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Jonathan Inaugurates Advisory Committee On National Conference

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Jonathan Inaugurates Advisory Committee On National Conference

Caption: President Jonathan and members of the Advisory Committee on National Dialogue in a group photograph

President Goodluck Jonathan has inaugurated the 13-man national advisory committee saddled with the task of working out modalities for a national dialogue which he believes will promote understanding among citizens and expand the frontiers of inclusiveness in governance.

While inaugurating the committee on Monday in Abuja, thevPresident emphasised that the national talk is a sincere and fundamental national project that aims to realistically examine and resolve longstanding impediments to the country’s growth and development.

He said as challenges emerge season after season, leaders must respond to them with best available strategies to ensure that the ship of state remains steady in its voyage.

“Nations rise to the challenges that each epoch presents. It is imperative therefore, that in our march to nationhood, we have to be dynamic in our approach and response to the problems, even as we seek solutions to them. We cannot proffer yesterday’s solutions to today’s problems,” the President said.

Making references to several conferences held in Nigeria along with their corresponding benefits which include the present constitution, the President expressed the view that the conference will allow for a robust outcome that would lead to greater understanding and a more cohesive and inclusive union.

“Clearly, every dialogue adds something valuable to our evolving Nation. The urgency of a National Conversation in the present therefore, need not be over emphasized. As we continue to strive to build a strong and virile Nation, especially in the midst of agitations and tensions, we cannot deny the fact that sitting down to talk is one right step in calming down tensions and channelling our grievances, misgivings and suggestions into more positive use for the good of our Country.” he said.

According to him, the concept of participatory democracy is such that even after the people have given their representatives the mandate to make laws and act on their behalf, there is also a space for the governed to make further input into the political processes, without undermining the authority of the statutory bodies.

“Sovereignty continues to be with the people even as the people evolve strategies and tactics to strengthen its foundation for the benefit of successor generations. It is this sort of collaboration between the people and established institutions of government, that this conference aims to promote,” Jonathan added.

He also addressed scepticism expressed in some quarters about the need for a national conference and fears that it would further create division among citizens.

He said: “I will therefore like to allay the fears of those who think the Conference will call the integrity of Nigeria into question. This National Discourse will strengthen our union and address issues that are often on the front burner, and are too frequently ignored.”

Continuing, he said: “I was one of those who exhibited scepticism on the need for another Conference or Dialogue. My scepticism was borne out of the nomenclature of such a Conference, taking into cognizance existing democratic structures that were products of the will of the people.”

President Jonathan urged the committee chaired by Femi Okurounmu to consult widely before sitting down to develop the framework that will guide and guard the proceedings of the discussions.

“In the task before you, no voice is too small and no opinion is irrelevant. Thus, the views of the sceptics and those of the enthusiasts must be accommodated as you formulate this all important framework,” he said.

Other members of the committee are: Akilu Indabawa, Secretary; a former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, George Obiozor; Khairat Gwadabe; Timothy Adudu, Tony Nyiam, a retired colonel; Funke Adebayo, Mairo Amshi, Abubakar Sadiq, Dauda Birma, Buhari Bello and Tony Uranta.

Ben Nwabueze, a senior advocate of Nigeria and named member of the committee has opted out citing health reasons.

The committee has been given six weeks to submit its report.

Anambra Guber: Ezeemo’s aide escapes assassination Attempt

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Anambra Guber: Ezeemo’s aide escapes assassination Attempt

The Inspector General of Police has been asked to order investigation into the alleged assassination attempt on the media director of the Godwin Ezeemo Campaign organization, Okey Nwoke.

Ezeemo is vying the governorship in the forthcoming Anambra elections under the platform of the People’s Progressive Alliance PPA.

Nwoke recounted to journalist his ordeal in the hands of hired assassins whom he said nearly killed him for abandoning the All Progressives Congress for the PPA.

He said he was attacked by riffle wielding young men numbering about six who trailed him for a while before blocking his path when he tried to overtake them.

His attackers, he said, operated in two cars; a maroon coloured SUV and a Toyota Camry car. While the SUV drove in front of him, the Toyota trailed behind with him in the middle the whole time.

“I left my home in Enugwu Adazi in Anaocha LGA for Mr Ezeemo’s place as we had a scheduled meeting today, and all the directors of Ezeemo campaign were supposed to meet in his house.

