Jonathan off to The Caribbean

 President Goodluck Jonathan early Tuesday morning departed the country for a four day working visit to the Caribbean Islands of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.
According to a statement the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati on Monday, the president will be attending the Emancipation Day of Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica’s Independence Anniversary Celebration during the trip.

Before embarking on the trip the president had a private talk with the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in his residence. Details of the meeting were not disclosed to journalists.
Mourning for Ghana
Also President Goodluck Jonathan has recalled the shock and sadness he felt when he learnt of the death of President John Atta-Mills of Ghana, last week.
President Jonathan was speaking at State House to a five-man delegation from Ghana, led by Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, who brought a special message from the nation’s new leader President John Dramane Mahama.
Dr Mills, passed away last week at the age of 68, a few hours after he fell ill from throat cancer and was rushed to a Military Hospital.
President Jonathan said Nigeria would be represented at late President Atta Mills’s funeral at the highest level, adding that an official delegation would be sent to convey the country’s condolence before the burial.
The President assured President Mahama of Nigeria’s continued support and cooperation, stating that ‘Nigeria will continue to work with Ghana on bilateral, regional, continental and global issues’.
Earlier, Alhaji Mumuni, had delivered a special message from President John Mahama and expressed appreciation for the concern and love shown to Ghana by President Jonathan and the people of Nigeria at this time of sorrow.

Asset manager, bourse launch Nigeria Islamic index

Islamic wealth manager Lotus Capital and Nigeria’s bourse (NSE) on Monday launched a debut index of Nigerian Stock Exchange-listed companies that comply with centuries-old Islamic investment principles.

Brokers work on the trading floor of the Nigerian stock exchange in the commercial capital Lagos

The NSE Lotus Islamic index, which covers 15 equities with combined market capitalisation of around N2.87 billion, excludes banks, companies with high levels of debt or leverage and other stocks that conflict with Islamic principles.
The stock exchange said the new index is designed to attract Sharia/ethical investors to Nigeria’s fledgling stock market, particularly those from the Middle East.
The new index is weighted towards fast moving consumer good, cement, oil marketing and manufacturing sectors and includes heavyweight Dangote Cement.
No sector will be allowed to account for more than 40 percent of the index, Lotus said, noting that the index will be reviewed every six months.
It also said it had a buffer of 30 firms to consider for the inclusion at any one point but that stock liquidity was key.
On debt, it said total debt as a percentage of the firms total value should not be more than 33 percent for it to qualify.
Islamic banking assets globally now exceed $1 trillion and could reach $4 trillion by 2020, analysts say, estimating $50 billion in managed funds invested according to Islamic principles in equities.
“Islamic products are new in Nigeria but the uptake is growing in double-digits,” said an Islamic banking analyst, who declined to be named.
“Domestic pension funds are eligible to invest… and around half of Nigeria’s 160 million people are Muslims, which gives an idea of the market size.”

Google unveils ultrafast Internet-TV

Google Inc made its foray into the market for bundled Internet and television services on Thursday, promising access speeds more than 100 times faster than those of traditional U.S. cable and telecommunications companies.
The Web search leader unveiled its ultra-high speed Google Fiber service in Kansas City, Missouri, and could start installations in September, executives said. Google hopes to roll out the service to other cities later.
“Access is the next frontier that needs to be opened,” Google Chief Financial Officer Patrick Pichette said. “We’re going to do it profitably. That is our plan.”
“We are at a crossroad,” he added, noting that Internet speeds had leveled out for broadband since around 2000. “We at Google we believe there is no need to wait.”
Google Fiber’s ultra high-speed connections and television offerings are aimed at surpassing those of current providers, allowing users to search live channels, Netflix, YouTube, recorded shows and tens of thousands of hours of on-demand programming. However, no phone service is available.
“The phone is really a 1940s thing. Why have a landline? It’s sitting there, you use it once every two weeks,” Pichette said.
Google said it also intends to roll out product packages for businesses, but would not provide details.
Google Fiber includes more than 100 networks and costs $120 a month for a package of TV, 1 gigabyte per second Internet speeds and 1 terabyte of cloud storage.
The package includes popular networks owned by major media companies such as Comcast Corp’s NBC Universal, Discovery Communications and Viacom Inc. Premium movie networks are available from Liberty Media’s Starz for an extra fee.
But it excludes several major TV names, such as News Corp’s Fox cable channels; Time Warner networks like CNN, TNT and TBS, as well as Walt Disney Co cable channels like ESPN and Disney children networks.
Google executives said the company is still in negotiations to add more content.
“They need to be able to offer something that is everything people have now and more,” said Ben Schachter, an analyst with Macquarie Research.
“People are going to have high expectations for this. The worst thing they can do is come out and disappoint.”
Google is also offering an Internet-only package priced at $70 a month. The download speeds would be around 1 gigabyte a second, according to Google executives.
Google is charging a $300 installation fee, saying consumers should treat it as a “home improvement” cost.
The initial service area includes central Kansas City, Missouri and all of the city of neighboring Kansas City, Kansas.
This market is dominated by Time Warner Cable Inc, which charges $99.95 for its fastest Internet-only service there. Google Fiber would be 20 times faster.
Time Warner spokesman Justin Venech said the second largest U.S. cable operator had a “robust and adaptable network” and welcomed the competition.
FEATURES AND FREEBIE
Google Fiber includes such features as the ability to record eight TV shows at a time and store up to 500 hours of high definition programming. Users can choose to use a tablet or smartphone as a voice-activated remote control.
Google is offering its Nexus 7 tablet with the Google TV app to early users of the service.
Google said it is setting up a 6-week “rally” for consumers to vote on where the first fiber communities, or “fiberhoods,” should be installed in the Kansas City area.
Consumers must pay $10 to register their household online for service. About 50 “neighbors” will need to register in order for their area to be eligible for installation services, according to Google executives.
Whether or not consumers will embrace the new offerings remains to be seen. But officials said they are confident Kansas City will be a showcase of success for a larger rollout.
“Google is a very different company,” said Kevin Lo, general manager of Google Access. “And this is not a short-term project.”

