COVENANT VARSITY SACKS 200 STUDENTS FOR NOT ATTENDING CHURCH SERVICE, SMOKING Authorities of Covenant University, Ota Ogun State has expelled about 200 students for violation of the institution's rules. According to Saturday Vanguard, about 126 students were expelled for not attending 'departure service', four were expelled for smoking marijuana while others were shown the out for other offences. The university authority has refused to comment on the story. Covenat varsity is known to be strict in terms of students' conduct and morality. The school does not allow students to use phone in the school premises.

FAMILY OF KOGI GOVERNOR SNEAKS HIM INTO PRIVATE HOSPITAL, MAY BE FLOWN ABROAD Injured Kogi State governor Idris Wada was yesteday sneaked into Cedar Crest Hospital in Abuja. While Doctors at the National Hospital Abuja waited for his arrival, Wada's family took him to the private hospital. The hospital is said to have the best of orthopaedic surgeons. Wada was involved in a road crash Friday at the Lokoja- Abuja Highway. His ADC died on the spot. The governor according to sources had his leg broken. Some hospitals abroad are being contacted for possible transfer of the governor. Source: PremiumTimes

GOVERNOR WADA FLOWN TO ABUJA, LEGS 'BROKEN' According to PremiumTimes, injured governor of Kogi State Idris Wada has been flown to Abuja by a helicopter. He was receiving treatment at the intensive care unit of Kogi state hospital after he was injured in a fatal motor accident where his ADC died. According to Doctors at the hospital, the governor had fractured femur but there is hope, one of them added. It was learnt also that the governor had broken thigh.

KOGI GOVERNOR INJURED IN ROAD CRASH, AS HIS ADC DIES Kogi State governor Idris Wada is at the intensive care unit of the Kogi State hospital after a fatal road accident that occured friday killing his ADC. Wada is said to be returning to Lokoja from a function in Anyingba.

NIGERIAN ARMY RETIRES 51 TOP OFFICERS The Nigerian Army has retired 51 top officers including 12 Major Generals, 24 Brigadier Generals and 15 Colonel. Director of Public Relations of the Army Brig. Gen Bola Koloeso said the retirement is line with the harmonised 'Terms and Conditions of Service of Officers, revised in 2012. Among those retired is Major. Gem M.D Isah, former Commander of Infantry school Jaji. The Army Council headed by President Goodluck Jonathan recently promoted 59 senior officers.

HOW OBASANJO'S MANSION WAS GUTTED BY FIRE A mansion belonging to former President Olusegun Obasanjo was gutted by fire today at Abeokuta. The fire started around 4:25pm. The incident was said to have been caused by a power surge. Obasanjo was said to have left the residence about 20 minutes before the fire started. He was said to have returned immediately. An enraged son of Obasanjo smashed a blackberry phone belonging to a reporter with PremiumTimes when the reporter tried to take photographs. Source: PremiumTimes

ONE DEAD, 40 INJURED AS EXPLOSION ROCKS LAGOS An explosion Wednesday rocked a building in the Idumota area of Lagos killing one person and injuring about fourty others. The explosion is believed to have been caused by bangers for sale packed in the building. The explosion affected about four buildings mainly 3-storey. NEMA has confirmed the story. Source: PremiumTimes

GUNMEN KILL PASTOR, 4 OTHERS IN CHRISTMAS EVE TRAGEDY According to Aljazeera, gunmen opened fire at a church in Peri near Potiskum Yobe state on Monday night killing the pastor and four others. A senior police official who craved anonymity confirmed the story to Aljazeera. No group has claimed responsibilty for the attack.

EFCC FINALLY ARRESTS WALE BABALAKIN The Economic and Financial Crimes Commision (EFCC) on Monday arrested Businessman Wale Babalakin after he has been on admission at LUTH. He was arrested at the premises of the hospital and taken to EFCC office in Ikeja. A source said he may be granted administrative bail before his arraignment on January 17th 2013. Source: Saharareporters

MANY KILLED, OTHERS INJURED AS GUNMAN OPENS FIRE Today at Bigi village in Bauchi state, a gunman opened fire on people killing many and injuring others. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the number of casualties has not been determined. The police confirmed the incident. Spokesman of the police Abbas Abdulahi said not all that were shot died. The victims have been taken to the University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi. The police said they will soon announce the casualty figure.

