Cheat Sheet Week 43 2008

---

Monday 20 October 2008

Yar’Adua in dilemma over new cabinet?:

President Yar’Adua still seems to be unable to decide on the long awaited cabinet reshuffle; leading to claims by newspapers that he has been playing host to ministers and their godfathers resulting in regular changes to the proposed list. The list is now long overdue for submission to the National Assembly for ratification.

Future of state oil firm fuels media frenzy:

Nigerian press headlines are dominated by the reported plan to sell NNPC:

 quoted FG officials deny plans to sell NNPC, PPMC or NGC.

Plot to bring Atiku back?:

Nigerian press reported alleged moves of the ruling PDP by putting up posters around the country, to bring back former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, .AC in a reaction accused PDP of blackmail and added that no official approach had been made towards the former VP.

Government & OPEC may clash over oil cut:

OPEC announced plans for a production cut, by between 1 million barrels and 3.2 million barrels to help lift crude prices as a global economic slowdown has slashed demand while the Nigerian economy is tied to both oil prices and output. The Minister of State for Energy (Petroleum), Odein Ajumogobia, told the journalists that the Nigerian position
on the cuts would depend on the state of the market, in terms of supply and demand.

Cameroon says pirates repulsed in Bakassi:

Cameroon’s security forces say they repelled an attack by the NDDSC, off the Bakassi peninsula at the weekend. NDDSC commander Ebi Dari confirmed the clash but denied claims that one of their boats was sunk.

Inflation widens to 13%:

 The Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, in an online statement said inflation in Nigeria widened from 12.4% in August to 13% in September as food and energy prices rose.

And then there’s this… Father takes son to court for idleness:

News agency NAN reported that a father took his 20-year old son to an Islamic court in the north for ‘idleness’, asking for him to be send to prison for refusing to engage in productive activities.

Tuesday 21 October 2008

FG cuts benchmark oil price:

Due to the drop in global crude prices Nigeria for its draft 2009 budget cut the benchmark oil price from $62.5 to $45 per barrel. Standard Bank estimated the $45 benchmark would translate into a cut of more than 30% in budgeted oil revenue.

Absentee Governors – Why they love to travel:

Investigations show that most governors have taken to globe-trotting, Governors’ official reasons for travelling has always been given as ‘attracting foreign investors’, but according to a national newspaper the real reason may be to scout for real estate and other investment opportunities.

Nigeria earned $300bn from oil in 30 yrs:

Minister of State for Petroleum, Odein Ajumogobia, said Nigeria’s oil and gas sector generated $300 billion in the last 30 years and an annual growth of $12 billion in the last five years, however stating that the current level of local content being below 20% would make it difficult to meet the country’s aspiration of 70% local content by 2010.

$510 Billion for infrastructure development – FG:

The Minister of State for Finance, Mr Remi Babalola, said Nigeria would require about $510 billion in the next 10 years to improve its infrastructure in order to be ranked among global players.

Oil majors fear reforms could cost them billions:

Nigeria’s government is to pass a 175-page Petroleum Industry Bill aiming at overhauling the oil and gas sector before the end of the year, ramping up the pace of reform in spite of fears among Western majors that the changes could cost billions in profits.

And then there’s this…Community bans defecating in bushes:

Eka community in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi, has resolved to sanction anybody that defecates in the bush after watching a drama presentation sponsored by UNICEF on the dangers of unhygienic practices. The traditional ruler of Eka, Eze Fidelis Onwe, promised that each household in the community would be persuaded to provide decent toilet facilities.

Wednesday 22 October 2008

Amnesty calls for moratorium on executions:

Amnesty International yesterday in a statement following a 78-page report entitled “Waiting for the Hangman”, listed abuses incl. death penalty convictions based on confessions extracted under torture, appeals lasting more than 20 years and the sentencing to death of children thereby appealing to the government to declare a moratorium on executions.

Spending to fall, but economy sound: govt:

In an attempt to reassure markets and Nigerians, top officials of the Government said on Tuesday spending will fall sharply next year as a result of lower oil prices but the country’s foreign reserves and banking sector are safe despite the global credit crisis,.

Gunmen kidnap oil worker’s children:

Tuesday two children of a Nigerian oil worker were kidnapped by gunmen on their way to school in Port Harcourt.

EU spends N11.6b in Niger Delta:

 European Union said it spent 53 million euro (N11.6 billion) in developmental efforts in the Niger Delta region between 2006 and May 2008. Over five million inhabitants of the region benefited directly from the efforts. The European Commission (EC)’ amount of approx. 660 million euros (N115 billion) in development funding between 2002 and 2007 was more than any available for other Africa Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.

Expat hostage released:

A national newspaper quotes the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, Mr. Mike Zuokumor, saying the expatriate from Julius Berger kidnapped in Akwa Ibom on 9 October had been released on Monday and that no ransom had been paid.

Okiro not sure of Police staff strength:

At the public presentation of new identity cards aiming at identifying genuine officers, Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mike Okiro, said he did not know the actual number of policemen in the country.

N50,000 fine for smoking cigarettes in public:

the House of Representatives adopted a position that smoking in public is subject to four months imprisonment, N50,000 fine or both, that selling cigarettes to persons under 18 years is subject to two months imprisonment, N50,000 fine or both and that manufacturers who fail to put labels on the front and back of cigarette packs that say “smoking kills” should be subject to a fine of N100,000.

