TRAGEDY shattered a jolly evening when blood mixed with a feast on Lagos Island on Saturday, March 29, 2014. The feast was to celebrate the arrival of a baby by a couple living at No 168, Adeniji Adele Street. The guests who turned out in pink ankara had wished for an encore as they danced to melodious music wafting from the giant speakers placed on the premises of a public vocational and skills acquisition centre where the event was held. But the joyous mood soon paved the way for a pall of grief when some policemen from Area ‘A’ Lion Building allegedly fired indiscriminate shots into the crowd. The hot bullets allegedly hit one Rasheed Olundegun, an employee of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and he died on the spot. The policemen, according to sources who asked not be named, had visited the venue of the ceremony and were said to have been handed food and some amount of money by the celebrant called Lanre. They allegedly left, but returned a few minutes later accusing some men of smoking Indian hemp. Attempts to persuade them to leave one of the men wrongly arrested failed as they started shooting sporadically to scare away people. The shooting was said to have caused pandemonium as people scampered for safety. Olundegun, who by then had just returned from a hospital where his ailing wife was rushed, however, was caught by the bullets while trying to run for his life. He felled down in a pool of his blood and died immediately. His 45-year-old wife, Bolatito, did not survive the shock of the news of her husband’s death. She was said to have died at the hospital when told of her husband’s death. She was buried on April 1 and is survived by two children. An eyewitness, who asked not to be mentioned, said: “Olundegun was hungry when he returned from hospital where his wife was rushed. He wanted to send someone to buy food from a vendor when he was told that the food being prepared to entertain guests at the party was ready. He was just about going to take the food when the police officers started shooting and was felled by their bullets. “I was talking with someone at the party when the teargas canisters fired landed near my foot. The policemen later started shooting as if those at the party were criminals. The late Olundegun had not even eaten the food he was given when he was shot dead. His wife who was admitted to a hospital died from the shock of her husband’s death when she received the news. A community leader, who spoke in confidence, explained that another resident was shot in the arm during the incident, while the policemen fled leaving the lifeless body of Olundegun on the spot. A neighbour, who was identified as Saheed Dosunmu, also had his left arm shattered by bullets during the incident. A resident, Gbade Lawal, said:“One Saheed Dosunmu, who was seated quietly was also shot and he is battling excruciating pain on his arms. The anti-robbery team led by one Inspector Asubiaro hurriedly left the scene as soon as the implication of their action dawned on them.” Peace further took a flight as aggrieved residents protested the gruesome killing of Olundegun. It was at that stage that a patrol team of policemen from the Adeniji Adele Division was attacked by a mob. Their vehicle was set ablaze while the men called for reinforcement to contain the fearless protesters. “Angry residents took to the streets to protest the killing and ambushed men of the Adeniji Adele Police Division who were patrolling the area. They burnt their patrol van and the confrontation lasted many hours,” Lawal said. “In order to cover up their misguided action, the policemen went to town with stories that they were attacked by hoodlums and that Olundegun was killed during the incident. They arrested the celebrant and other innocent residents mostly of Igbo extraction. The truth is that Olundegun was shot dead by an officer called Ola, aka Up Chelsea, who is now walking free. Meanwhile, a community leader, Prince Mukaila Akinsemoyin, has written a petition to the office of the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, asking him to intervene in the matter. A copy of the petition obtained by our correspondent reads in part: “It will be extremely hard for police to lie their way out of this…on March 29, 2014 about 10 pm, at FSP Centre, along Adeniji Adele Road, Lagos Island, there was a naming ceremony going on when a group of policemen from the Lion Building Area ‘A’ Command headquarters stormed the party on the excuses that they sighted someone smoking marijuana in the street. As a result of this, the celebrant, according to eyewitnesses, gave the police the sum of N5000, so that his party would not be disorganized. The policemen collected the money from the celebrant and left. “A few minutes later, the same patrol team came back to the party and started shooting sporadically into the crowd as a result of which one Rasheed OIundegun was shot dead instantly, while one Saheed Dosunmu was also hit by bullets on his left hand. When the news of the death of Olundegun filtered to the hearing of his wife who was on admission in a hospital, the woman died. ‘’This is not the first time this so-called antirobbery team from the Area ‘A’ Command has been carrying out their nefarious activities in the area…the entire patrol team involved should be arrested and investigated and brought to justice. This is about ending impunity. ” Attempts to get the response of Lagos police spokesperson, Ms Ngozi Braide, failed as her phone was switched off, while a message sent to her phone line by our correspondent was not replied at press time. When her deputy, Mr Damasus Ozoani, was contacted, he declined comments, saying: “As I speak, I am attending a training programme outside Lagos, hence I cannot speak on the matter.”
