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Police Shake Up: Five AIGs, Two Commissioners Redeployed

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Police Shake Up: Five AIGs, Two Commissioners Redeployed

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, on Friday announced the redeployment of five assistant inspectors-general, AIGs, of police and named new commissioners of police (CP).

The information is contained in a statement issued by the police public relations officer, Frank Mba, in Abuja.

Those affected in the redeployment are AIG Ballah Nasarawa, who will take charge of Zone 9, Umuahia Abia State, AIG David Omojola who takes charge of  Zone 11, Osogbo Osun state, and AIG Tambari Mohammed who moves to Zone 1, Kano State.

Others are AIG Mohammed Gana, Zone 12, Bauchi state while AIG Edgar Nanakumo takes charge of the Animal Branch of the Police

The new CPs for Anambra and Kogi are Usman Gwary and Saidu Madaki respectively.

The statement said the redeployment was in line with efforts at building a people-friendly police for the rendering of an effective and efficient service delivery.

According to the statement, the posting takes effect immediately.

Moderate Earthquake Hits Iran

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Moderate Earthquake Hits Iran

An earthquake measuring 5.4 in magnitude struck western Iran near its border with Iraq on Friday morning and relief teams have been deployed to the area.

The extent of damage is not immediately clear, but there has been no report of casualties and an assessment team is on ground taking stock of the initial situation for emergency and rescue services.

The epicentre of Friday’s quake was the town of Qasr-e Shirin, the capital of Kermanshah province, lying just 10 kilometre from the Iran-Iraq border.

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Tremors were also felt over the border in Iraq’s northern provinces of Diyala and Sulaimaniya as well as in parts of Baghdad, witnesses said.

Iran sits on major geological faultlines and has suffered several big earthquakes in recent years.

In April, a 7.8 magnitude quake near its border with Pakistan is thought to have killed hundreds of people.

Nigeria To Supply Water To Niger For Irrigation

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Nigeria To Supply Water To Niger For Irrigation

Nigeria is set to assist Niger Republic with bulk water to facilitate irrigation projects in Niger.

Minister of water resources, Sarah Ochekpe, announced this while meeting with a delegation from the Republic of Niger in Abuja.

Ochekpe said the meeting was aimed at deepening cooperation on water resource management between the two countries

“This is to finalize the modalities and necessary agreement that would facilitate equitable utilization of water as there is notable high interdependency between our countries for industrial purpose, irrigation agriculture, energy and other uses. Also to share information and data to come up with better ways of implementing and monitoring the protocols and agreement to ensure mutual benefits.”. she said

Ochekpe further explained that Nigeria will consider the release of water to Niger for irrigation purposes as requested, but Niger on its part would construct big reservoir that would contain the volume of water released from Nigeria to avoid waste.

In his remarks, the leader of Nigerien delegation, the minister of agriculture, Abdu Labo, said the purpose of their visit was to seek for assistance from Nigeria in the area of bulk water for irrigation in order to fight drought.

According to Labo “Nigeria granting the request to us is just like assisting fellow brother .The relationship between Nigeria and Niger was not only in the areas of Ambassadorial appointment or the operation of Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission, but a blood relationship, a large number of population living in Niger have relatives in Nigeria and vice versa, therefore, the assistance is necessary for the two countries to benefit from agricultural and economic activities.”

He, however, urged the two countries to implement the decision that would be reached at the Technical Expert Meeting and assured that Niger would abide by the agreement that would fast track and cement the cooperation between the two countries.

Police Disrupts Walk Against Impunity In Abuja

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Police Disrupts Walk Against Impunity In Abuja

Men of the Nigeria Police on Thursday disrupted a peace walk organised by civil society groups in Abuja.

The Groups included the Stop Impunity Nigeria, SIN, Campaign, Citizens Wealth Platform and Say No To Corruption.

The protesters, comprising hundreds of Nigerians with women in majority, had mobilised at the Millennium Park in Abuja to embark on a peace walk to the National Assembly to protest wasteful spending and impunity in public finance management, when they were dispersed by the police, using teargas.

It was gathered that in the process of dispersing the peaceful men and women, one Tule Tatiana sustained serious injuries and has been hospitalized.

