AGAIN, INSECURITY FORCES FG TO MARK INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY AT VILLA For the second time, the Federal Government is marking the independence anniversary at the presidential villa instead of the Eagle's square. In a terse statement issued by the Senoir Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity Dr. Reuben Abati, Dr. Jonathan will watch a ceremonial change of guards at the villa to be performed by the Nigerian Army Brigade of Guards. The ceremony will be aired live on Tv and Radio. Billed to attend the event include Vice president Namadi Sambo, Senate president, House of Reps speaker, Chief Justice of the federation, members of the diplomatic corps amongst others. Although no reason was given on why the event will be held at the villa instead of the Eagle's square, but this is not unconnected with the parlous state of security and the activities of terrorists. In 2010, two bombs exploded near the Eagle's square during the celebration of the nation's golden jubilee.

NIGERIA AT 52: JONATHAN TO ADDRESS NIGERIANS President Goodluck Jonathan will by 7:00am on monday october 1 broadcast a speech on the state of the nation as part of activities marking the nation's 52nd independence anniversary. A statement by the Senior Special Advicer on Media and Publicity Dr. Reuben Abati urged television stations to hook up to the NTA while radio stations should do so with RadioNigeria.

GUNSHOT BOOMS, BOMB EXPLODES IN ZARIA An explosion on sunday rocked Tukur-Tukur area in Zaria Kaduna state. The place is close to the Emir of Zaria's guest house. Earlier, gunshots were heard. JTF had intelligence information that terrorists were planning attacks on churches today. It was learnt that the house of a top islamic cleric and some other residential buildings were raided. As at the time of publishing this report, no casualty has been reported as security agencies have cordoned offf the area.

248 PASSENGERS ESCAPE DEATH AS PLANE MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING IN LAGOS An aircraft belonging to Quatar Airways saturday afternoon made an emergency landing at the Muritalla Mohammed International Airport Lagos. This was as a result of low pressure in one of the tyres of the plane. The airbus was carrying 248 people including the passengers and crew members. The aircraft was said to have hovered in the air for about 20 minutes before it landed successfully. Nigerian authorities were not informed of the problem initially, it was gathered that the Nigerian authorities also learnt of the development when the aircraft entered Nigeria's airspace. Rescue and emergency agencies including the fire service, were on ground in case of any eventuality. Source: RadioNigeria

EFCC ARRESTS CURRENCY SMUGGLER EXPORTING $7 MILLION The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) has nabbed a currency smuggler Abubakar Tijani Sheriff. He was arrested at the Muritalla Muhammed International Airport Lagos en route Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He was found with $9 million when searched but he claimed initially that he only had $4.5 million. Tijani, 24, it is believed has been in the business for long. He has been helping people especially fraudsters in taking their monies outside Nigeria. Reports say most of the monies ferried through this way are from illegal and fraudulent practices.

LAWMAKERS DUMP JONATHAN'S BUDGET PRESENTATION The row between the House of Representatives and the presidency yesteday deepened as the lawmakers said they won't be around when President Jonathan presents the 2013 budget next thursday. The lawmakers said they are embarking on a tour to ascertain the level of implementation of capital projects as captured in this year's budget. President Jonathan this week wrote both chambers of the National Assembly requesting for a joint session on October 4th to present the 2013 budget. The implementation of the budget has caused friction between the lawmakers and the presidency. The House of Reps members had earlier threatened to commence impeachment processes if Jonathan fails to implement to a reasonable extent the 2012 budget.

'STANLEY IBEKU ON MONDAY' DEBUTS OCTOBER 1 The column 'Stanley Ibeku on Monday' will make its debut on monday octobe 1st 2012. The column will be written by publisher of Stanley Ibeku Page- a news and views blog- Stanley Ibeku. The column will in a class of its own discuss the issues of the passed week. It will deploy literary terms like satire, paradox, rhetorical questions etc in its style. The column will be short, concise and witty. Also the column seeks to praise, criticise and influence public opinion. The column will be published mondays and will be for now on Stanley Ibeku Page. The link is www.stanleyibeku.blogspot.com