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Friday, 13 February 2015

More than 70% PVCs distributed - INEC

The Deputy Director, Voter Education and Publicity, INEC, Mr Nick Dazang, has said that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has achieved 69.68 per cent distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards as at Februray 10, 2015.

In an interview in Abuja today February 13, he stated that the commission had surpassed 69. 68 per cent distribution of the cards. According to him, “Since we are speaking of three days ago, that means we have surpassed that bench-mark.”

Mr. Dazang advised politicians to invest their time and resources in positive strategies of winning elections rather than buying Permanent Voter Cards from prospective voters.

He gave the advice following a claim that politicians were buying cards and collecting their numbers.

He advised politicians to judiciously use their time in other endeavours that would help the political process instead of collecting Voter Identification Number of registered voters.

To him buying electorate’s PVCs would be of no help as the cards could not be used by another person other than the original owners.

He stated that, “Politicians should encourage those who have not collected to go and collect their PVCs.

“I don’t know of any implication of collecting people’s VIN numbers; they are just wasting their times.

“If I were them, I would encourage those who have not collected to go and collect their PVCs because even if you collect someone else’s VIN number you cannot recreate his PVC.

“They should stop wasting their time; they should channel their energy towards productive and positive ends.”

He said there were security numbers in the PVCs which would make it impossible for the cards to be cloned or forged.

He also advised people not to sell their PVCs as that would automatically disenfranchise such voters from voting on elections days.

Anniversary of late Gen. Murtala Mohammed

39 Years Anniversary Of Late Gen. Murtala Mohammed.


Late Gen. M. Muhammed

General Murtala Ramat Muhammed, born, the 4th Head of State of Nigeria was assassinated in Lagos on 13th February,1976. He was 37 years old when he assumed office and barely spent seven months before he died.
He took over as the new Head of State in a bloodless coup against Gen. Yakubu Gowon's administration on July 30, 1975 while the latter was at an OAU summit in Uganda.
He was killed along with his aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Akintunde Akinsehinwa, in a failed coup attempt led by Lt. Col Buka Suka Dimka. Murtala's car was ambushed while on his way to his office at Dodan Barracks, Lagos. He was succeeded by Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo.

Wednesday, 11 February 2015

Who Is Behind This: APC or PDP?

INEC Sacks Staff For Denying Non-Indigenes PVCs In Lagos.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State said it has disengaged two ad-hoc staff that denied some non-indigenes in the state the collection of their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).

This was made known in a statement signed yesterday by Head, Public Affairs, INEC Lagos State, Femi Akinbiyi,of which the commission refuted reports that non-indigenes were being denied the collection of their PVCs in a few places in Lagos State.

INEC statement reads, “Our findings, however, revealed that in a few places where we did not have the full complement of NYSC members, some members of the community whom we engaged for the exercise, two of them were found to have denied a few non-indigenes the collection of their cards.”

“We have consequently relieved them of the assignment,” the statement said. “INEC regrets whatever embarrassment this might have caused the affected members of the public and also wishes to thank those who drew our attention to this act."

We are by this press release stating that no INEC official, permanent or ad-hoc, has been engaged to give cards to people from only one part of the country while denying others their legitimate right of collecting their cards.

“All INEC staff are under firm instructions to give the PVCs to their rightful owners. In doing this, no money was to be demanded or given."

In readiness for the polls next month, all hands must be on deck to forestall such occurrence.

Tuesday, 10 February 2015

BOKO HARAM Abducts Thirty people in Cameroon border close to Nigeria.

BOKO HARAM ABDUCTS 8 CAMEROONIAN GIRLS, KILL SEVEN.

The Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram, have abducted eight Cameroonian girls and killed seven hostages after seizing a public bus in the country as stated by residents on Tuesday.

The Islamic group kidnapped more than 300 secondary schoolgirls in a town called Chibok, Nigeria, in April last year of which the international community condemned such act. The principal of a school in the area, Chetima Ahmidou, said that the group has taken eight Cameroonian girls hostage.

The girls range in age between 11years and 14years, and come from the town of Koza, he said. The bus attack took place Sunday about 11 miles (18 kilometres) from Cameroon’s border with Nigeria.

