ROBBERS UNLEASH MAYHEM, RAPE NEWLY WED IN BARIGA, LAGOS STATE

Some residents of Adio, Ekimogun streets and Kehinde Lane in the Bariga area of Lagos State have started fleeing their homes after robbers kept attacking them repeatedly
Punch Metro learnt that,during the raid of Ekimogun, a newly-wed woman who just moved into the house with her husband was raped while her husband was forced to watch.The security guard of a nursery and primary school on Adio Street was bound by his hands and feet and beaten up severely. 


The landlady in one of the houses, who identified herself as Olubukola, said her children had stopped going to school because she no longer slept at home.
She said despite not staying at home, the robbers still broke into her room and carted away valuables.
She said, 

In another house on the street, the robbers carted away handsets, laptops, money and ATM cards.
A resident, who identified himself as Solomon Johnson, said, 
“They demanded the PINs of the cards. After they left and discovered that the PINs were incorrect, they returned to the room the next day and attacked the owners for giving them wrong PINs. They then asked for the correct PINs from them.”
It was gathered that the robbers, who were mostly teenagers and in their early 20s, wielded cutlasses, crowbars and axes.A resident said while some wore masks, others did not hide their faces.
A resident, Solomon, said he was attacked with a cutlass after the robbers thought he was hiding phones from them.He said, 
“They cut my leg with a cutlass and beat me up, telling me to release the phones. I told them I did not have any phone. I was admitted in the hospital for two days.”
On Ekimogun where the rape took place, a resident said the incident happened around 2am.
He said, 
“There is a sports viewing centre around here and some of us stay there. If we knew a robbery was going on we could have done something.
“But those robbers sneaked in and held those people hostage. The woman just moved into the house with her husband. They got married less than a month ago.


“One of the robbers raped her. She was taken to the hospital the next day for treatment.”
A community leader and Chairman, Security Committee for Adio Community, Femi Emiko, said the robbers always fled through the Oworonsoki Expressway, adding that the police were not using the right technique to arrest them.
He said, 
“Actually, within one week, they have visited Adio five times. They have turned this community to an ‘ATM machine’ where they can withdraw money anytime they like.
“The police do come, but immediately the robbers hear their siren, they run away. We have been having meetings to see how to form vigilantes and fight these robbers. They are young guys and we can win this fight.”

BUHARI PLEDGES TO SUPPORT LAKE CHAD COMMISSION.

President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged to implement the recommendations of Environmental Audit Report on Lake Chad Basin Commission.

He made the resolve yesterday, after receiving the report at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

Buhari pledged that Nigeria would continue to support the Lake Chad Commission in the discharge of its duties.

He restated Nigeria’s determination to offer effective leadership in fighting insurgency and tackling other environmental challenges of the Sahel region. 

The President, therefore, called on the National Assembly to expedite action on the domestication of the Lake Chad Basin Water Charter adopted by the Summit of the Authority of Heads of States and Governments in April 2012.

Buhari also demanded an explanation on the report of a study on the diversion of some rivers from Central African Republic into the Chad basin initiated by the military administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

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He said that the study, which gulped about five million dollars, was sponsored by Nigeria. The Auditor-General of the Federation, Mr Samuel Ukura, however absolved his office of blame. He explained that the report of the study identified construction of dams and excessive diversion of rivers as some factors responsible for the drying up Lake Chad. Mr Ukura also identified other factors like poor water management and failure to enforce penalties for the indiscriminate violation of the Lake Chad.

SENATE GRILLS NOMINATED MINISTERS TODAY.

President Muhammadu Buhari has forwarded the names of fifteen additional ministerial nominees to the senate for screening.   The names of the additional nominees will be made public by Senate President Bukola Saraki this morning.

President Buhari had on September 30th sent an initial 21-man list to the senate following a self imposed ultimatum to forward same to the National Assembly before the end of September.  The screening exercise will commence today in plenary, at the senate.

Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions yesterday announced the suspension of the petition against former Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi. Chairman of the Committee, Senator Sam Anyanwu, said the decision to step down on the petition brought by Senator George Sekibo representing Rivers East, was reached as a result of a pending suit against the charges on Amaechi.    The former governor had appeared before the senate committee to defend his nomination.  Amaechi is facing stiff opposition from his state government who accuse him of embezzling over N70 billion, among other charges while in office. Earlier, another nominee, Hajiya Amina Ibrahim told the committee that she will be representing Gombe state in the Buhari cabinet and not Kaduna as widely reported. Senator Danjuma La’ah from Kaduna state had petitioned the senate leadership against Amina’s nomination to represent the state.  Amaechi and Amina were being grilled ahead of today’s screening by a committee of the whole. 

LAI MOHAMMED, FASHOLA MAKE FIRST BATCH OF MINISTERIAL NOMINEES RELEASED TODAY

Nigeria's President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki has formally unveiled the much anticipated list of Ministers.

At plenary today, Senator Saraki read president Buhari’s communication, which was forwarded to the Senate on the 30^th of last month.

The list, includes Dr Chris Ngige, Dr Osagie Ehaneri, Dr Ibe Kachickwu, Engineer Suleiman Adamu, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Lai Mohammed, Honourable Ahmed Musa Bello, Ibrahim Usman Jibrin, Senator Hadi Serika, Senator Udoma Udo-Udoma.

Others are Babatunde Fashola, Rotimi Amaechi, Abubakar Malami, Abdurahman Bello Dambazzau; Aisha Jumai Al Hassan; Adebayo Shittu;  Solomon Dalong; Rotimi Amaechi; Chief Audu Ogbeh and  Mrs. Amina Ibrahim.

The names were among the first batch of 21 nominees forwarded to the senate by President Buhari last week.      

MAN GETS ARRESTED FOR INSULTING PRESIDENT ON WHATSAPP

Insulting President Robert Mugabe on social media is a risky business, as a Zimbabwean man who's been arrested for posting a message to the wrong WhatsApp group will no doubt testify.

Nduna Matshazi, a Councillor for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, says he sent on a message about Mugabe "by mistake", the state-owned Chronicle reported this weekend.

Instead of sending it to a political chat group, Matshazi posted the message to a group of Councillors for the rural district of Bubi in southern Zimbabwe.

The group's administrator, who is not being named, reported him to the police.

It's not clear exactly when Matshazi was arrested nor in which police station he is being held.

President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe 

According to the Chronicle, which is published in Bulawayo, the message is a parody of the Lord's Prayer in the Bible. The administrator of the Whatsapp group says the prayer is "twisted to demean and attack the president."

Zimbabwe's insult laws were declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court in 2013 but justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa (who is now vice president) said they were necessary and needed to stay in place.

Commenting on the arrest, a reader posted on the Bulawayo24 news site: "Do not trust open chat groups that are easily infiltrated."

Over 2 Schools, clinic burnt down in protest

SOUTH AFRICA: Three schools and a clinic were burnt down during a service delivery protest in Atamalang near Delareyville on Wednesday, North West police said.

Captain Paul Ramaloko said protesters, demanding electricity torched ten classrooms at the three schools in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

“Five classrooms were burnt at one school, four classrooms at the second school and one classroom was torched at another,” he said.

Four people were arrested for malicious damaged to property, they were expected to appear in court on Thursday, he said.

“Five classrooms were burnt at one school, four classrooms at the second school and one classroom was torched at another”

North West education department spokesman Elias Malindi said schools in the area were affected.

“Learners did not come to school as results of the protest. The situation here is bad, there are no people on the streets,” he said.

He said the roof of one school looked as it was blown away by a heavy explosion.

President Buhari to send supplementary budget to National Assembly

President Muhammadu Buhari has concluded plans to send a supplementary budget to the National Assembly.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, disclosed this yesterday. Adesina was answering questions on what the Federal Government would do since it had exhausted its borrowing limit in the 2015 budget and the Debt Management Office had continued to issue fresh government bonds and treasury bills. 

                    

MUHAMMADU BUHARI, President, Fed. Republic of Nigeria

The presidential spokesman said the Ministry of Finance had already prepared a letter to be sent to the National Assembly, suggesting a supplementary budget for the country. He said the supplementary budget, once approved, would then empower the DMO.

STOP POLITICIZATION OF RELIGION -- OSIBANJO

     Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has asked Nigerians to rise up against all divisive actions.

