The Nation Newspaper

Tag: demand

  • Lawmaker’s abductors demand ransom in dollars

    There is palpable anxiety among members of the Edo State House of Assembly over the continued holding in custody of the lawmaker representing Esan Central Constituency in the state House of Assembly, Victor Odoror, by suspected kidnappers.

    It was learnt yesterday that his abductors were demanding for ransom in foreign currency.

    A statement yesterday by the Forum of Former Students Leaders after a meeting in Benin City, signed by Comrade Oluwole Moyenin and Comrade Ologe Elijah and made available to journalists, said the last Sunday kidnap of Odoror was undermining the “gargantuan efforts of the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole government in the areas of security and human development.”

    The statement called for prayers for divine intervention for the release of their colleague, even as they described their Odoror as an “amiable and accessible personality.”

    Meanwhile, security has been tightened at the Legislative Quarters of the members of the House of Assembly along Ihama Road in GRA Benin City, as visitors were not allowed in until clearance was obtained from their hosts.

    The Nation gathered that the abductors were demanding for a ransom in dollars, but the stae government reportedly refused to be involved in the saga as they feared that being involved would encourage the kidnappers going after government officials. It is strongly believed that some of his friends were already considering the option of mobilising funds to pay the ransom.

    The lawmaker was kidnapped in his car along with his driver.

  • Nigerians in South Africa demand more from Eagles

    Nigerians in South Africa demand more from Eagles

    BASKING in the Euphoria of the Super Eagles victory over the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in Sunday’s quarter final clash at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, Nigerians living in South Africa have urged Eagles to go all out and beat Mali in Wednesday’s semi final clash.

    The jubilant supporters who spoke to SportingLife on Monday said they were proud of what Nigeria’s performance against the Ivorians. They have however begged them not to relent on their oars until they get the job done.

    Ken Agbim, a business man, said the Eagles had proved doubters wrong and want the chief coach, Stephen Keshi to keep the winning team.

    “The match is something made out of the heaven because it is just a miracle. I am very sure that Nigerians never expected that performance from them. Eagles proved every one wrong on Sunday. I will suggest that the coach would keep this selection against our next opponents because you don’t change a winning team. I wish Eagles all the best as they try to make us proud again when they face Mali.”

    Olorunfemi Omoola aka ‘Olubadan of Ibadan’ pleaded with the Eagles to go the extra mile and get victory against Mali on Wednesday in Durban, he said: “We thank God that the boys didn’t disappoint us. We prayed to God and he answered our prayers. We are still hopeful that the Cup is going to Nigeria by the special grace of God because we’ve passed the big hurdle. What I want from Eagles on Wednesday is winning even if it is 1-0. Winning is winning.”

    “Super Eagles tried for the Cote d’ Ivoire match, I believe if they can put more efforts they will reach the finals. I don’t want them to let the victory against Cote d’Ivoire to get into their head. We are very happy and we are still celebrating and we don’t want them to dash our hope. We can believe now and we believe in them,” another Nigerian, Mutiu Sofoluwe said.

  • Boy’s abductors demand N150m ransom

    Abductors of a two-year-old boy at Ifako-Ijaiye, a Lagos suburb, have demanded N150 million ransom from his parents.

    The boy was kidnapped on Monday at gunpoint by masked men when he was being taken to school in his parents’ black Lexus Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).

    The driver, identified as Daniel, believed to have a link with the kidnappers, is being detained by the Police. The nanny, Mrs. Adeyemo, was said to have been beaten and pushed under the SUV for trying to resist the kidnappers.

    Sources said: “The kidnappers took the driver’s phone away and it was his phone they used to contact the boy’s father. But the driver was arrested because when the security personnel tracked his call logs, it was discovered that he had close contacts with another number that the kidnappers called.”

    The boy, whose father, Olusegun Alonge, owns Barachel Group of Schools, is the only child of his parents who have been married for 15 years.

    A source said the abductors, who were about four in number, came in a black Mitsubishi Montero SUV, which they parked about seven buildings away from the victim’s compound.

    “Residents noticed the black Montero SUV but were not suspicious because the occupants were playing around. Suddenly, as the Lexus SUV carrying the child approached, they blocked it. The driver, it seemed, tried to resist them, but they threatened to break the windscreen and when he saw their guns he was frightened.

    “After they succeeded in overpowering the driver, the nanny refused to hand over the kid to them and she was thrown under their car after being beaten severely and the baby was whisked away,” the source said.

    The Nation gathered from a top security operative that the gang has contacted the boy’s father and demanded ransom.

    Alonge confirmed the abduction, saying: “Yes, my son was being taken to school when the kidnappers abducted my little boy. I don’t know why anyone would want to hurt a two-year-old boy, or my family,” he said.

    Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Ngozi Braide, said she was not aware of the incident, but promised to confirm.

