The Nation Newspaper

Tag: day

  • School marks World Book Day

    A  nursery school, Little Me Preschool based in Abuja, has launched a book written by its pupils with help from their minders to celebrate the World Book Day.

    The 16-page fairy-tale titled: ‘Oceans Adventure of Captain Jolly’, was inspired by the school’s Proprietress, Samira Atiku  who allowed the little authors aged one to five to express their creativity exploring the life of a sailor – Captain Jolly and his ship in a make believe world filled with colourful sea creatures.

    Though the book was based on the creative imagination of the three to five-year olds, the younger kids between one and two years’age brackets were not left out as they coloured in most of the images drawn by the older pupils.

    Speaking on the inspiration behind the book, Atiku said the theme for this term is ‘Under the Sea’ combined with  inculcating in them knowledge about sea creatures resulted in ther (kids) passion for story time; hence her decision to combine the two and watch what the kids would come up with.

    “Oceans Adventure of Captain Jolly is a Little Me Preschool team work composition, for children, by children to celebrate World Book Day 2018. It was inspired by the drive to bring life to children’s ideas by opening their minds to the world of prints and all of its unendingpossibilities.The Knowledge that information can be relayed in the form of prints is the bedrock of reading for any child,” he explained.

    The school’s Administrative Manager Mrs Muleh Atta, who spoke on the importance of World Book Day said setting out a day to show the kids that books are special will go a long way in establishing a reading culture within the children and sharpening their imagination.

    “World Book Day is very important to children because books are simply magical. They are the door way through which children enjoy various experiences using their thoughts and imaginations to build new frontiers of their own”.

    As the children’s involvement in the production of the book, they also visited the Charvid Printing Press where they watched their imaginations transform into a book.

    Three-year-old Aminu Sadiq, one of the book’s contributors, explained that it was fun and exciting creating a story from his imagination and seeing it come to life in a book.

    “The best part for me was when I saw Captain Jolly and my drawing being printed out from the big machine.

    “We saw our book on a monitor,” four-year-old Mahmoud Imam said, adding: “There was a ship and the picture of our story. There was also a mouse but not the type that squeaks.”

  • Thoughts on Armed Forces Day Celebrations

    Thoughts on Armed Forces Day Celebrations

    Several nations of the world hold an annual Armed Forces Day Celebrations in honour of their military. Nigeria is not left out. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations in Nigeria is an annual event organized to honour members of the armed forces who fought in the first and second world wars. It is also an event to honour those who served or are still serving in various peace support operations worldwide as well as those who fought in the Nigerian Civil War.

    The day is therefore to celebrate both the dead and the living heroes including all those who suffered various deprivations as a result of wars. The day was formerly marked on November 11 of every year to coincide with the Remembrance Day popularly known as “POPPY DAY” or “11 – 11” for the first and second world wars veterans in all commonwealth countries. However in Nigeria, in view of some significant historical events, notably the surrender of Biafran troops to the federal troops on January 15, 1970, it is celebrated on January 15 every year.

    From thence, military personnel including the army, the navy, the air force and the Nigerian legion converge in different centres across the federation to celebrate the day and give honour to the fallen and living heroes who hazarded and continue to hazard their lives for the territorial integrity of the nation and for peace to reign worldwide. The event is held at the federal, state and local levels where either serving military officers reside or where living ex-service men occupy.

    Several events including release of pigeons to symbolize peace, placing of wreaths, playing of the last post, Remembrance Day Parade, firing of 21 gun salute and others characterize this memorable day. The military officers are usually attired in diverse colours typical of their fields, be it navy, air force, army and the ex-service men. The event also witnesses religious services in both mosques and churches nationwide.

    Looking at the historical background of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, it is obvious that it is purely a military affair, since they are primarily saddled with safeguarding the territorial integrity of the nation.

    However, the present internal security challenges on different theaters for almost a decade now has, without mincing words, stretched the military beyond its limits and expectations as is evident that the military alone could no longer handle the situation especially in the North-east where the Boko Haram held sway for some time.

    This had led to a lot of alignment of forces, contributions, supports and collaboration from various security agencies to fight the series of insurgencies that have been confronting the nation. The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) for instance, has been known to participate in both peace keeping and peace support operations all over the world while to a lesser extent the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Department of State Security (DSS) have all contributed personnel on peace support operations in UNMIL in Liberia, UNAMID in Darfur and the UNMIS (United Nations Mission in South Sudan), during which lives were even lost.

    I also wish to add that a lot of officers and men of the various security agencies that formed the Joint Task Force (JTF) to combat the Boko Haram insurgency have lost their lives in the process of performing military operations outside their statutory duties; just like the military is now fully involved in the internal security operations to secure the lives and properties of citizens in this country which is primarily the function of the Police. This synergy and collaboration is needed particularly at a time like this when the capacity of the armed forces is stretched thin. This is where the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) which has contributed significantly to the fight against terrorism and lost many of their men deserves a special place in the annual celebrations.

    It is observed that Nigeria as a sovereign nation, considering her unique historical events and challenges changed her own Remembrance Day Celebration from November, 11 to January 15 of every year and also the form or scope of the celebrations to suit her own purpose and the dictate of the situation till date.

