Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 7

• 
• 

GENERAL

Nigeria’s Oil Export Suffers Setback
•Shell confirms production shut-in of 200,000 bpd

Shell, Nigeria’s biggest oil producer, still records a production shut-in of about 200,000 barrels per day in the Western base. Fears are already being expressed that Nigeria is at risk of losing its reliability as a steady supplier of crude oil owing to the frequent shut-ins due to the Niger Delta crisis.

Niger Delta Crisis On UN Trade Treaty Agenda

As 28 nations gather in New York to discuss the unwholesome influx of arms which has fuelled conflicts and poverty in Africa and other third world countries, the impact of the Niger Delta problem in Nigeria is to deliberated upon. The talks would offer prospects on the way forward on conventional arms control.

Nigeria Risks Blacklisting Over N'Delta Crisis

The crisis in the Niger Delta may get the country into the black books of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) as the body has issued a warning that if the safety of the territorial waters of Nigeria continued to be threatened, no foreign vessels will be allowed to come to the country to lift crude oil or gas.

Judicial Workers Call off Strike

The Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JSUN) on Wednesday suspended its week long strike action embarked upon to press home demands for improved conditions of service. Negotiations with the Federal Government would commence next Tuesday.

Bellview Crash: Bureau Accuses Police of Withholding Black Box

Accident Investigations Bureau, Wednesday, blamed the Police for the delay in unraveling the mystery of the 2005 Bellview air crash  at Ogun State,  alleging that the Force is yet to hand over the black boxes recovered at the crash site.

Military: Yar’Adua Orders Payment of Arrears

President Yar’Adua has given directives to the Federal Ministry of Finance to pay all the arrears of military personnel with immediate effect. The directive was given, Monday, after he was briefed on the problems of the irregular payments of salaries, allowances of military personnel serving both at home and abroad.

Senator Plans Special Training For Police On Sexual Abuse

In order to ensure that victims of sexual abuse are given adequate care to protect their future, a special training for select officers of the Police would hold soon. According Senator Chris Anyanwu, a unit of the force to handle issues of sexual abuse would also be established. She also challenged women to take a stance against sexual harassment, while she called for stiffer punishment against culprits.

NAFDAC Arrests 20 Drug Hawkers

National Agency for Food and Drug and Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested 20 persons in Taraba State for hawking drugs in markets. NAFDAC Director in the state, Mr. Steve Laiko, reminded people of the danger in using dugs that were exposed to sunlight.

Nigeria, Others Brainstorm On Fake Drugs In S/Africa

Nigeria is part of an international conference to discuss the issue of counterfeit medicines in Africa holding in South Africa. The aim of the conference is to discuss the threats that counterfeit medicines and unregistered generics pose for the safety of patients in the region and to develop plans to address the issue.

FG To Sanction Unregistered Factories

The FG on Thursday vowed to sanction any factory that does not operate within the provision of the law ensuring that all factories in the country are duly registered.

UN Threatens Tougher Actions Over Child Soldiers

The United Nations (UN) Security Council has threatened measures against armies and groups that make use of child soldiers. However, the body has made no pledge of sanctions as requested by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Ban had listed 58 parties to armed conflicts, mainly in Africa and Asia that send children into battle.

Former Child Soldiers Still At Risk

While no children are currently known to be active soldiers in Cote d’Ivoire, many still face difficulties in adjusting to civilian life and are often rejected by their families and communities.

Oil Companies To Pay Fines For Missed Gas Supply Target

Ministry of Energy (Gas) would allocate all oil and gas operators with gas supply quotas, which they must meet within specific timelines or pay a fine of $3.5 per metric cubic feet of gas, the Federal Government has said. Similarly, operators in the power sector will henceforth buy gas at the cost of $0.4 per metric cubic feet.

Nigerian Army Appoints New Officers

The Nigerian Army has appointed Major-General S.N. Chikwe as the new General Officer Commanding for 81 Division, Lagos, while three new Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) at the Army Headquarters were appointed.  Major-General Saleh takes over as Chief of Operations. Major-General Lawrence Ngubane, chairman of the Joint Task Force, Warri, was also replaced with Brigadier-General Rintip.

