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Borno Votes For National Conference

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Borno Votes For National Conference

By Musdapha Ilo

The Borno State government has thrown its weight behind the proposed National Conference, saying that there were certain topical issues it hopes to raise.

Addressing journalists at the weekend, the secretary to Borno State government, Baba Ahmed Jidda, said of utmost importance to the state government were issues which include revenue allocation and true federalism which had been raised in previous national debates on the constitution.

“To me as the secretary to Borno state government, and a former member of NRC and, in 1988, the Constitution Assembly, there is no reason for Borno State and its citizens not to participate at the forthcoming National Conference,” he said.

According to him, the state will fully participate in the conference without any fear or doubts, urging that there should be no “no go areas”, so as to make Nigerians have a sense of belonging.

Jidda, however, expressed opposition to a Sovereign National Conference, as demanded by some Nigerians, observing that in a democracy, such a parley would not be legal as there is a National Assembly in place.

The Borno government scribe also expressed hope that the outcome of the Femi Okuruonmu – led national dialogue committee would not be thrown into the dustbin but would be implemented.

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“What makes me unhappy is to make reasonable important and knowledgeable people come together, discuss, submit a report and you ignore it and not fully implement it as demanded by the people,” he said, lamenting what became of the report of previous national conferences reports.

He added: “We made very good reports on the previous National Conferences. The only thing we did not accept at the NRC, was the third term, mooted by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005”.

He urged that if the outcomes of the conference are to be transformed into law, they must be forwarded to the National Assembly for ratification or subjected to a referendum of the people.

Again, 20 Killed, 10 Injured In Borno

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Twenty persons were gunned down early Sunday morning in Logomani village, Dikwa local government area of Borno state by unknown gunmen.

The attackers believed to be members of the Boko Haram sect invaded the village between 6:00am and 9:00am after spying out the place about a week ago.

Bukar Alhaji Gana, a resident of Logomani told reporters that, about a week before the attack there was rumour that, some members of the Boko Haram group were seen in the area and headed towards Marte area.

“We were told that some of the Boko Haram sect members came around and warned some people, but left almost immediately towards Marte,” he said.

According to him, those who alleged have seen the sect members warned residents of the area to avoid certain places in Ngamboru/Ngala and Tchad.

Ten others persons were reportedly injured in the attack before the invaders were dispatched by soldiers who pursued them to the forest surrounding Ngamboru/Ngala.

It was learnt that the attackers who were clad in military uniforms, left with some women of easy virtue who were normally at the service of the travelling truck drivers after extorting money from some of the truck drivers.

A passenger, who narrowly escaped being killed by the sect members, revealed to journalists in Maiduguri  that the attackers that stopped their vehicle shot at three passengers and slaughtered 14 other persons before someone alert them that soldiers were coming which made them to flee on their motorcycles into the bush.

“When they stopped us, we thought they were soldiers until they began to ask us to come out of the car, it was then we realised they were Boko Haram insurgents. They were dressed in military uniform and killed about 20 before they fled when they were told soldiers are coming,” he narrated.

However, the army could not be reached for confirmation of this report.

 

Ribadu Laments Cost Of ASUU Strike

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Ribadu Laments Cost Of ASUU Strike

The 2011 presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Nuhu Ribadu, says the ongoing strike by university lecturers is a costly action for the country and should be resolved without further delay. 
 
Speaking on Saturday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital while chairing the public presentation of a book, Ribadu explained that the inability of the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to reach a compromise may be depriving the country of the needed quality manpower as students rust away at home.

 He said no doubt, the country’s universities need better funding but that in pressing for that, caution should be applied and called on both sides to urgently bring the university teachers’ industrial action to an end.
 
“Nobody wins in this supremacy game. Rather, the students, who are the proverbial grass in this fight of the elephants, are the ones paying direly for it. This also ultimately draws us back as a nation as a lot of potential and talent could be wasted as this strike rage on,” he said. 
 
Ribadu also bemoaned the poor quality of Law graduates in the country.
 
“Those students who would come out to be judges, lawyers and prosecutors need adequate and early exposure to these Laws if they are to contribute positively to the development of our justice sector. This is especially important in the light of embarrassing quality of Lawyers being churned out of our campuses, which is a reflection of the entire system,” he said.

