The Punch Newspaper Archive for July 2009

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Amnesty: Okah visits militant camps

Electoral reforms: Nigerians must rise up to the challenge – Buhari, Tinubu

Islamic militant leader killed – Borno govt

Oyo: Ajimobi alleges plot to kill him, others

‘Varsities, not FG will sign pact with ASUU’

PDP, Lagos in court over 37 LCDAs

NDDC board: Reps challenge Senate, confirm nominees separately

Bayelsa: Abducted ex-CJ’s husband yet to be released

LG chairman’s suspension: Edo Assembly faults Oshiomhole

Senate approves N10bn for amnesty in N’Delta

BREAKING NEWS: Fleeing Taliban leader shot dead in police custody

Policemen, LASTMA officials clash

EVENING UPDATES: Security agencies on high alert, hunt for Nigerian Taliban leader

MID-DAY UPDATES: Security agents kill Nigerian Taliban’s deputy, 200 followers, death toll hits 600

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Economy faced challenges in first quarter – Finance ministry

Violence escalates in Borno, Yobe

Reps summon Onovo, CMD over extra-judicial killing

Yar’Adua budgets N30.7bn to secure oil installations

Tokyo heads for high court, seeks bail

Nigeria loses billions of naira to malaria – Expert

Come out of the creeks, FG tells militants

South-South senators seek Lukman’s removal

EVENING UPDATES: Fifteen SANs offer to defend Lagos in LCDAs face-off

MID-DAY UPDATES: Nigerian Taliban violence spreads to Katsina, death toll hits 300

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

No fresh agreement with ASUU —Yar’Adua

Crisis escalates in Borno, soldiers deployed in Yobe, Bauchi

We’ll ensure Lagos reverts to 20 LGs – Yar’Adua

Petroleum bill: Female committee member resigns

70 per cent of federal roads in bad shape — Minister

Reps, others condemn violence, urge probe

LGs: Pursue dialogue with Fashola, Olanipekun, Falana tells Yar’Adua

Yar’Adua orders investigation into housing scheme

N166m saga: Okiro writes NDIC, demands apology

N’Delta militants may begin to hijack aircraft — UK govt

EVENING UPDATES: Niger Delta militants planning to hijack aircraft – UK

AFTERNOON UPDATES: 103 dead in Maiduguri violence, thousands flee to barracks

MID-DAY UPDATES: World Bank to increase agricultural lending to Nigeria, others by $2bn next year

Monday, July 27, 2009

Violence: Yar’Adua orders clampdown on extremists

LG Controversy: Uncertainty as Yar’Adua’s ultimatum to Lagos expires

Violence spreads to Kano, Borno, Yobe

NDDC board: Reps reject Senate confirmation of nominees

FG denies relocation of varsity from Delta to Kaduna

Rights commission gets nod to prosecute bank, firm

How we spent N4.3bn MDGs largesse —Oni

Nigerians’ll feel my impact soon —Yar’Adua

No winner, no loser in petroleum bill – Mark

EVENING UPDATES: Northern leaders slam fundamentalists, as clashes claim more lives, prison

AFTERNOON UPDATES: Militants order indigenous oil firm to leave Niger Delta in 72 hours

MID-DAY UPDATES: MEND, others tell oil firm to leave Niger Delta within 72 hours

Eze Ndigbo: Ogun offers Yoruba chieftaincy titles

ASUU rejects pleas to call off strike

BREAKING NEWS: Bauchi religious crisis spreads to Borno, Yobe

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Scores killed, 200 arrested in fresh Bauchi violence

We won’t return to 20 LGs, Fashola tells Yar’Adua

Reps’ impeachment move against Yar’Adua can’t stand —Shema

Don’t dump amnesty deal, Okah advises governors

AP Vs Access Bank: Forex not sourced from us – CBN

South-South senators reject petroleum bill

Oyo govt properties not insured — NIESV

Mobitel drags Akunyili, three others to court

EVENING UPDATES: Fashola replies Yar‘Adua on 37 Lagos LCDAs

MID-DAY UPDATES: US-based Nigerian therapist risks 30-year jail term over $42m fraud

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Plot to divide ASUU thickens, as professors plan pull out