    In as much as the essence of the Remembrance Day Celebrations is to honour officers and men either dead or living who served in various peace support operations worldwide, including those who fought in the world wars and the Nigeria Civil War; it is highly recommended that the scope of the celebrations be expanded to take care of the new security developments in the country especially those figting in the Boko-Haram war among other insurgencies ravaging the country. It is good and morally right that the leadership of the various security agencies other than the military and the police that have contributed to the achievement of international, regional and national peace especially in Nigeria where its corporate existence has and is still being threatened, be made to lay wreaths during the Remembrance Day Celebrations in honour of their own service heroes too.

    The organizing committee of the event can schedule and incorporate the sequence of laying of wreaths by the concerned service chiefs in their programme for the day.

    “What is good for the goose is good for the gander”

  • On World AIDS Day 2017

    On World AIDS Day 2017

    SIR: Nigeria presently has an estimated 3.2 million people living with HIV, the second largest burden in the world after South Africa, but only an estimated 1.1 million of these know their status (just over 30%). Though 88% of those who know their status are on treatment and 81% of those have achieved viral suppression, the statistics look worse when put in the perspective of the total number of people living with HIV, revealing that only 30% of people living with HIV in Nigeria are on treatment. This means that we still have a long way to go in ending AIDS in Nigeria despite the 90-90-90 target.

    Between 2010 and 2016, new infections in Nigeria reduced by just 5% and the total number of people living with AIDS increased slightly. Most new infections are among the heterosexual population but key populations like men who have sex with men, sex workers and people who inject drugs are estimated to contribute about 40% of the total HIV burden in Nigeria.  Only 24.4% of people aged 15-24 have knowledge of HIV prevention, the report also showed a low to average usage of condom among individuals aged 15 – 49 years.

    Achieving 90-90-90 and ultimately zero AIDS involve community effort. We must all work together to push for behavioural change for men to reject harmful versions of masculinity, prioritizing and protecting key populations, empowering women and girls. It is also key that stigma and discrimination are addressed, as these serve as barriers to people who need access.  More work also needs to be done on educating and informing Nigerians on safe sexual practices especially condom usage and other HIV prevention strategies.

    We must address harmful masculine gender norms, which contribute to greater risk-taking and poorer uptake of health services among men as well as criminalization and high levels of stigma and discrimination of members of key populations. Consent laws and insufficient access to comprehensive sexuality education deny young people the services and knowledge they need.

    We must continue to aggressively work towards ensuring that 90% of those who are living with HIV know their status, and improve on linkage of newly detected positives to sites where they can access treatment. This must also be coupled with increased capacity for offering treatment especially in underserved areas and locations.  The prospect of achieving this goal has increased with new deals on more effective and cheaper dolutegravir, a medication used for HIV treatment, which will be made available next year in African countries, as well as the ongoing test and start strategy. Most importantly, we must hold our government accountable to increase its funding to tackle AIDS and quit relying only on external donor funding.

    Yes, 90-90-90 is possible in Nigeria. Together we can end AIDS.

     

    • Dr. Owoyemi Ayomide,

    Lagos.

  • Rotary Lagos Island marks World Polio day

    Members of Rotary Club Lagos Island have marked this year’s World Polio Day at Elegushi Market, Lekki.

    Members of the club marched round the market with a band and a big banner. They sang and danced as they moved round. Some of them came with their children and spouses. They also held a talk.

    The club’s President Sanjeev Tandon said the aim of the event was to, principally create awareness on the dangers posed by the disease, immunise children and ensure that the marketplaces were kept clean. He said the world over only three countries Pakistan, Afganistan and Nigeria (PAN) were still not polio-free. He said the club’s wish was to see to it that Nigeria was left off the hook in the next two years.

    Tandon said: ‘’We opened this camp at this market to  create awareness on polio. We walked around the market and gave some children vaccination. We are trying our best on polio eradication.’’

    An executive of the club Chief Glover said Rotary had taken it upon itself to stamp out polio from the country. ‘’That is why the district set up the camps. This is a disease that can be prevented with just two drops of the vaccine. Polio is caused by unhygienic conditions Children are not immune. It affects their spinal cords. But with good hygiene and clean environment, it can be eradicated. The market is the best place to tackle it.’’

  • ‘We ‘ll not condone unruly behaviour on poll day’

    ‘We ‘ll not condone unruly behaviour on poll day’

    Garba Baba Umar is the Anambra State Commissioner of Police. He has fought the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to a stand still in the state. In this interview with NWANOSIKE ONU, in Awka, the state capital, he warns trouble makers to stay clear of the Southeast state during the November 18 governorship poll.

    You have been here for just a few months and a lot of transformation has been noticed. How did you do this?

    The secret of the transformation as you have seen is hard work, dedication and the zeal of the personnel in the command to give the best. Much earlier when I took over, when you are dealing with your officers, you must be plain, and you must be seen as being above board in terms of discipline and ability to lead.  So, no matter how little you have, show that they are part of you and that you appreciate them and that you have the same calling. When you do that, you will see their cooperation.

    Is that why the transformation is not only on infrastructure, but discipline among the officers as can be seen now?

