The Punch Newspaper Archive for January 2009

Friday, January 30, 2009

US Court reinstates Pfizer lawsuit

Woman beats sickle cell anaemia, clocks 84

Fresh tension in Niger Delta

Opposition accuses Alao-Akala of wasting money on chieftaincy titles

Man dies after fight with soldiers

Why we jacked up budget – Reps

Shell posts $2.8bn loss

PDP in dilemma over 2011 elections

My problem with Kefee began on our wedding day –Alec, enstranged husband

S’Court nominees want immunity clause removed, child marriage outlawed

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Teachers threaten fresh strike in Anambra, Rivers, seven others

6,120 drug suspects arrested in 2008 – NDLEA

Oil workers vow to stop exports

FG warns policemen against strike, requires N2.6bn for police reforms

N2tn pension liabilities hamper new scheme — Senate

Gunmen kidnap seven-year-old boy, kill sister

Yar’Adua, Gowon, others want Awolowo’s policies implemented

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Give new NAFDAC DG a chance — PUNCH poll

Yobe governor for burial today

Vacation: Yar’Adua does not need to inform N’Assembly – Adviser

NUC to employ 200 teachers for varsities

Delay in payment of port levy queried

Senate confirms Kogi ministerial nominee

I won’t strike out suit against you, judge tells Fani–Kayode

Constitution review: Senate, Reps vote for joint exercise

N’Delta: Three suspected kidnappers die in JTF custody

N6.5bn scam: Court admits fresh evidence against Borishade, others

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Yar’Adua yet to inform us of leave – Senators, Reps

NEC postpones meeting over governor’s death

Reps disqualify state speakers from using diplomatic passports, sirens

Governors’ Forum to mediate in Yar’Adua, Jang feud

Senate suspends consideration of FCT report

FG retires suspended NIPSS DG, director

Strike: Police threaten to sanction junior officers

Yar’Adua okays panel on N’Delta committee report

BREAKING NEWS... Bayelsa State governor escapes death in robbers’ ambush

BREAKING NEWS... Yobe governor dies in US hospital

Monday, January 26, 2009

Collapsed building: Delta sanctions firm, demotes eight officials

Bankole writes Pepple over N700bn allegation

Yar’Adua to spend vacation in Dodan Barracks, Obudu

Divert N444bn security vote to N’Delta ministry —IYC

Protest in Ekiti over murder attempts

FG, others budget N36.1bn for miscellaneous expenses in 2009

Lagos-Benin road: Nine die in two auto accidents

Gunmen kidnap Catholic priest, demand N20m ransom

My Pikin: Industrial pharmacists worried over delay in FG’s investigation

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Assets declaration: Tribunal summons Ribadu

‘Yar’Adua will lead beyond 2011’

Constitution review: We’re not aware of peace talks with Senate — Reps

UNIZIK lecturer, daughter murdered in Awka

Robbery: JTF sacks 10 communities in Abia

Obama is not anti-Christ — Makinde

Another lawmaker escapes assassination in Ekiti

How non-implementation of previous Jos riots’ reports fuelled crisis

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Two air disasters averted

Lawyers react to Yar’Adua’s vacation

I built my first house at 19

2011: North begins search for Yar’Adua’s successor, tips Umar

Economic meltdown: Crime rate to soar in Nigeria – Police

Group demands probe of $2bn HIV/AIDS funds

Collapsed building: Police in dilemma over unclaimed corpses

Illicit drug: Woman, 41, gets two-year-jail term

Obasanjo, Atiku showcase newfound friendship at Yar‘Adua daughter’s wedding

Mutiny: Falana urges court martial to free 28 accused soldiers

New fuel price: Partial compliance trails government’s directive

Confusion in NNPC over reorganisation

Friday, January 23, 2009

Stop flouting my orders – IG warns policemen

Labour rejects reduction in fuel price

Yar’Adua to proceed on two-week leave

Naval ratings beat up female Punch employee

Oshiomhole inaugurates cabinet, sets N18bn yearly IGR target

Ogun DPP will determine fate of alleged killer Customs officer –Police

Why AC declined to punish Atiku over parley with Obasanjo

Badagry prison highlights major constraints

Court dissolves Gbenga, Moji Obasanjo’s eight-year-old marriage

Coroner’s inquest on Abayomi Ogundeji’s killing begins in Lagos

Court dissolves Gbenga, Moji Obasanjo’s 8-year old marriage

NDDC: Avoid consultants, Oshiomhole urges Ekaette

Ekiti women protest murder of Fasubaa

ICPC begins probe of Ondo accounts

BREAKING NEWS: Yar’Adua to proceed on two-week leave

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Atiku’s visit to Obasanjo, a misadventure – AC

Eso, others extol Udo Udoma at book presentation

Reps invite Okiro, Aondoakaa, Waziri over insecurity, corruption

Petrol now N65 per litre

FCT report: Senate will do a thorough job —Mark

States opt for dialogue with FG over Federation Account dispute

Yar’Adua submits 2006 census report to N’Assembly

Court reserves ruling in N365.5bn tobacco suit

Importers back new NAFDAC DG

Drug traffickers: ‘Number of Nigerians in foreign jails unknown’

