Nigeria News

Zimbabwe's military says its actions do not amount to a takeover. It still refers to Robert Mugabe as the commander-in-chief of the country's defence forces. But practically speaking, Mr Mugabe is not in charge if his forces can step in to usurp his authority. This is not a coup d'état in name, but it appears to be in action. The military takeover of the national broadcaster, the presence of troops on the streets and major access points, and even forced entry into the presidential palace are traits of a military takeover - at least as we have seen them in Africa. One thing that is lacking is that the constitution has not been suspended. The cementing of democracy across Africa has led to a general regional and continent-wide aversion to violent takeovers of government  Even in the past, coup-stagers often promised a quick handover to civilian government through elections or a negotiated transition. Image copyright AFP Image caption The military says it has not

derailed at the Abbatoir area of Agege, the outskirts of Lagos on Thursday morning. Several death have been recorded, others were seriously injured while many vehicles and propertiy were destroyed.Confirming the incident, the state’s police spokesman, Olarinde Famous-Cole told the Sun that the train rammed into a trailer, injuring many and leaving unconfirmed number of victims feared dead. “We just got the information. Our policemen and those attached to the railway command are in control of the situation. I cannot confirm any death, but I can tell you that some persons were injured. ” We shall be able to furnish you with details later please.”

Eight Nigerian banks downgraded in new Moody’s report GTBank building used to illustrate the story Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) has downgraded to B2 from B1 the long-term local currency deposit and issuer ratings of four Nigerian banks. It also downgraded the long-term local and foreign currency issuer ratings of another development bank. The agency, in its new rating released Friday, listed the banks to include Access Bank Plc (Access), Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTBank), United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) and Zenith Bank Plc (Zenith) while the Bank of Industry, BOI, was listed as the development bank. Moody’s also downgraded to B3 from B2, the long-term foreign currency deposit ratings of Access, GTBank, UBA, Zenith, Union Bank of Nigeria plc (Union), First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FBN) and Sterling Bank Plc (Sterling). Moody’s Corporation is the holding company that owns both Moody’s Investor Services, which rates fixed income debt securities, and Moody’s A

Zimbabwe’s army chief has warned President Robert Mugabe to end the purge in the country’s ruling Zanu-PF party, threatening to step in. The warning came a week after Mr. Mugabe fired his deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa, a move widely seen as meant to clear the path for Mr. Mugabe’s wife, Grace, to become president. Mr. Mnangagwa, a former defence minister, was once seen as a possible president. He has since fled into exile. On Monday, Army Chief Constantino Chiwenga, a general, told a news conference attended by 90 senior army officers that the removal of people who were involved in the independence struggle, like Mr. Mnangagwa, would not be tolerated, the BBC reports. Although he did not mention the president by name, the warning is understood to be directed at the 93-year-old Mr. Mugabe. “The current purging which is clearly targeting members of the party with a liberation background must stop forthwith,” the general said. “We must remind those behind the current treachero

Radio Biafra Removes Nnamdi Kanu As IPOB Leader, Accuses Him Of Abandoning Co-Detainees The International media arm of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Radio Biafra, has resumed operations, Daily Independent reports. But instead of the fiery rhetoric with which it was associated with, the radio announced the sack of Nnamdi Kanu, as director and leader of IPOB. The Radio Biafra’s programme started between 6am -7am on Sunday, November 12, with the lady announcer, who gave her name as Ifeoma Okorafor, stating that the radio was restructuring. Then the shocking announcement that “Mazi Nnamdi Nwanekaenyi Kanu, the former Director of Radio Biafra is hereby dismissed and removed as Director of Radio Biafra following extensive and intensive consultations” According to Okorafor, one “Mazi Ezenwachukwu Sampson Okwudili is Kanu’s replacement.” She reeled out reasons why Kanu was removed to include: “Personalisation of the Biafran struggle and derailing from the cor

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) The INEC boss said that anybody caught in electoral malpractice would be dealt with in accordance with the law. “Every INEC worker must ensure that we all achieve our set goal of making Anambra Nov.18 governorship election flawless and historic,’’ he said. Yakubu said that Nigerians and indeed people outside are watching INEC in its resolve to make Anambra governorship election the best in the history of the commission. “INEC will be holding two elections in Anambra on Nov. 18, the governorship election and the state assembly election for Idemili North state constituency you must discharge your duties diligently. “There are many people out there working seriously to see that the commission fails in its commitment to record free, fair and credible election and you must have this in mind. “INEC will get rid of you if you do the wrong thing, and you are aware that those caught in the web of such negat

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday declared support for the primary school reform being undertaken by Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna. The governor has announced plans to sack about 22,000 teachers who failed a competency test. The move has been condemned by labour unions in the state as well as a senator from there. President Buhari expressed his stance at a special retreat of the Federal Executive Council in Abuja.

Though it is a dead-rubber game, the Super Eagles are keen to end their World Cup qualifying campaign against Algeria in style  on Friday  night. The Super Eagles with 13 points from five games have already taken the sole World Cup ticket up for grabs in Group B; hence the game against the Desert Foxes is with little or no premium. That said, the Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, and the team captain, John Obi Mikel, have both stated that they are keen to avoid defeat in this qualifying series. Due to injuries and the likes, a somewhat different Super Eagles outlook is expected  tonight  with some getting their first competitive cap for the Nigeria national team. PREMIUM TIMES already understands that Israel-based Anthony Nwakaeme will lead the Eagles attack against the Les Fennecs of Algeria in the last FIFA World Cup qualifier  on Friday night. Stay with us for Live Updates from Constantine. Kick off is  8.30 p.m‎. KICK OFF!!! Algeria gets the game underway Bright

N-Power releases list of successful applicants. The N-Power scheme has announced the commencement of the second phase of its Volunteer Corps Programme. In a message displayed on its official website, the scheme revealed that there are 300,000 successful applicants. It wrote on npvn.npower.gov.ng “The Federal Government of Nigeria is pleased to announce the commencement of the second phase of the N-Power Volunteer Corps Programme, involving the selection of 300,000 successful applicants. “The Federal Government of Nigeria wishes to congratulate all 300,000 successful applicants.They are encouraged to take this opportunity seriously by learning the skills that will brighten their future and also serve their communities with commitment and dedication. “For those who have not been selected at this time, there is a waiting list and subsequent phase(s) will absorb more qualified applicants. “The selection into the second phase was undertaken in a fair and transparent manner on

11 shot dead in Plateau, as Police, Army launch manhunt for killers No fewer than 11 persons were, Tuesday night, shot dead by gunmen along Rim in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State. The victims were said to be returning from a weekly village market at Makera by 7:30p.m., when they were shot dead, while four of the traders were injured. Survivors of the attack said the gunmen, in Army uniforms, attacked them while some passengers were alighting from a car at Diyan Junction. However, the spokesman of Operation Safe Haven, Captain Adam Umar, said the attackers only impersonated their personnel. Captain Umar said: “I express my sincere sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident. Our personnel were alerted and they moved in immediately, but before they got there, the attackers had already killed some people and left others with injuries. “Criminals can go to any length to disguise themselves in the course of carrying out their cr