Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Abducted girls: We can publish names, pictures of victims if permitted, says Borno

The Borno State government yesterday said it would publish the names and pictures of the abducted girls, if permitted.


Governor Kashim Shettima spoke yesterday in reaction to a statement by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Women Leader Mrs. Kema Chikwe doubting if the girls were actually abducted.


Gov_Kashim_Shettima01

A statement by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Isa Gusau, reads: “We have read with very rude shock, media reports attributed to National Women Leader of the PDP, raising doubts on whether indeed, schoolgirls were abducted at Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok on April 14, 2014 or not. This is clear case of bringing politics into a serious national issue that bothers on the lives of over 200 schoolgirls which is highly unfortunate.

“We find that report a big affront that undermines the National Security Council which held a meeting that dwelled extensively on the matter with a directive to the armed forces to rescue the girls.  By her remark, Chikwe has undermined the integrity of all of Nigeria’s security forces because her questions appear to mean that the security agencies in the country do not know what they are doing for holding a National Security Council meeting and deliberating on something that was doubtful and yet giving directives to address it.


“This incident happened 17 days ago, every Nigerian expects that by now, the security agencies must have been carrying out investigations that might have included debriefing some of the girls that escaped from captivity, speaking with parents and other students of the schools.


“Chikwe’s remark seems to attack the integrity of the security agencies, giving the impression that nothing was done. Unlike Kema Chikwe that seeks to undermine the integrity of the security agencies and the President, what we do know and believe is that the President, Goodluck Jonathan, couldn’t have deemed it necessary to host an expanded National Security Council that was attended by him, all Security chiefs, Governors of the 36 States and key leaders of this country during which the schoolgirls was extensively discussed if the President was not properly briefed by the security agencies under the Federal Government, that schoolgirls were abducted.


“The school was virtually razed now, security agencies know this and they know that the attack and abduction took place. The Defence Headquarters have issued several statements including one that says forces were closing in on the abductors; we therefore wonder why Chikwe should make mockery of all of these patriotic efforts.


“Even though most of the school buildings were razed during that attack and property vandalised, records of schoolgirls that registered for WAEC and NECO exams cannot be a difficult one to get since the examination bodies are there with records. In addition to that, parents lodged complaints that should naturally have the names of their children or wards. It is expectedly thought that security agencies would by now, have necessary information about these girls which might include their records.


“However, the Borno State Government has a comprehensive data that includes pictures of the missing students and those that returned, which the Government is ready to publish on Friday, May 2, 2014 if the Defence Headquarters which has since been managing information on counter insurgency operations in the Northeast, gives the go ahead and Mrs Chikwe, who now knows more than the security can ensure that.


“Our fear is not to reveal names that would reveal religion and family backgrounds which could at the end, compromise the safety of these girls; provide basis for families to be reached with demands for ransom or be accused of undermining rescue efforts or sensationalism.


“In addition to these, abduction of girls are sometimes interpreted to mean automatic rape, where the identity of these are revealed, they could be stigmatised even after being rescued. Doubt raised by Mrs Chikwe displays insensitivity to the plight of parents of these girls and to the feelings of all Borno people. The Borno State Government is the most troubled by the incident.


“The Governor of Borno State is as should be expected, under so much pressure from families and community members of Chibok and indeed the rest of the State. These girls are daughters of Borno, by being abducted while in school, the Borno State Government naturally comes under more pressure because they were abducted while being under our care as a Government, the school was not the only one in session when that attack took place, there were other schools were girls were writing exams.


“It might recalled that sometime back when there was rumours that some schoolgirls were abducted following an attack in Konduga, Governor Shettima directed a prompt investigation and after it was found out that no student was recorded missing, the Government told Nigerians that there was nothing like that.


“Even on the one of Chibok which is the topic of discussion, Governor Shettima announced that 129 girls were at school as at the time of the attack, it was during his visit that parents who filed reports about missing students said the girls were over 200, it was clear to everyone that the Governor never had any intention of making claims of large numbers of missing persons.


“It is important that the Nigeria security agencies call Mrs Chikwe to order so she desist from mocking the National Security Council and misleading Nigerians and rest of the world that have been attracted by this unfortunate incident which has left the Government and people of Borno State highly distressed.”



Abducted girls: We can publish names, pictures of victims if permitted, says Borno

Anambra Tribunal: INEC Opens, Closes Case Without Witnesses

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday opened its defence in the ongoing hearing of petitions at the Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Awka, the Anambra State capital, and closed same without calling any witness.


Election at IdemiliThe electoral commission opened its defence in petition No: EPT/AN/Gov/02/2013, brought before the Justice Ishaq Bello-led three-man electoral panel by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the November 16, 2013 governorship election in the state, Senator Chris Ngige.


Lead counsel to the INEC, Adegboyega  Awomolo (SAN) had at the resumption of hearing yesterday tendered three sets of documents comprising state result sheets, declaration of candidates forms (form EC 8C, Form EC8D and form EC8E, as well as local government results in the disputed election and announced the closure of the INEC case.


However, he didn’t call any witness in spite of the fact that some INEC officials listed as part of the 26 witnesses to testify before the court attended yesterday’s session.


They included the Electoral Officer for Anambra East council, Mr. Nwafor, the state INEC Director of Operations, Mr. Okon Ewa, who were all in the court.


Awomolo had in his brief address before closing the commission’s defence, said they were relying on the documents they had already tendered and the “information obtained during cross-examination of the witnesses called by the petitioners for our defence.”


But Emeka Ngige (SAN) who led the APC and Senator Ngige’s team of lawyers yesterday, said afterwards that the implication of INEC’s inability to call any witnesse was that all the witnesses’ depositions the electoral body filed with regards to the petition would be disconteanced.


Before that decision however, senior counsel for Chief Willie Obiano, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) and Ken Mozie, APGA’s Osita Nnadi (SAN) Okechukwu Anaenugwu, and the INEC, Adegboyega, Awomolo (SAN) had consulted informally.


Yet in another petition No: EPT/AN/Gov/01/2013, the petitioner, Dr. Chike Obidigbo re-opened his case which had been closed earlier to lead further evidence on Willie Obiano’s alleged multiple registration. He tendered an INEC Certified True Copy (CTC) of Oluwakemi/Zainab Street Junction registration Centre Voter Register, Ifako/Soluyi Registration Area of Kosofe local government area of Lagos to show that Obiano is still a registered voter in Lagos.


Obidigbo under-cross examination by the INEC counsel, Awomolo (SAN) denied any knowledge of transfer of voter resistration at Obiano from Lagos to Anambra State. (THISDAYLIVE)



Anambra Tribunal: INEC Opens, Closes Case Without Witnesses

National Conference: Drivers, aides protest against non payment of allowances

By Michael Okaili


There was a drama at the ongoing National Conference on Wednesday as drivers and aides of the delegates took to protest over non payment of their allowances.


The protesters also demanded that their names should be included in the lunch and transport arrangement which their boss enjoy.


National ConferenceIn a letter dated April 28 and addressed to the conference Chairman, Idris Legbo Kutigi, the aides, under the aegis of Forum of Aides and Drivers of National Conference 2014 Delegates, said they had evidence that payments were made to support personnel of similar appointees in the past, including the National Political Bureau of March 1987 and the National Political Reform Conference of 2005, and therefore, asked to be paid.


