Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) is to hold a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Thursday to decide its next line of action over the lingering strike by university teachers.

 NUT President, Mr. Michael Alogba-Olukoya, said this in a telephone chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday.

The union had on September 26 given a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government and the lecturers to resolve their differences and end the strike or face nationwide strike by NUT members.

The lecturers under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) embarked on the nationwide strike on July 1.

The lecturers described the strike as “comprehensive, total and indefinite.”

Alogba-Olukoya told NAN that the union extended the ultimatum following appeals from well-meaning Nigerians.

He, however, noted that the extension would end on Tuesday.

“Since we gave the ultimatum, well meaning Nigerians have been pleading with us.

“In order not to cry more than the bereaved, we gave them till October 22. The NEC members will meet on Thursday to decide our next line of action, “he said.

NAN reports that the university teachers are protesting non-implementation of an agreement they signed with the Federal Government in 2009 on improved funding of universities and payment of allowances to ASUU members.

The Ebonyi command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Tuesday announced the arrest of 95 drug suspects from January to date.

The Commandant of the agency in the state, Mr Raph Igwenagu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki that it also seized 350 kilogrammes of illicit drugs during the period.

“The NDLEA in Ebonyi also during the year counselled, rehabilitated and discharged 40 drug users while six drug dependent persons are still undergoing rehabilitation,” he said.

Igwenagu said that 10 suspects were convicted while 30 cases were undergoing prosecution and 15 cases still under investigation.

According to him, the prevalence of illicit drug use among the youth is on the high side as a result of their being susceptible and more vulnerable than adults.

He urged parents and guardians whose children and wards had become victims of drug abuse to bring them to the agency for care, treatment and rehabilitation.

He explained that the agency had undertaken to appraise the menace of drugs in the society and the ills inherent in drug trafficking and abuse.

Igwenagu said the war against illicit drug trafficking and abuse was a collective one and called on traditional rulers, religious organisations, security agencies and other stakeholders to join hands in tackling them.

He also commanded the Ebonyi government for making efforts to reposition its health sector.

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The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Azubuike Ihejirika, yesterday disclosed that the Nigerian Army has commenced massive recruitment of soldiers to fight the ongoing security challenges in the country. He said about 9,000 soldiers have been recruitment so far.

According to him, the security challenges in the country is of greatest concern to the army, hence, the need to increase its men.

Speaking at an interactive session at 2 Division Headquarters, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Odogbo, Ibadan, Oyo State capital, Ihejirika said Nigerian Army has intensified its effort towards re-training of its personnel to meet up with the various security challenges.

He stated that the theme of the interactive session,  ‘Consolidating Civil Society Organisations: Military Relations for Improved National Security,’ was considered as part of the quest by the Nigerian Army to resolve the crisis the nation is currently faced with.

Ihejirika, who was represented by Major. General Jah Enwansiha,  said the  Nigerian Army and civil society organisations should not only know each other better but also learn to work together for achievement of common objectives.

He stated that the Nigeria Army was ready to partner with civil society groups as long as it is in an effort to make Nigeria a safer place for Nigerians and foreigners.

On the Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs, he stated that it was established, in line with the 2010 Order of Battle (ORBAT) by the Chief of Army Staff  with the aim of actualising his vision which was to “transform the Nigerian Army into a force better and able to meet contemporary challenges.

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This is Mr Sunday Eze, the 33 year old man who allegedly bathed his estranged wife with acid in Nnewi on Friday 11th October 2013 along Oraifite/Ichi axis of Ekwusigo LGA of Anambra State.

Sunday Eze is on the run after bathing his late pregnant wife with acid and forcing some down her throat. 23 year old Ebere Eze was rushed to the hospital where she died.
Sunday is still at large and according to the relatives of the deceased, he usually calls them claiming that he was manipulated to murder Ebere and would also beg for forgiveness. Meanwhile angry youths of Edoji Uruagu Nnewi of Anambra state which is the native community of the deceased have burnt down the house of Sunday Eze. Sunday hails from Obiofia Nnewichi Nnewi of Anambra State.

President Jonathan will soon order relevant government agencies to investigate the purchase of two bulletproof vehicles for the Minister of Aviation, Ms Stella Odua.
Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak, in an interview with Punch on Friday said President Jonathan would not shield the minister.
Gulak, however, said the President would not take a decision on the fate of the embattled minister based on media reports.
He said Jonathan’s decision would be based on verifiable facts, which could only be achieved when relevant government agencies investigate the matter.
The presidential aide said Jonathan would not hesitate to show anybody found guilty of corruption or impunity the way out of his government.
He assured Nigerians that the President was on top of the situation. He did not, however, disclose when the President would order the probe. He also did not name the agencies that would probe the allegation. Gulak said;
“I can assure you that President Jonathan will not shield the minister or any government official for that matter if he receives information that is true. In this particular instance, the reports are in the media. But media reports are not enough to act on. The President is on top of the situation. He will direct appropriate authorities to investigate the matter. Anybody found wanting in terms of corruption or impunity, President Jonathan will not hesitate to show such person the way out of his government.
“The most important thing is that such decision must be based on facts as provided by appropriate government agencies that will investigate, not based on media reports.”

