NASS approves $53 benchmark for 2015 budget

The two chambers of the National Assembly, has approved 53 dollars as benchmark for the sale of crude oil for the 2015 budget and the 2015 - 2017 Medium Term Expenditure Framework.

Rep. Victor Ogene, Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, made the disclosure on Thursday in Abuja in an interview with newsmen.

He said that a resolution by the conference committee of legislators from both chambers of the National Assembly also adopted an exchange rate of N190 to one dollar.

Single mother arrested for inserting heroine in private part

The NDLEA on Thursday arrested a 31-year-old single mother for concealing 430 grammes of heroin in her private part in a bid to avoid arrest.

The Head of Public Affairs of the NDLEA, Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, made the disclosure in a statement in Ikeja.

He said the arrest took place at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos during the inward screening of passengers on an Emirates Airlines flight.

The Commander of the NDLEA at the airport, Mr Hamza Umar, was quoted as saying that the arrest was facilitated with the aid of scanning machines.

“During the inward screening of Emirate passengers, one Aladi Onyinye Juliet tested positive for narcotic ingestion.

Election shift turned out a blessing to Nigerians, says Sambo

Vice President Namadi Sambo said in Kano on Thursday that shifting the general elections was a blessing to Nigerians.

Sambo, who spoke with newsmen, explained that holding it as earlier scheduled would have prevented 23 million eligible voters from exercising their civic responsibility.

``We thank God that the postponement of the elections has been a blessing to Nigerians.

Terrorists will never occupy Nigeria’s territory again, says Badeh

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, said ‘never again’ would the military allow any territory of Nigeria to be occupied by terrorists.

Badeh said this when a civil society group, ``Nigeria in Safe Hands Group” carried a solidarity rally to the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, on Thursday in Support of the Armed Forces.

The CDS was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans at the Defence Headquarters , AVM Umar Omeiza.

Collapsed Synagogue building: T.B. Joshua appeals against court judgement

Pastor Temitope Joshua and the Registered Trustees of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), have appealed against the judgement of a Lagos high court which declined to stop the on-going coroner inquest into the September 12, 2014 collapsed building in the church.

This was made known Thursday to the coroner, Chief Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe at the resumed sitting of the coroner court in Ikeja through their counsel, Seun Abimbola.

Abimbola had been asked by the coroner court to pick a date that the founder of the SCOAN, Pastor Joshua would appear before the court to give testimony in the matter.

APC gives kudos to military for onslaught against Boko Haram

The Presidential Campaign Organisation of All Progressives Congress (APC), has applauded the Armed Forces recent victories in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, the Director of Media and Publicity of the organisation, Malam Garba Shehu, said the achievement was commendable.

Shehu stated that nobody could pretend to be ignorant of the huge progress that the military had made in the counter-insurgency war in the north eastern part of the country.

Lagos set to power 172 schools with solar

The Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola has said the state government had commenced a process to connect 172 public schools in the state to the solar power.

Fashola made the remark at the presentation of corporate social responsibility awards to 424 individuals, civil society groups and corporate bodies, for their contributions to primary and secondary schools in the state.

``One of the things that have failed primary and secondary schools in Lagos state is regular and uninterrupted electricity supply.

I will explore practical ways to provide employment for youths -- Buhari

The presidential  candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday said he would explore practical ways to provide gainful employment for the youths, if elected.

Addressing a gathering of young people at a programme tagged: ``Secure the Future: Discussing the Future with the Youth ``in Lagos, Buhari said his administration would pursue efforts geared at empowering the youths.

The presidential candidate, who described the youth as the `hope and future of the nation,’ promised to do his best to secure their future if given the mandate.

Jonathan now an occultist?

The desperate manner in which President Goodluck Jonathan is going about his re-election bid seems to be amazing a lot of Nigerians on daily basis.

The other time, the President was seen at Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG camp kneeling down before Pastor Enoch Adeboye for prayers, blessings and spiritual endorsement.

Not done with that, he sped off to Bishop Oyedepo's Winners Chapel Church at Otta seeking for same blessings.

POINTBLANK: Neither I nor other Obas would campaign for you – Adetona tells Jonathan

President Jonathan and the Awujale of Ijebuland - Oba Adetona

The Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, has  made it explicitly clear to President Goodluck Jonathan that neither him (Adetona) nor any other monarch in Ijebuland should be expected to campaign for Jonathan in respect of the rescheduled March 28 Presidential election.

Speaking when President Jonathan paid him a visit at his palace on Thursday, Adetona said any monarch who took the path of seeking to persuade the people to go in one way or another over the forthcoming general elections which he described as being “full of tension,” would surely bring “trouble” upon himself.

He advised the President Jonathan to sell his achievements and programmes to the Ijebus by himself, explaining that he had already told his subjects – whether Christians and Muslims, to act wisely and never to vote for corrupt politicians (ojelus).