Acting President Goodluck Jonathan has dissolved Federal Executive Council. Briefing newsmen after the meeting, outgoing Information Minister, Dora Akunyili said the acting president did not give any reason for the dissolution. Prof Akunyili said in accordance with the law, outgoing ministers are expected to handover to the permanent secretaries of their respective ministries.

Meanwhile, Federal Government says dissolution of federal cabinet was aimed at injecting fresh blood and bring even greater vigor to governance. The explanation was contained in statement issued by  Senior Special Assistant to Acting President Goodluck Jonathan, Ima Niboro. The statement
added that it was part of the larger strategy to frontally confront the core challenges that face the nation at this critical moment of our history.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has given an assurance that Senate would next month pass into law, Freedom of Information Bill. Senator Ekweremadu however said some restrictions would be incorporated into the bill to safeguard it from abuse. He refuted allegations that the Senate
deliberately refused to pass the FOI Bill but said the delay in its passage was due to some challenges the Senate had with the 2010 budget.

Meanwhile, Senate has condemned Monday’s bomb blast at the venue of the post amnesty dialogue in Warri, Delta State. It took the resolution following a motion sponsored by Victor Ndoma-Egba on the bomb blasts in Warri. In his lead debate, Senator Ndoma-Egba said the action had become worrisome to Nigerians and urged his colleagues to support the motion condemning the act.



House of Representatives has mandated its Committee on Agriculture, to investigate reasons why the 200 billion naira agricultural loan facility, approved by government has not been disbursed to farmers.
This followed a motion by Dino Melaye in which he expressed the worry that it is about one year now since approval was given, but the money is yet to be disbursed.

Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang has appealed for calm and restraint in the wake of the latest attack on a village in Riyom Local Government Area of the state. Suspected herdsmen attacked Byei in the early hours of yesterday and no fewer than 13 people, mostly women, were confirmed dead. Governor Jang urged people to go about their lawful businesses peacefully.

Meanwhile, security men have arrested seven persons suspected to be among the herdsmen, who allegedly attacked two villages in Plateau early yesterday. General Officer Commanding 3 Armored Division of Nigerian Army, Saleh Maina, said men of Operation Safe Haven arrested the suspects.
He said security men recovered weapons, including locally-made shotguns, cartridges, bows, arrows, machetes and knives from the suspects.

However, the state’s Information Commissioner, Greg Yenlong, described the incident as a serious security challenge. He said it is sad and unfortunate that they are faced with similar killing as in Dogon-Nahawa, just one week ago.

Thousands of people gathered at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, Anambra State yesterday to witness the inauguration of Governor Peter Obi for a second term. But this time around, Governor Obi was sharing the oath ceremony with Emeka Sibeudu, with whom he was elected on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance. His former deputy, Virgy Etiaba, did not enjoy a similar privilege of taking the oath of office and oath of allegiance as it was four years ago.

The mass failure recorded in the just released NECO result has been generating mixed reactions. A cross section of people who spoke to correspondent Johnson Ayedun blamed the mass failure on student’s laxity and lack of reading culture.
However, others said the unstable economic and political situation accounted for the mass failure.

Seven Chinese fishermen kidnapped off Cameroon's disputed Bakassi peninsula have been released. The
seven men were abducted from two fishing boats on 12 March by a previously unknown group called the Africa Marine Commando. They are due to arrive by boat in the coastal town of Limbe. It is unclear if any ransom was paid, but the kidnappers demanded up to $25,000.

United States President, Barack Obama has denied there is a crisis in Washington's ties with Israel over its settlement plans, as a war of words continues. President Obama said friends are going to disagree sometimes. He said this days after one of his top aides strongly attacked plans for 1,600 new homes in East Jerusalem.

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has distanced himself from an attack on President Obama by his brother-in-law. Hagai Ben-Artzi had accused the US leader of being anti-Semitic.

BUSINESS
Federal Executive Council has approved N27.3 billion for the construction of skills acquisition centres in the Niger Delta region. Out-going Information Minister, Dora Akunyili said the centres would be constructed in Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers States.
She said when completed, the centres would impart in youths skills that would enable them work in
various sectors.



ZamfaraState Governor, Aliyu Shinkafi yesterday signed into law, the state’s appropriation bill of N67.9 billion. Assenting to the bill, tagged ``Budget of Consolidation’’, Governor Shinkafi expressed hope that government would surpass the 75 per cent level of implementation recorded for the 2009 budget.

He also expressed satisfaction at the level of cooperation shown the executive by the lawmakers,
and urged them to sustain the good efforts for the development of the state.

ENTERTAINMENT
Organizers say United Kingdom premiere of The Blind Side has been scrapped after its Oscar-winning star, Sandra Bullock pulled out of the event. Warner Brothers said the star, who won the best actress Academy Award last week, will not travel to the UK due to unforeseen circumstances. The premiere had been due to take place next Tuesday.

The cancellation announcement coincided with unconfirmed reports in the US media regarding the actress's marriage.

SPORTS
A member of Super Eagles squad to Korea/Japan 2002 FIFA World Cup, Femi Opabunmi, is optimistic he can make a successful return to football after two years of inactivity due to eye problems.

Opabunmi, who was the second highest goal scorer at the 2001 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Trinidad & Tobago, says he is ready to play again.

Lionel Messi scored twice as holders Barcelona swept aside Stuttgart to reach the last eight of the Champions League with a 5-1 victory on aggregate. The brilliant Argentine smashed home a left-foot strike from 20 yards before Pedro slotted home after a square ball across goal from Yaya Toure.

Meanwhile, Bordeaux survived a late Olympiakos comeback to progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League as both sides were reduced to 10-men.