Category: Saturday Magazine
-
Nigerians are extremely hospitable people -British don on a visit
Dr Heidi Ashton is a lecturer at the University of Leicester, United Kingdom, where she takes charge of distance learning for masters degree students in Human Resource Management and Occupational Psychology. As a trained dancer, she functioned for one month as an assistant choreographer at the Miss World pageant about two years ago. She was on a faculty visit to Leadmode Resource Centre in Nigeria when GBENGA ADERANTI met her and she spoke about her experience as a visitor to the country.
PRIOR to coming to Nigeria, what was your impression of Nigerian students?
I organise the Distance Learning Summer School at the University, so I had already met some of our Nigerian students. My impression was that Nigerian students were a diverse group with interesting and varied lives and backgrounds.What is your assessment of the students you met at Leadmode?
The course members that I have met have been very committed, extremely hard working and intelligent. They are willing to challenge and be challenged, which is essential for a truly productive learning environment.What areas of education do you think the Nigerian government should improve on?
Having not been educated in Nigeria nor studied the provision, it is difficult to say but it is my impression that an improvement in primary education and provision for all citizens to attend secondary education and where appropriate tertiary education could help to improve the economy if strategically implemented. A focus on particular areas of expertise and training linked to accreditation and enforced regulation would also benefit industry growth in various sectors but again, as part of a wider strategic plan for development.
Foreign degrees are now a fad in Nigeria. Why do you think Nigerian students are crazy about foreign degrees?
I imagine that this has something to do with the likelihood that a particular degree from a particular university will increase job or promotional prospects and as such has become enmeshed in the processes of the labour market as a whole. When jobs are scarce, individuals need to find ways to distinguish themselves from others with whom they are competing on a global scale. The University of Leicester is a high-ranking one with a good reputation and it is always the case that a good quality degree speaks to the quality of the candidate.
From your interactions with Nigerian students so far, do you think they should go abroad for studies?
It depends a great deal on their aspirations, resources and opportunities. One of the advantages of the distance learning courses that we offer is that they provide students with the opportunity to study with a leading educational institution without having to leave Nigeria so they no longer have to go abroad for their studies.Why do you think distance learning is better?
I don’t think that distance learning is better. I think both modes of learning have their challenges and opportunities and it is up to the individual to capitalise on opportunities as they arise. One of the advantages to distance learning is that one can study whilst working and we encourage our course members to use their experience to reflect on their studies and their studies to reflect on their practice. The challenge of course is juggling work and family life with studying at a very high level but this also develops and demonstrates to employers the important skills of time management and self-discipline. We also work hard to ensure that course members are supported through faculty visits and summer school which is an opportunity to study intensely with other distance learners from around the world on campus.What is your relationship with Leadmode Resource Centre?
We work in partnership with Leadmode to provide fully supported distance learning courses. Students can apply to the University via Leadmode who are experienced in the application and delivery procedures of our courses and guide students through these processes. Students also have access to Leadmode’s facilities, which give them the opportunity to study together, or independently in a quiet environment. Faculty members from the university visit these centres twice per year and give lectures and one to one tutorials to students these are organised and administered by Leadmode in collaboration with the university.
Our joint aim is to provide a supportive environment for effective learning and we are united in our passion for distance learning and the opportunities that this can bring for career and professional development. Together Leadmode and the University of Leicester give students access to world-class, internationally recognised qualifications and the opportunity to become a part of a top ranking university without having to leave their jobs, families or home.You have been in Nigeria for a while now, how would you describe the country?
