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Oshiomole’s Comments Disrupt South South Confab Meeting

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Oshiomole’s Comments Disrupt South South Confab Meeting

From Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

A meeting organised by members of the Femi Okunroumun-led national dialogue committee for people of the South-south region, ended in confusion after the Edo state governor, Adams Oshiomhole expressed the view that the conference was completely unnecessary.

Oshiomhole said in Benin that the conference was bound to end up like previous conferences which did not yield and results, a comment that divided the hall in two opposing sides and eventually brought the meeting to an abrupt end as there were reports of threats.

“It is my view that the conference will not be different from past conferences which did not produce any result,” the governor said.

The governor’s comment led to an uproar with shouts of “no, no, no,”renting the venue, just as some people walked out.
Angered by the development, a member of the committee,Tony Nyam, a retired colonel, challenged Oshiomhole causing confusion with his views.

By the time the committee members finally calmed down the participants drawn from Edo, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States, over half of them had left the hall.

The meeting continued shortly aftr but a participant soon alleged that his life had been threatened. Which prompted Okunroumun to bring the meeting to an end unceremoniously.

Different ethnic nationalities and civil society groups which earlier presented papers, appeared to be in agreement that ethnicity should form the basis of selecting majority of participants to the national conference, even as they gave it a time frame between three and six months.

Among issues canvassed were restructuring of the federation to ensure fiscal federalism, resource control and devolution of powers.

Earlier, the chairman of the committee had expressed happiness over the impressive turnout by Nigerians at the different venues of its sittings.

“Nigerians have accepted the need to have this conference. We have been to four centres Minna, Akure, Jos and Calabar, and the turnout has been impressive and overwhelming,” he said.

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He noted that in all the centres, Nigerians came from the rural areas, even from the remotest villages to make their presentations.

“We have been listening to different groups and views, but no single group who threatens to dismember Nigeria has come before us. Nigerians all over the world are entitled to submit their views,” Okunroumun said.

He assured the views expressed will reflect in its report and would set the agenda for government and governance.

Ombatse Spiritual Leader Shuns Al Makura’s Probe

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Ombatse Spiritual Leader Shuns Al Makura’s Probe

Caption: Gov Tanko Almakura swearing an oath before the commission prior to his testimony

By Godwin Ojoshimite

The spiritual leader of the outlawed Ombatse cult, Lega Agu, Baba Alakio, has again turned down the invitation of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry probing the May 7 massacre of security operatives in Nasarawa State.

The Retired Justice Joseph Fola Gbadeyan led-commission had earlier summoned Baba Alakio through Senator Solomon Ewuga to appear before it on October 4 but he did not turn up.

After 5 hours of endless waiting for Baba Alakio on Monday, the commission convened at 3:00PM to chart the way forward.

Reacting to the turn of events, A.A Abdullahi counsel representing Lafia Emirate Council and Kwandere Community expressed displeasure over Baba Alakio’s non appearance at the commission.

He urged the commission to exercise all powers within it jurisdiction to arrest Baba Alakio if he refuses to turn up again.

Responding, the chairman of the commission, retired Justice Gbadeyan, jokingly asked the lawyer: “Barrister Abdullahi if we want to arrest Baba Alakio, will you lead the team?”.

The chairman, however, expressed displeasure at the rate at which the commission’s invitations were ignored by several persons.

He added that the commission will give the Ombatse priest till Monday November 1, for the purpose of fair hearing.

When our reporter contacted the legal adviser of Ombatse group, Zachary Zamani Allumaga to inquire why the spiritual leader shunned the commission, he could not explain.

“Well, Baba Alakio was invited by the Commission and i went to Nasarawa Eggon so that i can pick him but he didn’t show up. So, for now we don’t know why he didn’t come until we
make contacts,” he said.

Reacting to the issue, the attorney – general of the state, Innocent Lagi, who spoke to our reporter on phone said despite the fact government has made efforts to assure Baba Alakio of  his safety at the commission, he was certain that the spiritual leader of the group will not show up.

He added that the spiritual leader is likely not to show up on the new date fixed by the commission.
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Niger Gets N1.4 Billion Sure – P Hospital Project

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Niger Gets N1.4 Billion Sure – P Hospital Project

Nma Shekwolo

The Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE – P, is to spend N1.4 billion on a hospital project in Minna the Niger State capital.

