Arafat’s death: natural causes or poisoning?

Ramallah – Did he die naturally or was he poisoned by polonium? A look at 10 years of research since the mysterious death of Yasser Arafat, the Palestinians’ iconic national leader.

–2004–

– November 11: Arafat dies aged 75 at the Percy de Clamart hospital, close to Paris. He was admitted at the end of October after developing stomach pains while at his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, where he had lived since December 2001, surrounded by the Israeli army.

Three days after Arafat’s death, as rumours began to circulate, the French health minister rules out the possibility of poisoning.

– November 22: Nasser al-Qidwa, Arafat’s nephew, obtains a copy of his medical dossier, which reveals that no trace of poison was found in the post-mortem. Qidwa refuses to rule out the possibility that his uncle was poisoned.

–2012–

AU creates $750m to fight Ebola

Addis Ababa – The African Union (AU) on Saturday created a 750-million dollar special fund for curbing the spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in some parts of West Africa.

Dr Dlamini Zuma, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, announced this shortly after a business round table with members of the private sector at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa on Saturday.

The commission had invited the private sector to raise the funds as part of effort to deploy more volunteer workers to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The virus had infected some 13,000 people and had killed 4,900 so far.

The commission had also deployed146 volunteers on the platform of AU programme on Ebola to the affected countries within the last two months.

Zuma said that the fund would be managed by a private sector-led board while the AfDB would administer it.

Niger Republic’s macro-economic performance satisfactory -IMF

The International Monetary Fund on Saturday described the overall economic performance in the Republic of Niger as “generally satisfactory.”

Head of an IMF staff mission for Article IV Consultation in Niger, Mr. Cheikh Gueye, indicated this in a report released at the end of the team’s exercise.

Gueye said the mission, which was in Niamey from Oct. 21 to Nov. 3, also carried out the fifth review of the country’s performance, under the Extended Credit Facility arrangement.

He said the mission held fruitful discussions with senior government officials, private sector operators, civil society and other economic stakeholders in the course of the exercise.

“Niger’s overall macro-economic performance has been generally satisfactory, economic growth slowed to 4.1 per cent in 2013.

Nigeria loses N420b to malaria yearly

Nigeria spends over N42 billion on malaria treatment annually and over 77 per cent of malaria patients indulge in self-medication.

Also, Nigeria contributes 25 per cent of the total malaria burden globally and in every 30 seconds, a child dies of malaria in the country. The worst affected in the malaria burden are pregnant women and children under five years.

The National Coordinator of the National Malaria Control Programme, Nnenna Ezekwe, disclosed this at a campaign against malaria self- medication, in Abuja, on Friday.

Concerned by this development, non- governmental organisation, Support to Nigeria Malaria Programme (SuNMaP), has launched a campaign against malaria self-medication.

The campaign was tagged “Don’t over sabi with malaria: Test before you treat.”

Court strikes out suit seeking Nyako’s reinstatement

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday struck out a suit filed by a lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, seeking the reinstatement of impeached Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako.

Nyako was impeached on July 15, 2014 by the Adamawa State House of Assembly after a panel set up by the Chief Judge of the state indicted him of gross misconduct.

Nyako’s deputy, James Bala Ngilari, who was said to have purportedly resigned moments before the impeachment of his boss, was, however, later sworn-in as the substantive governor of the state, following a judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja to that effect.

Kogi immunises three million against CSM -Commissioner

The Kogi Commissioner for Health, Dr. Idriss omede, said on Saturday that about three million people were immunised against Cerebro Spinal Meningitis during the 10-day campaign in the state.

The commissioner said this while addressing health workers and some officials of the World Health Organisation on the campaign in Lokoja.

Omede, who said the target figure for the campaign was 2.9 million, added that the final figures showed that the exercise was successful.

He commended the health workers for their mobilisation, hardwork and commitment in ensuring the success of the programme.

Amaechi and the thieves in Rivers

Two weeks ago, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, was agog when the Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, held a mega rally. The rally, according to the organisers was to celebrate his (Amaechi) Supreme Court victory after it sacked Celestine Omehia and installed him as governor of the oil rich state seven years ago and also to prove to President Goodluck Jonathan and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that contrary to President Jonathan’s remark at the South-South solidarity rally held in Benin City, the Edo State capital where he (Jonathan) allegedly said that “PDP will take over Rivers State in 2015? and that the APC only exists on billboards in the state, he (Amaechi) is capable of pulling a mammoth crowd and he did.

