The Nation Newspaper

Tag: members

  • Sultan wants total amnesty for Boko Haram members

    Sultan wants total amnesty for Boko Haram members

    The Sultan has advised President Goodluck Jonathan to grant amnesty to repentant Boko Haram militants.

    Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, who is the President General of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and leader of Nigerian Muslims, spoke at the Central Council meeting of the JNI in Kaduna yesterday.

    To him, total amnesty for Boko Haram members will end the insecurity in the North.

    In the Sultan’s view, should the government embrace any member of the group who denounces terrorism, other members will have the confidence to come out and embrace peace.

    He said: “We have been hearing about terrorism everywhere every day. I want to use this opportunity to say that we have heard in the news that Mr. President will be visiting Maiduguri in a couple of days.

    “We want to use this opportunity to call on the government, especially Mr. President, to see how he can declare total amnesty for all combatants without thinking twice. That will make any other person who picks up arms to be termed as a criminal.

    “If the amnesty is declared, majority of those young men who have been running would come out and embrace that amnesty and I believe that some of them have already come out because we have heard some of the stories in the newspapers.

    “Even if it is one person and he denounces terrorism, it is the duty of government to accept that one person and see how he can be used to reach others. Whether it is true or not, the government should accept that person first, evaluate him and see whether he is genuine or fake.”

    The Sultan denounced critics of northern leaders, who accuse them of doing nothing to address the problems of the North. He said: “People have been saying we are not doing anything as leaders in the North. We have done a lot and I want to commend all of you for what you have been doing and we will continue to do so, despite criticism.

    “We will continue to call on the government to be just in whatever they do because the bottom line of the problem facing us has been injustice being meted out to the people. By the grace of God, we will continue talking to government.”

    He added: “We are facing a lot of challenges in this country and as Muslims, we owe it as a duty to ensure that we contribute positively to peace and stability in this country.

    “We have been talking and will continue talking. We will not get tired of talking until the almighty Allah takes us away. We believe that it is only when we talk and dialogue that issues will become clearer. I believe we are all patriotic and love ourselves and our neighbour as the Almighty Allah said.

    “As Muslim leaders, we are very concerned and very worried about the way things are going, especially the issue of insecurity in this country. We have problem in the North, we have problem in the Southeast, in the Southwest and in the Southsouth and it remains the duty of government to protect all of us.

    “Ours is to advise and we will continue advising the government. If they do what they are supposed to do, that would be fine.

    “What happened in Wukari a few days ago is total madness and beyond comprehension. How can a football match among youths turn out like this where the major victims were Muslims and have been living together for centuries?”

    Kaduna State Governor Mukthar Yero urged traditional and Islamic leaders to always preach to their followers on the need for peaceful co-existence with adherents of other religions.

    Yero advised religious leaders to place great emphasis on providing sound and functional Western and Islamic education for children of the North, pointing out that it is because of this that the government is soliciting their support in making the Almajiri formal system of education a reality.

    He said: “We cannot afford to let our children wallow in ignorance and poverty while the rest of the world is making ground-breaking innovations in science and technology. There must be deliberate efforts to restore good home values for good moral upbringing of our children.

    “In that regard, we intend to provide our children with quality education to enable them develop into productive members of the society. We are also working hard to create the enabling environment for investors to come and build industries in the State which will provide job opportunities for our teeming unemployed youths.

     

  • UNILORIN ASUU accuses varsity of using security to harass members

    Varsity: ‘It’s not true’

     

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) chapter, has accused the authorities of using security personnel to disrupt its national congress.

    The union decried the use of the police and the university security personnel to harass academics from other public universities and prevent them from entering the campus.

    ASUU, in a resolution after its congress, berated the odious, anti-intellectual and retrogressive conduct of a few UNILORIN academics and the security operatives of the university, who allegedly disrupted the peaceful meeting of the ASUU UNILORIN Congress held in one of the vacant lecture rooms in the Faculty of Law.