     At the Interdenominational Church Service to herald Nigeria’s 55th Independence celebration, Professor Osinbajo implored religious and  political leaders to stop the politicization of religion.

     He stressed that the current terror activities in parts of northern Nigeria goes beyond ethnic or religion.  Professor Osinbajo said improving the livelihood of  the very poor Nigerians must be central in our thoughts. 

He took time out to commiserate with victims of the stampede in the Mecca stampede. Professor Osinbajo prayed that at 55, Nigerian should experience double favours, as the figure five stands for grace.  In a sermon earlier, the Catholic Bishop of Kafanchan, Joseph Bagobiri chided Islamic clerics and political leaders in northern Nigeria for failing to condemn insurgency, when it mattered most. Bishop Bagobiri said as a nation, Nigeria must begin to do things right, for God to renew his blessings for us. 

                                   

Prof Yemi OSIBANJO, Vice President Fed. Republic of Nigeria

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has appealed to Nigerians to support current efforts at ending insurgency in the country.    

The Theatre Commander, Operation “Lafiya Dole”, Major-General Yushau Abubakar, made the request in a press interview. He said the military cannot succeed alone, without useful information from the public.

Major-General Abubakar equally appealed to affluent organisations and individuals to help the military with logistics to aid the anti-terror campaigns. He further appealed to Nigerians to be extra vigilant.

Meanwhile, the 7^th division of the Nigerian Army has lifted the restriction of movement in Borno and Yobe states. The restrictions were imposed before the Eid-el-Kabir festivities to forestall terror attacks.  A statement by the military urged residents to go about their lawful activities and to be extra vigilant.

MINISTERS LIST WILL BE READY BY SEPTEMBER 30 -- PRESIDENCY

The Presidency has restated that the September 30 target set by President Mohammadu Buhari for the appointment of Ministers would be met.

The Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, gave the reassurance with reacting to apprehension on the issue, which is compounded by the current saga at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, involving the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has renewed his administration’s total commitment to the rehabilitation and well-being of all victims of Boko Haram attacks in Nigeira. 

Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Fed. Republic of Nigeria

President Buhari’s resolve was contained in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu. Buhari was responding to insulations that the Nigerian delegation to the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly missed a major meeting on displaced persons in New York. He stressed that security of lives and property, improvement of the socio-economic well being of Nigerians were key to his administration. President Buhari added that these issues had been central in his discussions with other world leaders throughout his visit to New York.

BOKO HARAM STRIKE AGAIN!!!!

Reports say several persons were last night feared killed in multiple bomb explosions which rocked Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
According to residents of the town, two of the bombs which were planted at a mosque, exploded at about 7.30p.m. when the Muslims gathered to observe their prayers.

The other explosion occurred almost simultaneously at a close distance from the mosque at a joint where teenagers gathered to play computer games.

There is no official confirmation as to the number of casualties but a statement from the acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, said the attacks signified the level of desperation on the part of the Boko Haram terrorists. Unofficial sources put the casualty figure at above fifty.

SENATE PRESIDENT, SARAKI IN MURKY WATERS

The alleged false assets declaration case against the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, is continuing at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja.

The tribunal had on Friday, issued a bench warrant, requesting the Inspector General of Police to arrest and compel Senator Saraki to appear before it today to defend the allegations dating back to his tenure as governor of Kwara State.

Senator Saraki is not at the Tribunal. The issue of technicality and composition of the tribunal is currently being debated. More details in subsequent bulletins.

Meanwhile, Senator Representing Kaduna Central in the National Assembly, Shehu Sani, has tasked the Code of Conduct Bureau to publish all assets declaration made by public office holders from 1999 to date.

In a statement, Senator Sani said such publication will enable Nigerians form what he called ‘Transparency vigilante groups’ to verify such claims and depositions, to compliment the manpower deficiency of the CCB.

Staying with the Saraki saga, the Presidency says contrary to insinuations in some quarters, it has nothing to do with the current travails of the President of the Senate.

BUKOLA SARAKI, SENATE PRESIDENT FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

Senator Saraki is being invited to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Abuja, on a three count allegation of false declaration of assets, dating back to his tenure as governor of Kwara State.

In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the presidency said attempts to link the ongoing trial of Senator Bukola Saraki to the Presidency, are unacceptable, adding that those claiming that the Code of Conduct Bureau and the Code of Conduct Tribunal were acting on external influence were uninformed.

