The Federal Government has commenced the demolition of buildings and structures obstructing oil pipelines’ “Right of Way” across the country, a Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) official has said.
The Public Affairs Manager of the company, Mr Nasir Imodagbe, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday while confirming the demolition carried out in Auchi, Edo, on Wednesday.
Imodagbe said the demolition was ongoing, adding that it had already been carried out in Lagos and some areas in the northern part of the country.
He warned all who encroached on the company’s right-of-way to vacate such locations and not wait for the demolition team to arrive.
The PPMC spokesman, who said that the exercise would not stop until the entire right-of-way was secured, explained that it was to stem the activities of vandals on the pipelines.
“Government took the decision to keep those areas safe for law-abiding citizens and to safeguard installations and infrastructure built with tax payers’ money.
“Government decided to take this decisive action to clear all illegal structures and establish its ‘right-of-way’. Our mandate is to clear obstructions to secure the company’s right-of-way,” he said.
Imodagbe decried the high level of encroachment on the right-of-way and stated that there would be no compensation for those affected in the demolition of structures on it.
He said that those encroaching on the stretch were illegal occupiers of government land, because they had no approval from government before they built on the pipelines’ right-of-way.
He explained that oil pipelines passed through the right-of-way and that no structure was expected to be on it.
“Any structure on it is illegal, ” he stressed.
Imodagbe said the demolition was being carried out through appropriate government authorities, adding that the illegal structures were being pulled down after contravention notices were served on owners of such buildings.
Thursday, 31 July 2014
Lukaku not up for Chelsea fight – Mourinho
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has claimed that he sold Romelu Lukaku to Everton because the Belgian striker did not have the stomach to fight for a place at Stamford Bridge.
Lukaku joined Everton in a club-record £28 million ($47.4 million, 35.4 million euros) transfer on Wednesday, having scored 16 goals in 33 appearances while on loan at Goodison Park last season.
The 21-year-old faced competition from new signing Diego Costa and returning club great Didier Drogba at Chelsea, and Mourinho felt that he did not possess the drive to win a first-team place.
“Romelu was always clear that in his mentality and his approach he was not highly motivated to come to a competitive situation at Chelsea,” Mourinho told Thursday’s edition of British newspaper the Daily Mirror.
“He wanted to play for Chelsea, but clearly only as first-choice striker. And at a club of our dimension, it’s very difficult to promise a player that status.
“That reduced immediately his desire to come to us. After that, Everton came with an important offer and because we want to be inside (UEFA’s) Financial Fair Play rules, you have to analyse these situations.”
Lukaku was dubbed the heir apparent to Drogba when he joined Chelsea from Anderlecht in 2011, but he made only 15 appearances during his three years with the west London club.
The Belgium international, who played at the World Cup, revealed that he had left Chelsea without speaking to Mourinho.
“I spoke with my agent and then from that moment on I left it up to him as I was on holiday,” said Lukaku, who has signed a five-year contract with Everton. “I made my decision and then didn’t speak too much about it.”
Asked if he had spoken to Mourinho immediately prior to leaving, Lukaku replied: “No, I think he was busy with the game (Chelsea’s friendly against Vitesse Arnhem on Wednesday).”
Despite failing to make the grade at Chelsea, Lukaku said that he had no regrets about his time at the club.
“Chelsea is a big club and sometimes it is difficult for young players to come through,” he said.
“I want to have a good career and I didn’t want to spend 10 years on the bench. I wanted to make the best out of every year.
“This (Everton) is a club with a lot of ambition and it’s the right place to be. You don’t have to have regrets in football. Choices have to be made.”
Everton manager Roberto Martinez described Lukaku’s arrival as “a very significant day in the history of our football club” and said the Belgian was “worth every single penny”.
Lukaku joined Everton in a club-record £28 million ($47.4 million, 35.4 million euros) transfer on Wednesday, having scored 16 goals in 33 appearances while on loan at Goodison Park last season.
The 21-year-old faced competition from new signing Diego Costa and returning club great Didier Drogba at Chelsea, and Mourinho felt that he did not possess the drive to win a first-team place.
“Romelu was always clear that in his mentality and his approach he was not highly motivated to come to a competitive situation at Chelsea,” Mourinho told Thursday’s edition of British newspaper the Daily Mirror.
“He wanted to play for Chelsea, but clearly only as first-choice striker. And at a club of our dimension, it’s very difficult to promise a player that status.
“That reduced immediately his desire to come to us. After that, Everton came with an important offer and because we want to be inside (UEFA’s) Financial Fair Play rules, you have to analyse these situations.”
Lukaku was dubbed the heir apparent to Drogba when he joined Chelsea from Anderlecht in 2011, but he made only 15 appearances during his three years with the west London club.
The Belgium international, who played at the World Cup, revealed that he had left Chelsea without speaking to Mourinho.
“I spoke with my agent and then from that moment on I left it up to him as I was on holiday,” said Lukaku, who has signed a five-year contract with Everton. “I made my decision and then didn’t speak too much about it.”
Asked if he had spoken to Mourinho immediately prior to leaving, Lukaku replied: “No, I think he was busy with the game (Chelsea’s friendly against Vitesse Arnhem on Wednesday).”
Despite failing to make the grade at Chelsea, Lukaku said that he had no regrets about his time at the club.
“Chelsea is a big club and sometimes it is difficult for young players to come through,” he said.
“I want to have a good career and I didn’t want to spend 10 years on the bench. I wanted to make the best out of every year.
“This (Everton) is a club with a lot of ambition and it’s the right place to be. You don’t have to have regrets in football. Choices have to be made.”
Everton manager Roberto Martinez described Lukaku’s arrival as “a very significant day in the history of our football club” and said the Belgian was “worth every single penny”.
Neymar father in tax fraud probe
Brazilian striker Neymar’s father will have to appear in court as a witness as part of a probe into possible tax crimes over Barcelona’s 86-million-euro ($117 million) signing of the player, a Spanish court ruled Wednesday.
Judge Pablo Ruz of the National Court issued a written summons for Neymar da Silva Santos Sr and Barcelona financial director Nestor Almela to appear on October 1.
The judge also asked Neymar’s father to hand over contracts and documents relating to his son’s signing with Barcelona last year.
The judge is looking into allegations that Spanish tax authorities lost out on up to 11.8 million euros ($15.8m) in total related to Neymar’s deal with Barcelona.
A tax office report cited by the judge listed lost revenues of 2.4 million euros in 2011; 6.8 million euros in 2013 and as much as 2.6 million euros in 2014.
The Neymar transfer case was started by one of Barca’s own members, Jordi Cases.
He accused former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell of misappropriation for not declaring publicly that 40 million of the 57.1 million figure initially quoted by Barca was paid to N&N, a company controlled by the player’s parents.
Rosell resigned from Barcelona in January.
The club then revealed that the entire cost of the operation including Neymar’s signing bonus, commissions, marketing deals, a donation to the player’s foundation and other agreements totalled 86.2 million euros — far above the 57 million euros first announced by Barcelona.
As a result Barcelona were then indicted for alleged tax fraud linked to the signing.
Rosell defended the legality of Neymar’s contract during questioning as tax crime suspect in the case at the court last week.
Barcelona managing director Antoni Rossich also argued before the court that Neymar’s contracts respected the law.
Judge Pablo Ruz of the National Court issued a written summons for Neymar da Silva Santos Sr and Barcelona financial director Nestor Almela to appear on October 1.
The judge also asked Neymar’s father to hand over contracts and documents relating to his son’s signing with Barcelona last year.
The judge is looking into allegations that Spanish tax authorities lost out on up to 11.8 million euros ($15.8m) in total related to Neymar’s deal with Barcelona.
A tax office report cited by the judge listed lost revenues of 2.4 million euros in 2011; 6.8 million euros in 2013 and as much as 2.6 million euros in 2014.
The Neymar transfer case was started by one of Barca’s own members, Jordi Cases.
He accused former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell of misappropriation for not declaring publicly that 40 million of the 57.1 million figure initially quoted by Barca was paid to N&N, a company controlled by the player’s parents.
Rosell resigned from Barcelona in January.
The club then revealed that the entire cost of the operation including Neymar’s signing bonus, commissions, marketing deals, a donation to the player’s foundation and other agreements totalled 86.2 million euros — far above the 57 million euros first announced by Barcelona.
As a result Barcelona were then indicted for alleged tax fraud linked to the signing.
Rosell defended the legality of Neymar’s contract during questioning as tax crime suspect in the case at the court last week.
Barcelona managing director Antoni Rossich also argued before the court that Neymar’s contracts respected the law.
When will Nigerians enjoy stable electricity?
Unarguably, the provision of stable and uninterrupted power supply is key for accelerated economic and industrial development of any country.
Analysts are quick to point out that Nigeria’s quest to become one of the 20th economies in the world may as well be a mirage without stable electricity supply.
They say that stable electricity supply will reduce the cost of manufacturing and services; boost investment and employment, among others.
However, in spite of its importance, efforts to guarantee sustainable stability in the power supply chain has remained elusive despite huge investments in the sector by successive administrations since independence.
For instance, available records showed that the Obasanjo’s government spent over three billion dollars on its National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) as at 2007.
This, according to Gov. Gabriel Suswam of Benue, the Chairman, Joint Transaction Technical Committee, is out of the over 10 billion dollars earmarked for the NIPP.
He said that the amount was also inclusive of the two billion dollars Federal Government’s counterpart funding for Mambilla Hydro Power project and the 1.4 billion dollars set aside for additional nine turbines plants.
At the moment, four of the projects which on completion would generate 4,774MW, had been completed, while six others are at 80 to 90 per cent completion.
To further boost the initiative, the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has strengthened the power sector reform by fully privatising the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).
The exercise eventually resulted in the unbundling of the PHCN and the establishment of power Distributing Companies (DISCOs) across the country.
Although the reform is yet to significantly improve power stability nationwide, the World Bank, however, applauded the government for the initiative, with a call on other African countries to emulate the policy.
Mr Mukhtar Diop, the bank’s Vice President, Africa, made the commendation while listing some infrastructural achievements in Africa, during the recent African Union Summit on Financing Infrastructure Development, in Dakar, Senegal.
According to him, the power reform is one of the ways of solving Africa’s problems by Africans.
“We must commend the leadership in Nigeria for the successful completion of the privatisation of the country’s power sector.
“The electric reform in that country is one of the ways of solving Africa’s problems by Africans. We commend the country for that.”
It is, perhaps, against this backdrop, that President Goodluck Jonathan promised to restore uninterrupted power supply to Nigerians by the end of 2014.
Jonathan gave the assurance while commissioning the NIPP 500MW Omotosho II Power Station at Omotosho in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.
He said that his optimism was based on the progress in the completion of the ongoing 10 independent power projects spread across the country.
“My administration is committed to boost electricity supply in the country. Today, we are in Ondo State to commission Omotosho Power Plant that will also serve the people of these areas and improve electricity supply in the country.”
But in spite of the government’s assurances, pundits doubt that uninterrupted and stable power supply to Nigerians would be achieved by the end of 2014.
Mr David Ladipo, whose company, Azura, is spending 700 million dollars to build a 450 MW plant in South Africa, insists that with situation on ground, it will still take Nigeria 50 years from now to enjoy stable power supply.
Ladipo told Reuters news agency that Nigeria would need about 140,000MW to guarantee stable power supply.
‘’Nigeria is still scores of years away at this threshold. At present, it generates a meagre 4,000 MW for a population estimated at 170 million.
‘’South Africa, with a population of about 50 million people, produces about 40,000 MW of electricity and has been trying in recent years to increase output.
“It will probably take Nigeria another 50 years before it attains the same level of electricity consumption per capita as South Africa currently enjoys today,” Ladipo said.
However, Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State believes that with patience and commitment, Nigerians will soon enjoy the dividends of the ongoing power sector reforms.
Fashola expressed the optimism in Lagos at the closing ceremony of the 7th Lagos Economic Summit, tagged: Ehingbeti.
According to him, the privatisation of the power sector will not be successful without the cooperation of investors and consumers.
He urged the public to develop energy conservation culture and manage existing power infrastructure adequately.
“We should desist from illegal connections of electricity and ensure that our bills are paid appropriately.
“Electricity poles should not be used as speed breakers by reckless drivers; we should all protect the infrastructure from being damaged,’’ the governor said.
Prof. Chinedo Nebo, the Minister of Power, shares similar sentiments, noting that the Federal Government has concluded plans to explore ways of implementing the Indian power sector model in order to further boost the nation’s capacity to generate more power.
Nebo stated this recently in Abuja when he received a delegation on power from India.
The minister said that the Nigerian power sector which was still in a transitional stage after the privatisation still had a lot to learn from the Indian experience.
According to him, this is because of the peculiarity between both nations’ power sector.
He said the ministry would soon summon a stakeholders’ forum of all Generating Companies (GENCOs), Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and the regulatory bodies to take a closer look on how India transformed its power sector.
Nebo also invited the Indian delegation to the first National Council on Power conference slated for August 2014 in order to have a robust discussion.
The minister assured the delegation that the Federal Government was committed to achieving 10,000 MW by the end of the year despite the challenges.
Speaking on behalf of the DISCOS, the Chief Executive Officer of Eko Disco, Mr Oladele Amoda, said the company had already had a technical arrangement with Tata of India.
He urged the India delegation to take seriously the issue of transfer of technology so as to fast-track the development of the sector.
The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Ajjampur Ghenashyam, who also spoke, advised Nigeria, as the hub of economic activities in the West African sub-region, to take the lead in the development of regional power market.
He said that India had achieved over 400 per cent leap in generation capacity in the last 10 years due to the competitiveness of the market.
Ghenashyam said countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Pakistan had already been enjoying from seamless cross-border market and this had further boosted confidence for investment flow into the sector.
The envoy said that India was ready to partner with Nigeria in the development of the nation’s power sector.
Nonetheless, analysts have advised the government to also invest in the development of alternative sources of energy, such as wind and solar in order to boost the capacity of the country to meet its energy requirement.
They also advise the government to fast-track the completion of the NIPP projects in order to realise the objective of providing uninterrupted power supply to Nigerians by the end of 2014.
