Kano approves N17m for purchase of JAMB forms

The Kano State Government has approved over N17 million for the purchase of JAMB forms and training of candidates who will benefit from the forms, the Commissioner for Justice, Mr Maliki Umar, said.

Umar made the disclosure in Kano on Friday while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the state’s Executive Council Meeting.

Dayo Adeneye ``D1'' joins Gov.Amosun campaign team

Dayo Adeneye, one of the presenters on Prime Time Africa, has been given appointment in the campaign team of Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun.

The Ogun-born entertainment guru turned politician is a member of the Media and Publicity Committee for Amosun’s second term campaign for the governorship seat.

Improved technology best way to fight corruption, says Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan says his administration will adopt improved technology to fight corruption in the country.

The president made the statement in Enugu on Friday at the PDP presidential campaign rally.

According to him, the best way to fight corruption is through improved technology and not by jailing people for 300 years.

Polls: Broom sellers lauds APC rally in Bayelsa

Broom sellers in Yenagoa, Bayelsa, have commended the All Progressives Congress (APC) for organising its presidential rally in the state, describing it as a ``plus” to their business.

It would be recalled that the party held its presidential rally on Jan. 8 ahead of the 2015 general elections.

A survey conducted  revealed that the price of broom skyrocketed in some areas of the state within the period of the rally.

`I will increase minimum wage to $350’ – AD presidential candidate

The Alliance for Democracy (AD) presidential candidate, Mr Rafiu Salau, has promised to increase workers’ minimum wage to 350 dollars (N67,200), if elected on Feb. 14.

Salau told newsmen in Abuja that labour policies would be reviewed to enable workers earn and live good life.

``The government of AD will introduce the minimum wage that will be equivalent to 350 dollars.

Buhari promises to encourage entrepreneurship spirit in Nigerians

The All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, has promised to develop infrastructure and encourage entrepreneurship spirit of Nigerians if given the mandate.

Buhari said this at the APC presidential campaign rally in Aba, Abia.

``We will focus on infrastructural development in terms of power and roads, which are necessary.

UPN adopts President Jonathan as its presidential candidate

The Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) has adopted President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the Feb. 14 polls.

The adoption was announced at its first National Convention to elect new officers, which was held in Lagos.

It would be recalled that controversy had trailed the UPN leadership but the convention saw Dr Frederick Fasehun emerging as its National Chairman, which put paid to the internal wrangling within the party.

Father dumps 2-year-old daughter at `Maishayi' place

A two-year-old girl has been abandoned at a local cafe, popularly known as `Maishayi' place, in Lokoja, by a man believed to be her father.

Hajia Bilikisu Momoh, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Kogi, told newsmen on Friday in Lokoja that the girl was abandoned on Jan. 7.

Momoh said that the man, had after buying a cup of tea for the girl, excused himself to buy some other things but failed to show up again.

LAGBUS splashes cash, gifts on baby delivered on bus

The LAGBUS Asset Management Ltd., the operator of metropolitan buses in Lagos, has donated cash and other gifts to the parents of a baby delivered on its bus on Jan. 5.

Mr Kolawole Silva-Ope, the company’s Head of Enforcement, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the company had much regards for pregnant women.

Silva-Ope said that it had been the custom of LAGBUS to take care of babies delivered on its buses and present them with gifts.

Why we prefer wearing trousers to skirt— ladies

A cross section of ladies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have said that they preferred wearing trousers than skirts.

The ladies, who made the remark in a vox pop conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Friday in Abuja, said they were more comfortable in trousers than in skirts.

Mrs Jane Akachi the owner of Psalm boutique in Wuse, said she looked smarter in trousers than other outfits hence her attachment to it.

Miss Curvy celebrates birthday with motherless children

For Jenifa fyneface Okezie, the second runner-up, Miss Curvy 2014, rather than throw a big bash for friends to wine and dine to celebrate her 25th birthday,  instead, she chose to celebrate with the less privileged children in the society.