Budget: President’s N100b Special Vote Removed

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have harmonised their differences on the 2008 budget. They decided to drop the N100bn Special Presidential Safety Net in the appropriation. Both chambers had on Tuesday passed the 2008 budget with a sharp disagreement on the vote for the Safety Net.

Nigeria To Build Three Gas Plants

Nigeria plans to build three natural gas processing plants in the Niger Delta and a grid of pipelines linking them to the rest of the country, a government official said on Thursday. The project would cost about $15bn to $20bn and should be ready by 2015.

Robberies: 100 Killed and Still Counting…

In the past four weeks, bandits are having field day in most cities across the country, killing no fewer than 100 persons in the process. Several others were injured in attacks mostly targeted at financial institutions across the nation. Among those killed were policemen posted to banks. Even though the Police have said it was on top of the situation, it has posed a cause of concern to many Nigerians.

No Plan To Raise Fuel Prices -Mark

Senate President, David Mark, has assured the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) that the National Assembly is not part of any move to increase petroleum product prices, saying that fears of a looming price increase were unfounded.

Bush Defends US Stance On Darfur

President George Bush of the United States (U.S.) has explained that the US has not intervened with force in Darfur because it does not want to deploy troops in another Moslem country.

Senate Probes Murder Of Nigerian In Malaysia

Two years after suspected assassins killed a Nigerian, Mr. Dennis Nwankwo in Malaysia; the Senate, Wednesday, ordered its Committee on Foreign Affairs to investigate the incident. The Senate also deplored the manner the executive arm of government handled the matter.

Govt Overhauls Gas Sector To End Energy Crisis

Nigeria's energy crisis appears to be getting some more attention as the Federal government's plans a complete overhaul of the gas sector. The FG has announced the first Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Blueprint, which contains the new projects to be set up to boost gas production and grow the economy.

Reps Summon Okiro Over N50b Police Fund

House of Representatives on Wednesday summoned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mike Okiro, to appear before it next week to explain the role of the Force in the alleged mismanagement of the Police Equipment Foundation.

Civil Groups Task Legislators On Information Bill

A chieftain of the Civil Society Organisation, Ayo Adebusoye, has urged the National Assembly to expedite action on the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill.

We Won't Quit Over Niger Delta Crisis, Says Shell Chief

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) says it has no plan to leave Nigeria in the face of hostilities by militants in the Niger Delta. The firm has also reaffirmed its commitment to the development of Nigeria's oil and gas sector.

Reps Indict Oil Companies Over Pollution

The House of Representatives has accused oil companies in the country of not complying with the country's environmental laws in their exploration activities. The House Committee on Environment has also threatened to drag them before President Yar'Adua to demand for sanctions to compel them to rise up to their responsibilities, in view of the hardships their activities have caused the people.

Police Arrest 32 Students Over Protest

The police on Friday arrested 32 members of the National Union of Bauchi State Students (NUBASS) for protesting against the State’s Deputy Governor, Alhaji Garba Gadi. The students alleged that Gadi was meddling into their affairs.

Police Arrest 10-Man Rape Gang

A10-man rape gang has been arrested by the police in Niger State, the commissioner of police for the command, Mr. Paul Iseghohi, has said. The police commissioner explained that the suspects carried out their criminal activities along Suleja-Minna road and other places before they were arrested.

Ibori Gets Bail, Igbinedion Unable To Meet Bail Conditions

Former Delta State Governor James Ibori regained his freedom on Tuesday after fulfilling his bail conditions. But his Edo State counterpart Lucky Igbinedion had been unable to meet his bail conditions. They were both granted bail on Monday.

Importation Of Fuel May Continue –NNPC

Even though some of Nigeria's refineries now operate at near installed capacity, importation of petroleum products may last a while longer. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said that the importation would close the wide gap between local production and the national demand as the refineries can only produce 445,000 barrels daily and demand stands at three million barrels per day.

Family of Killed Trader Petitions Okiro

Family of late Chinedu Nwakeze, allegedly shot dead by a policeman during a recent clash by two factions of the Balogun Business Association, Lagos, has urged the Inspector-General of Police, Mike Okiro to ensure that those behind his death do not escape justice.

