A lot of controversies have trailed the collaspe of the building with accusations and counter accusations.
Watch this video clip and pass ur comment.
Tuesday, 30 September 2014
What is ur opinion on the Synagouge Building Collaspe?
A lot of controversies have trailed the collaspe of the building with accusations and counter accusations.
Watch this video clip and pass ur comment.
Stella Damasus: “Majid Michel is the best actor in Africa”
Veteran Nollywood actress — Stella Damasus doesn’t really care what
you think but she has nominated someone as the best actor in Africa.
The pretty Nollywood diva declared the handsome Ghanaian actor, Majid Michel as the best actor in Africa.
She wrote on her Instagram page: – @majidmichelmm is the best actor to ever come out of Africa as far as I am concerned. People may not understand why I say this yet, but soon we will all see’
Along with a picture of herself; controversial film director, Daniel Ademinokan and Michel at the birthday party held in his honour in Atlanta, US yesterday, Sunday, September 28, 2014.
Michel turned 34 exactly a week ago and received goodwill messages from his colleagues including John Dumelo, Yvonne Okoro as well as his fans world over.
The pretty Nollywood diva declared the handsome Ghanaian actor, Majid Michel as the best actor in Africa.
She wrote on her Instagram page: – @majidmichelmm is the best actor to ever come out of Africa as far as I am concerned. People may not understand why I say this yet, but soon we will all see’
Along with a picture of herself; controversial film director, Daniel Ademinokan and Michel at the birthday party held in his honour in Atlanta, US yesterday, Sunday, September 28, 2014.
Michel turned 34 exactly a week ago and received goodwill messages from his colleagues including John Dumelo, Yvonne Okoro as well as his fans world over.
Tiwa Savage sacks her husband from managerial position
This might be as a result of some sort of conflict, but Tiwa Savage and Tunji ‘Tee Billz’ Balogun are no longer business partners.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that Tiwa has dropped her husband of barely 5 months from being her manager.
Sources close the Mavin first lady revealed that it is so bad that Tee Billz is no longer in charge of her calls anymore and also stopped accompanying her to events.
To underscore the incident, the source pointed at an event as recent as the Africa Unplugged event, which held in far away London, where Tee Billz was not spotted with her throughout despite it being a major performance and one held so far away.
If confirmed, the Eminado singer will not be the first music act to sack a close relative from managing her affairs; the cases of Beyonce who sacked her father at some point as well as Burna Boy who sacked his mother also stays fresh in our minds.
Obasanjo Goes Gack To School For Ph.D
Mr. Obasanjo, who had obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in 2009 from NOUN, will now be working towards earning a doctorate degree, beginning first with a Masters degree.
Confirming his return to school to PREMIUM TIMES, Obasanjo said it was important for him to make some commitments towards achieving his aspirations in life.
“I’m going back to school because I have to have something to aspire to in every endeavour of life”, he said, adding that, “I always aspire to something new in my farm. I do that in my international activities. I do it in my writing. I do it in the improvement of my academic work which helps to sharpen my brain and strengthen my faith”.
When asked how he was going to cope with the rigors of combining his studies with his tight international commitments, the ex-president said he would take advantage of the flexibility of the National Open University’s system.
“Fortunately, the Open University is flexible enough and I will definitely be able to cope. I was able to cope when I did the Post Graduate. I was also busy during the period”, he said.
The National Open University, which is an Open and Distant Learning institution, was first established in 1983 but was suspended by the then military government in 1984. Mr. Obasanjo revived the university in 2001. At present, it has 54 study centres spread across the country and is Nigeria’s largest tertiary institution in terms of student numbers.
It would be recalled that in November 2006, a few months to the end of his eight-year tenure, the then president enrolled for a post graduate diploma in Christian Theology at the university.
He graduated in January 2009.
Why I Shunned National Award Ceremony – Fayemi
Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State on Monday shunned the national award ceremony which held in Abuja.
The governor, who was awarded Commander of the Order of the Niger
(CON) alongside more than 300 other recipients in other categories,
refused to attend the ceremony at the International Conference Centre
where others were decorated by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Fayemi, whose tenure as governor of Ekiti is expected to end on October 15, 2014 chose instead to go to the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife in Osun State, where his wife, Erelu Bisi, inaugurated the Centre for Gender and Social Policy Studies she built for the premier university.
He said, “I am pleased to make these short remarks on this very special occasion which is the official commissioning ceremony of the Gender Studies Centre at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, state of Osun, which is being donated by my wife, H.E. Erelu ’Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi.
“I have had to shelve equally important events that came to my notice after we had scheduled this event and made extensive preparations. It is thus at great cost that I am here in demonstration of my dedication to a worthy cause.
“Nothing can be more important than this (donation of the project). The CON can be posted to me by courier but nobody can post this to me”, he stated.
Fayemi, whose tenure as governor of Ekiti is expected to end on October 15, 2014 chose instead to go to the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife in Osun State, where his wife, Erelu Bisi, inaugurated the Centre for Gender and Social Policy Studies she built for the premier university.
He said, “I am pleased to make these short remarks on this very special occasion which is the official commissioning ceremony of the Gender Studies Centre at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, state of Osun, which is being donated by my wife, H.E. Erelu ’Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi.
“I have had to shelve equally important events that came to my notice after we had scheduled this event and made extensive preparations. It is thus at great cost that I am here in demonstration of my dedication to a worthy cause.
“Nothing can be more important than this (donation of the project). The CON can be posted to me by courier but nobody can post this to me”, he stated.
Musa gets shoot on sight order against Bayern
Super Eagles forward Ahmed Musa will have more than enough to do as
CSKA Moscow host Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions league at the
Arena Khimki today. Unfortunately, Musa who has been listed in Stephen
Keshi’s 23- man Super Eagles squad to face Falcons of Sudan October 10,
will be tackling a rampaging Bayern with his teammates behind closed
doors. This follows UEFA’s hammer on the Russian side after it was
found guilty of “a range of racist and far-right symbols” in a Champions
League match against Viktoria Plzen last December.
CSKA can best be said to be scared of the encounter, especially after flagging off the 2014-15 campaign on a miserable note with 5-1 loss to Roma in the Italian capital.
Coach Slutsky did not mince words in admitting that today’s encounter will be tough for his boys. Last season Bayern defeated CSKA home and away in the group stage a record which appears to be giving the club and their fans goose pimples. Despite the obvious odd that seems to weigh against the Russian side coach Slutsky remains optimistic that the side can survive even as he challenged Musa and his teammates to put in nothing less than 100% in the battle.
“Of course our opponents are supremely talented and it is a difficult situation for us,” he said.
“Last year we lost a few games against Bayern and [Manchester] City, which hit us hard and unfortunately we have continued our poor run of form away from home.
“It’s not nice to recognise that there are teams who are just far more talented and are at a different level. Our task is that the team plays to its absolute maximum capacity – will this be enough? We will only know when the game gets underway.”
Georgi Schennikov, who has recently recovered from injury, implored his team-mates to put that heavy defeat behind them.
“We need to forget about the game with Roma and get ready for the encounter with Bayern Munich,” he said. “Of course this is a special game.
“To play against such opponents is always interesting. They are a very strong side. Who in particular? Well I just think everything is so good.
“Physically, I am feeling good and my leg has not been causing me any problems over the last few games.”
CSKA can best be said to be scared of the encounter, especially after flagging off the 2014-15 campaign on a miserable note with 5-1 loss to Roma in the Italian capital.
Coach Slutsky did not mince words in admitting that today’s encounter will be tough for his boys. Last season Bayern defeated CSKA home and away in the group stage a record which appears to be giving the club and their fans goose pimples. Despite the obvious odd that seems to weigh against the Russian side coach Slutsky remains optimistic that the side can survive even as he challenged Musa and his teammates to put in nothing less than 100% in the battle.
“Of course our opponents are supremely talented and it is a difficult situation for us,” he said.
“Last year we lost a few games against Bayern and [Manchester] City, which hit us hard and unfortunately we have continued our poor run of form away from home.
“It’s not nice to recognise that there are teams who are just far more talented and are at a different level. Our task is that the team plays to its absolute maximum capacity – will this be enough? We will only know when the game gets underway.”
Georgi Schennikov, who has recently recovered from injury, implored his team-mates to put that heavy defeat behind them.
“We need to forget about the game with Roma and get ready for the encounter with Bayern Munich,” he said. “Of course this is a special game.
“To play against such opponents is always interesting. They are a very strong side. Who in particular? Well I just think everything is so good.
“Physically, I am feeling good and my leg has not been causing me any problems over the last few games.”
Eaglets’ victory vindicates Calabar pitch
According to him, the lame excuse that the Super Eagles lost to Congo earlier on this month because of the ground has now been nullified by the very gallant Eaglets.
“They have shown to the whole of Nigeria that they are far better assembled than the Super Eagles because the same pitch Super Eagles trained and lost is the same pitch their younger counterparts played and whitewashed Gabon”
“Will you now believe the news going round that the Calabar pitch is not good? We are even preparing for the National Sports Festival so we are preparing for that as well but the pitch is good and in perfect condition.”
Ikimi can’t win Edo for you, Oshiomhole tells Jonathan
Oshiomhole, who was reacting to the boast by President Jonathan that the PDP would recapture Edo next year and 2016, said it was unfortunate that the President was being deceived by PDP leaders in the state.
The governor, who spoke through his Political Adviser, Hon Charles Idahosa, said the President should have checked how many persons defected with Ikimi to the PDP.
Idahosa said the Bini, who constitutes over 50 per cent of the population of Edo State, have been marginalised by the PDP-led Federal Government.
He said it was a dream for the President to think that Esan godfathers would win Edo for him.
The political adviser said: “Ikimi said he left APC because after cooking the food people came and stole both the pot and the food. But in this case, he forgot that it was Ize-Iyamu who cooked those who left the APC for PDP.
“But Ikimi went to the stadium to hijack the show by introducing Ize-Iyamu instead of Ize-Iyamu introducing him to the President.
“Ize-Iyamu who did all the cooking was now a spectator. Dr. Ogbemudia was never mentioned there, former Governor Lucky Igbinedion was seated there, his father was also seated and none of them were asked to speak, yet President Jonathan is boasting that PDP will win Edo, that is laughable.
“We will deal with them in February. As we speak today there is no Bini man or woman who is a minister, permanent secretary, so what is the PDP going to tell Bini people that will make them vote for PDP?
“The days of rigging are over. We are going to deal with them. Every appointment is in Esan, Uromi in particular. It is a wild dream to say they will win Edo.
“The All Progressives Congress (APC) administration shared all the positions equally without any discrimination, so PDP will never win here, the Bini will decide where the votes go.”
Unlawful Detention: Court Orders SSS To Apologise To El-rufai, Pay Him N2m For..
The Federal High Court on Monday ordered the State Security Service to
apologise to a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir
El-Rufai, and to pay him N2 million in damages for unlawful detention.
This follows the events of November 15 and 16 2013, during the last Anambra governorship elections, when SSS officials detained and harassed Mr. El-Rufai at the Finotel in Awka.
Dissatisfied with his treatment, and believing that the conduct of the SSS had no basis in law, Mr. El-Rufai approached the court for redress.
The case was listed as FHC/AWK/CS/310/13, with the SSS and the Attorney-General of the Federation as respondents.
Delivering judgment in Awka on Monday, Justice Ibrahim Bature Gafai held that the SSS has no statutory powers under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 or under any Nigerian law to detain Mr. El-Rufai without showing cause to a court of competent jurisdiction.
The court therefore ordered the SSS to publish an apology in two national dailies for the unlawful and unconstitutional violation of his liberty.
In addition to the apology and monetary damages, the court also made significant pronouncements regarding the restriction of movement during elections.
The court declared that the Respondents have no powers under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 or under any Nigerian law to either impose a general restriction on movement or restrict the applicant’s constitutional right of freedom of movement as enshrined in Section 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 on account of the Anambra State Gubernatorial election that took place on the 16th day of November, 2013 or any other election.
This decision has massive implications for the way government agencies routinely attempt to restrict movement of persons, especially during elections.
The court also granted other prayers sought by Mr. El-Rufai, including:
i. A DECLARATION that the detention of the Applicant, Mallam Nasir El-rufai, OFR, without charge, at the premises of Finotel Hotel, Akwa, Anambra State, between the 15th day of November, 2013 and 16th day of November, 2013, by agents of the 1st Respondent, (SSS) or officers, servants, privies of the Respondents and/or of the Federal Government of Nigeria, constitute a gross violation of the Applicant right to personal liberty and freedom of movement respectively guaranteed under sections 35 and 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended) and Articles 6 and 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and is therefore unconstitutional and illegal.
ii. A DECLARATION that the unlawful deprivation of the Applicant, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, OFR, from granting/continued granting of interview with an AIT Correspondence, Mr. Obiorah Iloh and other mass media representatives within the premises of Finotel Hotel, Akwa, Anambra State, at about 2pm of 16th day of November, 2013 by agents of the 1st Respondent, (SSS) or officers, servants, privies of the Respondents and/or of the Federal Government of Nigeria, constitute a gross violation of the Applicant’s freedom of expression guaranteed under section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended) and Article 9(2) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and is accordingly unlawful unconstitutional and illegal.
iii. A DECLARATION that the detention of the Applicant at the premises of Finotel Hotel, Akwa, Anambra State, without charge, on the 15th day of November, 2013 to the 16th day of November, 2013, by agents of the 1st Respondent, (SSS) or officers, servants, agents, privies of the Respondents and/or of the Federal Government of Nigeria with a view to denying the Applicant, Deputy National Secretary and Member/Secretary Electoral Committee, of All Progressives Congress Anambra Governorship Election, 2013, freedom to associates with fellow members of the said All Progressives Congress, at Akwa, Anambra State, is a violation of the Applicant’s Right to Peaceful Assembly and Association guaranteed under section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended) and Articles 10(1) and 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and is accordingly unconstitutional and illegal.
iv. A DECLARATION that the restriction and prevention of the Applicant from moving out of his room in Finotel Hotel wherein he lodged at Awka in Anambra State to monitor the 16th November, 2013 Anambra State Gubernatorial Election by the Agents of the Respondents, Officers, Servants, Agents or Privies constitutes a gross violation of the Applicant’s constitutional right of freedom of movement as enshrined in section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended).
v. A DECLARATION that the restriction and prevention of the Applicant from moving out of his room in Finotel Hotel wherein he lodged at Awka in Anambra State to observe congregation prayers (salat) on the 16th November, 2013 by the Agents of the Respondents, Officers, Servants, Agents or Privies constitutes a gross violation of the Applicant’s constitutional right of freedom of Religion as enshrined in section 38 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended).
vi. A DECLARATION that the Respondents have no powers under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended) or under any Nigerian Law to either impose a general restriction on movement or restrict the Applicant’s constitutional right of freedom of movement as enshrined in Section 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended) on account of the Anambra State Gubernatorial election that took place on the 16th day of November, 2013 or any other election.
vii. A DECLARATION that the 1st Respondent has no statutory powers under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended) or under any Nigerian Law to detain the Applicant without showing cause to a Court of competent jurisdiction.
viii. AN INJUNCTION restraining the Respondents, whether by themselves or by their officers, agents, servants, privies, or otherwise howsoever from further detaining or in any other manner infringing on the fundamental rights of the Applicant.
ix. AN ORDER for the award of compensation/damages to the Applicant, in the sum of N2,000,000.00 (Two Million Naira only) for the unlawful and unconstitutional detention/violation of his right to personal liberty, freedom of movement, freedom of association and expression.
x. AN ORDER directing the Respondents to publish apologies to the Applicant in two (2) National Dailies, for the unlawful and unconstitutional detention/violation of his right to personal liberty, freedom of movement, freedom of religion, freedom of association and expression guaranteed under the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended) and Articles 6, 9(2), 10(1), 11 and 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
This follows the events of November 15 and 16 2013, during the last Anambra governorship elections, when SSS officials detained and harassed Mr. El-Rufai at the Finotel in Awka.