    That is what I am saying. When you discipline yourself, others will follow. I am a disciplined officer, and I believe in doing the right thing. I like my subordinates to learn from me. You know, a leader makes his subordinates, not the subordinates making the leader. When you say you are a leader, it is what they see you do that they do. You are like a mirror to them, and they do what you do. The officers here have seen me as a man of courage, honesty, sincerity, and man that is not corrupt, and they follow it. If I were a corrupt officer, and I move from one house  to the other, extorting from people and all that, they will also be looking, but they have seen that I am a contented person. I told them that you do not need to have money to be contented. Contentment of the heart is what you need. No matter what you have, you must  thank God for it. That is how I have changed the psych of the officers and men of the Nigeria police in this command; by making them to see right as right and wrong as wrong, and clearly they have seen that right is right and wrong is wrong. When it come to work, I also make them to understand, I come to work at 7;30 am, and by 8am I have started work  and we close late and am with them all the time, sometimes at 11 pm or 12am, and even at that, I also join them on patrol, and I ginger them, talk to them on the walkie talkie and tell them I am in so so place, and so so person is not there and theise is what is  called checks and balances, and as a leader if you do that you do not have problem. That is what we are doing in Anambra state.

    You have been here for sometime now, how would you describe policing in Anambra State?

    Policing here is easy. If someone tells you it is difficult, then, it is not the truth. If you find it difficult, it means that you do not have the strategy. But, when you have the strategy, it will be easy for you. The strategy is what I am adopting, like we have what we call patrol teams, these patrol teams, at time they have what they call sector commander, and there is no central body that commands, regularize or supervise and disseminate information. I formed that kind of habit, that is what is called checks and balances.

    How prepared is the Anambra State police command for the governorship election?

    Our preparation is high and it is water tight. The Nigeria police and other security agencies are ready if INEC is ready. We know the number of polling booths, we know the number of collation centers, we know all the number of black spots in the state. We have done our best in strategizing for a safe election in the state, and even those that are coming from other states have been adequately tutored on what their job is, and they need not to converge here in Awka because we already know where we are taking them to. The Inspector General was meticulous in this. Physically he did the operation by himself, having gotten all the areas that require to be covered, so you can see that we are prepared and we have the best of security and we assure the people that they will get the best and we are ready. Even those coming from Awka, we have decentralised our function. We are ready, we have the best. The IG did all the mobilisation by himself and you can see that we have taken everything into cognizance, so we can have free and fair election. We assure members of the public that we will have the best election with enough security and people are sure, and they know and have seen our strategy in security and they are ready to come out and vote because they have seen our strategy.

    Don’t forget that this is the only tome in the history of election in Nigeria that three months to a major election, we have not recorded any ugly incidence, and these is the highest of governorship candidates contesting for one seat in the history of Nigeria. 37 of them, this is the highest, we have never had these number before, and yet we have not recorded any violence, these is to tell you that that security is working in this state.

    What assurances do you have for the people in terms of security?

    Let me tell you, the Electoral Act says each polling unit must be covered by three police officers, and what we are doing is that each polling unit would be covered by three police officers, and we have 4,608 polling booths in the state. If you multiply that by three, you know how many police officers we will be deploying there.

    Again, there are 326 Registration Area Centres(RAC), and that is where most of our men would be , and if you multiply five men in each of the RAC by 326, you will know the answer. Then, there are 414 major streets and black spots in the state, and if we deploy seven to 10 men to these places, you will know why we are deploying that large number of police to the state. In the riverine areas, INEC has 40 buses that will convey materials and personnel, we have Navy to man those places. We also have what we call standby, just in the event of any trouble. We have eight entry points in the state; Anambra has border with Kogi, Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Enugu and the rest, and we are sending 15 men to those places. We have banks, institutions, tertiary institutions, we have helicopters that will be carrying out aerial surveillance on that day in the three senatorial districts. We also have 21,000 men that will be escorting INEC materials in and out of the state, and we have these adhoc staff that will be working and we need to provide security for them, same for those that will be at the INEC headquarters. By the time you add all these, you will see that that number is not as high as you think.

    So, What is your assurance for the people regarding their fears over security?

    My assurance to the people is that the security that is coming is in line with what is required. It is to ensure their safety. It is not a war, it is an election and it is about their safety. Ask those who re in Edo State where there have clashes and even fights, there were 38,000 police men in Ondo State, there were over 35,000 in Ekiti, there were over 40,000 in  Rivers State, even before the election. Here in Anambra, we are trying to be minimal. This is because Anambra is not a volatile state, but that does not mean we will ignore security entirely. We have t provide security here.

    IPOB is still threatening that there will be no election in Anambra State. How ready is your command for these people?

    We are aware that IPOB is an already proscribed group, and the proscription stops them from meeting or carrying out any activity. Through our intelligence network, if we hear any noise from them, we will go after them. Since their proscription, we have not had more activities from them like before when they go about molesting people. Sometimes, they pass through my office and even throw stones at us and insulting us, but since the Federal Government waded in and they are proscribed, we will not have any of that because they are now an illegal organization and if they surface, we will go after them. As I said before, the IPOB people have not been kind to Ndi Anambra because as a result of them, peoples businesses have been challenged and made to suffer set back, and there is need for us, the security agencies to wade in and make sure they are not allowed to do anything that will bring crisis in the state. That is why we are after them. We do not have problem with anyone that is not a member of IPOB, but the moment we see you with anything that belongs to IPOB, automatically, you are a member. We are telling the people; do not listen to IPOB, do not be a member, be law abiding citizen and I know Anambra people are law abiding citisens and will not engage in the wrong thing.

    What message do you have for IPOB members as elections draw near?

