Group Condemns Mend's Threat to Attack Mosques

An Islamic organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), on Tuesday said the threat by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, to attack mosques and some Islamic institutions was unjustified.

MURIC's Director, Professor Is-haq Akintola, said in a statement issued in Ibadan that the timing of MEND's threat was wrong, uncoordinated and illogical.
Mr. Akintola said the organisation's position was based on the fact that the Federal Government had been working vigorously to stem the Boko Haram menace.
The statement said: "The fact that MEND's threat is coming just when light starts to appear at the end of the dark tunnel is quite interesting; it raises more questions than answers.
"The Federal Government has been working round the clock to find a solution to the Boko Haram menace. Why not allow the FG to conclude its plans? "
It urged Muslims and Christians to disown the threat as a mere cover up of MEND's agenda; which was not in the interest of brokering peace as portrayed.
"Christian and Muslim groups in the country have been consistent in our condemnation of the attacks carried out by the Boko Haram group.
"We have long disowned Boko Haram and washed our hands off their atrocities.
"It is therefore ironical that MEND still associates Boko Haram with Islam and threatens to avenge the attacks carried out by the group on innocent Muslims," it said.
The statement further added that the task of nation-building could not succeed in an atmosphere of fear and distrust.
MEND recently threatened to attack mosques and other Islamic institutions from May 31.

God, My Godfather Will Make Me A Senator in 2015 Akpabio

Belling the cat amongst all elected political officers, the Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Godswill Akpabio has disclosed his intention to run for a seat in the Senate in the 2015 general elections.
The Governor stated that “the same Godfather who helped him become governor will help him again.”
While speaking on Channels TV’s breakfast programme; Sunrise Daily in an exclusive interview in Uyo, Mr Akpabio said, “I am definitely going to take up the challenged given by my people.”
“They are saying that I should not retire. Initially I was thinking of retiring after the stress of being a working governor for 8 years and then they called that I should go for the Senate so I have accepted to run for the Senate in 2015.”

Published On: Fri, Apr 12th, 2013

Current / Local / Sunrise Daily | By Channels Television

God, My Godfather Will Make Me A Senator in 2015 Akpabio

Share This

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

9ja NewsAbujaAkwa Ibomchannels televisionChannels TVCorruptionCurrent AffairsFederal government of NigeriaGodswill AkpabioGood governanceGoodluck JonathanLagoslocal newsNigeriaNigerian NewsPoliticsSunrise DailyUyo

Belling the cat amongst all elected political officers, the Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Godswill Akpabio has disclosed his intention to run for a seat in the Senate in the 2015 general elections.
The Governor stated that “the same Godfather who helped him become governor will help him again.”
While speaking on Channels TV’s breakfast programme; Sunrise Daily in an exclusive interview in Uyo, Mr Akpabio said, “I am definitely going to take up the challenged given by my people.”
“They are saying that I should not retire. Initially I was thinking of retiring after the stress of being a working governor for 8 years and then they called that I should go for the Senate so I have accepted to run for the Senate in 2015.”

“I believe that the will of God for us is development, the will of God for us is progress” he added.
He said that the same Godfather, God Almighty, who helped him in 2006/2007 will help him again in 2015 when it is time for the Senate elections.

Aregbesola Urges FG To Revive Emergency Call Lines

The Governor of Osun state, Mr Rauf Aregbesola has appealed to the federal government to activate the emergency code 112 for the use of the state to allow for timely response to security, medical and disaster calls.
He made the appeal while commissioning additional 100 patrol vans purchased by the state government for the use of security agencies in the southwestern state.
The governor disclosed that more armoured carriers and motorcycles will also be purchased for adequate policing of the state against crime.
Security operatives at the event said the gesture will go a long way in reducing crime to the barest minimum.
This is the second time in the administration of Governor Aregbesola that patrol vans are distributed to security agencies for effective maintenance peace and order in the state.

1 Soldier, 6 Susupected Terrorists Killed In Kano

At least six suspected terrorists have been confirmed dead while few others arrested following an early morning raid by the Joint Security Force in Sheka area of Kumbotso local government area of Kano state.
Confirming the operation to Channels Television, the JTF spokesperson captain Ikedichi Iweha said one soldier was also killed during the operation while five women and three children were rescued from the house suspected to be occupied by the terrorists.
“This operation was carried out following a tip off from our military intelligence; initially we wanted to search the house but suddenly we were engaged with several gunshots and we responded in self-defense.”
Iweha also explain that three ak47 riffle, several magazines and many improvised explosives devices were recovered during the raid.
Although during the JTF last operation at Yan’ Awaki, the officers were accused of intimidating innocent civilians and even killed some, but Iweha stressed that there operation was professionally carried out and that there are no civilian casualty from the raid.
Residents who spoke to Channels TV said they were traumatized with the sudden arrival of the JTF around 1am, the raging gun shots.
Meanwhile, Sheka has been completely surrounded by JTF officers with snap check points around the area.
Residents are still indoor as at 12 noon on Friday, with virtually all the business activities around the area closed down.

