The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Adamawa

  • 24-year-old father beheads son in Adamawa

    The Adamawa Police Command yesterday confirmed the arrest of a man at Ganji village in Gombi Local Government Area for allegedly beheading his five-year-old son.

    Arrested with the suspect was a village head, who allegedly requested a human head for N1 million.

    Parading the suspects before reporters in Yola, the state capital, police spokesman at Muhammed Ibrahim, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the boy was killed on July 24 at Ganji village.

    He said Alti Alhaji, father of the first suspect, reported the incident to the Gombi Police Divisional Headquarters. He said the suspect took his son (Alhaji’s grandson) to a bush but did not return with the boy.

    The spokesman said when Alhaji asked the suspect where he left his grandson, he replied that the boy was on his way home.

    Ibrahim said: “After a while, the grandfather and some members of the family went to the bush to find out what exactly happened.

    “It was after searching the nearby bush that they discovered the body of the boy, which had been beheaded and dumped in the bush.”

    He said the suspect confessed that he committed the crime.

    “When interrogated, he confessed and pointed at a village head as the one who directed him to bring a fresh human head at a cost of N1 million,” Ibrahim said.

    The police spokesman said the two suspects were under police custody for further investigation.

    Answering reporters’ questions, the first suspect alleged that the district head of a village directed him to bring a fresh human skull.

    He said the district head promised to give him N1 million, if he delivered.

    Asked why he sacrificed his son, the suspect said when the village head gave him the order, he lost his mind.

    But the village head, aged 63, denied the allegation.

    The chief insisted that he had no business with the first suspect, whom he said was not his ‘age mate’.

    “I didn’t direct him (first suspect) to commit such ugly act. In fact, I was shocked when he pointed at me, that I directed him to commit the crime,” the village head said.

     

  • Aliyu, Lamido, three others are patriots – IBB

    Aliyu, Lamido, three others are patriots – IBB

    Former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, on Monday described the five northern states governors who are consulting with elders to find solution to the country’s political problems as patriots.

    The governors are – Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, Alhaji Aliyu Wamako (Sokoto), Alhaji Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Rabiu Musa Kwankonso (Kano) and Muritala Nyako (Adamawa).

    Rising from a meeting with the governors which also had Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) in attendance, the former military leader said the move by the governors was not only commendable but timely, acknowledging the foresight of the governors in finding solution to the various challenges facing the country through consultations.

    The meeting took place at the Presidential Lodge, Minna.

    “I want to commend the governors and some of their colleagues. I was very impressed because they have seen the problem of the country as our problem and they have taken the right steps to consult widely in trying to finding solution to some of these problems.

    “These governors are real patriots and I am very happy and I told them so,” the former military leader stated.

    Four of the five governors on Monday continued their consultations with eminent personalities with a meeting with the two former military leaders in Minna.

    They were in Abeokuta last Saturday to meet with former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his Hilltop residence.

     

  • Adamawa agriculture phenomenon unwrapped

    Examining the impact of agricultural development in Adamawa State is colossal considering the fact that the governor himself is a farmer, he took more than a passing interest to turn around the fortunes of the state in agriculture when he took office in 2007 and today he has brought about what can be described simply as a revolution in agricultural development in a state that is mainly agrarian in nature.

    He began with the establishment of Farming Skills Acquisition Centres [FSAC] in the twenty-one local government areas of the state with the sole aim of impacting positively on the populace with modern and different methods of farming. These farming skills acquisition centres which are manned by German farmers serve as enlightenment centres to farmers who register free and are taught various forms of farming, equipment usage, herbicides handling, mechanisation and tools application.

    The centres have helped changed the scope of Adamawa State in agriculture to a large extent and the governor also set up Farming Skills Demonstration Centres in all the wards of the state where imputs and materials for functional operations have been supplied to the farmers directly. Cassava cuttings are purchased, 200,000 bags every year, for farmers while seedlings of different nature are also purchased and supplied across the state.

    The state also adopted crops components maxing to teach farmers on how best to handle cross fertilisation and stem development in crops, also a drip irrigation system for maximum pasture has been supplied across the local government areas.

