Jonathan, Nollywood Stars Shut Down Delta State

As presidential candidates continue to campaign with a few days to the February general elections, President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stormed Delta state yesterday, February 5.

Jonathan and his campaign team shut down socio-economic activities in Asaba, the state capital, as markets were closed and some major streets were barricaded.
The Delta state government had asked schools to close down on Wednesday as Jonathan visited Asaba for the presidential campaign rally of the PDP, Channels TV reports.
Addressing the crowd that had gathered to receive him, the president promised to improve the maritime sector in the state.

Daddy Showkey addressing the crowd while Jonathan is standing behind

He also assured the people that if he is re-elected, the state will receive more support from his government in all areas of the economy.

Anyone Who Threatens Nigeria Should Be Arrested - Edwin Clark

Nigerian Elder stateman, Chief Edwin Clark has questioned the level of preparedness of the  Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2015 national elections.

The former federal commissioner said that Jega needs to tell the nation the position of the commission so as to avoid a repeat of the 2011 elections where INEC failed to produce election materials to some areas of the nation.

Chief Edwin Clark

The Ijaw statesman also demanded for the arrest of anyone who makes any inciting statement that threatens the unity of the country.
Clark was speaking to journalists in the Federal capital Territory Abuja where he denied supporting the call for war should Jonathan fail to win.
As for the issue of INEC postponing the elections, he said: “Presidential election has been fixed for 14 February, I don’t want to comment on whether the election should be postponed or not. But what is more important, is INEC ready? That is the most important statement

"Bali Nine" case: Australian pair lose final bid to stay execution

Andrew Chan, left, and Myuran Sukumaran were sentenced to death in 2006

Two Australians facing the death penalty in Bali have lost a final legal bid to have their cases reviewed.

Lawyers for Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, members of the "Bali Nine" drug smuggling ring, had applied for a second review of their convictions.

Mugabe Accidental Fall Gets Mixed Reactions On Twitter

A viral but unfortunate picture surfaced the internet last night when Zimbabwe’s President, Robert Mugabe on Wednesday, February 4, fell down from a podium after speaking to supporters upon his return from Ethiopia.
Mugabe appeared to have missed a step and toppled when he left the raised lectern at the airport on Wednesday afternoon.
His aides were however quick to his rescue and helped him up before escorting him to his limousine which sped away.

Jega Reveals Military Isn't Cooperative

The chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, is reported to be preparing to tell today’s Council of State meeting that the INEC is 100% ready for the February 14 elections.

Prof Attahiru Jega

Sahara Reporters’ sources close to the INEC said that Jega will brief the council on a few outstanding minor logistical issues which he believes the commission will be able to take care of next week.
Sahara Reporters further report that Jega claimed to be mainly worried about one issue ahead of the elections: the inability of the military to cooperate and to hold meetings which will define the role the armed forces will play during the election process.

N9bn Sour Deal: Oyedepo's Lawyer Speaks Up

A few days ago, reports circulated that the founder of the Living Faith Church, also known as Winners’ Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, was sued by a stock brokerage firm, Valueline Securities and Investment Limited, over alleged breach of an agreement on a N9bn investment.

Bishop David Oyedepo

However, Bishop Oyedepo’s counsel, Chioma Okwuanyi, has waded into the matter. Punch reports that Okwuanyi has claimed that the stock brokerage firm, Valueline Securities and Investment Limited, which sued his client and others, is a gold digger. He also said the hand of the law would soon catch up with the brokerage firm. He said:

Prisoners Graduate With Second Class Upper Degree

At a time when there are concerns over the quality of education being offered in Nigerian universities, a new report has emerged that four prison inmates recently graduated from the National Open University with impressive results.
According to the report published by Daily Trust newspaper online, the Comptroller-General of Nigerian Prison Service, Dr. Peter Ekpendu, made the disclosure on Wednesday, saying that three of the inmates graduated with Second Class Upper degree while the third left with a Second Class Lower degree.
Ekpendu said this while declaring open a workshop entitled “Dynamics in the proper utilization of benefits under Prisons Welfare Insurance Scheme; the way forward” in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

File photo of graduating students of NOUN

Speaking on how the prison inmates were able to achieve the feat, the Nigerian Prisons Service boss stated that there were six directorates in the Prisons Service, and that one of them was dedicated to the training of inmates in skills acquisition.