter, up from 65 Naira.  

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos today, Mr. Jonathan said, “We cannot continue to waste resources meant for a greater number of Nigerians to subsidize the affluent middle class, who are the main beneficiaries.”

Why Nigeria’s economy may collapse soon, by ACN

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THE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has raised an alarm that the nation’s economy may collapse unless the Federal Government cuts the “astronomical cost of running a bloated government and takes urgent measures to diversify the economy and shore up the production of oil which remains the mainstay of the economy.”

The party, in a statement issued in Lagos Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, warned that if the listed measures are not taken, the government may not be able to pay its bills, including workers’ salaries, in the next few years.

‘’Contrary to what the Federal Government may say, this warning is not about crying wolf but is actually borne out of a patriotic fervour devoid of politicking, which is the usual refrain of this government when alerted to its shortcomings. We will like to be proven wrong, but this will depend on uncommon and monumental effort, rather than on the basis of the usual canned response from the government,’’ the party said.

Mimiko, Ladoja, Obi may defect to PDP

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Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; his Anambra counterpart, Mr. Peter Obi; and a former Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Rashidti Ladoja, may soon defect to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.

Competent sources at the national headquarters of the party said on Friday that the party had concluded arrangements to have these men in its fold.

Mimiko was a member of the PDP before he defected to the Labour Party in 2006 to contest the governorship election in his state.

He had wanted to contest the election under the umbrella of the PDP but then President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo insisted that Dr. Olusegun Agagu would run for a second term.

Oscar Pistorius may have killed his girlfriend in a fit of rage

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He claimed he mistook his girlfriend for a burglar when he shot her, but South African police has dismissed the claim. They believe the blade runner killed his model girlfriend, 29 year old Reeva Steenkamp, in a fit of rage possibly caused by performance-boosting steroids. 

First steroids were found in his home. Then Reeva was found in her night wear, which means she didn't just enter his home at the time he shot her at 3am Thursday morning. The police found a bloody cricket bat in the bedroom. Reeva's skull had been 'crushed' in the attack according to police. They also found a smashed bathroom door. Plus neighbours claimed they heard argument coming from his home earlier in the evening.

N’Assembly’s report on Dana crash may threaten US-Nigeria link

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Implementation of the National Assembly’s recommendations on the Dana Air crash by the Federal Government may adversely affect Nigeria’s direct flight link with the United States of America, TUNJI ABIOYE writes

The United States of America may take a second look at its direct flight link with Nigeria if the Federal Government goes ahead to implement the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Aviation Committee’s report on the June 3, 2012 Dana Air crash, investigations by our correspondent have revealed.

The US Federal Aviation Administration’s Category One status, an approval for Nigerian-registered airplanes to operate commercial flights to America, was awarded the country in 2008 after a rigorous audit that lasted for many years.

Prior to the award, Nigeria had lost the coveted status for about 15 years, thereby making direct flights between it and US impossible.

PDP crisis: Obasanjo’s men may back opposition in 2015

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Culled From Punch Nigeria

The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party is set to take a turn for the worse as party stalwarts loyal to former President Olusegun Obasanjo have decided to have a showdown with the supporters of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The latest development follows the party’s decision to sack senior party officials known to be loyal to the former President from its National Working Committee.

 Investigations showed that the removal, announced on Friday, shocked the former President and his group.

The leadership of the PDP had on Friday sacked loyalists of Obasanjo in the National Working Committee. The Bamangar Tukur-led leadership is known to be loyal to President Jonathan.

Sick Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke may return next weekend

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Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke, who embarked on a foreign trip months ago, is now hale and hearty and may return to the country this weekend. Acting Governor, Effiok Cobang said this yesterday in Calabar at a town hall meeting which marked the end of the National Good Governance Tour in Cross River State.  There have been speculations on whether Imoke’s long absence meant his health had further deteriorated and if he was returning to Nigeria anytime soon.

President Jonathan May Spend 7 Years Min. In Prison After Tenure

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Respected for the accuracy of his predictions, Prophet Marcus Tibetan who is widely referred to as the Nostradamus of our time predicts that ten Ministers in the cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan would be dropped this year for being ineffective and incompetent.President Goodluck Jonathan, says the prophet, should pray against losing loved ones in this year 2013.These are some of the predictions of Prophet Marcus Tibetan, the Parish Head of Celestial Church of Christ, Elisha Parish, for the year 2013.

CBN may revoke licences of more MFBs

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Indications have emerged that the Central Bank of Nigeria may revoke the operating licences of some microfinance banks in the country early next year, ADEMOLA ALAWIYE reports. With the financial sector smarting from the 2010 withdrawal of operating licences of 103 microfinance banks, indications have again emerged that more MFBs may soon lose their licences as a result of another impending cleaning exercise by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Jonathan may not rule beyond 2015 – Dokubo-Asari …says quarrel with Obasanjo unnecessary

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Leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteers Force, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, has declared that President Goodluck Jonathan may not rule beyond 2015.  Dokubo-Asari based his statement on the facts that the President had lost the support of his political stronghold-South/East and South/South, going by the result of the 2011 presidential election. The Ijaw activist had in March this year declared that Jonathan would occupy the Presidential Villa for eight years from 2011.

Ripples Of Hurricane Sandy May Hit Lagos Within Two Weeks - Government

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Click here to view Hurricane Sandy Slams America [Photos]

The Lagos State Government on Tuesday warned residents of the state to prepare for the ripple effect of Hurricane Sandy in the state.

Credit Suisse, UBS may cut 7,000 jobs

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UBS is to cut 3,000-5,000 jobs as part of cost-saving measures to offset falling profit, while rival Swiss bank Credit Suisse may announce 1,000-2,000 cuts, Reuters reported on Sunday.

UBS plans to shed 900 jobs in Information Technology, alongside a further 2,000-4,000 layoffs in its investment bank and other central functions, the paper said.

A spokesman for UBS, scheduled to report third-quarter earnings on October 30, would not comment on the report.