The letter which was read was a two page letter, signed by the angry aides and drivers, a copy was made available to journalist, while another copy sent to President Goodluck Jonathan and the Secretary of the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.


The letter read:  “We are also aware that some delegates are against the payment of allowances to us in this regard. We must therefore point out that aides and drivers come from distant places  from all over the country. Usually, our salaries are meagre and barely sufficient to support our families.


“We have also sampled opinions and discovered that some aides and drivers sleep in the vehicles at the car parks of delegates’ hotels at the detriment of their health, safety and security while their principals sleep in the comfort of their hotel rooms. Many of our members get little or no stipends in this regard.


“We state clearly here that many of our members depend on their colleagues to survive in the course of the conference. Our welfare is poor and there is no provision for food, transport and boarding. Some of us are sometimes privileged to eat the crumbs that fall off the tables of the delegates at the Justice Aloma Muktar Banquet Hall of the conference venue at the mercy of the Banquet Hall personnel.


“This is not desirable considering the fact that we are all human beings and fellow citizens of this great country working together to chart a course for the united corporate existence of our great country.


We therefore request immediate government intervention to forestall the possibility of the hungry man becoming angry.”



National Conference: Drivers, aides protest against non payment of allowances

REVEALED: Why Jonathan fired Ahmed Gulak - PDP Chairman

By Ehi Ekhator


More facts emerged yesterday on why President Goodluck Jonathan fired his political adviser, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak.


Ahmed Gulak Ahmed Gulak


As disclosed by the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, Gulak was sacked for his arrogance and alleged irrational disposition.


The party chairman disclosed this on Wednesday while playing host to selected members of the Akwa-Ibom State executive committee of the PDP.


He added that he supports Jonathan that there would be no space for arrogant officials in the federal cabinet, adding that for them to remain in the cabinet, they must remain focus and committed.


Ahmed Gulak was fired on Tuesday with immediate effect without reasons by the Federal Government.


A source in the presidency, earlier disclosed to the press that President Jonathan was fed up with Gulak’s way of talking, adding that he made problem with some top PDP governors who asked the President to call him to order.


The former political adviser travelled to Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State to inaugurate the Goodluck Support Group last week with some PDP faction in the state.


It was gathered that Gulak’s visit didn’t go down well with the state governor, Godswill Akpabio, saying that he was completely oblivious of the former Presidential aide’s visit.


The governor also alleged that Gulak held meeting with the party faction in the state who he said were against his administration.


Akpabio therefore, appealed to the President to call his political aide to order for undermining him and his supporters, and for inaugurating the GSG without involving him as the Governor of the state.


Speaking with the delegation from Akwa Ibom, the Party Chairman stressed that there will be no automatic ticket for contestants of political office, adding that he was no in the position to help anybody secure automatic ticket.



REVEALED: Why Jonathan fired Ahmed Gulak - PDP Chairman

No more dialogue, time for war against Boko Haram - David Mark

By Ehi Ekhator


The abduction of the 234 students of Government Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State is still sparking anger among Nigerians particularly the Senate.


David Mark David Mark


Yesterday, David Mark who in February called for dialogue with the insurgents has said that he regretted his statement, adding that it’s time to go to war with the insurgents since they have refused to heed to plea.


Eight men committee was initially set up to dialogue with Boko Haram. The committee was not to relate with the press as everything was to be confidential if the government was to be successful in their call for negotiation.


However, the table has turned upside down as David Mark who seems very angry and emotional over the abduction of the school girls said he regretted such statement, urging the government that it is time to go to war with the insurgents who is said were bent on destroying the peace and security of the country.


He said “I have spent many years in the Senate here and I’m not sure there is any motion that has had so much emotional touch as this one. I think Ndume just managed to hold himself and the three Senators who spoke also. I think the issue is not so much as to whether Boko Haram is even in the country now or not, but that 234 girls could disappear and up till now, none has been rescued. The 53 who are back escaped on their own.


“The story that Ndume narrated about soldiers going in the wrong direction when they got the information is a clear indication of what we are in for. The people we are dealing with are well trained. They are not terrorists, they are insurgents.


“All along, we have been reactive; if we are not proactive, we cannot deal with it. I have been in the forefront of saying we must dialogue with them but I think we must take the battle to a level where they must beg for dialogue. We cannot do this unless the locals on the ground there cooperate with members of the armed forces,” he said.


“There is no doubt that our nation is at war. The enemy has clearly and unequivocally served the nation notice of its vile intentions. Therefore, a clear, unambiguous and decisive military response from the government, beyond the imposition of a state of emergency, is urgently required in this circumstance. This is an option we must consider now.


“It is obvious that we are dealing with insurgents and well-funded nihilists who are determined to violently trample upon the secularity of the Nigerian State and destroy the country. A modern, vibrant, progressive, multi-ethnic, multi-religious Nigeria is an anathema to them because they are fired by zealotry and extremism, they are not likely to be swayed by overtures of any kind. We must henceforth shift from fighting terrorism to fighting insurgency.”


“Our emphasis must therefore be on winning the hearts and minds of the communities in the immediate theatres of conflict. The full might and strength of our security services must now be deployed to confront this scourge and we expect our security services to rapidly re-orient their assets and capabilities so as to overcome this difficult challenge, and this must be done within the shortest possible time frame with minimal casualties. Let me emphasise that for them to achieve this they require the cooperation of all and sundry.”


“The government must do all it can to immediately identify the sponsors and the source of funds to the terrorists and the insurgents. In this connection, nobody who is implicated, no matter how highly placed, should be treated as a sacred cow.


“The breadth and scope of this assault on the Nigerian state makes for sombre reading; places of worship have been violated; pupils have been brutally murdered en masse in their dormitories; schoolgirls have been brutalised and kidnapped from their schools; police stations and army barracks have been attacked and incinerated; lives and properties have been destroyed and whole communities uprooted and made refugees in their own country,” Mark stated



No more dialogue, time for war against Boko Haram - David Mark

Oh Allah, punish El-rufai, others with incurable sickness - Asari-Dokubo curses

By Ehi Ekhator


The former leader of the Niger Delta militant, Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo has denied the allegation that he is a member of the Boko Haram sect, adding that he value lives and would not be  a part of those taking innocent lives.


Asari Dokubo Dokubo wants seven “dissident” governors to renounce their membership of PDP.


To convince Nigerians further, he sworn for himself, saying may God punish me if he was one of those behind the activities of the sect


Asari-Dokubo who seems really angry took to his facebook page, asking God to visit his accusers and sponsors of the sect with incurable diseases.


According to his post, he said “May the wrath and destruction of Allah be upon me and my twenty children if I, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari knows anything about the operations of the evil organization, Boko Haram or carry out any attack on her behalf.


“If I don’t know anything about the operations and attacks of this evil organization (Boko Haram) and this Munafiq Ahmed Mahmud Abubakar Gumi falsely associate my name with the evil organization (Boko Haram), her operations and attacks…Oh Allah do justice to me…clear me of these false accusations and association.


“Oh Allah visit this Munafiq Ahmed Mahmud Abubakar Gumi, his supporters, helpers, collaborators and associates with the most sever of your curses, wrath, destruction and punishment….


“Oh Allah visit him with madness, blindness, been crippled in both legs and hands, leprosy, hepatitis B, HIV-AIDS, Ebola virus, Lassa fever, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and other most terrible diseases without mitigation and cure.