    The resolution was signed by Dr. Kola Babarinde, the convener of the NEC Visitation, Dr. Taiwo Oloruntoba-Oju, ASUU Chairman, UNILORIN branch, Dr. A.B. Makanjuola and Dr. K.N. Afolayan of the Departments of Behavioural Sciences and English.

    The congress “observes that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees the right of association and assembly and the absence of such in the university is a sign of bondage, which is unacceptable to the union.

    “It condemns all forms of lawlessness and requests NEC to adopt efforts to address the unending violation of court orders by the UNILORIN authorities and some individuals in the university.

    “Congress, however, remains undeterred and resolves to meet frequently towards ensuring that the branch reclaims its revered position in the union and addresses welfare issues.”

    Reacting to the allegation, the Deputy Director, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Kunle Akogun, said the accusation was baseless and lacking in truth.

    Said he: “There is no iota of truth in the allegation that the university harassed anybody with its security personnel let alone men of the Nigeria Police. What happened on February 27 was a case of a group bent on holding illegal meeting at a venue where postgraduate students were writing their examinations.

    “The group that claimed to be representatives of the ASUU national body had earlier phoned to seek permission to visit the Vice-Chancellor for an undisclosed mission. But the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Felix Oladele, told them that the VC was not around and that they should be patient until he returned.

    “Despite this explanation, ASUU members still came to the university. Their visit coincided with the meeting of a group of academic workers of the university that goes by the name, ‘Concerned Academics’. This raised some curiosity.

    “It should be emphasised that every member of the university community is aware that meetings are held in lecture halls/theatres after formal permissions to use such halls have been sought and given. But these ‘Concerned Academics’ neither sought nor got permission to use any hall for their proposed meeting.

    “Despite this, nobody interrupted their clandestine plan until they got to the proposed venue, the Faculty of Arts Lecture Theatre, where they saw that exams were ongoing. They then moved to the Faculty of Law Theatre but the Dean politely told them that a postgraduate exam was about to take place there.

    “They then met under a tree and resolved to go to Henry George Hotel to hold the meeting. There was no argument whatsoever, let alone harassment or intimidation.

    “It should be emphasised that the University of Ilorin recognises academic freedom, which the institution is doing everything to promote. We are aware that this is the key to industrial harmony, which has yielded dividends to the university these past few years as evidenced in its unrivalled academic excellence and feats in all areas of learning, research and community development.”

  • LASPOTECH elects council members

    Mr Olufemi Adesoji Adebanjo, a Deputy Registrar, and Mr Olusegun Abayomi Sodeinde, a Chief Lecturer have been elected members of the 11th Governing Council of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Ikorodu.

    Adebanjo and Sodeinde of the Chemical Engineering Department emerged winners at the elections by the Congregation of the polytechnic which was held penultimate Wednesday.

    Adebanjo who garnered 246 votes, will be representing the non-academic members of staff, while Sodeinde who got 174 votes, will be representing academics of the institution on the Council.

    Other positions contested and their winners include: Staff School Governing Board, Mr Ibrahim Kamaldeen (277 votes); School of Part-Time Studies (SPTS) Evening Governing Board, Dr Adebayo Asafa (182); Sports and Games Committee, Mr Ojikutu Olabode (187); Housing Board, Rev. Josef Bolarinwa (331); and Academic Representative On Academic Board ACB, Metilelu Olusola, (153).

    Some workers were elected unopposed. They include: Mr Fatunmbi Adedamola, Staff Welfare Committee; Oseni Ismail, Ceremonies Committee; Mr Olorunfemi Adewunmi, LASPOTECH Guest House Committee; Mrs Ayinde Folashade, SPTS (D) Governing Board; Mrs Idowu Akinkugbe, SPTS(R) Governing Board; and Mr Adefolu Abayomi Board of Survey, among others.

    There were 457 accredited voters of which 291 were academic staff and 238 non-academic staff.

    The Rector, Dr Abdulazeez Lawal presented a report of achievements under his administration to the Congregation before the election began.

     

  • 1,000 PDP members join Enugu ACN

    Over a thousand members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State have joined the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

    The ACN leader, Joseph Okoloagu, said this in Enugu yesterday at a briefing by opposition parties.