Seven other hostages were slain and their bodies scattered near the border, said Ahmidou, whose brother was the bus driver and was among those killed.

May the souls of the deceased rest in peace.

Report reaching us is that thirty people have also been abducted in a border town of Cameroon with Nigeria.

Click here for Nigeria's Largest Newspaper Directory Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram have abducted at least eight girls and killed seven hostages after seizing a public bus in one of their most brazen attacks inside neighbouring Cameroon, residents said Tuesday. According to Metronews, Boko Haram, who kidnapped nearly 300 schoolgirls in Nigeria last year in an incident that drew international condemnation, have taken eight Cameroonian girls hostage, said Chetima Ahmidou, the principal of a school in the area. The girls range in age from 11 to 14 and come from the town of Koza, he said. The bus attack took place Sunday about 11 miles (18 kilometres) from Cameroon’s border with Nigeria. Seven other hostages were slain and their bodies scattered near the border, said Ahmidou, whose brother was the bus driver and was among those killed.

Read full story here:

Home About Us Advertise With Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy TODAY Home News Metro+ Business Politics Entertainment Sports Technology Lifestyle Opinion Home / News / Boko Haram abducts 8 Cameroon girls, kills 7 Boko Haram abducts 8 Cameroon girls, kills 7 By Lucia Edafioka on February 10, 2015 @ 3:35 pm@todayngr A screengrab taken on November 9, 2014 from a new Boko Haram video released by the Nigerian Islamist extremist group Boko Haram and obtained by AFP shows the leader of the Nigerian Islamist extremist group Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau ©HO (Boko Haram/AFP) Click here for Nigeria's Largest Newspaper Directory Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram have abducted at least eight girls and killed seven hostages after seizing a public bus in one of their most brazen attacks inside neighbouring Cameroon, residents said Tuesday. According to Metronews, Boko Haram, who kidnapped nearly 300 schoolgirls in Nigeria last year in an incident that drew international condemnation, have taken eight Cameroonian girls hostage, said Chetima Ahmidou, the principal of a school in the area. The girls range in age from 11 to 14 and come from the town of Koza, he said. The bus attack took place Sunday about 11 miles (18 kilometres) from Cameroon’s border with Nigeria. Seven other hostages were slain and their bodies scattered near the border, said Ahmidou, whose brother was the bus driver and was among those killed. Got a news tip, article or press release for us? E-mail: scoop@today.ng or editor@today.ng Follow us on Twitter at @todayngr and Facebook at facebook.com/todayngr Related ItemsBoko HaramCameroonNigeria ← Previous Story Nigeria must have a new federal government come May 29 – Obasanjo Next Story → Jonathan to hold ‘special edition’ of presidential media chat on Wednesday You may also like... media_chat_0 Jonathan to hold ‘special edition’ of presidential media chat on Wednesday Obasanjo- Nigeria must have a new federal government come May 29 – Obasanjo naira-Dollar Naira hits new record low, falls N199 to a dollar, N212 in BDCs Advertisement Facebook Twitter Twitter TODAY TODAY @todayngr Accept polls shift in good faith, Ekweremadu urges Nigerians today.ng/news/accept-po… reply retweet favorite 1:08 pm · February 10, 2015 Twitter TODAY TODAY @todayngr 12 political parties oppose planned removal of Jega today.ng/news/12-politi… reply retweet favorite 11:21 am · February 10, 2015 Popular Latest Comments Femi-Fani-Kayode If I expose the demons in APC, Nigeria will burn – Fani-Kayode Asari-dokubo-620x400 SHOTS FIRED: The Emir of Kano is a dog – Asari Dokubo Kashim-Shettima-Borno1 If I speak, heads will roll – Gov. Shettima threatens patrick sawyer EBOLA OUTBREAK: Why Patrick Sawyer travelled to Nigeria – Wife Advertisement Copyright © 2014 Newsdesk Media. All rights reserved.

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Restoring Peace In Our Region.

Niger’s parliament has unanimously approved the deployment of the country’s military troops to Nigeria to join a multinational force in fighting the jihadist group, Boko Haram.

The Nigerien forces will join their Chadian counterparts who are already fighting on Nigerian soil in north-eastern Borno State where Boko Haram has killed thousands and displaced many.