“Let him Ahmed Mahmud Abubakar Gumi suffer all these in this world, in the grave and the disgrace of the day of judgment except he repents publicly on to you Oh Allah and clears me of these evil accusations and association with the evil organization Boko Haram.


He called on Allah to visit his anger on some Northern elders including the Former FCT Minister, Mallam El-Rufai.


The statement read: “Oh Allah visit your wrath and destruction on the following persons Nasir el rufai, Murtala Hamman-Yero Nyako, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso,Junaid Muhammad, Ango Abdullahi, Lawal Kaita, Farouk Adamu Aliyu, Aliyu U. Tilde, Kashim Shettima,….their supporters, helpers, collaborators and associates….If any of these persons have in any way contacted the evil organization(Boko Haram) to seek for their protection from attack,….give them cash in exchange for peace from attack,…fund their attacks to heat up the polity against the government of Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan to malign him in their locality or internationally.


“Oh Allah expose them….disgrace them…punish them with the worst of your wrath if they had in any way contributed to the activities of Boko Haram.


“I know Oh Allah, that you are The Lord of justice and the avenger of the innocent…hear my cry of innocence and do not let them escape your wrath and justice…..Amin!”



Oh Allah, punish El-rufai, others with incurable sickness - Asari-Dokubo curses

Fast food cause of Nigerians obesity, says nutritionist

Tunde Ajobo, a nutritionist, on Wednesday in Ibadan warned against excessive consumption of junk or fast foods as they are the major causes of obesity in Nigeria.


Mr. Ajobo, who is the Head of Dietetic Department, University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, gave the warning while making a presentation at a quarterly seminar, organised by the department.

Fast foods and junk foods are high in fat sodium and sugar, which can lead to obesity and a range of attendant health problems.


Mr. Ajobo noted that junk foods give calories but do not contain the nutrients the body needs to stay healthy.


The nutritionist pointed out that with accumulation of fat in the body one could gain weight and become obese which is common during middle age.


He advised that since obese people often have low self-esteem about themselves, they should watch their weight while it could still be controlled.


“Risk factors in obesity include physical inactivity, eating fried foods, use of steroids, genes, eating habits and arthritis.


“Factors like weight history, unusual diet, behavioural eating pattern, resources weight goal, should be considered when treating obesity,” he said.


He advised that people should eat boiled food rather than fried ones and that they should establish regular time by eating rich foods thrice daily at a set time.


He said local delicacies such as ogbono soup (dika nut), egusi soup (melon), and the various soups made from groundnut and beans, are rich in fat, and that their consumption should be reduced.


Mr. Ajobo, however, advised against the use of anti-obesity drugs as they could manifest harmful effects after using them for a long time.


William Balogun, the deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, UCH, described the theme of the symposium – “Controlling overweight and Obesity” – as appropriate.


He said people should begin to see the negative effect of obesity as its prevalence rate had gone up in the last few years.


He said the UCH management had adopted a multi-disciplinary approach to the problem, adding that the treatment of obesity always involved more than two departments in the hospital.


Mr. Balogun, who urged UCH staff members to do their best to provide needing patients with the necessary therapy, added that the gym provided by the management should be put to use.


(NAN)



Fast food cause of Nigerians obesity, says nutritionist

Oil theft: Nigerian Navy destroys 1.5 million litres of crude

The Nigerian Navy on Wednesday said it destroyed more than 1.5 million litres of crude oil along the shores of Gbekbo Creek in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta.


Other products destroyed by the Navy were 203 drums of illegally refined diesel and seven drums of petrol.


The Navy personnel stormed the creek with two fortified gunboats in an operation that lasted about six hours.

Addressing journalists at the scene, the Commander of NNS Delta, Musa Gemu, said the exercise was in compliance with the directive of the Chief Naval Staff to sanitise the creeks of illegalities.


Mr. Gemu, who led the operation, said it was going to be a continuous exercise until illegal oil bunkering and other criminal activities were completely eradicated along the waterways.


“The exercise is successful and the fight continues. Like I said earlier, this is almost the fifth exercise and it is a continuous one.


“We will keep coming from time to time until they stop the illegal activities,” he said.


Mr. Gemu said that the Navy would continue to inspect illegal refinery sites it had destroyed to ensure that criminals would not resume operations there.


”We will not just stop at inspecting the destroyed illegal refinery sites, the command will also take steps ahead and search for those sites where illegal businesses are perpetrated.


”Today, we saw and destroyed 12 illegal refineries, so we will sustain that momentum,” he said.


Two pumping machines, a generating set, an outboard machine and a saw were recovered in the operation.


He said no arrest was made because the oil thieves fled on sighting the Navy personnel.


(NAN)



Oil theft: Nigerian Navy destroys 1.5 million litres of crude

3 kidnappers burnt to death as victim scream in Ogun state

By Ehi Ekhator


Luck ran out of three kidnappers on Wednesday in Ijoko area of Ota in Ado-Odo-Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State as three kidnappers were set ablaze by angry hoodlums after their victim, Elizabeth Oluwole screamed, alerting the crowed who pounced on the kidnappers.


A witness said that some mobs beat and killed the kidnappers before setting them on fire including their car, adding that Elizabeth was rescued.


The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi confirmed the incident, and added that before the police arrived the scene, the mob had already burnt the suspects.


He revealed that Elizabeth was currently being investigated and assured that the command had begun investigate the incident.


Narrating the incident, Adejobi said that Elizabeth boarded a cab with an unknown plate number from Sona Brewery, Sango-Ota to Ewekoro at 7.40 a.m, but found herself at another area called Gas line in Ijoko area.


The PPR said “She screamed from the vehicle in which she was being taken to their den, when she observed that she was in another place and the people in the area blocked the vehicle, beat the occupants, killed them and burnt them to ashes.”


“The victim is being interrogated. We are going to use a multifaceted approach. We want to know if there had been an interaction between the suspects and the victim. The jungle justice affected our case.


“The people alerted us at the Headquarters instead of calling the DPO in Ota, and immediately we asked the DPO to move to the scene. Before they got there, the suspects had been killed and burnt to ashes. It was a heavy inferno, they put tyres on the suspects and set them ablaze. We have evacuated their ashes.


“We have taken over the matter; we are still investigating the matter. We condemn jungle justice, people should desist from this act”, the spokesperson said.



3 kidnappers burnt to death as victim scream in Ogun state

We quarrel and argue like anyone else - P-Square

P-Square say they quarrel and argue like anyone else.Peter Okoye of P-Square has admitted that there was quarrel between the brothers- Peter, Paul and Jude. He said this in a series of tweets via his Twitter handle, @PeterPsquare.


“@PeterPsquare: We quarrel and argue just as u all do d same with ur siblings and families. Psquare is no exception.


Psquare“@PeterPsquare: We r also human, we ve settled our differences. And it has made us stronger! Thank u all for ur support and prayers”, he tweeted.


He, however, said the group is back together and are already working on their next video, Testimony, and Phyno’s O Set.


“@PeterPsquare: Back to work…. On set for Testimony video shoot and Phyno ft P2 OSet #tastethemoney #Oset”, he wrote.


In the past weeks, Nigerian’s blogosphere went wild with speculations of a P-Square break up after their brother, Jude ‘Engees’ Okoye, tweeted that he was putting 10 years behinds and moving on.


Also, P-Square’s publicist, Bayo Adetu, has denied that he described the rumoured P-Square break-up as a publicity stunt in an interview with Icon Magazine.


