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FG Shuts Down Five Colleges In Troubled Northeast

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FG Shuts Down Five Colleges In Troubled Northeast

The federal government has approved the shutting down of five federal government colleges located in the security challenged areas of the North-east.

Supervising minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, listed the schools to include Federal Government Girls College, FGGC, Munguno; Federal Government College, FGGC, Potiskum; Federal Government College, FGGC, Buni Yadi; Federal Science and Technical College, FSTC, Lassa and Federal Science and Technical College, FSTC, Michika.

According to a statement by the special assistant (Media) to the minister, Simeon Nwakaudu, candidates registered for WASSCE, NECO SSCE and BECE in FGGC Potiskum should have their examination centres relocated to FGGC Bauchi, while those from FGGC Munguno and FGC Buni Yadi should also be relocated.

The statement further approved that other students who are affected by the closure but are not writing public examinations be relocated to FGGC Bauchi, FGGC Bajoga, FGC Maiduguri, FSTC Kafanchan and FSTC Dayi.

The government directive, however, left the choice of the schools for the affected students at the discretion of parents.

The minister also commiserated with families that lost their children during the unfortunate attack on FGC Buni Yadi in Yobe last week and assured that the ministry would continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to improve security around federal government-owned schools.

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Northeast Governors Call For Peace In The Region

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Northeast Governors Call For Peace In The Region

Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

Governors in the North-east have appealed to members of the Boko Haram sect to sheath their swords and come to the table for dialogue in order to return peace to
the region.

The governors made the appeal when they paid a condolence visit to governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, over the recent killings of over 160 innocent lives in the last one week.

The three governors, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo (Gombe), Isa Yuguda (Bauchi) and Garba Umar (Taraba), who spoke with one voice, condemned this type of killings which has been on since 2009, saying enough blood has been shed and it was time to discuss a way forward with the group.

The governors insisted that the crisis threatening to consume the area was a product of neglect, but that it was time to stop the reign of terror which has put the region and the entire country in bad light before the international community.

They agreed that no amount of force and confrontation can bring the desired peace and security, maintaining that dialogue still remained the best option.

The leaders expressed hope that the region would recover from the setback and emerge better and stronger as many nations and states which have experienced similar situations have done.

“We have come out together with single voice to say enough is enough and we have resolved to be holding consultative discussions on how best to tackle the problem. We resolve to sit down and itemise developmental plan of action to restore peace through tackling poverty and unemployment,” the governor of Gombe said.

Responding, Shettima thanked the governors for identifying with the state during its trying period, saying it is encouraging to know that he is not alone in the struggle.

“We are glad to have you in this traumatic period. You have shown in your visit that we are not alone in this time of tribulation. You have moved us with your love and have shown that we are one people with a destiny,” he said.

The three visiting governor later joined their host to visit Ajilari- Bintu Sugar where the twin blasts occurred on Saturday killing scores of people.

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Justice Olotu Sues President Jonathan, NJC

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Justice Olotu Sues President Jonathan, NJC

Justice Gladys Olotu one of the two judges whose compulsory retirement was approved by President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday, has challenged her retirement at an Abuja Federal High Court.

Olotu, in a motion ex-parte filed before Justice Ademola Adeniyi and heard in chambers, is seeking leave to apply for an order of certiorari for judicial review of her case.

Her counsel, Sunday Ameh, who filed the application on her behalf, said that the suit is intended to protect his client’s fundamental rights.

Joined in the suit as respondents are President Goodluck Jonathan, the National Judicial Council, NJC, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

Justice Ademola fixed hearing in the matter for March 19 and ordered that all parties in the case be served with the motion.

It would be recalled that the NJC had on February 27 recommended Olotu’s compulsory retirement with Justice Ufot Inyang of the FCT High Court to the President over allegations of gross misconduct.

The NJC had in a statement signed by its Head of Information, Soji Oye, said the decision to recommend her for compulsory retirement was informed by its findings on the allegations of gross misconduct contained in the petitions written against her.

Olotu was accused of failing to deliver judgment in a case 18 months after the final address by all the counsel in the suit, contrary to the constitutional provisions that judgments should be delivered within a period of 90 days.

The NJC equally found that she “entertained a post Judgment matter in Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/250/2003 in Port Harcourt after delivering judgment, which made her functus officio.”

