Monday 23 June 2014

Oil spill victims to get £30m from Shell

Victims of the two oil spills caused by Royal Dutch Shell in Bodo community of Gokana Local Government Area, Rivers State, in 2008, will be paid £30 million as compensation. Dutch Shell declared willingness to pay up to £30 million (N7.5 billion) after a London court rejected a larger claim, Reuters reported.

About 15,000 residents of Bodo community represented by a law firm, Leigh Day, appealed in 2011 to a London court for more than £300 million in compensation.
Claimants say that the two spills resulted in the leakage of 500,000 barrels of oil, but Shell estimated the volume at around 4,000 barrels. Shell has already offered some compensation for the spills.

A Shell offer in September 2013 to settle the case for £30 million remained on the table. The lawyer representing the claimants rejected the sum.
“Shell has consistently sought to underestimate the damage whilst paying only lip service to an apology.

These spills, which are some of the largest oil spills in history, have devastated a community of many thousands of people and ravaged the environment.
“The offer of £30 million had been made before, but rejected by our clients, who found it insulting and derisory. Nothing has changed this view,” Martyn Day, said in a statement.

A trial is planned to start in May 2015 in Nigeria, but Shell urged the claimants to reach a settlement beforehand.
“From the outset, we’ve accepted responsibility for the two deeply regrettable operational spills in Bodo,” Mutiu Sunmonu, Managing Director of the Shell Petroleum Development Company in Nigeria,  said in a statement.

“We hope the community will now direct their United Kingdom legal representatives to stop wasting more time pursuing enormously exaggerated claims and consider sensible and fair compensation offers,” Sunmonu said.

Obiano's aide denies demanding N500m from Obi


Obiano
Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on Inter-party Affairs, Chief Ben Obi, has denied demanding N500 million from former Governor Peter Obi, saying those making the allegation were only out to malign him.

Obi, who served in the same capacity during the administration of the former governor, told reporters that he had never complained to anybody that he was not fairly treated by his former boss who hails from his town.

According to him, those making the allegation are people bent on tarnishing the image of Mr. Peter Obi who he described as the best governor Anambra State has had.

We will retaliate any Boko Haram on Igbo soil- Group

PAN Igbo socio-political organisation, Obigbo, has warned Boko Haram insurgents to regard the South East as a no go area, noting that any attack on Ndigbo on Igbo soil would be met with reprisal attacks.

It also said that Ndigbo would not be part of any activity that will disintegrate Nigeria, adding that the Igbo would not watch while her people were killed in Igbo- land.
Briefing newsmen in Lagos, National Leader of the group, Chief Charles Ahize, urged all the governors of the south eastern states to tighten security in the region.

His words: “We want to make it aboundantly clear to the Boko Haram insurgents that if any life is lost on Igbo soil, there will be a reprisal of monumental proportions that the country will find difficult to contain.

“It is no longer in doubt that there is a clear and present danger to the lives and property of Ndigbo in Igboland. Obigbo, hereby, sounds a clear note of warning to the Boko Haram insurgents and their financiers that the South East is a no go region. Any attack on Ndigbo on Igbo soil would be considered crossing the rubicon."

My visit to Ojukwu's grave—Umeh

Still basking in the euphoria of his victory at the Court of Appeal which affirmed his position as national chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor, has again visited the grave side of the late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, saying he did so whenever he won a court case because the Ikemba Nnewi was always behind his political successes.

Umeh, who stormed the late Biafran warlord’s Nnewi country home with hundreds of APGA supporters, venerated in front of Ojukwu’s mausoleum and showered praises on him, explaining that his strength was usually renewed whenever he visited Ikemba’s graveside.

Umeh said: “I am here to renew and recharge my strength. Ojukwu groomed me for five years. Ikemba as the national leader of APGA for five years and me as the national chairman of APGA, shared many secrets together on how to guard the interest of Ndigbo in Nigeria."

IF THIS IS THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE— FAYEMI

A speech by Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti conceding defeat to gov-elect Ayodele Fayose in the guber election.
Fayemi and wife about to cast vote

Fayose casting his vote

If This Is the Will of the People
Concession Speech
His Excellency
Dr. Kayode FAYEMI
Governor, Ekiti State, Nigeria
Following the
2014 Gubernatorial Elections
Government House, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
Sunday, June 22, 2014

Protocols

In o kun o Ekiti kete.

Yesterday, Ekiti State decided. Following the gubernatorial elections held in the land of honour, Ekiti State, Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially returned the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the election.

If indeed this is the will of the Ekiti People, I stand in deference to your will. If the result of the elections is an expression of the voice of our people, we must all heed your voice.

I have just spoken with my brother, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose, congratulating him on his victory. In a few hours from now, I would be meeting the Governor-elect to discuss the future of our dear state and how we would work together to institute a smooth transition programme.

It has been a hard fought election. As expected, in the course of the campaigns, there were unsavory episodes as the candidates toured the nooks and crannies of the state to sell ourselves to the people. Elections tend to be highly divisive affairs that often see brother rising against brother. Despite our diverse party affiliations, and regardless of which way we voted on Saturday, we must remember that we are all sons and daughters of Ekiti State. Ekiti is ours to build together.

On our part, over the course of the campaigns, we presented our scorecards before the people of Ekiti State. We never at any point took your support for granted. We campaigned, we canvassed and we traversed the nooks and crannies of this State. Our performance and achievements in office will remain the backdrop against which the next government and indeed future governments will be assessed. We are proud that with the support of Ekiti people, we have raised the bar of excellence in governance. In all, we gave our best, for conscience and for posterity.

Indeed a new sociology of the Ekiti people may have evolved. However, the task of understanding how the outcome of this election has defined us as a people will be that of scholars. For us as an administration and a cadre of political leaders in Ekiti State, we have fought a good fight, we have kept faith.

To members of our party, our campaign team and indeed all Ekiti people who defied the siege on our state to cast their votes for our party, I salute your exemplary courage and doggedness in the face of harassment. Thank you for staying the course. The incidences of brazen harassment, intimidation and allied infractions on fundamental human rights, which many of you suffered in the hands of agents of the state, would be documented and communicated to the appropriate authorities, for the records.
I thank you all for listening.

May God bless the land of honour, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Dr. Kayode Fayemi
Governor, Ekiti State
Sunday, June 22, 2014

Anglican church suspends 34 knights

No fewer than 34 Anglican knights have been suspended by the Anglican Diocese on the Lake over alleged inactivity in the church.

The Bishop, Rt. Rev. Chijioke Oti, announced the suspension at the Cathedral Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, Oguta, during the investiture service of 13 new knights.
“The 34 knights, who now stand suspended, have not been participating in diocesan activities, especially programmes of the Council of Nights in the Diocese,” Bishop Oti said.