Tear-Gas-Victim-at-the-SIN-peace-walk-in-Abuja-smallReacting to the incident, SIN has expressed regret at what it described as “the descent into lawlessness and anarchy that has become an art of governance in recent times.”

According to the group, the police led by a very senior officer claimed to be acting on orders from above to disperse the protest and tore the banners and posters used for the walk.

“We recall that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 guarantees the right to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of association and freedom of movement to all Nigerians. We further recall that these rights are guaranteed in a multiplicity of domestic and international instruments binding on Nigeria,” the group said on its website.

It said further that “A walk against fiscal impunity has been met with aggravated physical impunity that threatens the lives and limb of innocent citizens who have been subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment. A Police that turns its guns and arsenals on its employers is not a Police fit for a civilised nation, while an administration that fails to allow peaceful display of banners and placards cannot be described as democratic.”

SIN has therefore demanded “an unequivocal public apology, compensation and guarantees of non repetition,’ from the police.

The police is yet to respond to the accusation, but it would be recalled that it had earlier this month banned gatherings, receptions and carnivals in and within all airports across the nation.

According to the force spokesman, Frank Mba, the ban was part of a deliberate effort aimed at averting any security breach.

It is not clear now whether the ban extends to all gatherings suspected to be against the present administration as some Nigerians now perceive the clampdown.

On September 23, the police stopped a meeting of the leadership of the Abubakar Baraje-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Bauchi, sealing off Awala Hotel, venue of the meeting and preventing officials and members of the faction from gaining entrance, saying it acted on order from higher authorities.

Another meeting of the G7 governors, this time in the Kano State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro area of Abuja was on November 4 disrupted after men of the Nigeria Police stormed the venue of the meeting.

Nasarawa Gets One Day Kid Governor

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Nasarawa Gets One Day Kid Governor

By Godwin Ojoshimite

In a gesture that is purely symbolic and reminiscent of the rule of Bola Tinubu in Lagos State, governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State on Wednesday stepped aside for the Speaker of the Children’s Parliament, Richard Aga for a day.

The ceremonious hand-over of government by Al-Makura took place at the government House Lafia.

Speaking at the event, the one day governor thanked Al-makura for giving him the opportunity to act in the capacity.

He frowned at the incessant crisis that has been bedevilling the state in recent time.

“I also wish to address you on behalf of my immediate constituency, that is, children of Nasarawa State. All of us children regard all adults as our parents. We are not happy that elders are fighting one another across the State on the basis of religion, tribe or politics”, Aga said.

He added: “We children believe that we are of the same religion, the same tribe and share the same dreams and aspirations. But, it must be realized that our dreams and hopes start and end with a better Nasarawa State for all”

The young governor reminded indigenes of the state that those who fought for the creation of the state achieved it with unity.

Aga, therefore, urged all and sundry to sheathe their swords and give peace a chance. He also disclosed that the short time he has in office would be used to visit relevant stake holders in the state for peace talks.

Niger Deputy Speaker Wants Council Chairman Sacked

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Niger Deputy Speaker Wants Council Chairman Sacked

By Nma Shekwolo

The Deputy Speaker of the Niger state House of Assembly, Abdulrahman Gambo, on Thursday called for the removal of Mohammed Saidu, the chairman of Borgu local government area in the state where he comes from.

This was contained in a petition to the House by the Majority Leader, Haruna Labaran, titled “the clarion call for the removal of Borgu Local Government Chairman”.

Labaran who moved the motion, however, did not give details of the offence of the local government chairmen in his petition, prompting the Speaker, Adamu Usman, to direct the House committees on public petition, ethics and priviledges, local Government and finance to investigate the request and report back in two weeks.

Efforts to get the petitioner for further information on the petition were futile, as the Deputy Speaker left the chamber as soon as the session ended. He also had his telephone line switched off.

But the Majority Leader who moved the motion told newsmen after the day’s sitting that details of the petition and the offences of the chairman would be made public after the committees must have completed their assignment and reported their findings to the House.