    Okoloagu did not disclose the identities of the ex-PDP members.

    Representatives of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Labour Party (LP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) also attended the briefing.

    He said the mass defection of PDP members was an indication that things were about to change, adding that the new members have registered.

    The ACN leader said the party was now the umbrella of all opposition parties in the state.

    Okoloagu said opposition parties have resolved to use ACN as a temporarily platform, pending the consummation of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

  • MASSOB writes Jonathan, UN on members’ death

    The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) yesterday said nine of its members were among the mystery bodies found in Ezu River at Amansea, Anambra State and Enugu State boundary.

    The group has written to President Goodluck Jonathan, the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) and Amnesty International to prevent its members from further extra-judicial killings by security agents.

    In a statement by its National Director of Information, Comrade Uchenna Madu, MASSOB decried the killing of its members and throwing their bodies into the river.

    It also wrote the United States President Barack Obama and the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Mr. Ban KiMoon.

    MASSOB described itself as a non-violent organisation agitating for a separate nation that would be carved out of Nigeria.

    The group alleged that the nine members were arrested by the security agents on November 9, last year, and had not been seen.

    It said efforts by its lawyer that the detainees be charged to court proved abortive.

    MASSOB also alleged that some of its members and relatives of the detained members were denied access to the suspects and prevented for assisting them with medical supplies.

    “Efforts by our legal team to secure their bail from the security agents were futile. Our demands for their arraignment before a competent court of law were were frustrated by the officers.

    “We suspect that some of the bodies found in Ezu River at Awka, Anambra State, might be those of our members detained by security agents.

    “We demand that if what we are alleging is incorrect, our members – Basil Ogbu, Michael Ogwa, Sandy Omogo, Philip Nwamkpa, Eze Ndubuisi, Ebuka Eze, Obinna Offor, Joseph Udo and Uchechukwu Ejiofor – should be produced and arraigned by security agents.”

  • Kashamu empowers PDP members

    A political group, the Omo-Ilu Foundation, has started distributing 500 vehicles, 1,000 motorcycles and 1,800 bags of rice, worth N800 million, to members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State.

    The Foundation spoke of plans to erect 33,000-litre capacity kerosene tanks in various locations to dispense the product at N50 per litre.

    Presenting some of the items to party supporters at a reunion rally at his Ijebu-Igbo country home yesterday, the leader of the Omo-Ilu Foundation, Prince Buruji Kashamu, said the gesture was aimed at empowering members to start their own businesses and strengthen existing private businesses.

    Kashamu said gone were the days when party supporters got such items for free, adding that the beneficiaries would have to meet certain conditions.

    He said: “Since its inception in 2009, the Omo-ilu Foundation has given out over 700 vehicles free-of-charge. However, because of the poor maintenance culture of some of our people and bad usage, we have decided to modify our operations, such that certain pocket-friendly conditions are now attached to such gestures.”

    “Towards this end, we have bought 500 vehicles for commercial use. The Foundation has also purchased 1,000 motorcycles, which will be given to PDP members across the state.”

    Kashamu said arrangement was being made to give loans to petty traders and artisans in the 236 wards, as well as buy working tools and equipment for artisans.

    He said: “Farmers will benefit from our agricultural scheme by providing them with seedlings, fertiliser and tractors for rent at a cheap rate, and also organise trainings for them to enhance their businesses.”

    Kashamu said the Foundation was collaborating with several organisations to train PDP members on how to make soap, beads, Adire, Aso-Oke, cake and air freshner, among others.

    He said: “We’ll empower them after the training with cash to start their businesses.”

    Kashamu said the Foundation would extend its scholarship scheme to students in private universities.

    The State Chairman of the party, Chief Adebayo Dayo, thanked the Foundation for taking the interest and well-being of party members seriously.

     

  • MASSOB decries alleged arrest, killing of members

    •Urges security agents to release detained members 

     

    THE Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) yesterday condemned what it called the unwarranted and insensitive clampdown, arrest and killing of its members in Onitsha by security agents.

