President jonathan announces Tukur’s resignation, says new chairman to be appointed on Monday

Now we can report this with certainty. It is indeed true that National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bamanga Tukur, has resigned.
Our source reports that President Goodluck Jonathan announced this after receiving his resignation, and the National Executive Council will meet on Monday to appoint a new Chairman from the North East.
That means that stories like “I am still National Chairman of the PDP” – Tukur is upset by the rumours, and Cocksure Bamanga Tukur declares – “Mr President cannot make me resign” have become past tense, and all eyes look now to the North East, from whence the new Chairman shall emerge next week.
Potentials for the position include Minister of Transport,  Idris Umar, allegedly a favourite of the First Lady, while some PDP governors want  former Governor of Bauchi, Mr. Adamu Muazu, as the next  chairman of the party.

Didier Drogba Buys Massive $74M Stake In Ivorian Gold Mine

Ivorian superstar soccer player and Galatasaray FC striker – Didier Drogba has reportedly bought a 5 per cent stake in his country’s largest mining company.

According to reports from African Review, the former Chelsea forward paid $74 Million to acquire part of the state’s shares in the company.

Drogba had expressed interest in purchasing the stakes at the state owned mine last March but encountered difficulties sealing the deal.

It took the intervention of the country’s president Alassane Ouattara before the deal was concluded last Friday.

President Goodluck Jonathan Sacks All Military Chiefs, Appoints New Ones

A statement from the Presidency sent to The Paradigm today reveals that President Goodluck Jonathan has sacked all military chiefs and appointed new ones.

The statement reads:

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria approved the following changes in the nation’s Military High Command:

Air Marshal Alex Badeh takes over from Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim as Chief of Defence Staff;
Major-General Kenneth Tobiah Jacob Minimah takes over from Lt.-General Azubike O. Ihejirika as Chief of Army Staff;
Rear Admiral Usman O. Jibrin takes over from Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba as Chief of Naval Staff; and Air Vice Marshal Adesola Nunayon Amosu takes over from Air Marshal Badeh as Chief of Air Staff.
All the changes are with immediate effect.

The new Chief of Defence Staff and former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Badeh was born on January 10, 1957 and joined the Air Force as a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s  21 Regular Course while the new Chief of Army Staff, Major-General Minimah was born on July 27, 1959 and joined the Army as a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s  25 Regular Course. Until his new appointment, Major-General Minimah was the Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps, Jaji.
The new Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin was born on September 16, 1959 and joined the Navy as a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 24 Regular Course. Until his appointment as Chief of Naval Staff, he was Director of Training at Defence Headquarters.
The new Chief of Air Staff and immediate past Commander of the Presidential Air Fleet, Air Vice Marshal Amosu was born on August 1, 1958 and joined the Air Force as a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 25 Regular Course. Until his new appointment, Air Vice Marshal Amosu was the Air Officer Commanding, Tactical Air Command, Makurdi.
President Jonathan has briefed the leadership of the National Assembly on the appointment of the new service chiefs and will, in keeping with the provisions of the law, request the National Assembly to formally confirm the appointments when it reconvenes.

Again, Tukur Denies Report of His Resignation as PDP Chairman

The embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bamanga Tukur, has for the second time in two days deny report of his resignation as Chairman of the party.

Mr. Tukur made this known on Wednesday afternoon through his Special Adviser on Media, Olivier Okpala.

“Be informed that the national chairman has not resigned, it is all speculation,” Mr. Okpala says.
The statement follows reports that Mr. Tukur has resigned from his position.
He added that Mr. Tukur will be at the Board of Trustees, BOT, meeting of the party on Wednesday night and will also attend the National Executive Committee meeting of the party on Thursday.
The Wednesday meeting will be a continuation of a similar one held on Tuesday were deliberations were inconclusive.
The Wednesday meeting according to
Vice President Namadi Sambo, who presided over Tuesday meeting is expected to commence by 6:00 p.m.

Bamanga Tukur resigns as PDP chairman

National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bamanga Tukur has finally resigned.
According to a source who spoke with  a senior member of the divided National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, the new development will be announced by President Goodluck Jonathan during a meeting of the  National Caucus of the party tonight in Abuja.
With the resignation, Tukur has escaped being suspended from the party by the members of the NWC.
Nigerian Eye reports:

Tukur was to be suspended by about eight members of the NWC, while the National Executive Committee of the party would ratify his suspension on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan is said to be scheming to install Tukur’s successor.
The First Lady is said to be rooting for the appointment of the Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar.
His ministry is said to be under indirect supervision of the First Lady.
However, the governors are resisting the move.

Each Nigerian League Players Set to Earn a Minimum of 150,000 Naira (About $940)

The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and club owners have agreed to pay each registered players a minimum fee of 150,000 Naira monthly (about $940).

This is in line with the recent abolishment of sign-on fees in the league.
The revelation was part of several “mutually beneficial” conclusions drawn in Monday’s meeting between the League Management Company (LMC) and the club managers.

The issue of bank guarantee of 100 million Naira by each of the 20 participating clubs in the NPFL- and other basic requirements to be fulfilled for club registration ahead of the new season- was also addressed during the Abuja meeting.
According to MTNfootball.com, several clubs including Kaduna United, Shooting Stars and Heartland have already cancelled sign-on fees and now pays bumper monthly salaries.
The new NPFL season kicks off in the weekend of February 23.

Latter-day Saints Young Single Adults in Lagos Plan Big this Valentine!

The Young Single Adult of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Lagos are planning a very big and spectacular Valentine's programme this February. The Single Adult Representatives of the 29 Wards in Lagos has been meeting in making the programme a success.

 CROSS SECTION OF PARTICIPATING SINGLE ADULT REPS

The theme of the programme is yet to be unveiled, but "a week of love might be used", the programme is expected to create unity amongst LDS Single Adults in Lagos and create a means of cordial relationship and early marriages amongst the Singles most especially returned missionaries.

The Single Adult are also planning to invite the missionaries as a means of getting people taught the gospel, since the programme is opened to all.

The date is 15th of February and it is a cocktail party with performances by LDS Members in Lagos in strictly soul musics.