Pictures: Gov. Fashola At CNBC Africa All Africa Business Leaders Awards

 Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (2^nd right), founder Diamond Bank Plc, Chairman MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd and winner of the Lifetime Achievements Award 2013, Dr. Pascal G. Dozie (left), Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido (right) and the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi (2^nd left) at the All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA) by CNBC Africa and Johnnie Walker Blue Label at New Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island,

 Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (right), his Rivers State counterpart, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi (middle)and  the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido (right) during the All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA) by CNBC Africa and Johnnie Walker Blue Label at New Intercontinental Hotel Victoria island 

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (right), his Rivers State counterpart, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi (2^nd right),Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria,  Mallam Sanusi Lamido (2^nd left) and the Chairman and Co-Founder of CNBC Africa, Zafar Siddiqi (left)  during the All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA) by CNBC Africa and Johnnie Walker Blue Label at the New Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos

Pictures Of Fake CNN Reporter

Linking Bridge Collapsed In Bayelsa State.

The bridge linking Igbogene and Okolobiri communities in Yenagoa local government area of Bayelsa state has collapsed.

The bridge collapsed at about 8am, Saturday but no casualty was recorded along the busy road.

A close source who is an indigene of the area blamed the collapse of the bridge on neglect by government.

The Bayelsa State Commander of Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), Vincent Jack who confirmed the incident said the agency had condoned -off the road from traffic.

Jack said rescue efforts had commenced by his personnel noting that motorists and other road users had been instructed to use alternative routes to avoid accidents.

The FRSC commander said he had contacted the state commissioner for works, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo who is currently in Abuja on the collapsed bridge.

According to Jack, the commissioner assured that work on the bridge would commence next week by engineers in the ministry.

PDP Suspends Andy Ubah And Four Others

The Peoples Democratic Party has suspended a serving Senator, Andy Uba, and four other members of the party from Anambra State.

The National Working Committee of the PDP suspended the five men for failing to honour the party’s invitation over the parallel congress organised in Awka on Saturday.

The suspension was contained in a letter addressed individually to the five men. The letters were signed by the party’s Acting National Secretary, Remi Akintoye.

Others suspended alongside Senator Uba are his brother, Chris Uba, a factional chairman of the PDP in Anambra, Ejike Oguebego, Benji Udeozor, and Tonia Nwankwu.

Andy Uba won the PDP governorship ticket for Anambra at the parallel primary conducted by the Oguebego leadership of the party in the state.

The PDP national headquarters has recognised Tony Nwoye, elected at another congress, as the party’s flag bearer for the Anambra governorship election in November.

Fake CNN Journalist Arrested In Bayelsa State.

The Bayelsa State Police Command has paraded a 36 year old fake journalist claiming to be a staff of Cable News Network CNN covering the Niger Delta Region.

The journalist was identified as Paul Yempe and was apprehended by the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ Bayelsa State chapter Mr Tariyon Akonor after trying to swindle the state commissioner of Information and the state commissioner of Energy.

The Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police Hillary Opara who paraded the fake CNN correspondent before newsmen in Yenagoa said investigation is still ongoing.

Sources from the office of the Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government SSG confirmed that the office has parted away some money with the fake journalist as well as providing hotel accommodation for a period of time.

The  fake CNN correspondent who hail from Rivers State was found with two identification cards of Radio Rivers and CNN.

Ifenyi Uba Emerges As Anambra Governorship Candidate In Labour Party

Business tycoon Ifeanyi Uba has emerged unopposed as candaiate under the labour party to run for governorship in the November 16th gubernatorial election.

His emergence follows a show of hand by 1137 delegates.  

The show of hand according to the party's national chairman, Dan Iwuanyawu is in accordance to the party's constitution; article 24 which states that an aspirant can emerge by acclamation, show of hand, secret ballot or as may be directed by presiding chairman.

3 Feared Dead, Five Burnt, As NNPC Tanker Exploded

It was wailing galore today at Orogun Junction along Iwo road/Ojoo expressway as no fewer than three persons were reported dead while five persons sustained serious burns when an NNPC tanker trying to offload fuel from another exploded and caught fire.

The raging inferno also touched no fewer than eight shops while two Sport Utility Vehicles were not spared as they were burnt to ashes.

The incident occurred beside Energy filling station at Orogun Junction via Iwo road/Ojoo expressway between 11am and 1pm.