    The group urged them to release its members who it said were allegedly being detained by security operatives, especially the Army and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

    It accused the Anambra Vigilance Services, which operates at the Onitsha Main Market, of conniving with the security agencies.

    MASSOB’s Director of Information, Comrade Uchenna Madu, yesterday sent a statement to reporters.

    The statement reads: “On December 7, 2012, some MASSOB members, numbering about 120, were on a peaceful procession on Sokoto Road, Onitsha, in readiness for the burial of Uchechukwu Ejiofor, a MASSOB member who was shot by soldiers on November 12, when they were attacked by men of the Anambra State Vigilance Services.

    “Despite the intervention of some MASSOB officers on ground to stop the men of the vigilance service, numbering about 50, they insisted that the MASSOB funeral procession should not hold and subsequently called the Army, SARS operatives and policemen from Onitsha Central Police Station (CPS).

    “This callous attack on armless MASSOB activists led to the death of Eric Nwachukwu, who was a MASSOB member, an expectant woman and two hawkers.

    “Also, eight MASSOB members were arrested with gunshot wounds and broken legs. Other MASSOB members – Basil Ogbu, Ebuka Eze, Obinna Offor and others – were abandoned at Anambra State SARS headquarters, Awkuzu, since December 7.

    “Their broken legs are decaying and smelling because the police refused to feed them and give them medication. MASSOB demands their immediate release for proper medical attention or arraignment in a competent court of law.

    “The acts of insensitivity and callousness of our Igbo brothers in the name vigilance groups are still going on. They continue to haunt for our members, secretly arresting some in their homes, shops and places of businesses, like truck pushers, Okada riders and load carriers at Onitsha Main Market.

    “They not only arrest them, but also hand them over to the soldiers at Onitsha Barracks. After some deadly and traumatic torture, they were transferred to SARS headquarters, Akwuzu.

    “We fear many are already dead. By our calculation, 27 motorcycles, four trucks, 14 wheel barrows and about N78,000 belonging to arrested MASSOB members were seized by the vigilance group.

    “We appeal to President Goodluck Jonathan, the Chief of Army Staff, President Obama Barack of the United States and human rights organisations to intervene on our behalf in Anambra State.”

     

  • Ajimobi calls for unity among ACN members

    Ajimobi calls for unity among ACN members

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday urged members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to remain united.

    He urged members to set their differences aside and embrace peace in the interest of the party and the state.

    Ajimobi spoke yesterday at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, during the presentation of empowerment materials worth millions of naira to ACN members by Senator Femi Lanlehin (Oyo South District).

    He said the party experienced some setback due to disaffection among members, adding that division is harmful to any group.

    Ajimobi said: “We can be our own enemies. Unless we unite, we may not win future elections. The dividends of democracy will go round, if we come together.

    “I urge aggrieved members to bury their hatchet. No one knows how long anybody will live. The party and the people of the state have suffered for too long and we need to cooperate to make things better.

    “Some call themselves Lamist group, some Senaco group and others Integrity group. You are using this to make money for yourselves. I can boldly say that I, Ajimobi, am the number one Lamist in the state.

    “There cannot be progress where there is animosity. If we do not win more defectors from other parties, it would be difficult to win the next poll. We all own the party and should embrace one another. I appeal to the women, especially, to cooperate.”

    The governor said instead of promoting unhealthy rivalry, there should be positive competition among members.

    He said: “What Senator Femi Lanlehin did today is significant and worthy of commendation. It is exemplary. He has done very well. I was once a senator but I never did a thing like this.

    “Also, no governor in Oyo State has done what we did in less than two years. With what we have done, no party should defeat us. But, we can be our own enemies. Unless we come together and unite, we may not win future elections.”

    Ajimobi said the death of the party’s leader, Chief Lam Adesina, should not polarise the party.”

    Items donated to members include cash, power generating sets, grinding machines, sewing machines, deep freezers, motorbikes, mechanical tools, hair dryers and clippers.

    The beneficiaries are Nureni Alayande, Wale Babalola, Dupe Ajeniya, Adewumi Adeyemi, Nurudeen Amusan and Funke Moroundiya, among others.