While stating that the war against corruption has no sacred cows, Mallam Garba Shehu emphasized that the President Buhari has vowed to respect the rule of law and will therefore not interfere in the matter.

In the meantime, a Professor of Criminology at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Femi Odekunle, says the current effort at eliminating corruption is yielding appreciable results.

He said though corruption has left a deep scare on the nation’s fabric, the ill must be seen as a threat to Nigeria’s overall existence for it to be tackled head-on.

Professor Odekunle who is a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee against corruption, said anti-graft agencies like the EFCC and ICPC has suddenly woken up from slumber, due to President Buhari’s disposition.   

He however requested that the current anti-graft campaign must extend beyond a single regime, while the strategy should tilt more towards the social and scientific approach.

OLISEH FIRST 11 AGAINST TANZANIA

THE SUPER EAGLES PLAY AGAINST THE TAIFA STARS OF TANZANIA. COACH SUNDAY OLISEH HAS HIS JOB CUT OUT, HERE IS HIS FIRST 11 FOR THE GAME.

BAYERN WHIP FC PORTO 6-1; ADVANCE IN UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE.

The Champions league returned yesterday with so much uncertainty surrounding the chances of Bayern Munich advancing after suffering a defeat in Portugal in the hands of FC Porto. 

Trailing 3-1 from the quarter-final first leg, Pep Guardiola's side produced a devastating first-half display, scoring five times in the opening 40 minutes to leave the visitors shell-shocked.

Defensive errors had cost Bayern dear in the opening encounter, but it was their supreme attacking quality that came to the fore at the Allianz Arena.

Club doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt resigned in the wake of last week's reverse, claiming his medical team had been blamed for the defeat, but even without the absent trio of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, Guardiola's team simply had too much for the 2004 winners.

Thiago Alcantara - who netted Bayern's away goal at the Estadio do Dragao - opened the scoring inside quarter of an hour and it was 3-0 before the 30th minute thanks to further goals from Jerome Boateng and Robert Lewandowski.

Thomas Muller's deflected effort made it four, before Lewandowski doubled his tally with a clinical finish as Porto failed to live with Bayern's movement and incisiveness.

With the job done for the Bundesliga champions, the second half proved a low-key affair, Jackson Martinez's goal 17 minutes from time proving nothing more than consolation, especially as there was still time for Xabi Alonso to curl home a late free kick following a tackle that saw Ivan Marcano sent off for his second booking.

BAYERN MUNICH TORE OPEN THE DEFENSE OF FC PORTO, PEP GUARDIOLA'S PANTS ALSO GOT TORN.

Bayern suffered a nightmare first 10 minutes in the opening leg when they found themselves 2-0 down, but there were no such mishaps here and it proved a sign of things to come when Muller's shot was saved by Fabiano and Lewandowski sent the rebound against the upright.

Martinez went close with a low shot soon afterwards, but Porto's faint hopes were extinguished when Marcano was dismissed for a second bookable offence and Alonso curled the resulting free kick into the left-hand corner to seal a 7-4 aggregate scoreline.

The result capped a fine way for Bayern to celebrate Guardiola's 100th match in charge in style, this marking his 77th win in that time, and few can have come more convincingly than this.

WHY I REFUSED ASSENT TO CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT BILL.-- PRESIDENT GOODLUCK

President Goodluck Jonathan has listed reasons why he refused to assent to the Constitution Amendment bill passed by the National Assembly.

GOODLUCK JONATHAN, NIGERIA PRESIDENT

In a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal and read at plenary today, President Jonathan pointed out that the section of the amended constitution which seeks to do away with the ‎assent of the president in the process of constitution amendment was not supported by the required number of votes. 

President Jonathan also noted that the section which provides that a bill will become law after the expiration of 30 days in the event that the president fails to signify the withholding of his assent may be inappropriate.

The President said the provision of the sections which seek create the new office of the Attorney General of the federation from the Minister of Justice and Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice in the states of the Federation, has certain provisions which negate the principle of separation of powers.

‎The National Assembly forwarded the amended constitution to the president for assent in October 2014.