    I don’t have any message for them. We don’t have IPOB any longer. They have been proscribed. So, who am I giving advice? People that do not exist? They do no exist. So, there is no advice to give to people who are not in existence.

    These people send us press releases and they are very strong about elections not holding, and their press releases are usually signed by one Emma Powerful.

    Tell that Emma or whoever he is that he is a coward. He is always in hiding and cannot come out in the open and talk. Tell him it is an advice from the commissioner of police in Anambra, that he should stop misleading the people, if he thinks he has a cause, let him come out of hiding. As far as I am concerned, there is nothing like IPOB, that person you are talking about is a criminal. He is a kidnapper and he wants people to remain in their houses on that day that police will be busy working in the field, so that he will attack people in their houses. He wants to use it as opportunity to perpetuate crime. People should not stay in their houses, they should come out enmasse to vote. Anambra people will not allow themselves to be divided because United we stand, divided we fall. If we let them instill fears in our minds, then they have achieved their aim, so we must not let them.

    What is your message for your men who will be on duty on that day?

    My message to them is simple. They should exhibit high sense of discipline and try not to be partisan in the discharge of their duty. They must know that the era when unscrupulous politicians used police officers to commit electoral offences is over. They should be careful. We resolved here in the Anambra Command to be neutral and you will see transformation in our services.

    How about politicians, what is your advice to them?

    I will only ask them to play by the rules I know most of the politicians want peace, and they want security and a level playing ground. We expect that they will do the right thing, but anyone that does anything contrary, they will reap the consequences of their actions.

    Some say they are sacred cows, particularly those who think they have federal connections?

    I do not know about those set of people. Maybe, you do not know who I am. But, when I took this job as a young officer, there were some oaths I took, which I will always abide by in doing this job, and no one can push me into doing the wrong thing.

    After the election comes Christmas with its attendant challenges, what message do you have for Anambra people?

    We usually make ember months plans, which also include Christmas. Look, tell Anambra people where ever they may be that this will be one of the most enjoyable Christmas in Anambra state in terms of security, and they should not waste time to come back for the festive period to enjoy themselves. We intend to give them the best and they will get the best this year.

  • Day after attack: Anambra community gloomy

    Day after attack: Anambra community gloomy

    Perpetrators of Sunday’s Church massacre must be brought to justice, many said yesterday. Those who reacted to the attack on worshippers are asking law enforcement agencies to swing into action, report TONY AKOWE, OGOCHUKWU ANIOKE, VICTOR OLUWASEGUN, OSHEYE OKWUOFU AND FRANK IKPEFAN.  

    IT was still gloomy yesterday in Amakwa-Ozubulu, an Anambra community in Ekwusigo Local Government Area. Residents were recounting the shooting of parishioners at St. Philip’s Catholic Church during Sunday’s early morning Mass by a lone gunman.

    The yet-to-be-identified gunman, who emptied his cartridge and reloaded it, escaped in a waiting car as he continued shooting.

    The Anambra State Police Commissioner, Garba Baba Urmar confirmed the death of 11 members of the congregation. He said 18 others were injured.

     

    Survivors recount ordeal

     

    Some of the survivors yesterday recounted the Anambra church shooting. They said the victims were mostly children and the elderly.

    Charles Justice, who brought his wounded friends to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital in Nnewi, said the incident happened after the homily at 6am Mass, the Premium Times reported yesterday.

    “Those who died are mostly children and the elderly, I know about three children who were below five years that died in the shooting.” said Mr. Justice was quoted as saying.

    According to him, three of the victims had died at the hospital, a claim corroborated by a medical doctor who pleaded for anonymity.

    Sixteen parishioners among those injured, were reported to be in stable conditions yesterday. Six had successfully undergone surgeries, it was learnt.

    The police preliminary investigation confirmed the theory that the gun spray was triggered by a feud between two individuals of the same community who reside overseas.

    “One of the individuals built the church where the shooting occurred; it is definitely not a terrorist attack in the mould of Boko Haram of Fulani herdsmen attack,” said Garba Umar, the state’s police commissioner.

    On Sunday, the church cordoned off by security operatives, as blood stains and expended bullets littered the premises. Many of the villagers and sympathisers were seen yesterday standing in groups and discussing the incident in hushed tones.

    At the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital in Nnewi, where most of the victims were admitted, people struggled to gain entrance through the heavily guarded gate.

    Azuka Ejidike said he lost his father-in-law to the shooting. But Nonso Nwakibe gave thanks to God as his mother, Antonia, lay groaning from the pains of the bullet wounds on her arm.

    Ogochukwu Maduka, a Lay Reader at the church, said she had arrived for the Mass and found the church in darkness.

    She said: “After much effort to get the generator to work failed, they had resort to using candles and rechargeable lamps”

    Ms. Maduka, who said she sat on the front roll during the Mass, said: “The holy Mass had proceeded as usual, after the first, second and gospel reading, and then the priest’s homily, as we stood up for the proclamation of faith, there was a sound of gun like thunder from behind.

    “There was chaos and panic and confusion. The priest ran away as the gunshots continued and I took cover under the seat.

    “When people started running around, the man began shooting upwards. Those mostly affected were those at the back of the church.”

    Ms. Maduka claimed she counted about 15 corpses afterwards but the police confirmed 11.

