For deploying a whooping sum of N1.42 billion to 11 universities in Nigeria for the purpose of bringing their Geoscience departments to world standard, the Univerisity Assistance Programme, bankrolled by Mobil Producing Nigeria and its co-sponsors, has been commended by stakeholders.

The Management of Spring Bank Plc has said that the recapitalisation process of the bank is on course.

The recent signing of the Freedom of Information Bill into law by President Goodluck Jonathan has thrown some challenges on Nigerians on how to get the law achieving the expected result.

Helen Brand, chief executive of global accountancy body ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) has been awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s Official Birthday Honours list on June 11, 2011.

On his part, Samad Davis, New Jersey producer/Director who is bent on elevating the quality of content produced in the entertainment industry in Africa stated that The Spirited Actor- the Search for Africa’s Next Hollywood Star’s casting Audition process is modeled in the manner of American Idol; and therefore urged contestants to be ready to pay some amount of money into the project’s bank account.

Lagos lawyer, Mr. Ekene Odum, has joined the restrictive list of senior arbitrators as he was recently named a Fellow of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Nigeria.

Imo State House of Assembly has approved Governor Rochas Okorocha’s request to appoint 10 special advisers.

The Zamfara State House of Assembly has approved Governor Abdulaziz Yari’srequest to secure a N5 billion loan from a commercial bank to finance some development projects.

The recently signed Strategic Alliance Agreement,SAA, agreement between the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited , NPDC, and Septa Energy Nigeria Ltd,SENL has been challenged before a Federal High Court sitting in Ikeja.

For allegedly destroying property, harassing innocent people and raping women in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, the Traditional Rulers’ Council in the area has given promoters of masquerades stringent conditions.

LAGOS State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan, to ensure that indigenes were appointed to represent their states as Ministers.

Naira appreciated the most in six weeks against the dollar after the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, data showed reserves have increased this month.

FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo, Wednesday, in Geneva, Switzerland took a swipe at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, over their efforts at tackling corruption since he left office.

A Pan Okpe socio-political group, Okpe for Change, has called on the Delta State government and the Okpe people to consider their kindred in the three federal wards of Aghalokpe for both elective positions and political appointments, insisting that it was the turn of Aghalokpe to produce the next Chairman of the local government area.

Former Deputy Speaker in the Gombe State House of Assembly, Alhaji Inua Garba, was yesterday elected unopposed as the new speaker of the 4th Assembly with Alhaji Kawu Musa Biri emerging as his deputy.