“As I drove through Igboukwu, I noticed a Toyota Camry car painted in ash colour following me. I did not suspect anything until I noticed another jeep in front of me which was not speeding as it should. It was when I made to overtake him that Camry and jeep blocked me, and before I could realize it, the two back doors of the car were open and two boys carrying AK 47 riffles stepped out and aimed at me.”

He said as he engaged his gear in reverse and waited to see their reaction, one of the two men shouted “he is the one; he left APC; this is the man!”

He told journalists that it was at this point that he sensed danger and began to reverse, which prompted the men to start shooting and running after him on foot.

victim 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nwoye’s vehicle after the assasination attempt

“Their cars also reversed and raced towards me and as they slowed for the two gun men to enter the cars, I also took the opportunity to reverse and started speeding away, while they pursued and shot at me. It was like something from the scene of a movie,” he said.

Nwoke said that from all indication, the assassination attempt on him was motivated by politics as the men who tried to killed him clearly stated that they were carrying out the attack because he left the APC for PPA where his principal, Ezeemo, who had run on the platform of APC against Ngige decamped after he lost at the primary election.

In a press conference last week to state the reason why Ezeemo dumped APC for PPA, Nwoke stated that he took the step after the merger deal, but left the party to join Ezeemo in PPA because he was rigged out of the primary election unjustly.
When our correspondent called Emeka Chukwuemeka, the Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command for confirmation, he said that he was not aware of the incident as he had not been briefed by the Area Commander of the Aguata Division.

The victim, Nwoke however told journalists that he has made entry at Nnanka police station and has been assured that the matter will be investigated.

Speaking on the incident, the chairman of PPA in Anambra State, Kanayochukwu Obidigbo, condemned it and on the Inspector General of Police to order a thorough investigation of the matter.

“We want the police and other security agencies in the country to take this seriously. I did not know that people will go to that extent in politics. Since Ezeemo joined PPA and started his campaigns, other aspirants have noticed that he is the man to beat, and they have been working to bring him down. The IG must ensure security for our candidate and even Nwoke who they are targeting now,” he said.

ICPC Warns Travellers, Travel Agents Against Visa Scam

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has warned those seeking to travel abroad, especially desperate young Nigerian, to undertake business, academic, leisure or medical trips, to be wary of using touts and dubious travel agencies in the procurement of visas.

Spokesman of the commission, Folu Olamiti, said the ICPC is set to investigate corrupt processes in visa acquisition as a result of recent arrests of culprits throughout the country.

He said most of these dubious agents usually hang around the vicinity of embassies and feed their clients with all sorts of false information, including claiming that they would not be required to physically appear for visa interviews at the embassies or high commissions.

“Our investigations show that these agents usually make mouth-watering claims of procuring lucrative jobs, citizenships and academic placements abroad for clients in addition to procuring visas in record time,” the ICPC said.

It said further that the dubious agents and touts offer services which include facilitation for the acquisition of international passports, assistance in filling their clients’ details in online visa application forms and the provision of required support travel documents.

These support documents are often times forged and include cloned bank statements, birth certificates, fake or real admission letters from foreign schools and invitation letters for professional, religious and academic conferences; business concerns or from family and friends.

According to the commission, the agents invariably provide misleading and incorrect personal data including wrong addresses, next- of-kin for emergency contact, employment records and referees.

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“These improper documentations, in this era of international terrorist activities, can lead to unintended hardships for their clients through discrepancies in data stored on their e-passport, driving licence, credit cards, school records and curriculum vitae,” it warned.

The commission further added that travelers, agents and anyone who collaborates with these fake agents risk being arrested or sanctioned.

“For avoidance of doubt intending travellers should contact reputable Travel Agencies, the Nigerian Immigration Service or embassies directly for clarification,” the ICPC added.

PDP Lose 16 Members In To APC In Borno

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PDP Lose 16 Members In To APC In Borno

Musdapha Ilo -Maiduguri

No fewer than sixteen executive members of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Borno State have defected to the All Progressive Congress, APC.

The sixteen includes the PDP chairman at Gubio local government area, secretary ward leaders, youth and women leaders of the party in the area.

About two weeks ago, three out of the 19 members of the party’s executive in the area led by a former House of Representatives member, Fanta Gubio had announced their defection to the APC, citing lack of vision and good leadership in the PDP as reasons for their movement.