Colorado shooting suspect charged with 24 counts of murder

James Holmes, the man accused of opening fire inside an Aurora, Colorado, movie theatre was back in court Monday to formally face charges for the July 20 massacre that killed 12 and wounded 58 others.

During the hearing which lasted less than an hour, prosecutors charged the 24-year-old PHD student with 12 counts of first-degree murder, 12 counts of murder with extreme indifference and 116 counts of attempted murder.
He was also charged with one count of possession of an explosive and one count of assault with a deadly weapon.
In contrast to Holmes’ first appearance in court last Monday, no cameras were permitted in the courtroom but, according to ABC News, Holmes appeared wearing a maroon coloured jumpsuit, his hair still dyed an orange-pink colour, and similar loopy mannerisms to his first appearance in court.
Throughout the hearing, Holmes’ eyes sporadically grew wider as he raised his eyebrows, stared blankly around the room, and then stared down into his lap.
He spoke once, when the judge asked him whether he wanted to waive his right to a preliminary hearing within 30 days, answering simply, “Yes.”
Security was tight for Monday’s hearing with armed officers stationed on the roof of both buildings at the court complex, and law enforcement vehicles blocking entrances to the buildings.
Holmes’ next court appearance is set for August 9th.

World Bank says rising food prices a concern, ready to help

The World Bank on Monday said it stood ready to help governments respond to a broad-based run-up in grain prices that has again put the world’s poorest people at risk and could have lingering detrimental impacts for years.

People shop inside Nakumatt"s supermarket in Nairobi January 5, 2011.

“We cannot allow short-term food-price spikes to have damaging long-term consequences for the world’s most poor and vulnerable,” World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim said in statement.
“The World Bank and our partners are monitoring this situation closely so we can help governments put policies in place to help people better cope,” said Kim, a public health expert facing his biggest challenge in two months on the job.
A severe drought in the U.S. Midwest has cut projected grain yields dramatically, reviving memories of 2008 when a sharp increase in food prices caused riots in some countries and raised questions about the use of crops to make biofuels.
Wheat prices have jumped more than 50 percent and corn prices more than 45 percent since mid-June, with dry conditions in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, excessively wet weather in Europe and a below average start to the Indian monsoon season adding to global crop worries.
Prices for soybeans, a critical food and animal feed crop, also have risen almost 30 percent over the past two months and nearly 60 percent since the end of last year.
“When food prices rise, families cope by pulling their kids out of school and eating cheaper, less nutritious food, which can have catastrophic life-long effects on the social, physical, and mental well being of millions of young people,” Kim said.
Kim said the bank has a number of programs to help governments should the situation worsen.
Those include policy advice, increased agriculture and agriculture-related investment, fast-track financing, risk management products and work with the United Nations and private voluntary groups to help governments make more informed responses to global food price spikes.
“In the short-term, measures such as school feeding programs, conditional cash transfers, and food-for-work programs can help to ease pressure on the poor,” Kim said. “In the medium- to long-term, the world needs strong and stable policies and sustained investments in agriculture in poor countries.”
World Bank officials stressed there is no indication, based on current crop forecasts, of any major grain shortages resulting from the reduced harvests this year.
In addition, lower prices for oil, fertilizer and shipping than in 2008 will ease the cost of importing food and planting next year’s crop, the bank said.
But Marc Sadler, head of agriculture risk management at the World Bank, said the situation is also “more complicated” than in 2008, when rice and wheat prices rose the most and then fell sharply the next year when plantings increased.
“The difference now is, if you look across the board, all prices are up,” making it tougher for farmers to decide how to allocate their acreage, Sadler said.
“When corn prices are up, bean prices are up and wheat prices are up, which one, as a farmer, do you go for?”g he said.
Sadler underscored Kim’s point about the threat food shortages pose to a country’s long-term vitality.
“One of the most pernicious facts out there is that in the first thousand days of a child’s life, they develop 80 percent of their brains. So, malnutrition in those first thousand days has a long-lasting impact,” he said.

Portsmouth confirms Kanu Exit

Trevor Birch on Monday confirmed that Nwankwo Kanu is no longer a Portsmouth player after his 14 day notice period on his contract expired.

The Pompey administrator also stated that he has asked the Football League for a tribunal to resolve the £3 million lawsuit issued by Samuel Okoronkwo over Kanu’s unpaid wages since 2006.
Football analysts said that hould the ruling be in favour of the Nigerian, then Portsmouth Football Club will surely die.
With Kanu walking out on Pompey, there are now only three senior players left at the club and Birch is hopeful that Liam Lawrence will seal a move to a Championship club this week. Dave Kitson and Tal Ben-Haim are still negotiating a payoff.
Whilst there has been plenty of talk of outgoing players, there has been some news regarding possible incoming personnel today.
Midfielder Simon Gillett has left Pompey and has opted to train with Nottingham Forest where he will be reunited with former Doncaster boss Sean O’Driscoll.
Michael Appleton has told winger Lloyd Sam and goalkeeper David Preece that they will not be offered deals. Luke Rodgers has been given another five days to impress after a groin injury sidelined the former Notts County striker during Pompey’s time in Spain.

Nigeria needs brand new peoples’ constitution, not constitutional review – PRONACO

The Pro National Conference Organization (PRONACO) on Monday in Lagos cautioned the National Assembly not to supplant the overwhelming yearnings of the Nigerian stakeholders for brand new peoples’ constitution and self-determination through its current review of the 1999 military constitution

