Nigeria will be massively transformed in a positive way within the next 10 years, President Goodluck Jonathan Tuesday assured Nigerians. “…it would not take a lifetime for this country to change. It would not take more than 10 years. Within a space of 10 years, you would see major changes,” said Jonathan after he received a Primatial award conferred on him by the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, at the Presidential Villa. He promised to continue working together with his Vice and other members of his cabinet to improve the quality of life of…
Author: Wale Adebayo
TUC PRESIDENT, BOBOI KAIGAMA The leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria has expressed worry over the decision of the Federal Government to borrow $1bn to prosecute the ongoing war against insurgency in the North-East. TUC President, Mr. Boboi Kaigama, said in his Independence Anniversary speech, made available to reporters on Tuesday, that it was disturbing for the country to engage in external borrowing to funds projects. Kaigama said while the TUC condemned in strong terms the activities of the Boko Haram sect, it opposed the decision to borrow $1bn purportedly to fund the procurement of military hardware…
Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State, on Tuesday said there is a possibility that the 2015 elections will be postponed if the present security challenges continue unabated. He stated this in Abakaliki, the state capital, during a media chat, as part of activities marking the country’s 54th independence anniversary and 18th anniversary of the state’s creation. Elechi, who was responding to a question on the choice of a successor, said the people of Ebonyi State will decide who becomes the next governor in 2015. He said, “I don’t know why we are so unsettled about this matter, the time table…
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has enrolled for a Master of Arts (MA) and PhD degrees at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). He registered to study Christian Theology in the School of Arts and Social Sciences. Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Vincent Tenebe stated that although admission and registration in universities were not usually announced or celebrated, but for a special case like this, it is allowed. Obasanjo however urged the management of the institution to treat him like any other student. Although he said he recognised the role of courtesy in his case, but he said he would…
Former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari wants to run for presidency again in 2015, but he has Atiku Abubakar, Adams Oshiomole and President Goodluck Jonathan as some of the aspirants he needs to contend with. With overzealous support usually known for attacking other aspirants in situations like this, Buhari has warned his supporters not to insult anyone on his behalf. “I must warn all my supporters, volunteers and other well-wishers within the party or even out of it, not to insult or be rude to any other aspirant or party leader on my behalf,” said Buhari, who spoke to…
A mob on Tuesday set ablaze two men over alleged attempted to steal a commercial motorcycle popularly known as okada at Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. The State Police Public Relations Officer, Ismaila Numan, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria in Nasarawa. Numan said the mob set the suspects ablaze after being caught allegedly trying to snatch an Okada in the area. He said the policemen from the nearest divisional command, raced to the area after receiving a distress call. “But before our men got to the scene of the incident, the two suspects were…
Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, (SAN) on Monday promised to provide funds for any research work on the Ebola Virus disease. Fashola made the promise while disbursing grants to 31 beneficiaries whose research proposal had been approved by the Lagos State Research and Development Council. The governor used the occasion to challenge a former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Maurice Iwu, to come up with a lucid proposal on his bitter kola theory for the cure of Ebola, saying the state government would be willing to provide funds for his research. He explained that professors,…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has vowed to deal with individuals, groups and political parties, who breach the provisions of the constitution as regards public campaign and procession. “The Commission shall henceforth take necessary action against such associations, corporate bodies, individuals, political parties, media or such communication agencies, social media, candidates/aspirants who contravene the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (As amended) and/or Electoral Act 2010 (As amended) on public campaign/rally and procession,” said Augusta Ogakwu, Secretary of the Commission in a warning issued on September 26 and published in an INEC bulletin released yesterday. According to Ogakwu, the commission…
Information Minister Labaran Maku says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will end the reign of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 general elections. He said this yesterday as a formal reception held in celebration of the national award, Commander of the order of the Niger (CON) bestowed on him by President Goodluck Jonathan. “We will struggle to defeat APC in Nasarawa State in the next general elections. We will end tribalism and senseless killings in Nasarawa state. That is why I am in politics, to bring peace and development to the people of Nasarawa State. We shall work…
L-R: SEN. AYOGU EZE, SENATE President DAVID MARK & Gov. SULLIVAN CHIME The Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ayogu Eze, has denied reports claiming he has withdrawn interest in the Enugu State governorship race. Eze, who is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, also debunked reports that a consensus candidate has been picked for the PDP governorship ticket in Enugu State. He said: “I wish to state clearly and unambiguously that I’ve not and will not step down for any anointed candidate. I ‘m still squarely in the race for…