The Anglican cleric was particularly irked that the affected knights brazenly flouted his earlier directive that all knights should not only get registered but must participate in the 2014 diocesan synod.

“Let me, however, say that any of the suspended knights who showed serious signs of remorse, and reapplies for possible reconsideration, would be re-admitted into the fold,” Bishop Oti said.
He reminded the new knights that knighthood was neither a secret cult group nor a place for fun-seeking individuals but a call to serve God and man.

Delivering the sermon during the service, the Bishop, Diocese of Egbu, Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Okorafor, said knighthood was not a status symbol.
The bishop said: “Knighthood is not a status symbol. I urge you all to shun pride, arrogance and insubordination. You must see yourselves as soldiers of Christ.”

Court bars Ebonyi govt from pipeline production site

A High Court sitting at Ohaukwu judicial division, weekend, issued an interlocutory injunction preventing Ebonyi State government or persons acting on its behalf from entering the ongoing pipeline production site located at Egu-Effium Nsalakpa, Ezzamgbo.

The court also ordered the defendants, the Attorney General of Ebonyi State, Dr. Benjamin Igwenyi, and the state Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Housing, Mr. Nwogha Moses, not to fence, partition and allocate the land to any other person or group of persons or body that will alter, change or affect the current status of the land, pending the final determination of the substantive suit.

The presiding judge, Justice H. A. Nkoju, after hearing the submissions of counsels to the plaintiff and defendants,  Ikechukwu Agbo and S. N. Ogbuinya respectively, granted the application of the plaintiff.

Monday 16 June 2014

US military awaits approval to use force to free Chibok girls

The US military may soon be deplored in the search of the over 200 abducted secondary school girls in Chibok, Borno state.

A US Congressional Delegation made up of Representatives Steve Stockman, Sheila Jackson-Lee, Frederica Wilson and Lois Frankel, told a news conference in Abuja on Sunday said a directive is being awaited on the issue.

According to Stockman: ” We get briefed by the military and pending the approval of the government of Nigeria and our government, we plan to take action but I don’t think we are going specifics this time.

“It was a classified briefing. We stand ready to help and as soon as our government and Nigerian government approves, we will take action.”
But in the meantime, US is helping Nigeria to train its military.

Jackson-Lee said, “What I want to say is that I think what it is right now is to work with the Nigerian government in training of the military. I want to emphasise again here that we have come all these miles to say that our Congress stands ready to cooperate and the government in a manner that is appropriate and with the consent of Nigerian government.

” And I want to emphasise the need for the Victims Relief Fund because there is so much suffering going on by the young girls and the their families that have been touched by this violence.”
The delegation also urged Nigeria government to establish a National Victim Fund.

Friday 13 June 2014

Make June 12 unity Day, recognise Abiola, UPN tells FG

As Nigerians marked the 21st anniversary of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, has called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to immortalise Late Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Abiola and proclaim June 12 as Unity Day.

In a statement by the party signed by its Director of Publicity, Mr Felix Oboagwina, the party regretted the failure of the Federal Government to name another edidficy after the hero of June 12, Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola after students protested naming of the University of Lagos after the late politician.

Quoting the chairman of the party, Dr. Frederich Fasehun, he said, “today’s politicians must continue to acknowledge that Abiola’s sacrifice and martyrdom paved the way for the democracy Nigeria currently enjoys.”

Muslims not out to Islamize Nigeria – Sultan

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Thursday declared that Muslims in Nigeria are not out to Islamize the country.

Sultan Abubakar, who is also the President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, also called on President Goodluck Jonathan to reconsider dialogue with the Boko Haram insurgents.

The Royal Father spoke in Abuja while declaring open the Annual National Conference organized by the Muslim Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria (MULAN), in Abuja, with the  theme: “Rule of Law and Social Justice: A Panacea for Unity and National Development.”

He insisted that the government can only win the ongoing war against insurgency through dialogue.

He also called on Muslim lawyers in the country to offer free legal services to detained Boko Haram suspects so as to ensure freedom for those who are not connected with the deadly sect.

He decried a situation where non-Muslims are kicking against the inclusion of Sharia in the Constitution at the ongoing National Conference, even as he urged Muslims not to oppose provisions that would be of direct benefit to non-Muslims in the Constitution.

The Sultan said: “I have said it one million and one times, as far as America, when I delivered a lecture at Harvard University that the problems of Nigeria is not caused by Muslims.

“I want to assure you that we have been doing our best to educate people on what Islam and Muslims stand for and want to do in Nigeria.

“I have said one million times, Muslims in Nigeria are not out to Islamize Nigeria because it is not possible. We all know what is said in the Holy Quran. So why should anybody be afraid of the strength of Muslims in this country?


He insisted that no country can win insurgency war without dialogue.

Terrorism: UK boosts Nigeria military

 The United Kingdom will increase its military and educational aid to help Nigeria tackle Boko Haram, Foreign Secretary William Hague has announced.

He said Nigeria’s army would receive extra training, especially in counter-insurgency, and a million more children would be given schooling.

This is the latest promise of Western help since Boko Haram abducted some 200 schoolgirls in April.

Since then, the sect has stepped up its attacks.

Mr. Hague stressed that human rights must be respected in the operation against the militant group.

Human rights groups have accused Nigeria’s army of killing hundreds of civilians in crackdowns following Boko Haram attacks.

The British foreign secretary also insisted that the extra aid must be spent effectively. There have been reports of corruption in the military.

Mr. Hague said the extra assistance would be provided in conjunction with France and the United States.

He also said that Nigeria, Chad, Benin, Niger, Cameroon had confirmed they will put into operation a regional intelligence fusion unit – to “tighten the net around Boko Haram.”

The BBC reports that the meeting took place on the sidelines of the London summit on ending sexual violence in conflict, co-hosted by Mr. Hague and United Nations special envoy and actress Angelina Jolie.

It follows last month’s summit in Paris where regional powers pledged to co-ordinate action against the group.


Post-election violence: Court awards N10m to victim's widow

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has awarded the sum of N10 million as compensation to a Nigerian widow, Mrs Dorcas Afolalu as a result of the post presidential violence that claimed the life of her husband, Mr Felix Afolalu in Kaduna in 2011.

The court's judgment came three years after late Afolalu of the Kaduna Polytechnic was gruesomely murdered by rioters during the political violence which greeted the announcement of the results of the 2011 presidential election in several parts of the North of the country.

The judgment delivered by the ECOWAS court was sequel to a $2million suit slammed against the Federal Government by Afolalu's widow through her lawyer, Mr. Sola Egbeyinka of the Falana & Falana's Chambers for the unlawful killing of her husband on April 18, 2011.

