Home Blog Page 3400

Kenya Claims Upper Hand Over Mall Terrorists

Editorial
-
0
Kenya Claims Upper Hand Over Mall Terrorists

Local media in Kenya reported Monday night that there was a possibility all hostages held by terrorists in the Nairobi shopping mall have been freed, even as the police were doing a final sweep of shops early on Tuesday.

An overnight silence outside the large, upmarket Westgate mall was broken at daybreak with a loud burst of gunfire from inside, suggesting the complex had not yet been fully secured. A lone military chopper circled above.

The Kenyan government has repeatedly assured citizens that it had the situation under control.

“Our forces are combing the mall floor by floor looking for anyone left behind. We believe all hostages have been released,” the Ministry of Interior said on Twitter early on Tuesday, adding his forces were “in control” of the building.

Interior Minister Joseph Ole Lenku, told the press that three militants died and more hostages were freed in the efforts to end the ongoing siege waged since Saturday by al-Shabab, a Somali group with ties to Al Qaeda.

For more than two days, Kenyan forces have struggled to vanquish the militants, who, after killing about 68 shoppers, holed up in various corners of the mall with military-grade weaponry.

Hundreds of the best of Kenyan troops, backed by armored personnel carriers, helicopters, planes and security officials from Israel, France, Britain and the United States, were deployed to the scene, but the militants, estimated to number from 10 to 15, refused to surrender.

Lenku said evacuation of hostages has gone “very, very well” and that Kenyan officials are “very certain” that there are few if any hostages left in the building as the number of hostages trapped remains unknown.

Meanwhile, U.S. authorities are urgently looking into information from the Kenyan government that residents of Western countries, including the United States, may have been among the militants.

“We do monitor very carefully and have for some time been concerned about efforts by al-Shabab to recruit Americans or U.S. persons to come to Somalia,” White House deputy national security adviser, Ben Rhodes said.

 

Benue State Owes Retirees N7.4 billion

Editorial
-
0
Benue State Owes Retirees N7.4 billion

Retired civil Servants in Benue State have an outstanding gratuity worth N7.4 billion owed them by the state government.

The Head of Service, Terna Ahua, who disclosed this to newsmen in Makurdi, said that the debts dated back to 1995.

He said that the amount represented unpaid gratuities, owed either to retired civil servants or their next of kin.

Ahua said that it was unfortunate that during the military era, many public servants were relieved of their jobs, even when there were no resources to settle their benefits.

“Ever since, the debt stock has continued to grow, with little attention being paid to it by successive administrations,” he said.

The head of service said that the implementation of the new minimum wage in the state had also compounded the problems “since civil servants now retire with enhanced benefits”.

READ ALSO:

“As at June 2013, the backlog of unpaid gratuities stood at a staggering sum of N7, 403,108,037.94,” he said.

Pointing out that the state government spent N245 million monthly on the payment of pensions, Ahua
disclosed that the state government was exploring the possibility of implementing the contributory pension scheme as one of the ways of addressing the problem in the future.

Zamfara Begs For More FG Troops To Tackle Insecurity

Editorial
-
0
Zamfara Begs For More FG Troops To Tackle Insecurity

Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulazez Yari, has urged the federal government to send more troops to the state to ensure the security of lives and property, saying 160 people had been killed and another 10 abducted by gunmen in the last three months.

Yari made the appeal when he addressed members of the House Assembly in Gusau, on the security situation of the state.

He said the hoodlums, who continued to terrorise villages in parts of the state, stole no fewer than 6,000 cows and 4,000 sheep within the period.

The governor said the situation had caused disaffection between residents of the affected villages and the state government which has already committed a lot of its scarce resources on security issues.

The Speaker of the House, Sanusi Rikijin, assured the governor of the assembly’s support,

“We will consult with other state houses of assembly and the National Assembly to ensure justice, equity and fair play in the country,” Rikijin said.

 

Benue Govt Shuts Down Three Tertiary Institutions

Editorial
-
0
Benue Govt Shuts Down Three Tertiary Institutions

The Benue commissioner for education, Elizabeth Ugo, announced on Monday that the state government had closed down three colleges of education for poor staffing and infrastructure.

Ugo made the announcement in Makurdi at a news conference on the activities of the ministry.

