NIMASA spends N20bn on Seafarers’ programme

The proposed Ibaka deep sea port, Akwa Ibom, has been relocated to Ibeno Local Government Area, while the name has been changed to Ibom from Ibaka.
Vanguard gathered that the project analysis done by a foreign consultant and Transaction Advisers, FELAC Concept and Marine and Transport Business Solutions, MTBS, of Netherlands, showed that the port project would not be commercially viable if sited at Ibaka due to its long distance from the sea..
A source close to the Ministerial Steering and Delivery Committee for the port who spoke to Vanguard, explained that the project had to be moved initially to Okposo. The source further noted that the same problem of distance from the sea as well as the dense population, made it non-viable.
The source said that the soil analysis on Okposo showed that the earth there is marshy which would further drive up the cost of construction should it be sited there.

Amaechi leads APC presidential campaign team

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has named Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State as the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, which will drive the party’s efforts to win the 2015 presidential election.
In a statement in Lagos, yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the announcement followed the hugely successful convention at which its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), was democratically elected, and the follow-up successful choice of his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
It said Gov. Amaechi’s outstanding reputation as a man of courage, principle, strength of character, decency and love of country as well as his administrative prowess and organisational skills combined to fetch him perhaps the most important task in the quest for positive change in Nigeria. 
APC thanks Nigerians.

Bode George cautions Obanikoro over attacks

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Bode George, has called  for an end to verbal attacks by Obanikoro.
The statement reads; ‘’One has refrained from engaging Senator Musiliu Obanikoro despite his gross and alarmist provocations. I have deliberately remained distant and quiet, ignoring the stark obscenities of a desperate and obsessed man who is apparently incapable of absorbing the reality of his defeat by a well-bred and better man.
‘’For Obanikoro to claim in sheer ludicrousness that I, even remotely, identify with any intimations of violence is utter lunacy and blind, vindictive madness. Surely, Obanikoro is possessed and obsessed. He needs immediate psychiatric treatment. He is a desperate sinking man, grasping and thrashing in self inflicted chasm.

2015 Election: Buhari takes contest to Facebook

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has deployed the use of major social networking sites, to worm his way into the hearts of the electorate.

Checks by iPUNCH on Facebook on Thursday showed that the retired general had begun keeping up with the use of the social service with a view to attracting the support of the younger generation.

Although many online analysts might argue that Buhari registered his presence on social media late, his followership has begun growing in leaps and bounds.

Osinbajo laid foundation for efficient Lagos judiciary – Fashola

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has described the Vice Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as a competent professional who laid the foundation for an efficient judiciary in Lagos during his time as the Attorney-General.

Osinbajo, who was the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice under the administration of former Governor Bola Tinubu, was picked on Wednesday as the running mate for the APC Presidential candidate in the 2015 general elections, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

Fashola, who attributed what he described as an efficient and incorruptible Lagos State judiciary toOsinbajo, said he wished him well in his new journey.

Tompolo: Reps set to probe purchase of warships

The House of Representatives said on Thursday that it would investigate the circumstances surrounding the six warships said to have been procured by an ex-militant leader, Mr. Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a, Tompolo.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Zakari Mohammed, who disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday, also added that the 36 states’ Houses of Assembly would submit their report on the proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution to the National Assembly on Friday (today).
The House described the alleged purchase of the six warships by Tompolo as “scary,” saying that it raised security concerns at a time the country was facing tough security challenges.
Although, the Nigerian Navy said on Wednesday that the warships belonged to NIMASA, a Federal Government agency, Mohammed said the House would be interested in knowing how a private individual was now performing a function that was statutorily the Navy’s.
“That function should have been performed by the Navy.

U.S Court Ready To Release Certified Court Papers Of Tinubu’s Drug Crimes

The United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois has said it is willing to release the original certified true copies of Court papers that nailed former Lagos State Governor and National Leader of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu for drug crimes in the United States. Tinubu who is angling to be the Vice Presidential Candidate of the APC is...

threatening legal actions against Sahara Reporters which had exposed his many lies about his academic and drug crimes in the U.S. In denying his drug crimes in the U.S, Tinubu had in a statement signed byNhis spokesperson, Sunday Dare, said, “The rumor about drug running is the

Victor Umeh Gets Additional 120 Days Elongation as APGA National Chairman

The embattled National Chairman of the All Progressive  Grand Alliance, (APGA) Chief Sir Victory Umeh has succeeded having additional 120 days elongation of tenure by a special special convention held in Awka.
Over Ten thousand  delegates throng Awka, Anambra state capital from the 36 states and the  FCT  to show their solidarity for the present led APGA exco and ratified that additional days should be considered in the bid to install a purposeful leadership that would stair the affairs of the party from 2015 onward.
Moving a vote of endorsement for  elongation of tenure for the serving APGA excos by voice vote, the deputy governor of Anambra state, Dr. Nkem Okeke raised the motion to call for an endorsement that would make the present exco have time to concentrate on the coming elections for those contesting and suggested that at least not less than four months should be consider, which will start at the expiration of their tenure that should end on February 10, 2014, from national.down to the ward level.

Osun aspirant asks APC panel to reject Omoworare’s candidacy

One of the senatorial aspirants of the All Progressives Congress in Osun East Senatorial District, Alhaji Sola Lawal, has petitioned the National Assembly Primaries Appeal Committee of the party, asking the panel to reject the victory of the serving Senator Babajide Omoworare.

Lawal made this request in a letter written to the panel, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent in Osogbo on Thursday.

In the alternative, the aggrieved aspirant asked the party to declare him the winner of the primary or order that a fresh primary be held to determine the winner.

Photos: Meet the lady who won Rev. Chris Okotie's Queen Esther beauty pageant"

Michelle Isikalu beat 16 other girls to win Queen Esther Beauty and Costume pageant which held this past Sunday December 14th at the 24th annual Grace event organized by pastor Chris Okotie-led Household of God church at their church premises in Oregun, Ikeja.see more photos below.