Tick smoke covered the air as most shop and car owners packed in some perimeters close to the scene made frantic efforts to retrieve their properties for fear of being burnt

An eye witness Dr Ayo Osisanwo, told our man that the unfortunate incident occurred when an NNPC truck was offloading fuel from another NNPC truck which had fallen off the road but still loaded with fuel.

According to him, the inferno started in the process of technical transfer of the fuel to an empty tanker when the one loaded caught fire. 

Three persons were reportedly feared dead in the process as fuel drained into the area and exploded burning properties and human found along its path.

Five persons who sustained serious burns were rushed to the hospital with an Oyo state ambulance dispatched to the scene.

A detachment of men of the Nigerian Civil Defence Corp, Police, and the fire service stormed the scene but ran out of water and effort was made to source for water. 

As the fire rages on, there was traffic gridlock as the expressway was blocked leaving only one lane for those both traffic.

 The lane was totally blocked consequently as all road users tried to escape the scene.

2 Candidates Emerge At PDP Parallel Primaries In Anambra

The parallel primaries of Peoples Democratic Party in Anambra state have produced Senator Andy Uba and former student leader, Tony Nwoye as candidates to fly the flag of the party in the forthcoming Gubernatorial election.

The Kenneth Emeakayi led primaries which had in attendance most of the party’s aspirants and party stalwart Including; Governor of  Katisna state, Ibrahim Shema, Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe state and Senate leader Victor Ndoma-Egba conducted at the Alex Ekuewme square, saw the emergency of Tony Nwoye as flag bearer.

Tony Nwonye polled 498 votes, to emerge as the winner of the primary  followed by Senator Nicholas Ukachuku with 378 votes.

Meanwhile at the parallel primary held at Emmaus House, Senator Andy Uba emerged with 645 followed by Emma Anosike with 110 votes.

The Emmaus House primary was conducted under the supervision of INEC, as they recognized the faction led by Ejike Oguebego.

Police Launch Manhunt Against Ozekomhe’s Abductors

As part of efforts to crack down on suspected abductors of the renowned Human Rights Lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Mike Ozekomhe on Friday, Edo State police command has launched a manhunt against the hoodlums.

The police have deployed heavily armed policemen across routes leading to the state as well as Benin metropolis amid stop and check of vehicles. 

ASUU Strike Update: No Threat Can Break The Ongoing Strike, ASUU Tells FG

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said that the declared threat of the federal government to implement its ‘No work No pay’ policy cannot break the ongoing strike describing it as an ‘obsolete familiar threat’.

ASUU in a press release tagged “ASUU: ON GOVT THREAT OF NO WORK, NO PAY”signed by the Chairman of the University of Ibadan chapter of the union Dr Olusegun Ajiboye today in Ibadan and made available to journalists said members of the union have resolved to pursue the ongoing strike to a logical conclusion to revitalize the public universities with or without strike.

He stated clearly that ASUU members are totally resolved and convinced that the current struggle embarked upon by the union is a just one to defend the integrity of the university system in Nigeria and save it from universal mockery.

Dr Ajiboye maintained that the minimum funding requirement to public universities as at 2013 is N500 billion and not N100 billion as being touted by the federal government adding that anything short of that is unacceptable to the union.

State House Press Release: President Jonathan Condoles Saleh Jambo’s Family And Political Associates

President Goodluck Jonathan has received with sadness, news of the passing away of leading Nigerian businessman and politician, Alhaji Saleh Jambo  earlier today in Abuja.

On behalf of himself, the Federal Government and people of Nigeria, President Jonathan extends sincere condolences to Alhaji Saleh Jambo’s family as well as his friends, colleagues and political associates across the country.

The President Jonathan joins them in mourning the very distinguished entrepreneur and political leader who made significant contributions to the economic and political development of his community and country.

He prays that Almighty Allah will receive Alhaji Saleh Jambo’s soul and grant him eternal rest in Paradise. 

Amnesty Committee On Boko Haram Unable To Confirm Death Of Sect Leader

The Presidential Committee on Peaceful Resolution of the Conflict in the Northern parts of the country says it has no inkling as to whether Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau is alive or dead.

Chairman of the Committee and Minister of  Special Duties Taminu Turaki made the admission at a press briefing in which video clips of the committee's meeting with a top decision making council of the Islamist sect were distributed to journalists.

The clips show top members of a "Shura" that is a top decision making body of Boko Haram in charge of cells in various states introducing themselves and declaring their preparedness for dialogue in line with principles of Islam.

IGP Orders Full Scale Investigation Into The Alleged Killing Of A Commercial Motor Cyclist.

