WHY POWER OUTAGES PERSIST, BY MINISTER

Gas pipeline vandalism and pricing policy, with the heavy debt profiles of the owners of Distribution Companies (Discos) and Generation Companies (Gencos) have been identified as the reasons behind epileptic power supply in the country.
The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, who made these known on Channels Television’s Sun Rise at the weekend, said that the pipeline vandalism has almost been compromising the Discos and Gencos’ plan to provide regular electricity in the country.
Meanwhile, the Afam VI, River IPP, Ibom Power and Afam IV Power stations have been shut down as a result of recent pipeline vandalism.
This has resulted in 826MW reduction in power generation output across the country.
Nebo said that apart from pipeline vandalism, the new owners of the electricity firms are already heavily indebted to banks, posing operational challenges to the companies.
He also pointed out that the issue of gas pricing has been affecting gas availability to power firms.

AMAECHI GIVES CONDITION TO RETURN TO PDP

The Rivers State Governor and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has given President Goodluck Jonathan one condition to return to the Peoples Democratic Party.
Amaechi said he was ready to go back to the PDP if Jonathan would return Rivers oil wells ceded to neighbouring Bayelsa State.
The governor, who spoke on Monday during a rally organised by the All Progressives Congress at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt, said despite the 2.1 million votes Jonathan received in the state in 2011, the Federal Government had not executed any project in Rivers.

JOIN APC OR LEAVE MY CABINET – KWANKWASO

Kano state governor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who ordered the removal of PDP flag from the Government House in Kano the one on his car and that of his office table has also directed his commissioners to decamp to the APC or resign.
Addressing five delegates each from the 44 local governments of the state, the governor, who lifted an APC flag before the meeting, said: “I have left that party from today. Those of you that want to join APC should follow me, but if you want to remain in PDP you are free to resign.”
Kwankwaso added that before five of the PDP governors joined APC they made it clear to the president that if he did not settle the crisis in the party then he should start preparing to leave Aso Rock.

I WILL NOT REACT TO JONATHAN’S REPLY –OBASANJO

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said he will not react to the response of President Goodluck Jonathan to his letter.
Jonathan had on Sunday sent an 11-page reply to Obasanjo’s letter, dated December 2 and titled ‘Before it is too late’, where the President debunked various allegations leveled against him by the Obasanjo ranging from corruption; Jonathan 2015 ambition; to training of a killer squad.
In a statement on Monday by Obasanjo’s Media aide, Tunde Oladunjoye, the ex-president said he had fulfilled his desire to call the attention of Jonathan to salient issues, adding that he would no longer elaborate on the content on the letter.

EFCC ARRESTS KANO SPEAKER, 10 OTHERS

Authorities of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday invited 11 principal officers of Kano State House of Assembly, including the Speaker, Alhaji Gambo Sallau for interrogation over alleged financial misappropriation.
In a letter dated Monday 23, 2013, signed by EFCC’s Head of Operations in Kano, Ishaq Salihu, EFCC stated that it was investigating a case involving the affected Kano lawmakers.
The letter was addressed to the Clerk of the House, also among those invited for interrogation.
EFCC in the letter requested the clerk to release the members for interview by the under signed officer.
‘’In view of this, you are requested to release them (Officers) to be interviewed by the under signed at No. 2 Hajj Camp Road, Kano today, December 23, 2013 by 10:00 am prompt,” the letter stated.

APC WILL WIN IN 2015, SAYS BUHARI

Former Nigerian Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari has expressed optimism that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would win the 2015 general elections.
He added that the party would rule Nigeria no matter the opposition from other political parties.
Buhari, a chieftain of the party, made the remark while addressing party faithful at a Sensitisation Rally in Port Harcourt.
He stressed that the party was solidly behind Gov. Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers, describing him as a courageous politician.
“In spite of our differences, we are one people. APC will ensure security of the nation and work toward its unity.’’
In his remarks, Amaechi decried impunity of politicians and condemned thuggery in the polity.

APC’S VISIT TO OBJ: NIGERIA MAY BE HEADING FOR A SHIPWRECK -SOYINKA

NOBEL Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has warned that Nigeria might be headed for a shipwreck, as top officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) visited former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, to court his support.
In a statement entitled: “Shipwreck ahead,” Soyinka warned that Nigeria would need urgent rescue operations if the APC wanted to invite people like Obasanjo to serve as a navigator for the ship of state.
“An APC-led group, we understand, has been paying courtesy visits to former heads of state,” he said.
Professor Soyinka said it would be disastrous for the country if the purpose of the visit was captured in the mission statement credited to the APC national leader, Senator Bola Tinubu, that the party had resolved to rescue Nigeria and appealing to Obasanjo to lead the mission.

CHRISTMAS IS IDOLATROUS –KUMUYI

The General Overseer of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor W.F Kumuyi, has again warned members of the church against celebrating Christmas, saying the annual celebration of Christmas is idolatrous and unscriptural.
Kumuyi warned that partaking in the celebration made Christians to go back from the commandment of Jesus Christ.
The cleric said this on Saturday at the annual national December convention of the church, which held at the church’s camp ground in Ogun State.
He said, “We don’t celebrate Christmas. It actually came from idolatrous background. That is why you don’t hear us sing what they call Christmas carol, Never! We always say it is the December retreat. We are only gathering together because it is the holiday period and love the lord more, and rededicate ourselves more.

