Nigeria: Jonathan, Wife, Honoured in Cote d'Ivoire

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Nigeria's President, Goodluck Jonathan, and his wife, Patience, were honoured in Cote d'Ivoire on Friday, presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati, said in a statement.

Mr. Jonathan was conferred with the 'Grand Cross of the Order of the Nation,' the highest honour in Cote d'Ivoire, by the Ivorian President, Alassane Ouattara, late on Friday in Abidjan. The award was in appreciation of Nigeria's contributions to peace, stability and progress in the West African country.

President Ouattara also conferred the honour of Commander of the Order of the Nation on Nigeria's First Lady, Patience Jonathan, at a State Banquet in the Ivorian seat of government.

Nigeria: Local Prisons - Inmates Open Up On Travails, Triumphs

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For long, so much has been said about the deplorable state of prisons in Nigeria, particularly the adverse health implications on inmates due to congestion. And successive governments have been al ccused of negligence instead of proffering lasting solution to this problem.

More worrisome is the fact that inmates get back into society hardened after serving their sentences, thereby frustrating security operatives'efforts to curb criminal acts in the society.

Irked by the development, the Nigerian Prison Service was renamed Nigerian Prisons and Correctional Service sequel to the Senate passage of a Bill for an Act to repeal the Prisons Act Cap, P29 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Nigeria: Aganga Charges ITF to Ensure Nigeria's Industrialisation Before End of Jonathan's Tenure

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The Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, has challenged the Industrial Training Fund, ITF, to ensure that the Nigerian economy is fully industrialized before the end of President Goodluck Jonathan's administration.

Mr. Aganga issued the challenge on Friday in Jos, during the Industrial Training Fund's annual review and official commissioning of the organisation's centre.

The minister, while emphasizing on the relevance of the ITF, to Nigeria's economic development, urged the Fund to develop more manpower to improve the country's economic fortune.

No Time For Slow Motion: Nigeria, Governor Oshiomhole's Cabinet - Who's in, Who's Out?

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Edo State Government policy, under Comrade Adams Oshiomhole s being carefully implemented by an elite group of un-elected men, and the Comrade Governor is their indispensable public face.

These men who secretly control the State government simply transcend the rules that govern ordinary people, and their hidden agenda is beyond the scope of mainstream thought.

In a recent bumper package of his cabinet list submitted to the State House of Assembly, Oshiomhole dropped a couple of players such as Osagie Obayuwana, Justice Ministry; Mrs. Cordilia Awezie, health Ministry; Miss Anita Evbuomwan, Sports Ministry; Comrade Didi Adodo, Special Duties; Barrister Anslem Ojesua, Ministry of Lands; among others.

Expanding contraceptive options for Nigeria’s women

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I recently met a young woman named Mercy who had five children and was struggling to make ends meet. She had tried oral contraceptives to prevent pregnancy, but admitted that she often forgot to take the pill every day. She then tried injectable contraceptives, which required her to visit the health centre every quarter, but she often did not have enough money for transport. In fact, she became pregnant with her fifth child after missing one injection.

Nigeria: Cleansing the Judiciary

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EDITORIAL

A glimmer of hope came from the third arm of government, a few days ago, with the report that the National Judicial Council (NJC) had removed two judges - Justices Charles Archibong of the Federal High Court, Lagos, and Thomas Naron of the High Court of Plateau State - for ethical misconduct.

A third judge, Justice Abubakar Talba of the FCT High Court, is being probed over allegations of delivering controversial judgements. Also, the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) has stripped Chief Ajibola Aribisala of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) because of his involvement in the wrong handling of a case involving a financial institution.

I Never Imagined I Could Become A Governor… I Had Preferred To Be A Soldier – Sokoto State Governor

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Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, has urged the people of the state to embrace peace and the fear of God, noting that their usual good conduct would continue to earn the state more respect. The governor also prayed for peace and prosperity of Sokoto State and the country at large.