    Nnagolum Oramidike, a primary three pupil, who was shot in the leg, said: “I bent down” while the shooting was going on.”

    His mother, Chioma, who also sustained bullet wounds, said she was worried the news would devastate her husband, who had just travelled abroad to seek greener pastures, but hoped he would find out they were alive.

    “The shooting started around 7am and my father in law was not so lucky,” said Mrs. Oramidike, 32, whose daughter was hit by a motorcycle amidst the chaos.

    “I don’t know how to take care of my children now I’m incapacitated”, she added.

    Ifeoma Onyeka sat beside her 14-year-old daughter who had just been operated upon. Her older, foster daughter, Anwurika Mboje, did not survive the incident – she had died right inside the church.

    “I survived by taking shelter under the seat while the children must have started running because of lack of knowledge of what to do in such a circumstance”, she said.

     

    Fed Govt sends more doctors

     

    The Federal Ministry of Health has placed medical experts on standby to beef up services at the Nnamdi Azikwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, for worshippers injured in the Ozubulu church attack, should the need arise.

    Media and Public Relations Director in the ministry Mrs. Boade Akinola confirmed yesterday that the Health Minister, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has approved the arrangement.

    The minister, who described the incident as shocking, assured the referral hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD) of immediate federal support upon request.

    He commended the doctors at the hospital for being proactive in their response to the emergency.

    Prof Adewole commiserated with the government and people of Anambra on the unfortunate incident.

    Governor Willie Obiano has promised to unmask the masterminds and bring them to justice.

     

    NHRC, ANN condemn killing

     

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC Acting Executive Secretary, Mrs Oti Ovrawah, condemned the killing of worshippers by the gunman.

    In a statement signed in Abuja yesterday by the NHRC’s Media Relations’ Head, Fatimah Mohammad, Mrs. Ovrawah described the killing as unacceptable, adding that there was no justification for it.

    She noted that the sanctity of life of every one living in Nigeria was important, and called on security agencies to step up their intelligence gathering techniques.

    Mrs. Ovrawah further urged security agencies to urgently fish out the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

    According to her, everyone living in Nigeria has a right to life and should enjoy this right without fear and intimidation.

    She commended state government for its prompt decision to foot the medical expenses of the injured victims, and condoled with the families of the victims.

    The Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), a new political group, also condemned in strong terms the killings at the worship place.

    It described it as an unimaginable desecration of the house of God and unparalleled disregard for the sanctity of the human life.

    The group’s spokesman Leonard Ebute said the group received with shock news of the dawn raid on the church which left many people dead and scores injured.

    Saying the attack was unacceptable, ANN’s spokesman said: “We are not interested in the motivation of the killers or the reason behind such heinous crime. We are not unmindful of different stories making the rounds purportedly explaining the reason behind the killings.

    “The ANN is not interested in these stories while trusting security agencies to do a thorough job in fishing out the killers and make them tell the whole world the reason behind such dastardly act.

    “While we await that, we make haste to tell fellow Nigerians that acts like this do not have a space in the Nigeria the group is envisioning for her weary compatriots.”

    The ANN said the trauma caused families of victims and people of Ozoubulu could better be imagined and expressed its heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives during the raid and prayed for a peaceful repose of the souls of the victims.

    The statement reads: “ANN feels your pain. We also sympathise with the people of Anambra State over this ugly development and all members of the Catholic community in the town and the state in general. We pray God to console you Himself and help in bringing to justice those behind this crime against humanity.”

     

    Southeast lawmakers’ caucus wants killers arrested

     

    The Southeast Caucus in the House of Representatives described the killing of parishioners as highly unacceptable.

    In a signed statement issued in Abuja by Chukwuka Onyema, the Caucus called on security agencies to ensure the immediate arrest and prosecution of all those connected to the heinous crime.

    Onyema, who is the House’ Deputy Minority Leader, said: “The devilish and unwholesome murder of innocent worshippers in a church, where they went to seek the face of God is highly reprehensible and is a case that must be properly investigated to speedily restore the people’s confidence of their safety.”

    He also commiserated with the families of the deceased on behalf of the Caucus, and prayed for quick recovery of the victims.

    Onyema said in honour of the dead and to keep their community safe, those who can assist the security agencies with information to solve the crime, should do so.

    The Caucus leader extended his heartfelt condolences to the Catholic Church, Anambra government and Nigeria over the sad and unfortunate incident.

     

    ‘It’s an attack on God’

     

    The pro-East Socio-Cultural group, Ohaneze Ndigbo, yesterday condemned the attack by unknown gunmen, describing it as an attack on God.

    “Such a dastardly and cantankerous act smells to high heaven. People have lost reason, civility and good conscience. This is a direct attack on God with daft and brazen impunity.”, the organisation noted.

    In statement by group’s National Publucity Secretary, Prince Uche Achi-Okpaga, Ohaneze described the attack as unforgivable.

    It said: “The devil sold a dummy to them and they bought it hook, line and sinker. This is condemned in all ramifications. If you attack a man you appeal to God for recompense, when you attack God in His sanctuary who will appeal to?” he queried.

    Commiserating with the government and people of the state, the group urged the Police not to speculate but to carry out detailed investigation to unmask the real perpetrators.

    The statement reads: “Ohaneze joins the league of well-meaning Nigerians to commiserate with the good people of Anambra state and, in particular, the entire bereaved families and pray the Almighty God to give them enough spiritual shock absorbers to bear the irreparable and irreplaceable loss.

