10 of the 19 Northern state governors who are currently on a working visit to the US, met with the US secretary general, John Kerry at the White House.

The governors also had a closed door meeting with President Barack Obama's National Security Advisor, Ambassador Susan Rice.


The meetings focused on deepening collaboration on conflicts elimination, prevention, humanitarian aide and partnerships on the solving development factors responsible ‎for recurring ethno-religious violence in northern Nigeria.


Among the Northen governors who are in the US are Governors Darius Ishaku ‎of Taraba, Dalong of Plateau, Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara, AbdulAziz Yari of Zamfara, Bindo Jibrilla of Adamawa, Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar of Bauchi, Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger, Kashim Shettima of Borno, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto and Deputy Governor of Kano State, Professor Hafiz Abubakar who is representing Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State.

The Governors on Tuesday began a three-day symposium organized by the United States Institute of Peace which is an agency established and funded by the United States Government with headquarters in Washington DC.

 

Months after it was reported about the 9 year old boy who was chained for weeks without food by his father who wanted to cast out stealing demons from him, the first lady of Ogun State, Mrs Olufunso Amosun has taken up the education sponsorship of the victim.
While addressing press men on Thursday, the Director of Child Development Services at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mr Kehinde Egbeolowo revealed that Korede Taiwo who was chained at the Celestial Church of Christ in Ajibawo area months ago, has been enrolled in a private nursery school, courtesy of the Governor’s wife that was touched after the unmerited maltreatment on the little boy and also promised to sponsor him up to his university level.

Saraki Fails To Stop Trial: Set To Be Arraigned Today

Senate President Bukola Saraki failed yesterday to stop his arraignment today before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) in Abuja

A Federal High Court in Abuja refused his prayer for an ex-parte order restraining the CCT, the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) from proceeding with his planned arraignment on a 13-count charge brought against him by the Office of the AGF.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed, who heard Saraki’s lawyer, Mahmud Magaji (SAN), in relation to the ex-parte motion in chambers, directed that the respondents be put on notice.

The judge directed the respondents to appear before the court on Monday to show cause why Saraki’s prayers, as contained in his ex-parte motion, should not be granted.

Woman Loses N2.1m To Fake Spiritualist

A middle aged woman, Gloria Sule, has been allegedly duped by a fake spiritualist, Francis Kalu, after she allegedly paid N2.1m to him to prepare charms for her to become famous in the Nigerian movie industry.

The incident, which happened in Lagos State, western Nigeria, has pitched Gloria against Kalu after the charms failed.

Apart from allegedly defrauding her, Kalu invaded her privacy by stripping and bathing her under the false pretence of empowering her spiritually.

Sex And Masturbation May Hamper Ebola Eradication Efforts

Geneva – The WHO has advised all male survivors of Ebola to be tested three months after the onset of symptoms and then monthly until they know they have no risk of passing on the virus through their Fluid.

Bruce Aylward, Head of the WHO’s Ebola Response, said on Thursday in Geneva that isolated flare-ups of Ebola may point to a higher risk of transmission via the Fluid of male survivors than previously thought.

“It’s not the sex that is dangerous; it’s the Fluid that is dangerous. How people actually get exposed, in soiled linens or whatever, is not clear.
“Transmission through Fluid may explain why a few cases continue to occur even though the outbreak has been almost completely eradicated by an intense international effort, recently bolstered by the deployment of a trial vaccine in Guinea and Sierra Leone,’’ he said.

Naira Depreciation: ACCA Slashes Fees For Nigerian Students

In recognition of the impact of the naira depreciation of the affordability of its fees for Nigerian students, Global accounting body, Association of Certified and Chartered Accountants (ACCA) has announced 60 percent reduction in registration fees for Nigerian students.

The reductions also include 50 percent reduction in first year subscription, and 50 percent reduction in exemption fees.
ACCA Director, Market Transformation, Mr. Kevin Kernan, disclosed this while addressing a press conference at the sidelines of the launch of ACCA Strategic Pricing Initiative for Nigeria.

Governors Reject Death Penalty For Looters

MANY governors, who spoke with The PUNCH, on Thursday, out rightly rejected the suggestion that looters of the nation’s resources be sentenced to death.

Organised labour- the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress-at the beginning of the week said looters should be given the death sentence in order to serve as deterrence to others.

Labour said it was only by killing looters that the anti-corruption crusade being championed by President Muhammadu Buhari could succeed.