Adetu said the magazine wrongly quoted him saying he could never speak in such manner as it would “amount to toying with the emotions of P-Square fans” which he said he cherishes “more than diamond” and will never disrespect.


“It was indeed a misconception on the part of the writer. I never said the rumour was a ‘publicity stunt”.


“There is no way I could have granted an official interview and spoke in such denigrating manner as being portrayed by the magazine in question”, the former The News/ PM News reporter stated in a statement.


He, however, confirmed speaking to Star FM and NTA2.

Adetu also did not deny calling bloggers unprofessional and blasting journalists who quoted reports on Linda Ikeji’s blog.



We quarrel and argue like anyone else - P-Square

150 South Africans vote in Nigeria

About 150 South Africans on Wednesday cast their votes in Nigeria ahead of their national and provincial elections slated for May 7.


The Consul-General of South African High Commission, Mokgethi Monaisa, said in Lagos that “this is the first time South Africans will be voting outside their country.

“They voted in Lagos and Abuja like in other parts of the world. Out of these votes, 120 South Africans voted in Lagos while another 30 of them voted in Abuja.


“We believe that it is the constitutional right of every South African to vote for their choice of candidates irrespective of where they live in the world.


“It is now their chance to exercise their voting rights once in every five years’’, Mr. Monaisa said.


The consul-general said the ballot boxes would be sealed and sent to South Africa tonight, and would be counted with the overall votes on May 7.


He commended South Africans in Nigeria for coming to vote in the country’s first Diaspora elections.


One of the voters, Koketso Dibestso, expressed joy at her government’s decision to allow its citizens to vote from any part of the world.


“This is good enough and very well organised. It is really a good experience being able to vote in my country from Lagos, Nigeria.


“The opportunity has given me and others a sense of belonging and participation in our country’s elections,” she said.


Another voter, Dainty O’grady, said it was “a step in the right direction”, adding that it would enhance development in South Africa.


“Today, although I am in Nigeria, I now know that I have a say in the affairs of my country from here’’, she said.


Voting materials and officials were ready before the voting which commenced at 10 a.m.


Registration and voting for the elections, which took place at the South African High Commission in Victoria Island, Lagos, were hitched free.


(NAN)



150 South Africans vote in Nigeria

Workers Day: PDP Calls For Sober Reflection

 


As workers all over the world celebrate 2014 Workers Day Thursday, May 1, the Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has enjoined civil servants in the State to use the occasion to reflect on the neglect, disregard and hopelessness that have become the fate of the public service in the State.


PDP PDP


The party in a statement issued by Jerry Needam, Special Adviser, Media to the State Chairman, Felix Obuah regrets that the insensitivity of Gov Amaechi administration to the plight and welfare of the civil servants in the State has grossly made nonsense of the State workforce, leaving practically nothing to celebrate.


Recalling that thousands of newly recruited teachers in the State are still owed nine months salary arrears, while those interviewed and due for promotion since 2011 have been endlessly waiting for their letters besides similar disregard and non-payment of salaries of other staff of government agencies like the TIMARIV, the PDP questions the rationale for still marking the Workers Day in the State.


Workers, the party demands, should rather use the period to protest against the regime of segregation, apathy to welfare of civil servants and criminal diversion of their salaries and entitlements to party politics where their welfare is indignantly being scarified on the altar of inordinate political ambition of those entrusted with the state resources.


Not taking advantage of this opportunity to voice out, the PDP remarks, will amount to injustice to self and incarceration of the totality of the State workforce, stressing that this strange and satanic tradition of treating the real sustainers of the State economy with ignominy and sarcasm by Gov Amaechi and his APC members must not be allowed to continue unchecked.


While wishing workers in the State a happy and safe but sober celebration  of the Workers Day, the State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah prayed that God will in His infinite power facilitate the ouster of the incumbent administration in the State so that the workers will have a new lease of life under a caring and welfarist government being envisaged by the PDP starting from next year.



Workers Day: PDP Calls For Sober Reflection

Nigerians to pay zero fixed charge on 15 days without power starts May 1

By Ehi Ekhator


For Nigerians who hear the news of the “no monthly fix charged” if the electricity distribution companies interrupt light for 15 days whether continuously or cumulatively are very excited waiting for the kick off.


Power supply transformer


The Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, (NERC) Dr. Sam Amadi, made this declaration in Abuja on Wednesday.


The new rule is to ensure stability in the power sector, and it is believed that Nigerians will not pay the monthly fixed charge to their power supplier since they did not consume power for 15 days


Amadi stressed that non payment of electricity bill or other actions of the consumers are not included in the new rule.


He said “While the commission has determined that the fixed charge remains an essential component of the bill, it is, however, the continued retention of the fixed charge component in the tariff and payment of fixed charge in the light of consumer complaints, particularly with regards to continued payment of fixed charge, even when the energy and is not delivered to the consumer.


“Upon due considerations of these complaints by the consumers, and considering the role of NERC in Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), the commission, as provided under Section 32(d) and Section 32(f) of the EPSR Act 2005, it is hereby ordered that effective May 1, 2014, where any customer of a distribution licensee has not received electricity supply for a period of 15 days in a month, such a customer shall not be required to pay fixed charge, provided the disruption is due to non payment of electricity bill or other actions of the consumer like tampering with electricity infrastructure, vandalism, or it is totally unrelated to the fault of the distribution company,” Amadi said.


Responding to the comments from some consumers who wondered if the fixed monthly charge is fair or legal, Amadi said “The fixed charge is a universal best practice, and is not peculiar to Nigeria. It is to be borne by electricity customers at all times, once they are connected to supply. It is not tied to consumption.


“Fixed or permanent investments need to be made and need to be paid for and maintained. Electricity customers need to have the required infrastructure that will enable them enjoy electricity either on demand, and when it is available,” he added.




Nigerians to pay zero fixed charge on 15 days without power starts May 1

Woman bags 5 months in prison for beating 2- year-old to coma

An Upper Area Court in Kado, Abuja, on Wednesday sentenced a 43-year-old woman, Janet Moses to five months in prison for beating a two-year-old boy to a state of coma.


The judge, Mr Abubakar Sadiq, sentenced Moses after she pleaded guilty to a one count charge of cruelty to a child.


CourtSadiq, however, gave the convict an option to pay a fine of N10, 000.


He said the sentence was to serve as a deterrent to others who might want to engage in similar acts.


The judge also warned the convict to desist from such acts and be of good behaviour.


He said the child, who has since recovered, was now with the social  welfare officials and would soon be reunited with his parents who are in Maiduguri.


The convict was arraigned by the police on March 31 and was convicted after pleading guilty to the charge but her sentence was deferred.


The prosecutor, Sgt. Simon Ibrahim, had told the court that Mrs Aisha Muhammed of the same address lodged a report against the convict at the Mabushi police station on March 22.


Ibrahim said convict beat up the two-year-old boy who was left in her custody.


He said the complainant returned home and saw the convict beating up the child who already had serious injuries all over him.


The prosecutor said during police investigation the convict confessed to have committed the crime.


He said the offence contravened the provision of section 238(b) of the Penal Code. (NAN)



Woman bags 5 months in prison for beating 2- year-old to coma

Another terrorist group discovered in Niger State

By Ehi Ekhator


The Niger state government has said that it has discovered another suspected terrorist Islamic sect with link to the dreaded Boko Haram sect, adding that the government has set up a two-man committee to identity the sect members in order to flush them out of the state.


boko2-111

According to the State governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu who made this known in Minna, saying that the government has set up a committee to look into the activities of the sect and report back within 3 days for urgent action.

