Nigeria needs brand new peoples’ constitution, not constitutional review – PRONACO

The Pro National Conference Organization (PRONACO) on Monday in Lagos cautioned the National Assembly not to supplant the overwhelming yearnings of the Nigerian stakeholders for brand new peoples’ constitution and self-determination through its current review of the 1999 military constitution

Speaking through its Spokesperson, Olawale Okunniyi, PRONACO averred that though the National Assembly, by the provisions of section 8 and 9 of the 1999 constitution, can amend the constitution and also make laws thereof, unfortunately, what Nigerians want at this point in time is a brand new constitution that can be initiated, owned and defended by them.

First Ladies As Meddlers

Overzealous wives of politicians are beginning to meddle in functions that constitutionally fall within the purview of their husbands and this has in the recent times become worrisome. The reason for this cannot be far-fetched when the following view-points are taken into consideration.
First and foremost, their husbands were elected into political positions by the people based on the confidence reposed in them. Also, given the political antecedents of most of these politicians, the people saw them as those who may be able to fulfill their promises to the people; their wives were not elected into political offices. Also, given the same electioneering situation which their husbands faced before being considered to be voted for by the people, there is the likelihood that most first ladies that are today meddling in governance would fail woefully, even at their wards.

The Seamless Transition In Ghana And The Lessons

On Tuesday, 24 July, 2012, the President of Ghana, His Excellency Professor Fifi Atta Mills died unexpectedly at the age of 68. On that fateful day death robbed Africa one of its finest souls, leaving Ghanaians and other Africans to weep for the departed. I am told that the late Prof Atta Mills was a great President, a good man and a disciplined leader, who added serious value to Ghana politics. Under his leadership Ghana was repositioned in Africa and world politics, showing the way forward in matters of free and fair election and peaceful co-existence among the tribes in Ghana. Africans and the world have indeed lost a gentle and peaceful president who was not carried away by the pecks of office. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

Abacha family loses bid to recover $800m loot from FG

Abba Abacha, son of late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha
The family and 19 close associates of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, have lost their bid to recover $800 million seized by the Federal Government.

The fund, allegedly looted by Abacha’s family, was recovered by the General Abdulsalami Abubakar – led government.

The family and 19 companies owned by the family had gone to the appellate court seeking to upturn the decision of the Federal High Court Abuja, which dismissed their suit, challenging the constitutionality of the letters written by the Federal Government to governments of some foreign countries.

Hillary Clinton To Visit South Africa For Strategic Dialogue ..Nigeria, Ghana Too

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will visit South Africa in August for a strategic dialogue with the Zuma-led administration, says the department of international relations.

Clinton and International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane would hold the South Africa-United States Strategic Dialogue on August 7, said spokesperson Clayson Monyela on Monday.

“It is expected that the meeting will discuss a range of issues of mutual interest,” he said.

Subsidy Scam Trial: Three suspects to remain in custody

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arraigned three more suspects indicted in the abuse of the Petroleum Support Fund in the guise of subsidy for imported fuel in Lagos.

Oluwaseun Ogunbambo, Habila Thrck and Fargo Petroleum and Gas Limited were all arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja on a six counts of conspiring to obtain the sum of N976, 653,110.28 (nine hundred and seventy six million, six hundred and fifty three thousand, one hundred and ten naira, twenty eight kobo only) from the Federal Government of Nigeria by falsely representing that the said sum was accrued subsidy for the importation of 13,627,084 litres of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS).

NCC Halts Lagos Levies On Telecom Masts

The Lagos State Government has been stopped by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, from imposing annual levy on all existing telecom masts in the state.
The commission is, however, seeking understanding with the state government on fresh plans by the state to regulate erection of masts and towers.
The commission also asked the state government to put a stop to the sealing off and pulling down of telecoms masts in the name of regulation.
At a stakeholders’ meeting involving the NCC, telecom operators and the Lagos State Government, represented by Urban Furniture Regulatory Unit, UFRU, the Head of Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Department, NCC, Maska Ubale, spoke on the implications of imposing annual levy on telecoms masts and the impending danger in sealing off and pulling down masts.

Another Nigerian Boxer Out Of Olympics!

Team Nigeria continued with their poor performance at the London 2012 Olympics Monday afternoon, when one of their boxers, Lukmon Lawal lost his round of 16 Light Heavyweight bout 19-7 points to Ihab Almatbouli of Jordan.
The lone Jordanian boxer jumped out to an early lead before dominating in the rounds two and three of the bout.
Lawal, who had promised to do Nigeria proud in London, opened up carelessly, as his opponent punched him out with superb jabs, courtesy of a right hand and left hook.

Third Mainland Bridge may be completed ahead of schedule – Works controller

The Federal Controller of Works for Lagos State, Mr. Oluwatoyin Obikoya, on Monday said the repair work on eight expansion joints on the Third Mainland Bridge may be completed ahead of the scheduled November date.
Work on the bridge began on July 7.
Obikoya, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, said work on one of the eight faulty expansion joints of the Third Mainland Bridge was on completed on Monday and the bridge partially re-opened to users on the Adeniji-Adele-bound lane.

Olympic Games: Team Nigeria Flops

Results coming from London 2012 Olympics indicate that it things are very tough for Team Nigeria at the world championships.
With about four days into the Olympics, some countries are already counting their medals, but the case is different for the Nigerian contingent. There is no sign that Team Nigeria will make much impact at this year’s Games.
Nigeria’s Table tennis team were badly hit with all the country’s representatives losing out early in the tournament.