“All I can say is that the deputy speaker who is from the local government sponsored the petition and that the allegations are in the body of the petition. I want to assure the public that everyone will be given fair hearing. That is why no action is taken yet,” Labaran stated.

President Jonathan Undergoes Medical Checkup In London

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President Jonathan Undergoes Medical Checkup In London

President Jonathan Undergoes Medical Checkup In London

President Goodluck Jonathan has undergone a medical checkup in London after a brief illness that sidelined the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Honorary International Investors’ Council, HIIC.

Special adviser to the President on media and publicity, said in a statement on Thursday that the President was examined by competent medical practitioners after feeling on well while in London.

He has also been advised to rest for a few days.

“The Presidency wishes to assure all Nigerians that President Jonathan’s condition is nothing serious. The medical attention he has sought is only precautionary,” Abati said.

The President left Abuja for London on Wednesday to preside over a three-day meeting of the HIIC which is expected to discuss among other issues, the generation of long-term affordable finance for Nigeria’s real sector, developing Nigeria’s private equity and venture capital sectors to attract more foreign investments as well as Nigeria’s information and communications technology master-plan.

The meeting of the council which is coordinated by Baroness Lynda Chalker will also feature a review of Nigeria’s existing investment policies by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD, the Paris-based international organization dedicated to the promotion of policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.

President Jonathan is not expected back in the country until the weekend.

PDP Accuses APC Of Plotting To Pervert Justice In Edo

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PDP Accuses APC Of Plotting To Pervert Justice In Edo

Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, alleged Wednesday that the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state was planning to scuttle its case at State Election Petition Tribunal.

This follows the filing of an election petition by the candidate of the party challenging the result of the October 20 Esan North east local government re-run election, which was declared in favour of the APC candidate.

State chairman of PDP, Dan Orbih, while briefing journalists in Benin, said that the party stumbled on a YouTube documentary where officials of Edo State government held a clandestine meeting at office of governor Adams Oshiomhole’s senior special assistant of special duties, government house, Benin City aimed at subverting justice in the petition.

According to Orbih, those present at the alleged meeting included Francis Ebare, commissioner for energy and water resources; Theophilos Afuda, senior special adviser to the governor on special duties; Douglas Usoh, member, Edo State Board of Internal Revenue; and Samuel Oboh, chairman Esan North east council area.

He explained that at the alleged meeting, 11 returning officers that conducted the election were briefed on what to say at the tribunal in the event that the PDP challenged the outcome of the election.

“We will forward the material downloaded from the internet to the Inspector General of Police, IGP, the state Commissioner of Police, CP, and the State Director of Directorate of State Security Service, DSS, to ensure that all those involved in the meeting were brought to book to serve as a deterrent to other who may want to take this evil course” he said.

“The revelation of this document of the meeting at Government House was posted on the u-tube by an aggrieved member of the APC. And we want to thank God for using the APC member to unearth the evil plan by the party on the Esan North-East LG re-run election, and we are going to resist this evil plan,” Orbih said.

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Corroborating Orbih’s claim, the PDP chairmanship candidate in the election, John Yakubu, alleged that the returning oofficers were promised handsome rewards by the government should they stick to one story that they were harassed by PDP agents and were made to escape for their dear lives during the election.

Edo State commissioner for information and orientation, Loius Odion, while reacting to the allegation said “these guys are simply irritants. If the PDP say something and government reacts, we are simply dignifying them. My simple answer is that initially one use to think that the PDP skill is living in denial. But I don’t know that they have the skill in video or phantom film tricks.

“This is yet another concoction by the PDP denying the new realities in Edo. We want to challenge them to bring to public scrutiny, the video film. We challenged them to petition the security agencies as they have promised. We shall never be distracted. It is a big lie and they should go to court if they have any issue and urged Edo people to disregard them.

Nigeria’s Domestic Debt Hits N600 Trillion

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Nigeria’s Domestic Debt Hits N600 Trillion

The Nigerian economy is bugged down by a domestic debts put at about N600 trillion, Yerima Ngama, the minister of state for finance has disclosed.

Ngama who addressed journalist on Wednesday after a Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo, said the reason for the high domestic debt was because of high interest rate charged by local banks, which he put at about 19 per cent.