It was also established that “in another case, Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/505/2012, Justice Olotu failed to deliver judgment twice.”

Edo Sets Agenda For National Conference, Canvasses Regional Govt

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Edo Sets Agenda For National Conference, Canvasses Regional Govt

Caption from left: Governor Oshiomhole, Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Uyi Igbe; President, Edo State Customary Court of Appeal, Peter Isibor and Charles Edosomwan, during a meeting to fashion out the Edo Agenda for the National Conference in Benin City.

From Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

Edo State is proposing that the forthcoming National Conference should discuss a return to regionalism, how to divest resource control at the federal level and increase the influence and political powers of the states to promote speedy growth and development of the country.

Delegates from the state who would be attending the conference which opens next Monday in Abuja, will also push for a part-time parliamentary system of government, which they believed will reduce cost of election and corruption as well as ensure that power is removed from one person (the President) and returned to the people.

These are part of the agenda of the Esan forum, which was adopted as the position of the state.

Other issues which the state would be proposing at the conference include decentralisation of the police force, fiscal federalism; independence of the judiciary, removal of the Land Use Act from the Constitution, removal of immunity clause and carving a role for traditional rulers.

Those to put forwards these concerns at the conference are Edy Erhagbe, Charles Edosomwan, Sylvanus Oboh, Mike Ozekhome, and Nosakhare Isekhure.

Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole noted that the problem of Nigeria today is the battle for the control of the huge resources at the federal level.

According to him, 52.4 per cent of the declared revenue is under the control of the President, while the other 36 governors share 26% which is slightly less than half of what the central government gets.

This, he said is responsible for the country’s slow development, as projects which will have direct impact on the people are sacrificed for those that serve only a few, adding that the debate should not be about what part of the country the President comes from, but about what should be the quality of the President of Nigeria.

“Unless we alter the revenue allocation formula, we may continue on the same old road. If we review the revenue allocation formula, let Governors fight in their states, let Local Governments fight in their states and let Abuja take up the ceremonial roles of receiving Ambassadors and presidents. The tension for the control of the Abuja will reduce,” Oshiomhole said.

He also said that “In seeking to address the Nigeria question, there must be solutions we must proffer to raise the quality of life of our people. Anything we do which does not translate to prosperity for the average people will have no meaning.”

The governor, however, kicked against decentralising the Police and Armed Forces along regional lines, saying desperate politicians could abuse the powers to harass their perceived political enemies.

Ekiti Assembly Calls For President Jonathan’s Impeachment

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Ekiti Assembly Calls For President Jonathan’s Impeachment

The Ekiti State House of Assembly on Wednesday called for the impeachment of President Goodluck Jonathan for short-changing the state and starving it of allocation.

The state governor, Kayode Fayemi, had raised concerns that for some time now, the state has been starved of funds from the federal allocation and requested for the immediate payment of all outstanding allocations by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

Other request made by the governor include the separation of the office of the Auditor General of the federation as well as the accountant general of the federation such that he can function independently; assessment of the revenue into the federation account and immediate review of the revenue allocation.

After listening to the governor’s presentation and requests, the lawmakers concluded that there was a deliberate attempt to starve the state of funds considering the fact that the state governorship election was just by the corner.

The Speaker of the House, Adewale Omirin, said the federal government has not been fair to the state and that what the President has done “is an impeachable offense”.

Jonathan Swears-In 11 New Ministers, Sacks Sports Minister

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Jonathan Swears-In 11 New Ministers, Sacks Sports Minister

President Goodluck Jonathan has sacked the minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, replacing him with Tamuno Danagogo,sworn of the 11 persons sworn in as  ministers today.

Jonathan made the announcement during the swearing-in ceremony which took place at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa.

No reason was given for the sack, but reports suggest that Abdullahi may have had a hunch about his removal and vacated his office Wednesday morning before leaving the country to attend the International Weightlifting Federation Championship holding in Poland.

The ministers and their new portfolios include Musiliu Obanikoro (Lagos), minister of State, Defence;  Mohammed Wakil (Borno), minister of State, Power; Abduljelili Adesiyan (Osun), minister of Police Affairs and  Aminu Wali (Kano), minister of Foreign Affairs.

Others are Akon Eyakenyi (Akwa Ibom), minister of Land, Housing and Urban Development; Lawrencia Laraba-Mallam (Kaduna), minister of Environment; Tamuno Danagog (Rivers), minister of Sports and Hajia Asabe Ahmed (Niger), minister of State Agriculture.

The rest are Aliyu Gusau (Zamfara), minister of Defence; Boni Haruna (Adamawa), minister of Youth Development and Khaliru Alhassan (Sokoto), minister of State,

The President asked the 11 newly sworn-in ministers to assume work immediately by participating in the weekly Federal Executive Council, FEC meeting which held after the ceremony.

He said the appointment was a call to service and charged the new ministers to see public office as public trust and to serve people without fear or favour.

He also urged them to be innovative, creative and to bring value to their new offices in line with the transformation agenda of his administration.

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I Was Never A Member Of APC – Nasarawa Deputy Governor

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I Was Never A Member Of APC – Nasarawa Deputy Governor

The Nasarawa State deputy governor, Dameshi Luka, says he was never a registered member of the All Progressive Congress, APC, and therefore was baffled at his suspension by the party.

Luka said this on Tuesday at the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, secretariat in Lafia, where he had gone to submit a letter of intent to join the party.

He said that his purported suspension from the All Progressive Congress, APC, while he was away in the U.S.A. did not follow conventional procedure and was targeted at humiliating him and that his disinterest to register with the party was due to the “attitude of exclusion” exhibited by its leadership.

“My disinterest to register with the APC is not unconnected with the attitude of exclusion exhibited by the leadership of the party with the active collaboration of the governor.

Consequently, I and my teaming supporters across the state have decided to move over to the PDP with immediate effect,” Luka said.

The deputy governor alleged that he was accused of disloyalty to the party by honouring President Goodluck Jonathan’s invitation to accompany him on the 2013 pilgrimage to Israel.

He said the state governor, Umaru Al-Makura misinterpreted the spiritual obligation as a plan being hatched to unseat him.

Luka said he indeed opposed the directive of the APC leadership to its members in the National Assembly to block all executive bills, including 2014 Appropriation Bill, because he believes that national interest should supersede personal or party interests.

“I want to reiterate that as a patriotic citizen, I stand firmly on that statement and insist that national interest must supersede party or any other interests,” he stressed.

Nasarawa State chairman of the PDP, Yunana Ilya, likened Luka’s action to the biblical prodigal son, adding that the party was glad to have him back under its umbrella.

Iliya said the deputy governor and others who recently defected to the PDP would soon be hosted to a grand reception to be graced by the national leadership of the party.

President Approves Compulsory Retirement Of Indicted Judges

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President Approves Compulsory Retirement Of Indicted Judges

The recommendation by the National Judicial Counciil, NJC, for the compulsory retirement of Justice Gladys Olotu and Justice U.A. Inyang of the Federal High Court and FCT High Court respectively has been approved by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The attorney-general of the federation and minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, made the disclosure on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa in a news conference with State House correspondents.

It would be recalled that the two judges were last Wednesday suspended for gross misconduct by the National Judicial Council, NJC.

The Council, presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Maryam Aloma Mukhtar, had forwarded a recommendation for their compulsory retirement to the President.

Adoke said that the President approved the compulsory retirement of the judges which took effect on Monday.based on the NJC recommendation

The NJC explained that the decision to recommend the retirement of the two justices was taken at the Council’s meeting of February 26 after a thorough investigation on petitions on allegations of gross misconduct levelled against them.

The NJC found that Justice Olotu failed to deliver judgment in a case 18 months after the final address by all the counsel in the suit, contrary to the constitutional provisions that judgments should be delivered within a period of 90 days.”

Also, it said Justice Olotu admitted before the fact finding committee of the Council that investigated the allegations that she forgot she had a pending ruling to deliver in an application for joinder.

The NJC equally found that she “entertained a post Judgment matter in Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/250/2003 in Port Harcourt after delivering judgment, which made her functus officio.”

It was also established that “in another case, Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/505/2012, Justice Olotu failed to deliver judgment twice.”

In the case of Justice Inyang, the NJC said he “included in his judgment, references to the Garnishee Proceedings, which came after the judgment had been delivered on December 20, 2011.”

He “also included the name of the counsel for Federal Road Maintenance Agency, Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru, SAN, who came into the matter after the judgment of December 20, 2011 was delivered.”