Analysts are quick to point out that Nigeria’s quest to become one of the 20th economies in the world may as well be a mirage without stable electricity supply.
They say that stable electricity supply will reduce the cost of manufacturing and services; boost investment and employment, among others.
However, in spite of its importance, efforts to guarantee sustainable stability in the power supply chain has remained elusive despite huge investments in the sector by successive administrations since independence.
For instance, available records showed that the Obasanjo’s government spent over three billion dollars on its National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) as at 2007.
This, according to Gov. Gabriel Suswam of Benue, the Chairman, Joint Transaction Technical Committee, is out of the over 10 billion dollars earmarked for the NIPP.
He said that the amount was also inclusive of the two billion dollars Federal Government’s counterpart funding for Mambilla Hydro Power project and the 1.4 billion dollars set aside for additional nine turbines plants.
At the moment, four of the projects which on completion would generate 4,774MW, had been completed, while six others are at 80 to 90 per cent completion.
To further boost the initiative, the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has strengthened the power sector reform by fully privatising the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).
The exercise eventually resulted in the unbundling of the PHCN and the establishment of power Distributing Companies (DISCOs) across the country.
Although the reform is yet to significantly improve power stability nationwide, the World Bank, however, applauded the government for the initiative, with a call on other African countries to emulate the policy.
Mr Mukhtar Diop, the bank’s Vice President, Africa, made the commendation while listing some infrastructural achievements in Africa, during the recent African Union Summit on Financing Infrastructure Development, in Dakar, Senegal.
According to him, the power reform is one of the ways of solving Africa’s problems by Africans.
“We must commend the leadership in Nigeria for the successful completion of the privatisation of the country’s power sector.
“The electric reform in that country is one of the ways of solving Africa’s problems by Africans. We commend the country for that.”
It is, perhaps, against this backdrop, that President Goodluck Jonathan promised to restore uninterrupted power supply to Nigerians by the end of 2014.
Jonathan gave the assurance while commissioning the NIPP 500MW Omotosho II Power Station at Omotosho in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.
He said that his optimism was based on the progress in the completion of the ongoing 10 independent power projects spread across the country.
“My administration is committed to boost electricity supply in the country. Today, we are in Ondo State to commission Omotosho Power Plant that will also serve the people of these areas and improve electricity supply in the country.”
But in spite of the government’s assurances, pundits doubt that uninterrupted and stable power supply to Nigerians would be achieved by the end of 2014.
Mr David Ladipo, whose company, Azura, is spending 700 million dollars to build a 450 MW plant in South Africa, insists that with situation on ground, it will still take Nigeria 50 years from now to enjoy stable power supply.
Ladipo told Reuters news agency that Nigeria would need about 140,000MW to guarantee stable power supply.
‘’Nigeria is still scores of years away at this threshold. At present, it generates a meagre 4,000 MW for a population estimated at 170 million.
‘’South Africa, with a population of about 50 million people, produces about 40,000 MW of electricity and has been trying in recent years to increase output.
“It will probably take Nigeria another 50 years before it attains the same level of electricity consumption per capita as South Africa currently enjoys today,” Ladipo said.
However, Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State believes that with patience and commitment, Nigerians will soon enjoy the dividends of the ongoing power sector reforms.
Fashola expressed the optimism in Lagos at the closing ceremony of the 7th Lagos Economic Summit, tagged: Ehingbeti.
According to him, the privatisation of the power sector will not be successful without the cooperation of investors and consumers.
He urged the public to develop energy conservation culture and manage existing power infrastructure adequately.
“We should desist from illegal connections of electricity and ensure that our bills are paid appropriately.
“Electricity poles should not be used as speed breakers by reckless drivers; we should all protect the infrastructure from being damaged,’’ the governor said.
Prof. Chinedo Nebo, the Minister of Power, shares similar sentiments, noting that the Federal Government has concluded plans to explore ways of implementing the Indian power sector model in order to further boost the nation’s capacity to generate more power.
Nebo stated this recently in Abuja when he received a delegation on power from India.
The minister said that the Nigerian power sector which was still in a transitional stage after the privatisation still had a lot to learn from the Indian experience.
According to him, this is because of the peculiarity between both nations’ power sector.
He said the ministry would soon summon a stakeholders’ forum of all Generating Companies (GENCOs), Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and the regulatory bodies to take a closer look on how India transformed its power sector.
Nebo also invited the Indian delegation to the first National Council on Power conference slated for August 2014 in order to have a robust discussion.
The minister assured the delegation that the Federal Government was committed to achieving 10,000 MW by the end of the year despite the challenges.
Speaking on behalf of the DISCOS, the Chief Executive Officer of Eko Disco, Mr Oladele Amoda, said the company had already had a technical arrangement with Tata of India.
He urged the India delegation to take seriously the issue of transfer of technology so as to fast-track the development of the sector.
The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Ajjampur Ghenashyam, who also spoke, advised Nigeria, as the hub of economic activities in the West African sub-region, to take the lead in the development of regional power market.
He said that India had achieved over 400 per cent leap in generation capacity in the last 10 years due to the competitiveness of the market.
Ghenashyam said countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Pakistan had already been enjoying from seamless cross-border market and this had further boosted confidence for investment flow into the sector.
The envoy said that India was ready to partner with Nigeria in the development of the nation’s power sector.
Nonetheless, analysts have advised the government to also invest in the development of alternative sources of energy, such as wind and solar in order to boost the capacity of the country to meet its energy requirement.
They also advise the government to fast-track the completion of the NIPP projects in order to realise the objective of providing uninterrupted power supply to Nigerians by the end of 2014.
Japan women are world’s longest-lived
Japanese men’s life expectancy rose above 80 for the first time in 2013, but was still several years below that of their female counterparts, whose lifespan was the world’s longest, figures released Thursday showed.
A Japanese boy born in 2013 can now expect to live 80.21 years, up from 79.94 years in 2012, the health ministry said.
The average lifespan of Japanese women rose to 86.61 years in 2013, up from 86.41 the previous year, making them the world’s longest-lived females for the second year running.
In second place were women in Hong Kong, whose life expectancy hit 86.57 last year.
Japanese men ranked fourth on the longevity list of the world’s 50 major countries and regions behind Hong Kong, Iceland and Switzerland, the health ministry said. Hong Kong’s average male lifespan was 80.87.
“There is still a room for growth in the lifespan if medical technology advances,” a health ministry official said.
However, Japan’s ageing population is a headache for policymakers who are faced with trying to ensure an ever-dwindling pool of workers can pay for the growing number of pensioners.
Government data released in April showed Japan’s population shrank for the third year running, with the elderly making up a quarter of the total for the first time.
The proportion of people aged 65 or over is forecast to reach nearly 40 percent of the population in 2060, the government has warned.
A Japanese boy born in 2013 can now expect to live 80.21 years, up from 79.94 years in 2012, the health ministry said.
The average lifespan of Japanese women rose to 86.61 years in 2013, up from 86.41 the previous year, making them the world’s longest-lived females for the second year running.
In second place were women in Hong Kong, whose life expectancy hit 86.57 last year.
Japanese men ranked fourth on the longevity list of the world’s 50 major countries and regions behind Hong Kong, Iceland and Switzerland, the health ministry said. Hong Kong’s average male lifespan was 80.87.
“There is still a room for growth in the lifespan if medical technology advances,” a health ministry official said.
However, Japan’s ageing population is a headache for policymakers who are faced with trying to ensure an ever-dwindling pool of workers can pay for the growing number of pensioners.
Government data released in April showed Japan’s population shrank for the third year running, with the elderly making up a quarter of the total for the first time.
The proportion of people aged 65 or over is forecast to reach nearly 40 percent of the population in 2060, the government has warned.
Kano suicide blast claims another victim
One of the victims of Wednesday suicide attack at Kano Polytechnic, Muhammad Nura Daneji died Thursday morning at Murtala Muhammad Hospital, Kano.
In a statement, veteran journalist , Ahmad Sabon, on behalf of the deceased family said the HND graduate died of fatal injury he sustained from the blast.
“Our son Nura Deneji died this morning due to excessive loss of blood arising from a lost of one of his arms to the blast; join us in prayers for the repose of his soul.”
The death of Nura Deneji brought to four the number of deaths, including the female bomber in yesterday’s terror attack in Kano.
Nura Deneji would be buried according to Islamic rites today.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer Kano command, ASP Magaji Musa Majia said, “the late Deneji was my neighbour and he was a simple, easy going lad.”
In a statement, veteran journalist , Ahmad Sabon, on behalf of the deceased family said the HND graduate died of fatal injury he sustained from the blast.
“Our son Nura Deneji died this morning due to excessive loss of blood arising from a lost of one of his arms to the blast; join us in prayers for the repose of his soul.”
The death of Nura Deneji brought to four the number of deaths, including the female bomber in yesterday’s terror attack in Kano.
Nura Deneji would be buried according to Islamic rites today.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer Kano command, ASP Magaji Musa Majia said, “the late Deneji was my neighbour and he was a simple, easy going lad.”
That bombing of Buhari’s convoy
THE recent attack on the convoy of General Muhammadu Buhari, former Head of State and a national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, by a suicide bomber in Kaduna is a wakeup call to all politicians that the time has come to close ranks and stop playing politics with the issue of terrorism.
The incident, which was part of a coordinated attack involving two explosions about two hours apart, bore the trademarks of the dreaded terror group, Boko Haram. Although Buhari and popular Islamic cleric, Sheik Dahiru Bauchi, who was also purportedly targeted, survived the two separate explosions, scores of persons lost their lives.
Coming soon after Buhari, rather unfairly, accused President Goodluck Jonathan of declaring war on Nigeria, the attempt to eliminate the former Head of State has already generated ridiculous and unsubstantiated accusations from some uncharitable and clearly mischievous political elements. It is precisely this sort of political gimmickry which has not served the nation well in these times of crisis that must be avoided.
Even without a statement from Boko Haram claiming responsibility for the acts of terror in Kaduna, what is fairly obvious is that such heinous crimes are typical of the handiwork of the group. It should also be fairly obvious to any discerning observer that creating distrust and disunity among Nigerians is a strategy that Boko Haram has been pursuing since it began its campaign of terror. Thankfully, the strategy continues to fail.
For this reason, the tendency of some unpatriotic politicians to knowingly or unknowingly play into the script of the terror group all in the name of opposition politics must be condemned without reservation. The point that must be made to all Nigerians, whether they belong to the active political class or not, is that politics of any sort (opposition or otherwise) can only be possible when there is still a united and peaceful nation called Nigeria. If politicians are in doubt that they cannot indulge in their political shenanigans when there is chaos and confusion in the land, they should look to Central African Republic, Somalia and South Sudan for guidance.
It is telling that, after a recent Boko Haram bomb attack in Abuja, Buhari himself said: “My heart breaks every time I take to this platform to offer condolences in this tormenting season of seemingly endless violence. I understand that it is difficult for the government to prevent every terrorist attack, but we can always do more to protect our defenceless citizens by boosting our intelligence and counter-terrorism capabilities.”
According to the former Head of State: “Our security and stability cannot be conditioned on any ideology or partisan agenda. Every Nigerian reserves the right to his own security, to his own freedom and dignity, and no amount of terrorist blackmail can make us surrender these. May God unite our hearts as we confront this evil.” These words of sympathy from Buhari underscore the need for Nigerians of all political ideology or partisan agenda to stand united in the fight against terror.
Similarly, not so long ago, President Jonathan commended General Buhari for his statesman-like views on terrorism when the former military leader published an article on the subject in the print media a little while ago. According to a statement issued at the time by Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Jonathan welcomed “Buhari’s call on all Nigerians to remain steadfast and work in unity to overcome terrorists and other merchants of death who currently threaten national security.” Abati further said that President Jonathan shared General Buhari’s view that a minority must never be allowed to “bring the nation to its knees through terror.”
In supporting the call for the political class to unite against terror rather than indulge in unhelpful political grandstanding, Chief (Dr) Tony Anenih, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Board of Trustees, BoT, reminded Nigerians that: “When militant gunmen attacked a shopping mall in Kenya, killing many people and holding many others hostage, the opposition leader, Raila Odinga, stood right beside the President, Uhuru Kenyatta, while the latter was addressing Kenyans on the dastardly attack.”
Anenih also said: “Boko Haram is a threat to Nigeria and to our democracy. The insurgency is not against Jonathan as an individual; rather it is against the Nigerian state. That is why our collective efforts are needed to tackle the challenges. All Nigerians, irrespective of their regional, religious or political affiliations, should be united in supporting the Federal Government and all the security agencies in the fight to end terror in our country.”
As Nigerians of all faiths and regions join General Buhari in thanking the Almighty God for sparing his life against the machinations of terrorists, the point must be reiterated that the attack on him (the former Head of State) is a pointer that no Nigerian is safe from terrorism.
As such, the last thing the country’s political class should do is continue to politick with the issue of terrorism. It is a pastime that will not bring any good to the polity.
The incident, which was part of a coordinated attack involving two explosions about two hours apart, bore the trademarks of the dreaded terror group, Boko Haram. Although Buhari and popular Islamic cleric, Sheik Dahiru Bauchi, who was also purportedly targeted, survived the two separate explosions, scores of persons lost their lives.
Coming soon after Buhari, rather unfairly, accused President Goodluck Jonathan of declaring war on Nigeria, the attempt to eliminate the former Head of State has already generated ridiculous and unsubstantiated accusations from some uncharitable and clearly mischievous political elements. It is precisely this sort of political gimmickry which has not served the nation well in these times of crisis that must be avoided.
Even without a statement from Boko Haram claiming responsibility for the acts of terror in Kaduna, what is fairly obvious is that such heinous crimes are typical of the handiwork of the group. It should also be fairly obvious to any discerning observer that creating distrust and disunity among Nigerians is a strategy that Boko Haram has been pursuing since it began its campaign of terror. Thankfully, the strategy continues to fail.
For this reason, the tendency of some unpatriotic politicians to knowingly or unknowingly play into the script of the terror group all in the name of opposition politics must be condemned without reservation. The point that must be made to all Nigerians, whether they belong to the active political class or not, is that politics of any sort (opposition or otherwise) can only be possible when there is still a united and peaceful nation called Nigeria. If politicians are in doubt that they cannot indulge in their political shenanigans when there is chaos and confusion in the land, they should look to Central African Republic, Somalia and South Sudan for guidance.