Dissatisfied with his treatment, and believing that the conduct of the SSS had no basis in law, Mr. El-Rufai approached the court for redress.
The case was listed as FHC/AWK/CS/310/13, with the SSS and the Attorney-General of the Federation as respondents.
Delivering judgment in Awka on Monday, Justice Ibrahim Bature Gafai held that the SSS has no statutory powers under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 or under any Nigerian law to detain Mr. El-Rufai without showing cause to a court of competent jurisdiction.
The court therefore ordered the SSS to publish an apology in two national dailies for the unlawful and unconstitutional violation of his liberty.
In addition to the apology and monetary damages, the court also made significant pronouncements regarding the restriction of movement during elections.
The court declared that the Respondents have no powers under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 or under any Nigerian law to either impose a general restriction on movement or restrict the applicant’s constitutional right of freedom of movement as enshrined in Section 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 on account of the Anambra State Gubernatorial election that took place on the 16th day of November, 2013 or any other election.
This decision has massive implications for the way government agencies routinely attempt to restrict movement of persons, especially during elections.
The court also granted other prayers sought by Mr. El-Rufai, including:
i. A DECLARATION that the detention of the Applicant, Mallam Nasir El-rufai, OFR, without charge, at the premises of Finotel Hotel, Akwa, Anambra State, between the 15th day of November, 2013 and 16th day of November, 2013, by agents of the 1st Respondent, (SSS) or officers, servants, privies of the Respondents and/or of the Federal Government of Nigeria, constitute a gross violation of the Applicant right to personal liberty and freedom of movement respectively guaranteed under sections 35 and 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended) and Articles 6 and 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and is therefore unconstitutional and illegal.
ii. A DECLARATION that the unlawful deprivation of the Applicant, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, OFR, from granting/continued granting of interview with an AIT Correspondence, Mr. Obiorah Iloh and other mass media representatives within the premises of Finotel Hotel, Akwa, Anambra State, at about 2pm of 16th day of November, 2013 by agents of the 1st Respondent, (SSS) or officers, servants, privies of the Respondents and/or of the Federal Government of Nigeria, constitute a gross violation of the Applicant’s freedom of expression guaranteed under section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended) and Article 9(2) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and is accordingly unlawful unconstitutional and illegal.
iii. A DECLARATION that the detention of the Applicant at the premises of Finotel Hotel, Akwa, Anambra State, without charge, on the 15th day of November, 2013 to the 16th day of November, 2013, by agents of the 1st Respondent, (SSS) or officers, servants, agents, privies of the Respondents and/or of the Federal Government of Nigeria with a view to denying the Applicant, Deputy National Secretary and Member/Secretary Electoral Committee, of All Progressives Congress Anambra Governorship Election, 2013, freedom to associates with fellow members of the said All Progressives Congress, at Akwa, Anambra State, is a violation of the Applicant’s Right to Peaceful Assembly and Association guaranteed under section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended) and Articles 10(1) and 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and is accordingly unconstitutional and illegal.
iv. A DECLARATION that the restriction and prevention of the Applicant from moving out of his room in Finotel Hotel wherein he lodged at Awka in Anambra State to monitor the 16th November, 2013 Anambra State Gubernatorial Election by the Agents of the Respondents, Officers, Servants, Agents or Privies constitutes a gross violation of the Applicant’s constitutional right of freedom of movement as enshrined in section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended).
v. A DECLARATION that the restriction and prevention of the Applicant from moving out of his room in Finotel Hotel wherein he lodged at Awka in Anambra State to observe congregation prayers (salat) on the 16th November, 2013 by the Agents of the Respondents, Officers, Servants, Agents or Privies constitutes a gross violation of the Applicant’s constitutional right of freedom of Religion as enshrined in section 38 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended).
vi. A DECLARATION that the Respondents have no powers under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended) or under any Nigerian Law to either impose a general restriction on movement or restrict the Applicant’s constitutional right of freedom of movement as enshrined in Section 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended) on account of the Anambra State Gubernatorial election that took place on the 16th day of November, 2013 or any other election.
vii. A DECLARATION that the 1st Respondent has no statutory powers under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended) or under any Nigerian Law to detain the Applicant without showing cause to a Court of competent jurisdiction.
viii. AN INJUNCTION restraining the Respondents, whether by themselves or by their officers, agents, servants, privies, or otherwise howsoever from further detaining or in any other manner infringing on the fundamental rights of the Applicant.
ix. AN ORDER for the award of compensation/damages to the Applicant, in the sum of N2,000,000.00 (Two Million Naira only) for the unlawful and unconstitutional detention/violation of his right to personal liberty, freedom of movement, freedom of association and expression.
x. AN ORDER directing the Respondents to publish apologies to the Applicant in two (2) National Dailies, for the unlawful and unconstitutional detention/violation of his right to personal liberty, freedom of movement, freedom of religion, freedom of association and expression guaranteed under the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended) and Articles 6, 9(2), 10(1), 11 and 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Jonathan Places Pa Akinkunmi On Lifetime Salary, Gives Out Houses To Steward
As a mark of appreciation to their dedication to service as well as to
the nation, President Goodluck Jonathan has directed the Minister of FCT
Senator Bala Mohammed to give out flats in Abuja to Traffic Warden
Solomon Dauda, Taxi driver Imeh Usuah, as well as head of the
Presidential stewards Onuh Isaac Micheal.
He has also directed the Secretary to the Federal Government to immediately place Pa Micheal Taiwo Akinkunmi (designer of the Nigerian flag) on a salary scale of Special Assistant to the President for life.
In his closing remarks at the presentation of national awards to over 300 Nigerians, President Jonathan commended the honorees and urged them to see their honour as recognition of their service to the nation.
He has also directed the Secretary to the Federal Government to immediately place Pa Micheal Taiwo Akinkunmi (designer of the Nigerian flag) on a salary scale of Special Assistant to the President for life.
In his closing remarks at the presentation of national awards to over 300 Nigerians, President Jonathan commended the honorees and urged them to see their honour as recognition of their service to the nation.
$9.3m Scandal: Oritsejafor violated Company Law, Says Falana
Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi
Falana (SAN), has accused the
President of the Christian
Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo
Oritsejafor, of breaching the
provisions of the Company and
Allied Matters Act through the use of
a private jet belonging to a company
in which he had interest to smuggle
$9.3m cash to South Africa.
Falana said by the provisions of
CAMA, the jet which was allegedly
registered for the facilitation of
evangelism could not be leased to
another company for commercial
purpose, as CAN had said while
defending Oritsejafor.
The lawyer said this in a paper he
delivered at a seminar organised for
the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission’s prosecutors by the
Justice Research Institute in Abuja.
He described as diversionary, the
statement credited to CAN that the
jet had been leased to another
company, apparently to deny
Oritsejafor’s involvement in the jet’s
mission to South Africa.
He said, “Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the
President of the Christian
Association of Nigeria, whose private
jet was used to ferry the money to
South Africa, has denounced those
who have dared to challenge the
involvement of a plane bought for
evangelism in the alleged smuggling
of laundered money.
“In spite of the diversionary
statement of CAN, the influential
pastor cannot dismiss the scandal
with a wave of the hand. With
respect, the explanation by CAN that
the jet was leased to another
company is an admission of the
breach of the law.
“A jet registered for the facilitation of
evangelism cannot be leased to
another company for commercial
purposes, as churches are
registered under part C of the
Company and Allied Matters Act as
non-profit making organisations.”
He noted that many Nigerian pastors
had been indicted in the United
Kingdom for investing church funds
in violation of the Charity Act.
He, therefore, said the CAN President
should apologise to Nigerians if he
was lucky to escape prosecution for
a breach of the provisions of CAMA.
The lawyer said, “In recent time,
some of our pastors have been
indicted in the United Kingdom for
investing church funds in business
in violation of the Charity Act.
“If Pastor Oritsejafor is lucky that he
is not prosecuted for breaching the
CAMA, he owes Nigerians a public
apology. The CAN leadership cannot
afford to engage in attacking its
political opponents in a matter
pertaining to the breach of the law.”
Falana also called for the adoption
of the recommendation of the
National Conference that the office
of the Attorney-General of the
Federation should be separated
from that of the Minister of Justice
and those of the attorneys-general
of various states be separated from
that of the commissioners for
justice.
Falana (SAN), has accused the
President of the Christian
Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo
Oritsejafor, of breaching the
provisions of the Company and
Allied Matters Act through the use of
a private jet belonging to a company
in which he had interest to smuggle
$9.3m cash to South Africa.
Falana said by the provisions of
CAMA, the jet which was allegedly
registered for the facilitation of
evangelism could not be leased to
another company for commercial
purpose, as CAN had said while
defending Oritsejafor.
The lawyer said this in a paper he
delivered at a seminar organised for
the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission’s prosecutors by the
Justice Research Institute in Abuja.
He described as diversionary, the
statement credited to CAN that the
jet had been leased to another
company, apparently to deny
Oritsejafor’s involvement in the jet’s
mission to South Africa.
He said, “Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the
President of the Christian
Association of Nigeria, whose private
jet was used to ferry the money to
South Africa, has denounced those
who have dared to challenge the
involvement of a plane bought for
evangelism in the alleged smuggling
of laundered money.
“In spite of the diversionary
statement of CAN, the influential
pastor cannot dismiss the scandal
with a wave of the hand. With
respect, the explanation by CAN that
the jet was leased to another
company is an admission of the
breach of the law.
“A jet registered for the facilitation of
evangelism cannot be leased to
another company for commercial
purposes, as churches are
registered under part C of the
Company and Allied Matters Act as
non-profit making organisations.”
He noted that many Nigerian pastors
had been indicted in the United
Kingdom for investing church funds
in violation of the Charity Act.
He, therefore, said the CAN President
should apologise to Nigerians if he
was lucky to escape prosecution for
a breach of the provisions of CAMA.
The lawyer said, “In recent time,
some of our pastors have been
indicted in the United Kingdom for
investing church funds in business
in violation of the Charity Act.
“If Pastor Oritsejafor is lucky that he
is not prosecuted for breaching the
CAMA, he owes Nigerians a public
apology. The CAN leadership cannot
afford to engage in attacking its
political opponents in a matter
pertaining to the breach of the law.”
Falana also called for the adoption
of the recommendation of the
National Conference that the office
of the Attorney-General of the
Federation should be separated
from that of the Minister of Justice
and those of the attorneys-general
of various states be separated from
that of the commissioners for
justice.
Monday, 29 September 2014
Jang Shuns PDP Reconciliation Committee
The relationship between Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State and the
national leadership of the ruling People’s Democratic Party may be
heading for the rocks following the decision of the governor to shun the
visit of the PDP reconciliation committee to the state.
Jang had insisted that he was not ready to receive anybody till the conclusion of the party primaries in the state.
Our correspondent learnt that the 15-man reconciliation committee for the North-Central zone led by a former Minister of Defence, Mohammed Bello, had indicated interest to visit the state last Friday to reconcile and receive former governor Joshua Dariye, a former Federal Capital Territory minister, Jeremiah Useni, and a former deputy governor of the state, Pauline Tallen, and others who had written to the national secretariat to indicate their interest to return to the party.
But after visiting Kwara State, the committee was said to have made attempts to get the governor to intimate him with their desire to visit the state. However, when all efforts to get the governor failed, the committee was said to have gotten the acting state Chairman, Mr. Raymond Dabo, who got in contact with the governor.
It was further gathered that the governor told Dabo that he was not ready to receive the team.
A source close to the national secretariat of the PDP told our correspondent on Sunday that the committee was worried that the governor was blocking all avenues to reconciling all aggrieved members of the party in the state.
The source said that in view of the development, the national secretariat was considering some measures to ensure that the party remained intact for the 2015 general elections.
Part of the measures, our correspondent learnt, was the reconstitution of a new executive that would be neutral enough to see to the conclusion of the state primaries.
The source said, “As far as the party is concerned, we have tried to bring everybody on board and would not be happy to see anybody blocking these efforts. The party primary is so crucial and you are expected to bring everybody on board. It will not be a participatory democracy if some people with good intentions are shut out of the party.”
However, the State Organising Secretary of the party, Mr. Mike Dachollom, blamed the national leadership of the party for trying to divide the PDP in the state.
Dachollom said that it was not the governor that shunned the committee but the party because it was neither aware of the constitution of the committee nor the visit of the committee to the state.
Dachollom, who is also the State Chairman of the Interparty Advisory Committee, added that membership of the committee was suspect ab initio because it was Mohammed, who as the deputy national chairman introduced PDP 1 and 11 along with Dariye and others few years ago. He added that the party was not consulted when the committee was constituted.