Sweeping our feer by APC is a threat – Mu’azu

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ahmadu Mu’azu, has described the sweeping of the Ekiti stadium by the All Progressives Congress (APC) after last Saturday’s campaign by the PDP as provocative.
 Mu’azu, who spoke at the All Party Summit in Abuja on Thursday, described the APC supporters’ action as provocative, wondering why “men should be carrying brooms.”

He said: “I wonder why the APC would use brooms to sweep off our footprints each time our party goes to campaign in states under their control.

“It was equally wrong for the APC to go to the stadium in Ekiti State immediately after our rally in the state to sweep off our feet. I was worried about such conduct and I don’t know when men started carrying brooms.”

Thursday 12 June 2014

Akunyili’s corpse arrives Nigeria

The remains of the former Director General of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Prof Dora Akunyili, arrived the country today in preparation for burial.

A former aide of the former Information Minister confirmed that the remains of the late NAFDAC boss had been deposited at the National Hospital mortuary in Abuja.

According to the source, the corpse, which was ferried by a chartered aircraft, arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at about 5:30 pm on Wednesday from an Indian hospital where she died last week.
The body of the late national delegate was accompanied by the former Anambra State Governor, Mr, Peter Obi, Mrs. Uche Ekunife, the husband and children of the deceased.

The family will meet with the officials of the Federal Government before a burial date and programme is agreed upon, according to a competent source.

It was learnt that the Federal Government had indicated interest in giving the late information minister what a source described as a ‘befitting burial’ as a result of her enormous contributions to the development of Nigeria.

Stella Odua bags chieftancy title


Former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah was honoured with a chieftaincy title “Ada Eze Chukwu” by her kinsmen at the weekend.
She was bestowed with the chieftaincy title for her outstanding service to Nigeria from her community, Ogbaru LGA, Anambra state on the 7th of June.
Oduah will commenting on her facebook page, captioned the award as “Reception of a Title from the Community for Outstanding Service to Nigeria”.

Senator Ben Obi described Stella’s exploit at the aviation’s ministry as someone who came, saw the ailing ministry and conquered it, leaving it better than she met it.

“She is a visionary. She is a woman who single handedly worked and changed the 22 domestic airports in Nigeria.”

He said “Stella Oduah may have stumbled into troubled waters in the course of navigating the nations industry, and one thing the people of Ogbaru have taken into cognizance is her doggedness to achieve results in the male dominated world,” he further said.

Court declares ban on #BringBackOurGirls protest illegal

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting at Gudu, yesterday, held that the Nigerian Police Force, NPF, had no power under the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to stop any group from staging peaceful protest/rally, over the abduction of over 270 girls from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, by the Boko Haram sect.

In his judgment, Justice Abubakar Talba declared that the Public Order Act, Cap 382 Laws of Nigeria 1990, did not in any way empower the Police to disrupt peaceful rallies and processions.
It will be recalled that the controversial Commissioner of Police for the FCT, Mr. Joseph Mbu, had placed reliance on the Police Order Act to stop further protests over the kidnapped Chibok girls, a decision that was quickly reversed by the Inspector General of Police amid widespread condemnation.

The judgment of the court was a fallout of a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by a former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dino Melaye.
The erstwhile lawmaker had gone to court to challenge the disruption of a rally he led in Abuja on May 9, by armed police men who allegedly threw canisters of hot water at the protesters.

Declaring the action of the Police as highly unconstitutional, Justice Talba ordered the police authorities to tender a written apology to the applicant as provided for under Section 35(6) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Similarly, the court granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from further “harassing, molesting, intimidating, abducting, arresting, detaining and prosecuting the applicant in respect of peaceful rallies or procession in Abuja or any part of Nigeria.”
Justice Talba also awarded the sum of N150,000 as damages and cost against the respondents and in favour of the applicant.

Tuition Hike: LASU students reject 'joke' reduction

The state government, however left the final decision of the reduction from one department to the other to the Governing Council of the university.

In the resolution read by Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga, the Lagos State Government, stated that it accepted recommendation of the Adhoc committee set up by the state government that fees and charges payable by students for incidental services and materials were amenable to a downward review for two main reasons.

“Some of the components have applied to students across all levels when in fact they can be justifiably limited to students at a particular level only; some of the charges included can still be reduced on compassionate grounds.

“On the basis of these principles, government agrees that with the subsidised tuition fees and appropriate moderation of the incidental fees, a reduction, ranging from 34 to 60 percent is possible across the different faculties and courses”, government said in the resolution.
The council said it approved the reduction in accordance with the law setting up the university, saying that it had forwarded its approval to the governing council for consideration and implementation.

“Pursuant to its statutory mandate, the University Governing Council will issue details of what is now payable by students in each department and deal with all other management matters of the university”, and advised all individuals and groups within the community to relate to the university council accordingly.

The council observed that notwithstanding the reduction, government will continue with scholarships and bursary provisions for students.

On the retirement age for lecturers, the council is of the view that the decision cannot be unilaterally extended by employees themselves unless the employers cede total control of the institution to employees, which it said is not possible in this instance.

“Regarding the Vice Chancellor’s tenure of office, government also considers it a state prerogative exercisable by Law pursuant to concurrent legislative power of the state government to establish the university and make statutory provisions for their management, and not that of its employees or proprietors of other universities. Government will retain the option of a second term for a Vice Chancellor in order to benefit from good leadership whenever the occasion arises.”

In a swift reaction, the students speaking through the President of the Students Union Government, SUG, Mr. Nurudeen Yusuf, rejected the reduction as announced by the government.

According to him, ‘We had our meeting immediately after we got the news and decided that we will not accept this reduction. It is a ridiculous one as far as we are concerned.  This is our position. When the Lagos State Government increased the fees in 2011, it was not announced through the Governing Council.

It was the Government that announced it. But now, the Governor is sending the Governing Council to us, he is supposed to make such a announcement by himself. Another issue is this: why are we being given this information in terms of percentages? How can a market woman whose child is in LASU calculate 34 – 60 percent? Even then, it is not a fair position at all. We want it to be reduced to at most N65, 500 for fresh students and N46, 500 for freshers.

“We are not yet happy about the latest development because the govt is yet to tell us the exact amount they have reduced the fees to in Naira and Kobo.

They should come out in clear terms to tell us directly the exact amount we are going to be paying, not saying the Governing Council will determine the amount each faculty will be paying. When the fees were hiked in 2011, it was government who directly told us in naira and kobo what each faculty will pay, and not in percentages.

This is our stand which will be made known in a press conference tomorrow” (today).
Meanwhile when contacted to confirm the reduction, the Pro-Chancellor, Mr. Teju Augusto said: “I am currently out of the country, so I am not aware of any reduction.”

