President Jonathan: A New Government Coming Next Year

In a speech that is bound to catch his allies, foes and watchers of his administration by surprise, President Goodluck Jonathan today assured Nigerians that a different government and leadership would be installed in Nigeria in 2015.

Mr. Jonathan made the surprise statement at a “Democracy Day” church service held Sunday in Abuja.

Before the president’s speech, the head of the Nigeria Pilgrims Commission, Reverend John Kennedy Opara, had set the tone when he told the gathering that this year's Democracy Day would be the last to be celebrated by Mr. Jonathan.

Senate renews emergency rule with 8 conditions

Nigeria Senate yesterday endorsed a six-month extension of emergency rule in three states in the Northeast. The endorsement was, however, with eight conditions which the lawmakers said must be observed in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

Some senators of Northern extraction had last week vowed to stop the extension. The lawmakers contended that one year of emergency rule had not yielded the expected results.

Before the upper chamber threw its back behind the extension it held over four hour closed door session to thrash contentious issues especially those raised by opposing Senators. Some observers were, however, taken aback with the turn of events, especially the unanimous adoption of the motion to extend the emergency rule.

Boko Haram: FG must speak with one voice - APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the federal government to immediately stop the discordant tunes emanating from the highest echelons of government and speak with one voice on issues concerning the ongoing efforts to find and rescue the school girls abducted by Boko Haram.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the conflicting statements credited to top government officials over the conditions given by Boko Haram for releasing the girls were totally unwarranted and could send the wrong signal to the insurgents and hinder the efforts to ensure the safe return of the girls.

It said the government must designate a spokesman, be it the Minister of Information or whoever the government deems fit, to be responsible for daily relaying to the public any relevant information concerning the search for the missing girls, instead of allowing a cacophony of voices on the issue.

Boko Haram: Borno Women Protest Abduction Of School Girls In Abuja

[NAN] - Some women of Chibok, Borno, on Tuesday marched to National Assembly, urging the Federal Government to intensify efforts to rescue the remaining 230 female students abducted two weeks ago. Almost 273 girls were abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno, by suspected Boko Haram insurgents on April 14.

NAN learnt that of the number, 43 girls had so far escaped from the captors unharmed. However, the women, led by Mrs Naomi Mutah, said since the incident, no government official had reached the community to explain the efforts being made to rescue the girls. “Our daughters were carried away by the insurgents like cows into the wilderness. If they are dead; we want to see their corpses.

CHAN: MARK, GLO CHARGE EAGLES TO BEAT BLACKS STARS

Ahead of today’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) semi-final clash between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Black Stars of Ghana, Senate President David Mark has enjoined Nigerians to pray for Eagles’ victory over their opponents. Senator Mark in a goodwill message to the Coach Stephen Keshi-led officials and players yesterday, urged them to re-enact the team spirit and winning streak that have seen them thus far.

He reminded Nigerians that” all that the Eagles needs now is support and prayers from all of us. The boys have demonstrated the determination and strong will to deliver. I am sure they would do the nation proud”. Senator Mark reminded the Eagles and their officials of the nation’s hope on them, adding that government on its part will live up to the responsibility in terms of adequate welfare.

The National Assembly on its part, he assured will continue to provide adequate appropriation for the overall development of sports the country. 

Also yesterday, telecommunications giant and leading sponsor of football in Nigeria, Globacom called on the Super Eagles to go all out and do the nation proud by qualifying for the finals of the ongoing CHAN in South Africa. In a statement yesterday, Globacom commended the fighting spirit of the Nigerian players and tasked the technical crew to evolve ways to motivate the team to go all the way.

“The resilience of the Eagles and their coaching crew in the face of odds is worth commending, especially after the team came back to win the quarter final match against Morocco. “We reckon with the great fighting spirit which the team has so far demonstrated, especially against South Africa and Morocco, and we believe that such spirit will help the team to achieve the ultimate goal of not only qualifying for the Finals but lifting the trophy as well,” Globacom added.

Globacom praised the coaching crew led by Stephen Keshi, adding that “We have confidence in the team that they will not fail this great nation,” the statement said.