    In addition to the existing tractors, the state government also purchased more tractors which are available to farmers. The governor also mandated every serving commissioner to establish their own farm to boost jobs and bountiful harvest in Adamawa State, many people who were not into farming have become big time farmers since Governor Murtala Nyako became governor as he supplies fertilizers and other needed herbicides to the state at subsided prices.

    Another aspect which the governor introduced to the people of Adamawa State is the development of a technical funding for a state wide grassroots programme of micro credit scheme to access international domestic, many domestic farmers in Adamawa State have utilised that to increase their farming yields.

    When Governor Murtala Nyako took over, there were less than one million herds of cattle in Adamawa State but today there are over six million herds of cattle in Adamawa State. Different varieties of crops which mere strange to the state are becoming unwavering to the market as agriculture survey indicates that one million tonnages of tomatoes, maize, cassava, millet, rice, beans, fish, yam, pepper, etc. flood the market across the state while exportation to other countries is high. If this rapid transformation trend continues up to 2015, Adamawa State may have the capacity to feed the whole Nigerian nation because the governor is pursuing a vibrant agric policy to emancipate the poor.

    During the survey, Hon. Lucy Ishaku revealed that Governor Nyako has provided fish farming facilities and solar-paused boreholes in 18 farm centres across the state while a Danki Farmers Community Centre [DFCC] for farm produce processing bay has been completed and 2000 irrigation water pumps have been purchased and distributed to farmers, while, additionally, some earth dams have been established and existing ones rehabilitated.

    The approach to agricultural development is seen by what some people have described as revolutionary, but the governor did not stop there; he installed cassava processing medicines in some areas of the state where cassava is main stay, and also established groundnut oil extractors in the northern part of the state while rice millet’s association have been supplied with rice milling machines, maize thresher in the 21 local government areas have also been completed.

    Towards the farming techniques, the governor has been encouraging people who are jobless to go into farming as land is available. Many people have taken that advantage and up to 500,000 farmers have turned up at the various farming centres to learn different methods of farming across the state. Today, food is available everywhere in Adamawa State.

    Adamawa farmers are now grappling with preservation methods. There are more than 25,000 vegetable farmers in Adamawa State who produce vegetables in excess, there are also about 200.000 rice farmers in Adamawa who produce and bag long grain rice which the German farm technicians have trained through the farming skills acquisition centres with different skills. The state is leading the North East in food production.

     

  • Rivers’ crisis: Arewa group threatens to retaliate attack on governors

    Rivers’ crisis: Arewa group threatens to retaliate attack on governors

    A socio-political group, under the aegis of the Arewa Rapid Response Network (ARRN) has threatened to retaliate the attack on four northern governors at the Port Harcourt International Airport on Tuesday.

    In a statement signed by the national coordinator of the ARRN, Mallam Yakubu Ahmed, the group warned the perpetrators against allowing the chain of events in Rivers to snowball into a national crisis capable of truncating the nation’s democracy.

    Governors Rabiu Kwakwanso (Kano), Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Sule Lamido (Jigawa) and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) were attacked by supporters of the Minister of State, Mr. Nyesom Wike. Their host, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, also came under attack.

    Eye witnesses said the mob attacked the convoy of Amaechi and the four governors with stones and clubs, smashing the windshield of some of the vehicles, including the coaster bus in which commissioners rode. They were also shouting obscenities at the convoy.

    Over 5,000 supporters of Wike, under the aegis of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), armed with placards bearing various inscriptions, moved to the airport as early as 7am, protesting against the governors’ visit.

    Wike is the grand patron of GDI.

    The Arewa group accused the Presidency of having instigated the attack on the governors, adding that it was a calculated attempt by agents of President Goodluck Jonathan to humiliate the visiting northern state governors.

     

  • My father was jailed for refusing to let me attend school – Atiku

    Late father of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was jailed for refusing to let him attend school in his hometown of Jada, Adamawa State.

    The former Vice President recalled the incident on Sunday  in remarks at  the conferment of an honorary doctorate degree on him by the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations, Switzerland.

    “When my father was put in jail by local authorities because he needed my assistance with herding the livestock, it seemed like a harsh punishment.”

    “Were he to be alive to witness this day (Sunday ) and the last 30 or so years of my life I am sure that he would exclaim “wow! Education pays after all, ” Atiku stated.

