One killed in PDP, ACN clash in Ekiti

Ado Ekiti — One person has died while many others sustained serious injuries in  Erijiyan Ekiti  in Ekiti West Local Government Area of Ekiti State during a fight between members of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

It was gathered that during the fight,  a man identified as a PDP member  in the community, Mr. Ayodele Jeje, was killed by  suspected ACN thugs.

Vanguard  also gathered that  the mother of another member of the party in the community, Mr. Segun Adewumi, as well as Adewumi’s younger brother, were also shot, and are now receiving treatment at undisclosed hospital in the state capital.

Reacting to the incident, Chairman of ACN in the state, Chief Jide Awe, who also hails from the town, said ACN had nothing to do with the incident, suggesting that it was a case of groups in the state chapter of PDP attacking each other.

Meantime, in a statement by its state chairman, Mr. Makanjuola Ogundipe, PDP said that Jeje, Adewumi and others were attacked while finalising arrangement “for a programme where Mr. Segun Adewumi wants to lead over 1,000 members of ACN to PDP.”

Ogundipe in the statement by Mr Femi Omolusi, said “many were injured and cars damaged.”

Sources, meanwhile, said a PDP leader in the state, Senator Clement Awoyelu, was not spared, as his cars were vandalised during the attack.

The Ekiti PDP chairman called on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, to intervene and also urged the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sotonye Wakama, to bring the perpetrators to book.

ACN denies attack

But ACN denied that its members attacked PDP members, saying it was rather a clash between members of two factions in PDP in the area.

Chief Awe said his party had nothing to do with the clash, claiming that the build up to the crisis had started since Thursday, when some PDP members, who belonged to a former governor’s group clashed with members of another group of the party over a planned rally by the former in the community.

Awe said the community had been tensed since Thursday following the arrival of Chief Bolu Adewumi, who he said was the financier of the group and his younger brother, Mr Segun Adewumi, who also coordinates the affair of the group.

The ACN chairman, who denied that Segun Adewumi was a former member of his party, however, confirmed that Adewumi had once indicated interest to contest for the state House of Assembly election on the platform of ACN in the 2011 general elections, claiming that “he was not allowed to contest based on the fact that he was still a serving civil servant in Lagos State and he had not been working with the ACN in the town.”

State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Victor Babayemi, could not be reached for comment.

 

One killed in PDP, ACN clash in Ekiti

South Africa, FIFA on a collision course

South African sports minister Fikile Mbalula is on a collision course with world football governing body FIFA over how to handle a pre-2010 World Cup match-fixing scandal.

Mbalula wants an independent inquiry headed by a retired judge to delve into a FIFA report that claims four warm-up games involving Bafana Bafana (The Boys) were fixed by corrupt Kenyan, Nigerien and Togolese referees.

But the Zurich-based body feels this amounts to government interference — something it bitterly opposes — and believes the South African Football Association (SAFA) must investigate itself.

“SAFA approached us saying it wanted a judicial commission of inquiry. Now some mischievous people wrote to FIFA saying we are interfering. SAFA cannot be player and referee,” insisted Mbalula ahead of a visit to Zurich this week.

National football association president Kirsten Nematandani said: “The decision of the national executive committee is that we want an independent commission of inquiry.”

Nematandani was among five SAFA officials temporarily suspended after a FIFA report said convicted Singaporean match-fixer Wilson Perumal arranged friendlies against Thailand, Bulgaria, Guatemala and Colombia and chose the referees.

South Africa won three of the games and drew the other, and those against Guatemala and Colombia were marred by a series of dubious penalties awarded to the home team.

 

South Africa, FIFA on a collision course

Watch your utterances, CAN tells Muslim leaders in Delta

ASABA — CHRISTIAN Association of Nigeria, CAN, Delta State Chapter, has called on leaders of the Muslim community in the state to watch their utterances in order not to jeopardise the peaceful co-existence between Christians and Muslims which could lead to a breach of the peace.

Reacting to recent media reports by Muslim council in the state calling for equal treatment, CAN urged the Muslim leaders to appreciate the good things Delta State Government has been doing for Muslims in the state.

A statement by Delta State Secretary of CAN, Reverend Oke Akokotu, said: “Instead of asking the state government to accord equal treatment to Christians and their Muslim counterparts in the state, the Muslim community should appreciate all the good things successive governments in Delta state had done for the Muslim community in the state.”

Akokotu described as baseless, the allegations by the Delta State Muslim Council that Muslims in the state were  marginalised.

He asked Delta State Government to disregard the reports and agitations by the Muslim body, arguing that the agitation was capable of jeopardizing the existing peaceful co-existence between the two religious bodies in the state as well as the peace and security agenda of the state government.

jQuery(‘.nrelate_default’).removeClass(‘nrelate_default’);

Watch your utterances, CAN tells Muslim leaders in Delta

Ondo guber: Oke commends Appeal Court over judgment

PDP governorship candidate in the October 20 2012 election in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke has hailed the judgment of the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure which quashed the ruling of the Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. Describing it as another signal that the Nigerian Judiciary had men of impeccable character who were determined to ensure that justice was done at all times, Oke in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity said the Justices of the Court of Appeal had shown that the Judiciary was capable of regulating itself thereby saving the common man from arbitrary justice.

The PDP former national Legal Adviser had earlier approached the Appeal Court to challenge the February ruling of the Tribunal which struck out the name of PDP as part of his petition on account of its name being signed for by Mr. Chris Omotuyi, the state Director of Organisation of the party whom the tribunal ruled was incompetent and defective. The tribunal panel led by Chairman, Justice Andoverr Kaka also refused additional facts sought to be presented by Oke to prove the illegal injection of names into INEC voters register. It also struck out some paragraphs in Oke’s petition on account that they were not pleaded and were incompetent. But in a unanimous decision, the five justices of the Appeal panel restored PDP as a petitioner in the case.

It also restored some paragraphs of Oke’ s petition earlier struck out by the lower tribunal. According to the judgment read by Justice Habu Gumel, the court also dismissed the preliminary objections by the Labour Party’s candidate, Olusegun Mimiko on the grounds that it was incurably incompetent and an abuse of court process. Adebayo said the judgment was a further proof that the victory of Mimiko was infested with viruses of imperfections and could not stand the test of judicial scrutiny. Adebayo commended the Justices of Appeal Court for their boldness, fairness and courage to reverse the ruling of the lower tribunal.

“Their lordships at the Appeal Court have vindicated our stance that the ruling and opinion of the Learned Justices of the Tribunal was pervesed and jaundiced. We had said it that issues before the judiciary that will help society to choose its desired leadership are too sensitive to be handled with levity.” Adebayo said the judgment of the Appeal Court, which the PDP claims to dedicates to the anxious people of Ondo State, was a challenge to the Tribunal panel to stand above sentiment and know that public interest was keenly invested in its activities and pronouncements.

Ondo guber: Oke commends Appeal Court over judgment

Fulani herdsmen kill two, injure four in Osun

From BAMIGBOLA GBOLAGUNTE, Osogbo

Suspected Fulani herdsmen working in Osu, headquarters of Atakumosa West Local Government Area of Osun State have reportedly killed two persons and injured four others in the town during a clash between them and some natives.

The herdsmen, now at large were said to have slaughtered an old man and beaten one other person to death while others were injured. Trouble started in the town when some herdsmen allegedly robbed along Ile-Ife/Ilesa road in Osu last Thursday, carting away valuables. It was learnt that the search among the herdsmen led to a fracas between some Fulanis and the residents which later resulted in the killing of the natives.

Daily Sun reliably gathered that the herdsmen in the town later attacked some residents and thereby killing two persons. The deceased and the injured victims, according to competent sources, were taken to Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Ile-Ife where they were still receiving treatment. It was learnt that the corpses of the deceased had been deposited at the morgue of the hospital.

Police Public Relations Officer in Osun State, Mrs Folashade Odoro could not be reached to confirm the incident, but an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the area who preferred anonymity, told Daily Sun that arrest had been made by the security agencies in the town and that efforts were on to arrest the herdsmen involved in the killing.

 

The Sun Via Naija Center News

Fulani herdsmen kill two, injure four in Osun

Mass failure in NECO exams

As usual, the National Examination Council (NECO) has recorded another poor outing of candidates in its November/December 2012 Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE). Giving details of the results in Minna recently, the Registrar and Chief Executive of the Council, Professor Promise Obioma, said that 71.92 percent of candidates who registered for Further (Additional) Mathematics in the examination failed the subject. Similarly, the NECO boss said that 94.13 percent of candidates failed Physics while 21,274 cases of malpractice were recorded across the country during the examinations.

A breakdown of the results shows that out of 2,310 that sat for Further Mathematics in the examination, 352 or 15.23 percent had credit while 208 or nine percent got pass. Even at that, the NECO boss said that the results showed remarkable improvement from what obtained in the last three years. For English Language, out of the 75,632 candidates that sat for the examination, 25,620 or 33.89 percent had credit while 15,268 or 20.18 percent had ordinary pass. Not less than 32,425 candidates or 42.87 percent failed the subject. In the case of Ordinary Mathematics, out of the 75,245 candidates that sat for the examination, 41,228 or 54.79 percent obtained credit while 8,034 or 10.67 percent had pass.

A total of 23,962 or 31.84 percent failed. Out of 35,194 candidates that sat for Chemistry, 10,620 or 30.17 percent had credit; 4,501 or 12.178 percent got ordinary pass, while 18,974 or 53.91 percent failed. Of the 35,057 candidates that sat for Physics, 94 or 0.26 percent had credit; 874 or 2.49 percent got pass while 33,000 failed. We bemoan the continuing slide in performance of candidates in SSSCE. This deteriorating standard in education, especially at the secondary school level, is worrisome and deserves some urgent remedial action by all stakeholders in the nation’s education system. It is regrettable that the standard of education in the country has fallen to abysmal level. We have not had it so bad before.

The standard has gone so low that some Nigerians now send their wards to Ghana and other neighboring West African countries for secondary and university education. That is a measure of loss of confidence by the people in the nation’s education system. There is no doubt that the standard of everything in Nigeria is far below expectation. Most government schools in Nigeria, especially primary and secondary schools, are in their worst state.

They have dilapidated infrastructure and obsolete equipment. School furniture is nothing to write home about. The declining standard of education is a major causative factor for the mass failure being recorded continually in the core subjects in SSSCE. Government at all levels should share the blame for the sorry state of education in the country. All of them pay lip service to the beleaguered sector. Government has not taken education as a priority.

