2006/06/22 Latest Nigeria news from My9ja.com

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2006/06/22 Latest Nigeria news from My9ja.com

2007: Adopt Option A4 System Group Urges INEC

Lagos With intense controversy still dogging the choice of the electoral system to adopt in 2007 generalelections the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has been urged to adopt the Option A4 electoral system used during

ITF Stakeholders Determine Fate of Varsity Poly Students

Oyo The Director General of the Industrial Training Fund ITF Prof Olu Akerejola has hinted that the three months and one year students industrial work experience SIWES may be scrapped Akerejola who spoke with newsmen in

Gov Vows to Improve Citizen s Lives

Bayelsa Bayelsa State Government has said it will continue to fashion out policies that will impact positively on the lives of the people The State Governor Dr Goodluck Jonathan who stated this while speaking at the

Assembly Okays Bill on State Privatisation Bureau

Bauchi The Bauchi State House of Assembly has passed a bill for a law to establish the state bureau for privatization and economic reform 2006 as part of a deliberate effort to revamp the state

Guardian Express Mortgage Secures NHTF Loan for Customers

Lagos Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria FMBN has approved the sum of N182 8m to be disbursed to 37 customers of Guardian Express Mortgage Limited who applied for the National Housing Trust Fund The approval was

2007: Egwu Kicks Against Imposition of Candidates

Ebonyi Governor Sam Egwu of Ebonyi State has commended President Olusegun Obasanjo and the National Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP for initiating the reconciliation process in thepartyand warned that any attempt to impose

Assembly Urges Government Agencies to Increase IGR

Osun Osun State House of Assembly yesterday said that for the nation to deliver the dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of the rural populace all the agencies of goverment should intesify efforts at increasing

Ex Senator Usulor Dies

Ebonyi Tragedy struck in Abakaliki the Ebonyi State capital in the early hours of Tuesday following the reported death of Senator Vincent Usulor who represented Ebonyi Senatorial zone in the senate between 1999 and 2003 He

Rights Commission s Scribe Removal Illegal CLO

Lagos Civil Liberties Organisation CLO yesterday condemned the removal and redeployment of the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission NHRC Mr Bukhari Bello A statement by CLO President Mr Titus Mann said quot the

Etiebet s Exit From ANPP Vindicates Bafarawa

Sokoto Sokoto State Care taker Committee Chairman of Democratic Peoples Party DPP Alhaji Umaru Kwabo A A has desrcibed the exit on Monday ofANPP s former chairman Chief Don Etiebet from the party as a clear vindication of Governor Bafarawa s earlier

It s Regrettable Oyegun

Edo A leader of the All Nigeria Peoples Party ANPP Chief John Odigie Oyegun has expressed sadness over the resignation of its former national chairman Chief Don Etiebet but said the politician is at liberty to

NPI Partners NAFDAC on Polio Eradication

Lagos In a decisive move signaling a new era of rapprochment the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC and the National Programme on Immunization NPI have resolved to sink their differences

Census: Commissioner Allays Fears on Post Enumeration Survey

Sokoto Nigerians have been assured that no community will suffer any disadvantage on account of exclusion from the Post Enumeration Survey PES quot The selectionof enumeration areas for the PES has been done using inthe most prudent

Essien Donovan Hold Key to Africa s Lone Ticket

Perhaps never in the history of football have the form of two players held so much promise for the fortunes of their respective teams as the form of Michael Essien and Landon Donovan hold the hopes of Ghana

Injured Owen Out of World Cup

Michael Owen is out of the World Cup and flying back to England after rupturing his anterior cruciate knee ligament in the 2 2 draw with Sweden A scan on yesterday confirmed the worst fears about Owen s injury following

Refs Favour Big Boys Michel

Cote d Ivoire coach Henri Michel has launched an attack on the refereeing at the World Cup as he sought to deflect some of the fierce criticism being levelled at him in the west African nation s press The 57 year old Frenchman

NBBF Unveils Zenith Female League

Basketball The Nigeria Basketball Federation NBBF and the sponsors of their female league Zenith Bank have unveiled the details of the league for the 2006 season The details were given yesterday at the National Stadium

