Nigeria Begins Diesel-Fuel Imports From Niger Republic

Nigeria has begun to import refined diesel fuel from Niger, its northern neighbour, oil market traders and truck drivers said on Monday.

Gani Fawehimi's Widow And Son Arrested During Memorial Procession For Dead Victims Of Fuel Subsidy Removal

A procession rally in memory of the victims who died in last month's protest against the withdrawal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government was yesterday stopped abruptly by the police at Maryland, Lagos.

The police then arrested a former President of Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU), Dr. Dipo Fasina, the widow of the late Lagos lawyer-activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Ganiyat, his son, Mohammed and 13 others.

According to the Nations Newspaper:

The procession was to mark the 40-day memorial of the victims who were shot dead by security operatives during the nationwide protest. The subsidy withdrawal led to an increase in petrol price to N141 per litre from the former price of N65. Government was, however, forced to review its decision with the price coming down to N97.

The procession had taken off peacefully at 9am from the Yaba, Lagos Secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and was headed for the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park at Ojota when gun-wielding policemen intercepted the marchers at Maryland.

The policemen led by Deputy Superintendent Noah Adesoyin demanded the police permit authorising the procession.

Long Queues And Fuel Scarcity Returns To Edo State

Long long queues have resurfaced in few filling stations as scarcity of petrol hit Benin City and parts of Edo state, for the simple reason that some tanker drivers are on strike.

It is that bad that a litre of petrol was selling between N120 to N150 on the outskirts of the state capital while a litre was going for as much as N400 at Texaco filling station along Mission road.

Checks round the capital town showed that majority of the filling stations were short of the product making way for black market at Dawson road off Akpakpava road and adjoining streets in the state capital.

There was long queue along the government reservation road (GRA) leading to NNPC Mega station on Sapele road even as the management of the station refused to sell the product to anxious customers.

Boko Haram Issues Threat Letter To NLC Over N97 Fuel Pump Price

There is a rumoured plan by Boko Haram to bomb the national headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress.

It was learnt that the sect, which claimed responsibility for the bombings that killed at least 186 persons in Kano on Friday, are aggrieved that the NLC acceded to the N97 pump price proposed by the government.

The threat was said to have been conveyed to the leadership of the NLC in a mail, which has been handed over to security operatives for investigation.

A source said the leadership of the NLC decided to report the matter to the security agencies to look into the issue because they did not want to make it an issue for public discourse.

Gov. Adams Oshiomhole Provides Paliatives To Surpress The Effects Of Fuel Subsidy Removal

Edo State and Former NLC President, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, has rolled out palliatives that is suppose to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government in the state and admonished political leaders in the country learn to set aside personal political calculations in the larger interest of the polity.

The Governor in a state Broadcast, abolished all fees and levies including PTA in all public secondary schools, reduced school fees by N15,000 for under graduate students of the state-owned Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma both for indigenes and non-indigens, adding that the total value of this reduction will be paid to the University by the Edo State Government en bloc in addition to the N210 monthly subvention.

Other palliatives put in place includes,free medical treatment for pensioners and senior citizens at the age of 70 and above, 50 per cent reduction in transport fare to pupils and students, purchase of more buses and others.

 

The Return Of Queue To Nigeria's Petrol Stations

Despite the hard stands by the Nigerian masses against withdrawal of fuel subsidy by President Jonathan, the masses, NLC/TUC and Politicians have since be rejoicing at the suspension of strike and hostility by both party. Although, largely, the masses feel betrayed by labour and TUC, at least, petroleum pump price is no longer N141 but N97. However, the dreaded queue usually experienced in the old days of Obasanjo have returned in full force. We hope it's for a while.

The Ministry in charge of Nigeria oil, according to customs boss, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko-Inde, has been short changing Nigerians due to lack of transparency. But, the Honourable Minister insisted that she did no wrong, even the Trillions of Naira allegedly disbursed as fuel subsidy was ordered by Her Majesty, auntie Ngozi Nwela.

It is apparent that from the various claims and finger pointing by people in authority, the fight to eradicate corruption in our society may not see the light of day.

Goodluck Jonathan Is Misleading International Community On Fuel Subsidy... Says UN Special Advisor

Jeffrey Sachs, special advisor to U.N. Secy General Ban-ki Moon, says he was misled about the now-controversial lifting of petrol subsidies at a meeting with the Nigerian President.

After a recent session with President Jonathan, Sachs was reported to have praised the removal of fuel subsidy as a good move.  He called the removal “a bold and correct policy” and used the word “innovative.”

But after a deluge of tweets on Twitter and other venues from outraged Nigerians, Sachs backed off of his earlier remarks.

Writing on his twitter handle @ JeffDSachs, the professor of economics confessed:  “I do my homework very carefully in general, for 30 years, but not on this one. A mistake I regret…I see better that I don’t know the specific details on the subsidy to be accurate.