Ahead of the vote in Niamey on Monday, Boko Haram launched an overnight raid on Sunday on the border town of Diffa, and followed that up with a bomb attack Monday.

Chad and Niger- by far smaller than Nigeria- have grown into military relevance in stopping Boko Haram, after Nigeria for five years failed to crush the group and instead lost towns, key military facilities and weapons to the group due to sabotage.

The Islamist group in a new video released on Monday, vowed to defeat the coalition that also has Cameroon, Nigeria’s neighbour to the east. The four countries, as well as Benin, have agreed to send a joint force of 7,500 troops to battle the militant group.

Before Niger’s parliamentary vote, the country massed more than 3,000 troops in its southern region of Diffa on the border with Nigeria, awaiting approval to cross into Nigeria.

“The pooling of the efforts and resources of concerned countries will contribute without doubt to crushing this group which shows scorn, through its barbaric acts, for the Muslim religion,” Niger’s parliamentary speaker Adamou Salifou said after the vote late on Monday, Reuters news agency reported.

“Our country has never failed it its solidarity with its neighbours,” he said.

The vote was supported by all 102 deputies present, According to Reuters.

On Friday, French army official said in Paris that a detachment of 10 military personnel had been stationed in Diffa at the request of Niger, its former colony.

“The detachment is there to coordinate the armies on the ground in the fight against Boko Haram,” he said.

The African Union (AU) has authorised a force of 7,500 troops from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Benin to fight the militants.

It is expected to seek a UN Security Council mandate, which could also include logistical support from other countries.

President Francois Hollande said Paris was also providing logistical and operational support, including delivering fuel and amunitions to countries fighting the insurgents.

He said France could not be expected to get involved in every crisis around the world and accused other major powers of inaction in Africa.

“This is a message to the international community and the biggest countries. Do your work and stop giving lessons and take action!” he said.

“In Africa, we have to help the Africans a lot more to fight terrorism, because if we do not, then other countries will be destabilised,” he added.

Very soon, the issue of insurgency will be over and regional peace will be restored.

Sunday, 8 February 2015

Ivory Coast emerge African champion.

AFCON 2015: IVORY COAST EMERGE AFRICAN CHAMPION.

An Ivory Coast fan celebrates his side's semi-final win over DR Congo

It was a fight to finish as Ivory Coast won the Africa Cup of Nations with a dramatic 9-8 penalty shootout victory over Ghana. Goalkeeper Boubacar Barry saved a penalty then scored the winning spot-kick.

The game had finished goalless after extra-time in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, but the Elephants fought their way through the Black Stars on the football pitch to emerge victorious.

This is the second time the Elephants are being crowned African champion, after 11-10 win over Ghana on penalty in Senegal 1992.

NEDG Cancels Election Debate

NIGERIA ELECTION: NEDG Cancels Presidential Debate

The Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) has postponed the presidential debate which was scheduled for February 8, 2015. The Chairman of the group, Mr Sola Omole, made this known to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja after an emergency meeting by the group, sequel to the postponement of the general elections.

He said the debate would be rescheduled, and that the group would communicate same to Nigerians. Omole said “following the announcement by INEC chairman regarding the new date for the general elections in Nigeria, the Nigeria Elections Debate Group has postponed the presidential debate earlier scheduled for February 8."

He added that “This is a mark of respect for Nigeria as a whole, for all of the stakeholders in this process; we believe that Nigerians should concentrate and discuss the postponement of the elections.”

“The NEDG met this morning and considering all options, the presidential debate will still be held and the dates will be determined very soon. Once the dates are determined, Nigerians will be adequately informed.”

He stressed that the elections debate would hold in no distant time. NAN reports that INEC had, on February 7, rescheduled the nation’s general elections earlier slated for February 14 and 28, to March 28 and April 11 following submissions by service chiefs on security of lives and property of Nigerians during the elections.

Keep your fingers crossed until a new date for the debate is announced.