Kaoje Named New Sports Minister

Hon Bala Kaoje was yesterday sworn in as the new Sports Minister He replaced the former Sports Minister Samaila Sambawa who resigned from the position to pursue a political career Kaoje was a former member of the House of

MTN Paints Maiduguri Yellow for World Cup

MTN Communications Limited has opened a viewing centre for soccer fans in the far northern ancient city of Maiduguri Borno State to view the activities and matches of the on going FIFA World Cup on crystal clear large screen

Emotions High as Australia Play Croatia

National allegiances will be put to the ultimate test when Australia play Croatia at the World Cup today They may be playing for different teams but for many of the players the result is sure to produce bittersweet

Emotions High as Australia Play Croatia

National allegiances will be put to the ultimate test when Australia play Croatia at the World Cup today They may be playing for different teams but for many of the players the result is sure to produce bittersweet

Iran Deny Angola Knock out Stage Ticket

Angola s hopes of reaching the second round were shattered as Iran came from behind to share the spoils yesterday evening For 14 second half minutes the dream was alive with Angola one up through Amado Flavio s header although they still

I ve Been Vindicated Roger Milla

Africa s football legend Roger Milla has described the Black Stars performance at the World Cup as vintage and a vindication of his prediction over 16 years ago Milla who long predicted that the world would fall in love

80 000 Each for Black Stars If

The Black Stars mesmerising display last Saturday is set to land each of the 23 man squad a bumper bonus payment On top of the 50 000 received for competing in the World Cup each squad member has earned 10 000

Portugal Top Group D Beat Mexico

Portugal topped Group D after a narrow 2 1 win against a 10 man Mexico squad that also bookked a place as runner up into the knock out stage The Portuguese took an early lead with a well worked goal Maniche sidefooting the

Why We Launched Microfinance Policy Obasanjo

Lagos President Olusegun Obasanjo has reiterated that lack of access to ready credit is the major problem facing microfinance entrepreneurs farmers and the rural poor which informed the launch of Microfinance policy by his administration

Jonathan Calls for Politics Without Bitterness

Bayelsa Governor Goodluck Jonathan of Bayelsa State has charged the political class in the state to practise politics without bitterness saying that power comes from God Jonathan who gave the charge while speaking at a

Obasanjo Unveils Incentives for Cotton Farmers

President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday assured cotton farmers in the country of his administration s resolve to mop up all excess cotton produce at a remunerative price as part of Federal Government s efforts to encourage the growth of the produce Besides

Presidential Committee Laments nbsp State of Prisons

The Presidential committee on prisons reforms yesterday lamented what it described as the dehumanizing situation in Nigeria n prisons This followed the revealation that over 135 inmates were at the Kaduna Prison awaiting execution The prison according to

Police Reforms: Presidential Committee Seeks N100bn

As part of joint efforts in reforming the Nigeria Police through funding of the Force Presidential Committee on Police Equipment Fund is to raise N100bn within the next one year to assist the Federal Government on the current

Etiebet s Exit Not a Surprise ANPP

The All Nigeria Peoples Party ANPP yesterday said the recent resignation of its former National Chairman Chief Don Etiebet and other party chieftains that quit before him did not come to the party as a shock but was

ICPC to Prosecute Electoral Offenders Ayoola

Politicians will face greater challenges in 2007 as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission ICPC on Wednesday vowed to prosecute any one caught committing electoral crimes in the coming elections The ICPC Chairman Justice Emmanuel Ayoola Rtd

Abducted Filipinos: Police Comb Kidnap Spot

The police yesterday said they have dispatched a team of investigators to the area where two Filipinos were kidnapped Tuesday morning to establish the motive of the kidnappers Speaking yesterday on the issue the state Police Public Relations Officer

IFC Ranks Nigeria 94th in Economic Potentials

The International Finance Corporation IFC which is the world s largest multi lateral source of finance for projects in developing countries and a private sector arm of the World Bank has ranked Nigeria the 94th out of 155 countries in the