Dachollom said, “What do you mean by reconciliation. You will be reconciling if you bring those who are full members and have one grievance or the other, but in this case Dariye, Useni and Tallen wrote a letter that they wanted to come back to the PDP after defecting to other parties. If they are to rejoin the party, there should be procedures. The national secretariat did not communicate to the state about the visit of the committee.
“Moreover the constitution of the party is clear on this. Joining party is an individual thing and not through a union. The three wrote jointly using the letter head of a company belonging to Useni and even attached list of their supporters, some of whom are already working with the governor.”
He advised those wishing to join the party to go through their wards as demanded by the party constitution and not trying to use their influence to make the national secretariats to coerce the state chapter to allow them easy entry.
Jang had insisted that he was not ready to receive anybody till the conclusion of the party primaries in the state.
Our correspondent learnt that the 15-man reconciliation committee for the North-Central zone led by a former Minister of Defence, Mohammed Bello, had indicated interest to visit the state last Friday to reconcile and receive former governor Joshua Dariye, a former Federal Capital Territory minister, Jeremiah Useni, and a former deputy governor of the state, Pauline Tallen, and others who had written to the national secretariat to indicate their interest to return to the party.
But after visiting Kwara State, the committee was said to have made attempts to get the governor to intimate him with their desire to visit the state. However, when all efforts to get the governor failed, the committee was said to have gotten the acting state Chairman, Mr. Raymond Dabo, who got in contact with the governor.
It was further gathered that the governor told Dabo that he was not ready to receive the team.
A source close to the national secretariat of the PDP told our correspondent on Sunday that the committee was worried that the governor was blocking all avenues to reconciling all aggrieved members of the party in the state.
The source said that in view of the development, the national secretariat was considering some measures to ensure that the party remained intact for the 2015 general elections.
Part of the measures, our correspondent learnt, was the reconstitution of a new executive that would be neutral enough to see to the conclusion of the state primaries.
The source said, “As far as the party is concerned, we have tried to bring everybody on board and would not be happy to see anybody blocking these efforts. The party primary is so crucial and you are expected to bring everybody on board. It will not be a participatory democracy if some people with good intentions are shut out of the party.”
However, the State Organising Secretary of the party, Mr. Mike Dachollom, blamed the national leadership of the party for trying to divide the PDP in the state.
Dachollom said that it was not the governor that shunned the committee but the party because it was neither aware of the constitution of the committee nor the visit of the committee to the state.
Dachollom, who is also the State Chairman of the Interparty Advisory Committee, added that membership of the committee was suspect ab initio because it was Mohammed, who as the deputy national chairman introduced PDP 1 and 11 along with Dariye and others few years ago. He added that the party was not consulted when the committee was constituted.
Dachollom said, “What do you mean by reconciliation. You will be reconciling if you bring those who are full members and have one grievance or the other, but in this case Dariye, Useni and Tallen wrote a letter that they wanted to come back to the PDP after defecting to other parties. If they are to rejoin the party, there should be procedures. The national secretariat did not communicate to the state about the visit of the committee.
“Moreover the constitution of the party is clear on this. Joining party is an individual thing and not through a union. The three wrote jointly using the letter head of a company belonging to Useni and even attached list of their supporters, some of whom are already working with the governor.”
He advised those wishing to join the party to go through their wards as demanded by the party constitution and not trying to use their influence to make the national secretariats to coerce the state chapter to allow them easy entry.
When I Listen To Some Statements … I Feel Sad For Nigeria – Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday said that terrorism and kidnapping
were still major national challenges because Nigerians had not united
against them as they did against the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
Jonathan made the statement at an inter-denominational church service at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, to mark the country’s 54th Independence Anniversary coming up on Wednesday.
President Goodluck Jonathan speaking at the 54th Independence
Anniversary Interdenominational Church Service at the National Christian Center, Abuja On Sunday (29/9/14)
He said the country was able to fight and defeat the deadly Ebola disease because Nigerians united against the virus irrespective of political persuasion, religion or ethnic origin.
The president appealed for unity among Nigerians, noting that there was no problem or challenge that could withstand the force of a united Nigeria.
“Take the case of Ebola for example; this is a good example all Nigerians must learn from.
“When Patrick Sawyer brought Ebola to Nigeria, it was in Lagos that this incidence happened and in terms of politics, Lagos is an opposition party state but the central government is the ruling party.
“From Lagos Ebola moved to Rivers State, also opposition party state
“But because all Nigerians fought Ebola irrespective of political persuasion, irrespective of religion, irrespective of ethnicity, as individuals we defeated the disease,’’ he said.
Jonathan commended the military and other security services for the successes they had recorded in the counter-insurgency operations despite internal sabotage.
He noted that what the security agencies needed was the support and encouragement of all Nigerians to rid the country of terrorists and other enemies of the Nigerian state.
The president frowned at inflammatory statements and utterances of some politicians and called for restraint in the interest the country.
“We will not require people to come from heaven or other countries to solve our problems. What we require from our brothers and sisters is to encourage our military because it is not easy.
“When people are sleeping in their houses at night, they are busy fighting. Bullets are not badminton rackets or something.
“When I listen to some statements made by some people who call themselves leaders, I feel sad for the country.
“We must believe that we do not have any other country outside of Nigeria,’’ he said.
In his sermon, the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oristejafor, said that most of the challenges confronting the country were self-inflicted.
He noted that corruption and terrorism, which he described as `the greatest’ problems facing the country were created by greedy politicians and extreme religious ideologists.
According to him, corruption is fed by greed, which in turn is rooted in poverty mentality.
He defined poverty mentality as the thinking that what one had was not enough.
Oristejafor differed with the school of thought that terrorism was caused by poverty.
According to him, terrorism is caused by extreme religious ideology.
The CAN president, who based his message on Mark 4:35 to 41, said that Nigeria was a boat built by God that could never sink.
He said that as Jesus calmed the storm that threatened the boat conveying Him and His disciples across Lake Galilee, God would take the country through its current challenges and restore peace to the land.
Oristejafor warned trouble-makers to either repent and retrace their steps or be ready to face God’s judgment.
Hon. Justice Walter Onoghen, took the First Reading drawn from 1 Samuel 30:1-19.
The Second Reading, taken from Mark 4:34-41, was taken by the President of the Senate, David Mark.
Other dignitaries who attended the service included the First Lady Patience Jonathan; the president’s mother, Mrs Eunice Jonathan and former military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd).
Chief Ernest Shonekan, Head of the Interim National Government; top federal government functionaries, Service Chiefs, state governors, members of the clergy, among others, also attended the service.
Jonathan made the statement at an inter-denominational church service at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, to mark the country’s 54th Independence Anniversary coming up on Wednesday.
President Goodluck Jonathan speaking at the 54th Independence
Anniversary Interdenominational Church Service at the National Christian Center, Abuja On Sunday (29/9/14)
He said the country was able to fight and defeat the deadly Ebola disease because Nigerians united against the virus irrespective of political persuasion, religion or ethnic origin.
The president appealed for unity among Nigerians, noting that there was no problem or challenge that could withstand the force of a united Nigeria.
“Take the case of Ebola for example; this is a good example all Nigerians must learn from.
“When Patrick Sawyer brought Ebola to Nigeria, it was in Lagos that this incidence happened and in terms of politics, Lagos is an opposition party state but the central government is the ruling party.
“From Lagos Ebola moved to Rivers State, also opposition party state
“But because all Nigerians fought Ebola irrespective of political persuasion, irrespective of religion, irrespective of ethnicity, as individuals we defeated the disease,’’ he said.
Jonathan commended the military and other security services for the successes they had recorded in the counter-insurgency operations despite internal sabotage.
He noted that what the security agencies needed was the support and encouragement of all Nigerians to rid the country of terrorists and other enemies of the Nigerian state.
The president frowned at inflammatory statements and utterances of some politicians and called for restraint in the interest the country.
“We will not require people to come from heaven or other countries to solve our problems. What we require from our brothers and sisters is to encourage our military because it is not easy.
“When people are sleeping in their houses at night, they are busy fighting. Bullets are not badminton rackets or something.
“When I listen to some statements made by some people who call themselves leaders, I feel sad for the country.
“We must believe that we do not have any other country outside of Nigeria,’’ he said.
In his sermon, the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oristejafor, said that most of the challenges confronting the country were self-inflicted.
He noted that corruption and terrorism, which he described as `the greatest’ problems facing the country were created by greedy politicians and extreme religious ideologists.
According to him, corruption is fed by greed, which in turn is rooted in poverty mentality.
He defined poverty mentality as the thinking that what one had was not enough.
Oristejafor differed with the school of thought that terrorism was caused by poverty.
According to him, terrorism is caused by extreme religious ideology.
The CAN president, who based his message on Mark 4:35 to 41, said that Nigeria was a boat built by God that could never sink.
He said that as Jesus calmed the storm that threatened the boat conveying Him and His disciples across Lake Galilee, God would take the country through its current challenges and restore peace to the land.
Oristejafor warned trouble-makers to either repent and retrace their steps or be ready to face God’s judgment.
Hon. Justice Walter Onoghen, took the First Reading drawn from 1 Samuel 30:1-19.
The Second Reading, taken from Mark 4:34-41, was taken by the President of the Senate, David Mark.
Other dignitaries who attended the service included the First Lady Patience Jonathan; the president’s mother, Mrs Eunice Jonathan and former military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd).
Chief Ernest Shonekan, Head of the Interim National Government; top federal government functionaries, Service Chiefs, state governors, members of the clergy, among others, also attended the service.
Allocation Of New Polling Units: Senate Advices INEC To Postpone Till After 2015
In what appears to be a submission to common sense and logic, the Senate
has told Professor Attahiru Jega, National Chairman, Independent
National Electoral Commission, INEC, to suspend the now controversial
allocation of new Polling Units, PUs.
The Senate, through its Committee on INEC, sent the advisory to Professor Jega on Thursday, September 23, 2014.
The letter, titled CREATION OF NEW POLLING UNITS BY INEC and signed by the Committee Chairman, Senator Andy Uba, pointed out that "there appears to be a general misconception that has generated controversies over the commission's intention".
It, consequently, advised "that the commission postpone the proposed exercise at this time, until after the 2015 general elections to allow for further review, adequate stakeholders consultation and buy-in of your good intention".
The letter reads:
Creation of new Polling Units by INEC
"The Committee wishes to use this medium to express its confidence in the capacity of the Commission, in its drive to improve the electoral system in the country.
"The Committee has always been in full support of the reforms and policies the Commission has introduced in furtherance of its mandate to deliver free, fair, credible and acceptable elections in Nigeria. The Committee will continue to lend its support to policies and programmes that the Commission intends to embark upon towards realizing such reforms.
"The Commission's intention to reconfigure the existing Polling Units to improve the election - day voting experience of the electorate is indeed a laudable and commendable exercise. "However, the exercise is coming at a time that the 2015 general elections are imminent and there appears to be a general misconception that has generated controversies over the Commission's intention.
"Consequently, the Senate Committee would like to advise that the Commission postpone the proposed exercise at this time, until after the 2015 general elections to allow for further review, adequate stakeholders consultation and buy-in of your good intention.
"The Committee will like to reassure the Commission of its full support on any of its policies or programmes that will further the Commission's goal to enhance the quality of the electoral process to sustain our fledging democracy".
Controversy had ensued after Sunday Vanguard published INEC's introduction of 30,000 new Polling Units, PUs, and allocated some across the country in a manner that suggested that the exercise was skewed in favour of Northern Nigeria.
The allocation showed that whereas some states in the North, which recorded less number of registered voters during the Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, got more additional PUs, some states in the South, with much more registered voters during the same CVR exercise, got less.
Of the 12 states in the country that got more than 1,000 PUs from the 30,000, only Lagos was a southern state. The other 11 states are from the North.
That was not all.
It was also discovered that INEC was yet to receive the total number of registered voters in at least 12 states of the country but still went ahead to carry out anticipatory allocation of PUs.
In addition, the Post-Business Rule Figures (the term used for the final phase of validity for the registration exercise and on which basis Permanent Voter Card, PVC are being issued and which were used for Ekiti, Osun and the coming Adamawa State guber election and which would be used for next year's election) was not employed in allocating the PUs.
The figures that were used for the allocation were the Post-AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System) which represent a lower cadre of validity in the chain.
And although the INEC Chairman had come out to defend the Commission's actions, a cross section of Nigerians raised concerns on the propriety of the process.
More knocks for Jega
Meanwhile, NIGERIANS in Diaspora, yesterday, slammed Jega for his perceived ethnic agenda on the PUs.
Chairman, GEJ 2015/Igbo Presidency 2019- Home and Diaspora Support Group, Chief Lambert Igboanugo, in a statement made available to Sunday Vanguard, said, "It will be difficult if not practically impossible to consider him (Jega) a sellout on the issue of integrity until the new lopsided Polling Units, PUs, saga. We roundly condemn Mr. Jega's action as a hatch job that can never hold water considering the fact that Southern Nigeria has not disappeared yet."
Igboanugo, leader of the Nigerian community in The Netherlands, who commended Sunday Vanguard for exposing the scheme, said, "A lot of genuinely concerned Nigerians raised serious issues on his proposed lopsided new polling units craftily designed to favour the North come 2015 General Elections."
" GEJ 2015/Igbo Presidency 2019- Home and Diaspora Support Group commend all the personalities and Nigerian institutions that have lend their voices to condemn this outright abuse of office with sinister agenda before we have a demagogue as an umpire."
The Senate, through its Committee on INEC, sent the advisory to Professor Jega on Thursday, September 23, 2014.
The letter, titled CREATION OF NEW POLLING UNITS BY INEC and signed by the Committee Chairman, Senator Andy Uba, pointed out that "there appears to be a general misconception that has generated controversies over the commission's intention".
It, consequently, advised "that the commission postpone the proposed exercise at this time, until after the 2015 general elections to allow for further review, adequate stakeholders consultation and buy-in of your good intention".
The letter reads:
Creation of new Polling Units by INEC
"The Committee wishes to use this medium to express its confidence in the capacity of the Commission, in its drive to improve the electoral system in the country.
"The Committee has always been in full support of the reforms and policies the Commission has introduced in furtherance of its mandate to deliver free, fair, credible and acceptable elections in Nigeria. The Committee will continue to lend its support to policies and programmes that the Commission intends to embark upon towards realizing such reforms.