However, Aliyu said, “The state government is acting on security report given by the League of Imams in the state and this led to the setting up of the two man committee to investigate the report as a matter of urgency. “


A group of suspected Boko Haram atacked a village called Kubla in Madagali Local Government area, Adamawa State, killing eight iInnocentt Nigerians, burning two churches and other private properties.


Some of the residents who ran way from the area revealed that they were attacked by the gunmen on Monday night.


A resident who identified himself as Heldia Apogu said ”I cannot actually say how many people were killed but I saw about six dead bodies being evacuated,”


Another resident disclosed that some men were taken hostage from other houses attacked by the gunmen.


He said ”I saw some people crying saying that their relations had been taken hostage by the gunmen,”




Another terrorist group discovered in Niger State

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Detective team question Nyako over memo on genocide in Adamawa

By Ehi Ekhator


The Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako is still in trouble over the memo he sent to the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) Alleging that President Jonathan is wiping out northern population through his state of emergency.


Police InspectorYesterday, detectives from the headquarter in Abuja, questioned the governor at Government House in Yola for more than four hours over the accusation in the memo.


This came as a follow up after the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, warned politicians to desist from making inflammatory statements that could endanger the peace and security of the nation.


It was gathered a combine investigator from Criminal Investigation Department, Force Intellgience Bureau and the IGP monitoring unit, including two Deputy Commissioners of Police, one Assistant Commissioner of Police and two Superintendents of police were drawn to carry out the interrogation.


It was gathered that the interrogation which lasted for four hours is just a first part as the governor is expected to return to the detectives with proof of his accusations.


According to the information gathered, the detectives concentrated on four certain areas while questioning Nyako. The areas were as follows:


  • Federal Government’s genocide to reduce the voting populace of the North

  • Allegation of Boko Haram terrorism

  • The herdsmen attacks and killing which the governor claimed to be a project carried out by the government for political reasons.

Responding to the issue, Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank Mba, confirmed the visit of the Police detectives to Adamawa State Government House, adding that they only went there for fact-finding.


The IG through Frank Mba stressed that inflammatory statement could desecrate the national symbol and identity, and promoting a regime of lawlessness, vowing to visit same with sanctions.


 



Detective team question Nyako over memo on genocide in Adamawa

Iran coach, a threat to Stephen Keshi

Iran coach, Carlos Queiroz will come face to face with Coach Stephen Keshi on June 16 in a Group F opening game of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil when his team take on the Super Eagles.


After the World Cup, the Portuguese born Iran trainer has another battle to contend with his Nigerian counterpart, this time in the African continent.


Carlos Queiroz and Keshi


With Carlos Queiroz strongly rumoured to be linked with the Bafana Bafana job when Gordon Igesund’s contract expires, it could be that the Portuguese will be auditioning for the role when he leads Iran at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.


The 61-year-old led Bafana Bafana from 2000 until 2002 where he enjoyed a reasonable amount of success. However, he cut his time short after reportedly falling out with the South African Football Association.


Earlier reports in Nigeria and South Africa had linked the Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi with the Bafana Bafana job but with the latest reports from South Africa, where Queiroz and his Iranian squad for World Cup have been camping for the past two weeks, it appears the battle for the Bafana job will be keener than expected.


Although Keshi insists that he has not been contacted by the South Africa Football Association, it is strongly believed that his romance with the Nigeria Football Federation would come to a soothing end after the World Cup and the next destination for the Afcon winner is thought to be South Africa.


While Keshi who led modest Togo to qualify for the 2006 World Cup and led Nigeria to the Africa Cup of Nations crown in 2013 is regarded as the most successful Nigerian tactician in history, Queiroz boasts experience of coaching at some of the best teams in the world like Manchester United, Real Madrid as well as the Portuguese national team.


Queiroz’s recent stint with Iran has also proved to be a huge success. He successfully led the lesser-known football nation to only their fourth appearance at the world’s showpiece tournament. The Lions are in a tough group alongside Argentina, Nigeria and Bosnia.


 



Iran coach, a threat to Stephen Keshi

Al Jazeera estimates losses in excess of $150 million

Al Jazeera Media Network has submitted an official notification of dispute to the interim Egyptian government. The network says it is relying on a Bilateral Treaty signed between the country in which it is headquartered, Qatar, and Egypt as the basis for its decision.


Al Jazeera has estimated losses of more than $150 million. As per the Bilateral Treaty, if no amicable settlement between Al Jazeera and the Egyptian authorities has been reached within six months, Al Jazeera will take the case to international arbitration.


Al Jazeera has been subjected to a sustained campaign of harassment, intimidation and jamming of its transmission, with Egyptian security forces raiding its offices, shutting it down and confiscating its equipment in addition to attacking its reputation.


Four Al Jazeera staff members have been detained in Egyptian jails. Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent Abdullah ElShamy has been detained since August 2013, while Al Jazeera English correspondent Peter Greste has been detained since December 2013 with producers Baher Mohamed and Mohammed Fahmy.


For a timeline on the intimidation campaign against Al Jazeera in Egypt, please visit Al Jazeera


 



Al Jazeera estimates losses in excess of $150 million

Diezani Jet scandal: Judge denies issuing order barring Reps probe


Mrs. Alison-Madueke sought “an order of interim injunction restraining the Respondents whether by themselves, their members, committee, or agents from summoning or directing.”



Premium Times – A judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has denied issuing any order barring the House of Representatives from probing the Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and the ministry over the controversial expenditure of about N10 billion on private jet for the minister.


Diezani-Alison Madueke Diezani-Alison Madueke


The House had commenced the probe following a motion on March 20 presented by a lawmaker, Samuel Adejare, accusing the minister of committing about 500,000 Euros (N130 million) monthly to maintain an aircraft for her personal needs and those of her immediate family.


Not wanting to appear before the lawmakers to explain the controversial expenditure, Mrs. Alison-Madueke approached the court seeking for “an order of interim injunction restraining the respondents whether by themselves, their members, committee, or agents from summoning or directing” her appearance.


The judge was reported to have on April 14 granted an order, one that was made public on Monday.


An infuriated Justice Ahmed Mohammed, however, told journalists and all those present in court on Tuesday that he never granted the specific order sought by the minister.


“As far as I am concerned, and as the judge presiding over this case, no such order was made,” the Punch newspaper quoted the judge as saying.


A journalist present in court described Mr. Mohammed’s reaction as ‘very angry’.


The journalist told PREMIUM TIMES that the judge first called the court reporters and asked them why they misinterpreted the order.


The judge was then told by the journalists that it was the House of Representatives leadership that address journalists to say it was in possession of the order barring the probe.


While addressing journalists on Monday, the House spokesperson, Zakary Mohammed, had said the house had received the court order and would stay action on inviting the minister.


“As a law abiding arm of government, we will tarry a while and of course take a legal opinion as far as issues are concerned,” Mr. Mohammed said.


It is not clear if the House misinterpreted the order granted by the judge just like some major Nigerian newspapers, including PREMIUM TIMES.


The petroleum ministry, through the NNPC spokesperson, Ohi Alegbe, had also said it got such injunction barring the minister’s probe and served it on the House.


