The Nation Newspaper

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  • Fashola disburses N77m for scholarship

    Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola has approved N77, 536,621.20 as scholarship award to 337 qualified indigenes in various tertiary institutions throughout the country .

    Board Secretary Mrs. Yetunde Jegede, who made this known to reporter yesterday, said the beneficiaries are 223 undergraduate students with 3.5 Grade Point and above and 74 post graduate students who took part in the last Local Scholarship interview in January.

    She said: ”The list also includes 40 undergraduate students who automatically qualified for Merit Award having got 4.0 Grade Point and above”.

    Mrs. Jegede explained that the documentation the presentation ahead of this category of beneficiaries will commence next Monday at the Board premises in Agege.

    She noted that thereafter, ATM Cards would be released to beneficieries that have been cleared.

    The secretary implored the concerned students to come for their award with original and photocopies of documents which include school identity card, current Progress Report, two passport photographs, letter of admission, N2, 000.00 LSSB Brochure receipt obtained from the Office of the Special Adviser on Education, Alausa and every other document that were not submitted earlier.

    The award value ranges between N200, 000.00, N300, 000.00 and N400, 000.00 for undergraduate, master’s and doctorate students.

    Online sale of the local scholarship award for 2012/2013 session would also start on October 22.

    Interested applicants are expected to pay and obtain receipt of N2, 000.00 at the Office of Special Adviser on Education, Block 5, Secretariat, Alausa, after which a scratch cards will be obtained at State Scholarship Board, Agege.

    She urged applicatants to submit their forms at the interview centre with Letter of Admission, father’s birth certificate, applicant’s birth certificate, identification letter from local government, Identification letter from royal father, student school I. D card, JAMB Result Slip, SSCE/GCE Result, receipt of purchase of application form, and Current progress report with minimum of 3.5 CGPA or 2nd Class Upper for post graduate applicants.

  • Police arrest 10 suspected terrorists in Kano

    The Kano State Police Command yesterday arrested 10 suspected terrorists who are said to be fleeing members of the group that killed two police officers and two members of the Kano State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

    The suspects were arrested in the city following an extensive raid of hideouts of suspected terrorists.

    In a statement by Police Commissioner Ibrahim Idris, the command said the suspects have confessed to committing the crime.

    Idris said of the 10 suspects, eight were being quizzed over the killing of two policemen in Dawanu area of the city while the other two were masterminds of the killing of the FRSC officials in Madobi area of Kano. The statement explained that three rifles stolen by the suspects were recovered in an uncompleted building in Dawanu, while two of the AK47 rifles belonged to the slain policemen.

    All the suspects, the police chief said, have made confessional statements.

    According to him, one of the suspects had gunshot wounds when the police wanted to arrest him and later died in a hospital.

    Idris said: “The second suspect, Ibrahim Inusa, of Sudanese parentage and no fixed address, is in police custody. The two were involved in the killing of the two FRSC men.”

    The statement added: “One of the suspects, Ibrahim Inusa, together with others at large, specialised in the killing of innocent citizens in the state. During investigation, he confessed to have organised and participated in various killings of civilians and security personnel at Gaida, Sheka, Gwale and other parts of Kano, including the recent killing of some Federal Road Safety Commission workers on the Sabon Titi Madobi Road in Kano.

    “He claimed that the slain FRSC men impounded their motorcycle and said that was the reason they attacked him and his colleagues.

    He also confessed that his gang members deceived their victims with a GSM call that there was an accident on Madobi Road, which needed their intervention. They then ambushed them on their way to the phony accident scene and they were killed.”

  • Ex-Kogi Speaker seeks Jonathan’s, IGP’s help

    The embattled Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Bello, yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar to save the state legislature from annihilation.

    Bello addressed reporters in Abuja in company of 12 members of the Assembly who backed him.

    He said when the members went to the House to resume legislative duties early yesterday, they were prevented from entering the Assembly complex by policemen allegedly acting on the orders of the Police Commissioner.

    Twelve of the 25-member Assembly on Tuesday announced the impeachment of the Speaker and other principal officers of the Assembly.

    Many Nigerians have condemned the action, saying the 12 lawmakers did not meet the constitutional requirement of two-thirds majority, which is supposed to be 17 members, to carry out the impeachment.