9 Killed As Suspected Islamists Strike In Yobe

Nine persons have been confirmed dead in a renewed clash between security forces and suspected extremist group, Boko Haram in Babbangida town of Yobe state.
Babbangida is the capital of Tarmuwa Local Government Area and is 50 kilometres north of Damaturu the state capital.
Witnesses said the gunmen stormed the Divisional Police Station of the area at the early hours of Thursday and opened fire at the policemen on duty in an encounter that lasted for almost an hour.
The State Commissioner of Police, Sanusi Rufai, who confirmed the incident to Channels Television in Damaturu, said the suspected Islamic terrorists attacked the Divisional Police Station around 1:00am in a shoot out that lasted for an hour.
Though the police repelled the attack, Mr Rufai confirmed that the commands lost four of its personnel in the encounter while two sustained injuries and are receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
He said the police however killed five of the insurgents and injured many but the hoodlums who were in high number went away with their casualties as the authentic number could not be ascertained.
He recalled that this week has being a challenging one for security men in the state; they will not rest on their oars in the search for a sustained peace in the state.
“We will continue to discharge our responsibility as security men by ensuring that law abiding citizen have a condusive atmosphere to go on with their legitimate business.”
The commissioner called for support from the public towards lasting peace in the state.
The attack is coming four days after the insurgents had attacked men of the military Joint Task Force (JTF) in Tumbulgi Village of Geidam local Government Area of the state.
It would also be recalled that the insurgents had in December 2001 attacked Babbangida town setting the local Government Secretariat and the Divisional Police Station ablaze.

FG Vows To Take “Appropriate Action” Over Attacks On Nigerians In Bakassi

The federal government has vowed that an “appropriate action” will be taken against the recent escalation of attacks by Cameroonian gendarmes against Bakassi indigenes in the oil rich pennisula.
The Cameroonian gendarmes are accused of killing at least a dozen Nigerians in Bakassi during a forceful eviction of Bakassi indigenes that have chosen to settle in the peninsula.
About 20 people are reported to have been killed and more than a thousand displaced in multiple attacks by the gendarmes in the area within the last two weeks. A number of locals are also missing.
The Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, said on Thursday in Abuja, that the report on the attack was being studied by the federal government.
Mr. Moro spoke after a meeting of the presidential committee on the plight of the Displaced Bakassi People.
“As it is now, as a good player on the international scene, Nigeria has subscribed to the Green Tree Agreement (GTA) and on our own part as a country we will continue to abide by the provisions of the agreement,” Mr. Moro said.
“For one reason or the other, resulting from little skirmishes here and there, the Cameroonian gendarme has attacked some innocent Nigerians. That report is being presented to government and the Nigerian government will take appropriate action to redress the situation” he added.
The most recent attack occurred over a week ago when Cameroonian soldiers allegedly opened fire on Bakassi indigenes at Efut Obot Ikot, a settlement in the peninsula where they preferred to stay, the Chairman of Bakassi Local Government Area, Ekpo Bassey, said.
He said a camp provided by the Cross River state government for the displaced persons had swollen to 1,800.
The Minister appealed to the people of Bakassi to remain calm as the federal government was determined to ensure their safety in the face of the ruling of the International Court of Justice at The Hague and the federal government’s acceptance of the ruling.
Mr. Moro said the presidential committee on the Displaced Bakassi People had presented a progress report to Vice-President Namadi Sambo on Thursday with a promise that the final report would be ready soon.
He assured that the displaced Bakassi people would find succour in the recommendations of the committee, which would be implemented by the Federal Government.
“I think at this moment we should not be attempting to segment solutions. The present crisis that we find in Bakassi is a Nigerian crisis and the Nigerian government is taking every step in conjunction with the state government to address the situation,” he said.
“And so, the right thing to do is to look up to the decision of government as to what to do with the Bakassi people, because the Bakassi people are Nigerians.’’

Sambo Demands Resettlement Of Displaced Bakassi Indigenes By August

Vice President; Namadi Sambo has urged the presidential committee on Bakassi and right of the displaced people, to expedite work on their assignment of relocating the displaced people and this  must be concluded before August 2013.
Mr Sambo gave the charge in a meeting with the presidential committee on Bakassi in his office on Thursday where he told the members that the time to conclude the issue of Bakassi has become important and everything must be concluded as soon as possible.
He stated that by the end of this month there must be a final report, taking into consideration the interest of the people of Bakassi.
The Vice President further adds that the recommendations that will be submitted should also include time frame, to guide the federal government on what to do within the very short time frame.
He warned that there is only four months left to conclude everything concerning the plight of the Bakassi people.
He also informed the committee that funds would be made available for them to discharge their duty accordingly.
Earlier, the Deputy Governor of Cross River state and chairman of the presidential committee, Effiok Cobham, stressed the need for the committee members to visit Bakassi to ascertain the area where the people want to be resettled.
Speaking with state house correspondent the deputy governor lamented that about a week ago the Cameroonian gendarmes evicted about 2,000 Nigerian citizens and the state is now harbouring another set of displaced people who are living in an open area with their families.