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar has ordered a full scale investigation into the alleged killing of a Commercial Motorcycle operator, one Olalekan Ajayi on the 20th August, 2013 by a police officer in Lagos.

The murder of the motorcyclist, provoked mass protests by aggrieved residents of  Ikorodu, a development which led to the arrest of the alleged killer of Olalekan Ajay. 

The Inspector General has however called on the families and aggrieved residents of the area to remain calm, promising that investigation into the dastardly act would be completed soon

Statement singed by Frank Mba, the Force Deputy Public Relations Officer said the Police officer linked with the killing of the late Olalekan Ajayi has been arrested, detained and presently undergoing investigation.

The IGP who condoles with the bereaved relations, friends and colleagues of the late Olalekan Ajayi assured that justice would be done on the matter.

APGA Guber Polls: Soludo Loses In Court

 Former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Governorship aspirant of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Professor Chukwuma Soludo on Friday lost in his bid to set aside his disqualification by the party's screening committee.

Delivering a ruling in the ex-parte application brought by Soludo seeking for a judicial review of his disqualification, an Abuja High Court Presided over by Justice Peter Affen held that the court lacks the jurisdiction to grant the order for a judicial review as the action that is sought to be reviewed was an action taken by a political party, which the court does not supervise.

Justice Affen argued that the law was now settled that who emerges as a candidate of a political party was the exclusive preserve of a political party.

He further posited that  the matter in question was the  primary of APGA, which was to be conducted in Awka in Anambra State, stressing that there was nothing to show that Soludo was disqualified in Abuja,and  therefore held that he  lacked the requisite territorial jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

Justice Affen further held that the purpose of judicial review was a supervisory jurisdiction of the High Court,arguing that a political party does not fall in the categories of parties that its action can be reviewed by the court because the court does not supervise parties .

Campaign Posters: Orchestrated Plot To Disparage Nyesom Wike Uncovered

 The office of the Minister of State for Education, Barr Nyesom Wike says it has uncovered campaign posters in circulation with the photograph of the Hon Minister purporting his declaration for the 2015 Governorship election for Rivers State.

A statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Simeon Nwakaudu said this is an orchestrated plot by the minister’s political opponents and hired mercenaries to disparage Hon (Chief) Nyesom Wike.

The statement described those behind the circulation of such posters as bad losers because the Rivers people and indeed, all Nigerians are better informed and too knowledgeable to be deceived by such fluke, stressing that the action has no other motive than to present the Honourable Minister of State for Education as an over-ambitious politician.

Imo State Police Arrests Underground Optic Cables Vandals

The police in Imo state has arrested and paraded 3 men suspected to have vandalised underground NITEL optic cables.

Briefing journalists at the force headquarters in Owerri, the Imo state capital, on the successes recorded after a 2 weeks extensive state wide operation, the police public relations officer, Joy Elemoko said that the suspects were arrested at Oguta while vandalising the cables said to worth about Ten million naira(10,000,000).

She disclosed  the arrested suspects are helping the police in investigations and in pursuit of 3 others who escaped during the police raid.

Also paraded were 16 men suspected to have vandalised oil pipeline . She said that they were arrested by the Army who were deployed to Agip flow station at Ikri, in Oguta local Government Area of the state and were eventually handed over to the police for investigation and prosecution.

Dont Use Lethal Weapons Against Armed Less Civilians ~ IG Warns Police Officers

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has again cautioned his men to stop excessive use of force against armed less civilians.

The IGP urged officers and men of the Force to be mindful of the constitutional rights of the citizenry while performing their statutory duties, warning that excessive use of force and unjustifiable application of lethal weapons would be met appropriate punishment.

This was contained in a circular, dated 21st August, 2013 and issued by the Force Headquarters to all Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, Command Commissioners of Police, Heads of Departments and Formations. 

The Police Boss expressed his resolve to rid the Force of all forms of corruption and warns Officers and men to desist from corrupt practices in line with the Code of Conduct and Professional Standards for members of the Force .

Anambra State Government Set To Construct Largest Commercial Centre In West Africa In Onitsha.

Anambra state government in conjunction with various sponsors is set to cite construction of the largest industrial and commercial centre in west Africa ,worth over 50 billion naira in Onitsha, Anambra state.

The commissioner for commerce and industry, Robert Okonkwo made this known while briefing newsmen in government house, Awka.

With its resolve to alleviate poverty and to develop a modern market with facilities and infrastructure of international standard, Anambra state government has acquired fifty hectares of land for the construction of a modern market that will be cited at the commercial city of Onitsha.