He asked Nigerians to familiarise themselves with anti-corruption and financial crimes laws, reasoning that they “protect our commonwealth and also guide our conduct. They also adequately empower citizens to take action and raise the alarm when they suspect foul play”.
 
Ribadu also called on concerned authorities to make the extant laws available to promote awareness, not only for relevant stakeholders but to all Nigerians.

The former EFCC boss said: “Ignorance of the law, as the maxim goes, is not a defence. But it is only fair that these laws are made substantially available especially to address the appalling level of ignorance of the Law by those who should be applying it: members of the entire justice sector – the Police, the Courts, the Prosecutors, etc.”
 
Ribadu commended the writer of the book for “the patriotic and painstaking effort of compiling our existing anti-corruption laws. 
 
“I am glad to report that it is an important addition to Law literature which would be found useful by all stakeholders in the justice system,” he said.
 
The book titled “Compendium of Anti-Corruption Laws in Nigeria” was authored by Chuma C. Chinye, a barrister who is also the Rivers State commissioner for commerce and industries.

Nigeria Will Not Disintegrate – Abdulsalami

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Nigeria Will Not Disintegrate – Abdulsalami

 

Former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, has observed that Nigeria remains indivisible in spite of fears in some quarters of it’s possible disintegration by 2015.
Abubakar who said this in Minna, Niger State, over the weekend while speaking to journalists, observed that the umbilical cord that holds the country together was too strong to be broken.

“God has joined us together. Whether you break Nigeria into pieces, we will remain joined by our umbilical cord. No matter what happens our umbilical cord is still there. We will live together either as neighbours or as communities,” he said.

The former military ruler called on all Nigerians to live together in peace and harmony and to work towards achieving peace and security in the nation, adding that the security of the nation cannot be left in the hands of government alone.

He described those engaged in oil theft as unpatriotic, urging them to search their consciences and turn a new leaf.

“It is sad that some people are unpatriotic. They think they are getting their share by stealing whereas they are not. I want them to search their conscience to see if they are doing the right thing and turn a new leaf so that we can have a peaceful and developing country,” he said.

Abdulsalami also appealed to the striking university lecturers to call off their strike in the collective interest of the country and urged the government to see to their “legitimate” demands in spite of dwindling resources.

“I appeal to everybody to give peace a chance. Let the striking lecturers sheathe their swords. The government should also resolve issues at stake as fast as possible,” he said.

He said strike is normal all over the world but that in Nigeria, it has been abused and advised the lecturers to consider the government’s coffers and be “reasonable” in their demands.

Jonathan Begs ASUU To Reconsider Stand

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Jonathan Begs ASUU To Reconsider Stand

President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday appealed to the striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to return to the classrooms in the interest of the students.

Jonathan made the appeal at the inauguration of the three-storey College of Engineering Complex at the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Ekiti State.

He said that whatever the grievances of the union might be, keeping students out of school for four months was unpatriotic.

“I once again appeal to the entire membership of ASUU to pause and ponder on the adverse effect of their action on the future of the vibrant youths of this great nation. The collective destiny of tens of thousands of tomorrow’s leaders should not be held hostage to vagaries of labour disputes,” he said.

He added: “As long as we are humans, as long as we are a developing society, this labour dispute must come up…even in the developed societies we hear about labour dispute and there is no society, even the most developed, that has provided the facilities for every worker.”

The President also noted that security operatives in the country – the Police, the Armed Forces, Navy, Air Force and para-military and intelligent services – are also operating in an environment that is not the best.

“If all of us should go on long strike because our environment is not at its optimum, then definitely we can never get the Nigeria of our dream,” he said.

The President stressed that the freedom of association and the right of workers to go on strike should not be abused to harm the country’s interest.

“No matter how and what you feel about Mr president and the federal government, I plead with ASUU that for the sake of our students, they should resume classes,” Jonathan said.

He assured that the government would continue to work with all Nigerians to build a better country for all and future generation, noting that as long government had shown commitment to improving the qualities of infrastructure in the universities and the operating environment, ASUU should reconsider its stand.

Governors Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo, Ramalan Yero of Kaduna, Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe and the host governor, Kayode Fayemi, attended the ceremony.