I have only been in Nigeria for two weeks and I have only been to Lagos and Abuja; so I’m not really in a position to describe the country or make any generalisations. I would say that the people that I have met have been extremely hospitable, friendly and hard working. There is a great deal of potential here; you can feel it bubbling under the surface and that’s exciting.What were those things on your mind when you first knew you were coming to Nigeria?
I had already met some Nigerian course members, so I was looking forward to meeting them again. I was slightly apprehensive though, as I had heard that it is a dangerous place where corruption is rife.You must have heard stories about Nigeria. Are you disappointed now that you are here?
Unfortunately the stories that I had heard were not very positive so I really didn’t know what to expect. However, far from being disappointed, I have always found it a very enjoyable and positive experience and as I mentioned, I am particularly fond of the Nigerian people.
Tell me those things you are not likely to forget about Nigeria.
I will not forget the kindness and hospitality of the people I’ve met. I am also struck by how hard working the people are here. I have been impressed by the people’s desire to build and develop their nation which they are so proud to be a part of. In addition, I am taken aback by the extremes of vast wealth and desperate poverty; there is so much untapped potential in the people and resources here but with good leadership, I am sure that Nigeria’s time will come.How do you combine your job as a lecturer and Assistant Choreographer at Miss World?
I don’t! That was a freelance job that I did once for one month two years ago.What was growing up like for you?
I was very fortunate to grow up in a country with open access to education and healthcare. I started dancing age nine and within a year, I was training every night after school, weekends and holidays. It was tough at times to juggle my training with my school work and maintain my grades but I lived to dance so I didn’t feel that it was a sacrifice. I was so lucky to have the opportunity to train and to have such supportive parents.
The job of lecturing and showbiz are two different jobs that are not related, why did you choose to combine the two?
They are more related than you might think. When you are performing, you are trying to communicate something. When you are lecturing, you are doing the same. To be a good performer (dancer), you have to have an analytical and curious mind to research and develop your roles. These are the same skills that a researcher uses when researching and developing ideas.
I didn’t really choose to combine the two. I was a dancer first and completed both my BSc and MSc by distance learning whilst working in shows. I knew that like an athlete, a dancer’s career was short and I gained my degrees because I knew I would one day have to find an alternative career. Academia was something that I continued out of a thirst for knowledge but then, it developed into a career opportunity that I took.
I do still perform and choreograph when I can, usually during my leave, but I also have an ethnographic approach to studying professions so the two jobs combine well in relation to my research. I also work as a sports psychologist for British fencing and I work as a freelance business consultant, so I manage to juggle a number of roles all of which complement one another. Maybe that’s why I get along well with the Nigerian people; we have a similar work ethic and a desire to make the most of every opportunity that comes our way.
What is that experience you are not likely to forget while participating in the Miss World competition?
The camaraderie of the team and the girls and their commitment to and belief in the ethos of the event to promote charitable causes and raise awareness and money to promote a better life for the very least fortunate in the world.Did you at any time attempt to compete in a beauty pageant?
No. I was completely focused on dance; I’m not sure if I even knew they existed!
African perspective of beauty is quite different from foreign perspective. ….Don’t you think something should be done about this?
As you suggest, the valued aesthetics of beauty are different for different cultures, it is also something that is temporally located. As such, a globally valued aesthetic of beauty can never be a truly universally held representation. The current global aesthetic ideal is created by the fashion industry and capitalism more generally. If I had some influence over it, I would probably vote for the ideal beauty to be short, fair, redheads with freckles! As for Miss World, each country selects their own candidate and the competition is judged following the contestant’s performance on a number of categories, including talent, contribution to the awareness of charitable causes in their country, swimwear, sports, modelling and the use of social media to raise awareness.
Tell me your most embarrassing moment.
Fortunately, I am well humoured enough to be able to laugh at myself, so nothing much embarrasses me. -
Dangerous times are here
We commiserate with friends and families of victims of Monday, April 15, 2014 bombings at Nyanya near the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. We pray for the full and speedy recovery of the injured and the sick still in various hospitals and health care centres in and around the Federal Capital City of Abuja and others convalescing at home.
