The Nation Newspaper

Tag: boko haram

  • Boko Haram is after Nigerian government – U.S

    Boko Haram is after Nigerian government – U.S

    The United State Government on Thursday said it has not designated Boko Haram as a terrorist organisation because the insurgency is principally targeted at portraying the Nigerian government as ineffective.
    The Assistant Secretary for African Affairs at the U.S Department of State, Ambassador Jonnie Carson, disclosed this during a continent-wide teleconference.
    Mr. Carson said Boko Haram is not a homogenous organisation and therefore does not qualify to be labeled a terrorist group.
    “Boko Haram is an organisation trying to discredit the Nigerian government and trying to show the government as ineffective in protecting its citizens,” he said.
    He, however, conceded that the U.S “constantly keep it (Boko Haram) under review” and that is why it has declared three Boko Haram leaders as terrorists.
    In late June, the U.S Government placed Abubakar Shekau, Abubakar Adam Kambar, and Khalid al-Barnawi on its list of global terror.
    “These three leaders were declared as terrorists because we believe they have established contacts and broader network with foreign terrorist organisations. They have sought funding and materials,” he said.
    In the build up to the November 6 U.S Presidential Election, Mr. Carson spoke extensively on U.S affairs in Africa.
    According to him, the U.S’s predominant activities are targeted at helping “Africa deal with its ongoing security challenges” because crises take away resources meant for development. But he said the country’s larger aim is to help Africa grow its economy, especially agriculture.
    On the recent attacks by Islamists on U.S Embassies and diplomats in some African countries, Mr. Carson’s comments suggested
    that the “provocative video” was only a means for the attackers to show their interest, which is not necessarily religious bu
    t to force U.S government out of those countries.

  • Gunmen kill commissioner in Borno

    Gunmen kill commissioner in Borno

    •Council chair shot dead in Adamawa

     

    Fundamentalist sect Boko Haram yesterday intensified its killing spree, which started at the weekend.

    Two government officials were shot dead in Borno and Adamawa states.

    Former Comptroller  General of Prison Alhaji Ibrahim Jarma, shot on Monday by gunmen in front of a mosque in Azare, Bauchi State, died in the hospital yesterday.

    But the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Kano unveiled the arms and ammunition it claimed to have recovered from the sect’s members.

    It also shed more light on its raid on the sect, which led to the killing of a top shot and the arrest of two others.

    The Borno State Justice Ministry yesterday confirmed the killing of Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General Zanna Malam Gana.

    Gana was shot dead in his home town of Bama.

    On Monday, security sources said the JTF killed Abu Qaqa,  the sect’s spokesman and arrested two other senior members.

    There has been no response from the sect on the claim.

    Gunmen on Monday night shot dead the acting Chairman of Maiha Local Government Council of Adamawa State, Lawan Datti.

    Some residents of Kochifa Ward in Mubi town, where the incident took place, said the deceased was shot around 8p.m in his home, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

    “It is a very sad incident. We buried him this (Tuesday) afternoon,” said one of his neighbours, who preferred anonymity.

    Adamawa police spokesman Mohammed Ibrahim confirmed the incident, but gave no details.

    “All I can tell you for now is that the incident took place on Monday night,” he said.

    Kano JTF Spokesman , Lt. Ikedichi Iweha said a planned attack by the terrorist group was foiled.

    In a statement, he said the attack was planned to wreak havoc on Kano people.

    “It has equally further depleted the capacity of the terrorist group to operate. The JTF would like to use this medium to reiterate its resolve to continue to work assiduously towards the protection of lives and property in the state. “

    “The relative peace, which Kano enjoys today, can be attributed to the collective effort and prayers of the good people of Kano State. The JTF continues to count on you for the provision of information as it assures you of the utmost confidentiality in dealing with such information.”

    “Residents are therefore enjoined to go about their normal lawful business activities without any fear, as security agents are ready and will respond swiftly to any threat to life and property in any part of the state.”