Now the remaining 16 members led by a former PDP House of Assembly candidate in 2003 and 2007, Mustapha Fanami, stormed the Hovernment House in Maiduguri to pledge allegiance to the new party.

They told the governor that their decision to join the APC was taken after careful assessment of the performance of the government in health, education, agriculture and roads, adding that they concluded the governor and his party “have good intention for the people of the state.”

They also assured that they would work assiduously to move APC to success in all election in 2015.

Receiving the new members, the governor of the state, Kashim Shettima, expressed joy at their decampment, saying it was important for all the politicians to work together for peace to return to the state.

“The movement of the remaining 16 executive members in the local government today has completed the process as we now have all the 19 exco members of PDP in Gubio Local Government in our party,” the governor said.

He added: “Gubio Local Government is one of the key area in Northern Borno and we are really craving to have total control in that area and the entire northern Borno.”

FG Suspends Dana Air Again

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FG Suspends Dana Air Again

The federal government has again suspended the operations of Dana Air’s nationwide to allow it conduct operational audit on the carrier and its planes.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, said Sunday night, that the decision was part of precautionary measure to ensure safety of passengers after the airline had an air return.

“I can confirm the suspension of Dana Air’s operations to you. They had an air return from Port Harcourt and they have been suspended for precautionary measures. The airline is under investigation,” Fan Ndubuoke, spokesperson of the NCAA said.

The aircraft, laden with passengers was Lagos bound but lost one of its engines after flying 38 miles from Port Harcourt and had to make an air return.

It would be recalled that Dana Air had a crashed plane last year in which 163 people died.

The latest suspension of Dana’s operations made it the third time the NCAA would be grounding the carrier over safety and other related issues.

The government had on June 5, 2012 revoked the operational licence of Dana, two days after its Boeing MD-83 crashed in Iju-Ishaga, Lagos.

On March 17, 2013, the government suspended the operations of airline again in order to “resolve certain safety issues,” according to the NCAA.

It is not clear how long the latest suspension would last.

Meanwhile, the Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, has announced the commencement of investigations into the causes of the crash of an Associated Airlines flight on Thursday and the near-crash of a Kabo Air plane on Saturday.

A statement from the agency on Sunday confirmed that the readout of the recordings of the Associated Airlines’ flight recorders had started.

The statement signed by the commissioner, AIB, Muktar Usman, said: “We have commenced investigation into the crash of the Embraer 120 ER aircraft marked 5N-BJY belonging to Associated Aviation Limited.”

It added: “Flight recorders of the ill-fated aircraft have been recovered and will be downloaded at the Bureau’s newly installed flight laboratory at its Abuja headquarters. The readout of the recorders has commenced.”

In a separate statement, the AIB also said investigations had commenced into the incident involving a Kabo Air B747 plane, which occurred in Sokoto on Friday.

The aircraft, carrying Saudi Arabia-bound pilgrims, was believed to have had burst tyres on landing.

“The AIB investigators have been dispatched to conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident to determine the probable cause. The investigation is not to apportion blame or liability, but to prevent future re-currence of similar incidents and improve air safety through safety recommendations,” the statement explained.

Oshiomhole flays residents doctors over strike

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Oshiomhole flays residents doctors over strike

By Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has criticized the ongoing strike by the Association of Resident Doctors in Nigeria, saying it negates their professional ethics.

Oshiomhole spoke when he received National President of Nigeria Medical Association Osahon Enabulele in his office, in Government House, Benin City, at the weekend.

Oshiomhole said “part of the problem of Nigeria’s medical practice has to do with resident doctors. I was watching television and I learnt that resident doctors are on strike. Resident doctors are considered as student doctors in other environment. As student doctors, they cannot be behaving as if they have become experts already.

“And because they are students, they are supposed to go through certain routine that are rigorous. In the U.S., the resident doctors, even if he become a chief resident, his or her pay may be about half until when he becomes a consultant. When apprentice resorts to strike, there are other issues, issues of ethics and commitment”, he noted.

The Governor remarked: “if a man were to take ill, now that resident doctors are on strike, the man will wait until the strike is called off before he goes to the hospital. Somebody told me that in some countries it borders on treason if a doctor watches a patient  die on account of his or her personal welfare. If he chooses to read medicine, you have offered first and foremost to save lives, compensation will follow. Issues of appropriate compensation cannot be an excuse why a man should be allowed to die”.