She named the colleges as Emmanuel Ebije Ikwe College of Education, Otukpa, Ityiav-Gar College of Education, Mkar and Malamin College of Education, Gboko.

The commissioner regretted that the schools were being managed solely for commercial gain.

Ugo said that the standard of the colleges had fallen below the expectations of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, NCCE.

She added that the closure of the schools was to ensure that tertiary institutions in the state complied with the minimum requirements of the NCCE.

Ugo, however, disclosed that the commission granted approval to seven other Colleges of Education at Oju, Katsina-Ala, Aidogodo, Otukpo, Adoka, Naka and Luga.

She said that provisional approval was given to two colleges of education at Lessel and Aliade in the Ushongo and Gwer Local Government Areas of the state.

The commissioner said that the ministry was determined to deal with examination malpractices to restore the fallen standard of education in the state.

She said that the ministry was also collaborating with law enforcement agencies to deal with the malpractices.

Ugo warned that examination centres involved in examination malpractices would be dealt with.

She said that a committee had been inaugurated to oversee the conduct of examinations in the state and to ensure compliance with policies of government.

The commissioner said that the state government had provided infrastructure in several schools to create conducive environment for both teaching and learning.

 

 

Ex-Commissioner Says The Police Wants To Torture, Humiliate Him

Editorial
-
1
Ex-Commissioner Says The Police Wants To Torture, Humiliate Him

The Anambra Commissioner for Special Duties, Vincent Ezenwajiaku, declared wanted by the Nigeria Police for fraud said he refused to honour the invitation of the Special Fraud Unit SFU for fear of being tortured.

Ezenwajiaku was accused of defrauding one Chuks Mgbemena of the sum of N10 million using an inexistent company.

The SFU of Nigerian Police in Lagos declared him wanted on September18 for refusing to honour its invitation.

The commissioner told newsmen in Awka on Monday that the fraud unit and the complainant, Mgbemena, were not after the money owed them.

“They want to arrest, detain and torture me and if possible maim me for life as a way of humiliating me,” he alleged, while restating that he only owed N6.5 million.

He reiterated that there was no truth in the report that he defrauded Mgbemena using an inexistent company.

The commissioner said Mgbemena ran the necessary checks on the company and found it to be duly registered before making the payment of a total sum of N8.2 million.

“The amount was for the acquisition of 34 per cent share in the company which he paid within three years. The allegation against me that I duped him with an inexistent company is not true. It is sheer fabrication and falsehood,” he said.

He reiterated that the company was duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission with registration number RC 278625 by a law firm A.C. Ezenduka and Co. in 1995.

“The certificate of incorporation is there and the law firm is still in existence till date,” he added.

The Commissioner said that the disputed company, Bio Plastic Manufacturing Limited, was a member of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, while it existed.

He said that he had instituted a libel suit against the SFU and Mgbemena demanding  N250 million for alleged defamation of his character.

It would be recalled that Ezenwajiaku was appointed commissioner in June 2012.

 

Collapse Building at Olota Street, off Herbert Macaulay Way, Ebute Metta, Lagos

Editorial
-
35
collapsedbuilding
collapsedbuilding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

collapsedbuilding1

collapsedbuilding3

collapsedbuilding4

collapsedbuilding5

collapsedbuilding7

collapsedbuilding8

collapsedbuilding9

collapsedbuilding10

collapsedbuilding11

collapsedbuilding12

collapsedbuilding13

collapsedbuilding14

collapsedbuilding15

collapsedbuilding16

collapsedbuilding17

collapsedbuilding18

collapsedbuilding20

collapsedbuilding21

Iran, Russia, To Build Nuclear Plant

Editorial
-
0
Iran, Russia, To Build Nuclear Plant

Iran and Russia have agreed to build a new nuclear power plant, Press TV reported on Monday.

The agreement was reached in a recent Iran-Russia Joint Economic Commission, the head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, Ali-Akbar Salehi, was quoted as saying.

Iran takes the control of the 1,000-megawatt Bushehr nuclear power plant for a temporary period of two years.

Salehi said on Sunday that Iranians will fully take over the plant after the temporary period, according to Press TV.

The power station became officially operational and was connected to Iran’s national grid in September 2011, generating electricity at 40 per cent capacity.

The plant reached its maximum power generation capacity in August 2012.

On Monday, Salehi expressed hope that the construction of the second unit of the Bushehr nuclear power plant would get underway in the near future.