Speaking through its Spokesperson, Olawale Okunniyi, PRONACO averred that though the National Assembly, by the provisions of section 8 and 9 of the 1999 constitution, can amend the constitution and also make laws thereof, unfortunately, what Nigerians want at this point in time is a brand new constitution that can be initiated, owned and defended by them.
PRONACO said the point being made by the Nigerian people is that the 1999 constitution was promulgated by its military authors as decree No 24 of 1999 but was dubiously tagged 1999 constitution of Nigeria, stressing that by all standard a military decree is a mere law and not a constitution and that there is a fundamental difference between a law and a constitution
The coalition also advised the National Assembly not to mix up its vested interest to amend the imposed military constitution as the same as giving the country a legitimate peoples’ constitution that can be owned by the Nigerian peoples arguing that the national assembly itself is also a product of Nigeria’s faulty constitutional foundation
Mr Okunniyi however said that the trouble with Nigeria is its military imposed civilian regime, which according to him was constitutionally designed by the military to fail by throwing up national crisis that will force Nigerians to call for military intervention.
PRONACO insisted that Nigeria is far from a peoples’ democracy given the foundation and legal template upon which the subsisting civil rule and its governmental structures were birthed in 1999, stressing that it is only the full ownership of the Nigerian constitution by its peoples that can help democratize and save the current civil rule from collapse
“By its faulty and illegitimate birth, no amount of tinkering or amendments of the existing decree 24 tagged 1999 constitution can turn it to a constitution not to talk of making it a peoples’ constitution. So there is no need for government to continue to waste Nigeria’s scares resources and time on a worthless and unproductive venture in the face of the monumental violence in the country
“The danger here is that there is now an unprecedented corruption and violence in the country and our people are being killed here and there on daily basis with a possible reprisal attacks and imminent civil war in the offing on the account of the existing unpopular constitutional governance structure foisted on the people by the military in 1999” the PRONACO spokesperson said.
Offers to help group seeking autonomy
Mr Okunniyi called on the various indigenous peoples, nationalities, federating units and regions in Nigeria, who so desire self-determination and political autonomy to formally approach PRONACO to help organize them to meet the criteria of the United Nations on self-determination and autonomy as spelt out in the new declaration of the United Nations on the self determination of indigenous peoples.
“Rather than continue the endless agitation for national conference and participate in an unhelpful constitution review exercise, indigenous peoples in Nigeria are hereby advised to urgently adopt the latest approach recommended by the United Nations in liberating themselves from the hostage of those currently benefiting from the existing corrupt and conflictual system in Nigeria” PRONACO said.
It will be recalled that the Senate reiterated at its retreat last week in Asaba, the Delta State capital that it is only through its adopted piece meal or incremental tinkering as provided in the 1999 constitution that the constitutional crisis of the country can be addressed and that those calling for national conference have no legal basis to do so
Mr Okunniyi however faulted that position by saying the same constitution already empowers the national assembly to make law for whatever it deems suitable for the good governance, welfare and security of the country, wondering what constituted the basis of invoking the doctrine of necessity in the Yar’adua/Jonathan saga
“Nigeria is already in an emergency situation given the horrendous bloodletting and bombings in the land, which requires that the national assembly if they are responsive and appreciate the national question, to urgently make law under section 4 or even 9 of the constitution for the convention of a peoples’ national conference or alternatively, invoke their invented ‘doctrine of necessity’ to enable a constituent assembly of the Nigerian peoples negotiate and neutralize an imminent civil strife in the country”

At least 50 Nigerians evacuated from Syria- Ashiru

About 50 Nigerian s have been evacuated from Syria following the ongoing crises in the country, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olugbega Ashiru said on Monday.
Mr Ashiru said that the evacuees complied with government’s directive to leave Syria and he advised others to vacate the Middle East nation.
“We have evacuated quite a lot of Nigerians from Syria. It was not an airlift exercise like we did in the case of Libya because they are very few.
“From the report I got, those moved so far are less than 50, long before the situation deteriorated we advised them to move.
“Some have decided to stay behind but it is their choice,” he said.
The minister also said that the families of the Charge d’Affairs and officials at the embassy had been relocated to the neighbouring nation of Lebanon “and they are very safe there.”
March 15, 2011 marked the beginning of the crisis in the troubled Middle Eastern nation, with public demonstrations as part of the wider Arab spring and developed into a nationwide uprising.

One killed as gunmen attack Vice President’s house in Zaria

Gunmen on motorbikes attacked the country house of Vice President Namadi Sambo in Zaria in Kaduna state on Monday, but he was not in the building at the time, police said.

“The policemen on guard and the assailants were engaged in a gun battle around 11:30, however, a cobbler was hit by a stray bullet and died instantly,” police spokesman Balteh Abdulrazaq said.
“Two police officers sustained bullet wounds on their legs and arms and have since been rushed to an undisclosed hospital,” he said.
Mr Abdulrazaq said no arrest has been made.
“We have already commenced investigation and we are urging the public to remain calm and report any suspicious activities around them,” he said.
Hundreds of miles northwest of Zaria in the remote city of Sokoto, suicide bombers targeted police stations on Monday.
“Two suicide bombers attacked two police formations in the state capital … as a result three people died that includes the two bombers and a police officer,” Muktar Bello, police spokesman in Sokoto, told Reuters.
Suspected members of Boko Haram killed five people and lost four of their members in a series of gun battles in Nigeria’s second largest city Kano on Sunday.
Security experts believe Boko Haram has many cells operating independently from each other. The sect recruits from the millions of disillusioned youths in the impoverished north, who can be easily coerced into joining the insurgency.

Jonathan, wife to attend independence anniversaries of Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago

President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience, will depart Abuja on Tuesday to attend the Emancipation Day of Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica’s Independence Anniversary Celebration.

This was disclosed in a press statement issued by Mr Jonathan’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati on Monday.
According to Mr Abati, Mr Jonathan and his wife “will review the Kambule Street Procession, the major event marking the Trinidad and Tobago Emancipation Day on Wednesday, August 1, with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar.”
The statement said that Mr Jonathan “will also present a goodwill message to the procession, pay a courtesy call on the President of Trinidad and Tobago, Prof. George Maxwell Richards, and his wife, Dr. Jean Ramjohn Richards, and meet with members of the Nigerian community resident in Trinidad and Tobago.
The President and his wife will attend the Emancipation Day Cultural Programme at the Lidj Yasu Omowale Emancipation Village, and be hosted to a State Banquet by their host.
“Jonathan’s official visit to Jamaica will commence on Thursday, August 2, with a Special Commemorative Session of Parliament in his honour, after which he will be hosted by the Jamaican Prime Minister, Portia Simpson-Miller,” the statement said.
“Other activities of President Jonathan in Jamaica will include participation in a Mello Go Round at the National Stadium, a bilateral meeting in the Prime Minister’s office, a meeting with the Nigerian Community and a luncheon hosted by the Governor-General of Jamaica, Patrick Allen.
“President Jonathan is expected back in Abuja on Saturday, August 4, 2012.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Emancipation Day is celebrated to mark the end of slavery for Africans in the British Caribbean on August 1, 1838, and has been observed as a national holiday in Trinidad and Tobago since 1985, while Jamaica attained independence from Great Britain in 1962.