No doubt the 40, 000 capacity stadium was filled to the brim. The governor made so many statements, mostly uncomplimentary against the president. He accused Mr. President of neglecting Rivers State, saying that the people need not be punished because of his criticism of the president. He also said that one of the gubernatorial aspirants on PDP platform collected N3billion contract to build roads but abandoned the project and pocketed the MONEY. He ended by saying, “and now, he wants to become Governor. A thief will not be our governor”.

Former govs to meet Fayose as Rep donates hospital

Former civilian governors in Ekiti State will today meet at the inauguration of a multimillion naira 32-bed hospital donated by a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Hon. Bimbo Daramola.

Daramola, a member of the House of Representatives representing Oye/Ikole Federal Constituency who is donating the 32-bed hospital to his constituency, described the project as a dream come true.

Three former governors, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi, are expected to join Fayose at Ire-Ekiti where the project would be inaugurated.

The federal legislator said he had long wished to assist his community, which hitherto has no reliable health institution.

Repositioning NTN with stakeholders’ forum

Barely one month in office as the Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Troupe, Mr. Akin Adejuwon is making good his promise of turning the fortunes of the National Troupe around for the better.

Mr. Akin Adejuwon

Last week he made history by organising the maiden edition of Nigeria’s stakeholders’ forum since the establishment of the Nation Troupe of Nigeria in 1991. It held at the Banquet Hall of the National Theatre.

In attendance were icons of the arts such as HRH Oba Gbenga and Olori Adepeju Shonuga; Governing board chairman of National Troupe of Nigeria and National Theatre, Chief Ishaya Makus; Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Duro Oni, Prof. Gbemisola Adeoti; Dr. Wale Adeniran; Ben Tomoloju, GM National Theatre, Mallam Kabir Yusuf; Otunba Tunji Sotimirin; Seasoned movie director and producer, Mahmud Ali-Balogun, among many others.

The event which was officially opened by Handmaid International Catholic School with a wonderful rendition of the National Anthem also had in attendance other schools such as Kings College; Fountain Height Secondary school, Surulere; Galland School Ejigbo and Ronik Comprehensive School, Ejigbo.

There was also a fantastic performance by Segun Adefila led Crown Troupe which performed Footprints of Africa.

Ogun CNPP tasks Nigerians on permanent voter cards

The Ogun State chapter of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) has called on the Nigerian electorate to turn out en masse to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

In a statement issued in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, and made available to Saturday Independent at the weekend, the CNPP said that no voter should be left out in the collection exercise which started in the state on Friday and would end tomorrow, Sunday.

The statement signed by the chapter’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Segun Olufemi, stated that it is the permanent voter cards that eligible voters will used to cast their votes during the 2015 general elections in the country.

The statement also announced the re-election of the state executive members of CNPP under the chairmanship of Owolabi Odebudo, Bola Lawal as Secretary and Gbolahan Idowu as Organising Secretary.

Obama sends 1,500 troops to Iraq

President Barack Obama is sending up to 1,500 more soldiers to Iraq to train Iraqi and Kurdish forces to fight ISIS, in a deployment that would almost double the total number of American troops there to 2,900.

The White House said in a statement that it will also ask Congress for another $5.6 billion to fund the fight against ISIS. The troops will not have a combat role, and will operate from bases outside Baghdad and Erbil.

NIGERIA HOST BRAZIL MARCH 29 IN UYO

Nigeria have arranged a high-profile friendly against five-time world champions Brazil on March 29 at the brand-new Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo.

“I have been directed by the NFF to tell you that Brazil will field the full complement of its stars for the match, including Barcelona star Neymar,” announced Akwa Ibom Governor Godswill Akpabio at the opening of the Akwa Ibom Stadium on Friday night.

Uniting Lagos non-indigenes through cultural festival ­

He is the traditional ruler of his community, Etiti Mboko Umuanunu Ancient Kingdom in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State. But, in Lagos State, he is the mayor of non-indigenes. His Royal Majesty, Eze (Dr) Ngozi Israel Ibekwe (JP), is a household name among non-Yoruba speaking groups in the state, who he rallies together to protect and promote their interests.

