Nigeria Today: Top Ten News Stories You Shouldn’t Miss

1.CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele has disclosed plans by the bank to collaborate with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ministry of Agriculture as well as the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to promote import-substitution policies in the country.  Emefiele said this in a keynote address presented at the 48th annual bankers’ dinner organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in Lagos at the weekend.  The move, according to Emefiele, would help to reposition the economy in view of the challenges posed by the falling price of crude oil. 2. Billionaire Nigerian businessman, Aliko Dangote, has been named as the Forbes Africa Person of the Year 2014. Other finalists of the most coveted award were South Africa’s Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Arunma Oteh and President of the African Development Bank, Donald Kaberuka. 3. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has concluded plans to embark on a three-day warning strike in protest against the delay in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and other anti-labour activities of employers in the oil and gas sector.  The warning strike follows the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum issued by the National Executive Council (NEC) of PENGASSAN to the federal government and other concerned employers and agencies in the sector. 4. A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has restrained former President Olusegun Obasanjo from going ahead with plans to publish or have someone publish, on his behalf, a new autobiography titled: ‘My Watch’. The court, presided over by Justice Valentine Ashi, gave the order on Friday after listening to Alex Iziyon who argued a motion ex-parte brought on behalf of a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Buruji Kashamu. The motion is marked: FCT/HC/M/2392/2014. Iziyon had argued that the content of the book relates to issues contained in Obasanjo’s December 2, 2013 letter to President Goodluck Jonathan and former PDP National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur, where he (Obasanjo) claimed that Kashamu was allegedly a fugitive, wanted in the United States 5. A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has adjourned hearing till January 7, 2015 in the suit by little known human rights group, Alliance Against Monopoly (AAM), against the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) over its recent directive to cement manufacturers on industry standard. Hearing on the matter was stalled due to the absence of the Director-General of SON, who is the first defendant in the case. 6. The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on Sunday said motorists should desist from the use of expired tyres otherwise called “Tokunbo tyres” on highways to avert fatal accidents, especially during the Yuletide. Mr. Godwin Ogagaoghene, the Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of Ogun and Lagos States, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the use of such tyres could endanger the lives of drivers and their passengers. 7. Gongo Aso crooner, Abolore Akande, popularly known as 9ice has lost his bid to represent Ogbomosho North/South/Orire at the Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives. 8. The body of the former Foreign Affairs minister, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru Sunday, arrived the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMIA), Lagos.  The remains, which arrived aboard South Africa Airways (SSA) A340-600 series airplane and with registration N ZS-SNC at about 4:30pm, saw airport formalities and clearance lasting almost two hours. The body which arrived at about 4.30pm yesterday was released to the family, which include the wife, children and his younger brother, and who is also Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Ogun State. 9. As the Nigerian troops continue to sustain their offensives against terrorists in North-Eastern Nigeria, more arrests have been made. According to a PRNigeria press release, some of the recent arrests include professional cameramen for the terrorist group who are experts in photo, video recording and filming of their attacks on communities and atrocities against innocent citizens.  The terrorists were nabbed during patrols, surveillance and raid operations to track fleeing terrorists in communities around Adamawa State. 10. WITH twin objectives of improving healthcare delivery and achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PHN) has unveiled the $1 million (N170 million) Health Innovation Challenge (HIC).