Wamakko’s message was made available to Nigerian Tribune, and the governor, who clocks 60 today, said the peace of the north that had been ruptured by acts of terrorism could be overcome with concerted efforts, as he urged Nigerians never to think the problems was meat only for the north to solve. He said Nigeria as a country would need to operate as one body in which case, whatever happened to a party must be the concerned of all the others. He said the ability of Nigeria to take a cue from that would fast-track the process of the country becoming a true nation.

Six Dead Following Outbreak Of Measles In Niger State

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Niger State Commissioner for Health, Dr Ibrahim Sule, says no fewer than six persons are confirmed dead following the outbreak of measles in some parts of the state.Sule made this known on Thursday in Minna, saying that the outbreak was reported within the last two weeks in four local government areas.

“I can confirm that six deaths were recorded due to the outbreak of the disease in the state so far, but the situation is under control at the moment,“ he said.

The commissioner listed the affected council areas as Mokwa, Edati, Bosso and Chanchaga, saying that Chanchaga was worst hit.

SHAMELESS: Nigerians Generate 518MW More Electricity Than FG’s Power Stations – UNILAG VC

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The embarrassing state of electricity generation and supply in the country was again brought to the front burner when the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, UNILAG, Professor Rahaman Bello revealed that Nigerians are currently generating far more electricity through the use of generators in their homes, corporate offices and industrial places than what the Federal Government is producing through its power stations across the country.

“An estimated 6000 MW is generated via individual and corporate outfits to meet their minimum demands for electricity,” Bello disclosed yesterday, at the Nigerian Institute of Management, NIM, inaugural ‘Nigeria: Arise and Shine’ annual lecture.

Prophet Accused of Having Unlawful S*xual Intercourse With Woman

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An Ejigbo Magistrate Court in Lagos on Friday granted bail to one Samson Egbeola in the sum of N250,000 for allegedly having series of unlawful sexual intercourse with one Franca Bajou, a business woman.

Egbeola, 43, a self acclaimed prophet, was facing a 3-count charge of being an impostor, unlawful sexual intercourse and charming.

Lagos Police Spokesperson Receives Query Over Public Fight With Superior Officer

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Despite receiving a Junior Chambers International award for her "monumental leadership" the spokesperson of the Lagos police, Ngozi Braide, has been issued a query for fighting and attempting to stab a senior police officer, SaharaReporters has learned.

It was gathered from a reliable source at police headquarters in Ikeja that Miss Braide is undergoing interrogation for allegedly fighting with a Chief Superintendent of Police identified as Cynthia Ibeama.

"It is obvious that JCI who presented the award to Miss Braide last week did not know that she has a query to answer,” a police source said.

Police Nabs Man For Raping 4 Year Old To Death

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The Imo state police command has arrested a 30-year old man, Mr. Onyebuchi Ejinkonye who allegedly raped a 4-year old girl to death in Omuma Oru east local government area of Imo state.

Parading the suspect at the command headquaters in Owerri the state capital, the Imo State Commissioner for Police Mr. Mohammed Katsina revealed that his team caught Mr. Onyebuchi Ejinkonye while he was trying to bury the corpse of the 4year old girl after raping her to death.

Mr. Katsina also paraded some kidnap suspects, armed robbers as well as fraudsters who had been terrorizing the peace of the state.

He called for the cooperation of Imo citizens by giving the police meaningful information regarding to criminal hide outs and their movement.

He advised criminals in the state to go into hiding as he will not take it likely with their lot.

Source: Channels

Killers of 15 year old Nigerian boy, Junior Nkwelle, found guilty of manslaughter

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The 14 year old girl who ordered the stabbing of 15 year old Nigerian boy, Junior Nkwelle, for being ‘disrespectful’ was found guilty of manslaughter yesterday March 1, 2013. 

Junior and his friends had been playing football near his home when an argument broke out. The teenage girl claimed Junior had insulted her during the argument. She then called her 16 year old boyfriend on the phone to a housing estate in Brixton and ordered him to ‘teach Junior a lesson’. The boyfriend thrust a carving knife once into Junior's chest, killing him. This happened in September 2012.