As the leader of non-indigenes in the state, he leads all the South East groups and associations, all the South South groups and associations and all the Arewa (North) groups and associations, who brings under the umbrella, as the mayor of the Association of Non-Indigenes in Lagos State.

Under this platform, the association plans to hold its first cultural festival in Lagos at the National Stadium, Surulere, on November 30, a major event to mark the end of the year, before those who will travel to their home communities during for Christmas and End of Year festivities begin to do so.

Eze Ibekwe, on Monday November 3, hosted select journalists, to brief them on the coming cultural festival being powered by his association. At his office, in Ikeja, Lagos, representatives of the association from different groups in Niger Delta or South South, the Arewa including those from Middle Belt, and those from South East groups, were present to give colour to the event.

According to him, those powering the cultural festival are people from South East, South South and the Arewa (North) and others.

Ogun police urges owners to claim stolen cars

The Ogun State Police Command has called on members of the public who lost vehicles or motorcycles to thieves to report at the Adigbe Division for identification and claim.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Tuesday, listed cars recovered by the police as a Nissan Sunny car with registration number KU 408 AAA; four unregistered Nifan motorcycles;  BAJAJ register QQ 802 LSR; Lifan registered QE 101 FFF and one unregistered Jincheng.

Adejobi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said that claimants should come cars within two weeks or lose them to public auction.

Source: dailyindependent

Two killed in Egypt anti-government protest

At least two people have been killed in the latest anti-governement protests in Egypt.

Violence erupted in the province of Fayoum, south of the capital Cairo, after supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi staged rallies following Friday prayers. A teenage boy was killed, medical and security sources said.

There were conflicting reports of whether he was killed in clashes with police or between residents and protesters. Health Ministry official Medhat Shukri said three policemen were also wounded in the violence.

Another person was killed when protesters clashed with government supporters in the Ain Shams district, northeast of the capital, a Cairo police official said.

UN to probe Darfur alleged rape of 200 women

UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, on Friday, Ms Zainab Bengura, has expressed the world body’s readiness to investigate an alleged mass rape of 200 women and girls in Darfur.

Notice of the investigation was contained in a statement by Bengura in New York.

She said the act took place in a town in the North region of Darfur and urged the government of Sudan to “allow immediate and unhindered access for an investigation.’’

The envoy said the African Union-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur should also be given access by the government of Sudan.

Governorship aspirant wants revenue allocation formula reviewed

A governorship aspirant in Delta State, Chief Clement Ofuani, has called for a review of the nation’s revenue allocation formula as the best way to motivate states to be more aggressive in the generation of funds, in the face of dwindling income from crude oil export.

Ofuani, who was the pioneer commissioner for economic planning in Delta State, said this in response to the recent drop in crude oil prices in international market.

Ofuani, who was among the first aspirants from Delta North to collect the PDP nomination form, said the country’s law and policy makers should channel their mental energy towards restructuring the allocation formula, instead of altering the percentage allotted for derivation.

Planning minister stresses need to diversify economy

In the face of dwindling oil revenue, the Minister/Deputy Chairman, National Planning Commission, Abubakar Olanrewaju Sulaiman, has stressed the need to diversify sources of revenue.

The minister spoke at the meeting of a National Council on Development Planning (NCDP) held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan (UI).

Recalling the decline in crude oil price from $100 to about $80 per barrel in the recent past, the minister said: “This has the potential of affecting the economic performance of member nations, including Nigeria and by extension the states that rely on crude oil as major revenue receipts.”

Supporting suggestions at the international forum that there should be a right mix of policies to enable countries build up buffer stock and resilience among others, he said the National Planning Commission “is working closely with the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank in developing a contingency plan at the national level.

“The states are also advised to develop their strategic plans, as well as the associated contingency plans to complement the effort of the Federal Government,” he said, adding; “The Commissioners of Economic Planning are, therefore, expected to lead the process in their respective states.”

Source: dailyindependent

Committee certifies 103 aspirants for PDP assembly primaries

The Peoples Democratic Party screening committee for party primaries into Kogi House of Assembly has certified 103 aspirants for the contest.