    Items recovered during the gun battle with the terrorists  at their heavily wired IED hideout, include: Two  AK-47 rifles, two Pump Action rifles, one Berretta rifle, one smoke discharger, 433 rounds of 7.62 Nato ammunition, 80 rounds of 7.62 special ammunition and 2 AK-47 magazines.

    Others are: 36 prepared IEDs, 13 laptops, two motorcycles, four printers, one photocopier, one 33 slots Zenith disc writer, one TG 3900Ez generator set, religious books, large quantity of CD plates, two decoders, two satellite dish, one 21’’ television set, one DVD player, two bags of Urea fertilizer, one elite dry cell 12v battery, one blue gate UPS, One stabiliser, 10 hand held Motorola radios and five battery chargers.

    Jarma died yesterday afternoon at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital Bauchi (ATBUTH), Bauchi while receiving treatment as a result of injuries he sustained from the gunshots.

    The former prisons boss was shot near his house in Azare headquarters of Katagum Local Government area of Bauchi state by unknown gunmen as he was coming out from the mosque after observing the Ishai prayer.

    The gunmen also killed one of his security guards, a prison warder and injured one when they opened fire at the security guards in Azare.

    Chief Medical Director of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital Dr Mohammed Alkali confirmed the death of Alhaji Jarma in a telephone interview with reporters.

    Alkali said that the former Comptroller General of Prisons was transferred to ATBUTH from Federal medical centre Azare on Monday night but died while receiving treatment yesterday afternoon.

    Jarma, who retired from the service as Comptroller General of Prison in 2002, contested the governorship election in 2003 on the platform of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) against Former Governor Adamu Mu’azu.

    Holder of the traditional title of the Jarman Katagum, the former Prisons boss  was educated at the famous Barewa College, Zaria, Kaduna State, was at the wedding of the governor Isa Yuguda’s son held at the Emir of Katagum’s Palace  a fortnight ago and was part of the marriage process.

     

  • Destruction of masts

    Destruction of masts

    •It is the Boko Haram bulls’ eye attack on northern economy

    The security crisis plaguing Northern Nigeria has taken a new dimension with the orchestrated destruction of telecommunications masts across several states in the zone. Obviously the aim is to cripple communications and businesses, and unless the wave is contained, insecurity in the region will worsen.

    The Boko Haram sect, which has claimed responsibility for most of the insurgency in the region, has also claimed responsibility for this new development. Tragically, as the infrastructure of the telecom companies are being destroyed, members of their staff and innocent bystanders are also killed by the hoodlums.

    With this new tactics, the Boko Haram sect is out to destroy what remains of the distressed economy of the region. As seen in recent times, the sect has been attacking federal and state institutions, alongside the schools that have been their original target. Last week alone, about 16 persons were reportedly killed in Damaturu and Potiskum, Yobe State, while the Ministry of Religious Studies, Pilgrims Welfare Board, Hajj camp, local government INEC office, and Government Secondary School, Damaturu, were targeted with Improvised Explosive Device (IED). In the same week, the masts in Kano and Maiduguri were also targets of the incendiary activities of the sect.

    The political leadership in Nigeria as we have severally argued must rise up to the primary responsibility of government, which is the protection of lives and property. Because of the persistent wanton destruction of lives and property, it is gradually turning to a permanent state of affairs in the region. In such situation, more businesses close down, more people get displaced, and a major chunk of the scarce resources is spent fighting the insurgency. The result is that poverty worsens, and those orchestrating the violence get more members from the population of frustrated Nigerians, and the result is a cycle of violence and poverty.

    The Joint Task Force (JTF) on the Boko Haram crisis in Yobe State reported that four persons have been arrested in connection with the destruction of the masts, and are being interrogated. We urge the JTF to do more than it has done. It is strange that despite assurances by the Federal Government that it is on top of the situation, the facts on ground remain increasingly slippery. While the Federal Government has changed some key officials and spent huge resources, if the budget is anything to rely on, the results are merely trickling in.