"The Commission's intention to reconfigure the existing Polling Units to improve the election - day voting experience of the electorate is indeed a laudable and commendable exercise. "However, the exercise is coming at a time that the 2015 general elections are imminent and there appears to be a general misconception that has generated controversies over the Commission's intention.
"Consequently, the Senate Committee would like to advise that the Commission postpone the proposed exercise at this time, until after the 2015 general elections to allow for further review, adequate stakeholders consultation and buy-in of your good intention.
"The Committee will like to reassure the Commission of its full support on any of its policies or programmes that will further the Commission's goal to enhance the quality of the electoral process to sustain our fledging democracy".
Controversy had ensued after Sunday Vanguard published INEC's introduction of 30,000 new Polling Units, PUs, and allocated some across the country in a manner that suggested that the exercise was skewed in favour of Northern Nigeria.
The allocation showed that whereas some states in the North, which recorded less number of registered voters during the Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, got more additional PUs, some states in the South, with much more registered voters during the same CVR exercise, got less.
Of the 12 states in the country that got more than 1,000 PUs from the 30,000, only Lagos was a southern state. The other 11 states are from the North.
That was not all.
It was also discovered that INEC was yet to receive the total number of registered voters in at least 12 states of the country but still went ahead to carry out anticipatory allocation of PUs.
In addition, the Post-Business Rule Figures (the term used for the final phase of validity for the registration exercise and on which basis Permanent Voter Card, PVC are being issued and which were used for Ekiti, Osun and the coming Adamawa State guber election and which would be used for next year's election) was not employed in allocating the PUs.
The figures that were used for the allocation were the Post-AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System) which represent a lower cadre of validity in the chain.
And although the INEC Chairman had come out to defend the Commission's actions, a cross section of Nigerians raised concerns on the propriety of the process.
More knocks for Jega
Meanwhile, NIGERIANS in Diaspora, yesterday, slammed Jega for his perceived ethnic agenda on the PUs.
Chairman, GEJ 2015/Igbo Presidency 2019- Home and Diaspora Support Group, Chief Lambert Igboanugo, in a statement made available to Sunday Vanguard, said, "It will be difficult if not practically impossible to consider him (Jega) a sellout on the issue of integrity until the new lopsided Polling Units, PUs, saga. We roundly condemn Mr. Jega's action as a hatch job that can never hold water considering the fact that Southern Nigeria has not disappeared yet."
Igboanugo, leader of the Nigerian community in The Netherlands, who commended Sunday Vanguard for exposing the scheme, said, "A lot of genuinely concerned Nigerians raised serious issues on his proposed lopsided new polling units craftily designed to favour the North come 2015 General Elections."
" GEJ 2015/Igbo Presidency 2019- Home and Diaspora Support Group commend all the personalities and Nigerian institutions that have lend their voices to condemn this outright abuse of office with sinister agenda before we have a demagogue as an umpire."
NJC probes pro-Fayose thugs’ attacks on judges
Mr. Justice John Adeyeye was attacked by Fayose’s supporters, who tore his suit, at the Ado-Ekiti High Court premises.
A report on the incident has been written by Ekiti State Chief judge, Justice A. S Daramola, whose court room was invaded and record shredded. Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Mariam Alooma Muktar, who is the NJC chairman, got the report on Friday, according to sources.
It was gathered that the NJC is of the opinion that a firm decision must be taken on the matter to strengthen the esteem of the judiciary.
Investigation by our correspondent revealed that NJC members were “embarrassed” because the attacks on judges threaten the Judiciary.
A source said: “The NJC is going to probe the incidents because the assaults amounted to threats to the Judiciary. And if the Judiciary cannot operate freely in any society, anarchy will set in.
“Already, the NJC is planning an emergency meeting on the development in Ekiti which, if not checked, may be replicated in other states.”
The source added: “The CJN has received a preliminary report from Ekiti Chief Judge; it is left to the NJC to conduct a comprehensive appraisal of the incidents.
“Also, the Ekiti State Government and lawyers involved in the matters have also made representations to the CJN and the NJC.”
Details of the report were not known yesterday, but a source said it contained the fact that Fayose “supervised” the thugs who beat up Justice Adeyeye.
Fayose denied that any judge was assaulted.
Another source said: “All the parties have sent reports on their travails to the CJN, who will present all the facts to the NJC.”
Ekiti State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General Mr. Wale Fapounda, has requested for the video recordings of Saturday’s Sunrise early morning programme on Channels Television in a possible investigation of the role of lawyers in the sacking of Justice Ogunyemi’s court in Ado Ekiti on September 2.
The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) spokesperson during the programme, Mr. Gboyega Adesogan, stated that it was the PDP lawyer that informed the hoodlums of the happenings in the court which led to their violent disruption of proceeding.
According to a statement from the office of the attorney general, the admission by the PDP spokesman corroborated witness accounts and the petitions he had received on the role of lawyers in the fracas.
Yesterday, the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties(CNPP) condemned attacks on judges and demanded the relocation of the affected courts from Ekiti State to the Federal Capital Territory(FCT).
The CNPP made its position known in a statement in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Osita Okechukwu.
The statement said: “The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP ) is outraged over the desecration and tragic assault on the temple of justice, in Ekiti State on 22nd and 25 September, 2014; resulting in assault of Judges and naked beating of Honourable John Adeyeye and subsequent closure of courts in the state.
“Our understanding of what triggered-off the mayhem of September 22, 2014, was that political thugs allegedly associates of Mr. Ayo Fayose, the governor-elect of Ekiti State, frowned at the audacity of Honourable Justuce Isaac Ogunyemi to rule in favour of jurisdiction to try a case involving the governor- elect.
“What emboldened the thugs to move violently on September 25 to sack the Ekiti Election Petition Tribunal was the siddon-look or sheer indifference of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies, in whose full glare the brutal attack took place.
“Feeling highly insecure, since the security agencies had become accomplices of the thugs, the Chief Judge of State shut down the courts.
“It is on this score that we call on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the Nigeria Judicial Council to, as a matter of urgent national importance, relocate the two courts to the Federal Capital, Abuja, for speedy dispensation of justice.
“CNPP cannot recollect where such bizarre and brazen assault on temple of justice took place in recent times, except in Uganda under Idi Amin and in banana republics of yester-years – Burma and Latin America.”
Senator Bukola Saraki described the situation in Ekiti State as a big threat to democracy, political stability and judicial independence.
Dr. Saraki, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urged the National Judicial Council, The National Judicial Institute, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Body of Benchers and other related judicial bodies to rescue the judiciary.
They “must also condemn this act and show concern in respect of this barbaric attack to one of their own,” he added.
In a statement, the chair of Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology said: “I am personally worried and concerned, as a Nigerian and as a stakeholder in the Nigerian polity. Whether the Ekiti State crisis is APC or PDP driven or whether it is as a result of an act of commission or omission and or whether it is government, group of people or individually driven, I must say without any ambiguity that what has happened in Ekiti State in the last few days is totally unacceptable and should be dealt with immediately and decisively too in good time.
“A situation where the independence of our judiciary and its institutions in particular and the office of our respected judicial officials are no more secured and safe to discharge and practise their constitutional responsibility and professional roles respectively, calls for a signal that anarchy is about to set in to our polity.
“It is unfortunate that at a time when we as a nation are battling high rate of insecurity and insurgency across the country and such assault is being unleashed on a Judge of a High Court on official duty, brings a deeper thought to the level of leadership we are providing to this country.
“It is appalling that since the attack on one of the High Court judges in Ekiti State, the Federal Government, the Presidency and the ruling party has either refused, neglected or failed to make a formal pronouncement on this unwarranted attack. This is a sign of bad leadership. A precarious situation of this nature should not be sacrificed on political expediency. This is unacceptable.
“A situation where the Federal Government, the Presidency and the party that forms the government at the national level deem it not to be concerned and decide to keep mum over the unwarranted attack on our judges is an act of dereliction of duties and responsibilities,” he said.
Senior lawyers described the attack on judges and court as an unwarranted debasing of the temple of justice, and a threat to the sustenance of democracy.
Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), Duro Adeyele (SAN), the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, rights activist Festus Keyamo, Kalouma Umar and Richard Chukwuocha said this “frightening trend” must be halted immediately.
Adeyele said: “The attack is very unfortunate. It should not happen at all. The court is the last hope of the common man, and so long as we keep it high, it will be better for our society.
“It is not in the interest of those who attacked the court. I am sure they will realise this and change their stance. This is not about what the government should do. It is a question of what the people should do. People should imbibe civility and know what is good for their interest.”
“What they are doing in Ekiti is actually against the interest of those who attacked the court. This is because if they are accused of anything, they will be taken to that same court. It is in the general interest that people desist from such unnecessary attacks on the court,” the Senior Advocate said.
Okutepa said: “If it did happen, then we should say goodbye to the rule of law. We are already facing serious intimidation and the almost extinction of rule of law in this country. So, if the rule of the jungle is now taking over the rule of law, then might will soon become right and the peace and tranquillity currently being threatened, would have been completely wiped out.
“The criminally-minded will continue to rule us and the rest of us will have to run for our dear lives. And then, we can now say Nigeria is finally dead. I just wish it didn’ happen.
“It may be Ekiti today, the next could be Abuja. They are testing the waters, and it portends grave danger for 2015. It means that electoral process can no longer be determined by democratic means.”
To Keyamo, “it is complete debasing of the Judiciary” and that should never happen. “If it becomes a trend, and the Judiciary is continually subjected to attack, that may well be the end of democracy,” he said, adding: “Politicians are now bringing the hooliganism in politics to the Judiciary. It is what all right thinking men must condemn. It must stop immediately. To attack the Judiciary is to drag the Judiciary into the muddy waters of politics. And that will destroy the entire democratic process,” he siad.
In Odinkalu’s view, “it is despicable. Actually, it is beyond despicable in view of the fact that you are not hearing a consensus condemnation across the political divide,” he said, adding:
“This is because the same politicians will go to these election tribunals tomorrow. I do not thinks there is word enough to condemn what is happening.
“The law is very clear that it is wrong to attack a judge. And if that happens, the law is very clear on what should be done. The fact that we are not seeing any meaningful steps to punish those behind this condemnable act means that some people have been licensed to attack judges.
“Today, it is happening in Ekiti State, tomorrow, it is going to happen elsewhere and this is gradually returning us to 1963 and 1964 in the Southwest and the country, nobody wants this.”
Chukwuocha condemned it all as “ serious infraction on the rule of law and the height of contempt in the face the court. All the people that participated in that mayhem should be arrested and prosecuted, and if found guilty, should be prosecuted according to the law,” he said.
Synagogue tragedy: Families can’t get bodies yet
South Africa yesterday told families of the victims of the collapsed
Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) building in Lagos that it is
likely to take “a considerable amount of time” before the bodies of the
dead South Africans are taken home.
Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe said in Pretoria that the latest report was that only 18 post-mortems had been completed on the victims of the disaster.
“In terms of the last report, they have only completed 18 post-mortems (out of 115) so far. But as soon as the process is completed, we’ll be able to repatriate.”
Radebe said government understood the frustration and anguish of families waiting for the return of the bodies of their loved ones.
Around 115 people, among them 84 South Africans, were killed and dozens trapped when a multi-storey guest house attached to the Synagogue Church of All Nations collapsed in Lagos on September 12.
Radebe said that of the 84 South Africans killed, the number of bodies identified to date remained 62, the same figure announced last Wednesday.
He said going by the Nigerian law, the South African experts who flew to Lagos to assist could not perform post-mortems on the victims, but only act as observers.
“A post-mortem has to be performed on all deceased persons, and death certificates have to be issued, before the mortal remains can be repatriated back to South Africa,” said Radebe.
“Regrettably, this process is bound to take a considerable amount of time due to the large number of people who perished in this incident.”
Families had to prepare themselves for “a process that might go on a while longer than we would have wished”.
Radebe also warned on the condition of the remains.
“Due to the scale of the disaster, the passage of time, and the climatic conditions in Nigeria, most of the mortal remains are not in a good state.
“Out of concern for secondary trauma to the families, as well as public health considerations, government discourages family members from viewing the mortal remains.”
He said the remains would be brought to South Africa “on a single flight, properly equipped for this task”.
On arrival, they would be taken to a special facility where they could be collected by family members.
But we’ll know by the end of the week, when are we going to be repatriating South Africans.”
Radebe said the process of fingerprinting victims had been completed.
“We have reached a critical milestone in the identification of the mortal remains. The capturing of fingerprints on the deceased persons has, where possible, been completed.”
Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe said in Pretoria that the latest report was that only 18 post-mortems had been completed on the victims of the disaster.
“In terms of the last report, they have only completed 18 post-mortems (out of 115) so far. But as soon as the process is completed, we’ll be able to repatriate.”
Radebe said government understood the frustration and anguish of families waiting for the return of the bodies of their loved ones.
Around 115 people, among them 84 South Africans, were killed and dozens trapped when a multi-storey guest house attached to the Synagogue Church of All Nations collapsed in Lagos on September 12.
Radebe said that of the 84 South Africans killed, the number of bodies identified to date remained 62, the same figure announced last Wednesday.
He said going by the Nigerian law, the South African experts who flew to Lagos to assist could not perform post-mortems on the victims, but only act as observers.
“A post-mortem has to be performed on all deceased persons, and death certificates have to be issued, before the mortal remains can be repatriated back to South Africa,” said Radebe.
“Regrettably, this process is bound to take a considerable amount of time due to the large number of people who perished in this incident.”
Families had to prepare themselves for “a process that might go on a while longer than we would have wished”.
Radebe also warned on the condition of the remains.
“Due to the scale of the disaster, the passage of time, and the climatic conditions in Nigeria, most of the mortal remains are not in a good state.
“Out of concern for secondary trauma to the families, as well as public health considerations, government discourages family members from viewing the mortal remains.”
He said the remains would be brought to South Africa “on a single flight, properly equipped for this task”.
On arrival, they would be taken to a special facility where they could be collected by family members.
But we’ll know by the end of the week, when are we going to be repatriating South Africans.”
Radebe said the process of fingerprinting victims had been completed.
“We have reached a critical milestone in the identification of the mortal remains. The capturing of fingerprints on the deceased persons has, where possible, been completed.”
Friday, 26 September 2014
Nigerian Professor, Ilesanmi Becomes First Black VC Of University Of Illinois
A Professor of Nigerian descent, Ilesanmi Adesida made history last
month by becoming the first black Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic
Affairs of the well-respected University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
in the United States.
