National News Thursday, November, 07, 2013 1. JONATHAN SEEKS EXTENSION OF EMERGENCY RULE IN N’EAST Adamawa says move unfair PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan Wednesday asked the National Assembly to extend the current emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states by six months. In a letter read to senators by Senate President David Mark at the commencement of the upper legislative chamber’s sitting Wednesday, the President sought permission from the lawmakers to make the extension take effect from November 12, 1213. He explained that although the existing emergency rule had worked, there were still serious threats to security of lives and property in the affected three states. The Senate has only today to debate the request because it is the only legislative day before next Tuesday when the extension is supposed to take effect. Emergency rule was imposed on the three states last May to check the excesses of insurgents to which hundreds of lives have been lost. Jonathan’s letter for the extension of emergency rule, which was addressed to Mark, read in part: “May I respectfully draw attention to the State of Emergency Proclamation 2013, in respect of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states which was approved by the National Assembly. The Guardian, front pg, 2. Reps summon IG over disruption G7 Govs meeting NLC deplores police attacks on varsity teachers, others. In a bid to ensure adherence to the rule of law and order, the House of Representatives Tuesday summoned the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, over the disruption of a parley involving the G7 governors and members of the National Assembly. The lawmakers, while mandating the Committee on Police Affairs to invite the IG to ascertain the circumstances leading to the invasion of the Kano Governor’s Lodge by the men and officers of the Nigeria Police under the command of a divisional police officer and report back to the House within two weeks, condemned in strongest term the actions of the police.The motion was adopted with the unanimous consent of the lawmakers during the plenary session of the House presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha. Idris Moghammed Sani Kutigi (Niger: PDP) who moved the motion, supported by 60 other members of the House who owe their allegiance to the G7 governors, accused operatives of the Nigeria Police of violating the provision of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), specifically sections 40 and 308 (1) (a) and (3). The Guardian, front pg cont on pg5 3. My wife has health challenges –Chime • As Enugu First Lady disowns Falana, says: I didn’t contact him Enugu State Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, has broken his silence over allegations in online publications and some segments of the national dailies that he had incarcerated his wife, Clara, in a room in Government House. He vowed to protect the integrity of his wife, who he said has some health challenges. This is coming at a time when the Enugu First Lady has denied ever sending any petition to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) alleging unlawful detention by her husband. She also denied contacting or engaging the services of Mr. Femi Falana or any other lawyer to seek her freedom from an alleged incarceration at Government House Enugu, as the latter claimed in his letter to media houses and the Inspector-General of Police. The governor and Mrs. Chime spoke to journalists, on Tuesday night, at the Government Lodge, Enugu in the presence of Mrs. Chime’s elder brother, Mr. Tony Igwe, the governor’s siblings, Mrs. May Oji and Dr. Jide Chime as well as Mrs. Chime’s neuro-psychiatric doctor, Dr. Aham Agumuo, among few others. The Sun, pg9 4. Police ban political ceremonies at airports Gatherings, receptions, carnivals included. Say airport are exclusive security zones Saygays, Ogunlesi, Magaji, other react ABUJA—The Nigeria Police, yesterday, announced a ban on all political, socio-cultural or religious gatherings within and around airport premises, including tarmacs, lounges and other sensitive security points. It will be recalled that Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State on Tuesday accused the Police of preventing his supporters from gathering at the Port Harcourt International Airport when he hosted opposition governors in the state. Inspector-General of Police, Mr M. D. Abubakar who announced the ban yesterday, said it was in line with international best practices, in order to safeguard the airports and their critical infrastructure as well as to prevent a situation where airports are turned into places of political assemblies, religious worship and other social receptions. Vanguard, front pg, cont on pg5 5. N255m car scandal: Reps’ panel indicts Oduah, NCAA EFCC quizzes aviation agency officials There were indications on Wednesday that the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation had established some infractions against the Minister of Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah, and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. The committee is investigating the controversial purchase of two bulletproof BMW cars by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority allegedly for Oduah at a whopping N255m. However, she testified before the committee, which is chaired by Mrs. Nkiruka Onyejeocha, and denied that the cars were bought for her use. The panel ended its public hearing on the transaction on Monday. Oduah was expected to appear before the Senate on Wednesday but could not because of the Federal Executive Council meeting. Findings by The PUNCH indicated that the Onyejeocha –led committee might lay its report before the House on Thursday (today). The Punch, pg2 6. FG approves $300m World Bank loan for mortgage refinancing The Federal Government on Wednesday announced its formal approval and receipt of a $300 million (N48.6 billion) loan facility from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank to kick-start the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Corporation (NMRC) due for launch this month. The IDA loan, which is a World Bank cheap credit, comes at a zero percent interest rate with a 0.4 percent service charge and a moratorium period of 40 years, it was learnt.The loan was announced after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting yesterday and is specifically to be devoted to the establishment of the mortgage refinancing company being championed by the Ministry of Finance as well as the creation and strengthening of other institutions that will drive the mortgage venture in the country. BusinessDay, front pg, cont on pg4 Business News 7. NNPC, Swiss traders defrauding Nigeria –Report The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and some local and international traders have been accused of conniving in shady oil deals to defraud the country. A Swiss-based non-governmental advocacy group, Berne Declaration, in a report entitled, ‘Swiss traders’ opaque deals in Nigeria’, accused the NNPC of robbing the country of several billions of dollars in connivance with major oil trading companies based in the European nation. The Punch, pg29 8. Importers, agents, Customs involved in corruption at ports — Shittu A frontline freight forwarder and Managing Director of Shibab Services Ltd, Babatunde Shittu, has said that importers, agents, Customs officers and other government operatives are involved in corrupt activities in the ports. Shittu explained that it is true that agents are the ones that are normally on the receiving side as they are considered to be notorious and responsible for driving corruption at the port. Vanguard, pg25 World/Regional News 9. EFCC nabs landlord who duped 100 prospective tenants LAGOS — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, arrested Alahaji Ishola Salawudeen, landlord who defrauded over 100 prospective tenants at 89, Oriola Street in Alapere Ketu of N37 million. He was whisked away by the anti-graft agency immediately after court sitting at the Ebute Metta Magistrate’s Court. Vanguard, pg10 10. Obamas surprise White House visitors President Obama and the First Lady have surprised visitors to the White House as tours resumed after seven months,Skynews reports. The Obamas, along with their dogs Bo and Sunny, personally greeted delighted families as they filed through the building, where guided tours had been halted by budget cuts in March. Mrs Obama told one family, “We are so glad you are here. We are so glad they’re (the tours) back.” The Punch, pg70 Sports/Entertainment 11. Eaglets can beat Mexico again-Eguma, others.
Posted on: Thu, 07 Nov 2013 12:27:47 +0000