Also in attendance were Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade, Minister of State for FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide and a senator, Phillip Aduda.

The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Festus Adejugbe, other traditional rulers and prominent citizens from the state were also in attendance.

Students Barricade East-West Road Over ASUU Strike

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Students Barricade East-West Road Over ASUU Strike

By Jessica Tamaradonye, Asaba

Thousands of Nigerian students under the umbrella of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, today barricaded the Niger River Bridge head, in Asaba, in protest over the four month-old strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

The protest resulted in heavy traffic, preventing commuters and motorists from making their way to and from the eastern part of the country.

The angry students urged ASUU to put an end to the strike for the sake of posterity and receive the N40 billion offered by the federal government or go to court to seek redress rather than taking the law into its hands by embarking on an indefinite strike.

National president of NANS, Yinka Gbadebo, who led the protest, with support of his counterpart in the National Association of Polytechnics Students, NAPS, Salahadau Lukman, wondered who between ASUU and the federal government was deceiving students that are at the receiving end of the impasse.

Motorists and other road users were forced to make a detour through rough hedges of the road and path-ways before escaping the barricade mounted by the protesting students numbering over 5,000-strong who chanted solidarity songs.

The NANS president condemned the forceful stay at home students have been subjected to by the striking lecturers, just as he queried why ASUU was always using students to settle scores with federal government.

“Who will pay us for disruptions in our academic calendar? Our parents are tired, we too are also tired. Why are lecturers in state universities on strike against FG? Is FG equally responsible for infrastructures in state universities? What are the real demands of ASUU?”

While querying why ASUU was demanding for transfer of landed properties via the union’s holdings, the students debunked the allegation by ASUU that the students’ protests was being sponsored by the federal government just as they hailed President Goodluck Jonathan for offering over N40 billion to the union.

NUJ calls for the immortalization of Dele Giwa

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NUJ calls for the immortalization of Dele Giwa

By Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has called for the immortalization of Dele Giwa, founding Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch Magazine who was killed with a parcel bomb 27 years ago.

The NUJ made the call Saturday through its national vice president, Zone F, Seiyafa Uzaka, at a special meeting with the leadership of Edo State council of the union in Benin City.

According to Uzaka, journalists in Nigeria should consider themselves as military men, who need to “be gallant enough, tell the truth all the time and when you tell the truth and even die in the truth, lamenting, however, that “some of us even sell ourselves for one penny.”

“One man cannot do everything. A man can do his part and another will continue. It is unfortunate that that happened, and today we mark the death of hero in journalism, Dele Giwa He is a person I feel we should emulate. We were looking up to learn more things from him and the unfortunate thing happened.”

Also eulogizing Giwa, secretary of the zone, Edward Ogude, described him as a journalist per excellence.

“He was an epitome of investigative journalism and he paid with his life and that is to show that he was a journalist to the core, he paid with his life who had the interest of the nation at heart, he believed in Nigeria, he believed in the progress of this country, he believed in the fight against corruption, he believed in the fight for the freedom of the oppressed and that was he went to that extent that he unearthed,” he said.

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“He brought out of issues that were hidden from the public, he wanted the people t know, to bring to the fore what was happening in the dark with a view t correcting the ills of the society but the military did not see it that way, they saw him as a threat and that was why he paid with his life”.

“Dele Giwa was a journalist to the core, a journalist that stood and lived out that name and that is why we must continue to do something unique every time he is being remembered either by the NUJ or the Guild f Editors, they must come together to d something to remember him,” Ogude said.

Dele Giwa was murdered on Sunday, 19 October, 1986 through a parcel bomb delivered to his house by yet to be identified men.

 

ICPC Probes Money Laundering Through Medical Tourism

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, is investigating some public servants who are believed to be laundering money in the guise of seeking medical attention abroad.

For several weeks, the agency has focused its searchlight on the illegal activities of fraudsters who procure fake documents for Nigerians seeking to travel abroad and now believes that some public servants might be laundering money abroad in the guise of seeking medical care.

“The Commission is further probing the links between some public servants and money laundering/transfers under the guise of seeking medical attention abroad,” the agency said in a statement at the weekend.

The commission says it has arrested 13 suspected Visa fraudsters in Lagos over the past two-weeks as part of efforts improve local business climate and transnational transactions in the country.

