The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Bollywood actress Jiah Khan found dead

    Bollywood actress Jiah Khan found dead

    Bollywood actress Jiah Khan has been found dead at her apartment in the Indian city of Mumbai, police say.

    Khan’s mother found her body hanging at her home, police told the BBC.

    A post-mortem examination is being carried out to establish the cause of death and police say they are seeking information from her neighbours.

    The 25-year-old actress made her debut in 2007 opposite Amitabh Bachchan, and went on to act with stars including Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar.

    Jiah Khan was born in New York and grew up in London before moving to Mumbai for a career in Bollywood.

    Her death caused shock within the film industry.

    Fellow actress Dia Mirza said on Twitter: “RIP Nafisa (Jiah) Khan. You were too young and beautiful…”

    Bachchan also took to Twitter to react on his colleague’s death: “WHAT …!!! Jiah Khan? What has happened? Is this correct? Unbelievable!!!”

    Jiah Khan acted in Nishabd, starring Bachchan, and the psychological thriller, Ghajini, which had Aamir Khan in the lead role.

    Her last film was in the 2010 comedy Housefull, in which she played a supporting role.

    Jiah Khan’s “official” website says she was born in New York and brought up in London. It says she went to New York to study acting.

    She also featured in an advert for the animal rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

     

  • PDP ready to wield the big stick – Tukur

    PDP ready to wield the big stick – Tukur

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not hesitate to wield the big stick against errant party members, the national chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has said.

    According to him, the party will henceforth invoke the relevant provisions of its constitution against those he described as “saboteurs and agents of destabilisation” among the membership.

    A statement from his office on Monday quoted the party chairman to have said that failure on the part of the PDP to discipline errant members in the past had been responsible for the rising cases of indiscipline in the ruling party.

    He added that failure of PDP to strictly enforce its laws for whipping troublesome members into line had accounted for the crisis of confidence among members and the leadership.

    Tukur said: “People say we have crises in our party. It may appear so, but that also shows that democracy is at play in the way we conduct our affairs. We are a family and like any family, we can disagree and then agree. We have mastered the game and that is the reason we have been keeping afloat.

    “However, we are talking about discipline here. During the PDP Family Dinner, I emphasised the necessity for party discipline in line with the vision of our founding fathers.

    “We have our constitution to guide us in maintaining discipline. Our past failures to uphold discipline with every sense of seriousness has been the reason some members act in very questionable manners.

    “The party’s constitution has always been a veritable tool for promoting harmonious relationship and cohesion among members.”

     

  • EFCC arraigned staff for receiving car gift from ex-pension chief

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arraigned one of its former staff, Abdullahi Ishaq, before Justice Salisu Garba of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja for receiving a Toyota Camry car gift from a suspect facing trial for alleged N4.5billion pension scam.

    The former staff got the car gift as gratification from a former Director of Pension Accounts, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Shuaibu Teidi.

    According to a statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the accused person is facing trial on a two-count charge bordering on professional misconduct, corrupt practices and false declaration of assets.

    The statement said: “The accused, a former Detective Inspector with the EFCC attached to the office of the Head of Operations, Abuja, is alleged to have used his position to fraudulently receive a Toyota Camry car as gratification from Dr. Shuaibu Teidi, a former Director of Pension Accounts, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, who is presently being prosecuted by the commission over a N4.5 Billion pension scam.

    “Ishaq also failed to make disclosure in his Asset Declaration Form, a house be built in Yarlemo Naibawa area of Kano State, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 27(3)(a)of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27(3) of the same Act.

    “One of the counts reads: “That you Abdullahi Ishaq, being an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) attached to the office of the Head of Operations, Abuja on or about the 4th of November, 2010 at Abuja, within the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory being a public officer used your position in the office of the Head of Operations, to receive a Toyota Camry car with registration No. BG 260 MKA from Dr. Shuaibu Teidi as gratification for yourself and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 19 of the ICPC Act, 2000”.

    “Ishaq’s tango with the law, started when the ex-Director of Pension alleged that some persons collected money from him with a promise to help him out of the case he had with the commission.