OUTRAGE OVER ANENIH'S APPOINTMENT AS NPA CHAIR Several groups and individuals have continued to condemn the appointment of former Works Minister Tony Anenih as chairman Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) by President Goodluck Jonathan. Anenih has been accused of squandering billions of naira when he held sway as Minister. Speaking to StanleyIbekuPage, Edmond Okwunalu, a good governance advocate slammed Jonathan over what he described as ' irresponsible appointment'. He called for the immediate withdrawal of the name of former BOT chair of PDP as NPA chair.

YAKOWA FOR BURIAL THURSDAY AS KADUNA DECLARES 7-DAY MOURNING The remains of the former Kaduna state governor Patrick Yakowa who died in the saturday doomed helicopter will be buried on thursday, according to the newly-sworn in governor Muktar Yero. Also Monday 17th December 2012 has been declared a work-free day and a one-week mourning was also declared by the state government. The mourning period started on Sunday. Also, the Bayelsa state government has declared a 7-day mourning for the late former NSA Andrew Azazi, former Kaduna state governor Patrick Yakowa and four others who died in the helicopter crash.

KADUNA NEW GOVERNOR TAKES THE OATH Following the death of the governor of Kaduna state Patrick Yakowa in a helicopter crash on saturday, his deputy Rahaman Yero was on Sunday afternoon sworn-in as the new governor. The state's Chief Judge Rahman Cudjoe administered the oath on him at the government house at about 1:10pm. The new governor eulogised his predecessor and promised to continue his programmes. He also condoled with the family of the late governor.

KADUNA DEPUTY GOVERNOR YERO, TO BE SWORN IN AS GOVERNOR SUNDAY Following the death of Kaduna state governor Patrick Yakowa yesteday in the doomed helicopter, his deputy Muhktar Ramalan Yero will be sworn in as governor Sunday morning. This is in line with the 1999 constitution. StanleyIbekuPage learnt that already security and protocols are being arranged for a smooth swearing in. Yero was born in 1969 in Zaria local government. He holds a B.sc in Accounting and Masters degree in Business Administration. He is a close ally of Vice president Sambo. He served as Kaduna State Commissioner for finance during Sambo's reign as governor before he was appointed deputy governor in 2010.

KADUNA GOVERNOR YAKOWA, EX-NSA AZAZI, OTHERS DEAD IN HELICOPTER CRASH Kaduna state governor Patrick Yakowa, former National Security Adviser Andrew Azazi and some other political figures whose identities have not yet been verified were reported to have died in a helicopter crash in Bayelsa state on saturday. They are said to be returning from the burial of the father of Oronto Douglas, an aide to President Jonathan. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said it has started rescue operation.

KADUNA GOVERNOR YAKOWA, EX-NSA AZAZI, OTHERS DEAD IN HELICOPTER CRASH Kaduna state governor Patrick Yakowa, former National Security Adviser Andrew Azazi and some other political figures whose identities have not yet been verified were reported to have died in a helicopter crash in Bayelsa state on saturday. They are said to be returning from the burial of the father of Oronto Douglas, an aide to President Jonathan. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said it has started rescue operation.

OKONJO-IWUALA'S MUM FREED Multiple sources say the kidnapped mother of Nigeria's Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iwuala Prof. Emene Okonjo has been freed by security forces in Delta state. As at the time of this post, it's not clear on how she was freed. It is also not clear if any ransom was paid or not. Prof. Okonjo was whisked away on Dec. 9 in front of her husband's palace while attending to her domestic workers.

OKONJO-IWUALA'S MUM KIDNAPPED The mother of Nigeria's Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Ngozi Okonjo-Iwuala was kidnapped at about 1:30 Sunday afternoon. The woman was whisked away in Audi car, witnesses say. 8 gunmen invaded the family house in Ogwashi ukwu, Delta state. Police say they have initiated manhunt for the kidnappers. Source: Premium Times

INEC DE-REGISTERS 28 POLITICAL PARTIES The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has de-registered 28 political parties. This was contained in a statement thursday night. The parties include Rev. Chris Okotie's Fresh Democratic Party, Peoples Redemption party, Action Party, Justice party, New Democrats, amongst others.