 Okon goes to the altar...:-). Comic actor Ime Bishop Umoh married his boo Idara Saviour yesterday Saturday October 19th in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state. Congrats to them. See more photos after the cut..

Eze Festus Odimegwu, the Chairman of National Population Commission, NPC has resigned after a brief tenure marked by controversies.

The resignation of the former Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria’s leading brewery, NB plc was announced in a statement issued Thursday from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

It was signed by Sam Nwaobasi, the media aide to Anyim Pius Anyim, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

No reason was given for the resignation of Odimegwu which, according to the statement took immediate effect.

But there have been calls for the sack of the former brewer, especially following his assertions that the country has not conducted any credible census since it started engaging in the exercise since 1816.

Odumegwu alleged that the figures released after previous census exercises, the last of which was held in 2006 were mostly cooked up.

“There was no census, ” the former NB plc managing director said at a press conference earlier this year of the 2006 exercise.

Top American stand-up comedians, Tony Roberts and Deeray Davis have arrived Lagos, Nigeria in readiness for their star performances at this weekend’s Glo Mega LaftaFest, a superb comedy show tagged “Invasion LOL” and being sponsored by Globacom.

Must Prominent Nigerians like Dele Momodu, Joke Silva, Osita ‘Pawpaw’ Iheme and Ali Baba, are set to lead other celebrities and law enforcement agents on a “One Million March Against Drug Abuse.”

The star-studded walk is slated for 2 November, 2013, and will take-off from Obalende through Keffi, Awolowo way, City Mall, TBS and Tinubu Roundabout.

Lamboginny, an artiste and ambassador of the National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), is the convener of the project that has been described as the first of its kind in Nigeria.

Eminent Nigerians from all walks of life have promised to be part of the historic project, which is targeted as a platform to sensitise Nigerians, the youths in particular, on the dangers of drug abuse.

Dr. Femi Ajayi, the Director General of the NDLEA, will be the Guest Speaker at the event alongside ace comedian, Ali Baba and Charles Udoh; former Diamond Bank’s Head of Corporate Communications.

Celebrities that have confirmed their presence at the walk include Olisa Adibua (Beat FM), Kwame (Nigezie), Yaw (Wazobia FM), Olamide, Yemi Sax, Ruggedman, Mbryo, Denrele, Kaffy and Yemi Alade.

Others include Kennis Music All Stars, General Pype, Artquake, Laide Bakare, Tekno Miles, OD Woods, Terry Apala, Kome, Owen Gee, MC Icewater and Akpororo.

The Nigeria Army, Police, Immigration, FRSC, NDLEA, NSCDC, Red Cross and the American Community are also part of the agencies that have thrown their weight behind the epoch making event.

The walk, which will be transmitted live on Google+ is sponsored by Jevinik Restaurant, will commence from 8am on Saturday, 2 November, 2013, and it is expected to be an annual event henceforth..

The popular Ghanaian actor Van Vicker and his beautiful wife Adjoa are so excited today as they celebrate their 10th year of marriage.

The couple who got married back in 2003 are now blessed with three wonderful children.

Van Vicker and Adjoa met in high school over 19 years ago when the actor has absolutely nothing. His beautiful wife Adoja has been by his side all through these years.

The actor took to his Twitter profile few hours ago to spread the good news to his fans.

“Its my 10th wedding anniversary, yeeaaaa. I pray the Lord grants me many, many, more years in marriage with my wife, Adjoa van Vicker. Amen” – Van Vicker said in a tweet.

Nigerian artist Ayo Balogun aka Wizkid show a picture his little son (Boluwatife) the 2-year-old love child of

Bolu, which was the product of a short-lived romance between Wizkid and a lady named Shola Thompson.

The boy looks cute.

The Nollywood Actress Chika Ike plays a tomboy in a new movie which was  directed by Serah Donald, titled Zam The Barrow Pusher.

The Vice president of Nigeria Namadi Sambo led FCT resident to a Sallah homage to president Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja yesterday

The biggest diamonds would likely be about a centimetre in diameter - "big enough to put on a ring, although of course they would be uncut," says Dr Kevin Baines, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.