Top Nigerians set agenda for Onovo, the new IGP

Obama has no plan to visit Nigeria – US govt

Yar’Adua, Fashola head for showdown over 37 Lagos LCDAs

Amnesty: Presidency blames misunderstanding for S’South govs’ threat

Timber dealers attack C’River task force on deforestation

Amaechi orders reopening of NLNG jetties

Niger Delta group faults cash payments to militants

All is well with Nigeria –Senate President

Fashola calls for revision of implementation, disbursement of UBE funds

2011: New York PDP backs Mark’s request for automatic tickets

EVENING UPDATES: University professors plot to dump ASUU, form parallel union

MID-DAY UPDATE: Rivers governor orders reopening of NLNG jetties

Friday, July 24, 2009

Contractors ready for Lagos-Badagry Expressway

UNICEF to spend N119m for child survival in Kwara

Aftermath of Obama snub, Nigeria to get consolation visit in August

N’Delta militants threaten to attack Kaduna oil institute

Onovo pledges not to fail Nigerians

Defection: PPA vows to tackle Ohakim

Literacy commission secretary, Olagunju, 10 others remanded

Enahoro reiterates call for Nigeria ethnic nationalities’ conference

Ekiti rerun: Tribunal dismisses Oni’s motion against N250m bribe

Nigeria, Britain can’t swap prisoners without consent –NPS

PENGASSAN plans sympathy strike over Addax labour crisis

EVENING UPDATES: Niger Delta boils over relocation of petroleum institute

MID-DAY UPDATES: Nigeria, Kenya may play World Cup qualifier at neutral venue

Thursday, July 23, 2009

South-South governors threaten to pull out of amnesty deal

Reps halt fresh external loans by FG

Niger Delta: Amnesty won’t work – Soyinka

Sagamu robbery: Federal SARS takes over investigation

Kidnappings: Senate rejects Okiro’s representative

UBA, Zenith get $200m AfDB loan facility

Bail terms: Abiola would have been alive If... —CJ

Newspaper sales figures by ADVAN – Our stand

Onovo replaces Okiro as IG

EVENING UPDATES: Nigeria to launch second satellite in 2010

MID-DAY UPDATES: Opposition mounts against FG’s N8.3bn contract for renovation of NTA’s equipment

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

NPAN salutes Jakande at 80

Failed banks: Okiro owes N161m – NDIC

Elders condemn attack on Atlas Cove, apologise to Lagos

NRC demolishes churches, schools in Ibadan

FG proposes higher budget deficit for 2010

Dangote/Otedola feud: Police detain ThisDay editor

Senate, Reps summon security chiefs

I have no regrets serving under Abacha — Jakande

EVENING UPDATES: Michael Jackson‘s family campaigns for peace in Niger Delta, plans Nigeria concert

AFTERNOON UPDATES: NDIC, Okiro trade tackles over IG‘s alleged N161.5m debt

MID-DAY UPDATES: MEND releases six expatriate hostages

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Forgive Jakande’s role in Abacha’s regime — Akiolu

2,066 civilians, policemen killed in 2008 – Report

N’Delta: Military calls off search for 18 missing soldiers

N/Assembly insists on states creation before 2011

Why we are challenging census figures — Lagos

Attack on Igwe stalls trial of Elumelu, others

NJC suspends action on judges’ elevation to Appeal court

Senate’s meeting with ASUU ends in deadlock

Reps reject motion to immortalise Abiola

EVENING UPDATES:FG targets 4million bpd in 2010 – Lukman

MID-DAY UPDATES: IMF proposes $100bn aid for Nigeria, others, injects $250bn into global economy

Monday, July 20, 2009

Niger Delta elders raise panel to meet FG, militants

Yar’Adua inaugurates N50bn projects in Bayelsa

Three Nigerian banks write off N76bn margin loans

Police Council to meet on new IGP

Gunmen kidnap uniuyo deputy bursar

Ogun obas seek amnesty for Diya, 167 others

144 women die of pregnancy complications daily – Minister

Atlas Cove: Lagos leaders, OPC warn MEND, demand apology

Amnesty: Dokubo-Asari vows to pursue case to conclusion

Fresh crisis feared over new petroleum law

EVENING UPDATES: FG admits attacks on Nigerians in China, hospital discharges injured trader

MID-DAY UPDATES: Report rates Lagos airport among Africa‘s most popular

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Electricity: Militants prevent repair of gas pipeline

‘Access to CNN, Internet led to stock market crash’

NMA shelves planned strike, issues September 30 deadline

$97.5m fraud: Court grants Kenny Martins permission to travel abroad

SSANU resumes nationwide strike today

Bank loans: Senate threatens to expose defaulters

Bodies of FIRS coordinator, wife found at abandoned coal mine

Kidnap: 74-year-old woman rescued after shootout

Legal means, not amnesty needed to curb militancy – Fagbemi

EVENING UPDATES: South African parliamentarians allege racist treatment in Nigeria