Babangida Declines To Comment On Amnesty For Boko Haram

Before the rejection of the offer of amnesty, by the Islamism sect, former military Head of State and General Ibrahim Babangida told journalists in Minna that pardon for the group, as proposed by the federal government is part of measures at ensuring that peace returns to the northern region.
General Babangida, however declared further comments on the proposal, but, promised to talk more on it, when the President inaugurates the committee.
Mr. Babangida, who hosted journalists at his residence in Minna, Niger State, on Thursday, said setting up such a committee “is part of measures at ensuring that peace stability was returned to the Northern region.”
According to him ‘’I do not know the terms of reference of the committee, therefore I cannot speak about the plan until the terms of reference are released.’’
“Every Nigerian has a role to play in tackling the security challenges facing us as a nation,” because “the government could not possibly tackle such problem alone.”
“If we all come together, the elite, the media, the ordinary people and the government by taking a common stand just as the people of Azare in Bauchi did to tackle their security challenges,” he said.
As much as he declined to speak on the Boko Haram issue, General Babangida urged the nation to trace the root of the problem.
“The problem did not start in one day … it was gradual thing before it came to this level … owing to our negligence by the government, the elite and the people; but I cannot blame anyone.”
“Some 20 years ago, we did not have this problem, what was the state of things then, what have we forgotten …that we have not done that led to the present challenges, this we have look at.”
“It is something that everyone has a hand in solving …to ensure peace stability in the country, therefore we should not leave this to government alone,” Babangida said.
The former Head of State also asked all Nigerians to join hands with the President and governments at all levels to tackle the problem of insecurity in the country.

Channels TV Lanre Lasisi Selected For Exchange Fellowship In US

Channels Television’s National Assembly correspondent; Lanre Lasisi has been selected along with two other Nigeria journalists in the maiden edition of the International Center for Journalists’ (ICFJ) exchange program between Nigerian and United States.
The three Nigerian journalists, selected to participate in the exchange program between Nigerian and United States Journalists are Lasisi Olanrewaju of Channels Television, Kabir Alabi Garba of Guardian newspapers and Hamza Idris of Daily Trust newspapers.
The three journalists have arrived in the US for the exercise with seven other African journalists from Ghana, Kenya and Uganda.
Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said in a statement on Thursday, stated that the exchange program commenced with a three-day professional Fellows Congress in Washington DC from April 8 to 10 with the three Nigerian journalists as participants.
According to Mr. Arogundade, the 10 African journalists will spend a total of four weeks ‘working’ with media organizations in the United States during which they will share practical experience with their American colleagues.
Mr. Arogundade said prior to their departure last week, the Public Affairs Section of the US Consulate in Lagos held a debriefing session with the representative of the three Nigerian Fellows, Mr. Kabir Garba.
Present at the debriefing were the Public Affairs Officer, Mrs. Dehab Ghebreab; the Cultural Affairs Specialist, Ms. Bene Uche and the Information Specialist, Mrs. Joke Omotunde.
“The Public Affairs Officer and her colleagues told Mr. Garba and his colleagues to see themselves as Nigerian ambassadors during the program and to that extent conduct themselves with the highest social and professional standards”, Mr. Arogundade said.
There will be regular updates on the activities of the Nigerian fellows on the IPC website – www.ipcng.org – as well as that of the ICFJ -www.icfj.org.

Flight Risk: Court Denies Akingbola Request For Medical Trip Abroad

The Lagos High Court in Ikeja has rejected an application brought by former Managing Director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank, Mr Erastus Akingbola seeking permission to travel abroad for medical treatment because he might run away.
Justice Adeniyi Onigbajo in a short ruling on Thursday, held that the possibility of Mr Akingbola running from his trial is very high since he now knows the weight of evidence against him following his aborted trial before Justice Habeeb Abiru, who was elevated to the Court of Appeal before he could deliver judgment in the case.
The Judge also held that Mr Akingbola did not bring any evidence before the court to show that no medical institution in the country could treat him and there was no evidence to also show that he had made any effort to contact any of the hospital in Nigeria for his treatment.
Justice Onigbanjo however, granted the applications of Mr Akingbola and his co-defendant, Bayo Dada, the General Manager of Tropics Finance Limited for the variation of their bail conditions.
Part of the bail conditions imposed on the men was that they must report at the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the first working day of every week.
But the judge said that that particular condition had outlived its usefulness since the EFCC had concluded its investigation of their alleged crime.
He agreed with the submission of the defence counsels that the men needed time to attend to their businesses and prepare for their defence.
He therefore ordered that they only report at the office of the EFCC on the first and third Fridays of every month not later than one hour before closing time in the office of the anti-graft Commission.
The case was then adjourned till the 10th of July for continuation of trial.
Mr Akingbola and Dada are standing trial for allegedly stealing N47.1 billion belonging to the defunct Intercontinental Bank. The charge was instituted against them by the EFCC in 2011.
Akingbola had in his application dated March 19, which was filed by one of his counsel; Mr. Mike Igbokwe (SAN) informed the court that he needed to keep a medical appointment fixed for April 15 at a Harley Street Hospital in London, United Kingdom.
Another of Mr Akingbola’s counsel,  Wole Olanipekun(SAN) while arguing the application on Wednesday referred the judge to some of his recent rulings including that of Abdulahi Alao, Mahmud Tukur and Wale Babalakin (SAN), whose applications on similar grounds were recently granted.
He said that there was no reason why a similar application by Akingbola should not be granted.
Justice Onigbanjo however concluded that the authorities being cited by the former bank boss were not binding since the circumstances in those cases were different from the present one.

Yobe’s Curfew Reviewed To Dusk To Dawn

Following the wave of attacks in Yobe state in recent weeks by suspected members of the Boko Haram, the state government on Thursday reviewed the prevailing curfew in the state.
A statement issued by the special adviser to the governor Abdullahi Bego, announced the restriction of movement across the state now starts from 6:00 PM to 7:00 AM daily.
The decision to adjust the curfew according to the statement was taken sequel to a meeting the state governor; Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam had with heads of law enforcement agencies in the state.
The statement expressed appreciation to the people of the state for their continuing support and cooperation with security agents who are working hard to ensure peace and security in the state.
While calling for prayers for peace among the people of the state, the statement urged the people to continue to use the telephone numbers provided by the Joint Task Force to report suspicious movement within their neighbourhoods.

