Reps begin ratification of Bakassi, other treaties

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ABUJA—The House of Representatives, yesterday, initiated the process of ratification of treaties and agreements reached with international bodies by Ministries, Departments and Agencies  (MDAs) of the Federal Government.

According to the legislators, the United Nations (UN) records showed that Nigeria had entered into about 400 treaties, agreements and protocols while local records showed that  Nigeria is a party to over 200 treaties, agreements and protocols.

Reps, Governor Demand Arrest of Asari-Dokubo For Treason

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The House of Representatives on Tuesday demanded the arrest of Niger Delta activist, Mujahideen Asari-Dokubo for asserting that there would be mayhem in the country if President Goodluck Jonathan is not allowed to continue in office in 2015.

Niger Delta activist, Mujahideen Asari-Dokubo
Another Niger Delta leader, Kingsley Kuku, who had earlier been quoted to have made a similar remark, said that he was quoted out of context.

The House of Representatives ordered the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar to arrest Mr Dokubo-Asari for questioning.

3 dead, several injured after ship crashes into control tower in Italian port of Genoa

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At least three people have died and several are missing after a ship crashed into a control tower in the Italian port of Genoa, reports say.

Part of the tower was said to have crashed into the water when it was hit by the Jolly Nero container ship.

About 10 people were in the tower at the time of the accident, and some of them are feared to be in the water.

Four people have been taken to hospital, says the Corriere Della Sera newspaper.

The Jolly Nero is almost 240 metres (787 feet) long and weighs over 40,500 tonnes.

It was bound for Messina, Sicily, at the time of the crash, reports say.

The accident is said to have occurred at about 23:00 on Tuesday night (21:00 GMT), when a shift change was taking place in the control tower - meaning more people were inside.

Genoa's prosecutor is investigating the incident, Corriere Della Sera says. The ship has been impounded and the captain is being questioned.

Ọmọ Oódua News From Nigeria, BBC

Alex Ferguson set to retire as Man U manager at the end of the season

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Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has announced his decision to retire at the end of the season. The 71 year old who became Man U manager in 1986, will bow out after Man U meets West Bromwich Albion on May 19th and will join the football club board as director & ambassador.

Sir Alex is the most successful manager in English football history. He won 38 tropphies, including two Champions League and 13 Premier League. Sir Alex Ferguson told United’s website:

“The decision to retire is one that I have thought a great deal about and one that I have not taken lightly. It is the right time. It was important to me to leave an organisation in the strongest possible shape and I believe I have done so. The quality of this league winning squad, and the balance of ages within it, bodes well for continued success at the highest level whilst the structure of the youth set-up will ensure that the long-term future of the club remains a bright one.

“Our training facilities are amongst the finest in global sport and our home Old Trafford is rightfully regarded as one of the leading venues in the world.

Late Lt. David Adeyemi Sowole's baby arrives

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Lt David Adeyemi Sowole was one of the pilots who died in the December 15th 2012 military helicopter crash that killed Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Yakowa and Ex-National Security Adviser (NSA) Gen. Andrew Owoye Azazi.  Sowole's wife was pregnant at the time of the crash. She gave birth to a beautiful baby boy yesterday May 6th. The boy has been named David Adeyemi Sowole Jnr. Great news!

President Jonathan's Report Card For Nigeria - UK Guardian

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The piece sums up President Goodluck Jonathan's 3 years in office as president of Nigeria, written by UK Guardian's Remi Adekoya. See it below...

Nigerians had no rational reason to believe their lives would improve after Goodluck Jonathan became president three years ago this week. The list of promises their rulers have broken is so long it would make a virgin cynical. But then Nigerians can be stubbornly optimistic.

When Jonathan first appeared on the political scene in 2007, when Nigeria's then president, Olusegun Obasanjo, announced him as the running-mate of his party's next presidential candidate, Musa Yar'Adua, many mythologised the good fortune that seemed linked to Jonathan's first name. And so, when Yar'Adua died in 2010 from heart disease and Jonathan was handed the most coveted job in Nigeria, many voters believed good luck had come to Nigeria. Were they right?

