Strike Continues, Says ASUU

University teachers said yesterday that their strike will go on — 89 days after it began. This is in spite of the intervention by Vice President Namadi Sambo in bringing the lecturers back to the negotiation table. The teachers are seeking proper funding of education and the payment of their N87 billion earned allowances. These are part of the 2009 agreement between the teachers and the government. The government has offered N30 billion for the earned allowances and made available N100billion for projects on the campuses. The lecturers rejected the offer. The strike has been on since July 1.

Apo killing: ''They were terrorists, not squatters'' – Army Chief insists

Despite reports saying that the 9 squatters killed in Abuja were innocent citizens, the army has insisted that they were terrorists. This was revealed by the Chief of Army Staff, Azubuike Ihejirika, who said that the squatters found in an uncompleted building in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were suspected terrorists who were making plans to bomb prominent areas of the FCT. According to reports, the victims, who residents and rights activists claimed were artisans and tricycle operators, were killed in the building in the Apo environs of Abuja.

I'm Shocked That My Deputy Is Betraying Me; Says Gov Suntai

Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai has accused his deputy, Alhaji Garba Umar, of betrayal. Suntai said he least expected his deputy to lust for his (Suntai’s) office given the confidence he reposed in him.

Suntai, who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Sylvanus Yakubu, said the governor was not the only one that felt betrayed but the entire people of the state.

Yakubu, who was reacting to Umar’s statement on Tuesday that he was 100 per cent loyal to Suntai and would not undermine his authority, said, “His (Umar’s) activities are a direct opposite of what he keeps saying.”

In a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday, he added that he had personally lost the respect for Umar, who has been the state acting governor since October last year when Suntain sustained injuries when the small aircraft he flown crashed in nearby Adamawa.

“The deputy governor keeps talking of 100 per cent loyalty, but the reverse is the case; his people are in court against Governor Suntai,” he said.

Yakubu added, “What we want is to see is him (Umar) showing concern for the governor’s health, and loyalty to his principal, by negotiating with him on how to resolve the political impasse.

“The governor had on August 28 announced the dissolution of the executive and made new appointments but Umar disregarded the dissolution. A cabal was trying to hijack the machinery of government.”

“Why We Are Fighting Jonathan” – Lamido, Aliyu Reveal

The end seems not in sight to the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the aggrieved seven governors operating on the platform of the new PDP (nPDP) are insisting that President Goodluck Jonathan must meet their demands presented at previous meetings they held with him (president). One of the governors, Dr Aliyu Babangida of Niger State, however, blamed external forces for fueling the crisis between the presidency and the G7 governors and warned party members to be wary of those who are desperate to pull down the party.

Petrol Tanker Explodes On Iponri Bridge, Causes Massive Gridlock

Reports reaching us say a petrol tanker exploded on the Iponri bridge that connects Ojuelegba with Apapa, Lagos state. Apparently, the 33,000 litre tanker abruptly burst into flame before exploding. Firefighters immediately arrived to the scene and are currently trying to deal with the fiery disaster. The incident has caused massive traffic gridlock on the road leading to and out of Ojuelegba axis.

There are no reports of casualties yet.

Thai Cook Fries Chicken With His bare Hands And Doesn't Get Burned!

Kann “Superhands” Trichan got the cool nickname for his incredible ability of scooping pieces of chicken from burning-hot oil with his bare hands.  The 50-year-old Chiang Mai-based street cook can sink his fingers into 480 degrees hot grease without getting so much as a blister on his hands, and his amazing ability has won him international fame. People from all over the world come to his “Fried Chicken Iron Hands Man” food stall to see Kann use his hands to scoop out the chicken and he and his wife travel the globe showing off his gift.

Diego Costa – The Brazilian Bad Boy Turned Good

Since making his move to La Liga, Diego Costa has developed a reputation as being a bit hot-headed. His various antics, off-the-ball tussles and petty fights have become somewhat accepted as an inevitability with him which, unfortunately in the view of some, detracts from what a talented player he is.