Tuesday 10 June 2014

19-yr-old remanded for raping blind octogenarian

A Yaba chief magistrate's court in Lagos, yesterday, held that a teenager, Avoseh Satingo, has a case to answer in the alleged rape of an 80-year-old blind woman.
It, therefore, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody.

 Magistrate Yewande Aje-Afunwa made this known following advice by the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
She said the DPP advised that a prima facie case had been established against 19-year-old Satingo.
The Police had on March 24 charged the teenager with raping an octogenarian on her bed.

The prosecutor, ASP Godwin Anyanwu, told the court that the accused, who resides at the Cele Church Bus Stop, Bilewu Oshoffa area, Agbovipe village, Badagry, raped the grandmother in her  room.

According to him, Satingo committed the offence on February 17 at 1p.m.
He said: “Satingo took advantage of the condition of the blind complainant and raped her on her bed.
“He was apprehended by members of the community who sighted him coming out of his victim’s room as she cried for help."

He said the offence contravened Sections 258 and 259 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The court had, in March, adjourned the case pending the DPP's advice.

Kaduna arrests 1,000 stray animals

The Kaduna Environment Protection Authority (KEPA) said yesterday that it had arrested more than 1,000 stray animals.

General Manager of the agency,  Alhaji Sani Aminu, said in Kaduna that the animals were arrested within the last 12 months.
Aminu said the animals comprising dogs, sheep, goats and pigs were arrested for disturbing traffic flow and causing accidents within the city.

He, however, said that about 400 of the animals were claimed by their owners after paying penalties to the agency.
Aminu said the recent increase in public complaints about the menace caused by such animals necessitated the arrest.

"We receive more than 20 complaints in a day on the menace of the animals," he said.
The general manager said that the animals also contributed to making the streets dirty, thereby  causing environmental pollution, which threatened the health of the residents.

Gunmen kill varsity don

Gunmen, Sunday night, killed an Associate Professor at the Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka, Professor Felix Okpilike at Isele-Ukwu junction, Ndokwa East Local Government Area of the state.
It was gathered that Okpilike, who travelled to the village to see his sick mother in company of his wife, was caught in a crossfire between warring Isele-Ukwu and Ibabu communities while returning to Abraka.

DELSU Vice Chancellor, Prof Eric Arubayi, confirmed to newsmen, yesterday, that Okpilike was in line for full professorship, adding that his family members informed him of the sad development.
He described his death as a calamity, saying: "I am aware that he went to the village to see his sick mother. I saw him last Friday and we threw banters, not knowing he was going to die two days after. It is pathetic."

A source said: "Okpilike did not know that he was hit by bullets, as he  drove his car even up to a place where the pellets lodged in his body were extracted, but he died thereafter while being taken to the hospital."

The Ndokwa Politcal Stakeholders Forum, NPSF, in a statement by the Secretary General, Mr. Oyibosochukwu Nwabueze, yesterday, condemned the brutal killing and called on Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to unravel the killing and bring perpetrators to book.



Monday 9 June 2014

USA launches anti-boko haram TV


A new TV channel soon to launch with US financial backing in northern Nigeria aims to counter the growing influence of radical Islamist groups like Boko Haram, the US State Department said Saturday.

The project started last year and is set to begin broadcasting this summer. It is run in Nigeria by Equal Access International, a San Francisco-based organization that has also managed media programs, partly funded by the State Department, in Yemen and Pakistan.

The new television satellite channel is to be called Arewa24 — “arewa” being the Hausa word for north, the group said.
“The goal was to support the efforts of diverse civil society groups to develop alternative narratives that would resonate with the people of the region and promote tolerance,” Pooja Jhunjhunwala, a State Department spokeswoman, told AFP Saturday.

The venture is financed by the State Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism, and it is expected to cost about $6 million, the New York Times reported.

The State Department and Equal Access have met with the Nigerian government about the television project, which “fully complies with Nigerian regulations and laws,” the organization said on its web site.

Jhunjhunwala said the State Department’s efforts on the project recognize “the threat presented to northern Nigerian communities by violent extremism.”

Obanikoro calls for educational reform in North

The Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, has called for educational reforms in the North to complement efforts in fighting the Boko Haram insurgency.
Obanikoro made the call on Saturday in Owerri, during the second memorial lecture in honour of late Prof. Celestine Onwuliri.

Onwuliri was the former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology (FUTO), who died in the Dana air crash in May 2012.

In a lecture titled: “Security and National Development”, Obanikoro said for insurgency to be eradicated in the North, there must be a reform of the educational system to help bridge the education gap in the area.

He said that the consequences of mass illiteracy in the North and the politics of underdevelopment had contributed to the birth of Boko Haram insurgency.

The minister said: “Educational vacuum has been created in the North, which Boko Hara is exploiting to pursue its subversive ideologies.’’

According to him, Kebbi, Sokoto, Bauchi, Jigawa, Yobe, Zamfara, Katsina and Gombe state have Nigerian’s worst girl-child education record and the highest female illiteracy rate.

“Islam has no quarrel with education and those killing innocent souls are misguided people who have never read the Holy Qu’ran.
“I call on all my true Muslim brothers and sisters to denounce Boko Haram insurgency and stop being misguided by selfish leaders,” he said.

The minister said politicians must be very careful with the way they play politics with Boko Hara insurgency.

Nigerians mourn Dora Akunyili


Nigerians on Saturday paid tributes to Prof. Dora Akunyili, a former Minister of Information, who died in an Indian hospital early in the day.

Akunyili, a former Director-General of National Agency for Food, Drugs and Administration and Control, died at the age of 59 in a Specialist Cancer Hospital in India.

In a statement announcing the death on behalf of the Akunyili family, a former Governor of Anambra, Mr Peter Obi, said Akunyili worked for a better Nigeria
“In spite her illness, she was unwavering in her belief in a better Nigeria. …

“The last time I visited her in India, even when she needed all the prayers herself, she was full of  concern for Chibok girls, security and other challenges facing the country…,’’ Obi wrote.

The Nigerian High Commissioner to India, Amb.  Ndubuisi Amaku, in Abuja by telephone said that the former Information Minister died at 10 a.m.

“Dora Akunyili made a remarkable impact in the fight against fake and counterfeit drugs.

“I am pained like any other Nigerian that we lost a woman who was so dedicated to Nigeria.

“She was an uncommon woman who did everything to uphold the dignity of Nigeria in the health sector.

“She was a remarkable woman and figure and we will miss her so much,’’ Amaku said.

The high commissioner said he had already spoken with Dora’s husband, Chike, to express the Federal Government’s sympathy.

“I assured him that the Nigeria High Commission would render all necessary assistance to repatriate her remains home,’’ he said.