    Lanlehin said the gesture was to thank members for their support for him and other elected office-holders.

     

     

  • Over 8,000 PDP members join ACN in Osun

    Over 8,000 PDP members join ACN in Osun

    Over 8,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State yesterday defected to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

    The defectors were from the 30 local government areas.

    They were received at a rally held at the Government Technical College in Osogbo, the state capital.

    The defectors were led by Chief Adekunle Oluawo, who was the Chairman of the State Water Corporation during the administration of ousted Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

    Oluawo said their defection was motivated by the performance of the Governor Rauf Aregbesola administration.

    He said they dumped PDP because it lacks discipline, transparency and accountability.

    Oluawo described the ACN as a progressive party that is committed to transforming the lives of the people and promoting true democracy.

    He said Aregbesola’s achievements in the last two years convinced the defectors to dump the PDP.

    Oluawo said they were not joining ACN for immediate gains, adding that he would use all his resources to promote the party.

    Aregbesola, who received the defectors into the ACN, assured them of equal treatment.

    He said there would be no preferential treatment for the new comers, adding that his administration would carry every body along in its transformation agenda.

    The governor urged other members of the opposition to join the ACN. He said his administration would appreciate everybody’s contribution to the state’s growth.

    Acting ACN Chairman Mr. Adelowo Adebiyi said it was time for opposition members to put sentiments aside and support the Aregbesola administration in developing the state.

    He urged the defectors to be committed to the course of the party and assured them that they would not regret joining the ACN.

    The people were entertained by Fuji musician Alhaji Saidi Osupa.

  • Kogi PDP suspends Assembly members

    •Speaker urges Assembly’s group to embrace peace

    The Eastern Zone of Kogi State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended four of its members in the House of Assembly.

    They are the embattled Deputy Speaker Emmanuel Omebije, (Dekina/Diraidu Constituency); Majority Leader of Group of 13 (G13) Yakubu Yunusa, (Ofu); Haruna Idoko (Idah) and Abdullahi Zakari, (Ankpa).

    The suspended members belong to the G13 under the impeached Speaker Abdullahi Bello.

    In a statement by the Zonal Vice-Chairman Seidu Odoma and Secretary Musa Alfa, the party said the decision followed the alleged refusal of the members to follow its resolutions in a meeting held on October 20 in Ayangba.

    The statement said the members failed to adhere to peaceful coexistence with the party as well as ensure stability and the economic progress of the zone.

    The statement added: “Following the expiration of the seven days’ ultimatum and your refusal to abide by the resolutions of the PDP, as regards your conducts which you have neglected, you are hereby suspended as members of the party for 30 days. This action is with immediate effect.”

    The new Speaker, Lawal Jimoh, has urged Bello and other impeached principal officers to embrace peace and extend their hands of fellowship to the new officers.

    Jimoh spoke yesterday at a plenary of the new House leadership.

    The new Speaker said he is a child of circumstance because of the Assembly’s leadership was bestowed on him by the members.

    According to him, there are vital issues, especially the welfare of the people, that the Assembly needs to focus on.

    Jimoh noted that by the virtue of the oath the party members have sworn to, personal interests would not be allowed to override the interests of the masses.

    The Speaker said he would continue on Bello’s experience and honest counsel.

    He said the Assembly remains a united family, adding that he and Bello are from the same place.

    The Speaker promised that the new leadership would use collective approach and cooperate with the executive and other organs of government for the development of the state.

    The Deputy Majority Leader and Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Enlightenment, Saidu Akawu Salihu, described yesterday’s sitting by the new House leadership as a show of lawlessness.

    In a statement in Lokoja, the state capital, Salihu said: “We also begin to wonder why they are so desperate with their act of lawlessness despite the intervention of the National Assembly and men of goodwill within and outside Kogi State.

    “We want to inform the public that as law-abiding citizens, men of honour and integrity, we will continue to remain on the path of peace, law and order. No amount of intimidation, provocation and deceit will lure us to the part of lawlessness and abuse of lawful plea from constituted authority like the National Assembly to take the law into our hands.”