The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Journalists barred from Boko Haram members’ arraignment

    Journalists were on Thursday barred from covering proceedings at the Federal High Court, Lagos, when 17 alleged members of the Boko Haram sect were arraigned.

    The suspects were charged with eight –count charge of belonging to the proscribed organisation and for being in possession of explosives and dangerous weapons.

    They were brought to the court presided over by Justice Musa Kurya at about 9.45am by a combined team of riot policemen and Department of State Security Services (DSS) officials who were armed with sophisticated weapons.

    As proceedings were to begin, an SSS official asked everyone who was not a lawyer to leave the courtroom.

    When the court reporters identified themselves and explained why they were in court, the security agent said the press had been barred from covering the case.

    He said the SSS got a directive from the presidency to stop journalist from covering the proceedings.

    When the journalists complied and stood outside the courtroom, another armed SSS officer asked them to leave and not stay anywhere around the corridor.

    “I give you five minutes to leave this place, or you will be handcuffed,” the security agent threatened.

    Earlier, a lawyer who was caught taking photographs of the accused persons with his mobile phone as they marched into the court had it seized.

    When the case ended at about 11.58am, journalists approached the prosecutor Mrs. E. I. Alakija of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice to get details of what transpired in court, but she was unwilling to speak to the press.

    She directed the journalists to ask the court officials for a copy of the charge, saying she had none to spare.

    She added that she had only one copy, but did not release it to be photocopied when asked.

    One of the lawyers in the prosecution team told the journalists to be “patient” as “the case is very sensitive.”

    It was, however, learnt that the arraignment could not go on because the first to fifth accused persons had no legal representation.

    Two lawyers were said to have represented the rest.

     

     

  • FG urged to abide by human rights treaties

    Advocacy groups have called on the federal government to pay attention to the recommendations made by the Working Group at the on-going United Nations Human Rights Council 17th Universal Periodic Review (UPR) session in Geneva.
    The groups, including  Pen International, Development Dynamics and Coalition for the defence of Sexual Rights, are attending the session.
    They urged the government to ensure that its  legislations are in compliance with the international human rights treaties obligations binding on Nigeria as a state party.
    While calling on the government to do more to protect the rights and lives of writers and journalists, particularly those at the country’s troubled-spots, the International President of Pen International, Deji Olukotun, said the government  should take into account the recommendations by the session in Geneva.
    He said: “Hold  to  account  federal  and  state  security  forces  and  officials  involved  in infringing  fundamental  rights  of  writers  and  journalists  guaranteed  by  the Constitution; take concrete steps to address impunity in the killings of journalists; allow journalists to investigate state action and human rights issues related to Boko Haram without suffering threats, intimidation, or arrest, and end threats against writers and journalists who are exercising their right to freedom of expression.”
    The Coalition for the defence of Sexual Rights said the government should review and repeal all laws that impede the exercise on the rights of persons, especially vulnerable groups such as women, children, people with living with Disabilities (PWDs) and sexual minorities.
     

  • NHRC to hold hearing on demolitions

    Nigerians with complaints of forced evictions from their properties now have the opportunity of seeking redress, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said.
    Come next month, the commission will begin a nationwide Public Inquiry on Demolitions, to be presided over by a three-man panel led by NHRC Executive Secretary, Prof. Ben Angwe, meant to address complaints.
    Conscious of the overbearing effect the allegations demolitions and forced evictions have on the fundamental rights of the affected communities, particularly their rights to life, adequate housing, dignity of human person, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and regional and international human rights instruments, it was one of the key issues raised at Nigeria presentation of its human rights protection’s scorecard at the ongoing United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review (UPR) session in Geneva, Switzerland.
    The session called on government’s inquiry into the complaints  to address and protect the Housing Rights of its citizenry.
    According to NHRC Chairman, Prof Chidi Odinkalu, who addressed the press in Geneva, the hearing is part of government’s efforts and commitment at ensuring that the rights of its citizenry are protected.
    Earlier in the year, the commission had visited Mapep in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); Badiya in Lagos and Water Front in Rivers State.
    The public inquiry which will begin in Lagos on November 18, according to Odinkalu  are also  scheduled to hold in Enugu, Kano and  FCT.
     
  • World Polio Day: Join fight against polio

    World Polio Day: Join fight against polio

    Every October 24, the World Polio Day is observed. It is on records that the fight against polio has attained 99 percent reduction.

    Polio is an infectious disease that invades the nervous system and can cause irreversible paralysis and even death.

    It is highly infectious, and can have debilitating impacts. While it can strike anyone, at any age, the disease mainly affects children under five years old.

     In 1988, an estimated 350 000 cases. As at 2012, reported cases reduced to 223. This reduction is said to as a result of the global effort to eradicate the disease.

    Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus. It invades the nervous system, and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. The virus enters the body through the mouth and multiplies in the intestine. Initial symptoms are fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, and stiffness in the neck and pain in the limbs. One in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis (usually in the legs). Among those paralyzed, 5 to 10 per cent die when their breathing muscles become immobilized.

    Here are 5 reasons to care about polio:

    1. 99 percent reduction in polio cases: In the past 25 years, the number of polio cases has dropped by more than 99 percent, from an estimated 350,000 cases in 1988 to just 223 last year – the lowest number ever.

    2. 10 million walking: Since the Global Polio Eradication Initiative launched, immunization against polio has saved more than 10 million children from paralysis according to the World Health Organization.

    3. Only 3 endemic countries: Polio remains endemic in just three countries – Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan.  This means that transmission of the disease has never been stopped in these countries.  Until this happens, other countries are at risk of importing this highly contagious disease.

    4. Failure could result in up to 200,000 new cases annually: As long as polio remains anywhere, it’s a threat everywhere.  According to the World Health Organization, failure to eradicate polio could, within 10 years, result in as many as 200,000 new cases worldwide every year.

    5. $40 billion – $50 billion in savings: Economic models estimate that ending polio would save between US$40 billion to US$50 billion over the 20 years following eradication.

    Culled from: http://www.unfoundation.org/

  • ASUU to NASS: Plug spending leakages in government

    ASUU to NASS: Plug spending leakages in government

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Thursday asked the National Assembly to go beyond “begging” ASUU to call off its strike, but assist in plugging spending leakages in government in order to allow for provision of needed infrastructural facilities for Nigerians.

    The union also lashed out at the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Prof. Sola Adeyeye, over his comments on the ongoing ASUU strike.

    Adeyeye had reportedly asked why a professor will demand payment to supervise postgraduate students.

    A release signed by the Chairman, University of Ibadan chapter of ASUU, Dr. Olusegun Ajiboye, and tagged- “The Goofing Prof. Adeyeye: Senate and begging comments,” said, Prof. Adeyeye is using public funds to train all his children abroad, hence he lacks knowledge on the situation of things in the Nigerian universities.

    Ajiboye also condemned the Senate President, David Mark’s comments that ASUU will lose public sympathy if it does not call off its strike, saying such was a careless talk as the Senate had already lost its credibility among Nigerians over its bogus allowances and its perpetual anti-masses stance as opposed to the progressives in the House of Representatives.

    “We are fighting a just cause. Can the Senate members wait for four years of their tenure before their allowances are paid? Can the Senate members seat in the chambers without air conditioners? What role has the Senate played to increase budgetary allocation to education? It is even funny for the Senate President to feign ignorance of the ASUU agreement as the sitting Senate President in 2009.”

     

  • Pirates kidnap U.S sailors off Nigerian coast

    Pirates attacked an oil supply vessel off the Nigerian coast and kidnapped the captain and chief engineer, both United States citizens, an American defense official and security sources said on Thursday.

    Reuters reports that pirate attacks off Nigeria’s coast have jumped by a third this year as ships passing through West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea, a major commodities route, have come under threat from gangs wanting to snatch cargoes and crews.

    The U.S flagged, C-Retriever, a 222-foot (67 meter) vessel owned by U.S. marine transport group Edison Chouest Offshore, was attacked early Wednesday, the United Kingdom-based security firm AKE and two security sources said.

    The company was not immediately available for comment.

    A U.S. defense official said the State Department and FBI were leading the American response to the incident. A second defense official said the U.S. Marine Corps has a small training unit in the region but it was not clear if it would get involved.

    U.S. Navy officials have grown increasingly concerned about piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea and are working with local authorities there to strengthen their ability to patrol the region and better share information.

    Navy Secretary Ray Mabus called the region a potential “hot spot” after a visit to four countries surrounding the gulf in August. He told Defense News in September the Navy was working closely with Gabon, Senegal, Sao Tome and Ghana to help fight an increase in illegal trafficking of drugs, people and arms.

     

     

  • Nigerian Pilgrims decry high cost of items in Israel

    Nigerian pilgrims to the 2013 Christian Pilgrimage to Israel on Thursday decried the high cost of gift items in that country.

    They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the prices of gift items in Israel were on the high side compared to Nigeria.

    Mr. Jonathan Ali, a pilgrim from Gombe State, said he had decided to buy only those things that he needed during his stay in Israel because of the high price.

    “I have resolved not to buy any item again unless those ones that I know will be useful to me here,’’ he said.

    He said he bought some of the items because of their quality and not because they were cheap.

    Mr. Sunny Ezeagu from Imo said that he did not buy much because he discovered that the prices of the items were same with the prices in Nigeria.

    “The prices I got in some shops today is almost same with the prices in Nigeria, that is why I did not buy much today. When I get to Nigeria, I will buy them,’’ Ezeagu said.

    Ezeagu said that it would be a waste of time and money to buy things he wouldn’t need and carry excess luggage when the prices were similar in Nigeria.