The Progressives Solidarity Forum (PSF) is concerned that the approach of the Federal Government to resolving the Boko Haram crisis does not seem to be effective in resolving the issues surrounding the crisis as the lives lost are now running into thousands. We are worried that this crisis remains protracted even after nearly one-year of emergency rule. The crisis continues to escalate even outside the states that emergency rule has been declared.
The PSF feels the Presidency and the leadership of the government of the emergency rule states need to work together in a concerted effort to nip in the bud this festering Boko Haram crisis that has now escalated to the Federal Capital Territory. This is not time to play politics. And we would call on the President to show more purposeful leadership and call his spokespersons, the PDP and OlisaMetuh to order.
The recent war of words and mudslinging between the spokespersons of the PDP and members of the main opposition party, the APC, over the Nyanya bombings and the activities of Boko Haram, especially since May, 2013 when the emergency rule in the three states were declared as totally unnecessary at a time when the leadership and compassion were needed, particularly from the presidency.
Adamawa State governor, MurtalaNyako, raised some questions about the sincerity of the president and the ineffectiveness of the methods being used by the presidency to control and combat the menace of the terrorist group. The President must answer these pertinent questions.
What is the point in committing so much cash, hardware and military personnel to a project and then declaring an emergency over an area for nearly one year and yet instead of the problem abating, it escalating and increasing in dimension and sophistication.
Nigerians would want to know why and how it was so easy for the so-called Boko Haram sect to visit college school girls’ hostel and pick over 200 young innocent girls and drove in convoys of cars and vans across Borno roads that were supposed to be manned by military and police personnel with various checkpoints, unmolested, undetected and without any trace.
There are many questions Nigerians would want President Goodluck Jonathan to answer aside the insecurity that pervades the country. In particular we demand to know about the following:
Where is $20 billion? I hope you do understand how far that sum of money could go in addressing the crucial infrastructure deficit plaguing the country; Why was SanusiLamidoSanusi suspended, instead of offering him protection for disclosure of criminality and fraud in NNPC and their related agents? Why are the people suspected to have stolen N2 trillion fuel subsidy funds have not been brought to book? What about those who were involved in the pension fund fraud? And why is it that the Governor of the Central Bank, SanusiLamido was “suspended” to engender “proper investigations” of allegations against his running of the Central Bank of Nigeria? What have you done about the allegation that a minister wasted a whopping N10 billion on private jet charter for her work as well as family and friends?
Nigerians demand answers to all the questions.
We also call on the Federal Government and President Jonathan to show good leadership, using all the resources at his disposal as Commander- In- Chief of the Armed Forces and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to fulfil the basic responsibility of a government, as enshrined in our constitution, by protecting its citizens and their properties and if a government can’t provide this basic responsibility, then it has no business remaining in government.• Emokpaire is the Grand Patron, Progressives Solidarity Forum and the Secretary, All Progressives Congress, UK.
-
Boko Haram kills over 150, injures 164 in Abuja
AFTER a long while, suicide bombers made yesterday a bloody return to Abuja, striking in a packed motor park on the outskirts of the city.
The insurgent group, Boko Haram, is suspected to have carried out the attack in which 150 people died. The police said 71 died, 124 injured.
But last night Minister of Health Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu released an official figures of horror.
He said 72 people died, 164 injured.
Most of the victims were workers, artisans and unemployed people trying to board cheap SURE-P buses early in the morning.
About 40 vehicles were burnt during the blast, including 16 luxury buses and 24 other commercial vehicles. At the scene were women’s handbags, shoes and other personal effects.
Eight mortuaries were filled to the brim. Hospitals were pleading for blood donation to save lives.
British High Commissioner to Nigerian Andrew Pocock led other officials of the High Commission to the national blood transfusion centre in Abuja to donate blood for the treatment of the victims. Many Nigerians also donated blood.
Some of the clinics are National Hospital, Maitama General Hospital, Garki Hospital, Asokoro General Hospital, Wuse, General Hospital and Nyanya General Hospital,
National Security Adviser Col. Sambo Dasuki held an emergency meeting with the Service Chiefs.
Although a preliminary probe of the incident by all security agencies was in progress as at press time, it was learnt that the body of one of the suspected suicide bombers had been deposited at the Wuse General Hospital.