ABDUCTED OREKOYA BOYS REGAIN FREEDOM

Reports say the three Orekoya boys abducted from their Home in Surulere, Lagos, by a 'housemaid' have been found.

The children, 11 months old Aderomola, four-year-old Adedamola and six-year-old Demola were dumped in a compound in Egbeda, a suburb of Lagos State.

The three Orekoya boys were kidnapped by their 23 year old nanny, Mary Akinloye, on April 8th, just 24-hours after she was employed.

The kidnappers had demanded a 13million naira ransom, but it is not clear whether the money was paid.

'SUCCESSFUL ELECTION DISAPPOINTED DOOMSDAY PROPHETS'- NIGERIA SENATE

President of the Senate, David Mark, has commended Nigerians for the outcome of the 2015 general elections. Speaking at the commencement of plenary, Senate President Mark noted that the outcome of the elections has clearly disappointed doomsday prophets who predicted disaster and even a possible breakup of this country. 

Senator Mark also commended the maturity and sportsmanship displayed by President Goodluck Jonathan who willingly conceded defeat and congratulated the president elect, Gen Muhammadu Buhari even before the Independent National Electoral Commission announced the result.  He maintained that, that singular act saved the country from a possible crisis and catastrophe.

The Senate President who also commended Professor Attahiru  Jega and his team at INEC for the introduction of Card Readers however urged the electoral body to note the areas of its shortcomings.

GROUP MOURN VICTIMS OF APRIL 14 2014 NYANYA BOMB BLAST 365 DAYS LATER.

As parts of activities to commemorate the April 14th Nyanya bomb blast which left scores of people dead,Foundation for Promotion of Igbo Music, Language. Culture and Tradition a non-governmental organisation has called on all Nigerians to unite against terrorism.
The National Chairman, Igbo foundation, Augustine Okechukwu who made the call today at the procession in remembrance  of victims of the Nyanya motor park bomb blast in Abuja on the 14th of April, 2014. Mr. Okechukwu stressed the need for all Nigerians and Igbo residents across the country to live in harmony adding that families who lost their love once and does still alive need to be remembered. 

A cross section of the residents of the area who spoke with our correspondent Moses Agada, expressed mixed feeling over the sad incidence that happened at the Nyanya motor park Bomb blast adding that 365 days seem like yesterday and the memories of those who lost their lives and those still alive are still fresh in their minds. 

The park continue to remain shut following the April 14, 2014 deadly bomb blast, however life and business activities have resumed in earnest as heavy traffic is being experienced as workers and other road user go about their various businesses.

Lawmaker Victoria Nyeche express shock at INEC's declaration of result in favour of PDP

Lawmaker Victoria Nyeche expresses shock at INEC's declaration of result in favour of PDP after elections were declared inconclusive in PHALGA Constituency 1

APC House of Assembly Candidate for Port Harcourt Constituency 1  Victoria Nyeche has expressed shock that after the Returning Officer for the Constituency Otu Ekpeyong had declared results for her constituency inclusive at the collation center, the State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner Gesila Khan went ahead to declare results in favour of the PDP.

                                   

Ms. Nyeche said she was also surprised that INEC announced results that were far different from what was announced at collation center on the election day and called on the electoral umpire to do the right thing. 

APC House of Assembly Candidate for Port Harcourt Constituency 1‎  alleged that she was leading in all  6 out of the 7 wards in the Constituency before the Returning Officer declared the polls inclusive.

Victoria Nyeche who is also a lawmaker alleged that the State INEC REC acted against the electoral act to have announced results for an election that was declared inclusive at the Collation Center.  

QUICK REVIEW OF M.I's MONKEY VIDEO FEATURING CHIGURL

Hey guyz, its a fruitful Friday as we all count down to the elections. M.I decided to make the weekend more interesting by dropping the video to the critically acclaimed hit song featuring Chi Gurl 'MONKEY' 

While this song makes me laugh every time I hear it, due to the auto tuned chorus which has Chi Gurl, the rap also has some catchy lines like the opener- ' ...Na only you waka come' 'If you set me leg I go jump am or break am but I must make am' I can't really praise the quality of creativity in the video.

It opens with Chi Gurl in a traditional 'aria ria' gospel music video of the late 80's and early 90's, quite innovative, but the transition to M.I dressed as a monkey is only reminiscent of Cold play's video for Paradise, though the monkey is less active. 

