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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.

Court Upholds Tukur-Led Faction As Authentic

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Court Upholds Tukur-Led Faction As Authentic

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday ordered Kawu Baraje, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and Sam Jaja to stop parading themselves as national officers of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The presiding judge, Justice Evoh Chukwu gave the order while delivering judgement in a suit filed by the national chairman of the party, Bamanga Tukur and 12 others on September 6.

Justice Chukwu also restrained the respondents from operating secretariats of the New PDP at the national, state or local levels and from interfering with the duties of the “Bamanga Tukur-led leadership of the party”.

It would be recalled that prior to the judgement, the defendants, hitherto declared themselves as executive officers of a splinter group of the party popularly referred to as the New PDP.

The court further ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, not to cancel the result of the special convention of the party organised on August 31 at the Eagles Square in Abuja.

Earlier, the judge dismissed all the respondents’ preliminary objections raised against the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit as well as allegations that the plaintiffs abused court process by instituting the suit.

Reacting to the ruling, the national publicity secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, said the jugement is ”absolutely clear, direct and unambiguous”.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the ruling of the court in this regard is absolutely clear, direct and unambiguous. The PDP has only one duly elected National Executive Committee (NEC) under the national chairmanship of Tukur,” he said in a statement.

He added that the leadership of the PDP would no longer tolerate or condone any meeting, utterances, press statements and activities by the faction.

“Our leaders chose the path of caution and decorum, but our reconciliatory moves and offer of olive branch are treated with the highest disdain and viewed as signs of weakness. The NWC has, therefore, directed that the name, colour, flag and the provisions of constitution of our party must be held sacrosanct by our members,” he said.

The party spokesman thanked all members who had kept faith and remained loyal to the party`s constitution through its trying time.

Oshiomhole signs death penalty law for kidnapping

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Oshiomhole signs death penalty law for kidnapping

By Jefferson Ibiwale

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Friday, signed the states Kidnapping Prohibition Law as amended, which prescribes the death penalty for kidnappers.

Speaking while signing the law, the governor said government would do everything within its powers to ensure the safety of lives and property in the state.

According to him “I have just signed into law a bill amending the Kidnapping Provision Law 2009 as amended by the state House of Assembly which now prescribes death penalty for anyone who is involved in any form of kidnapping.

“We have had enough laws in our statute books that provide for various degrees of punishment for various offences. I think the real challenge is about law enforcement and dealing with the problem of impunity. Laws will be worthless if we do not have the capacity to apprehend, interrogate, persecute and interrogate criminals and invoke the full weight of the law.

“I am convinced that within the three arms of government of the legislative, the Judiciary and the Executive, we have a responsibility to make laws and enforce those laws in a way that would send clear signals to those involved in acts of criminality whether they are kidnappers, armed robbers, rapists that the security agencies now much more determined than ever before to ensure that this state becomes too hot for criminals to operate”, he said.

Oshiomhole said the  overwhelming majority of the criminals are migrant criminals from nieighbouring states and far away to perpetuate crime, adding that everything is being done to ensure that the security agencies put a security machinery in place to fight the menace.

The governor assured “I want to assure the good people of Edo State that government is concerned about the state of kidnapping. We share the pain, the agony and trauma which victims of kidnap are all subjected to, but  I assure our people that everything is being done to keep these criminals in check.

“Having signed into law the death penalty, let me assure the good people of Edo State that as reluctant as one wants to be in matters of life and death. I am convinced that the overriding public interest dictates that we invoke the maximum penalty available in our law on those involved in the act of kidnapping. Anyone sentenced and convicted, I would sign the death warrant.”

The governor disagreed with those who argue that kidnapping is a result of unemployment, saying “no one should try to trivialise very complex issues”.

Oshiomhole said “we need coordinated efforts to deal with the problem of crime in Nigeria”, restating that the Governor does not have the  power to deal with any security officer who might have misbehaved or through whose negligence the people might have been exposed to any criminal act.

“At best, we are able to provide resources and equipment as we have tried to do within our limited resources in spite of the fact that the language, the letter and the spirit of the constitution is clear that security matters are federal issues which is why the federal government continues to have monopoly of the police and of all the armed forces and the state security services. None of these comes under the control of the state government”, he said.

“I am convinced as a matter of fact that the Federal Government is doing its best to arm and equip the police and the other security agencies. There are no quick-fix solutions to the issue of crime. Criminals are not in limited number that you exterminate and go and sleep”, he added.

He assured the people that government is doing everything to make the state uncomfortable for criminals.

 

ASUU Rejects New Funding Deal, Continues Strike

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ASUU Rejects New Funding Deal, Continues Strike

Despite continued promises of additional funds made by the federal government, striking lecturers say they will continue with their action until a 2009 agreement is implemented.

The federal government had on Wednesday agreed to add N10billion to the initially released N30billion for the earned allowance of the university staff and a plan to inject between N600 and N800 billion into the universities before 2017.

However, the union insisted on the 2009 agreement, noting that President Goodluck Jonathan was part of the negotiation.

“It was this same Mr President that mid-wifed the agreement in 2009 when he was the Vice President. The MoU was in his custody. He studied the agreement well before asking then President Umaru Yar’Adua to sign it. We can’t trust this government,” the union lamented.

Reacting to the government offer last night, the national treasurer of ASUU, Ademola Aremu, said the offer failed to meet the teachers’ expectations.

He noted that the union is not making any new demand but asking for a mere implementation of an agreement. He pointed out that the MOU signed by both parties in 2009 stated that the government would commit N1.5 trillion to the system in three years.

Aremu maintained that ASUU would not end the strike until the 2009 agreement is fully implemented by injecting N500 billion into the universities yearly to shore up the system’s quality.

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“Even if the Federal Government made that promise, it would be a unilateral repudiation of the 2009 agreement. By now, the government should have injected N500 billion. That amounts to N100 billion in 2012 and N400 billion in the current year,” Aremu added.

Aremu stated that what the union requested is the actual implementation of the agreement reached and not promises.

“What if they do not release the funds again after making the promise”? he queried.

 

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