Jonathan: Conference decisions may be subjected to referendum

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PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan on Monday inaugurated the National Conference with a promise that the outcome of the conference might be subjected to a referendum.

Addressing the 492 delegates to the Justice Idris Kutigi-led National Conference in Abuja, the President said, “Let me at this point thank the National Assembly for introducing the provision for a referendum in the proposed amendment of the Constitution.

“This should be relevant for this Conference if at the end of the deliberations, the need for a referendum arises.”

An elated Jonathan described the inauguration as “the dawn of a new era,” saying he had no personal agenda in convening the talks.

U.S. forces seize tanker carrying oil from Libya rebel port

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TRIPOLI (Reuters) – U.S. special forces have seized a commercial tanker that fled with a cargo of oil from a Libyan port controlled by anti-government rebels, halting their attempt to sell petroleum on the global market.

Libyan federalist gunmen demanding regional autonomy and a share of oil wealth managed to load crude onto the ship, which escaped Libya’s navy, embarrassing Tripoli’s government and prompting parliament to sack the prime minister.

U.S. Navy commandos stormed the Morning Glory tanker as it sat in international waters off Cyprus on Sunday night and took control of the vessel, which the Pentagon said had been held by three armed Libyans.

Faces of corruption in churches

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New writer, Uzo Ngoladi, exposes the corrupt activities of Christian leaders in his new book entitled Toxic Eucharist, writes CHUX OHAI

It is not often that writers of the present generation in Nigeria are emboldened to tackle issues relating to religion straight on. Nowadays, many of them would rather shy away from such ‘damnable’ subjects than incur the wrath of bigots too blinded by doctrine to see reason in contrary opinions.

But it seems that Uzo Ngoladi, author of the Toxic Eucharist, has clearly chosen to rush in where angels fear to tread. The writer’s new novella is bound to provoke conflicting and diverse reactions from Nigerians as it hits the bookshops anytime soon.

Governors, ministers in fresh private jet deals.

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Political office holders in the country, especially governors and ministers, have embraced a new way of flying in state-of-the-art private jets to destinations within the country and overseas without necessarily owning them, findings have shown. The new private jet ownership model called time-share lease, which is fast gaining ground among the political elites, has seen over 30 private jets in the country, carrying mostly ministers, governors and some top government and private sector shots. Investigations by our correspondents revealed that some European companies and a few Nigerian private jet firms were behind the time-share private jet lease business model.

Nigeria’s National Conference starts in Abuja

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A National Conference to discuss Nigeria’s future is opening, with the division of oil money and powers expected to be the main issues.  Some 500 delegates are attending, representing Nigeria’s many ethnic, linguistic and religious groups.  The National Conference comes 100 years after the mainly Muslim north and largely Christian south were united.

Delegates have been barred from discussing whether the country should be divided.  However, some groups say they will still raise this issue during the three-month conference in the capital Abuja.

FG Abandoned 20-Storey where Thieves Rape, Deprive & Eliminate Their Subjects In Lagos

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A 20 storey building abandoned by the federal government some years back at Abule Odan-Era, a suburb of Lagos state, has been taken over by criminals who rape, rob and sometimes kill their victims.

Residents who spoke to journalist lamented that the activities of criminals in the building have been of great concern to them  as hardly a night passes without them hearing cries of “please don’t kill me” and at times the residents said they wake up to see corpses of unknown persons.

Wanted gangster kills man in front of three-year-old daughter (PIC)

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A 28-year-old gangster, Adigun Oriyomi, who was declared wanted by the Lagos State Police Command in January, has been accused of murder. He was accused of killing a 32-year-old man, Oluwafemi Adekeye, on Isa Street in the Aboru, Ipaja area of Lagos State. According to the police, the suspect, who is also known as Muda, allegedly killed Oluwafemi in the presence of his three-year-old daughter.

The deceased’s daughter said, 

“I saw Ife’s daddy (Oriyomi) in our house and he pointed a gun at my daddy and I was begging him not to kill my daddy, but he (Adigun) shot my daddy and ran away.”  The wife of the deceased, Oluwakemi, who reported the matter at the Oke Odo Police Division, told policemen that the incident occurred on February 12, 2014. Oluwakemi said the suspect and her husband were friends prior to the incident, adding that even their children were also friends.  

Catalonia getting ready to divorce Spain

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The referendum in Crimea is the first plebiscite in Europe dedicated to the issue of independence scheduled to take place this year. After Crimea, Scotland and Catalonia are planning to declare their right to self-determination. Enrique Ravello took part in the Crimean referendum as an observer. Back in January 2013 the parliament of Catalonia adopted the Declaration of sovereignty of that autonomous region, which allowed its citizens to independently determine its political future.

President Putin signs treaty of bringing Crimea, Sevastopol into Russia

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Russia and Crimea have signed treaty of accession of the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol in the Russian Federation following President Putin’s address to the Parliament. Crimea and Sevastopol are joining Russia as two separate regions, President Putin said.

The agreement will temporarily apply from the signature date and will take effect once ratified. Russia guarantees all peoples inhabiting Crimea and Sevastopol the preservation of their native language and the creation of conditions for learning and developing it, according to the agreement.