And then there’s this… School Feeding: Parents accuse govt of using juju:

During a PTA meeting at the Holy Trinity Primary School, Okesa, Ado-Ekiti, parents accused the state government of using “juju cups, plates and spoons,” to feed their children and wards during school hours. The state government commenced the school feeding policy last year as part of part of Governor Segun Oni’s campaign promises to the people of the state

Thursday 23 October 2008

Court to decide on presidential poll today:

The Supreme Court is expected to decide today on the petition brought in by Atiku Abubakar and ex-president Mohammadu Buhari over the results of the April 2007 election which brought President Umaru Yar’Adua to power, The court has not indicated whether it will pronounce a judgement or merely set a date for a later judgement.

EFCC invites four top Bayelsa officials:

 4 top government officials of Bayelsa State have been invited by the EFCC over alleged misuse of N500 million meant for the payment of 13,000 members of Bayelsa Volunteers, a security outfit established by the past administration and a separate fund claimed to be around N5 billion.

Youths clash in Delta:

Armed youths went on rampage yesterday in Ekpan and other parts of Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State. Report indicate that tens of victims have sustained injures ranging from gunshot wounds to machete wounds.

Nigeria loses billions to urban decay:

Environmental degradation is leading to annual losses of $5.1 billion. The presidency this week highlighted oil spillages, gas flaring and large-scale air pollution in overpopulated Lagos as major contributors to the nation’s environmental degradation.

Related:

Large parts of northern Nigeria are being encroached by the Sahara desert. Oil riches in the Delta region, has brought endless environmental damage.

Reporter held since arrival in Nigeria six days ago:

Reporters Without Borders condemned the arrest and detention by the SSS of online publisher Jonathan Elendu, upon arrival at the airport in Abuja on 17 October. SSS spokesman Kenechuks Onyegogu denied he had been arrested saying that he had been “invited” to explain certain matters involving “national security.”

Nigeria comfortable with oil at $80:

Ahead of the emergency meeting on Friday by the The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to examine output cuts Oil Minister Odein Ajumogobia said yesterday that Nigeria would be comfortable with an oil price at $80 in view of production costs and budget financing.

Officials seek source of deadly gastroenteritis:

The Ministry of Health tries to determine what the cause of gastroenteritis outbreak in Sokoto State, claiming 120 lives and dozens more in the northwest. Sokoto State is said to be distributing gastroenteritis treatments worth US$200,000 in the north.

Funding snag hits plans to host FIFA tourney:

Nigeria may be forced to pull out as hosts for next year’s FIFA Under-17 Championship after the government, by President Musa Yar’Adua, said it cannot afford to spent a budget of about 30 million US dollars, arguing that hosting the tournament would not help develop the country’s sports and that Nigeria has more pressing needs.

And then there’s this… YRD to save Nigerians on death row overseas:

A delegation, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, is sent to Indonesia to look into the rising number of Nigerians on death row in foreign countries,.

Friday 24 October 2008

Court defers ruling on presidential vote:

The Supreme Court yesterday deferred ruling on the petition by former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari and ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar, who challenged the April 2007 election victory of President Umaru Yar’Adua’s, but did not set a date for handing down its final judgement.

President submits 2008 supplementary budget:

YRD on Thursday said he wanted the National Assembly to quickly approve the 2008 supplementary budget on top of the revised 2008 budget of 2.6 trillion naira passed by parliament this week and sent to YRD for final approval.

Anti-corruption czar criticizes immunity law:

 Head of EFCC Farida Waziri, said the immunity law is hampering the anti-corruption drive and should be abrogated.

Two militants killed in Rivers:

Lieutenant-Colonel Musa Sagir said that troops clashed with in Cawthorn channel off Bonny island on Thursday, killing two militants and recovering two AK 47 rifles and ammunitions, whilst the army suffered no casualties.

BBC spends N2.5b on programmes in Nigeria:

Jim Egan, BBC Director of Strategy and Business Development told reporters that the BBC states has invested about N2.5 billion (13 million pounds) on ongoing special media programmes in Nigeria since 2006.

 

This Chief’s Briefs Cheat Sheet was compiled for your review by OOL Member: homealonemum
want to read the whole story? Just look up the daily Chief’s Briefs in the archive

Chief’s Briefs – Direct to E-mail

By popular demand – OyibosOnLine is pleased to announce that Chief’s Briefs is now available as a direct to e-mail service.
If you would like to sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every morning then simply e-mail  chiefsbriefs@oyibosonline.com.

Please include the word ‘subscribe’ in the subject box

CB Factoid Feedback

If you have any comments, corrections or suggestions of content regarding Chief’s Briefs, please contact the author by e-mail: chiefsbriefs@oyibosonline.com
About Chief’s Briefs
Chief’s Briefs is your one stop shop for a quick round up of news and events in and around Nigeria. No time wasting. No big words. No hassle. It will tell you what happened, why you need to know it and what it means.
Chief’s Briefs has been exclusively compiled for Oyibos OnLine to bring you the stories that are relevant to you and designed to give you exactly what you need to know, when you need to know it and all in a clear but concise format.
Chief’s Briefs’ content has been tailored specifically to suit our expatriate readership and to complement our constantly updated homepage headlines, feature articles, facts and figures as well as the ever evolving and world famous OOL Forum – everyone’s first stop for breaking news on incidents and events in Nigeria
Chief’s Briefs is issued Monday to Friday and available for download from 08:00hrs GMT at www.oyibosonline.com
Chief’s Briefs’ publishing coincides with the start of your Nigerian business day when the information is at its most valuable in planning movements, logistics, meetings and schedules.
www.oyibosonline.com

Out there… So you don’t have to be!