Dr Paul Orhii, the Director General of NAFDAC, in a statement, said: “It was with shock but with total submission to the will of God that I received the sad news of the death of Prof. Dora Akunyili.

“She was a highly patriotic woman who deeply loved Nigeria and dedicated her entire life to the service of this great nation.

“May God the most merciful and most beneficent grant her eternal rest in perfect peace.’’

Orhii said Akunyili’s legacy would forever be remembered.

Ekiti will develop with Fayose— Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has said he will ensure the development of Ekiti State if the people of the state vote in the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Mr. Ayo Fayose.

Jonathan spoke on Saturday in Ado-Ekiti after Fayose received the official flag from the national chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu.

He said, “”I only came to Ekiti during Segun Oni PDP-led Government to commission projects. When you vote Fayose and the PDP returns to Ekiti again, I will join hands with him to develop this state.”

Jonathan, who admitted that he had not visited the state in a long time because there were no projects to inaugurate, said he was impressed by the mammoth crowd that filled the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado Ekiti, the venue of the rally.

The Chairman Board of Trustees of PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, who dismissed the All Progressives Congress as a contender for power, said the party was no match for the ruling party in Nigeria.

“We are not competing with APC because they have nothing to offer. We have come to offer you hard work, to offer you freedom, to offer you commitment and success,” he said.

Vice-President Namadi Sambo who thanked the Ekiti people for trooping out to receive the President and PDP leaders also commended them for their support to Fayose.

He said, “I am aware of the problems of teachers, the moment he (Fayose) enters, the problem of teachers is solved. As you know, in this state there is problem of transportation, the very day he comes in it will be solved.”

Fayose told the crowd, “When I come back, I will give you jobs and do local content. I left N10.4bn, I recapitalised. They have sold all these properties. They have taken away our wealth all in the name of being progressives. They are only retrogressing.”

Saturday 7 June 2014

Chibok girls: We’ll not relent, says military

The Nigerian Army yesterday said it will not resign or relent its  effort on the fight against terrorism and rescuing of the  abducted Chibok girls.

The Army spokesman, Major General Chris Olukolade, said this yesterday in Abuja during a press briefing.

“Nigerian Army and other security agencies will not resign or relent on our effort in the fight against terrorism and rescuing of the girls. We will continue with  our duty of protecting  the country against any attack because resigning means given up on the war,” Olukolade said.

The co-ordinator of the briefing centre, Mr. Mike Omeri, said it is not in the character of the Nigerian military to resign in the middle of this kind of issue, adding that they have  been known for protecting the country against any attack.

“They are known for bravery, protecting and guiding the country and these they will continue to restore peace and normalcy back to the  country,” Omeri said.

He also announced that the Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs met yesterday with the leadership of the United States interdisciplinary team for assistance to Nigeria.

“It was resolved that subsequent phases of the efforts will feature continuous engagement among the partners while also recognised the need for less  pressure to disclose operational  information as is usually mounted on the Nigerian military,” he said.

UNILAG bows to protesting students

Authorities of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) yesterday bowed to pressure from the students of the institution to reverse the increment in the fee for late registration.

This followed a protest launched by students of the university against the decision of the authorities to increase the fee for late course registration from N5,000 to N25,000 and the introduction of N5,000 fee for online editing.

It was also gathered that students were being asked to pay up to N1, 000 to register for GST courses.

As early as 7am, the students shunned the heavy rain and barricaded the main gates of the university, disrupting academic activities on the campus. They bore placards with inscriptions like: “Late registration fee of N25,000 is illegal”, “No reversal of the illegal fees, no exam.”

Shops owners refused to open their shops and traffic stood still while the protests lasted.

The Director of the Centre for Information Technology and Systems (CITS), UNILAG, Prof. Alex Ike Mowete, who attempted to address the students, was booed. It took the timely intervention of some students’ leaders to save him from being mobbed by the angry students.

He was hurriedly moved into the nearby mosque where he stayed till students left the area.

Students were seen chanting war slogans and calling on the Vice Chancellor, Prof Rahmon Bello, to reverse the decision. They also went to the recently-unveiled statue of the deceased Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe near the Senate building, invoking his spirit to save them from the ‘draconian’ law.

One of the protesting students said: “The normal late registration fee used to be N5,000, but we were surprised to discover that even when the portal was said to have been reopened, we could not gain access, and enquiries at the office of the Dean of Students’ Affairs revealed that we would need to pay another N25,000 instead of the usual N5,000.

“In fact, this is against the fact that another N5,000 had been introduced at the beginning of this session, which they tagged NHIS fee. We feel that it would not be right for the management to just think they can be milking us dry. Our parents are paying tax but we cannot see what the taxes are being used for. So, we cannot be overburdened again.”

Also speaking, the Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South West, Comrade Olatinwo Jeremiah, a 400 level student of Building Technology described the increment as an injustice to them.

“UNILAG students are agitating for the reversal of payment of GST fees as well as the imposed fees on editing of course forms which was free. Students are now asked to pay N5, 000 to edit courses. Late registration payment has also been increased from N10,000 to N25,000. All the students demand is the reversal of these payments.

Boko Haram can destabilize Africa if … – S/ Leone President


The Sierra Leone President, Ernest Bi-Koromah, on Friday maintained that the activities of the Boko Haram sect could have devastating effect on the African continent if not properly addressed.

He made the remark after meeting behind closed doors with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Bi-Koromah, who was on a solidarity visit to Jonathan, condemned the activities of Boko Haram and also pledged the support of his country towards crushing the sect and other terrorists groups in the region.

He recalled that Nigeria played a great role to restore peace and order during Sierra Leone civil war.

He said: “In moments like this, we believe we should come and express sympathy for the bombings that have been taking place in Nigeria and most recently the abduction of about 200 secondary school girls.”

“We believe that this is not an issue for Nigeria alone. We must come in and identify ourselves with the problems that are ongoing here.”

“We believe strongly that the position Nigeria is enjoying as the largest economy in Africa, and the fact that one out of every four Africans is a Nigerian, issues like this happening to Nigeria are issues that will affect the whole of Africa.”

Insisting that African countries must rally round Nigeria, he said: “And it is time for us to come together as Africans, it is time for us to come together as West Africans to work with Nigeria to address this menace that is occurring in Nigeria.”

“We condemn strongly what is happening and we believe that Boko Haram should not continue with these atrocities.”

“And we welcome the support that is now coming on, now ECOWAS has just had a meeting and in that meeting collaborative efforts have been suggested.”

“We look forward to the implementations of what has been suggested. But for now, we believe Nigeria deserves the supports.”