The incident happened between 6.30am and 6.55am at a bus terminal in Nyanya where a teeming crowd of commuters had converged to catch buses to work .
It was gathered that the blast went off while some of the commuters had boarded about 10 of the luxury buses and others were scrambling for seats in 20 commercial vehicles.
The blast created a two feet deep, ten feet wide crater and threw objects as far as 200 metres.
A top security officer, who pleaded not to be named because he is not allowed to talk to the media, said: “From preliminary findings, a Golf car, XQ 229LSD, was parked near the buses where commuters had converged.
“Report indicated that five insurgents came out of the car, pretending to be waiting to join a bus.
“But these insurgents had barely alighted when the remote controlled bomb went off.
“As a matter of fact, one of the suicide bombers was killed and his body was deposited at Wuse General Hospital. We saw all manner of charms or amulets on his chest.”
Another source said: “We learnt the Golf car rammed into the buses in what appeared a clear case of suicide mission.
“Within the twinkle of an eye, about 10 luxury buses were in flame. Most of the victims were trapped inside the buses.
“The blast shook all buildings nearby, including another suburb in Karu.”
Responding to a question, the source said: “Boko Haram is likely to be responsible because that is the pattern of suicide mission of the sect.”
Security agencies have started investigation into the explosion, with the retrieval of number plate of the Golf Car.
The car was smothered but some metals have been collected for forensic analysis, which could guide our intelligence gathering on how the explosion occurred.
“Attempts are being made to identify the owner of the car as I am talking to you. The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has been mandated to get to the root of how the car was registered or how it has exchanged hands,” said the source.
The British Foreign Secretary, William Hague, has offered the country’s “deepest condolences” to the bereaved and those who are injured in the bomb blast. he also condemned the attack saying the perpetrators must be brought to “swift justice.”
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer (PRO), CSP Frank Mba, said: “After the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to the scene of bomb explosion this morning in Nyanya District on the outskirts of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, security agencies have confirmed that 71 persons have so far lost their lives while 124 others have been conveyed to about eight hospitals for treatment.
“About 16 luxury buses were razed and 24 others were destroyed in the blast.
“Information centres would be opened at all the hospitals where survivors were being attended to in order to provide information to their families.
“Experts from the Bomb Disposal Squad have combed the area. Security agencies have been placed on red alert throughout the Federal Capital Territory following the explosion that occurred at about 6.55 a.m.
“The agencies are already paying very close attention to all vulnerable points, including motor parks.
“Most of the affected passengers were workers and petty traders who were to be conveyed by commercial vehicles to the Abuja City Centre.”
-
NEMA, police: 71 died
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the police confirmed yesterday that 71 people died in the Nyanya bomb blast; 124 were injured.
Inspector-General of Police M.D. Abubakar said security agencies were stepping up measures to uncover the planners of the crime and avoid a reoccurrence.
Abubakar urged Nigerians and the international community to remain calm and vigilant.
The release of the official figures was contained in separate statements by the two agencies.
A statement by the Senior Information Officer of NEMA, Mr. Sani Datti, said: “The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other response agencies have carried out the herculean task of evacuating dead bodies as well as injured victims of the early morning blasts at the Nyanya Motor Park to various hospitals in Abuja and the environs.
“Further to the evacuation and to ensure adequate care for the injured, the Director-General Mohammed Sani Sidi has visited some of the hospitals with directive that adequate and free medical treatments should be provided for all the victims.
“Meanwhile, the agency, in collaboration with other response agencies, has provided this detail of the casualty in various hospitals.”
Police Force Public Relations Officer CSP Frank Mba said: “In a swift reaction to the Monday morning, 14th April, 2014 blast at a motor park in Nyanya, a suburb of about 30 kilometres from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar has visited the scene of the explosion where he assessed the extent of damage and the impact on the surrounding environment.
“He urged the citizens and the international community to remain calm and vigilant as the police and other security agencies are stepping up measures to uncover the authors of the crime and avoid a reoccurrence of this unfortunate incident.
“The IGP further noted that security agents have relentlessly worked round the clock with significant success to stave off such attacks on the Federal Capital and the entire country at large.