    Unfortunately even before the Boko Haram insurgency started, the North-Eastern part of the country was the least educated, and also at the lowest rung of poverty index in the country. Little wonder that the crisis started and is dominant in that area. With all efforts concentrated on containing the crisis, there is no doubt that the zone will be moving further down the rudder of underdevelopment. Targeting education and any modicum of modern development, the religious sect is obviously determined to return the area to its rustic settings of the previous centuries.

    Even more tragic is that members of the sect are also destroying the communications channels that they also use. While condemning everything western, they rely on modern facilities, including destructive IEDs to spread mayhem. The sect no doubt uses telephones to communicate and pass down instructions, and it is strange that despite their original claim to be fighting against government and other religions, they have now started destroying private properties that are beneficial to all.

    Telecommunication investments in the North have to be protected. Moreover, states in the region would increase the tempo of whatever effort they are making to redeem the north from irreversible destruction. It is also necessary for the states to reconsider their stand on state police, which we have argued may be necessary to stem the apparent descent into anarchy.

  • Boko Haram: Bloody days in Kano, Borno, Bauchi

    Boko Haram: Bloody days in Kano, Borno, Bauchi

    -20 die in clashes -JTF: sect’s kingpin killed

     

    Guns boomed in some parts of the North on Sunday and yesterday.

    Twenty people were killed in clashes in Kano and the Borno State capital, Maiduguri.

    Gunmen believed to be members of the Boko Haram sect stormed Bauchi, killing nine people on Sunday night.

    In Maiduguri, a gun duel between men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) and the Boko Haram men led to the death of 10 gunmen. Some JTF members were injured and  some houses burnt down.

    Yesterday, the JTF in Kano claimed to have killed a kingpin of Boko Haram (western education is a sin). It also declared two members of the sect arrested.

    Sources close to the Kano JTF said it killed Abu Qaqa, the Boko Haram spokesman, in Kano after which two others with him were arrested, but the sect had not reacted as at last night.

    A JTF official said Boko Haram spokesman and commander of its members in Kogi State were shot dead at a checkpoint at Mariri, Kano. The official said the men had come to Kano to seek medical attention for the spokesman’s wife, the BBC reported.

    Boko Haram has staged numerous attacks across the North, killing some 1,400 people.

    The military has previously claimed to have arrested Abul Qaqa, but this was denied by Boko Haram officials who said a wrong man had been detained.

    The JTF said it stopped a car suspected to be carrying some senior Boko Haram commanders in Kano.

    A source close to the military said one of the people in the car tried to escape and was shot. He died in the hospital.

    The source said some of the people in the car informed the military that the person shot was Abu Qaqa, the man who signs emails sent to the media on behalf of the group.

    Abu Qaqa is believed to be an alias. So, establishing his identity will not be easy.

    The woman who was with them allegedly told security forces that the man killed was Abul Qaqa.

    Statements are often issued on behalf of Boko Haram in the name of Abul Qaqa, and someone identifying himself by that name has regularly held telephone conferences with reporters in Maiduguri.

    Earlier this year, security sources said a suspect believed to be Abul Qaqa had been arrested.

    At the time, a purported Boko Haram member confirmed one of the group’s high-ranking members was arrested, but refuted reports that the detained person was its spokesman.Boko Haram has been blamed for more than 1,400 deaths in the North.

    The group’s attacks have grown increasingly deadly and sophisticated, including suicide bombings at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in Abuja, the Police Headquarters and the Abuja office of ThisDay.

    JTF spokesman Lt. Ikedechi Iweha said an early morning operation was carried out in Hotoro Quarters.

    According to him, the suspects were raided and arrested following a tip-off from intelligence sources at an identified residential home in Hotoro Quarters.

    Asked whether one of the arrested suspects could be identified as Abu Qaqa, Lt. Iweha said, “All I know is that two people were arrested and I don’t know their rank. Therefore, I cannot know whether it is Abu Qaqa or not.”

