Nyanyan Park Bombed!

News

A vehicle loaded with explosives Monday morning exploded at the Nyanyan Park, a commercial motor park located at the outskirts of Nigeria’s capital city Abuja, killing scores and injuring several others.

Witnesses say the incident occurred at about 6.45am during rush hour. The casualties are believed to be on the high side.

Emergency and security personnel have cordoned off the area.

AJ Journalists

Please, #free AJ journalists now! Freedom of the press should be guarantee.

Delta Hosts Forum on Securing Oil Investments

Press Release

April 12, 2014

Delta Hosts Forum on Securing Oil Investments

A two-day stakeholders’ forum on securing investments in the oil and gas industry begins in Effurun, Delta State on Tuesday, April 15, the State Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah, has said.

 In a press statement issued in Warri, Ogeah said the forum is aimed to evolving more           effective strategies for improving security of oil and gas installations with oil companies, host     communities as well as community and youth groups participating at the event.

With the theme “Securing Oil and Gas Investments in Delta State: the role of stakeholders”, top industry operatives are expected to present papers. Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, Minister of Petroleum, is the special guest of honour with Mr. Morrison Anthony Fiddi, group managing director of National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), delivering the keynote address.

Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, Governor of Delta State, who is chief host, will lead the team of top government officials from the state to the Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun venue of the forum.

Signed

 

PIUS MORDI

SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE HON. COMMISSIONER

Boko Haram crisis is preventing polio vaccination in some parts of the North...Uduaghan

 News

In his effort to eradicate polio in Delta State, the State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan has flagged-off of 2014 first quarter of Polio Eradication Programme Sensitization Campaign in Sapele.

Governor Uduaghan in his speech said that the Boko Haram crisis in some parts of the North, Pakistan and Afghanistan have prevented vaccination of children in such areas or countries.

He said his government will continue to work with all stakeholders to eradicate polio in the state.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Otumara stated that between 2013 and March 2014, only one case was recorded in Kano State compared to the same period last year that recorded four cases.

He said that Delta State has not recorded any case of polio in the last five years.

Speaking on behalf of other traditional rulers, the traditional ruler of Okpe Kingdom, HRM Felix Mujakperuo urged mothers to always make their children and wards available for the polio vaccination and other vaccines’ exercises.

(Track-Up)

Cue-In

Gov Uduaghan (Delta Gov),

Dr Otumara (Delta Health Commissioner) &

HRM Mujakperuo (Orodge of Okpe Kingdom)

Cue-Out.

Federal High Court Asks 37 PDP Decamped Lawmakers To Resign

News

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday gave an order of perpetual injunction restraining the lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, from effecting any leadership change in the House of Representatives.

Delivering judgment, Justice Adeniyi Ademola lambasted the decamped lawmakers. He said they no longer had any business, morally and legally, to stay in the House of Representatives.

He said they should honourably resign from their seats as members, having moved to another political party while their tenure had yet to expire.

“Having perused the arguments of counsel and the constitutional provisions, it is clear and unambiguous that the defendants were sponsored by the PDP and won the election on its platform. It is also the court’s opinion that their tenure has not expired and there is no division in the PDP.

“The defendants are, therefore, not competent to vote or contribute to any proceedings in the House of Representatives. An order of perpetual injunction is, hereby, ordered, restraining them from altering or attempting to change the leadership of the House of Reps,” Mr. Ademola said.

The PDP had on January 7 instituted a suit seeking to restrain the House of Representatives from altering the composition of its leadership.

The party had commenced the action following the defection of 37 lawmakers, who won election on its platform, to the opposition APC. The defection had initially given the APC a slim majority in the House. The majority was later reversed when some APC lawmakers decamped to the PDP.

The PDP’s counsel, Yunus Usman, had, while arguing his originating summons, faulted the cross-carpeting of the lawmakers, saying that the legislators did so during the dependency of a judgment.

He argued that by virtue of the October 2013 judgment of Justice Evoh Chukwu, which he claimed said there was no division in PDP, the matter had been laid to rest.

Mr. Usman had further submitted that by virtue of the provision of Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Nigerian constitution, as amended, the  lawmakers ought to have vacated their seats immediately.

The counsel to the defendants, Mamoud Magaji, had in his submission, argued that it was wrong for the PDP to have sought to restrain its former members from House activities for defecting.

Other defence counsel, Niyi Akintola, Sebastian Hon, James Ocholi, Abiodun Owonikoko, and Jibril Okutepa had prayed the court to dismiss the suit.

DSS Foils Boko Haram Attack At DSS Headquarters

News


An attempted jail break by some members of the Boko Haram sect in detention at the Department for State Security Headquarters was foiled earlier today. However the situation has caused panic around Abuja and environs of the DSS headquarters. 

Residents living around the area in Asokoro District, reported that there were sporadic gun shots that lasted for about an hour . The attack was said to have been foiled by a timely mobilisation of the military who moved armoured personnel carriers to the area. 

The road leading to the DSS headquarters has since been condoned off and plain clothes security operatives were seen turning back vehicles. Meanwhile, security has also been beefed up at the Presidential Villa to guide against unexpected attack. 

The Aso Rock gate from the Fire service was locked motorists entering the Villa were diverted to take the gate at the Supreme Court end. 

Also, to ensure security of lives and property in the Capital City, military helicopters are hovering round the city while Air Force personnel have been deployed to strategic points at the airport road entry point. 

A statement issued by Deputy Director of the DSS, Marilyn  Ogar reads, “At 0715 hours, the Service suspect handler went to the detention facility within the Headquarters to feed the suspects. “One of the suspects attempted to disarm him by hitting him at the back of his head with his handcuff. “His attempt to escape drew the attention of other guards at the facility who fired some shots to warn and deter others. “The gun shots attracted the attention of the military with whom we have an understanding of mutual assistance in the event of any threat. “The Army immediately deployed a team to reinforce our perimeter guards to forestall any external collaborators. “The situation has since been brought under control. Further details will be communicated”.

Gov Dickson Task Political Office Holders to Impact Positively on Humanity ..

News

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has urged the people of the state, particularly those in positions of authority to see such positions as platforms to impact positively on humanity.

Governor Dickson made the remark during the March, 2014 monthly Praise Night at the King of Glory Chapel in Government House, Yenagoa.

As the people were being ushered into a new month, he enjoined them to reflect on their struggles and achievements in life, noting that power comes only from God and service to God can be achieved through service to mankind.

Governor Dickson noted that political power should not be regarded as a means to an end but rather as an opportunity to improve the overall wellbeing of the people they were meant to serve in fulfillment of God's purpose on earth.

According to him, the monthly praise night is a period to express appreciation to God as a government, for His mercies and blessings upon the State and country as a whole as well as the support being enjoyed by his administration.

In a sermon delivered by Pastor Tamarakuro-deinyefa Eyidoude said praising God for His goodness was one of the greatest gifts one could offer to the Lord to attract more blessings.

Making references to the book of Psalms 50, verse 23 and Leviticus 19, verse 23, Pastor Eyidoude said God elevates those who praise and worship Him in truth and spirit.

He expressed optimism that through the instrumentality of praise and worship, God would continually elevate the Ijaw Nation and urged Governor Dickson to sustain the monthly praise night programme.

Deputy Governor, retired Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Konbowei Benson, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Edmond Alison-Oguru, former Governor of the State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Former Military Administrator of Delta and Ebonyi states, Chief Walter Feghabo-Amain, Head of Service, members of the state legislature and Executive Council were among other top government officials that were in attendance.