  • ‘Demand for skilled aviation manpower will exceed supply’

    ‘Demand for skilled aviation manpower will exceed supply’

    IF urgent steps are not taken, demand for skilled aviation manpower in Nigeria would soon exceed supply as a large percentage of the current pool of skilled personnel in the industry are fast ageing, the Director-General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr Harold Demuren, has warned.

    The NCAA helmsman, who spoke with The Nation, lamented that the large pool of skilled manpower available in the industry are above 50 years of age, raising concerns about the future of the industry.

    He said: “Statistics have also shown that the percentage of the youth, less than 40 years of age, is not enough to take over from the older generation. This may lead to scarcity of skilled professionals in the aviation industry.

    According to him, the industry faces a bleak future as the few available skilled manpower available in the country are being poached by airline operators in the Middle East and Europe that are ready to pay fat remuneration.

    He said,“Research has also shown that major carriers in Europe and the Middle East offer Nigerian pilots and engineers more than double the amount they earn in Nigeria and they are ready to poach the few available skilled personnel.”

    The aviation chief said though some African carriers and civil aviation authorities have invested massively on the training of skilled professionals, the search for greener pastures makes male professionals to constantly be on the move, adding that this development has now made the NCAA to be at the vanguard of encouraging women to make careers in the aviation industry.

    “While men are prone to constant migration, women are more stable. NCAA is now in the forefront of encouraging the training of women aviation professionals to take over from the ageing current skilled aviation professionals,” Demuren said.

    According to him, in the last seven years, there has been an unprecedented number of females enrolling and graduating as aircraft pilots and maintenance engineers at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria.

    He said: “Most of these graduates are gainfully employed with different air operating certificate holders and approved maintenance organisations. One milestone that was recently achieved was the all female crew of Aero Airline that operated on April 1, 2009, which was the first of its kind in Africa.”

    Demuren lamented that insufficient training capacity to meet demand was also a major challenge confronting the industry in the country.

    “There is also the problem of learning methodologies that are not responsive to new evolving learning style. Accessibility to affordable training, lack of harmonisation of competencies in some aviation disciplines are also challenges,” he said, adding that the training capacity is insufficient to meet current demand.

    According to him, in the next 20 years, over a million pilots, engineers, technicians, cabin crew and air traffic controllers will be required to keep the global industry running, adding that for the air transport sector to remain safe, efforts must be put in place by countries to bridge the manpower gap.

    Sector analysts say it is only through the provision of the requisite technical manpower that safety can be guaranteed in the sector and incessant air mishap stopped.

  • Igbos celebrate Ekwueme at 80 with demand for new state

    Igbos celebrate Ekwueme at 80 with demand for new state

    The demand for a new state in the South East yesterday dominated the grand carnival to mark the 80th birthday of the Second Republic Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, in Enugu.

    Speaker after speaker at the event where Dr. Ekwueme was elevated from his traditional chieftaincy status of Ide Aguata to Ide Ndigbo by Igbo traditional rulers said the creation of an additional state for the zone was overdue and coming now would be a befitting birthday gift for him.

    President Goodluck Jonathan in a goodwill message to the veteran politician called him a living symbol of the Igbo people.

    Leading the agitation for a new state was Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State who insisted that other zones should wait until the South East’s demand is met.

    He said “An additional state for Ndigbo should be created first to put us at par with other zones before talking of creating states in other zones.”

    The governor told Ndigbo to stop complaining about marginalization in the polity because as he put it, talking about has become obsolete.

    Describing Ekwueme as a rare gift to Nigeria and Ndigbo in particular, Okorocha said: “When I grow up, I will like to be like you (Ekwueme).”

    Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, took a cue from Okorocha and emphasized the need for unity in Igboland, saying: “God blessed us with Ekwueme. He is an all rounder who has excelled in his every endeavour.”

    Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State asked Ndigbo to use the occasion to unite and start speaking with one voice.

    “Igbo have not taken their rightful position in Nigeria. When Igbo take their position in Nigeria, the country will find its direction. All it requires is for the Igbo to organize themselves and work together,” Obi said.

    He described the Igbo as the pillars of Nigeria who spread out to other parts of the country to invest, build houses and live there with their families, while other Nigerians fail to come to Igboland to do likewise.

    Also speaking, the President of Ohanaeze Nd’Igbo, Ambassador Ralph Uwechue, said of Ekwueme: “This man is a special gift to Igbo. His humility is exemplary. We want our youths to emulate him.”

    President Jonathan, in his goodwill message, eulogized Dr. Ekwueme as a living personification of the highest ideals of patriotism and selfless service.

    He lauded the celebrator’s contributions to national development over the years, saying that his “unassailable integrity and consummate diligence” have made him one of Nigeria’s most respected elder statesmen.

    He said: “On the occasion of your landmark 80th birthday anniversary, I join your family, friends, and well-wishers in thanking Almighty God for the richly fulfilled life He has blessed you with.