    The founder of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola recalled that as a young lad growing up in his rustic village of Jada, he had dreams, but that it was education that made his dreams come true. 

    According to him, “education is what brought me in contact with members of the United States of America’s Peace Corps when I was still a little boy; a contact and interaction that would have profound impact on my life, especially my love for education and service.”

    While underscoring the imperative of education to personal growth and development, the former Vice President said it gave him the friends he made across Nigeria as he attended high school and university; gave him a job in the Nigerian civil service; and provided him with opportunities to meet and form more life-long friendships from across the world. 

    Atiku  attributed the modest achievements he has made in business and politics and the contributions in improving the lives of others to education.

    He stressed that education is what has informed his determination to give back to society, especially through education.

    He noted that the centrality of  education in the improvement of the human condition is one reason why public policy must seek to always improve the quality of and access to public education everywhere in the world, especially in developing countries like Nigeria.

    He advised parents not to choose career options for their children but allow them to discover their innate potentials by charting their own preferred discipline.

    “A young friend of mine, who heads the human resources department of an organization in Nigeria, called me up one night about seven months ago and said he came across an application for employment by one of my children and wondered whether I consented to my child applying to work in that organization. 

    “I asked why he needed to clear that with me first and he said he thought that I would prefer that my child works in one of my establishments.  I then told him that I do not choose careers for my children.  I owe them good education; I support them to acquire good education.  What they do thereafter is up to them as adults,” Atiku said. 

    Others who received honorary doctorate degrees from the same institution are His Excellency (Dr.) Oguz Demiralp, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey and His Excellency (Dr.) Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Director General of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) and Honorary Dean of the Geneva School of Diplomacy.

  • Adamawa condoles with Lagos

    Adamawa condoles with Lagos

    The Adamawa State Government has expressed condolences to the government and people of Lagos State on the death of Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji.

    She was the President-General of the Market Women and Men Association of Nigeria and mother of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Lagos State governor.

    The Director, Press and Public Affairs to Governor Murtala Nyako, Ahmad Sajoh, in a statement in Yola described the late Alhaja Mogaji as a nationalist.

    The statement reads: “Governor Nyako, on behalf of the government and people of Adamawa State, sends his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Lagos on the death of a foremost nationalist.

    “The governor equally extends his condolences to his brother, Asiwaju Tinubu, on the death of his mother.”

    He prayed for the repose of her soul.

    The statement urged Nigerians to imbibe her virtues of hard work, perseverance and commitment to a good cause.

     

  • Adamawa, Delta Queens back in action

    Adamawa, Delta Queens back in action

    Delta Queens will get back into business when they meet Adamawa Queens later today for the rescheduled Week 9 fixture of the Women Pro League.

    The fixture was postponed for all of Week 9 to enable state FA prosecute their respective Federation Cup Final. White Doves will host city rivals Inneh Queens in a reserve fixture of Monday’s encounter. The newcomers in the WPL suffered a 5-0 defeat in the hands of Inneh and will be hoping to avoid a second beating in just two days.

    Standard Babes will play host Nasarawa Amazons. They had received a 3-0 thrashing on Saturday and will be hoping to exact revenge when the Amazons go to Aba. Osun Babes also have revenge in mind as they welcome Kogi Confluence Queens. The Lokoja based side gave the Osogbo side a 2-0 defeat on Saturday.

    Lagos FC Robo have had their fixture shifted by one day as they travel to Taraba to face FC Taraba Queens today. According to Coach Adebayo Ademisoye, they will need to rest from their long journey.

    “The journey to Taraba from Lagos is like two days by road and we will need to rest before we get on the pitch,” he told futaa.com.

    All matches will be decided by 4 pm in different match venues across the country.

  • Nyako, Shettima, Geidam may sue Jonathan over funding of special forces

    Nyako, Shettima, Geidam may sue Jonathan over funding of special forces

    The governors of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states may go to court to challenge plan by President Goodluck Jonathan to use their states’ monthly allocations to fund the military operations in the states under the emergency rule.

    Governors Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Kashim Shettima (Borno) and Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe) are said to have sought legal advice on the issue.

    They believe that since Defence is on the exclusive list in the 1999 Constitution, the Federal Government should solely fund the Special Forces deployed in the states.

