US Blocks Nigeria’s Purchase Of Chinook Helicopters From Israel

Efforts by the Nigerian military to procure US-made Chinook helicopters from Israel, to facilitate the movement of troops and the injured, have been blocked by the United States Government, THISDAY has learnt.

This, among other issues, including the US’ refusal to provide Nigeria’s security agencies with timely intelligence needed to defeat Boko Haram insurgents who have been riding rough shod in the North-east, would form part of the discussions when President Goodluck Jonathan meets with US President Barack Obama in New York this week.

Jonathan departed for New York on Sunday for the 69th General Assembly of the United Nations.

The Chinook is a versatile and reliable American twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter produced by Boeing. Its primary roles are troops movement, artillery placement and battlefield resupply.

In a war where Boko Haram insurgents move in convoys through arid towns and villages, the helicopters are required to checkmate them, reinforce troops and supplies and recover dead and wounded soldiers.

DEPUTY BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER, CARTER PARKER LESLIE SLUMPED AND DIED AT LAGOS AIRPORT

Mr. Carter Parker Leslie

The Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Carter Parker Leslie slumped and died on Tuesday at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos. 
 Carter was reported to have fallen and slumped while arriving Nigeria aboard a Delta Airlines from Atlanta Georgia. His sudden death temporarily caused uproar at the airport


The plane had arrived the country from Atlanta Georgia around 4pm on Tuesday.

French coast guard rescued man who was trying to sail to England on a raft made from six planks of wood and a bedsheet

The 23-year-old was soaked to the skin and suffering from hypothermia when he was picked up by coastguards after he was spotted drifting near to Sangatte. He told them that his 'dream' was to 'travel to England to start a new life' and would stop at nothing to get there. His desperate attempt comes as many of the hundreds massing in Calais to get to Britain increasingly put their lives in danger by plunging into the sea.

If you got points for effort... French coast guard rescue the 23-year-old Afghan trying to cross the Channel on a makeshift raft using a bedsheet as a sail off the coast of France, near Sangatte, on Monday afternoon

An Afghan migrant who was trying to sail to Britain in a raft made of six planks of wood and a sheet has been rescued from the English Channel.
The 23-year-old was soaked to the skin and suffering from hypothermia when he was picked up by coastguards after he was spotted drifting near to Sangatte.
He told them that his ‘dream’ was to ‘travel to England to start a new life’ and would stop at nothing to get there. 

BREAKING NEWS! Armed Men Hijack Children's School Bus In Nyanya Abuja (Photo)

AnnyIyoho Via Twitter

A school bus belonging to a private school has been hijacked on Tuesday morning, May 6, 2014 in Nyanya district of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The bus hijacked by the gunmen belongs to Vine International Academy.

The bus was reportedly taken over by the gunmen as the bus arrived the school premises to drop off students for the new school day.
The school proprietress, Mrs Fola Kolade, has confirmed the hijack. “They tried to enter the school but they couldn’t. No children were taken but they took our school bus,” she said.
According to Kolade, all pupils of the school are safe.

Nigeria And It's Neighbouring Countries In New 5 Nations Vehicle Shipment Scheme

Vehicle shipment and transit between Nigeria and neighbouring countries is being simplified as the Nigeria Customs Service has commenced a scheme to ease international automobile purchases.

The pilot of the scheme, which involves nations like Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic, according to the Customs Area Controller of the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Willy Egbudin, is the fall out of a March 26, 2014 meeting of Directors General of Customs of the five proximate countries held in Abuja, and in line with the Transit Code.

AISHA FALODE Of AIT SPORTS LOSES ONLY SON IN CAR CRASH

CAF Media Committee member and former AIT Sports correspondent Aisha Falode has lost her son,Toba Falode.

The young lad, several reports this week say, passed away over the weekend in a car crash, according to his friends.

Before the shocking incident, Toba Falode was schooling in Dubai, U.A.E, according to NET findings. He was also into contemporary music, combining schooling with music production and rapping. His monicker was Tyler Fray.

Photos Of Former CBN Governor Lamido Sanusi As He Arrives Nigeria, Passport Seized: SAYS: "I will challenge my suspension in court"

Former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Lamido Sanusi, who was in Niger Republic this morning for an official ECOWAS event when his suspension was announced is back in Nigeria, right now in Lagos.

Sanusi arrived via Lagos International airport on a private jet G-SENT. Saharareporters reports that on arrival, Sanusi's passport was seized by the SSS. The Nigerian SSS initially stopped him but later let him 
leave with his family. Sanusi was accompanied by former minister Nasir Elrufai, 
Sanusi said he isn't a criminal as he drove off in the black Toyota SUV pictured above, accompanied by several official cars.

BREAKING NEWS! House of Rep Rejects Lamido Sanusi's Suspension

Lamido

The House of Representatives today rejected President Goodluck Jonathan's suspension of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

The House took the decision today after adopting a motion on the matter moved by minority whip, Samson Osagie.

Osagie argued that Sanusi's suspension was unconstitutional and antithetical to Nigeria's economy coming at the time the CBN governor raised some concerns about missing funds.He said the timing was wrong and Sanusi should not be washed away as he was only carrying out his duties as the chief executive officer of the apex bank.

Goodluck Jonathan Nominates Godwin Emefiele As CBN Governor & Adelabu Adekoya As Deputy Gov.

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President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday nominated Mr Godwin Emefiele for the position of Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Emefiele, the current Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc, is to replace Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who was suspended on Thursday by the president for alleged “financial recklessness and misconduct’’. In a letter to the Senate President, Sen. David Mark, for approval of the nomination, the president said the request was in view of the fact that the tenure of the incumbent would end on June 1.

The letter read in part: “Pursuant to the provisions of section 8(1) and (2) of the CBN Act of 2007, I hereby forward the name of Mr Godwin Emefiele for your kind consideration and confirmation.’’

The president had earlier appointed Dr Sarah Alade, the most senior Deputy Governor in the bank, Acting Governor, pending the confirmation of Emefiele’s nomination. In a separate letter, the president asked the Senate to confirm Mr Adelabu Adekola as a Deputy Governor with  CBN.

Goodluck Jonathan Suspends Lamido Sanusi As CBN Governor & Appoints Sarah Alade

Sanusi lamido

Sarah Omotunde Alade

Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday morning sacked Lamido Sanusi, as Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

The President also appointed Mrs Sarah Alade, Deputy Governor, Central Bank to act as CBN Governor.

Sanusi had in the past few months been involved in controversies over allegations of missing funds between the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and the Federal Ministry of Finance.

But in a statement signed by Reuben Abati, the special adviser to the President on media and publicity, the President said the sack of the Minister was based on the report of “Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria and other investigating bodies, which indicate clearly that Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s tenure has been characterized by various acts of financial recklessness and misconduct which are inconsistent with the administration’s vision of a Central Bank propelled by the core values of focused economic management, prudence, transparency and financial discipline.”

Desperate Dash To Save Dying Beauty Queen: Dies Hours After Being Gunned Down On The Street

Shot dead: Genesis Carmona is taken to hospital on a motorcycle after she was shot in the head during an anti-government protest in Valencia, Venezuela

Slipping away by the second, she lies cradled in the arms of the motorbike rider who faces a desperate – and ultimately futile – race against time to save her life.

Moments earlier, Genesis Carmona had been an ordinary 22-year-old woman on a street in the Venezuelan city of Valencia.

Then she was shot in the head by an unidentified gunman who opened fire at anti-government protesters.