Born in Ondo State, Prof Adesida is a Nigerian engineer whose outstanding work in the field of Nanotechnology has received much acclaim in the scientific community.
He obtained his Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and subsequently went on to develop a body of work in the processing of semiconductors and other materials at the nanometer-scale level.
After his studies, he worked in various capacities at what is now known as the Cornell Nanofabrication Facility and the School of Electrical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. He was also the head of the Electrical Engineering Department at Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria.
Commenting on his recently appointed role, Prof Adesida said: “I’m honoured and humbled to be selected as provost of this great campus. This is something I take very seriously. I know how to work very hard and I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get the job done.”
Prof Adesida is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the American Vacuum Society, and the Optical Society of America. He is also the past-president of IEEE Electron Devices Society
Born in Ondo State, Prof Adesida is a Nigerian engineer whose outstanding work in the field of Nanotechnology has received much acclaim in the scientific community.
He obtained his Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and subsequently went on to develop a body of work in the processing of semiconductors and other materials at the nanometer-scale level.
After his studies, he worked in various capacities at what is now known as the Cornell Nanofabrication Facility and the School of Electrical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. He was also the head of the Electrical Engineering Department at Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria.
Commenting on his recently appointed role, Prof Adesida said: “I’m honoured and humbled to be selected as provost of this great campus. This is something I take very seriously. I know how to work very hard and I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get the job done.”
Prof Adesida is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the American Vacuum Society, and the Optical Society of America. He is also the past-president of IEEE Electron Devices Society
Six ministers to quit Jonathan’s cabinet
At least, six ministers may quit
President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet in October as preparations for the
2015 general elections peak.
The affected ministers are expected to
resign their appointments in order to pursue their governorship
ambitions on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.
As of press time, the ministers who have
governorship ambitions in their respective states include Senator Bala
Muhammed (Federal Capital Territory), Mr. Labaran Maku (Information),
Chief Emeka Wogu (Labour), Mr. Nyesom Wike (State, Education), Dr.
Samuel Ortom (State, Trade, Industry and Investment) and Senator Musiliu
Obanikoro (State, Defence).
While Muhammed seeks to take over from
Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State; Maku intends to replace Governor
Tanko Al-Makura of Nassarawa State and therefore win the state currently
being ruled by the All Progressives Congress to the PDP while Wogu
nurses the ambition of succeeding Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State.
Wike is interested in taking over Rivers
State from Governor Rotimi Amaechi; Ortom has his eyes on the seat to
be vacated by Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State while Obanikoro
also plans to take over Lagos State from Governor Babatunde Fashola and
the APC.
The President’s Special Adviser on
Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation, Prof. Sylvester Monye, is also
nursing the ambition of becoming the Delta State Governor after Dr.
Emmanuel Uduaghan.
Their imminent resignation is expected to lead to a major shakeup in the Federal Executive Council.
A Presidency source said the ministers’ exit would lead to the constitution of “election cabinet” by the President.
“Their resignation will come very soon.
You know the President will have to fill the vacancies that will be
created before the general elections in February 2015. You also know
that the Senate must approve nominees.
“It is therefore important that the list
be forwarded to the senators before everybody will be engrossed in
election matters in their various constituencies,” the source said.
Enyeama: I don’t pick Eagles’ players
Enyeama, 32, missed the qualifiers against Congo (in Calabar) and South Africa (in Cape Town), both of which the Super Eagles could only manage one point from a possible six.
“I wouldn’t want to delve into that issue as to who to invite and who not to invite. That is for the coach to decide,” he told footballlive.ng.
Enyeama posited also that he hopes the issue of contractual agreement between Stephen Keshi and the Nigerian federation is resolved quickly.
“I hope the issue of who is going to be the coach of Nigeria is resolved as soon as possible so that we will know the way forward. The coach knows who to invite and officials of the NFF know who they are negotiating with.”
Enyeama says he’s a firm believer in possibilities, and as a result, believes qualification is not out of Nigeria’s reach.
“I have always believed in possibilities and I have absolute confidence that we can always achieve the best no matter what. There are still four games to play and I’m very confident we will make it to Morocco 2015, we just have to keep the focus,” he said.
Nigeria are third in Group A, with Congo topping with a maximum points haul of six, South Africa are second with four points, while Sudan are bottom with no points from the two games played so far.
BBA Hotshots unveils Nigerian contestant
Since last week, organisers of Big
Brother Africa reality show have been releasing in batches, the identity
of contestants in the show, billed to start airing on October 5.
It came as a teaser, because unlike in the past, Big Brother has been revealing the contestants in a group of three, daily.
The Nigerian Housemate, who was revealed
Wednesday, is called Lilian, with the alias, ‘SexyLeeLee’. She
described herself as a model, actor, presenter and tax collector.
She claimed to have entered the show
because of “the platform it provides and the publicity that comes with
it, and of course the winning prize – the money.”
Lillian disclosed that she’s not willing
to sell herself short to win the grand prize. If she does win, she’ll
invest in her talk show, which is about ‘helping upcoming talents’ and
then get herself a house.
The show, which will confine contestants in a house for 91 days is staking USD 300 000 on the would-be winner.
According to Lillian, her favourite
delicacy is rice and plantain. She also likes watching Baggage on TV and
listening to 2face Idibia. She doesn’t have a favourite book, but likes
movies like Think Like A Man, Blended, Friends With Benefits, Bridesmaids and Twelve Years A Slave. Her favourite actor is Angelina Jolie, because ‘she (Angelina Jolie) is creative and can switch roles easily.”
Speaking on the reality show, M-Net
Africa Regional Director (West Africa), Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, says viewers
are in for almost as many surprises as the housemates. “We work hard to
make each season of Big Brother Africa bigger than the last – and
we’ve really upped the ante this year,” she said, adding that, “Big
Brother Hotshots is going to bring viewers exciting innovations,
heart-stopping twists and uniquely African glamour, 24/7 for the
duration of their stay in the house. Both fans and housemates are in for
some unmissable television.”
Also Lilian says her favourite place in
Nigeria is Lagos, and she says the best thing about Africa is its
cultural diversity. Outside her home country, she’d like to visit
California for the opportunities she believes it would provide her to
improve her career.
Lilian’s role model is Oprah Winfrey,
because of her strength, and the person who has most influenced her life
is her mother, “because she has always believed in me and encouraged me
to follow my dreams.”
She describes herself as ‘spontaneous,
easy-going, focused and confident’ and says her best assets are that
she’s ambitious, a good listener, flexible, persuasive, competitive,
independent and original.
Fayose: Chaos in courts as thugs beat up judge, others
THE judiciary had another bad day
yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital where an army of thugs
unleashed violence on courts.
A judge was beaten up, his suit torn.
Lawyers, litigants and court clerks fled as the thugs smashed court properties.
It was all a repeat of the scenario on
Monday when the case against the eligibility of Mr. Ayo Fayose, the
governor-elect, was being heard.
The Chief Judge, Justice A. S. Daramola,
whose court room was invaded, ordered all courts in the state shut for
security reasons.
Officials in Justice Daramola’s office were beaten up, his record book was shredded and proceedings were disrupted.
Two other Judges – Justice Adeyeye and Justice Akintayo – were also assaulted.
Fayose was at the Elections Petition
Tribunal hearing the case of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against
his victory in the June 21 election.
The thugs were said to have surged
forward, entering the court premises after the policemen manning the
gate had allowed Fayose in. There was commotion.
Justice Adeyeye was said to have come out to find out what was going on. The thugs descended on him.
Fayose denied last night that any Judge was beaten up.
Tribunal Chairman Justice Muhammed Siraj’s car was smashed.
Soon, instructions that workers should
close for the day went round other offices and departments, forcing an
early closure of the courts, including the magistrates’ and high courts.
The hoodlums, in their scores, gathered at the main road facing the premises of the court as early as 7 am, singing.
Several detachments of policemen in
pick-up vans had also taken positions around the area while an armoured
personnel carrier stood sturdy directly facing the entrance of the
Tribunal.
At a point, tear gas was fired and people scampered away, but the thugs soon regrouped in defiance.
About three or four splinter groups from
the menacing bands kept jogging up and down the main road, singing
songs and checking for supposed ‘enemies’
Lakanu supervised the evacuation of the tribunal judges and the lawyers with a promise to lead them out of town.
In an interview, the Police boss said,
“actually it was rowdy, I had to leave my office and we have cleared
everybody. The judges are happy and we are going to escort them out of
town.
Referring to Monday’s attack on Justice
Olusegun Ogunyemi who is handling a case the eligibility of Fayose, he
said, “You can see that the court is very porous, they came in torrents.
We tried to save the lives of the judge first, nobody was injured; the
judge was protected and we even effected arrests.
“The crowd was big, and of course
politicians were allowed to go about with their supporters. Initially
they were peaceful, but when we discovered they were getting rowdy, we
had to react. I will personally lead the team that will lead the judges
and lawyers out of town. We are more than ready, we are in charge.”
Fayose: I’m not aware judge was beaten up
Governor –elect Ayodele Fayose yesterday
denied that his supporters beat up Justice John Adeyeye. He described
the allegation as not only unfounded, but spurious.
He said: “I am not aware that a judge was beaten up. In fact, this is strange to me.
“This is reckless and strange to me. I
visited the election petition tribunal as a party to the case and I was
the only one that was allowed passage by security men. To the best of my
knowledge, the three judges handling the tribunal case sat.
“How can I order the people to beat up a
judge that has nothing to do with me? At what point was this judge
beaten? Was he a member of the tribunal? Because I went to the tribunal
and not the regular court.
“But I want to point out that a
situation whereby judges or judicial officers , who should be custodians
of the law got compromised with politicians, then anarchy will set in.
“The judge handling the suit against my
qualification dropped the case because of tension and because he lacks
the confidence to continue.
“It would have been better for him to
insist that he would try the case based on its merit. It is sad that
most of our judges have compromised.
“If you have been defeated in all the 16
local governments areas and you now want to come through the window, it
won’t be like ice cream party to APC. I would not be too cheap like
Segun Oni. I am not going to be cheap at all because I am elected by the
people.
“I don’t care about whatever they write
about me because I have grown a thick skin. The strategy of APC will not
work. Nobody, no matter how highly placed, will remove me cheaply.”
Ekiti NURTW chief, Omolafe, murdered
Chief Omolafe Aderiye, immediate past
chairman of the, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Ekiti
State, was last night murdered.
Details of his death were sketchy as at
press time, but the common rumour was that it (the murder) might not be
unconnected with the agitation by a section of members for a change in
the union’s leadership, a plan reportedly favoured by the late Aderiye.
The late Aderiye, popularly called
Lafeade, who runs a transport company in Ado Ekiti, was described as an
easy going person and a focussed and compassionate leader whose tenure
was popular with transporters.
The late Aderiye was seen in the morning
in front of the Ekiti State High Court, Ado-Ekiti, where a tribunal was
hearing the case between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the governor-elect, Mr. Ayodele
Fayose.
A police source confirmed Aderiye’s murder last night.
Sambo leads pro-Jonathan rally in Enugu
Vice-President Mohammed Sambo led a re-election rally for President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday in Enugu.
The rally, a brainchild of Governor
Sullivan Chime, was under the auspices of the Enugu Movement for the
Re-Election of Jonathan (EMJ).
But a prominent indigene and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu was absent at the rally.
It was learnt that the senator and the governor have become rivals over who gets a senatorial ticket.
Businesses, schools and the civil service were shut down yesterday to enable the residents attend the rally.
Chime said anyone who was not at the
rally could not prove his or her support for Jonathan’s re-election,
apparently referring to Ekweremadu.
Sambo said he had confirmed that Enugu State was 100 per cent for Jonathan’s re-election bid.
The vice-president noted that there would be no need for the President to campaign in the state.
He hailed Chime for transforming the state.
The governor explained that the rally was organised to support the Jonathan/Sambo 2015 return to Aso Rock Villa.
He said: “Our people have demonstrated
their support and we are repeating what we said in 2011 that Mr.
President should count Enugu out of the states for campaigns. This is
because there will be no need for that. As you can see, the whole state
has said ‘On Jonathan we stand’.”
Chime recalled that in 2011, no other presidential candidate campaigned in the state, adding that 2015 would not be different.
He said: “Any vote against Jonathan in 2015 must be a vote in error.”
Anambra State Governor Willy Obiano said his state supported Jonathan’s re-election.
He recalled that the All Progressives
Grand Alliance (APGA) was the first party to endorse President Jonathan
before the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did.
Dignitaries at the rally included the
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim; the
Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Prof. Rufai Ahmed
Alkali; old Anambra State Governor Jim Nwobodo, former Senate President
Ken Nnamani, Senator Ayogu Eze; former Information Minister Frank Nweke
Jnr.; Minister of Power Prof. Chinedu Nebo and business mogul Chief
Arthur Eze.
Also yesterday, a group, Enugu Rescue
Group (ERG), criticised Chime for describing Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) members who were not at the Enugu rally as opposing Jonathan’s
re-election.
The group was reacting to the statement
by the governor who, while addressing the rally organised by the Enugu
State Movement for Re-election of President Jonathan said that “whoever
is not here could not be said to be supporting President Jonathan”.
In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Comrade Martin Okenwa, ERG said Chime was notorious for his anti-Jonathan tendencies.
It described the Enugu rally as “a
damage control from the backlash of the non-support and participation in
the Transformation Ambassadors Nigeria (TAN) Southeast rally in Awka,
the Anamabra State”.
The statement reads: “Governor Chime’s
comment is an irony because, from the turbulent days of the struggle for
the emergence of President Jonathan as the Acting President to the
successful efforts spearheaded by TAN to have the PDP adopt Mr.
President as its sole candidate, the Enugu State Government and the
governor are renowned for their opposition and hide-and-seek games.
“Not only was Chime the only Southeast
PDP governor who refused to collect the TAN registers to mobilise
signatures in support of the President, it is also public knowledge that
the governor took the State Executive Council and all the local
government chairmen to a birthday party in Umuahia (Abia State capital)
on the day of the rally attended by all the other PDP Southeast
Governors.
“The Enugu rally was, therefore, a
belated damage control and futile attempt to key himself into the
Jonathan 2015 re-election having seen that Jonathan had carried the day
with his adoption by the PDP as its sole presidential candidate.