    The governors are likely to seek judicial interpretation of Section 217 of the 1999 Constitution.

    The governors are unhappy with a section of the emergency rule proclamation which seeks to confer on the President power to manage funds meant for states and local governments under emergency rule.

    The section says: “Any Order made under sub-regulation (1) of this Regulation may in particular, if it appears to the President to be necessary or expedient for the purpose mentioned in the sub-regulation – make provision for the detention of any person either within the emergency area or elsewhere, removal and exclusion of any person from the emergency area; authorise the taking of possession or control of any property or undertaking in the emergency area; authorise the entry and search of any premises; provide for the application of any law (with or without modification), in relation to that area; provide for the utilisation of the funds of any State or Local Government in the emergency area; provide for the payment of compensation and remuneration to persons affected by the Order; provide for the apprehension, trials and punishment of persons offending against the Order; and provide for the maintenance of such applies and services as the President considers essential to the lives of persons in the emergency area.”

    Investigation revealed that the legal advisors had on Friday started consultations with the Attorneys-General of the three states, who will report to the governor.

    Sources in Borno State said: “The three governors are already weighing legal options. The three states are taking the legal measure as they are not prepared to take chances which is why they are trying to work well ahead so that they are not caught unawares.

    “The three state governments believe that controlling their funds would amount to a clear breach of the constitution because the emergency Proclamation Bill, 2013 that gave the President powers to spend funds meant for states or local governments in areas of emergency rule is in conflict with the constitution and the legal effect of declaration of emergency in an area simply means that citizens are deprived of certain fundamental human rights because of the security issues involved.

    “All laws no matter how important they may be to the governance of the country cannot supersede the provisions of the constitution because of the supremacy of the constitution which the President and every sworn public officer has an obligation to preserve and protect.

    “The constitution does not in any section remove the executives or dissolve democratic structures and relief them of their functions.

    “Power to spend funds meant for states and local governments is constitutionally vested on the chief executives of the state and local governments being second and third tiers of government directly benefiting from the statutory allocation of the federation.

    “So, any attempt by the President or any other person appointed to act in that behalf is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void and of no lawful effect whatsoever. In addition, it will be a fragrant abuse of the constitution to tamper with funds accruable to these tiers of government and in this case, Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states which are all federating units like the federal government.

    “Moreover, the provision of security is squarely within the Exclusive Legislative list of the constitution which is purely the responsibility of the federal government to protect the lives and property of its citizenry through security agencies.

    ” Basic social amenities like water, healthcare, education, welfare of the citizens fall within the concurrent legislative list of the constitution which both the federal and state governments are to provide.

    “This clearly means it is the exclusive duty of the federal government in the first instance to fund security services, so why should the President now deprive states of their funds to provide the concurrent legislative list to citizens.

    “This is purely unconstitutional and even a part two law student will deliver judgment against the President and the federal government.

    “Moreover, the states of Borno and Yobe have been the ones funding security operations since the deployment of troops under the JTF to the States, the federal government didn’t give them a dime, why should the President now even consider holding on their funds whereas they have been discharging his own functions?”

  • Issues in emergency rule in Adamawa

    I read a news story in Thisday of Thursday, May 16 credited to Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as saying that the state of emergency imposed on Adamawa State is justified. Giving reasons for the justification, Tukur posited that as a border state to Borno, there is need to create a buffer zone so as not to allow insurgents operate in Adamawa. He further claimed that border areas in Adamawa share the same ethnic and religious affinity with Borno State, hence the need for the emergency rule in the state.

    With all due respect, I disagree with the justification given by the PDP chairman. I consider the reasons given as factually false and operationally illogical. In the first place, the four local government areas of Adamawa bordering Borno State are Madagali, Michika, Shelleng and Gombi. Apart from Shelleng, all the other three LGAs, and especially the communities on the borders, are predominantly Christian, or at least non-Muslims. It is therefore false to claim they share religious affinity with the Islamic insurgents.

    Furthermore, states of Gombe, Bauchi, Kano and Plateau also share borders with Borno and Yobe, and have much closer religious affinity with the Islamic insurgents than Adamawa. Besides, there are more violent attacks and killings in these states than in Adamawa. It would have been more logical to create this so-called buffer zone in these states than in Adamawa, or at worse alongside Adamawa. But to leave such states and clamp down on Adamawa does not, in my opinion, make any sense whatsoever.