    He said the suspects would be transferred to Abuja for further interrogation.

    The killing and the arrest of the two suspected Boko Haram members came barely 24 hours after gunmen believed to be members of the sect killed a Civil Defence Corps officer, alongside his wife, daughter and a visitor in his Hotoro Quarters home.

    Nine people were killed in Bauchi also on Sunday night.

    Governor Isa Yuguda yesterday condemned the killings and the wounding of 15 others in an attack on people at Zango in the Bauchi metropolis.

    The injured are receiving treatment at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi.

    Yuguda described the attack as an act of terrorism.

    His Chief Press Secretary Mr. Ishola Michael Adeyemi, spoke on his behalf in a statement.

    Yuguda said: “There is no way we will allow criminals and terrorists to continue living among us, terrorising innocent people. We must partner to stop these heinous acts.”

    The governor noted that terrorists’ acts are not directed at one direction because of religion, tribe and or political inclination, but every citizen is made a target. “We must come together to fight these evil men. They live among us and we must expose them at all cost. These wanton killings must stop now.”

    He added: “Let us allow security operatives to do their work and track down the criminals. We should please avoid anything that will lead to the loss of more lives and disrupt the peace that we are enjoying in the state.”

    The gunmen, operating on a tricycle (Keke NAPEP), opened fire on a group of people at Zango, at the Federal Housing Estate in Bauchi while they were relaxing.

    No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack that took place a few metres from where an Islamic group, the Kala-Kato, staged a revolt in February 2009.

    Security in the area and in the state capital has been tightened. Bauchi Police spokesman ASP Auyo confirmed the killings.

    In Borno State, no fewer than 10 people died on Sunday night during the exchange of gun fire between men of the JTF and some suspected terrorists.

    Some houses were also set on fire. The gun duel ensued after a bomb explosion in Gwange ward of the Maiduguri Metropolis around 8:30am.

    An eyewitness, Mallam Usman Abdullahi, said: “An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) suspected to have been planted by some terrorists targeting a security patrol vehicle in Gwange Ward, exploded, injuring two JTF men.

    Abdullahi said: “Soon after the explosion, gunshots ensued, but the JTF after repelling the attack, quickly cordoned off the area.

    “I cannot say whether those killed were innocent people or the houses which were set ablaze belong to the suspected terrorists, but all I saw with my eyes was that some bodies littered the streets on Monday morning, even as some houses were still burning,” Adbulahi said.

    A hospital attendant at the State Specialist Hospital, who does not want his name mentioned, said he saw two patrol vehicles of the JTF with bodies, adding that each of the vehicle carried five bodies. This was yesterday morning. He said they came to deposit bodies of those believed to be killed terrorist.

    Also on Sunday evening at about 8:45pm, some gunmen  and injured a business man and  top ANPP stakeholder in Yobe State, Alhaji Mustapha Sheriff Mashidimami.

    It was gathered that the gunmen who invaded the family house of the politician in Damboa road in Maiduguri, demanded some unspecified amount of money, but when they were not able to get their demands from the business man, they shot and injured him before they fled.

    JTF spokesman Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa and police spokesman Gideon Jibrin could not be reached because of lack of communication networks being experienced in the state for the past one week.

    A former Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Chris Alli yesterday said that for Nigeria to overcome the insurgency of Boko Haram, it must design its operations in a way that will make it impossible for members of the sect to have contacts with indigenes of communities.

    Gen. Alli canvassed a change of policy and setting up of operational command bases under the command of the President in areas prone to Boko Haram attacks.

    He spoke in Benin City yesterday at the 80th birthday celebration by Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia. He delivered a lecture on the topic: “Reshaping the Nigerian Army Changing Security Environment.”

    The former Chief of Army Staff called for the establishment of a foreign unit to monitor Boko Haram interaction with terrorists operating outside Nigeria.

    He said: “Activities of Boko Haram in the Northern part of Nigeria have become a major security threat, as the sect pursues an extremist ideology seeking to establish an absolute Islamic State starting with Borno State.