Amaechi orders closure of NLNG jetty over discrimination

MID-DAY UPDATES: FG’s 6,000 megawatts plan in jeopardy as militants disrupt gas pipeline‘s repair

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Police nab gang that robbed 4 banks and killed DPO

Failed Banks’ N53.3bn debt: We didn’t give EFCC ultimatum – Senate

Obey all court orders, NBA tells EFCC, AGF

Injured Nigerian trader in hospital – Chinese consulate

Reps uncover N585m fraud at two agric institutes

Soldiers intercept 10 trucks of diverted fertilisers meant for Enugu

Reps probe confirms multibillion naira fraud in NIMASA

Halliburton scam probe extends to Italy

EVENING UPDATES: Mob lynches suspected ritualists in Ogun

MID-DAY UPDATES: Injured Nigerian trader in hospital – Chinese consulate

Friday, July 17, 2009

Obasanjo approved my trip to Chad, then ordered my arrest at the border – Charles Taylor

Amnesty: FG to pay 10,000 militants N1.95bn allowance

FG requests EU’s help to block sale of stolen crude oil

Mega party to get name, logo in August

EU ban on Asian carriers to favour Nigerian airlines

Mark wants ADC, Sosoliso prosecuted

AP shares: Dangote may step down as NSE VP

Nigeria, UK sign MoU on narcotics control

EVENING UPDATES: FG to splash N1.95bn, oil industry jobs on 10,000 militants

MID-DAY UPDATES: Robbers shoot Rep, kills governor‘s aides in Anambra

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Afe Babalola rejects N256m varsity project offer

Ogunshola urges FG to bring debtors of distressed banks to book

N500bn lifeline under way for ailing industries

Judge me after my tenure – Yar’Adua

Census tribunals begin sitting as Kano, Lagos reject results

‘Extra-judicial killing by police top human rights abuse’

How top govt functionaries aid their wives in smuggling —Customs

Attacks: Nigerians in China send SOS to Yar’Adua

‘Policy inconsistency, poor funding harm education’

FG will structure, re-focus NYSC — Yar’Adua

Works ministry received N195bn in six months — Lawal

Reps shun Yar’Adua’s seminar on budget implementation

EVENING UPDATES: Nigerians in China send SOS to Yar’Adua on xenophobic attacks, embassy reacts

MID-DAY UPDATES: Nigerian airlines may benefit from EU’s blacklist of 255 carriers

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

House bars first lady, ministers, others from using siren

Plane crash kills 168 in Iran

N94.3bn govt funds trapped in failed banks – Senate

FG rejects MEND’s conditions for ceasefire

Disputed oil wells: Akwa Ibom heads for Supreme Court

JAMB releases MPCE results, withholds 4,735 over malpractices

Abductors of 74-year-old woman seek N150m

Robbery: Police parade seven undergraduates, 12 others

Awujale faults exclusion of monarchs from governance

Ekiti rerun: Tribunal throws out IG’s motion

Jos crisis: Gowon wants monarchs held responsible

EVENING UPDATES: N94.4bn government funds trapped in failed banks

AFTERNOON UPDATES: MEND threatens to halt ceasefire if JTF attacks Ondo camp

Death of IPO delays Tokyo’s trial

MID-DAY UPDATES: Joint Task Force welcomes MEND’s 60-day ceasefire

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

I’m angry at what Obasanjo did to me — Taylor

Again, Reps warn Yar’Adua about ‘poor’ budget implementation

FG relies on Okah for peace in Niger Delta

Ban on installation of Eze Ndigbo stays – Olubadan

‘Ogun funds are not missing’

Anniversary bash: Egwu denies spending N120m

Flood sweeps away mother, daughter, okada rider

I’ll not run for second term — Amaechi

Atlas Cove: Sagay, CNPP, CLO, ARG condemn attack

EVENING UPDATES: Yar’Adua reshuffles cabinet, swaps defence, interior ministers

MID-DAY UPDATES: Nigeria, others to lose $24bn remittances

Monday, July 13, 2009

FG frees Okah, discontinues prosecution

MEND attacks Lagos jetty, kills six

Sultan raises the alarm over fake Islamic group

Fuel scarcity looms as tanker drivers prepare for strike

Reps to probe Egwu’s N120m wedding anniversary bash

N400bn proceeds: Senate tackles committee over sale of FG’s houses

Oni warns Ekiti farmers against diversion of farm input

Tinubu raises the alarm over voter register

EVENING UPDATES: Reps to probe minister’s N120m wedding anniversary bash

AFTERNOON UPDATES: Court frees MEND leader, Henry Okah

MID-DAY UPDATES: Fuel supply under threat as militants inflict heavy damage on Atlas Cove

