First ladies don’t spend government money – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has said that occupants of the offices of the first lady across the nation “are not spending government money,” even though the platform has become veritable means of mobilising women for national development.

The President’s position was a response to the complaints on social media that the offices constitute unnecessary burden to government, as they have become avenues through which public resources are frittered away.

The President, in an argument tweeted by his Special Assistant on New Media, Reno Omokri, said, “I can tell you that these offices (of first ladies) are helping to mobilise the women.”

He boasted that his administration had made remarkable achievements in women empowerment, with several women getting key political appointments.
“Nigerian women, I don’t believe that you are designed by God to pound yam for me, to be a baby factory,” he said.

PVCS: Lagos INEC opens 245 distribution centres

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Lagos State says it has directed its Electoral Officers, EOs, to move to 245 Registration Areas across the state for the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs.
Residents of Sebiotimo street, Agege, checking for their Permanent Voters Cards at  ward 5, Agage Local Government in, Lagos state,  yesterday [08-11-14]. Photo: Bunmi Azeez
Residents of Sebiotimo street, Agege, checking for their Permanent Voters Cards at ward 5, Agage Local Government in, Lagos state,. Photo: Bunmi Azeez
Mr. Femi Akinbiyi, the Public Relations Officer of INEC in the state, spoke yesterday in Lagos.
Akinbiyi said that the new Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mr Akin Orebiyi had directed the officers to ensure that eligible voters yet to collect their PVCs are able to receive them at their wards.
“The REC has directed the EOs to move the cards closer to the people after consultation with the relevant stakeholders in the local governments.
“Even in the riverine areas, our staff will be staying with the communities for the distribution,“ he said.

Pastor Adeboye Leads President Jonathan To Obasanjo's Hilltop Building Ota, For Peace Meeting

HIDE and seek! That aptly captures the processes that led to a closed-door meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
A top supporter of Jonathan told Vanguard at about 8.30 p.m, yesterday, that “the meeting is holding now” and declined further comments.
An unconfirmed report last night stated that the General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye and the Founder, Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, were part of the meeting, which began at 7 p.m, last night.
The presence of the religious leaders as witnesses, sources said, was part of the conditions Obasanjo gave to hold any talk with President Jonathan.

Jonathan pledges 2 million jobs annually if re-elected

President Goodluck Jonathan has promised two million jobs yearly if re-elected into office.

Mr. Jonathan spoke Monday in Ibadan, Oyo State, were he met supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ahead of the February 14 election.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, quoted the president as saying he will generate jobs for the teeming unemployed population in Nigeria.

He did not say how that will happen, after largely failing to provide as many jobs in the last six years as president.

Besides corruption and insecurity, the Jonathan administration is persistently criticised over the huge unemployed population in the country.

Agbaje will sack APC in Lagos not workers -Lagos PDP

The Lagos State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied allegations that its governorship candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, is set to sack workers if voted in as governor of the state on February 28.
The party stated that rather than sack workers, Agbaje after sacking APC will employ more workers and improve their welfare to international standard.
In a statement by its publicity secretary, Mr Gani Taofik, disclosed that Agbaje will sack APC in Lagos as Fayose sacked them in Ekiti.
The Lagos APC through its Publicity secretary, Joe Igbokwe had issued statement alleging plans by Agbaje to sack Lagos workers as allegedly done by Fayose in Ekiti.

Female suicide bombers kill 39 in Potiskum, Maiduguri markets

Over 20 people were killed at Kasuwar Jagwal GSM market in the commercial capital of Potiskum, Yobe State, yesterday, when two female suicide bombers, one of them aged about 15, blew themselves up in the crowded market.
The blasts came just a day after a young girl thought to be aged about 10 killed 19 at a Chicken Market in Maiduguri, in the neighbouring Borno State.
Potiskum is in the west and about 100 kilometres from Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, that witnessed series of bomb blasts including the suicide bomber that hit a police formation weekend.
Residents said the suicide bombers invaded the crowded market at about 3pm and detonated their Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs.
A resident of Potiskum, Mallam Aliyu Usman, told Vanguard on phone, yesterday, that the death toll could rise as most of those who sustained injuries had lost much blood due to bleeding before security operatives could reach the scene.
Unconfirmed sources said over 20 people were killed, adding that their mangled bodies were seen at the scene of the blast.

ENUGU PROPHET: NEITHER JONATHAN NOR BUHARI WILL BE PRESIDENT

About two weeks after the fiery Enugu Catholic priest, Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka, stirred the hornet's nest predicting doom for the nation should President Goodluck Jonathan win the February 14 presidential election, another Enugu-based prophet, Anthony Nwoko yesterday foreclosed the possibility of the Presidential candidate of the opposition All Progressives Congress, (APC), Muhammadu Buhari winning the election.
Nwoko who had in 1993 prophesied the end of the military regime of former head of state, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd.) however added a new dimension to the entire political scenario by predicting that President Goodluck Jonathan of the ruling People's Democratic Party will also not be president after next month's election.

Breaking: Jonathan In Secret Meeting With Obasanjo

Reports tonight state that Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and former President Olusegun Obasanjo are currently in an evening meeting at the hilltop mansion of the former President in Abeokuta.
Obasanjo and Jonathan have recently been embroiled in controversy surrounding the incendiary release of Obasanjo's latest book, My Watch, which is especially critical of Mr. Jonathan's efforts as president
The two have recently been embroiled in heated controversy surrounding the incendiary release of Obasanjo's latest book, My Watch, which is especially critical of Mr. Jonathan's efforts as president.

KAYMU OFFERS SUPPORT TO VICTIMS OF BALOGUN MARKET FIRE

Following the fire outbreak at the ever busy Balogun market in the wee hours of Monday morning, leading online marketplace, Kaymu.com.ng is offering support to victims who lost valuables in the inferno. 

The fire which started from a plaza housing hundreds of shops, gradually spread across other shops destroying goods estimated to be worth millions of naira were in its wake. 

In a swift reaction, the Managing Director of Kaymu.com.ng, Evangeline Wiles has expressed her heartfelt sympathy to the victims of the fire outbreak. In a statement released by the company, Wiles stated, “We condole with those affected and make our website available for sale of their products. Sellers now have the opportunity to sell from the comfort of their homes by taking a picture of the product, uploading on www.kaymu.com.ng, filling in the price and automatically get exposed to millions of buyers all over Nigeria for free.

This way you get to save rental fees, staffing and generator cost. It’s the fastest way to recover your loss’’. 

The fire which began around 4:30am is now abated.

Anambra North Women Root For Hon. Dubem Obaze.

Anambra North women trooped out en masse earlier today (Sunday 11th Jan.) from the seven local government areas that make-up the senatorial zone to pay a solidarity visit to Chief Dubem Obaze at his Ochuche residence Ogbaru. Women numbering about 3000 gathered to reassure Chief Dubem Obaze of their indefatigable support and unalloyed loyalty pledging to vote massively for him in the February 2015 general election.

Spokesperson for the women Mrs. Ijeoma Obodoeze described Chief Dubem as the best candidate the zone could ever have had, in her words she said, "Chief Dubem is a man of impeccable character who has distinguished himself in service to his people, he did a lot for this senatorial zone during his tenure as the commissioner for local government and Chieftaincy matters. He attracted road projects, hospitals, schools for our children and numerous other projects to Anambra North that is why we the women of Anambra North is endorsing him as our candidate because we believe that the prize of worthy service is more responsibility."