    “The operatives should not speculate. They should swing into action to unmask the devil incarnates.”

    Achi-Okpaga further charged security agencies to redouble their efforts to make the south east zone safer for the people.

    “The whole of Southeast is under siege with Police and military blockades here and there. Yet, herdsmen killings and kidnapping and all sorts of vices have become the order of the day. It is unfortunate.”

     

    Ekiti governor

    calls for probe

     

    Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose commiserated with the Catholic Church of Nigeria, the government and people of Anambra State as well as families of the victims.

    He described the killers as wicked and devilish.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, the governor called on the police and other security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation on the killings with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book.

    He was quoted as saying: “Killing fellow human beings is devilish, not to talk of killings in the House of God. I condemn the Ozubulu murder in its entirety.”

    Calling for value reorientation in the country, Fayose said: “It is time for us as a nation to have another look at our moral values. Where did we get it so wrong that we now kill one another at will?

    “Boko Haram killings in the Northeast, Badoo killings in Lagos, Fulani herdsmen killings across the country, ritual killings everywhere, and now, drug war, what’s wrong with us as a people? Why is it that we no longer value human lives?

    “Methinks there is urgent need for leaders of this country to take the issue of moral value reorientation of the citizens seriously.”

     

    Fish out perpetrators, NLC, UPP urges government

     

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the United Progressive Party (UPP) yesterday urged the government to bring to book those behind Sunday’s killing of innocent worshipers.

    In a statement in Abuja, NLC President Ayuba Wabba said the assailants must be identified and apprehended He described the incident as shocking, bizarre and reprehensible.

    Wabba said: “Places of worship quite often in decent conflicts are sanctuaries. What makes this attack more confounding is the fact that Ozubulu is far removed from any known theatre of conflict at the moment and has had little or no history of violent conflict.

    “Whatever may have been the situation,  this attack represents a descent into the pit of hell. It is animalistic, cowardly and shameful and all necessary steps should immediately be taken by security forces to bring the perpetrators to book.

    “Our heartfelt condolences go to the families of the victims, the Catholic Church, Governor Willie Obiano and the people of Anambra State. We urge our security agencies to step up security in and around places of worship. We similarly urge worshippers to take the initiative of securing their premises.”

    The National Chairman of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Chekwas Okorie, said the party received with shock the news of the killing, describing it as cowardly, detestable and abominable.

    He added that the  murder of the Catholic faithful inside the Church while worshipping the Almighty God was outrageous, a sacrilege and sadism of the worst order.

    “We also commiserate with the leadership of Saint Philip’s Catholic Church, the Government and people of Anambra State and pray that God Almighty will give them the fortitude to bear the loss of these loved ones. We equally pray for the speedy recovery of those wounded in this senseless attack.

    “We urge security agents to fish out the assailants and their sponsors and bring them to book to serve as a deterrent to those who would contemplate this heinous crime against fellow compatriots. This madness must stop.”

     

    Youths condemn killing

     

    Some youths took to the streets in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital to protest the gruesome killing in the Anambra Church

    The, youths, who bemoaned the failures of the leaders to provide enabling environment suitable for them to grow and develop their potentials, urged the security forces to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to book.

    They described the Anambra killing as a crime against humanity.

     

     

  • Nigerian media celebrate World Music Day

    Nigerian media celebrate World Music Day

    •Okoroji advises on songs that unite

    From music of yesteryear to contemporary songs across different genres, and talks that center on sound and beats, radio and television stations in the country, yesterday, joined the rest of the world to celebrate the World Music Day.

    Although music has existed for as long as mankind has found its voice, choosing a day to celebrate the phenomenon is believed to have been originated from France in 1982.

    Tagged ‘Fete de la Musique’, the feast of music which marks the beginning of summer solstice, and is celebrated every June 21, has now spread to over 120 nations around the world.

    Although there is no known public gathering to mark the day in Nigeria, in Europe and America, musicians from all genres and all ages, amateurs and experienced performers, gathered to perform for free at various public places.

    Some Nigerians who took to the social media to express concerns about why the day was no so celebrated in Nigeria blamed it on the current crisis in the Performing Musicians and Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN).

    Meanwhile, Chairman of a Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), a Collective Management Organisation (CMO) for music and sound recording in Nigeria, Chief Tony Okoroji, felicitated with musicians on the day.

    In his message, the former President of PMAN said “those of us who have been given the special gift to spread joy to mankind with our beautiful art of music must recognize that what we have is a rare privilege. At a time when many across the world are under tremendous stress and strife stares so much of mankind in the face, we must compellingly speak the language of music, the language of love, a language that knows no boarders and use our special gift to reduce hate, bring people together and put a smile on the faces of God’s children”

    Okoroji who recently released the song, “Happy Music” used the opportunity of the World Music Day to remind World musicians across Nigeria to understand that they have an important role to play in providing a soothing balm on the frayed nerves of many in the Nigerian nation and pouring cold water on the dangerous fire of hate being lit by some across the country. Chief Okoroji pledges that as Nigerian musicians deploy themselves as agents of peace across the country, COSON would continuously watch their backs.