General Insecurity In The Country Worries Yar’Adua

President Yar’Adua has summoned the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, and directed him to live up to expectation in crime control, owing to the spate of armed robberies and general insecurity of life and property in the country. But Okiro says that available data indicate a gradual reduction in crime wave in the country.

Reorganisation: N’assembly Summons Shell Management

The controversy over the reorganisation in the Shell Petroleum Development Company has continued to linger as the National Assembly has summoned the management of the Shell to throw light on the exercise.

Religious Crisis: 3 Killed, Police Hdqt. Razed In Kano

Three persons were confirmed dead, and several others injured as a result of religious crisis in Kano State penultimate Friday with a police division headquarters razed. The crisis started when a student wrote a derogatory statement on the prophet Mohammed.

Nigeria Loses Atomic Agency’s Voting Right

The Minister of Foreign Affairs has disclosed that Nigeria lost its voting right in the International Atomic Energy Agency due to a $230,000 debt. Meanwhile, President Yar’Adua has ordered immediate payment of the debt. The funds have been made available

Yar'adua Lists New Rules, No Politics In Projects Location

President Yar'Adua has listed the new economic factors to determine the siting of any project as need, the number of people it will serve and the jobs it will create and not by political considerations. The President has also ordered that Lagos be given priority in the location of new refineries.

NNPC GMD Apologises to Senate

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Abubakar Yar’ Adua has apologized to the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Upstream) for allegedly acting in a way that frustrated the oversight function of the Committee.

NACA Reports Drop In HIV Prevalence

National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) said at the weekend that there have been fewer new HIV infections in the country and the number of Nigerians who die due to the virus had reduced drastically.

Army To Resume Welfare Flight For Troops

As part of a new move to improve the well being of its personnel, the Nigerian Army is to resume welfare flights for its peacekeeping troops across the globe.

AC Opposes Removal Of Immunity Clause

The Action Congress (AC) has cautioned against the removal of the immunity clause from the Constitution. It said doing so was capable of endangering Nigeria's democracy. The AC said the idea behind the immunity clause was to save those it was meant for from frivolous suits by detractors.

ECOWAS Market: NNPC In Talks With Banks To Raise $7bn

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation is discussing with banks to raise about $7bn for its expansion in the West African sub-region and the domestication of oil and gas projects in Nigeria, the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Mr. Abubakar Yar’Adua, has said.

Fuel Levy: NARTO Gives Conditions For Acceptance

The National Association of Road Transport Owners has said it will support the proposed introduction of five per cent fuel levy by the Federal Government for the maintenance of federal roads when the government considered the removal of the current deregulation of the diesel market, which had resulted in increase in the price of diesel.

JVO: Shell To Lend $1bn To NNPC

Royal Dutch Shell is close to a deal with Nigeria's government that will fund a billion-dollar shortfall in the financing of its Nigerian operations. Shell is expected to lend NNPC, the Nigerian company, the funds to cover the state's share of the budget of SPDC. The Nigerian government owes the foreign joint-venture companies a total of $3.8billion.

Nigeria Oil Supply Snag Heats Up Market

Oil prices vaulted 4 per cent on Friday -- their biggest gain in nearly two months -- amid supply snags in Nigeria and the North Sea and a looming cold spell in the huge U.S. Northeast heating oil market.

Exxon Interested In Developing Iraqi Oil

Exxon Mobil Corp said on Wednesday it is interested in helping to develop Iraq's huge oil reserve. Meanwhile, the company has won court orders freezing up to $12bn in Venezuelan assets around the world as it fights for compensation for operations lost to President Hugo Chavez's nationalisation drive.

Energy: Ajumogobia Assures Of Greater Service Delivery

The minister of state for energy (petroleum), Odein Ajumogobia, has assured the senate committee on petroleum resources (Upstream) that the ministry is now set for capacity building with a view to creating an enabling environment for a smoother working relationship and invariably greater service delivery to all Nigerians.

No Hiding Place For Fraudsters— Lamorde

The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Lamorde, said on Monday that there will be no hiding place for perpetrators of financial crime because the commission would not relent in its fight against financial crimes.