“I think all of us have to begin to do something differently. Nigeria is becoming famous or infamous, more from the days we don’t work rather than the days we work.”

Oshiomhole noted that the idea of a medical check-up for individual is important, saying “most medical conditions, if discovered early, certain steps can be taken to manage it much more than would be the case if the illness is assumed certain complications.

“It is fair for me that health being part of our responsibility, whatever we can do to promote and sensitize our people to check their health status it would be worthwhile”, he added.

He urged the NMA “to help us to sensitise the people to recognize that some  of our public obligation requires that we collect more  taxes  and that it is  in the interest of those  who earn taxable income to pay tax so that we can provide  for the security of our people and keep our environment going.

He asserted “we must rebuild our country and manage our resources more prudently and fight corruption in our government and ensure that we have government that is accountable”.

Oshiomhole said “If we are not making the right level of investment, in building infrastructure, insecurity will continue. Without investment we are not going to have the jobs”.

Earlier, President of the Nigeria Medical Association,  Enabulele said that the Association have commenced free medical mission in various states of Nigeria.

He said “to improve the health behaviour of Nigerians, and ultimately ensure a healthy polity, the Nigeria Medical Association is zestfully working to advance the frontiers of health check-up and health awareness in Nigeria.

“We call for your Excellency’s political and legislative support in this direction by taking the lead as the first state to create a day for free health check-up by her citizens. If this is done, we assure our Comrade Governor that the disease burden in Edo State, particularly the incidence and prevalence of Non-Communicable Disease (NCDs) will be drastically reduced”, he noted.

2 Killed In Early Sunday Attack In Borno

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2 Killed In Early Sunday Attack In Borno

By Musdapha Ilo

A nurse and a prison guard were killed Sunday morning when an unknown gang of gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect invaded the hilly town of Gwoza, in Borno State.

Those killed have been identified as Alabeji Ahmadu, a nurse at the general hospital and Abba Sastawa, a prison guard.

According to eyewitness account, the gunmen arrived the town in a Golf Volkswagen vehicle and two motorcycles at about 4.45am Sunday morning, shooting indiscriminately in all directions. The nurse was hit by a bullet that eventually killed her, while Sastawa’s throat was slit open.

With more shootings and chants of “Allahu Akbar” which means “God is Great”, the gunmen escaped towards Kurana Bassa village which leads to Gwoza Hills, where some of them are believed to have been hiding since the declaration of state of emergency in the state.

A commercial driver, Isa Haruna, who fled to Maiduguri yesterday, told journalists at the Bama Motor Park that the sound of gunshots kept him and his family awake throughout the night and prompted his relocation to Maiduguri the state capital.

“We could not sleep throughout the night of Saturday, as the gunmen continue to shoot sporadically for over four hours…some of our children are crying that they are to be shot also…this forced me to relocate and flee this morning to Maiduguri with nine of my family members, including six children,” he said.

He said further that because of the incessant attacks and killings in Gwoza town and villages of Pulka, Kwatara, Barawa and of recent Kirawa, a border town with Cameroon, where 20 people were killed on a market day of last Saturday, residents of Gwoza are fleeing to neighbouring towns of Madagali and Michika in Adamawa state.

“We cannot return to our residences in Gwoza council area, until the security of our life and properties are guaranteed by soldiers, because even the policemen in our area are not spared by the insurgents, whenever they attack our communities and wards in Gwoza,” he said.

It was impossible to get official confirmation of the killing, but a senior police officer told journalists that two residents were shot dead by armed hoodlums in Gwoza town, while three other people sustained injuries, in an attempt to flee their attacked residences.

APC Decries Worsening Crisis In Rivers

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The All Progressives Congress, APC, has decried what it called the worsening impunity and the human rights violation in Rivers State “against those perceived to be against the President” and has urged Nigerians to lend their voices in the call for restoration of sanity in the state.

The national publicity secretary of the party, Lai Mohammed,  described the controversial police commissioner of the state, Mbu Joseph, as a malleable officer who has put himself above the laws of the land and is now, undoubtedly, the alternate Inspector-General of Police, who can neither be queried nor redeployed because he enjoys presidential backing.

