Adedoja submits guber nomination form

Former Minister of Sports and Special Duties, Taoheed Adedoja, one of the 13 governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, has submitted his governorship nomination form, which he obtained about a fortnight ago.

Submitting the form at the party’s National Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Zone 5, Abuja, the professor of education reiterated his commitment to the emancipation of the people of Oyo State, using his experience as an academic, administrator and politician.

Adedoja expressed his determination to bring about positive change, to improve life of the people of Oyo, if voted to power in 2015.

He also promised to run a humane government that would take care of the needs and aspirations of the masses.

Darasen Richards takes The Antique to AFRIFF

One of the films that will take the centre stage at this year’s edition of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) which opens from Sunday, November 9 through 16, at the prestigious Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort, Calabar, Cross River State, is Darasen Richards’ The Antique.

The film is a fictional story, inspired by events of the Southern Nigeria people in the 19th Century. It will be exhibited at Havanna Film Festival in Cuba, the Dubai Film Festival 2014 and the Berlin Film festival. The film is also scheduled to hit world cinemas soon.The film, which premiered last month at Eko hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, featured notable actors including Olu Jacobs, Bimbo Akintola, Ricardo Agbor, Funso Adeolu, Kiki Omeili, Gabriel Afolayan, comedian Akpororo among others.

The epic movie boasts of an enchanting storyline which unfolds in a series of mind-gripping cinematography under the directorial expertise of award winning filmakers, Darasen Richards and DJ Tee.

A writer, producer, director and music producer, Darasen was the overall winner of the first ever 48 hour film challenge in Africa, carting away the Best Director, Best Screen Sound and Best Film of the Year. His neo-traditional film making and visual art approach is a mosaic of his good, bad and ugly experiences in life.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com

Chamberlain resigned as British PM during World War II -APC

The All Progressives Congress has said the Presidency needs a “refresher course in history”if it is not aware that a leader has had cause to resign in the course of a war in which his or her country was involved in.

In a statement in Abuja on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party reminded the Presidency that Neville Chamberlain resigned as British Prime Minister on May 10, 1940, after Adolf Hitler forced the allies to retreat from Norway.

”According to available information, Chamberlain led Britain through the first eight months of World War II but had to resign after the Allies were forced to retreat from Norway, because of his belief that a government supported by all parties was essential for the unity needed to defeat Adolf Hitler. The resignation paved the way for Winston Churchill, who later became the hero of the War,” it said.

Ex Ghana President Jerry Rawlings visits Black Meteors ahead of Nigeria friendly

Ex Ghana President Jerry John Rawlings visited the Black Meteors ahead of their friendly match against Nigeria on Friday.

The enigmatic former leader has arrived in Uyo to join distinguished personalities to take part in the official opening of the newly-built Akwa Ibom International Stadium.

Former President Rawlings will thus be in the stands when the Ghana U23 side take on Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles in the first game to be played at the 30,000 capacity stadium.

Ivanovic: Chelsea must be wary of Liverpool

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic reckons the team will have to show a marked improvement against Liverpool on Saturday to avoid defeat at Anfield.

The Blues had to come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against the Group G outsiders, and then missed an opportunity to claim victory in the dying minutes when Eden Hazard had a penalty saved.

But Ivanovic is hopeful the players will be well prepared for the Liverpool test, which he suspects will be much tougher than the trip to Slovenia.

INEC Begins Distribution of 4.7 Million PVCs in Kano

INEC staffs

• Commercial activities shut down

From Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Kano office, on Friday began the distribution of permanent voters’ cards (PVC’s) across the 44 council areas of the state.

Ihedioha shuns Tambuwal’s suit as court re-affirms order

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, on Friday shunned the proceedings of the Federal High Court in Abuja, during a hearing in the suit filed by the Speaker, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, to stop any moves aimed at removing him from office.

The court had on November 3, ordered Ihedioha and other defendants in the suit to appear in court on Friday.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed asked the parties to appear on Friday  to show cause why  the court should not grant the prayer of the plaintiffs seeking an order of interim injunction to restrain the defendants from taking any step to remove Tambuwal from office.

Apart from Ihedioha, other defendants were represented by their lawyers in court in response to the court’s order to show cause.

10 killed in northern Nigeria cash machine blast

People gather to look at burnt vehicles at the site of a bomb explosion that rocked the busiest roundabout in Maiduguri, Borno State, on July 1, 2014. At least 10 people have been killed in a bomb blast as they queued to withdraw money from a cash machine in northern Nigeria on November 7, 2014. PHOTO | AFP 

Fashola re-states appeal for special status for Lagos

Governor Babatunde Fashola

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), on Friday re-stated his appeal to the Federal Government to give Lagos State a special status to help the city achieve its economic growth.