“ I’m listening and learning. Most important thing I could say is government must build trust with civil society based on anti-corruption, fairness, accountability.”

'Labour You betrayed Nigerians’...Balarabe Musa, Sagay, Tam David-West

Former Governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa and legal icon, Prof Itse Sagay (SAN) , have slammed Organised Labour’s leadership for suspending the strike, saying, “they have betrayed Nigerians.”

Said Musa: “Let us understand that labour got the full support of the civil society groups, the people. Calling off the strike half way without consulting with the people, is to humiliate us. Though, to some of us we are not surprised. What we should do is to organize ourselves and fight on. The N97 per litre as surrendered by NLC is unacceptable to Nigerians. ”

On the deployment of soldiers to Lagos, the former governor lambasted the federal government’s decision. “It is unfortunate that all this talk about democracy is a farce, if not why would the military or the police not respect the rights of Nigerians even with their non-violent approach?” he queried.

On his part, Sagay said labour had always betrayed Nigerians, recalling that “they once betrayed us under the leadership of Adam Oshiomhole during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.”

TUC President, Mr. Peter Esele Is Made A Member Of Petroleum Industry Bill

Following the promise made by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, earlier today, that the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) will be "given accelerated attention", the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources has today set up a bi-partisan Special PIB Task Force to work with the Ministry to further facilitate the quick passage of the PIB.

Members of the Special PIB Task Force are:

Senator Udoma Udo Udoma -- Chairman
Senator Tunde Ogbeha -- Member
Senator Lawan Shuaibu -- Member
Honourable Chubudom Nwuche -- Member
Honourable Abdullahi Gumel -- Member
Honourable Habeeb Fashinro -- Member
Mr. Peter Esele (President, TUC)  --Member
Leagl Adviser, FMPR -- Secretary

The Special PIB Task Force will be inaugurated on Thusday, January 19th at 10am in the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

So Mr. Peter Esele this is the best you can do? Well people do anything for money so i am not surprised at all. We are waiting for your brother at the NLC. Though i heard his own settlement was in cash and not in kind like you.

Thank you Mr. TUC President for truly representing the masses ooh.

Breaking News: NLC/TUC Finally Ends Strike

The leadership of the organized labour has finally suspended the #OccupyNigeria mass protest and strike today at 1:15pm. The announcement was made following an appeal by the federal government to call of the strike and the mass protest.

The Labour leaders initially ended the mass protests based on the concern for security reports at about 7am today and said they are ready to work with Justice Belgores's committee to iron out difference with

Government, they further added that the N97 per litre of petrol was a unilateral decision of the government. #BullShit!

So this is what NLC/TUC have deteriorated to? How can they stoop to N97? Is that what we've all been agitating for?

NLC/TUC you all have lost Millions of Nigerians confidence home and abroad, shame on you.

How much were you paid? You labour leaders are a bunch of disappointment anyway I am not surprised because this is not the first time you so-called labour leaders are licking the ass's of Political leaders.

Stay tuned for more details.

Heavily Armed Soldiers Take Over Gani Fawehinmi Park And Streets In Lagos

Today is not Armed Forces Remembrance Day, but looking at the streets of Lagos one can't help but think and feel today is Armed forces day...else how can somebody explain the presence of heavily Armed soldiers who have intimidatingly taken over the Gani Fawehinmi Park, the Ojota venue of last week's rallies that was renamed Freedom Park and even patrolling in Armoured cars .

Lagosians literally woke up to discover this harassment and violation of their civil right.

President Jonathan’s Broadcast: New Pump Price For Fuel Is N97 Per Litre

After a week-long of strikes, rallies, street protests and weekend's failed talks with labour, President Goodluck Jonathan, in a nationwide broadcast this morning, announced new pump price for petrol, saying the product will now sell at N97 per litre.

The new price is N44 less than the N141 announced by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, on January 1st; and N32 higher than the former price of N65, demanded by labour and the civil society for the strike to be called off.

According to the President, PPPRA has been directed to ensure compliance with the new pump price.

Jonathan, however, said that his government is working hard to reduce recurrent expenditure in line with current realities and to cut down on the cost of governance.

Army And Hausa Community Disagrees Over Alleged 400 Slaughtered Cows In Edo State

THE Joint Task Force code named "Operation Thunderstorm" in Edo State, last weekend, disagreed with the comment by the chairman of the Cattle Dealers Association in the state, Alhaji Saad Ahmed, who alleged that over 400 of their cows were illegally slaughtered by hoodlums during the last week's subsidy removal protest.

Alhaji Ahmed had lamented that hoodlums have been killing their cows and appealed to the Oba of Benin to intervene.

But when the state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole visited the Hausa community last week in company of the Commander of the 4th Brigade, Benin City, Brigadier General Abel Umahi, the issue was raised and Alhaji Ahmed failed to prove that such numbers of cows were killed illegally.