“He therefore reassured Nigerians and foreign nationals that security agencies will do anything possible to further strengthen the security within and beyond Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Consequently, the IGP has placed police operatives on red alert.
“He has equally ordered the police to intensify surveillance on all vulnerable targets within Abuja.
“Meanwhile, the police, supported by other law enforcement agencies, have commenced a full-scale investigation into the incident with the deployment of the Police Anti-Bomb Squad and other detectives to the scene with the view to solving the crime.
“Regrettably, seventy-one (71) persons have been confirmed dead while one hundred and twenty-four (124) persons sustained various degrees of injuries.
“While commiserating with the families of the victims of the blast, the IGP called on the members of the public to go about their normal businesses without fear and to cooperate with the police by providing useful information in order to ensure that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to book.”
-
Aregbesola’s education policy for children’s benefit
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, defended yesterday Osun State Government’s education policy.
The literary icon said many aspects of the Rauf Aregbesola administration’s reform in education would engender balanced view of life for the children.
The renowned writer spoke yesterday in Osogbo, the state capital, at the opening of a three-day colloquium, titled: Fundamental Imperatives of Cohabitation: Faith and Secularism.
Soyinka, who is the Chairman of the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo, advised that rather than criticise the governor’s education policy, it should be adopted by other states.
The globally acknowledged writer noted that children, at their level, should not be made to believe that they were superior to one another.
He said avoiding such a mindset would enable the children to learn well in a class-free environment.
Soyinka said if Nigerians agreed that children should not be distinguished by affluence, it was fundamentally wrong to differentiate them by their religions.
The literary icon said it was wise that Aregbesola thought about this, in line with the philosophy of giving to the children a level-playing field to learn and exhibit their God given talents.
He said: “I have heard some arguments based on the fact that the school uniform will reduce the children’s sense of individualism. I asked: who says this is what these children need at this tender age? I think they will be able to decide that when they grow up.
“What they need now is an atmosphere where they can learn without distraction, not a situation where children of the rich will come to school in designer dress while some will be struggling to get the fairly used cloth. It is good to go through this uniform together. With this, all children are on the same level.
“The uniform thing will stem the tide of inequality among school children. It is a philosophy that should be adopted throughout the country.”
The literary icon called for the introduction of subjects that would cover comparative religion in public schools so that children could understand the practice and philosophy of each religion.
Aregbesola said the views that would be expressed at the colloquium would be those inspired by structured thinking.
The governor said the thoughts to be shared – beginning from the maiden edition of the colloquium – would contribute to the ethical, spiritual, economic, political and social restructuring of the Nigerian soul.
He said: “Any faith, whose adherents are encouraged to maim and slaughter those who do not belong to it, cannot, in the true sense, be classified as faith. It is not good for any society. Any faith that exhorts otherwise should not be acceptable to any person.
“It is in this regard that the murderous activities of the renegade sect, Boko Haram, must be totally condemned. Those who feed their hideous viper of death do not in any way represent and serve the cause of Islam.”
Aregbesola said Osun was on the path of religious tolerance, which its people and the Yoruba nation are known for.
He said: “Since we assumed office, our administration has been more committed to the deepening of this practice through equal, non-discriminating relationship with the various faith groups in the state.
“There is freedom for all religious groups to operate and fulfil the demands of their faith. Therefore, those who accuse us of either having Islamisation agenda or favours one faith above the others do so either out of ignorance or mischief, or both.”
The colloquium was attended by top political office holders and civil servants, traditional rulers, market women and youth groups.
-
Be more proactive: Mark, Senate urge security agencies
President of the Senate, David Mark, yesterday condemned the bombing that left scores of citizens dead. He urged the perpetrators to rethink “because this is a needless war,” adding that “It is hard to believe that this is happening to us. No matter the anger or grievances in anybody’s mind, this war on defenceless citizens is uncalled for. This is inhuman and unarguably ungodly.” In a statement, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Senate President, Kola Ologbondiyan, noted that Mark who was already at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, enroute Ibadan, Oyo State, made a u-turn in honor of the victims on hearing of the sordid incident. It was gathered that Mark was on his way to attend the birthday of the Olubadan of Ibadan Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I on his 100 years and receive a Chieftaincy from the revered monarch. The President of the Senate sympathised with the victims and reminded Nigerians of the need to be their brothers’ keeper at all times. He also called on security operatives to collaborate with others, even as he counseled them to be more proactive in order to end the menace.
