Former Senate President Demands N2b For Libel Over Centenary City

Former President of the Nigerian Senate and immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim wants N2b for general and aggravated damages. In separate suits filed through his lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome at an Abuja, Federal Capital Territory High Court, Anyim claimed that he has suffered insults and damages to his person over the Centenary City Project which he previously supervised.

In the suits marked CV/2598/15 and CV/2599/15, Anyim claimed that he had been labeled with derogatory names like 419er, corrupt former SGF, fraudster etc

The defendants in the suits are Dr Cairo Ojougbo who is the National Vice Chairman of the People's Democratic Party, PDP and Comrade Timi Frank who is the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The former Senate President and SGF said that libelous materials sponsored by the defendants and published in several national dailies had ignited and fueled attacks on his integrity as a public servant.

Anyim Pius Anyim who was Senate President from August 2000 to May 2003 had supervised the Centenary City Project as SGF in the Goodluck Jonathan administration. The Centenary City is being built on a large expanse of land near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, in Abuja.

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Buhari Laments Over Dependence On Foreign Military Equipment

President Muhammadu Buhari is not happy that Nigeria depends heavily on military equipment imported from other countries. He spoke at the National Defense College, NDC, while presenting certificates and awards to the 123 graduands of the institution's course 23.

The president thanked the college for its contributions to national security, stability and development. He also pledged his Government's support for the institution's curriculum and infrastructural development plans.

The president however expressed displeasure that Nigeria depends heavily on other countries for military equipment and intelligence infrastructure. He therefore called for the creation of a viable mechanism for self-sufficiency.

To this end, President Buhari tasked the Ministry of Defense to develop a modest military industrial complex for the country. He also demanded the rehabilitation of the Defense Industries Corporation, DICON, to meet the needs of the military.

It was President Buhari's first visit to any military institution since he was sworn into office on May 29. The NDC was established in 1992 to serve as the apex training center for Nigeria's senior military personnel.

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How An Angry Mob Stoned An Okada Thief Near Abuja

It was a mission of no return last Friday for a young man who attempted snatching a commercial motorcycle popularly known as Okada in Karu, near Abuja.

An angry mob of Okada riders descended on him with stones and cudgels until he passed away. Then they poured petrol on his body and set it on fire.

Nasarawa State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ismaila Umar-Numan confirmed the incident and cautioned citizens against taking the law into their own hands.

He said that investigations were going on to fish out those who meted jungle justice to the alleged motorcycle thief.

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Unbelievable! Nigeria Imports Over 16m Power Generators Yearly

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, says that Nigeria imports more than 16 million generators every year. This is largely because of poor power supply in the country.

The agency said that generators became a necessary evil due to poor public power supply. It advised Nigerians to use generators properly to avoid its attendant hazards.

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Nigerian Army In Operation Show Your Fitness

The Chief of Army Staff, Major Gen Tukur Buratai yesterday warned that unfit soldiers would be delisted from the Nigerian Army. He spoke during the army's monthly 20 kilometer route march.

This month's march was from Aguiyi Ironsi Cantonment to Kubwa and back to the barracks.

The Army Chief said that the exercise was to keep the soldiers mentally alert and combat ready. The route march though a monthly exercise is the first to be conducted under the new leadership of the Nigerian Army.

See photos of the march.

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IDPs In Abuja Send SOS

Thousands of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs who have been living in Sunshine Estate, Abuja have a new problem on their hands. The management of the estate has asked them to quit the facility.

The refugees who were displaced from their homes in the North East of Nigeria by Boko Haram Islamist terrorists have been living in the estate for the past one year.

Addressing the IDPs, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Refugees pledged to assist in securing another accommodation for them.

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Kogi APC To Provide Level Playing Field For Guber Aspirants

The All Progressives Congress, APC, says that a level playing field will be provided for all candidates seeking to fly the party's flag in the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Kogi State.

The National Organizing Secretary of the party, Senator Osita Izunaso said this in Lokoja while issuing forms to some of the gubernatorial aspirants. He pledged that the party would conduct the most transparent primaries in the history of the state. He noted that the APC needed to produce a credible flag bearer to defeat the ruling PDP.

The APC has fixed its governorship primaries for 29 August 2015.

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