Leaders Optimistic As Nigeria Celebrates 53rd Independence Anniversary

The celebration of Nigeria’s 53rd Independence anniversary was celebrated across the Federal Capital Territory and the 36 states of the country, as governors clamour for peace,unity and oneness of Nigeria so the challenges facing the nation can be surmounted.

Starting with the celebrations at the Presidential Villa, where President Goodluck Jonathan hosted past leaders of the nation to a low key celebration, we look at some other states and their goodwill messages.

CBN bans importation of foreign currencies

 

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may have taken a definite stance to shore up the value of the naira against the persistent free fall of the currency in recent times, as it banned the importation of all foreign currencies unless by regulatory approval. The move, which is part of its determination to save the economy from external threats and dominance, may also be a strategy to stem the rising tide of Naira-Dollar speculations and unpredictable quantity of dollars in circulation. 

Nigeria: Jonathan sets up national confab c’ttee

President Goodluck Jonathan has announced the setting up of an Advisory Committee to establish modalities for a national conference aimed at resolving issues that currently cause friction in the polity. In an Independence Day broadcast today, President Goodluck Jonathan said that the committee which will have Dr. Femi Okurounmu as its Chairperson and Dr. Akilu Indabawa as its Secretary, is expected to complete its assignment within one month. 

U.S: "Latest House bid fails as bitter back-and-forth over government shutdown rages"

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

-"I don't care who wins the battle. I want the government to reopen," GOP Rep. King says
-Lawmakers continue to talk over each other; Obama weighs in on Day One of shutdown
-Agencies begin furloughs that could eventually impact up to 800,000 workers
-Aides: GOP plans again to bring up bills in House to fund programs piecemeal

"U.S. expels three Venezuelan diplomats"

Kelly Keiderling, the U.S. charge d'affaires in Venezuela, has been ousted by the Venezuelan government.

The United States is expelling three Venezuelan diplomats, including the South American country's top envoy in Washington, the State Department said Tuesday night. Calixto Ortega, Venezuela's charge d'affaires in Washington, and two other diplomats have been declared personae non gratae in response to Venezuela's decision Monday to expel three U.S. diplomats, a State Department spokesperson said in a written statement provided to CNN. They have 48 hours to leave the United States.

Sports Update: Champions League joy for Arsenal!

Mesut Ozil scored his first goal for Arsenal since his move from Real Madrid

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

-Arsenal cruises to a 2-0 home win over Napoli in Champions League
-Mesut Ozil scores first goal for club since move from Real Madrid
-Barcelona edges to victory over 10-man Celtic
-Ajax held by Milan, wins for Atletico, Dortmund and Chelsea

Sports: "David Nalbandian retires from tennis"

 

David Nalbandian has announced his retirement from tennis after failing to overcome a troublesome shoulder injury. The 31-year-old, who reached the semifinal of every grand slam and finished as runner up to Lleyton Hewitt at Wimbledon in 2002, reached a career high of No.3 in the world back in March 2006. "It's a sad day but the shoulder is not responding well," he told a press conference in Buenos Aires Tuesday.

"Popes John XXIII and John Paul II to be declared saints in April"

 

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

-To become a saint, a person needs to lead a holy life and perform two miracles
-John Paul II is said to have cured a French nun and a Costa Rican woman
-Pope John XXIII is only recorded as having performed one miracle after his death
-But Pope Francis has decided that there are sufficient grounds to canonize him

Here are the details via CNN

This Day In History

October 2

1919

President Woodrow Wilson suffered a stroke, which left him partially paralyzed.