We will not toy with public resources – Okonjo-Iweala

The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Monday assured Nigerians that the 2012 budget is being managed in a way that protects and enhances the best interests of the country.
Responding to concerns raised in some quarters recently, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala said that transparency and prudence remain the key priorities of the Federal Government in the management of the 2012 budget.
“Our objective is to achieve both higher budget implementation and better management of the country’s resources”, she said.
“We will not toy with public resources because they belong to all Nigerians”.
Regarding the implementation of the capital budget, some of the key milestones of the 2012 budget according to the minister include:
• Total capital budget for 2012: N1.3 trillion
• Releases so far: N404 billion
• Cash backed portion of the capital budget: N324 billion
• Percentage of cash backed portion that has been utilised: 56%
Mrs Okonjo-Iweala said that the improvement in implementation ratio from 39.2% by the end of May to 56% utilisation of cash backed resources by June 20 was made possible by the direct leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan who is personally leading the drive for better budget performance.
She expressed confidence that there will be further improvement in the level of implementation before the end of the year.
The minister emphasised that to maximise results, the ministry is careful and methodical in releasing funds to MDAs. She stressed that given the rate of utilisation, there is still room for more implementation.
She said that the Federal Ministry of Finance is not holding any budgeted funds back and that more releases of funds will be made in the near future.

One dead as gunmen attack police vehicle in Damaturu

Unidentified gun men at the early hours of today attacked a police vehicle conveying officers of the Yobe state police command command to the command headquarters along Gashua road in Damaturu the state capital.
Witnesses say a civilian woman was killed during the attack. At the moment, no official statement has been made concerning the attack.
Activities in the town have come to a standstill with civil servants and business men deprived of going to their places of work as movement has being temporarily suspended.
This is happening just two days after some security men on patrol were ambushed by unknown gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect at the Nasarawa Ward of Damaturu killing a police man in the process.

Insecurity: Babangida, Obasanjo call for urgent actions

Former heads of state, General Olusegun Obasanjo and General Ibrahim Babangida leaders issued a rare joint statement on Sunday calling for talks to end a deadly insurgency by Islamist group Boko Haram, warning the violence could put the nation’s unity at risk.
Former president Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-military ruler Ibrahim Babangida, who have been rivals in the past, said in a joint statement that the killings had become “unbearable” and had led to a nation “gripped by a regime of fear”.
“Unfolding events in our dear motherland, Nigeria, over the last few years are threatening to unravel the nearly a century old labour of our founding fathers and subsequent generations in building a strong, united, peaceful nation …,” the statement said.
Without mentioning Boko Haram by name, they called for “community involvement” in addition to security measures to resolve the crisis, urging efforts from local governments, religious leaders and grassroots organisations.
The statement also said that “for us, and we believe for millions of other Nigerians, the continued unity of this nation is not only priceless but non-negotiable.”
Boko Haram’s insurgency has left hundreds dead since mid-2009. Its attacks have grown increasingly deadly and sophisticated, moving from drive-by shootings to homemade explosives and suicide bombings.
The insurgency has been focused in the northern part of Nigeria.
Obasanjo, president from 1999 to 2007, is a Christian from the country’s southwest, while Babangida, who ruled from 1985-1993, is a Muslim from north central Nigeria.

Abacha family loses bid to recover $800m loot from FG

The family and 19 close associates of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, have lost their bid to recover $800 million seized by the Federal Government.

Abba Abacha, son of late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha

The fund, allegedly looted by Abacha’s family, was recovered by the General Abdulsalami Abubakar – led government.
The family and 19 companies owned by the family had gone to the appellate court seeking to upturn the decision of the Federal High Court Abuja, which dismissed their suit, challenging the constitutionality of the letters written by the Federal Government to governments of some foreign countries.
Justice Suleiman Galadima, who delivered the lead judgment recently at the Supreme Court, threw out the appeal saying it is incompetent and lacking in merit.
The money was recovered by the government from Muhammed Sani Abacha and nineteen (19) other companies between 1999 and 2000.
The companies are Juinin Finance, Savard International, Venfold Investment, Sulgrave Holdings INC, Raw Materials Development and Trading Co. Ltd., Technical Management Service Ltd, Allied Network Ltd and Blue Rock Properties.
Others are Barven Holdings, Olmar Establishment, Peltora Establishment, Glotar establishment, KRH Capital establishment, Kurita Establishment, Tadil Overseas, Rike Limited, Warnbeck Holdings, Arwood Overseas and Larberidge Trading.

Olympics Basketball: Nigeria Beat Tunisia

The Nigerian basketball team, D’Tigers, won their first game at the 2012 London Olympics this morning, by beating Tunisia 60-56.
With this win,  D’Tigers have become the first basketball team in Nigeria’s sporting history to win a match at the Olympics.
The team needs just one more win to get through to the next round.

Ebola outbreak in Uganda kills 13

An outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus has killed 13 people in Uganda and efforts are under way to contain the hemorrhagic fever, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Saturday.

There is no treatment and no vaccine against Ebola, which is transmitted by close personal contact and, depending on the strain, kills up to 90 percent of those who contract the virus.
Joaquim Saweka, WHO’s representative in Uganda, said that although suspected Ebola infections emerged in early July in Kibale district, about 170 km (100 miles) west of the capital Kampala, the outbreak was not confirmed until Friday.
“There are a total of 20 people suspected to have contracted Ebola and 13 of them have died,” Saweka said.
“A team of experts from the government, WHO and CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control) are in the field and following up on all suspected cases and those who got into contact with patients.”
Saweka said the origin of the outbreak had not yet been confirmed, but 18 of the 20 cases are understood to be linked to one family.
Kibale is near the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where the virus emerged in 1976, taking its name from the Ebola River.
The symptoms include sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rashes, impaired kidney and liver function and both internal and external bleeding.
Ebola was last reported in Uganda in May last year when it killed a 12-year-old girl. The country’s most devastating outbreak was in 2000 when 425 people were infected, more than half of whom died.