Also, the Senate decried the latest bomb blast, describing it as callous and wicked. Its spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the bomb blast, which claimed scores of lives, is one incident by the evil minds that should prick Nigeria’s collective consciousness. The Senate, he said, is worried at the dimension the orgy of terrorists attacks and its devilish activities is assuming. Abaribe said: “The Senate bleeds also on the very harrowing fact that innocent lives of Nigerians, whose only sin is to go out to look for their daily bread, would be so slaughtered in this manner. The Senate is still bemoaning the unending massacre of our people in some states in the Northeast, the latest being the killings in Borno state on Sunday and now this one,” he said.
The Senate also called on the security agencies to step up their game and be more proactive. He said: “The blame game should be over, the security agencies must step up their game and be more proactive. The country is indeed bleeding of the blood of her innocent ones who are daily being cut down by the evil minds. The Senate therefore consoles with the families of the dead and wishes the wounded quick recovery, while also urging Nigerians to remain steadfast as the Government intensifies effort to tackle the ugly menace.”
-
2015: Plot to dump Sambo as Jonathan’s running mate thickens
•Four serving governors favoured
The plot to dump Vice President Namadi Sambo as running mate to President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of next year’s election is far from being over, according to indications last night.
The fresh plot is the brainchild of some political heavyweights from the North who believe that for the PDP to make the desired impact in that part of the country in the election, it must have a presidential running mate that is widely acceptable and politically savvy across the region.
Sambo, in their view, is too far removed from the realities of the politics of the region and therefore incapable of either addressing the issues or galvanising support for Jonathan ahead of the 2015 election.
Although the president is yet to publicly announce his intention to seek re-election, political watchers believe that his political machinery is already in place as he meets with different political interests across the nation on a regular basis.
A reliable source said in Abuja that the decision to drop Sambo was reached at a high level meeting and that Jonathan’s body language on the proposals must have influenced the decision of two of the PDP governors, who are at loggerheads with the President, to drop the idea of joining the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
Accordingly, four governors were pencilled down to replace Sambo.
These are Aliyu Babangida of Niger State, Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, Isa Yuguda of Bauchi and Ibrahim Shema of Katsina.
Some of the governors had, in the past, dissociated themselves from the alleged plot to replace Sambo who was the governor of Kaduna before he was picked by Jonathan as vice president after the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua.
The source said the political heavyweights behind the plot include some retired but influential Army generals from the region, emirs and an ex-president who is pushing for Lamido.
The source said: “Don’t be deceived by the denials and counter-denials. Would you have expected them to publicly accept the plot? What I know is that these persons have been meeting and Sambo might as well be on his last tour of duty as vice president unless something drastically changes the run of event.
“I can tell you that the strategic choice by Aliyu and Lamido to remain with the PDP was due to the promise extracted by some political heavyweights in the party to make one of them, preferably Lamido who is considered to be highly disciplined and with impressive political savvy in the North, to be nominated as vice president after Sambo has failed to command the kind of respect expected of anyone in that position in the North.”
Asked if the president would not be inflicting a grave injustice on his loyal deputy should he accept the suggestion, the source said the reality is that the president would have to analyse the options before him and take a decision that would positively affect his future.
“First, it was understood that the failure to bring the Boko Haram menace to an end or even try to talk to its leadership to stop the carnage and come to the roundtable for a peace talk was due to the fact that most persons in the North still do not recognise Sambo as a Northern leader. They see him as a businessman who knows little or nothing about the politics of his domain.
“What if I told you that Shema is also scheming to be vice president in spite of his repeated denials and there is a belief that former President Ibrahim Babangida might not support Babangida Aliyu as vice president due to some reasons?”
It was gathered that the political heavyweights rooting for a Lamido vice presidential ticket have been holding talks with Jonathan and may soon reach an agreement that would seriously endanger the political fortunes of Sambo in 2015.