Nigeria and Poland Call For Reform Of United Nations Security Council

The President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday held talks with the Prime Minister of Poland on promoting and further strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries.
The talks which  lasted for over one hour in president  Goodluck Jonathan’s office is following an official visit to Nigeria by the Prime Minister of Poland Mr Donald Tusk.
The two leaders discussed political cooperation between both countries and welcomed the ongoing efforts aimed at reforming the United Nations in order to equip it better to meet the current challenges in the maintenance of international peace and security.
They called for the urgent reform of the United Nations Security Council to make it more democratic.
Briefing state house correspondents after the talks President Jonathan said that Poland is a very important European country  and that it is important to deepen trade relations with them.

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Dies At 87

Former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher has died at the age of 87, her spokesman Lord Bell said.

Lord Bell said: “It is with great sadness that Mark and Carol Thatcher announced that their mother Baroness Thatcher died peacefully following a stroke this morning (Monday morning)
“A further statement will be made later.”
Thatcher, who led the British government between 1979 and 1990, suffered a stroke and died peacefully this morning, her spokesman Lord Bell said.
The former Conservative leader had lived a withdrawn life after leaving active politics. She had been suffering from dementia for some time.

IG Orders Manhunt of Perpetrators of Bayelsa Killing

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar has ordered a man hunt for the killers of 13 policemen in Bayelsa state.
According to the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, DSP Frank Mba, the police will stop at nothing to ensure that the killers are not only found but brought to book as speedily as possible.
He further stated that a new standard operational procedure has been approved by the Police Management Team to reduce the vulnerability and increasing fatality rate of officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force while on duty.
Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) has claimed responsibility for the weekend attack of the policemen at Azuzama, Southern Ijaw, in the creek of Bayelsa state.

NASU, ASCSN Pleads With FG Over Proposed Scrapping Of JAMB

Members of staff of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board under the aegis of the Non Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria have appealed to the federal government to shelve the planned scrapping of the universities tertiary matriculation examination as recommended by the Steve Orosanye-led committee on the restructuring of federal government agencies.
Addressing a news conference in Abuja, Chairman of  NASU, JAMB chapter, Comrade Samuel Azaba says the union may be forced to seek legal redress over the implementation of the committee’s report advising the federal government to scrap the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Comrade Azaba added that the government would be pretending to be advocates of the principles of federal character by scrapping the UTME since the examination has proven over the years to be a veritable tool in uniting the nation.

STF Sets Module To Curtail Proliferation of Small Arms

The Special Task Force Commander in charge of Plateau State, Major General Henry Ayoola, has called for a larger disarmament programme as a means to curtail the proliferation of small arms and ammunition.
General Ayoola, who was speaking in Abuja, noted that the situation in plateau state is gradually returning to normal.
He also added that the STF has continued to ensure that they recover weapons in its effort to sustain the peace in the state.
He however says that his men are also employing series of programmes that will lead to voluntary surrender of weapons but warned that the STF will not spare anyone found with weapons illegally.

ICPC Advocates Use of Special Courts In Curbing Corruption

Officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission,the (ICPC)  have recommended the establishment of special courts to hear cases of corruption .
Diector General of the Commission, Mr. Ekpo Nta, made this known during a meeting organized for judicial officers in Abuja.
Mr EKpo, who was represented by  Director of the commission, Mr. Bako Abdullahi said “the establishment of special courts will assist in fast tracking corruption cases as well as assist the judiciary play its role in changing the corruption perception of Nigeria before the international community”.
On his part, the administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Justice Umaru Eri says that the role of judicial officers is key to changing the perception of the nation especially on issues that pertains corruption.

Akingbola Seeks Application For Treatment Abroad

The former managing director of Intercontinental (Now Access) Bank, Mr. Erastus Akingbola has filed an application seeking the permission of the court to travel to the United Kingdom on the 15th of April for medical treatment.
Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of the Lagos High Court Ikeja fixed the 10th of April to hear the arguments for and against the application.
The judge fixed the date after listening to arguments from counsel on both sides on the propriety of taking the application urgently.
Counsel To Mr Akingbola, Mr. Mike Igbokwe (SAN) informed the court that Akingbola had secured an appointment with  a doctor for the 15th of April at a Harley Street Hospital, London.
He stressed that such appointments are difficult to get and urged the court to hear the application urgently to enable the former intercontinental boss travel for his treatment and come back for his trial which had been fixed for July.
Counsel to the EFCC, Mr Godwin Obla however objected to the urgency of the application. He argued that the urgency was self-inflicted and instead requested for more time to study the application and respond to it.
Justice Onigbanjo pointed out that the issue was one that could be argued when the counsel made his case objecting to the granting of the application as he could not shut out the applicants right to be heard before the travel date.
He therefore adjourned till the 10th of April.