The ill-equipped and poorly motivated teachers also contribute to the worsening standard of education, generally. Government should declare an emergency in the education sector. It should allocate more resources to education and ensure that they are well utilised. Although the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommends that all member nations allocate 26 percent of their annual budget to education, Nigeria has never for once allotted such to education. Our education budget has not even reached or exceeded 10 percent. The poor funding of the education sector is what the nation has been reaping in students’ poor performance in public examinations over the years.

It has equally led to the production of half-baked university graduates. It is a pity that Nigerian youths have more time for mobile phones and social media like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and others than they have for their studies. Our youths should be made to understand that success comes only through hard work. Government should find ways to reward high-flying teachers and bright students.

While dedicated teachers can be handsomely rewarded, bright students should be given scholarships to study in the best schools in Nigeria and abroad. Government should invest heavily on education because most advanced countries have a history of committing a significant percentage of their annual budget to education.

Mass failure in NECO exams

One dies, others injured as Fulani herdsmen, Hausa clash

By  KINGSLEY OMONOBI FAVOUR NNABUGWU

Fulani Herdsmen clash with Hausa

Abuja — One person was allegedly killed and others seriously injured while a house was razed as Fulani herdsmen and Hausa natives clashed over stolen motorcycle in Kubwa district, Abuja, yesterday.

This led to confusion as residents ran for safety while others locked themselves in.

The fracas, according to Vanguard investigations, was sparked off at 3 a.m,  when the motorcycle belonging to an Hausa man was allegedly stolen by Fulani herdsmen.

The dispute heated up at 10a.m, when the stolen motorcycle was traced to the Fulani herdsman’s abode at Kubwa Extension II, off Arab Road, Abuja.

An eyewitness, who spoke to Vanguard, narrated: “The Fulanis are fond of robbing Okada riders and stealing their motorcycles at Kubwa, especially on this Arab Road.

“They stopped the Okada man very close to the  Glass church on Arab Road, macheted the rider and the passenger and stole his Okada only for it to be discovered that it was the Fulani herdsmen that carried out the robbery.

“In an attempt to protest the Fulani terrorism in the area, Okada riders, who were fed up with the constant attack on their colleagues, traced the Fulanis to where they live and argument occurred in the process.”

The eyewitness further told Vanguard that the Fulanis had guns and other weapons which they fought the Hausas for daring to come to their domain.

He added that the Okada riders had to retreat to equip themselves and returned before the fight started.

Both sides sustained serious injuries, as the person that was badly injured  was said to have been taken to Kubwa GeneralHospital but died before he could be treated.

Investigations revealed that the Fulani herdsmen fled with their cows through the mountain behind their abode when they sighted over 100 Okada riders driving towards them to retaliate their injured and dead colleagues.

Contacted on the incident, FCT Police Commissioner, Mr Femi Ogunbayode, confirmed the clash, saying, however, that the situation was brought under control after a house belonging to the Fulanis was razed.

Personnel of the FCT Police Command, who were drafted to the scene of the clash, confirmed that one person died.

The police consequently deployed men to Kubwa and its environs.

Reported by Vanguard

One dies, others injured as Fulani herdsmen, Hausa clash

Don’t soil your reputation, Bakare tells Kolade

By CHARLES KUMOLU

CONVENER of Save Nigeria Group,SNG, and General Overseer of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has called on the Chairman of Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, implementation monitoring team, Chief Christopher Kolade to resign so that he can prevent his reputation from being soiled by the current allegations of non- performance by the board.

He also regretted the delayed trial of those alleged to have stolen fuel subsidy funds, arguing  that it was an indication that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had overbearing influence over other arms of government.

Briefing newsmen yesterday in Lagos, Bakare said the SNG would soon take a stand on the pardon granted to former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Deiprieye Alamieyeseigha.

According to him: ‘’If people are saying that the PDP is sharing the subsidy reinvestment fund, I would not be surprised. If PDP does not share the money, who will? Do you think the PDP has good intentions? I felt pity for Dr. Christopher Kolade when he was appointed to head that committee.

He is a man with good reputation but appointing him at 80 to head that committee, was a way of soiling his good reputation. With the kind of allegations coming up on how the funds are being managed, the best thing for him to do is to resign. I hope he withdraws or resigns before he is messed up, because you cannot expect anything good from the PDP.’’

‘’The reason why you cannot see good judgment on the prosecution of those, who allegedly stole fuel subsidy funds is because there is connivance between all arms of government to subjugate the country. The PDP gave the indication when it said it would rule for sixty years. And they have formed a merger with the senate, judiciary and other arms of government to realise that dream.’’

Bakare added that ‘’Alamiesyeigha is not the issue if the looting in Bayelsa State is not addressed. SNG would soon take a stand on the matter. I cannot see any hope in our future except through cleansing, show me any nation that has democracy and development without revolution.’’

jQuery(‘.nrelate_default’).removeClass(‘nrelate_default’);

Don’t soil your reputation, Bakare tells Kolade

Appeal Court declares Obahai sole ruling family of Ogwashi-Uku

By INNOCENT ANABA

The Court of Appeal sitting in Benin, Edo State, has declared the Umu Obi Obahai royal family of Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, as the only family qualified to produce the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku.

The court upheld the decision of a Delta State High Court, Ogwashi-Uku, on the issue.

The current Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Professor Chukuka Okonjo, comes from the Umu Obi Obahai royal lineage of Ogwashi-Uku.

The Appeal Court upheld nine of the 10 reliefs sought by the Umu Obi Obahai royal line, including the issue of which family can produce the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku.

The judgment upheld the position of the Obahai family that succession to the throne of the Obi of Ugwashi-Uku was hereditary by primogeniture and that the last validly installed Obi of Ugwashi-Uku was Obahai.

It also confirms that Dieyi, the forefather of the Dieyi family, which challenged the Obahai’s position was never an Obi but a mere regent, who held the throne in trust because Obahai’s children were minors at the time of his death.

Reacting to the judgment,  spokesperson of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Mr Law Okolobi, said the Obi and the Obi-in-Council, were pleased that the truth in the matter had been confirmed and justice done.

He added that the Obi was convinced that the judgment was a victory for the entire people of Ogwashi-Uku.

It will be recalled that Obi Obahai reigned from 1870 to 1882 and since his demise, the regency had prevailed until 22 years ago, when the descendants of Obahai decided to take back their stool. To achieve this, they felt that the only weapon was not through a ‘palace coup’ but to seek redress in the court of law.

The defendants in the case, on the other hand, contended that the Obiship had changed hands several times and, having been gazetted by the state government, the stool should remain with the Dieyi family.

Following the controversy, the plaintiffs, the Okonjos headed to court.

 

Reported by Vanguard

Appeal Court declares Obahai sole ruling family of Ogwashi-Uku

Boko Haram makes Arsenal scrap visit to Nigeria

Arsene Wenger: scared by Boko Haram

ARSENAL have revealed reasons they scrapped plans to play a friendly match in Nigeria in July.

The Daily Star on Sunday attributed the scrapped plan over the fears of terrorism in Nigeria, where Boko Haram and its brother terror-group, Ansaru have killed over 3,000 people since they declared war against the state in 2009.

Arsene Wenger’s side were set to play the African state’s national team, after cancelling a trip last year.

The Gunners pledged to honour an agreement to play the match this July and even sent star players Tomas Rosicky, Bacary Sagna, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski to Nigeria to help publicise the encounter.

At the time of the previous postponement, Arsenal marketing director Angus Kinnear said: “We are making plans for a visit next summer.”

But with escalating terrorism attacks from Islamist group Boko Haram, the club have decided not to make the journey.

Instead, they will tour Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Reported by dailystar.co.uk

 

Boko Haram makes Arsenal scrap visit to Nigeria

Chinua Achebe: Icon of Creativity

By Ekene Peters

Cheerio to a literary icon, adieu papa.

Hopefully, your demise herald your life time dream

Of accord and not of havoc

In Things Fall Apart, a sermon you preach

Nigeria under siege, unlike Okonkwo, cowardly we watch in awe,

Umunna in crises, the centre is porous, in despair we succumb

Achebe came, he saw, he told a tale of imminent doom

Arrow of God, a forecast of what more to come

Calamity was pronounced but bluffed; we say the gods are blind

Hear the cry of blood in North, for things are No Longer at Ease indeed,

Every cradle cries a cry for A Man of the People,

But is there a man of the people not a caliber Achebe described?

Embezzler, womanizer, sycophants and threats to national heritage

Adieu, our icon of creativity, our literary giant,

Happy you trod on our fatherland,

In her, your footprints an indelible mark to erase

Never, never will your path be shrouded in darkness,

Umbrella of immortality your works attuned,

Adieu, Achebe, to you creativity is bestowed

Source: Vanguard

Chinua Achebe: Icon of Creativity

Mandela’s health improving, says Zuma’s office

Nelson Mandela is showing signs of improvement in response to the treatment he is receiving in hospital for a recurrence of pneumonia, the South African presidency said Sunday.

“Mandela had a restful day and continues to receive treatment,” President Jacob Zuma’s office said in a statement, adding that doctors “have reported a further improvement in his condition”.

The frail 94-year-old, one of the towering figures of modern history, was admitted late Wednesday for his third hospitalisation in four months.

Doctors drained a build-up of fluid, known as a pleural effusion or “water on the lungs”, that had developed from the lung infection.

Mandela: health improving

That procedure helped him “breathe without difficulty,” Zuma’s office said on Saturday.

It was unclear how long South Africa’s first black president would remain hospitalised. Last year he had an 18-day hospital stint in December.

Mandela’s recent health troubles saw an outpouring of prayers as Christians celebrated Easter Sunday, but have also seen South Africans come to terms with the mortality of the revered Nobel Peace Prize winner.

“Yes, we are concerned that he is ailing, and he is getting worse, naturally we should be concerned. I think this is the question in the back of many of our minds, when is the end? Is he going to die?” Father Sebastian Rossouw, an assistant parish priest at the Regina Mundi Catholic Church in Soweto township told worshippers.

“We should rather celebrate what he stood for, and what he continues to stand for, that he has been an icon of peace, an icon of service,” he said at the church, once a pivotal centre in the resistance against apartheid.

At home and abroad, the former president is idolised and revered as the architect of South Africa’s peaceful transition from white minority-ruled police state to hope-filled democracy.

Nearly 20 years after he came to power in 1994, Mandela remains a unifying symbol in a country still riven by racial tensions and deep inequality.

Renowned lawyer and Mandela’s friend Gorge Bizos was confident Mandela would pull through the latest bout of illness.

“I know he has come out of quite serious illnesses before,” Bizos told Eye Witness News.

It is the second time this month that Mandela has been hospitalised, after spending a night for check-ups on March 9.

