Ekiti and the politics of the absurd

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Ekiti kete should be in mourning over the repeated acts of partisan political brutalities in their otherwise apparently monolithic state. The state’s image as “the fountain of knowledge,” is fast giving way to a notorious one, namely, that of “the furnace of partisan political violence.” The notoriety of Ekiti politicians’ engagement in partisan politics dates back to 1983, when Ekiti was still part of the larger Ondo State from which it was separated in 1996.

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Lack of unity cause of Nigeria’s problems – Jonathan

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President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday said most of the problems facing the country had been persisting because Nigerians lacked the needed unity to confront them.

He said if citizens had confronted the challenges in the same manner they confronted the Ebola Virus Disease recently, they would have become things of the past.

Jonathan spoke at the 54th Independence Anniversary Interdenominational Service held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.
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S-400 Air Defense Regiment Takes up Duty in Russia's South

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The S-400 Triumf air defense missile system regiment that was deployed in the Southern Military District, has taken up combat duty near the Russian city of Krasnodar, the press service of the district reported Tuesday.

"An air defense missile system regiment of the 4th Air and Air Defense Forces Command of the Southern Military District has taken up combat duty in the Krasnodar region. It is equipped with the advanced S-400 Triumf and Pantsir-S missile systems," the press service said.

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Edo State passes ₦159.3bn 2015 budget

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The Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on Tuesday signed the 2015 budget estimate of N159.3bn into law.

The governor had on September 23, 2014 presented to the state house of assembly a budget proposal of N156.551bn for consideration.

Consequently, the lawmakers passed the appropriation bill, shoring it up by N3bn.

Speaking after appending his signature, Governor Oshiomhole expressed confidence that the state government would do everything possible to ensure that the “laudable objectives” contained in the budget were realised.
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Syria's Assad Says Countries Feeding Terrorism Unable to Fight It: Reports

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Terrorism in Syria cannot be combated by the countries, which feed it, Syrian President Bashar Assad said Tuesday.


"Combating terrorism cannot be carried out by states that contributed to establishing terrorist organizations, provided them with logistic and material support, and spread terrorism around the world," Syria's SANA news agency quoted Assad as saying at the meeting with the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Shamkhani.
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Nigeria is destined for greatness – Mark

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Senate President, David Mark, on Tuesday urged Nigerians to have faith and remain steadfast in promoting peace and unity no matter the challenges.  Mark in a goodwill message to Nigerians to mark this year’s Independence Day anniversary said the indivisibility of our nation is not negotiable because there’s no better place than Nigeria.

He recalled the nation’s chequered political history since 1960, during which Nigeria went through 30 months old fratricidal civil war, various ethno-religious conflicts and assured that our crisis are surmountable.
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The empire Speaks !! Shekau’s death will not end insurgency — Campbell

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A former United States of America Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell, has said the death of Boko Haram’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, is not as important as ending the ongoing insurgency in the North-East.

The former ambassador argued that though Shekau, through his gruesome videos and fierce rhetoric, had become the public face of Boko Haram, the Islamist insurrection against Nigeria was more than the person of Shekau.

Campbell stated that the death or otherwise of Shekau would not affect the ongoing insurgency in the North-East.
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APC faults INEC’s position on early campaigns

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The All Progressives Congress has slammed INEC for acting too little, too late by issuing a warning on illegal public political broadcast and campaign, saying INEC’s belated action is highly suspicious.

In a statement issued in London on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said INEC’s action, coming after the PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan have been campaigning endlessly for the 2015 elections, can only be to the disadvantage of other candidates and political parties.

”Is it a ploy by INEC to give undue advantage to the PDP and its adopted sole presidential candidate, President Jonathan, in next year’s elections?” it queried
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Tinubu calls for revolution !

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A former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, says there is a need for the country to undergo a “common sense” revolution.  Tinubu, who is a national leader of the All Progressives Congress said the many years of misrule by successive Peoples Democratic Party presidents had continued to sink the country further into crisis.

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Independence: Chime calls for renewed patriotism

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Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, has called on Nigerians to embrace a new spirit of patriotism as the nation marks its 54th Independence Anniversary.
He also called for sacrifice and commitment towards strengthening the unity, socio-economic and political well being of the country.

The governor, who made the call in an independence anniversary message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Chukwudi Achife, noted that “contemporary events and circumstances in the country were enough to compel all Nigerians to pursue ideals and visions that can only foster greater national integration and advancement.”

Ekiti monarchs declare for Fayose

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The Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers has warned against any attempt to subvert the mandate freely given to the Governor-elect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, in the June 21 governorship election.  Rising from its meeting held in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the monarchs said such attempt could further aggravate the already tensed situation in the state.