    Mrs. Felicia Amupitan from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said that she decided not to buy much because the prices were better in Nigeria.

    According to her, she does not do much shopping because the prices of gift items are very high.

    Amupitan said that apart from the high price of the items, she would not want to carry excess luggage when going back home.

    “I am not buying not just because of the high prices, but also to avoid carrying excess luggage,’’ Amupitan.

    Mr. Raphael Agetu, a pilgrim also from the FCT, said that he was not satisfied with the prices of the items he bought so far, and had resolved not to buy anything again until he returned to Nigeria.

     

  • Jonathan urges leaders ‘to submit’ to biblical injunctions

    Jonathan urges leaders ‘to submit’ to biblical injunctions

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday in Abuja called on leaders to submit to biblical injunctions, especially the need for love in the discharge of their duties.

    Jonathan made the call at the 5th National Prayer Breakfast, organised by the National Assembly with the theme: “God in the life of national leaders for development.”

    The president, who was represented by the Minister of Labour, Mr. Emeka Wogu, also urged the leaders to always “seek the face of God in every decision or policy they make.”

    “In a secular setting like Nigeria, Christian leaders in all tiers of government must seek the face of God in the discharge of their duties whether in the executive arm, the legislature or the judiciary,” he said.

    According to him, in the bible, there are several principles that touch on the importance of love, adding that love is an essential ingredient in powering positive transformation of the nation.

    He also stressed the need for leaders to formulate policies for the best interest of “every citizen” and not based on political alliances.

    “Leaders are enjoined to come with policies and programmes that will benefit the poor and the voiceless in the society.

    “As Christian leaders in government, we are enjoined to discharge these duties in line with biblical injunctions,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted President Jonathan as saying at the forum.

    The President, who emphasised the need for leaders to be forthright, also called on the citizens to be responsible and respect constituted authorities.

    “The citizens have a reciprocal injunction in respect to obedience to constituted authority.

    “This is clearly stated in 1 Peter 2:13 which talks about submission to authority.”

    He said the current administration, through the transformation agenda, was working tirelessly to improve the welfare of the citizens and urged Nigerians to support the government.

    In a goodwill message, the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Dr. Tamrat Admassu, who stressed the importance of love, said that the substance of the prayer breakfast was love.

    According to Admassu, as long as Nigeria puts Jesus in the centre, all the challenges facing Nigeria and Africa as well will be resolved.

    Earlier in a keynote address, Pastor John Enelamah said that development could not occur automatically unless human beings took full responsibility and worked hard for what God had given them.

    Enelamah said it was important for leaders and all Nigerians to accept the principles of God as a way of life.

     

  • UN envoy hails Nigeria, Cameroon over Bakassi transfer

    The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for West Africa, Mr. Sa’id Djinnit, has praised Nigeria and Cameroon for their commitment that led to the transfer of sovereignty over the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon.

    The UN scribe’s special representative described the process leading to the transfer of the peninsula as a good example of preventive diplomacy.

    The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that in June 2006, the two countries signed the UN-backed Green tree Agreement, setting the terms and timeframe for implementation of the 2002 ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the demarcation of their border.

    In line with the Court’s ruling, Nigeria formally ceded the territory in 2008, followed by a five-year transitional phase that ended on August 14 this year.

    At the final meeting of the Follow-Up Committee established to monitor the implementation of the Greentree Agreement, Djinnit, who is also the President of the Committee, commended both parties for their commitment.

    He said the commitment by the parties had allowed them to finalise the process of implementing the agreement.

    The meeting was held in Geneva between October 21 and October 22.

    “This demonstrates their attachment to the rule of law and the good neighbourly spirit that prevails today between the two countries,’’ Djinnit said.

    During the meeting, Cameroon and Nigeria signed a joint statement in which they confirmed that the five-year transition period ended on August 14, and that as of this date, Cameroon had full sovereignty over the Bakassi Peninsula.

     

  • Primay school teachers begin strike in Benue

    Primay school teachers begin strike in Benue

    Primary school teachers in Benue on Thursday began an indefinite strike to press for the payment of the national minimum wage.

    The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the state, Mr. Godwin Anya, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi that teachers were forced into the strike.

    Anya blamed the government for allegedly reneging on the agreement it sealed with the union for the beginning of payment in August.

    He said that under the terms of the agreement, the government was to fully implement the minimum wage to all teachers.

    Anya said contrary to the agreement, the government came up with a new chart, which showed that none of the teachers would benefit from full payment of the wage.

    He said the strike was called by the national body of the union, which ordered the state chapter not to suspend it until the government implements the demand.

    The chairman said the new chart released by the government would only benefit those below grade level 7.

    NAN, however, reports that teachers in public secondary schools have already started receiving the new wage.

    Meanwhile, some protesting school children on Thursday appealed to the state government to pay the wage, to avert the collapse of primary school system in the state.