Troops are already present in large numbers in Nigeria’s north-east. Nigeria’s army has begun operations against militant Islamists in the north-east, military officials say. They say troops raided parts of a game reserve in Borno statewhere the Boko Haram group has established bases. The raids came after states of emergency were declared in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa north-eastern states, where 2,000 people have died since Boko Haram launched an insurgency in 2009. Meanwhile, explosions and gunfire have been heard overnight in Katsina state. Residents have told the BBC that banks, police stations and prisons were destroyed in the town of…
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(Full Text of Live broadcast) It has become necessary for me to address you on the recent spate of terrorist activities and protracted security challenges in some parts of the country, particularly in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Plateau and most recently Bayelsa, Taraba, Benue and Nasarawa states. These unfortunate events have led to needless loss of lives and property of many innocent Nigerians including members of our security forces. The recent killing of security operatives by a cult group in Nasarawa state is particularly condemnable. I have directed that no effort or expense be spared in identifying…
A mega opposition party moved from fantasy to reality with the completion of at the weekend of congresses by three different parties to ratify their merger into a new, formidable opposition party – the All Progressives Congress. Before this time, gullible Nigerians had been duped by these same political characters, promising to give the nation a well-deserved opposition party but failing to do so at every critical point. It is a settled question that this country needs a strong opposition to check the arrogance of power of the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party. With more than a decade in…
The Federal Government on Thursday disbursed N5,747,649,780 to the eight states affected by the 2011 post-election violence and civil disturbances. Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, who presided over the disbursement at the State House, Abuja, said: “It is with deepest sense of sorrow that President Goodluck Jonathan and indeed the entire government and people of Nigeria remain deeply pained by the violent acts and civil disturbances which necessitated today’s event.” Sambo regretted that after the transparent efforts that produced the election that was universally acknowledged as being highly successful, the national joy was marred by sporadic acts of violence and…
Elders from the northern Nigeria have expressed negative views on the recent declaration of state of emergency in three states- Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, all in northeast, saying it is an indirect declaration of war on the entire region. They were apparently taken aback by the President’s action despite earlier calls by eminent Nigerians including opposition parties that declaration of emergency rule should not be an option. The spokesman for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Ango Abdullahi, a former Vice Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria on Thursday expressed the group’s disappointment on the development. “It is very sad…
By: President Goodluck Jonathan May I use this opportunity to say how delighted my delegation and I have been since our arrival in South Africa. I am also deeply appreciative of the warm hospitality and reception accorded to us. This is also evident in the manner the leadership of the Parliament has received us this afternoon. All of these are consistent with the well-known South African hospitality. I wish, particularly, to thank my brother, President Jacob Zuma, for extending the invitation to me to pay this State Visit to South Africa. Mr Speaker, Distinguished Parliamentarians, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is…
The US Senate has passed a bill that would impose sales taxes on online retailers, after brick-and-mortar shops called for “a level playing field”. The 69-27 vote to enable states to collect the taxes sends the bill to the House of Representatives, where some Republicans oppose it as a new tax. Currently, only firms with a physical presence in a state must charge online sales taxes. States lost nearly $12bn (£8bn) last year in sales tax on online purchases. A new tax?: The law faces opposition in the House, where anti-tax Republicans hold considerable power, analysts say. The law would…
By: Promptnews World leaders including President Goodluck Jonathan are in Cape Town, South Africa for the World Economic Forum focusing on “Delivering on Africa’s promise”. In continuation of his efforts to promote rapid national economic growth and development, Mr Jonathan is leading key members of Nigeria’s Economic Management Team to the Forum where regional and global leaders will assemble to brainstorm on new strategies for accelerating economic diversification and the availability of essential infrastructure on the continent. The theme of the Forum, according to Presidential Media Advisor, Reuben Abati is expected to provide a platform for African leaders in government,…
Nordic country mothers fare best The Democratic Republic of Congo is the world’s toughest place to raise children, Save the Children reports. Finland was named the best place to be a mother, with Sweden and Norway following in second and third places. The charity compared factors such as maternal health, child mortality, education and income in 176 countries. In India, over 300,000 babies die within 24 hours of being born, accounting for 29% of all newborn deaths worldwide, the report says. The 10 bottom-ranked countries were all from sub-Saharan Africa, with one woman in 30 dying from pregnancy-related causes on…
China has been accused of multiple cyber-attacks on US interests, which it denies China’s government and military havetargeted US government computers as part of a cyber espionage campaign, a US report on China says. Intrusions were focused on collecting intelligence on US diplomatic, economic and defence sectors which could benefit China’s own defence programme, it says. This is the first time the Pentagon’s annual report has directly linked such attacks to the Beijing government. China called the report “groundless”, saying it represented “US distrust”. A report from state news agency Xinhua cited Sr Col Wang Xinjun, a People’s Liberation Army…