    “A thorough-bred professional, an accomplished administrator and leader of men, an epitome of the highest ideals of selfless service and unwavering patriotism, your unassailable integrity and consummate diligence have combined to make you one of our most respected national icons today.

    “Over the years, you have consistently invested the benefit of your inspiring attributes in dedicated service to our dear country, while continuing to avail our generation of leaders of your enduring wise counsel. It is my prayer that Almighty God continues to keep and prosper you even as He blesses you with robust health and a life of perpetual fulfilment,” President Jonathan wrote.

    He was represented at the occasion by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

    Former Senate president, Chief Ken Nnamani, former national chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, former governor of the old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife and Senator Joy Emordi also spoke at the event.

    The chairman South East Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya on behalf of other traditional rulers in the zone announced the elevation of Dr. Ekwueme to the status of Ide Ndigbo .The formal conferment of the title will take place at a later date.

    In attendance were former Minister for Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji; deputy governors of Enugu and Ebonyi states, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, former governor of Central Bank, Dr. Charles Soludo as well as members of the National Assembly.

  • Gunmen kidnap two school children in Calabar, demand N30m

    Gunmen kidnap two school children in Calabar, demand N30m

    Unknown gunmen yesterday morning kidnapped two school children along the Murtala Mohammed Highway in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

    According to eyewitnesses, the three gunmen were masked; it was only the driver that did not cover his face.

    The incident, it was gathered, happened at about 7.30am as their mother, Mrs. Juliet Eko James, was taking them to school.

    Mr. Johnson Eko James, the father of the children, relived the matter on telephone: “my wife and our three children were driving out of our street into the highway and suddenly, some people in a Vento salon car accosted her, using their car to block my wife’s car. They came out pointing a gun at my wife and asked for her mobile telephone. When she handed over her phone, they then picked up our four-year-old daughter. The elder brother, Emmanuel, 10 years old, questioned why they were taking his sister away, they picked him up as well. It was at that point that our second child, a seven-year-old, ran out of the car heading back to the house.”

    Mr. James, a civil servant with Cross River State civil service said he reported the matter to the Police at the Federal Housing Estate Police division in Calabar.

    He said the kidnappers called at noon, demanding for N30million.

    He said all appeals from his wife to take their car, a Toyota Sienna, was rebuffed by the gunmen who took away their children.

    But Police spokesman John Umoh said he had not got report from the Divisional Police Officer of the police station.

    “I will get back to you as soon as I get the details,” he said. But he did not do so until press time.

     

  • Aluu killings: Victims’ parents demand justice

    The parents of the four students of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), who were killed in Aluu, Rivers State, have urged the Federal Government to bring their children’s killers to book.

    Counsel to the parents of the killed students Mr. Peter Ndukwe spoke with reporters in Port Harcourt.

    Ndukwe said his clients would not get justice at the state level.

    He said the police in Rivers State failed to convince the parents that they could handle the matter well.

    Ndukwe said: “Some policemen from Isiokpo Police Station arrived at the crime scene in good time, but failed to rescue the students. They watched the killing of the young men. This is absurd and absolutely incredible.

    “It calls to question the essence of the Nigeria Police Force, which has again failed in its primary duty of maintaining law and order and securing the lives of the citizens.

    “Ugonna Kelechi Obuzor left his friend’s house about 7 am on the fateful day. This was confirmed by his father, Mr. Messiah Obuzor, and the his friends. So, it is wrong for anybody to say that the lynched students were held by 5:30am on the day they were killed.”

    The Nation learnt that five more persons have been arrested at Aluu in connection with the murder.

    Also yesterday, UNIPORT authorities removed a former Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the university, Dr. Andrew Efemini as the Head of the Department of Philosophy.

    Efemini’s offence was participating in Tuesday’s protest against the killing of four students of the university.

    Yesterday in a telephone interview, Efemini said he did not regret participating in the protest.

    The Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (IHRHL), through its Executive Director, Anyakwee Nsirimovu, condemned the removal of Efemini as HOD.

    Efemini and other UNIPORT lecturers and students protested the killing at Choba Junction on Tuesday, but did not go to Aluu, where some persons protesting the killing burnt houses and cars .

    IHRHL said it was shocked by Efemini’s removal for “solidarising with the protesting students”.

    It said: “Dr. Efemini addressed the protesters and referred to the roasting of the Aluu Four as inhuman and unacceptable. He called on the state authorities to take effective action to stall such dastardly extermination in the future.

    “At the Senate sitting, the vice-chancellor asked him to explain his role in the event, which he politely did. Right there, the VC called on the Dean, who was present at the meeting, to remove Efemini as HOD. Perhaps, Dr. Efemini should have supported the barbarism.

    “IHRHL is sending a letter to UNIPORT VC to rescind his decision forthwith. We urge solidarity in this regard.”