The source said former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s sudden silence on the Jonathan presidency might not be unconnected with how far the political discourse has gone.
It is believed that Lamido should be able to garner support to match whatever threat the Buhari or APC strategy in the North might engender.
However, it was learnt that Sambo is not taking the matter lying low as he was said to have been meeting with some of the northern governors excluding those interested in his seat, in order to garner support for his candidacy.
-
Boko Haram kills 19 in Borno villages
•Senator puts death toll at 217
The Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination was held without any security breach across all centres in Yobe State yesterday, 24 hours after another round of attacks in neighbouring Borno State by members of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram.
One target of the attacks was a secondary school in Dikwa where seven teachers and some students were killed.
Similar attacks took place in Kala-Balge towns and near Dalwa, according to Senator Ahmed Zanna, who represents the area in the National Assembly.
No fewer than 19 people are feared dead in the attacks, but the senator put the death toll at 217.
He said the 217 were killed in six villages.
Of this number 60 were killed in Kala-Balge and 150 in three other villages.
Yesterday’s JAMB exam however took place in major towns in Yobe like Damaturu, Gashua, Potiskum, and Geidam.
Security was tight as the examination got underway with candidates screened by security personnel before being allowed into the exam hall.
Some centres in the state were collapsed to accommodate candidates from particularly volatile areas.
A candidate, Hafsat Abdullahi, said that though she attends school in Maiduguri her father registered her in Yobe for fear of Boko Haram.
Another candidate, Musa Mohammadu said that he was “just happy that Allah has seen us through”.
No official of JAMB was ready to speak with the press as many of them that were approached turned down the reporter’s request.
It was gathered that insurgents stormed the Dikwa school in the early hours of Thursday, killing six teachers and two security guards.
They also abducted an unspecified number of women, residents said.
A witness, Modu Kakarimi, who fled Dikwa to Maiduguri, the state capital, said he and some others ran away to safety when they heard sound of gunshots.
“Our fear was heightened when we saw the boarding school (college) in flames. We later gathered that they have killed eight there. We fled together with our women and children,” Kakarimi said.
Senator Ahmed Zanna confirmed the Dikwa killing to journalists but he said he could not provide full details.
“There was a siege on one of the schools in the town just after midnight… They also razed the school library and escaped into the night through the bushes,” he said.
A group of insurgents also attacked Kala-Balge town, killing three people and setting many houses ablaze, some local officials said on condition of anonymity.
On Friday, suspected Islamists blocked Maiduguri-Biu highway near Dalwa village and shot dead eight passengers, a passer-by Mustapha Ali, said.
Ali, who passed through Dalwa on his way to Maiduguri said the insurgents stormed the highway in broad daylight.
There was no immediate confirmation of the attacks by security agencies but a top security officer, who demanded anonymity, confirmed them.
“There were various attacks in the state …It is sad,” he said.
Violence in the Northeast has already killed some 1,500 people this year.
-
Fayose’s, Biodun Olujimi’s feud enters second phase?
If you believe that former Ekiti State governor and PDP gubernatorial candidate in the forthcoming governorship election in the state, Ayo Fayose, has made peace with his erstwhile deputy, Abiodun Olujimi, you’ll believe anything. The duo are allegedly bracing up for another round of their head-long collision, putting paid to talks that the seeming silence between the duo has finally ended their protracted ill-feelings towards each other.
Since Fayose got the PDP ticket, many thought they will bury the hatchet and start working together again. But as things stand, there is no end in sight to the battle between them.
It will be recalled that while the reign of Ayodele Fayose as governor of Ekiti State lasted, Biodun Olujimi was one of the powerful pillars that upheld the government. She lived the life of a powerful politician, not tolerating any opposition when matters involved Fayose. She was blindly loyal to her boss. But the romance started experiencing fits of hiccups when Fayose was dislodged from the Government House in 2007.
With Fayose out of government, some of his aides had to also find where the pasture is greener, or at least where it would remain green. The crack between the former allies began to appear when former Governor Segun Oni appointed Biodun as Commissioner for Works.