“We see Chime’s comment as an attack on
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, the same man who moved the
important motion and authored the Doctrine of Necessity, both of which
snowballed into the Jonathan presidency at a time the governor was
hobnobbing with anti-Jonathan forces.”
Thursday, 25 September 2014
Jonathan’s endorsement mockery of democracy, says APC
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has
described the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan as the sole
presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as a
mockery of democracy.
In a statement in Lagos yesterday by its
National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the
endorsement came as a great price to Nigerians, considering the deals
struck to make President Jonathan the sole candidate.
It said the parody of democracy that the
endorsement represents has exposed the shameless hypocrisy of the PDP,
which is ever so eager to accuse other parties of lacking in internal
democracy.
“Obviously, those fellows in the PDP
have never heard of the saying that those who must come to equity must
come with clean hands. PDP, where is your own internal democracy now
that you have turned your party into a fiefdom controlled by one and
only one person?
“While endorsements are part and parcel
of democracy, they are never done to the exclusion of other candidates.
This is simply not democratic. When Barack Obama was endorsed by his
party’s bigwigs to contest the US Presidency, the party never excluded
Hillary Clinton from its primaries. This is how it is done,” APC said.
The party said the price being paid for Jonathan’s endorsement by Nigeria was too heavy, considering that the PDP governors, who
spearheaded the endorsement, had secured
perpetual immunity from prosecution by anti-graft bodies, including the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent
Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC);
automatic tickets for all first-term PDP governors, whether or not they
performed, automatic tickets for all PDP governors running for the
Senate, as well as free ride back to the upper chamber by Senate
President David Mark.
“It is now an Open Sesame for the PDP
governors, who have no prying anti-corruption agencies watching over
their shoulders. They can now simply see the commonwealth as an
extension of their deep pockets. The endorsement is also a vote of
approval for the proceeds of corruption that have been powering the
noisy and outrageous Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN),” it
said.
APC accused President Jonathan of
desecrating democracy because of his desperation for re-election,
adding: “It is a cruel irony that a man who has benefited, more than
anyone else, from this democracy has been the one who has been doing
everything possible to undermine it.”
The party said President Jonathan has
also abandoned domestic issues while seeking international relevance, in
a clear negation of the aphorism that charity begins at home.
It added: “This President has basically
abandoned governance. Unprecedented corruption is mounting, insecurity
stalks the land and Nigerians grope in darkness as power generation has
plummeted. This President has yet to tell Nigerians the full involvement
of his government in the $9.3 million that was illegally ferried to
South Africa on a private jet. This President has yet to tell Nigerians
why he has continued to hobnob with a suspected sponsor of Boko Haram,
who is supposed to be under a probe by his administration. Yet, he is
eager to attend meetings with serious-minded leaders, who have done well
for their own people.
“Mr. President, it is only when you have
achieved success domestically that you can parade yourself
internationally. You cannot look good abroad if you look ugly at home.”
Fayose: APC plans to truncate my inauguration
EKITI State governor-elect Mr. Ayodele
Fayose has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of trying to
obtain judgment through the backdoor to truncate his inauguration on
October 16 and install the Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly as
acting governor.
Fayose, who disclosed this at a media
briefing at his Magodo, Lagos residence yesterday, said the target of
the APC, through Justice Segun Ogunyemi, was to obtain a jankara
(backdoor) judgment and install the Speaker under the pretext that he
(Fayose) was not qualified to contest the June 21 governorship election.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
governorship candidate said it was curious that Justice Ogunyemi, who
was forced to stop court proceedings by suspected party thugs recently,
delivered the judgment on preliminary objections in the morning.
He added that the judge was going to proceed to hear the substantive suit and deliver judgment the same day.
But the thugs disrupted the court
proceedings in Ado Ekiti, the state capital and chased away the judge
and lawyers from court room with dangerous weapons.
Fayose said the events in Ekiti State
showed that certain interests were being represented and that some
judicial officers are being compromised.
The governor-elect, who was supported by
former Deputy Governor Abiodun Olujimi during the briefing, said the
E-11, an association of professionals of Ekiti State origin, had
instituted the case against him two weeks before the June 21 election,
claiming that he was not qualified to contest the polls.
He argued that it appeared as if the
judge suddenly woken from a slumber and wanted to rush the case to
represent certain interests.
His words: “Will it not interest you to
know that in less than 24 hours, the judge has turned in the case file.
This same judge had adjourned this matter for more than three months. I
have been elected for well over three months now. The matter came almost
two weeks before my election. But suddenly the judge just woke up from a
slumber, to want to rush a case to represent certain interest.”
The governor-elect noted that it was regrettable that the process in court was disrupted.
He added: “It’s unfortunate. But don’t
forget that the average man on the streets knows what they want and they
are equally more enlightened than before, when somebody would just
come, pay a judge somewhere for a backdoor judgment, to stall a process,
to steal people’s mandate.”
Fayose added that he and his party was
not opposed to trials. “But we want trials done through due process.
What is the hurry for this judge? What is his interest?” he queried.
He alleged that the Chief Judge of Ekiti
State was an interested party in the matter. “We have been told that he
wants to assign the matter to himself. He is a clear member of the
E-11; the petitioners. We want a judge who is ready to carry out his
assignment as a judge; who is ready to respect the Constitution of
Nigeria, to try matters by being fair to all concerned and be
accountable to Nigerians,” he said.
Fayose enjoined the authorities at the
judicial and executive level, to beam the searchlight on Ekiti and look
beyond the propagandas of the political parties.
He said he had just arrived from an
overseas trip on Tuesday night and that he decided to state his own side
of what was going on because of its political implication.
Fake Shekau who insulted Jonathan, Obama killed
The loquacious man who appeared in many
videos taunting President Goodluck Jonathan and his American counterpart
Barack Obama is dead, the military announced yesterday.
The clarification by Defence
Headquarters (DHQ) spokesman Major-Gen. Chris Olukolade ended the
controversy over the fate of the man who the military said assumed
“Abubakar Shekau”, the late “eccentric” leader of the Boko Haram.
Residents of towns where the military
fought Boko Haram insurgents confirmed that the man who was known as
Bashir Mohammed was, indeed, the one killed, the DHQ said.
The impostor appeared in a video,
boasting that the abducted Chibok girls would be sold and married off.
He said Jonathan and Obama were embarking on a futile mission, trying to
catch him.
Besides, he showed up on television screens claiming responsibility for many Boko Haram bombings.
Gen. Olukolade gave yesterday in Abuja
an update on the anti-terrorism battle. He said 135 Boko Haram
insurgents surrendered in Yobe and Adamawa states.
He said while 88 gave up in Mairiga/Buni – Yadi, 45 were captured in and around Mubi – Michika in Adamawa State.
All the captives are undergoing interrogation in some designated military facilities.
The DHQ said that many terrorists were
killed. They included Mohammed Bashir, who has been “acting or posing on
videos as the deceased Abubakar Shekau, the eccentric character known
as leader of the group.”
Gen. Olukolade claimed that Boko Haram
made four futile attempts to occupy Konduga, which is about 60
kilometres to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Each of the four encounters with Boko Haram in Konduga, between 12 and 17 September, lasted about five hours.
Gen. Olukolade said: “Nigerian troops
have been conducting coordinated air and land operations in furtherance
of efforts at containing the terrorists in the North-Eastern part of the
country.
“Somehow, it became apparent that the
terrorists in continuation of their campaign of terror were determined
to take over communities around Maiduguri, which is their prime target.
“There was therefore the need to ensure
that communities, such as Konduga, were protected. It is noteworthy that
the terrorists made not less than four attempts between 12 and 17
September 2014 to violate the security and enter Konduga to perpetrate
their atrocities. Air and land forces were subsequently deployed to
handle the situation.
“The convoy of combat vehicles typical
of terrorists’ mission that involves their top commanders was fiercely
engaged by the land and air forces.
“Several of the terrorists, including
some of their commanders, lost their lives in the encounters, which
lasted an average of about five hours each.”
The DHQ said the troops killed some of
the Boko Haram terrorists and 135 others were either captured or
surrendered in Yobe and Adamawa states.
It said Mohammed Bashir, who was an “impostor” of Boko Haram leader Imam Abubakar Shekau, was among those killed by troops.
The statement added: “The troops
captured some of the terrorists and their equipment. In the course of
those encounters, one Mohammed Bashir, who has been acting or posing on
videos as the deceased Abubakar Shekau, the eccentric character known as
leader of the group, died.
“Since the name Shekau has become a
brand name for the terrorists’ leader, the Nigerian military remains
resolute to serve justice to anyone who assumes that designation or
title as well as all terrorists that seek to violate the freedom and
territory of Nigeria.
“On restoring normalcy after the
encounter, inhabitants of the community who were victims of terrorists’
activities corroborated information on the identity of Bashir Mohammed,
alias Abubakar Shekau, alias Abacha Abdullahi Geidam, alias Damasack
etc. Indeed, the recent devastation on the leadership of the insurgents
is attributable to the renewed commitment to the mission of eradicating
terrorism in our country.
“Meanwhile, a total of 135 terrorists
yesterday evening surrendered along with equipment to troops around Biu
Local Government Area.
“A group of 88 submitted themselves at
Mairiga/Bun – Yadi while another group of 45 terrorists were taken in
around Mubi – Michika. They are all being interrogated and processed in
conformity with the dictates of standard best practices.”
While praising the gallantry of troops, the DHQ vowed to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists.
The statement said: “The Defence
Headquarters applauds the gallantry of the Nigerian troops who have
remained undaunted and professional in prosecuting this campaign against
terror. The keen interest exhibited by our neighbours and allies is
commendable and we appreciate them.
“All allies in the war against terrorism
are hereby assured of the Nigerian military’s resolve to maintain
momentum in the efforts to decimate and defeat terrorists.
“The invaluable efforts toward achieving sustainable peace and victory against the terrorists are highly appreciated.
“It is nevertheless necessary to alert
all citizens that there is still the need for even more vigilance and
cooperation with the security forces. Everybody is required to remain
alert to ensure that we are not taken unawares by terrorist elements who
might want to carry out isolated attacks in any part of our country.”
Abducted Chibok Girl Found In Mubi
One of the female students, named Susan, who was abducted by the Boko
Haram sect from Government Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State last
April, was found by the police in the early hours of yesterday in Mubi,
Adamawa State, two days after she was thrown off a truck by her captors,
THISDAY has learnt.
This is just as the Defence Headquaters (DHQ) yesterday confirmed the death of an insurgent, who it claimed had been impersonating the leader of the terror sect, Abubakar Shekau, for over a year.
A senior police officer in Mubi confirmed that the girl was dropped off near the Divisional Police Headquarters in Mubi by locals who discovered her after she was thrown off a truck that was being used by insurgents to escape from Nigerian troops.
He said when the girl was found, she was incoherent, and had scars and injuries all over her body because she had been battered by her assailants, and left by the road by locals near the police station.
The police officer said Susan is one of the 219 Chibok girls, whose abduction had attracted the attention of the international community and a global coalition to find and rescue them.
He said the girl had old and fresh wounds and scars all over her body, with swollen legs because she had walked a long distance for two days after being thrown off the truck by her abductors.
“She had old and fresh wounds and her legs were swollen, may be because she trekked a long distance, and you could see marks on her body where she was mercilessly beaten by her abductors, I believe,” the senior police officer volunteered.
Another person, who identified himself as Mallam Musa, also informed THISDAY that the police yesterday morning found a young girl stranded on the road, near the police station.
He said the girl had fresh and old wounds on her body, adding that she had obviously been beaten and maltreated.
Musa said the young girl might have walked from Sambisa Forest, the enclave of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents, which transverses Adamawa and Borno States.
A security source in Mubi, also said he was certain that Susan is one of the kidnapped Chibok girls.
He informed THISDAY that the she had been handed moved by Mubi Police Command to the Yola Police Command in the Adamawa State capital.
Efforts to reach the Nigerian Army Public Relations Officer, Captain Nuhu Jefaru of the 23 Amoured Brigade in Yola, were not successful, while the Public Relation Officer of the Police Command in Yola, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Michael Haa, said he was yet to receive any information on Susan.
However, the leader of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) group and former Minister of Education, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, in elated late night tweets, confirmed the discovery of Susan
Tweeting from her twitter handle @obyezeks at 11.17 pm, Ezekwesili announced the news of Susan’s rescue.
This came barely three hours after Ezekwesili had granted an interview to Aljazeera about the missing girls and the struggles of the BBOG group.
She wrote: “After the emotional upheaval of yesterday's (Tuesday) dashed hopes, today came with the factual return of one of our 219 #ChibokGirls. She’s in trauma.
“One #ChibokGirl, miraculously found in a bush by locals and returned today, is confirmed by Chibok parents with her in Yola. Incredible!
“It is hard to comprehend the return of Susan who is yet incoherent. The locals that found her took her to Mubi Police and now moved to Yola.
“The eternal optimist that I am makes me see the return of Susan as a good sign for the rest of our 219 Chibok daughters. They shall return!!
“One hopes that our security/military would approach Susan’s return in a way that helps us learn more in the next couple of days.”
Giving more insight into Susan’s discovery, another member of the BBOG group, Ms. Hadiza Usman, informed THISDAY that the young girl was traumatised and incoherent when she was found by the police in Mubi.
She revealed that one of the Chibok parents travelled to Mubi and identified her, adding, “She has been moved from the Mubi police station to the Yola Police Command, following which she would be taken to the hospital this morning.”
She said the authorities tried to stabilise her so she could be debriefed, expressing hope that Susan’s release would give the security agencies some insight as to where other Chibok students who were kidnapped with her are held captive.
This is just as the Defence Headquaters (DHQ) yesterday confirmed the death of an insurgent, who it claimed had been impersonating the leader of the terror sect, Abubakar Shekau, for over a year.
A senior police officer in Mubi confirmed that the girl was dropped off near the Divisional Police Headquarters in Mubi by locals who discovered her after she was thrown off a truck that was being used by insurgents to escape from Nigerian troops.
He said when the girl was found, she was incoherent, and had scars and injuries all over her body because she had been battered by her assailants, and left by the road by locals near the police station.
The police officer said Susan is one of the 219 Chibok girls, whose abduction had attracted the attention of the international community and a global coalition to find and rescue them.