    Bello vowed to challenge the impeachment in court to ensure that sanity is restored in the state.

    He said: “All these things that are happening across the states, particularly in Kogi State, would not have been happening if some people around Mr President were not trying to cause a problem for the country as if they were acting in the interest of the President.

    “The President that I know, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, is a man of honour and rule of law.

    “In the last general election in which we took part, he ensured that the elections were free and fair. So, there is nobody that could have used the name of Mr. President to perpetuate illegality in any part of the federation, particularly in Kogi State.

    “I appeal to Mr President as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the No 1 Citizen of this country to rescue the Kogi State legislature from annihilation by the Executive arm of government in Kogi State. This is because what has happened is an executive influence and maximum force, which led to the compromise of the police.

    “I, therefore, want to appeal to Mr President to come to the aid of Kogi parliament, because without the parliament there is no democracy. The absence of a parliament means what we have is absolute dictatorship.

    “So, if any governor decides to muzzle the parliament in any state, what we have is elected sole administrator as governor. We want Mr President to address this situation as a matter of urgent public importance.”

    He said his life was in danger as the Commissioner of Police in the state had withdrawn all his security aides.

    The embattled Speaker urged IGP Abubakar to probe the matter and ensure that the rule of law prevails.

    Bello added: “The Commissioner of Police, by 2 am yesterday, withdrew all my security. You know what it means for my security to be withdrawn without informing me. That, to me, is an abuse of power; it is an affront on the constitution; it is against the rule of law and it is unjust.

    “We are taking all legal measures within the Constitution to address this matter. We know that a solution is in sight through the use of the legal instrument that is available to us.”

    The former Speaker said other Assembly members would challenge the impeachment in court.

    He said: “I feel threatened. That is why I have cried out to Mr President to come to the rescue of the Kogi State House of Assembly. That is the more reason I have personally called on the Inspector-General of Police to look into the matter because if two-thirds of the House of Assembly, which is 17, was not present where the purported action took place, I don’t see how a Commissioner of Police would compromise because we are talking about the issues of principles behind any action.

  • Boko Haram: Nigeria, Niger sign joint border patrol agreement

    A joint border patrol agreement was yesterday signed by Nigeria and the Republic of Niger.

    The agreement is part of the measures taken to curb the activities of Boko Haram in the Northeast and other terrorist groups along the borders of the two countries.

    Besides, the two countries agreed to equip their National Boundary Commissions with the requisite logistics to ensure rapid completion of the re-demarcation of the Nigeria-Niger International boundary.

    The agreement was reached at the end of the Sixth Session of the High Authority of the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission for Cooperation, held in Niamey, the capital of Republic of Niger.

    President Goodluck Jonathan, who led the Nigeria delegation co-chaired the session where issues ranging from security to trade were discussed.

    He arrived at the Diori Hamani International Airport, Niamey at 9.45 am aboard a Presidential Jet marked 5N-FGW and was welcomed by the Nigerien leader, President Issoufou Mahamadou and other top government functionaries.

    He was accompanied by Governors Sule Lamido(Jigawa); Ibrahim Shema (Katsina) and Borno’s Kashim Shettima.

    On the president’s entourage were; Ministers of Transport, Water Resources, Enviroment, lnterior, Ministers of State for Defence, Foreign Affairs and Works.

    Jonathan had a brief meeting with his Nigerien counterpart.

    The two leaders adopted and signed bilateral agreement on defence and security.

    According to the communique at the end of the session yesterday, the two Heads of State expressed worries over the danger of terrorism in the region and hence the need to jointly tackle the situation.

    The communique was jointly signed by the two countries Foreign Affairs ministers. Dr. Nurudeen Muhammad, Minister of State, Foreign Affairs signed on behalf of Nigeria. Mr. Mohamed Bazoum, Senior Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration and Nationals in Diaspora signed for the Republic of Niger.

    The communique reads:

    “At the sub-regional level, the Heads of State expressed their concerns over the danger brought by the international terrorism into their sub-region, namely Al Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb, Boko Haram and other weapons and drug trafficking criminal organisations which constitute a threat to the peace and stability within the West African region.

  • Free handbook for Lagos expectant women

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has said consideration must be given to family planning for Africa to solve its socio-economic problem.

    Fashola spoke yesterday at the launch of the Maternal and Child Mortality Reduction Programme held at the Blue Roof, Lagos Television, Agidingbi Ikeja.

    The governor launched the maternal and child mortality handbook, which will be distributed free to all expectant women at government hospitals.

    He described the development as a most critical link that will help curb maternal child mortality in the state and Nigeria.

    The governor said a legislation to restrict the number of children every family can have was not necessary, adding that the decision to have a certain number of children must be made between the husband and wife because of its economic and social consequences.

    Fashola said: “After the children come, that’s where the real work of parenting starts. You start paying school fees and taking care of all their needs.

    “My wife and I, many years ago, agreed that we wanted two and we are happy with it, you may decide to be happy with four. So we do not need the kind of legislation in China where you can only have one.

    “Africa must begin to slow down its population first, so that the ones that are here already are supported and taken care of before adding to the number.

    “This is my own argument for family planning; it’s a matter of common sense. If you still want to be paying school fees at 76 when you should be enjoying your pension, well it’s your choice.”

    The governor said the objective of the programme was to focus on mother and child adding that those who give life must not lose theirs in the process.

    He said the government has initiated various programmes, including the establishment of eight 100-bed Maternal and Child Care Centres (MCCs) to address the challenge of proximity and accessibility to quality ante- and post-natal care.

    Fashola said five of the eight MCCs are completed and managed by qualified medical personnel.

    He explained that 45,249 babies were delivered from March 2010, when the first was inaugurated, till June this year.

    The Minister for Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, who was represented by the Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Prof Akin Osubo, hailed the efforts of the state in reducing maternal child mortality.

  • Floods: Anambra committee denies rape at camps

    The Anambra State Committee on Flood Victims yesterday denied a report that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were being raped in the 25 camps.

    The committee, which is headed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Oselloka Obaze, also denied a rumour that robbers invaded the camps to steal the relief materials donated by some individuals and corporate organisations.

    At a joint media briefing in Awka, the state capital, the Commissioner for Local Governments, Lady Azuka Enemuo said the claims were baseless and unfounded.

    She said: “We have put in place a solid machinery to protect life and property at the camps created by the Peter Obi administration. Those things happened elsewhere and not in Anambra.

    The Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Prof Chinyere Okunna, warned against politicising the donation and distribution of the materials.

    The commissioner explained that Obi continuously appealed to the donors to channel their materials to the government for equitable distribution.

    She said the committee comprises the State Executive Council (Exco) members and clerics.

    Prof Okunna said the committee has been meeting daily to appraise the situation at the camps, adding that two of the eight local government areas affected were submerged.

    Those submerged are Ogbaru and Anambra West.

    Enemuo said the government had spent over N40million on the evacuation of the IDPs, adding that this covered the running of daily activities in the camps.

    The Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Development Lady Henrietta Agbata said more materials were being expected.

    The commissioner said her ministry had sent letters to church leaders in the state for assistance.

    The church leaders, according to her, were outside the flooded areas.

    She added that similar letters had been sent to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and corporate organizations.

    The SEMA state Coordinator, Dr Nwabufo Ijezie, said five people had been confirmed dead in the floods.

    He said Anambra State did not record high causalities because of the proactive measures the state took.

    The committee yesterday received more relief materials from Chief John Udeagbala, who is based in Aba, Abia State.

    The representative of the donor, Innocent Udeagbala, said the materials were brought to rehabilitate the IDPs.

    He urged other well-meaning residents to assist the flood victims and commended Governor Peter Obi for what he had done in the state.

  • Cross River: Children’s kidnappers increase ransom to N10m

    The kidnappers of the two children, who were abducted in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, on Tuesday, have increased the ransom from N5 million to N10 million, it was learnt yesterday.

    Emmanuel (10) and Agbo (4) were snatched from their mother, Mrs. Juliet Eko, on the Murtala Mohammed Highway by gunmen.

    On Tuesday, a family source said the kidnappers had reduced the ransom from N30 million to N5 million.

    But the source said the ransom was increased to N10 million yesterday.

    It was learnt that the victims’ father, Mr. Johnson James Eko, told the kidnappers that he has only raised N1 million, but the hoodlums said he was joking.

    The source said the kidnappers said the girl, Agbo, was ill.

