Chief Olatunji, who addressed the press, alongside the liason officer of the association, Chief Ade Onafowo-kan, disclosed at the zonal executive meeting held in Ibadan, that the Federal Government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), was making efforts to deepen the crisis.

He alleged that the seven private depots, which dispensed fuel to Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Kogi, Enugu and Abia states, were not given adequate fuel, adding that the NNPC preferred to pump fuel to its retail and mega stations at the expense of other depots.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the rescue of the banker, yesterday said the victim was freed following a raid on the kidnappers’ hideout at Amodu Awkunanaw in Nkanu West Local Government Area.

He said that the police swooped on the community  following the confession by a member of the kidnap gang, David Yakubu from Langtang, Plateau State,  who was arrested at Makurdi last Sunday while taking the banker’s car to the North for sale.

Addressing reporters, spokesman for the ex-Biafran soldiers, Chief Ejike Nwankwo, who served under Senator Anieto Okon during the war, described as unfortunate, the recent utterances of Ojukwu, threatening  war, when Nigerians and Anambra State in particular were busy trying to move the country forward.

“We are pained to hear Odumegwu Ojukwu talk about another civil war,  when most of us came back from that war walking on crutches. And he doesn’t even ask  how we are fairing.

Ikemba lost command of the war when we lost the war. He should go to the Federal Government to see how our welfare could be addressed, like the leaders in the Niger Delta are doing for their people.

“He can not reduce the entire South East and South-South to Anambra. He has become an APGA slave because he has lost command. He can not threaten the court, neither can he threaten the entire country.”

The Senate has also resolved to begin a week-long retreat in Enugu next week to put finishing touches on issues that would facilitate the actualisation of the nation’s electoral reform drive.

In the meantime, the Federal Government has approved N69.3 billion for the five-year review payment of pension arrears in the 2010 budget, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed (SGF), has said.

Senate’s spokesman and chairman of its Information and Media Affairs Committee, Ayogu Eze, who briefed journalists at the end of a closed-door session by the Senate, said yesterday that the Senate was worried about the pains inflicted on Nigerians by the fuel crisis.

One of the plane’s engines went up in flames as it was about taking off.

Twenty-two passengers were on board the 30-seater plane with registration number 5-BLN.

The Abuja-bound passengers had boarded, waiting for the plane to take off, when they saw thick smoke coming from its right wing.

As the smoke filled the plane, the passengers rushed for the exit.

The pilot opened the exit door, making it possible for the passengers and crew to jump down.

Some passengers were injured.

The airport’s fire fighters moved in promptly and put out the fire before it could consume the plane.

The gunman, whose identity could not be ascertained, beat the tight security checks at the gate of the lodge, where Chime was slated to host stakeholders of the PDP to seek peaceful ways of nominating candidates for the forthcoming council elections.

Managing Director, Sesema PR, Ms. Alima Atta; Centre Manager, The Palms Shopping mall, Mrs. Bola Shobande; and Head, Projects, Persianas Group, Mr. Chuka Okoye, at a news conference on Polo Park Mall, Enugu, in Lagos --

On August 2009, Enugu will have a new story to tell as Governor Sullivan Chime flags off the construction of a new shopping mall.

Polo Park mall is being built by Polo Park Development Company, a private-public-partnership between the Enugu State Government and Persianas Group- the developers and owners of- The Palms in Lagos.
This private-public-partnership initiative between the Government of Enugu state and the Persianas group aims to propel Enugu State towards achieving mega city status, provide employment for hundreds of unemployed youths and give residents a modern shopping experience.

According to Mr. Chuka Okoye, Head – Projects, Persianas Group, “This latest venture between us and the Enugu State Government is significant and will help us contribute to the modernization of the coal city. This will also provide an opportunity for indigenous trade and retailers to adopt modern technique of retailing.”

He further added that, “Shoppers will be able to browse, walk around at leisure and make purchases in a serene, clean environment complete with state-of-the-art facilities. The mall will be home to a variety of shops ranging from cosmetics, food items to electronics. The idea of one-stop shopping will certainly ease a lot of stress for residents of Enugu. There will also be a food court packed with some of the biggest food chains in Nigeria and abroad, a cinema, and entertainment centers.”

Commenting on the new development, Enugu State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Chuks Ugwoke said, “We are particularly happy to bring this new development to the people of Enugu State. This government is determined to improve the quality of life and provide avenue for sustainable development for its citizens through its urban renewal plan. This will create opportunities to attract more tourists, thus bringing employment opportunities for the local populace. We are positive that we have selected the right company to partner with in respect to this project as their works speak for them having successfully managed the biggest mall in Nigeria, The Palms Lagos. This project will definitely benefit the mass of our people and retailers as it will create employment opportunities and offer a new lease of life.”

The Honourable Commissioner went on to disclose that, “The parking lot will be designed with the latest technology for adequate and easy access parking. Furthermore, we plan to build a hotel and office complex as part of the second phase after the mall has been completed. Polo Park mall will present a convenient and unique experience of retail, leisure, entertainment, and health in a style and on a scale that equates with international standards. There will be 24-hour security and round-the-clock electricity supply.”

Persianas group has put together a world-class team of professionals from Nigeria and abroad for this project. They include TPS P architects, Conceptaul Architect Rob Bray, ECAD Architects, COSTEC, MO&A and New Technics Construction Company.  Nigerian Banks like Fidelity Bank and ETB have provided the financing for the project, with financial advisory services from Cardinal Stone.

In the Enugu incident, hoodlums numbering over 20 defiled the serenity of the university town of Nsukka, where they killed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mr. Joe Ejitaga, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) and two yet to be identified policemen during an attack on the station. The robbers also robbed four banks and left several others seriously injured.

At 9.30 a.m., the robbers were said to have invaded four new generation banks located along Nsukka Township Road. They broke vaults and carted an unspecific amount of money.