Along with the CEO , Miss Curvy Nig. Ltd, Choice Hinkelmann, a.k.a JJ and some few friends, she stormed the Lagos State Motherless Babies Home, at Lekki Phase 1, where she went to give the kids love and hope.

INEC’s fixing of polls on Valentine’s Day sheer coincidence---Official

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it had not fixed the Presidential and National Assembly elections on February 14, to rub Nigerians of the joy derivable from the Lovers’ Day.

The Chief Press Secretary to the commission's Chairman, Mr Kayode Idowu, said in Abuja that the election date was a coincidence.

``When the commission was taking that decision, it never even occurred to the leaders of the commission that it was Valentine’s Day.

Man denies paternity of last child

A 39-year-old welder, Mr Sulaimon Waheed, has denied the paternity of the last child born by his wife.

Sulaimon told an Igando Customary Court in Lagos that his wife, Caro, was adulterous.

The welder was responding to a divorce suit filed by his wife over abandonment by him.

Islamic bank to begin operation in Kwara, Lagos -- Jaiz Bank

The Jaiz Islamic Bank in Nigeria is set to open its branch offices in kwara and Lagos states.

Dr Mizanur Rahman, Representative of the Jaiz Islamic Bank in Nigeria, made the statement at the jointly organised thematic workshop on Development of Islamic Banking in Africa at the Alhikmah University in Ilorin.

The workshop was jointly organised by the Research and Training Institute (IRTI) in Saudi Arabia, the University of Ilorin and Al-Hikmah University.

Police uncovers fake CP's facebook account in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday said that it has uncovered a fake Facebook account bearing the name of its Commissioner, Mr Kayode Aderanti.

This is contained in a statement by the Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu.

``The account in question, which is `CP Kayode Aderanti’ was recently introduced by one shadowy character as the authentic Facebook account of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command.

Passengers want toilets inside DMU trains

Passengers of the newly-introduced Diesel Multiple Units (DMU) train have urged the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to provide toilets in the two available trains.

The passengers who spoke in Lagos said that the train was basically for underground rail system where toilets facilities should be provided at every station.

The trains introduced on June 10, 2014, plies from Ijoko in Ogun to Ido and Apapa in Lagos.

Daniel remains our leader in Ogun PDP, says Chairman

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun has denied that the former Ogun Governor, Gbenga Daniel, was planning to defect to another party.

The State Chairman of the party, Mr Adebayo Dayo, stated this at the inauguration of a 35-member gubernatorial campaign committee in Abeokuta.

He said Daniel remained the leader of the party in the state and that he was determined to work for the success of the party at the polls.

No increase in electricity tariff for residential consumers till June—NERC

The Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr Sam Amadi, has said that the commission has not increased energy tariff for residential buildings.

Amadi made the explanation in Abuja on Tuesday at a news conference.

NERC on Dec. 23, 2014 had approved the review of the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) 2.1 regime with take-off date of Jan. 1 for commercial consumers.

Court workers insist strike continues until…as FIDA urges workers to call off strike

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has urged its members to sustain the ongoing strike until their demand for financial autonomy was granted by government.

Ahmed Bello, the National Vice President (North East Zone) of the union, made this position known to newsmen in Gombe.

He said this would help the union to uphold the financial autonomy of the judicial system in the country as declared by the court.

``This judgment was obtained January 2014; all efforts had being put in place to see that this strike does not take place and there is nothing we can do.

Keshi should remain Eagles coach, says Adamu

Former Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Amos Adamu, has said that Coach Stephen Keshi should still remain in charge of the Super Eagles.

Adamu made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

NAN reports that the Amaju Pinnick-led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board has yet to renew Keshi’s contract, which expired in July 2014.

Struggles over ownership of Sheraton Hotels Plc among Ibru family deepens

The ownership tussle of the Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Towers and its owning company, Ikeja Hotels Plc, on Tuesday deepened as different members of the Ibru family moved to assert authority.

