Global Naija Info

Soldiers involved in ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ Four soldiers attached to the Joint Task Force, JTF, Operation Delta Safe, ODS, who are currently carrying out an operation codenamed ‘Crocodile Smile’, to rid the Niger Delta of criminalities, were on Monday feared dead in the creeks of Bayelsa State. The loss of the security personnel, it was learnt, followed a boat mishap along the Brass Water Front in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa, which led to the troops drowning in the water which was said to have risen to a high level at the time. All the weapons in the possession of the troops at the time of the accident, including service rifles, were also said to be missing. It wasn’t clear why the boat capsized, but it was gathered that during the accident, which occurred about 10am on Monday, many other soldiers were able to swim to safety, though their weapons could not be recovered at the time of this report. No military officer was willing to comment on the matter, but it wa...

Senate President, Bukola Saraki The Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi, says that increasing fuel pump price beyond 145 Naira will translate to more hardship on Nigerians. Abdullahi stated this at a news conference in Abuja on Monday, while reacting to the recommendations by former Group Managing Directors (GMDs) of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The former GMDs had claimed that the current fuel price cap of N145 per litre of petrol was not in line with current economic realities and called for upward review of the price. Abdullahi advised the Federal Government to ignore the recommendation, saying that it would not augur well for Nigerians who were already groaning under the yoke of hardship. “Let me say that this is my personal opinion; I am not making this submission as spokesman of the senate. “I read the newspaper report and I was disturbed, worried and I think for all intents and purposes, I’m very much disappointed. “F...

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan The Oke-Oluokun, Ibadan, home of late Chief Adegoke Adelabu is to be officially enlisted as one of the tourist sites in Oyo State. This was revealed during the memorial programme tagged “58 years after 1958” and public presentation of the newly rehabilitated home (TAJ MAHAL) in honour of the late minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. According to a statement signed by the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Toye Arulogun, who represented Governor Abiola Ajimobi at the event, the government explained that the development was in recognition, remembrance and celebration of the eloquent and flowery politician’s enviable academic records, exceptional writing skills, oratorical prowess and contributions to the Nigerian political landscape especially as the pioneer of grassroots politics in the then Western Nigeria during his short lifetime. The government commended the efforts of the Adegoke Adel...

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman Jethro Ibileke/Benin The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared its readiness to conduct the gubernatorial election in Edo state, scheduled for Saturday. A special adviser to the Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Mohammad Kuna, stated this on Monday in Benin, the State capital, at a stakeholders meeting on public presentation of the security threat assessment for the election, organised by CLEEN foundation in Benin city. Kuna said the Commission has been well equipped in terms of human and capital resources to carry out the exercise, urging that all stakeholders must be up and doing to ensure a violent free polls. “It is however important that the people must own the process of electoral system. It has been observed that whatever the modalities INEC has put on ground to conduct a credible poll, the people must ensure that they behave in a civil manner to help democracy grow in the country,” he said. In his presentation, Prof....

Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, acting Inspector General of Police Jethro Ibileke/Benin The immediate past Commissioner for Police in Edo State, Mr. Chris Ezike, has assured the people of the state of adequate security of lives and properties during next Saturday gubernatorial election. Ezike gave the assurance in Benin while handing over to his successor, Mr. Fimihan Adeoye. According to the outgone CP, elections in some parts of the country have been inconclusive because of security challenges. He therefore urged the new Commissioner of Police and the Edo Police Command to implement the laid down security arrangement for the success of the gubernatorial election, just as he also urged officers and men of the State Police Command to remain professional and police with integrity. “For the election, Nigerians are looking up to Edo State to lead so that others will follow. You either remain a professional or a police politician,” Ezike told officers of the command. He said he was leaving E...

Activists marking the 7th anniversary of the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi Some Activists on Monday said they had resolved to mobilise the people to begin a political movement that would take away the sufferings of the common man and the poor in Nigeria from Oct. 1. The activists made the decision at a rally to mark the 7th year anniversary of Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi at the Freedom Park, Ojota, Lagos. The rally was jointly organised by the National Conscience Party (NCP) and a section of the Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organisation (GAFAMORG). The late human rights lawyer, popularly called “Gani’’, died at 71 on Sept. 5, 2009, after a prolonged battle with lung cancer. During his lifetime, the highly vocal lawyer, who rose to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), stood on the side of the masses and condemned bad government policies, leading to his arrest and detention on numerous occasions. He also delved into politics and founded the National Conscience Party. The Secretary of ...

Nigeria’s currency, the naira The Naira on Monday appreciated marginally at the interbank market, gaining N0.57 against the dollar. The Nigerian currency closed at N314.20 from N314.77 it traded at the interbank market on Friday. The Naira, however, dipped three points to N425 at the parallel market, from its Friday rate of N422 against the dollar. Also at the parallel market, it traded at N537 and N465 against the Pound Sterling and the Euro respectively. At the Bureau De Change (BDC) segment of the market, the naira exchanged at N422, N535 and N464 to the dollar, Pound Sterling and the Euro respectively. Traders at the market said that the scarcity of forex was responsible for the poor performance of the naira.