Abuja shutdown is illegal – Gbajabiamila

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The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Monday decried the Federal Government’s decision to shut down the nation’s capital, Abuja, for the World Economic Forum.

He said the government’s action was illegal and could not be defended in law.

The forum holds in Abuja between Wednesday and Friday this week.

The government has ordered the closure of its offices for the period except for those providing essential services.

It also advised private organisations with large number of employees to shut down for the three days.

But, Gbajabiamila faulted the decision, saying that it breached the Public Holidays Act.

“This government continues to falter at every turn and gets it wrong on daily basis,” a statement by his research aide, Mr. Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart, quoted the minority leader as saying.

Ex-Ekiti gov, Oni, defects to APC

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Former Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Segun Oni, has abandoned the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic  Party in the state, Mr. Ayo Fayose, to team up with Governor Kayode Fayemi preparatory to the June 21 governorship  election.

Oni made known his decision in Ifaki Ekiti on Monday during Fayemi’s visit to his residence before the campaign rally held in the town.

Oni’s decision to join forces with Fayemi was applauded by the supporters of the two politicians who were present at the meeting.

The former governor said, 

Alleged US Advisory: Fashola Cautions against creating Panic with improperly managed Information

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Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Monday spoke on the reported issuance of a travel advisory by the United States to its citizens to avoid visiting certain places in Lagos, maintaining that if indeed the statement was issued, it clearly violated the conventional global obligation on freedom from fear.

The Governor who spoke in an interview with State House Correspondents at the Lagos House, Ikeja added the first poser he would like to raise was whether the travel warning was a US Government release and that if indeed it was, it raises new dimensions in the obligations of nations to secure peace and cooperate with one another.

Family Of 7 Found Dead In Lagos

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A staff of Nigerian Breweries Plc, his wife and five of their children have been found dead in their residence by neighbours in Lagos.

The man identified as Etim Edet and members of his family were discovered days after they had died in their sleep on their beds at their home in Badigo area of Ijede in Ikorodu.

Watch The Emotional Meltdown Of Patience Jonathan On Live TV

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Y'all need to watch this please. The First Lady broke down crying 'There is God o' after hearing the latest news on the abduction of the school girls at a meeting that took place at Aso Villa today. Watch after the break...

R.I.P: Ex-Governor Of Lagos State, Sir Michael Otedola dies

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Omo Oodua Blog just got this news from the family source that the former governor of Lagos Sir Michael Otedola is dead. This really is coming about 24 hours after losing a legal icon, Justice Charles Oputa. Otedola was born on the 16 July 1926  to a Muslim family at Odoragunsin, Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State. He was the governor of Lagos between the period January 1992 – 18 November 1993. He is the father of oil and gas billionaire, Femi Otedola. He died age 87. May his soul rest in peace.

FFK accuses some'important individuals' of sponsoring Boko Haram in new article

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 "Nigerian's don't want to accept the ugly fact that there are some key individuals, who some of them still literally worship and rever, that are the ones actually encouraging, fueling and funding Boko Haram and that are waging war against our people" Femi Fani Kayode writes in a new article titled 'The Haramites of Boko'. Quite an interesting read. Find it below... 

"My worst fears have been confirmed and sadly the Haramites of Boko have struck again. Another terrible bomb blast has taken place in Abuja and many innocent people have been butchered, slaughtered and maimed. At the last count the number of those killed is no less than 39 despite attempts by the international and local media to play the number of casualties down. This damning display of primordial and pure savagery by Boko Haram comes barely two weeks after over 100 innocent people, including women and children, were killed by another bomb, on the same spot and by the same people. This is surely too much for us to bear. 

'How we jumped out of Boko Haram truck' - girls who escaped reveal

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Punch interviews 2 of the girls who jumped out of the truck they were being transported in by Boko Haram men after the men stormed their school and kidnapped over 250 girls. Interview below..

What is your name?

Sawok: My name is Amina Sawok.

Walse: My name is Thabita Walse.

WEF: Presidential guards deployed in Abuja airport

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Soldiers from the Presidential Guard have been deployed in the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport,Abuja ahead of the commencement of the World Economic Forum on Africa which takes place between May 7 and 9, 2014

Ex- Kwara State Governor, Adamu Attah Dies

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Former governor of old Kwara State, Adamu Attah, has been reported dead.

According to PREMIUM TIMES, Mr. Attah died on Thursday at the Abuja National hospital after a brief illness.

A relative of the deceased, Suleiman Attah, confirmed the death to newsmen

It was further gathered that the deceased would be buried on Friday in his home town of Okene, Kogi State.

Another source informed that a condolence register has been opened at the Kogi State government house while sympathisers trooped to the late Mr. Attah’s family house in Okene to pay their condolences.

Justice Oputa Kicked the Bucket at 96

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A former Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, died on Sunday at age 96. He died of a stroke-related ailment.

A son of the departed jurist and musician, Mr. Charles Oputa (aka Charly Boy), confirmed the death of his father in a statement.