IBB: Uwais An Incorruptible Judge

Erstwhile military Pre sident General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida rtd yesterday extolled the virtues of former Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Muhammadu Uwais rtd describing him as a simple humble and incorruptible jurist Babangida who was the chairman at the public

Okonjo Iweala Others in Surprise Redeployment

Cabinet Reshuffle One more minister kissed the canvass yesterday as President Olusegun Oba sanjo again shuffled his cabinet surprisingly redeploying three and bringing in five new faces on board In his second cabinet shake up in two months

Bakassi Indigenes Opt to Relocate to Nigeria

Following the option given by President Olusegun Obasanjo that the people of Bakassi Peninsula have a choice of either remaining in the area that has been ceded to Cameroon or relocate to Nigeria the people of Bakassi have

Ehindero Gives Conditions for Free Polls

Inspector General of Police Mr Sunday Ehindero yesterday told the Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission INEC Prof Maurice Iwu that one of the conditions for free polls in 2007 is the timely release of elections timetable But Iwu who

PDP Crisis: New Faction Wins Round One

A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday made an order stating that the Solomon Lar led faction of Peoples Democratic Party PDP can bring an action on behalf of members of the National Interim Management Committee of the

FG Floats N675bn Science Fund

The Federal Government yesterday said a 5 bn N675bn National Science and Technology Endowment Fund would be established in the next two weeks to address the problem of funding that has militated against Nigeria s industrial development Minister of Science

Land Scam: Former Chief of Air Staff Dragged to Court

A N50m suit has been brought against the former Chief of Air Staff CAS Air Marshall Isaac Alfa at a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory FCT for alleged illegal detention and seizure of properties The suit filed

Ekiti Reawards Feeder Road Contract

Ekiti state government has reawarded contract for the construction of a dedicated feeder road from Ilesha Transmission station to Ekiti Via Itawure Efon Alaye to improve electricity supply to the state capital The state special Adviser on Electricity and

Robbers Raid Three Schools in Benin

Armed bandits in Benin City the Edo State capital appear to have shifted their attention to secondary schools hitherto considered the most unlikely targets with raids on three schools in a roll THISDAY learnt that the three public post primary schools

I ll Leave No Abandoned Projects in 2007 Odili

Governor Peter Odili of Rivers State has said he would use the remaining part of his tenure to ensure the completion of all on going projects assuring that he would not bequeath any abandoned project to his successortThis assurance

2007: INEC Urged to Audit Parties Accounts

Lagos As political activities intensify ahead of the 2007 elections Independent Advocacy Project IAP has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to examine and audit the funds and accounts of political parties and

Agagu Urges Rousing Welcome for Obasanjo

Ondo The people of Ondo State have been urged to come out enmasse to give a rousing welcome to President Olusegun Obasanjo who is billed to commence a three day working visit to the state tomorrow Ondo State

Ogun Tax Earnings Have Improved Daniel

Ogun state government has said that its tax environment has improved considerably because of the people oriented programme it puts in place Governor Gbenga Daniel who disclosed this in Abeokuta yesterday said quot the state collects now an average of 250 million

Ibru: Ailing Bamaiyi Battles for Bail

Exactly 121 days after his last appearance in court in a case of attempted murder of Mr Alex Ibru Publisher The Guardian newspaper former Chief of Army Staff Lt General Ishaya Bamaiyi yesterday re appeared before Justice Olubunmi Oyewole

Police Owe N20bn Pension Arrears

Pension and gratuity liabilities to retired police officers and next of kins of dead ones by the Police Pension Office currently stand at about N20billion Diclosing this yesterday at the flag off of the national interview and payment of pension and

Ex MannyBank Staff Petition CBN over Terminal Benefits

The Central Bank of Nigeria CBN has been urged to mediate in the alleged refusal of Fidelity Bank Plc to pay the former bank of MannyBank Plc their legitimate entitlements six months after their appointments were terminated following

NEPC Plans Export of Nigerian Films

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council and Association of Movie Practitioners AMP have opened discussions on ways of enhancing the export of Nigerian movies to the international community The Export Promotion recently announced that Nigerian arts including films and