Boko Haram: JTF Repel Another Attack On Citizens In Yobe

Operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Yobe state yesterday clashed with suspected members of the Boko Haram sect in Geidam Local Government Area of the state.
Witnesses said the armed gang of the radical Islamic sect clashed with security forces at Tumbulgi village of Geidam Local Government, some 11 kilometres to Geidam town.
Geidam is a border town with Niger Republic, and is 180 kilometres north of Damaturu, the state capital.
The military spokesman in Yobe state, Lt. Eli Lazarus in a statement confirmed the incident saying the hoodlums were preparing to attack Geidam town when JTF made with them and repelled the attack.
He said the clashed occurred at Tumbulgi village around 3:00 in the evening.
On the casualty on both sides the spokesman says details is still being awaiting as communication in the area has for sometimes now been thwarted following waves of attacks by the hoodlums on telecom masts in the state.
“Additional information would be made available to newsmen, as the security task force is on top of the security situation.”
While appreciating the level of cooperation between residents and security forces Lt. Eli Lazarus called for a sustained relationship in the quest for lasting peace in the state.

Imoke Vows To Encourage Wealth Creation Through PPP

The Cross River state government has reiterated the fact that one of the objectives of the present administration is to encourage wealth creation, and provide an enabling environment for Public-Private Partnership to thrive in the state.
Governor Imoke was speaking at the cheque presentation ceremony worth N400 Million to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Scheme (MSME’s) through its development agency, Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (MEDA) in collaboration with the Bank of Agriculture in Calabar, the  state capital.
Represented by his deputy, Efiok Cobham, the governor disclosed that, in spite of the pivotal role the sector plays in the economic development, the sector is still battling the challenge of insufficient capital, lack of proper business information, difficulty in accessing credit facility, high cost of finance and lack of skills in preparing business plans among its members.
He further said the government is set out to make MSME’s more productive and rewarding by encouraging the adoption of best practice, developing a strong private sector driven economy, growing the purchasing power of our people and strengthening the real sector of the state economy.
Director General of  MEDA, Mr. Ignatius Atsu, disclosed that 500 micro enterprises and cooperative groups who met the criteria through a transparent process were selected to benefit from the scheme which attracts 8 percent interest for agro-based business and 9 percent non-agro business.
Beneficiaries thanked the state government for the gesture saying that the expansion of their business will in no little way better their lots and promised to ensure that the loans are paid promptly.
The importance of MSME’s in the economic development of any nation cannot be over emphasized, as it provides the largest means of livelihood for self-employment in the state and country at large.

Aliyu Applauds FG Over Boko Haram Amnesty

Governor Muazu Aliyu of Niger state has applauded President Goodluck Jonathan   for considering amnesty to the Boko Haram sect.
The governor gave this applause during the opening ceremony of a one week workshop of the National Population Commission on the review of the 2006 Population Census in Minna, the Niger state capital.
Doctor Aliyu, who is also the chairman of the northern governor’s forum, said the granting of amnesty to the group will not totally solve the security challenges across the north as there is more to the security crisis in the region than Boko Haram.
He urged the federal government to consider other options in its attempt to resolve the security challenges across the northern part of the country.

BIZARRE: Channels TV Investigates Killing Of Twins In Abuja

There has been the discovery of bizarre cultural practices of killing twins in some communities in Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In forty communities in the FCT, children who are born as twins or whose mothers die at birth or even have any kind of deformity are killed.
Although members of these communities deny the existence of this primitive practice, a Pastor, Olusola Stevens, who has lived among the indigenes for over a decade has rescued over 30 children, who are presently living with him.
In this video, Channels Television’s correspondent Doris Okenwa investigates these bizarre cultural practices.

Boko Haram: Former SSS Boss Supports Call For Amnesty

A former director of the State Security Service, Mike Ejiofor, has said that if what major stakeholders in the country want for the Boko Haram group is amnesty, then they should be supported.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Mr Ejiofor who is also a trained negotiator defended the rationale behind the offer of amnesty stating that several methods have been adopted in solving the challenge but have not yielded results.
However, he said that the call for amnesty by prominent leaders is surprising to him and asked if some of these people have made contact with the leaders of the sect.
Mr Ejiofor who said that normally “you don’t negotiate with terrorists’’ added that amnesty is supposed to be the last option. He further stated his position as advocating for negotiation.

We Killed 13 Policemen In Bayelsa – MEND

The Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), has claimed responsibility for the weekend attack on a group of policemen at Azuzama, southern Ijaw, in the creek of Bayelsa state during which some policemen were killed.
On Sunday, 13 policemen were killed after suspected militants ambushed their boat in a creek.
Three others including a police sergeant escaped death by swimming away to safety.
In a statement issued by its purported spokesman, Gbomo Jomo, MEND described the attack as a warning to the Joint Task Force (JTF), code named Operation Pulo Shield, which had earlier dismissed its threat of launching a fight it code named, Hurricane Exodus.
Part of the statement reads “for dismissing hurricane exodus as an “empty threat” by the Nigerian security forces, heavily armed fighters from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (M.E.N.D), at about 5pm, Saturday 06, April 2013, intercepted and engaged government security forces in a fierce gunfight lasting over forty minutes at Azuzama, southern Ijaw, Bayelsa state, Nigeria.”
The confirmation by MEND comes as the JTF says it has placed all its personnel in the Niger Delta on red alert, warning that it wouldn’t tolerate any form of lawlessness from anybody.

LAGOS: Fire Guts Alade Market

Popular Lagos market Alade Market Ikeja, was on Sunday consumed by flames, although the extent of the damage is yet to be known eyewitness said the fire was extensive.
The director of the Lagos State Fire Service, Razaq Fadipe, who confirm the incidence, said  officials of the service were battling to put out the fire.
He said, “We got a distress call this evening (Sunday evening) that Alade Market was on fire. We have deployed a team from Alausa station to the place. The fire is extensive, but as I am talking to you, we are working hard to put it out.”
The Lagos State Police command spokes person, Ngozi Braide said policemen had been deployed to the area to prevent hoodlums from looting shops in the market.
She said, “the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area is already on the ground. He is leading the effort to ensure that hoodlums did not take advantage of the confusion that the inferno will cause to commit crime.”