Sunday, July 12, 2009

FG may drag ASUU, SSANU to arbitration court

AGF queries ETF’s N728m spending on consultancy

FG may remove petroleum subsidy in September

‘No cash for arms’ policy dampens warlords’ morale

Militant leader surrenders, sets pace for others

Lagos-Ibadan Expressway: Bi-Courtney, others brainstorm on traffic control

UBEC: N850m contract adverts forged — Secretary

Report on Jos crisis ready by August — Ajibola

64-year-old Evidence Act up for amendment

N5.2bn scam: Bankole under pressure to remove Elumelu, Igwe

EVENING UPDATES: N’ Delta: FG’s refusal to pay for militants’ arms may stall amnesty

MID-DAY UPDATES: Climate change threatens Nigeria - NEMA ...

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Obama challenges African leaders on corruption

Rain causes havoc on major roads across Nigeria

TI chair advocates scrapping of RMAFC

Wage increase rejection: ASUU not after welfare of varsity system –Egwu

Dokubo-Asari’s group rejects FG’s amnesty

Obama excludes Nigerian journalists from SMS selection

Failed banks N188bn fund: Debtors list, not valid –NDIC

I have no hand in missing N19.5bn –Fani-Kayode

Lagos PDP condemns call on Obama, others to treat Nigeria as a pariah state

EVENING UPDATES: FG, Henry Okah’s lawyers to meet on Sunday

MID-DAY UPDATES: Obama addresses Ghanaian parliament, vows to isolate undemocratic African nations

Pastor Adeboye battles fraudsters, name droppers

Friday, July 10, 2009

I won’t mark my birthday – Soyinka

Judge, counsel exchange words at Al-Mustapha trial

Okiro’s successor: Onovo, Hammadu, Ekpoudom shortlisted

Yar’Adua’s trip may delay Okah’s release

British Council sends 10 Nigerians to Ethiopia, Kenya

A’Ibom grants scholarships to abandoned children

500 benefit from NAPEP’s N70m in Ekiti

G8 to boost food production in Africa with $15bn

Sales Tax ruling: Lagos to reassess ongoing projects

Two ex-youth corps members die in auto crash

Strike: ASUU rejects 40 per cent salary increase

EVENING UPDATES: Yar’Adua to receive Henry Okah in Abuja

MID-DAY UPDATES: South Africa, Benin, Ghana ahead of Nigeria in global trade

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Yar’Adua approves Okah’s release

Failed Banks: Depositors owed N188bn, says Senate

Flood wreaks havoc, destroys properties in Calabar

Court remands Tokyo, four others

Appeal court sacks Nzeribe, upholds Eze’s election

Ekiti rerun: Mass transfer hits SSS

Kaduna outlaws protests over poor power supply

Alamieyeseigha: EFCC returns Chelsea Hotel, N3bn to Bayelsa

EVENING UPDATES: MEND leader, Henry Okah, to be released soon- Yar‘Adua

MID-DAY UPDATES: Yar’Adua, Obama, G8 leaders to discuss economic crisis

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Aregbesola v. IG: Judge fixes August 4 for judgment in N20bn suit

EFCC applies to paste charge on el-Rufai’s gate

N19.5bn Aviation fund: Only N3.5bn left – FG

FG panel begins assessment of damage on oil industry

FG pleads with ASUU to return to lecture halls

Electoral reforms: Reps back two terms for INEC chairman, others

Court dismisses Lagos’ N210m suit against NBC

Apo six: Court rejects crucial evidence

‘FG has no reason not to implement budget’

Strike paralyses federal hospitals

JTF, MEND disagree over arrested militants

MID-DAY UPDATES: FG rejects inferior universities for Africans in developed nations

EVENING UPDATES: Russian police arrest fake Nigerian diplomat at Obama’s hotel

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Ombudsman ’ll reduce ethical misconduct — NPAN

Dangote, Adedoyin, others named beneficiaries of N53.3bn failed banks’ loans

CBN removes interest rate caps, liberalises forex market

Police smash fake land syndicate in Abuja

Varsities, academic staff urged to develop global links

JTF foils attempt to blow up Shell’s facility

Militant leaders insist on meeting with Yar’Adua

Governors decry decline in oil production

Bribery: Jefferson clears Atiku

Anxiety in House as anonymous group demands removal of Bankole, others

EVENING UPDATES: Military foils attack on Shell platform, yet to locate hostages

MID-DAY UPDATES: World bids Michael Jackson farewell

Monday, July 06, 2009

$180m Halliburton scandal: FG okays N42m for Okiro-panel to travel abroad

Daniel accuses Lagos, ex-gov of fuelling Ogun crisis

School owners urge govt to investigate assault on proprietor

US promises to assist Ondo in cassava production

Two Indians arrested for issuing fake travelling tickets

Tension as Olubadan sacks ‘Onido’