    “The sect’s objective is to destroy the present democratic practices and impose its own brand of government.’

    Gen. Alli urged the government to provide medical services and basic amenities to individuals affected by Boko Haram activities as well as providing services that Boko Haram could not provide.

    He noted that Nigeria Army cannot execute many of its tasks because it lacks “significant airlift and sealift capabilities.”

    He said ethno-religious conflicts in Nigeria could have been well managed by the police if not for the teeming jobless youths and proliferation of arms.

  • Three dead in fresh Plateau killings

    Three dead in fresh Plateau killings

    • Bomb scare rocks Jos

    Tension heightened in Plateau State yesterday ahead of today’s Eid-el-Fitri following the killing of three people in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state.
    Two others were injured when five people were ambushed and shot on Friday by yet-to-be identified gunmen at Sho village. The attack is the latest in the series of acts of terrorism in the area.
    Killed were Yero Goma,Wada Usman and Maliki Magoro.
    Goma and Usman died on the spot while Magoro died while receiving treatment in the hospital, according to the National Secretary of Miyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Alhaji Saleh Bayeri.
    Bayeri said the men, all of whom are Fulani, were apparently ambushed while returning to Sho from Barkin Ladi.
    “The only survivor of the attack, Useni Ahmodu, confirmed to me that their attackers were Berom,” he said.
    However, another version of the story is that the assailants were Fulani who mistook the victims for Berom.
    Gyang Tsoho, a Berom, said: “That is their style of attack. They normally lay ambush to attack the Berom but this time around they got it wrong and attacked their own.”
     The Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crises otherwise called Operation Safe Haven said the attack was carried out at about 5pm on Friday.
    Spokesman for the STF, Captain Salisu Mustapha said: “armed men opened fire on them killing one Yero Gomma and Wada Uman on the spot while Abdullahi Mukaka and Useni Ahmodu sustained gunshot wounds.
    “The fifth person, Saleh Shuaibu escaped unhurt. The injured were rushed by men of the STF to a clinic in Barkin Ladi for treatment.
    “However, Abdullahi Mukaka, one of the injured persons died at the clinic. Despite the incident the STF will like to reassure the public of its commitment to ensure a hitch free Sallah celebration”
    He pledged that the STF would “leave no stone unturned in fishing out the perpetrators of this dastardly act”
     Barkin Ladi has been a flash point of bloody confrontation between the Fulani and the Berom for some time now.
    Only last month, unknown gunmen opened fire on sympathisers who had gone to bury victims of an earlier attack on a village in the area. In the stampede that ensued a Senator and State legislator representing the area, Dr. Gyang Datong and Mr. Gyang Fulani died.
    Soon after the bloodshed, the STF combed the area in search of arms, weapons and terrorists.
    Panic also swept through Bukuru in Jos South Local Government Area yesterday after an abandoned bag was mistaken for a bomb.
    The police dispatched its anti- bomb squad to the scene and the bag was found to contain nothing of the sort.
    This came 48hours after the Rikkos police station in Jos was bombed.
    The explosion damaged some surrounding buildings and injured one person.
    The military and the police are intensifying security in the state which has witnessed violent clashes between Christians and Muslims and attacks blamed on Boko Haram over the last few years. Two main prayer grounds in Jos have been put off-limits for today’s Eid prayers.
    Alternative areas have been provided.
  • Fed Govt ready for logical conclusion with Boko Haram, says Maku