Man spends 4yrs in prison over police failure to identify real culprit

After spending four years at the prison while facing an armed robbery trial, an accused, Tega Okokushe, has been discharged and acquitted by a Lagos High Court in Ikeja, for failure of the police to identify the real culprit.

The defendant was said to have been arrested by the Ojo police who accused him of having robbed one Chika Obi at his residence in Iba, dispossessing him of his laptop, phone and charger.

In her judgment, Justice Lateefat Okunnu said: “The information in proof of the evidence shows that there was armed robbery. What is to be focused and proved is whether the defendants before the court were among the gang that carried out the robbery.

The issue to also consider is whether there is an identification linked to the defendants.” According to her, the victim of the robbery (Obi) never identified the defendants as part of the robbery gang and he never appeared before the court, which makes his statement to the police not to suffice.   “Where the robber was not arrested at the scene of the crime, the prosecution should prove the identification of the defendants. I cannot accept the police officer’s mere say, given by Mr. Obi.

The 1st defendant has said he has never met Mr. Obi before. He said the statement was not written by him, that the police only asked of his name, address, occupation and religion. The defendants are educated.“The prosecution has not proved that the police caught the real culprit. Failure of Mr. Obi to appear before the court to testify damaged the prosecution. The defendants are hereby acquitted and discharged,” Justice Okunnu said.

Ex-CBN Governor Lamido Sanusi leads race for Emir of Kano stool

Few hours after the death of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, about 30 candidates have signified their interests in the stool, with a former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, emerging as one of the leading contenders.

The stool, which is about 1,000 years old from 999CE, has produced about 58 rulers.

Out of the 30 candidates, most of whom are doing so for symbolic reasons, seven are strongly in the race.

The top candidates are ex-CBN Governor Sanusi (Dan Majen Kano); the Ciroman Kano (heir apparent), Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero; Turakin Kano, Nasir Ado Bayero; Sarkin Dawaki Tsakarigida, Aminu Ado Bayero; Wambai Kano, Alh. Abbass Sanusi; Galadima Kano, Tijjani Hashim; and a member of the board of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Abdullahi Ado Bayero.

Investigation revealed that all the candidates are expected to be screened soon by a four-man team of kingmakers in the Emirate’s Council of State.

The kingmakers are Makama, Madaki, Sarkin Wawaki Mai Tuta and Sarkin Bai.

A top source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “The race for the vacant stool  started immediately the death of Emir Ado Bayero was announced. We are talking of about 30 candidates.

“The late Emir had up to 70 children, including females. The jostle appears to be a straightforward battle between the Bayeros and Sanusis whose fathers were brothers.”

The source added that although the Emir appointed his son as Ciroman Kano (heir apparent), that might not translate into automatic succession.

The fate of the candidates, the source said, lies with the kingmakers, who will make recommendation to the Kano State Government.

Responding to a question, the source said: “The Emirate seeks a ruler who will consolidate on the unprecedented developments recorded during the reign of Ado Bayero.

“So, beyond being versed in the history and tradition of Kano Emirate, the new Emir is expected to be highly educated, morally upright, cool-headed, well-connected and with a tinge of international influence and a symbol of peace.

“This is why it is likely to be a battle royale between ex-CBN Governor and the children of the late Emir. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has intimidating credentials.

“For the first time, the kingmakers have blue-blooded candidates who are exposed and well-educated abroad.

Another source said those aspiring to the stool had been lobbying influential Kano leaders to prevail on the kingmakers to pick them for the vacant stool.

Friday 6 June 2014

Kidnappers of Bayelsa Speaker’s mother-in-law demand N40m ransom

The kidnappers of Madam Ogboro Orumo, mother-in-law to the Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly,  Mr. Kombowei Benson, have demanded N40 million as ransom for her release.

Madam Orumo, aged 86, was abducted last Friday from her Seibiri compound in Korokorosei community by gunmen, who escaped through the creeks.
The kidnappers, it was learnt, contacted the family, weekend and made their demand.

Meanwhile, the traditional institution in the state have condemned the abduction of the octogenarian and called for her release.

Explosion rocks Gombe Gov’s house

Two soldiers were, yesterday, killed in an explosion that rocked the private residence of Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo at Government Reservation Area (GRA), in Gombe metropolis.

The explosion which was heard several kilometres away from the scene also wounded six other soldiers.

The soldiers were said to be on guard, manning an armoured tank permanently stationed by the gate of the governor’s house for security.
The Senior Assistant to the governor on media, Alhaji Mansur Lawal, said that excessive heat, prompted some explosives in the armoured tank to explode.

He said there was no attack whatsoever on the governor’s private residence or anywhere in the town.

“What happened was that there was excessive heat, which caused the explosion. You know that in the tank, there are guns and bullets.

“Two soldiers were killed by the explosion while six others were injured. There was no attack at all.”

According to Lawal, the incident occurred at about 7 pm.

He also stated that the wounded soldiers had been taken to the hospital for medical attention just as the fire that ensued from the explosion had also been put out.

He further said that the governor had appealed for calm in the metropolis.

Cross River boils over UN’s plan to cede more Nigeria communities to Cameroon

The ongoing demarcation of boundary between Nigeria and Cameroon by the United Nations, UN, that could cede about eight local governments to Cameroon, is generating serious tension in the border areas of Cross River State as the youths in communities of Boki Local Government Area are poised for a showdown with some Nigerian soldiers, who are guiding the UN team on ground for the exercise.

The restive youths claimed that there was an attempt by the UN team to cede about eight local government areas, including the Presidential Lodge in Obudu Cattle Ranch to Cameroon.

Meanwhile, the Senate President, David Mark, has sounded a note of warning to authorities that the country would not allow any part of its territory to be ceded to another country.

Standing on Order 42 of the Senate’s Standing Rules, Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba said: “There is a demarcation exercise going on in my constituency and it is causing a lot of anxiety among my constituents.

“They fear that at the end of the exercise, we will be losing a number of communities to Cameroon. So, with your kind permission, I will like to bring a formal a motion on this on our next legislative day (which is June 24).”

The Senate President, in reaction, said: “This country must never, never under any circumstance surrender one millimeter of our land to any country irrespective of who is supervising it whether it is the UN or AU (African Union).”

We did't miss Amaechi, Kwakwaso, others—Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan said, yesterday, that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was not in any way worried over the defection of Governors Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State;  Rotimi  Amaechi of Rivers; Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara; Aliyu Wammako of Sokoto; Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso of Kano and others who  dumped the party for the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, saying that some of them cannot win any election in their wards.

Speaking at the National Secretariat of PDP at the 65th National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting, President Jonathan, who was happy that the National Assembly is a PDP Assembly, however, admitted that before now, there were issues, but that the party and its members in the Senate and the House of Representatives had been able to put behind them those problems and were now working in one accord in the interest of the party and Nigeria.

