Gov Obi Rebuts Ojukwu’s Death Rumour, Calls for Prayers for His Speedy Recovery

            The Anambra State Governor,  Mr. Peter Obi has rebuted the rumours going round that the Biafran warlord and icon of the Igbo race, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukw has died.

WAEC Releases Results, Announcing Mass Failure

The Head of National Office (HNO) of the West African Examination Council (WAEC), Dr. Iyi Uwadiae has disclosed while announcing the release of the May/June 2011 West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) that “this year like other years, the candidates have not done well.”  

Pope, King Abdullah Condemn Syrian Repression

International pressure has begun to mount following recent condemnation of Syrian repression by Pope Benedict XVI and King Abdullah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Shock Over Sam Loko Efe's Death

SAM LOKO EFE
NOLLYWOOD ACTOR, COMEDIAN

Popular Nollywood Star, Stephanie Okereke has expressed shock over the death of Veteran actor, Sam Loko Efe who died at a location in Rapour Hotel in Owerre a while ago.

“Life is just crazy sometimes! Still in shock...” writes Actress Okereke, reacting to Actor Efe’s sudden demise in his sleep at the age of 66.

Chief Ume-Ezeoke Dies at the Age 76

    An astute politician and a member of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State, Mr. Alloy Ezejiegu has said that the News of the death of former National Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke came as a shock to him.
    Speaking to AriNews at Abagana awhile ago, Mr. Ezejiegu described Ume-Ezeoke as a dedicated politician who contributed meaningfully to the growth and survival of democracy in Nigeria.

OPEC and Independent Africa Business Panel in The Netherlands Rank Nigeria High

    Just as Nigeria leaps from its seventh position to its current second position in OPEC’s ranking of the largest oil exporters in the world, the Independent Africa Business Panel in The Netherlands has declared Nigeria as the number two of the top three investment destinations of choice in Africa.

President Jonathan Enjoins Muslims to Pray for Peace

President Goodluck Jonathan

  President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has called on all Muslims to “pray for peace, stability and rapid socio-economic development in the country” in this holy month of Ramadan.

            The president made the call in a message posted on the wall of his facebook account.

“ In this holy month of Ramadan, I solidarize with my Muslim brothers and sisters and urge that as we fast together we should all pray for peace, stability and rapid socio-economic development in the nation,” read the message in part.

Gov Shettima Having Sleepless Nights

His Excellency, Kashim Shettima
Executive Governor of Borno State

            A keen observer of the violent conflict in Borno State will have no iota of doubt that the State’s number one citizen, Governor Kashim Shettima is having sleepless nights.

            Shettima assumed office as the Governor of Borno State at a point in time when the State is facing the highest challenge of its existence.

            Having inherited the hot seat from his predecessor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, the journey that eventually led Shettima to his present position was obviously rough.

Men Killing Men: Where is the Sanctity of the Human Life?

Boko Haram Mayhem
Borno State

If since the beginning of the world, man with his vast knowledge of Science and Technology cannot create human life, and then who is he to take it?

The manner in which human beings are killing themselves all over the world calls for urgent concern and immediate review of man’s abilities and disabilities in terms of giving and taking of lives.

A closer look at the global community will reveal an appalling picture of huge loss of human lives on daily basis, not committed by some kind of strange monsters, but by human beings themselves.

For instance, at the moment tens of thousands of people in some parts of Somalia especially Bakool and Lower Shabelle are dying of famine due to extreme drought that has ravaged the country.

Sanusi Vindicated on Islamic Banking

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi
CBN Governor

The recent revelation by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi that 60% of the shares of the controversial Islamic Bank to by introduced in Nigeria are owned by the Igbos has agained boosted his integrity.

Sanusi made the disclosure when he appeared before the lower chambers of the National assenble to explain to the law-makers issues related to Islamic Banking and maximum withrawal level which have generated so much controversies.

If 60% of the Bank’s shares could be owned by Igbos, who undoubtedly are predominantly Christains, this shows that the bank does not discriminate against religion and ethnicity.

Mandela: “A Beacon for the Global Community”

Former South African President,
Nelson Mandela,
 who recently clocked 93.

Would you ever dream of becoming a president and global icon if you lost your father at the age of nine, took arms early in life and got sentenced to life in prison?

That was the story of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela who spent 27 years in prison for his strong opposition to apartheid but after his release, became the first South African President to be elected in a representative democracy.

Mandela, who recently turned 93, became the 19th Secretary-General of the Non-Aligned Movement in 1998.

With over 250 international and local awards to his honour, Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

Popularly called Madiba, the name of his Xhasa clan or “tata” (father), Mandela is revered as an embodiment of global peace and reconciliation.