Oil Sector Gulped $39.2bn in 8yrs –Ajumogobia

Minister of State for Energy (Petroleum) Odein Ajumogobia has said that about $39.2bn was allocated to develop the nation's oil and  gas industry in the last eight years.

Bribery Scandal Probe: Siemens Teams Up With FG

Siemens AG of Germany on Monday pledged to fully cooperate with Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies to bring to justice all Nigerian public officials involved in the recent bribery scandal.

GGC Seeks Joint Security in N’Delta

The Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC), has canvassed the need for a joint security in the Niger Delta so as to achieve relative peace, economic expansion and socio-political stability country. The Executive Secretary, GGC, said that the mechanism for the joint security is on the formative stage and the Commission is working out the modalities to be adopted.

Oil Spillages: NOSDRA Clears MPN

National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) says Mobil Producing Nigeria unlimited (MPN), is prepared to handle oil spillage in its areas of operation. Director General of NOSDRA, Dr. Bamidele Ajakaiye rated Mobil very high in terms of facilities on oil spill response and maintenance of pipelines in both off-shore and on-shore.

PPMC to Improve Jetty Coordination for LPG Berthing

The Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) has promised to resolve the twin congestion and logistics problems bedeviling the depot in a shortest possible time. The Executive Director of Le Global Gas, Mr. Olabode Makanjuola, also said moves have also been made to reduce the cost of cooking gas.

Gun Deal: 5 Army Officers, 10 Others Face Court Martial

Five Senior Army officers and 10 others appeared before a military court martial in Kaduna Monday for alleged involvement in illegal sale of arms and ammunition. The accused officers were alleged to have connived with some soldiers to steal arms and ammunitions, equipment and other military accoutrements.

Nigeria Rakes In $2bn...From Oil Blocks Signature Bonus

Nigeria recorded over $2bn as earnings from signature Bonus during the eight-year presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo. The revenue, which came from bidding for oil blocks, were received by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), on behalf of the Federal Government and remitted into various specified accounts.

N50b Police Fund Probe Must Go On, Says House

There is no going back on the House of Representatives’ inquiry into the running of N50 billion by Police Equipment Fund (PEF), chairman of the House Committee on Public Relations has said. The co-ordinator of PEF, Mr Kenny Martins, has declined an invitation to appear before the committee.

Reps To Probe Expatriates Of Oil Coys

The House of Representatives has said it would carry out an audit of all expatriates in the nation’s oil and gas sector, to ensure that jobs Nigerian professionals are capable of undertaking are not given to expatriates.

Robbers Attack EFCC Officials, Journalists

About 10 armed robbers on Monday attacked officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and over 40 foreign and local journalists, injuring people in the raid. The robbers reportedly took away unspecified amount of money and other valuables during the 30-minute operation.

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

FG Admits Neglect Of N/Delta

The FG on Monday admitted that the neglect and deprivation of the oil producing areas of the country started 50 years ago. Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, who made this known, said its resolution must be systematic, holistic and in the best interest of the communities and all Nigerians who depend on oil for sustenance.

Bayelsa Community, Oil Firms In New Deals

The people of Ogboinbiri Community in Bayelsa State have agreed to use a liaison officer in the presentation of their demands to Oil companies operating in the area. The decision was based on the need to have the maximum benefits without violence.

Robbers Kill 11 In Bank Raid, Seize N15m

A ten-man robbery gang on Tuesday stormed a bank in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, where they stole over N15m and killed at least 11 persons.  The robbers, who arrived at the bank at about 10.30 a.m, started shooting sporadically. About 20 persons were alleged to have sustained serious injuries.

Six Die In UPTH As Resident Doctors Continue Strike

Six patients at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital have so far died due to the ongoing industrial action by members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors in the hospital. The strike was embarked upon to force the hospital authorities to pay an 11-month arrears of the Consolidated Teaching Hospital Salary Scale owed its members.

P’Harcourt Airport: FG Deplores State of Facilities

Minister of State for Aviation, Mr. Felix Hyat has expressed dissatisfaction with the level of job done at the Port Harcourt International Airport but insisted that modalities were in place for the resumption of international flights in the Airport.