    Fed Govt ready for logical conclusion with Boko Haram, says Maku

    • Acknowledges sect’s claim of impersonation

    Information Minister Labaran Maku yesterday pledged Federal Government’s commitment to the on-going peace talks with the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, until the grey areas are resolved and peace ensured in the country.
    Earlier talks between the two parties were inconclusive on account of suspicion of insincerity by bot sides.
    Mr. Maku in a statement in Abuja said government is receptive to any initiative aimed at sustaining or bringing about harmony in the country.
    He was responding to comments on the Voice of America (VOA) by Boko Haram that it was in talks with government.
    He said: “The attention of the Federal Government has been drawn to the statement issued through VOA Hausa Service on Tuesday, 14th August 2012 by Ahlul Sunna lil daawa wal Jihad.
    “The Federal Government welcomes any initiative that will usher in peace, security and tranquillity in the country, especially in the light of the security challenges that we have faced in the last two years.
    “In this context, we welcome the statement by Ahlul Sunna lil daawa wal Jihad acknowledging that they have been in contact with the Federal Government through its representatives and have started negotiations with the objective of reaching a final solution to this crisis.
    “In this regard, the Federal government wishes to reiterate its willingness to listen to the grievances of the sect.  It is our hope that this process will lead to restoration of peace, security and tranquillity to Northern Nigeria.”
    He said the government has taken notice of information by the group that other unknown individuals are using its name to commit atrocities in the country.
  • ACN urges Jonathan to caution Lamido

    ACN urges Jonathan to caution Lamido

    THE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has urged President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, to prevail on the Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido to stop persecuting the leader of the ACN in the state, Alhaji Abubakar Hassan Falata.

    ACN accused Lamido of conducting himself in a manner contrary to the constitutional norms by subjecting Falata to indecent and repressive treatment because he challenged his victory in the last governorship election.

    In a statement in Osogbo and signed by the party’s Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy in the State of Osun, Kunle Oyatomi, ACN accused the Sule Lamido administration of political persecution of an opponent whose only crime was that he challenged the result of the last governorship poll in court.

    Oyatomi alleged that since June last year when the case was heard in court, the ACN leader in Jigawa State has been assaulted by PDP thugs. He added that he has also been arrested and detained by the police for over a week without charge, and his wife who works with the state government has been evicted from her official home by Governor Lamido.

    “ACN cautions Lamido that whatever he is doing now as a governor will determine how Nigerians will react to his bid for a higher political office in future.

    “A governor that persecutes an innocent woman because of her husband’s political ‘sin’ will be unfit for Nigeria’s presidency,” Oyatomi said, adding, “already that is one step to dictatorship. Thank God, Lamido is showing his true colour and Nigerians should stop him on his tracks.”

     

  • Boko Haram kills Ekiti varsity lecturer

    •Law students carrying the potrait of the late lecturer during the rally

    The Ekiti State University (EKSU) Campus was thrown into mourning last week. A lecturer in the Faculty of Law, Barrister Muhammed Sanni, was killed by gunmen suspected to be members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect. Sanni was killed in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State last week.

    When the news hit the campus, there was confusion. Lecturers and students expressed shock as the news spread across the campus. This situation led to the abrupt termination of lectures last Tuesday.

    Sanni, a prominent personality among the Hausa lecturers teaching in the university, broke the ethnic barrier through his contributions to the development of the university and Ekiti State. He was honoured as Otunba of Isinbode Ekiti by the traditional ruler of Isinbode Ekiti as a result of many roles he played towards the development of the town.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the late Sanni travelled to his home state with his son, who secured admission into the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID). However, he arrived Maiduguri in the evening but stopped at his friend’s house in Biu to pass the night. Sanni’s host was said to be a prominent politician in the state. He was killed when the sect members struck in the area.

    In a rally held on campus in his honour, Otunba, as the late Sanni was called by students, was described by students as a good man whose office was opened to all students.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Patrick Aina, who addressed the students, said: “We received the news of Sanni’s death with shock. He was a genius who worked with me to take this university to its desired position in the world. But we have lost him through the bullets of some clueless individuals who parade themselves as Boko Haram. The management will not neglect his family because Sanni was part of us and he would continue to be.”

    Akintola Makinde, 500-Level Law, expressed sadness. He said: “The death of Barrister Sanni has brought grief in the heart of the students. It is a colossal loss to Ekiti State University and Nigeria.”