What is more, the project which is for the extension of the maternal and neonatal ward at the Minna General Hospital is to be completed in eight months.

The state SURE-P director general, Hassan Nuhu, said the agency would fund the project hundred per cent as part of its intervention in the health sector in Niger State.

Also speaking during the signing ceremony of the contract Memorandum of Understanding in Minna yesterday, secretary to the state government, Saidu Ndako, said the project is expected to improve the access to health care delivery by pregnant women and children in the state.

The project is for the construction of fours wards and a theatre which he said would be equipped with the state of the art medical equipment.

Ndako disclosed that by the agreement with the contractor, money would be released on the project only after 36 per cent of the job had been done.

Healso assured that the state government would do everything to ensure the the project is completed on time.

“I am confident that the project will be completed before the May 27, 2014 , as the governor is expected to inaugurate the project to mark his seventh year in office,” he said.

The contractor, Charles Liu, also assured that his company would complete the project on schedule.

 

Ki-Moon Condemns Rebel Killing Of Peacekeepers In Tanzania

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Ki-Moon Condemns Rebel Killing Of Peacekeepers In Tanzania

The UN Secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, has condemned the killing of a Tanzanian peacekeeper in strife-ridden eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, by 23 March Movement, M23, rebels on Sunday.

Ban, in a statement by his spokesperson, Martin Nesirky, stated that the peacekeeper came under fire from M23 rebels in the eastern DRC, as the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission,MONUSCO, supported action was being carried out by Congolese government forces.

MONUSCO is to protect civilians on the Kiwanja-Rutshuru axis, 25km north of Goma, which is the main city in the vast country’s eastern region.

The UN scribe offered his condolences and sympathy to the family of the victim and the government of Tanzania.

Ki – Moon also said the UN would continue to take actions in line with the Security Council resolution to protect civilians in eastern DRC.

He said by a resolution adopted in March, the council approved the creation of its first-ever offensive combat force, intended to carry out targeted operations to neutralise and disarm the M23 as well as other Congolese rebels and foreign armed groups in the east.

On Friday, the UN secretary general’s office said that MONUSCO was on “high alert” following clashes between Congolese government forces and M23 armed combatants.

Similarly on Saturday, MONUSCO chief, Martin Kobler. and special envoy of the secretary-general to the Great Lakes Region, Mary Robinson, jointly expressed their concern about the ongoing violence in eastern DRC.

They urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to return to peace talks in Kampala.

In the past year, clashes have continued sporadically throughout the DRC’s eastern region, with rebels briefly occupying Goma in November 2012.

The fighting has displaced more than 100,000 people, exacerbating an ongoing humanitarian crisis which includes 2.6 million internally-displaced persons and 6.4 million in need of food and emergency aid.

Lecturers Strike: Lagos Lawyer Sues FG, ASUU

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Lecturers Strike: Lagos Lawyer Sues FG, ASUU

A Lagos-based lawyer, Daniel Onwe, has dragged the federal government and Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, before a Federal High Court in Lagos, over violation of the fundamental rights of the students who have been out of school following the union’s strike.

The suit, FHC/CS/1360/13, was brought pursuant to Section 46(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, Order II of the Fundamental Human Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009 and Article 5 of The African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap. 10, LFN, 1990.

Onwe is asking the court for a declaration that the indefinite strike leading to the closure of government-owned universities across the country violates the fundamental right to the dignity of the person of the affected students guaranteed under Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution.

He is seeking for an order directing the federal government and ASUU to resolve their differences and forthwith re-open universities, including an order mandating ASUU to call off their ongoing strike action and resume their job of lecturing immediately.

Hearing on the suit which isbefore Justice Ibrahim Buba comes up on November 13.

NCAA Denies Possession of Documents on Armoured Cars Purchase

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NCAA Denies Possession of Documents on Armoured Cars Purchase

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, in response to Freedom of Information Act, FOIA request made by the human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has denied being in possession of documents regarding the purchase of the two controversial armoured cars allegedly bought for the use of the aviation minister, Stella Oduah.

