ANAMBRA: NIGERIAN SHIPPERS COUNCIL DECIRES EXTORTION OF IMPORTERS

Anambra State Chapter of the Nigeria Shippers Council, has condemned the extortion of importers ferrying goods to markets in Onitsha by criminals.

GOV. PETER OBI

President of the Anambra chapter of the council, Mr Emmanuel Akpaka, said unidentified persons walk to shop owners in the market and demand tax on their goods. 

Articulated vehicles carrying goods to Onitsha are compelled to pay to at least three unauthorised groups in the area, while the driver of the vehicle is forced to give between N10, 000 and N15, 000 to each of the groups.

He appealed to the Anambra State Government do all in its power to stop the trend before emerging markets in neighbouring states would assume the status of commercial hubs at the expense of Onitsha.

IMO STATE GOVT. REVOKES LICENCES OF ALL MOTHERLESS BABIES HOMES.

Imo State Government has revoked the certificates of all motherless babies and foster homes in the state following increasing cases of such homes being found out to be ran as ‘baby factories’. 

GOV. ROCHAS OKOROACHA

Announcing this in Owerri, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Nma Onyechere, said that buying and selling of human beings were not part of the Igbo culture, adding that the heat generated over the issue was enough to get government to react to the ugly situation.    Mrs Onyechere also warned that any staff of the ministry found to have established such homes would be summarily dismissed from service.

Onyechere, who noted that the issue of ‘baby factories’ or sale of babies had become a national challenge, that must be urgently addressed.

PENSION SCAM: COURT DENIES BAIL TO EX-OYO PERM SEC. & 11 OTHERS.

Former Oyo State Head of Service, Mrs Kudirat Adeleke and eleven other accused persons have been denied bail by an Oyo State High Court.

The accused persons are being prosecuted by the EFCC, for alleged 5.6billion naira pension scam.  Ruling on their bail application yesterday, Justice Bolaji Yusuf, held that their request cannot be granted on the ground that the offences for which they were arraigned were serious offence which attracts 7 to 20 years imprisonment without option of fine.

She ordered accelerated trial and adjourned the case to December 11 and 12, 2013.

Justice Yusuf ordered that the defendants be returned to Agodi prison, Ibadan.

NEW U.S. & NAMIBIAN ENVOYS RESUME DUTY IN NIGERIA

President Goodluck Jonathan has received the letters of credence of the new United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James F. Entwistle as well as the new Namibian High Commissioner, Dr. Peingeonjabi Shipo.

Welcoming the diplomatic representatives to Nigeria yesterday, President Jonathan urged them to work towards strengthening the existing relationship between Nigeria and their respective countries.  Dr Jonathan assured the new ambassadors of the total support of the Federal Government to broaden areas of bilateral collaboration between Nigeria and their countries during their tenure.

The Nigerian leader equally received Mr. Collins Chabane, a special envoy of President Jacob Zuma of South Africa.

PRESIDENCY NOT MOVED BY REBEL GOVERNORS' PACT WITH APC

The Presidency says it is not in anyway threatened by the defection of the Baraje-led splinter group of the PDP to the All Progressives Congress.

The Special Adviser to the President on Political Affair, Ahmed Gulak, stated that this yesterday, while reacting to the defection of the opposition governors.

AHMED GULAK

Chairman of the New PDP, Kawo Baraje announced the defection yesterday, after a two hour meeting held at the Kano state Governors lodge, Abuja.  The Governors of Kwara, Adamawa, Niger, Rivers, Yobe states were at the meeting. 

Gulak, who reacted to the development, said neither the presidency nor the ruling party felt threatened, insisting that the PDP will be difficult to defeat in Nigerian election.

Gulak, however, said the PDP will welcome the group back to its fold if they retrace their steps.  
Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, issued a ststement yesterday, distancing himself from the union with the APC.