    As far as I am concerned, there is absolutely no justification for considering Adamawa as deserving of emergency rule and the other states do not. While the reasoning is incongruous to the reality on ground, the action is out of all proportions to the violence or threat of violence in the state. It only gives the impression that it is political rather than strategic considerations that informed the decision to include Adamawa among the states for emergency rule. This has the tendency to politicize the exercise and ultimately defeat its essence. This must be discouraged at all costs, if the objective is to succeed.

    In addition, one necessarily does not have to be a lawyer or a judge to see that the act conflicts with the principle of necessity and proportionality under Subsection 33(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011. Worse of all, the imposition of curfew from 6pm to 6am on the entire state by the military authorities is also in conflict with the principle of reasonability as enshrined in Subsection 41(2) of the 1999 Constitution.

    At this juncture, it is important to state other reasons why I oppose emergency rule in Adamawa. We are all living witnesses to cries and accusations of extra-judicial interrogations, detentions, tortures and killings of innocent persons by the operators of emergency rule since the eruption of insurgencies in the North in 2009. We have also witnessed the morbid disruption of normal economic, social, political and religious activities in states affected. No person would wish such for their states. While we all crave for insurgencies and terror acts to be nipped in the bud, we cannot accept the violation of people’s rights or innocent persons losing their lives on account of anti-terrorism measures employed by the authorities – because we know that terrorism can be obliterated without necessarily getting society suffer all the negative effects outlined.

    A counter terrorism measure that limits or derogates from human rights, like the right to freedom of movement can only be reasonably justified in a democratic society if and only if it can be shown that the limitation or derogation do not deprive or threaten to deprive citizens of their economic, social, religious or political rights, and more so if such deprivation or threat to it can create conditions conducive for the spread of terrorism. In other words, the operators of emergency rule are duty bound to apply the principle of necessity and proportionality in their measures to proffer solution to terrorism. That is why I oppose the imposition of curfew on Adamawa from 6pm – 6am by the military authorities in the state. The order is clearly insensitive to the religious rituals of our people. Such restriction of movements as contained in the order will blight citizens’ rights to worship. For the Muslims, they cannot perform three of their obligatory [Magrib (sun set), Ishah (night) and Subha (morning)] prayers. I believe it will also hamper on some Christian denominations and faithful who undertake late evening and early morning congregations. This curfew period, therefore, certainly would be unacceptable to such believers, most especially the Muslims, and can generate cause for friction with authorities rather than the desired cooperation. To this end, I call on the military authorities in Adamawa to reconsider the curfew period while the state of emergency lasts, suggesting instead a period from 8pm – 5am. This would allow all reasonable congregational prayers over; and will help engender people’s cooperation and avert conflict with emergency rule operators.

    We all acknowledge that the adverse effect of terrorism in our society is direct and substantial, i.e. it endangers the rights to human life, to personal dignity, to liberty, to freedom of movement, conscience and worship, to pursuit of wealth and happiness, etc. However, it is not contemplated and acceptable that measures taken to counter terrorism should have adverse impact, in the same way terrorism has, on the lives of citizens, or activities of society. If that happens, then it becomes a double jeopardy to the people. The primary duty of government to rid the society of terrorists and terrorism is not more sacrosanct than its duty of protecting the lives and property of innocent citizens, and maintain peace and harmony in the society. In carrying out this responsibility, the federal government must not only be able, but also must be seen to be able, to effectively balance the two elements.

    Finally, to attain this balance, all actions must be taken to ensure that Nigeria complies with Resolution 60/288 of the United Nations Global Counter-terrorism Strategy in which member-states are required as a matter of necessity to take measures aimed at addressing conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism. Such measures, according to the resolution, include the entrenchment of rule of law in public matters, preventing and punishing of violation of human rights, enhancing the welfare of citizens, reduction of poverty in the society and ensuring that all measures employed to counter terrorism comply with obligations of International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law and International Refugee Law.

