News Desk Wednesday, June 06, 2007

How Mark beat ex-Gov to emerge Senate President

ABUJA —SENATOR David Bonaventure Mark was elected, yesterday, the President of the sixth Senate after overcoming a strong opposition mounted by former state governors in the Senate. He pledged, on being sworn in afterwards, that the Senate under his leadership would not shirk its responsibility. more>>

EFCC Summons 15 ex-Govs

ABUJA — FIFTEEN of the state governors who left office last week after serving their terms have been invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for questioning on their handling of the finances of the states when they were in power. more>>

Imo Assembly Inaugurated

OWERRI—The Fourth House, Third Assembly of the Imo State House of Assembly (IMHA) was yesterday inaugurated by the Clerk of the House, Dr. Emmanuel Ngozi Ibekwe. more>>

IGP: Gani Decries Exclusion of Igbo

Human rights lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, has decried the exclusion of officers of Igbo extraction as Inspector-General of Police, 47 years after independence as a nation by successive governments, saying it is unfair, unjust and unconstitutional. more>>

Okiro Sets Up 12 Anti-Graft Teams

The acting Inspector General of Police, Sir Mike Mbama Okiro yesterday unfolded his eight-point programme of action to enhance efficient service delivery by the force. Among the programmes is the establishment of 12 anti-corruption teams in the six geographical zones. The teams, he said would be provided with GSM numbers which will be made public to enable them receive complaints from members of the public. more>>

Etteh Emerges First Female Speaker

The emergence of the Osun State-born politician drew immediate reaction from prominent Nigerian women. They described it as a victory for women. Unlike Senators David Mark and George Akume, who had to contend with tension shortly before their colleagues cast their votes to elect the President of the Senate, Etteh had a smooth ride to the exalted office of Speaker. more>>

A Fresh Look at the Niger Delta

Since the Henry Willink Commission submitted its report to government in 1958 on the development of the Niger Delta, there has never been a lack of analysis of the problem of the poor region. Indeed, there has been a surfeit of reports of boards, commissions, task forces, committees etc. Each of these fora has come up with its own survey and interpretation of the Niger Delta Question. more>>