Govt Devices New Strategy to Rid Aba of Flood

Abia State government has perfected plans to open blocked drainages and the creation of new drainage channels in Aba to rid the city of flood.

NGO Urges Respect for Children's Rights

The Solace Place Foundation International, a Non-Governmental Organisation in Rivers State, has asked governments to take the issue of respecting the rights and privileges of children seriously in order to stimulate a better and sustainable global society.

Man, 22, Nabbed By Police For Killing Step-Mother

The police in Bayelsa have arrested a 22- year-old man for allegedly killing his step-mother with a pestle in January. Police said that the suspect had confessed to the crime, alongside his mother. He would soon be charged to court.

South-South Lawmakers Ask Govt To Release NDDC Funds

The South-South lawmakers of the House of Representatives have called for the release all funds accruable to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). They said, in a statement that pursuant to the NDDC Act, all contributors and stakeholders should adhere to the provisions of the Act.

Lulu-Briggs Kidnapper Nabbed

The Ijaw Youths Leadership Forum (IYLF) claims it has fished out the leader of the group that kidnapped Seinye Lulu-Briggs. IYLF, however, declined to give further details.

Naval Officer Killed In Boat Raid

A Naval rating was killed by gunmen during the onslaught on a gunboat belonging to the Nigeria Navy, while a crew member was said to have been thrown overboard MV Patience, belonging to Total Oil Nigeria limited and stole a rifle, both in Rivers state. The drowning crew member was later rescued.

Niger Delta: NDDC Needs Over $100bn for Master-plan –Alaibe

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Timi Alaibe, has disclosed that over $100bn would be required to realize the goals the commission had set for its first 15-year implementation period of the Niger Delta Master-plan. Alaibe, also explained that the NDDC was building on existing structures to foster development.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Ijaw, Urhobo Youths Clash In Warri

An unspecified number of people were injured in a clash between Ijaw and Urhobo youths in Warri, Monday. Trouble broke out when a 15-year-old Ijaw youth was killed by members of an Urhobo secret group. Policemen were deployed to the area.

Agency Refutes Cholera Outbreak In Delta

The Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency has refuted reports of an outbreak of cholera amongst children in the state and instead clarified that there were isolated cases of "Rota Viral Infection" in some parts of the state, which was caused by poor sanitary conditions and the use of impure water.

Suspend Further Gas Flaring In Niger Delta –Mark

Senate president, Senator David Mark, has expressed deep concern over the plight of host communities in the Niger Delta caused by the problems of gas flare and pollution and called for the suspension of further gas flare in the country.

Civil Defence Men Arrest Suspected Oil Thieves

Two persons were, Thursday, arrested by men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSDC) in Asaba, Delta State for engaging in theft of petroleum products. Detained along with the suspects are a 1,000-litre GP tank, 21 drums, 12 50-litre and 10 25-litre jerry cans of the mysterious product.

Group Warns Niger Delta Govs Against Misuse of Excess Crude Fund

A concerned coalition group of environmentalists in the Niger Delta region, the Network of Freedom Fighters has warned governors in the Niger Delta to be cautious on spending states' share of the N500bn Excess Crude Oil Fund as it condemned successive governments for their misuse of the 13% derivation fund.

Motorcyclists Stage Protest In Warri

Commercial motorcyclists in Warri, Monday, staged a protest against imposition of illegal levies by the authorities of Warri South, Uvwie and Udu LGAs. They alleged that the authorities of the councils had continued to impose levies on them despite the directive of the state government barring such action.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Oyo Police Parade Suspected Ritualits

Two men who specialised in trading human parts were, Monday, paraded by the police in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital with three human heads. They confessed to having a contract to supply 23 human heads at N3, 000 each. Paraded also was a 19-year-old boy, who allegedly stabbed his mother to death for advising him to stop smoking Indian hemp.

6 Dead As Police Clash With Robbers In Lagos

Three heroic policemen were killed in Lagos early Monday, shortly after a fierce battle that claimed the lives of three car-snatching-armed robbers. While three of the bandits were gunned down, one was arrested. Investigation is ongoing.

