President Goodluck Jonathan has formally approved the proscription of the dreaded Islamist sect, Boko Haram and authorized the gazetting of an order declaring the group’s activities illegal and acts of terrorism.The group has carried out series of deadly attacks that have claimed thousands of lives and rendered properties worth millions of naira destroyed in various parts of the north and the Federal capital City, Abuja.According to a statement by Presidential Media Adviser, Reuben Abati, the order which has been gazetted as the Terrorism (Prevention) (Proscription Order) Notice 2013 affects both Boko Haram (Jamaatu Ahlis-Sunna Liddaawati Wal Jihad) and another group…
Author: tech
Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers has called on his Plateau state counterpart, Governor Jonah Jang to embrace the spirit of togetherness that the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) was noted for, insisting he will not surrender his second term mandate as the Forum’s chairman. Governor Amaechi spoke to reporters at the NGF secretariat in Abuja shortly after addressing the staff. He assured the staff that the crisis within the NGF will not affect the regular payment of their salaries. His words, “I think that as a secretariat you should forget the internal dynamics of the politics of NGF. We…
A 26-year-old graduate currently undergoing the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Amadi Stanley, appeared before an Osogbo Senior Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday for alleged abduction and rape. The prosecutor, Meriti Wilson, told the court that the corps member committed the offence on May 24, at about 6.30 p.m. at No 44 Osogbo Road, Ede, in the Ede South Local Government Area of Osun State. Mr. Meriti said the accused took a 15-year-old girl from the custody of her parents against her wish and without the knowledge of the parents; and had carnal knowledge of her without her consent. The…
Couples who meet online are more satisfied in their relationships and are less likely to break up than those that get together in bars, the workplace or on blind dates, according to a study. Researchers in America found more than a third (35%) of couples who married between 2005 and 2012 met on the internet, with 45% of those using dating websites and 21% finding each other on social networks. The academics from the University of Chicago, Harvard University and Gestalt Research said their work – published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal – shows “evidence for…
The American University of Nigeria has dismissed as inaccurate a story in the Daily Trust and Daily Newswatch alleging that expatriates are leaving the University because of the state of emergency imposed on Adamawa State. According to AUN’s President Margee Ensign, “Governor Murtala Nyako’s comments in the story are completely inaccurate. Not only are we running our regular summer school with very high attendance, no faculty member or staff has left AUN because of the ‘state of emergency.’ In fact, over 4,000 people–including the Ambassadors of the United States, the European Union, Rwanda and Ireland–attended our 5th commencement ceremony on May 11th, three days…
The 2013 African Bank of the Year Award has been conferred on Guaranty Trust Bank Plc by the African Banker Magazine, which recognises financial institutions across the continent that have emerged as industry leaders and continent trend setters due to good corporate governance practices, exceptional service delivery and innovative products. Winners of the coveted award must have consistently reported strong financial performance and contributed significantly to the quality of service offered by the financial services industry within their country and across the African continent. According to Omar Ben Yedder, Publisher of the African Banker Magazine; “We are delighted that Guaranty…
A middle-aged man, Olaolu Salau has been sentenced to 168 years imprisonment with hard labour by an Ikeja High Court, Lagos state for defrauding Solomon Ayoola, a Lagos based businessman of N2.5 million. Following a plea bargain entered into by the convict and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Salau will however serve only 18 months in jail. Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo ruled that the convict serve seven years for each of the 24-counts at Krikiri Prisons but to run concurrently starting from December 11, 2007, the date he was arrested by the EFCC. The Judge also ordered the convict…
President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday promised to do everything possible to ensure the safety of Nigeria’s airspace. He was speaking after laying wreaths at the memorial cenotaph of the 153 victims of last year’s Dana plane crash in Lagos, erected at the local wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja. The cenotaph had the names of all the victims with inscription: “In memory of the crew and passengers aboard Dana air flight 992, June 3rd 2012. In our hearts they will always stay loved and remembered every day.” The President who was in company of the Aviation Minister of…
The drumbeats of war roared louder in Nairobi on Monday, with Kenya’s Commissioner for Sports, Gordon Oluoch stating emphatically that the Harambee Stars would defeat the Super Eagles 1-0 in Wednesday’s 2014 World Cup qualifier at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. Oluoch, who works with Sports Minister, Dr. Hassan Wario, said at a public function that he had no doubt the Stars, who earned a 1-1 draw against the Africa champions in Calabar on March 23, would triumph. Publicity for Wednesday’s game has been at a premium in the East African nation, even as most analysts believe their team has…
The European Union (EU) on Monday criticized the passage of anti same-sex marriage legislation by Nigeria’s House of Representatives, describing it as violation of fundamental human rights of Nigerians to freedom of expression and association. A statement by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, Catherine Ashton, said the EU neither encourage nor discourage people of same sex getting married. “I am concerned that Nigerian law makers have voted to accept a bill that would criminalize same sex marriage. “The EU seeks neither to promote nor discourage same…