13 die as bus, truck collide in Edo State

Thirteen persons were confirmed dead and one injured on Sunday morning after an Iveco truck (AAA962XB) and an Anambra State Mass Transit inter-state Toyota Hiace bus (YB610EPE) collided on the Benin-Sagamu Expressway at Ofosu, Edo State.
The crash occurred at 7.45a.m about a kilometre away from the boundary between Ondo Edo states before Okada town.
The Deputy Corps Public Education Officer, Mr. Bisi Kazeem, who confirmed the incident, said  “the crash was caused by the driver of the Anambra Mass Transit bus who for no reason at all drove against traffic on the Benin-Ote lane thereby facing an on-coming Iveco truck descending a slope, resulting in head-on collision.”
He said, “The bus was coming from Lagos carrying traders dealing in electronics. Thirteen out of the passengers in the bus died, including the driver.
“The two passengers in the truck survived”
Kazeem also said the injured person was taken to Shiloh Hospital in Ugbogui, Edo State while the corpses of the dead were also taken to the mortuary of the same hospital.

Nigeria produces most of W/Africa’s illegal weapons – Army

The Nigerian Army on Saturday stated that 70 per cent of the 10 million illegal weapons in West African are produced in Nigeria.

The Chief of Army Standards and Evaluation, Major-General Shehu Abdulkadir, gave the figure in his paper entitled, ‘The challenges of internal security and implications for national development’ at the 7th annual Ramadan lecture of Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria in Abuja.

Abdulkadir said, “Out of approximately 500 million illicit weapons in circulation worldwide in 2004, it was estimated that about 100 million are in sub-Saharan Africa, with eight to 10 million concentrated in the West African sub-region. Regrettably, more than half of these Small Arms and Light Weapons are in the hands of non-state actors and criminal groups.

“Nigeria is both a producer and consumer of SALW in the West African sub-region. Although it is difficult to determine the exact quantity of illegal SALW circulating within or penetrating into Nigeria, it is estimated that over 70 per cent of eight to 10 million illegal weapons in West Africa are in Nigeria.”

The army chief also decried the fact that access to illegal weapons made criminals and militants bolder when facing security agents, which made it more difficult to fight them.

He described security management as “a very expensive venture,” adding that the Federal Government had to spread resources among competing needs and that the Armed Forces had to manage scarce resources to carry out their duties.

He, however, stated that the government, in recent times, had increased funding to the security sector, which would go a long way in alleviating the problem of resources.

Also, the lecture, Mr. Nurudeen Abdulmalik challenged the Federal Government to find lasting solutions to the multifaceted problems bedevilling the nation.

Reps deny 56% budget implementation, claims only 34% so far

The House of Representatives has described as untrue claims by the federal government that it has implemented 56 percent of the 2012 budget.
At a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, the Spokesman of the House of Representatives Zakari Mohammed stated that only implemented 34 percent of the budget has been implemented.
The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday via the Minister of Finance confirmed that the implementation of the 2012 budget has reached 56% from 39% as at the end of May.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala further revealed that the 56% represents N324 billion of the N404 billion so far released.
Reacting to the planned impeachment threats by the lower legislative chamber to President Jonathan if the budget implementation is not at 100% before September, the former World Bank Manager stated that “there is nowhere in the world where budget is implemented 100% by September” insisting that from her experience the least any country has done is 80%.
Mr Mohammed at the press conference also noted that contrary to claims by the Minister of Finance, the introduction of constituency projects by the National Assembly is not the reason for the slow pace of the implementation of the budget.
The House of Representatives had two weeks ago, threatened to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan over the failure to implement the budget.

Subsidy scam: ACN asks PDP national chairman to resign

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has advised the national chairman of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, to step down immediately. The opposition party made the call following the arraignment of one of his sons in the N1.7 trillion fuel subsidy scam.

ACN in a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated that Tukur’s resignation would enable the party leader relieve himself of the huge moral burden placed on him by his continued stay in office.
“It is important to say here that the fuel subsidy scam trial will be held in two courts: the Court of Law and the Court of public opinion” the party stated.
According to the party, Alhaji Tukur’s position as the leader of the ruling party has created the perception that the on-going trial, involving his son will not be fair.
“While Alhaji Bamanga Tukur is not facing any charges in the court of law over the scam, he is definitely a star suspect in the court of public opinion. That is why many Nigerians are already insinuating that nothing will come out of the trial, especially as far as his son is concerned” the party stated, adding that “this is an allusion to the influence bestowed upon him by his high office.”
The statement further read that, “while we have nothing but absolute confidence in the ability of the judicial process to ensure justice, we believe that anything than can reinforce the impression of thwarted justice in the fuel subsidy scam trial should be removed. Alhaji Bamagar Tukur’s continued stay in office is one of such.”
A  Lagos High court on Thursday granted bail to the sons of the former and serving national chairman of the PDP, Ahmadu Ali and Bamaga Tukur, and some other suspects indicted in the oil subsidy scam.

Olympics: China’s Yi wins first Gold

China’s Yi Siling on Saturday won the first gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics which commenced on Friday, with victory in the women’s 10m air rifle at the Royal Artillery Barracks.
Yi played with Poland’s Sylwia Bogacka into second, with Yu Dan of China taking bronze.
Poland’s Bogacka was leading until the eighth attempt of the 10-shot final when a wayward effort handed Yi first place while Britain’s Jennifer McIntosh was knocked out in the qualifying round.
Yi and Bogacka had close ties with a score of 399 out of 400, Yi took the gold with an overall score of 502.9 while her competitor had 502.2
Jennifer who finished 36th out of 56 competitors in her first Olympics said “I’d have liked to be in the final, but performance-wise I felt like I handled it really well. You live and learn
With so much excitement Yi said “I have been up since five this morning. There was a lot of pressure on me. I’m very grateful to China and to my mother and father, who I love very much.”
Katerina Emmons of the Czech Republic was fourth.