    Adegbite Adegbile, Economics student, said: “I don’t believe Barrister Sanni is dead. He was such a jovial lecturer with whom one never had dull moments. He taught me General Study (GST) and none of the students that offered was marked down.”

    The Law Students’ Society president, David Erinoso, who spoke in tears, said: “It is painful that my relationship of many years with Otunba had to end this way. It is so sad.”

    One of the mourning students said: “Otunba is one of the lecturers who would walk with students freely. He always had time to crack jokes with us. He would tell us not to let our rich culture die.” The Dean of Law faculty, Dr. T.I Akomolede, described the death of Sanni as “a blow that will take years for the faculty to recover from.”

  • Advice for Jonathan on nation’s unity

    Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan was yesterday urged to focus hisenergy on halting the lingering insecurity of lives and property caused by the onslaught by the Boko Haram sect in order to ensure the sustained unity of the country.

    He was also advised to summon the courage to tell Nigerians the truth about the state of the nation’s economy and stop deceiving Nigerians by trying to fix it wrongly through the back door with an unworkable policy.

    Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) members of the House of Representatives – Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, representing Gbonyin, Ekiti East and Emure Federal Constituency and Chief Rotimi Makinde of Ife Federal Constituency – who gave the advice, also threw their weights behind the Senate in its efforts to stop the government on the controversial N5000 notes.

    “Day in, day out, things are getting worse for Nigerians, even than how they were before Jonathan came in. It appears the economy is in a bad shape and the government must let us know the truth rather than complicating things with the N5000 note issue. There are daunting challenges that daily threaten the health of the country and that of helpless Nigerians. These are what should occupy the mind of Mr. President for now,” Faparusi said.

    In a statement entitled: ‘State of the nation,’ Makinde, who is the Deputy Chairman, Human Rights Committee in the House, also said: “As a lawmaker and accountant with meritorious pedigree, no economic policy, measure or innovation such as the proposed introduction of new N5000 notes can triumph in an unsecured environment like ours. Besides, this, among others should not be our priority at this trying and turbulent period. We should be concerned with only those things that will promote the unity of this entity called Nigeria.

    “On daily basis, we face the challenges of series of attacks on innocent lives and government properties/utilities across the land. A few days ago, three NNPC staff were gruesomely murdered in Arepo Village while trying to fix a damaged pipeline. There are series of other attacks ranging from armed robbery to unrest orchestrated by the Boko Haram sect.”

    He spoke further: “Uniformed men are killed on daily basis. The NYSC scheme, with its good intention, is facing probable scrapping as no one would want his folks to serve in troubled states. These are issues that must bother any responsible and responsive administration.”

  • Politics of First Lady’s sickness

    The Presidency relapsed to the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua era last week when the news of the sickness and treatment of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan  in a Germany hospital broke.

    She had left the country unannounced and her media managers never felt it was necessary to tell the people about her whereabout after all, she was not the elected president of the country, hence the need to keep it top secret.

    It was the same situation the country found itself in the Yar’Adua era when those around him felt the issue of his sickness be treated as top secret and that explained why he was smuggled back into the country in the dead of the night. Just like the issue of Yar’Adua’s illness, the media was awash with the First Lady’s secret trip with different ailments named for her sudden disappearance from the Presidential Villa. Though her media aide has denied all the speculation, saying she went for a well deserved rest after so much work in the last one month or so.

    At the time of compiling the activities that shaped the Presidency last week, the return date of the First Lady was yet to be ascertained.

    However, while the constroversy lasted, the Presidency was a beehive of activities. Right from the first working day of the week with President Goodluck Jonathan launching the second phase of YouWin which focused on women. The focus on women, Jonathan noted, was because of their ability to create a multiplier effect of funds besides the fact that it was in line with the United Nations charter.

    He also revealed that since the commencement of the programme last July, about 933 of the 1200 beneficiaries of the first batch of YouWin award winners have received the first tranche of about N1.03 billion from  the funds, with an assurance that the few yet to receive will do so by the end of next week.

