Today's National Newspaper Headlines/News - 4/4/2015

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1•  Buhari meets Jonathan inside Aso Villa

The President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Friday met behind closed doors with President Goodluck Jonathan inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

That was the first time the two leaders would be meeting since the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Buhari winner of the March 28 presidential election.

The meeting which was described as “private” was held inside the new Banquet Hall inside the President’s office.

The National Chairman, All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, was said to have accompanied Buhari to the meeting that lasted about 30minutes.

A former Head of State who is also the Chairman, National Peace Committee for the 2015 General Elections, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar (retd.), was said to have joined them at the meeting.

Abubakar reportedly arrived at the Presidential Villa ahead of Buhari.

Details of their discussion were not available at the time of filing this report but it might not be unconnected with the transition committee the two leaders are planning to put in place during the week.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, confirmed the meeting to the correspondent on the telephone.

When asked for details of discussion during the meeting, Abati said the meeting was a private one.

In his telephone conversation with Buhari while congratulating him, Jonathan had said he was looking forward to meeting him soon for them to plan seamless transition.

“So, you’d find time to come one of these days so that we can sort out how to plan the transition period,” Jonathan had told the President-elect on a recording of their telephone discussion that went viral on the Internet on Thursday.

Buhari had also in his acceptance speech said he would be meeting Jonathan in the coming days.

2• Jonathan Saved Nigerians From Bloodbath - Ohanaeze

The youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has said that President Goodluck Jonathan’s timely acceptance of defeat in last Saturday’s presidential election saved Nigeria from bloodbath and political chaos.

The National President, Ohanaeze Youth Council, Mazi Isiguzoro, who stated this in an interview with our correspondent in Umuahia, said that if Jonathan had not conceded defeat at the time he did, Nigeria would have been up in flames by now.

He said that some retrogressive elements had prepared to unleash mayhem on the country had the presidential election result gone the other way round.

Isiguzoro, however, commended Jonathan for his courage and pro -activeness in averting the looming danger.

According to him, Jonathan had, by his action, demonstrated regard for the peace and unity of Nigeria above his personal interest.

He also urged politicians who lost in the last elections to emulate Jonathan’s forthrightness.

Describing the President’s action as a fillip to the growth of democracy in Nigeria, Isiguzoro pledged the continued support of Igbo youths to him despite the unfavourable outcome of the poll.

“We have no regret for supporting him and his rare sacrifice for the survival of Nigeria’s democracy shall ever be appreciated,” he said.

Isiguzoro, therefore, called on the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to see the entire country as his constituency, urging that nobody or section(s) of the country should be vilified for their political choice.

He urged that the good policies of Jonathan’s administration should be sustained in the overall interest of the country.

He also advised the in-coming administration to focus more on things that would engender national cohesion and “deepen our evolving democracy.”

Isiguzoro particularly asked that the report of the national conference should not be jettisoned but implemented as quickly as possible so as not to rubbish the efforts and quality contributions of the conferees.

*Spectranet, iROKOtv partner on entertainment

*Kano REC, wife, two children die in fire

*Wike planning to cede oil wells to Bayelsa –APC

*Jonathan, family move personal effects from Aso Rock

*Buhari meets Jonathan inside Aso Villa

*APC tips Dambazau, Commassie as Buhari’s NSA

*Gunmen kill ex-council boss, two children in Rivers

*ACF, Yoruba Forum caution Dokubo over militancy threat

*Card reader consultant sues DSS for N100m damages

*Jonathan, eternal democratic hero –Presidency

*Fayose planning to attack us –APC lawmakers

*Ex-Niger LG chairmen dump PDP for APC

*Edo police arrest twin brothers for alleged kidnapping

THE NATION

*Tinubu: Fearless kingmaker

*Jonathan: A hero in defeat

*Jega: An umpire’s pact with history

*Panic in NNPC, other oil agencies

*Niger Delta group replies Dokubo-Asari, others

*Buhari’s victory leaves US lucrative lobbying contracts in limbo

*Shagari congratulates Buhari, commends Jonathan

*Jonathan, Buhari meet on transition plan

*Buhari’s victory, act of God –Amaechi

*President-elect will make Nigeria great again –Ige

*45-yr-old arraigned for impersonating party agent

*PDP ‘ll bounce back — Lamido

*Group seeks establishment of human rights court

THIS DAY

*Handover: Jonathan, Buhari in Crucial Transition Meeting

*Kenya Varsity Death Toll Rising; Anger over Security Failure

*Jega Quits June 30, Rules Out Tenure Renewal

*Offloading of Dollars Triggers Massive Naira Appreciation at Parallel Market

*Detained INEC Card Reader Consultant Sues SSS, Demands N100m as Damages

*Peace Institute Calls for Repeat of Peaceful Atmosphere during Guber Polls

*Ihedioha: Okorocha Should be Prosecuted for Electoral Offences

*'Buhari's Victory Can't Save You from Imminent Defeat'

*Shagari Congratulates Buhari, Commends Jonathan

*Insurgents, Female Suicide Bomber Kill 6 Soldiers, 7 Others in Gombe

*Obiano Not Welcome in APC, Vows Ogene

*Monarch Congratulates Buhari, Osinbajo

*Eti-Osa PDP Alleges Election Fraud

*Professor Akinola Passes on

*Buhari Felicitates with Nigerians, Calls for Peace

*PDP Charges Nigerians to Remain Peaceful, United

*Catholic Church Takes Free Medicare to IDPs Camp, Donates Food Items

*Folarin, Others Preach Peace at Easter

*Governorship Elections: Emulate Jonathan, Buhari, Amaechi Urges Rivers People

VANGUARD

*Former LG boss, 6 others feared killed in Rivers

*Change has been in the air since last year, only Ndigbo refused to see it – Ogene

*BUHARI: Suspected militants fire first warning, blow up main gas pipeline in Delta

*Tragedy: How Kano REC, wife, two daughters died in house inferno

*Don’t attribute Jonathan’s defeat to S/West, North conspiracy, N/D group tells Asari-Dokubo

*Guber Poll: Presidency urges massive mobilisation for PDP candidates

*Ojukwu’s son set to drag PDP, INEC to tribunal

*Amaechi begs for forgiveness, sues for peace during guber poll

Of Igbos and political naivety

*PDP was Jonathan’s biggest problem – Jimi Disu

*Jonathan’s many mistakes and Buhari’s agenda

*What Ambassador Olisemeka said about Buhari before his election victory

*Cheers as Ugwuanyi takes campaigns to streets, markets

*Buhari’s Nigeria: How Ndigbo will benefit

*CSR: Airtel empowers more Nigerians

*Stanbic IBTC Group CEO honoured at leadership awards

*Skye Bank: Is this the evolution of Nigeria’s newest megabank?

*I.Coast bans poultry imports from bird flu-hit Burkina Faso

*Dangote raises cross-border investments in Africa

*Shell fears attack; shuts down flow stations in Bayelsa

*I want to work with my talent, not with my boobs – Peggy Onah

*I love to be kissed - Eva Alordiah

*Champions League: Enyimba, Pillars risk elimination

*NFA suspends federation cup finals in Anambra

*Chelsea ready for final push towards title

*Jonathan’s defeat deflates Keshi