News Desk Sunday, July 22, 2007

N33 Billion Alleged Loot Trial: Prosecute Other Ex-Govs - Kalu, Dariye, Turaki, Nyame's Kinsmen - Supporters Storm Abuja Prison

THE incarceration of four former governors at the Medium Security Prison, Kuje, Abuja has increased human and vehicular traffic in and out of the prison as visitors trooped in to see the embattled erstwhile state chief executives. This happened just as their ordeal created ripples among their kinsmen. Some of the kinsmen backed the action against the former governors while others described it as a witch-hunt. MORE>>

South East Speakers Endorse Prosecution of Kalu, Nnamani, Others

The South-East Conference of Speakers has endorsed the prosecution of former governors alleged to have looted the treasuries of their respective states. The lawmakers noted at the inaugural meeting of the conference in Enugu State on Friday that the issue of corruption was something every Nigerian condemned. MORE>>

Refineries: Leaked Presidential Directives Influenced Dangote's Withdrawal

Indications emerged on Saturday that the Bluestar Oil Services Limited withdrew from the deal on the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries following a leaked directive from the Presidency. It was gathered that the Presidency gave a directive for the revocation of the deal at a meeting with the heads of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and the Bureau of Public Enterprises on Tuesday July 17, 2007 at the State House. MORE>>

Don't Be Too Greedy - Jakande Tells OBJ

Second Republic governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande says it is dishonourable for former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to be hustling for power after office, especially with the way he ‘hijacked’ Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BOT) chair. MORE>>

South East Speakers Push For Uwazuruike's Release

Speakers of the State Houses of Assembly in the South East Zone have thrown their weight behind the current trial of former state governors for alleged corrupt practices, while in office by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), saying that the proper handling of the alleged charges by the commission would go a long way in stabilizing the nation’s democracy as well as ensure that prudence was introduce in the governance of the country. MORE>>

Optimism on Nigeria's War on Poverty

Let's be honest, Nigeria has a poor image. Most outsiders think of it as an oil-rich, corrupt place where there are regular kidnappings and outbreaks of religious violence... I was asked recently to find out what progress Nigeria was making in meeting United Nations anti-poverty targets - targets like reducing the proportion of people living on less than $1 a day, and improving education for poor children. MORE>>