The teenage girl and her boyfriend were cleared of murder by a jury yesterday, but they are facing long prison terms after being  found guilty of manslaughter.

Nigeria’s Federal Reserve Rose To $47.02 Billion

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For the first time in four years, Nigeria’s external reserves grew by 3.8 per cent month on month to $47.02 billion as at February 21, 2013. This increase is coming amid claims by prominent Nigerians that the external reserves is being squandered – the government will have something to boast about now. The latest data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revealed that the country’s forex reserves were $45.26 billion a month earlier while they rose by 34 .99% from a year ago when $34.83 billion were recorded.

“I Am Not A Nigerian” – Femi Kuti

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There are artistes who only got noticed because of a popular parent, but for Femi Kuti, whatever he has achieved today, he has worked hard for it. His father’s influence was key though, but Femi deserves everything he has in music today.

Award winning Femi Kuti, eldest son of legendary Afro beat pioneer Fela Kuti, says Afro beat is growing in leaps and bounds in several parts of the world despite its seeming gradual death in Nigeria.

Fraudster Steals N3.1m From Redeemed Church

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The police detectives attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Lafia, arrested a 52 years old man, Moses Inobeme, native of Irakhor, EsatkoL.G.AEdoState.

The suspect who presented himself as a civil engineer before pastor Lemikan Adewale of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lafia province and fraudulently collected sum of N3.1 Million on the pretext of procuring a Land for the church.

According to the police spokes man in Lafia, CSP Michael Ada who told Vanguard that after the suspect duped the church, he relocated to unknown place with his family, changed his phone number, thinking that he will never be traced again.

Gunmen raid varsity hostel, rape two

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About six gunmen yesterday invaded Paul University, Awka, Anambra State, raping two female students at gun point.

The invasion infuriated other students of the institution who barricaded the three gates leading into the university for several hours to protest what they termed insecurity on the campus.

It took the intervention of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Gaius Igboeli, and the Anglican Bishop of Awka, the Rt. Rev. Alex Ibezimhe, to stop the protest.

The VC had spent about 45 minutes persuading the students to let him into the campus.

He was followed by Bishop Ibezim who addressed the students.

The situation almost got out of hand when the students dared the police and insisted that no one would be allowed entry into the campus.

Three fraudsters attempt to swindle Benue State Government of ₦495 Million

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An attempt to defraud the Benue State Government of three million dollars (about N495 million) by three men who posed as Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials has been foiled by the Department of State Security (DSS) operatives in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

Parading the suspected fraudsters before journalists, DSS Director, Rashidi Adedirun, disclosed that the conmen were apprehended by men under his unit.

He added that they pretended to be EFCC operatives while trying to blackmail some top government officials in order to actualise their objective of extorting funds from them.

Adedirun revealed the identity of the culprits as Mark Gbaa from Buruku Local Government of the state and Bulus Ashom and Nuhu Bawa from Plateau State.

Soldiers, policemen brutalise ABSU students

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Soldiers and policemen yesterday descended on students of the Abia State University ABSU, for protesting the planned revocation of the degree awarded former governor of the state, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu by the institution. Kalu had completed his first degree programme at ABSU when he was governor and earned a bachelors degree. Surprisingly, the Abia State government recently threatened that the state s university would revoke the degree, in a move believed to be the continuation of the persecution of the former governor. Yesterday, when ABSU Senate was expected to meet over the matter, hundreds of students had converged on the administrative block as early as 7am.

Nigerian Anti-Tobacco Advocates to Push for Higher Tobacco Taxes

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Nigerian anti-smoking advocates are getting behind a renewed push for stiffer tobacco control and higher tobacco taxes in Nigeria.

Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, over the week, trained anti-tobacco advocates including government officials, members of the civil society, and Non-Governmental Organizations on effective strategy to get the "most comprehensive tobacco control law passed in Nigeria."

The Nigerian government is preparing a new tobacco control act after its first attempt, a civil society driven process in 2011, failed to get President Goodluck Jonathan's assent. The new tobacco bill is still at the conception stage in Nigeria's health ministry.