News In Brief Today - 1/5/2016

Good Morning this Sunday!

1- Osinbajo: 2016 Budget Will be Operational in Few Days

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said the 2016 budget would become operational in the next few days, an indication that the grey areas in the budget estimates may have been resolved and President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to assent to the appropriation bill soon.

Osinbajo, who disclosed this yesterday at The Platform, a non-denominational conference, sponsored by the Covenant Christian Centre in Abuja, said once the budget was assented to by Buhari, government would immediately go to work, completing power projects that were left uncompleted by the immediate past administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

2- Military Vows to Deal with Killer Herdsmen Like Boko Haram

The Nigerian military has vowed to deal decisively with marauding herdsmen that have been terrorising people and killing in different parts of the country, the same way it is dealing with the Boko Haram insurgency, Niger Delta militancy and other acts of criminality.

The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brig-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, gave the assurance yesterday in response to THISDAY enquiries into the gruesome murder of over 40 farmers of Ukpabi Nimbo Community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area in Enugu State by the suspected Fulani herdsmen.

3-Shiites Insist on Zakzaky’s Release as Precondition for Appearing Before Commission

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) has told the Northern State Governors Forum (NSGF) that the group will not appear before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Kaduna State Government to investigate the December clash with the military in Zaria until its leader, Sheik Ibrahim Zakzaky, is released. Zakzaky has been in government custody since the violent clash between his group and the military.

4- Onaiyekan’s Attack: Catholic Bishops Urge Buhari to Provide Adequate Security for Edo State

The Catholic Archbishop of Benin City, Dr. Augustin Akubueze and the Catholic Bishop of Uromi Diocese, Dr. Donatus Ogun, have jointly appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to tackle the issue of the growing attacks of hoodlums in Edo State.

The Bishops who spoke against the backdrop of last Friday’s attempt on the life of John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, said the appeal became urgent following the brazenness with which the herdsmen commit atrocities in the state without adequate security checks.

5- SON Cracks Down on Fake Electrical Products Dealers in Jos

As part of efforts to rid Nigeria of sub-standard products, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in Jos has seized substandard foreign electric cables worth millions of Naira in Jos/Bukuru metropolis of Plateau State, sealing off affected shops.

6- FG Promises to Use Science Technology to Explore Nigeria’s Potential

The federal government has promised to use science, technology and innovation to fully explore the potentials of the country’s diverse resources for its growth development, and diversification of the entire economy.

The Special Assistant to the Minister of Science and Technology, Mr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Mr. Sunny Onyeukwu, in a signed statement on behalf of his boss made the disclosure yesterday in Abuja.

7- Further Rise in Inflation Imminent as Economy Hurts

Following the rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation for three consecutive months to 12.8 percent in March, experts have cautioned that the index is likely to maintain its upward trend in April.

The latest increase had been blamed on an increase in the prices of goods and services across the country, the highest year-on-year rise since July 2012.

8-Protests mark Arsenal’s Win

A quick-fire goal from substitute Danny Welbeck united squabbling supporters as Arsenal defeated Norwich City 1-0 yesterday to advance their pursuit of a Premier League top-four finish. Lots of fans protesting against long-serving Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger were drowned out by supporters backing him before Welbeck’s 59th-minute strike settled proceedings, keeping Norwich in the bottom three.

9-INEC Cancels Kano Assembly Bye-election over Violence

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cancelled the bye-election of Minjibir local government house of Assembly member in Kano state over violence.

Addressing reporters on yesterday in Minjibir town, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Abdullahi Mohammed Kaugama, said the cancellation was due to ballot boxes snatching and of other election materials.

10- Navy to Acquire Logistics Vessel to Beef up Security Operations

In a bid to beef up security operations and patrols at sea, the Nigerian Navy (NN), said it is working towards acquiring a logistics vessel to service vessels and enhance Replenishment at Sea (RAS).

The outgone Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Logistics Command, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ofik, made this disclosure during his handover to his successor, Rear Admiral SAG Abbah, in Oghara, Delta State.

-This Day

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