Foursquare Gospel Church building at Ojodu Berger collapses

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A three-storey building situated at 14 Bashiru Street Ojodu Berger collapsed this afternoon killing at least one person. Two others have been brought out alive as rescue efforts continue to extract people trapped under the building. The building is said to belong to Foursquare Gospel Church.  It was a 3-storey building but the church recently started to add a fourth storey when it suddenly collapsed.

China calls US the 'real hacking empire' after Pentagon report

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China on Wednesday accused the United States of sowing discord between China and its neighbours after the Pentagon said Beijing is using espionage to fuel its military modernisation, branding Washington the "real hacking empire".
The latest salvo came a day after China's foreign ministry dismissed as groundless a Pentagon report which accused China for the first time of trying to break into U.S. defense computer networks.
The Pentagon also cited progress in Beijing's effort to develop advanced-technology stealth aircraft and build an aircraft carrier fleet to project power further offshore.

Friends raise N50m for Assasinated Oyerinde’s children’s education

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Family members, friends, colleagues and other well-wishers gathered in Edo State yesterday to celebrate the life and times of the slain Principal Private Secretary to Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde.

At the occasion, friends and colleagues of Oyerinde, as a demonstration of the worthy life and cause he led while alive, pledged and raised N50 million to insure and ensure the education of Oyerinde’s children to any level desirable.

Led by the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole and some senior members of his cabinet, the gathering had human rights activists, public office holders and ordinary citizens, including Mr. Femi Falana, SAN; the Trade Union Congress President, Comrade Peter Esele; the Nigeria Labour Congress Vice-President, Comrade Isah Aremu, the Deputy Managing Director of Thisday newspaper, Mr. Kayode Komolafe; a classmate of the slain aide, Mr. Rufus Olanrewaju; and Oyerinde’s widow, Mrs. Funke Oyerinde, amongst other guests. In an emotion laden remark, the widow of the deceased, Funke, said she had not come to mourn her late husband, but to celebrate his life and times.

SSS parades ‘would-be assassin’ of Senator

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The State Security Service, SSS, yesterday announced that it has arrested one Adelola Tamunotonye Olaore, in connection with a phony plan to assassinate Senator Aloysius Etok, disclosing that it would soon charge the suspect to court.  The SSS said Olaore was arrested on April 29, 2013, following a letter titled, “Report of Planned Assassination” by a man who calls himself ‘General Africa,’ an ex-militant, written to the service by Senator Etok. Assistant Director Public Relations of the State Security Service, SSS, Marilyn Ogar, said the arrest was made possible following the cooperation of Etok, who agreed to play along with the suspect.

See Names and photos of crashed Nigerian Airforce pilots

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Some of you asked for their photos, well here they are. These are the photos of the two Nigerian Air Force pilots who lost their lives after the fighter jet they were flying crashed in Niger yesterday Monday May 6th.  They are Flt Lt Benjamin Bem Ado and Flg Offr Ayuba Joad Layelmenson. May they RIP! Amen.

Mother And Newborn Baby Killed By Kogi Governor's Ambulance

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A nursing mother with a baby strapped in her back was knocked down by an ambulance attached to the Kogi State Government House on Sunday. National Mirror learnt that the victim was on a commercial motorcycle when the ambulance hit \ them from the rear. She died on the spot, while the three-month-old baby in her back miraculously survived the crash.

Eye witnesses said the woman was returning from the church when the incident occurred.

Russia’s 'Terminator' fighting vehicle at IDEF-2013

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Russia is due to present over 200 prospective products at the International Defence Industry Fair-2013 (IDEF) in Istanbul on the 7th through the 10th of this month.  Experts believe that the highlight of the exhibition is the Russian-made BMPT (Tank Support Fighting Vehicle), also known as the Terminator. It effectively protects tanks against anti-tank arms and boasts weapon systems to fight enemy personnel. The fighting vehicle is unparalleled anywhere in the world. Russia will also exhibit perfect multifunction helicopters, says an official of the Rosoboronexport Company, Alexei Ventslovsky, and elaborates.