That followed a nearly three-week hospital stay in December for another lung infection and gallstone surgery, his longest since he walked free from jail in 1990.

He was diagnosed with early-stage tuberculosis in 1988 during his 27-year jail term and has long had problems with his lungs. He has also had treatment for prostate cancer and has suffered stomach ailments.

Pleural effusion is the accumulation of water between the lining covering the lung and that of the chest wall, experts say

Having the fluid tapped was normally a minor procedure, but other cases required the fluid to be chemically broken down if it had formed pockets,” according to Keertan Dheda, professor of respiratory medicine at the University of Cape Town. A minor operation would be carried out if infected.

But with age “the longer pneumonia takes to get better,” and “a bit more complicated the older you get,” said Dheda.

French pulmonologist Jean-Christophe Renaud said Mandela had a good constitution and could recover well.

While Mandela’s legacy continues to loom large, he has long since exited the political stage and for the country’s youthful population he is a figure from another era who served as president for just one term.

He has not appeared in public since July 2010.

Labour unrest, high-profile crimes, grinding poverty and corruption scandals have effectively ended the honeymoon enjoyed after Mandela ushered in the “Rainbow Nation”. But his decades-long struggle against apartheid still resonates.

Meantime Zuma has expressed appreciation for the prayers said for Mandela on during the Easter weekend.

Mandela’s grand daughter Ndileka who attended one of the prayer sessions in Midvaal, a municipality on the outskirts of Johannesburg said the prayers are strengthening.

“I feel fortified and strong,” she said.

The African Union chief, South Africa’s former minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma also wished Mandela “all the best.”

 

Mandela’s health improving, says Zuma’s office

Nigeria 9th most visited country in Africa

With 1.4 million arrivals, according to findmehotels.com, Nigeria is also the leading destination of foreigners in West Africa and is more favoured by usual tourist destinations such as Kenya and Namibia.

According to the available statistics, Kenya is the 10th most visited country in Africa, with 1.39 million visitors. Namibia is the 11th with 980,000 people.

Egypt in North Africa tops the list with 14 million visitors. It is followed by Morocco with 9.29 million. South Africa is third with 8.07 million, while Tunisia is fourth with 6.9 million visitors.

Zimbabwe and Mozamique follow in that order with 2.24million and 2.22 million visitors yearly.

Algeria with 1.91 million visitors and Botswana with 1.55 million come sixth and seventh.

For a list of least visited countries in West Africa and the rest of Africa, check out www.gafors.com

 

Reported by pmnews

Nigeria 9th most visited country in Africa

Jonathan promises to end terrorism in Nigeria

 

Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has reiterated his promise to end the insecurity that is fast taking a toll on the country.

The president declared in his Easter message to citizens of the country that he, in collaboration with security forces in the country, would use every power bestowed on him by the constitution to rid the country of acts of terrorism.

“I assure all Nigerians that our security agencies, armed forces and I will continue to fully discharge our constitutional responsibilities for protecting the unity and territorial integrity of this country with all the powers and forces at our disposal.

“We must have peace, security and stability to effectively implement our agenda for national transformation in all parts of the country and we shall continue to work ceaselessly to re-establish the prerequisite conditions for nationwide progress and development,”. President Jonathan declared.

He said Nigerians no longer need to be told that the country’s potential for greatness in the comity of nations is the result of its strength as a country of close to 170 million people and its diverse human resources and natural endowments.

“It follows, therefore, that to successfully achieve our vision of becoming one of the most dominant nations on the global stage in the shortest possible time, we must stay together as a people and continue to effectively resist by all possible means, the evil machinations of global terrorists and their misguided domestic accomplices who seek to provoke turmoil, hatred and harmful divisions among us.

“For your part, dear countrymen and women, I urge you to continue to exhibit restraint and understanding in the face of seeming provocations.

“Those who mindlessly and indiscriminately attack churches, schools, health workers, motor-parks, banks and ordinary road users must be seen as they truly are: the brainwashed pawns of international terrorism.

“They do not represent any true religion or section of the country and we must never play into their hands by succumbing to their nefarious ploys to incite religious, ethnic hatred and division among us,” the president said.

The president urged the citizens to re-dedicate themselves to living in peace and oneness with all members of their communities no matter their ethnicity,religious beliefs or places of origin.

“It is my hope and prayer that as we celebrate the glorious resurrection of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, his lessons of self-sacrifice, brotherly love, placing others before self, tolerance, obedience, respect for lawful authorities, dutifulness, diligence, honesty, justice and fairness to all will take firmer root in our beloved country and help us to overcome present challenges and build the more peaceful, secure, united, progressive and prosperous nation of our dreams,” he said.

Jonathan promises to end terrorism in Nigeria

Oke lauds S/Court judgment

People Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in the October 20, 2012 election in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke, has hailed the judgment of the Federal Court of Appeal, sitting in Akure, which quashed the ruling of Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

He described it as another signal that Nigerian judiciary has men of impeccable character, who are determined to ensure that justice is done at all times.

Oke, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, said the justices of the Federal Court of Appeal had shown that the judiciary was capable of regulating itself thereby saving the common man from arbitrary justice.

He had earlier approached the Appeal Court to challenge the February ruling of the Tribunal which struck out the name of PDP as a part of his Petition on account of its name being signed for by Mr. Chris Omotuyi, state Director of Organisation of the party, whom the tribunal ruled was incompetent and defective.

Oke lauds S/Court judgment

Boko Haram, evil forces against Nigeria’s destiny – Cleric

BY CALEB AYANSINA

ABUJA — Primate, Church of Nigeria, (Anglican Communion), the Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, Sunday, described the Boko Haram sect as evil forces challenging the destiny of Nigeria.

He, however, assured that by the power of resurrection of Jesus Christ, it shall become  history.

Okoh stated this in his sermon, entitled ‘Alleluia! Christ is Risen’, during  Easter Sunday celebration service, at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Life Camp, Gwarimpa, Abuja.

Okoh likened the killings in the north to  when the Roman Empire was struggling with the new order, which was Christ Jesus.

He added that Jesus since Christ prevailed in the end, Nigeria must prevail over the forces of darkness.

The cleric expressed confidence that the deadly Islamic sect might for a while seem to be succeeding, noting that the mighty hands of God will cut them off soon.

He said:  “The problem had been holding us down that we will not make progress, right from the independence, if you consider the trouble we have gone through, the number of people who died during the civil war.

“Now some groups have decided that, there will be no rest, killed and killed and killed, something is instigating them. There is power that we do not see that is trying to hijack the destiny of Nigeria.

“We may look at them as foreign intervention, we make look at them as people from within, there is evil force that is trying to hijack our destiny. And this was the same in the time of Jesus Christ, the old order was struggling with the new order, Jesus was producing the new order of life by bringing people to God, and this old order (the Jews and the Roman Empire)was pulling it down.

Boko Haram, evil forces against Nigeria’s destiny – Cleric

F/Eagles escape World Cup ‘Group of Death’

By JACOB AJOM, Algeria

Flying Eagles at 2013 AYC: Win Bronze

Flying Eagles will not be in the ‘Group of Death’ at the 2013 U20 World Cup after they were drawn with Portugal and Cuba.

The other team in Nigeria’s first round Group B are KoreaRepublic.

The final draw for the World Cup was staged in Oran, Algeria, Saturday night after the AYC final between Egypt and Ghana.

The Flying Eagles drew goalless with Portugal in a build-up game preparatory to the 2011 World Cup in Colombia.

Nigeria will open their campaign on June 21 against Portugal in Kayseri.

Their other match dates are June 24 against Cuba also in Kayseri and then on July 27 against KoreaRepublic in Istanbul.

The Nigeria U20 lost out to France in the quarterfinals of the 2011 World Cup.

Ghana, beaten AYC finalists by Egypt, will be in the ‘Group of Death’ along with Spain, USA and France.

Fourth-placed Mali are in Group D with Mexico, Greece and Paraguay.

Newly crowned African champions Egypt are in Group E along with England, Chile and Iraq.

The 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup kicks off on June 21 in Turkey to end on July 13.

Defending champions Brazil and one of the most successful teams in this tournament, Argentina, failed to qualify for this edition of the competition.

 

 

F/Eagles escape World Cup ‘Group of Death’

Easter Evening

Stories by CHRISTY ANYANWU

The key to choosing evening dresses is to make sure that you select a design that suits your body shape. “If you turn out in the right gown for body shape you become the cynosure of all eyes,” says June Okungbowa, General Manager of Collectibles, Lagos. Getting the right colour and design is important too, she adds. Do you want a halter neck, V-neck, bustier or spaghetti design?

These are what to note while shopping for evening outfits. As long as you choose the right colour, sometimes you don’t need a designer evening dress to make a fashion statement. Black is the color of authority and power. It’s popular in fashion because it’s stylish and timeless. It also makes people appear slimmer. Blue, the color of the sky and the ocean is one of the most popular colors. Peaceful, tranquil blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals.

However, blue can also be cold and depressing. Purple is the color of royalty and it connotes luxury, wealth, and sophistication. It’s also feminine and romantic. Red is the most emotionally intense color and it stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing. It’s also the color of love.

Easter Evening

CBN reviews bank charges, introduces N200 per leaflet fee for cheques

By MICHAEL EBOH

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has announced a review of bank charges designed to come into effect, April 1, 2013, increasing the amount charged for counter cheques to N200 per leaflet.

In a circular to all banks and discount houses, titled, ‘Revised Guide to Bank Charges,’ signed by Mr. I.T. Nwaoha, Acting Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, CBN, the CBN also announced a total removal of Commission on Turnover, COT, by 2016.

According to Nwaoha, overtime, it was observed that the various charges in the ‘Guide to Bank Charges,’ first issued in 2004, had become out of tune with current realities in the market and some provisions/term in it allowed room for ambiguity and conflict.

He said, “In order to reflect current developments in the market and provide clarity on banking terms, the CBN recently conducted a review of the Guide in consultation with all the banks and discount houses, Bankers’ Committee, financial experts/consultants and also considered inputs received from other stakeholders..”

With the new N200 charge per leaflet for counter cheques, a fifty-leaflet cheque book, which is the minimum issued in Nigeria, will cost N10,000.

In the area of COT, the CBN said it will be negotiable up to a maximum of N3 per mille in 2013; N2 per mille in 2014; N1 per mille in 2015 and COT free from 2016.

The CBN said COT applies to customer-induced debit transactions on current accounts, adding that banks should not charge COT on returned outward clearing cheques, reversal of transactions and all bank induced debits.

