Austerity Measure: FG to sack 60,000 ‘Ghost Workers’

As part of the austerity measures aimed at cushioning the effect of dwindling oil revenue accruing to the government as result of the fall in oil price in the international market, Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said that the Federal Government would weed out 60,000 “ghost workers” from the payroll.

Okonjo-Iweala said the government would save N160 billion naira by weeding out the 60,000 “ghost workers” from the payroll, although she did not give a time frame.

She also said that a significant portion of the billions of dollars draingnificant portion of the billions of dollars drained from the oil savings account over the past two years was distributed to powerful governors instead of being saved for a rainy day.

Reuters reports that Nigeria, Africa’s biggest oil producer, is grappling with financial difficulties owing to a 30 percent fall in the price of oil since June, which has added pressure on the government’s already depleted fiscal buffers.

Sanusi escapes death as three bomb blasts rock emir’s mosque in Kano

Scores of people are feared dead in three explosions, which rocked the mosque of one of Nigeria’s most well-known Islamic leaders, the Emir of Kano, as worshippers gathered for weekly prayers, witnesses told AFP.

Military Joint Task Force spokesperson in the state, Captain Ikechukwu Eze and witnesses said the bomb went off as Muslim faithful prepared for their Friday jumaat prayers, causing serious pandemonium as people ran helter-skelter for dear lives.

The explosion, which went off at about 2 p.m. before the Imam of the mosque, Sani Zahradeen, began his sermon, was said to have been followed by sporadic gunshots.

The number of casualties is not yet known.

“Two bombs exploded, one after the other, in the premises of the Grand Mosque seconds after the prayers had started,” Aminu Abdullahi said, adding that a third went off nearby.

According to AFP, the Emir, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, was said to be inside the mosque at the time, with the explosions happening in an outdoor courtyard, and there was no immediate word on casualties.

Our data centre not for cloning PVCs, APC tells DSS

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday rejected the allegation that its data centre in Lagos was used to clone Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC National Publicity Secretary, during a media briefing in Lagos said that the centre was only used by the party to develop the database of its members.

NAN reports that on Saturday, the APC in a statement alleged that its data centre in Lagos was invaded by security agents.

‘NFF won’t sack Keshi’

Contrary to the expectations of those angling for sack of Coach Stephen Keshi as Super Eagles Head Coach after failing to qualify the team for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, they might need to wait a bit longer.

This is because the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has no plans to sack the coach for now.

A member of the board of the NFF, who preferred anonymity, informed at the weekend that the board is not considering sacking the coach for now.

Why alleged Nyanya bomber was cleared by Court

A federal judge who on Monday struck out terrorism charges against Aminu Oguche, the suspected mastermind of the Nyanya bomb attack in Abuja, said his decision was based on lack of “diligent prosecution by the state”.

In a ruling Monday in Abuja, the judge cancelled a two-count charge instituted by the federal government over the April 2014 attack which killed more than 70 people.

Mr. Ogwuche, a suspected Boko Haram member, was accused by the Nigerian government of being behind the attack.

The blast at the Nyanya Motor Park occurred during morning peak hours as residents were hurrying to work.

Frozen chicken importation might bring back Ebola, FG warns

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has warned Nigerians involved in the smuggling frozen chicken to desist from doing so as it could bring back the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD.

The warning was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the Federal Department of Animal Production and Husbandry Services.

The department noted that poultry products had continued to find their way into local markets through several land borders despite the ban on such products.

It quoted the USAID Agricultural Information Network as reporting that 90 per cent of frozen chicken come in through Benin Republic and other West African countries.

Facebook ‘newspaper’ spells trouble for media

Facebook’s move to fulfill its ambition to be the personal “newspaper” for its billion-plus members is likely to mean more woes for the ailing news media.

The huge social network has become a key source of news for many users, as part of a dramatic shift in how people get information in the digital age.

Bukky Wright battles for Reps ticket

Actress Bukky Sekinat Wright has broadened the rank of entertainers seeking elective positions in the race for the 2015 elections.

Via her Facebook page on Friday, Bukky had announced her intention to contest for a seat in Nigeria’s House of Representatives representing Abeokuta South Federal Constituency, Ogun State under the platform of newly-formed Social Democratic Party, SDP.

The actress’ choice of SDP as a platform have confounded many. Bukky was a known close associate of Otunba Gbenga Daniel, OGD, while the latter was governor of Ogun State.

They were so close that many would have expected that she would move with OGD to PDP.

Fayose is a professional hooligan -Ekiti Speaker

Embattled Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adewale Omirin, has told his colleagues at the Lagos State House of Assembly that the governor of his state, Ayo Fayose, has not learnt any lessons from his fall and eventual impeachment as governor during his uncompleted first term in 2006.

He said, instead, Fayose had experience in hooliganism and that this was what he exhibited when he sponsored seven members of the House to impeach him, the Deputy Speaker, and other principal officers of the House recently.

2015 elections: Fayose urges youths to be agents of change

Gov. Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State on Monday said the Nigerian youths must  see themselves as the vehicle of change needed by the nation, especially during the 2015 general elections.

Fayose made the call during the closing-ceremony of 2014 Batch 'C' corps members held at the state permanent orientation camp, Ise-Ekiti, in Ise/Orun Local Government Area of the state.

The governor, who was represented by his wife, Mrs Feyisetan Fayose, said the 2015 general elections were so crucial to the nation and that everything must be done for its successful conduct.