"The Rosoboronexport stand, Alexei Ventslovsky says, will display the Ka-52 attack reconnaissance helicopter, the Mi-171Sh multipurpose military transport helicopter, the Mi-28NE combat helicopter, the Mi-35M combat transport helicopter, the Ansat and Ka-226T light multipurpose helicopters and other vehicles that are in big demand on the global market".

Press Freedom: Nigeria Is Ahead Of Some African Countries – NUJ President (Video)

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The president Nigerian Union of Journalist Mr. Garba Mohammed, speaking on the press freedom in Nigeria today said that what the government has accommodated in terms of analysis in most media houses cannot be accommodated in some countries in Africa, so Nigeria has gone far in achieving expression of speech.

While speaking on Channels Television’s Breakfast Show Sunrise Daily, he stated that Nigeria can’t be compared to Somalia because on a regular basis journalists are assaulted in Somalia, he said a committee will be set up to verify these claims.

 He added that being in a democratic system journalists have not been killed while performing their duties, except during insurgencies

Tanker Carrying Stolen Crude Intercepted With Four Different Number Plates

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Edo State Government has called for more stringent measures against pipeline vandals to checkmate their activities.

Executive Director Petroleum and Gas Monitoring Committee in Edo State, Chris Okaegben made the call when the committee in conjunction with Civil Defense Corps intercepted a 33,000 liter load of stolen crude in Edo State.The committee also sealed up fuel stations in Parts of Ikpoba Okha and Egor on account of adulteration and under dispensing fuel to consumers.

Community Demands Benefit From FG For Hosting Ex-militants

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The indigenes of Ogada 2 Community in Obubura Local Government Area of Cross River State have demanded that the Federal Government make efforts to ensure their social and economic development as promised by the Amnesty Committee.The people of the community which hosted the Federal Government’s Post Amnesty Programme, used to execute the rehabilitation programme of over 2,000 ex-militants from the Oil rich, Niger Delta region. Over a year after the conclusion of the Programme, at the NYSC Camp in Obubura, the indigenes through one of their Chiefs have stated that they will not allow the programme to hold again, except they are duly compensated.

Nigerian Child Among Every 5 Kids Out-Of-School Globally

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Nigeria could enrol 2.4 million of its children into school, findings from UNESCO show, as the country continues to lag behind in education with a Nigerian child among every five out-of-school children in the world.

The findings from UNESCO’s Education for All Global Monitoring Report show that Nigeria could raise nearly half a billion dollars per year for education if 20 percent of its oil revenue was invested in the sector.

Stop Witch-hunting Fashola - Lagos Assembly

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The Lagos State House of Assembly has warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against making inciting statements that could best be described as an attempt to witch-hunt the administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola.

The House made this point while condemning the call by the Lagos State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Tunji Shelle, on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe Governor Fashola.

Date fixed for forgery case against Senator Akume

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A Nigerian Federal High Court on Tuesday in Abuja fixed June 17 to commence hearing of a suit brought against the Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume, over alleged certificate forgery.
Phillip Agbese, an indigene of Benue, instituted the suit against Akume, a former governor of Benue.
He alleged that the academic credentials used by Akume to secure governorship position in Benue were forged.

Nigeria, South Africa vow to make Africa greater

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CAPE TOWN (AFP) – Leaders from continental powerhouses South Africa and Nigeria pledged to create an alliance “to make Africa great” Tuesday, signing a slew of bilateral deals to renew often strained relations.

South African President Jacob Zuma rolled out a red carpet for his counterpart Goodluck Jonathan, in what was hailed as a landmark visit to overcome simmering regional rivalries.

“My presence here today signals a spirit of renewal of our partnership. Together, we will make Africa great,” Jonathan told South African lawmakers after ministers signed nine pacts covering oil and gas, power, defence and communication.