 

Vanguard

CBN reviews bank charges, introduces N200 per leaflet fee for cheques

Boeing did not rebuff Aviation Ministry on safety – Oduah

By LAWANI MIKAIRU

Federal Ministry of Aviation has  debunked newspaper report   that Boeing Corporation of the US, a foremost and major aircraft manufacturer in the world, may have rebuffed overtures from the Nigerian government to assist it in carrying out an airworthiness/re-certification of aircraft in the fleet of domestic airlines in the country.

A statement by Mr Joe Obi, Special Assistant, Media, to the Honourable Minister of Aviation said  ‘’ In fact, Boeing, on the invitation of the Honourable Minister of Aviation, not only agreed to partner with the Ministry on safety and other related issues, but has indeed submitted a Proposal to the ministry to conduct an “airworthiness assessment” of all it’s  Nigerian Registered aircraft in the fleet of domestic airlines in the country.

These discussions started since June/July 2012 after the Dana crash and Boeing’s proposal in this regard is currently receiving attention from the ministry of Aviation. Correspondences between Ken Sain , Managing Director of Boeing Professional Services (BPS), Chamson Andjorin, Director for Africa and Middle East (Aviation Safety ) and the Federal Ministry of Aviation bear testimony to this.’’

Mr Obi further clarify  that what the Honourable Minister requested, and which Boeing has acceded to doing whenever their ‘’ proposal is approved is an “airworthiness assessment” of all the Nigerian Registered aircraft manufactured by Boeing, and not “re-certification” ‘’

He also said with regard to the Dana crash  and airworthiness assessment of the MD83s in Dana’s fleet. , Boeing, being a subject of investigation excused themselves from the airworthiness assessment to avoid any conflict of interest charge. ‘’ Boeing however recommended a Third party, ALM to conduct an airworthiness assessment of the MD83s in Dana’s fleet. The assessment by ALM has been conducted and reports submitted to the relevant authorities.’’

’’But following the battery issues with one of Dana’s aircraft recently, the Honourable Minister still requested Boeing to provide some details on the state of the Dana fleet. Again, Boeing reiterated that since they are a party  to the investigation of the crash, they do not want to appear compromised. But the aircraft manufacturer did volunteer to provide a “Technical Opinion” on the report by ALM.’’

’’To finally put a lie to insinuations that Boeing “may have rebuffed FG’s” overtures, we make haste to state that Boeing still plans to conduct the airworthiness assessment of its Nigerian Registered aircraft once it’s proposal, which is currently receiving attention is approved and the modalities for the exercise finalised and agreed by both parties. At no time, therefore did Boeing rebuff the FG’s overtures. In fact, the aircraft manufacturer is desirous of consummating a business relationship with the Nigerian authorities as soon as possible.’’

Boeing did not rebuff Aviation Ministry on safety – Oduah

Why brands tie visibility to sponsorship

By Princewill Ekwujuru

For a brand to reach a predestined target audience and to carve a niche for itself it has to cling to a marketing tool to achieve it’s goal.  Brands support various activities to help develop a particular sector.

Today, brands have become major actors in modern society. They penetrate all spheres of life;  Education, economics, social, cultural,sporting and even religion.

As a result of this pervasiveness brands have come under growing criticism and as major symbols of the  economic and postmodern societies, they are analysed through a number of perspectives: macroeconomics, microeconomics, sociology, psychology, anthropology etc.

In this context however brands have become credible only through the persistence and repetition of their value proposition. No wonder brands like MTN, Coca Cola, Etisalat, Airtel queue behind sponsorship, scholarship awards as Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, to support cultural activities, festivals, music concerts and  football competitions to mention a few to drive their brand visibility because of the inherent benefits behind such.

That is the reason students of University of Lagos, UNILAG, will not forget in a hurry the immense contribution of  Life is Good, LG, to raising the standard of Education in Nigeria, particularly in their school with the award of scholarship to 400 and 500 students of the faculty of  Engineering who performed meritoriously in their academics.

By this gesture,  LG Electronics consumer electronics and mobile communications has kept it’s promise by awarding scholarships to new set of students.

This sponsorship conducted annually is part of the company’s  CSR activities which primary aim is empowering young people as well as developing the educational sector, ensuring that youths who are the future leaders are adequately empowered and given financial support in order to enable them achieve their dreams and aspirations.

At the award ceremony, the Managing Director, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Deog Jun Kim said, “This scholarship is being awarded to 10 students of 400 and 500 levels from the Faculty of Engineering who emerged as best students after a careful selection by both the university authority and LG Electronics based on their Grade Points of 4.0 to 5.0, which made them stand out from their colleagues.”

Why brands tie visibility to sponsorship

FCT 6 area councils share N2.38bn as revenue allocation rises by 13.4%

By LAIDE AKINBOADE

ABUJA —  The six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have recorded an increase of N281,174,986.71, representing 13.4 per cent) in  revenue allocation for the month of February 2013.

A statement signed by the Special Assistant (Media Publicity) to the Minister of State for FCT, Mr. Oluyinka Akintunde in Abuja, said  Abaji, Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali  received revenue allocation of N2,380,208,667.17 from the Federation Account for February, compared to the N2,099,033,680.46 received for January 2013.

Acting Permanent Secretary, FCT, Alhaji Nuhu Ahmed, who disclosed this during the monthly FCT Area Councils Joint Account Allocation Committee meeting, attributed the increment to the improved inflow from Value Added Tax, VAT, and the arrears of January budget augmentation.

Ahmed, who represented the chairperson of the FCT Area Councils Joint Account Allocation Committee and FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, disclosed that N1.041 billion was received for the five per cent VAT in February as against N1.007 billion in the preceding month.

He gave the breakdown of the allocations from the Federation Account as: N731.26 million from Statutory Revenue Allocation, N56.77 million from Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) and N23.10 million being refund by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

Other allocations from the Federation Account were: N250.35 million being arrears of January 2013 Budget Augmentation and N277.09 million being differential between budget and actual.

Of the N2.38 billion revenue allocation, Ahmed stated that the JAAC transferred N894.43 million to the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) for payment of the primary school teachers’ salaries in the area councils; N95.04 million to FCT Area Councils Pension Board (ACPB) being 15 per cent pension fund as statutorily required, and N23.80 million to FCT Area Councils Service Commission being one per cent training fund, also statutorily required

According to him, “The net revenue allocation of N1.366 billion was distributed to the six Area Councils, with Abuja Municipal Area Council receiving the lion’s share of N319.58 million, as against the sum of N242.75 received in January 2013.

The FCT Area Councils Joint Account Allocation Committee also distributed N233.77 million to Gwagwalada Area Council, N218.94 million to Bwari Area Council, N205.91 million to Kuje Area Council, N194.79 million to Kwali Area Council and N193.92 million to Abaji Area Council.

Gwagwalada, Bwari, Kuje, Kwali and Abaji got net revenue allocations of N190.38 million, N198.28 million, N167.92 million, N155.29 million and N157.94 million, respectively”.

On SURE-P funds, Abuja Municipal got highest allocation of N16.77 million, followed by Bwari (N9.28 million), Gwagwalada (N8.50 million), Kwali (N7.79 million), Kuje (N7.45 million) and Abaji (N6.96 million).

The JAAC meeting was attended by Kuje Area Council Chairman, Hon. Danladi Zhin; Bwari Area Council Chairman, Hon. Peter Ushafa; Gwagwalada Area Council Chairman, Hon. Zakari Angulu Dobi; Abuja Municipal Area Council Chairman, Hon. Micah Jiba; Abaji Area Council Chairman, Hon. Yahaya Muhammad, and Kwali Area Council Chairman, Hon. J.K. Shazin.

Others at the meeting were: Director, Admin Finance, Area Council Services Secretariat, Alhaji Yusuf Tsaiyabu; Director, Admin Finance, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Mr. John Obiahu; Director of Satellite Towns Development Agency, Alhaji Tukur Ibrahim Bakori; Auditor General for FCT Area Councils, Dr. Fred Omaka, and officials of the Treasury Department in FCT, among others.

FCT 6 area councils share N2.38bn as revenue allocation rises by 13.4%

Gaiya blasts President Jonathan

By JACOB AJOM, Algeria

Chairman House Committee on Sports, Honourable Godfrey Gaiya has questioned President Goodluck Jonathan’s commitment to the development of sports in the country.

In a no-holds-barred interview with Sports Vanguard at Hotel Charm El Sheikh in Oran, where the African Youth Championship is holding, the federal legislator said he is disappointed at the President’s handling of the affairs of sports despite the recommendations of the Presidential Retreat held last year at the instance of President Jonathan.

To be very straight with you, I must say we, at the National Assembly were very much disappointed because after the retreat and Mr President’s budget speech, we all expected a marked departure from the way sports was being handled.

We thought that having shown the type of commitment he exhibited by calling the retreat, we expected to see some drastic change, but that did not happen,” he said.

He recalled that the retreat clearly identified management and funding as the two main problems inhibiting the development of sports in the country and said,  “we expected changes in both management and funding to give the sports sector a new lease of life but that has not been the case.”

He described sports as a “very critical sector in nation building” and expected the Presidency to have identified the potentials inherent in the sector and accord it the attention it desires.

“How can government allocate only N9 billion to all the sports federations including their activities, salaries, current and recurrent expenditure in a whole year and expect results?” he queried.

He said legislation for both the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation would soon be passed by the National Assembly to the President for his assent.

“I am happy to tell you that we have reached a level I can confidently tell you that in a matter of months the bills will be passed into law and, except Mr President delays them, it will come to pass before the end of this year.”

He said the enabling laws will give the two organizations the required legal status with well-spelt out functions and obligations.

“For instance, why should the ministry not have a permanent secretary? What is the tenure of the DG? There is no way we can get any meaningful results from a chaotic situation as obtained presently. I don’t think sports should be run on an adhoc basis.”

 

Vanugard

Gaiya blasts President Jonathan

Coalition cabinet formed in Central Africa Republic

The Central African Republic’s Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye on Sunday named his new post-coup government mostly made up of rebels and members of the former opposition after being brought back by self-proclaimed president Michel Djotodia, under a decree read on national radio.

The 34-member cabinet includes nine ministers from the rebel Seleka coalition that has been in power for a week, eight from the former opposition and one close to ex-president Francois Bozize.

Tiangaye was brought back by former rebel Michel Djotodia who mounted a coup a week ago and named himself president.

Among Seleka figures in the new cabinet are Petroleum Minister Gontran Djono, Security Minister Nourendine Adam, Mohamed Moussa Dhaffane in water and forestry, and Christophe Gazam Betty in communications.

Strongman Djotodia will take the post of defence minister.

Former democratic opposition member Crepin Mboli Gonda took a ministerial post as well as being named government spokesman.