Kwara Govt. Awards N2 Billion Contract For Road Projects

Kwara State Government has awarded contracts for the construction of three major road projects and an additional work on an on-going project at a cost of over N2 billion.
The State government also approved over N357million for the purchase of medical equipment for the five general hospitals currently at an advanced state of remodelling and rehabilitation.
The state’s Commissioner for Works and Transport, Dr Abubakar Amuda Kannike and his health counterpart, Alhaji Kayode Abdul Isa announced made all these major developments known during the post State Executive Council Meeting press briefing.
Dr Kannike identified the approved road contracts and amongst them are the 18.6kilometre Arandun-Rore-Aran Orin-Ipetu road at the cost of over N1.5 billion with a 12 month completion period, beginning from this month, 1.8kilometre Umar Audi road which was awarded at the cost  of N434.388.69.30 with a 6-month completion schedule.
According to Dr Kannike, the State Executive Council also approved the additional contract on the Dangote-Offa Garage road project to cover the remodelling of the bridge on the road in order to avert possible danger that the present state of the bridge portends, adding that the construction of the collapsed bridge on pipeline road at the cost of over N200 million was also approved.
The Works commissioner added that the Executive Council has expanded the level of project inspection and monitoring by relevant ministries, agencies and departments in order to ensure that projects are executed to specification and on schedule.
The Commissioner for Health, Kayode Issa in his remarks said the five general hospitals to benefit from the over N357 million equipment purchase contract are those in Ilorin, Share, Offa, Omu-Aran and Kaiama.

NANS, Others Condemn Planned Scrapping Of JAMB, NECO

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists and the Coalition of Civil Society Groups have criticised the planned scrapping of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the National Examination Council (NECO).
In a communique signed by the national president of the student body, Yinka Gbadebo, the association says scrapping the examination body will compound the sufferings of ordinary Nigerians who may not be able to secure admission into tertiary institutions.
Also in a press statement signed by the national vice president of the National Association of Women Journalists, missus Ifeyinwa Omowale, the association appealed to the Federal Government not to scrap the unified tertiary matriculation examination saying it will have serious adverse effect on the masses.
The president of the coalition of civil society group for transparency and good governance in another press statement said the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board has put smiles on the faces of many families by allowing merit to prevail in the admission of students into tertiary institutions.

Northern Govs. Eulogize Ekiti Deputy Governor

The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) has commiserated with the Government and people of Ekiti State over the death of the state’s Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluwafunmilayo Aduni Olayinka.
Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Muazu  Aliyu In a statement enjoined Governor Kayode Fayemi and the people of the state to be encouraged by the fact that  the late Deputy Governor lived an inspiring and a fulfilled life.
The forum also urged members of the deceased’s family to be consoled by the fact that the late funmilayo departed after a life of dedication to service of God and humanity.
The statement described the late Mrs Olayinka as a ‘good woman’ who had a positive impact on the environment around her.
It prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and the people of Ekiti State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Customs Impound Contraband Goods Over N226m

To assert the Federal Government’s commitment to fighting smuggling in the country, the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service Zone ‘C’ Owerri has impounded various contraband good items with duty paid value of N226, 496,810.
While taking journalist round the impounded items at their warehouse at the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘C’ headquarters in Owerri the Imo State Capital, the Customs Area Controller Mr Victor Dimka disclosed that the seizures were intercepted at various locations within the area of coverage of the zone which spans the entire South-South and South-East states making it 11 states in total.
He added that most of the seizures were made on Eleme-Aba road.
According to Mr Dimka, he said their action is in line with the desire of the present leadership of the Nigeria Customs service whose main objective is to work tirelessly in fighting the ugly menace of smuggling and to make sure that if not totally eradicated, it should be completely reduced to its barest minimal.
And the mandate of the zone is to personally lead onslaught against smuggling before it ruins the economy of the nation.
He added that 9 of the smugglers have been arrested and are in detention.
If found guilty in court, they will be remanded in prison. He appealed to the members of the general public to support the Customs service by giving information about the smugglers and their activities.

Ekiti Deputy Governor Is Dead

The deputy Governor of Ekiti state, Mrs Olufunmilayo Adunni Olayinka is dead.
She passed away after a battle with cancer.
A statement signed by the state’s Commissioner for Information; Tayo Ekundayo, announced the demise of Mrs Olayinka, late Saturday night.
“It is with sadness but with gratitude to God, the passing of the State Deputy Governor, H.E. Mrs Olufunmilayo Adunni Olayinka, aged 52, after a tough but courageous battle with cancer” the statement read.
“She died on Saturday evening.”
The late Mrs Olayinka, was an accomplished banker who worked in the financial industry for 21 years before her foray into politics and election as the deputy governor of Ekiti state on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
She was sworn in as the deputy governor on the 16th of October 2010 alongside the state Governor, Kayode Fayemi.
“She demonstrated exemplary courage and dedicated service to Ekiti people both during the struggle to retrieve the stolen mandate and in her position as Deputy Governor.”

The late Mrs Olayinka holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a Master’s degree from the Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma,

She is survived by her husband and children as well as aged parents and siblings.