“The Family of Justice Chukwudifu Oputa wishes to announce the passing to glory of the eminent jurist and a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria at the age of 96 years. He passed on peacefully on Sunday afternoon (May 4, 2014) after recovering from a brief illness. Funeral announcements will soon be released by the family,” Charles’ statement read.

How Borno Governor caused kidnap of Chibok schoolgirls – WAEC

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“The Borno state government also refused to relocate the students from Chibok to safer places like Maiduguri.”

The kidnap of over 250 schoolgirls in Chibok may not have occurred if the Borno State Government had heeded the advice of an examination body, fresh facts have emerged.

Aware of the poor security situation in Borno and worried about the safety of students, the West African Examination Council, WAEC, declined to conduct its Senior School Certificate Examination in unsafe parts of Borno, including Chibok.

Mercy Johnson talks about missing school girls

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The star actress writes on the missing Chibok girls. Find her article below...

Sometimes, our realities remind us of the pain of others. My reality as a mother is that I get to see my daughter every day, while the reality of the mothers of the kidnapped 234 Chibok girls is that they don’t even know where their daughters are.

I looked at my daughter and tears came to my eyes that some mothers have the privileges of seeing their kids on a daily basis while the mothers of the kidnapped girls can only console themselves with memories. Continue...

Photos from BringBackOurGirls protest hold in Newyork and D.C

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Nigerians living in New York City took to the streets of New York yesterday to protest the kidnap of over 250 Chibok schoolgirls. They were joined by other non-Nigerians who walked together with them in solidarity. The protesters all adorned Africa headgear because they walked the streets and finally stopped at the Union Square in New York. Another group protested in D.C. 

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS

Deadly Twin Bomb Explosion hit Mombasa, Kenya

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A deadly twin bomb explosion rocked Mombasa, Kenya yesterday May 3rd, killing at least 3 people, and injuring several others.

According to a Sky News report, one blast happened at a busy bus station in Mwembe Tayari, near the city centre, when grenades were thrown into a crowded minibus killing at least three people, and wounding seven others. The other explosion occurred at a well-known beach resort hotel, the Reef Hotel, in the Nyali area of the city, although no casualties are reported in that explosion. A bag was said to have been dropped by the entrance of the hotel which was later discovered to contain the explosive.

Southern states prepare against Boko Haram

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Governments of states in the southern part of the country are bracing for possible attacks by the Boko Haram sect. There are fears that the sect, which has its base in the North-East, may extend its targets to the South.

The terrorist group had claimed responsibility for several attacks and kidnappings in the northern part of the country, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Abuja, the seat of the Nigerian government, has recorded three major attacks in 2014 alone.

Boko Haram suspects in detention at the headquarters of the Department of State Services attempted a jailbreak on March 30, leading to a shootout. The terrorists have also attacked Nyanya, Abuja twice, killing over 100 and injuring many others.

4 Died in well trying to retrieve bucket in Cross Rivers State

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According to a Vanguard report, the first person to enter the well was John Ushie, who lived in the compound. While preparing to go to work that day, he went to the well in the compound to fetch water but the bucket he was using to draw water fell in the well. He thought it was a good idea to try to retrieve the bucket but ended up drowning when he jumped into the well.

Nigerian student bags $350,000 Bill Gates Millennium scholarship

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Oloruntobi Dare, a Nigerian student of Hubert Flowers High School is one of the 1000 beneficiaries to win the coveted Bill Gates Millenium scholarship worth $350,000. Oluwatobi who is a naturalized American has shown a regular display of talent and brains since her pre-school in the USA. 

Apart from winning the Gates scholarship, she's won other awards including, Most Outstanding Science Student, Hubert Flowers High School, Maryland; Winner, Prince George's Community Church's 8th Annual African American History Essay Contest; 3rd place winner, Maryland Coalition for Gifted and Talented Education Essay Contest 2014; and Maryland Representative at the commemoration of the 70th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Day Parade. Very inspiring. Congrats to her.

Abuja is under siege — Retired Army generals

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There are indications that the Boko Haram attack on the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Thursday might not be last of the deadly onslaughts on the seat of the Federal Government.

Barely three weeks after the  sect carried out a car bomb attack on a motor park in Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja, killing over 75 persons, the sect attacked the same vicinity again with another car bomb, which claimed about 30 lives on Thursday evening.

Some retired Army generals and former senior security operatives, who spoke to SUNDAY PUNCH on Friday, said Abuja was under siege and urged security agents to rise up to the challenge and stop the sect from overrunning the FCT.

Another Presidential Media Chat set to hold tomorrow, Sunday May,4th

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Another Presidential media chat will hold tomorrow May 4th...starring President Jonathan and some handpicked journalists.  Based on a media statement by presidential Spokesperson, Reuben Abati, the Presidential chat will start by 7pm and will soon be aired survive the network services of the NTA, the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and the Voice of Nigeria.

"During the programme, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will respond to questions from a panel of journalists and media executives on current national issues and developments. Members of the public who have particular issues they will like President Jonathan to address are also invited to send their questions via twitter to @mediachatng1. President Jonathan will respond to the most significant questions received before or during the programme,” the statement read in part...