FRESH 4RM GIM

Former Nigerian Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida today released a statement through his media aide, Kassim Afegbua more or less advising the President to see things a bit differently especially beyond what his aides tell him.

*Shekarau By AbduSalam Muhammed Former Kano State governor and chieftain of tha All Progressives Congress, APC, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Shekarau along with thousands of his supporters, today, joined the PDP at an elaborate ceremony in Kano. Details later.

Yola—The death toll arising from the two separate attacks on a Church in Chakawa village, Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State and  Kawuri village in Konduga, in Borno State has now risen to 138. Armed men Armed men suspected to be members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect attacked Chakawa village in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State as well as the Kawuri village in Konduga, Bornro State killing innocent people.

E NUGU —  Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, yesterday, described the evacuation of his poultry from his official residence at Government House by officials of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA, and Ministry of Environment as a wicked act. He said the action of the official which was shocking to him, was intended to humiliate him and show how “politically impotent” he was.

l agos —Lagos State government, yesterday, said the proposed Fourth Mainland Bridge may not be realisable soon because; “With the current plan, 318 buildings will need to be demolished for the bridge to take-off.”

Boko Haram Victims The Gombe State Government Wednesday  expressed concern over the influx of people from neighboring states who are fleeing from the ongoing violent confrontation between the security forces and members of the  Boko Haram    sect in the North East states of Bornu, Yobe and Adamawa.

The recent pronouncement of N14 billion grants for dry season farming by federal government, undoubtedly, is a welcome development, considering that such special grant was unprecedented, especially, when it is targeted at boosting the chances of Nigeria in achieving food sufficiency, particularly in rice production as planed by the federal government. But how far this grant will go remains unclear, given that the Presidency is still withholding the bio-safety bill passed by the National Assembly, which is expected to arm Nigerians farmers with the latest technological tools and inputs to compete favourably with the food producing majors across the globe. By Emmanuel Elebeke The bill is one of the bills passed by the National Assembly that have been gathering dust on the desk of President Jonathan.