The commissioner for commerce and industry Robert okonkwo said that the project is aimed at providing a more conducive environment for transactions of goods and services than what was obtainable in the past.

The commissioner who clamored for support for the ongoing project said there is enough capacity and fund to carry out the project.

Reported Death Of Shekau: Federal Government Asks Nigerians To Repose Confidence In The Military.

The Federal Government shed more light on the controversy surrounding the alleged death of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau on Wednesday saying there was no reason for there to be little confidence about the pronouncement.

Briefing newsmen at State House abuja after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting Information Minister Labaran Maku said since the declaration of the State of Emergency in three states of the North East a lot of progress had been made in returning the country to normalcy.

The Federal Government leaving pronouncements of the progress achieved during the State of Emergency to the Military has been deliberate because it seeks to divorce the operations from antics and pronouncements of politicians.

But the Information Minister is making an exception in this case because of the inconclusive nature of the announcement of Abubakar Shekau's alleged death.

There is no reason to doubt the Military, he says.

Federal Executive Council Releases 123.73 Billion Naira On Road Contracts

Federal Executive Council on Wednesday  approved contracts totaling about 123.73 billion Naira for the construction and rehabilitation of various road networks across the country.

The roads include the  Apapa-Oshodi road considered a  major gateway to Apapa and Tincan Island ports and part of Trans West Africa Coastal Highway, the Mokwa-Bida Road, Akure-Ilesha Road and two sections of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual carriageway.

The contracts come on a day the council of Ministers approved contract for the design, manufacture and supply of six units of 40MVA 132/133KV Mobile substation at the cost of 10 point 2 million US Dollars and 247 point35 million Naira

Council therefore approved the reconstruction of Apapa-Oshodi Expressway in the sum of N14point 9 billion Naira with a completion period of 15 months while it  approved the rehabilitation of Mokwa-Bida  and Akure-Ilesha roads under the Federal Roads Development Project at the cost of 18point 2 billion Naira.

Cabinet approved the rehabilitation and reconstruction of two sections of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual carriageway by two separate contractors at the total cost of 90 point 3 billion Naira with a completion period of 40 months.

These contracts involve heavy spending from government  but their rehabilitation  is expected to improve road safety and reductions in traveling time, vehicle operating cost and road user cost in addition to its greatly boosting trade and economic activities along the routes.

that same  Wednesday, The Minister of Power brought a memo to council to seek approval for the design, manufacture and supply of six units of 40MVA 132/133KV Mobile substations  for utilization nationwide for the purpose of maintaining continuity of supply to consumers during major works at existing substations.

APC Adopts Ngige As Its Candidate For Anambra Gubernatorial Election.

The All Progressives Congress has adopted Senator Chris Ngige as its candidate for the November governorship election in Anambra state.

Although the party insisted it would conduct primaries for the election, its apparent this will only be symbolic and a mere formality as the party leadership virtually approved the choice of Ngige at an enlarged meeting of the party's elders in Abuja.

Ogun LP, PDP Condemns APC Formal Launch

After the Alliance for Progressive Change(APC) has been christened in Ogun state, opposition parties claimed the official launch of the party was deceitful in nature. 

Opposition parties in Ogun state has said that APC's official Launch was a means to cajole the electorates.  

It will be recalled that APC was formally launched in Ogun state where leaders of the party failed to attend. 

Secretary of Labour Party in the state, Com. Sunday Oginni described the official launch as a means of politicking stressing that no chieftain at the state and national level graced the occassion.  

The Peoples Democratic Party's chairman in the state, Engr. Bayo Dayo said the crowd, who attended the launch were compelled by the incumbent governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun with various threats. 

No End In Sight For ASUU Strike As Government Shifts Ground

Federal government is hoping for an early resolution of the ongoing strike by the Academic staff Union of Universities with  an offer totaling 130 billion Naira to meet two components of the demands of the striking lecturers.

Going further the Federal Government negotiating team is to meet management councils and Vice Chancellors of the Universities to work out the earned allowance accruing to each institution and those entitled to it.

Benue state Governor Gabriel Suswan disclosed this to newsmen at State House, Abuja on Tuesday after a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan to brief him on progress made so far with the striking lecturers.

Federal Government Invites Foreign Investors To Mining Sector

President Goodluck Jonathan says there is an urgent need to revive the country's mining sector not only to diversify the country's economy but also  to provide an alternative means of power in the country.

The President spoke on Monday while declaring open a workshop on the Solid Minerals sector in Abuja.

