Breaking: EgyptAir flight from Paris to Cairo disappears from radar

An EgyptAir plane headed to Cairo from Paris with 69 people on board disappeared from radar at dawn Thursday, the airline said.

Flight MS804 operating an Airbus A320 took off from Charles de Gaulle airport at 11:09 p.m. with 59 passengers and 10 crew members, the carrier said in a statement. The aircraft lost communications with radar around 2:45 a.m. Cairo time, it said in a separate statement. All communication has been lost with the missing plane and search and rescue operations are underway, a spokeswoman said.

Anambra Labour Commences Strike Action Today

The Anambra state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress and civil society of Nigeria have condemned in strong term the removal of subsidy  on the premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by the federal government and described it as described it as insensitive o the plight of common man.

Addressing journalists  at the end of their meeting in Awka, the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Jerry Nnubia lamented that the APC led administration has disappointed Nigerians with their programme of governance,  he called on workers, non civil service work force to join them in the struggle to liberate Nigerians from the stronghold of the present administration.

He maintained that the strike action, which will commence tomorrow (Today) will be indefinite in line with the national body of the NLC request, in making sure that government is forced to revert the pump price of petroleum from the present price of 145 naira to its previous price of 86 naira respectively.

FANS CAME IN THOUSANDS TO SUPPORT AFRICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE IN ABIDJAN

The City of Abidjan was thrown into fun and excitement over the weekend as the African Basketball League hosted basketball lovers to the Abidjan Basketball Challenge at Palais des sports de Treichville, Abidjan.

The two days in Abidjan showcased more than basketball as African music stars and dancers spiced up the nights with electrifying performances. The Nigerian artistes were led by Sound Sultan, Chidinma , Korra and May D. D J Arafat and others were also on ground to entertain fans.
The arena with a capacity of over five thousand was packed full to capacity and tickets were already sold out before the tip off time.

Arthur Eze, NAUTH To Facilitate National Sickle Cell Centre at Ukpo

                                                           By Okechukwu Christopher
All is now set to build a befitting national sickle cell anemia centre at Ukpo.
According to Dr. Ifeoma Modebe, an Associate Professor and Consultant in public health and physician in the Department of Community Medicine Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Ukpo, the centre would be furnished with modern medical equipment geared towards providing quality health to the sicklers in the country and Anambra State in particular.

Fuel price: Murray-Bruce demands effective mass transit system

The Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator  Ben Murray-Bruce, has called for an effective mass transit system to regulate the cost of transport and cushion the effect of the recent fuel price hike.
He said this on Tuesday while briefing journalists after plenary.

Anambra Professionals Charge Governor Obiano To Beef Up Security Against Possible Fulani Herdsmen Invasion

Sequel to the renewed calls by stakeholders in the south east, challenging  their state governors to beef up security to avert a re-occurrence of Fulani herdsmen attacks on villages in the zone, Anambra League of Professionals have charged the state house of assembly to cooperate with the state governor to ensure safety of lives and properties of the people in the state is maintained.

They solicited for an improved convivial working relationship within the three arms of government to enable them discharge their  constitutional  responsibilities creditably in the area of providing adequate security of lives and properties of the people living in the state.

The meeting, which ended at about 12 midnight, will resume at 3pm on Tuesday (today).

Fuel price hike: FG, Labour meeting ends in a deadlock …negotiations continue today at 3pm




Talks between the Federal Government and organised labour on the increase in the pump price of petrol ended in a deadlock on Monday night.

Briefing journalists at the end of the four-hour meeting on Tuesday morning, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, said the two parties had “a fruitful discussion and will continue from where we stopped.”

 The Federal Government, however, began another round of meeting with the Joe Ajaero-led faction of the labour movement at about 12.15am on Tuesday after its meeting with the Ayuba Wabba-led Nigeria Labour Congress.

Wabba confirmed that discussions with the Federal Government would continue by 3pm on Tuesday (today).

FUEL HIKE: Rowdy session at House of Reps as lawmakers block oil minister, Kachikwu, from chamber

The scheduled appearance of Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, at the House of Representatives on Monday has left the lower chamber bitterly divided, as lawmakers bicker over whether the minister should be allowed to enter into the chamber or not.

Mr. Kachikwu was invited to brief lawmakers on the recent increase in the price of petrol.
But when Mr. Kachikwu arrived to honour the invitation, he was met with echoes of anger from lawmakers who started shouting “No! No! No!”
Shortly after noon, House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, moved a motion to let Mr. Kachikwu in, but many lawmakers shouted him down.

Information ministry defends minister’s travel loan from NBC, says it’s nothing unusual

The Ministry of Information and Culture has risen in stout defence of Minister Lai Mohammed, saying there was nothing wrong with requesting a loan from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to cover travelling expenses of a delegation to China.

The ministry’s clarification was contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the Director, Public Relations and Protocol in the Ministry, Peter Dama.
The letter to the NBC requesting a loan of N13.12 million was leaked to the  media by an unknown staff of the Commission.

Kogi Governor Bello reacts to PREMIUM TIMES report, says funds not squandered

The Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has reacted to a PREMIUM TIMES investigative report detailing how he spent N260 million days after he was sworn into office.

Mr. Bello, who reacted through his Chief Press Secretary, Kingsley Fanwo, described the report as “libelous,” but did not deny that the funds were drawn.
In a statement signed by Mr. Fanwo, the governor said PREMIUM TIMES’ investigation into the spendings was “a clear abuse of the right to information.” He claimed that this newspaper erred when it said the money was squandered.