| ·Senate denies plan to impeach President Umaru Yar'Adua |
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·Senate denies plan to impeach President Umaru Yar'Adua ·Nigeria Police mobilizes 23, 230 policemen for Anambra State governorship poll; ·south Africa's main opposition party accuses President Jacob Zumaof contradicting government's message on HIV/AIDS prevention. ·United States to resume shortly Haiti medical evacuation flights; Senate has denied there were moves to impeach President Umaru Yar'Adua. The denial came amidst alleged plan by 200 members of the House of Representatives to initiate impeachment proceedings against the President. A statement from the Upper House denied that the Senate leadership was in favor of impeaching President Yar'Adua and his deputy over issues surrounding the President's medical vacation. Meanwhile, Conference of Nigerian Political Parties has also asked Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to reconstitute the Federal Executive Council to include members who can revive the country. Nigeria Police has mobilized 23, 230 officers and men for the Saturday, February 6 governorship election in Anambra State. The state police command‘s Public Relations Officer, Emeka Chukwuemeka, said the policemen would begin to arrive in the state from Wednesday. He explained that each polling station would be manned by five policemen and reiterated the preparedness of the command in ensuring a hitch-free poll. Meanwhile, Commander of 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, Joseph Osuji, has assured residents of Anambra State of safety of their lives and property during and after the governorship election. Brig.-Gen. Osuji saidthe state Security Council had taken decisive and strategic security steps on perceived flash-points in the state. He said security agencies in the state are insisting that people should vote and avoid all forms of malpractice; and you will see that things will go on well that very day. The Action Congress has called on the Federal Government to find a lasting solution the persistent fuel scarcity rocking the nation. AC spokesman Lai Mohammed said Nigerians are going through untold hardship due to the fuel scarcity. Alhaji Mohammed told correspondent Esther Oyegue that it is shameful that Nigeria, though one of the top oil producers, cannot refine enough products for domestic use. Meanwhile,South West National Vice Chairman of the Action Congress, Tajudeen Olusi, says the party will not be part of the mega party arrangement. The decision was reached at a meeting with Osun leaders of the party during a visit to Osogbo. Mr Olusi said the AC had deliberated extensively on why the opposition wanted to form the mega party and concluded that the aims were at variance with that of the AC. He said the party would not join the mega party because it is a strong and solid party with a formidable structure,coupled with national spread. Lagos State Government has advised owners of buildings that are above 40 years to carry out laboratory test on their buildings so as to know the strength. The State Government also urged building owners who were not certain about the structural stability of their buildings to voluntarily apply to Material Testing Laboratory.Information Commissioner, Opeyemi Bamidele, said the advice became imperative, to prevent further loss of lives and property through preventable collapse of building in any part the state. Meanwhile, Lagos State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency arrested 201 suspected drug dealers and seized 4,373 kg of illicit drugs in 2009.Command’s Head of Public Affairs, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the suspects, comprising 181 men and 20 women, were found in possession of assorted drugs including cocaine and Indian hemp. He also said over 50 black spots in the state were constantly raided by men of the Command in a bid to apprehend the suspects. Meanwhile, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has suspended the ceasefire it called last year in response to the Federal Government’s amnesty program. MEND said it was annoyed by lack of government’s action in addressing their demand that the people of the Niger Delta be allowed to control the resources in their region. Its spokesman, Gbomo Jomo, in a statement said oil companies should halt all oil exploration and exportation warning that the blood of those who ignore the warning should be upon the head of any company that disregards it. A Non Governmental Organization, Victims of Persecution, has urged public office holders not to amass wealth for their selfish interestbut to develop the society. A representative of theNGO,Chukwuma Ume said it is the failure of government to totally shun corruption that warranted Nigeria being listed by the United States as a terrorist country. Mr. Ume called on Federal Government to put the necessary machineries in place that will ensure the development of basic infrastructures in the country. South Africa's main opposition party has accused the country's president of contradicting government's message on HIV/Aids prevention. The Democratic Alliance issued a statement after claims that President Jacob Zuma had fathered a child out of wedlock last year. There has been no comment from the woman, Sonono Khoza, President Zuma, or his party, the ANC. President Zuma married for the fifth time earlier this year. The White House says United States will resume within hours emergency evacuation flights for critically injured Haitian quake victims. The airlifts stopped last Wednesday because of what Washington described as"logistical issues". Doctors warned scores of people would die if the flights did not resume soon. Meanwhile, it has emerged some of the Haitian children identified as orphans by a group of Americans who were taking them abroad may have parents. BUSINESS:India seals oil deals with Nigeria and Angola ENTERTAINMENT:Nigeria Music Artiste, W4 has released two new singles; SPORTS: Ex-international Mutiu Adepoju urges Nigeria Football Federation and SuperEagles to learn from Angola 2010; BUSINESS India has stepped up its efforts to gain an economic foothold in Africa by signing energy deals with top oil producers-Angola and Nigeria. India has lagged behind China's aggressive courting of African nations to secure rights to energy as well as raw materials. Nigeria is already India's largest African trading partner, at about $10 billion yearly, and its Oil Minister,Murli Deora said his country wants to see that figure grow. STOCK MARKET REPORT Activities at the Nigerian Stock Exchange ended positively last Friday with a 0.24 percent rise in market indices. Of the 79 equities that were traded, the prices of 45 stocks rose in contrast to the 34 stocks whose prices depreciated. Nigerian Bottling Company topped in the price gainers’ table, growing by N1.30 to close at N27.30 per share. Cadbury led on the price losers’ chart,depreciating by 86k to close at N16.39 per share. ENTERTAINMENT Nigeria Music Artiste, W4 has released two new singles titled “That Girl” and “No go won go” from his forthcoming album “Just another Day”. Speaking in an interview with Correspondent, Ijeoma Okoye, the hip hop artiste said in the album that he did a collabo with Tu-face, Sound Sultan, Da Grin among others. The Lagos based music act, however added that shows and tours nationally and internationally, was the main reason why it took him almost five year to release his new work. Pop star, Beyonce has won six Grammy Awards at the prestigious US music ceremony in Los Angeles. Going into the night with 10 nominations, her awards included song of the year and best R&B song, both for Single Ladies. Twenty-year-old country star, Taylor Swift picked up four prizes, including the coveted album of the year title. Track 2 that was Taylor Swift SPORTS A former Super Eagles midfielder Mutiu Adepoju has called on the Nigeria Football Federation and the players to draw lessons from the Angola 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. He said Egypt has been performing in African football because the officials take the Egyptian league seriously. Adepoju said the performances of the Eagles was far from convincing, insisting that only friendly matches could reveal who would be fit for the World Cup in South Africa. TODAY IN HISTORY February 1, 1991 – South African President F. W. de Klerk, said he would repeal all apartheid laws February 1, 1978 – Movie Director, Roman Polanski skipped bail and fled to France after pleading guilty to charges of engaging in sex with a 13-year-old girl ODD SIDE OF NEWS The son of a well-known pastor has taken out an order of protection against his father, claiming he was threatened with a gun during an argument at a church over his lack of church attendance. The order of protection was filed by 32-year-old Michael Louis Colquitt against 60-year-old Joe Colquitt, pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church. The younger man told police his father pulled out a handgun when they met at the church to discuss church attendance. He told officers his father pointed the gun at him and threatened to kill him, his wife and family. |