According to  the mining President, minning sector in Nigeria today is at its lowest ebb providing presently about 0.4 percent of the country's GDP.

This is in sharp contrast to  the 1960s when due to  its vibrancy  it was fundamental to the development of critical infrastructure such as rail and power.

The nationalization decree of the 1970s changed all that leading to the mass exodus of foreign investors and leaving the field open for local miners to pursue illegal activities.

ICAO Audit Certifies Nigeria’s Airspace

The International Civil Aviation Organisation has listed Nigeria among 14 countries in Africa that has achieved effective air safety implementation, above the global average of 61 percent.

 This rating is contained in the ICAO 2013 Safety Report, compiled by ICAO auditors who investigated the compliance with stipulated International safety standards by individual countries across the world, especially its 200 member countries.

 The ICAO 2013 Safety Report lends credence to the Category I certification granted Nigeria in 2011 by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States, for meeting stipulated international standards and practices on safety and security.

Pictures: GOV. Fashola Receives Russia Ambassador To Nigeria On Courtesy Visit

 Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (right) with the  Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Nikolay N. Udovichenko during a courtesy call on the Governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja

 Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (4th right), in a group photograph with the  Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Nikolay N. Udovichenko (4^th left), Commissioner for Tourism & Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr. Disun Holloway (right), his Works and Infrastructure counterpart, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat (2^nd right), Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr. Adesegun Oniru (3^rd right),  Counsellor for Economic Affairs Embassy of the Russian Federation, Mr. Valert A. Shaposhnikov (3^rd left), Counsellor Russian Embassy in Nigeria, Mr. Dmitry Rumyantsev (2^nd left) and Acting Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos State, Otunba Henry Ajomale (left) during a courtesy call on the Governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja

 Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (right) presenting a souvenir to the Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Nikolay N. Udovichenko during a courtesy call on the Governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja

You Are A Desperate Upstart”, Lagos APC Lambasts PDP National Publicity Secretary

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has described as outlandish, petty and hollow the allegation by the Acting National Publicity Secretary of the PDP that Governor Fashola is a dictator based on the reintegration of 14 destitute to their home state. The party said the allegation is the drunken conclusion of a desperate upstart trying to impress his principals on his suitability for the job of image maker to a failed, corrupt and clueless party that had taken the country to the graves in fourteen years of ruinous leadership.

In a release in Lagos, signed by the Lagos State Interim Publicity Secretary of the APC, Joe Igbokwe, the party said that having failed woefully in fourteen years of regressive politics, the PDP, which is crumbling from its own failures is now clutching on any imaginable straw to survive. The party wondered why a party that had stolen hundreds of trillions of Naira while Nigeria promoting destitution, poverty and want in Nigeria is so shameless to take advantage of the victims of its own corrupt governance to gain political favour.

“By trying to take advantage of the willful twisting of the action of the Lagos State government to relocate 14 destitute to their home states, the PDP through its wannabe Acting Publicity Secretary is showing the kind of irresponsible desperation that has hit the party as it comes in full contact with the fruits of its wanton plundering of state resources to render Nigeria a huge colony of beggars and destitute. By trying to buy into the selfish and perverted effort to twist and manipulate the facts of the exercise for political gains, a party that is so shameless to advertise multi trillion Niara scams is showing how dead to shame it has become as it battles to extend its corrupt and deadly reign in Nigeria. By stupidly buying into the convenient tales those that are seeking to gain from the fates of the hapless victims of PDP’s scorched earth policies in governance these past fourteen years, the PDP hierarchy is showing that nothing is too low for it to harvest in its quest for irresponsible power.

Olusegun Osoba And Others Shuns APC's Official Launch In Ogun State.

Former Governor of Ogun State, APC Chieftain, Olusegun Osoba, Senators and other House Of Assembly Members has shunned the Official Launch of the All Progressive Congress(APC) in the State.  

Former governor of Ogun state, APC chieftain, Olusegun Osoba, Senators and members of the state's House of Assembly has shunned the Official Launch of the newly born APC in Ogun State.    

Members of the alliance party gathered in thousands to launch the party's existence in the state. 

It will be recalled that APC,  consisting of strong political parties in the country which formed alliance  to wage war against the ruling party in the country, was accredited by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sometimes ago. 

Meanwhile, the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun said the party would provide good governance adding that it would ensure the electorates' welfare.  

In like manner, the South-West chairman of Congress for Progressive Change(CPC), Razak Muse, said the party will struggle to get rid of the ruling party in the country.