Mr. Colet Odenigbo, Chairman of the committee, announced this while addressing newsmen after the screening at the state secretariat of the PDP on Saturday.

He said 105 aspirants were screened.

Odenigbo said the process provided the aspirants the opportunity to present their credentials.

“Our duty here today was to screen those credentials and ensure that they met the party requirements in line with regulations and other laws of the land.”

Odenigbe described the exercise as the first stage of the electioneering process into the assembly.

He said the committee was confronted with an avalanche of highly qualified candidates.

He said that it screened out two aspirants for their inability to meet the requirements.

He said six were initially screened out for their inability to produce NYSC discharge certificates while three aspirants withdrew from the process voluntarily.

Urhobo vows to vote against Jonathan

APEX Urhobo socio-political organisation, the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), has stated that the Urhobo ethnic nationality would vote against President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term ambition in 2015 if he fails to ensure that the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerges from the Urhobo nation’s Delta Central Senatorial district.

The group also slammed Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, of working to sabotage the Urhobo nations’ ambition to produce the next governor in the state by supporting candidates from the north senatorial district of the Igbo speaking people.

President–General, UPU, Chief Joe Omene, made this position known at a gathering of the organisation held at the Urhobo Cultural Centre, Warri, on Tuesday, November 4, 2014.

Addressing newsmen on the position of the UPU on the 2015 polls, Omene declared that the UPU and indeed the entire Urhobo ethnic nationality would have no business with any political party that will not consider them for 2015 governorship ticket.

 saying that the UPU Uvwiamuge Declaration is predicated on this position as they gave Jonathan over 800,000 votes during the 2011 polls and yet have nothing to show for it.

Ihedioha, two govs tear-gassed at PDP secretariat

On Friday, overzealous security operatives at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), headquarters in Abuja threw caution to the wind as aspirants queued to submit their expression of interest forms were tear- gassed.

Those affected in the melee include the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, Governor of Kaduna State,  Ramalan Yero, Acting Governor of Taraba State,  Garba Umar, and Senator Abubakar Gada from Sokoto State.

Others were Chairman, House Committee on Health, Ndudi Elemelu, Chairman House Committee on Sports, Godfrey Gaya, Hon. Ibrahim El- Sudi and others.

Supporters were drumming and singing to cheer their aspirants before they incurred the wrath of the angry security personnel.

Saturday Independent learnt that a policemen attached to the PDP headquarters at about 11:25am threw tear-gas at the crowd as they approached the first floor of the building thereby forcing the people to scamper to safety.

There development forced many of the people in tears to exit the building through the back door with their eyes and nostrils covered with handkerchiefs.

Two persons slumped in the process but were quickly rescued out of the scene. Attempt to get some of the party’s officials to comment proved abortive as they refused to speak with our reporter.

12 political parties endorse Agbaje for Lagos gov race

Ahead of the general elections in 2015, 12 political parties have endorsed one of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirants, Jimi Agbaje, as the only candidate who could lead the people of Lagos out of political Ebola and slavery regime.

Speaking at the meeting held in Lagos with Eko Initiative, the parties’ chairmen and the coordinator of the forum, Mr. Sunbo Onitiri, insisted that Agbaje is the only person that can do better than Governor Babatunde Fashola.

The parties present at the meeting were National Conscience Party (NCP), Citizen Peoples Party (CPP), People For Democratic Change (PDC), Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Mega Progressive Peoples Party (MPPP), Labour Party (LP), Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) and United Peoples Party (UPP) among others.

According to him, the party stands a great chance of winning the governorship election in the state if it fields Agbaje as candidate.

S’Sudan leaders get 15-day ultimatum to end violence

The East Africa regional body, Intergovernmental Authority on Development , has given the two parties in the South Sudan conflict 15-day ultimatum to end the violence or face sanctions.

Forces from the South Sudan Government and rebel group of the SPLMA in opposition, led by former Vice President Reik Machar, had in December 2013, engaged in violence, following an alleged move to overthrow the Salva Kiir-led government.

The UN refugee agency said hundreds of thousands of people were killed in the fighting with about two million persons displaced, while some 570, 000 others fled to neighboring Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya and Sudan.

The two parties had failed to honour the Dec. 23 cessation of hostilities agreement, as fighting to control the oil state continued by the two forces.

