SUBSIDY: FG pays N156billion debt to oil marketers

The Federal Government on Thursday said it had paid N156 billion debt to oil marketers in line with its commitment to prioritise payments in spite of revenue constraints.This is contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the Coordinating Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr Paul Nwabuikwu, on Thursday in Abuja.The statement stated that the payment had two components comprising `I owe you’ (IOU), given in March and interest on payment.“The first consists of the cash backing of the N100 billion IOU which the marketers were given in March. The second is N56 billion in interest payments for the marketers according to the PPPRA template.“This leaves a balance of N98 billion certified by PPPRA as the amount owed the

President Zuma calls GEJ over xenophobic attacks

President Zuma of South Africa has reportedly put a call across to President Jonathan to express his sadness over the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa. He appealed to President Jonathan not to allow the incident affect the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

 Reports of the phone call is contained in a statement released by the office of the South African president today April 30th. The statement in part below

 “The two Presidents reaffirmed the warm and cordial relations between South Africa and Nigeria and pledged that the two countries will continue to work together for the good of their peoples and the continent as a whole. President Jonathan expressed his support for the efforts of South Africa to arrest the attacks on foreign nationals and to ensure the safety and security of all citizens, including foreign nationals and those from the African continent in particular, who bore the brunt of the attacks earlier this month (April)

We made no mistake in re-appointing Keshi as Super Eagles’ Head Coach – NFF

The President of the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, Amaju Pinnick has maintained that the Federation made no mistake in re-appointing Stephen Keshi as Super Eagles’ Head Coach.Speaking on the BBC’s Focus on Africa programme, Pinnick was categorical that Stephen Keshi with enhanced capacity, working together with a Technical Study Group headed by former Nigeria captain Jay –Jay Okocha and with the benefit of the world –renowned ProZone match preparation software would, in aggregate, be better than any foreign coach.

Boko Haram’s top commanders killed as troops rescue more women, children from Sambisa Forest

Nigerian troops have killed several top commanders of the Boko Haram terror sect and destroyed more of their training camps in the Sambisa Forest.The acting Director Public Relations of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Sani K. Usman made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday.It reads: I wish to inform you that today (Wednesday) evening, troops of 7 Division Nigerian Army also cleared several terrorists strong points and training camps within Sambisa forest, Borno State, Nigeria.“The troops have also rescued

Jonathan sacks MD of Nigerian Ports Authority, appoints Sanusi Lamido as replacement

The Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka has sacked the Director of finance of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Tochukwu Bede Uchendu, over allegations of irregularities associated with his appointment into office as well as granting unapproved waivers worth N1 billion.

 Mr Uchendu's sack was effected following a petition by the Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) dated March 23rd and addressed to the office of the Head of Service.

Jonathan warns Buhari against running parallel govt, says I’m still in charge

The Federal Government on Wednesday warned the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, against actions capable of portraying him as running a parallel government at a time President Goodluck Jonathan is still fully in charge.The Minister of National Planning, Abubakar Sulaiman, issued the warning at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.Sulaiman told State House correspondents that FEC considered the state of the transition programme and took exception to some utterances and terms of reference of the committee set up by Buhari.Buhari inaugurated a 19-member committee with a charge to members not to engage in a witch-hunt.Sulaiman, who is the chairman of the Technical Subcommittee of

Buhari to inaugurate transition committee, address senators, Reps-elect today

The President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, will address senators and House of Representatives-elect on Wednesday (today).The Director of Media and Publicity of the AP
C Presidential Campaign, Mallam Garba Shehu, disclosed this.He also said that Buhari will formally inaugurate his transition committee to interface with the team of the outgoing President Goodluck.

He said, “Yes, the President-elect will inaugurate his transition committee tomorrow (today). He is scheduled to meet with the elected members of the party in the House of Representatives and will also receive visiting dignitaries as usual.”