Mixed feelings for Nigeria at the London 2012 Olympics

Team Nigeria’s quest for medals at the London Olympics stroked off to a sparkling start with Funke Oshonaike beating her Iranian counterpart, Shahsavari Neda 4-3 while Segun Toriola also spanked Canadian Ho Andre 4-1 to progress to the next round of the games.
However, it was not a sweet story for Edem Offiong who suffered a first round humiliation from the Olympics as Egyptian Meshref Dina beat her 4-2.
In boxing Muyideen Akanji crumbled like pack of cards losing 6-15 to Darren O’neill of Ireland in the men’s 75kg category.

Shevchenko announces retirement from football, opts for politics

Former AC Milan and Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko has announced his retirement, and said that he plans to pursue a career in politics.

Shevchenko celebrating a goal at during the UEFA Euro 2012

The 35-year-old represented his native Ukraine at Euro 2012 this summer. Announcing his retirement from the international game after the competition, he has ruled out a career in the coaching part of the game opting for politics.
“This will probably shock everyone,” Shevchenko told the official website of his club, Dynamo Kiev.
“My future will no longer be in football. I will give more information but I will be going into politics.
“I hope for your support.”
Shevchenko established himself as one of the top strikers in the world with AC Milan as he helped the club win the 2003 Champions League title and a Serie A crown the following season.
In two stints with the Rossoneri, Shevchenko scored 175 goals in 322 appearances while also spending three seasons in England with Chelsea, where he failed to live up to expectations after a big-money move.
The former European player of the year started his glittering career at Dynamo Kiev and today calls it quits with the game at the same club.
He won five league titles during his time in Ukraine before his move to Italian giants AC Milan.
On the international level, Shevchenko tallied 48 goals in 111 matches to become his country’s all-time leading scorer.

Jang visits displaced persons, promises to curb future occurrence

Plateau state Governor Jonah Jang has assured residents of the communities affected by the flood disaster in Jos North Local Government Area to construct road networks and drainages to open up the areas which will curtail reoccurring of flood disaster in the affected communities.
 
Addressing community leaders and the internally displaced persons at the College of Islamic Studies Centre, Rikkos, the governor observed that lack of adequate drainage and planning were responsible for the disaster, hence government determination to address the issue of flooding in the affected areas and other places prone to such natural disaster.
The governor also assured that government will pay compensation for houses that will be demolished in the course of road construction and drainage systems.
The governor was accompanied by government functionaries to express government concern and readiness to partner with the communities in providing necessary infrastructure that will curb future occurrence.
Commiserating with the displaced persons over the loss of family members and property including community leaders present at the camp; the governor appealed to the people to always adhere to environmental instructions in order to avoid future occurrence.
Intervention in the camps by government and Non-Governmental Agencies have been on the increase since the disaster occurred with National Emergency Management Agency leading the pack in providing relief materials for the displaced persons.
The United Nations systems comprising Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, International Organisation on Migration, Food and Agriculture Organisation as well as UNICEF are also on ground to render assistance to the flood disaster.

Military helicopters pound Aleppo as onslaught looms

Syrian military helicopters pounded a central district of Aleppo on Saturday as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad prepared for an onslaught on rebel fighters that could determine the fate of the country’s biggest city, opposition sources said.
Turkey, once a friend but now a fierce critic of the Syrian government, joined growing diplomatic pressure on Assad, calling for international steps to deal with the military build-up.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition group which collects information on the uprising against Assad that has gripped Syria for the past 16 months, reported helicopter attacks on the central Salaheddine district of Aleppo and violent clashes elsewhere in the city.
“Helicopters are participating in clashes at the entrance of Salaheddine district and bombarding it,” the group said in an emailed statement. “There are also violent clashes at the entrances to Sakhour district.”
The battle for the city of 2.5 million people is seen as a crucial test for a government that has committed major military resources to retaining control of its two main power centres, Aleppo and Damascus, in the face of a growing insurgency.
While neither side has managed to gain the upper hand, the outcome of the uprising is being watched anxiously in the surrounding region and beyond, amid fears that sectarian unrest could spread to volatile neighbouring countries.
Three rebel fighters were killed in clashes between midnight and dawn on Saturday in Aleppo, the Observatory said. It said 160 people were reported killed in Syria on Friday, adding to an overall death toll of around 18,000 since the uprising began.
Video footage provided by the Observatory showed smoke rising over apartment blocks in the city into a hazy sky on Saturday. The sound of sporadic gunfire could be clearly heard.
TURKEY CALLS FOR ACTION
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said late on Friday that international institutions needed to work together to address the military assault on Aleppo and Assad’s threat to use chemical weapons against external enemies.
“There is a build-up in Aleppo, and the recent statements with respect to the use of weapons of mass destruction are actions that we cannot remain an observer or spectator to,” he said at a joint news conference in London with British Prime Minister David Cameron.
“Steps need to be taken jointly within the United Nations Security Council, the Organisation of Islamic Countries, the Arab League, and we must work together to try to overcome the situation,” he said.
Earlier, Erdogan had cheered on the rebels.
“In Aleppo itself the regime is preparing for an attack with its tanks and helicopters … My hope is that they’ll get the necessary answer from the real sons of Syria,” Erdogan said in remarks broadcast on Turkish TV channels.
Cameron said Britain and Turkey were concerned that Assad’s government was about to carry out some “some truly appalling acts around and in the city of Aleppo”.
U.N. rights chief Navi Pillay urged both Syrian government forces and rebels on Friday to spare civilians in Aleppo, voicing deep concern at the “likelihood of an imminent major confrontation” in the city reminiscent of other deadly assaults.
CHEMICAL WEAPONS
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was deeply concerned about reports that Syria could use chemical weapons and demanded that the government should state it would not use them “under any circumstances”.
But the White House said such a promise from the Syrian president was “certainly not enough” given Assad had paid only lip service to a U.N.-backed peace plan.
“Assad’s word is not worth very much,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said. “Any use of those weapons, any failure to safeguard those stockpiles would be a very serious transgression that would result in those responsible being held accountable.”
In stating this week that it would not use chemical weapons against its own people, but might do so against external threats, Syria caused major international concern about its stockpiles of non-conventional weapons.
The increase in fighting in Aleppo follows a bomb attack on July 18 that killed Assad’s defence minister and three other top officials in Damascus, a development that led some analysts to speculate that the government’s grip was slipping.
Since then, Assad’s forces have mounted a strong counter-attack against rebels in Damasacus as well as concentrating forces for an expected assault on Aleppo.