    •Dr. Ardo a PDP stakeholder, writes from Adamawa State

     

  • Senate endorses emergency rule in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa

    Senate endorses emergency rule in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa

    The Senate yesterday unanimously endorsed the Presidents’ proclamation of state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

    Though there was no debate by Senators, the deal to approve Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s contentious action in the three northeast states was sealed at a closed session of the upper chamber that lasted about one hour.

    Senate President David Mark announced conclusions and decisions reached in the closed session.

    After laying what could be called the background to the state of emergency, Mark announced that “at the end of the day, we would like to support the Federal Government in this proclamation of state of emergency in the three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.”

    The seeming tension in the Senate gallery evaporated immediately Mark declared the support of the upper chamber for the proclamation.

    He noted that the lawmakers were conscious of the fact that there was mayhem in the troubled states.

    The Senate President noted that 100 of the 109 senators approved the proclamation.

    He said the summary of their discussion was the fact that the democratic structures in the states would remain in place.

    Mark said: “We want to emphasise very emphatically that all the democratic structures must be left in place and must be allowed to operate fully and actively and they must also be involved in all the efforts that the Federal Government is putting up to bring this ugly situation to an end.

    “We also would like to emphasise that the Armed Forces are issued a proper code of conduct where they are humane and benevolent and make sure that all citizens are treated with utmost respect so that they do not lose their respect as human beings.”

    Mark said the Senate stressed the need to fund the operations adequately, and provide relief and all medical materials “as quickly as possible”.

    To the Boko Haram insurgents and “terrorists”, a plea was sent.

    “It is still not too late to cooperate with the forces that are there in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe so that we can bring this to a logical conclusion as quickly as possible,” Mark said.

    “We must emphasise that at the end of the day, a military solution is not the final solution to the problem on ground; it is to win the minds and hearts of the citizens in the states that are affected and indeed, in the whole country that we see a final solution to the problem as we see it today.

    Besides, he stressed the need for an enduring solution, saying: “We believe that when the whole military operation is over, that the Federal Government will ensure that development gets to these areas as quickly as possible.

    “We implore the Federal Government to use the carrot and stick policy to ensure that this is brought to a logical conclusion as quickly as possible,” Mark said.

    “Mark asked whether what he announced is the true reflection of what happened in the close session.

    There was a thunderous “yes” by Senators.

    The Senate President added that the Federal Government’s measure was aimed at bringing normalcy to the affected states “because the situation was completely out of control in some of the local governments where the insurgents and the terrorists hoisted their own flags, were collecting tax and were running a government as if they were not part and parcel of the country. That is totally unacceptable.

    “We were a total of 100 senators seated today. So, we have only nine Senators who were out on essential duties.

    “Our requirement to pass this is 72.”

    Chairman, Senate Committee on information, Media and Public Affairs, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, at a news conference, said the Senate adopted the voice vote method to approve the proclamation to protect some Senators from possible harm from some misinformed people.

    Abaribe noted the Senate rule empowered them to regulate their conduct as necessary.

    He said: “We looked at the whole situation and we believe that we should protect some of our colleagues from any harm from some people who are misinformed.”

    He noted that it was obvious to all Senators that “we should first have a corporate entity called Nigeria before any other consideration”.

    Abaribe also said that the Senate had not received any request for additional funds for enforcement of the state of emergency.

    He said that if such a request was made, it would be considered.

    The leadership of the Senate, led Mark, entered the Chamber by 11.10 am.

    After initial pleasantries, Mark proceeded to say the prayer for the day’s business to begin.

    Senator Victor Lar (Plateau South) moved for the adoption of the votes and proceedings May 16.

    He was seconded by Senator Atai Idoko (Kogi East).

    There was a single item on the Order Paper entitled “Motion: State of the Nation” slated against the name of the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba.

    Mark read a letter from Mr. President containing a gazetted copy of the state of emergency proclamation 2013 for necessary action by the Senate.

    The letter has two items-the declaration of state of emergency in three states, Borno, Yobe and Adamawa and the retention of the administrative structures in the states.

    President Goodluck Jonathan requested the Senate to accord the memo expeditious consideration.

    Ndoma-Egba moved that the Senate should go into a closed session to consider the presidential memo.

    He was supported by the Minority Leader, Senator George Akume.

    Visitors who swarmed the Senate gallery in their numbers were shut out by 11.36 for the commencement of closed session on emergency proclamation.