  • Ugwuanyi’s day at Nsukka

    Ugwuanyi’s day at Nsukka

    William James’ philosophical musing that “the best use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts life” aptly applied to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State when a grand reception put together for him by the natives of the university town of Nsukka, the second largest urban area in the coal city state, took residents by storm. It was a day both the indigenes and other residents of the town rolled out their drums of honour to salute the governor, a man who to them, came with a Midas touch after decades of official neglect that left the area in a rustic state, making the town a ridicule of an ideal university city.

    The governor’s speedy transformation of the town in less than two years has certainly struck the people like a pleasant dream situation. But it is a reality that the roads infrastructure delivered to the people by the Ugwuanyi administration certainly meets every international standard. The state of the arte dual carriage way coursing from Opi Junction through adjoining Ede-Oballa community through the varsity town has been decked with street lights just as the various roads delivered by the magical hands of the governor are beautifully garlanded with novel pedestrian walkways.

    The people’s joy knew no bounds at Ugwuoye Primary School, the modest venue of the grand reception. They expressed it with various cultural dance performances and effusive speeches. In solidarity with the governor on that Tuesday were personalities such as Prof. Uche Azikiwe, wife of the late first president of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, deputy governor of the state, Hon. Cecilia Ezeilo, Senator Chukwuka Utazi, representing Enugu North Senatorial zone in the Senate and president-general of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, among others.

    Chief Donatus Chinweaku is the president-general of Nsukka Town Union and spoke generally collectively for the grateful people of the four autonomous communities that make up Nsukka town. Addressing Ugwuanyi as the people’s governor, he stated that “this great occasion could not have taken place at a time better than now as our people have

    longed for a day like this”. He informed that the reception was “organized by the entire people of Nsukka town to appreciate in a very special way our own son with whom we are well pleased”.

    He further capped the people’s appreciation thus: “Your Excellency, we lack words to express our immeasurable joy for having a brave and courageous Lion like you. Today Nsukka history will never be complete without mentioning you in a special way. This is

    because what the town had been yearning for has been made real, physical and evidence-based in terms of getting commensurate democratic dividends. You have not only given a new look to Nsukka town, but equally a new look to our economy, a new look to our peace and unity, a new look to our dignity and most importantly a new look to our political status”.

    The people of the area also set the tone for what turned out a general political stocktaking by the people of the state that eventually resulted in an overwhelming approval of the governor’s profound and legendary style of stewardship since he assumed office on May 29, 2015. In their speech as delivered by Chinweaku, they had also told Governor Ugwuanyi that “You have restored hope to our people and also presented yourself as an epitome of undiluted

    democrat through your wide consultations, peace-building and people-oriented projects executed with prudent management of scarce resources.

    “You have proved your mettle by dwelling on the height of recession to break the ice of impossibilities. You have set an unbeatable standard in good governance that constitutes threat to your detractors. Remain focused”, they told the governor whom they also assured that campaigns for his re-election come 2019 have already been consummated.

    Governor Ugwuanyi had during his inaugural address pronounced his grand plans to transform the university town of Nsukka, a city founded over 50 years ago, into an ideal urban area, especially to come at par with other first generation university towns elsewhere in Nigeria. He never minced words. He later promptly secured the approval of a very expanded meeting of stakeholders of the state held at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu to go ahead to develop Nsukka Urban in line with one of the four-point agenda of his administration to create new urban centres to drive sustainable development for the state.

    Hence, the event offered a huge opportunity of scoring high political points for the governor whose popularity rating has continued to grow in leaps and bounds within and beyond Enugu state. Among those who urged him to continue with the current tempo of development that now touches all 17 local council areas of the state in a manner never experienced before now in the history of the state were Senator Utazi, Senator Fidelis Okoro, Hon. Chinedu Nwamba and Hon. Nkechi  Omeje-Ogbu of Enugu State House of Assembly, various groups, industrialists, among others.

    In fact, Senator  Okoro, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former three-time member of the senate representing Enugu North zone in the senate capped the plethora of calls on the governor  not to bother to return to campaign in the town he has so transformed come 2019. Okoro told the governor that he has been governor for all and that if in 2019, the people want him to get his second term in office, he (Okoro) would not be found wanting in offering his own support.

    For the apparently elated governor who had to manage the deluge of encomiums and sundry kind words in acknowledgement of his outstanding performance so far, it was also an opportunity to thank the people for their show of love. Yet, he also used the occasion to assure the people that his administration has never tampered with funds belonging to the local councils in the state while executing all the projects across the state.

    “I use this occasion to state clearly that Local Governments in the State made no financial contributions or commitments whatsoever, towards the execution of state government projects,” he said. “We have relied solely on federal allocations, grants or loans as well as our internally generated revenue”.

  • International Condom Day

    •It’s better to contain sexual excesses with protection than to be a target of condolences

    Tuesday, February 14 was this year’s International Condom Day. Promoted by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) to reduce the spread of HIV through safe sex practices, as well as a means of preventing unwanted pregnancies, the day has since 2009 been observed every February 14, to coincide with Valentine’s Day.

    There is a reason for this: It is assumed that where people share time with their loved ones, HIV also finds time to spread within the period. AHF Country Director, Dr Adetayo Towolawi, put it more succinctly: “In order to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS while expressing sexuality, we need you to take care of your sexual and reproductive health by using the condom correctly.”