An Army source said: "We are shocked to read that such number of cows were missing because when the Governor and the Commander visited them the Governor challenged them to go and show the bush where the cows were kept before they were stolen and none of them could prove it.

"The only incident that happened was when they reported that some body was trying to steal a cow. We intervened and the person was even wounded. That person is still in the hospital now. So it is not true that 400 cows were missing."

Jonathan Hires Asari Dokubo, Other Niger Delta Militants To Threaten Labor Union Leaders?

According to Sahara Reporters:

Determined not to bow to the popular wishes of Nigerians who are protesting against his government's hike in fuel prices, President Goodluck Jonathan has resorted to hiring Niger Delta militants to threaten labor union activists who are currently leading their workers in a nation-wide strike. Our sources within the government revealed that Asari Dokubo, an ex-Niger Delta militant turned government lackey, had been recruited to coordinate the intimidation of critical sectors of the protesters.

In interviews earlier today, two officials of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) told SaharaReporters that Asari Dokubo had made several threatening phone calls to Folorunso Oginni, the chairman of the Lagos zone of PENGASSAN, as well as Comrade Babatunde Ogun, the group's national president.

"Asari Dokubo told our leaders that oil platforms will be occupied by Niger Delta militants if PENGASSAN decides to shut down production in solidarity with the ongoing labor strike," said one source.

One source in the Presidency disclosed that President Jonathan had funneled funds to Asari Dokubo and a few Niger Delta militants in a bid to use them to harass striking unions.

"Nigerians and the world need to know that President Jonathan is personally authorizing and funding militants with a history of violence to intimidate labor leaders whose only offense is that they are pursuing legitimate demands through time-honored means," said a lawyer who said he had been made aware of the threats.

#OccupyNigeria: Jonathan Orders Arrest Of Femi Falana, Tunde Bakare, Dino Melaye And Shehu Sanni

In a bid to undermine the growing protest against his government's removal of fuel subsidy, President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the SSS to arrest civil rights attorney, Femi Falana, Fiery Lagos pastor, Tunde Bakare, ex-member of house of representatives, Dino Melaye and and Kaduna b

Two sources within the State Security Services told Saharareporters that the security agency had received presidential instructions to move against these four men as well as other perceived organizers of the resistance against the government's dramatic  increase of the price of fuel.

Abuse Of FOI Bill: Publisher Of Sardauna Magazine Arrested Over #FuelSubsidy Edition

Barely 72 hours ago, information got to us that the publisher of Sardauna Magazine, Mr. Rilwan Hassan had been arrested by the State Security Service (SSS) for publishing an edition on the ongoing fuel subsidy saga in Nigeria. Speaking on his arrest, Hassan said and I quote:

"At about 3pm on the wednesday 11th, January, 2012, my circulation manager was invited for questioning at the Nnamdi Azikwe international airport by the SSS and his picture was taken. He later started receiving threat call from the SSS operatives including the OC in charge of the airport. He was questioned concerning the latest Sardauna magazine edition titled "Fuel Subsidy will spark revolt". He was asked to go and the magazine was realised.

President Jonathan $200m To Nollywood Was To Deceive Us.... Clarion Chukwurah

Nigeria's Popular Nollywood actress, Clarion Chukwurah, has berated President Goodluck Jonathan over his purported donation of $200 million to the entertainment industry saying it was a deceit.

The actress who joined her counterparts in the entertainment industry in support of the masses against the removal of subsidy by the President, said nobody in the industry can say he has received the money from the President.

Angry #OccupyNigeria Protesters Storm NTA And AIT To Express Dissatisfaction

A group of protesters from Ikoyi and Victoria Island areas of the state and led by Professor Pat Utomi, registered their presence today at the front gates of NTA on VI to protest the station's refusal to report the nationwide protest and to know why the TV station is trying to give the impression that all is well in the country, when actually the reverse is the case.

Also some angry protesters, this morning stormed the premises of African Independent Television, AIT, Alagbado, Lagos, demanding to be heard first-hand.

Subsidy Removal Protest: 11 Groups Drag President Goodluck Jonathan Before International Criminal Court

Over alleged killings of 35 Nigerians by security agents, 11 human rights groups have dragged President Goodluck Jonathan before the International Criminal Court, ICC, accusing him of killings of no fewer than 35 Nigerians by security agencies in the on-going protest against subsidy removal by the Nigerian government.

According to Vanguard Newspaper, the Human Rights Agenda Nigeria Network, HRAN and 10 other groups in the petition by HRAN chair, Mr Chino Obiagwu, want Prosecutor Moreno-Ocampo of ICC, to open a preliminary examination of these alleged violations and to investigate and prosecute any international crime against the statute that might have been committed.

ASSU Calls For President Jonathan's Impeachment

Joining others in calling for the impeachment of President Goodluck Jonathan is ASSU.

THE National Assembly got an "important" assignment from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday.  

The two-chamber Assembly was asked to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Goodluck Jonathan.