House of Representatives has blamed the Presidency for delay in passing the 2010 appropriation bill into law. Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Eseme Eyiboh said the Presidency had just brought six new adjustments to the budget proposals. He said the adjustments were targeted at areas such as security, infrastructure development and service delivery.

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Meanwhile, the House has defended its resolution that condemned the manner in which Edo State House of Assembly Speaker was removed. Reacting to reports that the matter was before a court, House spokesman, Eseme Eyiboh told correspondent, Emiene Odaudu that there were no documents to that effect.

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Inter-party advisory council has called for the injection of new blood into the Presidential Advisory Council.

Speaking to correspondent Ogechi Iwu, IPAC Chairman, Perry Opara said though the formation of the council was a step in the right direction, there is urgent need to bring in younger people with more dynamic ideas. He said many of those in the council had been in the corridors of power for decades and should be rested.

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Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo says a new orientation for politicians is imperative to achieve free and fair elections in Africa. The former President said there were no bad elections on the continent, but bad politicians. Chief Obasanjo had led African Union officials to Lome, Togo to monitor the country’s just-concluded presidential election.

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Meanwhile, a member of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rotimi Olowo has criticized the National Assembly for declining to deliberate on President, Umaru Yar’Adua’s health status. Speaking with correspondent, Ijeoma Okoye, Hon. Olowo said they have allowed their personal interests to becloud their sense of reasoning. 

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Lagos State Police Command says government’s recent logistic support has provided a tremendously help to the command.

State Police Public Relation Officer, Frank Mba told correspondent Johnson Ayedun that recent donation of additional equipment and other gestures from the state have really motivated officers in performing their duties. He said such assistance has helped in repositioning the command. 

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Nigerians have continued to hail US offer, to assist the Federal Government to realize 10,000 mega watt of electricity by 2011. A cross-section of Nigerians, who spoke to correspondent, Arinola Isioye said the partnership would save Nigerians from perpetual black-out. They also said the offer would encourage budding small scale industries in the country. 

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The Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, Abia Chapter, has suspended the indefinite strike it embarked on March 1. Abia NULGE Chairman, Eze Idima, said the three-day-old strike was suspended to enable NLC mediate in the face-off.

The strike was to protest the non-payment of arrears of salaries and the arbitrary transfer of treasurers to state ministries.

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Acting Police Commissioner in Plateau State, Ikechukwu Aduba, has advised students, to observe the curfew imposed on Jos. He made the call today when Igbo law students from the University of Jos paid him a visit.

Mr. Aduba said it was important to remind students that the curfew was still in full force, to avoid any clash with security agents.

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The British Council has said it is closing all its information outlets in Nigeria, owing to changing market conditions affecting its funding. The Council is the United Kingdom's international organization for the promotion of educational opportunities and cultural relations. Its Learning and Development Hub Coordinator, Oyekale Oyekunle, said the Nigeria Learning and Development hubs will be closed on March 13, 2010.

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Prime Minister, Gordon Brown has said the 2003 war was "right", as he gives evidence to the UK's Iraq inquiry. He insisted he had not been kept in the dark by his predecessor, Tony Blair in the run-up to the invasion. He said going by his own intelligence briefings Iraq was a threat that "had to be dealt with".

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A suicide bomber has killed about 10 people and wounded another 30 near a market in Pakistan's northwest. Police said the attacker blew himself up as a convoy of civilians escorted by security forces passed.

Suicide bombings have eased in recent weeks, following military gains against the Taliban.

 : : : BUSINESS : : :

The Central Bank of Nigeria has been urged to help regulate the commission on turn-over in banks. In a poll conducted by correspondent, Arinola Isioye, Nigerians say, banks should not use excess charging of COT, as a way to recoup their lost money. They appealed to banks in the country to consider the economy situation, while fixing their COT. 

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On the floor of the Nigerian Stock Market today, AP topped the gainers with 80 kobo, followed PZ with 41 kobo and ETERNAOIL with 30 kobo.

CADBURY, on the other hand, led the losers with 40 kobo, followed by RTBRISCOE with 26 kobo and ECOBANK with 25 kobo.

Market capitalization stood at 5.522 trillion naira, with all shares index of 22.931.43 points.

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1 US Dollar = 152 Naira

1 British Pound = 229 Naira

1 Euro = 207 Naira

 : : : ENTERTAINMENT : : :

US rap star, Snoop Dogg has won the latest round in a long-running fight with UK border authorities, over his right to enter the country. The 38-year-old was denied a UK tour visa in 2007, but managed to have it lifted the following year. After the UK Border Agency challenged the ruling, two senior immigration judges decided border authorities were wrong to deny the hip-hop star entry.

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An Enugu court has granted an injunction to stop the Nigeria Premier League elections from taking place next week. Petitioner, Ray Nnaji, who claimed he bought forms to contest the election, but failed to be nominated by his hometown club, Rangers sought the court to declare the NPL, as an 'illegal body'.

NPL committee chairman, Tony Rafua confirmed the electoral body had been served with the court paper.

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Manchester United striker, Michael Owen will not play again this season, after pulling his hamstring in the 2-1 Carling Cup win over Aston Villa. The 30-year-old, who scored United's equalizer at Wembley, pulled up while chasing a pass in the first half.

The injury ends Owen's hopes of playing for England at the World Cup.