The outgoing premier, also from the opposition, was brought back Wednesday and promised that all aspects of political life would be represented in his government, as laid down in the Libreville accords signed in January by the rulers, opposition and rebels.

Djotodia vowed Saturday to hand over power at the end of the three-year transition he declared after his coup, and not contest the 2016 elections.

Djotodia spoke at a rally of up to 3,000 supporters in the riverside capital Bangui, as the United States condemned his “illegitimate seizure of power” and called for a rapid return to democracy.

“I ask God Almighty to give myself and my prime minister the strength and intelligence… to manage the Central African Republic well over the coming three years,” said Djotodia.

“We will hand over power to whoever comes to succeed us.”

The latest in a long line of coup leaders, Bangui’s new strongman said the rebels had come to power not through “political ambition but through national duty.”

“I hope to be the last rebel chief president of Central Africa,” Djotodia told the crowd.

Since independence from France in 1960 the Central African Republic has had a slew of coups and strongmen including the eccentric leader Jean-Bedel Bokassa who declared himself emperor in 1976 until his ouster three years later.

Religious tensions have risen in the largely Christian country since Djotodia, a Muslim, became president. Bozize often accused his followers of being fundamentalists.

After days of looting and chaos which followed last Sunday’s bloody coup, rebel soldiers have largely secured the capital with the aid of a regional African force.

 

Coalition cabinet formed in Central Africa Republic

Pope Francis begs Boko Haram to free hostages

Pope Francis in his first Easter Sunday celebration appealed to the Boko Haram militants in Nigeria to free the hostages in their custody. Among the hostages was a French family of seven people, including the family head, Tanguy Moulin-Fournier. They had gone to visit a park in Northern Cameroon last month, when they were abducted and brought to Nigeria by Boko Haram militants.

The Kidnapped French family: Tanguy Moulin-Fournier says they are held in the desert

Pope Francis also prayed for a “political solution” in Syria and for “reconciliation” on the Korean peninsula in his first Easter Sunday message in front of a crowd in St Peter’s Square. The Pope similarly condemned human trafficking as “the most extensive form of slavery in this 21st century”.

The pope delivered his “Urbi et Orbi” blessing to Rome and the world from the same balcony of St Peter’s Basilica where he made his first appearance after his momentous election to the papacy this month.

Speaking in front of some 250,000 people from around the world in the Vatican, Francis prayed for “dear Syria, for its people torn by conflict and for the many refugees who await help and comfort.

“How much blood has been shed! And how much suffering must there still be before a political solution to the crisis will be found?” he said.

“On the Korean peninsula, may disagreements be overcome and a renewed spirit of reconciliation grow,” he said, a day after North Korea declared it was in a “state of war” with South Korea.

Francis also prayed for Nigeria “where great numbers of people, including children, are held hostage by terrorist groups” — an apparent reference to a French family kidnapped in Cameroon and believed held by the Nigerian group Boko Haram.

The pope also toured St Peter’s Square in his open-top “popemobile” — kissing babies and waving to cheering crowds who held up flags from around the world including his native Argentina.

Easter is the holiest day in the Christian calendar and celebrates the belief in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. It is the culmination of weeks of intense prayer for Christians.

At an Easter Vigil in St Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, the first pontiff from outside Europe in nearly 1,300 years of Church history reached out to non-believers and lapsed Catholics, urging them to “step forward” to God.

“He will receive you with open arms,” said the 76-year-old, formerly Buenos Aires archbishop Jorge Bergoglio.

The Catholic Church is struggling in the face of rising secularism, particularly in Europe where attendances at Mass are falling sharply.

On Sunday, Francis prayed God’s message would reach “every house and every family, especially where the suffering is greatest, in hospitals, in prisons.”

“How many deserts, even today, do human beings need to cross! Above all, the desert within, when we have no love for God or neighbour,” he said.

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem on Sunday invited the pope and the world’s Christians to visit the Holy City, which he called the birthplace of “everything Christian.”

“Our new evangelisation, in order to be up-to-date and effective, must start out again from Jerusalem, start out from the first Christian community,” Fuad Twal, the senior Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, said in his Easter homily.

In his first Easter sermon as Archbishop of Canterbury, who leads the world’s 80 million Anglicans, Justin Welby warned against “pinning hopes on individuals” to solve all of society’s problems.

A “hero leader culture” in which all trust was placed in one person only led to false hope, he told worshippers at Canterbury Cathedral.

 

Pope Francis begs Boko Haram to free hostages

14 terror suspects killed in Easter day raid

Nigerian Soldiers raided a suspected hideout for Islamist extremist group Boko Haram in northern Nigeria’s largest city of Kano on Sunday, sparking a clash that left 15 people dead, the military said.

The military claimed that those killed included 14 suspected Islamists and one soldier, while alleging the extremists were planning an Easter day attack in the city.

Residents reported hearing gunfire and explosions early on Sunday as soldiers battled the Islamists.

“In the raid, 14 terrorists were killed and their commander was arrested,” Army Brigadier-General Ilyasu Abba told reporters.

“We lost one soldier in the encounter and one other was badly injured.”

There was however no independent confirmation of those details. Casualty information from Nigeria’s military has often been unreliable, with the army under pressure to show progress in the fight against Boko Haram.

The military claimed to have recovered weapons, including a car loaded with explosives which Abba said was “primed for attack against Easter in Kano.”

The hideout, which comprised two attached flats, was destroyed by a bulldozer on the orders of Abba, as with previous hideouts.

Nigeria has in the past seen major attacks on Christian holidays blamed on Boko Haram.

A bombing in the northern city of Kaduna on Easter last year killed 41 people.

Violence linked to Boko Haram’s insurgency has left some 3,000 people dead since 2009, including killings by the security forces.

The group’s deadliest attack yet occurred in Kano in January 2012, when coordinated bombings and shootings killed at least 185 people.

 

Source: pmnews

14 terror suspects killed in Easter day raid

Easter: Pope Francis denounces greed

BY SAM EYOBOKA OLAYINKA LATONA, WITH AGENCY REPORT

WHILE celebrating his first Easter Sunday mass at the St. Peter Basilica in Rome, Pope Francis Sunday gave an unexpected twist to the annual pontifical appeal for peace as he used the occasion to denounce “greed looking for easy gain”.

In his Urbi et Orbi address, which translates as “to the city (of Rome) and to the world”, the Pope, who has sought to make himself the tribune of the poor, disabled and disadvantaged; appeared to put uncaring capitalism in the same category as the armed conflicts his predecessors have traditionally, and forlornly, deplored on Easter Sunday.

Since being elected Pope on March 13, Francis has repeatedly stressed concern for the poor and others on the margins of society, and he returned to what is clearly emerging as the central theme of his papacy on Sunday.

He said he wanted his Easter message of hope and resurrection “to go out to every house and every family, especially where the suffering is greatest, in hospitals (and) in prisons.”

Pope Francis prays during his inauguration mass at St Peter’s square on March 19, 2013 at the Vatican. World leaders flew in for Pope Francis’s inauguration mass in St Peter’s Square on Tuesday as he receives the formal symbols of papal power. AFP PHOTO

Last week, the pope visited a youth detention centre in Rome where he washed the feet of 12 inmates as part of the traditional rite representing Jesus’ final act of humility to his disciples.

Francis’s denunciation of greed came after he had made a tour of the crowd in St. Peter’s Square in which he kissed several babies and children, held a severely disabled young man in his arms and accepted the gift of a football shirt of his favorite team, Argentina’s Saints of San Lorenzo.

His longest stop was reserved for a disabled child who was lifted up into the popemobile and whom he hugged and kissed repeatedly.

According to the Vatican’s estimate, some 250,000 people crammed into the square and the broad avenue that stretches away from the Vatican to the river Tiber for the Pope’s first Easter Sunday mass.

By the time Francis, wearing cream-coloured vestments, climbed aboard the open and unprotected Mercedes pontiff-carrier, the square in front of Michelangelo’s basilica was a sea of colour.

In addition to the spring flowers on either side of the shallow steps down which the popemobile bumped into the square, there were the flags of countries from Albania to Zambia. The light blue, white and gold of Argentina’s flag was well represented and the pope’s face lit up in recognition every time he identified a group of his compatriots in the jubilant crowd of tourists, pilgrims and Romans.

In the final event in the gruelling timetable that Easter sets for the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church, the 76-year-old Francis’s voice occasionally sounded weak.

He was, however, visibly energised by his tour of the square and his delivery of the Urbi et Orbi address was forceful and at times impassioned.

He appealed for peace in the Middle East, saying that the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians had “lasted all too long” and called for an end to violence in Iraq and “dear Syria”, the birthplace of Gregory III, the last pope from a non-European country. Francis also urged peace in Africa, specifically citing Mali, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic and Nigeria. He also made a special call for an end to the standoff on the Korean peninsula.

He ended his address by calling, with growing intensity, for “peace in the whole world, still divided by greed looking for easy gain, wounded by the selfishness which threatens human life and the family, selfishness that continues in human trafficking, the most extensive form of slavery in this 21st century. Peace to the whole world, torn apart by violence linked to drug trafficking and by the iniquitous exploitation of natural resources”.

Source: Vanguard

Easter: Pope Francis denounces greed

Men harass me ‘cos I’m big and sexy- Eniola badmus

By Ayodele Lawal

Big and sexy, Eniola Badmus, popularly known as Gbogbo Bigz Girls, came into the limelight in Funke Akindele’s film, Jenifa. And since then, she has not looked back.

In this interview with The Entertainer, she talked about her career and other issues. Excerpts:

How did you come into acting?

I have been around since 1999, I just walked into an audition centre and I was chosen.

How has it been?

It’s been a whole lot of challenges because at first it was not easy, but we glorify the name of the Lord.

What are you doing presently?

Currently, I am working on my profile, to look inwards and move into the corporate world, do some corporate shows or probably get an endorsement.

You shot into the limelight with the bad girl character in the films, jenifa and Omo Gheto; are you that bad a person?

No, I am a very simple person, I m a cool babe.

You once told me that after your university you just walked into an audition session and got a role, were you harassed sexually as being claimed by some people?

There is no industry where there is no sexual harassment because if it did not happen to you, you will not have the gut to say ‘wow! I have come a long way’.

So, it happened to you?

Obviously, It happened to me so there is no big deal about it. The fact remains that I must be harassed sexually because I am sexy and big and I know it. So, it’s bound to happen to anybody but the way you handle it matters.

How sexy are you?

That’s personal. I don’t want to go into that.

Where did you grow up?

My growing up was good and wonderful. I have wonderful parents who wanted the best for me that’s why I studied up to Masters degree level.

