THE Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, yesterday, struck out an application by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman, Dangote Group of Companies, asking the court to stay further proceedings in the suit challenging his election as the President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, before a Federal High Court, Lagos.

By Taye Obateru Jos—Former Military Administrator of Delta State and PDP Senatorial aspirant in Plateau State, Col. John Dungs has faulted the insistence of some Northern leaders on zoning of the presidency, calling it a gimmick for perpetual domination. He told journalists in Jos, yesterday, that the argument about zoning was a ruse as there […]

The House of Representatives, yesterday, disclosed that the N257.1 billion Airport Road expansion contract variously awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Limited, Aran Contractors and others, was ‘fraudulently’ upped by the Ministry of Works from the quoted and approved sum by over N2 billion.

Bharti Airtel, new owners of Zain Africa operations, including Nigeria, has announced that it was going to inject about $600 million into Zain operations in Nigeria to prove its long term commitment to the growth of the telecommunications in Nigeria.

The company said it was also committed to offering affordable services, deep network coverage and distribution backed by a superior brand experience to customers.

Addressing a world press conference at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday, the company’s CEO (International) & Jt. Managing Director, Mr. Manoj Kohli, described its acquisition of Zain Africa as a milestone achievement, adding that his company was ready to be a partner in Nigeria’s growth and as well work with the government to take telecom networks deep into all corners of the country to touch the common man.

According to him, “we are here for the long run and want to be a partner in the growth story of Nigeria. We believe we have inherited a very well run operations in Nigeria and look forward to working with our team of highly talented professionals and take these operations from strength to strength.”

Also speaking, Zain Nigeria CEO, Rajan Swaroop, said: “In Nigeria, we will continue to build on the momentum and we are committed to taking the telecommunications industry to new heights. Going forward, it will be our endeavour to raise the bar and bring best in-class service, seamless network experience and introduce innovative products and services for our customers in Nigeria .”

However, the company said it has budgeted to spend about $300 million in the first year of its operations in Nigeria, hoping that it would serve its desire of upping the quality of service of the network to what is obtainable at the moment, introduce innovative services and as well take services into the rural Nigeria to help the rural farmers enjoy the benefit of a mobile internet and ubiquitous telecom services.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the company in Nigeria, Mr Oba Otudeko, said irrespective of the twist and turns that had trailed the history of the company, resilience and love of God had left the company stronger.

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday sent his hearty congratulation to Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor on his election as president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN. The new CAN president was until his inauguration yesterday the national president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN.

Following a petition by a non-governmental organisation to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, ACHPR, calling for the stoppage of the execution of Nigerians on death row, the body has urged the government to stay action pending the determination of the petition filed before it.

Mr Azubuko Udah, the Assistant Inspector General, AIG, of Police, Zone II, says the police is making progress in unraveling the assassins of Otunba Dipo Dina.

YEARS ago it was said people would enjoy the fruit of their labour. Based on this belief, so many people invested their youth in the future of Nigeria. They shunned corruption.

These are the best of times for Nigeria football. I swear.At times like this all you need to do is,wake up in the morning, send someone to buy you the dailies and digest them with glee.

A GROUP of ex-generals of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger-Delta (MEND) , yesterday, apologized to the Coordinator of the Post-Amnesty Programme, Chief Timi Alaibe for the unruly behavior, last week, of some of the boys undergoing training at Obubra in Cross Rivers State.

I know a lot of men who have been ruined by women.
Their wives. Many men are living in hell because of the misfortune of marrying what they thought was the bone of their bone.

MOVEMENT for the Survival of Ogoni People, MOSOP, has hailed the judgment of a Federal High Court, Asaba, which awarded N15.4 billion in favour of Ejama Ebubu community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State in a suit by the community against Shell.

THE Federal Government’s hosting in London last week of the two-day summit on our 50th independence anniversary continues to draw fire from critics. The summit which saw an impressive outing by ministers, state governors, National Assembly members and leaders of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is being characterised as a waste of federal and state government resources; a needless depletion of our foreign exchange paying for travels, upkeep and generous foreign travel allowances.

FORMER Senate Chief Whip and chieftain of the Action Congress, AC, Senator Rowland Owie, yesterday, gave reason why the proposed plan to merge the Action Congress and the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, will fail.

CHAIRMAN, House Committee on Customs and Excise, Mr Abdullahi Faruk, has assured that his committee would take steps to improve on the efficiency and service delivery of the Nigerian Customs.