Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Wednesday, absolved the Federal Government of blame over the inability of some state governments to pay their workers’ salaries. The minister, in a statement signed by her Special Adviser on Communications, Paul Nwabuikwu, said governors of such states should be blamed for the problem …

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the government of President Goodluck Jonathan to “urgently provide and facilitate access to adequate healthcare for the children and women raped and impregnated by Boko Haram militants. This followed disclosure by the authorities that about 214 children and women rescued from Islamist …

Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, has said the last general election where the incumbent Presiden, Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was defeated by opposition candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was a significant landmark in the country’s democratic experiment. Ndoma-Egba, representing Cross River …

Jideofor Adibe I have been dismayed by three recent developments, which I believe pose very serious threat to the prevailing ‘fragile’ peace in the country. I use the word ‘fragile peace’ deliberately because even though the Armageddon predicted to follow the presidential elections of March 28 failed to happen and …

NEDU MARK, Yenagoa Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has appointed Mr. Esueme Dan Kikile as the new commissioner for Information and Orientation as well as two others as Special Advisers in the state. The new Special Advisers are, Dr. Seiyifa Koroye on Strategy, Documentation and Community Relations and Barr. …

The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has disclosed arrangements to train 300 registered freight forwarding practitioners in the Professional Certificate, FIATA Diploma and Higher Diploma in Freight Forwarding and Supply Chain Management programmes for the 2015 academic session. The Registrar of the Council, Sir Mike …

The newly-appointed Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero, Wednesday, formally assumed office with an appeal to the management team as well as the staff of the authority to assist in the daunting task ahead. Bayero who made the plea during an official handover ceremony held in …

The Registrar, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Sir Mike Jukwe has solicited for cooperation of all stakeholders and practitioners in the freight forwarding industry for the actualization of the Council’s mandate. Jukwe made this call recently during an interactive session with the leadership of the …

All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to call his aides to order in order to prevent them from overheating the polity over ‘their incautious statements, especially relating to the transition of power.’ In a statement issued in Abuja, Thursday, and signed by the APC’s National Publicity Secretary, …

Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has described as ‘shameless’ the admission by the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman in the state, Mr. Davies Ikanya, of plots to ensure that there is no handover to the incoming government on May 29. It would be recalled that the …

President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, has instructed police and military security personnel attached to him to respect traffic regulations during his movements, in what appears to be an unusual step to demonstrate his leadership style. In a statement released by his media team in Abuja, General Buhari said law abiding would …

Ebonyi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has split into two factions leading to the emergence of separate chairmen, namely; Hon. Ben Nwaobashi and Pastor Eze Nwachukwu Eze. Members of the party including the four suspended officers; Engr. Ngaji Nwodoh, Ephraim Eze, Pastor Eze Nwachukwu and Prof. Francis …

  Fidelity Bank Plc; GT Bank Nigeria, as well as the Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer, GTBank, Segun Agbaje, have topped the shortlist as the African Banker Awards committee unveiled nominees for its 2015 awards. The Awards, which are hosted by the African Banker Magazine, will be held during …

Senator representing Rivers South-East in the National Assembly, Magnus Abe, has said Nigeria is endowed with quality manpower and that if harnessed would not only spin the country’s growth positively but spry the pace of development. Abe stated this shortly after receiving the ‘Nigeria Rising Award’ under the patronship of …

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on May 5, secured the conviction of Ifeanyichukwu Williams, who was being prosecuted before Justice O. O. Oguntoyinbo of the Federal High Court, Owerri, Imo State on a 2-count charge bordering on conspiracy, and dealing in petroleum product without appropriate license, contrary to Section …

AKHERE Godwin, Benin FOLLOWING the recurring cult violence that has claimed no fewer than 25 lives in Edo state, concerned Edo citizens including an All Progressives Congress (APC), chieftain and youth leader, Comrade Tony Adun, have appealed to warring cult groups to sheathe their swords and allow peace to reign …

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has expressed his deep condolences to the family of late Ms. Ifeoma Anumba, a journalist with the Federal Ministry of Information, Awka, as well as to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State chapter, over the death of the journalist. Obiano who is …

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Wednesday, May 6, arraigned the trio of Mohammed Zahradeen Bello, Abdullahi Musa and Yusuf Baba before Justice I. U Bello of Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja on a 5-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence, conspiracy and forgery. …

AKHERE GODWIN, Benin The Izon-Ibe Global Policy Network, a group of former militant leaders in the Niger Delta region has rationalised the Federal Government Amnesty programme for Niger Delta youths and said that it has curbed youth restiveness in the region. The group which asked the President–elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, …

The Eze Ndigbo in Australia, Chief (Mazi) Maximus Osuamadi, has been jailed for six years in Australia for running drug rings and a host of other crimes, reports the Daily Telegraph of Australia. Osuamadi who prefers to be known as ‘The Chief’, was sentenced last Friday, in Australia, to six …

Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje, has appeared before the Lagos State Election Petition Tribunal to challenge the victory of the Governor-elect, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In what was the first sitting of the Petition Tribunal, Tuesday, one …

The president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) has promised to revisit the controversial ceding of the Bakassi Peninsula to the Republic of Cameroun. Buhari who made the promise when a group of non-partisan Cross River State indigenes paid him a courtesy visit at the Defence House, in Abuja, noted that his …

The think-tank of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Aka Ikenga, has carpeted Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, for allegedly slandering Ndigbo during a recent lecture at the Harvard University, United States. The group in a statement issued in Lagos and signed by its President, Chief Goddy Uwazurike, “noted with dismay the demonisation of …

Duet Group announced it is partnering with Bouygues Batiment International, a subsidiary of the Bouygues Construction Group, to develop hotels in Nigeria as well as other destinations in sub-Saharan Africa. Duet Africa Hotels will be a vertically integrated hotel investment, development and asset-management company. It plans to develop, design, build, …

Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank Group, last month, approved a $500 million International Development Association (IDA) credit for Nigeria. The IDA is the window of the World Bank which offers grants and low- to zero-interest loans for projects and programmes that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and …