Unending pipeline vandalism, national calamity -Rep

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources, Downstream, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has described the incessant pipeline vandalism as tragic and a national calamity.

Reacting to the recent pipeline explosion at Ijegun oil facility, Ije Ododo in Lagos, the law maker in Abuja on Saturday, wondered why an atmosphere of inaction and helplessness pervaded Nigeria’s oil pipelines even in the face of awful threat to the economy of the country.

He said, “Every responsible country consciously puts its best at work to deliver service and when there is a shortfall in this service delivery, the citizens should naturally ask questions.

“Today, Nigerians are asking questions and equally demanding answers from those who are paid to secure our oil and gas infrastructure. Sadly, we are not getting value for the huge INVESTMENTS in securing our pipelines.”

Peterside also described as unacceptable “this endless circle of defeat in the hands of these vandals,” who he said continued to frustrate almost every effort, insisting that change in our attitude and approach to solving problems was inevitable if we hope to turn the ugly tide.

Gunmen assassinate Al-Makura’s driver

The Police in Nasarawa said on Saturday that some gunmen assassinated the Head Driver of Governor Umaru Al-Makura, Mr. Abdullahi Mairuwa.

Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Ismaila Numan, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lafia.

He said the victim was traveling with his wife from Lafia to Keana Local Government Area on Saturday morning when they were attacked by some gunmen at Tudun Adabu village in Obi Local Government Area of the state.

“The report we got from the scene indicated that Mairuwa’s killers shot him at close range in the presence of his wife before escaping through a bush path,” Numan said.

Nasarawa top scorer attributes success to coach

Nasarawa United top scorer, Leonard Ugochukwu, is excited with his contribution to his club in the second round of the NPFL attributing the success to his coach.

Ugochukwu had a quiet campaign during the first round of the season, but is experiencing a turnaround in the second round of the league with nine goals to emerge club top scorer.

“I’m happy with way things have turned around for me in the second round of the league. I wasn’t playing regularly in the first round of the league which explains why I had a barren spell”, he told supersport.

However, Ugochukwu has attributed his present form to club coach, Mohammed Baba Ganaru.

“I must appreciate the contributions of the coach to my present form. He has given me the confidence to bounce back.

“I’ve even scored two goals each against FC Taraba and Bayelsa United, as well as a hat-trick against Kaduna United, all in the second round,” Ugochuchu said.

Ugochukwu started his football development at the famous Jos-based Aminchi Academy, which produced Nigerian international, Ahmed Musa, before heading for Plateau United.

Source:dailyindependent

African Voices profiles Francisca Okeke

Renowned Nigerian female scientist, Professor Francisca Nnenna Okeke, will be the star guest on the Glo-sponsored television magazine programme, African Voices.

The 30-minute programme which runs on CNN International will be telecast at 3.30 p.m. on Saturday and at 4.30 a.m., 12.30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. Viewers can also watch the show during the repeat broadcasts on Monday at 3:30 a.m., 11.30 a.m. and 6.30 p.m., on Tuesday at 5.30 a.m. and on Wednesday at 10.30 a.m.

Okeke is a professor of physics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka,  and  was the first woman to Head the Department of Physics and Astronomy from 2003 to 2006. She was again the first female Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, 2008 to 2010, and the first indigenous female Professor in the Faculty of Science and Engineering of the University. She was also the first female Professor of Physics in the Eastern part of Nigeria.

APGA gives Ojukwu’s son automatic rep ticket

The first son of late leader of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu (Jr), may have bagged an automatic ticket to fly the party’s flag in next year’s House of Representatives election for the Nnewi North/Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency seat.

The national chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh had earlier hinted that the party in its wisdom decided to give Ojukwu Junior the ticket to keep his father’s name alive in next year’s election.

Umeh followed his statement up when on Thursday evening in a mixed ceremony of Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu’s post-humous birthday and Emeka Jr presentation to the people raised his hand and introduced him to the large crowd that gathered at Ojukwu’s country home in Nnewi.

Umeh, who on arrival went into Ojukwu’s mausoleum to, according to him, “recharge our strength so that he will guide us in the battle ahead” said the party has found every characteristics of Dim Ojukwu in his son and decided to field him in the election.

Speaking in Igbo language during the occasion, Umeh said: “Today we present a replica of Ojukwu.