The minister said that because of the high interest rate on domestic loans it was preferable to go for concessionary foreign loans, just as he announced the council’s approval of a loan of 100 million dollars (about N15.7 billion) from Indian Import Export Bank to boost power supply in Cross Rivers, Enugu and Kaduna states.

Ngama, however, assured that the country would not be plunged into the era of huge foreign debt with high servicing rate.

He said that the ratio of debt to GDP was slightly less than 20 per cent and that the loan was geared towards the development of infrastructural facilities.

The minister explained that the credit facilities being taken by the Goodluck Jonathan administration were different from the previous loans that led to the pile-up of huge foreign debt.

“Preponderance of commercial credits led to high interest rates, making Nigeria to pay over 40 billion dollars for debt servicing. Under the current regime, government is getting development loans also known as multilateral and bilateral assistance,” he said.

A breakdown of the sum given by the minister revealed that $30 million (about N465 million) would be given to Cross-Rivers for the development of the Calabar independent Power Project.

Enugu State government would get $40 million (about N620 million) for the electrification of 96 communities, including the installation of 33KVA and 15KVA lines as well as the distribution of transformers and other accessories to the communities in the three senatorial zones of the state.

Kaduna State government will get $30 million to augment the resources needed for the construction of the 70 Km transmission line from the Gurara Dam to Kaduna industrial area.

Ngama said the fund would also be used for the construction of 132 KVA and 33KVA sub-stations for power supply to the Kaduna industrial area and that 50 communities in the state would also benefit from solar electricity project.

The minister said that the facility, which is coming at a concessionary rate, was taken at 2 per cent interest rate to be repaid over a 10-year period with three years moratorium.

He added that there would be a commitment charge of 0.5 per cent of undrawn balance and 0.5 per cent for service charge.

Ngama said that the facility had been approved by both the National Assembly in the Medium Term borrowing plan, and by the benefiting state houses of assembly.

“We believe that this facility will go a long way towards transforming our industrial areas and other communities as part of Mr President’s commitment to economic transformation agenda,” he said.

Also, the council in a brief ceremony before the commencement of its weekly meeting, celebrated with President Goodluck Jonathan as he clocked the age of 56.

The ceremony was however, held in the absence of the President, who had left for London to preside over a three-day meeting of Honourary International Investors’ Council (HIIC).

In his remarks, Sambo hailed Jonathan for his leadership style and commitments to transforming Nigeria, saying: “There is no doubt that the great destiny of this man has helped our individual destiny”.

“We are privileged Nigerians sharing from the grace of God upon his life. We will continue to pray that Mr President succeeds in this noble course of transforming our dear country,” Sambo added.

Ministers of Transport and Agriculture, Idris Umar and Akinwumi Adesina, respectively offered special prayers for the President on behalf of the council.

The council, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, also presented a birthday card to the Vice-President for onward presentation to the President, before cutting a birthday cake.

Jonathan, the 14th Nigerian Head of State, was born November 20, 1957 in Otueke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State to a family of canoe makers.

He holds a BSc. degree in zoology, Msc. in Hydrobiology and Fisheries Biology and a Phd in Zoology.

24 Year Old Student To Die For Stealing GSM Phone, Recharge Cards

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24 Year Old Student To Die For Stealing GSM Phone, Recharge Cards

From Jessica Tamaradonye, Warri

A Delta State High Court, sitting in Effurun has sentenced a 24 year old secondary school student, Moses Akatugba, to death by hanging for robbing one Mrs. Akpor Mazino of her GSM handsets and recharge cards.

Moses was convicted on a two-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery, contrary to section 6 (b) and punishable under section 1(2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act Cap R11 Volume 14 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Akatugha and his accomplice who has since died from gun shot woulds sustained during the robbery, robbed Mazino of the sum of N113,930 cash, three GSM handsets, 54 various denominations of MTN recharge cards, 28 Econnet (now ZAIN) recharge cards and 25 GLO recharge cards all worth over N100,000.

The robbery incident occured at Number 30 NNPC Housing complex road, Ekpan.

Giving evidence for the prosecution, Mazino recounted to the court how she was robbed at her shop at gunpoint by the accused persons.

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