New Salary Scheme: NUT issues ultimatum to defaulting states

The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) has directed teachers in all the states that are yet to implement the enhanced salary structure to begin indefinite strike action as soon as the schools resume for a new session in September.
 
Addressing the media in Abuja, the President of NUT, Comrade Michael Olukoya said the teachers have ran out of patience, three years after an agreement  on the payment of the 27.5 per cent enhanced salary scale was signed between the union and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
The NUT president said the union has exhausted all efforts to convince the teachers that there was significant difference between the payment of Minimum Wage and the 27.5 per cent teachers’ enhanced allowances.
The affected states include Delta, Lagos, Cross River, Ogun, Katsina, Ekiti, Kogi, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi and Nasarawa states.

Okorocha recalls 27 PDP council chairm

Imo state Governor,Owelle Rochas Okorocha has called on the 27 PDP Council Chairmen in the state to resume their respective offices after a 3 week feud between the Okorocha led administration and the 27 PDP Local government council chairmen following the judgement of the appeal court.
At a meeting in Government House Owerri, the Governor lamented the absence of the Council Chairmen in the meeting which he invited them for in order to find a lasting solution to the lingering issue.
He said their absence will not deter him from suing for peace in the state as the interest of the people of Imo state supercedes any other interest in the state.
He added that the issue of the Council chairmen has generated unnecessary controversies in the state and he has taken a bold step to ensure that peace reigns in Imo state.
The Governor noted that his administration is ready to work and partner with the Council Chairmen in his realization of his rescue mission agenda for the state as well as help him tackle corruption that has eaten deep in the Local Government system.
He called on the council chairmen to resume their respective offices and normal activities should resume with immediate effect.

Subsidy scam: Court grants bail to suspects

A  Lagos High court sitting in Ikeja on Thursday granted bail to the sons of the former and serving national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP), Ahmadu Ali and Bamaga Tukur, and some other suspects indicted in the oil subsidy scam.
 
Mamman Nasir Ali, Mahmud Tukur, and two others were granted bail by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo in the sum of N20 million each with two sureties in like sum, one of the sureties according to the court must be a blood relation and another a level sixteen officer in the Federal or State civil service.
The court also held that one of the sureties must own a property worth N100 million in Lagos and that the title of the said property must be registered with the state land registry and the sureties must present to the court’s registrar a three years tax clearance.
Justice Onigbanjo also ordered the defendants who also included Ochonogor Alex and Christian Taylor to deposit their travel passports with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which can only be released to them on the orders of the court.
Alao to remain in custody
Though all the accused persons are free to go home upon fulfilling the terms of the bail, Abdulahi Alao, the son of Ibadan businessman and politician, Arisekola Alao would, however, remain in the custody of the EFCC until the 1 August when another judge, Justice Habeeb Abiru, handling the second charge filed against him by the anti-graft agency will determine whether to grant him bail or not.
His bail application for the trial which he and his company, Axenergy Limited are being arraigned, could not be heard because the EFCC pleaded for more time to respond to the application. He is facing a seven count of obtaining N1. 8 billion under false pretence
Mr Alao in the charge was specifically accused of conspiring to obtain N1. 8 billion from the Federal Government by falsely representing that the sum represented subsidy paid to him under the Petroleum Support Fund for the importation of 20, 014, 627 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) which he falsely claimed was purchased and imported to Nigeria from Mercuria Trading N.V, vide MT Gavros ExMT Nippon Princess.
In the second case before Justice Onigbanjo, Mahmud Tukur, Ochonogor Alex, Abdulahi Alao and Eterna Oil and gas are facing a nine count of obtaining a sum of over N5 billion under false pretence.
They were said to have conspired to obtain the sum from the Federal Government by falsely representing that the sum represented subsidy paid to Eterna Oil and gas under the Petroleum Support Fund when they claimed to have purchased 33, 288, 338 litres PMS from Mercuria Trading SA and imported to Nigeria through MT Fulmer EX MT Emirate Star and MT Panther EX Emirate Star.
More false pretense
In yet another case, Mamman Nasir Ali, Christian Taylor and Nasaman Oil Service Limited were also arraigned before Justice Onigbanjo on a three count charge of obtaining N4. 8billion under false pretense.
Nasir Ali is the son of Ahmadu Ali, former chairman of PDP, and former chairman of the board of the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).
However, the arraignment of Walter Wagbatsoma, Adaoha-Ugo-Ngadi, Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer, Ezekiel Olajide Ejidele and Ontario Oil & Gas Nig. Ltd could not go ahead as Wagbatsoma failed to appear before the court.
His counsel Babajide Koku (SAN) informed the court that his client was not in court because he’s presently out of the country but would return to the country on Monday to enable him appear before the court.
But counsel for Ugo-Ngadi, Ebenezer and Ejidele, the second, third and fourth defendants respectively, Mr. Wale Akoni, (SAN), Abimbola Odeyemi and James Ogunyemi urged the court to separate the case of their clients from Wagbatsoma’s to enable their clients to be properly arraigned and also enable the court take their bail applications.
But Justice Abiru in his short ruling refused the request of the counsel on the basis that the request is premature at this stage as they are not yet properly before the court, he held that until their plea is taken the court cannot assume jurisdiction or make orders over the case.
The judge then adjourned the case till the 1st of August while the accused persons would remain in the custody of the EFCC.

Patience Jonathan re-elected as AFLPM president

Nigeria’s First Lady Patience Jonathan was on Friday in Abuja re-elected as the President of the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM).
 