Earlier in September, Russian Ambassador to Iran Levan Dzhagaryan said that Moscow was ready to increase its nuclear cooperation with Tehran even after the country takes full control of the Russian-built Bushehr nuclear power plant.

Also, Salehi had said earlier that Iran hoped Russia could participate in constructing the second unit of the Bushehr nuclear plant.

According to the Iranian official, the capacity of the second unit of the nuclear power plant will add another 4,000 megawatt to the current 1,000-megawatt capacity.

READ ALSO:

Russia’s state atomic agency Rosatom said that it was ready to help Iran build another unit at the Bushehr plant.

Construction of the Bushehr plant was started in 1975 by several German companies.

However, the work halted when the U.S. imposed an embargo on hi-tech supplies to Iran after the 1979 revolution.

Russia signed a contract with Iran to complete the construction in 1998.

Kenya’s Forces Mounts Presence To Free Hostages, As Death Toll Hits 68

Editorial
-
0
Kenya’s Forces Mounts Presence To Free Hostages, As Death Toll Hits 68

Four large blasts rocked Kenya’s Westgate Mall on Monday, sending large plumes of smoke over an upscale suburb as Kenyan military forces sought to rescue an unknown number of hostages held by al-Qaida-linked militants.

The explosions were followed by volleys of gunfire, then a thick, dark column of smoke. Military and police helicopters and one plane circled over the Nairobi mall, giving the upscale Westlands neighborhood the feel of a war zone.

Security forces’ efforts the previous day to rescue the unknown number of hostages inside failed despite the military announcing that “most” hostages had been saved.

Kenyan officials have said preserving the hostages’ lives is a top priority, greatly complicating the rescue effort.

Kenyans and foreigners were among the 68 persons confirmed dead by the country’s Red Cross, including British, French, Canadians, Indians, a Ghanaian, a South African and a Chinese woman. The UK Foreign Office said Monday it has confirmed the deaths of four British nationals.

Two al-Shabab fighters have also been killed in the ongoing military raid to end the standoff and more than 175 people were injured, including many children, Kenyan officials said.

From neighboring Somalia, Sheik Ali Mohamud Rage, spokesman for al-Shabab, the militant group that claimed responsibility for the attack, said in an audio file posted on a website that the hostage takers had been ordered to “take punitive action against the hostages” if force was used to try to rescue them.

Military helicopters circled over the mall at daybreak Monday, when about five minutes of sustained gunfire broke out inside the mall, a clear indication that at least one of the estimated 10 to 15 gunmen who attacked the mall when it was filled with shoppers Saturday was still on the loose. A military ambulance then sped away from the scene.

A person with knowledge of the rescue operation told AP that no hostages had been released or rescued overnight Sunday. The person insisted on anonymity in order to talk about the rescue response.

At the Oshwal Centre next to the mall, the Red Cross was using a squat concrete structure that houses a Hindu temple as a triage center. Medical workers attended to at least two wounded Kenyan soldiers there on Monday.

Al-Shabab militants reacted angrily on Sunday to the helicopters hovering over the mall, and warned on Twitter that the Kenyan military action was endangering hostages.

A large military assault began on the mall shortly before sundown on Sunday, with one helicopter skimming very close to the roof of the shopping complex as a loud explosion rang out, far larger than any previous grenade blast or gunfire volley.

As the crisis surpassed the 48-hour mark, video taken by someone inside the mall’s main department store when the assault began emerged. The video showed frightened and unsure shoppers crouching and loud volleys of gunfire could be heard.

The terrorists stormed the mall on Saturday from two sides, throwing grenades and firing on civilians.

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Interior, Ole Lenku, told a news conference on Monday:
“We don’t want to give you a definitive position on when we think the process will come to an end, but we are doing anything reasonably possible, cautiously though, to bring this process to an end”.

Al-Shabab said the attack, targeting non-Muslims, was in retribution for Kenyan forces’ 2011 push into neighboring Somalia.

Convict Photo – Olaide

Editorial
-
60

Convictio Photos - Olaide

Photographs of 57-year-old Olatunji Olaide, a victim of wrongful conviction who spent 24years of his life in torture and hard labour at the Kiri-Kiri maximum prison in Lagos, during which he lost his parents, wife, two children, an arm and eye for a crime hung on his neck when he merely visited the market to shop. Find heart-renting details of his ordeal here

2

6

7

8

9

10

Governor Ajimobi Sacks Entire Cabinet

Editorial
-
0
Governor Ajimobi Sacks Entire Cabinet

The Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has sacked his entire cabinet in an unforeseen reshuffle Monday morning.