M.I appears at the last verse of the video when the 'Monkey' had eventually made it big, but it feels like a drag as the only proof of him making it is a bottle of champagne which he throws about. The two guys in the studio recording the Monkey have a lot of acting classes to attend as they look as unconvincing as a signpost on a dark night. 

Well it's M.I.'s directorial debut, but he has to do a lot better with his story line next time.  “Well folks, here's the official music video of “Monkey” featuring Chigirl. ENJOY!

Download Video

NNPC dispels rumours of planned increase in pump price of fuel

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has dispelled rumors of a planned increase in the pump price of fuel.

NNPC’s Group General Manager, Public Affairs, Peter Ohi-Alegbe gave the clarification today in Abuja, during a telephone conversation with Nigeria Info.

Mr Ohi Alegbe who blamed the current fuel shortages on hoarding and panic buying, said the Department of Petroleum Resources are monitoring and will sanction any sharp practices by marketers and dealers.

The NNPC spokesman was responding to questions as a guest on popular radio station, Nigerian Info Abuja,Mid Day Dialogue, however assured that the current fuel queues will disappear before Monday. 

You will recall that the current fuel shortages began last Friday, with many Nigerians still at a loss as to the actual cause of the scarcity.

Kano Police Command Parades a Female Sponsor of Political Thugs

The Kano State Police Command has arrested 23 suspected political thugs who were allegedly involved in political clashes in the state alongside one Hajiya Aisha Maijamaha who was claimed to be the sponsor of the group by the police.                 While parading the suspects today, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris said they were arrested in Tudun Wada Local Government Area with some dangerous weapons such as swords, Cutlass and charms among others, adding that the suspects will be charge to court immediately. Idris, who lamented the desperate moves by some politicians who are engaging the youth on social vices capable of truncating the peace of the state, vowed to hunt for those politicians and ensure that they face the wrath of the law accordingly.                                                                         He also threatened that henceforth, the organizers of any political rally that recorded any form of violence or death in the course of their political campaigns will be charge to court to serve as deterrent to others.   Meanwhile, the accused sponsor and gang leader of the political thugs, Hajiya Aisha Maijamaha who is a member of the PDP stated that her arrest was politically motivated but refused to substantiate whether her claim was intra or inter party affairs.   

Federal, States and LGs share N500.13bn for January

The federation account allocation committee yesterday shared the sum of N500.13 billion as revenue for the month of January, which is lower that N580.38 billion shared the previous month.

Briefing newsmen after the FAAC meeting, Minister of Finance for state and chairman of the committee, Isa Yuguda, stated that the gross revenue of N416.09 billion was received for the month of January, which indicated a decrease of N73.93 billion. 

Speaking further on behalf of the finance ministers of the 36 states, Timothy Odah, said the decline in revenue shared was as a result of the dwindling crude oil prices in the international market and subsequent devaluation of the 

The next FAAC meeting holds on the 16th and 17th of March, 2015.

HOUSE OF REP TO INVESTIGATE JOSEPH MBU

The House of Representatives has asked it's committee on Police Affairs to investigate comments credited to Assistant Inspector General of Police Joseph Mbu in which he was said to have allegedly instructed his officers to disregard the immunity being enjoyed by any governor among other comments

The House took the decision following a motion by Ali Madaki who expressed concern that a statement allegedly made by Mr Mbu that the police would kill 20 people for any one policeman killed is at odds with the expected conduct of a police officer.

Joseph Mbu

In his ruling on the matter Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha who presided at plenary today directed the committee on Police Affairs to investigate the matter.

Meanwhile, a motion by Minority leader of the House Femi Gbajabiamilla on the need to investigate the unconstitutional deployment of military personnel for election purposes suffered another setback today.

The motion was brought before the House last week and the Speaker Aminu Tambuwal directed 3 committees to look into the matter and advice the House accordingly.

At plenary today Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Business one of the committees directed to look into the matter asked for more time ‎to do a thorough job.

‎The House at plenary today also passed a resolution commending the Nigerian Security Forces for dislodging Boko Haram insurgents from communities and Local governments they had annexed.