11 Killed As Gunmen Attack Adamawa Deputy Governor’s Residence

At least 11 people have been killed in an early morning attack on Midlu village in Adamawa state, while staging an attack on the residence of the state’s Deputy Governor.
The Deputy Governor’s country home where he normally spends his weekend was alleged attacked by the gunmen who murdered two police guards attached to his house before setting the building ablaze. The raid reportedly lasted over two hours.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mohammed Ibrahim, confirmed the attack stating that unidentified gunmen raided Midlu village, in Madagali local government area of the state, and attacked the home of the state deputy governor, Bala Ngalari.
The police officer failed to provide any more details.
“So far, the information available to me is that 11 people lost their lives in the village, including two private security men at the deputy governor’s house” Mr. Ibrahim said.
However, agency reports, say the gunmen attacked several houses, calling out names and shooting residents leaving some dead, and others injured.
An eye witness, who does not want to be identified according to agency reports said the incident took place in the early hours of Saturday around 2am.
“They attack Bala Ngilari house and I believe they kill some people in the house before set it on fire” he added.
The eye witness explained that the attackers went from house-to-house, picking out their victims, who they even called by name.
According to the witness, the exact number of deaths are yet to be ascertained

10,000 Persons Displaced In Kaduna Gunmen Attack

The displaced  people of Fadan Attakar community in Kaura local government area of Kaduna State  have appealed to the Kaduna State government to help them  get over the shock from last Saturday’s attack on the village by unknown gunmen.
The attack has displaced about 10,000 indigenes of the community who are scared of going back to their homes.
The paramount ruler of the community condemned the attack saying members of the community have lived peacefully with their neighbours over the years.
With their houses completely razed down, the villagers have become refugees in their own land.

Expressing sadness over what he called ‘man’s wickedness to his fellow man’, Governor Muktar Ramalan Yero who cut short his trip outside the country to visit the displaced persons and those in the hospital described the attack as uncalled for.
Although government has promised to assist the victims to get back on their feet and do everything possible to avert a re-occurrence of such incident, the people are demanding that an urgent arrangement be made for their immediate return and rehabilitation as condition for normalcy in the affected areas.

Multiple Accident Claims Over 50 Lives On Benin-Ore road

An accident which occurred on Friday afternoon in Ugbogui, Edo state claimed the lives of about 50 persons.
The tragedy occurred this afternoon when a diesel tanker and a trailer collided with a fully-loaded commercial luxury bus.
Eye witness accounts say the bus which was travelling from Lagos caught fire and the only three passengers were seen trying to escape the inferno but there are fears that they may not have survived the fire.
Military officials are reported to be controlling traffic in the area while fire service men are yet to arrive the scene.

Osun Relocates Plank Sellers

The Osun state government has concluded plans to relocate plank sellers to a new 18 hectares central plank market along Iwo-Osogbo road in the state.
While on an inspection tour of the land, the Commissioner for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Architect Muyiwa Ige stated that as part of the state’s effort to ensure proper physical urban planning of the Osogbo metropolis, the plank sellers would have to move from the old plank market located along one of the busy districts known as Alekuwodo.
He revealed that the plank sellers are usually affected by flood disasters during the rainy season hence the need for the relocation.
“To address the issue, the government of the state of Osun cleared up 18 hectares of land along the Iwo -Osogbo road as a central market for the plank sellers in Osogbo.” He said.
He also added that the new market has the capacity to accommodate 1,500 stalls which are expected to be built by each of the occupants.
The central plank market is said to have the advantage of many infrastructure provided by the state government. These includes stable electricity, health  facility, road networks among other facilities.

IMF Calls For The Closure Of AMCON

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended the winding down of the operation of the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) as soon as possible.
This recommendation is contained in the just released summary of the IMF’s Article 4 consultation report.
The fund commended the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) success in restoring financial stability after the 2009 banking crisis but says the winding down of AMCON has become necessary so as to curb what it called “moral hazard and fiscal risks”.
Last year, AMCON reported a N2.37 trillion loss after tax, three years after it was set up to absorb the bad debts of banks in the aftermath of a financial crisis.
IMF also welcomed the CBN’s commitment to address supervisory and regulatory gaps identified in the financial stability assessment update, particularly the need to strengthen cross-border supervision and the regime against money laundering and terrorism financing.
AMCON was set up by the act of 2010 and provides a 10 year life span for the company.
CBN’s director of communication, Mr Ugochukwu Okoroafor, explained  that the IMF report has only suggested that the 10 year sunset clause in the act be reduced and not for AMCON to be liquidated immediately as being reported by some media organisations.

Governors Who Criticise Good Governance Tour Are Afraid – Maku

The Minister of Information and Orientation, Mr Labaran Maku has stated that state governors that are criticising the good governance tour are afraid because the tour will reveal the level of performance and the projects they have on going.
Mr Maku also denied demanding any fund from the state governors during their visits to the states.
He revealed that a ‘gentlemanly agreement’ was reached with the state governors at the inception of the programme, to fuel the buses when the tour arrives in each state and probably provide a meal.
He also accused the Lagos state governor of taking a partisan stand against the tour because the Lagos state government via its Deputy Governor signed on behalf of the state at the inception to be part of the tour.
“All the governors at the governors’ forum agreed to be part of it” he added.
The governors who have criticised the good governance tour are just being partisan, he added.