As a sexy person, how do you cope with male admirers?

I am very, very comfortable with guys because I have a lot of them as friends. I like to be in the midst of guys, I love them.

How is your love life, are you into any relationship?

My love life is cool and my relationship is private too.

How was your first sexual experience?

Aha, that is still private.

Do you enjoy sex?

That is rotten; I can’t talk about that too.

What do you like most about your body?

I like myself, I like my body, at times I think I’m the only person created like this because I’m not only big, I’m also sexy.

When are you getting married?

Soon, very soon because I am in my 30s and I only need just three years to have my two babies.

Which part of your body do you protect more?

I protect every part of my body because my body is a temple of God, which must not be exposed.

Do you use a special bra?

So, you want to know my bra size? Okay, I will tell you. I wear 38 Triple D.

Which colour of bra do you prefer?

No, no, I won’t answer that, that is too confidential.

How do you relate with the opposite sex?

I relate with them normally.

Which project are you working on right now?

I am working, working, working. My fans should just keep their fingers crossed.

What bad things have you done that you regret?

I have done bad, bad, bad things even worse but now I am a changed person

 

Men harass me ‘cos I’m big and sexy- Eniola badmus

Lassa fever: 33-yr-old man killed in Rivers

By Jimitota Onoyume

Port Harcourt – Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, has confirmed the death of one patient from Lassa fever in the state.

Parker, weekend, in Port Harcourt, said the victim, a 33-year- old man, died a few days ago at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.

He said: “Just a few days ago, my attention was drawn to the isolation of the virus in a suspected case and we lost the patient.”

He said that the state government was poised to tackle any outbreak of the disease in the state.

“For this purpose, at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, a multi-disciplinary task force has already fashioned an integrated approach to ensure that the disease was contained,” he added.

He said the government had acquired adequate drugs to combat the ailment, pleading with residents to keep their environments free from rats and dirt.

Lassa fever: 33-yr-old man killed in Rivers

2 Nigerian scientists bag UNESCO-L’Oreal 2013 award

London – Two Nigerian female scientists have bagged the UNESCO-L’Oreal “Women in Science Partnership’’ award for their contributions to the advancement of scientific knowledge in the country.

The awardees were recognised in the “Laureates and fellows’’ categories in Paris.

Prof. Francisca Okeke, the first female Head of Department, University of Nigeria Nsukka bagged the 2013 Laureate award for her significant contributions to the scientific study climate change.

She was the only recipient in that category from Africa and the Arab nations and the third Nigerian Laureate since the UNESCO-L’Oreal partnership was established in 1998.

Four others also got awards in the Laureate category with each representing Europe, Latin America, North America and the Asia Pacific regions.

The second Nigerian award recipient, Dr Eucharia Nwaichi, an environmental bio-chemist from the University of Port Harcourt joined 15 other young scientists in the “International Fellows’’ category.

Okeke said that she would continue to encourage women to participate in the development of science and technology in the country.

She noted that cultural challenges were impeding on women’s participation in global innovations, stressing that “even though it is seen as a male dominated field, people like us inspire others’’.

Similarly, Nwaichi, who was recognised for her research on “scientific solution to environmental pollution’’, stressed the need for increased motivation to support women in the field.

Amb Mariam Katagum, Nigeria’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, said candidates who met the criteria were selected by a jury based on their submitted projects.

“Two important elements are respecting the deadline and also making their submission through the Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO, because that gives it authenticity.

“For us as delegates, as soon as we knew we had possible candidates from Nigeria, we ensured that due process was followed.

“There is no interference as you can see, an international jury determined the outcome,’’ she said, adding that the recipients had broken the frontiers in the field of science.

According to her, they have become role models for girls, for us as a country, we need to encourage more girls to go into science.

“We can only do that by providing the environment, access to quality education and making sure that the facilities that will make them interested in science subjects are in place,’’ she stressed.

The international jury which selected the 2013 awardees was led by Nobel Prize winner, Mr Ahmed Zewail. (NAN)

2 Nigerian scientists bag UNESCO-L’Oreal 2013 award

3 jihadists, 1 Malian killed as troops, Islamist fighters clashes in Timbuktu

BAMAKO AFP) – Malian troops backed by French forces on Sunday clashed with Islamist fighters who had infiltrated the northern city of Timbuktu, leaving three jihadists and one Malian soldier dead, an army officer said.

“Jihadists have infiltrated the centre of Timbuktu… Our men are currently fighting them with the support of a unit of our French partners,” the Malian officer told AFP by telephone.

According to provisional information, three Malian soldiers were also wounded in the fighting that was still continuing into the late afternoon.

The Islamist fighters who had controlled the fabled Saharan city before French and Malian soldiers recaptured it in January have been able to blend into the population to launch attacks, infiltrating it by foot or bicycle.

The officer said fighting began when the Islamist rebels opened fire on two sides of the centre of the city, targeting a hotel serving as the temporary residence for the region’s governor as well as a Malian military base.

A Malian security source said the governor and two foreign journalists had been among the people evacuated from the targeted hotel.

On Saturday, a suicide bomber blew himself up when he tried to force his way through a military barricade at the western entrance to Timbuktu, wounding a soldier manning the checkpoint.

Mali has been the target of a series of attacks claimed by Islamist insurgents since France launched a military intervention in January against Al-Qaeda-linked groups that had seized the north of the country.

The French-led operation has forced the extremists from the cities they seized in the chaotic aftermath of Mali’s military coup in March 2012.

But French and African forces have faced continuing suicide blasts and guerrilla attacks in reclaimed territory.

On March 21, a suicide bomber blew up a car near the Timbuktu airport, launching an overnight assault on the city.

The blast killed one Malian soldier. Around 10 Islamist fighters were killed in the ensuing fighting with French and Malian forces, a French army spokesman said.

The attack was claimed by the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO), one of three Islamist groups that had seized the north.

MUJAO said it had “opened a new front in Timbuktu”, which had not come under attack since French-led forces entered the city on January 28 — unlike Gao, which has been hit by a string of suicide bombings and guerrilla attacks.

A landmine blast killed two Malian soldiers near Gao on Saturday.

The same day, Mali’s interim leader Dioncounda Traore appointed Mohamed Salia Sokona — a former government minister and retired ambassador — to head a new commission tasked with fostering reconciliation in the conflict-torn west African nation.

Aside from its chairman and two vice-chairmen — who were also named — the commission will have another 30 members.

France’s Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, who is due to visit Bamako on April 5, on Sunday welcomed the first appointments made to the Dialogue and Reconciliation Commission (DRC), calling it “an important step toward political reconciliation”.

3 jihadists, 1 Malian killed as troops, Islamist fighters clashes in Timbuktu

Arsenal’s Wenger heading ‘home’ to Japan

TOKYO (AFP) – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is preparing for a homecoming of sorts when he brings his English Premier League team to Japan for a friendly against Nagoya Grampus, club officials said.

The match will take place at the Toyota stadium in Nagoya, central Japan, on July 22 and will be the first time an Arsenal first team has played a match in Japan in more than four decades.

Gunners boss Wenger, who coached Nagoya for 18 months in the mid-1990s, helped guide Nagoya to the runners-up spot in the J-League and won the Emperor’s Cup during his time in Japan.

“Nagoya is a special place for me,” said Wenger in a statement issued by Nagoya in Japanese. “I have so many sweet memories of my life in Japan, sharing our successes with the Grampus.”

“I cannot believe that we can play against Nagoya Grampus, which I coached for two years. I’m really happy about it. I’m looking forward to seeing my friends again.”

Nagoya coach Dragan Stojkovic, who played for Grampus under Wenger, said: “I’ll be very glad to see him again. It’s a great honour to play Arsenal, one of the best clubs in the world.”

The trip to Japan is part of Arsenal’s pre-season Asia tour, which also includes a visit to Jakarta.

Arsenal’s Wenger heading ‘home’ to Japan

An encounter with Achebe

THE news about the death of Chinua Achebe hit me in a very personal way, coming exactly a fortnight of the burial of my eldest brother, Benji; as his Owerri contemporaries called my own “head of state”, Ben C. Nwigwe.

Achebe had come to mean so much to me, almost as a brother, since we had a prolonged chat on the picturesque campus of the University of Ife, Ile-Ife in 1973, nearly 40 years ago.  Achebe was one of over 20 resource people that presented papers at an International Conference on “Publishing in Africa in the Seventies,” which was jointly organised by the University of Ife Press and the University of Ife Bookshop Ltd at Ile-Ife, from 16 to 20 December, 1973. More than 100 people from all over the world participated in the conference, which   understandably had a heavy African presence, 14 African countries! An appreciable number of delegates also came from the United States and Western Europe of which yours truly was one.

As an editor with the Afrika-Englisch Abteilung (Africa-English Department) of the Radio Deutsche Welle, the Voice of Germany, Cologne, I came to Ile-Ife, Nigeria, as a foreign participant among the large German team.

Pre-flight airport chit-chats among the participants, on-flight discussions and conversations in the air-conditioned luxury bus that took us from Ikeja airport all the way to the beautifully landscaped University of Ife, centred on the conference and the prospect of each and every one of us hoping to meet and shake hands with Chinua Achebe whose expected paper on “Publishing in Africa: A writer’s View” had been highlighted in the conference fliers.As a Nigerian, as an Igbo man, I was really proud that our Achebe was held in such a high esteem by my German colleagues, some of whom were senior executives of the world famous Frankfurt Book Fair.

The first day of the conference, December 16, 1973, a Sunday, was taken up with protocol matters as we expatriates were checked into Hostel rooms which we had paid for along with our registration, weeks ahead. But even as many participants tried to settle down and get ready for the official opening the next day, Monday, 17 December, questions were  being asked whether Chinua Achebe had arrived or not, whether he would attend at all.

There were even some insinuations as to whether the conference organisers weren’t merely using Achebe’s name to promote the conference. But before we retired for the night some of us got dependable information that Achebe had indeed arrived and would be there the next day, in flesh and blood, to present his paper.

The conference on “Publishing in Africa in the Seventies” eventually took off on Monday 17, December, 1973, with a welcome address by Dr. H. A. Oluwasanmi, the towering Vice Chancellor, University of Ife, Ile-Ife and an official opening address by the Federal Commissioner for Education, Chief A. Y. Eke who ignited the conference by announcing that the Federal Government had “given approval for the setting up of a provisional Nigerian Book Development Council to encourage all aspects of book production in Nigeria…”

That declaration set the scene for a thoroughly exciting five-day conference which lead presenter was unchallengeable Chinua Achebe, the famous author of Things Fall Apart.