In the order, Justice Mohammed had said, “It is directed that the respondents shall be served with the motion exparte dated and filed on 11th April, 2014 for interim orders of injunction.”


PREMIUM TIMES had also interpreted the judge’s statement to mean that Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s request was granted; but the judge has now said that was not the case.


The judge, therefore ordered the House of Representatives to appear before it on May 5 to explain the order it said it got stopping the probe.


The accusation

Mrs. Alison-Madueke is accused of spending billions of naira for the services of private jets she deployed for mostly personal trips. The state oil company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, supervised by the minister, has absolved the minister of wrongdoing.


As petroleum minister, Mrs. Alison-Madueke has been repeatedly investigated by the National Assembly. Multiple reports have blamed the minister for either maladministration, corruption or violation of the law.


Amid the charges, Mrs. Alison-Madueke has also drawn praise for ensuring a year-round availability of petrol, a significant achievement in Nigeria’s notoriously corrupt oil sector. Yet, that achievement recently ebbed with fuel shortage across the country lasting months.


In his March 20 motion, Mr. Adejare said preliminary investigations showed government funds were used for financing the deal.


Preliminary investigation by the House public accounts committee showed more than one aircraft was involved.


Some lawmakers on the committee have spoken of pressure on them to suspend the investigation and a planned public hearing that has already been delayed by the minister’s refusal to attend.


Mrs. Alison-Madueke has also refused to submit required documents related to the spending, ahead of a public hearing.



Diezani Jet scandal: Judge denies issuing order barring Reps probe

Teargas fired on protesting teachers, students in Abuja

ABUJA  (AFP) – Nigerian police fired teargas at teachers and students and shot live rounds into the air as they tried to disperse a rally over college closures on Tuesday, protesters said.


Police chase Kidnappers in Anambra policemen


The march, in the capital Abuja, was called by two academic unions who have been on strike for several months, but protesting teachers were also joined by a number of students.


Despite the stand-off, no one was reported injured during the protest.

The organisers of the rally, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), have been demanding facility improvements at a range of technical colleges across the country.


The march, which the unions said involved about 100 people, began at Abuja’s Eagle Square — which is often the site of political rallies — before moving towards the parliament, where organisers had planned to formally present their grievances to lawmakers.


“As we were about crossing the road to the Memorial Arcade, the policemen who barricaded the road started shooting live bullets, tear gas canisters and they are using their water can vehicles to disperse the crowd,” Tunde Lawal, a teacher at the rally, told AFP.


He said the security forces had tried to prevent the rally from reaching the National Assembly.

An AFP reporter saw two police vehicles and dozens of armed officers barricading the road that leads to the assembly complex.


A police officer at the scene, who requested anonymity, described the incident as a “very serious battle.”

“It involved the use of everything to disperse the protest,” he said, although he added that no one was injured.


Teachers at state-run technical colleges say they have been forced to work in buildings with decaying facilities, and lack the infrastructure and support to teach effectively.


The walk-out on Tuesday was latest in a series of strikes which have crippled parts of Nigeria’s post-secondary education system.


A six-month nationwide strike by university lecturers last year piled pressure on the government of President Goodluck Jonathan, which has been accused of presiding over the further decline of public education in the country.


Lecturers involved in that protest only went back to work after the government pledged to honour a 2009 agreement guaranteeing a series of facility improvements.


 



Teargas fired on protesting teachers, students in Abuja

Amaka Igwe, renowned Nollywood Movie Producer is Dead

Amaka Igwe, one of Nigeria’s foremost film producers, writer, director and a leading player in the motion picture industry, is dead.


This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Lagos by The Nigerian Entertainment (NET).


The statement said that Amaka died on Monday night in Enugu after a brief ill health.


Confirming the death to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, Mr Agility Onwurah, Chairman, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Abuja Chapter, said Amaka’s demise was a big blow to the Nollywood industry.


“Amaka had gone to Enugu in company of her husband for a pre-production preparation for a new Igbo soap when the sad incident occurred.


“She suffered asthmatic attack and was immediately rushed to a hospital, but died before getting there.


“Amaka is survived by her husband of 21 years, Charles Igwe, three children, and an aged mother, “the statement said.


Born Amaka Isaac-Ene, the deceased was an accomplished writer, producer, director, entrepreneur and teacher.


She founded the BoB TV Expo, and was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Top Radio 90.9 FM, Amaka Igwe Studios, and the newly-launched Q Entertainment Networks.


The statement described Amaka as a visionary, and pioneer of modern Nigerian TV drama and film.


Amaka hit national limelight as the writer and producer of the award-winning TV soap, “Checkmate’’, and “Fuji House of Commotion’’.


“Her Nollywood projects include `RattleSnake’ and `Violated’, two critically-acclaimed movies that set apart Amaka Igwe Studios in the much-criticised Nollywood industry.


Onwurah described Amaka as one of the foremost producers in the industry and an encouragement to the entertainment industry in the country.


He said her contribution to AGN would be missed, stating that she did her best to ensure that the Guild was a force to reckon with in the entertainment industry in the world. (NAN)


 



Amaka Igwe, renowned Nollywood Movie Producer is Dead

Breaking: President Jonathan fires Ahmed Gulak

By Ehi Ekhator


The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has fired his Special Adviser, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak with immediate effect.


The President thanked him for his services to the administration and wishes him success in his future eneavors


His replacement will be announce in due time


Details later………………..



Breaking: President Jonathan fires Ahmed Gulak

N10bn jet scam: Court order House of Reps to stop Alision-Madueke Investigation

By Ehi Ekhator


The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Deziani Alison-Madueke has through the court, issued a restraining order, stopping House of Assembly from investigating an alleged N10 billion jet charter services scam.


Minister of Petroleum, Alison-Madueke and NNPC GMD, Andrew Yakubu Minister of Petroleum, Alison-Madueke and NNPC GMD, Andrew Yakubu


House of Representatives spokesperson, Zakari Mohammed, and the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Adeola Olamilekan yesterday, said the House was still studying the order from the court while briefing journalists.


Olamilekan said, “we are still studying the order to know the next line of action to take on the issue”.


“Nigerians should also know that one of the primary responsibilities of lawmakers is to fight corruption and we are not deterred about this”.“Today the office of the Speaker was sent an order restraining us from continuing with the probe slated for today, Monday”.


The House also revealed that apart from the court order, the members of the committee on public accounts saddled to investigate Alision-Madueke were under attack to stop the probe.


Responding to whether the members of his committee were under threat, he said,”there was no time we were under any pressure to do anything”.


It was previously published by a section of the media two weeks ago that petroleum ministry were threatening members of the committee to back down.


Yesterday’s volte face by both Zakari and Olamilekan therefore rubbished the reports which sources said was sponsored by the Committee in the first place.


“We had a resolution of the House and referred this matter to the Public Accounts Committee. At no point or time has the leadership of the House expressed fears that they were under any pressure.


” This is not the first time we are going into this kind of process. It is usual when you are dealing with the high and mighty for people to presume that you will hit a brick wall, but we are very, very consistent.

“The only way you can stop us is through a process like the court case that we have expressed to you which we consider as a temporary setback. We will seek legal opinion and the House will be advised appropriately.


” This setback is painful though but we have to obey the laws of the land. There is nobody that is under pressure, all that was written was based on speculation, mind you, you were doing your job. For the court order, we do not know what will happen we are watching” Zakari said.