Policeman Two Others Killed in Bank Robbery

A policeman and two other persons including a student of Madona University were allegedly killed in another bank robbery that occurred in Lagos yesterday The robbery attack on a new generation bank in the Ojodu area of Lagos was

Rato to Meet African Ministers Amid Quota Concerns

International International Monetary Fund IMF chief Rodrigo Rato will meet in Spain on Friday with African finance ministers who are concerned they will lose out to Asia under a proposal giving larger emerging economies more

Law Union amp Rock to Shop for N2bn

Insurance Law Union amp amp Rock Insurance Plc LUR has concluded arrangements to shop for N2 billion by a way of public offering in response to the on going consolidation in the insurance industry Managing Director CEO of the

e Voting is the Solution

Segun your write up on the 1993 election is illuminating but I am surprised you took such trouble to explain option A4 Those who argue with journalists over events that they covered are not contesting facts but are out

Union Bank Tops Gainers Chart

Union Bank Nigeria Plc led the price gainers with N1 40 gain to close at N29 48 per share out of 28 companies that recorded gains yesterday at the trading floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange NSE The price appreciation recorded

How to Damage a Nation

After the long flight from Abuja and the minor but irritating experience at the airport immigration Reverend Father Matthew Hassan Kukah felt he needed a cup of Coffee on his way out of the train station But as

Access Bank Begins BDC Service Nationwide

Banking Access Bank Plc has formally opened its Bureau De Change Service to the public The Bank s initiative is in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria s decision to liberalize the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market

Shareholders Approve N9 50 Dividend for Total Plc

Shareholders of Total Nigeria Plc yesterday at the 28th Annual General Meeting AGM approved the sum of N2 037 billion which translates to 60 kobo per share as final dividends for year 2005 It had ealier paid N1 188 billion

Bakassi Indigenes Opt to Relocate to Nigeria (This Day)

Following the option given by President Olusegun Obasanjo that the people of Bakassi Peninsula have a choice of either remaining in the area that has been ceded to Cameroon or relocate to Nigeria, the people of Bakassi have opted for the later so as to remain Nigerians.

IFC Ranks Nigeria 94th in Economic Potentials (This Day)

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), which is the worlds largest multi-lateral source of finance for projects in developing countries and a private sector arm of the World Bank, has ranked Nigeria the 94th out of 155 countries in the world in terms of doing business, just as New Zealand got the first position, Singapore second, United States of America third, Canada forth, Norway fifth,

Chevron Hopes to Raise Oil Production in Nigeria by 50% (Rigzone)

Chevron Nigeria Ltd, a subsidiary of Chevron, said it hopes to raise production by at least 50 percent over the next 2 years. "As at today, we produce 400,000 barrels per day.

Chevron hopes to almost double oil production in Nigeria (TurkishPress.com)

Chevron Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of US oil firm ChevronTexaco said it hoped to almost double production over the next two years. "As at today, we produce 400,000 barrels per day.

Chevron hopes to almost double oil production in Nigeria (AFP via Yahoo! News)

Chevron Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of US oil firm ChevronTexaco said it hoped to almost double production over the next two years.

DFA to verify report of Nigeria abduction (ABS-CBNNEWS.com)

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is sending a consular team from the Philippine Embassy in Nigeria to verify the reported kidnapping of two Filipino oil workers near the oil city of Port Harcourt in the southern Niger Delta.

Starcomms to roll out in South-East

Nigeria: Role, Imperatives of Evaluating Needs Performance (AllAfrica.com)

Nigeria for the first time in the history of her development was able to put together what would pass for a home-grown framework to act as a compass directing the economic flight of the nation from the quagmire of long military misrule and mismanagement.

Nigeria: Ade-Ojo Rues Eagles Absence (AllAfrica.com)

Chairman of Toyota Nigeria Limited, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo has joined the long list of notable personalities mourning inability of Nigeria to be amongst the 32 teams fighting for honours at the on going FIFA World Cup in Germany.

Filipino oilmen seized in Nigeria (BBC News)

Two Filipino oil workers have been kidnapped in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta, police confirm.