Coming under matter of urgent national importance lawmaker Ali Monguno said the commendation became necessary in view of the fact that he had earlier brought a motion before the House on the annexation of areas by the insurgent.

The motion which was well debated was unanimously adopted by the lawmakers.

CARD READERS TO BE USED FOR ACCREDITATION IN FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS-- JEGA

The Independent National Electoral Commission, says card readers will be used for accreditation in the forthcoming elections to improve credibility in the electoral process and reduce incidences of rigging.

Chairman of INEC, Attahiru Jega, stated this when he appeared before the senate to explain his commission's preparedness in conducting the rescheduled general elections.

Professor Jega explained that despite some inadequacies, the card readers  will be used in the forthcoming elections, adding that any other postponement will be unconstitutional.

Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega

The INEC Chairman who noted that the card reader may be imperfect, said there will be room for replacement if any such occasion arises and any time lost reallocated. 

Professor Jega however insisted that Temporary Voters' Cards will not be used because of cases of multiple registration and electoral offences.

‎HOUSE TO PASS PETROLEUM INDUSTRY BILL BEFORE END OF 7TH ASSEMBLY

Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal has expressed optimism that the ‎House will pass the Petroleum Industry Bill before the end of the 7th Assembly.

In his remarks to welcome members back from their break Honourable Tambuwal also promised the expeditious passage of the 2015 budget and the electoral Act to accommodate internally displaced people. 

While describing the postponement of the general elections earlier scheduled for February as unfortunate, the Speaker ‎called on government to make effort to restore public confidence in the entire process as well as its commitment to free, fair and credible elections.

Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Speaker House of Representatives of Nigeria.

Tambuwal who called on the relevant agencies to check the rising incidence of inflammatory speeches intended to intimidate people into voting candidates of their choice also called on Nigerians to resist forces seeking to truncate democracy.

Meanwhile the House has adopted the reports of the resolution of the state Houses of Assembly on the amendment of the 1999 Constitution following the presentation of the report by the Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha at plenary

Six members of the House defected from the People's Democratic Party  parties to other parties.

FRSC records 42 percent reduction in road crashes in 2014

As the February 2015 elections approaches, the Federal Road Safety Commission says it is working with relevant stakeholders to create an environment free from traffic during campaigns. The Corp Marshal and Chief Executive of the FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi made this declaration in Abuja at the press briefing  for the 2014 Special Ember Months Patrol and the unveiling of the Corps 2015 strategic goals.

Boboye Oyeyemi

  Mr Oyeyemi said the FRSC will continue to educate political parties on the need to abide by traffic rules and regulation.

While elaborating on the data for the 2014 ember months patrol operations, he said there was a recorded 42 percent reduction in road crashes across the country, which he attributed to round the clock survey of major roads by FRSC officers.

The FRSC boss further said the commission will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the country experiences less road accidents in 2015.

King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz dies aged 90

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz  has died aged 90 

The US Ally who sought to modernize the ultraconservative Muslim kingdom with incremental but significant reforms .

The royal had been in the hospital since December, battling pneumonia, and his half-brother Salman, 79, has become king.

His death was confirmed on state television yesterday with channels cutting to Koranic verses - only used following the death of a senior royal.

Abdullah's funeral will be today following Muslim tradition that a burial should take place within 24 hours of death.

THE LATE KING ABDULLAH WITH US PRESIDENT,BARACK OBAMA

President Barack Obama paid tribute to Abdullah, who has been an ally of Washington in its fight against terror.

'As a leader, he was always candid and had the courage of his convictions,' Obama said in a statement. 

'One of those convictions was his steadfast and passionate belief in the importance of the U.S.-Saudi relationship as a force for stability and security in the Middle East and beyond.

A statement released by the new king read: 'His Highness Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and all members of the family and the nation mourn the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, who passed away at exactly 1am this morning.'

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

One of his last decisions is thought to have been referring the case of Raif Badawi, the Saudi blogger who has been sentenced to 1,000 lashes, to the High Court last week. 

Abdullah - who fathered 22 children with about a dozen wives - had ruled Saudi Arabia as king since 2005, but had run the country as de facto regent for a decade before that after his predecessor King Fahd suffered a debilitating stroke. 

New King Salman has been crown prince and defense minister since 2012. He was governor of Riyadh province for five decades before that.