According to a statement by the head of media, ICPC, Folu Olamiti, the suspects were picked up at different locations where they were caught using forged public documents like bank statements and letters from government agencies or for aiding and abetting the production of same to procure visas at the Indian High Commission in Lagos.

The latest arrests effected last weekend involved five suspects, three of whom were involved in the production of fake documents to satisfy visa requirements, while a fourth person was in possession of suspicious travel documents.

The fifth suspect, a lady named Philomena Nwanorue, was arrested for allegedly colluding with someone in India to procure a fake invitation letter from an Indian Hospital.

She allegedly pleaded for the release of her travelling documents to enable her go for a follow-up treatment in an Indian Hospital, but the Commission says it is awaiting confirmation from the hospital to clear her.

The other four suspects are Alimi Sunday, Amos Edema Enabulele, Samuel Oboiako and Azeez Mujeeb Abiodun.

Operatives of ICPC cordoned off the business centre used for the production of the fake documents, conducted a search and impounded computers and printers for thorough forensic analysis.

The commission says it is worried by the increasing number of petitions received from patients seeking medical attention abroad after being duped by some freelance agents.

It will be recalled that last week ICPC had issued a visa scam advisory warning intending travellers of the consequences of patronising dubious travel agents and touts to obtain visas through corrupt practices.

Army Short Changes Nigerian Peacekeepers

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Army Short Changes Nigerian Peacekeepers

By Musdapha Ilo

Nigerian soldiers who recently returned from a UN special peace-keeping mission in northern Mali have alleged they were short-changed by the Army.

The soldiers, numbering about 100, who returned to the country on August 1 and were immediately deployed to Borno State to combat the Boko Haram insurgency, told journalists in Maiduguri on Friday that their operation allowances in Mali, part of which was paid to them on arrival, was slashed.

“They know we cannot protest because of the rule of engagement and they cheated us after we have risked our lives, left our families for seven months,” one of the soldiers complained.

It was learnt that instead of the N164, 500 ($1,028) per month, totalling over $7, 000 US dollar for the seven months which each participant in the Mali operation was expected to receive, they got between $5,000 and $5,420 US dollar without any explanation.

The soldiers noted that this treatment was unfair, noting that some of their colleagues who went to the operation with their bosses or those who have god-father received full payments.

“When we asked what happened to the balance of over $2,000 dollar, the pay officers simply told us that was what they were instructed to do. It is sad our ogas are treating us like this and feeding fat on us on the field,” another soldier said.

Another operational allowance, about $38 US dollar was equally slashed as the soldiers were allegedly paid paltry $20.

 

Aviation Ministry Declares War on Armoured Car Whistleblower – Premium Times

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Aviation Ministry Declares War on Armoured Car Whistleblower – Premium Times

Nigeria’s Aviation Ministry may have decided to go after its official that allegedly leaked the information of the purchase of two armoured vehicles for the minister, Stella Oduah, Premium Times has reported.

This was hinted by Folayele Akinkuotu, the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, at a press conference at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

Mr. Akinkuotu said Nicholas Edwards, a staff of the ministry who allegedly leaked the information to journalists, is now on the run. He also condemned the leak that exposed the purchase of the two armoured cars for N255 million.

He said the two vehicles, purchased for N255 million, are meant to serve both the Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, and aviation-related foreign dignitaries.

The minister has come under attack by Nigerians and civil society organisations with many calling for her sack.

Reports say Mrs. Oduah compelled the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, an agency under her supervision, in a presumed case of corruption, conflict of interest, and abuse of office, to procure the cars for her with public funds.

Documents show that the transaction to procure the cars started last June.  Things were then sped up with the cars delivered on 15.

In a letter dated August 13, 2013, J.D Nkemakolam, the former Acting Managing Director of the NCAA, sent a letter to the Managing Director of Coscharis Motors asking the company to deliver two BMW 760 armoured vehicles to the agency based on a pro-forma invoice dated June 25, 2013 at the cost of N127, 575,000 ($796,846.21) each.

The total amount for the two black BMW Li HSS vehicles, with chassis numbers WBAHP41050DW68032 and WBAHP41010DW68044 respectively, was N255,150,000, or $1,593,687.31.

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