But most governors, who reacted to the labour suggestion on Thursday, said the death sentence would be too harsh.

Abubakar Bello Uncovers N70b Cash Withdrawals By Govt Officials

Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger State, northcentral Nigeria, has uncovered the withdrawal of N70 billion cash by a few officials from two bank accounts of Government House in the state.

He made this known while announcing the reduction of the state’s ministries from 23 to 14 in a broadcast on Thursday night, during which he also announced the reduction of the number of permanent secretaries from 54 to 25.

Bello further said the administration would pursue the issue of looted fund retrieval in line with regulations, adding that the committee on this issue had submitted its interim report.

Soldiers, Militants Clash Claims Three In Delta

At least three persons were confirmed killed while others sustained injuries when the Joint Task Force (Operation Pulo Shield), engaged suspected militants in a gun duel in Delta State, The Cable reports.

The commander of the force, Alani Okunlola, disclosed this in Warri during a press briefing on Thursday.

Parading a suspect allegedly arrested with various arms and ammunition, Okunlola said the operation took place in Benigboye community of Burutu Local Government Area of the state on September 5.

He said, “My men raided a militant camp in Benigboye. On sighting the troops, the suspects opened fire which led to a gun battle that lasted for 30 minutes before they fled the camp. In the follow up operation on September 6, my troops, on getting information on the hideout of the suspected militants that attacked Odimodi community, launched a search operation and apprehended one Ebiwame Lamia.”

Federal Government Releases Funds For EFCC, ICPC To Try Ex-Governors

The Federal Government has discretely released some funds to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to boost their operational capacities in a bid to step up its anti-corruption war.

President Muhammadu Buhari who approved the release of the funds to the anti-graft agencies has ordered the re- opening of some corruption cases pending in the courts since 2007.

The funds, according to New Telegraph, were meant primarily to enable the two anti-agencies to carry out diligent prosecution of cases involving some state governors who have been indicted for corruption.

NAFDAC Confiscates Fake Drugs Worth N25million In Warri, Seal Shops

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Tuesday, 8th September, said it confiscated drugs worth over N25million, sealed 15 shops and arrested 3 traders at Igbudu market, Warri, Delta state.

The Chief Regulatory Officer, Enforcement Operation of NAFDAC in Lagos, Uche Chidi, told journalists that the traders were in possession of banned and expired products.

“The goods they (traders) have are not actually the approved products they are supposed to have….

EFCC Arrests BGL Boss, Okumagba Over Alleged N28.9bn Fraud

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested the Group Managing Director of BGL Plc, a Lagos-based financial services company, Mr. Albert Okumagba, for alleged N28.9bn fraud.

An operative of the commission, who confided in our correspondent, said that those investigating the matter had been grilling the BGL boss for allegedly obtaining money by false pretences.

Though Okumagba on Thursday made a bid for his freedom but he failed to obtain an interim injunction barring the EFCC from arresting him.Justice Mohammed Yunusa refused to grant the ex parte application argued by Okumagba’s counsel, Kolawole Reheem.

He also refused to order the EFCC to appear in court to justify why Okumagba’s prayers should not be granted. Rather than grant Okumagba’s prayers, Justice Yunusa asked that the processes should be served on the respondents in Lagos as prayed in reliefs 5 and 6.

Buhari's Cabinet: Shocker Awaits APC Godfathers

As plan for new breed politicians unfolds •President rejects N/West gov's nominee for FCT minister

SHOCKER awaits godfathers of All Progressives Congress (APC), as President Muhammadu Buhari is set to unfold the list of his ministerial nominees.

It was gathered that top leaders of the party, who had hints of the president's direction, were already alarmed.

It was gathered that contrary to the practice where the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives would have nominees in the cabinet, the duo of the Senate president Dr Bukola Saraki and Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, had been kept in the dark over the ministerial list.

250 Million Fake Phones Sold In Nigeria Yearly - NCC

The Nigerian Telecommunications Commission yesterday disclosed that about 250 million substandard phones were sold annually in the country.

The acting Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, who gave the figure during a stake holders meeting on ‘ Combating Counterfeit and Substandard ICT Devices Programme in Abuja, noted that the damaging impact of the substandard products on the economy cannot be quantified in socio-economic terms.

Specifically, he lamented the damaging effects of the products on a broad spectrum of the national life, saying that the ugly development poses grave danger to the health, safety and privacy of buyers and the nation’s environment.