His day and turn eventually came and the auditorium was overflowing with anxious participants and observers. The students were away on holidays, apparently to make way for an effective use of the hostels for the visitors. So it was inexplicable that such a deluge of students and other residents of Ife descended on the campus to listen to Chinua Achebe.

We were all ears as the literary icon began his presentation.  Visibly taking in the massive child-like attention on him and the innumerable pairs of eyes that were focused on him, Achebe slowly, and methodically began to unravel his piece.

He painted a word picture of the visceral, physical and spiritual links between the writer and the reader by first contrasting it with the relationship between himself and the tailor that made the suit he wore.

Let Achebe speak: “It is a tendency when we speak of books to forget or to give inadequate thought to the simple fact that our central purpose is a dialogue or the desire for a dialogue, between writers and their readers, that everybody else in the business is a facilitator…“When I put on a shirt I am not in communion with the factory hand who made the yarn nor even with the tailor who sewed it (especially if it mass produced)…“But when I read, somebody is talking to me; and when I write, I am talking to somebody. It is a personal, even intimate, relationship.”

The literary genius went on and to explain what he termed “intermediaries” in the book publishing and distribution chain and, most importantly, he hammered on the need for indigenous publishers in Africa and the need for governments in Africa to support such efforts.

A master story teller, Achebe drew an unending applause when he concluded his presentation. The audience was still standing virtually transfixed when Achebe was escorted out of the auditorium. But the man wasn’t free yet, A crowd of Europeans and Americans surrounded him outside, each clutching a copy of Things Fall Apart and demanding his autograph.

Apparently already used to such rituals in the course of his travels, Achebe quickly thinned out the crowd as he furiously signed and signed on the opened pages of his great opus.

Within half an hour, it was my turn to hand in my own copy of Things Fall Apart, bought at the conference venue and about the fifth time I was to buy the book which I first read in Ghana, in 1965, as a Journalism student.

Fortuitously when Achebe looked up and saw me, he held out his hand to shake me as if we had met before. I seized the moment and told him in Igbo that I desired a private meeting with him if he didn’t mind. He agreed to see me later that day and told me where to meet him.

He wasn’t alone when I called but somehow he  recognized me as  the one he gave an appointment and excused himself from his companions. Seeing him in a good mood, and relishing the gesture of friendliness he had earlier shown me, I needed no preambles. “Am not very happy with you sir…”

He cut me short: “Ah Ah! Brother what’s the problem.”I continued; “I have been trying to write a novel, and before I can complete a paragraph I find  myself repeating Achebe. Even our proverbs in Mbaise are quoted by you. “I really can’t feel original as I labour to write…”

Mr.  NNAMDI NWIGWE, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

“Ok, I see what you mean,” he spoke with an assuring voice. “You see, I am the son of a missionary teacher who dragged the family along to the various locations the authorities posted him. We  lived in Umuahia area.

“You know, as children we mixed easily with the locals. “We come from the same background and there is no way we will not repeat ourselves if we decide to write about our people and our culture.”He was very sympathetic and urged me to summon the necessary courage and start writing.

Tapping me on my shoulder, Achebe advised, “Write, Write, Write.”He told me that he looked forward to reading me someday. Pity, The book is yet to come. And Chinua is gone!

An encounter with Achebe

Gunmen kill policeman at daughters’ wedding

BY NDAHI MARAMA, Maiduguri

A policeman was killed by unknown gunmen at the wedding  of his two daughters  in Damboa town in Damboa local government area of Borno State, local sources said yesterday, saying the incident happened on Friday.

Residents told our correspondent that the deceased policeman was shot dead in front of his house while conducting the wedding Fatiha of his daughters shortly after the Friday congregation prayer(Jumat). It was gathered that the policeman ran from the  town for months following death threat sent to him by unknown persons only to return to the town last week in order to marry out his daughters.

”He came back last week to marry out his two daughters but was shot dead on Friday after Jumat while the wedding was going on”, a resident who did not want to be named said.Our reporter learnt that the deceased  officer was from  Michika local government area of Adamawa State but resident in Damboa. In another development, a telecommunications  network mast has been burnt down  in Ajigin village, an outskirts of Damboa local government area.

Locals said that the Airtel’s mast, was just repaired Thursday,was burnt  for the second time. No official statement on the two incidents and efforts to get the Borno police spokesman,DSP Gideon Jibrin, weres not successful as at the time of filing this report.

 

Vanguard

Gunmen kill policeman at daughters’ wedding

Kwara police commissioner’s assassination: We have recorded 90% success on investigation – AIG

BY ANAYO OKOLI

THE new Assistant Inspector General of Police [AIG], Zone 9, Umuahia, Abia State, Mr. Tambari Yabo Muhammad, has called on the governors in the zone to set up security trust fund to assist in providing logistics for security agencies in the zone.

Muhammad, who spoke to journalists shortly after meeting with police commissioners in the zone, urged the governors under his jurisdiction, comprising of Abia, Anambra, Enugu and Imo states, to emulate Lagos State by setting up security trust fund in the states.

He said the initiative to be funded by  corporate bodies, among others, would help the states as the governors may no longer dip their hands into state coffers to provides logistics for security agencies in their area.

The  AIG also disclosed that the police investigation into the murder of former Kwara State Police Commissioner, Chinwike Asadu, has recorded 90% success, and hinted that, before long, the investigation would be concluded.

According to him, he came to the zone with renewed vigour to fight crime, but would require the assistance of the people  to succeed. He said that the people could help by providing information on crime and assured of the protection and confidentiality of informants and the information.

Late Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chinwike Asadu

“We really need their [governors] support in the area of  logistics. Police  are doing their best within the meager resources available to them, but I believe that with support from the  governors, we will do more,”Muhammad said.

“Almost everything is anchored on security, without security there will be investment. So we are appealing to the Governors of the zone to come the assistance of the security agencies to do more. I suggest that they set up security trust fund in their states like in Lagos so that money  can be raised to buy equipment for security agencies. Lagos State has up to 300 patrol vehicles and every place is covered”.

The AIG also promised to resuscitate Police Community Relations Committees across the zone to encourage the people to volunteer information.

Vanguard

Kwara police commissioner’s assassination: We have recorded 90% success on investigation – AIG

OYERINDE’S MURDER: Our story, by police (2)

This is the concluding part of the police report on the investigation into the murder of Mr Olaitan Oyerinde, principal secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, presented at the public hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions

STRENGHT OF THIS INVESTIGATION

Recovery of Deceased telephone handset through Forensic information.

Systematic reconstruction from scene to suspects that led to the arrest of all the suspects.

Recovery of face cap of Auta Umaru Ali identified by himself and gang members.

Identification of three suspects out of the four that raided late Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde’s house by Mrs Funke Oyerinde.

Recovery of a single barrel locally made cut to size gun belonging to the gang.

Video capture of the scene reconstruction that revealed the role each suspect played at the scene.

Confessions of the suspects that have been attested to by Superior Police Officers in line with the law and practice.

Uncovering of other crimes namely

Murder of Alhaji Ismaila Aliyu

Attempted Murder of Alhaji Badamasi Saleh and his Deputy.

Involvement of Moses Asamah Okoro in the raiding of Agenebode Police Station in late 2010

Recovering of telephone handset of High Chief (Dr) Vincent Ifada in the house of Garba Usman Maisamari.

Recovery of over 20 telephone handsets from Girei in Adamawa stolen from Benin City.

Recovery of 23 SIM cards from Garba Usman Maisamari’s house.

Recovery of six wrist watches from Garba Usman Maisamari’s house.

Additional information to Police intelligence bank about sources of arms/ammunition to this elaborate gang and identities of other gang members.

ARRAIGNMENT OF SUSPECTS

Arising from this painstaking investigation and based on the quantum of evidence, the suspects were arraigned before an Oredo Magistrate Court, Benin City on 31st August, 2012. (See Document 9 in Appendix 3 for charge sheets)

Three charge sheets were presented to the court namely=

Charge No. MOR/326c/2012

Charge No. MOR/327c/2012

Charge No. MOR/328c/2012

LEGAL ADVICE

The Police forwarded Duplicate casefiles with respect to the above charges to the Federal Director of Public Prosecutions for vetting and advice on the 11th of September, 2012 in our letter No. CR: 3100/X/LEG/FGQ/ABJ/VOL.3/123

Surprisingly on the 9th November, 2012, the Edo State DPP rendered advice in a paid advertorial published in the Nation Newspaper claiming it received the duplicate casefile from Oredo Magistrate Court Benin City on the 5th of September, 2012 (See Document No. 10 in Appendix 3)

The controversy in this matter was generated by the unsolicited advice of the Edo State DPP. Even at that, the Edo State DPP posited that six of the ten suspects have cases to answer, he expressed doubts about two suspects based on misplaced facts and discharged two suspects for want of corroborative evidence. The Police had responded to the Advice of the DPP on 19th November, 2012 (See Document No. 11 in Appendix 3)

In response to our letter to the Federal DPP, legal advice was rendered on the 21st of January, 2013 (See Document 12 in Appendix 3)

 

Late Olaitan Oyerinde

CASE OF SEVEN SUSPECTS TRANSFERRED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE SERVICES ABUJA ACCUSED OF INVOLVEMENT IN THE MURDER

BACKGROUND:

On or about the 1st of August, 2012, the Department of State Services paraded six suspects in a televised press conference. The SERVICE announced that they arrested the suspects for the murder of Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde and stealing from his house.

Similarly, the DG SSS followed up with a letter dated 1st August, 2012 to the Inspector-General of Police and requested the Police to take over the six suspects for prosecution. (See Document 13 in Appendix 3)

On the 23rd of August, 2012, the Department of State Services transferred seven suspects which now included LAWAL Abubakar (See Document 14 in Appendix 3).

The Department of State Services did not transfer ANY CASEFILE be it Original or Duplicate to the Police.

The Department of State Services did not transfer any Investigation Report-be it interim, preliminary or final report to the Police.

The Department of State Services did not handover any complainant, witness or suspect’s statements; enabling documents like search warrants or attestation by investigating officers to the Police.

None of the exhibits transferred by the Department of State Services to the Police related to any of the items stolen from late Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde’s house. One of the victims Adeyinka Oletubo has confirmed this position after viewing the items.

The Police wrote to the Department of State Services requesting for information/interface which may lead to successful investigation but no response. (See Document 15 of Appendix 3)

Police had no choice than to perform its statutory responsibility of Criminal investigation hence a full investigation.

POLICE INVESTIGATION:

The three suspects identified by the Department of State Services as the suspects who murdered late Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde namely Mohammed Ibrahim Abdullahi, Raymond Onajite Origbo and Edeh Chikezie were variously interrogated.