Know Your Neigbours: Fashola Urges Lagosians To Stop Drinking Free Beer

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Fashola has urged residents in Nigeria’s economic city to be cautions of drinking freely declared alcohol at social centres by unknown persons.
The governor called for the caution while addressing security bodies, transport union and community development groups in the state on the recent growing security threats in the state.
He urged people to always ask any unknown person who declares free drinks at social centres of his/her identity and source of income before relishing the free drinks.

Gunmen Kill 19 In Easter Attack

Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen on Sunday stormed Afaka village in Kaura local government area of Kaduna state killing 19 people.
The unknown gunmen took the community by surprise as they attacked in the early hours of Easter Sunday leaving 19 people dead and many others injured.
The village shares borders with kaduna and plateau.
An eye witness said the gunmen numbering about 30 invaded the village in the early hours of Sunday shooting sporadically  at people’s houses  before the villagers with support of a neighbouring community were able to repel the attack.
Confirming the incident to Channels Television, the Kaduna State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Aminu Lawan said the gunmen took the villagers by surprise and started shooting people.
He added that the identities of the gunmen are yet to be known while the police has commenced investigation   into the attack.
He however disclosed that more armed policemen and soldiers have been deployed to the area to maintain law and order.

Lagos Is The Safest City In Nigeria – Frank Mba

The Deputy Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Frank Mba on Monday said that Lagos is the safest city in Nigeria and one of the safest in Africa.
While speaking about the security situation in the the state on Channels Television’s breakfast show Sunrise Daily, Mr. Mba said that Lagos has been a very peaceful place in light of the dense population.
He argued that the Lagos State Police Command has been doing a good job inspite of the recent increase in reported cases of kidnapping, stating that it is the new crime being explored by criminals.
Mba mentioned kidnapping as a new challenge which the Police is ready to wipe out. “We have already developed a very strong standard operational procedure that is commencing this week and we are going to lock up the entry and exit point in this city”.
Lagos state is the smallest state in Nigeria, with an area of 356,861 hectares of which 75,755 hectares are wetlands, with a population of 17.5 million people (2006 National Census).
The state is also regarded as the commercial capital of Nigeria.

Health Professionals Demand Removal of Minister

The Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) has called for the immediate removal of the Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu as well as a through probation into the management of teaching hospitals and allied institutions across the country.
These demands were made at the recently concluded National Executive Council (NEC) meeting which held at the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The health workers called for the removal of the minister over alleged discrimination and non-implementation of the presidential committee report in the health sector.
Speaking with journalists after its National Executive Council meeting, the (NUAHP) National President, Comrade Felix Faniran, expressed worry over increasing rate of sharp practices and financial impropriety in the administration of public teaching hospitals.
In a communique issued after the four day meeting, NUAHP called for an end to the appointment of Chief Medical Directors of tertiary health institutions without recourse to other medically qualified healthcare professionals.
The union however urged the Federal Government, National Assembly and Head of Service of the Federation to re organise, restructure and reposition the Federal Ministry of Health to accommodate other qualified healthcare professionals at the directorate levels without delay to promote industrial harmony in the sector.

Go cheek to whisker at Argentina’s Lujan Zoo The wisdom—and track record—of the zoo is hotly debated

Many of the animals here are former illegal house pets that are given to the zoo after outgrowing their homes. Image by Zoo De Lujan

With the weather getting warmer, it’s time to get back outside and reconnect with the wildlife—and no place will let you get closer to the wildest of wild things than Lujan Zoo in Argentina. Located just outside Buenos Aires, Lujan Zoo provides zoogoers the opportunity to bottle feed a bear, cuddle a tiger, or rub noses with a lion, and, if these pictures are accurate, walk away un-mauled. While many visitors assert the animals are clearly drugged, the zoo insists the tameness is entirely natural, a product of raising each cub from birth and teaching them to be calm, permissive, and uninterested in eating humans. Since opening in 1994, there have been no reports of unexpected predation, but whether that perfect record is due to good training, luck, or bribery of authorities is hotly debated.  Check out this extreme petting zoo below, and remember, the Lujan Zoo is one of the only places in the world where you can pet wild animals, an extremely dangerous activity that you should not take lightly and should never try outside the confines of such facilities.

The zoo says that, in addition to training, keeping the animals constantly fed helps to maintain calm passivity. Image by Zoo De Lujan Con Las Superguias

Lujan Zoo received these brown bears when they were just two months old. Now full grown, the zoo assures they still enjoy bottle feeding, or eating food offered directly from visitors’ mouths. Image by Zoo De Lujan Con Las Superguias

Even tigers need belly rubs. Lujan Zoo currently holds more than 60 of these stripy felines. Image by Zoo De Lujan Con Las Superguias

Lions were part of the inaugural menagerie when the park opened in 1994, along with a monkey, two donkeys, two ponies, llama, deer, and some peacocks. Image by Zoo De Lujan Con Las Superguias

Even though visitors go cheek to whisker with big cats daily, Lujan Zoo has reportedly never had an accident. (While the observant may notice the scratches on this woman’s side, it is unknown where they came from.) Image by Zoo De Lujan Con Las Superguias

Not all residents are furry. Lujan Zoo hosts two female elephants in addition to a wide variety of reptiles and birds. Image by Zoo De Lujan Con Las Superguias

If you’re not one to trust a tiger, Lujan Zoo does offer tamer fare, such as camel and pony rides. Image by A. Pereira

Lujan Zoo has animals of all ages and welcomes humans of all ages. Children under 12 are admitted at a reduced rate and those under 2 get in free. Image by Zoo De Lujan Con Las Superguias