SULEJA BOMBERS WERE PROMISED 72 VIRGINS Suicide bombers who carried out attacks in Suleja and Madalla were promised 72 virgins each as reward. An Army officer (name witheld for security reasons) told a Federal High court in Abuja that the four suspects standing trial agreed to the terms. He said the evidence was contained in their cell phones.

ACTOR , ENEBELI ENEBUWA DIES AT 65 Nollywood's actor Enebeli Enebuwa is dead. He died at the age of 65. The actor died in an Indian hospital in New delhi. Enebuwa has been battling illness for long. He has been on admission in a hospital in Abuja before he was flown abroad for more attention.

NIGERIA IS 35TH MOST CORRUPT IN THE WORLD, SAYS TRANSPARENCY INTL 2012 REPORT Nigeria is the 35th most corrupt country in the world, according to the global corruption watchdog, Transparency International. In its 2012 report released at 6:00 am Wednesday, Nigeria scored 27 out of a maximum of 100 marks to clinch 139th position out of 176 countries. The country was rated 143rd in 2011. Togo, Benin, Mali and Niger faired better than Nigeria. Nigeria stinks in graft. The country is a haven for fraud and corruption. The oil subsidy largesse that has seen millions of dollars stolen. The pension scam and other cesspool of fraud. President Jonathan who is also enmeshed in the Malabu Oil scandal has shown enough committment in fighting the scourge that has made the country backward.

JTF IN GUN-FIGHT WITH BOKO HARAM Reports say members of the Joint Task Force (JTF) is battling with men suspected to be Boko Haram members in the troubled Maidugiri, the Borno state capital. StanleyIbekuPage learnt that troubled started in the Lagos street and Gwange area when the suspected terrorists detonated an explosive thereby attracting JTF men. As at 10:19 monday morning, the soldiers and the terrorists are battling in intense gun-fight. The casualty figure is unclear as at the time of this publication.

FUTO GRADUATES SHINE IN MEDIA AWARDS Inspite of their Technological and Engineering background, graduates of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) have continued to come tops in almost every sphere including journalism and media. Last night at the high brow Lekki area of lagos, two of FUTO graduates stood tall among their peers as the guests gave them standing ovation. It was at the annual NBC/COCA-COLA CAMPUSLIFE AWARDS FOR CAMPUS JOURNALIST. Former FUTO SUG PRO Gerald Nwokocha won the overall award- REPORTER OF THE YEAR. Gerald who just completed his NYSC programme beat other campus journalists to emerge the best. His story on 'JTF kills Corps member, mistakes him as Boko Haram member' fetched the prize. Gerald also won another award. His colleague Chisom Ojukwu who just graduated from the Chemical Engineering Department won for the best sports report. Chisom won Reporter of the year for last year. At the inception of the award last three years, Stanley Ibeku, publisher of StanleyIbekuPage who was then a student of FUTO won two awards and one award the next year. Others who won awards last night include Ngozi Emmanuel and Emeka Attah from Unizik. Gilbert Alasa, Uniben; Hannah Ojo, OAU.

TARABA GOVERNOR SUNTAI BRAIN-DAMAGED, CAN'T RECOGNISE VISITORS There are fears that Taraba State governor Danbaba Suntai who is hospilatised in a german hospital is brain-damaged and cant recognise visitors. Saharareporters scooped that a secret presidential team visited him in the hosipatl. Suntai was flown abroad for treatment after he piloted an aircraft that crashed near the Yola Airport on October 25th. It was learnt that a presidential team led by Senate President David Mark visited him. The team also include Kaduna state governor Ibrahim Yakowa, Jonathan's chief of staff Mike Ogiadohme, John Kennedy Opara and Venerable Obioma of the Presidential chapel. The team went for the installation of Cardinal John Onaiyekan at Vatican City but detoured to Germany to see the governor. The governor suffered much much brain damage. But officials of Taraba state government have repeatedly insisted that the governor is recuperating. Since the return of the presidential team to the country, the visitors have refused to comment on the state of health of the governor heighening speculations.