There are a number of companies with significant total capital employed but which companies are not listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE. Besides their registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, these companies operate in areas such as banking, telecommunications, crude oil exploration and the electric power sector in which areas the companies require the grant of licences from government agencies before the companies can operate.

ABA—Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Aba branch, Sir Chidozie Ogunji, has said if Governor Okezie Ikpeazu could fulfil his promise of renewal of infrastructure and boost trade and commerce in Aba to get the city working again, he would discover that resources from Aba could run Abia State effectively without relying on federal allocations.

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, declined to sack Governor Benedict Ayade of Cross Rivers State from office over an allegation that he falsified his age. A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Chief Joe Odey Agi, had in his suit, alleged that governor Ayade lied about his age.

Lance Corporal Itugbu Augustine Omorodion of 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Abia State, who was arrested over a case of robbery two weeks ago in Aba area of the state, has been dismissed from Nigerian Army.

LAGOS—A teenager, Akinmuyiwa Apara, has been arraigned before an Oshodi Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly assaulting one Abbey Jonathan by stabbing him with a bottle on his head, with intent to steal.

ABEOKUTA—Ogun State Police Command, yesterday, arraigned a 33-year-old estate agent, Kehinde Fatunse, before an Abeokuta Chief Magistrate’s court for allegedly defrauding 25 accommodation seekers of N2.6 million.

OWERRI—The alleged leader of a 15-member gang of the notorious Neo Black Movement, also known as Black Axe, said to be terrorizing Egbu in Owerri North local government area of Imo State, has been gunned down by the police.

When in October last year, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture promised to significantly boost commercial agriculture among Itsekiri communities in Delta State, skeptics had taken it as empty political statement. Last week Tuesday, however, that promise was partly fulfilled in no small measures as the Ministry boosted commercial fishing among Itsekiri communities with provision of fishing boats, nets and other gears to fishermen in the area.

THE World Health Organisation, WHO, has validated Cuba as the first country in the world to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.

Lagos—The police in Lagos have arraigned 50- year-old Raggae music star, Victor Essiet, of The Mandators fame, and one Patricia Enobong before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court for allegedly obtaining $86,376 under false pretence