Siurce: dailyindependent

Italian Side WILLING To Complete £100-A-Week Deal With Arsenal

According to reports, Seria A outfit Fiorentina are prepared to take Arsenal winger Theo Walcott on loan in the January transfer window. This much has been confirmed by the player’s agent who was quoted as saying;

“Theo is liked by a lot of teams and it’s likely there’s interest from Fiorentina.

“I have a great relationship with that club, I respect and admire their leaders. I just don’t think there is an opportunity to see Walcott in Florence.

“I don’t think that Fiorentina have the MONEY to get him. I think it’s an almost impossible deal for them and I was never contacted by them about Theo.”

100 PDP aspirants vie for Enugu assembly seats

No fewer than 100 aspirants are vying for the 24 seats in Enugu State House of Assembly on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform.

About 18 serving members of the House were among the large number of aspirants who appeared before the Screening Committee led by former Minister of Sports, Bala Kaoje, on Thursday night, at the State Secretariat of PDP in Enugu.

With the exception of few female aspirants who paid N200, 000 for the expression of interest form, majority of the aspirants officially paid N1.2 million each for the interest expression form.

Before appearing before the screening committee, each of the aspirants paid N150, 000 screening fee.

Speaking with journalists’ at the venue, Kaoje hailed the aspirants for good conduct.

Nigeria, Ebola and the myth of white saviours

Contrary to the dominant Ebola foreign intervention narrative, Africans are not waiting to be rescued by white saviours. In a 2012 article published by The Atlantic, Nigerian writer Teju Cole exposed the white saviour industrial complex for what it is: a pathology of white privilege. According to Cole, white saviours fundamentally believe they are indispensable to the very existence of those on the receiving end of their "interventions". Like some potted plants, they tend to bloom in "exotic" environments far removed from their natural habitats. At the height of Ebola, the myth of the white saviour has resurfaced again and again, framing Africans as infantile objects of external interventions. The white saviour complex has placed a premium on foreign expertise, while negating domestic capabilities.

UN sanctions Yemen’s ex-president

The UN Security Council has imposed sanctions on Yemen’s former president Ali Abdullah Saleh and two allied rebel commanders for threatening the peace and stability of the country and obstructing the political process.

Lithuanian UN Ambassador Raimonda Murmokaite, chair of the council’s Yemen sanctions committee, said on Friday all 15 members had agreed to blacklist Saleh and Houthi rebel military leaders Abd al-Khaliq al-Houthi and Abdullah Yahya al-Hakim.

APC to Presidency: Chamberlain resigned as British PM during World War II

The All Progressives Congress (APC) 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 being fought by his country in order to change the course of the war.

In a statement issued 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 10th 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.

Court stops A’ Ibom PDP congress result

A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from using the results of the ward congresses conducted on November 1, in Akwa Ibom State to conduct primaries to select the governorship candidate.

The court presided over by Justice Adeniyi Ademola granted the order ex-parte after hearing Godwin Obla (SAN), counsel to a former Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government and a governorship aspirant in the state, Umana Okon Umana.

The PDP, its chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are the defendants in the suit.

The judge also ordered INEC not to recognise the results of the ward congresses for any purpose as Umana and his supporters were prevented from participating in the said congresses, following a statement made by the PDP excluding him (Umana).

Oyo CJ mourns predecessor, says judiciary lost brilliant judge

The recent death of the former Chief Judge of Oyo State, Mashood Olayiwola Adio has created a big vacuum in the Judiciary, not only in the state, but the nation at large.

This was the remark of Chief Judge of the state, Ladipo Abimbola on Friday in Ibadan at a special valedictory session held at the Oyo State High Court of Justice, MKO Abiola Way (former Ring Road), Ibadan in honour of the deceased.

Abimbola, who lamented that the State Judiciary “has lost one of its finest, quintessential jurists in the death of the former Chief Judge” said Adio had left a big vacuum in the Judiciary, not only in Oyo State, but the nation at large.

According to him, “to us in the Judiciary, we have lost one of our finest and quintessential Jurist. Even though Hon. Justice Adio’s voice can no longer be heard, his unheard voice will resonate in his various judicial pronouncements.