Ministers to Make Nigeria Better – Jonathan

PRESIDENT
 GOODLUCK JONATHAN

President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed his belief in his Cabinet’s capacity to drive the country’s “transformation programme” to “make Nigeria better.”

The President made the expression at the occasion of the formal presentation and swearing-in of members of the Federal Executive Council at the State Council Chambers, State House, Abuja, recently.

Boko Haram: UniMaid Students’ Ordeal

            The news first came as rumours cycling the campus like a whirlwind before a circular confirmed that the University of Maiduguri has been shut down indefinitely due to deteriorating security situation in town.

The circular signed by the University’s registrar, Abagana Aji read in part: “this is to inform all members of staff and students that the Committee of Provosts, Deans and Directors (CPDD) at its emergency meeting held on Monday 11^th July, after carefully assessing the security situation in Maiduguri and its environs has on behalf of senate come to a painful conclusion to suspend studies indefinitely with effect from Tuesday 12^th July, 2011.”

            Most students were shocked, not because the development was unnecessary, but because the closure was unexpected.

Boko Haram: Damaturu Struggles to Stand

Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State, North-eastern Nigeria, has been struggling to stand in the face of violence in Maiduguri due to activities of Boko Haram and military reprisals.

In the last few days, increased bombing of places of worship, drinking joints and public places by Boko Haram in Maiduguri has necessitated government’s resort to stringent security measures such as the ban on motorbikes which has left thousands of commercial motorcyclists jobless.

Four Arraigned in Court over the Execution of Boko Haram Leader

Former Boko Haram Leader,
 Late Mohammed Yusuf

Justice will soon come the way of former Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf who was summarily executed in 2009 by some Nigerian policemen shortly after he was captured for stirring up civil disobedience in Maiduguri.

Four policemen have been arraigned in court in Abuja awhile ago amid tight security over the summary execution of the ex-leader of Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad.

Okorocha Wins Imo Governorship Election

The gubernatorial flag bearer of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, Rochas Okorocha has been declared governor-elect of Imo State. 


 Announcing the results a while ago, Returning Officer Professor Hillary Odoagan said Okorocha polled 336,859 votes to defeat his closest rival, incumbent governor Ikedi Ohakim of the Peoples Democratic Party who scored 290,490 votes.

Al-Qaeda : Osama Bin Laden is Dead

Osama Bin Laden
The Founder and Leader of the Al-Qaeda

A message posted on Jihadist online medium indicated that Al-Qaeda has confirmed the death of its Founder and Leader Osama Bin Laden.

Bin Laden was killed on Monday in a US raid on his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

The message said the death of Bin Laden would spell doom for the US and its allies as his death would be avenged.

Jonathan’s One Year in Office

President GoodLuck Jonathan

“Within the last year, I have made every human effort to keep my commitments to the Nigerian people and restore their trust in those administering the affairs of government,” said President Goodluck Jonathan as Nigeria commemorates his one year in office.

In a message posted on his facebook page, Jonathan acknowledged his imperfection, but stated that his administration had made progress in “Electoral Reform with the signing of the Electoral Act on August 20, 2010 and the appointment of an INEC board that has now proved itself independent and capable by conducting an election universally acknowledged by neutral parties to be free, fair and credible.”

Enugu State Correspondents’ Chapel Elects New Chairman

The newly-elected Chairman of the Enugu State Correspondents’ Chapel, Chris Oji has said that the welfare of its members would be his top priority.

Oji said this in his acceptance speech shortly after the Correspondents’ Chapel election yesterday.

He polled twenty votes to defeat his opponent Jude Orji who polled eight votes.

Similarly, the election produced Maurice Okafor of the News World Magazine as elected secretary.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ossy Rockefeller who observed the election commended members of the Correspondents’ Chapel for peaceful election.

Memories of Late President Yar’Adua

Late Umaru Musa Yar'Adua

As Nigeria remembers Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, President Goodluck Jonathan has eulogized him for his unmatched leadership virtues.

In a statement endorsed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ima Niboro, President Jonathan praise Late Yar’adua’s good governance attributes.

Similarly a senior lecturer at the department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri, Mallam Musa Usman said, “… We remember late President Umaru Yar’Adua. It’s already a year since he departed. But he remains on our mind. His gait showed the will to serve. His eyes showed genuine concern for Nigeria. Yet ill-health deprived us of the service of this gentleman.”

Mallam Usman who commented on facebook, prayed for the departed soul of the Late President to repose in perfect peace.

He served as the executive Governor of Katsina State from May 29, 1999 to May 2007 before he was sworn in as the 13th Nigeria’s Head of State on the May 29, 2007. 

It could be recalled that in 2009, Yar'Adua left for Saudi Arabia to receive treatment for pericarditis, returned to Nigeria in 2010, and died on May 5.