News Desk Friday, June 22, 2007

Soldiers kill 12 militants, free hostages - kidnapped soldiers whereabouts unknown

A combined team of security men on Thursday struck at the National Agip Oil Company (NAOC) platform, killing 12 militant youths and releasing 11 oil workers held hostage by them. The whereabouts of the soldiers held hostage during a reprisal attack launched by the militants were unknown at the time of this report, though soldiers had taken over the platform occupied by the militants. MORE>>

Mile One market reconstruction: RSG pays 40% contract value

Determined to ensure early completion of the reconstruction of the mile one market and the delivery of 200 shops within 100 days in office, the Rivers State government has released 40 per cent of the contractual amount to the contracting firm handling the project. MORE>>

Imo LG Boss slams predecessor over poor performance

Transitional Chairman of Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Chief Charlton Osuagwu, is quite peeved over reported inaction the council was plunged into in the last three years. The council boss, who took over, for a second time, after the dissolution of local governments in the state, by former Governor, Achike Udenwa, told Daily Independent that it had nothing to show for all the revenues it received during the period. MORE>>

Imo Community turns to God over mysterious deaths, robberies

Women of Uzubi Development Union (UDU) in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State have decided to seek the face of God to put an end to the incessant and mysterious deaths plaguing the community in recent months. MORE>>

Igbo Youths demand release of Uwazuruike

Igbo youths, under the umbrella of Ntorobia Ohanaeze is amazed at the continued detention of the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, by the Federal Government. MORE>>

Strike Continues, Labour may shut essential services

AS fresh talks with the Federal Government failed to yield results yesterday evening in Abuja, Labour leaders have threatened to shut down essential services in the country if their demands are not met. The meeting, which began about 7.30 p.m. last night, could not resolve the contentious issues. At about 9.30 p.m., both parties resolved to reconvene at midnight. MORE>>

Strike day 2: Police arrest labour leaders, dislodge strikers

ENUGU — THE police,yesterday, arrested the Chairman of the Enugu State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Eugene Ugwu, and 50 other labour leaders for mobilising transporters and traders to join in the on-going strike. They were, however, released after detention for a few hours. MORE>>

CISA hails ruling on Obi

The Council of Igbo States in the United Sates of America, (CISA) has hailed the Supreme Court ruling to revalidate the tenure of Mr. Peter Obi, as Governor of Anambra State, saying that it is not just a victory for social justice, but a personal victory to each and every Nigerian that found voice to the April 2007 outrage in spite of the coercive pressure that sought to squash it. MORE>>

Strike: PENGASSAN orders shutdown of export terminals

LAGOS — THE Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has directed its members in export terminals and production platforms to shut down operations from today in continuation of the strike to protest the last increase in fuel prices and sale of the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries. MORE>>

Ex-governors shut out of new cabinet

Immediate past state governors may have been shut out of the impending cabinet of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. THISDAY sources said last night that there was no single former governor in the list of ministerial nominees forwarded to the Senate.
Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors had relocated to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja to facilitate their lobbying for positions in the impending cabinet. MORE>>