Fashola made the appeal at the opening ceremony of the 28th Lagos International Trade Fair, holding at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

The theme of the fair is: ‘Promoting the Nigerian Economy as a Preferred Investment Destination’.

Fashola said that the challenges of infrastructure and security were militating against the nation as a preferred investment destination.

According to Fashola, the state generates about 20 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product and as such the state has remained the economic centre of the nation.

Nigerian coast pirate warning

Unconfirmed reports of a pirate attack off the Nigerian coast show the area is still volatile and there must be no room for complacency says a maritime security company.

Gerry Northwood OBE, COO of MAST, said: “Complacency costs sailors lives. Professional security advice should be sought before entering the region, ensuring that both physical and medical security risks are addressed.”

The advice follows recent reports from of a pirate attack 62 nautical miles south of the Nigerian coast, involving the Malta-flagged MT Basat with 14 Turkish crew, where two crew members were possibly kidnapped. The unofficial reports also show an attack on another Malta-flagged tanker approx 32nm South East of Kwa Ibo, and a third incident as pirates apparently then moved onto attack and board a Liberia-flagged tanker which went into lockdown.

Gerry Northwood added: “The Gulf of Guinea (GoG) is a complex region. Several states have jurisdiction along the GoG coast but have limited resources to police their territorial waters and economic zones. In the case of Nigeria, jurisdiction varies across their military districts, resulting in porous borders that facilitate criminality.”

Daniel Fearon, MAST’s Ops Manager who has extensive experience in GoG, said: “Masters and crews need to be vigilant and good lookout must be maintained at all times. CSOs need to make sure that thorough mission planning is conducted as this will allow them to ensure that the Master and crew are prepared.”

He added: “Every vessel transiting through the GoG should have BMP 4 measures in place, a Citadel and crew well drilled. Communications security measures should also be in place to ensure that the criminals have only a minimal time window to react.”

Source:professional security

Why I can’t run for Senate – Adegbuyi

Despite pleas by the people of Ogun East Senatorial District that he should represent them at the National Assembly come 2015, a legal practitioner, Bisi Adegbuyi has given reasons why he could not heed the clarion call.

Adegbuyi, who was a delegate to the recently concluded National Conference told Daily Independent on Thursday that, inasmuch as he appreciated the concern of his people, the politics in Ogun would make it difficult for him to signify his interest in the race.

Clark swears in Burutu councillors, harps on development

Chairman of Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, Ebikeme Clark, has inaugurated the newly elected councillors.

He charged the lawmakers to help promote peace and development in the council area.

For their part, the councillors, immediately after the inauguration, elected their leadership with William Elagha emerging the House Leader, Godspower Akiefa (Deputy Leader), Douti Government (Chief Whip), Joseph Alubeze (Majority Leader) and Godspower Timikoru (Deputy Majority Leader).

Addressing the councillors at the ceremony held in Burutu, headquarters of Burutu Local Government Area, Clark stressed the need for all to work for the growth and development of the council area in fulfilment of the confidence reposed on them by the people.

Delta Assembly confirms 10 commissioners, others

The Delta State House of Assembly (DSHA) has confirmed the appointment of the 10 nominees selected by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan as commissioners and members of the Delta State Executive Council.

The confirmation of the appointments followed the successful screening of the nominees, now commissioners-designate, at Thursday’s plenary session of the House, presided over by the Speaker, Peter Onwusanya.

Those who were screened and confirmed include Solomon Igrakpata, Joel Bisina, Powel Ojogho, David Anuku, David Peters Ekerekosu, Chris Ekiyor, Omolobi Newumi, Austine Ayemidjor, Matthew Opuoru and Benjamin Iwezu.

NGO wants FG to sign defence pact with Russia

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), an NGO, on Friday called on the Federal Government to explore the possibility of signing a defence pact with Russia.

HURIWA, in a statement issued in Abuja by its National Coordinator, Mr Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the pact would help Nigeria in tackling terrorism challenges.

Onwubiko said Nigeria should look towards countries in the eastern bloc such as China and Russia for effective and comprehensive mutually beneficial defence pact.

He said since it was becoming increasingly difficult to get the needed help from the US and its allies, it had become imperative for Nigeria to consider other options.