    “A forensic analysis conducted on Shuaibu’s telephone number revealed that Ishaq had exchanged text messages with him and solicited for financial and other materials assistance.

    “Ishaq later admitted that he received N380, 000 from Shuaibu. Further investigation revealed that Ishaq gave his wife’s international passport to Shuaibu, requesting for Hajj sponsorship although the request was not granted.”

    “The accused pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.

     

  • Osun launches ‘Opon Imo’

    It was with fanfare that the Osun State government launched the Opon Imo (tablet of knowledge) yesterday at the Zenabab Half Moon Hotel and Resort in Ilesa, Osun State.
    The handheld android device uploaded with textbooks, lesson notes, virtual classroom, and other learning resources for secondary school pupils was applauded by dignitaries from far and near, notably national leader of ACN, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Speaker, House of Representatives, and Rt Hon. Aminu Tambuwal.
    With a weight of 1.1kg, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola said his Physics textbook was 10 times heavier than the tablet yet the digital device contains 63 textbooks, lesson notes for the 17 subjects taken in the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE), and JAMB past questions for the past 10 years.
    It also features a virtual classroom, dictionary, bible, books on the history of the Yorubas and Opon Ifa, and developmental games.
    The governor added that the device was saying the state at least N50.25 billion it would have had to spend to purchase hard copy versions of the resources on the tablet.
    Through the device Aregbesola said the rest of the world would begin to reckon with Africa as there is like none like it world over.
    “We are breaking a yoke of nothingness; the yoke of irrelevance that our continent has been under for a long time. Nobody expects anything from our continent but we are sending signals to the world that the Africans have arrived; that we no longer accept the tag of the a continent without a future. To me, that is the statement we have made with the launch of this hand held device.
    “The idea of an electronic tablet is not our invention and we make no such claims.  But we have made something completely new and there is none like it in the face of the world.  Other tools do not have pre-loaded materials like this; you must get to the internet to upload.  It is a complete system that does not need to interface with others. It was commended by Harvard University. It is the first major learning device for self study.”

  • Tears as Lagos honours Dana crash victims

    Families of victims of the June 3, 2012 ill-fated Dana air crash fought back tears on Monday, when the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola(SAN) unveiled a cenotaph in commemoration of the first year anniversary of the crash.

    Names of all the 157 victims of the crash were inscribed on the tomb of the cenotaph to preserve their memories, just as there was also laying of wreaths and prayers offered for the repose of the departed and relatives of the victims.

    Family members who spoke at the ceremony wept as the memories of their loved ones was relived at the site of the crash in Iju Ishaga area of Lagos State, where the cenotaph is sited.

    They called on the  authorities to release the detailed technical report of the cause of the crash to ensure such never occurs again.

    Governor Fashola, in his emotionally laden speech, paid glowing tributes to the heroes who were on board the plane as well as those who lost their lives on ground where the plane crashed.

    He said the tragic incident  has taught government painful lessons and thus warrants greater commitment on the path of authorities to be more responsive to accidents.

    “God forbid it, if such a disaster should recur, we are much better prepared to respond. But it will not be enough to hope that this kind of disasters will not happen. It will be more important for all who have authority and responsibility to act with a preventive purpose to ensure that it does not happen.

    “The watchword for decision making must be safety and not profit,” he said.

    But one year after, survivors and occupants of the building where the plane crashed are still lamenting the non-payment of compensation, management of Dana Airline had initially promised to fulfil.

    For some families of victims, the controversy surrounding the payment of compensation as well as the restoration of license of Dana airline, one year after, leaves much to be desired.

     

     

     

  • Suicide bomber ‘kills nine Afghan children’

    Suicide bomber ‘kills nine Afghan children’

    A suicide bomber has killed at least nine children and policemen in eastern Afghanistan, police told the BBC.

    The attacker, who was on a motorcycle, struck at a market in Samkani district near the Pakistan border. At least 15 other people were injured.

    Local officials said a passing military patrol was the target and coalition soldiers were among casualties.

    The NATO-led ISAF force had no word on casualties, but said it is investigating the attack.