It will be recalled that following some irreconcilable differences, the governors and some members of the party left for the APC.
The President who noted that this period of insurgency was not the best moment for Nigeria, said that the government was addressing complaints of inadequate equipment to deal with the Boko Haram insurgents, adding that the security challenges in the country will soon be a thing of the past.

Meanwhile, NEC, after a debate on the proposal to hold the PDP national conference, according to the provisions of the constitution of the party,  resolved to hold  same after the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, just as NEC passed a vote of confidence on President  Jonathan and  praised the decisive steps so far taken to contain insurgency in the country.

Speaking further, President Jonathan, said: “First, let me congratulate the chairman, this being the first NEC meeting that he is presiding over. Of course, he has addressed us, but he did not chair that meeting. But we elected him based on our constitution and he spoke to us and told clearly his mission. Frankly speaking, from that day till date, he has been focused on rebuilding the party.

“Another group of people that I must specially appreciate is our governors, the PDP governors. You know, in the Nigeria Governors Forum, there were some challenges that came up and PDP governors became very strong.

“Even though some people left us, we are not noticing their absence because of the leadership and commitment shown by Governor Godswill Akpabio, the chairman of PDP Governors Forum and Governor Jonah Jang, the chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and other members of the Governors Forum from the PDP.

Biafra warlords failed in bid to take over Enugu TV/Radio

Members of the Pro-Biafra group, Biafra Zionists Federation, BZF, led by Benjamin Onwuka, who allegedly attacked the Government House, Enugu on March 8 allegedly struck again in the early hours of yesterday at the Enugu State Broadcasting Service, ESBS in an attempt to seize the radio and television station for a broadcast.

The move was however foiled by a team of policemen alerted by some staff of the station who arrived for the morning duty and met their premises under siege.

A police sergeant and a member of BZF were killed in a shootout while a police inspector who led the team was seriously wounded.

The BZF leader, Benjamin Onwuka and 12 members of his group were arrested as they tried to escape from the station after the clash with the policemen and were said to be undergoing interrogation at the Criminal Investigations Department of the State Police Command.

Eyewitness accounts said the BZM members, in an operation similar to the March 8 invasion of the Enugu Government House, stormed the premises of ESBS through the fence at about 5 am and held the securitymen and staff on night shift hostage.
They forcefully gained entry into the offices including the studio and attempted to put on the equipment for a live broadcast.

But unknown to them, the television had been off air since the past two days while they were unable to access the radio station which was broadcasting at the time.

LASU students lay siege to Fashola’s office


Protesting Lagos State University students yesterday barricaded the office of governor Babatunde Fashola in Alausa, with the Students’ Union, LASUSU, saying  it would continue its protest over hike in fees until the state government reduced them.
The barricade  came barely 24 hours after eight of the protesting students were arraigned before an Ikeja chief magistrate’s court for alleged breach of public peace.
The students in a protest march arrived at Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja at about 3:00 pm and immediately barricaded the entrance to the governor’s office with two Bus Rapid Transit, BRT buses and other vehicles.

After barricading the entrance, they danced and set up traditional cooking stove where they cooked beans for themselves. They also observed Muslim prayers at the entrance.
The arrival of the students to the seat of power send jitters down the spine of the private security officers attached to the Lagos State House of Assembly and they shut the entrance gate to the legislative house.

Also, police officers attached to the Area F police command and Alausa police stations were quickly drafted to the scene to forestall any damage to government’s property.
The union President, Nurudeen Yusuf, said that peaceful protest was a citizen’s right as enshrined in the constitution.




Chikwe lauds Jonathan on women empowerment

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Women Leader, Dr Kema Chikwe, has said President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has given the greatest opportunity to Nigerian women since Independence.

According to her, “this could be seen in the number of women the President appointed to positions in Government, especially key positions like Petroleum Minister, Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, United Nations Ambassador and many others”.

Speaking during a reception in honour of Otunba Bashirat Noibi who recently decamped from the All Peoples Congress, APC, to the PDP, Dr. Chikwe called on Nigerian women to ensure the re-election of President Jonathan in 2015 to enable him continue to empower them.

In her speech Hajiya Noibi who is a National Coordinator of Jonathan Actualization Movement,  JAM, explained that she left the APC because the party “has nothing to offer to the Nigerian people.”

Thursday 5 June 2014

House orders N225m bullet-proof cars returned to contractor

The House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, yesterday, ordered the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to return the controversial N225 million bullet-proof cars that were purchased during the tenure of former Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, and recover the money.

Chairman of the committee, Nkiruka Chidubem Onyejeocha, said NCAA have no business keeping the cars, stressing that the contract terms between NCAA and Coscharis Motors should be cancelled and the money recovered from the supplier.

She made this call while on an oversight visit to the agencies at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

She said: “What we said about the bullet proof cars is that the contract should be cancelled and that they do not have any business keeping the cars. It should be returned to the supplier and then recover our money,” adding that due process was not followed in the contract.
Earlier, the acting Director-General of NCAA, Engr. Benedict Adeliyela, said that the cars were parked at the NCAA’s office in Abuja.

Armed men invade college, molest female students in Makurdi

Barely a week after some suspected cultists raided the female hostel of the Benue State University, BSU, another gang in the early hours of Tuesday attacked and molested some female students of the College of Advanced and Professional Studies, CAPS, in Makurdi, the state capital.

Blazingchild learnt that the armed men, numbering over 12, broke into the hostel at about 5 am while the students were fast asleep.

According to the sources, ”the armed men stormed the school and gained entrance into the school, after disarming the security men whom they tied up before carrying out their operation that lasted over one hour.

”They molested and beat up female students and made away with their cellphones, money and other valuables.
”At the end of the operation, at least 11 students sustained varying degrees of injuries while most of them were traumatised .

The Sole Administrator of the college, Dr. Tyotom Keghku, however, denied the story on telephone, saying that no student was raped during the incident.
Keghku ,who alleged that the perpetrators of the crime could be from the host community, however, stated that the two students who were injured in the incident had been treated, pointing out that the state Police Command had been informed of the development.

FG will explore all options to secure release of Chibok girls

The Federal Government on Wednesday said “all options’’, including negotiation, are open to free the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

The Coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mr Mike Omeri, made this known when he gave an update on the security operations in the North-East at a joint news conference in Abuja.
“The Federal Government is totally committed and focused towards ensuring that our beloved children, kidnapped girls, are returned safe and sound.

“Therefore, as we said before, all options in line with international best practices are open in this case,’’ Omeri said.
He said government had distributed relief materials to communities affected by the insurgency in the North-East as well as Jos through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
According to him, efforts are ongoing to reach victims also affected by the insurgency in other states.