Plateau speaker impeached

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Reps tackle Soludo over naira’s slide

World bodies salute Obama’s first decision in office

Ministers liable for ministries’ failures, successes – Yar’Adua

Dariye’s joinder application dismissed

Court awards N3m damages against agency

‘Only Oshiomhole can explain withdrawal of commissioner-nominees’

Gunmen invade Reps spokesman’s residence

Robbers attack bullion van with dynamite

Why Yar’Adua opted for Orhii as NAFDAC DG —Investigation

We’re preparing for 2011 poll – Iwu

Only 52.2% of varsity programmes have full accreditation status – NUC

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Disquiet in Presidency over Obasanjo, Atiku meeting

Reps opt out of joint constitution review

The world stands still for Obama

Our lives are in danger – Ekiti AC lawmakers, leaders

Oshiomhole, Ogbemudia on war path over govt vehicles

Task force denies killing civilians in Rivers

‘Probe banks’ huge profits’

Ibru: We were tortured by panel — Al-Mustapha

Lagos okays inquest into Ogundeji‘s death

FG begins oil industry reforms

Monday, January 19, 2009

Obasanjo, Atiku meet in Abeokuta

It’s Obama’s day

Agagu vs Mimiko: Appeal court reserves judgment

Infant deaths: Nigeria ranked 8th globally

N/Assembly staff swear oath of secrecy

‘No going back on constitution review’

I’m disappointed with 2007 poll — Achebe

Akande, Falae, others set agenda for Obama

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Forex : CBN to clamp down on parallel market operators

Reps face poser over N139bn water projects

Constitution review: Senators, Reps meet over deadlock

Vehicle in CPS attack belongs to OOU vice-chancellor — Ogun

Lagos lost N120bn to congestion in Oshodi — Fashola

Police arrest four for selling cars with fake documents

Oyo indigenes call for truce between Alaafin, Olubadan

Militants invade Bonny crude loading terminal

PDP, Andy Uba renew bid to unseat Gov Obi

Ekiti deputy governor denies involvement in Fasubaa’s murder

Okocha v. Uduaghan: Appeal Court delivers judgment today

Obama moves into Washington, warns Americans

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Jos crisis: CAN threatens to boycott probe panel

Bauchi gov’s N30m bribe allegation rocks ICPC

...JTF sacks militants from three communities in Rivers

N’Delta: MEND, JTF mobilise for fresh hostilities

Inadequate power supply’ll cripple manufacturing in 2009 –Industrialist

Ex-don wants probe of Maritime Academy over admission irregularity

Illegal operations: More oil and gas companies face closure in Niger Delta

Attack on Daniel’s CPS is robbery, not assassination –Ogun CP

Bandits kill police officer, injure two

Constitution review: Presidency, PDP wade in Senate, Reps face-off

Constitution review: JCCR sets March 2010 deadline

Friday, January 16, 2009

Ex-governor Popoola escaped in my car when Babangida seized power – Lekan Alabi

Minimum wage: FG considers mass sack

Customs officials held for killing bus conductor

Community pharmacists reject NAFDAC DG

Constitution amendment in jeopardy as Reps walk out of JCCR retreat

Ribadu’s dismissal case begins Tuesday

Reps capture N350bn unspent funds in 2009 budget

SSS 3 student leads robbery gang, alleges unfair distribution of wealth

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Drama as Reps debate bill on N30,000 minimum wage

Jonathan heads council on independent power projects

Financial meltdown: Presidential panel considers fuel price review

UNICEF records 67% poverty rate in North-East

Senate chides ministry over return of N56bn

Falana accuses FG of insincerity with rule of law

Jos crisis: Group faults FG’s response

Yar’Adua, military, others remember fallen heroes

’Delta: Fresh fears over MEND’s threat to resume offensive

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Robbers kill two in fresh Ibadan bank raid

Why EFCC, ICPC should probe Obasanjo – Oshiomhole

Yar’Adua admits impact of financial meltdown on Nigeria

Gunmen abduct bank manager, transport firm’s GM

Customs officials kill conductor, provoke riot

MEND calls off ceasefire, threatens attack on JTF

UNILAG produces 102 1st Class graduates, 87 Ph.Ds

EFCC tackles Ondo over N8bn contracts

Nigeria’s oil output to reduce to 1.7million bpd

Many govs came to power via unacceptable means – Obi

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

PDP, governors meeting fail to end President, Jang face-off

How My Pikin killed our only child — Couple

Yar’Adua raises new team on financial meltdown

Our politicians lack decency — Oyelese

Jos crisis: Group threatens retaliatory attacks

MEND commander, ‘Boy Chiki,’ killed

N’Delta: JTF arrests four militants, 14-year-old girl

‘We’ll soon deliver judgment in Fayemi — Oni case’