Falana through one of his lawyers had requested the NCAA to furnish him with information over the purchase of the cars as well as such previous cars bought for such purposes in line with the FOI Act.

Responding through its legal adviser, E. D. Chukwuma, in a three paragraph letter dated October 23, 2013, with ref. No. NCAA/DG/F&F/Vol.11/2013/85, NCAA stated that it was not in possession of any document relating to the purchase of the armoured cars for the aviation minister.

According to the letter, NCAA also claimed that it has no information in respect of previous armoured cars for the aviation ministry or its ministers.

“I am directed to refer to your letter dated 21st October, 2013 on the above matter and to inform you that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority is not in possession of any document relating to the purchase of armoured cars for the Aviation Minister, Ms. Stella Oduah,” Chukwuma said in the letter.

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In the meantime, Falana has vowed to take further steps to compel the director general of NCAA tender the requested documents.
Falana also promised to file a paper on the matter to the attorney general of the federation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, as well as the National Assembly which has already commenced investigation into the matter.

He said the brief response from NCCA contradicted the information earlier given at a press conference by the authority.

Environmental Sanitation: Court Orders Sealing Of 52 Houses In Abuja

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Environmental Sanitation: Court Orders Sealing Of 52 Houses In Abuja

A mobile court on Saturday ordered the sealing of 52 houses in Gwarimpa, Abuja, for refusal of the residents to appear before the court to answer charges for environmental offences.

The magistrate, Jubril Kutugi, said the refusal amounted to contempt of court, adding that the order was with immediate effect.

Kutugi said only 10 out of the 70 occupants who were summoned appeared before the court.

The Abuja Environmental Protection Board, AEPB, had served residents of Adkan Estate in Gwarimpa with abatement notices for their failure to remediate environmental nuisance.

The AEPB Prosecutor, Lola Balogun, said the Gwarimpa residents were charged with not having dustbins which had caused unauthorised dumping of refuse within the estate.

Balogun said their offences contravened section 17 (1) G and 35 A of AEPB Act. of 1997 punishable under section 17 (2) and 35 of the same Act.

Also, another court prosecuted 160 offenders for violation of environmental laws at Limpopo Street in Maitama.

The magistrate, Aminu Abdullahi, said the court would not spare anyone who violated the claiming ignorance, adding that “ignorance of the law is not an excuse before the law”.

The prosecutor, Eze Eze, said their offences ranged from over overgrown grasses, lack of waste bins, unauthorised dumping of construction wastes/refuse, to keeping dirty environment.

Eze said the offences contravened section 17, 29, 35 and sub-section 19b of the AEPB Act 1997.

Uche Agbanusi, deputy director, AEPB, said the board would continue to invite mobile courts on weekly basis to address environmental nuisance.

Agbanusi said the impact of mobile court in the campaign against keeping unhealthy environment in the FCT was commendable.

He berated residents who refused to buy waste bins.

“It is worrisome that a lot of people do not buy waste bins. Indiscriminate dumping of wastes causes health problems. That is why we are doing everything possible to keep a clean and disease free city,” he said.

Life Is Hell, Arrested Boko Haram Member Confesses

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Life Is Hell, Arrested Boko Haram Member Confesses

A peep into the hellish and meaningless life lived members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect has been provided by one of them who confessed that that they live perpetually in fear.

The 22-year-old member, whose name is being withheld for security reasons, who was arrested by the army said he was forced into the sect by his brother who always came home with guns to hide.

According to him, his brother, who has since been killed in one of the deadly attacks launched by the sect, presented him with two choices – to join the sect or get killed by members or the soldiers that may come home looking for him.

“We launched an attack in Damboa and I was shot and my colleagues who thought that I was killed left me behind but later when I regained consciousness I crawled to the road,” he said.

Speaking further, he said: “I was picked up by the police later and I told them I was willing to volunteer information. I was asked by a senior police officer how I got recruited into the group which I told him, he later handed me over to the Army where I was kept since.”

He said once initiated into the group, it is difficult to denounce membership, as a census is conducted every week or two to determine whether any member had fled, and “any of us found missing will be looked for and if he is found would be slaughtered”.

The arrested member advised youths in the state to stay far away from the group because it is a life of hardship all the way.