He said the girl had old and fresh wounds and scars all over her body, with swollen legs because she had walked a long distance for two days after being thrown off the truck by her abductors.
“She had old and fresh wounds and her legs were swollen, may be because she trekked a long distance, and you could see marks on her body where she was mercilessly beaten by her abductors, I believe,” the senior police officer volunteered.
Another person, who identified himself as Mallam Musa, also informed THISDAY that the police yesterday morning found a young girl stranded on the road, near the police station.
He said the girl had fresh and old wounds on her body, adding that she had obviously been beaten and maltreated.
Musa said the young girl might have walked from Sambisa Forest, the enclave of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents, which transverses Adamawa and Borno States.
A security source in Mubi, also said he was certain that Susan is one of the kidnapped Chibok girls.
He informed THISDAY that the she had been handed moved by Mubi Police Command to the Yola Police Command in the Adamawa State capital.
Efforts to reach the Nigerian Army Public Relations Officer, Captain Nuhu Jefaru of the 23 Amoured Brigade in Yola, were not successful, while the Public Relation Officer of the Police Command in Yola, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Michael Haa, said he was yet to receive any information on Susan.
However, the leader of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) group and former Minister of Education, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, in elated late night tweets, confirmed the discovery of Susan
Tweeting from her twitter handle @obyezeks at 11.17 pm, Ezekwesili announced the news of Susan’s rescue.
This came barely three hours after Ezekwesili had granted an interview to Aljazeera about the missing girls and the struggles of the BBOG group.
She wrote: “After the emotional upheaval of yesterday's (Tuesday) dashed hopes, today came with the factual return of one of our 219 #ChibokGirls. She’s in trauma.
“One #ChibokGirl, miraculously found in a bush by locals and returned today, is confirmed by Chibok parents with her in Yola. Incredible!
“It is hard to comprehend the return of Susan who is yet incoherent. The locals that found her took her to Mubi Police and now moved to Yola.
“The eternal optimist that I am makes me see the return of Susan as a good sign for the rest of our 219 Chibok daughters. They shall return!!
“One hopes that our security/military would approach Susan’s return in a way that helps us learn more in the next couple of days.”
Giving more insight into Susan’s discovery, another member of the BBOG group, Ms. Hadiza Usman, informed THISDAY that the young girl was traumatised and incoherent when she was found by the police in Mubi.
She revealed that one of the Chibok parents travelled to Mubi and identified her, adding, “She has been moved from the Mubi police station to the Yola Police Command, following which she would be taken to the hospital this morning.”
She said the authorities tried to stabilise her so she could be debriefed, expressing hope that Susan’s release would give the security agencies some insight as to where other Chibok students who were kidnapped with her are held captive.
US Denies Blocking FG’s Purchase Of War Aircraft
The United States embassy in Nigeria has faulted a story of its
purported blocking of the sale of CH-47 Chinook transport aircraft by
the state of Israel to Nigeria.
Responding to the story published by ThisDay newspaper, that the US had prevented Israel from selling the cargo helicopters to Nigeria, the embassy’s press attaché, Sean J. McIntosh, said his country had a good diplomatic relationship with Nigeria.
“The United States remains committed to helping the government of Nigeria address the threat posed by the terrorist organisation Boko Haram. We continue to support Nigerian efforts to bring about the safe recovery of the abductees and to advise the government of Nigeria on its response,” he said.
He further added that, “We are advising on issues of survivor support, humanitarian assistance, criminal investigations, intelligence and strategic communications.”
He, however, declined to give any assurance of a mutual complement of arms purchase policy that is not in conformity with that of his country and its interests.
“U.S. Departments of State and Defense review all potential arms transfers for their consistency with US policy and interests, as detailed in the US Conventional Arms Transfer Policy, updated by President Obama in January. This includes any requests for one country to transfer US-origin defence items to another country,” McIntosh said, emphasising that he could not comment on any specific application of the policy.
Meanwhile, Mukhtar Dan’Iyan, the editor-in-chief of the 15Past8 Media Group based in New York City, who is also an expert on Africa and Middle East policy and security gave his opinion on the matter in a tweet he posted.
Dan’Iyan wrote, “Israel does not use CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter, so selling surplus (or any stock) to Nigeria or any other nation is not even a possibility. The story about USA blocking the sale of non-existent equipment from Israel is therefore non-sequitur.
“Incidentally, Israel uses the Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion as its heavy transport helicopter, and Boeing would do anything to get that business for its Chinook,” he wrote.
Boko Haram killed 13,000 Nigerians in 5 years – Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan has in New York, United Statesthat the Boko Haram sect has killed about 13,000 persons in Nigeria since 2005.
Addressing the United Nations Security Council High-Level Meeting on the Threat of Terrorism to Global Peace and Security yesterday , Jonathan, who urged the international community to act immediately to stop the troubling new phenomenon of terrorists and foreign fighters attacking and trying to hold parts of sovereign nations, stated that there was the need to support countries like Nigeria which are in the frontline of the war against terrorism.
Informing the UN Security Council that his administration has continued relentlessly to confront the menace of terrorism with unrelenting determination, Jonathan said the federal government has also evolved initiatives to alleviate the plight of people in affected communities.
He said, “Nigeria knows too well the destructive effects of terrorist activities. Over the past five years, we have been, and are still confronting threats posed by Boko Haram to peace and stability predominantly in the North Eastern part of our country.
“The costs are high: over 13,000 people have been killed, whole communities razed, and hundreds of persons kidnapped, the most prominent being our innocent daughters from Chibok Secondary School, in North East Nigeria.
As daunting as the challenge may be, we have faced it with unrelenting determination, mobilising all the resources at our disposal to ensure that the scourge of terrorism is rooted out of our nation.
“In addition to our counterterrorism efforts, we have evolved initiatives to alleviate the plight of the population in the affected communities. These include a holistic effort through the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) which is aimed at providing immediate relief and fast tracking the infrastructural re-development of the region. It also has as a core goal, an integrated effort at achieving the de-radicalisation of potential terrorist recruits.
“We have also launched a Victims Support Fund which has already raised about $500million of the expected minimum of $1billion in direct support of the victims of acts of terrorism. This is in addition to the. Safe Schools Initiative championed by Mr. Gordon Brown, former British Prime Minister and currently the UN Special Envoy for Global Education which is being rigorously supported by Nigeria’s Federal Government”.
Jonathan further urged the international community must also do more to support countries like Nigeria which are in the frontline of the war against terrorism.
He said, “There is no doubt that foreign fighters have added a troubling dimension to this emerging phase of terrorism. From targeted attacks by Al Qaeda a few years ago, we now have mobile bands of thousands of terrorists sweeping across vast areas, destroying lives, and even attempting to hold territory. This is unacceptable; we must act now.
“We must capitalize on the commitment and evident determination of the Security Council to seek more innovative responses to the threat of terrorism and in particular to the growing menace of foreign fighters. The Council should be concerned about the existence of sources of arming and funding terrorists. Evidence has shown that Boko Haram, for instance, is resourced largely from outside our country.
“We must also commit to ensuring that countries which are in the frontline of this challenge, receive adequate support from the international community.
Only by united action and firm resolve can we check this raging threat to humanity, and also build the enduring structures that will resist their re-emergence”.
Reject cancer of violent extremism, Obama tells the world
…Denounces ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram
United States president, Barack Obama has called on the world to join him in the effort to degrade and ultimately destroy militants terrorising the world.
Addressing the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York, Obama highlighted efforts being made to build an international coalition to combat ISIS and Al-Qaeda terrorists, who are taking some parts of the countries affected by their activities.
According to Obama, the militants were terrorising people in Iraq and Syria, gunning down innocent children and subjecting mothers, sisters and daughters To Molest as a weapon of war.
“Bodies have been dumped in mass graves. Religious minorities have been starved to death. In the most horrific crimes imaginable, innocent human beings have been beheaded, with videos of the atrocity distributed to shock the conscience of the world.
“In this effort, we do not act alone. Nor do we intend to send US troops to occupy foreign lands. We will train and equip forces fighting against these terrorists on the ground. We will work to cut off their financing and to stop the flow of fighters into and out of the region.
“The ideology of ISIS or Al-Qaeda or Boko Haram will wilt and die if it is consistently exposed, confronted and refuted in the light of day,” Obama said.
He cited as an example a new Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies and Sheikh binBayyah, who described its purpose: “We must declare war on war, so the outcome will be peace upon peace. Look at the young British Muslims who responded to terrorist propaganda by starting the hash tag #NotInMyName campaign, declaring ‘ISIS is hiding behind a false Islam’.
“Look at the Christian and Muslim leaders who came together in the Central African Republic to reject violence. Listen to the Imam who said, ‘Politics tries to divide the religious in our country, but religion shouldn’t be a cause of hate, war, or strife’.”
President Obama urged the world – especially Muslim communities – to explicitly, forcefully and consistently reject the ideology of Al-Qaeda, ISIS and Boko Haram.
“It is the task of all great religions to accommodate devout faith with a modern, multicultural world. No children, anywhere, should be educated to hate other people. There should be no more tolerance of so-called clerics who call upon people to harm innocents because they are Jewish, Christian or Muslim.
“It is time for a new compact among the civilised peoples of this world to eradicate war at its most fundamental source: the corruption of young minds by violent ideology. It’s time to end the hypocrisy of those who accumulate wealth through the global economy and then siphon funds to those who teach children to tear it down,” he said.
Contesting the space that terrorists occupy, including the Internet and social media, he said, “Their propaganda has coerced young people to travel abroad to fight their wars and turned students into suicide bombers. We must offer an alternative vision.
“All religions have been attacked by extremists from within at some point, and all people of faith have a responsibility to lift up the value at the heart of all religion: do unto thy neighbour as you would have done unto you,” Obama said.
We’ve killed Shekau’s impostor - DHQ
Nigerian troops used both land and air forces to stop Boko Haram insurgents from getting into Konduga in their bid to capture Maiduguri. Members of the sect are subsequently reported to be surrendering in droves, after the killing of their purported leader.
There was a fierce battle between the troops and insurgents last week, but the military prevailed. One Mohammed Bashir, who had been posing in videos put out by the sect as the deceased Abubakar Shekau, leader of the sect, was killed during the onslaught by the army.
Addressing journalists at the Defence Headquarters yesterday, its director of information, Major General Chris Olukolade, made this known. He showed video footage and photographs of the dead insurgents and those who had surrendered to the army.
“Nigerian troops have been conducting coordinated air and land operations in furtherance of efforts at containing the terrorists in the North East part of the country. Somehow, it became apparent that the terrorists in continuation of their campaign of terror were determined to take over communities around Maiduguri, which is their prime target.
“There was therefore the need to ensure that communities such as Konduga were protected. It is noteworthy that the terrorists made no less than four attempts between 12 and 17 September 2014 to violate the security and enter Konduga to perpetrate their atrocities. Air and land forces were subsequently deployed to handle the situation.
“The convoy of combat vehicles typical of terrorist missions that involve their top commanders was fiercely engaged by the land and air forces. Several of the terrorists, including some of their commanders lost their lives in the encounters, which lasted an average of about five hours each.
“The troops captured some of the terrorists and their equipment. In the course of those encounters, one Mohammed Bashir, who has been acting or posing in videos as the deceased Abubakar Shekau, the eccentric character known as leader of the group, died,” Olukolade said.
He further said, “Since the name Shekau has become a brand name for the terrorists’ leader, the Nigerian military remains resolute to serve justice to anyone who assumes that designation or title, as well as all terrorists that seek to violate the freedom and territory of Nigeria.”
Olukolade said that it was the residents of the community who were victims of the insurgents’ activities that corroborated information on the identity of Bashir Mohammed alias Abubakar Shekau, alias Abacha Abdullahi Geidam, alias Damasack, etc.
“The recent devastation on the leadership of the insurgents is attributable to the renewed commitment to the mission of eradicating terrorism in our country,” Olukolade said.
According to him, a total of 135 terrorists had as at Tuesday evening surrendered to troops, along with equipment, in the Biu local government area. A group of 88 submitted themselves at Mairiga/Bun–Yadi, while another group of 45 insurgents were taken around Mubi–Michika.
He said, “They are all being interrogated and processed in conformity with the dictates of standard best practices.”
Jonathan To UN: We’re doing our best to rescue Chibok girls
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday in New York told the United Nations (UN) that the federal government was still doing everything possible to rescue the schoolgirls abducted from Chibok, Borno State as well as curb the gory and cruel activities of the Boko Haram sect.
Delivering Nigeria’s annual speech to the 69th United Nations General Assembly, Jonathan, who also urged the United Nations to urgently review its peacekeeping operations across the world, said pressing challenges to global peace and security had made it imperative that urgent action be taken on the reformation of United Nations Security Council.
Speaking on the Chibok girls, Jonathan said, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the countries and organizations that expressed solidarity with us, and have continued to support our determined efforts to free our daughters. Although it has been over three months since they were abducted, we have never relented in our efforts to set them safely free.
“Together with our partners, we are working assiduously to free our daughters and reunite them with their families. Let me underline today, that we shall not waiver until we end this mindless war on the innocent, and bring all the perpetrators to justice. We will triumph over terrorism”.
Asking the global body to urgently review its peacekeeping operations across the world, Jonathan said, “Mr. President, the failure of unanimity of action by the Security Council over pressing challenges to global peace and security, in Syria, Iraq, the conflict in Ukraine, and the renewed aggression between Israel and Palestine, have strengthened the case for the reform of the Security Council.
“Today’s challenges can only be resolved by a Security Council whose working methods engender transparency, inclusivity, and common ownership through equitable representation of all regions in the decision making process of the Council. It is imperative that we take advantage of 2015, which also marks the 50th Anniversary of the 1965 reform, to make concrete progress on the reform of the Council.
“We call for a fast-tracked process, in line with the initiative of His Excellency John Ashe, President of the 68th General Assembly, for establishing a working Group on reform. Indeed, the Security Council requires the collective resolve of all member states to ensure that 2015 brings decisive progress”. The Nigerian president lamented that, the UN was established about 70 years ago to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, it was sad that the world continues to experience conflict and human suffering.
He said, “Today’s terrorism is vicious and aimless. Its consequences are extremely agonizing, marked by a tendency to annihilate victims, and completely destroy infrastructure and properties. The involvement of foreign fighters has remained a common feature of terrorist groups – whether Al Qaeda in the Maghreb, Al Shaabab in Somalia, Boko Haram in Nigeria, or the newly emerging Islamic State (I.S).
