Nigerian Army repels Boko Haram’s attack on Biu, seizes anti-aircraft guns

The Nigerian military on Wednesday in Abuja said it had repelled a terrorists’ attack on Biu, Borno.

This is contained in a statement posted on the Defence Headquarters website.

The statement said that two Anti-Aircraft guns were also captured from the terrorists by the troops.

Election violence: Jonathan wants politicians, religious leaders to avoid provocative statements, threats

President Goodluck Jonathan has reiterated his appeal to politicians and religious leaders to always avoid provocative and inflammatory statements to ensure violence-free 2015 general elections.

Jonathan, who made the appeal at a workshop on violence-free 2015 election in Abuja, warned that such statements were inimical to the existence of Nigeria as a geo-political entity.

``We (politicians) make statements that are so provocative and when you are making these statements the younger ones are listening to you, your followers who call themselves ‘your fans’ are listening to you.

Customs to sanction agents not making honest declarations

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area 1 Command, has said it would sanction clearing agents that refused to make honest declarations.

Comptroller Eporwei Edike, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, stated this at a stakeholders’ meeting in Apapa, organised to address the challenges confronting port operators.

He said that agents should make honest declarations, to reduce the time spent on inspection of goods.

Umana, Akwa Abom APC Gov candidate promises N50,000 bursary to students

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate in Akwa Ibom, Mr Umana Okon Umana, has promised to pay N50,000 bursary award per student if elected.

Umana made the promise on Wednesday in Abak Local Government area while flagging off his state-wide campaign for the February 28 General Elections.

He said that the N5,000 currently being paid to students of the state origin in tertiary institutions was grossly inadequate given the rate of inflation in the country.

Woman leader blames improper dressing for rising rate of rape

The President of Catholic Women Organisation of Nigeria (CWO), Mrs Ngozi Chukwuji, has identified improper dressing among women as the reason for the increase in cases of rape.

Speaking in an interview, she noted that cloths that expose sensitive areas of the female body provoke sexual urge.

Chukwuji urged mothers to monitor their young girls’mode of dressing, even while going to school, as this would discourage sexual provocation.

1.4 million candidates to write 2015 JAMB

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disclosed that no fewer than 1.4 million candidates nationwide would write the 2015 All Computer Base Test (CBT) on March 4.

Mr Fabian Benjamin, JAMB Public Relations Officer, said that the board would be migrating all to computer-based mode of examination for the first time.

The Registrar, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, had in the last few years, sensitised secondary schools students on the computer-based mode of test effective from 2015.

Court dissolves 18-year-old marriage over starvation of husband

An Ikorodu Customary Court in Lagos State yesterday dissolved the 18-year-old marriage, between a transporter, Mr Idowu Adekunle, and the wife, Oluwatoyin, over wife’s ` food starvation.’

Granting Adekunle’s prayers, the court’s president, Mr Olu Adebiyi, said that all efforts by the court and family members to reconcile both parties had failed, as Adekunle insisted on divorce.

“From today, you ceased to be husband and wife; this court will rest further deliberations and declare free divorce to both parties.

Naira devaluation: TUC presses demand for workers' salary increase

The President-General of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Mr Bobboi Kaigama, has restated the readiness of the union to press for salary increase for Nigerian workers, following the continuous devaluation of the nation's currency.

Kaigama told newsmen on Wednesday in Jalingo that the union had already sent its demands to the Salaries and Wages Commission for consideration.

Over 1,000 Nigerian pilots jobless -- Association chairman

The Chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria, Capt. Noggie Meggison, has said that there were more than 1,000 unemployed indigenous pilots in Nigeria.

Meggison told newsmen in Lagos that foreign pilots were coming into the country in large numbers and getting jobs easily while Nigerian pilots were ``roaming the streets’’.

Pastor’s wife tells court why she denies her husband sex

A pastor wife and housewife, Mrs Oluwatoyin Olafare, 45, has told an Orile-Agege Customary Court, Lagos, that she denied her husband sex because he was no longer caring for her.

Oluwatoyin, who was seeking a divorce, additionally accused her husband, Michael Olafare, of lack of care.

She told the court that her husband, a Clergyman, “had failed in his matrimonial responsibilities as a husband.

