NATIONAL NEWS
LASU TO REFUND N69M TO STUDENTS AS FG DENIED OAU FEES INCREMENT
The Lagos State University will be refunding N69 million due to the state decision to reduce the school fees of the 2013/2014 academic session.
This was disclosed on Friday, 27 June, in a statement made by the University’s Public Relations Officer, Kayode Sutton said the varsity governing council had unanimously agreed and directed the bursary department that all payment in excess of the new school fees should be refunded.
In a similar development, President Jonathan special Adviser on Youth and Students Affairs, Mr Imagwe Jude, who said on behalf of the president that ObafemiAwolowo University have been given an ultimatum of Friday, to resolve all issues concerning the fee hike.
He said this while responding to questions posed to him on twitter, he said neither the federal government nor Nigeria university commission was aware before the fees was raised.
KUTIGI CHASES OUT JOURNALIST OUT OF CONFAB PLENARY WITH ANGER
On Wednesday, at the on-going Confab journalists were embarrassed as the chairman of the confab, IdrisKutigi, shouted at the top of his voice in sending them away.
This scene came up when the committee chairman on National Security, Albert Horsfall, requested for the excuse of the journalists present at the confab, saying we need to send out of the conference before I continue my presentation and this was immediately subscribe to by Kutigi.
It was however gathered that earlier in the week, chairman on National Security, Albert Horsfall, insulted the journalist at the committee level when he was approached for an interview.
While gathering outside to decide on the next line of action, delegates representing the media and civil society at the conference came out addressing the journalists among them were Raymond Dokpesi, Prince LanreOgundipe, ItaGiwa, MallamSaniZoro and many others.
Also, in a similar vein, the confab has unanimously agreed that state police should also be established and the governors were warned against misuse of the police.
MIMIKO INTRODUCES MEGA SCHOOL AND FREE SCHOOL BUSES
The Ondo State Governor, OlusegunMimiko, revealed the Mega School and free school bus shuttle initiative of his government designed to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor
Mimiko said in his office while appreciating the support of the Global Development of Bills and Melinda Gates Foundation during the courtesy visit done by its president, Christopher Elias. He further said his administration has taken a deliberate step to focus on innovation that will affect the lives of Ondo people positively.
RIVERS POLICE UNITE MUSLIMS, CHRISTIANS AGAINST INSECURITY
Rivers state police command organise a forum for both Muslims and Christians in the State. The programme aimed for both religious to live in peacefully co-existence society was held at the Police officers mess where both the Muslims and the Christians interacted among themselves
Commenting on the programme was Rev PaulicarpHenetu of the catholic Diocese who said it was a welcome development aimed at uniting all religions in fighting against terrorism. “it is very significant because it is the responsibility to protect us all”.
Contributing was HaijaKhadeejahpepple, Director of Women Affairs of the Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Delta State Chapter who said the interactive session was very timely, especially at a time when incessant explosions that have taken lives already.
REPS ASK EMEFIELE TO HALT NEW CBN POLICY
On Thursday, the House of Representative directed the central bank of Nigeria to immediately suspend the directives issued June 22, to the Bureau De Change operators to raise their operating capital base to N35 million from N10 million.
This motion was sponsored by Hon. Ibrahim Shehu-Gusau (Zamfara), who said that millions of Nigerians are employed through the Bureau De Change, saying “I am worried that the new rule will send many BDC operators out of business”
Moreover, speaking in favour of the CBN directives was Hon. Victor Nwokolo(Delta) said increasing the operating base of the BDCs will strengthen foreign exchange transaction.
NO EXTERNAL FORCE CAN STOP INSURGENCY- OYEDEPO
Bishop David Oyedepo has urged Nigerian leaders to look inward for solution rather than relying on external forces, saying external forces have never provide for lasting solution to countries facing similar problems like Nigeria.
This statement was made during the ninth convocation of covenant University, Ota, Ogun State while giving the chancellor’s remark before the award of degree certificates. He further said “if we only know what has happened to Iran, Nigeria will sit up to face its challenges without waiting for external assistance. We must engage in indigenous solutions and stop talking about economic growth that cannot be measured by any indices” he added.
OVER 100 CHILDREN AND WOMEN BURIED IN MASS BURIAL
On Friday, no fewer than 100 people were buried in Kaduna who were mainly women and children left dead during the attack on Monday and Tuesday in southern Kaduna.
“They were buried because the corpse has started decomposing due to the poor hospital facilities” said Emmanuel Adamu, Sanga Local Government chairman, from where the attacked was done.
JONATHAN SEEKS SENATE’S APPROVAL TO FUND N1.5TR POLICE REFORM
Due to the insecurity challenges facing the countries, President Goodluck Jonathan sent a letter to the senate seeking approval to fund the Nigeria Police Reform Programme at estimated cost of N1.5 trillion.
The President said in his letter that if approved, the programme, based on the report submitted by MD Yusuf’s committee in 2008 would be implemented within 6 years. He further stressed his point by stating the ratification of the National Economic Council on the recommendation of the Technical Sub-Committee for the Police Reform Programme that the deduction of one per cent from the monthly statutory allocation to federal, states and local government areas for the next six years, to fund the programme.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
US ENVOY FOR ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN TALKS RESIGNED
Martin Indyk, the Chief US negotiator for the Israeli-Palestinian talks has resigned on Friday after both sides failed to reach a compromise on peace treaty at the meeting held the same day and expected to be in Washington, says US Official.
The resignation was no surprise to both sides as they expected it to have come to past since April 30when the talk should have ended.
Both countries were not ready sign each other agreement as the Israelis were not ready to release the Palestinians in their prisons and Palestinians were also not ready to expand the territory presently occupied by the Israelis in the Palestinians’ territory
Also, it was gathered that the 15 International treaties signed by the Palestinians which are against the interest of the Israeli worsen the situation.
EBOLA VIRUS THREATEN WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES
On Friday, the World Health Organisation, WHO, warned West African countries including Mali, Senegal, Guinea Bissau and Ivory Coast against the deadly Ebola Virus.
This warning was done in Accra, Ghana that the worst record ever gotten since the virus was identified, was from Guinea, Sierra Leon and Liberia. “We want other countries in West Africa to be ready – bordering countries, Ivory Coast, Mali, Guinea Bissau – to prepare themselves,” said Pierre Formenty, a WHO medical official
KENYA’S GOVERNOR ARRESTED OVER ATTACK
The Governor of Lamu County had been arrested in connection with the three recent last week of which two were done consecutively at night in the town of Mpeketoni and a nearby village attack leaving behind 65 dead bodies, according to the police.
Issa Timamy, who was arrested on Wednesday, is still in the custody of the Kenya’s Criminal Investigations Department as proclaimed by the Chief, NdegwaMuhoro.
Despite an immediate claim of responsibility from the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group for the Mpeketoni attack, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has blamed “local political networks” along with an “opportunist network of other criminal gangs”.
ARMY NOW RULES IN THAILAND
Thailand’s army is in control again after the country’s 12th coup in 80 years.
Under the new regime, the constitution is suspended, protests are banned, there are strict media restrictions, and those accused of dissent face trial in military courts.
The new leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha says a decade of political turmoil between the popular Red Shirt movement and the wealthy elite was spiralling into civil war as reasons for taking control of the administration of the country.
However, citizens hoped that this military rule would not last than expected and also will set everything wrong straight.