It was gathered that while a group led by Mrs Maiden Ibru, widow of late Guardian Publisher, Mr Alex Ibru, moved to hold an Extra-Ordinary General Meeting (EGM), Mr Goodie Ibru, the hotel Chairman, described the purported meeting as null and void.

Mrs Ibru had earlier on Dec. 1, 2014 published an EGM notice of Ikeja Hotels Plc in the Guardian and Punch Newspapers, in an apparent bid to overhaul the company.

NSE investors stake N5.31bn on 413.764m shares

Investors on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Tuesday staked N5.31 billion on 413.764 million shares in 3,764 deals.

The volume of transactions represented 38.19 per cent increase over the 299.410 million shares worth N5.46 billion traded in 3,803 deals on Monday.

ETI emerged the most traded equity with a turnover of 96.94 million shares valued at N1.77 billion.

APC will assemble competent team to manage Nigeria, says Buhari

 The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), retired Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has promised that his administration would assemble competent team to efficiently manage the country.

Buhari said this in Port Harcourt at the inauguration of the party’s presidential campaign.

He said that the team would tackle the numerous problems confronting the nation.

Withdraw from presidential race, Ndigbo urges Buhari

*Gen. Buhari with Lagos Gov, Babatunde Fashola and the General Overseer, RCCG, Pastor Adeboye at Thanksgiving Service organised by Lagos state recently

The Ndigbo Cultural Society of Nigeria (NCSN) has advised the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) to withdraw from the February 14 presidential contest with immediate effect.

NCSN President, Chief Udo Udeogaranya, gave this advice in a statement made available to The Mega StarNews.

According to Udeogaranya, “If the former Head of State has any atom of nationalism, gratitude to the country, love for the nation and progress of our dear country, Nigeria, he should tow the path of statesman and extricate himself from the deceits of the APC leaders and withdraw with immediate effect from the presidential race.”

Prominent Abia governorship hopefuls missing on INEC list

Three prominent governorship hopefuls in Abia are conspicuously missing on the list of candidates published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Umuahia.

They are the two factional governorship candidates of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr Alex Otti and Chief Reagan Ufomba, as well as the former Deputy Governor, Chief Chris Akomas, who was the governorship candidate of the United Progressive Party (UPP).

Otti and Ufomba had emerged from two separate primaries conducted by the factions of APGA in Umuahia.

2014 Glo-CAF Award: Shorunmu says Enyeama’s chances are slim

Ahead of the 2014 Glo-CAF African Player of the Year award scheduled to hold on Jan. 8 in Lagos, Ike Shorunmu, the Super Eagles’ goalkeepers trainer, has said the chances of Super Eagles captain Vincent Enyeama winning the coveted award were slim.

Enyeama, the first-choice goalkeeper at Lille of France, is on the final shortlist of three nominees for the 2014 edition of the awards.

He however has to contend with the 2013 winner, Yaya Toure of Cote d’Ivoire, and Gabon’s Pierre Emerrick-Aubameyang.

Fashola inaugurates 57 transitional heads for councils

Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has administered the oath of office on 57 Executive Secretaries that would run the affairs of the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas in the state.

Fashola said that the executive secretaries would run the affairs of their respective councils for the next three months.

The former elected chairmen of the various councils had vacated their offices on Oct .18, 2014, following the expiration of their statutory three-year tenure.

Stop merging your posters with Buhari's, Katsina APC warns opponents

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Katsina State has warned candidates of other political parties’ to desist from merging the poster of its Presidential Candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Bahari with their campaign posters.

The Chairman of the party, Alhaji Mustapha Inuwa, gave the warning on Monday in Katsina during a meeting with APC candidates for the February general elections.

Inuwa said the party had observed that some candidates of other political parties were printing their posters with that of Gen. Buhari to gain peoples’ support.