The meeting, which reviewed the security situation in the state commiserated with the family of a former Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Mr. Omolafe Aderiye, who was murdered last Thursday, by unknown gunmen.
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Imoke’s Chief of Staff, 5 others resign

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Chief of Staff to the Cross River State Governor, Dr. Alex Egbuna, alongside five other members of Governor Liyel Imoke’s cabinet on Tuesday resigned to pursue their aspirations in various elective positions. Information from a source at the office of the Secretary to the State Government at 6.15pm indicated that the five others that have put in their resignation included the SSG himself, Mike Aniah; the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Patrick Ugbe, and the Commissioner for Works, Legor Idagbor. Others are the Special Adviser on Investment Promotion; Gerald Adah and the Special Adviser on Budget, Peter Oti. They all intend to run for the governorship position of the state except Egbuna who will be seeking the Abi/Yakurr seat in the Federal House of Representatives.

UK Conducts First Airstrikes Against IS Targets in Iraq: Reports

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British Tornado fighter jets have conducted first airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) targets in Iraq, Reuters reported Tuesday citing the UK Defense Secretary Michael Fallon.
According to the report, the British jets have attacked a heavy weapons position and an IS armed pick-up truck and returned to their base.
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Buhari declares presidential bid, advocates change

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Former Head of State, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has said the most important task before members of the All Progressives Congress is to take away power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.

Buhari said this in an address to volunteers and representatives of Buhari Support Groups, in Abuja, on Tuesday, where he told them he would be vying for the presidential ticket of the APC.

He stated, “Today, we are in the 15th year of “the purposeless leadership” by the Peoples Democratic Party and that all we have seen is the unprecedented deterioration in the security situation.”
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FG to adopt new pre-shipment inspection for used vehicles

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The Federal Government on Tuesday said it would begin a new pre-shipment verification of conformity to standards on used vehicles coming into the country.

The Director General, Standards Organization of Nigeria, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, disclosed this while speaking shortly after the signing of an agreement for the implementation of the conformity to standards of used vehicles.

He said the move was part of efforts aimed at ensuring the successful implementation of the new automobile policy in the country.
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Group protests Kaduna killings, accuses Jonathan of insensitivity

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A Coalition of Civil society groups from the Southern Kaduna in Kaduna State took to the street on Tuesday to protest what they described as the ‘continued killings’ of their people, accusing President Goodluck Jonathan of being insensitive to the plight of the people of the area.

They carried placards with such inscriptions as “enough is enough”, “the Nigerian state has failed the people of Southern Kaduna”, “4,000 people killed, we are not in a civil war”, and “it is genocide”.  They marched through from their office, located along Gwari avenue, Barnawa in the Southern part of the state.  Specifically, the group under the aegis of the Coalition of Southern Kaduna Civil Society Organisations noted that the president had turned deaf ears to the more than 4,000 people who had been killed over the years by terrorists in the area.

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Obama pledges strengthened relationship with Nigeria

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President Barack Obama, has felicitated with Nigeria on the celebration of its 54th Independence anniversary and pledged that the United States would continue to strengthen relationship with the country.

Obama in his message issued through the US Embassy in Abuja on Tuesday, said his country would continue to work with Nigeria in promoting good governance and combating terrorism.

The US President wished Nigerians a more peaceful and prosperous year.

He said, “As Nigeria marks its 54th anniversary of independence on October 1, the American people join me in wishing the people of Nigeria a memorable celebration filled with joy and increased national unity.
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El-Zakzaky alleges plot to use ‘supporters’ to kill soldiers

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The leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, also known as the Shi’ites, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, on Tuesday raised the alarm over a plot by the military to allegedly cause violence in Zaria, Kaduna State, using the movement as A launch-pad. He explained that he had to  arrive IN Zaria earlier  than scheduled for his weekly  sermons to expose  and forestall what he described as a sinister plan to cause violence in the city.

El-Zakzaky, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Mallam Ibrahim Usman, in Kaduna, said he was acting on a tip-off over the plan by the Nigerian military to infiltrate the movement and kill unsuspecting soldiers, which will justify official clampdown on its members.

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Meet the new President of Nigeria Football Federation

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Just after a keenly contested election which held today September 30th in Warri, Delta state, the Chairman of the Delta state Sports Commission, Mr Amaju Pinnick, won the presidential election of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF. He takes over  from Alhaji Aminu Maigari.
 Congrats!

3 Boko Haram members sentenced to 25 years each

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The Federal High Court in Lagos today Tuesday September 30th sentenced 3 Boko Haram members to 25 years imprisonment each, The Nation reports.

However, journalists were not allowed to cover the judgment. Only lawyers in the prosecution and defence teams were allowed in court.A source, who witnessed the verdict, but craved anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, told reporters that the fourth defendant was acquitted.
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