Justice Inyang was also accused of  “recklessly signed a Writ of Execution, a day after delivering his judgment of December 20, 2011, the same day a notice of appeal and motion on notice for stay of execution were filed.”

“The judge continued with the Garnishee Proceedings despite application for stay of execution; and before delivering his judgment of December 20, 2011, Justice Inyang ignored a properly filed motion on notice for leave to file additional witness statement on oath,” the NJC added.

Jonathan Fires Heads Of Aviation Agencies

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Jonathan Fires Heads Of Aviation Agencies

President Goodluck Jonathan has fired heads of various aviation agencies in Nigeria and approved the reorganisation of the ministry of Aviation, barely three weeks after the controversial minister, Stella Oduah was sacked.

Only Tony Anuforo, director general of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMMET, survived presidential axe that fell on the heads of other agencies in the industry.

According to a statement from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Saleh Dumona, director Projects, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, is to replace George Uriesi as managing director, while Ibrahim Abdulsalam, general manager, Procurements, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, is to replace Nnamdi Udoh as managing director.

Also, Samuel Akinyele Caulcrick, government safety inspector & ICAO focal point for Nigeria on line Aircraft Safety Information Systems, OASIS) will replace Chinyere Kalu as rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, just as Muhktar Usman, commissioner, Accident Investigation & Prevention Bureau, AIPB, is to replace Fola C. Akinkuotu as director general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

In the meantime, Benedict Adeyileka is to act as DG, NCAA pending the confirmation.

President Jonathan has also asked Felix A. Abali, director, Licencing, NCAA, to replace Muhktar Usman as commissioner, Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau, AIPB.

The statement was signed by the special assistant (Media) to the SGF, Sam Nwaobasi.

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40 More Killed In Borno Attacks

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40 More Killed In Borno Attacks
Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

The outlawed Boko Haram sect continued its rule of terror in Borno State with the killing of at least 40 persons in Jakana, 35 kilometres away from Maiduguri, the state capital on Monday night.

This is the fourth attack in the series which began three days ago with a twin bombing of Ajilari- Bintu Sugar that left 52 persons dead. Another assault on Mainok left 39 dead, while 35 persons, including three police officers, were killed in Mafa Sunday night.

In the latest incident, gunmen believed to be members of the Boko Haram stormed Jakana in their usual manner, setting houses ablaze and shooting down anyone sighted trying to escape.

They also burnt down the only surviving police station on the Maiduguri/Damaturu highway in Jakana as they had done to the others in previous attacks, killing two policemen in the process.
Residents who survived the attack said they initially thought their assailants were members of the Army (probably because they wore military uniforms which they often use to disguise) until they heard them shout their usual victory slogan ‘Allahu Akbar’ andstarted shooting the villagers.
Most residents took to their heels but for the elderly who could not run. These, the insurgents burnt alive, even as some of those who fled were hit by bullets.
“There was nobody living in the town except for security officials, who are still combing the area to restore normalcy,” a resident said.
The senator representing the area, Ahmed Zannah, who spoke to journalists on phone said eleven elderly people were set on fire and many have been forced to flee the town.
Zannah also said that the soldiers in the area initially fled on sighting the insurgents but later summoned courage to engage them in a fight when they discovered that the insurgents were not many.

He said the insurgents were forced to flee when they saw the military approach but with a warning that they would be back to complete their unfinished business.

Attempts to get any official confirmation were unsuccessful as the police commissioner, Tanko Lawan, declined commenting on the attack but directed journalists to contact the spokesman of the command, Gideon Jubrin, who could not be reached.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese, Oliver Dashe Doeme, has linked insurgency in the north to the prevailing corruption and unemployment in the country, stressing that “if corruption goes there will be no Boko Haram, no kidnapping, no armed robbery. Even if they exist it will be minimal. If Nigerians are empowered they will not be employed into some of these vices”.

He lamented that since the inception of the insurgency in the region in 2009, over 20 churches and priests’ residences had been burnt and over 500 members of the church killed.

He called on the federal government to tackle insecurity in the country by fighting corruption headlong, adding that religion should not be mixed with politics and that the military should be well equipped to curtail the insurgency.
He also appealed to the insurgents drop their arms and embrace the dialogue offered by the federal government in other to promote peace and progress in the region.
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