Niger govt dislodges Islamist sect from forest

The Niger State Government assisted by a combined team of security agents yesterday demolished a forest at Lapai, in the state which was being used as a training ground for a new sect of Islamist fundamentalists. The security personnel included the Army, Navy, Airforce, police,Department of State Services, DSS, as well as Civil Defence Corps.

Security sources told newsmen that no fewer than 240 members of the sect named Nibrassiya Huda Islamist sect headed by Sheik Mohammed Mohammed Abubakar were found in the thick forest on the outskirts of Cheche village which was close to the state-owned Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, IBBU.

The state government also immediately revoked the Certificate of Occupancy, C of O, earlier granted the leader of the sect, Sheik Abubakar on April 13, this year, after discovering that the vast land was not being used for the purpose it was granted.
The Islamist fundamentalists allegedly included mostly male and female teenagers.

It was alleged that the fundamentalsits were being indoctrinated based on similar principles guiding the operations of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents now killing and maiming people in the northeast states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe in the last five years.

Spokesman of the group, Sheik Yusuf Usman who was mandated by the sect leader to speak on his behalf debunked the allegation that they are hostile and trying to cause mayhem in Lapai or state, adding that they are purely propagating Islam and the Holy Qur’an being their guide.

“We are not an extension of Boko Haram sect. We do not have any link with Boko Haram. Infact, we do not share any belief with them or have anything common with them. Boko Haram’s agenda is to unleash terror on innocent people but we are not only peaceful Islamic scholars but also farmers,” he explained.

Speaking in flawless English, he continued, “Most of us were in the Mosque when the security men came this morning and we did not attack them."

Abandoned corpses: Anambra govt to pay contractors N189m

Anambra State government is owing state hospital mortuary contractors N189 million for 300 abandoned corpses across the state

Chairman of the state government hospital mortuary contractors, Chief Frank Igboka, who dropped the hint, yesterday, described as unfortunate government’s inability to pay their bill so that the corpses could be evacuated for a mass burial.

”The  mortuaries where the corpses are abandoned are Enugu- Ukwu General Hospital, Okija General Hospital, Ihiala General Hospital, Ekwulobia General hospital and Onitsha General Hospital.
”We have written to the new governor, Dr. Willie Obiano and nothing has been done in that regard.

We cannot bury them without government, police or court clearance and most important, government has to pay our bills before anything is done in that respect,” he said.
The worrisome aspect, he said, was that the police had turned the government hospital mortuaries as dumping ground for the deposition of corpses, thereby increasing the numbers of abandoned corpses day by day.

Wednesday 4 June 2014

You are misadvising Jonathan on state of emergency, corruption; Clark to Adoke

Former Federal Commissioner for Information and South South Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, said, yesterday, that after a thorough  X-ray of the activities and actions of Attorney- General and Minister of Justice, Alhaji Mohammed Bello Adoke since he came on board, he has come to a conclusion that the Minister has failed President Goodluck Jonathan and Nigerians in all ramifications.

Addressing journalists, yesterday, at his Asokoro residence, Abuja, the South South leader accused Adoke of misadvising President Jonathan, especially on the declaration of state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

He stressed that the Minister also failed to advise the President correctly in his fight against corruption, adding that he had not done well in cases of corruption pending before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission where people are charged for corruption and cases linger for a period of five to six years with no result.

Chief Clark in his 16-page letter to the Minister of Justice, entitled, “An open letter by Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark OFR, CON to the Federal Attorney- General and Minister of Justice, Alhaji Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, for misadvising Mr. President on the declaration of a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states,” reiterated his call for suspension of all democratic structures in these states.

He added that the President had the right to impose a full state of emergency in these states as it were in the past when former President Olusegun Obasanjo declared full state of emergency in Plateau State, 18th May, 2004 and in Ekiti State, 19th October, 2006,  but failure on the part of the President to repeat same in these volatile states, which he attributed to the Minister, whom he said had disappointed the President and Nigerians.
The elder statesman said:  “I affirm that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides for democratic structures. It is based on this law as enshrined in the Constitution that individuals hold their offices. This Constitution equally gives the President of the country undefined spectrum of inherent powers which he can exercise if and when such action is in public interest.

Why Jonathan can't stop corruption—CAN

The Plateau State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. Soja Bewarang has said it will be difficult for President Goodluck Jonathan to curb or eradicate corruption in the country except every citizen gives his/her support in the fight.

Rev. Bewarang noted that corruption is sin and conquering corruption means eradicating sin which is not possible as long as man lives on the earth.

Speaking yesterday in Jos, the CAN Chairman said if every citizen be it a farmer, teacher, business person, politician takes a bold step and say no to corruption, the scourge will be curbed and the country free from it.

He said, “As long as man lives on the earth, sin will continue to exist and corruption is sin. If each Nigerian would say no to corruption in the farm, in the classroom, in business, in the market, if we will all take a position and say to ourselves; I will not be corrupted, neither by giving or receiving bribe, we will overcome corruption.

“The President is doing his best but his effort alone cannot stop corruption except we take the bold step to stop sin, support him in stopping corruption for development to take place in this country”.

We didn’t ban rallies in Abuja – IG

Barely 24 hours after the FCT Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu announced a ban on protests connected with efforts to secure the release of the more than 200 abducted girls of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State, Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, yesterday, clarified the statement of the Abuja Police Commissioner. The IGP insisted that the Police did not ban peaceful rallies.

The IGP’s intervention came on a day the #BringBackOurGirls group, that is behind the protest, filed a N200m suit at the Abuja High Court, challenging the powers of the Nigerian Police Force to ban any form of protest within the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
Addressing the media through the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank Mba, the IG said:

“The Police High Command wishes to inform the general public that the Force has not issued any order banning peaceful assemblies/protests anywhere in Nigeria.

“Against the backdrop of current security challenges in the country, coupled with a recent intelligence report of a likely infiltration and hijack of otherwise innocuous and peaceful protests by some criminal elements having links with insurgents, the Police only issued advisory notice, enjoining citizens to apply caution in the said rallies, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory and its environs.

“The IGP calls on the general public to see the present position of the Force as a necessary sacrifice for the peace our nation needs, as security is a collective responsibility. Consequently, citizens are strongly advised to reconsider their positions on the issues of rallies and protests in FCT until the existing threats are appropriately neutralized and removed from our midst by relevant security agencies,” he added.

Elaborating more on the threats, CSP Mba said: “The threat is currently being investigated. Once we are able to clearly and comprehensively neutralize them, we will say the coast is clear.

“You all will agree that under the leadership of the present Police High Command, we have demonstrated a very strong sense of democratic policing. Police have been escorting demonstrators, but this time around, there is over-riding need to advise against these protests”, Mba said.