It is telling that, after a recent Boko Haram bomb attack in Abuja, Buhari himself said: “My heart breaks every time I take to this platform to offer condolences in this tormenting season of seemingly endless violence. I understand that it is difficult for the government to prevent every terrorist attack, but we can always do more to protect our defenceless citizens by boosting our intelligence and counter-terrorism capabilities.”
According to the former Head of State: “Our security and stability cannot be conditioned on any ideology or partisan agenda. Every Nigerian reserves the right to his own security, to his own freedom and dignity, and no amount of terrorist blackmail can make us surrender these. May God unite our hearts as we confront this evil.” These words of sympathy from Buhari underscore the need for Nigerians of all political ideology or partisan agenda to stand united in the fight against terror.
Similarly, not so long ago, President Jonathan commended General Buhari for his statesman-like views on terrorism when the former military leader published an article on the subject in the print media a little while ago. According to a statement issued at the time by Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Jonathan welcomed “Buhari’s call on all Nigerians to remain steadfast and work in unity to overcome terrorists and other merchants of death who currently threaten national security.” Abati further said that President Jonathan shared General Buhari’s view that a minority must never be allowed to “bring the nation to its knees through terror.”
In supporting the call for the political class to unite against terror rather than indulge in unhelpful political grandstanding, Chief (Dr) Tony Anenih, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Board of Trustees, BoT, reminded Nigerians that: “When militant gunmen attacked a shopping mall in Kenya, killing many people and holding many others hostage, the opposition leader, Raila Odinga, stood right beside the President, Uhuru Kenyatta, while the latter was addressing Kenyans on the dastardly attack.”
Anenih also said: “Boko Haram is a threat to Nigeria and to our democracy. The insurgency is not against Jonathan as an individual; rather it is against the Nigerian state. That is why our collective efforts are needed to tackle the challenges. All Nigerians, irrespective of their regional, religious or political affiliations, should be united in supporting the Federal Government and all the security agencies in the fight to end terror in our country.”
As Nigerians of all faiths and regions join General Buhari in thanking the Almighty God for sparing his life against the machinations of terrorists, the point must be reiterated that the attack on him (the former Head of State) is a pointer that no Nigerian is safe from terrorism.
As such, the last thing the country’s political class should do is continue to politick with the issue of terrorism. It is a pastime that will not bring any good to the polity.
Could we have been celebrating if Buhari had been felled – APC
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated the Muslim faithful on the occasion of this year’s Eid-El-Fitr celebrations marking the successful conclusion of the month-long period of fasting.
In a statement issued in Kaduna on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party hailed its Muslim brothers and sisters for their self-deprivation and spiritual supplication to God, and urged them to imbibe the lessons of Ramadan in their daily lives, far beyond the fasting period.
”That we are able to celebrate this year’s Eid-El-Fitr at all is a sign that the Almighty has accepted our supplication and shown mercy on us and our nation. By averting what could have plunged our nation into deep turmoil, the Almighty has shown us that our fasting and prayers were not in vain.
”How could we have been celebrating if former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari or the renown Cleric Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi had been felled by the agents of darkness who targeted their convoys in Kaduna last week?” Indeed, God loves Nigeria and the least we can do is to love ourselves too,” it said.
APC urges all Nigerians, in the spirit of the season, to embrace good neighbourliness and shun hatred and careless statements that are capable of inciting chaos.
The party said those who are busy beating the drums of war or trivializing the attacks on Buhari, saying it was planned as an image-laundering feat by his party, should have a rethink and show deep introspection.
”It is unconscionable that any right-thinking person will seek to make a political gain from an event that must have been deeply traumatizing for those who escaped by the whiskers, not to talk of the deep and life-long pain it inflicted on those who were injured or the irreparable loss it inflicted on the families of those who died.
”Such careless, asinine and irresponsible statements are more dangerous than the attacks themselves, because they are capable of inciting people, causing hatred and fanning the embers of violence. It is a shame the leaders of those who have engaged in this dangerous game have not called them to order. That’s why our party insists on an
international probe to unravel the perpetrator and motive of the attacks,” it said.
APC said if God has shown Nigeria his love, mercy and kindness, it is wrong for the people of the same country to now engage in acts that are capable of triggering anarchy and bringing the nation down.
In a statement issued in Kaduna on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party hailed its Muslim brothers and sisters for their self-deprivation and spiritual supplication to God, and urged them to imbibe the lessons of Ramadan in their daily lives, far beyond the fasting period.
”That we are able to celebrate this year’s Eid-El-Fitr at all is a sign that the Almighty has accepted our supplication and shown mercy on us and our nation. By averting what could have plunged our nation into deep turmoil, the Almighty has shown us that our fasting and prayers were not in vain.
”How could we have been celebrating if former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari or the renown Cleric Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi had been felled by the agents of darkness who targeted their convoys in Kaduna last week?” Indeed, God loves Nigeria and the least we can do is to love ourselves too,” it said.
APC urges all Nigerians, in the spirit of the season, to embrace good neighbourliness and shun hatred and careless statements that are capable of inciting chaos.
The party said those who are busy beating the drums of war or trivializing the attacks on Buhari, saying it was planned as an image-laundering feat by his party, should have a rethink and show deep introspection.
”It is unconscionable that any right-thinking person will seek to make a political gain from an event that must have been deeply traumatizing for those who escaped by the whiskers, not to talk of the deep and life-long pain it inflicted on those who were injured or the irreparable loss it inflicted on the families of those who died.
”Such careless, asinine and irresponsible statements are more dangerous than the attacks themselves, because they are capable of inciting people, causing hatred and fanning the embers of violence. It is a shame the leaders of those who have engaged in this dangerous game have not called them to order. That’s why our party insists on an
international probe to unravel the perpetrator and motive of the attacks,” it said.
APC said if God has shown Nigeria his love, mercy and kindness, it is wrong for the people of the same country to now engage in acts that are capable of triggering anarchy and bringing the nation down.
We ‘ll provide data on Boko Haram, Ebola Virus — Minister
The new Minister of National Planning Commission, NPC, Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman, has said he was determined to work hard towards providing Federal Government with accurate data on Boko Haram, Ebola Virus disease within and outside the country to actualise its ongoing transformation agenda.
The minister made the pledge during the official handing and taking over ceremony at the National Planning Commission, yesterday, in Abuja.
“I am from the academia, I know what it means to research, monitor and do surveillance, and this we will do to get the best out us.
“We have to work hard to get accurate data not just on infrastructure and policy making, but also on Boko Haram and Ebola Virus within and outside Nigeria.
“We will do all we can to get accurate data on all these so that Nigeria can move forward. Where Nigeria is lacking, I will mobilise resources to bridge the gap. With the support of staff of NPC we will ensure we achieve accurate data for Nigeria within the time we have in office,” he said.
On whether he will initiate new projects, the minister said: “As the new minister of NPC, my predecessor had done so much, I don’t think we are lacking in the area of human resources and capacity. What we will do is to put all hands on deck to improve on what my predecessor had done.
Ebola: Quarantine Jim Iyke, social media critics cry
Following an earlier report published on media yesterday on how Nollywood Actor, Jim Iyke fled Liberia’s capital city, Monrovia over Ebola outbreak -See(www.vanguardngr.com/2014/07/ebola-jim-iyke-flees-liberia/ ), critics took a massive outcry to health authorities on social media, demanding that the actor be quarantined.
gfg
Jim who was in Monrovia, Liberia for business, left a few hours ago, following reports of the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in the country.
A social media commentator, Maxwell Eze writes on facebook page that they should please quarantine Jim another Bimbo Odususi begs that Lagos should test the actor and place him under serious observation of clean health bill.
“Life has no duplicate…. better run like Ben Johnson, but then go for check up as soon as you arrive nigeria or any country of your next destination… expect thorough screening” One commentator named, Lixxymore tells Jim.
Speaking about the deadly disease, one commentator who identifies self as ND asks,” why are all these odds being associated with Africa First?.”
gfgJim who was in Monrovia, Liberia for business, left a few hours ago, following reports of the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in the country.
A social media commentator, Maxwell Eze writes on facebook page that they should please quarantine Jim another Bimbo Odususi begs that Lagos should test the actor and place him under serious observation of clean health bill.
“Life has no duplicate…. better run like Ben Johnson, but then go for check up as soon as you arrive nigeria or any country of your next destination… expect thorough screening” One commentator named, Lixxymore tells Jim.
Speaking about the deadly disease, one commentator who identifies self as ND asks,” why are all these odds being associated with Africa First?.”
Pastor, woman nabbed after ‘sanctified water’ kills 2
A man, said to be a pastor, and a woman are in Police net in Asaba, the Delta State capital for allegedly killing two children with a deadly substance sold by the pastor for N1,850.
The Delta State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Celestina Kalu, in a release, said the suspects are in custody helping the police with relevant information.
According to Kalu, “on July 25, at about 4.00 am, the Police at Abraka Police Station received information that awoman, Ese Oghenevwe (25), of Urhuoka quarters, Abraka had killed her two sons namely, Prayer Clement (9 months) and Wisdom Clement ( 2 years) by giving them a liquid substance to drink.
“Based on the information, detectives arrested the said Ese Oghenevwe. The suspect revealed that the substance was given to her by one Apostle Austin Eduviere of Triumphant World International Church, Abraka for healing purposes as the Apostle claimed he had prayed over it.
“Meanwhile, the said Apostle Austine Eduviere has also been arrested and he is helping the Police in their investigation. The suspect disclosed that the said substance was a mixture of water and salt which he sold to people for N1,850.00 for healing of various sicknesses after praying for them.”
Police nab car theft
Relatedly, the Police has also recovered a stolen car and apprehended one suspect at Abraka Division.
Kalu said: “Yesterday, at about 10,00 am, a patrol team from Abraka Division, while on stop-and-search duty at Police station junction, Abraka intercepted a Toyota Camry car, with number plate LAGOS LSD 264 AC with two occupants.
“Immediately the vehicle stopped, one of the suspects alighted and took to his heels while the other, later identified as Akpos Omote, was arrested. The suspect has confessed that they snatched the car from one Mrs. Jane Esegbe at Udu, in Udu Local Government Area of Delta state.
“The said Toyota Camry has been recovered to the station, while efforts are on to apprehend the fleeing suspect.” She added.
The Delta State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Celestina Kalu, in a release, said the suspects are in custody helping the police with relevant information.
According to Kalu, “on July 25, at about 4.00 am, the Police at Abraka Police Station received information that awoman, Ese Oghenevwe (25), of Urhuoka quarters, Abraka had killed her two sons namely, Prayer Clement (9 months) and Wisdom Clement ( 2 years) by giving them a liquid substance to drink.
“Based on the information, detectives arrested the said Ese Oghenevwe. The suspect revealed that the substance was given to her by one Apostle Austin Eduviere of Triumphant World International Church, Abraka for healing purposes as the Apostle claimed he had prayed over it.
“Meanwhile, the said Apostle Austine Eduviere has also been arrested and he is helping the Police in their investigation. The suspect disclosed that the said substance was a mixture of water and salt which he sold to people for N1,850.00 for healing of various sicknesses after praying for them.”
Police nab car theft
Relatedly, the Police has also recovered a stolen car and apprehended one suspect at Abraka Division.
Kalu said: “Yesterday, at about 10,00 am, a patrol team from Abraka Division, while on stop-and-search duty at Police station junction, Abraka intercepted a Toyota Camry car, with number plate LAGOS LSD 264 AC with two occupants.
“Immediately the vehicle stopped, one of the suspects alighted and took to his heels while the other, later identified as Akpos Omote, was arrested. The suspect has confessed that they snatched the car from one Mrs. Jane Esegbe at Udu, in Udu Local Government Area of Delta state.
“The said Toyota Camry has been recovered to the station, while efforts are on to apprehend the fleeing suspect.” She added.
Chibok girls: UK not sending troops to Nigeria —Pocock
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Andrew Pocock has reiterated that the British Government’s offer of assistance to Nigeria in the rescue of the abducted Chibok girls does not involve deploying troops in Nigeria to assume any combat roles.
Missing-Chibok-Girls11
“What we are doing is bringing in some form of expertise, particularly in training and advisory roles and not combat roles,” he said.
He stated this while speaking to newsmen, yesterday, on board HMS Iron Duke, a Royal Navy Warship on a working visit to Nigeria.
He said that combat roles specifically is Nigeria’s responsibility, adding that the Nigerian government should not expect the kind of presence the French has in Mali as the two scenarios are completely different.
“We are not bringing troops in any combat role. What the Prime Minister, David Cameron said six weeks ago in London is that we recognise the difficulties that Nigeria is facing with security at the moment. And that was in response to the invitation by President Jonathan for assistance. That is specifically Nigeria’s responsibility. We are not bringing troops to Nigeria. We are not doing what the French did in Mali; it’s a different scenario entirely,” he said.
On the HMS Iron Duke’s visit to Nigeria, Commanding Officer of the ship, Tom Tredary said it was inspired by the need for the Nigerian Navy and the British Navy to share information and experience in order to boost maritime insecurity within the Gulf of Guinea and especially within the West African coast.
“Maritime security is a problem that affects all nations. So it’s important that security is given the required attention in order to reduce illegal activities at sea. It requires concerted efforts by all navies to do that. We think that we can share experiences we have had in combating piracy in the Indian Ocean and Somalia. This will help the Nigeria Navy to refine the techniques that they already use to try and bring a great deal of law and order in the Gulf of Guinea. We think that there is a lot that we can learn from each other because Nigerian Navy has a better understanding of activities around these waters and we have a great understanding of activities patrolling the Gulf of Guinea, so we can share experiences,” he said.
HMS Iron Duke is Type 23 ‘Duke’ Class Frigate normally based in Portsmouth, UK. It is currently away on a six month operational deployment visiting a number of partner nations including Nigeria as well as ensuring security in the South Atlantic.
Whilst deployed, crew of Iron Duke will a two‑day training for some officers of the Nigerian Navy, and in the process share knowledge and experience, all in a bid to aid development and promote security and stability in the waters off West Africa.
Missing-Chibok-Girls11
“What we are doing is bringing in some form of expertise, particularly in training and advisory roles and not combat roles,” he said.
He stated this while speaking to newsmen, yesterday, on board HMS Iron Duke, a Royal Navy Warship on a working visit to Nigeria.
He said that combat roles specifically is Nigeria’s responsibility, adding that the Nigerian government should not expect the kind of presence the French has in Mali as the two scenarios are completely different.
“We are not bringing troops in any combat role. What the Prime Minister, David Cameron said six weeks ago in London is that we recognise the difficulties that Nigeria is facing with security at the moment. And that was in response to the invitation by President Jonathan for assistance. That is specifically Nigeria’s responsibility. We are not bringing troops to Nigeria. We are not doing what the French did in Mali; it’s a different scenario entirely,” he said.
On the HMS Iron Duke’s visit to Nigeria, Commanding Officer of the ship, Tom Tredary said it was inspired by the need for the Nigerian Navy and the British Navy to share information and experience in order to boost maritime insecurity within the Gulf of Guinea and especially within the West African coast.
“Maritime security is a problem that affects all nations. So it’s important that security is given the required attention in order to reduce illegal activities at sea. It requires concerted efforts by all navies to do that. We think that we can share experiences we have had in combating piracy in the Indian Ocean and Somalia. This will help the Nigeria Navy to refine the techniques that they already use to try and bring a great deal of law and order in the Gulf of Guinea. We think that there is a lot that we can learn from each other because Nigerian Navy has a better understanding of activities around these waters and we have a great understanding of activities patrolling the Gulf of Guinea, so we can share experiences,” he said.
HMS Iron Duke is Type 23 ‘Duke’ Class Frigate normally based in Portsmouth, UK. It is currently away on a six month operational deployment visiting a number of partner nations including Nigeria as well as ensuring security in the South Atlantic.
Whilst deployed, crew of Iron Duke will a two‑day training for some officers of the Nigerian Navy, and in the process share knowledge and experience, all in a bid to aid development and promote security and stability in the waters off West Africa.
Wednesday, 30 July 2014
God directs me to impregnate married women and their daughters- Pastor
A 53-year-old man who claims to be a Pastor, has been arrested by the Police in Nsukka, Enugu State, for allegedly impregnating married women and young girls in his church.
www.bishopeddie1.blogspot.comThe Pastor, identified as Timothy Ngwu, is the General Overseer of Holy Trinity Ministry popularly called Vineyard Ministry in Umudikwere Community in the University town. Ironically, police sources said the suspect claims he was directed by the Holy Spirit to sexually abuse female members of his church in the name of God.
The-pastor
www.bishopeddie1.blogspot.comThe Pastor, identified as Timothy Ngwu, is the General Overseer of Holy Trinity Ministry popularly called Vineyard Ministry in Umudikwere Community in the University town. Ironically, police sources said the suspect claims he was directed by the Holy Spirit to sexually abuse female members of his church in the name of God.
How he was exposed
Crime Guard gathered that the alleged sexual exploits of the self-acclaimed man of God was blown open by his estranged wife, Veronica Ngwu, who hails from Udi Local Government Area in Enugu State.
The wife who has three children for the pastor was reportedly not comfortable with the ugly development and she lodged a complaint at the Anti-Child Trafficking Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department, CID, Enugu.This led to the arrest of the pastor.
Veronica’s case
It was learnt that during interrogation, the estranged wife of the pastor informed detectives that she escaped from the ministry with one of her daughters after her husband impregnated her niece and claimed he was obeying the directives of the Holy Spirit and a prophetic revelation.
She also informed detectives led by Gloria Udoka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, that the situation at the church was better imagined than witnessed, alleging that her husband converts married women and single girls to his own and impregnates all of them while pretending to be obeying spiritual directives.
Pastor’s claims
The pastor reportedly claimed that he had sexual intercourse with women in his ministry as a result of directives from the Holy Spirit and with the consent of their husbands, if married, but for the single ones, a spiritual directive.
Ngwu, until his arrest, was a Scrutiny Officer and Statistician with the National Bureau of Statistics, one time assistant Catechist at St. John’s Catholic Church, Ihe-Umudikwere, Nsukka where he inducts married women and young girls seeking solution to their problems or favour. He was chased out of the Catholic Church and he started his own church.
Police Statement
The police in Enugu also alluded to the allegations when they issued a statement through the Public Relations Officer, DSP Ebere Amarizu, stating that two women among others in the enclave of the Vineyard, left their husbands to reside with the General Overseer.
According to the statement, the two women identified as Calista Omeje and Assumpta Odo confirmed that they left their husbands to live with the General Overseer on the prophetic injunction to do the will of God.
The statement noted that Calista revealed that she had 10 children for her husband but was later impregnated by the General Overseer and that the baby died later. She also said that she gave out her daughter to the General Overseer to be impregnated, an act she described as “the fulfillment of the Will of God.”
The police spokesman noted in the statement that the pastor said he had five wives with 13 children apart from other concubines he had following the prophetic directive to do the will of God. The Pastor, according to him, said that Veronica used to be his wife but described her as ‘a falling wife.’
He also said, “ I do not do anything with any married woman until the full consent and agreement were sought and reached between the husband in line with the directives of the Holy Spirit to do the will of God, which is an act of spirituality.”
Inside the Ministry
When Crime Guard traced the Vineyard Ministry, it was discovered to be located right inside the compound of the father of the General Overseer without any sign post, while about 15 women and four men were seen taking lessons from an elderly woman who acts as an instructor in the vineyard.
The entrance to the Vineyard was barricaded with heavy iron gate which bares non-members.
However, a man who identified himself as Hilary told our reporter after a heated argument that the General Overseer traveled,and advised harshly that the reporter should go back.
As soon as Hilary left to invite others to compel the reporter to leave the premises, the reporter peeped through an opening and saw a large number of children and adult women scattered inside the compound barricaded with iron gate.
Neighbours react
When Crime Guard spoke with some residents of the area, they intimated that every thing about the ministry was shrouded in secrecy, alleging that children born inside the ministry are usually confined within the compound and denied communication with any other person outside. The children have are denied formal education, except the doctrine of the ministry.
…….Brother too
A brother to the pastor who pleaded anonymity told Crime Guard that he was not surprised that police invaded the ministry, explaining that all warnings by members of the family to compel Timothy to desist from the act fell on deaf ears.
“Let me tell you, God’s anger has befallen my brother. We have appealed to him several times to stop what he was doing but he refused. He has colonized our compound, bearing children with recklessness. He accused us of being jealous of him because he is doing the Will of God,”he stated.
Lamentations
Nodding his head in disgust, he continued, “look at these buildings here, he has converted all of them to himself in the name of vineyard. I can’t say exactly what influenced his spirit to the devilish act in the name of God.
He sacked his betrothed wife who has three children for him and embarked on impregnating married women and young girls. Look at the whole compound littered with children of different sexes and ages. How can an educated man of his status reason like an unrefined man? All members of the vineyard are fools.
How can a woman abandon her husband for another man in the name of worshiping God and practice adultery? I cannot get myself involved in this matter; Vero has opened the vessel of worms in the vineyard. Let them sort themselves out with the police but I want the ministry to be shut down completely,” he explained.
Excommunication
Investigations also revealed that the General Overseer was chased out of the St. John’s Catholic Church, Ihe-Owerri, Nsukka as an Assistant Catechist when Bishop Emeritus of Nsukka Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Francis Okobo, discovered that he was teaching heresy. He reportedly called him to order but he would not listen.
Oby Ezekwesili condemns Jonathan, Okupe over ‘N100m’ gift to Chibok parents
Former Minister of Education and a leader of the BringBackOurGirls campaign, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili has condemned the presidency for allegedly doling out money to the parents of the abducted Chibok girls during a visit to the Aso Villa.
Chibok4The Presidency through the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe in a text message to Vanguard newspaper has denied the alleged act, maintaining that the presidency only took care of the feeding, accomodation and transportation of the Chibok parents.
“The President did not give any N100m to the visitors from Chibok. Government took care of their accommodation, feeding and transportation.
“Government’s plan is robust rehabilitation and resettlement of the girls who have escaped so they can continue their education.
“The government also plans to rebuild the school and in general terms, repair damaged infrastructure as a result of Boko Haram insurgency in the North East.”
Ezekwesili refuses to accept the denial of the presidency has she took to her twitter handle to lambast the presidency and Dr.Okupe.
Read her tweets below.
Three months after the Chibok girls were abducted, President Jonathan finally agreed to meet with their parents following an appeal by the Pakistan girl-child education activist Malala Yusoufai. The Presidency had faced intense criticism over its handling of the kidnap of the Chibok girls being held by the extremist Boko Haram sect since April 14.
Davido, Wizkid at war again?
Many industry watchers thought the two young kids, Wizkid and Davido have buried their differences and show of supremacy but it seems all is not well again.The duo are said to be on collision once more. It started with what look like an harmless tweet but the hatred is already spreading on the social media.
Many felt he played down the significance of the awards and was indirectly throwing insult at his perceived arch-rival with the line, “Boys talk!! Men Work!!”
Well, you can judge.
FELA ANIKOLAKPO KUTI WAS ONE PART OF MY MENTOR-Charlie boy
Charly Boy, born Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa, June 19, 1951[1] (also spelt Charlie Boy and known as CB, His Royal , and Area Fada),The famous charlie boy oputa known as the prodigal son as many will call him,has a thing for his dad,he was caught on set during the fathers burial ceremony on interview with him by one of our news agents,he disclosed his respect for the late afro beat icon fela anikolakpo kuti aka baba 70.
Reporter-sir you are known all over the world for your style and thing'
Charlie boy-Not known but also adored
Reporter-people say you now worship satan how true is this or is it just a mare rumor to be ignored.
Charlie boy-Depends on what people see and say,some see the truth and light while some choose to ignore and criticize others hear say..
Reporter-Sir who is or was your mentor.
Charlie boy-the person who has really inspired me both in music inspiration and life is no one else than fela anikolakpo kuti aka baba 70,he inspired me in so many ways but as a person i choose whos my mentor.
Reporter-sir have u in anyway challenge the government of today?
Charlie boy--the governments has always been a padi padi government i rest my case
Reporter-thank you for your time we hope to see you soon and have a more interactive section with you.
PDP lawmakers displaying legislative rascality, says Obende
THE Senator representing Edo North senatorial district of Edo State in the National Assembly, Senator Domingo Obende, yesterday described the gale of impeachment in the country as legislative rascality being perpetrated by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Domingo, who said that the leadership of PDP should be held responsible if the unity of the country was threatened with the way and manner APC governors were being impeached by PDP legislators, warned that the attempt to suppress the opposition in the country was dangerous.
He said: “What is happening is very surprising to some of us. There is danger around the corner because a political system that ought to be stable, thrives on impeachment threat and processes. It does not augur well for the country.
“The leadership of the National Assembly is matured, so we look at Nigeria as an entity that must be saved and of course, the whole of Africa is looking up to us. Are we going to be a giant in rascality?
“I see it as a clear parliamentary misbehaviour where governors who were given mandate by their people are not allowed to exercise their rights.
“There should be a repeal of the sections of the law on impeachment.”
Plans underway to move tank farms from Apapa-Oshodi Road — Obanikoro
—The Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro disclosed, yesterday, in Lagos that there were plans to relocate the tank farms along the Oshodi/Apapa expressway as a way of finding a lasting solution to the unending gridlock.
Obanikoro, who disclosed this during his visit to Oshodi/Apapa expressway also urged the Lagos State Government to provide a permanent parking bay for trucks, from where drivers could be reached.
Obanikoro, who disclosed this during his visit to Oshodi/Apapa expressway also urged the Lagos State Government to provide a permanent parking bay for trucks, from where drivers could be reached.
Obanikoro, explained that the visit became pertinent following the security implication of allowing trucks to use the road as a park.
He, however, applauded steps taken by the Western Naval Command, WNC, to ease the flow of traffic along the expressway, including other areas witnessing gridlock but added that the WNC’s effort might not be a permanent one since it was not its constitutional duty to control traffic.
*Traffic congestion on the Berger axis of Oshodi-Apapa expressway due to reconstruction of the road
*Traffic congestion on the Berger axis of Oshodi-Apapa expressway
According to him: “I am here to familiarise myself with the activities of the Nigeria Navy around the Ports area because I know that for some time now, we have been looking at the security implication of allowing trailers and trucks to use the road as a park.
“There are plans and we are also working with all stakeholders to ensure that the threat to this corridor is kept under check. It is not easy to just close all these tank farms overnight. What is important now is to call for more vigilance on the part of all the operators.
“I want to assure you that all the security agencies in the country are aware and alert to what is at stake and everything humanly possible is being done to avert any calamity.
“I am happy that, so far, all those trucks have been moved and passage way created so that there could be free vehicular movement around the ports, thus eliminating the security implication of just having trucks and containers littering the entire road.
“This is largely due to the effort of the Western Naval Command’s ability to engage all the stakeholders.”
He stated that the present administration was doing all it could to handle the situation, pointing out that part of its effort was the ongoing construction of a parking bay for trucks at Tin-Can Island Port.
He, therefore, said that this was not time to trade blames but a time for the Lagos State Government to partner with the Nigerian Ports Authority and other stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the situation.
“I am not going to join Lagos State Government in the blame game. What is important to me is that all of us have a responsibility to the good people of this country and particularly Lagos state.”
Tuesday, 29 July 2014
Policeman dies after shooting self on the leg
A policeman attached to the Patrol and Guard, P&G, Aba Central Police Station, Abia State, Inspector Sunday Mefo, has died after he accidentally shot himself on the leg.
The incident, it was gathered, occurred on Sunday at about 10 pm after he had booked and collected an AK-47 rifle which he was to use for night duty.
Though information on how the incident happened was still sketchy at press time, unconfirmed report has it that while Mefo was trying to check the gun’s condition, as he pulled the trigger, a bullet went off and hit him on the leg.
According to reports, the inspector was quickly rushed to a nearby hospital where he was reportedly being treated until yesterday morning when he died.
Man attempts suicide
In another development, a man identified as Kenneth Rowland has been reportedly arrested and detained at the Ogbor Hill Police station for attempted suicide.
Sources have it that the man, a regular customer of an undisclosed hotel at Road 4, Federal Housing Estate, in the outskirts of the commercial city, on receiving his hotel bill excused himself, dashed to the middle of a main road opposite the hotel and waited for an oncoming vehicle to hit him.
It was learnt that people around the hotel, who saw him, rushed there, dragged him out of the road and afterwards informed police of the incident.
The suspect, was later taken to Ogbor Hill police station where he was interrogated and detained.
Contacted, Abia State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Geoffrey Ogbonna, said he was yet to be informed of the incidents.
The incident, it was gathered, occurred on Sunday at about 10 pm after he had booked and collected an AK-47 rifle which he was to use for night duty.
Though information on how the incident happened was still sketchy at press time, unconfirmed report has it that while Mefo was trying to check the gun’s condition, as he pulled the trigger, a bullet went off and hit him on the leg.
According to reports, the inspector was quickly rushed to a nearby hospital where he was reportedly being treated until yesterday morning when he died.
Man attempts suicide
In another development, a man identified as Kenneth Rowland has been reportedly arrested and detained at the Ogbor Hill Police station for attempted suicide.
Sources have it that the man, a regular customer of an undisclosed hotel at Road 4, Federal Housing Estate, in the outskirts of the commercial city, on receiving his hotel bill excused himself, dashed to the middle of a main road opposite the hotel and waited for an oncoming vehicle to hit him.
It was learnt that people around the hotel, who saw him, rushed there, dragged him out of the road and afterwards informed police of the incident.
The suspect, was later taken to Ogbor Hill police station where he was interrogated and detained.
Contacted, Abia State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Geoffrey Ogbonna, said he was yet to be informed of the incidents.
El-Rufai loses son in auto crash in Abuja
El-Rufai loses son in auto crash in AbujaFormer Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has lost one of his sons in a car crash.
Hamza El-Rufai died Tuesday morning in Abuja.
The father of the deceased broke the unfortunate news on his faceboook page at about 8:00 am today.
Confirming the incident, El-Rufai in a statement posted on his Facebook page wrote: “From Allah, we came and to Him we shall return. Please join our family in praying for the repose of the soul of my son, Hamza El-Rufai who died in a motor accident in Abuja.”
Hamza El-Rufai died Tuesday morning in Abuja.
The father of the deceased broke the unfortunate news on his faceboook page at about 8:00 am today.
Confirming the incident, El-Rufai in a statement posted on his Facebook page wrote: “From Allah, we came and to Him we shall return. Please join our family in praying for the repose of the soul of my son, Hamza El-Rufai who died in a motor accident in Abuja.”
Chibok – 100 Days, Counting
WEDNESDAY, 23 July, marked 100 days since the abduction of 279 female students of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State. The circumstances of the 14 April abduction were graphic portrayals of the failure of government and leadership at different levels.
The girls were abducted though there was a state of emergency in the North East, and assurances by the Borno State Government that adequate security was provided for the students writing their final exams.
Worldwide rage trailed the abduction that added another dimension to the terror attacks in Nigeria. Of course, the insurgency has a wider aim of destabilising the entire Sahel region, something that was not reflected in earlier measures that tended to localise the challenge.
The #Bring Back Our Girls campaign resonated around the world. Its local chapter has been having running battles with security agencies who term it an opposition platform for political blackmail.
It is most distressing that the girls are still in captivity in Sambisa Forest, which bears various dangers. The nation shares in the agonies of the families of the abductees. Global attention was momentary. The blame shifting, blame sharing and superior knowledge about what cannot secure release of the girls.
Security agencies claim they know where the girls are. World powers’ initial offer of assistance dissolved into excuses about the uncertainties of Sambisa. Obviously, it is Nigeria’s challenge; the world is looking away. The biggest international contribution to the rescue efforts is the #Bring Back Our Girls campaign.
Nigerians should support our security agencies as they go about the onerous job of securing the release of the girls. There is the additional matter of ending the insurgency.
The war on terror and the efforts to rescue the girls are complex campaigns that require the understanding of everyone. We must sink our political differences if we are to face a common enemy that is determined to destroy our society. The last four years of dealing with various degrees of terror attacks, has made the war against terror a major national focus.
Government might not have been as successful as many expected in combating terror, but it is not a failure from which to make political capital. Lives are involved. Elections cannot become more important than the lives of Nigerians.
Public ownership of security, empowering the security agencies, earning the confidence of the people, prompt trial of suspects and their sponsors would limit the capacities of the attackers.
Secret loyalty for the enemy and profiling Nigerians based on their religion and ethnic background are divisive and aids the attackers.
Government should ensure safe return of the girls soon, and an end to the frequent terror attacks
The girls were abducted though there was a state of emergency in the North East, and assurances by the Borno State Government that adequate security was provided for the students writing their final exams.
Worldwide rage trailed the abduction that added another dimension to the terror attacks in Nigeria. Of course, the insurgency has a wider aim of destabilising the entire Sahel region, something that was not reflected in earlier measures that tended to localise the challenge.
The #Bring Back Our Girls campaign resonated around the world. Its local chapter has been having running battles with security agencies who term it an opposition platform for political blackmail.
It is most distressing that the girls are still in captivity in Sambisa Forest, which bears various dangers. The nation shares in the agonies of the families of the abductees. Global attention was momentary. The blame shifting, blame sharing and superior knowledge about what cannot secure release of the girls.
Security agencies claim they know where the girls are. World powers’ initial offer of assistance dissolved into excuses about the uncertainties of Sambisa. Obviously, it is Nigeria’s challenge; the world is looking away. The biggest international contribution to the rescue efforts is the #Bring Back Our Girls campaign.
Nigerians should support our security agencies as they go about the onerous job of securing the release of the girls. There is the additional matter of ending the insurgency.
The war on terror and the efforts to rescue the girls are complex campaigns that require the understanding of everyone. We must sink our political differences if we are to face a common enemy that is determined to destroy our society. The last four years of dealing with various degrees of terror attacks, has made the war against terror a major national focus.
Government might not have been as successful as many expected in combating terror, but it is not a failure from which to make political capital. Lives are involved. Elections cannot become more important than the lives of Nigerians.
Public ownership of security, empowering the security agencies, earning the confidence of the people, prompt trial of suspects and their sponsors would limit the capacities of the attackers.
Secret loyalty for the enemy and profiling Nigerians based on their religion and ethnic background are divisive and aids the attackers.
Government should ensure safe return of the girls soon, and an end to the frequent terror attacks
Airtel Unveils Internet Bundles for Android Devices
Leading telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria, has taken yet another bold step in realization of its corporate vision of becoming the No1 mobile Internet service provider in Nigeria as it announces the introduction of Internet Bundles for Android devices.
According to Airtel, the new value offering, which is first of its kind in the country, is consistent with its key objective of providing innovative and affordable mobile Internet solutions that will make life simpler, exciting and more enjoyable for telecoms consumers across the country.
The new Android Internet Bundle plan is specifically tailored to empower Android users to connect with business associates, family and friends and also enable them enjoy an amazing data experience on their smartphones.
The Bundle plan comes in two variants, the Android 2.0, which comes with 2GB data designed for medium Internet users while the Android Bundle 4.5 with 4.5GB data is tailored for high Internet consumers.
Speaking on the new value offering, the Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Maurice Newa, said Airtel will continue to blaze the trail in revolutionizing the mobile Internet landscape in Nigeria with highly innovative and affordable solutions.
“At Airtel, we are positioned as Nigeria’s number one mobile Internet Company just as we are committed to making life simpler, more enjoyable and really exciting for our customers.
“We understand that our Internet bundle for Android users will help increase productivity, boost personal relations, family happiness and business profitability,” he said.
First of its kind in terms of data offerings in Nigeria, the Airtel Android packages offer customers sufficient data to browse on their Android phones at very affordable rates. With the introduction of these packages, customers using Android phones no longer have to worry about affordability and the required data needed to enjoy an amazing browsing experience on the Airtel network.
Customers are advised to dial *437# to subscribe to the 2G Android Bundle while customers who prefer to subscribe to the 4.GB Android Bundle are advised to either dial*438#
The 2GB and 4.5GB Bundles go for a rate of N2,000 and N3,500, respectively and are both valid for 30 days. Both Bundles have different burn rates, allowing customers to enjoy the service at a more affordable rate during the night. For more information, please visit www.ng.airtel.com
According to Airtel, the new value offering, which is first of its kind in the country, is consistent with its key objective of providing innovative and affordable mobile Internet solutions that will make life simpler, exciting and more enjoyable for telecoms consumers across the country.
The new Android Internet Bundle plan is specifically tailored to empower Android users to connect with business associates, family and friends and also enable them enjoy an amazing data experience on their smartphones.
The Bundle plan comes in two variants, the Android 2.0, which comes with 2GB data designed for medium Internet users while the Android Bundle 4.5 with 4.5GB data is tailored for high Internet consumers.
Speaking on the new value offering, the Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Maurice Newa, said Airtel will continue to blaze the trail in revolutionizing the mobile Internet landscape in Nigeria with highly innovative and affordable solutions.
“At Airtel, we are positioned as Nigeria’s number one mobile Internet Company just as we are committed to making life simpler, more enjoyable and really exciting for our customers.
“We understand that our Internet bundle for Android users will help increase productivity, boost personal relations, family happiness and business profitability,” he said.
First of its kind in terms of data offerings in Nigeria, the Airtel Android packages offer customers sufficient data to browse on their Android phones at very affordable rates. With the introduction of these packages, customers using Android phones no longer have to worry about affordability and the required data needed to enjoy an amazing browsing experience on the Airtel network.
Customers are advised to dial *437# to subscribe to the 2G Android Bundle while customers who prefer to subscribe to the 4.GB Android Bundle are advised to either dial*438#
The 2GB and 4.5GB Bundles go for a rate of N2,000 and N3,500, respectively and are both valid for 30 days. Both Bundles have different burn rates, allowing customers to enjoy the service at a more affordable rate during the night. For more information, please visit www.ng.airtel.com
Monday, 28 July 2014
David overpowers Massaro to win squash gold
ENGLAND'S Laura Massaro was consigned to silver after losing to Malaysia’s Nicol David in the women’s singles squash final.
David, 30, produced a superb performance to win 12-10 11-2 11-5.
It is back-to-back Commonwealth golds for David, who did not drop a single game when she won in Delhi in 2010.
New Zealand’s Joelle King claimed bronze as she beat England’s Alison Waters 11-7 11-7 11-5 in the third-place play-off.
David has been world number one for 99 months and has won the World Open title a record seven times.
But Massaro, 30, is the world number two and went into the Commonwealths full of confidence after winning both the World Open and British Open titles this year.
Massaro, based in Preston, began quickly and looked to be bossing the opening game, but David showed why she has been the dominant figure in women’s squash for so long by fighting back to pinch it 12-10.
David, 30, produced a superb performance to win 12-10 11-2 11-5.
It is back-to-back Commonwealth golds for David, who did not drop a single game when she won in Delhi in 2010.
New Zealand’s Joelle King claimed bronze as she beat England’s Alison Waters 11-7 11-7 11-5 in the third-place play-off.
David has been world number one for 99 months and has won the World Open title a record seven times.
But Massaro, 30, is the world number two and went into the Commonwealths full of confidence after winning both the World Open and British Open titles this year.
Massaro, based in Preston, began quickly and looked to be bossing the opening game, but David showed why she has been the dominant figure in women’s squash for so long by fighting back to pinch it 12-10.
Martinez drops Lukaku hint
EVERTON manager, Roberto Martinez has hinted that he is hopeful of landing Romelu Lukaku on a permanent deal.
Belgium striker, Lukaku spent last season on loan at Goodison Park from Chelsea, quickly winning the affection of the fans, scoring 15 Premier League goals in 31 appearances.
Everton are currently on tour in Thailand and, when asked by a supporter if there was a possibility of the club re-signing the 21-year-old, Martinez replied: “Of course, we’ll get him.”
Bundesliga side Wolfsburg and Italian champions Juventus have also been linked with £20million bids for Lukaku. On Saturday, Sky Bet suspended betting on Lukaku’s next club after a string of wagers were placed on Wolfsburg winning the race.
Belgium striker, Lukaku spent last season on loan at Goodison Park from Chelsea, quickly winning the affection of the fans, scoring 15 Premier League goals in 31 appearances.
Everton are currently on tour in Thailand and, when asked by a supporter if there was a possibility of the club re-signing the 21-year-old, Martinez replied: “Of course, we’ll get him.”
Bundesliga side Wolfsburg and Italian champions Juventus have also been linked with £20million bids for Lukaku. On Saturday, Sky Bet suspended betting on Lukaku’s next club after a string of wagers were placed on Wolfsburg winning the race.
Pension as catalyst for African infrastructural, economic development
NIGERIA and the continent of Africa are witnessing a new wave of growth in pension administration driven by stable political atmosphere, social security reforms, growing middle class and economic growth put at over five per cent of GDP.
Attention has now been shifted to how countries take advantage of the pension growth to bring about positive social change in the life of their citizens through effective mobilisation of savings, wealth creation and deployment of the growing funds towards infrastructure development and economic growth.
Stakeholders who gathered at the recently concluded World Pension Summit- Africa special held in Abuja underscored the challenges of managing this growth in Africa’s pension, adding that developing of appropriate framework would guarantee sustainability and national development.
The forum identified the need for cross fertilization of ideas in terms of technology adaptation and policy framework, it was agreed that Nigeria’s Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) driven by the National Pension Commission was a system to embrace.
Acting director general, PenCom, Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, said “We must be mindful of the fact that our hopes and aspirations as a Continent are primarily hinged on the evolution and development of retirement benefits into a veritable instrument of social change. Not in a theoretical or abstract sense, but in terms of an intrinsic transformation of our institutions, and our operations.
“We need systems that are relevant to the fundamental needs of our Continent, and which are dynamic enough to initiate and also respond to developmental challenges facing the continent in an increasingly interdependent global economy.
“Given the size of pension fund assets across Africa, there is a real opportunity for policy makers to collaborate with pension professionals so as to effectively leverage these assets for sustainable progress. “Reaching a consensus on how best to harness the Continent’s pension fund assets as catalysts for economic development would be critical for the Continent”.
Another issue which became evident at the forum was the need to expand the ‘catch-net’, by expanding the regulatory frameworks to bring more people in the informal sector to the organised pension system. Though the revised pension law in Nigeria has made provision to include organisations having three or more employees, Aloysius Etok, Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Service, said it was discovered though belatedly that the pension law left out employers and political appointees.
He advised that the pension stakeholders should do everything possible to ensure that the law is returned to the National Assembly to be upgraded with a view to bringing both employers and government appointees under the contributory pension scheme.
Vice President, Nigerian Labour Congress, Issa Aremu, charged pension stakeholders to deploy pension asset to financing home ownership schemes for workers. He said this is one of the ways to deploy pension funds for the benefits of contributors directly.
Houses are expensive when mortgage institutions and other intermediaries build for sale to workers. So in Kenya, workers are allowed to borrow from their retirement savings to build houses.
As the proportion of retirement income provided by private pensions continues to grow, the regulatory framework designed to protect those funds becomes ever more crucial. The theme of this summit – ‘Shaping the Future’ thus underscores the imperative of institutionalising a risk-based approach which allows the regulatory agencies to channel their resources towards issues that pose greatest threat to the stability of the industry.
Also important is the need to utilise information and communications technology towards ensuring that operators have adequate platform to reach pensioners wherever they may reside in retirement.
Drawing from Kenyan’s experience, the best way to bring workers in the informal sector under contributory pension scheme is to make use of the mobile telephony. They could be reached with the messages from the regulator and operators using mobile phones and their contributions could also be collected drawing from the credits loaded on their phones in collaboration with mobile telephone operators.
Attention has now been shifted to how countries take advantage of the pension growth to bring about positive social change in the life of their citizens through effective mobilisation of savings, wealth creation and deployment of the growing funds towards infrastructure development and economic growth.
Stakeholders who gathered at the recently concluded World Pension Summit- Africa special held in Abuja underscored the challenges of managing this growth in Africa’s pension, adding that developing of appropriate framework would guarantee sustainability and national development.
The forum identified the need for cross fertilization of ideas in terms of technology adaptation and policy framework, it was agreed that Nigeria’s Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) driven by the National Pension Commission was a system to embrace.
Acting director general, PenCom, Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, said “We must be mindful of the fact that our hopes and aspirations as a Continent are primarily hinged on the evolution and development of retirement benefits into a veritable instrument of social change. Not in a theoretical or abstract sense, but in terms of an intrinsic transformation of our institutions, and our operations.
“We need systems that are relevant to the fundamental needs of our Continent, and which are dynamic enough to initiate and also respond to developmental challenges facing the continent in an increasingly interdependent global economy.
“Given the size of pension fund assets across Africa, there is a real opportunity for policy makers to collaborate with pension professionals so as to effectively leverage these assets for sustainable progress. “Reaching a consensus on how best to harness the Continent’s pension fund assets as catalysts for economic development would be critical for the Continent”.
Another issue which became evident at the forum was the need to expand the ‘catch-net’, by expanding the regulatory frameworks to bring more people in the informal sector to the organised pension system. Though the revised pension law in Nigeria has made provision to include organisations having three or more employees, Aloysius Etok, Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Service, said it was discovered though belatedly that the pension law left out employers and political appointees.
He advised that the pension stakeholders should do everything possible to ensure that the law is returned to the National Assembly to be upgraded with a view to bringing both employers and government appointees under the contributory pension scheme.
Vice President, Nigerian Labour Congress, Issa Aremu, charged pension stakeholders to deploy pension asset to financing home ownership schemes for workers. He said this is one of the ways to deploy pension funds for the benefits of contributors directly.
Houses are expensive when mortgage institutions and other intermediaries build for sale to workers. So in Kenya, workers are allowed to borrow from their retirement savings to build houses.
As the proportion of retirement income provided by private pensions continues to grow, the regulatory framework designed to protect those funds becomes ever more crucial. The theme of this summit – ‘Shaping the Future’ thus underscores the imperative of institutionalising a risk-based approach which allows the regulatory agencies to channel their resources towards issues that pose greatest threat to the stability of the industry.
Also important is the need to utilise information and communications technology towards ensuring that operators have adequate platform to reach pensioners wherever they may reside in retirement.
Drawing from Kenyan’s experience, the best way to bring workers in the informal sector under contributory pension scheme is to make use of the mobile telephony. They could be reached with the messages from the regulator and operators using mobile phones and their contributions could also be collected drawing from the credits loaded on their phones in collaboration with mobile telephone operators.
Nigeria can explode anytime, warns ex-Ohanaeze leader
FORMER President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, has described Nigeria as an inflammable commodity that could explode anytime.
Ikedife, a delegate at the ongoing National Conference, warned that the country could explode, if the confab failed to handle the issue of derivation formula with honesty, seriousness and without unnecessary sentiment.
According to him, it is unfortunate that some delegates at the confab are trying to scuttle efforts to amicably settle the issue of derivation formula to the satisfaction of everybody, particularly Niger Delta people.
He noted that people of the Niger Delta had been suffering because of oil exploration and long years of neglect.
“With the stalemate on the issue of derivation formula Nigeria can be seen as an inflammable commodity and nobody should carry naked fire to where there is an inflammable commodity.
“This issue of derivation, if we push it to the bitter end it may end up in a way that an explosion will be in the face of all of us.
“Many realised that the quantum of unhappiness, quantum of anger is very high and we must not push the issue to the brinks of explosion,” Ikedife cautioned.
He said while some people like him were working assiduously to tidy up issues at stake, especially the contentious derivation formula, some others at the conference were busy drawing the issue back with personal goals they set out to achieve before arrival at the conference.
He said: “Some people from a particular section of the country are bent on ensuring that no meaningful decision was taken on the issue of derivation.
“They are not aware of what the people in whose community the mineral recourses are tapped or explored suffer or they know but deliberately want them to continue suffering, and are at the conference working to put stumbling blocks to the way forward to settle the issue.
He appealed to all the delegates currently on recess to “adjust their minds towards achieving meaningful decision on the issue when the conference reconvenes on August 11, 2014.”
Ikedife insisted that the Federal Government had given Nigerians an opportunity, through the confab, to resolve the contentious issue of derivation for the country to have peace.
Assessing the performance of the confab, Ikedife gave it a pass mark, but noted that the only reservation he had was on the issue of no-go areas as directed by the Presidency.
“Much as we obey the President’s directive, suppose the solutions to Nigerian’s problems are to be found in the no-go areas, should we not chase the solution into those areas?
Nigerian ambassador, 3 ECOWAS staff, 55 others had contact with Lagos Ebola victim — Idris
The Lagos State Government disclosed, yesterday, that the Nigerian Ambassador to Liberia, Chigozie Obi Nnadozie, three staff of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, and 55 others had contact with the victim of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, Patrick Sawyer, who died in Lagos, last Thursday.
Medics in full gear to avoid contracting the virus
The Joint Federal and State Team in collaboration with other health organisations on prevention of Ebola outbreak in Lagos, has begun monitoring of the 59 persons that had contact with the victim, who died of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, in a private hospital in Lagos, last week.
Addressing a joint press briefing, yesterday, on the update of the Ebola virus disease, Director National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, Professor Abdulsalim Nasidi, and Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, explained that out of the 59 persons that had contact with the Sawyer in Lagos, 44 were hospital contacts (38 healthcare workers and six laboratory staff) and 15 airport contacts comprising three ECOWAS staff – driver, liaison and protocol officer, Nigerian Ambassador to Monrovia, two nursing staff and five airport passenger handlers.
Appeal for calm
Idris, who appealed for calm, said right now, 20 contacts had been physically screened. “The airline manifest has not been provided by the airline at the time of this report and therefore, the precise number of passenger contacts is yet to be ascertained, especially as two flights were involved Monrovia – Lome and Lome – Lagos. There was no report of medical incident filed and the General Declaration report of the flight.”
Idris who stated categorically that only one case of imported Ebola and one death has been recorded in Lagos, said: “No Nigerian is infected, but all contacts are being actively followed. We call on all Nigerians to be calm and not panic and I do hereby assure them that both the state and Federal governments are up in arms to ensure that the virus did not escape and that no Nigeria is infected with this virus,” he stressed.
Preliminary investigation
It was further disclosed that preliminary laboratory investigation conducted by the NCDC AI virology laboratory of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, and the Redeemers’ University’s World-Bank Funded African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID) detected viral DNA and in both blood and urine samples obtained from the patient were positive for the Pan Filo virus analysis and Ebola Zaire MGB virus strain – specific analysis. Samples were also collected for further confirmation at the WHO, collaborating laboratory for Ebola in Dakar.
Meanwhile, an isolation ward has been designated by the Lagos State Ministry of Health at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba for case management. The designation of three other health facilities was said to be under way.
Idris explained that adhering strictly to WHO guidelines, the body of the deceased patient was decontaminated using 10 per cent sodium hypochlorite and cremated, with the permission of the government of Liberia. “A cremation report has been prepared for dispatch to the family. The vehicle that conveyed the remains was also fully decontaminated.”
Nasidi, who allayed fears that EVD cannot be acquired through mere coming into contact with the EVD patient, disclosed that effort to send the packaged sample of the decease to Dakar failed as the courier company turned it down.
“We were disappointed that the courier rejected the sample. That is why we immediately sought the second opinion of World Health Organisation, WHO, recommended laboratory which is International Centre for Genomics. We are still going to dispatch it to Dakar, most likely first thing today but the WHO has accepted this result.”
Nasidi explained further that even dead bodies of EVD could be more dangerous in terms of transmission.
Case management
To ensure appropriate case management and infection prevention and control, he explained that an isolation ward has been designated by the Lagos State Ministry of Health at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba for case management, adding that the designation of three other health facilities is under way.
Further, he disclosed that a total of 100 Personal Protective Equipment, PPEs, have been procured by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, and Federal Ministry of Health, FMOH and distributed to the private hospital and the state Ministry of Health and WHO also donated 250 PPEs to the NCDC/FMOH.
On how the corpse was decomposed, the Commissioner said the state adhered strictly to WHO guidelines, the body of the deceased patient was de-contaminated, using 10 per cent sodium hypochlorite and cremated, with the permission of the government of Liberia. “A cremation report has been prepared for dispatch to the family. The vehicle that conveyed the remains was also fully decontaminated,” he added.
Recognising the importance of involving the community early in the response, he stated that already the various communities, traditional and religious leaders have been alerted about the disease and urged to report promptly to healthcare workers of any suspected case.
Categories of EVD
Explaining categories of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, spread, he explained that “those who come in direct contact of excretions of the dead are primary high risk group; the second group are those that come in contact with facilities used to actually treat or handle these patients; the third category are those who come in contact with those who came in very closed contact with the victim or the dead body. However, the fourth category is those who are within the areas of active transmission of the virus.
“It is also important we clarify a question of whether any of the contacts has been tested - the two laboratories are on standby for 24 hours and we have the APIN and the laboratory committee on the group screening one on one, and taking temperature of the contacts twice a day – morning and evening. We are following WHO criteria and the special protocol that you screen only the blood of only those contacts that start developing symptoms. We are going to identify few of them that we’d already known that came directly in contact with the blood of the deceased while managing him,” he added.
Warning communities that eat bats, he said this is the time for them to desist from consuming it. Similarly, he noted that some communities that worship bats and keep them in their houses should be very careful and stop the act.
Burials
On burial ceremonies of people who died from EVD, he said it had been shown that 40 per cent of the cases of Ebola virus spread was from the mishandling of the burial of the dead bodies. He warned that in case of any Ebola death, people should not just go and bury but contact public health officials.
Preventive tips
President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Professor Oyewale Tomori, who commended the state government for its prompt response, harped on the rules of hand washing and infection control. “There is no need for panic if we follow the rules of hand washing and infection control. There is need for Nigerians to be at alert as it is happening within the West African countries. There is absolutely no need to panic, he insisted.
“Where it has spread, it is because people have abandoned the rules of hand washing and infection control; we shouldn’t have diseases like Ebola if we maintain the rules of hand washing. Where people have followed the rules of hand washing, we must be at alert; we are not out of the wood yet. We must continue to be at alert. We need to be washing our hands but no reason to panic.” He explained that domestic animals are not carriers of Ebola virus and people who are rearing domestic animals such as pig should not be afraid.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina urged residents and health officials in the state to report any suspected case of Ebola virus immediately. Adeshina appealed to residents to reduce the risk of contracting the disease by observing high standard of hygiene through washing of hands often with soap and water.
“Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick and ensure that objects used by the sick are decontaminated and properly disposed because fluids from an infected person are extremely dangerous,” Adeshina urged residents.
NCAA suspends A_SKY Airline operations to Nigeria
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, yesterday, said it has suspended all A_SKY Airline operations to Nigeria with immediate effect. The airline flew the Liberian infected with the Ebola virus into Lagos, which has created panic and diverted world attention to Nigeria.
Medics in full gear to avoid contracting the virus
The Joint Federal and State Team in collaboration with other health organisations on prevention of Ebola outbreak in Lagos, has begun monitoring of the 59 persons that had contact with the victim, who died of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, in a private hospital in Lagos, last week.Addressing a joint press briefing, yesterday, on the update of the Ebola virus disease, Director National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, Professor Abdulsalim Nasidi, and Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, explained that out of the 59 persons that had contact with the Sawyer in Lagos, 44 were hospital contacts (38 healthcare workers and six laboratory staff) and 15 airport contacts comprising three ECOWAS staff – driver, liaison and protocol officer, Nigerian Ambassador to Monrovia, two nursing staff and five airport passenger handlers.
Appeal for calm
Idris, who appealed for calm, said right now, 20 contacts had been physically screened. “The airline manifest has not been provided by the airline at the time of this report and therefore, the precise number of passenger contacts is yet to be ascertained, especially as two flights were involved Monrovia – Lome and Lome – Lagos. There was no report of medical incident filed and the General Declaration report of the flight.”
Idris who stated categorically that only one case of imported Ebola and one death has been recorded in Lagos, said: “No Nigerian is infected, but all contacts are being actively followed. We call on all Nigerians to be calm and not panic and I do hereby assure them that both the state and Federal governments are up in arms to ensure that the virus did not escape and that no Nigeria is infected with this virus,” he stressed.
Preliminary investigation
It was further disclosed that preliminary laboratory investigation conducted by the NCDC AI virology laboratory of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, and the Redeemers’ University’s World-Bank Funded African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID) detected viral DNA and in both blood and urine samples obtained from the patient were positive for the Pan Filo virus analysis and Ebola Zaire MGB virus strain – specific analysis. Samples were also collected for further confirmation at the WHO, collaborating laboratory for Ebola in Dakar.
Meanwhile, an isolation ward has been designated by the Lagos State Ministry of Health at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba for case management. The designation of three other health facilities was said to be under way.
Idris explained that adhering strictly to WHO guidelines, the body of the deceased patient was decontaminated using 10 per cent sodium hypochlorite and cremated, with the permission of the government of Liberia. “A cremation report has been prepared for dispatch to the family. The vehicle that conveyed the remains was also fully decontaminated.”
Nasidi, who allayed fears that EVD cannot be acquired through mere coming into contact with the EVD patient, disclosed that effort to send the packaged sample of the decease to Dakar failed as the courier company turned it down.
“We were disappointed that the courier rejected the sample. That is why we immediately sought the second opinion of World Health Organisation, WHO, recommended laboratory which is International Centre for Genomics. We are still going to dispatch it to Dakar, most likely first thing today but the WHO has accepted this result.”
Nasidi explained further that even dead bodies of EVD could be more dangerous in terms of transmission.
Case management
To ensure appropriate case management and infection prevention and control, he explained that an isolation ward has been designated by the Lagos State Ministry of Health at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba for case management, adding that the designation of three other health facilities is under way.
Further, he disclosed that a total of 100 Personal Protective Equipment, PPEs, have been procured by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, and Federal Ministry of Health, FMOH and distributed to the private hospital and the state Ministry of Health and WHO also donated 250 PPEs to the NCDC/FMOH.
On how the corpse was decomposed, the Commissioner said the state adhered strictly to WHO guidelines, the body of the deceased patient was de-contaminated, using 10 per cent sodium hypochlorite and cremated, with the permission of the government of Liberia. “A cremation report has been prepared for dispatch to the family. The vehicle that conveyed the remains was also fully decontaminated,” he added.
Recognising the importance of involving the community early in the response, he stated that already the various communities, traditional and religious leaders have been alerted about the disease and urged to report promptly to healthcare workers of any suspected case.
Categories of EVD
Explaining categories of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, spread, he explained that “those who come in direct contact of excretions of the dead are primary high risk group; the second group are those that come in contact with facilities used to actually treat or handle these patients; the third category are those who come in contact with those who came in very closed contact with the victim or the dead body. However, the fourth category is those who are within the areas of active transmission of the virus.
“It is also important we clarify a question of whether any of the contacts has been tested - the two laboratories are on standby for 24 hours and we have the APIN and the laboratory committee on the group screening one on one, and taking temperature of the contacts twice a day – morning and evening. We are following WHO criteria and the special protocol that you screen only the blood of only those contacts that start developing symptoms. We are going to identify few of them that we’d already known that came directly in contact with the blood of the deceased while managing him,” he added.
Warning communities that eat bats, he said this is the time for them to desist from consuming it. Similarly, he noted that some communities that worship bats and keep them in their houses should be very careful and stop the act.
Burials
On burial ceremonies of people who died from EVD, he said it had been shown that 40 per cent of the cases of Ebola virus spread was from the mishandling of the burial of the dead bodies. He warned that in case of any Ebola death, people should not just go and bury but contact public health officials.
Preventive tips
President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Professor Oyewale Tomori, who commended the state government for its prompt response, harped on the rules of hand washing and infection control. “There is no need for panic if we follow the rules of hand washing and infection control. There is need for Nigerians to be at alert as it is happening within the West African countries. There is absolutely no need to panic, he insisted.
“Where it has spread, it is because people have abandoned the rules of hand washing and infection control; we shouldn’t have diseases like Ebola if we maintain the rules of hand washing. Where people have followed the rules of hand washing, we must be at alert; we are not out of the wood yet. We must continue to be at alert. We need to be washing our hands but no reason to panic.” He explained that domestic animals are not carriers of Ebola virus and people who are rearing domestic animals such as pig should not be afraid.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina urged residents and health officials in the state to report any suspected case of Ebola virus immediately. Adeshina appealed to residents to reduce the risk of contracting the disease by observing high standard of hygiene through washing of hands often with soap and water.
“Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick and ensure that objects used by the sick are decontaminated and properly disposed because fluids from an infected person are extremely dangerous,” Adeshina urged residents.
NCAA suspends A_SKY Airline operations to Nigeria
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, yesterday, said it has suspended all A_SKY Airline operations to Nigeria with immediate effect. The airline flew the Liberian infected with the Ebola virus into Lagos, which has created panic and diverted world attention to Nigeria.
Ekiti fallout: New thinking on APC presidential ticket
The outcome of the Ekiti Gubernatorial election was a shocker to many in the All Progressives Congress, APC. However, only few could have predicted how that election result was going to affect the party’s thinking on its presidential platfor
NEW permutations for the 2015 presidential ticket of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC have emerged following the defeat of the party in the Ekiti gubernatorial election last month. Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the outgoing governor of the state who was defeated in that election, had according to party insiders, been in pole position to be projected as the party’s vice-presidential running mate in the 2015 election.
Buhari
NEW permutations for the 2015 presidential ticket of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC have emerged following the defeat of the party in the Ekiti gubernatorial election last month. Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the outgoing governor of the state who was defeated in that election, had according to party insiders, been in pole position to be projected as the party’s vice-presidential running mate in the 2015 election.
Fayemi was expected by many to run as the APC presidential running mate as the sitting governor of Ekiti State next year.
Fayemi’s prospects had brightened following serious objections to party leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu taking that slot on account of religious balancing. Tinubu is a Muslim and suggestions of him pairing with any of the leading Muslim aspirants in the North, especially Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, had been a major issue of contention.
Major issue of contention
Though there were insinuations that Tinubu did not mind, many party enthusiasts bothered by inscriptions of the party as an Islamic party fought against such a pair of Buhari and Tinubu as formidable as it looked.
With religion putting Tinbubu aside, Fayemi before the election became one of those non-Muslims that had been factored as possible running mate to any of the leading presidential aspirants in the party.
Oshiomhole
The Ekiti governor, according to sources, had been especially touted to run with Governor Rabiu Kwankwanso of Kano State.
The increasingly powerful lobby of APC governors where Fayemi is believed to have a strong sway, and which was instrumental to many recent decisions of the party, Vanguard learnt, would have been used by the governors to project the Kwankwanso-Fayemi ticket.
Besides Fayemi, another prospective running mate had been Otunba Niyi Adebayo, former governor of Ekiti State. However, the defeat of Fayemi, Vanguard learnt, has led to a diminution of either options in a presidential ticket throwing up fresh permutations that have led to the emergence of new options. One of the increasingly toasted options is Senator Olurunimbe Mamora, former minority leader of the Senate.
Other permutations said to be especially favoured in the calculation of the Tinubu camp are Yemi Cardoso, a former commissioner for economic planning in Lagos, Prof. Yemi Osibajo also a former commissioner for justice in Lagos State and Senator Ajayi Borofice, presently representing Ondo State in the Senate.
Mamora’s emergence follows the illegibility of Governor Babatunde Fashola, also on religious consideration. The popular Lagos State governor is a Muslim.
Mamora, it was learnt, is especially being linked to the APC’s leading presidential aspirant Buhari by some party stakeholders who are drumming such a ticket as a win-win ticket. The former senator is being projected for his loyalty, integrity and popularity as factors that would sell the ticket in the Southwest and the rest of the country.
“He’s a Christian, popular and acceptable to Christian and Muslim communities,” a source canvassing the ticket revealed at the weekend.
Continuing, the source said of Mamora, “He is a highly respected liberal democrat and a professional; former Lagos Speaker, two-term Senator and well loved across party and religious lines. He can easily reach out to the National Assembly for President Buhari. “
Noting similarities between Mamora and Buhari, the source said:
“He’s highly principled and also has disdain for corruption like Buhari and he will be acceptable to the Afenifere/Oodua Groups which will enable Buhari win not less than 80% of Yoruba votes.”
But a source close to Tinubu played down the Mamora option saying that Mamora was dropped from going back to the Senate in 2011 on account of his perceived disloyalty to Tinubu in the internal conflict between the Tinubu and Fashola camps ahead of that year’s gubernatorial election.
Sen. Borofice
Sen. Borofice
Mamora was said to have sided with Fashola and thereby incurred the wrath of Tinubu leading to his being replaced with Senator Gbenga Ashafa in the 2011 election.
Cardoso who served in the Tinubu cabinet it was learnt, is also being seriously canvassed on the basis of his economic expertise and projected as one who could help a possible President Buhari to manage the economic affairs of the country.
The projection of Senator Borofice it was gathered is aimed at cutting from the votes of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Ondo State.
The idea behind Borofice is that he could draw out votes for APC being that he is from Ondo State, a state that is now under the control of Labour Party and which had in the past thrown support for President Goodluck Jonathan.
“The calculation behind Borofice is that he is from a state that is not within the control of the APC, so by projecting him as a vice-president, he could draw votes that would ordinarily have been mobilised by the governor for the PDP,” a source privy to the permutations told Vanguard.
Such projections, however, are out of joint with other available factors in the contest.
Emergence of Sam Nda-Isaiah
The emergence of Sam Nda-Isaiah as one of the aspirants has also opened possibilities of a Muslim from any of the Southwest States emerging as a running mate. However, given the present lukewarm attitude of many party stakeholders in the region to the prospects of the newspaper columnist and publisher, not much thought has been made of the personalities that could fit the mould for a running mate for a Northern Christian presidential candidate.
Another permutation that some believe could electrify the party is the presentation of Adams Oshiomhole as a running mate or possibly a presidential candidate. Oshiomhole who has acquitted himself fairly in Edo State and won commendations for his infrastructural developments is considered as a possible weapon of mass destruction if put on the presidential ticket and could especially impede the PDP in its South-South base.
In the past, a matchup between Oshiomhole and Speaker Aminu Tambuwal had been projected as a serious challenge that for the PDP.
However, given the relative independent mindedness of the Edo governor, not many in the APC hierarchy seem to be giving much consideration to lifting him up.
Match-ups
Presidential candidate Running Mate
Buhari Mamora
Buhari Cardoso
Buhari Osibajo
Buhari Borofice
Tambuwal Oshiomhole
Oshiomhole Tambuwal
Kwankwanso ???
3 electrocuted, several injured in Ogun market
Tragedy struck, yesterday, at Ifo market in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State when three persons got electrocuted as a high-tension wire fell on them.
It was gathered that the high-tension cable suddenly snapped and fell on the victims. Three were said to have died on the spot, while several others sustained injuries.
The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the incident, however, said only two persons died, while two others who sustained injuries have been admitted at the Ifo General Hospital.
It was gathered that the high-tension cable suddenly snapped and fell on the victims. Three were said to have died on the spot, while several others sustained injuries.
The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the incident, however, said only two persons died, while two others who sustained injuries have been admitted at the Ifo General Hospital.
Police smash cheque forgery syndicate
Operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja, Lagos have arrested three persons who specialised in stealing bank customers cheques with which they withdraw money through alleged connivance of some banks staff.
suspects44Recovered from the suspects were two dud cheques, fake letter heads of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and that of the state’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Development which they allegedly intended to use to procure United Kingdom visa.
The suspects’ modus operandi, as gathered, included visiting banks around Lagos pretending to be transacting one business or another. Meanwhile, they would be on the look out for any customer who is careless with his cheque book with the aim of stealing such.
At other times, they would search waste baskets in the banks for unused cheque leaves like those discarded by the owners due to one error or another.
Police sources said they would, thereafter, take the cheque leaflets to insiders in the bank who, after ascertaining the amount in the account, pay the impostor, using the cheque as valid instrument.
Luck, however, ran out on the trio of Kola Ademola, Oyedepo Adesola and Kola Osho as they were arrested last week in pipeline area of Abule-Egba following a tip-off.
Blank cheques are usually brought to us by our boys — Ademola
Thirty three-year-old Ademola, a graduate of Business Administration and son of a retired soldier, admitted that he has been in the shady business for a while.
According to the father of two, “I am an educational consultant. I enroll students for final year examinations and extra moral classes and I also do tutorials for them. I met one Samson at Obalende who introduced me to the business. He gave me the dud cheques I was arrested with.
“The blank cheques are usually brought to us by our boys. They are not fake but original. What we do after our boys bring them, is to deliver them to insiders in banks who work on them and bring the cash. We pay them at the end of the each transaction, depending on the amount in the account.
“But the present cash-less policy is affecting us because we now deal under mandate. By that, I mean we can only withdraw less than N100,000 which would not require the presence of signatories or confirmation.
“This is the third time I brought a cheque to Mr. Osho. But he said he does not have any insider in the particular bank.
“When I took the first one to him, he told me there was no money in the account and the second cheque was also not successful.
“This is double calamity because we have not made any money from these cheques. As if that is not enough, the dud cheques have landed us in police net” said the Ikire, Osun State-born suspect.
I wanted to use the letter-head for UK visa —Osho
But 57-year-old Osho claimed he was not aware the cheques Ademola gave to him were fake, explaining that he was only given the cheques to withdraw money with a promise to be given a stipend at the end of the day.
Hear him: “Ademola is like a son to me because his late father was my friend. I sent all the businesses (cheques) he brought back to him because I told him I did not want any trouble. That is why I took the cheques back to him saying I could not withdraw the money”
Asked where he got the Ekiti State House of Assembly letter head, he replied: “Yes, the documents were found on me. I wanted to use them to apply for UK visa and I thought that if I used the letter-head, the embassy would speed up my application. I downloaded it from the internet.
“I knew I was cheating when I got the documents but I had no option.”
However, the third suspect, Oyedepo Adesola denied having anything to do with the recovered cheques and document.
The Higher National Diploma holder claimed he only went to visit Osho when he was arrested, saying: “I am innocent. I do not understand what the Police are saying
suspects44Recovered from the suspects were two dud cheques, fake letter heads of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and that of the state’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Development which they allegedly intended to use to procure United Kingdom visa.
The suspects’ modus operandi, as gathered, included visiting banks around Lagos pretending to be transacting one business or another. Meanwhile, they would be on the look out for any customer who is careless with his cheque book with the aim of stealing such.
At other times, they would search waste baskets in the banks for unused cheque leaves like those discarded by the owners due to one error or another.
Police sources said they would, thereafter, take the cheque leaflets to insiders in the bank who, after ascertaining the amount in the account, pay the impostor, using the cheque as valid instrument.
Luck, however, ran out on the trio of Kola Ademola, Oyedepo Adesola and Kola Osho as they were arrested last week in pipeline area of Abule-Egba following a tip-off.
Blank cheques are usually brought to us by our boys — Ademola
Thirty three-year-old Ademola, a graduate of Business Administration and son of a retired soldier, admitted that he has been in the shady business for a while.
According to the father of two, “I am an educational consultant. I enroll students for final year examinations and extra moral classes and I also do tutorials for them. I met one Samson at Obalende who introduced me to the business. He gave me the dud cheques I was arrested with.
“The blank cheques are usually brought to us by our boys. They are not fake but original. What we do after our boys bring them, is to deliver them to insiders in banks who work on them and bring the cash. We pay them at the end of the each transaction, depending on the amount in the account.
“But the present cash-less policy is affecting us because we now deal under mandate. By that, I mean we can only withdraw less than N100,000 which would not require the presence of signatories or confirmation.
“This is the third time I brought a cheque to Mr. Osho. But he said he does not have any insider in the particular bank.
“When I took the first one to him, he told me there was no money in the account and the second cheque was also not successful.
“This is double calamity because we have not made any money from these cheques. As if that is not enough, the dud cheques have landed us in police net” said the Ikire, Osun State-born suspect.
I wanted to use the letter-head for UK visa —Osho
But 57-year-old Osho claimed he was not aware the cheques Ademola gave to him were fake, explaining that he was only given the cheques to withdraw money with a promise to be given a stipend at the end of the day.Hear him: “Ademola is like a son to me because his late father was my friend. I sent all the businesses (cheques) he brought back to him because I told him I did not want any trouble. That is why I took the cheques back to him saying I could not withdraw the money”
Asked where he got the Ekiti State House of Assembly letter head, he replied: “Yes, the documents were found on me. I wanted to use them to apply for UK visa and I thought that if I used the letter-head, the embassy would speed up my application. I downloaded it from the internet.
“I knew I was cheating when I got the documents but I had no option.”
However, the third suspect, Oyedepo Adesola denied having anything to do with the recovered cheques and document.
The Higher National Diploma holder claimed he only went to visit Osho when he was arrested, saying: “I am innocent. I do not understand what the Police are saying
Bokoh Haram: Jonathan should exchange prisoners for Chibok girls — Evah
Comrade Joseph Evah, Human Rights activist and former Publicity Secretary of Ijaw National Congress (INC) is Coordinator of Ijaw Monitoring Group. In this interview he spoke on the survival of former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari in a bomb blast.
He said his survival saved Nigeria the genocide that would have been worse than what happened in Rwanda. Excerpts:
By Azu Akanwa
Comrade Evah
Comrade Evah
BOKO Haram bombing is getting deadly by the day, what is your opinion?
In fact, it is full blown war that we are witnessing and I am ashamed of our Northern leaders that they are helpless. Northern leaders should be ashamed of themselves that they can’t call their children to order. They thought they had the mandate of their people be Nigeria military rulers and civilian presidents. So what is happening? Why are they all running and hiding in Abuja? It is a shame if Niger Delta political leaders entered canoe to move into the creek why are these Northern leaders staying back?
What is your advice to President Goodluck Jonathan now?
President Goodluck Jonathan should use the Ramadan fasting period to exchange the prisoners of war now. He should bring out prisoners of Boko Haram and exchange them with the Chibok girls now. I am appealing to the president to go the extra-mile as an African statesman to do this for the sake of peace. Let the world know that President Jonathan means well.
Americans and Britain recently exchanged prisoners with the Taliban fighters, if America can do that we can try something similar. In fact, Israel did that with Hamas few years ago before this their current war. We want our girls to come out this period and I believe if we take this approach some of the Boko Haram fighters may report and help this nation in the peace process.
How will you describe the attack on General Buhari?
Let me tell you the truth the survival of Buhari in that bomb blast was the greatest miracle from God this year. It was not General Buhari that was lucky, it was Nigeria that was actually lucky that Buhari survived the attack. Some people don’t know the implications because they are ignorant of history. The killing of two political leaders in a plane crash that was bombed in Rwanda was what led to the worst genocide in Africa history.
In some families in Rwanda, there is no generation to tell the story. Let me tell you how the scenario will look like, if the bomb had succeeded, the same people who organised it will use their propaganda to say President Jonathan has killed Buhari and that his body has been taken away to Aso Rock or Niger Delta and the local people who are ignorant will start the killing that will spread like harmattan fire across the North and the Southern part will not be able to control their tempers.
So what I am telling Northern leaders who now appear helpless in this Boko Haram crisis is to say whether they don’t want Nigeria to remain together. Nobody wants to stay in any forced marriage. If they want us to end this marriage called Nigeria, let us go our different ways peacefully instead of pretending in the name of Boko Haram and telling us that your children (Boko Haram) are faceless. God we thank you for the miracle that Buhari is alive. Those who are boosting that if this bomb had killed him nothing would have happened need to re-examine their heads learn from history and pray against such calamity.
If you see the army killing themselves in the barracks what can anybody do? This is the senerio we are talking about that happened in Nigeria before Gowon took over. In Abeokuta barracks, no Igbo officer stayed alive to tell the story, almost all officers were killed with their wives on the bed. That is the power of propaganda and rumour in a crisis period.
Even now some abnormal people are already saying President Jonathan is behind the attack. Can you imagine such careless and dangerous talk?
The new states proposed by the National Conference did not include any Ijaw states. What is your reaction?
We reject the insult on us. Frankly speaking it was an insult that Niger Delta people were not considered for a state.
He said his survival saved Nigeria the genocide that would have been worse than what happened in Rwanda. Excerpts:
By Azu Akanwa
Comrade Evah
Comrade EvahBOKO Haram bombing is getting deadly by the day, what is your opinion?
In fact, it is full blown war that we are witnessing and I am ashamed of our Northern leaders that they are helpless. Northern leaders should be ashamed of themselves that they can’t call their children to order. They thought they had the mandate of their people be Nigeria military rulers and civilian presidents. So what is happening? Why are they all running and hiding in Abuja? It is a shame if Niger Delta political leaders entered canoe to move into the creek why are these Northern leaders staying back?
What is your advice to President Goodluck Jonathan now?
President Goodluck Jonathan should use the Ramadan fasting period to exchange the prisoners of war now. He should bring out prisoners of Boko Haram and exchange them with the Chibok girls now. I am appealing to the president to go the extra-mile as an African statesman to do this for the sake of peace. Let the world know that President Jonathan means well.
Americans and Britain recently exchanged prisoners with the Taliban fighters, if America can do that we can try something similar. In fact, Israel did that with Hamas few years ago before this their current war. We want our girls to come out this period and I believe if we take this approach some of the Boko Haram fighters may report and help this nation in the peace process.
How will you describe the attack on General Buhari?
Let me tell you the truth the survival of Buhari in that bomb blast was the greatest miracle from God this year. It was not General Buhari that was lucky, it was Nigeria that was actually lucky that Buhari survived the attack. Some people don’t know the implications because they are ignorant of history. The killing of two political leaders in a plane crash that was bombed in Rwanda was what led to the worst genocide in Africa history.
In some families in Rwanda, there is no generation to tell the story. Let me tell you how the scenario will look like, if the bomb had succeeded, the same people who organised it will use their propaganda to say President Jonathan has killed Buhari and that his body has been taken away to Aso Rock or Niger Delta and the local people who are ignorant will start the killing that will spread like harmattan fire across the North and the Southern part will not be able to control their tempers.
So what I am telling Northern leaders who now appear helpless in this Boko Haram crisis is to say whether they don’t want Nigeria to remain together. Nobody wants to stay in any forced marriage. If they want us to end this marriage called Nigeria, let us go our different ways peacefully instead of pretending in the name of Boko Haram and telling us that your children (Boko Haram) are faceless. God we thank you for the miracle that Buhari is alive. Those who are boosting that if this bomb had killed him nothing would have happened need to re-examine their heads learn from history and pray against such calamity.
If you see the army killing themselves in the barracks what can anybody do? This is the senerio we are talking about that happened in Nigeria before Gowon took over. In Abeokuta barracks, no Igbo officer stayed alive to tell the story, almost all officers were killed with their wives on the bed. That is the power of propaganda and rumour in a crisis period.
Even now some abnormal people are already saying President Jonathan is behind the attack. Can you imagine such careless and dangerous talk?
The new states proposed by the National Conference did not include any Ijaw states. What is your reaction?
We reject the insult on us. Frankly speaking it was an insult that Niger Delta people were not considered for a state.
Ebola: Lagos Govt identifies 59 contacts with dead Liberian victim
The Lagos State Government said on Monday that it had identified no fewer than 59 people who had contacts with Mr Patrick Sawyer, the Liberian who died of Ebola Virus in the state.
Dr Jide Idris, the Commissioner for Health, said at a news conference in Ikeja that the contact tracing became imperative to ascertain any possible transmission of the virus by the victim.
Idris said the identified contacts comprised 44 hospital and 15 airport contacts, including the Nigerian Ambassador to Liberia.
He said 20 of the contacts had been screened and that none of them had so far been found to be infected with the virus.
the commissioner, however, said the contacts did not include those he might have been with on his flight to Nigeria on July 20, as the airline had yet to release the passenger manifest for investigation.
“The airline manifest has not been provided by the airline as at the time of this report and therefore, the precise number of passenger contacts is yet to be ascertained, especially as two flights were involved (Monrovia-Lome and Lome-Lagos).”
The commissioner urged Nigerians not to entertain fears about Sawyer`s case as the state and Federal Governments were doing everything possible to prevent any risk to the country.
Idris said that the deceased’s body had been decontaminated, using 10 per cent sodium hypochlorite and cremated with the permission of the Government of Liberia.
“A cremation urn has been prepared for dispatch to the family. The vehicle containing the remains have also been decontaminated while the hospital in which he died on July 25 has been demobilised .”
Idris said that The state Ministry of Health had designated an isolation ward at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, for case management, adding three other centres were under way.
The commissioner urged residents to report people with abnormal cases of bleeding and fever to the appropriate authorities for intervention, as high fever with bleeding from all body openings were symptoms of the disease.
Idris also urged residents to always keep their environments clean and maintain good personal hygiene as Ebola virus spreads easily in dirty environments.
Also speaking, Prof. Abdul-Salami Nasidi, the Director, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) warned against the consumption of bats and monkeys as these animals had been established to be the original sources of Ebola.
“This is time for those bat-eating and monkey-eating communities to be careful now. Ebola started from the eating of chimpazees. How the virus got to the monkey, nobody knows yet.
“But this is the time to be careful about the eating of monkeys and bats. The Ebola threat is high in West Africa and people should start taking precautions.”
In a remark, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, the President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, also warned Nigerians against the unsupervised burial of people who died from suspected Ebola case.
He said 40 per cent of cases in high risk countries were transmitted from victims` bodies, stressing that an Ebola corpse was deadlier the patient.
On he part, Mrs Yewande Adeshina, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, urged traditional healers to collaborate with the government in checking Ebola threats by reporting suspicious cases for the right intervention.
Dr Jide Idris, the Commissioner for Health, said at a news conference in Ikeja that the contact tracing became imperative to ascertain any possible transmission of the virus by the victim.
Idris said the identified contacts comprised 44 hospital and 15 airport contacts, including the Nigerian Ambassador to Liberia.
He said 20 of the contacts had been screened and that none of them had so far been found to be infected with the virus.
the commissioner, however, said the contacts did not include those he might have been with on his flight to Nigeria on July 20, as the airline had yet to release the passenger manifest for investigation.
“The airline manifest has not been provided by the airline as at the time of this report and therefore, the precise number of passenger contacts is yet to be ascertained, especially as two flights were involved (Monrovia-Lome and Lome-Lagos).”
The commissioner urged Nigerians not to entertain fears about Sawyer`s case as the state and Federal Governments were doing everything possible to prevent any risk to the country.
Idris said that the deceased’s body had been decontaminated, using 10 per cent sodium hypochlorite and cremated with the permission of the Government of Liberia.
“A cremation urn has been prepared for dispatch to the family. The vehicle containing the remains have also been decontaminated while the hospital in which he died on July 25 has been demobilised .”
Idris said that The state Ministry of Health had designated an isolation ward at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, for case management, adding three other centres were under way.
The commissioner urged residents to report people with abnormal cases of bleeding and fever to the appropriate authorities for intervention, as high fever with bleeding from all body openings were symptoms of the disease.
Idris also urged residents to always keep their environments clean and maintain good personal hygiene as Ebola virus spreads easily in dirty environments.
Also speaking, Prof. Abdul-Salami Nasidi, the Director, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) warned against the consumption of bats and monkeys as these animals had been established to be the original sources of Ebola.
“This is time for those bat-eating and monkey-eating communities to be careful now. Ebola started from the eating of chimpazees. How the virus got to the monkey, nobody knows yet.
“But this is the time to be careful about the eating of monkeys and bats. The Ebola threat is high in West Africa and people should start taking precautions.”
In a remark, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, the President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, also warned Nigerians against the unsupervised burial of people who died from suspected Ebola case.
He said 40 per cent of cases in high risk countries were transmitted from victims` bodies, stressing that an Ebola corpse was deadlier the patient.
On he part, Mrs Yewande Adeshina, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, urged traditional healers to collaborate with the government in checking Ebola threats by reporting suspicious cases for the right intervention.
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