Convicted pension thief, Mr. John Yakubu Yusufu, was yesterday, remanded in Prison custody by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, following his alleged complicity in another N300 million fraud.

Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called on the Federal Government to commence the process of licensing preachers in the country to reduce the incidence of wrong indoctrination of youths.

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Wednesday, described recent statement linked to former Federal Capital Territory Minister, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, on Jesus Christ, as not only reckless but also indicative of deep-seated moral bankcruptcy.

…Says govt ‘ll not engage her in any public debate
ABUJA—THE Presidency has again taken a swipe at former Vice President, World Bank, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, accusing her of inciting Nigerians against the Federal Government, just as it stressed that her allegations were almost stupid and senseless.

One of the eight civil servants accused of complicity in the illegal diversion of over N40 billion from the Nigeria Police Pension Funds, Mr. John Yakubu Yusufu, yesterday, confessed before an Abuja High Court that he connived with the others and stole only about N23 billion. He was, however, sentenced to two years imprisonment with an option of N750,000 fine.

AFTER 42 months of ceaseless attacks during which it killed about 3000 Nigerians, the Jama’atul Ahalis Sunna Lida’awati Wal Jihad, also known as Boko Haram Islamic sect, yesterday, agreed to lay down its arms for peace to prevail in the country.

Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, erstwhile president of the senate, is presently the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF with oversight over preparations for the country’s centenary celebrations. Ahead of next month’s flag-off of the 22 month long celebrations, Senator Anyim alongside the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke unfolded plans to commemorate the proclamation during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos.

Former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, said Monday, that she was resolute in her demand for a full disclosure of oil revenues earned under the administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan even as British Prime Minister, David Cameron asked President Goodluck Jonathan to account for $100 billion (N15.7 trillion) oil revenue which accrued to Nigeria last year.

Former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili has challenged officials of the Federal Government to a public debate following the government’s rebuttal to her comments alleging that the governments of Presidents Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, squandered $67 billion (about N10.6trn) in foreign reserves.

Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo weekend, said the turn of the Igbo to occupy the Presidency had come, warning that any attempt to rip the South East of its due after President Jonathan’s tenure would be resisted.

The Federal Government, yesterday, reacted to comments by the former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, alleging that the governments of presidents Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, squandered $67 billion in foreign reserve, describing the allegation as “outlandish and clearly fictitious”.

Grisha Ghead, the Egyptian referee who officiated the Nigeria versus Zambia match have been sent home.

Protocols
I am hugely delighted to return to my alma mater the great and only University of Nigeria to speak at your 42nd convocation. Twenty eight years ago I sat just like you those of you who are part of the graduating Class of 2013; excited by my graduation. It was 1985 and I was very privileged to be one of the then only 3% of our own youthful population that had the opportunity of a university education. Today, you are still fortunate to be one of the yet paltry 4.3% of your own youthful generation with an opportunity for university education. For Nigeria that percentage does not compare favorably with 37.5% for Chile 33.7% for Singapore 28.2% for Malaysia, 16.5% for Brazil and 14.6%. Our lag in tertiary education enrollment is quite revealing and could be interpreted as the basis of the competitiveness gap between the same set of countries and Nigeria.

The Federal Government, Sunday, reacted angrily to comments by the former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili alleging that the governments of Presidents Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, squandered $67 billion(about N10.6trn) in foreign reserves, describing the allegation as “outlandish and clearly fictitious.”

FORMER national chairman of the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Dr. Dele Oluwatade, has appealed to the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria to review the decision of the Catholic Church to pull out of CAN, saying that such a decision would provide a leeway for the enemies to destroy the Body of Christ upon which the Church was founded.