I’m in race to rescue Oyo State from despotism –Adejumo

One of the Oyo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirants, Soji Adejumo, has declared that he is in the race to rescue the state from an unpopular, mindless and despotic administration that has wiped out the middle class from the economy.

Adejumo, the immediate past chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and a Professor of Animal Science made this known at the national headquarters of the party, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, where he had gone to  submit his governorship primaries nomination and expression of interest forms.

He lamented that Oyo State had lost its pace setter status among the comity of states as it “is now educationally, agriculturally and economically neglected by the current administration”.

Speaking with the party’s National Organizing Secretary, Abubakar Mustapha, he declared that “it is a distinct privileged to be able to contest for the PDP governorship ticket as the PDP is the most robust and vibrant political party in Africa”.

Source: dailyindependent

Abakaliki High Court restrains APC from canceling congresses

High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital Friday restrained the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from canceling or repeating the last April ward, Local government and state congresses of the party in the state.

In a suit No. HAB/62MC/2014, the Presiding Judge, Justice A.A Nwaigwe granted the prayer of the plaintiff, Joseph Nweke Friday, for an order of interlocutory injunction, restraining the National chairman of APC, Chief John Oyegun and the All Progressives Congress (APC) as 1st and 2nd respondents, from dissolving the executives of the party elected during the congresses.

The trial Judge noted that the judgment, which was on the Motion of Notice was in accordance to Order 39 Rule (1) and (2); 3 Rule 2(4) a and (b) of the High Court Rules of Ebonyi state, 2008 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

Nwaigwe also restrained the respondents, their agents and privies from conducting any new congress aimed at electing new executives of the party in the state or appointing Caretaker Committee in place of Nwobashi led executive committee.

Source:dailyindependent

I’m the best man for Delta – Obuh

DELTA State gubernatorial aspirant, Sir Anthony Obuh, has declared that he remains the best and the right man to governs the state from 2015.

He stated this while declaring his gubernatorial ambition on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday, saying that he would offer strategic leadership, which would lift the state to a higher level of advancement and development.

Obuh said he is passionate about wealth creation, economic development and wellbeing of Delta people, adding that he would ensure exemplary leadership and promised that democratic governance prevails in the state.

NAFDAC arraigns businessman for importing fake drugs

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday remanded a businessman, Olisaemeka Osefoh, to prison custody for allegedly importing fake drugs into the country.

Osefoh who resides at No 15 Obidima St., Iba Victory Estate area of Lagos, was ordered to be remanded after he was arraigned by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on the alleged crime.

He is standing trial on a four-count charge bordering on importation of fake drugs and importation of drug products without registration.

The prosecutor, Umar Shamaki, told the court that the accused committed the alleged offence on April 26, 2013 at Plaza 25 and 32, APT market and International Trade Fair complex, Lagos.

Shamaki said that Osefoh imported fake drug products, which include Mycoten cream (Clotrimazole), DGF Neurogesic Greaseless Oinment, Funbact A Tripple Action cream.

Jang rules out governorship zoning

As the 2015 political heat in Plateau State gets hotter, Governor David Jonah Jang has declared that there is no zoning for the governorship seat to any of the three senatorial districts of the state, urging all aspirants to rush to buy forms from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before its expiry date.

Jang who spoke at the swearing-in of four new commissioners to replace those who resigned to run for elective seats in the 2015 general elections, said that as of “ today, seven persons from southern, five from central and three from northern senatorial districts of the state have gone to Abuja to collect forms to contest the Plateau gubernatorial primaries on the 29th of this month, adding that whoever thinks he has anything to offer the state should fill free to contest the primaries.

Jang said he believes that God has anointed a man who will take over from him, advising those campaigning in Abuja to return home to Jos to tell the people what they have to offer.

Obama hosts Congress leaders after elections

Three days after his party’s stinging midterm election defeat, President Barack Obama hosted congressional leaders at
the White House, vowing to embrace policies untainted by partisanship.

“The American people just want to see work done here in Washington. I think they’re frustrated by the gridlock,” Obama said on Friday in a White House dining room where more than a dozen congressional leaders were seated.

Americans would “like to see more cooperation, and I think all of us have the responsibility, me in particular, to try to make that happen,” Obama said.

His guests included the incoming Senate majority leader, Republican Mitch McConnell, and Republican House Speaker John Boehner.