GEJ declares national emergency on Ebola, approves ₦1.9b special intervention fund

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Below is the State House press release...

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Friday in Abuja declared the control and containment of the Ebola virus in Nigeria, a National Emergency.

Accordingly, the President has directed the Federal Ministry of Health to work in collaboration with the State Ministries of Health, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant agencies to ensure that all possible steps are taken to effectively contain the threat of the Ebola virus  in line with international protocols and best practices. Continue...

Federal government of Nigeria approves 5-year jail term and N200, 000 fine for exam cheats

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The minister of Education, Prof Ruqayyat Rufai, announced yesterday that students caught from now on cheating during exams will face a five year jail term or N200,000 fine or both.

This decision was reached during the Federal Executive Council weekly meeting that held in Abuja yesterday. The new law states in part...

Continue after the break.

Senate panel approves plan to strike Syria

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The United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted on Wednesday to approve President Barack Obama's plan to strike Syria in retaliation for the reported use of chemical weapons by leader Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

Continue after the break.

Fashola approves construction of 70 new roads

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Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, said 70 new roads had been approved and awarded for construction and rehabilitation in the state, even as the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, deplored the poor state of the Federal High Court in Lagos Island, saying "it is in its old self." 


Fashola who spoke during a courtesy call on him by the NBA, Lagos Branch and Ikeja, led by Mr. Monday Ubani and Mr. Taiwo Taiwo, said the contract had increased the number of awarded road contracts since the commencement of the second term of his administration to 230. 

Pes. Jonathan approves order proscribing Boko Haram, Ansaru members

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Below is a press statement by the president's Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Reuben Abati.

President Jonathan approves order proscribing Boko Haram and Ansaru members; supporters, collaborators now face prosecution under terrorism prevention act.

President Goodluck Jonathan has formally approved the proscription of Boko Haram and authorized the gazetting of an order declaring the group’s activities illegal and acts of terrorism.

The order which has been gazetted as the Terrorism (Prevention) (Proscription Order) Notice 2013 affects both Boko Haram (Jamaatu Ahlis-Sunna Liddaawati Wal Jihad) and another group – Jama’atu Ansarul  Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan, was approved by President Jonathan pursuant  to section 2 0f the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011 (As Amended).

Senate Approves State Of Emergency In Borno, Yobe And Adamawa

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The Nigerian Senate has approved the state of emergency declared last week in three states believed to be the epicentre of Islamist insurgency in the country.

The Senate, after a closed-door session with 100 members (out of the 109 members), approved unanimously by a voice vote the official gazette of the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, transmitted to it by President Goodluck Jonathan.

“We, therefore, approve Mr. President’s request for a declaration of state of emergency,” said Senate President, David Mark, after the voice vote.

Jonathan approves appointment of 12 new judges for Industrial Court

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Abuja - President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of 12 new Judges for the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NIC).

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by Mr John Tergema, the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court.  They judges are; Justices Edith Agbakoba, Anthonia Ubaka, Olufunke Anuwe, John Peters, Oyejoju Oyewumi, Kenneth Amadi, Peter Lifu, Rakiya Haastrup, Waziri Abali, Rabi Gwadu, Lawal Mani and Ebeye Isele.

The statement said the appointment was sequel to the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Osun Approves N1.1 Billion Electrification Project

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The Osun state government has awarded electricity projects to the tune of N1.1 billion across the state.

This government says is “to ensure that all nooks and crannies of the state of Osun are connected to the National Electricity Grid for improved socio economic activities”.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development, Water Resources and Community Affairs, Hon. Kunle Ige said this in Osogbo at the on-going Quarterly Ministerial Press Conference, organized by the state Ministry of Information and Strategy. Hon Ige, who disclosed that the government has expended the sum of N3 billion on provision of electricity to the people, added that new electricity projects which cut across all the nine federal constituencies of the state were awarded in the first quarter of 2013.

He further explained that in addition to the massive electrification of some rural and semi-rural communities across the state, government has also provided transformers to some communities to help stabilize power supply.

Agriculture Receives Boost As FG Approves N15 Billion For The Recapitalization Of Bank Of Agriculture

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In its attempt at modernising agriculture and ensuring that farmers are real beneficiaries of its policies, the Federal Government has made moves towards bringing agricultural inputs closer to the farmers. This is through the implementation of Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GES).

In the same vein, the FG has approved that N15 billion be provided to recapitalise the Bank of Agriculture.

Goodluck Jonathan has given approval for sacking Justice Charles Archibong of the Federal High Court

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President Goodluck Jonathan has given approval for the compulsory retirement of Justice Charles Archibong of the Federal High Court, Lagos, as recommended by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

This approval was stated by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke yesterday in Abuja while addressing State House correspondents.

“This is to inform you that President Goodluck Jonathan is in receipt of a recommendation from the National Judicial Council recommending the compulsory retirement of Justice Charles Archibong and Mr. President has approved that it should take immediate effect” Adoke said.

FEC Approves Special Training For VIPs’ Drivers

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A compulsory special training for drivers in the convoys of Very Important Persons, including governors, ministers as well as heads of departments and parastatals, has been approved by the Federal Executive Council.The decision was taken on Wednesday following a report presented to the council by the Federal Road Safety Corps on the regular auto crashes involving the convoys of VIPs.

Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, and his colleague in Mines and Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Mohammed Sada, stated this after the FEC meeting presided over by Vice-President Namadi Sambo. President Goodluck Jonathan is in Darvos, Switzerland, where he is attending the World Economic Forum summit.

FEC approves N2.2bn 150-seater banquet hall for Aso Rock Villa

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The federal government of Nigeria wants to spend over two billion Naira for a 150-seater banquet hall. Not a 5, 000-seater hall o, just 150 seats! Meanwhile, there's an existing banquet hall in the Villa o. This one is just to waste money and share the remaining. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Muhammed, said the proposed hall, which will be constructed by Julius Berger, will have walk ways, security post, hall conveniences, technical room and press briefing room. For N2.2bn?