    In the past, many people, particularly in the developing countries, found it repulsive to talk about condom. Indeed, the word was abomination in some places due to religious and cultural beliefs. Many religious organisations are opposed to the two uses to which condoms are put. If you say it is to prevent unwanted pregnancies, they immediately see it as a way to limit God’s blessings (which children are); and if you say condom is good to check the spread of HIV/AIDS, they also tell you that sex (which is the major way through which HIV could be contracted) is supposed to be a sacred activity between couples and, that being the case, there should be no need for condom since couples are expected to be faithful to one another.

    But we know that this is hardly the case. These days, many teenagers and even people that are unmarried, engage in pre-marital sex; many unprotected. This has led to unwanted pregnancies and deaths in cases where the attendant abortions were mishandled. In like manner, many people have contracted various sexually transmitted infections (STIs) through unsafe sex, with many having HIV/AIDS, the ultimate, for which there has been no known cure.

    Fortunately, things are changing even if gradually, with some religious organisations now organising workshops and seminars on sex and sexuality for their members, concepts that were hitherto considered irreligious in the places of worship. Many of them have begun to accept the inevitable reality that if they do not educate their members, particularly the youths about these concepts, they could learn the wrong way from their peers and the ubiquitous internet.

    Nigeria particularly has every reason to keep the condom enlightenment flame burning. Although the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS has been dropping in the country since 2001, the fact is, it still has the second largest population of people living with HIV, and only being able to put about 750,000 on treatment. This is still scary even as it can be explained in the context of the country’s huge population. This is the more reason why the lessons from the fixing of the International Condom Day to coincide with Valentine’s Day should not be lost on us. Unfortunately, it appears lost on us, as our school children and adults only celebrate the ‘lovers’ day’ while forgetting completely the International Condom Day.

    For maximum effect, both should go in pari passu. This is the only way not to get the voice of organisations like AHF drowned in the cacophony of the celebration of Valentine’s Day.

    In other words, we have to do more to make more Nigerians aware of the existence of condoms; the uses and even how to use them effectively. This is not about supporting promiscuity as some people may want to believe because even those promoting condoms admonish people about the need for fidelity in social relationships. They advise people to stick to one partner and to ‘zip up’, among other things. It is when they cannot abstain that they are advised to use condoms so that they won’t contract STIs or HIV/AIDS. Religious organisations have to see things in this context because, in the final analysis, repentance is only possible for the living.

  • DAWN of a new day?

    •Governors of the South West states close ranks to get out of recession and work for a brighter tomorrow

    The decision by governors of the six states in the South West to put aside personal, partisan and political differences in designing a common economic integration effort is commendable. Following a meeting attended by leaders of all the states in the region, it was resolved that the current economic challenges in the country call for a new approach if the states are to survive and resume their pace-setting role in the country.

    This would not be the first time that the political leaders would deliberate on the imperative of unity. In 2012, similar meetings were held in Ibadan, Ado-Ekiti and Abeokuta and similar speeches were made upon presentations by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN). The efforts failed as impolitic statements made by some of the leaders led to serious disagreements.

    We hope the correct lessons have been learnt from previous failed attempts. Two significant developments tend to suggest that the governors could be sincere in the new move. First, more than ever before, a recession is biting in the country. The only state in the region that has been able to pay its bills efficiently is Lagos. Others are struggling with payment of workers’ salaries and are thus unable to embark on capital projects. The governors must have realised that unless they come together, they could sink.

    Second, the admission of Lagos to the fold would be of immense benefit to all. Lagos is the most populous of the states in the region. It is also the most economic developed. The population advantage has provided a large market into which the others could tap. Recently, the state had to go into strategic business partnership with Kebbi State in the production of rice. There are many similar opportunities in the region that could have been of mutual benefit to the partners. Food consumed in the state now officially described as the fifth largest economy in the continent has been estimated at N3 billion. This is huge and the needed capital to cultivate food crops in any of the other states in the region could be supplied by Lagos.

    Lagos State is overcrowded, thus, the pressure on available infrastructure is unbearable. Many who live in the city are unable to afford decent accommodation and that has created slums. If the states could come together as they are proposing to boost linkages, the mega city could be decongested as workers there could live in contiguous states.

    We agree, therefore, with the resolution to “jointly embark on collaborative programmes in areas of common cooperation identified as needing immediate attention in the region, including security, education, transportation infrastructure, including roads, rail and water transportation, trade and commerce linkages, agriculture, and sports, and that the DAWN Commission should be vigorously strengthened to coordinate the regional development process.”

    We call on the Federal Government to support the Western Nigeria integration effort. It could serve as a catalyst for the development of the various regions of the country. Whereas it has become difficult to revert to the regions we had in the First Republic, it is obvious that collaboration and integration among states of common historical and cultural ties has become inevitable. It is in the interest of the Federal Government to support the move. In the same way that it avoided legal niceties to cede some power to the states in electricity supply and solid minerals exploitation, the regions could be encouraged to boost rail transportation and other items on the exclusive list of the constitution.

    If all the regions could adopt this model of development, Nigeria would soon truly resume the status of the giant of Africa. Healthy competition as was the case in the First Republic would be the order of the day once again and the people would be the better for it. As the governors observed, “all politics must be politics of development and regional cooperation; synergy and economics of scale is important to move the region forward, and good intentions must be backed by sincerity of purpose.”

    Rhetoric is certainly not enough. The people need to see sincerity in these declarations and resolutions.