| Federal Executive Council resolves that the President is capable of discharging his functions |
 |
 |
 |
|
· Federal Executive Council resolves that President Umaru Yar'Adua is capable of discharging the functions of his office; · Federal Government earmarks N9 billion to combat swine flu · Officials say the "black box" flight recorders from a passenger jet which crashed off the coast of Lebanon two days ago have been found. · United States President, Barack Obama makes jobs top priority in State of Union speech
Federal Executive Council has resolved that President Umaru Yar'Adua is capable of discharging the functions of his office. The resolution was in pursuant to the January 22 directive of the Federal High Court, Abuja. Attorney-General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa, read out the Council's resolution while briefing State House Correspondents on the outcome of the FEC meeting. Mr Aondoakaa said council unanimously passed a resolution that the President is not incapable of discharging the functions of his office.
Meanwhile, Senate has asked President Umaru Yar'Adua to formally notify the National Assembly of his medical vacation, in line with Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution. Senate President David Mark, who read the resolution, said the upper chamber also resolved to direct its Committee on the Constitution Review to propose an amendment to section 145, in view of the flaws exposed by the present circumstance. Track 1 that was Senate President. Briefing newsmen later, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media, Ayogu Eze, said the upper chamber examined all the issues involved, constitutionally, socially and politically. He said after an exhaustive deliberation, senate decided to speak like statesmen even though there were certain limitations in the Constitution. Senator Eze said the upper chamber embodies the mandate of the people of Nigeria and tries to reflect their aspirations and desires.
Former President Olusegun Obsanjo yesterday night arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport Ikeja from Libya. Asked for his comment on the reactions that trailed his statement regarding the health of his successor, President Yar’Adua, the former president declined comment. When pressed further, the former president gave the anxious newsmen a military salute and drove off.
Federal Government has earmarked N9 billion to combat the H1N1 pandemic, otherwise known as swine flu. The Minister also declared that the battle for eradication of guinea worm scourge that ravaged some states in the country in the last decade was effectively over. Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola has expressed shock over the murder of an Action Congress chieftain in Ogun State, Dipo Dina. In a condolence message to late Dina’s widow, Adenike, the governor said he was horrified by the murder, describing it as an irreparable loss. Governor Fashola said Mr Dina pursued justice with doggedness, forthrightness and integrity. He urged his wife, to take solace in the belief that her husband lived a fulfilled life.
Meanwhile, former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar has described the assassination of Dipo Dina, as another dark chapter in the nation’s democratic journey. Alhaji Atiku, in a statement, regretted the tragic circumstances of Mr Dina’s death, warning that the incident further highlights another dangerous level of insecurity.
Lagos Lawyer, Monday Ubani says the un-talking attitude of religious leaders in the country has contributed to the present state of the nation. In an interview with Georges Adebajo, Barr Ubani, who noted that it was a sin to see injustice and keep silent, said religious leaders and prophets of old were imprisoned for criticizing political leaders of their time. He however, extolled the Later Rain Assembly’s Senior Pastor, Tunde Bakare, for resolving to be the voice of the masses. Officials say the "black box" flight recorders from a passenger jet which crashed off the coast of Lebanon two days ago have been found. A search team located the recorders from the Ethiopian Airlines flight just over 1.3km underwater, 10km west of the capital, Beirut. Lebanese security officials said the search team is now trying to retrieve them. All 90 people on board the flight are presumed dead following the crash.
United States President, Barack Obama in his first State of the Union address says creating jobs must be the nation's number one focus. President Obama accepted Americans were "hurting" and that his election pledge of change had not come quickly enough. He defended his bank bailout policy, saying it had saved many jobs, but said there would be a freeze on spending from 2011 to tackle the deficit. President Obama also said he stood by his attempts to bring about healthcare reform. BUSINESS: Securities and Exchange Commission considers tenures for quoted firms’ directors ENTERTAINMENT: Oscars’ shortlist to be revealed by Actress Anne Hathaway SPORTS: Kwara State government approves N1.3 billion contract to upgrade stadium
BUSINESS Securities and Exchange Commission is considering enforcing the 2009 Code of Corporate Governance which will limit the tenures of directors of quoted companies. This proposal is, however, not popular even among the capital regulators themselves because they fear it may scare companies away from getting listed in the market.
Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi has urged Federal Government to sell the country's refineries to private operators for optimal use of the facilities and efficient management. He said people were reluctant to invest in the refineries because the prices of petroleum products were regulated and as such investors were scared of not recouping their investments in the sector.
ENTERTAINMENT Actress Anne Hathaway will help to announce the nominees for the 2010 Oscars next week. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said the 27-year-old would join their president, Tom Sherak, to reveal 10 of the 24 awards. The nominations will be announced at the academy's Beverly Hills headquarters on 2 February. Hathaway was nominated for an Oscar in 2009 for her leading role in Rachel Getting Married.
SPORTS Kwara State government has concluded plans to award N1.3 billion contract for the reconstruction and upgrading of the state stadium complex, Ilorin. Information Commissioner, Ben Duntoye said N1 billion will be sourced from the capital market while 30 per cent of the contract sum will be paid as mobilization fee to the contractor. Meanwhile, Sports Commissioner, Abubakar Kannike, said the stadium would be redesigned and upgraded from its present 9, 000 to 35,000 capacity.
President Jacob Zuma dismissed has fears of any attack at the World Cup later this year, promising South Africa would host a safe competition.
|