We Will Meet 20,000 Megawatt Target By 2014 - Namadi Sambo

The Federal Government has restated its commitment to ensuring the generation of 20,000MW of power by 2014.

Vice-President Namadi Sambo made the government’s position known during a joint meeting of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company and National Council on Privatisation at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Sambo commended the management of the NDPHC for successfully completing the building of 10 National Integrated Power Project plants across the country.

He said Prssident Goodluck Jonathan would soon begin the commissioning of the plants and that the challenge of non-availability of gas to power the plants had been resolved.

Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi who explained  on the outcome of the consultative meeting said final approval will come from the joint meeting of the NDPHC board and NCP to approve the final transactions for the interest of the citizenry.

Federal Government Loses Control Of Tourism And Hotel Regulation To States

A full panel of the Supreme Court of Nigeria this morning unanimously declared that it is only a State House of Assembly that can make laws on tourism or the licensing and grading of hotels, restaurants, fast food outlets and other hospitality establishments. Dismissing a case filed by the Attorney General of the Federation and upholding the contention of the Attorney General of Lagos State, the Court held that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, only empowers the National Assembly to regulate tourist traffic, a term which does not extend to hotel registration or licensing. The Court also ruled in favour of Lagos State in another case filed on the same subject which was consolidated with the first one for hearing. In the latter case, the Court declared valid both the Hotel Licensing Law of Lagos State (as amended) and the Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Law of Lagos State. The offending sections of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation  (NTDC) Act were however declared null and void.

Represented by the Attorney General, Mr. Ade Ipaye, in person, Lagos State Government had argued during the hearing that the only power reserved to the National Assembly on the Exclusive Legislative List in Schedule 2 to the Constitution was the regulation of tourist traffic, which only pertained to immigrations and the issuance of visas, but Mr. Tunde Busari, representing the Attorney General of the Federation, contended that the phrase was enough to cover all tourism subjects and that the NTDC Act had therefore covered the field. On those grounds, Mr. Busari called on the court to invalidate the Hotel Licensing Law and Hotel Consumption Tax Law of Lagos State. This was rejected by Galadima JSC who read the lead judgment and all other justices in both cases.

7 Lawyers Elevated To Senior Advocates

The Legal Practitioners' Privileges Committee has approved the appointment of seventeen lawyers as Senior Advocates of Nigeria.

This year only one academic, Prof Lawrence Atsegbua of the Faculty of Law, University of Benin, made the list.

No date has been fixed for their swearing in at the Supreme Court.

Governor Rochas Okorocha Dissolves Cabinet

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state has sacked all commissioners and other political appointees in his Government.

In a press release from the office of the secretary to the Imo state Government, the appointees were mandated to hand over all Government belongings in their possessions to the appropriate quarters.

Although no definite reason was given for their sack, it will be recalled that Governor Okorocha had during his 2nd year in office anniversary hinted that there will be a major shake up with according to him is targeted at improving productivity by  bringing in fresh brains to meet up with goals in the second half of his regime.

The press release however wished them good luck in their future political and other endeavours.

Those affected are all commissioners, all Senior special assistants and all special assistants to the Governor.

I Will Contest For Second Term Election - Amosun

After two years of leadership in Ogun State, the State Governor has declared his aspiration to return for a second term. 

Senator Ibikunle Amosun revealed his desire for a second term to continue his initiative 'mission to rebuild the state'. 

He said there is room for other political parties to contest and campaign. adding that justice will speak for him as regards his landmark achievement while in office. 

Keshi Calls 20 To Honour Mandela In Durban

THE FULL LIST

GOALKEEPERS: Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Chigozie Agbim

(Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)

DEFENDERS: Kenneth Omeruo (Chelsea FC, England); Efe Ambrose (Celtic

FC, Scotland); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Azubuike

Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga,

Portugal)

MIDFIELDERS: Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Fegor Ogude (Valerenga

FC, Norway); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); John Ogu (Academica

de Coimbra, Portugal); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Nnamdi Oduamadi

(AC Milan, Italy); Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria).

FORWARDS: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv,

Ukraine); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England); Emmanuel Emenike

(Spartak Moscow, Russia); Obinna Nsofor (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia);

Uche Nwofor (VVV Venlo, Netherlands)

STANDBY

Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Benjamin Francis (Heartland

FC, Nigeria); Muhammad Gambo (Kano Pillars, Nigeria); Samuel Aaron

(Sarpsborg ‘08 , Norway)

Delta State Plants 95 Trees To Celebrate Nelson Mandela

THE 95^th birthday celebration of Dr Nelson Mandela was celebrated in Asaba, Delta State yesterday with Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan calling on Nigerians and the world to devote time to do more job for humanity.

Speaking at the planting of 95 trees to commemorate the 95 years of Dr Mandela on earth in a garden named, Mandela Garden of 95 trees, in Asaba, Governor Uduaghan stated that the twenty seven years Dr Mandela spent in prison should inspire people to spend several hours and days to serve humanity as a mark of honour to Mandela.

Governor Uduaghan who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Dr Festus Okubor disclosed that the planting of the garden was a privilege because, “in its full bloom, it will serve as an irresistible tourist attraction while at the same time, keeping the memory of that great African, fresh at all times in the minds of all, even beyond the lifetime of the initiator.”

“Let me commend our indomitable desert warrior and the relentless crusader for a sustainable environment, our own, Dr Newton Jibunor, whose fertile mind brought this idea of not only dedicating a garden to one of Africa’s greatest heroes, Dr Nelson Mandela, but with a thought for the environment in what he has most appropriately named, Mandela Garden of 95 Trees,” Governor Uduaghan said.

He added, “the significance of these ninety-five trees should not be lost on us all, it is aimed at drawing attention to matters concerning our environment, which we should all work together to protect,” reiterating, “if Dr Jibunor is planting ninety-five trees, we should all resolve to plant equal or a greater number of trees to protect our environment.”

Governor used the occasion to call for people to be environment-friendly, stating, “let us start with planting of trees, let us resolve to avoid cutting or digging across highways, let us resolve to seek approval before we erect our structures, let us resolve not to tamper with roads generally or dump refuse anywhere it pleases us,” asserting, “there are too many things we are taking for granted, that degrade the environment beyond our wildest imagination.”

“Let me appeal to everyone gathered here to pray for our elder statesman, Dr Nelson Mandela, he has tenaciously held on to life in spite of his serious health challenges and at this point, sincere and fervent prayers are what is needed to keep him here with us,” the Governor said.

Earlier, Dr Jibunor who supervised the planting of trees at the garden stated that the Asaba garden makes it four in the world; one in New York, another in London, while one is in South Africa, asserting that the garden will be one of the major tourists attractions in the country as visiting Heads of State and important dignitaries visiting Nigeria will visit the garden to plant a tree in honour of Mandela.

While stating that he will practically live his last days in the garden, Dr Jibunor commended Governor Uduaghan for approving the planting of the garden.