Makinde faults Soyinka on Same-Sex Act

By Sam Eyoboka, Olayinka Latona & David Oso
PRELATE of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Ola Makinde, yesterday, joined issues with Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, describing the latter’s criticism of the Anti-Gay Bill passed by the Senate as unfortunate and regrettable.
In a statement by the church’s Media and Public Relations Officer, Rev. Oladapo Daramola, the Prelate said the comments credited to the Ogun State-born professor was an attempt to psychologically bully the lawmakers into taking an unpopular decision and to give approval to an unreligious and non-cultural act.
Makinde said such attempt would be sternly resisted by those who believed in sanity and the sanctity of marriage as established by God.

Alleged sex scandal: Chime sues

BY TONY EDIKE
ENUGU—Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has slammed a N2.7 billion libel suit against the publication of a story, alleging that the younger sister of his wife had delivered a baby for him.
The governor in suit filed at the High Court Registry Enugu is asking for a declaration that by printing and publication of the article,the defendant was liable to the plaintiff for libel.
He is also seeking general damages in the sum of N1 billion and another N1 billion as exemplary/aggravated damages for libel.

Fuel Subsidy Parley With Jonathan: Labour adamant, insists on subsidy

*Removal ‘ll be injurious to Nigerians — Labour
BY OKEY NDIRIBE, DANIEL IDONOR & VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG
ABUJA – The meeting between the nation’s labour movement and President Goodluck Jonathan over the Government’s proposed removal of fuel subsidy  ended in a deadlock yesterday in Abuja, as labour maintained that the removal will be injurious to the citizens and the country.
The Federal Government delegation at the meeting led by President Goodluck Jonathan had claimed that the actual cost of petrol supply is N139 per litre and admitted that all Nigerians benefit from fuel subsidy but claimed that the rich benefit more.  He also claimed that the current N65 per litre price is so cheap that it encourages smuggling of PMS across the country’s borders.

Okene robbery: Banks now close by 1p.m

Following the Tuesday robbery incident at the Okene branches of of Guaranty Trust Bank, United Bank for Africa and Intercontinental Bank, commercial banks in the area have adjusted their time of operation from 9:30 a.m to 1.00 p.m.
A notice pasted at the entrance and inside the banking hall of GTBank attributed the adjustment to the Tuesday robbery incident and said that the new operating hours would be in place until further directive from security agencies.
Our correspondent observed that tight security measures had been introduced at UBA, Intercontinental and other banks in the city as customers were seen being subjected to a thorough screening before being allowed in.

Akwa Ibom explores maritime potential

The State Government is set to build the Ibom Industrial City around the Ibaka Seaport

Article | December 20, 2011 - 9:50am | By Patrick Imoh



Governor Godswill Akpabio

Governor Godswill Akpabio is set to unlock the maritime potential of Akwa Ibom State to accelerate the country’s economic development.
As part of the plans, the Akwa Ibom State Government will construct a railroad linking Uyo with Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council Maritime (NPCC) Summit in Uyo, Akpabio said it was important to link all states, economic zones and mining areas with railways for easy movement of goods and people.
He added that it was essential to update the railway system in the country and go for faster and more modern trains.

USAID, others pledge $82m lifeline to fight malaria

BY KENNETH EHIGIATOR
LAGOS – The United States Agency for International Development, USAID, and other multi-national collaborators have pledged $82 million towards the fight against scourge of malaria in the country.
U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Terrence McCulley, who said this at the launch of Malaria Action Projects for States, MAPS, added that his government was committed to partnering with African countries to build capacity in stamping out malaria.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il dies at 69

SEOUL (AFP) – North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il has died aged 69 of a heart attack, state media announced Monday, plunging the nuclear-armed, famine-ridden and deeply isolated nation into a second dynastic succession.
North Korea urged people to rally behind Kim’s youngest son Jong-Un, describing him as “great successor” to the leader who presided over the deaths of hundreds of thousands from hunger but still built an atomic arms arsenal.