    The police chief in in Paktia province, where the attack happened, said the bomber detonated his explosives at midday just as a local school was letting pupils out for lunch.

    In recent weeks there has been a spate of attacks in Afghanistan, where NATO and Afghan forces are battling the Taliban and other militants.

    In a separate attack on Monday, seven people were killed by a roadside bomb in the eastern province of Laghman, officials said.

     

  • At least 100 killed in Chinese farm fire

    More than 100 people have died and dozens have been hurt in a fire at a poultry farm and processing plant in China.

    The blaze in Mishazi in Jilin province is believed to have been sparked by three explosions in the farm’s electrical system, according to China’s Xinhua News Agency.

    Workers told state broadcaster CCTV the fire broke out during a change of shifts and may have started in a locker room.

    Of the 350 staff on site at the time, 112 are known to have died and 54 have been injured.

    Sky News says it is feared the death toll could rise further as bodies continue to be pulled from the charred remains of the factory.

    “From what local reports are suggesting, there was a complicated interior set up to the factory, which made it that much harder to get out.

    “We know the exits were narrow and there are some suggestions the factory gate was locked, preventing some of those workers from escaping, “ the report adds.

     

  • Buhari faults clampdown on Boko Haram members

    Former Head of State and Presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Major General Muhammadu Buhari has faulted the federal government’s clampdown on  Boko Haram Islamic insurgents.
    He accused the government of killing and destroying their houses while the Niger Delta militants were given special treatment by the government.
    Buhari who spoke on Sunday on a Liberty Radio programme, Guest of the Week monitored in Kaduna also admitted that the road to the registration of the All Progressive Congress (APC) was rough, pointing out that the promoters of the party were well prepared for any hitch that may arise.
    Buhari who first spoke in Hausa before the English version accused politicians from the Niger Delta region of starting the current in security in the country by recruiting and arming youths of the region in their desperate attempt to retain power as governors.
    The former Nigerian leader said that unlike the special treatment given to the Niger Delta militants by the federal government, the Boko Haram members were being killed and their houses demolished by government.
    While accusing President Jonathan of failing from the beginning to address the security situation in the country, Buhari said he has never been in support of the state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa state.
    According to Buhari “what is responsible for the security situation in the country is caused by the activities of Niger Delta militants. Every Nigerian that is familiar with what is happening knows this. The Niger Delta militants started it all.
    “What happened is that the governors of the Niger Delta region at that time wanted to win their elections. So they recruited the youths and gave them guns and bullets and used them against their opponents to win elections by force.
    “After the elections were over, they asked the boys to return the guns; the boys refused to return the guns. Because of that, the allowance that was being given to the youths by the governors during that time was stopped.
    “The youths resorted to kidnapping oil workers and were collecting dollars as ransom. Now a boy of 18 to 20 years was getting about 500 dollars in a week, why will he go to school and spend 20 years to study  and then come back and get employed by government to be paid N100,000 a month, that is if he is lucky to get employment.
    “So kidnapping becomes very rampant in the South -South and the South -East. They kidnapped people and were collecting money.
    “How did Boko Haram start? We know that their leader, Mohammed Yusuf started his militant and the police couldn’t control them and the army was invited. He was arrested by soldiers and handed over to the police.
    “The appropriate thing to do, according to the law, was for the police to carry out investigations and charge him to court for prosecution, but they killed him, his in-law was killed, they went and demolished their houses.
    “Because of that, his supporters resorted to what they are doing today. You see in the case of the Niger Delta militants, the late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua sent an aeroplane to bring them, he sat down with them and discussed with them, they were cajoled, and they were given money and granted amnesty.
    “They were trained in some skills and were given employment, but the ones in the north were being killed and their houses were being demolished. They are different issues, what brought this? It is injustice”.
    While fielding questions in English in the same programme, Buhari said that the promoters of the All Progressive Congress (APC) were aware of the challenges ahead of them in an effort to get the party registered, saying “the road to merger is quite rough.
    “The ruling party, with its enormous resources and its capacity for coercion has seen it as a threat and they have said it. Personally, I came to realise since 2007 that Nigerians believe that the only way to stabilise the system of multi-party democracy is for the opposition parties that have representatives right from Councillors to the National Assembly come together to deliver their constituencies democratically. This is the only way you can counter PDP’s enormous physical and material influence in the country”
    He expressed optimism that the All Progressive Congress will be registered saying “by nature, I am an optimist. If I were not an optimist, I will not attempt to contest the presidency three times and end up in the Supreme Court three times. I believe we are going to be registered.
    “There is a law guiding party registration which states that you must have your headquarters in the nation’s capital that can be identified by INEC and you must have a convention. All the three parties involved have held their conventions and have agreed to forsake our existing parties and go for APC.
    “At the national level, we must have those who will run the party. As soon as we meet these criteria and INEC acknowledge that, 30 days after the acknowledgement, we are APC whether INEC write us and give us the registration or not”.
    Speaking on the controversy surrounding the election of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Buhari said since the forum was not a legal body, he saw no reason for the controversy saying “the confusion is unfortunate.
    “To me, the Governors forum is not constitutional and it is not a party affair because they are supposed to come from all the parties. There is no constitutional law as far as I can see. So, why all these row about it.
    “I watched the clip of the election which seems to have been conducted in a free and fair way. But then, Jang came and said he won the election when we saw visibly on the screen how they conducted the election.
    “The man who presided over the election declared the result there and then. I was surprised how Jang emerged and said he was the one that won the election and proceeded to open his own secretariat.
    “So, if 36 of them can not conduct an election, Nigerians should begin to appreciate what we are in for when they are supposed to be conducting an election for over 140 million people by 2015”.
    He however said that he was prepared to support anybody who emerge Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), saying “If APC fail to give me the ticket, I will remain in partisan politics and in the party. Anyone the party pick as its candidate, I will support him because I will remain in the APC”.
  • UK attack: Adebolajo charged for murder