They admitted being armed robbers who usually operated as a gang of six made up of themselves, one Sani, one Ali alias Smally and one Ishiaka –all at large.

They also admitted to various armed robbery escapades in Benin City promising to take the Police to the locations but denied any involvement in the armed robbery of 4th May, 2012 at No. 65, 2nd Ugbor road, GRA Benin City at the house of late Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde.

§  They also admitted that in their operations they were usually armed with three cut to size single barrel guns provided by Ishiaka- a Fulani nomad who is a member of the gang.

Mohammed Ibrahim Abdullahi posited that when his house was searched, only one hammer, one matchet and two kitchen knives were recovered by Department of State Services operatives and denied knowledge of 1 No Europa Magnum Pump Action gun and 2Nos Russian Double Barrel guns said to have been recovered from him.

§  The suspects claimed that they were never taken to the scene of crime and that the late Comrade Olaitan’s house was shown to them from a Black Berry telephone by their interrogators.

§  Mohammed Ibrahim Abdullahi, Raymond Origbo Chikezie admitted knowledge of Saidu Yakubu alias IMAM as a Receiver of stolen property at Ring Road Benin City. Raymond Origbo admitted knowledge of Sani Abdullahi Abubakar as a receiver of stolen property especially telephones.

§  Hassan Bashiru admitted being a receiver of stolen property and also admitted knowledge of Sani Abubakar and Lawal Abubakar.

§  Hassan Bashiru admitted that he bought telephone handsets and laptop from one Garba Usman Maisamari and he sold one of the telephone handsets to Lawal Abubakar.  Bashiru Hassan also admitted that he had sold several telephone handsets to Hassan Babete Aliyu in the past.

MOVEMENT TO BENIN CITY

The suspects were taken to Benin City on identification of crime locations and checking the credibility of their statements.

ARRAIGNMENT

Based on the preponderance of evidence adduced in the course of this investigation, the suspects were arraigned in Court at Oredo Magistrate Court 1 on the 1st of November, 2012. They were all remanded in Prison custody. The Duplicate casefiles have been remitted to the Federal Director of Public Prosecutions for vetting and advice. (See Document 16 in Appendix 3)

SPECIFIC RESPONSES TO THE ALLEGATIONS

(i)  The petitioners had argued that two of the suspects arrested by the Police in the course of investigation were in Police Custody when Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde was murdered. THIS IS NOT TRUE. Suspects Danjuma Musa ‘m’ and Muritala Usman ‘m’ were arrested on the 24th of May, 2012 and not 24th of April, 2012. The duo of Danjuma Musa and Muritala Usman were arrested by good Nigerians on the 24th of May, 2012 and handed over to the Divisional Police Officer, Oba Market Police Station Benin City who in turn handed them over to the Special Anti Robbery Squad, Edo State Police Command on the same day for an offence of unlawful possession of cartridges.

In the course of diligent investigation in the late Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde’s murder the operatives of the Force CID Abuja took over the suspects on the 27th of June, 2012. The statements made by the two suspects and witnesses who were present during the arrest elucidated this fact. The letter we wrote to the Edo State DPP on 19th November, 2012 stated the date of their arrest clearly and for purposes of emphasis is partly reproduced below:-

W e wish to unequivocally state that the duo of Danjuma Musa and Muritala Usman were arrested on the 24th of May, 2012,”REPEAT 24th of May, 2012 AND NOT 24th of April, 2012”. The respective statements they made to the Police contained in the Duplicate case file which the learned DPP vetted contained this fact in pages B5a, B6d and B6f. Furthermore, the statements of eye witnesses to the arrest contained in pages A14 and A15 of the same casefile elucidated this fact. The Police investigation report clearly stated the date of arrest as 24th of May, 2012 in the following paragraphs and pages:-

(i) Paragraph 3.9, page 7

(ii) Paragraph 3.10.9 (x) page 23

(iii)Paragraph 3.10.9 (xi) page 24

(iv)Paragraph 3.10.9 (xxv) page 41

(v)Paragraph 3.10.9 (xxvi) page 45

(vi)Paragraph 4 xxix page 85

We admit a printer’s error in the investigation report where 24/04/12 was typed in page 78 paragraph 4 (viii), line four instead of 24/05/12. We also posit that in no other part of that report did such an error or such a meaning was conveyed. Similarly, we ordinarily thought that the learned DPP was actually vetting the duplicate casefile which included the investigation report and not the investigation report alone and would have taken into consideration the statements made by the suspects, witnesses and all other circumstances/ramifications of the matter before the opinion”.

 

Gov Adams Oshiomhole, Late Olaitan Oyerinde and IGP, M .D Abubakar.

From the foregoing, it is very clear and obvious that the date of arrest of Danjuma Musa and Muritala Usman was 24th of May, 2012. Any other insinuation to the contrary is not only mischievous but frivolous and aimed at diverting attention from the real issues.

(ii)The petitioners also posited that the gun used for the murder of Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde was earlier used for armed robbery and recovered by the Police. And that by Police record this gun was already in Police custody when the murder took place. Again this is just simplistic and misleading. The four suspects who robbed and murdered Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde namely Danjuma Musa ‘m’, Muritala Usman ‘m’, Auta Umaru ‘m’, Moses Asamah Okoro ‘m’ used three guns for the operation and took away one Double barrel gun from the Deceased’s residence.

In the course of investigation Danjuma Musa ‘m’  told investigation that he usually custodied one locally made cut to size single barrel gun belonging to the gang. He equally stated that this gun was one of the guns they used for the armed robbery operation in Comrade Olaitan’s house.

According to him this gun was recovered by his land lady and handed over to Esigie Police Station Benin City after the landlady’s children stumbled on the gun in the course of their play where he Danjuma Musa hid it. Following the revelations of Danjuma Musa, the said landlady was contacted and she admitted the incidence but posited that she called a Police Corporal who lived nearby and it was the Policeman who recovered the gun to the Police Station. Investigation was extended to Esigie Police Station Benin City where the gun was finally recovered by the investigating team.

The documentation in the crime diary at the Police Station showed that the gun was received on the 24th of April 2012. Our job as Police Investigators is to bring the facts disclosed by investigation to the fore. Our duties cannot include to falsify, alter, change or even forge facts for whatever reasons. We are satisfied that this gun was recovered through the sequential narration of Danjuma Musa and formed part of the arsenal of this gang. Meanwhile the said gun has been forwarded to the Forensic Laboratory for Ballistic examination.

iii We wish to state for purposes of clarity and public records that the assertion by the Edo State DPP in his Legal Advice attached to the Civil Society Organization petition under reference “that he is aware that the casefile of some persons who reportedly made confessional statements have been handed over to the Police by the SSS is false in its entirety”. We challenge him to show proof. Apart from the documents referred to as Documents 13 and 14 in Appendix 3, the Police did not receive any other document from the Department of State Services.

(iv) We also wish to point out that in the same Legal Advice under reference, the DPP had opined that a prima facie case of Conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed robbery and murder is made out against Usman Adamu amongst others. We do not know Usman Adamu and he was never investigated by the Police.

CONCLUSION:

(a)In conclusion, we wish to state that the unfortunate incident of 4th May, 2012 which resulted in the death of Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde received an unprecedented attention from the Inspector-General of Police IGP Mohammed Abubakar CFR,FCE,FCPA,FCAI,NPM,mni who is satisfied that the Deputy Inspector-General of Police ‘D’ Department (FCID) and his investigators discharged their responsibilities diligently and with utmost sense of integrity.

The Investigating team displayed quality leadership and gave the assignment their best shots. If the petitioners “believe strongly that there are elements pulling weight to cover the real killers of Comrade Oyerinde” as alleged, they should name them without further delay. Since the petitioners believe that the real killers of Comrade Oyerinde have not been arrested, they should name them. He who asserts, proves same.

(b)In the wake of this avoidable controversy, the Police as an Organization has been disparaged, her Senior Officers maligned, humiliated and embarrassed for carrying out a statutory assignment. This case is not about the Police  or the Civil Society Organization. This case is about ensuring that the killers of Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde are brought to justice. The Criminal justice system requires robust synergy from all stakeholders and all hands must be on deck to ensure that justice is done for both the victims of crime, the State and the suspects.

(c)    In the conduct of this investigation, the Police has carried the complainants along at every stage viz Mrs. Funke Oyerinde and Mr. Adeyinka Oletubo. It is therefore very surprising that the restlessness associated with this matter is coming from Quarters other than the persons who reported this matter. Who is crying more than the bereaved!

(d)   The scope of this investigation so far was very extensive; the conduct required diligence and commitment, the approach needed integrity; the analysis/documentation required painstaking humility and dedication; the Investigating team displayed these qualities. We must learn in this Country to appreciate what we have –our own-and continuously encourage them. We did not need to be called criminals, we did not need to be dismissed for doing a job that both the Edo State DPP and the Federal DPP have already said has tremendous merit. As mortals, we felt pain but in God we shall always trust.

(e)    We also wish to point out that all the Security Agencies in this Country are doing a commendable job towards crime reduction as there is no known crime free society. The Department of State Services by their arrest of seven suspects contributed immeasurably in the fight against crime and criminality. These suspects are by their confessions and follow up investigations carried out by the Police habitual criminals who have terrorized Benin City Metropolis. Police investigation has been able to link them to specific acts of criminality with the locations and victims positively identified. We are satisfied that the evidence disclosed by our investigation will sustain the charges for which they have been arraigned.

(f)    The petitioners must always avoid by their comments, utterances, inferences and opinions to put in jeopardy a case that its prosecution in Court is yet to begin. To do so would amount to making them Investigators, Prosecutors and Judges in this matter. By the unnecessary controversy generated in this matter, witnesses are continuously being tampered with through intimidation and inducements, the Judges who will try this matter are reading the controversies in the media and as human beings may form preliminary opinions before trial commences. Legal Advisers to the prosecution are already playing visible roles as Defence Attorneys while Defence Attorneys just listen and laugh. This can only lead us to an unfortunate exercise of Recycling criminals through the intentional or inadvertent conspiracy of the Elite.

(g)   Finally, we have by our transparency compromised the identity of most of our witnesses, victims, investigators and other characters in this investigation including classified documents. THIS IS IN REALIZATION OF THE FACT THAT PARLIAMENT ALL OVER THE WORLD HOLD THE KEY TO QUALITY OVERSIGHT THAT REVEALS TRUTH AND MAKE TRUTH SACRED. It is our plea Mr. Chairman that these victims, witnesses and investigators be protected within the privileges inherent in your powers.

OYERINDE’S MURDER: Our story, by police (2)