Cassava can generate N20tn for Nigeria yearly –NCGA

The National President, Nigeria Cassava Growers Association, Pastor Segun Adewumi, has said with the right government policy, the country can make an annual income of N20tn from cassava cultivation.

According to him, cassava, which has numerous domestic and industrial uses, is the answer to the country’s economic challenges.

Three killed, 17 injured as suicide bombers attack Borno

There was panic in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, on Sunday morning as two suicide bombers, a male and female, detonated the bomb strapped on them at about 8.50am.

The explosives killed the two suicide bombers while 18 others at the scene were injured.

One of the injured persons died later at the hospital where the 18 were taken to for treatment.

Our correspondent gathered that the casualty figure could have been very high, had security operatives not denied  the bombers access to the Maiduguri Monday Market.

Travellers give bribes at airports – ICPC

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission has said about 53 per cent of travellers give bribes to workers and officials at the Lagos and Abuja international airports.

The ICPC Chairman, Ekpo Nta, said this, while unveiling a report on the Corruption Risk Assessment done on the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos State, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Environment minister set to leave Buhari’s govt

President Muhammadu Buhari may soon carry out a minor cabinet shake-up with the imminent exit of the Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, from his administration, THE PUNCH has learnt.

Our correspondent however learnt on Sunday that the exercise might not be carried out until early next year when Mohammed is expected to leave.

‘Buhari paying lip service to democracy’

The Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of paying lips service to the sustenance of democracy in the country.

The governor said, “Any President that looks the other way while the rights of his people to freely elect their leaders are being snatched at gunpoint by his own party men is not worthy of being associated with democracy.”

Ohanaeze, Ngige disagree over Buhari’s treatment of Igbo

The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, has dismissed as false, claims by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, that President Muhammadu Buhari is unfair to the Igbo.

The Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-political body of the Igbo, Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, had on Friday said the organisation backed former President Goodluck Jonathan against Buhari in the 2015 presidential election because Buhari had always been unfair to Igbo.

Ex-Jonathan’s spokesman, Ima Niboro, joins APC

Ovie Okpare, Warri 

Ima Niboro, a former Presidential spokesman for ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday dumped the Peoples Democratic Party and joined  the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Niboro, who is the immediate former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, was first received into the party by the APC chieftains in Ughelli South Local Government before he was later admitted into the party by the state chairman of the party, Prophet Jones Erue.

Gowon visits Benin monarch, urges prayer for Nigeria

 

 

Alexander Okere, Benin

A former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.), on Monday paid a courtesy visit to the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, at his palace in Benin, Edo State.

Gowon, who was accompanied by a delegation, was received by the Oba and several palace chiefs at about 3pm.

Police to withdraw politicians’ orderlies

Friday Amobi, P’Harcourt

OPERATIVES of the Rivers State Police Command on Monday said it would withdraw police orderlies attached to politicians in the state during the December 10 reruns.

The operatives, who spoke during a meeting with stakeholders in Port Harcourt, also said it would not allow any police officer to go close to the polling units with guns and ammunition.

Rivers rerun: PDP attacks Ganduje over comments

Olusola Fabiyi, Abuja

The Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led Peoples Democratic Party on Monday described the statement by the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, that having free and fair elections in the South-South region of the country was abnormal, as a veiled threat that the forthcoming electoral reruns in Rivers State will be manipulated by the All Progressives Congress.