The Chairman of the Public Account Committee (PAC) said “I have not been under any pressure. I am as okay and ready to go and really prepared to deal with this”


Zakari who expressed frustration at the way things are going, said; “The paper we received is to tell us that they have proceeded to court, that the matter we want to investigate on; we have gone to court. If we decide to continue on the matter after the court paper, it becomes subjudice and contempt of court.


” It is programmed, it could have come last week but it came same day, today, Monday, when they were supposed to appear before the committee investigating the matter. This parliament is a creation of law and we cannot be seen to be flouting the law”


It could be recalled that PAC had directed the minister to appear before it yesterday, April 28 before the court papers, before the court order halt it yesterday.




N10bn jet scam: Court order House of Reps to stop Alision-Madueke Investigation

Why i didn"t tell police of Obiano forged voter"s card to the police - Ngige

By Ehi Ekhator


Last year All Progressives Congress, APC governorship candidate in Anambra State, Senator Chris Ne told the governorship tribunal in Awka that he decided not to report his political opponent, Governor Willie Obiano’s multiple voter’s registration to the police as his party was already aware and handling the issue.


“I did not go to the police because my party has gone to court asking for an order or mandamus against Obiano”, he said.


ngige and obiano over Anambrea Election


He disclosed this while testifying under cross examination by counsel to  Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Chief Adegboyega AWomolo, SAN, at the tribunal.


He added that he did not know that Obiano forged the voter’s card he used and added that such responsibility belongs to INEC.


However, he agreed knowing that voter registration enables somebody who registered in Lagos, for example, to transfer his voting right to another state.


The APC candidate returned to the witness box to continue his evidence after the Court of Appeal in Enugu restored some paragraphs in his petition challenging the declaration of Willie Obiano as the winner of last year’s election.


He tendered an extract of the INEC voter register for Lagos State where Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano’s name was written as having voted in Governorship and Presidential elections of April 2011.


The card was certified by Lagos State INC, on 23 April, 2014.


Counsel for INEC had asked Ngige if there is any thing from INEC to confirm that the card tendered as exhibit 424 is the current state of the register.


He responded that  ‘whatever is in this register as at  24th April, 201r when it was certified is the situation of the register now, since ! Agos State has not done any review of thier register since 2011′


Ngige also tendered  the certified true copy of Obiano’ Form EC 4B  , an INEC form that captures the particulars of nomination  of a candidate as submitted by the respondents party, APGA. The document was admitted in evidence and marked Exhibit P.415.


Also admitted  was Obiano’s  INEC Form CF 001, candidates’ personal information data form submitted on oath for the election.


The tribunal however rejected the application  by Ngige’s counsel, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu  to tender  66 files  containing  extracts of alleged missing pages in the election on the ground that they were not certified true copies.


 



Why i didn"t tell police of Obiano forged voter"s card to the police - Ngige

National Conference: Alamieyeseigha attacks Obasanjo, calls him chief oil thief


Alamieyeseigha: “I went to President (Olusegun) Obasanjo. I even accused him that he is the chief bunkerer, that he should not call me again. I also accused him that those that are involved are also sitting in this arena and if he pushed me beyond that I am going to mention names. It became so hot that I was persuaded to follow him to his office. He held my hand and we entered. So there is actually enough intelligence that is open to the presidency. He himself, President Obasanjo, started mentioning names. I said ‘oh, you are the chief bunkerer, I confirm, you know them, don’t call me again.”



By Ehi Ekhator


A former governor of Bayelsa State, also an ex-convict, Chief Diepreye Solomon Alamieyeseigha has lambasted a former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, accusing him of being a chief bunkerer, saying that he knew the oil thieves in Nigeria during his administration,  but protected them.


Alamieyeseigha also lambasted the expatriates in the oil sector over their deep involvement in the illegal activities, saying that they collaborate with militants to kidnap themselves, expect their country to slam Nigeria, and their company (NNPC) woul run to make huge payment for their release, then later share the money with their abductors.


He added that the so called Niger militants are mere escort, and do not have the connection to sell oil out of the country.


He attacked the Nigeria ambassadors in different countries who he said also know of the countries buying Nigeria oil illegally without doing anything.


He cited a period when he arrested some oil thieves in Bayelsa during his time as governor, but to his greatest surprise, they were release following what he referred to as high level of conspiracy.


 The former governor and a delegate from Bayelsa State disclosed this on Monday to members of the Committee when the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC officials appeared before the Senator Adamu Aliero led Community on Public Finance and Revenue


Alamieyeseigha-Obasanjo


He said, “I had one experience. Tankers were loaded in Bayelsa. I got the information and laid ambush for them and arrested them. About 14 big tankers and they were handed over to the police. They were charged to court and the judge ordered that the product should be tested if they were crude oil. NNPC was invited, they came took the sample and after a week the result came out as agro chemical and before I know it all of them were released.


“I went to President (Olusegun) Obasanjo. I even accused him that he is the chief bunkerer, that he should not call me again. I also accused him that those that are involved are also sitting in this arena and if he pushed me beyond that I am going to mention names. It became so hot that I was persuaded to follow him to his office. He held my hand and we entered. So there is actually enough intelligence that is open to the presidency. He himself, President Obasanjo, started mentioning names. I said ‘oh, you are the chief bunkerer, I confirm, you know them, don’t call me again.


“In fact expatriates are more involved in the crime than Nigerians. In fact some of them even offer themselves to be arrested so that when there is compensation they have a share of it. They are also involved in kidnapping. They allow themselves to be kidnapped. Oil companies are invited, their home countries will shout that their men are kidnapped; management of oil companies will now make efforts and pay ransom. When the ransom is paid they are released and that money is shared among them. So, it is a high level conspiracy that is going on.”


He also indicted some retire naval officers who he said were involve in the oil theft. He stressed that the local boys who are regularly arrested by the police are mere escorts.


He sai  “The so-called militants we celebrate that tap oil are only employed as escorts. If there is no buyer we will not find a seller. The post retirement job of a senior naval officer is bunkering. None of those boys you see in the Niger Delta have the necessary connections to bring ships to our economic zone to lift. Those that are making the connections are also part of us.


“In fact almost 50 percent of what we produce in this country is being siphoned outside to augment the international market. And where is the oil going? It is going to those countries and they know the type of oil that is coming out from Nigeria. It is different from others. The sulphur content here is very low and they know this but everybody is gaining from it.


“Let the federal government send warning letter to all the embassies that are in this country and give them three months. After three months if we see any ship that is not authorized in our economic zone, especially in the Niger Delta, it will be destroyed. Involve the Navy, buy few assault helicopters, buy missiles and after the three months any ship you see inside there by the time you destroy one, two ship no country will allow their ship to ship to enter and so there will be no buyer.” he said


 



National Conference: Alamieyeseigha attacks Obasanjo, calls him chief oil thief

Lai Mohammed hails Jonathan for suspending Adamawa rally

The All Progressives Congress, APC has commended the suspension of the rally scheduled to be held in Adamawa State today (Tuesday) by the People Democratic Party, PDP due to the current mood of the country, including the abduction of the 234 school girls in Chibok, Borno State.


Lai Mohammed Lai Mohammed, APC


This was contained in a statement signed by the Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed in Lagos, yesterday. He said that the suspension was a right decision considering the present circumstances.


He added that for President Jonathan to suspend the rally shows that he has started listening to the voices of his compatriots on important issues in the country.