President Goodluck Jonathan has directed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed to give a flat to the Head, Presidential Steward, Mr. Onuh Isaac Michael. It was learnt that Mr. Onuh, inspite of 30 years of service to his fatherland, having served several presidents, has not been able to build a house of his own. The president gave the directive during the award of national honor of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) on his steward yesterday alongside 312 others at the International Conference Centre, ICC, Abuja. Mr. Jonathan also approved a flat each to…
The President of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, on Monday, maintained his innocence in the controversial $9.3m smuggled into South Africa by two Nigerians and an Israeli, using his private jet. Oritsejafor broke his silence during the National Executive Council meeting of CAN at the National Christian Centre, Abuja. The CAN president decried attempts in the media to link him with the incident by mischievous elements, adding that he chose not to respond all thus while because he needed to explain his position to the church first, which is his primary constituency. Oritsejafor, in his address, declared…
The era of widespread divorce is at the moment ethos of Nigerian celebrities. See the following for your comments: First, it was news about Tiwa Savage and hubby, Teebillz,and now, it is our beautiful actress, Ini Edo. Kemi Filani has revealed that the wedding of the Nigerian actress who started her acting career in the year 2000 has ended. The marriage which was contracted in 2008 was said to have ended five weeks ago. The actress who has featured in more than 50 movies since the beginning of her career is said to be beaten by her husband all the time…
Very talented Nigerian singer — Timi Dakolo, has come up with a very effective way to encourage his fans to be patriotic as the nation’s Independence anniversary celebration approaches. Timi has decided to award the sum of 1,000 dollars to whoever does what he’s asking. The singer wrote on social media, ‘Stand a chance to win $1000! Sing, record and upload your rendition of the Great Nation chorus as we countdown to Nigeria’s Independence Day! Video with highest votes on my timeline wins. You must use the hashtag #GreatNation and tag @timidakolo’
Nollywood actress Omoni Oboli became even more famous after her blue dress episode at the presidential villa with president Goodluck Jonathan. The actress revealed that her competence as a movie director are baseless and irrelevant. According to her, the experience she gathered while on movie sets and at the New York Film Academy are enough to qualify her. ‘I learnt some people asked if I am competent enough to direct a movie; without wanting to join issues with those people, the answer to their question is yes. Not only have I picked up on-the field experience, I also went to one…
Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, on Monday faulted the attempt by the President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, to wash his hands off the controversy surrounding the use of his private jet to allegedly smuggling $9.3 million cash into South Africa, saying the cleric breached the law. Although Oritsejafor has denounced the two Nigerians and an Israeli arrested in connection with the money and the purpose of their mission to South Africa, Falana insisted that the influential pastor cannot dismiss the scandal with a wave of the hand, adding, “in recent…
Justice AFOLABI ABDULFATAI ADEYINKA (RTD) CHAIRMAN, Lagos State INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL Commission (LASIEC) Retired Justice Fatai Adeyinka, the Chairman, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC, has said that Local Government election would not hold in state this year due to some constraints. Mr. Adeyinka told lawmakers on Monday at a plenary session attended by some members of LASIEC that the commission had made some recommendations to the state government about this challenges which has not been approved. He said part of the recommendations was the creation of additional wards in the state. The LASIEC boss also said that the current voters register needed to be updated because it…
Gov. ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE PRESENTING THE Budget ESTIMATES FOR 2015 FISCAL YEAR TO THE SPEAKER, UYI IGBE LAST WEEK The Edo State House of Assembly on Monday passed the 2015 budget estimates of N159.3bn into law, slightly higher than the N156.551bn Governor Adams Oshiomhole presented to the lawmakers last Tuesday. The budget was passed by the 15-member house, led by the Speaker, Uyi Igbe, after the lawmakers considered the 2015 appropriation bill clause by clause. The Chairman of the Appropriation and Project Monitoring, representing Etsako East, under the All Progressives Congress, Peter Aliyu, said the budget proposal presented by the governor…
EX-President Olusegun Obasanjo DURING HIS GRADUATION FROM NOUN IN 2009 Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, is set to go back to school for a higher degree in Christian Theology. The ex-president, whose official age is 76, will on Tuesday formally register as a graduate student at the headquarters of the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, in Lagos. Mr. Obasanjo, who had obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in 2009 from NOUN, will now be working towards earning a doctorate degree, beginning first with a Masters degree. Confirming his return to school to PREMIUM TIMES, Obasanjo said it was important for…
Legendary Pop singer — Michael Jackson, is one of those superstar singers who still inspires even after his passing on. His 14-minute 1983 classic short film will be overhauled by original director, John Landis after he resolved a dispute with the late star’s estate and it could even be released in cinemas after. John said: ‘That lawsuit went on for so many years, (but) we settled and they paid me finally. And so, actually there is something happening with ‘Thriller.’ ‘It is going to reappear in a highly polished and three-dimensional way that is very exciting on the big screen.’ A…