“The new dimension introduced by I.S. to conquer territory and establish its destructive ideology, is a major challenge that must be collectively halted before it becomes the norm. This refocuses attention on the need to review present tools for United Nations peacekeeping operations”.
On to the outbreak of the deadly Ebola Virus disease in West Africa, Jonathan who confidently assured the United Nations that Nigeria was now free of the disease, noted however that the world must act in unison to stop the disease from becoming a global disaster.
He said, “While Nigeria was able to respond effectively to control the spread of the disease, the situation in Liberia and Sierra Leone requires sustainable, collective global action to contain. Through the concerted efforts of our healthcare professionals, the World Health Organisation and our international partners, we have been able to contain the EVD and we can confidently say that Nigeria is today, Ebola-free.
“We have however continued to support efforts at containing the spread of the disease in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. It is pertinent to stress the need for the international community to properly appreciate the enormity of the EVD challenge.
“Indulging in isolationist and discriminatory tendencies will only worsen an already critical situation. To prevent the disease from becoming a global catastrophe, the UN must accord it the concerted effort it deserves,” the President said.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s belief in the indispensable role of the UN in the global bid to overcome the challenges of conflict, terrorism, climate change and economic development, even as he said, “We have been, and will remain a reliable and active partner, especially as we collectively work to resolve the new and emerging threats to global peace and security
Responding to the story published by ThisDay newspaper, that the US had prevented Israel from selling the cargo helicopters to Nigeria, the embassy’s press attaché, Sean J. McIntosh, said his country had a good diplomatic relationship with Nigeria.
“The United States remains committed to helping the government of Nigeria address the threat posed by the terrorist organisation Boko Haram. We continue to support Nigerian efforts to bring about the safe recovery of the abductees and to advise the government of Nigeria on its response,” he said.
He further added that, “We are advising on issues of survivor support, humanitarian assistance, criminal investigations, intelligence and strategic communications.”
He, however, declined to give any assurance of a mutual complement of arms purchase policy that is not in conformity with that of his country and its interests.
“U.S. Departments of State and Defense review all potential arms transfers for their consistency with US policy and interests, as detailed in the US Conventional Arms Transfer Policy, updated by President Obama in January. This includes any requests for one country to transfer US-origin defence items to another country,” McIntosh said, emphasising that he could not comment on any specific application of the policy.
Meanwhile, Mukhtar Dan’Iyan, the editor-in-chief of the 15Past8 Media Group based in New York City, who is also an expert on Africa and Middle East policy and security gave his opinion on the matter in a tweet he posted.
Dan’Iyan wrote, “Israel does not use CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter, so selling surplus (or any stock) to Nigeria or any other nation is not even a possibility. The story about USA blocking the sale of non-existent equipment from Israel is therefore non-sequitur.
“Incidentally, Israel uses the Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion as its heavy transport helicopter, and Boeing would do anything to get that business for its Chinook,” he wrote.
Boko Haram killed 13,000 Nigerians in 5 years – Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan has in New York, United Statesthat the Boko Haram sect has killed about 13,000 persons in Nigeria since 2005.
Addressing the United Nations Security Council High-Level Meeting on the Threat of Terrorism to Global Peace and Security yesterday , Jonathan, who urged the international community to act immediately to stop the troubling new phenomenon of terrorists and foreign fighters attacking and trying to hold parts of sovereign nations, stated that there was the need to support countries like Nigeria which are in the frontline of the war against terrorism.
Informing the UN Security Council that his administration has continued relentlessly to confront the menace of terrorism with unrelenting determination, Jonathan said the federal government has also evolved initiatives to alleviate the plight of people in affected communities.
He said, “Nigeria knows too well the destructive effects of terrorist activities. Over the past five years, we have been, and are still confronting threats posed by Boko Haram to peace and stability predominantly in the North Eastern part of our country.
“The costs are high: over 13,000 people have been killed, whole communities razed, and hundreds of persons kidnapped, the most prominent being our innocent daughters from Chibok Secondary School, in North East Nigeria.
As daunting as the challenge may be, we have faced it with unrelenting determination, mobilising all the resources at our disposal to ensure that the scourge of terrorism is rooted out of our nation.
“In addition to our counterterrorism efforts, we have evolved initiatives to alleviate the plight of the population in the affected communities. These include a holistic effort through the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) which is aimed at providing immediate relief and fast tracking the infrastructural re-development of the region. It also has as a core goal, an integrated effort at achieving the de-radicalisation of potential terrorist recruits.
“We have also launched a Victims Support Fund which has already raised about $500million of the expected minimum of $1billion in direct support of the victims of acts of terrorism. This is in addition to the. Safe Schools Initiative championed by Mr. Gordon Brown, former British Prime Minister and currently the UN Special Envoy for Global Education which is being rigorously supported by Nigeria’s Federal Government”.
Jonathan further urged the international community must also do more to support countries like Nigeria which are in the frontline of the war against terrorism.
He said, “There is no doubt that foreign fighters have added a troubling dimension to this emerging phase of terrorism. From targeted attacks by Al Qaeda a few years ago, we now have mobile bands of thousands of terrorists sweeping across vast areas, destroying lives, and even attempting to hold territory. This is unacceptable; we must act now.
“We must capitalize on the commitment and evident determination of the Security Council to seek more innovative responses to the threat of terrorism and in particular to the growing menace of foreign fighters. The Council should be concerned about the existence of sources of arming and funding terrorists. Evidence has shown that Boko Haram, for instance, is resourced largely from outside our country.
“We must also commit to ensuring that countries which are in the frontline of this challenge, receive adequate support from the international community.
Only by united action and firm resolve can we check this raging threat to humanity, and also build the enduring structures that will resist their re-emergence”.
Reject cancer of violent extremism, Obama tells the world
…Denounces ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram
United States president, Barack Obama has called on the world to join him in the effort to degrade and ultimately destroy militants terrorising the world.
Addressing the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York, Obama highlighted efforts being made to build an international coalition to combat ISIS and Al-Qaeda terrorists, who are taking some parts of the countries affected by their activities.
According to Obama, the militants were terrorising people in Iraq and Syria, gunning down innocent children and subjecting mothers, sisters and daughters To Molest as a weapon of war.
“Bodies have been dumped in mass graves. Religious minorities have been starved to death. In the most horrific crimes imaginable, innocent human beings have been beheaded, with videos of the atrocity distributed to shock the conscience of the world.
“In this effort, we do not act alone. Nor do we intend to send US troops to occupy foreign lands. We will train and equip forces fighting against these terrorists on the ground. We will work to cut off their financing and to stop the flow of fighters into and out of the region.
“The ideology of ISIS or Al-Qaeda or Boko Haram will wilt and die if it is consistently exposed, confronted and refuted in the light of day,” Obama said.
He cited as an example a new Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies and Sheikh binBayyah, who described its purpose: “We must declare war on war, so the outcome will be peace upon peace. Look at the young British Muslims who responded to terrorist propaganda by starting the hash tag #NotInMyName campaign, declaring ‘ISIS is hiding behind a false Islam’.
“Look at the Christian and Muslim leaders who came together in the Central African Republic to reject violence. Listen to the Imam who said, ‘Politics tries to divide the religious in our country, but religion shouldn’t be a cause of hate, war, or strife’.”
President Obama urged the world – especially Muslim communities – to explicitly, forcefully and consistently reject the ideology of Al-Qaeda, ISIS and Boko Haram.
“It is the task of all great religions to accommodate devout faith with a modern, multicultural world. No children, anywhere, should be educated to hate other people. There should be no more tolerance of so-called clerics who call upon people to harm innocents because they are Jewish, Christian or Muslim.
“It is time for a new compact among the civilised peoples of this world to eradicate war at its most fundamental source: the corruption of young minds by violent ideology. It’s time to end the hypocrisy of those who accumulate wealth through the global economy and then siphon funds to those who teach children to tear it down,” he said.
Contesting the space that terrorists occupy, including the Internet and social media, he said, “Their propaganda has coerced young people to travel abroad to fight their wars and turned students into suicide bombers. We must offer an alternative vision.
“All religions have been attacked by extremists from within at some point, and all people of faith have a responsibility to lift up the value at the heart of all religion: do unto thy neighbour as you would have done unto you,” Obama said.
We’ve killed Shekau’s impostor - DHQ
Nigerian troops used both land and air forces to stop Boko Haram insurgents from getting into Konduga in their bid to capture Maiduguri. Members of the sect are subsequently reported to be surrendering in droves, after the killing of their purported leader.
There was a fierce battle between the troops and insurgents last week, but the military prevailed. One Mohammed Bashir, who had been posing in videos put out by the sect as the deceased Abubakar Shekau, leader of the sect, was killed during the onslaught by the army.
Addressing journalists at the Defence Headquarters yesterday, its director of information, Major General Chris Olukolade, made this known. He showed video footage and photographs of the dead insurgents and those who had surrendered to the army.
“Nigerian troops have been conducting coordinated air and land operations in furtherance of efforts at containing the terrorists in the North East part of the country. Somehow, it became apparent that the terrorists in continuation of their campaign of terror were determined to take over communities around Maiduguri, which is their prime target.
“There was therefore the need to ensure that communities such as Konduga were protected. It is noteworthy that the terrorists made no less than four attempts between 12 and 17 September 2014 to violate the security and enter Konduga to perpetrate their atrocities. Air and land forces were subsequently deployed to handle the situation.
“The convoy of combat vehicles typical of terrorist missions that involve their top commanders was fiercely engaged by the land and air forces. Several of the terrorists, including some of their commanders lost their lives in the encounters, which lasted an average of about five hours each.
“The troops captured some of the terrorists and their equipment. In the course of those encounters, one Mohammed Bashir, who has been acting or posing in videos as the deceased Abubakar Shekau, the eccentric character known as leader of the group, died,” Olukolade said.
He further said, “Since the name Shekau has become a brand name for the terrorists’ leader, the Nigerian military remains resolute to serve justice to anyone who assumes that designation or title, as well as all terrorists that seek to violate the freedom and territory of Nigeria.”
Olukolade said that it was the residents of the community who were victims of the insurgents’ activities that corroborated information on the identity of Bashir Mohammed alias Abubakar Shekau, alias Abacha Abdullahi Geidam, alias Damasack, etc.
“The recent devastation on the leadership of the insurgents is attributable to the renewed commitment to the mission of eradicating terrorism in our country,” Olukolade said.
According to him, a total of 135 terrorists had as at Tuesday evening surrendered to troops, along with equipment, in the Biu local government area. A group of 88 submitted themselves at Mairiga/Bun–Yadi, while another group of 45 insurgents were taken around Mubi–Michika.
He said, “They are all being interrogated and processed in conformity with the dictates of standard best practices.”
Jonathan To UN: We’re doing our best to rescue Chibok girls
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday in New York told the United Nations (UN) that the federal government was still doing everything possible to rescue the schoolgirls abducted from Chibok, Borno State as well as curb the gory and cruel activities of the Boko Haram sect.
Delivering Nigeria’s annual speech to the 69th United Nations General Assembly, Jonathan, who also urged the United Nations to urgently review its peacekeeping operations across the world, said pressing challenges to global peace and security had made it imperative that urgent action be taken on the reformation of United Nations Security Council.
Speaking on the Chibok girls, Jonathan said, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the countries and organizations that expressed solidarity with us, and have continued to support our determined efforts to free our daughters. Although it has been over three months since they were abducted, we have never relented in our efforts to set them safely free.
“Together with our partners, we are working assiduously to free our daughters and reunite them with their families. Let me underline today, that we shall not waiver until we end this mindless war on the innocent, and bring all the perpetrators to justice. We will triumph over terrorism”.
Asking the global body to urgently review its peacekeeping operations across the world, Jonathan said, “Mr. President, the failure of unanimity of action by the Security Council over pressing challenges to global peace and security, in Syria, Iraq, the conflict in Ukraine, and the renewed aggression between Israel and Palestine, have strengthened the case for the reform of the Security Council.
“Today’s challenges can only be resolved by a Security Council whose working methods engender transparency, inclusivity, and common ownership through equitable representation of all regions in the decision making process of the Council. It is imperative that we take advantage of 2015, which also marks the 50th Anniversary of the 1965 reform, to make concrete progress on the reform of the Council.
“We call for a fast-tracked process, in line with the initiative of His Excellency John Ashe, President of the 68th General Assembly, for establishing a working Group on reform. Indeed, the Security Council requires the collective resolve of all member states to ensure that 2015 brings decisive progress”. The Nigerian president lamented that, the UN was established about 70 years ago to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, it was sad that the world continues to experience conflict and human suffering.
He said, “Today’s terrorism is vicious and aimless. Its consequences are extremely agonizing, marked by a tendency to annihilate victims, and completely destroy infrastructure and properties. The involvement of foreign fighters has remained a common feature of terrorist groups – whether Al Qaeda in the Maghreb, Al Shaabab in Somalia, Boko Haram in Nigeria, or the newly emerging Islamic State (I.S).
“The new dimension introduced by I.S. to conquer territory and establish its destructive ideology, is a major challenge that must be collectively halted before it becomes the norm. This refocuses attention on the need to review present tools for United Nations peacekeeping operations”.
On to the outbreak of the deadly Ebola Virus disease in West Africa, Jonathan who confidently assured the United Nations that Nigeria was now free of the disease, noted however that the world must act in unison to stop the disease from becoming a global disaster.
He said, “While Nigeria was able to respond effectively to control the spread of the disease, the situation in Liberia and Sierra Leone requires sustainable, collective global action to contain. Through the concerted efforts of our healthcare professionals, the World Health Organisation and our international partners, we have been able to contain the EVD and we can confidently say that Nigeria is today, Ebola-free.
“We have however continued to support efforts at containing the spread of the disease in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. It is pertinent to stress the need for the international community to properly appreciate the enormity of the EVD challenge.
“Indulging in isolationist and discriminatory tendencies will only worsen an already critical situation. To prevent the disease from becoming a global catastrophe, the UN must accord it the concerted effort it deserves,” the President said.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s belief in the indispensable role of the UN in the global bid to overcome the challenges of conflict, terrorism, climate change and economic development, even as he said, “We have been, and will remain a reliable and active partner, especially as we collectively work to resolve the new and emerging threats to global peace and security
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