He said “As we said in a statement we issued on April 24, it smacks of insensitivity, inhumanity and indecency for our President and other leaders to be engaged in any celebratory venture when we do not yet know the fate of the school girls who were abducted from their school and taken to an unknown destination.


‘’We also said the President should not repeat the same mistake he made by flying to Kano to dance at a political rally even as the smoke was yet to clear from the scene of the Nyanya bus park bombing. We are delighted that good sense has prevailed this time,’’ APC said.


 



Lai Mohammed hails Jonathan for suspending Adamawa rally

Abducted girls in Chibok: FG has disappointed us - Parents cry out

Chibok – The community where the 234 girls were abducted from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, and their parents are still living in shock over the sudden disappearance of their children.


The Parents and the elders in the community have yesterday expressed disappointment over Federal Government “promise and fail” attitude, saying that the government has failed for not able to rescue their kids from Sambisa forest two weeks after their abduction.


According to the leader of the Chibok Elders Forum (CHEF) Dr. Pogu Bitrus, 43 girls managed to escap from their kidnappers and more than 100 girls are still missing in the forest.


“We are not aware of any serious effort by the Federal Government to secure the release of the girls. We heard that the military moved troops to the forests some days ago but we don’t know what they are doing. All we know is that 234 of our daughters are in captivity. The Federal Government is supposed to provide security and welfare of its citizens but it has failed us in that respect since it has failed to rescue our children,” Bitrus said.


“We started having hope when the President hosted the expanded Security Council meeting where they said they were all committed to seeing that the girls were released but up till today (yesterday) nothing has happened. We are still waiting and we have surrendered everything to God but the government should know that it has the primary responsibility to its citizens to secure the release of the girls and return them to their parents.”


He added: “Government has not provided succour to the parents. It is very disappointing when I read in the papers that America is trying to assist. What is wrong with Nigeria? We have a lot of unanswered questions and as parents we are still waiting for what government will do for its citizens. It is getting to two weeks now when these poor girls were kidnapped from their school.


 



Abducted girls in Chibok: FG has disappointed us - Parents cry out

Boko Haram came up because of 2015 - Okonjo-Iweala

By Ehi Ekhator


The Federal Government has said yesterday that Boko Haram insurgents came up as a result of the coming Presidential election in 2015 as people are fighting for power using different necessary means.


This was made known by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in an interview conducted by Reuters in Abuja as she was on her way to the airport en route New York.


Tax, Federal Government, Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria economy Tax, Federal Government, Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria economy


She said “There is no war… there is an insurgency. We are not in a Colombia situation,” she added, rejecting comparisons with Colombia which has, for decades, battled a major left-wing insurgency that often affected large swathes of its national territory.


Talking about democracy in Nigeria, she said: “We tend to notice that when the electoral cycle comes in, all these things heat up. What we are going through now is democracy in raw form, because people are fighting for power and they will use anything to get there … and to win the election,” .


She stressed that Boko Haram in their bid to carve out Islamic state has destroyed schools, churches, government offices and security posts in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno, but in all, their fight only affect around 5% of the country’s territory.


She didn’t forget to mention that the insurgents can expand to other terrories as they strike last month in Abuja, Nyanya Motor Park which took the lives of about 75 innocent Nigerians.


The Minister of Finance assured that the Federal Government are working round the clock to bring the insurgency to an end.


She highlighted some of the strategies put in place by the government to tackle the menace, which she listed as:


  • Recruitment of more people into the Armed Forces

  • Increased spending to tackle the sect’s threat and;

  • A Marshall plan for the northeast aimed at lifting the area out of poverty and underdevelopment.

She disclosed further that the sect was receiving support from Cameroon, Niger and Chad, adding that there were plans put in place to stop its sponsors from other militant Islamic groups in the Sahel.


She said : “We need to look at the source of this financing,” she said, stressing that President Goodluck Jonathan was working to obtain regional cooperation to remove Boko Haram’s support from Jihadi groups in the Sahel.”


She said that though Boko Haram had a negative impact on percentage point off Nigeria’s GDP in 2013, she assured that it could still be contained.


“We think we can absorb it, but of course, if like last year, it continues, then we have to make an estimate of the impact,” Okonjo-Iweala said.


She said that Nigeria had in the past stopped stopped insurgencies like Niger Delta militants, adding that Boko Haram can not in anyways be compare to Biafran War that divided the country from 1967-1970.


Responding to questions on abducted girls which has caused uproar among Nigerians, the minister said:  “We recognize that this is an inclusion problem … the fact that the human development indicators in that part of the country are among the lowest,” and hoped that politicians would heed President Goodluck Jonathan’s appeal for unity.


“Everybody has now come together and said this is ridiculous, crazy, unacceptable, for our children to go to school and be sleeping in their beds at night and for some people to come and abduct them,” Okonjo-Iweala said, referring to the schoolgirls’ abduction in which hundreds are still missing. Nigeria as a nation will overcome this,” she added, even as she stressed that the government was working to obtain backing from donors for the programme.


She stressed that despite the set back by the insurgents, the rebashing of the GDP last month, making the country the largest economy ahead of South Africa, more investors are looking closely at Nigeria.


She added “Nobody who is making an investment has so far said they will not make one, that we know of,” .


 



Boko Haram came up because of 2015 - Okonjo-Iweala

Monday, April 28, 2014

Step on toes to save Nigeria - Yoruba Unity Forum tell Jonathan

Angered by the atrocities being committed by the Boko Haram insurgents in parts of the North, the Yoruba Unity Forum, YUF, has made a strong case for President Goodluck Jonathan to step on powerful toes in a bid to defeat the terrorists and save Nigeria from the brink.


Jonathan Might fire more ministersThe Treasurer of the YUF, Hon. Salvador Adegoke Moshood, who made the call in an exclusive interview in Abuja on Sunday, said that it was imperative for the government of President Jonathan to be firm in dealing with the insurgents.


According to Moshood, the government cannot win the war against the terrorists by taking a simplistic approach towards the malevolent elements and hoping that they would change for the better.


The politician, who is also a delegate to the ongoing National Conference on the platform of Socio-political and Ethnic Nationalities from Lagos State, said that Jonathan must keep political interest aside and tackle the insurgents for the overall interest of the nation.


According to him, Jonathan would win even more votes in the north and the other parts of the country by taking a drastic and firm action to bring an end to the menace being posed to the nation by the Boko Haram terrorists.


The former lawmaker asked President Jonathan not to defer the stern action he should take today to send a strong message to the terrorists in the hope of winning the votes of the people of the troubled states.


He maintained that rather than banking on the affected states for his 2015 electoral victory, he should consolidate on the support he had been enjoying from the North Central Zone and explore the possibility of winning more from some Christian communities in the north.


Moshood said: “Mr. President should not shy away from taking tough decisions against those who are making the country almost ungovernable.


“Mr. President is trying to avoid hurting people, who are causing real problems for the country. He is taking things too simple and stepping on toes.


“As long as they are disturbing the peace and unity of this country, no effort should be spared in dealing with the perpetrators and their collaborators.


“My honest advice to him is that he should not keep quiet over Boko Haram sponsors because this thing is having a negative influence on the military and the nation,” Moshood said.


Turning to the National Conference, Moshood maintained that the Yoruba were fully in support of regionalism and a stronger federating system that would make the units cater more for the welfare and interests of their people.


 



Step on toes to save Nigeria - Yoruba Unity Forum tell Jonathan