Woman faints as lorry crushes her two children to death

Expansion of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway will begin in August — Yar’Adua

EVENING UPDATES: Obama invites questions from Nigerians by SMS

MID-DAY UPDATES: MEND seizes chemical tanker with six expatriates, attacks Chevron facility

Sunday, July 05, 2009

FG abandons Tompolo’s list

Oil workers dump NLC

Abayomi Ogundeji: Amnesty, NHCR want Lagos to protect pathologist

Impeachment move, mere media propaganda – Daniel

‘1.2m applicants may miss admission into varsities’

Strike: Respect agreement with ASUU, Catholics tell FG

MEND disowns Edwin Clark, others

Gunmen kidnap SSS operative, demand N40m ransom

EVENING UPDATES: 65% of Nigeria’s annual budgets missing -Bankole

MID-DAY UPDATES: MEND disowns Clark, attacks another Shell facility

Saturday, July 04, 2009

Ibori wins FG’s N40bn agric contract

Jackson to be buried in $25,000 gold plated coffin

… 23 militants surrender in Delta

Medical treatment: Germany, others reject Okah

Constitution review ’ll address time limit for election petitions – Ekweremadu

Ogun crisis: Lawmaker weeps at Oba’s palace

Bakassi: C’River group condemns attack on Florence Ita – Giwa

EFCC docks 60-year-old woman, 2 others over N17m fraud

Though I dress to conform to Islamic standard, I believe a woman should be elegant always –Aisha

Kogi suspends officials over ghost workers’ fraud

Constituency project fraud: EFCC quizzes 28 Rivers lawmakers

EVENING UPDATES: MEND threatens to attack Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline

MID-DAY UPDATES:Three countries decline FG‘s condition for Henry Okah‘s treatment

Friday, July 03, 2009

Koinyan chairs NDDC

Ribadu can sue IGP over dismissal –Court

Why I chose Ghana over Nigeria, others – Obama

Detained plane: Ukraine accuses Nigeria of non-cooperation

Govt urged to give more recognition to local experts

Fashola tasks Lagos residents on Polio eradication

Police dismisses Awosika’s killer

Nigeria-Russia joint venture sparks racism debate

Sango-Ota road: Bankole urges commuters to cooperate with Julius Berger

Army, police buildings face demolition on Badagry expressway

Fake SSS director arrested at N’Assembly

EVENING UPDATES: FG warns South Africa against attacks on Nigerians

MID-DAY UPDATES: Soyinka, Utomi, others may meet Obama in Ghana

Thursday, July 02, 2009

Nigeria’s 2007 poll problematic – Obama’s aide

No severance package for Yar’Adua, VP, others

‘Only prayer, dedication can save policemen from robbers’

Drama, as governor confronts Speaker’s aide

Oshiomhole set to demolish CBN, UBA structures on right of way

Oil wells: Cross River legislators begin two-week hunger strike

Amnesty International deplores extra-judicial killings, torture

Amnesty: Poor response by militants worries FG

Cleric’s death: Police exonerate Shekarau, emirate

Yar’Adua urges private sector to emulate FG

EVENING UPDATES:Obama calls Yar‘Adua‘s election problematic, praises Ghana

MID-DAY UPDATES: Nigeria-Russia joint venture sparks racism debate

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

N’Delta: Militants disrupt repair of Chanomi Creeks pipeline

Halliburton scam: We didn’t receive $6m from Obasanjo’s ex-aide – Ogbeh, Gemade

Yar’Adua, Egwu meet over ASUU strike

Five UNAD students arrested for ‘anti-social behaviour’

AC berates Daniel, lawmakers over oath saga

Aregbesola: Court fixes July 8 for addresses

South-East: Okiro issues ultimatum to criminals

‘Nigeria remains China’s key partner in Africa’

Seven bills, reports suffer setbacks over Reps’ absence

State of the nation: I won’t react hastily – Obasanjo

EVENING UPDATES: FG bows to university lecturers, accepts three demands

Reps suspend debate on minimum wage

MID-DAY UPDATES: Amaechi, Asari-Dokubo reconcile

N4tn illegal deduction: FG, states

Dokubo-Asari drags Yar’Adua to court

Mimiko discovers past govt’s ‘secret accounts’

Six die from food poisoning in Kwara