Violence In Lekki Over Chieftaincy Stool

Several people were between Sunday and Tuesday injured during protests and violence in Ibeju Leki in the Lekki area of Lagos State over the installation of a traditional ruler in the area. Women in the area on Monday marched in the major streets in protest against the installation of Oba Rafiu Bamidele Salami as the traditional ruler of the town.

Police Raid Shrine In Ibadan

The police in Ibadan recently raided a shrine, allegedly being use by a syndicate of fraudster to swindle members of the public. Policemen stumbled on the shrine while investigating a fraud case.

6 Die in Customs/ Smugglers’ Shoot-out

About 6 persons are feared dead, Wednesday, in Ogun state, as men of the Nigerian Customs Service in pursuit of suspected car smugglers allegedly started shooting indiscriminately, hitting the victims in the process.

Student Leader Missing After Varsity Cult Members' Clash

Three days of cult members' invasion of the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu Ode in Ogun State climaxed on Tuesday with the kidnapping of the Students Union President, Mr. Babajide Ajetunmobi, raising anxiety about his safety. The crisis followed the killing of a student by suspected cultists.

Hemp: NDLEA Arrests Two Kids, Pregnant Woman

The Kwara State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested 17 suspected drug traffickers and recovered 16.593 kilogrammes of Indian hemp. The suspects include two under-age children, a pregnant woman and a nursing mother.

NDDC Revokes Sea Incursion Contract In Ondo

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has terminated the contract for the Aiyetoro sea incursion protection project in Ondo State as the contractor was alleged to have failed to resume work after collecting mobilisation fees. The NDDC is shopping for a new contractor with the expertise to handle the project.

Journalists Protest Police Detention Of Colleague

Journalist in Ekiti State have protested the continued detention of Mr. Tunde Raheem, the Ondo State correspondent of The Sun Newspaper, by the police in Ekiti, accusing them of violating Raheem's rights by detaining him without trial.

Lagos: Police Kill 10 Suspected Robbers; Arrest 21

Policemen in Lagos have killed 10 suspected armed robbers and arrested 21 others in two weeks. The Police also recovered about 11 vehicles and 17 assorted guns. In addition, 380 different calibres of ammunition and live cartridges were seized.

Day-Old Baby, 2 Others Survive Collapsed Building

A day-old baby and two others were, Thursday, rescued from the rubbles of the three-story building that collapsed on Wednesday in Lagos. However, the mother of the infant did not survive. Fifteen others were said to have died in the tragedy.

Fire: Six Buildings Razed

About six buildings in Lagos Island were gutted by fire on Wednesday, rendering 30 families homeless and property worth millions of naira destroyed. The houses were allegedly razed down by fire ignited by a candle light kept close to a generator. Similarly, part of the multi-million-Naira ultra-modern Bulunkutu General Hospital in Maiduguri went up in flames Wednesday morning.

Hoodlums Kill 22-Year-Old Varsity Student

Suspected hoodlums from the University of Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, have hacked to death a 22-year-old student of the institution, Mr. Kehinde Ogunkinle. The deceased was killed as a result of a rivalry between two cult gangs in the school.

8.2m Kids May Become Abandoned Orphans By 2010

The number of orphans in the country may hit 8.2million by 2010. The Oyo State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Deborah Oyelade, said this while speaking on the National Situation Assessment and Analysis on Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). She noted that orphans constituted 10 per cent of the 69million children in the country and lamented that most of them remained vulnerable to poverty, physical and sexual abuse.

UNDP, Bayelsa Sign $13.5m Development Pact

The United Nations Development Programme and the Bayelsa State Government on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a $13.5m Niger Delta local development programme.  The programme involved pilot development projects in Sagbama and Ogbia local governments and youth empowerment programmes.

Killing: CJ Frees Detained DIG Over Failing Health

Kwara State Acting Chief Judge, Justice Joseph Gbadeyan, has ordered the release from prison of former Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr Yekini Jimoh, whose wife died following injuries she sustained after being shot by him. Gbedyan, who released Jimoh on health grounds, also released 17 inmates.