“Imagine every State Police Commissioner in Nigeria behaving like Alternate IGP Mbu, who neither respects nor takes orders
from the man constitutionally saddled with ensuring security in his state. Imagine every State Police Commissioner having the
powers to determine who can move around and where, or who can assemble and where, just like Alternate IGP Mbu,” the party wondered.

He said a situation where the chief security officer of the state has been put in a position where he is fearful for his own life is “madness”.

The APC further expressed fears that the insubordination of the police commissioner in Rivers State, if not contained, is capable of spreading to other states and ultimately could subvert elections in 2015.

“While we may think this madness is restricted only to Rivers State, the danger is that if those behind the Rivers crisis can get away with their impunity” it noted , and asked “what prevents them from extending it to other states? What will be the implication for the 2015 elections if men like Mbu take charge of all states”?

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The party said it decided to take the issue to the court of Nigerians because it had become apparent that even the system of checks and balances set up by the country’s Constitution is not enough.

“When the resolutions of the National Assembly, where the true representatives of the people hold sway, are no longer worth the paper on which they are written, something is definitely wrong.”

The APC warned further: “If Mbu’s reign of the jungle and President Jonathan’s testing of fascism are allowed to continue in Rivers State, it is only a matter of time before the entire country will become their playground, with deadly consequences for all.”

Gov Aliyu Bans Use Of Old Boats In Niger

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Gov Aliyu Bans Use Of Old Boats In Niger

Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State Sunday placed a ban on the use of old boats in ferrying passengers across rivers in the state.

The order followed the latest boat mishap on Thursday, which claimed at least 13 lives in Kokoli village of Agwarra Local Government Area, with five passengers still missing.

“The action is intended to ensure that old and rickety boats do not continue to take valuable lives in the riverine communities,” the governor said in a statement issued by his spokesman, Danladi Ndayebo.

Aliyu said the state ministry for transportation had been directed to monitor the boat operators and ensure full compliance with all safety standards.

The governor also directed operators of such ferry boats to provide life jackets to all passengers and assured the people of the state that other measures would be taken to ensure safe water transportation in the state.

He prayed God to grant the families of the victims of the boat mishap the courage and fortitude to bear the loss, and to grant the deceased eternal rest.

We will stop sale of Edo House in Lagos – Edo PDP vows

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By Ibiwale Jefferson, Benin

The proposed sale of Edo House in Lagos by the Edo state government has come under frontal attack by the state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

To this end, the party has vowed to “go to the full lenght to stop the satanic sale” of the property.

Chief Dan Osi Obi, Chairman of the state chapter of PDP, who disclosed this while addressing journalists in Benin, described the planned sale of the asset as fraudulent.

“We have come out this morning to reject the entire process,” he said, adding that the Edo House valued at N3.5 billion was the most priced asset of the state.

Orbi who queried the process of selecting Segun Asaju as Estate Agent handling the sale of the property, noted out that there were more qualified Estate Valuers of Edo State origin who were not given the opportunity to partake in the process.

He further alleged that Asaju had been an agent of a former labour leader who is now part of Edo State Government, adding that the planned sale of Edo House was designed to meet the interest of the said top government official who is interested in acquiring the property.

The PDP chairman particularly queried a clause in an advertorial placed in national dailies for the sale of the property which states that “the client has no obligation to accept the highest or any bid,” saying “if the reason is to get more money, why is the government not accepting the highest bid?”

Chief Orbih further alleged that the Edo State Government has concluded plans to sell the parcel of land given to the state by the Federal Government at Asokoro, Abuja, adding that the same top Government official was buying the land.

Reacting to PDP’s allegation, the Special Adviser to Governor Oshiomhole on Media and Publicity, Prince Kassim Afegbua, said the sale of Edo house as proposed by the government was “the best thing to do in the light of long years of decay in the hands of PDP government.”

Afegbua said rather than abandoning a property in Lagos, the state government will utilise its economic value for the overall good of the people of Edo State.

“What purpose is Edo House serving in Lagos as we speak when there are lots of developmental challenges back home in Edo State? We take decisions based on public interest of Edo people not personal ionterest of some PDP demagogues who plundered our collective patrimony in the past.”

He further disclosed that the state government needed money to develop the state, adding that the government would soon recover all properties that PDP chieftains appropriated to themselves in the state and elsewhere.

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