    The source said: “The girl had fever when she was abducted. Right now, she is ill, but the boy is alright. Eko is optimistic that God would touch the kidnappers’ hearts.”

    The source described

  • Ex-NBA vice-president gets bail

    Former Vice-President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Blessing Ukiri was yesterday granted bail by Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court (FHC) 3, sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    Ukiri was arrested and detained last Friday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly converting money meant for his client to private use and money laundering.

    He was arraigned on Monday and the court remanded him in prison custody.

    Ukiri allegedly converted the N35 million judgment sum paid by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to his client, Mr. Samuel Onowighose, to personal use.

    He allegedly used part of the money to buy 150,000 units of First Bank of Nigeria Plc shares, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition act.

    Five Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) – A. Akpomudje, Sebastine Hon, B. Nwafor, G. Abibo and Lucius Nwosu – and 36 other lawyers were at the hearing of the bail application yesterday to defend and show solidarity with Ukiri.

    EFCC counsel A. I. Apogha opposed the bail application on the grounds that Ukiri might jump bail or influence the prosecution’s witnesses.

    But Akpomudje insisted that the charge was a bailable offence and his client would not jump bail.

    Justice Agomoh granted Ukiri bail for N2 million and told him to produce two SANs in as sureties.

    The matter was adjourned till November 29.

    Immediately after the court session, Akpomudje told the people in the crowded court room to move to the nearby Law Centre, the state office of the NBA in Port Harcourt, situated within the State High Court Complex, for “jollification.”

    Speaking with reporters after the court session, Ukiri said: “The funds for which I am charged for money laundering are my earned legal fees and a judgment debt against the United Bank of Africa (UBA) Plc in suit No. PHC/156/2008: E. B. Ukiri vs UBA Plc.”

  • Foundation plans N100m package for flood victims

    The Dickens Sanomi Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, plans a N100 million fund for flood victims in Delta and Bayelsa states.

    In a statement in Abuja yesterday, the foundation said it would establish eight camps and provide relief materials, such as foods, beddings, clothing, toiletries and medicals.

    The statement reads: “On arrival, the team embarked on an on-the-spot assessment tour of the affected communities in Ughelli North and South, Isoko North and South, Patani, and Burutu Local Government Areas of Delta State; as well as Kolokuma/Opokuma, Yenegoa and Ogbia local Government Areas of Bayelsa State.

    “In our operations, we provided four 500-seater engine boat and five 18-seater speed boats at the Arhavwrien waterside. For the first four days; these boats were used to evacuate IDPs from all the riverine communities.”

  • 3,642 ex-militants to be trained in Obubra

    About 3,642 Niger-Delta ex-militants who were absorbed into the third phase of the Federal Government amnesty programme are to be trained in Obubra, Cross River State.

    Media Assisstant to the Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Committee , Mr Daniel Alabrah, who stated this in Benin City, said the inclusion of the ex-militants followed a proposal by the chairman of the Presidential Amnesty committee, Mr Kinsley Kuku.

    National Chairman of the Niger Delta Development ex militants Julius Joseph, in a statement, said the ex militants under the third phase amnesty programme have been paid.

    The statement said the inclusion of the third phase is a confirmation of the President’s commitment to sustainable economic empowerment of youths in the Niger Delta .

    With the development, the group said: ‘we pledge our unalloyed loyalty to Mr President as ambassadors of peace and partners in development to move the region to greater glory’.

    Also yesterday, the Amnesty office denied any fraud in the programe.

    In a statement by Alabrah, the Amnesty Office said: “For purposes of clarity, the issue of the delegates that opted out of their training in South Africa and insisted on oil and gas drilling training was immediately and satisfactorily handled by the PAP Chairman, Kingsley Kuku, six months ago. Almost immediately, 17 of the 18 delegates were moved to the National Energy Skills Centre in Trinidad and Tobago and are due to graduate soon.?

    The Amnesty Office had always cautioned that it should be left out of the politics of Ondo State ahead of the governorship election in the state regardless of the fact that its chairman is a key stakeholder in the politics of the state.

    Let us restate that the amnesty programme is not politicised as the chairman is committed to delivering on its mandate of training and reintegrating every genuine former agitator in the Niger Delta.

    The result of such commitment is there for everyone to see except those who prefer to be blind and deaf.”