President removes Yar’Adua from NNPC

Fire guts PHCN office in Marina

Monday, January 12, 2009

Osotimehin promises to eradicate polio by July, this year

Culture matriarch, Suzanne Wenger, dies

Yar’Adua chides ministries over 2008 budget

Ribadu’s dismissal final – FG

Group tasks Yar’Adua over attack on Jang

Judge orders NDLEA to burn 5,605kgs drugs

Federation Account: Lack of quorum stalls suit

Police, extra-judicial killings and ‘planting’ of evidence

Implement report of N’Delta committee —Mitee

JTF troops, hoodlums in gun duel

At last, Maduekwe appears before Reps

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Atta Mills tasks African leaders

N3.2bn car scam: Committee vows to present report

Jos crisis: Yar’Adua condemns Jang

Robbers in police uniform arrested on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

The problem with Nigeria’s education — UNESCO boss

Anxiety grips NAFDAC staff over new DG

Daniel‘s press secretary escapes assassination

Fasubaa killed by armed robbers – Police

Reps write US over $2.1m bribe in Customs

Bakassi to be expunged from constitution

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Yar’Adua, ECOWAS restate zero tolerance for coupists

Security alert nationwide

Police kill bandits on Sagamu-Benin Expressway

Jos crisis: Community calls for Yar’Adua’s resignation

Police arrest NLC vice-chairman over ‘mysterious’ death

FG, NLC begin talks on N52,000 minimum wage

Israel threatens full-scale attack

Helmets vanish from market amidst soaring prices

Friday, January 09, 2009

Dismissal: Ribadu drags FG to court

My Pikin: Death toll now 51, NAFDAC to arraign culprits

How I escaped from prostitution camp in Burkina Faso – 18 year-old Nigerian

Middle East crisis: Iran appeals for Nigeria’s assistance, Yar’Adua expresses concern

Chamber president, MAN chief lament state of economy

Police arrest two over Ogun PDP killings, transfer case

Police avert anti-Israel protest in Jos

Tension in Zaria as Shiite, Izalla sects clash

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Siemens bribery: Probe indicted Nigerian officials — Poll respondents

‘My abductors demanded N300m ransom’

Reps, Maduekwe’s face-off deepens

‘Poor infrastructure, staff, bane of education’

Arrested ‘mercenaries’ have a case to answer — Police

Police identify bandits’ hideout

Enron: NERC dismisses PHCN’s petition on jurisdiction

We’re not against FOI bill — Reps

Obasanjo receives certificate at NOUN, shuns press

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Renowned author, Elechi Amadi, abducted, freed

Obasanjo’s ex-aides, others evicted from Presidential Villa

Fasubaa: Ekiti to set up panel of inquiry

Corruption: Jefferson wants Atiku‘s wife to testify

Strike: Fashola appeals to doctors

Fake EFCC officer arrested with classified documents

ICPC probes Bauchi over alleged N65bn spending

EFCC wants Igbinedion jailed

Monday, January 05, 2009

Reps query Interior Ministry over N40m National Day celebrations

‘Electricity will decide 2011 election’

Why FG must be more committed to anti-graft war —Cleric

ASUU sues FG over varsities’ governing councils

Reps committee on Jos crisis begins sitting

Demolition: Oshodi, the day after

Generator fumes kill six in Benin

Crash helmet: Partial compliance, protests, arrests trail enforcement

Sunday, January 04, 2009

FG releases N138bn for petroleum subsidy

Violence escalates in Gaza as death toll hits 500

MEND declares war on kidnappers

Lagos dislodges Oshodi street traders

20 injured as commercial buses ram into school

Beaded Crowns: Olubadan summons village heads

Protests in Ekiti over Fasuba’s assassination

Hamper sellers lament low sales

Confusion over Lagos doctors’ strike

Lagos lawmakers seek lower pump prices

I’ll be president for all — Atta Mills

Saturday, January 03, 2009

Ghana opposition leader wins presidential election

Global credit crunch: Foreign airlines eye Nigeria for survival

My breasts are my greatest assets

Another oil pipeline blown up in N’Delta

N’Delta development framework to be unveiled January –Orubebe

Parties: No more free money

Israeli forces, Hamas’ conflict escalates

Oni promises to assist Perm. Secretary over razed residence

Oshiomhole vows to jail contractors

...steer clear of highways –FRSC

Helmet: Okada riders threaten showdown

Friday, January 02, 2009

Only court can reinstate Ribadu – Okiro

Rescued from human traffickers in Togo, three-year-old Nigerian waits in vain for parents

Jos: Fresh bloodbath averted

Anambra businessman constructs 4.2km road

Ikimi urges EFCC to visit Edo

Shinkafi, Mitee call for fairness to Niger Delta people

N5bn debt: FAAN may stop service to defaulting airlines

Don’t retrench workers – NLC warns FG, states ...Insists on N52,000 minimum wage

Global crisis: 25 US firms performed well in 2008 –Report

Thursday, January 01, 2009

Brace up for hard times, Obasanjo tells Nigerians

‘Jos mayhem should be the last, Jonathan prays’

Governors, others differ on removal of immunity clause

Lagos doctors begin strike on Monday

Nigerians take pro-Ribadu campaign to Facebook

Entrepreneurship: Varsities move to assess government’s wealth creation efforts

Odili commends JTF on Niger Delta

Reps insist on probing ex-convict chairman

Crash helmet: 1,000 violators arrested in Lagos