Home About Us Advertise With Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy TODAY Home News Metro+ Business Politics Entertainment Sports Technology Lifestyle Opinion Home / News / POLL SHIFT: NEDG cancels presidential debates POLL SHIFT: NEDG cancels presidential debates By Olawale Kadir on February 8, 2015 @ 12:01 pm@todayngr nedg Click here for Nigeria's Largest Newspaper Directory Following last night postponement of the general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) has postponed the presidential debate scheduled for Feb. 8. The Chairman of the group, Mr Sola Omole, disclosed this to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja after an emergency meeting by the group, following the postponement of the general elections. He said the debate would be scheduled at a later date, adding that the group would communicate to Nigerians when a new decision was reached. He stated that “following the announcement by INEC chairman regarding the new date for the general elections in Nigeria, the Nigeria Elections Debate Group has postponed the presidential debate earlier scheduled for Feb. 8. “This is a mark of respect for Nigeria as a whole, for all of the stakeholders in this process; we believe that Nigerians should concentrate and discuss the postponement of the elections. “The NEDG met this morning and considering all options, the presidential debate will still be held and the dates will be determined very soon. “Once the dates are determined, Nigerians will be adequately informed.” Omole stressed that the elections debate would hold in no distant time. NAN reports that INEC had, on Feb. 7, rescheduled the nation’s general elections earlier slated for Feb. 14 and Feb. 28 to March 28 and April 11 following submissions by service chiefs on security of lives and property of Nigerians during the elections. The new dates are; March 28 for Presidential and National Assembly elections and April 11 for governorship and state houses of assembly elections. Got a news tip, article or press release for us? E-mail: scoop@today.ng or editor@today.ng Follow us on Twitter at @todayngr and Facebook at facebook.com/todayngr Related Items2015 electionsNEDGNewsNigeriaNigeria 2015nigeria news ← Previous Story Despite postponement of elections, May 29 handover date still stands – Lawyers Next Story → NFF to decide Keshi’s future on Tuesday You may also like... PDP1 PDP members battle chairman over N70m campaign fund Joshua-Dariye Kidnappers of ex-Plateau governor, Joshua Dariye’s father demand $10m ransom ASUU ASUU condemns postponement of elections, says decision is serious setback for Nigeria’s democracy Advertisement Facebook Twitter Twitter TODAY TODAY @todayngr Despite postponement of elections, May 29 handover date still stands – Lawyers today.ng/news/despite-p… reply retweet favorite 10:24 am · February 8, 2015 Popular Latest Comments Femi-Fani-Kayode If I expose the demons in APC, Nigeria will burn – Fani-Kayode Asari-dokubo-620x400 SHOTS FIRED: The Emir of Kano is a dog – Asari Dokubo Kashim-Shettima-Borno1 If I speak, heads will roll – Gov. Shettima threatens patrick sawyer EBOLA OUTBREAK: Why Patrick Sawyer travelled to Nigeria – Wife Advertisement Copyright © 2014 Newsdesk Media. All rights reserved.

Read full story here:

POLL SHIFT: NEDG cancels presidential debates By Olawale Kadir on February 8, 2015 @ 12:01 pm@todayngr nedg Click here for Nigeria's Largest Newspaper Directory Following last night postponement of the general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) has postponed the presidential debate scheduled for Feb. 8. The Chairman of the group, Mr Sola Omole, disclosed this to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja after an emergency meeting by the group, following the postponement of the general elections. He said the debate would be scheduled at a later date, adding that the group would communicate to Nigerians when a new decision was reached. He stated that “following the announcement by INEC chairman regarding the new date for the general elections in Nigeria, the Nigeria Elections Debate Group has postponed the presidential debate earlier scheduled for Feb. 8. “This is a mark of respect for Nigeria as a whole, for all of the stakeholders in this process; we believe that Nigerians should concentrate and discuss the postponement of the elections. “The NEDG met this morning and considering all options, the presidential debate will still be held and the dates will be determined very soon. “Once the dates are determined, Nigerians will be adequately informed.” Omole stressed that the elections debate would hold in no distant time. NAN reports that INEC had, on Feb. 7, rescheduled the nation’s general elections earlier slated for Feb. 14 and Feb. 28 to March 28 and April 11 following submissions by service chiefs on security of lives and property of Nigerians during the elections. The new dates are; March 28 for Presidential and National Assembly elections and April 11 for governorship and state houses of assembly elections.

Read full story here: