FIVE persons, a man and two of his children and two others were confirmed dead on Friday in the village of Uchenyim , Wanikade, North Ukelle in northern Cross River State after eating the meat of a dog.
Reports from the area said the dog was fond of eating the eggs laid by native chicken in the Odareko-Uchenyim village and one of the villagers allegedly laced the eggs laid by his chicken with gamalin 20 insecticide and as expected, “the dog ate the eggs and fell ill and when it was about to die the owner quickly killed and prepared it into a delicacy which he, his family consumed and some neigbours consumed ” Ugbem Onawo, a villager narrated to Vanguard.
The man and his two children and the two others who died, according to the report also ate the intestines of the dog where incidentally the poison from the gamalin 20 is lodged leading to their taking ill and dying . “After the man shared the intestines among his children and the two neighbours and they ate death came calling and they all died though at different times ”. Our source said
Onawo said they were rushed to the local health centre for medical attention but were confirmed dead on arrival at the health centre. “A feeling of grieve has descended on the entire village and people are deeply saddened by what took place as such a tragedy has not befallen them before”
Hon Frank Ugbem, the councilor representing Wanikade Ward at the Yala Local Government Area legislature said the tragedy is painful and that he has sent a delegation to console the bereaved families.
He said all the dead have been buried in accordance within the tradition of the Ukelle people
Sunday, 31 August 2014
Dog meat kills five in Cross River
FIVE persons, a man and two of his children and two others were confirmed dead on Friday in the village of Uchenyim , Wanikade, North Ukelle in northern Cross River State after eating the meat of a dog.
Reports from the area said the dog was fond of eating the eggs laid by native chicken in the Odareko-Uchenyim village and one of the villagers allegedly laced the eggs laid by his chicken with gamalin 20 insecticide and as expected, “the dog ate the eggs and fell ill and when it was about to die the owner quickly killed and prepared it into a delicacy which he, his family consumed and some neigbours consumed ” Ugbem Onawo, a villager narrated to Vanguard.
The man and his two children and the two others who died, according to the report also ate the intestines of the dog where incidentally the poison from the gamalin 20 is lodged leading to their taking ill and dying . “After the man shared the intestines among his children and the two neighbours and they ate death came calling and they all died though at different times ”. Our source said
Onawo said they were rushed to the local health centre for medical attention but were confirmed dead on arrival at the health centre. “A feeling of grieve has descended on the entire village and people are deeply saddened by what took place as such a tragedy has not befallen them before”
Hon Frank Ugbem, the councilor representing Wanikade Ward at the Yala Local Government Area legislature said the tragedy is painful and that he has sent a delegation to console the bereaved families.
He said all the dead have been buried in accordance within the tradition of the Ukelle people
Reports from the area said the dog was fond of eating the eggs laid by native chicken in the Odareko-Uchenyim village and one of the villagers allegedly laced the eggs laid by his chicken with gamalin 20 insecticide and as expected, “the dog ate the eggs and fell ill and when it was about to die the owner quickly killed and prepared it into a delicacy which he, his family consumed and some neigbours consumed ” Ugbem Onawo, a villager narrated to Vanguard.
The man and his two children and the two others who died, according to the report also ate the intestines of the dog where incidentally the poison from the gamalin 20 is lodged leading to their taking ill and dying . “After the man shared the intestines among his children and the two neighbours and they ate death came calling and they all died though at different times ”. Our source said
Onawo said they were rushed to the local health centre for medical attention but were confirmed dead on arrival at the health centre. “A feeling of grieve has descended on the entire village and people are deeply saddened by what took place as such a tragedy has not befallen them before”
Hon Frank Ugbem, the councilor representing Wanikade Ward at the Yala Local Government Area legislature said the tragedy is painful and that he has sent a delegation to console the bereaved families.
He said all the dead have been buried in accordance within the tradition of the Ukelle people
Friday, 29 August 2014
Ebola: Enuemo’s wife, three months old baby in Lagos
Some 160 people are being medically monitored in Port Harcourt after a doctor died from the virus, the local government said on Friday.
“As of today, none of them has shown symptoms of any kind. We are in touch with them constantly and they also call us to tell us their condition,” Rivers State health commissioner Sampson Parker told a news conference in the city.
The Nigerian government announced on Thursday that the doctor was Nigeria’s sixth person to die from the haemorrhagic fever and the first outside the country’s biggest city, Lagos.
Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers state, is the centre of Nigeria’s oil industry and is home to a number of oil majors, including Anglo-Dutch giant Shell, France’s Total and US firm Chevron.
The doctor, Ikyke Samuel Enuemo, fell ill after treating an official from the ECOWAS regional bloc, who travelled to the city after coming into contact with a Liberian-American man who brought the virus into Nigeria and died on July 25.
The official slipped through the surveillance net in Lagos. He was brought back to Lagos but found to have recovered from the virus, health minister Onyebuchi Chukwu said.
Enuemo’s wife, who gave birth only three months ago, is ill with symptoms of the disease and has been placed in quarantine.
She requested to be moved out of Port Harcourt for “emotional reasons” and has been taken to an isolation unit in Lagos for further observation and treatment, Parker told reporters.
“She is also a doctor. Her three-month-old baby is alive and well. The result of the test conducted on her (for Ebola) is not yet out,” he added.
Six people have died of the disease in Africa’s most populous country.
Specialists from the World Health Organization, the United States and Britain have joined experts from the Nigerian government in Rivers State to check the spread of the virus.
Rivers state has a quarantine centre at Oduoha, about 25 kilometres (16 miles) east of the city as well as a special isolation ward for Ebola patients at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).
Neither has received any patient, Parker said.
A mobile laboratory has arrived in the city while the hotel where the ECOWAS official was treated has been decontaminated, as have the hospital where Enuemo was treated, his house and the morgue at UPTH.
“As of today, none of them has shown symptoms of any kind. We are in touch with them constantly and they also call us to tell us their condition,” Rivers State health commissioner Sampson Parker told a news conference in the city.
The Nigerian government announced on Thursday that the doctor was Nigeria’s sixth person to die from the haemorrhagic fever and the first outside the country’s biggest city, Lagos.
Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers state, is the centre of Nigeria’s oil industry and is home to a number of oil majors, including Anglo-Dutch giant Shell, France’s Total and US firm Chevron.
The doctor, Ikyke Samuel Enuemo, fell ill after treating an official from the ECOWAS regional bloc, who travelled to the city after coming into contact with a Liberian-American man who brought the virus into Nigeria and died on July 25.
The official slipped through the surveillance net in Lagos. He was brought back to Lagos but found to have recovered from the virus, health minister Onyebuchi Chukwu said.
Enuemo’s wife, who gave birth only three months ago, is ill with symptoms of the disease and has been placed in quarantine.
She requested to be moved out of Port Harcourt for “emotional reasons” and has been taken to an isolation unit in Lagos for further observation and treatment, Parker told reporters.
“She is also a doctor. Her three-month-old baby is alive and well. The result of the test conducted on her (for Ebola) is not yet out,” he added.
Six people have died of the disease in Africa’s most populous country.
Specialists from the World Health Organization, the United States and Britain have joined experts from the Nigerian government in Rivers State to check the spread of the virus.
Rivers state has a quarantine centre at Oduoha, about 25 kilometres (16 miles) east of the city as well as a special isolation ward for Ebola patients at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).
Neither has received any patient, Parker said.
A mobile laboratory has arrived in the city while the hotel where the ECOWAS official was treated has been decontaminated, as have the hospital where Enuemo was treated, his house and the morgue at UPTH.
Is polygamy really bad?
Last Tuesday, I received a text message from a close friend. It was short and rather vague. It read, “Yetunde, Please come over. It has happened”. The first thing that hit my mind was that someone had died. Perhaps her husband since she had sent the text. Time was almost 6.00pm and I hardly ever leave home once it’s that late in the day. Bisola’s case was a peculiar one, she had been having serious issues with her marriage for a while which a couple of friends, me inclusive, have been helping out with. I could therefore not ignore such a text from her.
I called her number but it was her daughter who picked the phone and promptly informed me that her mother was expecting me to come over and could not even speak on the phone. I asked after her father and she said he was fine as she had spoken with him that very afternoon. My mind was now at peace. Since the problem did not involve death, it was not something that could not be remedied. I could hear Bisola’s voice weeping in the background.
Reluctantly, I wangled through the evening traffic to Bisola’s house. Her younger sister as well as her favourite neighbour were already there, trying to console her. Immediately I walked into her room, Bisola began a fresh round of loud wailing, telling me how her life has been ruined. How all her sweat and suffering in her 22 years of marriage had come to naught. How her husband has exposed her to the hands of her enemies. How she will become the butt of jokes and ridicule among family, friends and even the neighbours. What will she tell the church members? What has happened? I eventually shouted when I couldn’t stand the suspense any longer. Akin has married another woman, she announced. I breathed a loud sigh of relief. Is that all?
Is that why your life has been ruined, I asked?
“Ah! Yetunde, it’s not only that, she already has a child for him”!
“And so”, I asked?
“Why are you talking like this, Yetunde, don’t you know the implication of what Akin has done”?
“I don’t, please tell me”?
“Yetunde, you are supposed to be my friend, why are you supporting my husband”, she asked?
At this point, her favourite neighbour was already clapping her hands together in cynical disgust. “Men are demons. No one would have ever suspected daddy Oyin was capable of what he has done. Ah! men will never get to heaven. They are snakes. They are …..”. She went on and Bisola began another round of wailing while her sister too began scolding her to get a grip of herself.
I sat on a corner of the bed and watched as the woman helped to fuel the situation with more invectives on men, indirectly insulting Akin, her so called friend’s husband. After a few minutes, I told her I was leaving if she would not stop her wailing and allow me talk. Her neighbour was forced to stop her ranting at that point while she mellowed down on the weeping. To throw her off balance, I asked why she felt so devastated about the news since we had always suspected that Akin had a mistress somewhere. Confirming it to be true ought not to cause so much grief and wailing as if she lost one of her parents or that Akin had slumped suddenly and died. How did she confirm it? Akin, on one of his brief visits home (he had started sleeping out in the last two years, providing a dozen and one excuses for his actions) had mistakenly left his briefcase open while he took a bath. As she cleared the tray after his meal, she’d spotted a couple of green booklets that looked like Nigerian international passports, so she decided to check who they belonged to since her own and the passports of their three children were in her care. Lo! The three passports belonged to Akin, a certain woman and a little child of about two years, both, bearing Akin’s name.
Shocked, she had taken the three booklets to Akin who was still in the shower, demanding to know the meaning of what she was holding. The three passports had visas for the UK on them. Akin had earlier that afternoon informed her of a planned visit to the UK for a conference that, though he had not announced a date yet. She said rather than answer her question, Akin asked why she was snooping around on his things, adding that she had found what she was looking for. He then went on to ignore her and finished his bath. By this time, Busola had gone berserk, screaming all over the house, threatening hail and brimstone. After dressing up, Akin parked his things and told her he was not coming home for the night.
“So, now that you know he has another family, what do you plan to do about it”, I asked.
“Yetunde, Akin has betrayed me. He has put my life and that of my children on the line and I will show him. He has finally disgraced me and I will disgrace him too”.
“How many people have you sent text messages to”?
“Not many, just my parents in Akure, my sister in London and the three of you”, she quipped.
“You have also told Aunty Cynthia and Brother Abayo”, her sister interjected, obviously annoyed.
“Ok, and those ones too”.
“Bisola, listen to me”, I said. “In your own interest, I beg you not to discuss this with anybody again, especially your in-laws. Be wary of advice that will totally ruin your marriage. People will readily tell you that if they were in your shoes, this and this are what they will do. Please tell them to wait for their turns so that they can do those things. You are not the first woman that her husband will betray and you surely will not be the last. Besides, why are you so afraid of the other woman? Why do you think your own life is ruined and not hers? Has he brought her into your home to live”?
As I spoke, Bisola’s sister interjected, “aunty, please help me tell her oh”, while my friend’s favourite neighbour murmured, “mummy Oyin, please listen to your friend”.
As I made my way back home later that night, I could not help but wonder why we make so much fuss when a man decides to take another wife. Why does the woman at home always feel so threatened? Why is the other woman always regarded as the wicked one, the gold digger and home breaker? Is polygamy really a bad thing? Bisola might have come from a monogamous family, but Akin did not. Ditto, so many of us. Besides, polygamy, or rather, polygyny as practiced in many cultures, is not a strange thing in our culture and society and has been practiced for centuries. Many successful men and women are offshoot of polygamy and have wonderful stories to tell about growing up and how they lived in a loving, selfless communal life with their parents. The spread of religion, western life style and feminism helped to entrench monogamous marriages and exclusive relationships and slowly the practice of polygamy began to wear a new face. Today, even Muslim women demand for monogamous marriages despite the fact that their religion promotes the marriage of up to four wives by their men.
Indeed, the practice of polygamy has been stigmatised with a lot of stereotyping. Thus, a horrible picture of oppression of women and children, unhealthy rivalry among the women and children, male dominance and chauvinism, economic and financial dependence on the man and even abuse of women and children have been highlighted as demerits of a polygamous marriage. However, can we truly say that these things are exclusive to polygamous marriages alone? Can all of these and perhaps more not be found in monogamous marriages too?
Nigeria is a society where everyone is always quick to throw the religious card up when we want to argue our points. But most of us are religious, not God fearing. Whether as Muslim or Christians, if we are God fearing and loving, for God is love, love is peace, our society will be a better place. We will not speak from both sides of our mouths, depending on the situation.
Bisola and Akin claimed to be Christians and even rose to become Deacon and Deaconess in the early days of their marriage. This was before they struck gold and Akin became a mega businessman. Businesses often took him away from home for several days and then, their problems started. Bisola, like most women, will readily throw it in his face that she helped make him as she married him when he had nothing, a nobody. And over the years, she’d gathered enough evidences to show that he was no longer faithful to their vows, but she remained in the marriage, sharing him with his many lovers. So, why all the commotion now that one of them has bore him a child?
Dear readers: Please, I will really appreciate your views on this couple’s problem. And while at it, let us try to answer the question above; is polygamy really bad? Remember, you may also reach me via email address: yetty5050@yahoo.co.uk. Do have a wonderful weekend!
I called her number but it was her daughter who picked the phone and promptly informed me that her mother was expecting me to come over and could not even speak on the phone. I asked after her father and she said he was fine as she had spoken with him that very afternoon. My mind was now at peace. Since the problem did not involve death, it was not something that could not be remedied. I could hear Bisola’s voice weeping in the background.
Reluctantly, I wangled through the evening traffic to Bisola’s house. Her younger sister as well as her favourite neighbour were already there, trying to console her. Immediately I walked into her room, Bisola began a fresh round of loud wailing, telling me how her life has been ruined. How all her sweat and suffering in her 22 years of marriage had come to naught. How her husband has exposed her to the hands of her enemies. How she will become the butt of jokes and ridicule among family, friends and even the neighbours. What will she tell the church members? What has happened? I eventually shouted when I couldn’t stand the suspense any longer. Akin has married another woman, she announced. I breathed a loud sigh of relief. Is that all?
Is that why your life has been ruined, I asked?
“Ah! Yetunde, it’s not only that, she already has a child for him”!
“And so”, I asked?
“Why are you talking like this, Yetunde, don’t you know the implication of what Akin has done”?
“I don’t, please tell me”?
“Yetunde, you are supposed to be my friend, why are you supporting my husband”, she asked?
At this point, her favourite neighbour was already clapping her hands together in cynical disgust. “Men are demons. No one would have ever suspected daddy Oyin was capable of what he has done. Ah! men will never get to heaven. They are snakes. They are …..”. She went on and Bisola began another round of wailing while her sister too began scolding her to get a grip of herself.
I sat on a corner of the bed and watched as the woman helped to fuel the situation with more invectives on men, indirectly insulting Akin, her so called friend’s husband. After a few minutes, I told her I was leaving if she would not stop her wailing and allow me talk. Her neighbour was forced to stop her ranting at that point while she mellowed down on the weeping. To throw her off balance, I asked why she felt so devastated about the news since we had always suspected that Akin had a mistress somewhere. Confirming it to be true ought not to cause so much grief and wailing as if she lost one of her parents or that Akin had slumped suddenly and died. How did she confirm it? Akin, on one of his brief visits home (he had started sleeping out in the last two years, providing a dozen and one excuses for his actions) had mistakenly left his briefcase open while he took a bath. As she cleared the tray after his meal, she’d spotted a couple of green booklets that looked like Nigerian international passports, so she decided to check who they belonged to since her own and the passports of their three children were in her care. Lo! The three passports belonged to Akin, a certain woman and a little child of about two years, both, bearing Akin’s name.
Shocked, she had taken the three booklets to Akin who was still in the shower, demanding to know the meaning of what she was holding. The three passports had visas for the UK on them. Akin had earlier that afternoon informed her of a planned visit to the UK for a conference that, though he had not announced a date yet. She said rather than answer her question, Akin asked why she was snooping around on his things, adding that she had found what she was looking for. He then went on to ignore her and finished his bath. By this time, Busola had gone berserk, screaming all over the house, threatening hail and brimstone. After dressing up, Akin parked his things and told her he was not coming home for the night.
“So, now that you know he has another family, what do you plan to do about it”, I asked.
“Yetunde, Akin has betrayed me. He has put my life and that of my children on the line and I will show him. He has finally disgraced me and I will disgrace him too”.
“How many people have you sent text messages to”?
“Not many, just my parents in Akure, my sister in London and the three of you”, she quipped.
“You have also told Aunty Cynthia and Brother Abayo”, her sister interjected, obviously annoyed.
“Ok, and those ones too”.
“Bisola, listen to me”, I said. “In your own interest, I beg you not to discuss this with anybody again, especially your in-laws. Be wary of advice that will totally ruin your marriage. People will readily tell you that if they were in your shoes, this and this are what they will do. Please tell them to wait for their turns so that they can do those things. You are not the first woman that her husband will betray and you surely will not be the last. Besides, why are you so afraid of the other woman? Why do you think your own life is ruined and not hers? Has he brought her into your home to live”?
As I spoke, Bisola’s sister interjected, “aunty, please help me tell her oh”, while my friend’s favourite neighbour murmured, “mummy Oyin, please listen to your friend”.
As I made my way back home later that night, I could not help but wonder why we make so much fuss when a man decides to take another wife. Why does the woman at home always feel so threatened? Why is the other woman always regarded as the wicked one, the gold digger and home breaker? Is polygamy really a bad thing? Bisola might have come from a monogamous family, but Akin did not. Ditto, so many of us. Besides, polygamy, or rather, polygyny as practiced in many cultures, is not a strange thing in our culture and society and has been practiced for centuries. Many successful men and women are offshoot of polygamy and have wonderful stories to tell about growing up and how they lived in a loving, selfless communal life with their parents. The spread of religion, western life style and feminism helped to entrench monogamous marriages and exclusive relationships and slowly the practice of polygamy began to wear a new face. Today, even Muslim women demand for monogamous marriages despite the fact that their religion promotes the marriage of up to four wives by their men.
Indeed, the practice of polygamy has been stigmatised with a lot of stereotyping. Thus, a horrible picture of oppression of women and children, unhealthy rivalry among the women and children, male dominance and chauvinism, economic and financial dependence on the man and even abuse of women and children have been highlighted as demerits of a polygamous marriage. However, can we truly say that these things are exclusive to polygamous marriages alone? Can all of these and perhaps more not be found in monogamous marriages too?
Nigeria is a society where everyone is always quick to throw the religious card up when we want to argue our points. But most of us are religious, not God fearing. Whether as Muslim or Christians, if we are God fearing and loving, for God is love, love is peace, our society will be a better place. We will not speak from both sides of our mouths, depending on the situation.
Bisola and Akin claimed to be Christians and even rose to become Deacon and Deaconess in the early days of their marriage. This was before they struck gold and Akin became a mega businessman. Businesses often took him away from home for several days and then, their problems started. Bisola, like most women, will readily throw it in his face that she helped make him as she married him when he had nothing, a nobody. And over the years, she’d gathered enough evidences to show that he was no longer faithful to their vows, but she remained in the marriage, sharing him with his many lovers. So, why all the commotion now that one of them has bore him a child?
Dear readers: Please, I will really appreciate your views on this couple’s problem. And while at it, let us try to answer the question above; is polygamy really bad? Remember, you may also reach me via email address: yetty5050@yahoo.co.uk. Do have a wonderful weekend!
Prototype Ebola drug clears early test hurdle
A prototype drug that has been urgently given to a handful of patients with Ebola has cleared an important test hurdle, showing that it cured lab monkeys with the disease, scientists said Friday.
Normally, experimental drugs are tested first on animals and then on progressively larger groups of humans to ensure they are safe and effective.
But, in an exceptional move, a new drug called ZMapp that has not gone through these tests has been rushed to the outbreak in west Africa, as the lethal disease has no cure.
Reporting online in the British journal Nature, researchers at the Public Health Agency of Canada said 18 rhesus macaque monkeys given high doses of Ebola virus fully recovered after being given ZMapp, even when it was administered five days after infection.
It reversed dangerous symptoms such as bleeding, rashes and high levels of enzymes in the liver.
Three “control” monkeys that had been infected, but not treated, all died within eight days.
The 21 animals had been given the so-called Kikwit strain of Ebola, named after a location in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the country where the haemorrhagic fever was discovered in 1976.
But lab-dish tests indicate it can also inhibit the strain in Guinea which has sparked the current epidemic, the scientists said.
- Good first step -
Independent experts hailed the results as an encouraging first step in the long vetting process.
They added, though, it was still unclear whether ZMapp worked on humans, as two patients who have been given it have died and two others have recovered.
“Widespread availability and use of ZMapp will require human safety testing and licensing, coupled with scaleup of the manufacturing process,” cautioned David Evans, a professor of virology at Britain’s University of Warwick.
A cocktail of three antibodies designed to cling to the Ebola virus and inhibit its reproduction, ZMapp is being developed by Mapp Biopharmaceutical Inc. of San Diego, California, partly in conjunction with the US Army.
ZMapp has so far been given to seven infected frontline workers.
Of these, two American doctors have recovered; a Liberian doctor and a Spanish priest have died; and a doctor and a nurse, both Liberian, and a British nurse, who has been flown to London from Sierra Leone, are still in treatment.
The World Health Organisation gave the green light on August 12, saying it was ethical to use experimental drugs in the context of this dangerous epidemic.
Stocks of ZMapp, which is derived from tobacco leaves and is hard to produce on a large scale, are exhausted, the company said on August 12.
The other main experimental drug for the disease is TKM-Ebola, being developed by Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corp. of Vancouver, Canada, under a $140-million (105-million-euro) contract with the Pentagon.
It is currently in a Phase I human trial, the first step in the three-phase test process. In this phase, a drug is evaluated on healthy non-infected humans to see whether it is safe. Further phases test it for safety and also effectiveness.
More than 1,500 people have died in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone since the disease emerged in West Africa last December.
Normally, experimental drugs are tested first on animals and then on progressively larger groups of humans to ensure they are safe and effective.
But, in an exceptional move, a new drug called ZMapp that has not gone through these tests has been rushed to the outbreak in west Africa, as the lethal disease has no cure.
Reporting online in the British journal Nature, researchers at the Public Health Agency of Canada said 18 rhesus macaque monkeys given high doses of Ebola virus fully recovered after being given ZMapp, even when it was administered five days after infection.
It reversed dangerous symptoms such as bleeding, rashes and high levels of enzymes in the liver.
Three “control” monkeys that had been infected, but not treated, all died within eight days.
The 21 animals had been given the so-called Kikwit strain of Ebola, named after a location in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the country where the haemorrhagic fever was discovered in 1976.
But lab-dish tests indicate it can also inhibit the strain in Guinea which has sparked the current epidemic, the scientists said.
- Good first step -
Independent experts hailed the results as an encouraging first step in the long vetting process.
They added, though, it was still unclear whether ZMapp worked on humans, as two patients who have been given it have died and two others have recovered.
“Widespread availability and use of ZMapp will require human safety testing and licensing, coupled with scaleup of the manufacturing process,” cautioned David Evans, a professor of virology at Britain’s University of Warwick.
A cocktail of three antibodies designed to cling to the Ebola virus and inhibit its reproduction, ZMapp is being developed by Mapp Biopharmaceutical Inc. of San Diego, California, partly in conjunction with the US Army.
ZMapp has so far been given to seven infected frontline workers.
Of these, two American doctors have recovered; a Liberian doctor and a Spanish priest have died; and a doctor and a nurse, both Liberian, and a British nurse, who has been flown to London from Sierra Leone, are still in treatment.
The World Health Organisation gave the green light on August 12, saying it was ethical to use experimental drugs in the context of this dangerous epidemic.
Stocks of ZMapp, which is derived from tobacco leaves and is hard to produce on a large scale, are exhausted, the company said on August 12.
The other main experimental drug for the disease is TKM-Ebola, being developed by Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corp. of Vancouver, Canada, under a $140-million (105-million-euro) contract with the Pentagon.
It is currently in a Phase I human trial, the first step in the three-phase test process. In this phase, a drug is evaluated on healthy non-infected humans to see whether it is safe. Further phases test it for safety and also effectiveness.
More than 1,500 people have died in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone since the disease emerged in West Africa last December.
Serena: The secret behind my success
Serena Willaim won the women’s singles crown in the last two editions of the U.S Open at Flushing Meadows. In this interview,, Serena, outlines her mission at the ongoing tournament and reveals why she has remained a dominant force in the game. Excerpts
How much harder on your body would it be over time if you had to play five sets?Serena Williams
SERENA : I have never thought about that. I don’t know. I really don’t know. I can’t answer that fairly I don’t think.
Do you think it’s funny that the guys play five and women play three? Would you want it to be equal?
No, it’s definitely not funny. We actually offered to play five sets many times. They don’t want the women to play five sets. They prefer we play three sets. We’ve given that offer many, many, many occasions, but it’s not what the tournaments in general desire.
Do you talk to the WTA or the tournaments themselves?
I’m on the Player Council for a hundred years. We’ve had this discussion. Yeah, we women are strong, ready, willing and able. All the players have agreed to it but it’s not what they want right at this time.
If you were in charge of the whole sport and could change any rule about play, enact a new rule, what one thing would you like to do?
Well, I think I love tennis the way it is. I think it’s a great game. As for changing the rules, yeah, I don’t know. It would be something more technical. Nothing that I can think of in terms of tennis play.
What is so special about playing here in New York as opposed to playing any of the other tournaments or slams?
Well, playing in New York is great because I’m American, it’s the only Grand Slam in the USA, so it’s always good. When you’re young, you always dream of winning the Open. It’s a good feeling.
One of the things Taylor was saying, the great thing about playing against you is she would like to play till she’s 30 years old. What does it take to stand the test of time?
Well, I think you just have to have a real love for the sport. That’s the only reason I’m still here. I enjoy my job. It’s fabulous. I get to travel the world, get to do what I really love to do. I think that’s what everyone ultimately dreams of.
Given the setbacks in the previous Grand Slams, have you changed your preparation at all?
I’ve decided I’m not going to overthink it. I think I’ve overthought every Grand Slam so far this year. It didn’t really work out great for me. So worst-case scenario, I’m just going to stay positive and do the best I can. That’s all I can do.
Taylor told a story about being here seven years ago and watching you and your sister play. How does that make you feel? What does that say about your longevity?
Well, that’s kind of awesome. When you’re so young, you get to see people, then you play on the tour with them, you’re competing at the same level as well as them, it’s really just those, if anything, a desire for her to be 10 years old, and then all of a sudden to be one of the elite few that actually can make it in a Grand Slam. If anything, I think it speaks more to her.
Would you like to see more tournaments come back to New York?
I think there was always just this.
Virginia Slims used to be here.
That’s even before my time (smiling)
How much harder on your body would it be over time if you had to play five sets?Serena Williams
SERENA : I have never thought about that. I don’t know. I really don’t know. I can’t answer that fairly I don’t think.
Do you think it’s funny that the guys play five and women play three? Would you want it to be equal?
No, it’s definitely not funny. We actually offered to play five sets many times. They don’t want the women to play five sets. They prefer we play three sets. We’ve given that offer many, many, many occasions, but it’s not what the tournaments in general desire.
Do you talk to the WTA or the tournaments themselves?
I’m on the Player Council for a hundred years. We’ve had this discussion. Yeah, we women are strong, ready, willing and able. All the players have agreed to it but it’s not what they want right at this time.If you were in charge of the whole sport and could change any rule about play, enact a new rule, what one thing would you like to do?
Well, I think I love tennis the way it is. I think it’s a great game. As for changing the rules, yeah, I don’t know. It would be something more technical. Nothing that I can think of in terms of tennis play.
What is so special about playing here in New York as opposed to playing any of the other tournaments or slams?
Well, playing in New York is great because I’m American, it’s the only Grand Slam in the USA, so it’s always good. When you’re young, you always dream of winning the Open. It’s a good feeling.
One of the things Taylor was saying, the great thing about playing against you is she would like to play till she’s 30 years old. What does it take to stand the test of time?
Well, I think you just have to have a real love for the sport. That’s the only reason I’m still here. I enjoy my job. It’s fabulous. I get to travel the world, get to do what I really love to do. I think that’s what everyone ultimately dreams of.
Given the setbacks in the previous Grand Slams, have you changed your preparation at all?
I’ve decided I’m not going to overthink it. I think I’ve overthought every Grand Slam so far this year. It didn’t really work out great for me. So worst-case scenario, I’m just going to stay positive and do the best I can. That’s all I can do.
Taylor told a story about being here seven years ago and watching you and your sister play. How does that make you feel? What does that say about your longevity?
Well, that’s kind of awesome. When you’re so young, you get to see people, then you play on the tour with them, you’re competing at the same level as well as them, it’s really just those, if anything, a desire for her to be 10 years old, and then all of a sudden to be one of the elite few that actually can make it in a Grand Slam. If anything, I think it speaks more to her.
Would you like to see more tournaments come back to New York?
I think there was always just this.
Virginia Slims used to be here.
That’s even before my time (smiling)
Boko Haram Sponsor: Ihejirika, El-Rufai trade accusations
FORMER Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Minister, Malam Nasir El-Rufai and immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd), Thursday, accused each other of sponsoring the deadly Boko Haram sect that has been terrorising many parts of northern Nigeria since 2011 with over 5000 people killed.
El-Rufai kick-started the accusations on his Facebook page with a post that read: “Breaking News: Sheriff and Ihejirika Just Named as Boko Haram Kingpins – Arise TV – August 28, 2014.’’
He said: “Australian hostage negotiator, Stephen Davis has just named former Borno Governor Ali Modu-Sheriff and immediate past Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen Ihejirika (removed in January 2014) as the Boko Haram brains on ARISE NEWS.
“Davis said Boko Haram commanders that he has been negotiating with were the source of this information. The kingpins not only finance Boko Haram operations but select targets for assassination and execution. Finally, the truth about Boko Haram is coming out. Hopefully, the murderers of General Muhammadu Shuwa, the abductors of the Chibok girls, those truly responsible for the Nyanya bombings, and attempted assassination of General Buhari and Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi will be known.
“We hope the authorities will take the steps necessary to act on this revelation, and thereby discharge their duty to protect us, the citizens of Nigeria. That is just what it is, a hope!”
Reacting to the accusation, General Ihejirika countered that El-Rufai, who is a chieftain of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, is one of the front-line commanders of the terrorist group
Speaking with Journalist over El-Rufai’s allegation, Ihejirika said he is not surprised that this unimaginable allegation is coming from ‘one of the Boko Haram Commanders’ because “The (Commanders) including El-Rufai know where the problem is. He should stop deceiving Nigerians by trying to divert attention.”
According to Ihejirika, “When the Boko Haram operation started, supporters of the sect like El-Rufai said that there was nothing like Boko Haram and that the army was just killing innocent youths. If you also remember, not too long ago, some of their supporters including El-Rufai said that I was re-inventing the killing of the Ibos during the Biafra war following government’s determination to rid the country of terrorism.”
An obviously angry Ihejirika, who spoke on phone, said: “The likes of El-Rufai started the campaign of human right abuses in order to divert international attention from the heinous crime being committed by the Boko Haram terrorists.”
Ihejirika recalled recent allegations that he took away N48 billion, an amount of money he said is still in the coffers of the Ministry of Defence and can be verified by anybody, adding that he was not surprised that this allegation is coming from the likes of El-Rufai who started the campaign.
“The likes of El-Rufai have been supporting Boko Haram. In fact, El-Rufai and his likes are the same group of people that ensured the army did not get the requested equipment to deal with this menace once and for all, as they used their cohorts to tell the government that procuring modern equipment was not necessary.”
Recalling that the same El-Rufai went to This Day Newspaper premises to grant interview to condemn security forces for the efforts to rid the country of the senseless mayhem unleashed by the terrorists, Ihejirika said: “At the onset of this crisis, I was the first person to declare that the country was at war but a group of sponsors led by El-Rufai disagreed, saying that it was not true.
“It is the same group of El-Rufai that started the human rights abuses campaign. It was done in order to block any international assistance after the state of emergency was declared and the sect was initially tamed. That gave Boko Haram time and respite to build up again”.
Furthermore, General Ihejirika said that when the United States was to initially declare Boko Haram a terrorist organization, the same El-Rufai and his group mounted pressure on the international community, using alleged human rights abuses as campaign strategy.
The former Army Chief revealed that this same group including El-Rufai has taken further steps in support of Boko Haram, “which I cannot disclose for now”.
Shortly after his tenure came to an end as COAS, some Northern political elites started the crusade for General Ihejirika to be summoned before the International Criminal Court in the Hague claiming that he killed their sons and daughters innocently in the name of containing the rapid spread of Boko Haram insurgency in the country.
He not only established the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army with headquarters in Maiduguri, he established new Army Brigades, Counter Terrorism Schools in Kachia and Jaji as well as the Terrorism Training School.
A screenshot of El-Rufai’s post on his Facebook wall.
El-Rufai kick-started the accusations on his Facebook page with a post that read: “Breaking News: Sheriff and Ihejirika Just Named as Boko Haram Kingpins – Arise TV – August 28, 2014.’’
He said: “Australian hostage negotiator, Stephen Davis has just named former Borno Governor Ali Modu-Sheriff and immediate past Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen Ihejirika (removed in January 2014) as the Boko Haram brains on ARISE NEWS.
“Davis said Boko Haram commanders that he has been negotiating with were the source of this information. The kingpins not only finance Boko Haram operations but select targets for assassination and execution. Finally, the truth about Boko Haram is coming out. Hopefully, the murderers of General Muhammadu Shuwa, the abductors of the Chibok girls, those truly responsible for the Nyanya bombings, and attempted assassination of General Buhari and Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi will be known.
“We hope the authorities will take the steps necessary to act on this revelation, and thereby discharge their duty to protect us, the citizens of Nigeria. That is just what it is, a hope!”
Reacting to the accusation, General Ihejirika countered that El-Rufai, who is a chieftain of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, is one of the front-line commanders of the terrorist group
Speaking with Journalist over El-Rufai’s allegation, Ihejirika said he is not surprised that this unimaginable allegation is coming from ‘one of the Boko Haram Commanders’ because “The (Commanders) including El-Rufai know where the problem is. He should stop deceiving Nigerians by trying to divert attention.”
According to Ihejirika, “When the Boko Haram operation started, supporters of the sect like El-Rufai said that there was nothing like Boko Haram and that the army was just killing innocent youths. If you also remember, not too long ago, some of their supporters including El-Rufai said that I was re-inventing the killing of the Ibos during the Biafra war following government’s determination to rid the country of terrorism.”
An obviously angry Ihejirika, who spoke on phone, said: “The likes of El-Rufai started the campaign of human right abuses in order to divert international attention from the heinous crime being committed by the Boko Haram terrorists.”
Ihejirika recalled recent allegations that he took away N48 billion, an amount of money he said is still in the coffers of the Ministry of Defence and can be verified by anybody, adding that he was not surprised that this allegation is coming from the likes of El-Rufai who started the campaign.
“The likes of El-Rufai have been supporting Boko Haram. In fact, El-Rufai and his likes are the same group of people that ensured the army did not get the requested equipment to deal with this menace once and for all, as they used their cohorts to tell the government that procuring modern equipment was not necessary.”
Recalling that the same El-Rufai went to This Day Newspaper premises to grant interview to condemn security forces for the efforts to rid the country of the senseless mayhem unleashed by the terrorists, Ihejirika said: “At the onset of this crisis, I was the first person to declare that the country was at war but a group of sponsors led by El-Rufai disagreed, saying that it was not true.
“It is the same group of El-Rufai that started the human rights abuses campaign. It was done in order to block any international assistance after the state of emergency was declared and the sect was initially tamed. That gave Boko Haram time and respite to build up again”.
Furthermore, General Ihejirika said that when the United States was to initially declare Boko Haram a terrorist organization, the same El-Rufai and his group mounted pressure on the international community, using alleged human rights abuses as campaign strategy.
The former Army Chief revealed that this same group including El-Rufai has taken further steps in support of Boko Haram, “which I cannot disclose for now”.
Shortly after his tenure came to an end as COAS, some Northern political elites started the crusade for General Ihejirika to be summoned before the International Criminal Court in the Hague claiming that he killed their sons and daughters innocently in the name of containing the rapid spread of Boko Haram insurgency in the country.
He not only established the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army with headquarters in Maiduguri, he established new Army Brigades, Counter Terrorism Schools in Kachia and Jaji as well as the Terrorism Training School.
A screenshot of El-Rufai’s post on his Facebook wall.
Resident doctors fail to resume work in Lagos
Five days after the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) suspended its strike, resident doctors in the Federal Government-owned hospitals in Lagos State have yet to resume work.
This followed the insistence of the Federal Government to sack the resident doctors in view of their roles in the NMA’s nationwide strike that lasted 55 days.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, had on Aug. 13 announced the sacking of all resident doctors and stoppage of the residency training until further notice.
Chukwu said the suspension of the residency programme would not be lifted until the conclusion of the ongoing appraisal of the challenges in the nation’s health sector.
Dr Omojowolo Olubunmi, the President, Association of Resident Doctors, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH-ARD) Chapter, said the doctors stayed away because of government’s refusal to reinstate the sacked doctors.
He said some resident doctors, who reported for duty were turned back on the orders of the Chief Medical Directors (CMD) of the respective hospitals.
“The CMDs claimed that they have yet to receive circular from the Federal Ministry of Health directing them to reverse the Federal Government’s sacking of the doctors,” Olubunmi said.
He said resident doctors constituted majority of all doctors in the country.
“Resident doctors constitute the majority; we are the backbone of the nation’s healthcare system.
“In LUTH, we have about 500 resident doctors and that is about 30 per cent of all healthcare workers in the hospital.
“This has gravely affected services within the hospital because the consultants can only render skeletal services with the help of the house officers.
“It will further worsen the palpable state of our healthcare delivery,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Olubunmi said residency training was pivotal to the existence and running of a teaching hospital.
He added:“Residency training is the soul of a teaching hospital and without resident doctors there cannot be residency and no consultants.
“Resident doctors are doctors undergoing postgraduate training, they can also render specialist care to the patients.
“If you come to the teaching hospital, the first set of doctors that you will see are the resident doctors.
“We also have senior registrars that act in the place of a consultant and are involved in the training of medical and non-medical students .’’
Also speaking, Dr Ramon Kolade-Moronkola, the Secretary-General of LUTH-ARD, said residency programme provided citizens’ access to specialists’ care.
“Residency training is a conveyor belt that ensures that doctors eventually become specialists as consultants and this is the norm all over the world.
“This is a norm to ensure that citizens have access to specialists’ care.
“The citizens will mostly bear the brunt without the availability of resident doctors.
“When you produce a specialist that ensures the highest level of healthcare delivery,” he said.
He said residency training had also attracted foreign exchange into the country and prevented medical tourism.
“It prevents citizens from seeking healthcare abroad and check unnecessary wastages through medical tourism.’’
Also, Dr Olusegun Akinwotu, the President of the association at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, said the sacking of the doctors would affect the quality of services.
Contacted, Prof. Akin Oshibogun, LUTH CMD, said:“ Please refer your questions to the Minister of Health on this issue.”
NAN reports that the National Industrial Court (NIC) had on Aug. 25 restrained the Federal Government through the CMDs of the 37 medical institutions from terminating the appointments of the resident doctors.
The suit has been adjourned till Sept. 17 for hearing of the motion on notice.
This followed the insistence of the Federal Government to sack the resident doctors in view of their roles in the NMA’s nationwide strike that lasted 55 days.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, had on Aug. 13 announced the sacking of all resident doctors and stoppage of the residency training until further notice.
Chukwu said the suspension of the residency programme would not be lifted until the conclusion of the ongoing appraisal of the challenges in the nation’s health sector.
Dr Omojowolo Olubunmi, the President, Association of Resident Doctors, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH-ARD) Chapter, said the doctors stayed away because of government’s refusal to reinstate the sacked doctors.
He said some resident doctors, who reported for duty were turned back on the orders of the Chief Medical Directors (CMD) of the respective hospitals.
“The CMDs claimed that they have yet to receive circular from the Federal Ministry of Health directing them to reverse the Federal Government’s sacking of the doctors,” Olubunmi said.
He said resident doctors constituted majority of all doctors in the country.
“Resident doctors constitute the majority; we are the backbone of the nation’s healthcare system.
“In LUTH, we have about 500 resident doctors and that is about 30 per cent of all healthcare workers in the hospital.
“This has gravely affected services within the hospital because the consultants can only render skeletal services with the help of the house officers.
“It will further worsen the palpable state of our healthcare delivery,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Olubunmi said residency training was pivotal to the existence and running of a teaching hospital.
He added:“Residency training is the soul of a teaching hospital and without resident doctors there cannot be residency and no consultants.
“Resident doctors are doctors undergoing postgraduate training, they can also render specialist care to the patients.
“If you come to the teaching hospital, the first set of doctors that you will see are the resident doctors.
“We also have senior registrars that act in the place of a consultant and are involved in the training of medical and non-medical students .’’
Also speaking, Dr Ramon Kolade-Moronkola, the Secretary-General of LUTH-ARD, said residency programme provided citizens’ access to specialists’ care.
“Residency training is a conveyor belt that ensures that doctors eventually become specialists as consultants and this is the norm all over the world.
“This is a norm to ensure that citizens have access to specialists’ care.
“The citizens will mostly bear the brunt without the availability of resident doctors.
“When you produce a specialist that ensures the highest level of healthcare delivery,” he said.
He said residency training had also attracted foreign exchange into the country and prevented medical tourism.
“It prevents citizens from seeking healthcare abroad and check unnecessary wastages through medical tourism.’’
Also, Dr Olusegun Akinwotu, the President of the association at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, said the sacking of the doctors would affect the quality of services.
Contacted, Prof. Akin Oshibogun, LUTH CMD, said:“ Please refer your questions to the Minister of Health on this issue.”
NAN reports that the National Industrial Court (NIC) had on Aug. 25 restrained the Federal Government through the CMDs of the 37 medical institutions from terminating the appointments of the resident doctors.
The suit has been adjourned till Sept. 17 for hearing of the motion on notice.
Adieu, Prof Dora Akunyili
TODAY and the whole of this weekend will witness the funeral obsequies of a great Nigerian, an amazon and uncommon public servant, whose exploits in the past fourteen years were unlike any other ever witnessed in our shores. Professor Dorothy Nkem Akunyili, within this span of time, became a household name not only in Nigeria but also in the wider world where her war against fake food and drugs was acclaimed, with many awards and honours.
Even before she was appointed as the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Akunyili, a pharmacist and academic, made the news when she returned unspent funds to the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), where she served as the South East Zonal Secretary. On assumption of office at NAFDAC, Akunyili confronted the entrenched mafia of fake drug importers and miraculously escaped assassination on two occasions. Her eight-year tenure in the Agency made Nigeria a reference point in the global war against fake drugs, for which she missed being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize very narrowly in 2007.
When she was appointed Minister for Information and National Orientation, Dora Akunyili launched a campaign to rebrand Nigeria and Nigerians and soldiered on with it even in the face of fierce criticisms. It is to her credit that Nigeria is now sloganeered as “Good People, Great Nation”.
One of the most profound contributions of this great woman was her brave clamour for the right things to be done when a pall of secrecy was cast over the true situation of the health of former President Umaru Yar’ Adua. She insisted on full disclosure, and courted the displeasure of Yar’ Adua’s inner cabinet. She was one of those whose actions moved the hands of the establishment to allow then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan assume full power and save the nation from an impasse that could have triggered another military intervention.
Even when she was already ill, Dora Akunyili still answered the call to serve Nigeria as a Delegate to the defunct National Conference, until she had to be flown abroad for medical attention where she gave up.
In her 59 years of action-packed life of service and exemplary leadership, Dora Akunyili demonstrated great leadership skills and showed that women, when given towering challenges, have the capacity to produce results. She was very visible and audible, and left bold footprints of achievement wherever she went.
As the nation joins her family, friends and associates to mourn this woman of substance, we join in celebrating her and holding her up as a shining example, especially for the women and youth, with the lesson that gender is never a barrier to greatness.
We pray for her eternal rest in the Lord.
Even before she was appointed as the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Akunyili, a pharmacist and academic, made the news when she returned unspent funds to the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), where she served as the South East Zonal Secretary. On assumption of office at NAFDAC, Akunyili confronted the entrenched mafia of fake drug importers and miraculously escaped assassination on two occasions. Her eight-year tenure in the Agency made Nigeria a reference point in the global war against fake drugs, for which she missed being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize very narrowly in 2007.
When she was appointed Minister for Information and National Orientation, Dora Akunyili launched a campaign to rebrand Nigeria and Nigerians and soldiered on with it even in the face of fierce criticisms. It is to her credit that Nigeria is now sloganeered as “Good People, Great Nation”.
One of the most profound contributions of this great woman was her brave clamour for the right things to be done when a pall of secrecy was cast over the true situation of the health of former President Umaru Yar’ Adua. She insisted on full disclosure, and courted the displeasure of Yar’ Adua’s inner cabinet. She was one of those whose actions moved the hands of the establishment to allow then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan assume full power and save the nation from an impasse that could have triggered another military intervention.
Even when she was already ill, Dora Akunyili still answered the call to serve Nigeria as a Delegate to the defunct National Conference, until she had to be flown abroad for medical attention where she gave up.
In her 59 years of action-packed life of service and exemplary leadership, Dora Akunyili demonstrated great leadership skills and showed that women, when given towering challenges, have the capacity to produce results. She was very visible and audible, and left bold footprints of achievement wherever she went.
As the nation joins her family, friends and associates to mourn this woman of substance, we join in celebrating her and holding her up as a shining example, especially for the women and youth, with the lesson that gender is never a barrier to greatness.
We pray for her eternal rest in the Lord.
3 hotel attendants docked for recording customer’s sexual escapade
Three hotel attendants, who allegedly recorded a customer’s sexual affair and demanded a ransom of N10 million, were on Thursday charged before an Ogudu Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
The employees had used the hotel’s CCTV to record the guest’s sexual exploit with his girlfriend.
The accused: Sunday Okon, 23; Rita Emmanuel, 28; and Goodness Akpan, 24, whose addresses are unknown, are facing a four-count charge of fraud, demanding property with menace, conspiracy and indecent practices.
Prosecutor Uche Simon told the court that the accused had on Aug. 13 at a hotel in Ogudu area of Lagos conspired to record a guest while sleeping with his girlfriend.
According to him, the accused produced a VCD on it which they circulated to residents of the area.
He alleged that they also demanded a N10 million ransom and threatened to post it on the facebook if the man failed to part with the money.
“The accused actually posted it on the facebook between Aug. 13 and 23.’’
Simon said the offences contravened Sections 136, 166 (d), 299 and 409 of Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused may be sentenced to a minimum of three years each on conviction.
The three men pleaded not guilty and were granted bail in the sum of N100, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum.
NAN also reports that the three attendants were taken to Kirikiri Prisons pending the fulfillment of their bail conditions.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs O. J. Awope, adjourned the case to Sept. 19 for mention. (NAN)
The employees had used the hotel’s CCTV to record the guest’s sexual exploit with his girlfriend.
The accused: Sunday Okon, 23; Rita Emmanuel, 28; and Goodness Akpan, 24, whose addresses are unknown, are facing a four-count charge of fraud, demanding property with menace, conspiracy and indecent practices.
Prosecutor Uche Simon told the court that the accused had on Aug. 13 at a hotel in Ogudu area of Lagos conspired to record a guest while sleeping with his girlfriend.
According to him, the accused produced a VCD on it which they circulated to residents of the area.
He alleged that they also demanded a N10 million ransom and threatened to post it on the facebook if the man failed to part with the money.
“The accused actually posted it on the facebook between Aug. 13 and 23.’’
Simon said the offences contravened Sections 136, 166 (d), 299 and 409 of Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused may be sentenced to a minimum of three years each on conviction.
The three men pleaded not guilty and were granted bail in the sum of N100, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum.
NAN also reports that the three attendants were taken to Kirikiri Prisons pending the fulfillment of their bail conditions.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs O. J. Awope, adjourned the case to Sept. 19 for mention. (NAN)
Day-old baby emerges Crown Prince of Igbodo kingdom
HISTORY was made yesterday in Igbodo Kingdom of Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State, when a day old baby boy was crowned to become the crown prince of the kingdom, ostensibly to forestall any succession controversy in future.
He was crowned some few hours after his birth within the hospital environment.
To address the succession issue once and for all warranted the Igbodo ruling house to move straight to the hospital, where the child was born and crowned him there without further protocols.
The child, named Ugochukwu was crowned by the leader of a delegation from the Igbodo palace at St. Luke’s Hospital Asaba, where he boy was delivered.
Press and media gathered that the boy was delivered on Wednesday night and the following morning (yesterday ) he was crowned. Chief Eugene Iyeke of the ruling house of Igbodo led the delegation to Asaba with members of the Obi-in-council and notable indigenes.
It will be recalled that that the Obi of Igbodo, Obi Ikechukwu Osedume I, succumbed to the wishes of his people by formally marrying an indigene of the community in accordance to the native law and custom early in October last year.
And it was the wife, called Onyinyechukwu, a native of Igbodo that bore the boy that was crowned yesterday morning.
He was crowned some few hours after his birth within the hospital environment.
To address the succession issue once and for all warranted the Igbodo ruling house to move straight to the hospital, where the child was born and crowned him there without further protocols.
The child, named Ugochukwu was crowned by the leader of a delegation from the Igbodo palace at St. Luke’s Hospital Asaba, where he boy was delivered.
Press and media gathered that the boy was delivered on Wednesday night and the following morning (yesterday ) he was crowned. Chief Eugene Iyeke of the ruling house of Igbodo led the delegation to Asaba with members of the Obi-in-council and notable indigenes.
It will be recalled that that the Obi of Igbodo, Obi Ikechukwu Osedume I, succumbed to the wishes of his people by formally marrying an indigene of the community in accordance to the native law and custom early in October last year.
And it was the wife, called Onyinyechukwu, a native of Igbodo that bore the boy that was crowned yesterday morning.
Thursday, 28 August 2014
Shakira says pregnant with second child
Colombian pop star Shakira is expecting her second child with Spanish footballer Gerard Pique, she said in an interview published Thursday.
“The truth is that yes, I’m pregnant,” the multi-Grammy-winning singer told the Latin American edition of Cosmopolitan magazine.Shakira
The exclusive interview confirmed rumors that swirled after she performed at the closing ceremony of the World Cup last month with what some viewers said appeared to be a slight curve in her normally flat belly.
Shakira, 37, did not say how far into her pregnancy she was.
Her first son, Milan, is just over a year and a half old.
“Seeing myself in love is a constant state, and there are no questions, the answer is just there… you are the living answer,” she told Cosmopolitan, which put her on the cover of its September issue and entitled the article “The perfect world of the Latin icon.”
Shakira and Pique, 27, met at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and went public with their relationship in early 2011.
“The truth is that yes, I’m pregnant,” the multi-Grammy-winning singer told the Latin American edition of Cosmopolitan magazine.Shakira
The exclusive interview confirmed rumors that swirled after she performed at the closing ceremony of the World Cup last month with what some viewers said appeared to be a slight curve in her normally flat belly.Shakira, 37, did not say how far into her pregnancy she was.
Her first son, Milan, is just over a year and a half old.
“Seeing myself in love is a constant state, and there are no questions, the answer is just there… you are the living answer,” she told Cosmopolitan, which put her on the cover of its September issue and entitled the article “The perfect world of the Latin icon.”
Shakira and Pique, 27, met at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and went public with their relationship in early 2011.
YouTube Masthead to retool Nigerian brands in global market
The introduction of online advertising tool known as YouTube Masthead by Google Nigeria would retool the country’s brands to the international market, Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor, Country Manager, Google Nigeria, has said.
The new tool allows brands to advertise on the YouTube homepage through customized mastheads for a whole day.
The masthead which is the first of its kind in Nigeria offers an opportunity for advertisers to explore the YouTube homepage with classy video plug-and-play format that helps brands interact with the consumers.
The homepage aims at building awareness, influencing perceptions and to rev-up the mind and market share of the brand, while remaining consistent with the overall YouTube experience.
Meanwhile, the new YouTube Masthead format is already gaining ground with top Nigerian brands like Glo, Airtel, UBA, Rexona, Star, Gulder and Samsung which have already ran campaigns to drive traffic, attract subscribers and engage Nigeria’s growing YouTube user population.
YouTube offers countless opportunities to a wide range of advertisers, allowing them to connect with a diverse international audience in new ways.
With the development, advertises in Nigeria will now be able to reach consumers in their different destinations, amassing massive flow of referral traffic through YouTube and increase brand related searches on Google.
Speaking on the new service offering, Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor, Country Manager, Google Nigeria explains that : “Online is now an essential part of the marketing mix and more advertisers than ever are utilising the benefits and alongside traditional media.
“Since YouTube was launched in Nigeria in 2011, there have been lots of interests from brands wanting to brand and ‘takeover’ Google properties. The launch of Youtube Masthead which is essentially the full takeover of the Youtube homepage now presents advertisers a terrific opportunity to engage with YouTube users when they arrive on the YouTube homepage www.youtube.com.ng
“ It is a highly effective online advertising platform for reaching massive audiences with an affordable budget”.
Also speaking, Teju Ajani, YouTube Content Partnership lead in Sub Saharan Africa stated that “YouTube receives over 1 Billion unique global users every month, with over 100 hours of videos uploaded every minute, this presents a massive opportunity for brand managers looking to boost exposure.
“Basically brands and advertisers will only be limited by their imaginations and creative muscle with this new advertising format.”
YouTube is the world’s most popular online video community allowing millions of people to discover, watch and share originally-created videos.
YouTube provides a forum for people to connect, inform and inspire others across the globe and acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small. YouTube, LLC is based in San Bruno, CA and is a subsidiary of Google Inc.
The new tool allows brands to advertise on the YouTube homepage through customized mastheads for a whole day.
The masthead which is the first of its kind in Nigeria offers an opportunity for advertisers to explore the YouTube homepage with classy video plug-and-play format that helps brands interact with the consumers.
The homepage aims at building awareness, influencing perceptions and to rev-up the mind and market share of the brand, while remaining consistent with the overall YouTube experience.
Meanwhile, the new YouTube Masthead format is already gaining ground with top Nigerian brands like Glo, Airtel, UBA, Rexona, Star, Gulder and Samsung which have already ran campaigns to drive traffic, attract subscribers and engage Nigeria’s growing YouTube user population.
YouTube offers countless opportunities to a wide range of advertisers, allowing them to connect with a diverse international audience in new ways.
With the development, advertises in Nigeria will now be able to reach consumers in their different destinations, amassing massive flow of referral traffic through YouTube and increase brand related searches on Google.
Speaking on the new service offering, Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor, Country Manager, Google Nigeria explains that : “Online is now an essential part of the marketing mix and more advertisers than ever are utilising the benefits and alongside traditional media.
“Since YouTube was launched in Nigeria in 2011, there have been lots of interests from brands wanting to brand and ‘takeover’ Google properties. The launch of Youtube Masthead which is essentially the full takeover of the Youtube homepage now presents advertisers a terrific opportunity to engage with YouTube users when they arrive on the YouTube homepage www.youtube.com.ng
“ It is a highly effective online advertising platform for reaching massive audiences with an affordable budget”.
Also speaking, Teju Ajani, YouTube Content Partnership lead in Sub Saharan Africa stated that “YouTube receives over 1 Billion unique global users every month, with over 100 hours of videos uploaded every minute, this presents a massive opportunity for brand managers looking to boost exposure.
“Basically brands and advertisers will only be limited by their imaginations and creative muscle with this new advertising format.”
YouTube is the world’s most popular online video community allowing millions of people to discover, watch and share originally-created videos.
YouTube provides a forum for people to connect, inform and inspire others across the globe and acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small. YouTube, LLC is based in San Bruno, CA and is a subsidiary of Google Inc.
Magaji Dambatta buried in Kano
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi ii, handful chieftains of Arewa Consultative Forum and hordes of well-wishers Thursday afternoon grace the burial right of an Elder Statesmaan, Alhaji Magaji Dambatta at the emir’s palace, Kano.
The veteran Journalist 83, died Wednesday at Garki Hospital, Abuja after a brief illness was a member of the just concluded National Conference.
The Chief Imam of Kano central mosque, Alhaji Sani Zaharadeen led a brief prayers session for late elder statesmaan around 3.00pm and thereafter was transported to Tarauni cemetery where he was lowered to the mother earth.
Late Dambatta was a foundation member of Northern Element Progressive Union (NEPU) and was until his death an influential member of Arewa Consultative Forum.
The veteran broadcaster was a class mate to late emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Abdullahi Bayero at Kano middle School now Rumfa College, Kano.
Magaji Dambatta OFR who was the pioneering editor of a defunct Kano based vernacular tabloid, the Comet was survived by a wife and 4 children.
In a tribute to the late elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai described the late Dambatta as a peaceful man who live his life for the unity and development of Nigeria.
Yakasai who is the only surviving 8 foundation member of NEPU stated that ‘he was a peaceful man, patriotic and a dedicated family man”.
Those who witnessed the funeral prayers includes, Alhaji Isyaku Rabiu, Alhaji Maitama Sule, former Inspector General of Police. Alhaji Ibrahim Coomasie and the Secretary, Kano state Government, Alhaji Suleiman Bichi.
The veteran Journalist 83, died Wednesday at Garki Hospital, Abuja after a brief illness was a member of the just concluded National Conference.
The Chief Imam of Kano central mosque, Alhaji Sani Zaharadeen led a brief prayers session for late elder statesmaan around 3.00pm and thereafter was transported to Tarauni cemetery where he was lowered to the mother earth.
Late Dambatta was a foundation member of Northern Element Progressive Union (NEPU) and was until his death an influential member of Arewa Consultative Forum.
The veteran broadcaster was a class mate to late emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Abdullahi Bayero at Kano middle School now Rumfa College, Kano.
Magaji Dambatta OFR who was the pioneering editor of a defunct Kano based vernacular tabloid, the Comet was survived by a wife and 4 children.
In a tribute to the late elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai described the late Dambatta as a peaceful man who live his life for the unity and development of Nigeria.
Yakasai who is the only surviving 8 foundation member of NEPU stated that ‘he was a peaceful man, patriotic and a dedicated family man”.
Those who witnessed the funeral prayers includes, Alhaji Isyaku Rabiu, Alhaji Maitama Sule, former Inspector General of Police. Alhaji Ibrahim Coomasie and the Secretary, Kano state Government, Alhaji Suleiman Bichi.
Nigeria Premier League suspended over referees strike
Nigeria’s top flight football league was suspended on Wednesday after referees were directed not to take charges of matches in protest at a governance crisis in the domestic game.
Nigeria Premier League organisers the League Management Committee said it was “impossible for us to organise games” as a result of the directive from the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA).
The NRA earlier ordered that all referees slated to officiate in the Premier League should withdraw from matches “until sanity is restored” in the national game.referees
The directive, contained in a circular signed by NRA secretary-general Moroof Oyekunle Oluwa, also applied to the second-tier National League, Nigeria Federation Cup and the women’s leagues.
The Premier League and National League are both in their 25th week of action.
Defending champions Kano Pillars currently top the table with 43 points.
League Management Committee official Salihu Abubakar said clubs and their sponsorship partners have been informed and teams directed not to proceed to venues of their scheduled games until further notice.
“We are already running a tight fixture schedule and are hoping that this crisis is resolved soon so the season can be concluded in time for our clubs to prepare for continental registration and participation”, the statement concluded.
Nigeria’s football association the NFF has been in crisis since July, when world governing body FIFA suspended the country from all international competitions over what it said was “government interference” in the running of the game.
The ban was later lifted.
NFF president, Aminu Maigari, was dismissed on charges of embezzlement, then reinstated because of procedural irregularities before being held by the country’s secret police for an unspecified reason.
This week, a new president was appointed in his place in defiance of a FIFA order only to set a date for fresh elections of the association’s high command, raising the possibility of fresh sanctions.
To top it all, the NFF headquarters in Abuja were gutted by fire and national team coach Stephen Keshi has been locked in a wrangle over a new contract, just weeks before the start of qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria are defending champions.
Already, the country’s Coaches Association has distanced itself from the NFF while football writers have called on Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene.
Nigeria Premier League organisers the League Management Committee said it was “impossible for us to organise games” as a result of the directive from the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA).
The NRA earlier ordered that all referees slated to officiate in the Premier League should withdraw from matches “until sanity is restored” in the national game.referees
The directive, contained in a circular signed by NRA secretary-general Moroof Oyekunle Oluwa, also applied to the second-tier National League, Nigeria Federation Cup and the women’s leagues.
The Premier League and National League are both in their 25th week of action.
Defending champions Kano Pillars currently top the table with 43 points.
League Management Committee official Salihu Abubakar said clubs and their sponsorship partners have been informed and teams directed not to proceed to venues of their scheduled games until further notice.
“We are already running a tight fixture schedule and are hoping that this crisis is resolved soon so the season can be concluded in time for our clubs to prepare for continental registration and participation”, the statement concluded.
Nigeria’s football association the NFF has been in crisis since July, when world governing body FIFA suspended the country from all international competitions over what it said was “government interference” in the running of the game.
The ban was later lifted.
NFF president, Aminu Maigari, was dismissed on charges of embezzlement, then reinstated because of procedural irregularities before being held by the country’s secret police for an unspecified reason.
This week, a new president was appointed in his place in defiance of a FIFA order only to set a date for fresh elections of the association’s high command, raising the possibility of fresh sanctions.
To top it all, the NFF headquarters in Abuja were gutted by fire and national team coach Stephen Keshi has been locked in a wrangle over a new contract, just weeks before the start of qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria are defending champions.
Already, the country’s Coaches Association has distanced itself from the NFF while football writers have called on Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene.
40 feared killed in fresh Alago/Eggon fight in Nasarawa
Not less than 40 people have been feared killed in a fresh fight between the Alago and Eggon people of Nasarawa State, yesterday, while over 50 houses were also set ablaze. The fight took place at Tudun Adabu in Obi local government area of the state.
An eye witness who was at the scene of the event said that the fight was initially between Eggon people and Fulani herdsmen in Assakio, headquarters of Lafia East development area of the state which later spread to Tudun Adabu, Wamba, Akwanga and Nasarawa Eggon local governments leaving scores dead and rendering thousands of people homeless.
It was also gathered that all the inhabitants of Assakio, Tudun Adabu and Dedere have deserted their homes as a result of the crisis in the areas. Victims of the troubled areas were seen moving their children and property to Lafia town.
Distraught members of the affected communities told News agents that trouble started when the Eggon people who were fighting against the Fulanis discovered that the Alago youths had joined forces with the Fulani mercenaries to fight them.
The Eggon people therefore turned their guns against the Alago at Tudun Adabu killing over 40 of them and injuring others.
An eye witness who was at the scene of the event said that the fight was initially between Eggon people and Fulani herdsmen in Assakio, headquarters of Lafia East development area of the state which later spread to Tudun Adabu, Wamba, Akwanga and Nasarawa Eggon local governments leaving scores dead and rendering thousands of people homeless.It was also gathered that all the inhabitants of Assakio, Tudun Adabu and Dedere have deserted their homes as a result of the crisis in the areas. Victims of the troubled areas were seen moving their children and property to Lafia town.
Distraught members of the affected communities told News agents that trouble started when the Eggon people who were fighting against the Fulanis discovered that the Alago youths had joined forces with the Fulani mercenaries to fight them.
The Eggon people therefore turned their guns against the Alago at Tudun Adabu killing over 40 of them and injuring others.
Ebola: Jonathan condemns discrimination against Nigerians
President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday condemned the stigmatisation of Nigerians by some countries over recent cases of Ebola virus in the country.
President Goodluck Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan
Jonathan made this known at a meeting with Dr David Navarro, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Ebola, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati.
The president, according to the statement, decried discriminatory actions by some countries against Nigeria, including the incident which forced Nigeria’s team to the Youth Olympics in China to abandon its participation.
He said that there was no justification for such stigmatisation of Nigerians since the Ebola Virus had been effectively contained in the country and never attained epidemic level.
He called for the immediate cessation of every discriminatory action against Nigerians around the world over the virus and urged the UN Secretary General, Mr Ban Ki-Moon, to support the call.
Acknowledging the secretary-general’s commendation of Nigeria’s response to the Ebola outbreak, the president attributed it to the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health, Lagos State Government and citizens.
“All hands have been on deck to contain the virus here. I commend my team and the Lagos State Government.
“We have been able to set politics aside and work in unison to deal with a national threat.
“All other Nigerians have played a part too by complying with the directives and advice we have issued to stop the virus from spreading any further.
“The success we have had is a testimony to what we can achieve as people if we set aside our differences and work together,’’ he said.
He assured the UN that the Federal Government and its agencies would remain vigilant to guard against further cases of Ebola in the country.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and we will also support other affected African countries as much as we can.
“This is because we cannot be completely safe from the virus as long as it continues to ravage some countries in our sub-region and continent.
“We will continue to work with the international community to curb the outbreak in other countries,’’ Jonathan said.
Earlier, Navarro who had visited Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, before coming to Nigeria said he was in Nigeria on the instruction of the UN Secretary-General to applaud Nigeria’s successful containment of the virus.
“The Secretary-General asked me to come here too, not because you have an Ebola problem, but because you have tackled it in an exemplary fashion. Your personal leadership on the matter has been key.
“There may still be some work to be done before the virus is completely cleared out from here, but other countries can learn from your fine example,’’ he said. (NAN)
President Goodluck Jonathan
President Goodluck JonathanJonathan made this known at a meeting with Dr David Navarro, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Ebola, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati.
The president, according to the statement, decried discriminatory actions by some countries against Nigeria, including the incident which forced Nigeria’s team to the Youth Olympics in China to abandon its participation.
He said that there was no justification for such stigmatisation of Nigerians since the Ebola Virus had been effectively contained in the country and never attained epidemic level.
He called for the immediate cessation of every discriminatory action against Nigerians around the world over the virus and urged the UN Secretary General, Mr Ban Ki-Moon, to support the call.
Acknowledging the secretary-general’s commendation of Nigeria’s response to the Ebola outbreak, the president attributed it to the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health, Lagos State Government and citizens.
“All hands have been on deck to contain the virus here. I commend my team and the Lagos State Government.
“We have been able to set politics aside and work in unison to deal with a national threat.
“All other Nigerians have played a part too by complying with the directives and advice we have issued to stop the virus from spreading any further.
“The success we have had is a testimony to what we can achieve as people if we set aside our differences and work together,’’ he said.
He assured the UN that the Federal Government and its agencies would remain vigilant to guard against further cases of Ebola in the country.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and we will also support other affected African countries as much as we can.
“This is because we cannot be completely safe from the virus as long as it continues to ravage some countries in our sub-region and continent.
“We will continue to work with the international community to curb the outbreak in other countries,’’ Jonathan said.
Earlier, Navarro who had visited Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, before coming to Nigeria said he was in Nigeria on the instruction of the UN Secretary-General to applaud Nigeria’s successful containment of the virus.
“The Secretary-General asked me to come here too, not because you have an Ebola problem, but because you have tackled it in an exemplary fashion. Your personal leadership on the matter has been key.
“There may still be some work to be done before the virus is completely cleared out from here, but other countries can learn from your fine example,’’ he said. (NAN)
IBB’s reflections @ 73
NIGERIA’S former military dictator, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida recently attained the age of 73, and he chose to celebrate it by dwelling on national issues such as states creation, insecurity, politics and of course general state of the nation. While I relished IBB’S interview in two newspapers, Thisday and Daily Trust, I however took exception to his view about state creation, mostly as it concerns the South East.
In his opinion, states ought not to be created out of sentiment, rather on their viability. Simply put, he prefers that the status quo remain, and that the deliberate injustice of leaving South East with five states, as against North West’s seven should be glossed over.
But let me remind our retired general that the viability of states like Niger, Benue, Yobe, Borno, Taraba, Adamawa, Kogi, Ekiti, Taraba, Kwara, Ekiti, Osun and others cannot be proven. Secondly in his view, he forgot that the “One Nigeria” which they “built” distributes resources based on states, and it’s only on states platform that local governments, another stratum of wealth distribution are created.
Furthermore, the number of Senators, House of Representatives members, Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, infrastructural allocations, scholarships, federal institutions and other entitlements are shared. Let me remind our former Head of State that it was under his watch in 1987, that such important national institution like NBTE was located in a place other than the Federal Capital that is Kaduna.
The same fate befell other important national institutions like NDA, Bank of Agriculture, National Teachers Institute and several others. Yet, as a people Nigerians have continued to gloss over these obvious injustices for the sake of peace. If there was no gain in siting these important institutions in the North, why did our former ruler not site them in the South East?
I have made the above observations in order to remind ourselves that Nigeria has always being ruled based on ethnic, religious and parochial considerations.
If not so, how come that no Igbo man has ever been FCT Minister (not Minister of State), Chief Justice of Nigeria, President (either civilian or military) NNPC MD, Minister of Petroleum and numerous other positions since after the civil war?
Therefore, when our former ruler General Babangida continues to insist that the issues of Nigeria’s oneness is settled, it flies in the face of logic, otherwise there would have been no constitutional conference in year 2014 by all the ethnic nationalities still questioning the basis for our coexistence. Perhaps, it is only in IBB’S mind that nations are built based on forced relationships.
The truth is that as it stands today Nigeria is mutually exclusive than inclusive, hence the lack of love and incessant killings of people based on ethnic origin. Before we can hurriedly say that these are problems associated with a developing country, let me quickly add that in the case of Nigeria, there is no sign of abatement, more so when one realise the high level of arrogance and impunity with which one group tries to superintend over others.
Yet, if all the nationalities were to react in commensurate measure to the various misdeeds, definitely sooner or later we shall say goodbye to IBB’s “One Nigeria” .
Of course, I concede that IBB is entitled to his opinion, and been so distance from present day reality, he rosy may not appreciate the level of discontentment in the land. It will require a deeper introspection and soul searching to really come to terms with the deep divisions in Nigeria. If one may ask, how does IBB hope to weld together a people forever in a union inherent with disaffection, discontentment and injustice?
Obviously such a system cannot and shall not endure and no amount of brute force can sustain it. The only panacea is to do things right and redress perceived or real injustices that confront us as a nation. To do otherwise will amount to mere wishful thinking, and postponing the evil day.
Moreover, no society remains static as societies continue to evolve and adapt to the changing dynamics of the world around it. Nigeria is not a private estate, where the owner can dictate how it will be, rather as a country the peoples living therein will over time come to terms with the benefits or otherwise of remaining one indivisible entity.
The challenges as they are today, if not addressed will obviously spiral into total eclipse of Nigeria as a country, and no force can withstand such hurricane. The just concluded National Conference therefore offers a vista of opportunity for us as a people to tackle head on such obvious challenges that tend to impede national development, progress and cohesion.
As a senior citizen, IBB should think out of the box and appreciate the feelings of other people outside of his immediate environment. In situations where past leaders ought to show remorse, they should go ahead and do so, especially as no human being is perfect. We cannot continue to live in denial as a people. Lest we forgot, a war of attrition was waged by Nigeria and the world powers against Ndigbo between 1967 and 1970 and in IBB’s eight years in office, he never contemplated paying reparation or apologising for the war.
Today, Nigeria is yet to descend from the high ground on which it stands as far as the Igbo Question is concerned, yet we are the first to applaud statesmen like late Nelson Mandela who inspite of the injustices meted out to him and blacks generally came out from prison after 27 years and reunited the country.
To Nigeria and her past leaders I ask – Where is thy Conscience?
In his opinion, states ought not to be created out of sentiment, rather on their viability. Simply put, he prefers that the status quo remain, and that the deliberate injustice of leaving South East with five states, as against North West’s seven should be glossed over.
But let me remind our retired general that the viability of states like Niger, Benue, Yobe, Borno, Taraba, Adamawa, Kogi, Ekiti, Taraba, Kwara, Ekiti, Osun and others cannot be proven. Secondly in his view, he forgot that the “One Nigeria” which they “built” distributes resources based on states, and it’s only on states platform that local governments, another stratum of wealth distribution are created.
Furthermore, the number of Senators, House of Representatives members, Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, infrastructural allocations, scholarships, federal institutions and other entitlements are shared. Let me remind our former Head of State that it was under his watch in 1987, that such important national institution like NBTE was located in a place other than the Federal Capital that is Kaduna.
The same fate befell other important national institutions like NDA, Bank of Agriculture, National Teachers Institute and several others. Yet, as a people Nigerians have continued to gloss over these obvious injustices for the sake of peace. If there was no gain in siting these important institutions in the North, why did our former ruler not site them in the South East?
I have made the above observations in order to remind ourselves that Nigeria has always being ruled based on ethnic, religious and parochial considerations.
If not so, how come that no Igbo man has ever been FCT Minister (not Minister of State), Chief Justice of Nigeria, President (either civilian or military) NNPC MD, Minister of Petroleum and numerous other positions since after the civil war?
Therefore, when our former ruler General Babangida continues to insist that the issues of Nigeria’s oneness is settled, it flies in the face of logic, otherwise there would have been no constitutional conference in year 2014 by all the ethnic nationalities still questioning the basis for our coexistence. Perhaps, it is only in IBB’S mind that nations are built based on forced relationships.
The truth is that as it stands today Nigeria is mutually exclusive than inclusive, hence the lack of love and incessant killings of people based on ethnic origin. Before we can hurriedly say that these are problems associated with a developing country, let me quickly add that in the case of Nigeria, there is no sign of abatement, more so when one realise the high level of arrogance and impunity with which one group tries to superintend over others.
Yet, if all the nationalities were to react in commensurate measure to the various misdeeds, definitely sooner or later we shall say goodbye to IBB’s “One Nigeria” .
Of course, I concede that IBB is entitled to his opinion, and been so distance from present day reality, he rosy may not appreciate the level of discontentment in the land. It will require a deeper introspection and soul searching to really come to terms with the deep divisions in Nigeria. If one may ask, how does IBB hope to weld together a people forever in a union inherent with disaffection, discontentment and injustice?
Obviously such a system cannot and shall not endure and no amount of brute force can sustain it. The only panacea is to do things right and redress perceived or real injustices that confront us as a nation. To do otherwise will amount to mere wishful thinking, and postponing the evil day.
Moreover, no society remains static as societies continue to evolve and adapt to the changing dynamics of the world around it. Nigeria is not a private estate, where the owner can dictate how it will be, rather as a country the peoples living therein will over time come to terms with the benefits or otherwise of remaining one indivisible entity.
The challenges as they are today, if not addressed will obviously spiral into total eclipse of Nigeria as a country, and no force can withstand such hurricane. The just concluded National Conference therefore offers a vista of opportunity for us as a people to tackle head on such obvious challenges that tend to impede national development, progress and cohesion.
As a senior citizen, IBB should think out of the box and appreciate the feelings of other people outside of his immediate environment. In situations where past leaders ought to show remorse, they should go ahead and do so, especially as no human being is perfect. We cannot continue to live in denial as a people. Lest we forgot, a war of attrition was waged by Nigeria and the world powers against Ndigbo between 1967 and 1970 and in IBB’s eight years in office, he never contemplated paying reparation or apologising for the war.
Today, Nigeria is yet to descend from the high ground on which it stands as far as the Igbo Question is concerned, yet we are the first to applaud statesmen like late Nelson Mandela who inspite of the injustices meted out to him and blacks generally came out from prison after 27 years and reunited the country.
To Nigeria and her past leaders I ask – Where is thy Conscience?
Ebola death toll tops 1,500- WHO
The death toll from the Ebola outbreak tearing through West Africa has passed the 1,500 mark while the number of cases has soared past 3,000, the World Health Organization said Thursday.
“The outbreak continues to accelerate,” the UN health body said in its latest update on the killer virus.
As of August 26, a total of 1,552 people had died in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria from the epidemic that reared its head at the beginning of the year, while 3,062 had become infected.
On August 20, the toll stood at 1,427 deaths out of 2,600 cases.
A separate outbreak of Ebola, one of the deadliest viruses known to man, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where 13 people have died, was not included in Thursday’s tally.
“More than 40 percent of the total number of cases have occurred within the past 21 days,” WHO said, adding that most cases were concentrated in just a few localities.
It said the overall fatality rate stood at 52 percent, but varied from 66 percent in Guinea, where the outbreak began, to 42 percent in Sierra Leone.
To date, Guinea has 648 cases including 430 deaths, while Sierra Leon has seen 1,026 cases and 422 deaths.
Liberia has so far counted 1,378 cases and 694 deaths, while Nigeria has seen 17 cases and six deaths, WHO said.
“The outbreak continues to accelerate,” the UN health body said in its latest update on the killer virus.
As of August 26, a total of 1,552 people had died in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria from the epidemic that reared its head at the beginning of the year, while 3,062 had become infected.
On August 20, the toll stood at 1,427 deaths out of 2,600 cases.
A separate outbreak of Ebola, one of the deadliest viruses known to man, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where 13 people have died, was not included in Thursday’s tally.
“More than 40 percent of the total number of cases have occurred within the past 21 days,” WHO said, adding that most cases were concentrated in just a few localities.
It said the overall fatality rate stood at 52 percent, but varied from 66 percent in Guinea, where the outbreak began, to 42 percent in Sierra Leone.
To date, Guinea has 648 cases including 430 deaths, while Sierra Leon has seen 1,026 cases and 422 deaths.
Liberia has so far counted 1,378 cases and 694 deaths, while Nigeria has seen 17 cases and six deaths, WHO said.
Fears over relocation of abducted Chibok girls from Sambisa forest
There were fears yesterday that Boko Haram terrorists may have relocated the over 200 abducted girls of Government Secondary School, Chibok and other abducted victims from Sambisa forest to their new haven in Balmo Forest, which borders Borno and Bauchi states.
Journalist gathered that communities contiguous to Sambisa forest raised the alarm through phone messages when they saw a large number of Boko Haram militants leaving the dense jungle early in the day on Wednesday and driving towards the border town with Bauchi.
When News agents contacted a military source, it was learnt that the security agencies had started mapping out strategies to deal with the development while efforts are on to ensure security beef up in the areas where the insurgents were believed to be relocating to.
The apparent relocation of the insurgents follows an embarrassing incident two days ago when close to 500 Nigerian soldiers fled to neighbouring Cameroon in order to escape from a fierce contingent of Boko Haram militants that attacked Gamboru-Ngala, a major town near the border with Cameroon.
A text message sent by press briefing last night to the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade on the issue, was not responded to.
It will be recalled that the Chibok girls were abducted in April this year.
Security sources believed that the insurgents were relocating from Sambisa forest for fears of a major offensive by the military in a bid to rescue the abducted girls and demobilise their operational headquarters.
Journalist gathered that communities contiguous to Sambisa forest raised the alarm through phone messages when they saw a large number of Boko Haram militants leaving the dense jungle early in the day on Wednesday and driving towards the border town with Bauchi.
When News agents contacted a military source, it was learnt that the security agencies had started mapping out strategies to deal with the development while efforts are on to ensure security beef up in the areas where the insurgents were believed to be relocating to.
The apparent relocation of the insurgents follows an embarrassing incident two days ago when close to 500 Nigerian soldiers fled to neighbouring Cameroon in order to escape from a fierce contingent of Boko Haram militants that attacked Gamboru-Ngala, a major town near the border with Cameroon.
A text message sent by press briefing last night to the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade on the issue, was not responded to.
It will be recalled that the Chibok girls were abducted in April this year.
Security sources believed that the insurgents were relocating from Sambisa forest for fears of a major offensive by the military in a bid to rescue the abducted girls and demobilise their operational headquarters.
Your vote is your power, says Patience Jonathan
First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, on Wednesday urged women to register ahead of the polls in 2015.
She urged them to take advantage of the on going voter registration by INEC and register in their various states in preparation for the general elections.
Dame Jonathan made the call when she received a delegation of the Women Wing of Christian Council of Nigeria (WOWCIIN) led by its President, Rev. Omotsola Williams, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The members of the council were in the Villa to intimate the first lady of its Convention 2014 with the theme: “Loosed for Exploits’’, scheduled to hold in October.
She advised them to keep their voter card safe after registration and not trade it in exchange for anything or with anyone stressing, “your vote is your power.’’
The first lady, who commended the group for successfully electing its foundation executive, urged them to rededicate themselves to national service and development.
“You have been called to serve; as such, you must see this as an opportunity to work in the vineyard of the Lord and impact positively on humanity.”
She said the theme of the convention was not only timely but encouraging `at this time of our national challenge. ‘
Quoting profusely from the Holy Bible, Dame Jonathan expressed the belief that God’s will would be done at the historic convention with great impact on the lives of the women.
“It will make them to be alive to their responsibilities as Christian mothers and agents of peace and development in Nigeria’’, she said.
She also urged them to pray for peace in the country and the Chibok girls abducted by insurgent groups in the North-East.
“While sharing the pains of the mothers whose children were abducted, we should not fail to call on God for their safe release through fasting and prayers.
“While also praying, we should also remember our soldiers who are on the fire line in the efforts to bring lasting peace to the North- East of Nigeria.
They are our husbands, sons and brothers,’’ Dame Jonathan said.
Earlier, Williams commended the first lady for her contributions to the uplift and empowerment of women and youths.
“We must say that your inspiration to establish the Women for Change Programme is a divine intervention.
“You chose a good path and we give God the glory for your life’’, she said.
Williams said the council, whose members were drawn from 12 orthodox denominations in the country, was established in 2012.
She pledged the council’s support to the first lady’s peace campaign and other initiatives.
Dame Jonathan also received members of the National Youth Wing of the Ohaneze, Ndigbo led by its President, Mr Okechukwu Isiguzoro.
She urged them not to allow themselves to be used by politicians for violent acts and not to indulge in criminal acts such as kidnapping.
Dame Jonathan also urged them to register in their various states to enable them to exercise their right to vote.
The highlight of the visit was the conferment of title: “Osodieme’’ on Dame Jonathan. (NAN)
She urged them to take advantage of the on going voter registration by INEC and register in their various states in preparation for the general elections.
Dame Jonathan made the call when she received a delegation of the Women Wing of Christian Council of Nigeria (WOWCIIN) led by its President, Rev. Omotsola Williams, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The members of the council were in the Villa to intimate the first lady of its Convention 2014 with the theme: “Loosed for Exploits’’, scheduled to hold in October.
She advised them to keep their voter card safe after registration and not trade it in exchange for anything or with anyone stressing, “your vote is your power.’’
The first lady, who commended the group for successfully electing its foundation executive, urged them to rededicate themselves to national service and development.
“You have been called to serve; as such, you must see this as an opportunity to work in the vineyard of the Lord and impact positively on humanity.”
She said the theme of the convention was not only timely but encouraging `at this time of our national challenge. ‘
Quoting profusely from the Holy Bible, Dame Jonathan expressed the belief that God’s will would be done at the historic convention with great impact on the lives of the women.
“It will make them to be alive to their responsibilities as Christian mothers and agents of peace and development in Nigeria’’, she said.
She also urged them to pray for peace in the country and the Chibok girls abducted by insurgent groups in the North-East.
“While sharing the pains of the mothers whose children were abducted, we should not fail to call on God for their safe release through fasting and prayers.
“While also praying, we should also remember our soldiers who are on the fire line in the efforts to bring lasting peace to the North- East of Nigeria.
They are our husbands, sons and brothers,’’ Dame Jonathan said.
Earlier, Williams commended the first lady for her contributions to the uplift and empowerment of women and youths.
“We must say that your inspiration to establish the Women for Change Programme is a divine intervention.
“You chose a good path and we give God the glory for your life’’, she said.
Williams said the council, whose members were drawn from 12 orthodox denominations in the country, was established in 2012.
She pledged the council’s support to the first lady’s peace campaign and other initiatives.
Dame Jonathan also received members of the National Youth Wing of the Ohaneze, Ndigbo led by its President, Mr Okechukwu Isiguzoro.
She urged them not to allow themselves to be used by politicians for violent acts and not to indulge in criminal acts such as kidnapping.
Dame Jonathan also urged them to register in their various states to enable them to exercise their right to vote.
The highlight of the visit was the conferment of title: “Osodieme’’ on Dame Jonathan. (NAN)
Wednesday, 27 August 2014
Nigeria is not free of Ebola yet—FG
Abuja.The Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu Wednesday cautioned that Nigerians should not be carried away with euphoria over the successful containment of the Ebola Virus Disease, saying that the risk of transmission still exist as long as there is still Ebola Virus disease in west Africa.
“I don’t want Nigerians to panic but I don’t want us to be carried away with Euphoria because if we still one case of Ebola Virus Disease, it is an emergency because the World Health Organization defines Ebola epidemic as when one person is infected with the disease. We have to be cautious as long as there is still a victim in the country” he said.
NFF President, Maigari released after arrest- aide
The head of Nigeria’s embattled football association was released from custody on Wednesday after being arrested before a general assembly meeting to elect new executive committee members.
World football’s governing body FIFA had previously insisted that Maigari chaired the meeting.
Aminu_MaigariNigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Aminu Maigari, 58, was picked up by the country’s secret police, the Department of State Services, with another senior official, Chris Green, on Tuesday.
“Maigari has been released by the security operatives,” an aide to the NFF boss said.
“No charges were pressed against him, neither was he or Green questioned on anything. It was clearly to prevent them from attending the general assembly on Tuesday.”
World football’s governing body FIFA had previously insisted that Maigari chaired the meeting.
An “elective congress” was held instead and saw Chris Giwa nominated as new NFF president. He began work on Wednesday.
But the federation could yet be slapped with another ban, as FIFA had only authorised a general assembly and not the immediate appointment of a new president.
Maigari’s arrest was the latest twist in a long-running saga over the governance of Nigerian football.
The African champions were suspended from all international football in July on FIFA charges of “government interference” in its affairs following a court ruling that sacked the NFF high command.
The ban, which threatened Nigeria’s participation in the FIFA under-20 women’s World Cup this month, was later lifted. Nigeria’s “Falconets” lost to Germany in the final.
Maigari was then sacked after a vote of no confidence by the executive board and accused of embezzlement. But he was reinstated because FIFA said the correct procedure had not been followed.
He returned to work last week. Two days later, fire gutted the NFF headquarters in Abuja.
Alonso announces international retirement
Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has announced his retirement from international football.
“I want to announce that my time with the Spanish national team has come to an end,” he said in a statement.
Alonso
Alonso
“The hardest thing is knowing when to say goodbye, and after thinking about it, I think that my time with the national team has come to an end.”
The 32-year-old was a key member of the Spanish sides that have won the past two European Championships in 2008 and 2012, as well as their first World Cup in 2010.
“It has been a glorious period with the Spanish team that started more than 11 years ago.
“I have formed part of an historical generation that has fulfilled the dreams of millions of fans, achieving something as unique as winning a World Cup and two European Championships in a row.”
However, Alonso’s final international tournament ended in huge disappointment as the holders crashed out of the World Cup in Brazil after just two games following defeats to the Netherlands and Chile in the group stage.
Alonso scored 16 goals in 114 international appearances and joins Xavi Hernandez in announcing his international retirement, heralding the end of an era for Spanish football.
“It is very difficult to improve on what he has done,” added Spain coach Vicente del Bosque.
“He leaves a fantastic legacy along with his teammates. He has been a great professional.”
Del Bosque will announce his squad for next months’ friendly away to France and Spain’s first Euro 2016 qualifier against Macedonia on Friday.
Dozens of church members, sympathisers sign Sadela’s condolence book
Dozens of church members, sympathisers and relations queued on Wednesday to sign a book of condolence in the church grounds of Nigeria’s oldest preacher, who seven years ago married a woman 77 years his junior and died on Sunday. He was said to have been 114.
The Reverend Samuel Akinbode Sadela died on Sunday after a brief illness associated with old age, a senior official in his Gospel Apostolic Church in the Gbagada district of Lagos told AFP.
“Papa (Sadela) died shortly after he took ill. We really miss the pastor who founded and nurtured the church to its present level,” said the official, who asked not to be named.
Sadela, a widely-travelled churchman who had preached in the United States and Britain, maintained that he was born in August 1900, according to his congregation. But no official document supports the claim.
If he was born on that date, he would have been the oldest man in the world.
Dozens of church members, sympathisers and relations queued on Wednesday to sign a book of condolence in the church grounds.
Sadela, who had been on the pulpit for 82 years, married his third wife in 2007, a 30-year-old woman called Christiana.
His first marriage, which yielded seven children, none of whom survived infancy, lasted 21 years. He married his second wife in 1965 and had four children, two of whom died. She passed away in 2001.
Guinness World Records on August 20 confirmed Sakari Momoi, of Japan, as the world’s oldest living man as 111 years 196 days. He was born on February 5, 1903.
The oldest living person is Japanese woman, Misao Okawa, 116, who was born on March 5, 1898.
The oldest person ever to have lived is Jeanne Calment of France, who lived to 122 years and 164 days. The oldest man ever, Jiroemon Kimura, of Japan, died on June 12, 2013 aged 116 years 54 days.
The Reverend Samuel Akinbode Sadela died on Sunday after a brief illness associated with old age, a senior official in his Gospel Apostolic Church in the Gbagada district of Lagos told AFP.
“Papa (Sadela) died shortly after he took ill. We really miss the pastor who founded and nurtured the church to its present level,” said the official, who asked not to be named.
Sadela, a widely-travelled churchman who had preached in the United States and Britain, maintained that he was born in August 1900, according to his congregation. But no official document supports the claim.
If he was born on that date, he would have been the oldest man in the world.
Dozens of church members, sympathisers and relations queued on Wednesday to sign a book of condolence in the church grounds.
Sadela, who had been on the pulpit for 82 years, married his third wife in 2007, a 30-year-old woman called Christiana.
His first marriage, which yielded seven children, none of whom survived infancy, lasted 21 years. He married his second wife in 1965 and had four children, two of whom died. She passed away in 2001.
Guinness World Records on August 20 confirmed Sakari Momoi, of Japan, as the world’s oldest living man as 111 years 196 days. He was born on February 5, 1903.
The oldest living person is Japanese woman, Misao Okawa, 116, who was born on March 5, 1898.
The oldest person ever to have lived is Jeanne Calment of France, who lived to 122 years and 164 days. The oldest man ever, Jiroemon Kimura, of Japan, died on June 12, 2013 aged 116 years 54 days.
Policemen/Okada riders’ clashes: Lagos residents cry out
CLASHES between policemen and commercial motorcyclists popularly called Okada riders are as common in Lagos as traffic jams. More often than not, such clashes have led to injuries and death of innocent residents, especially commuters. The situation worsened about two years ago when the State government announced a restriction order on Okada riders, especially on major routes in the State.
A Policeman seizing a motorcycle from the owner, in Lagos.
A Policeman seizing a motorcycle from the owner, in Lagos.
The restriction order prohibits the Okada from plying 475 roads, including major bridges. Since the order came into force, several commercial motorcycles have been seized by policemen in a bid to ensure compliance. The restriction order which commenced in July 2012, was, according to the State government, to minimise commercial motorcycle-related accidents on the roads.
Meanwhile, reports from various quarters have it that policemen took advantage of the situation to make life unbearable for the average Okada riders in the State by extending their enforcement to routes the state government did not designate as restricted.
About a year ago, residents of Oke-Afa, Ejigbo, heaved a sigh of relief when rehabilitation of the Kudirat Adenekan Way was completed by the State government as this has reduced the usual bumper-to- bumper traffic jam in the area.
However,Journalist Metro, VM, gathers that the joy associated with this development might be short-lived. There reason was borne out of the constant extortion and harassment of Okada riders by policemen from both Ejigbo and Isolo divisions who allegedly regard the riders their “ATM machines”. Attempts by the riders to refuse being thus used have led to several clashes resulting to destruction of lives and property in the area.
The residents, through their Community Development Association, CDA, have appealed to both the State government and Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umaru Manko, to save them by restoring peace to the area.
Investigations by VM revealed that no fewer than 12 persons, including three policemen, were injured, while a building and two police vans were vandalised during one of the clashes between the riders and policemen from Ejigbo division which occurred on Tuesday August 19, 2014.
Investigations also revealed that the clash during which dangerous weapons were used was the outcome of the resistance by Okada riders to constant harassment and extortion by policemen. Presently, many Okada operators in Oke Afa now ride with reckless abandon, believing that they now have the upper hand following their clash with the police.
The CDA in a statement signed by its Chairman Mr Oyedipe Dapo, and titled ‘’Ilamose under siege”, wants government to address security situation as well as illegal conversion of roads and walkways to markets and motor parks.
‘’We strongly believe that government has decided to play politics with our well-being by ignoring the security of our lives and properties. The Lagos State Police Command(Ajao Division), the Lagos State Task Force on Environment and Special Duties, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA and the Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI, have all compromised their professional integrity for financial gains. The unfortunate violence unleashed by commercial motorcycle riders on Tuesday August 19, against the Police over extortion within and around Kudirat Adenekan way, January 27 bridge and Chivita Avenue all in Ejigbo and Isolo LCDAs was a show of shame,” the statement read in part.
The CDA also said in the statement: “We understand that some Okada riders are responsible citizens and that the state government’s policy on transportation has conformed with international practice, hence we want a situation where they are identified and membership also pegged for ease of operation and identification. We also want to see visible government intervention through the Ministry of Transportation in this regard as many of them have converted our streets, drive ways and properties into parks while constituting nuisance and security risk to our lives and properties. Through investigations, it was revealed that 95 per cent of these riders do not have vehicle licence. We would also want to see the removal of these foreigners, who do not have no respect for lives and property. The illegal street market activities which cause serious traffic gridlock and dumping of refuse in the canal are threats to human lives.”
A Policeman seizing a motorcycle from the owner, in Lagos.
A Policeman seizing a motorcycle from the owner, in Lagos.
The restriction order prohibits the Okada from plying 475 roads, including major bridges. Since the order came into force, several commercial motorcycles have been seized by policemen in a bid to ensure compliance. The restriction order which commenced in July 2012, was, according to the State government, to minimise commercial motorcycle-related accidents on the roads.
Meanwhile, reports from various quarters have it that policemen took advantage of the situation to make life unbearable for the average Okada riders in the State by extending their enforcement to routes the state government did not designate as restricted.
About a year ago, residents of Oke-Afa, Ejigbo, heaved a sigh of relief when rehabilitation of the Kudirat Adenekan Way was completed by the State government as this has reduced the usual bumper-to- bumper traffic jam in the area.
However,Journalist Metro, VM, gathers that the joy associated with this development might be short-lived. There reason was borne out of the constant extortion and harassment of Okada riders by policemen from both Ejigbo and Isolo divisions who allegedly regard the riders their “ATM machines”. Attempts by the riders to refuse being thus used have led to several clashes resulting to destruction of lives and property in the area.
The residents, through their Community Development Association, CDA, have appealed to both the State government and Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umaru Manko, to save them by restoring peace to the area.
Investigations by VM revealed that no fewer than 12 persons, including three policemen, were injured, while a building and two police vans were vandalised during one of the clashes between the riders and policemen from Ejigbo division which occurred on Tuesday August 19, 2014.
Investigations also revealed that the clash during which dangerous weapons were used was the outcome of the resistance by Okada riders to constant harassment and extortion by policemen. Presently, many Okada operators in Oke Afa now ride with reckless abandon, believing that they now have the upper hand following their clash with the police.
The CDA in a statement signed by its Chairman Mr Oyedipe Dapo, and titled ‘’Ilamose under siege”, wants government to address security situation as well as illegal conversion of roads and walkways to markets and motor parks.
‘’We strongly believe that government has decided to play politics with our well-being by ignoring the security of our lives and properties. The Lagos State Police Command(Ajao Division), the Lagos State Task Force on Environment and Special Duties, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA and the Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI, have all compromised their professional integrity for financial gains. The unfortunate violence unleashed by commercial motorcycle riders on Tuesday August 19, against the Police over extortion within and around Kudirat Adenekan way, January 27 bridge and Chivita Avenue all in Ejigbo and Isolo LCDAs was a show of shame,” the statement read in part.
The CDA also said in the statement: “We understand that some Okada riders are responsible citizens and that the state government’s policy on transportation has conformed with international practice, hence we want a situation where they are identified and membership also pegged for ease of operation and identification. We also want to see visible government intervention through the Ministry of Transportation in this regard as many of them have converted our streets, drive ways and properties into parks while constituting nuisance and security risk to our lives and properties. Through investigations, it was revealed that 95 per cent of these riders do not have vehicle licence. We would also want to see the removal of these foreigners, who do not have no respect for lives and property. The illegal street market activities which cause serious traffic gridlock and dumping of refuse in the canal are threats to human lives.”
Tuesday, 26 August 2014
Nigeria announces containment of Ebola, 2 more discharged, last patient stable
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the containment of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). The Honourable Minister for Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu made the statement during a media briefing on Tuesday.
According to a statement by Dan Nwomeh, Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the Minister, Nigeria has had thirteen (13) cases of EVD including the index case.
Read the full statement Below:
Today is the 38th day since the Ebola Virus Disease was imported into Nigeria by a Liberian-American.
As of today, 26th August, 2014, Nigeria has had thirteen (13) cases of EVD including the index case.
Of these thirteen (13), five (5), including the index case unfortunately did not survive the disease and are now late.
However, seven (7) of the infected persons were successfully managed at the Isolation ward in Lagos and have been discharged home.
Two (2) of treated patients, a male doctor and a female nurse were discharged yesterday evening, 25th August, 2014 having satisfied the criteria for discharge.
As I speak to you, Nigeria has only one confirmed case of EVD, a secondary contact of Mr. Patrick Sawyer’s and spouse of one of the physicians who participated in the management of the index case. She is stable but still on treatment at the Isolation ward in Lagos.
So far, all the reported cases of the EVD in Nigeria have their root in the index case, the late Mr. Patrick Sawyer. This is an indication that, thus far, Nigeria has contained the disease outbreak.
I wish to reassure Nigerians and indeed the global community that the Government shall remain vigilant and will not relent as Government continues to work with her partners to ensure that the disease is kept out of the country.
According to a statement by Dan Nwomeh, Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the Minister, Nigeria has had thirteen (13) cases of EVD including the index case.
Read the full statement Below:
Today is the 38th day since the Ebola Virus Disease was imported into Nigeria by a Liberian-American.
As of today, 26th August, 2014, Nigeria has had thirteen (13) cases of EVD including the index case.
Of these thirteen (13), five (5), including the index case unfortunately did not survive the disease and are now late.
However, seven (7) of the infected persons were successfully managed at the Isolation ward in Lagos and have been discharged home.
Two (2) of treated patients, a male doctor and a female nurse were discharged yesterday evening, 25th August, 2014 having satisfied the criteria for discharge.
As I speak to you, Nigeria has only one confirmed case of EVD, a secondary contact of Mr. Patrick Sawyer’s and spouse of one of the physicians who participated in the management of the index case. She is stable but still on treatment at the Isolation ward in Lagos.
So far, all the reported cases of the EVD in Nigeria have their root in the index case, the late Mr. Patrick Sawyer. This is an indication that, thus far, Nigeria has contained the disease outbreak.
I wish to reassure Nigerians and indeed the global community that the Government shall remain vigilant and will not relent as Government continues to work with her partners to ensure that the disease is kept out of the country.
NFF Congress: Chaos DSS arrests Maigari, Amadu, others
About thirty State FA Chairmen who were heading for the offices of the Directorate of State Service in solidarity with the arrested President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigar.
Executive Board member, Barrister Chris Green and Musa Amadu, Secretary of the federation were dispersed and prevented from carrying out their intention.
Maigari was to preside over an NFF general assembly today, but was instead invited by the SSS earlier in the day for questioning.
“The FA chairmen refused to be cowed despite threats to shoot them by the police. They were asked to return to the venue of the Congress and continue with their affairs. They refused and insisted on knowing why they arrested Maigari.
The chairmen had already signed in for the Congress and were accredited before they left. The ministry, we gathered, had coerced some of the secretaries to stay back and hold the elections today after it was agreed that the elections would be in two weeks time.
We gathered that among the contestants were Mike Umeh, Shehu Dikko and Rufus Giwa. Fan Ndubuoke, Taiwo Ogunjobi and Ibrahim Galadima were also positioning for a possible shot at the office.
Executive Board member, Barrister Chris Green and Musa Amadu, Secretary of the federation were dispersed and prevented from carrying out their intention.
Maigari was to preside over an NFF general assembly today, but was instead invited by the SSS earlier in the day for questioning.
“The FA chairmen refused to be cowed despite threats to shoot them by the police. They were asked to return to the venue of the Congress and continue with their affairs. They refused and insisted on knowing why they arrested Maigari.
The chairmen had already signed in for the Congress and were accredited before they left. The ministry, we gathered, had coerced some of the secretaries to stay back and hold the elections today after it was agreed that the elections would be in two weeks time.
We gathered that among the contestants were Mike Umeh, Shehu Dikko and Rufus Giwa. Fan Ndubuoke, Taiwo Ogunjobi and Ibrahim Galadima were also positioning for a possible shot at the office.
Omotola lauds Jonathan’s power reform
Nollywood diva, Omotola Jolade Ekeinde has praised the transformation of the Power sector in the country.
She attested that there is a significant improvement in electricity supply in the country.
OmosexyShe took to her twitter handle, @Realomosexy to confirmed the development, “Hello Osexynationals!Anyone noticed D really improved Power supply?pls let it not stop Lord!hv a fantastic wk y’all”.
President Jonathan has initiated some reforms including the roadmap on power that guaranteed massive access to electricity, although there are shortage in some areas.
HAS ELECTRICITY SUPPLY IMPROVED IN YOUR AREA?
She attested that there is a significant improvement in electricity supply in the country.OmosexyShe took to her twitter handle, @Realomosexy to confirmed the development, “Hello Osexynationals!Anyone noticed D really improved Power supply?pls let it not stop Lord!hv a fantastic wk y’all”.
President Jonathan has initiated some reforms including the roadmap on power that guaranteed massive access to electricity, although there are shortage in some areas.
HAS ELECTRICITY SUPPLY IMPROVED IN YOUR AREA?
Monday, 25 August 2014
Briton with Ebola arrives in London hospital
A British nurse who contracted the Ebola virus in Sierra Leone arrived at a London hospital on Sunday, the ministry of defence said.
ebola11
The patient, who is not “seriously unwell” according to the Department of Health, was evacuated from Sierra Leone to London in a military plane.
The Briton is the first person from the country to have contracted the virus in an outbreak that has killed at least 1,427 people in West Africa since March.
The Department of Health said the patient was evacuated in a specially equipped C17 Royal Air Force military plane to RAF Northolt in north west London.
Flanked by a police escort, a special military ambulance took the man across London to Britain’s only specialist Ebola isolation unit at the Royal Free Hospital.
His bed will be sealed off with a tent with its own ventilation system, and only specially trained staff can enter the unit.
A spokesman for Sierra Leone’s health ministry, Yahya Tunis, said the man was a volunteer nurse working in Kenema in eastern Sierra Leone, one of the areas hardest hit by Ebola which has now been quarantined.
“His colleagues are very sad over the development as he is considered as a valued member,” Tunis said, adding that he was involved in “surveillance, contact tracing and the burial of Ebola victims”.
England’s deputy chief medical officer Professor John Watson insisted that the risk of the virus being spread in Britain remained “very low”.
“UK hospitals have a proven record of dealing with imported infectious diseases and this patient will be isolated and will receive the best care possible,” he added.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person.
The Ebola epidemic has spread through Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, while Nigeria has also been affected. It is the worst outbreak of the killer virus yet.
The World Health Organization has warned it could take several months to bring the epidemic under control
ebola11The patient, who is not “seriously unwell” according to the Department of Health, was evacuated from Sierra Leone to London in a military plane.
The Briton is the first person from the country to have contracted the virus in an outbreak that has killed at least 1,427 people in West Africa since March.
The Department of Health said the patient was evacuated in a specially equipped C17 Royal Air Force military plane to RAF Northolt in north west London.
Flanked by a police escort, a special military ambulance took the man across London to Britain’s only specialist Ebola isolation unit at the Royal Free Hospital.
His bed will be sealed off with a tent with its own ventilation system, and only specially trained staff can enter the unit.
A spokesman for Sierra Leone’s health ministry, Yahya Tunis, said the man was a volunteer nurse working in Kenema in eastern Sierra Leone, one of the areas hardest hit by Ebola which has now been quarantined.
“His colleagues are very sad over the development as he is considered as a valued member,” Tunis said, adding that he was involved in “surveillance, contact tracing and the burial of Ebola victims”.
England’s deputy chief medical officer Professor John Watson insisted that the risk of the virus being spread in Britain remained “very low”.
“UK hospitals have a proven record of dealing with imported infectious diseases and this patient will be isolated and will receive the best care possible,” he added.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person.
The Ebola epidemic has spread through Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, while Nigeria has also been affected. It is the worst outbreak of the killer virus yet.
The World Health Organization has warned it could take several months to bring the epidemic under control
1000 Clerics storm Abuja to reconcile Jonathan, Obasanjo
- AHEAD of the 2015 general elections in the country, over 1000 Bishops and Pastors from the Pentecostal fold on Sunday stormed the Ecumenical Center Abuja to reconcile President Goodluck Jonathan and former President Olusegun Obasajo.
There were divergent views on the invitation sent to the two leaders as some of the pastors claimed both President Jonathan and former President Obasanjo were formerly invited, some other members said that the President was not given formal invitation to attend but that he was aware of the meeting.
THE Clerics who came from different parts of the country arrived late on Saturday while some of them from Imo State arrived early hours of Sunday and slept at the park as there were no officials of the organizers of the program.
But it was gathered that because of the absence of President Goodluck Jonathan who was away to Germany on a national official duty and that of the former President Obasanjo who was said to have been represented by his pastor the reconciliation prayer meeting could not precede.
Obasanjo-Jonathan
Jonathan and Obasanjo
There were divergent views on the invitation sent to the two leaders as some of the pastors claimed both President Jonathan and former President Obasanjo were formerly invited, some other members said that the President was not given formal invitation to attend but that he was aware of the meeting.
Some of the clerics told Journalist that President Jonathan was represented at the prayer meeting by Venerable Obioma Onwuzurumba but that the members had wanted the two personalities to be present so that the reconciliation could be effective
In the absence of the main objective of the meeting which was the reconciliation, the Ministers of God had intensive prayers against the recent outbreak of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, the insurgency in the North East occasioned by the Boko Haram sect and the abduction of Chibok girls in Borno State.
A Pastor who spoke to Journalist on condition of anonymity said that there was also indiscriminate installation of Bishops and ordination of pastors at the occasion.
In an interview, one of the 100 pastors from Imo State that were stranded on arrival early hours of Sunday and founder and General Overseer of Light of God Mission, Mbaise, Imo State, Rev. Udechukwu Matthew Uka explained that the prayer meeting was to ensure a total reconciliation between President Jonathan and former President Obasanjo.
Rev. Uka said that the reconciliation of the two would bring a peaceful election in 2015 as well as unity to the country, stressing that the Men of God were concerned over the suspected strained relationship between two great leaders of the country.
According to him, “We came to Abuja to pray for the peace and unity of this nation and to make sure that the leaders of this nation are working in unison, especially we want to pray that God will unite the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo with the present President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
“We know that they are leaders and when two of them are united, many souls, many part of the nation will be united, they are the head. The former President is aware of our coming, he is the grand patron of this network which is Master Seed Pentecostal and College of Bishops and Ministers network.
“We are almost 1000 in number organized by our national President Bishop David Emma Okoroafor Agu. The 1000 ministers are from different states of the federation. Many are from Rivers State, some from Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Abia State, Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Lagos , Edo, Delta and many other parts of the country.
He also said that President Jonathan was aware of their and coming for the reconciliation meeting.
On while some of them slept at the park on arrival about 12 am on Sunday, he said, “The reason is that we came very late, our vehicle couldn’t meet up with time. Before we came in, our national organizers who should direct us where to pass the night have gone to their various homes, we came almost midnight that is why we were stranded.”
Also speaking Pastor Modestus Kelechi the General Overseer of Holy Ghost Intercessory Ministry with its headquarters in Mbutu, Aboh Mbaise in Imo State said that it was imperative that President Jonathan and former President Obasanjo should unite to give the nation direction.
Pastor Kelechi who is a notable prayer warrior said that God would not be happy to see the two men going across purposes, adding that animosity among the two could spell doom to the nation.
He said, “’They have to come together for the sake of this country.”’
One dead in attack on NATO supply tankers in Pakistan
Gunmen in northwest Pakistan opened fire on tankers carrying fuel for NATO troops in Afghanistan on Monday, killing a driver and wounding two others, officials said.
The incident happened in Jamrud area of Khyber, one of seven semi-autonomous tribal regions where the military has been battling the homegrown insurgents for years.
“A convoy of six oil tankers was heading towards Afghanistan when four attackers riding two motorbikes attacked the first tanker, killing its driver,” senior local administration official Irshad Khan told AFP.
He said the tanker overturned as a result of the firing, adding two other persons including a helper and a passerby were injured.
Khan said the remaining five tankers returned to Peshawar, the capital of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, after the attack.
Another local administration official Mehtab Khan confirmed the incident and casualties.
NATO supply trucks, which carry everything from fuel to munitions and food, often come under attack on their journey between the Pakistani port city of Karachi and border crossing points.
The coalition is winding dow
The incident happened in Jamrud area of Khyber, one of seven semi-autonomous tribal regions where the military has been battling the homegrown insurgents for years.
“A convoy of six oil tankers was heading towards Afghanistan when four attackers riding two motorbikes attacked the first tanker, killing its driver,” senior local administration official Irshad Khan told AFP.
He said the tanker overturned as a result of the firing, adding two other persons including a helper and a passerby were injured.
Khan said the remaining five tankers returned to Peshawar, the capital of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, after the attack.
Another local administration official Mehtab Khan confirmed the incident and casualties.
NATO supply trucks, which carry everything from fuel to munitions and food, often come under attack on their journey between the Pakistani port city of Karachi and border crossing points.
The coalition is winding dow
Saturday, 23 August 2014
25 dead in Central African gold mine collapse
At least 25 people died when an illegally operated gold mine collapsed for a second time in two years in the Central African Republic, police said Saturday.
“In all, 27 people were buried in the collapse of the gold mine. Twenty-five bodies were found and dug out but two could not be found” after the accident on Thursday near the southern city of Bambari, a police source said.
The mine in the town of Ndassima is under the control of former rebels of the Seleka movement who were operating illegally, police said.
A source close to the former rebels said he could not confirm whether the dead miners were Seleka members.
“(Safety) measures were not respected at the site. It is illegal for people to venture into the mine at night, but that is when they chose to go… Unfortunately, there are frequent incidents,” the source said.
A collapse at the same mine last year claimed 62 lives.
Thousands of people began exploiting the Ndassima mine illegally after its owner, Canadian company Axmin, shut it down in 2011 because of security concerns in the conflict-riven country.
The gold reserves at the mine are estimated at about 3.6 million ounces, worth some $4.6 billion (3.5 billion euros) at current market prices.
“In all, 27 people were buried in the collapse of the gold mine. Twenty-five bodies were found and dug out but two could not be found” after the accident on Thursday near the southern city of Bambari, a police source said.
The mine in the town of Ndassima is under the control of former rebels of the Seleka movement who were operating illegally, police said.
A source close to the former rebels said he could not confirm whether the dead miners were Seleka members.
“(Safety) measures were not respected at the site. It is illegal for people to venture into the mine at night, but that is when they chose to go… Unfortunately, there are frequent incidents,” the source said.
A collapse at the same mine last year claimed 62 lives.
Thousands of people began exploiting the Ndassima mine illegally after its owner, Canadian company Axmin, shut it down in 2011 because of security concerns in the conflict-riven country.
The gold reserves at the mine are estimated at about 3.6 million ounces, worth some $4.6 billion (3.5 billion euros) at current market prices.
To boost immunity to fight Ebola take yellow fruits, red fruits, vegetables’
The Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), Lagos State Chapter, has urged Nigerians to always include fruits and vegetables in their diets to boost their immune system to fight Ebola Virus.
Dr Abimbola Ajayi, the Chairperson of the society, made the appeal at the commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week and inauguration of the Lagos State chapter on Friday.
Ajayi said that the virus attacked the immune system which provided defence to the human body.
“Since there is no known cure presently for the disease, the goal of nutrition care therefore, is to protect and boost the immunity among other care provided for affected persons.
“People must ensure that they take foods that are high antioxidants, majorly foods rich in vitamins and minerals in their daily meals.
“Take yellow fruits, red fruits and vegetables to boost immunity and fight Ebola Virus in the country,’’ she said.
Ajayi also decried the low breastfeeding practices and the use of inappropriate complementary foods.
According to her, the breastfeeding rate in Nigeria is 17 per cent and it is unacceptable.
“The low breastfeeding rate in our country has contributed to the high rate of malnourished, under-weight, stunted and wasted children as well as high rate of under-five mortality.
“Exclusive breastfeeding reduces 13 per cent of all under-five deaths, thereby helping us to achieve Millennium Development Goal one and four.
“Researches have also proven that exclusive breastfeeding increases the chances of a child`s survival, physical and brain development,’’ she said.
Also speaking, Prof. Ngozi Nnam, the National President of the Society, said that exclusive breastfeeding would make a child grow into a healthy adult.
Nnam, who was represented by Dr Bartholomew Brai, the Chairman, Scientific and Technical Committee of NSN, said there was the need for collective efforts to encourage and promote exclusive breast feeding.
“We need the support of governments, relations, families and the community to promote exclusivebreast feeding to achieve high breastfeeding rate.
“Breast milk is the ideal food for newborns and infants and we need to raise awareness on the importance of right nutrition in the first 1,000 days of life.’’ (NAN)
Dr Abimbola Ajayi, the Chairperson of the society, made the appeal at the commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week and inauguration of the Lagos State chapter on Friday.
Ajayi said that the virus attacked the immune system which provided defence to the human body.
“Since there is no known cure presently for the disease, the goal of nutrition care therefore, is to protect and boost the immunity among other care provided for affected persons.
“People must ensure that they take foods that are high antioxidants, majorly foods rich in vitamins and minerals in their daily meals.
“Take yellow fruits, red fruits and vegetables to boost immunity and fight Ebola Virus in the country,’’ she said.
Ajayi also decried the low breastfeeding practices and the use of inappropriate complementary foods.
According to her, the breastfeeding rate in Nigeria is 17 per cent and it is unacceptable.
“The low breastfeeding rate in our country has contributed to the high rate of malnourished, under-weight, stunted and wasted children as well as high rate of under-five mortality.
“Exclusive breastfeeding reduces 13 per cent of all under-five deaths, thereby helping us to achieve Millennium Development Goal one and four.
“Researches have also proven that exclusive breastfeeding increases the chances of a child`s survival, physical and brain development,’’ she said.
Also speaking, Prof. Ngozi Nnam, the National President of the Society, said that exclusive breastfeeding would make a child grow into a healthy adult.
Nnam, who was represented by Dr Bartholomew Brai, the Chairman, Scientific and Technical Committee of NSN, said there was the need for collective efforts to encourage and promote exclusive breast feeding.
“We need the support of governments, relations, families and the community to promote exclusivebreast feeding to achieve high breastfeeding rate.
“Breast milk is the ideal food for newborns and infants and we need to raise awareness on the importance of right nutrition in the first 1,000 days of life.’’ (NAN)
Terrorism: Ohaneze hails military for defending Nigerians against invaders
Ohaneze Ndigbo, the umbrella sociopolitical body of Igbo in Nigeria, has hailed the unrelenting efforts of the Nigerian military in the battle to dislodge Boko Haram (invaders) terrorists from the nation’s shores even as the group sympathized over the casualties and sacrifices troops were being subjected to.
President General of the body, Chief Gary Nnachi Enwo-Igariwey who led members to the office of the Minister of State, Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro in Abuja, condemned the continued violence perpetrated by Boko Haram on innocent Nigerians noting that “No country develops when there is this kind of insurgency”.
His words: “No person should pray that these attacks and destruction should continue. We have come here to show solidarity and to appreciate the efforts being made by our troops to encourage them to do more. We pray for them, we appreciate that their lives are on the line and we sympathize with the families of those who have already lost their lives”. “We are here to give support to your war efforts. For over two years now we have had the situation in the country where some extremists are trying to undermine the unity of this country. We know the cost in lives and properties to our people we are also aware of the efforts our security operatives have been making over time they have put their lives on the line making sacrifices so that we live. We appreciate their efforts and one can only wish that they do more”.
Continuing, the Ohaneze Chief said, “We have been through this before so many years ago and we really know what it was about. It started as a minor infringement in the North east now the thing has grown to a situation where it is trying to put the unity of the whole country at risk and we will not allow that”.
“We are also asking that government should do more in providing all the necessary equipment required to achieve this goal. The security forces must have the right equipments; their morale must be good, because they are fighting for us. So we can’t expect less for them, because when they have the right equipment, they are better able to defend and protect their own lives, so that they will do service for us another day”.
“We also aware that in the process of this fighting, lives and properties have been lost by people from all over the country. The bomb blast in Abuja and in other places; and in the north east particularly. Collateral damages to civilians and properties. We are also hoping that as the country goes ahead in providing compensations for victims; very comprehensive studies should be made to ensure that all those who suffered whatever kind of damage both in lives and properties would be appropriately compensated”.
Responding, the minister commended Ndigbo for the support to not only the military but for the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan
“As you have rightfully said the challenge before us today is herculean. To every generation there is always a challenge. Our fore fathers had the challenge of ending colonialism; the next generation had to battle military dictatorship in the country. Our own generation has the onerous task of ensuring that we have a peaceful nation where all Nigerians can live as one as equals”.
President General of the body, Chief Gary Nnachi Enwo-Igariwey who led members to the office of the Minister of State, Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro in Abuja, condemned the continued violence perpetrated by Boko Haram on innocent Nigerians noting that “No country develops when there is this kind of insurgency”.
His words: “No person should pray that these attacks and destruction should continue. We have come here to show solidarity and to appreciate the efforts being made by our troops to encourage them to do more. We pray for them, we appreciate that their lives are on the line and we sympathize with the families of those who have already lost their lives”. “We are here to give support to your war efforts. For over two years now we have had the situation in the country where some extremists are trying to undermine the unity of this country. We know the cost in lives and properties to our people we are also aware of the efforts our security operatives have been making over time they have put their lives on the line making sacrifices so that we live. We appreciate their efforts and one can only wish that they do more”.
Continuing, the Ohaneze Chief said, “We have been through this before so many years ago and we really know what it was about. It started as a minor infringement in the North east now the thing has grown to a situation where it is trying to put the unity of the whole country at risk and we will not allow that”.
“We are also asking that government should do more in providing all the necessary equipment required to achieve this goal. The security forces must have the right equipments; their morale must be good, because they are fighting for us. So we can’t expect less for them, because when they have the right equipment, they are better able to defend and protect their own lives, so that they will do service for us another day”.
“We also aware that in the process of this fighting, lives and properties have been lost by people from all over the country. The bomb blast in Abuja and in other places; and in the north east particularly. Collateral damages to civilians and properties. We are also hoping that as the country goes ahead in providing compensations for victims; very comprehensive studies should be made to ensure that all those who suffered whatever kind of damage both in lives and properties would be appropriately compensated”.
Responding, the minister commended Ndigbo for the support to not only the military but for the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan
“As you have rightfully said the challenge before us today is herculean. To every generation there is always a challenge. Our fore fathers had the challenge of ending colonialism; the next generation had to battle military dictatorship in the country. Our own generation has the onerous task of ensuring that we have a peaceful nation where all Nigerians can live as one as equals”.
Last Ebola-free region of Liberia falls to virus
– Every region of Liberia has now been hit by Ebola, officials said Friday, as the World Health Organization warned the fight against the worst-ever outbreak of the killer disease would take months.
After seeing people fall to the deadly virus in area after area, Liberia said two people had succumbed to the virus in Sinoe province, the last Ebola-free bastion in a country that has seen the biggest toll with 624 deaths.
The virus has spread relentlessly through Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, and Nigeria has also been affected despite showing some progress in fighting the epidemic, which has killed 1,427 people since March.
“(Sinoe) was the last area untouched by Ebola,” George Williams, head of the Health Workers Association of Liberia, told AFP.
The country has witnessed chaotic scenes in recent days following a surge in the number of patients dying of the hemorrhagic fever.
Aid workers said crematoriums in the capital of Monrovia were struggling to deal with bodies arriving every day, and earlier this week, violence erupted in an Ebola quarantine zone in the capital after soldiers opened fire on protesting crowds.
In a bid to ease the crisis, medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is working on nearly quadrupling the capacity of its Ebola centre in Monrovia.
“Currently we have around 60 patients for a capacity of 120 beds,” said Henry Gray, an MSF coordinator.
“And we are making our site bigger. In the next 10 days, we hope to have a location that can welcome up to 400 patients.”
In neighbouring Nigeria, officials said Friday that two more people had tested positive for Ebola, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 14, including five deaths.
- Flare up -
In a news conference in Monrovia, WHO Assistant Director-General Dr Keiji Fukuda on Friday warned efforts to combat the disease would take some time.
“This is not something to turn around overnight, it is not going to be easy; we expect several months of hard work. We expect several months really struggling with this outbreak,” he said at a press conference alongside Dr David Nabarro.
Nabarro, a physician appointed by the United Nations last week to coordinate the global response to the worst-ever outbreak of the disease, was in Monrovia as part of a tour of the region.
Speaking to AFP, he said he was determined to “ensure that every piece of our apparatus is at its optimum so it could deal possibly with a flare-up if that’s necessary”.
Nabarro is also due to visit Freetown, Conakry and Abuja during the trip, where he is tasked with revitalising the health sectors of affected countries.
No cure or vaccine is currently available for the deadly virus, which is spread by close contact with body fluids, meaning patients must be isolated.
However, two American missionaries who contracted Ebola while treating patients in Liberia made a full recovery in the United States. The two were treated with experimental drugs.
- ‘They may die’ -
The failure of west African countries to bring the epidemic under control has worried its neighbours and nations further afield.
Senegal on Thursday closed its land border with Guinea, where 396 people have died to date, in an attempt to stop the epidemic reaching it.
Gabon, meanwhile, suspended flights and maritime links from affected countries, and said it would deliver visas to travellers coming from the Ebola zone “on a case-by-case basis”.
In a further, urgent effort to contain the epidemic, Sierra Leone’s parliament passed a law on Friday that imposes a jail term of up to two years for anyone concealing an Ebola-infected patient.
Ibrahim Bundu, a senior parliamentary figure, took the opportunity to blast some of the country’s allies over their closures of land borders or flight suspensions.
“We are appalled by… the isolation imposed by those that we considered our best friends at a sub-regional, regional and global level,” he said.
Meanwhile, as fears grow that the outbreak will spread across Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo — where Ebola was first identified in 1976 in what was then Zaire — said a fever of unidentified origin had killed 13 people in the country’s northwest since August 11.
But a WHO official and MSF said Friday it was too soon to tell whether a haemorrhagic fever caused the deaths, and the results of swabs are due in a week’s time.
After seeing people fall to the deadly virus in area after area, Liberia said two people had succumbed to the virus in Sinoe province, the last Ebola-free bastion in a country that has seen the biggest toll with 624 deaths.
The virus has spread relentlessly through Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, and Nigeria has also been affected despite showing some progress in fighting the epidemic, which has killed 1,427 people since March.
“(Sinoe) was the last area untouched by Ebola,” George Williams, head of the Health Workers Association of Liberia, told AFP.
The country has witnessed chaotic scenes in recent days following a surge in the number of patients dying of the hemorrhagic fever.
Aid workers said crematoriums in the capital of Monrovia were struggling to deal with bodies arriving every day, and earlier this week, violence erupted in an Ebola quarantine zone in the capital after soldiers opened fire on protesting crowds.
In a bid to ease the crisis, medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is working on nearly quadrupling the capacity of its Ebola centre in Monrovia.
“Currently we have around 60 patients for a capacity of 120 beds,” said Henry Gray, an MSF coordinator.
“And we are making our site bigger. In the next 10 days, we hope to have a location that can welcome up to 400 patients.”
In neighbouring Nigeria, officials said Friday that two more people had tested positive for Ebola, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 14, including five deaths.
- Flare up -
In a news conference in Monrovia, WHO Assistant Director-General Dr Keiji Fukuda on Friday warned efforts to combat the disease would take some time.
“This is not something to turn around overnight, it is not going to be easy; we expect several months of hard work. We expect several months really struggling with this outbreak,” he said at a press conference alongside Dr David Nabarro.
Nabarro, a physician appointed by the United Nations last week to coordinate the global response to the worst-ever outbreak of the disease, was in Monrovia as part of a tour of the region.
Speaking to AFP, he said he was determined to “ensure that every piece of our apparatus is at its optimum so it could deal possibly with a flare-up if that’s necessary”.
Nabarro is also due to visit Freetown, Conakry and Abuja during the trip, where he is tasked with revitalising the health sectors of affected countries.
No cure or vaccine is currently available for the deadly virus, which is spread by close contact with body fluids, meaning patients must be isolated.
However, two American missionaries who contracted Ebola while treating patients in Liberia made a full recovery in the United States. The two were treated with experimental drugs.
- ‘They may die’ -
The failure of west African countries to bring the epidemic under control has worried its neighbours and nations further afield.
Senegal on Thursday closed its land border with Guinea, where 396 people have died to date, in an attempt to stop the epidemic reaching it.
Gabon, meanwhile, suspended flights and maritime links from affected countries, and said it would deliver visas to travellers coming from the Ebola zone “on a case-by-case basis”.
In a further, urgent effort to contain the epidemic, Sierra Leone’s parliament passed a law on Friday that imposes a jail term of up to two years for anyone concealing an Ebola-infected patient.
Ibrahim Bundu, a senior parliamentary figure, took the opportunity to blast some of the country’s allies over their closures of land borders or flight suspensions.
“We are appalled by… the isolation imposed by those that we considered our best friends at a sub-regional, regional and global level,” he said.
Meanwhile, as fears grow that the outbreak will spread across Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo — where Ebola was first identified in 1976 in what was then Zaire — said a fever of unidentified origin had killed 13 people in the country’s northwest since August 11.
But a WHO official and MSF said Friday it was too soon to tell whether a haemorrhagic fever caused the deaths, and the results of swabs are due in a week’s time.
Ebola: Patrick Sawyer was evil, a terrorist – Nigerians
Nigeria was a merry-go country and free of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) until late Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer, ignominiously appeared on the scene on July 20 fully aware that he had the disease having had contacts with his sister, who died of EVB on July 8.
The man was a very wicked person. He knew that he had the virus and he deliberately decided to bring it to Nigeria. – Joseph Sunday, Interior Decorator.
He had been suspended from work by his Company, Arcelor Mittal and was supposed to be under isolation, observation and monitoring. With the connivance of Liberia’s Deputy Finance Minister For Fiscal Affairs, Sebastian Muah, who cleared him to travel to Nigeria for an ECOWAS convention in Calabar, Mr. Sawyer, who avoided bodily contacts with people at the airport in Monrovia, Liberia found his way to Lagos.Patrick-Sawyer
He boarded an Asky Airline plane and became severely ill on the plane and was taken to First Consultant Hospital, Obalende, from the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos. Since Sawyer’s infamous arrival, Nigeria has lost four people to the Ebola disease: the ECOWAS official, who drove him to the hospital, two nurses who assisted him at the hospital and the doctor, who physically restrained him from leaving his bed after he tried to remove the drip administered on him.Saturday Jornalist asked our teeming readers their views of Mr. Sawyer and captures their interesting views below.
Sawyer is wicked
The man was a very wicked person. He knew that he had the virus and he deliberately decided to bring it to Nigeria. – Joseph Sunday, Interior Decorator.
He needed help
I see Patrick Sawyer as someone who only needed help. He knew he had the disease, but felt he could get a cure in Nigeria without knowing how deadly and serious it was. – Jefferson Aisegame, Banker
His actions
expose our porosity as a nation
The man became famous and will be remembered for a negative cause. His name has become synonymous and associated with the Ebola Virus – a time bomb whose explosion shows our porosity as a nation. I don’t think his actions were deliberate. Christopher Urokonweze, Biochemist
He was a thief
I think he’s a thief, because he knew he had the virus, yet he deliberately brought it here. He decided to distribute the disease to people. That kind of person is capable of terrible acts. Thank God, he was exposed at the airport. If he had succeeded and mixed up with people in the country without their knowledge, it would have been disastrous. – Chief Gabriel Obi, Trader
He was a terrorist, devil
That man was a terrorist. He was a devil incarnate. He knew he had it and that he was going to die, but he wanted to die with innocent people. If they hadn’t caught him here in Nigeria, he probably would have migrated to another country. The man was just out to kill. He is worse than Boko Haram.- Elias Nwoke, Businessman
Sawyer should’nt have left Liberia
I think since he knew his condition and knowing that there was no case of the disease in Nigeria, he shouldn’t have embarked on that journey to this country. But maybe what ever the issue brought him here must have been very crucial. – Dr. Adeyinka Adeleye.
He was very wicked
The man knew what he was doing. He knew the disease is deadly and dangerous, still he travelled to Nigeria with it. That man was a very wicked man. We just pray to God to help us. – Victoria Eretan, Nurse
It was sheer wickedness
What he did was sheer wickedness. If he wanted a cure, he should have remained in his country and looked for a cure there instead of coming to spread it here. Now, we are all suffering as a result. I pray the government gets a cure to the disease soonest. – Mrs. Okoro Kate, Trader.
He would have got help in Liberia
What that man did was bad. He wasn’t supposed to come into Nigeria with that disease. He should have remained where he was and I believe people would have been able to help him there. – Mrs. Amaka Aniagolu.
EVB has affected our businesses
Since he knew he had the virus, he wasn’t supposed to travel. He should have remained where he was.
People are no longer free and this disease has caused bad sales for us. – Olaide Sheriff, Meat Seller
Sawyer was heartless
That man was heartless and wicked. He decided to bring his problem to this country to cause us more problems. What he did was very bad and he did it intentionally. – Akeem Adeyemo, Meat Seller.
He didn’t want to die alone
The man just acted like a typical African who wouldn’t want to fall alone, so he decided to spread the virus. He wanted people to die with him . – Mr. Fortune Wilson, Businessman.
Episode exposed lapses in our security system
He knew quite well that he had the virus, yet he came into the country with it. This shows the lapses in our security system and how porous our borders are. He didn’t want to die alone and his actions have resulted into an epidemic. – Chief P.C Agu, Businessman.
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