MADE-IN-NIGERIA VEHICLES TO SELL FOR N1.2M – FG

The Federal Government, in a bid to ensure the successful implementation of its recently approved National Automotive Industry Development Plan, said it would encourage local auto manufacturers to produce less expensive models with price range of between N1.2m and N1.5m.
It also said it would collaborate with auto manufacturers, franchise holders, reputable motor dealers and selected banks to put in place an all-inclusive domestic dealership network through which a user-friendly vehicle purchase scheme could be funded by the National Automotive Council.
These are contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the NAC and obtained by our correspondent in Abuja.
The statement said, “Under market development, the NAIDP anticipated that higher-end expensive models will still be imported into the country in the initial stage, but the new strategy is to encourage local auto manufacturers to focus primarily on lower-end less expensive models with price range of between N1.2m and N1.5m; which is affordable to the middle class, coupled with other finance options.”

PLOT AGAINST JONATHAN PORTENDS DIRE CONSEQUENCES FOR NIGERIA -AKINJIDE WARNS

A former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN), has expressed concern over the crises rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and attempts by certain people to “shake the party into certain directions.”
Akinjide, who is a foundation and Board of Trustees (BoT) member of the PDP, stated this in a statement entitled: “The PDP and the Game of Nations,” signed by him and made available to newsmen in Ibadan, on Sunday.
The most senior lawyer in the country particularly expressed worry that the schism in the party had affected the South-West region, which played a critical role in the country’s independence, and sued for peace and unity in the party ahead of the 2015 general election.

NAT’L CONFAB TO START FEBRUARY 10

SGF, Finance Minister, others to harmonise modalities
BARRING unforeseen adjustments, the proposed national conference may begin on Monday, February 10, 2014, Vanguard has gathered.
This is after a harmonisation committee would have finished harmonising the modalities for the confab, a presidency source told Vanguard at the weekend.
The source said members of the committee may include Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; some members of the Presidential Committee on National Dialogue, which last week submitted a 4000-page report to President Goodluck Jona-than; and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

APC LEADERS, SOURCE OF NIGERIA’S PROBLEMS – PRESIDENCY

The Presidency said, Sunday, that the opposition party, All Progressives Congress, APC, is destined to sink in 2015 as it parades all those who constitute Nigeria’s problems.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, who addressed a press conference, Sunday, in Lagos on the achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, said the government was not bothered about the chances of the opposition in 2015.
He said: “We are unperturbed by the parade of so-called political giants by the opposition. I have said it before that APC cannot stand unless they fish in PDP waters.
“But the APC boat is bound to sink because it is a collection of the problems of Nigeria.
“How else do you want God to save Nigeria if all those who are the problems of the country are not packed in one boat and the boat sink under their weight?
“When we went to Israel, we prayed that all those who are the problems of Nigeria should all perish and this is how our prayer will be answered.”

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: ARTISTS SUE NIGERIAN BREWERIES FOR N250M

Two creative artists, Martins Omosogie and Tunde Ayodele, have filed a suit against Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc before the Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged violation of their intellectual property on the Gulder Ultimate Search Fans’ Edition.
They are also praying the court to compel the defendants to jointly pay them N250 million as general damages for the unlawful infringement on their said intellectual property.
In the suit, the artists, who operate in a firm called Sceptre Consult, alleged that Nigerian Breweries stole their creative idea on the fans’ edition of the Gulder Ultimate Search and used it without their approval.
This suit was filed last Friday by the plaintiffs (Omosogie and Ayodele) through their lawyer, Mr. Olubusola Ashiru.

OBASANJO WAS AUTOCRATIC RULER, SAYS ALIAMIEYESEIGHA

•Says he can’t stop Jonathan in 2015
Former Bayelsa State Governor, Diepreye Aliamieyeseigha, has taken a swipe at former President Olusegun Obasanjo, describing him as a mischievous character.
He argued that Obasanjo’s recent controversial letter to Jonathan was laced with bias, hatred and sentiment, stressing that the former President was dressing himself with the robe of ‘Mr.-Know-it-all’.
Aliamieyeseigha was Governor of Bayelsa State from 1999 to 2005 when the state House of Assembly under the speakership of Peremobowei Ebebi impeached him in controversial circumstances believed to have been orchestrated by Obasanjo then as President.
In the said letter Obasanjo accused the President of promoting not only corruption and cronyism but also encouraging dividing the country along religious and tribal lines.
Aliamieyeseigha, who spoke on the controversial letter during a chat with newsmen in Yenagoa at the weekend, insisted that Obasanjo was mischievous in his intent of writing it to the President.

DINO MELAYE A BEAST, ALLEGES EX-WIFE’S BROTHER

Since news of their bitter divorce, it has been the word of former House of Representatives member, Dino Melaye, against his former wife’s, Tokunbo Fabiyi. Both have issued separate proxy statements on claims associated with their calling it quits.
The first of such, issued on 18 December, by a purported family friend and lawyer, Toyin Akande, rebutted Tokunbo’s allegations that Malaye had battered her and, at a time, drew a gun at her. Akande claimed Tokunbo was paid to tarnish her ex-husband’s image and have him imprisoned. Akande challenged Tokunbo to provide police record or statements written by Malaye in any police station following a report of spousal assault.
He said it was untrue that Malaye possessed “ammunition”, which Tokunbo claimed he assaulted her with. Akande said a Police search on Malaye’s office following Tokunbo’s complaint to them did not yield any weapon and, wondered why the latter reported the matter a month after the incident allegedly occurred.

DON’T HEAT UP THE POLITY, SULTAN CHARGES POLITICIANS

The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA), Alhaji Mohammed Saad Abubakar III, at the weekend, charged political office holders to see their elections into public offices as a call to service instead of being an avenue to cause disharmony and disaffection in the country.
Abubakar made the charge in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital at the weekend during the Second World Conference organised by Nashirullahi Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT).
The conference theme was “National Unity, a Precursor to development- Islamic Perspectives.”
According to him, “We must have responsible politicking. When we use politics, let’s use the word, ‘politics’ or the political movement to be a vehicle to take us to the public office to serve the people with the fear of God.”