Buhari has no development projects to show as former head of state - PDP

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged All Progressives Congress’ (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to show any project executed in any sector of the economy during his tenure as head of state.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Olisa Metuh, who stated this in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said that it was a known fact that Buhari did not develop the country while in government.

Ronaldo wins third Ballon d’Or

Portuguese and Real Madrid great Cristiano Ronaldo won his third Ballon d’Or on Monday at the FIFA ceremony in Zurich.

The 29-year-old — who played a key role in Real Madrid’s charge to a 10th Champions League trophy — beat eternal rival and four-time winner Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Germany’s World Cup winning goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Jonathan promises 2m jobs annually, if re-elected

President Goodluck Jonathan has pledged to create not less than two million jobs annually, if re-elected.

Jonathan, who made this promise at his campaign in Abeokuta, said he would give increased attention to address the challenges of Nigerian youth in order to prepare them ahead for leadership roles.

Buhari, incorruptible, honest leader – Lamido

Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, has described the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), as an incorruptible and honest leader.

Lamido, a member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a known critic of Buhari, stated this while addressing supporters of PDP at a rally in Maigatari.

Capital market operators urge FG to appoint professional as Oteh's replacement

Some capital market operators have urged the Federal Government to appoint a seasoned stock market operator as a replacement to Ms Arunma Oteh, as the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

According to them, the appointment of an experienced capital market operator would facilitate sustained wooing of local investors into the market.

``Don’t take the law into your hands…’’ – Buhari tells supporters

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Flag-bearer, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, urged his supporters to abide by the rule of law and must not tarnish the party’s image.

Buhari gave the advice at the inauguration of his campaign office and the presidential campaign council in Abuja.

According to him, no supporter should be rude to any leader on his behalf because it will amount to anti-party activity.

Clerics, others extol virtues of late Fakeye

Some clerics have described the late Prophet Gabriel Fakeye, Leader of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church (Ayo Ni o), as a virtuous, righteous, peace loving man.

In interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), they also said that the late cleric was a unifying factor.

Why I stopped payment of WAEC fees- Wada

Gov. Idris Wada of Kogi has said that corruption is the main reason that the state government stopped the payment of West African Examination Council fees for students in the state.

The governor, who spoke in Lokoja on Monday at a meeting with political appointees, alleged that some dubious and corrupt officials hijacked the project to enrich themselves and their cronies.

NIMC selects 6 firms for local production of e-ID

The Director General, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Mr Chris Onyemenam, said the commission has selected six firms for local production of the National e-ID Card.

Onyemenam, who stated this in Abuja, said the selection followed the final financial bid opening conducted by the commission.

He explained that the six firms, including Electronic Pay Plus Ltd, the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc and Secure ID Ltd, were involved in the final race for a possible selection.

Harmattan: Expert urges sickle cell patients to drink more water, stay warm

The Deputy Chairperson, Sickle Cell Support Society of Nigeria, Dr Obiageli Nnodu, has advised sickle cell patients to drink more water and remain warm to avoid complications of their ailment.

Nnodu, who is also a Consultant Hematologist at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, said that cold induces crises and complications for the afflicted.

She said dehydration also facilitated crises and complications in the management of the disease.

PDP chieftain urges security agents to prosecute suspects who burnt Jonathan’s campaign buses in Jos

The running mate to Nasarawa State PDP gubernatorial candidate, Mr John Mathew,  has urged security agents to do everything humanly possible to arrest and prosecute hoodlums that burnt down two PDP buses in Jos.

Mathew, who made the call in an interview, said this would serve as a deterrent to others who might want to perpetrate such acts.

He said the recent incident in Jos where hoodlums burnt down vehicles crested with President Goodluck Jonathan's posters was a wake-up call for security agencies ahead of next month's general elections.

Traders lose N30bn worth of goods to Balogun fire

Traders at the Balogun market in Lagos Island have been counting their losses following the early morning fire outbreak on Monday, claiming they lost goods worth N30 billion.

In separate interviews, the traders revealed that about 11 containers containing bags, shoes and clothing materials had just been off loaded into some of the shops that were razed.

Mrs Kadiri Kareem, an attendant in one of the shops, said that her employer had goods worth N27 billion in his containers.