    UK attack: Adebolajo charged for murder

    Michael Adebolajo has been charged with the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby, who was hacked to death in Woolwich, southeast London, last month.

    Sky News says Adebolajo, 28, is also accused of the attempted murder of two police officers and possessing a firearm.

    Another man, Michael Adebowale, 22, has already been charged with murdering the young soldier and is due to appear at the Old Bailey on Monday.

    Meanwhile, two men, aged 42 and 46, held on suspicion of being involved in the supply of guns in connection with the killing have been bailed.

    They are due to return to a south London police station later this month.

    Father-of-one Mr. Rigby suffered “extensive and serious” injuries and had to be identified by a dental expert, an inquest into his death heard.

    The 25-year-old was killed near the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich on May 22, as he returned from a day working at the Tower of London.

    A short hearing at Southwark Coroner’s Court was told Drummer Rigby was hit by a car before being attacked by two men armed with a cleaver and a knife.

    A post-mortem has confirmed he died from multiple cut and stab wounds.

     

  • Intl friendly: Nwosu commends Eagles performance

    Intl friendly: Nwosu commends Eagles performance

    Former Nigerian player, Henry Nwosu, has said the high profile international friendly between Mexico and Nigeria in Houston, Texas in the United States, lived up to its billing as a top flight game.

    Supersport.com reports that the Mexicans forced the African champions to a 2-2 draw at the Reliant Stadium, Houston in the early hours of Saturday.

    Nwosu said the score line was inconsequential but the opportunity it afforded the Eagles’ manager, Stephen Keshi to assess his charges especially the new ones ahead of the two crucial 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Kenya next Wednesday and Namibia on June 12.

    “Winning or losing has never come up as the main criteria for assessing the match but the performance of the players against their Mexican opponents and a 2-2 draw wasn’t a bad result more so as their performance met my assessment of a friendly game.

    “The coach must have picked some lessons from the game and those lessons will help him tremendously when he is doing correction for the next World Cup matches against Kenya and Namibia.

    “The new replacements would have registered their impressions on his mind and I’m sure those among them who proved their worth will form part of his planning for future games.

    “I’m satisfied with the outcome of the match as well as the performance of the players. It could only get better as we count down days to the Kenya and Namibia games,” said the former Golden Eaglets’ coach to Supersport.com.