    Ogoni leaders meet Jonathan, say no to secession
    The Ogoni people, in the course of the week, were at the presidency. They distanced themselves from recent cession declaration by members of a faction of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People pledging to the unity of the country. The people also used the opportunity to make their position known to the presidency on the issue of  the $1 million recommended by United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) as start-up point for the Ogoni clean-up. They insisted that it must be wholly spent on Ogoni alone.

    The insistence, according to Ogoni people, followed Federal Government decision to expand the scope of work of the Ogoni Environment Restoration Agency specifically recommended by UNEP for the Ogoni to include other areas experiencing hydro-carbon pollution.

    They were able to extract some assurances from the President who told the Ogoni people that the report will not be diluted when its time to implement it.

    The President also assured that government was yet to authorise any firm to take over from Shell the oil wells in Ogoniland, adding that it is not done in consultation of the story.

    Military capability and Boko Haram
    At a time when many thought that the country’s military would have been overstreched by the activities of the terrorist group, Boko Haram and other sectorial crisis, the Presidency said it was not so. It assured that the involvement of the military in checking social unrest including the Boko Haram insurgency has not in anyway reduced the effectiveness of the Armed Forces in defending the territorial  integrity of the nation.

    Minister of State, Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, who took her turn to brief the President on the performance of the ministry viz-a-viz the 2012 budget implementation, disclosed the readiness of the Armed Forces in meeting up with it’s primary responsibility.

    The minister who was responding to concerns raised about the high level of involvement of military personnel in handling the scourge of terrorism in the country, said that all arms of the military still had enough troops to be deployed in the case of any eventuality.

    N5000 note and the people
    The Federal Government may have decided to go ahead with the introduction of the N5000 denomination  despite the huge criticism that greeted the idea.

    The proposal got the endorsement of the  National Economic Management Team (NEMT)- a conclave of some senior government officials and prominent businessmen after the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’ Sanusi Lamido Sanusi cleared all grey areas sorounding proposal which already has the blessing of the President.
    The new higher denomination  will be introduced along with the new coins of N5, N10 and N20. The policy is expected to take effect in 2013.

    Meanwhile, the National Asembly has asked the CBN to apply brakes on the proposal for now.

    But NEMT argued that it was the primary responsibility of the CBN to effect changes in the nation’s currency with the approval of the President. The economic team also allayed the fear that the introduction of the note will lead to high rate of inflation, saying that there is no link between inflation and currency denomination.

    Besides, the group argued that the introduction of the higher currency will help shore up the value of naira as most people who store money in hard currency would now embrace the high denomination.

    Presidency also voted the sum of N65.223billion  for the Benin-Sagamu road at the Wednesday weekly Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Jonathan. Nigerians have been calling for the repair of the road whichn has becme dead traps for motorist plying the route.

    Jonathan engages civil society groups on constitution
    The presidency also did the unexpected within  week in review as it gathered together who is who in the country’s civil society organisatons. It was the first Presidential Retreat for Civil Society, Organisations and Professional Association. It was also part of the 52nd Independence Anniversary of the country.The main issue was the Constitutional amendment.
    Jonathan in his remark promised to deliver a people oriented constitution that would ensure development of the country.

    In this regard, the president also  assured that the contribution of the people will be considered in the amendment processes.

    He argued that a constitution must originate from the people and bear clear imprint of their contributions.
    Jonathan also explained why government was  engaging the civil society in the constitution review process, saying that government want to tap onto their vast knowledge of constitutional review borne out of many years of consistent effort to craft a people’s constitution for the country.

    President Jonathan also assured that the report of the  former Chief Justice of Nigeria , Justice  Alfa Belgore Committee which harness all areas of consensus in past constitutional conference will soon be forwarded to National Assembly alongside the proposed bills.

    meanwhile, the National Assembly has set a deadline of second quarter of 2013 to conclude work on the amendment of the 1999 constitution. The set date was to ensure that the process does not rolling into electioneering period.