Newspaper of the Year
Tinubu: PDP, Obanikoro, aiding Boko Haram NEWS Page 4
QUARTER FINALS FIXTURES Friday 4th July Saturday 5th July •France vs Germany 5pm •Argentina vs Belgium 5pm •Brazil vs Colombia 9pm •Netherlands vs Cost Rica 9pm
•‘Explain why Chibok girls remain in captivity’ •Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper
VOL. 9, NO. 2896 THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014
35% levy on imported vehicles to wait till Jan.
EHICLE importers are set to breathe a sigh of relief – the Federal Government has shifted the implementation of the 35 per cent levy on vehicles till January
The levy regime, a key component of the new automotive policy, would have begun on Tuesday. Minister of Trade and Investment Dr. Olusegun Aganga briefed the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at its weekly Continued on page 4
•Dr. Aganga
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•The problem with Omisore, by lawmaker •Labour candidate promises industries •We’ll conduct local govt election, says SDP
• AND MORE ON PAGE 8
House okays 42.5mpa cement grade
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By Oluwakemi Dauda and Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja
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•www.thenationonlineng.net
TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH
OSUN 2014
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•Keshi: NFF plotted against me •Minister wants coach to stay •No sanction for Matuidi PAGES 24&49
DVOCATES of an unregulated cement market lost a major battle yesterday, with lawmakers recommending the 42.5mpa grade cement for construction. The House of Representatives said it adopted the 42.5mpa grade because there is no building code and 90 per cent of construction is under-
From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja
taken by non-professionals. “It will serve the national interest better to adopt a particular cement grade, which is less susceptible to misapplication as the standard cement in the country,” the lawmakers said, adding that “most stakeholders will prefer it, if given the chance to
choose between 32.5mpa and 42.5mpa”. The recommendation followed the adoption of the report of the Hon. Yakubu Dogara-led Ad-hoc Committee on Composition and Pigmentation of Cement (Cement Quality), which investigated the incidence of collapsed buildings. •Details on page 55
•INSIDE: DOCTORS’ STRIKE PAINS GROW P5 ABUJA AIRPORT RUNWAY SHUT P11
2015: Jonathan’s men open bid near Chibok protesters President gets set to say ‘I’m running again’
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From Yusuf Alli, Abuja
OME customised vehicles and giant electronic billboards mounted on wheels appeared yesterday in a strategic part of Abuja – the seat of power. Engraved on the boards are President Goodluck Jonathan’s achievements and his photograph as well as Vice President Namadi Sambo’s — beaming. The customised vehicles and electronic boards appeared at the Unity Fountain where the BringBackOurGirls campaigners were meeting in solidarity with the abducted Chibok girls. Over 200 girls were snatched off their dormitory by Boko Haram on April 15 in Chibok, Borno State. They are yet to be found — 80 days after. The boards and the vehicles were rolled out by a group, GEJITES (Goodluck Ebelo Jonathanites). It is, The Nation learnt, all in preparation for Dr. Jonathan’s announcement of his plan to run again. The new volunteer group is similar to
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Neighbour2Neigbour, one of the organisations that led the President’s campaign in 2011. The edges of the Unity WHERE ARE Fountain were littered with THE CHIBOK the “expensive” boards — apparently to cast a shadow GIRLS KIDNAPPED on the protest. ON APRIL 15?
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•TW O CAMP AIGNS TWO CAMPAIGNS AIGNS,, ONE VENUE: Former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili (third left) and former Chief Justice Mohammed Uwais’ wife Mariam and others during a press briefing on the 80 days of abduction of the Chibok girls in Abuja...yesterday. Left: The vehicle and the billboards mounted by the pro-Jonathan campaigners near the Chibok girls protesters ...yesterday. PHOTOS: ABAYOMI FAYESE
•ARISEKOLA’S WIDOW DIES IN ROAD CRASH P7 •SHEKARAU, ADEYEYE, OTHERS CLEARED P6