Meanwhile, the 21 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army has said that the outlawed Boko Haram sect kill innocent citizens in the country’s North-east region as a way of venting out their anger and frustration.

The acting commander of the brigade, Ibrahim Yusuf, a colonel, who said this on Sunday at a news conference in Maiduguri, Borno State, assured that the army had introduced new measures to counter the insurgent’s attacks on civilians in the state.

“I want to assure you that the army is doing everything possible to ensure that no civilian is attacked by Boko Haram in the state because we are here to ensure the safety of all Nigerians,” he said.

Most times, the Boko Haram members go to remote villages to kill innocent civilians in cold blood because they have been frustrated by the army. They cannot operate in the open, so they vent their anger on innocent civilians,” he stated.

The acting commander who boasted about the prowess of his team said further: “we cannot be taken by surprise by the Boko Haram, the recent attacks are nothing but signs of weakness. We are also evolving strategies to make sure that we prevent future attacks, no matter how small.”

He also said that the army was willing to give safe passage to members of the sect who want to quit and urged those who want to embrace the offer to either surrender themselves at any military post or go to their ward or district head.

“Let me say again that all those who surrendered will not be killed but will be given safe passage,” he said.

FG To Track Crude Thieves Using ICTs

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FG To Track Crude Thieves Using ICTs

The federal government has announced plans to employ the use of technology in the clamping down on pipeline vandals and crude thieves in the country.

President Goodluck Jonathan made this known on Saturday at a two-day oil and gas investment forum in Onne, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Jonathan, who was represented by the Senate President, David Mark, said his administration has embarked on a number of “far-reaching measures” to tackle the menace, including putting in place mechanism to ensure that vandals find it extremely difficult to access petroleum pipelines.

“Government is exploring the possibility of using electronic pipeline surveillance to track down oil theft. To this end, I am calling on all relevant industries to ensure that all oil and gas related cargo are discharged only at the designated terminals,” he said.

The President also directed relevant agencies to ensure strict enforcement on the ban on the illegal discharge of cargo and receiving of vessels at private jetties, adding that steps should be taken to guard against the breach of national security and loss of revenue to the government.

Jonathan said the choice of the Onne oil and gas free trade zone was strategic, as it will showcase the investors’ confidence in the Nigerian economy.

According to him, government generated revenue in the zone has increased from $5.4 billion to $7.1 billion in 2013 and the Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, from $4 billion to $4.2 billion dollars in 2013.

“Available statistics indicate that the companies operating in the free zone have increased from 150 in 2011 to 170 in 2013, employment regeneration has increased from 30,000 in 2011 to 34,000 in 2013. Support to family livelihood has grown from 180,000 in 2011 to 200,000 in 2013. If these indices are not indicating an attractive environment for investors, I wonder what else they are,” he said.

The minister of industry, trade and investment, Olusegun Aganga, said the Oil and Gas Free Zone, OGFTZ, would continue to be a catalyst for the diversification of the economy.

“The oil and gas industry remains the prime mover of Nigeria’s economy, while the OGFTZ concept continues to be strategic in the facilitating of private sector investments in the sector,” he said.

74 Boko Haram Members Killed, Camps Destroyed In Borno Raid

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74 Boko Haram Members Killed, Camps Destroyed In Borno Raid

Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

A combined team of the Nigerian Army and Air Force has destroyed a Boko Haram camp in a Borno village, killing 74 members of the sect in the process.

The Army in a statement by the deputy director, public relations of the 7 Division Maiduguri, Muhammad Dole, a lieutenant colonel, said the troops destroyed other camps of the terrorists in Galangi and Kawanti villages within Mainok general area of the state.

He said that the operation which involved ground and aerial assault supported by Nigeria Air Force, caused several sect members to flee the destroyed camps with serious injuries.

Dole added that two soldiers were injured in the process, just as two Isuzu Tiger pick up vehicles and five Hilux Toyota vans belonging to the insurgents were destroyed.

“The General Officer Commanding 7 Division Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. obidah Ethan appreciates the general public for their resilience and cooperation by providing timely and credible information to security agencies,” the statement from the army read.

Ethan also reiterated the commitment of 7 Division to ensuring safety of lives and properties of all citizens within its area of responsibility.

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