'No one can fight corruption for Nigerians except Nigerians' - Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala speaks with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS

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Minister for Finance and Coordinator of the Economy Ngozi Okonjo Iweala was a guest on CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS programme on Sunday where she acknowledged that there was corruption in Nigeria but said that the fight against corruption must involve every Nigerian...

"No one can fight corruption for Nigerians except Nigerians. Everyone has to be committed from the top to the bottom to fight it. In our country, we need to, coupled with – by all means pursue those who are corrupt, punish them, you know, make sure there’s no impunity.  But that has to be coupled with something which doesn’t get as much attention, which is building institutions.  It’s unglamorous; it’s work that takes time, but we have to do it.  We have to put it in place.” she said.

The Minister was also taken up by the presenter on Sanusi's suspension. He a

Ekiti State commissioner arrested for beating up NYSC member.

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Police in Ekiti has arrested the state’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Kayode Olaosebikan, for questioning over the beating up of a NYSC member at a registration unit in Otun Ekiti, Moba LGA of the state, Vanguard reports.
Olaosebikan (pictured above), who is also the Chairman, NYSC board in the state, was seen at the Criminal Investigation Department, CID, making his statement.
Olaosebikan allegedly beat up a youth corps member, Mr. Thompson Enobong, NYSC number EK/13c/1859, who is one of the NYSC members assisting INEC in the just-concluded registration.

Enobong was subsequently rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Ido Ekiti, where he is said to be receiving treatment.

Dr. Willie Obiano sworn-in as Anambra state Governor

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Dr. Willie Obiano who won the gubernatorial election in Anambra state in November 2013 was this afternoon sworn in as Governor at the state at the Alex Ekweume Square in Akwa.

The inaugural session was witnessed by the outgoing Governor, Peter Obi, important dignitaries such as Senator Ben Obi, Special Adviser to the President on Inter-party Affairs, who said that Obi will soon join the Federal Executive Council, Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, Senator Maggery Okadigbo, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen Azubuike Ihejirika, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu among other dignitaries as well as the People of Anambra state.
See more pics after the break.

One of the Women killed at NIS job screening stampede in PH buried

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On Saturday March 15th, at the least ten people died during a nationwide Immigration job screening exercise that turned chaotic. One of the women who died during a stampede at the Port Harcourt venue, Lucy, has been buried. Lucy was buried by her family in her home town in Akwa-Ibom State, earlier today Sahara Reporters reports.

Lucy, who was in her thirties, lived at "German Butcher", Elelenwo in Port-Harcourt. She was preparing to marry before the fateful incident took her life, family and good friends said.
 
R.I.P

L'Wren Scott dies

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Rock star Mick Jagger's longtime designer girlfriend L'Wren Scott was found dead in her Manhattan apartment today Monday March 17th. The 49year old designer, who recently cancelled her fashion show in London, was found by her assistant hanging by way of a scarf around 10am in her luxury apartment. 

Law enforcement don't think any foul play was involved although the Medical Examiner has not released the formal report. 

Pics: The Lady who Killed Herself after her Boyfriend Dumped Her..

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20 year old Jojo Tsai was distraught after her boyfriend dumped her. According to her, her boyfriend lied to her about his sincerity towards their relationship. He had always said he wanted to marry and have children with her. She put all her hope in him, built her world around him. Only for him to later say his mother would not approve their marriage.

Man Caught With Explosives In Rivers State

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The Rivers State Police Command has announced the arrest of Ibrahim Aliyu, a 30-year old man from Nasarawa State, in what it described as the bid to rid the State of undesirable elements.  

A statement by the Commissioner of Police, Tunde Ogunsakin, said Aliyu was arrested in Ndele Town in Emouha LGA with a huge quantity of dynamite explosives, along with a detonator and cordless wire. He hails from Ndo Village in Agbada Local Government Area of Nassarawa.

Banker who died in Police custody Buried as controversy encompasses his autopsy

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The Ecobank staff who died in police custody on February 20th, after his employers accused him of fraud and handed him to the authorities, has been buried. (If you missed it, read here) Babatunde Oke was buried on Saturday March 15th in his hometown in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

Pics: Port Harcourt International Airport Puts on a new look

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This is what the newly renovated Port Harcourt International Airport looks like...but this is the departure area. the main airport is under construction and and so the arrival area is slightly different from what you see above. The pics were taken just last Friday. Continue steadily to see more pics...

President GEJ summons Interior Minister, Comptroller-General of NIS

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President Jonathan today summoned the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro and the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, David Parradang, to explain last Saturday's unfortunate incident at the poorly organized NIS recruitment exercise where over ten people died during stampedes at various test centres.

R.I.P: 9 Died In Another Auto Crash

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Nine persons have been confirmed dead while many others sustained injuries in a ghastly motor accident that occurred along Ringim-Kano Road in Jigawa State at the weekend.   The accident, which occurred at about 4pm at Ganji-gebi village, seven kilometres to Ringim Local Government Area of the state, involved two buses, a Sharon (Volskwagen) and Hiace (Toyota) with registration number JHN 82 XA fully loaded with passengers.

According to a witness, Malam Mustapha, the accident occurred when one of the tyres of the Sharon bus burst and in the process collided with the Hiace bus, leading to an explosion.