A statement signed by the director of cabinet in the state’s civil service, Dotun Omokemi, confirmed that the sack was total as it includes the secretary to the state government, Akin Olajide; chief of staff, Adeolu Akande; all the commissioners as well as special advisers.

No reason was given for the move except that the governor wants to create space for the fresh blood which he intends to inject into governance in other further serve the people.

All the sacked commissioners have been directed to hand over to the permanent secretaries in their various ministries.

Governor Ajimobi in the statement, thanked all members of his dissolved cabinet for the service rendered and wished them well in their future endeavours.

As it stands the governor, the governor is left alone with his deputy, Moses Alake Adeyemo.

An aide of the governor who spoke to our reporter this evening on the condition of anonymity said that the shake up came as a surprise to many of those affected as there had been no indication of such a sweeping action.

Those involved in the shake up include:

Hon. Taiwo Otegbeye Hon. Commissioner for Information & Orientation

Hon. Dapo Lam-Adesina Hon. Commissioner for Youth & Sports

Hon. Adetokunbo Fayokun Hon. Commissioner for Education

Mrs. Atinuke Osunkoya Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community Development & Social Welfare

Alhaja Adetutu Adeyemi Hon. Commissioner for Culture & Tourism

Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin Hon. Commissioner for Health

Mr. Zacch Adelabu Adedeji Hon. Commissioner for Finance

Hon. Ajiboye Omodewu Hon. Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Matters

Miss Kafayat Adebisi Adeojo Hon. Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development

Barr. Sunmbo Owolabi Hon. Commissioner for Water Resources

Hon. Peter O. Odetomi Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources & Rural Development

Barr. Lowo Obisesan Hon. Commissioner for Environment & Habitat

Hon. Adebayo Olagbenro Hon. Commissioner for Trade, Investment & Cooperatives

Hon. Abimbola Kolade Hon. Commissioner for Lands, Housing & Survey

Dr. Olaniyi Nurudeen Olarinde Hon. Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budgeting

Alhaji Wasiu Dauda Hon. Commissioner for Establishments and Training

Barr. Bayo Ojo Hon. Commissioner for Justice

Hon. Commissioner for Works & Transport

Hon. Commissioner for Special Duties

Hon. Commissioner for Applied Science and Technology

Mr. Razaq Olubodun Special Adviser (Parastatals)

Dr. Adeyemi Fajingbesi Special Adviser (Development & Intervention Funds)

Alhaji W. A. Gbadamosi Special Adviser (Physical Planning & Urban Development)

Mr. Tayo Koleosho Special Adviser (ICT)

Oyefunke I. Oworu Special Adviser (Trade, Investment & Cooperatives)

Engr. Kayode Adepoju Special Adviser (Infrastructure)

Hon. Yemi Aderibigbe Special Adviser (Transport)

Mr. Gbolagade Busari Special Adviser (Information & Orientation)

Mr. Abayomi Oke Special Adviser (Environment)

Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle Special Adviser (Political Matters)

Tunde Aderounmu Special Adviser (Agriculture)

Hon. Olu Akintola Special Adviser (Culture & Tourism)

Ms. Oluwabunmi Amao Special Adviser (Establishments & Training)

Mrs. Aderonke Adedayo Special Adviser (Due Process)

Mr. Segun Abolarinwa Special Adviser (Special Duties

Dr. Festus Adedayo Special Adviser (Media)

Mr. Tope Fajana Special Adviser (MDGs)

Mr. Akinbiyi Oloko Special Adviser (Budget & Planning)

Hon. Matthew Oyedokun Special Adviser (Solid Minerals)

Engr. Ganiyu Taiwo Fawole Special Adviser (Project Monitoring)

Mr. Yanju Adegbite Special Adviser (BCOS)

Hon. Nurudeen Akinyo Special Adviser (Local Govt.)

Hon. Fatai Buhari Special Adviser (Water Resources)

Mr. Toye Arulogun Special Adviser (Public Affairs)

 

1...3,3993,4003,401...3,439Page 3,400 of 3,439