Jonathan as well as all other regional heads of the mission were unanimously re-elected at the 7th Summit of the AFLPM.
The AFLPM re-elected Mrs Jonathan as its President and she is expected to oversee the affairs of the Mission in West Africa.
The First Lady of Cameroon was re-elected as Vice President (Central African Region), while the First Lady of South Africa retained the post of Vice-President, Southern African Region.
The First Lady of Sudan was re-elected as Vice-President (Eastern African Region); the First Lady of Libya retained the post of Vice-President (Northern African Region); while the First Lady of the Republic of Congo was re-elected as an Ex-Officio executive for a fresh two-year term.
In her acceptance speech, Jonathan thanked all the members of the Mission for the confidence reposed in her and members of her team to continue as AFLPM’s executives.
“It is a great honour for me and our country, Nigeria; this new mandate would further strengthen our resolve to laying a solid foundation for our great organisation.
“We will not relent in our efforts in ensuring that the African First Ladies Peace Mission fulfills its divine responsibility of achieving a lasting peace in Africa.
“Let me appeal to you my dear sisters that all of us owe our spouses support in ensuring that peace, security and total development is achieved in Africa.
“We must all work hard to change the picture of war painted of Africa to that of a peaceful, stable and progressive continent.
“We can still play our part in resolving some of the ongoing conflicts in Africa.’’
Jonathan called on all African women to persuade their husbands, sons and brothers to embrace dialogue and refrain from violence because women suffered most, physically and emotionally, in all conflict situations.
She said that women, as mothers, could no longer afford to sit in their comfort zone and do nothing because the lack of peace and insecurity always affected governance and developmental efforts negatively.
In her closing remarks, the AFLPM President urged members of the Mission to remain committed to the goals set for achieving peace in Africa.
She stressed that the African First Ladies were responsible for shaping the future of the continent, adding that tangible efforts must be made in the peace building process.
“I want to urge us all to reflect on the programmes and activities we intend to implement as we return home.
“This is very important because without conscious, clear and thoughtful commitment on our part with regard to efforts to pursue an agenda for peace in Africa, the goals of this summit would have been defeated.
“Therefore, we must work hard for peace promotion as African mothers so that generations yet unborn will be proud of our efforts in making our continent a better place to be.’’
It will be recalled that the AFLPM, which aims at promoting peace and harmony in Africa, was established in 1995 after the UN Conference on Women in Beijing, China.
NAN recalls that Nigeria was elected the President of the AFLPM in 2008 and it was then agreed that Nigeria should provide a permanent secretariat for the Mission.
A total of 10 First Ladies attended the summit, while 21 others sent representatives.

Police arrest human rights activist over Olaitan’s murder

The African Network for Environment and Economic Justice has described the arrest of its Executive Director Reverend David Ugolor, over the murder of the Principal Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, as a frame up.
Over ten heavily armed security operatives some wearing Federal SARS Jacket while others on plain clothes arrested Reverend David Ugolor yesterday after searching his private residence and his office.
A statement from the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice signed by the Programme Policy Officer Innocent Edemhanria said the Security operatives had told Rev Ugolor’s lawyer and relations that one of the suspects arrested had mentioned David to them.
The Civil Society and Advocacy group however feel that the allegation was spurious as a convivial relationship existed between the slain Olaitan and Rev. David Ugolor calling for his immediate release as they are convinced that some highly placed persons are trying to frame him up for Olaitan’s murder.
The arrest of Reverend David Ugolor brings to five the number of persons so far arrested since the murder of Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde.
Witness say Rev. David accompanied the late Olaitan to his home the night of his murder but the Reverevd left before the assassins struck.

NUPENG, JEPTFON call off two day old strike

The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers (NUPENG) and Jetties and Petroleum Tank Farm Owners Association (JEPTFON) have suspended it’s two-day old strike.
NUPENG President, Igwe Achese and JEPTFON’s Enoch Kanawa signed for the unions, while the Minister of Labour, Emeka Wogu and the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama signed for the federal government.
The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu and the Executive Secretary of Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency, Mr. Reginald Stanley were also at the meeting.
The signed communique is the outcome of the peace meeting negotiated by the minister of labour and it stated that the Ministry of Finance had commenced the payment of the Petroleum Subsidy for 2012.
It also assured the unions that the issuance of Sovereign Debt Notes for verified and processed batches would be concluded within two weeks.
The Federal Government assured NUPENG that steps would be taken on the issue of access roads leading to the refineries in Port Harcourt and Warri.
The communiqué stated that NNPC would complete the `Turn Around Maintenance’ (TAM) of the refineries as planned and ensure availability of crude oil to them.
It was further resolved that JEPTFON “shall open the jetties and depots owned by its members’’.
It will be recalled that NUPENG had embarked on strike over the non- payment of 2012 Petroleum Subsidy arrears, state of the refineries, bad roads as well as restructuring of loans of JEPTFON members.

Two dead, two injured as Boko Haram exchange fire with JTF

Bomb blasts and sporadic gunshots were heard in parts of troubled Maiduguri Friday forcing many residents run into their homes for safety.
This left most of the major roads in the town during the peak working hours deserted with people afraid of being caught up in the bomb blasts and gunshots, which no one knew the direction they were coming from.
Confirming the incident, the spokesman of the Joint Task Force, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa in a press statement said: “A JTF patrol vehicle was attacked at about 1300 hrs today (Friday) in Shehuri general area by suspected Boko Haram terrorists and the attack was resisted.”
He added: “The incident led to the killing of two Boko Haram terrorists, two JTF personnel were wounded and are stable and are responding to treatment at UMTH.
“Twenty-five suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the episode.”
Speaking further he said: “Similarly, an improvised explosive device was detected by our troops and defused by the bomb disposal unit of the task force.”
He said this incident “occurred at Bulumkutu area of Maiduguri metropolis today (Friday) at about 1130 hrs.”
Musa stated that “Following intelligence report, a special operation was conducted on Thursday, July 26, and early hours of Friday, 27 July, 2012 in Maiduguri.
“The operation led to the arrest of 26 suspected terrorists believed to be members of the terrorists group at Biafra Bula-Bulin, Kasuwan Shanu and GRA in Maiduguri metropolis.”
Musa said that the suspects were believed to be the brains behind the killing of two Indians on Wednesday in Maiduguri.
“Some of the suspects were responsible for the killings of two Indians, a cleric and several others in Maiduguri in the recent past.’’
Two AK 47 Rifles, three magazines, 200 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammunition were also recovered during the raid.
“We also recovered a primed Improvised Explosive Device, which was detonated by the Bomb Disposal Unit of the JTF as well as cutlasses, daggers and charms.
“There was also a blood stained cloth used during the killing of a cleric in Kasuwan Shanu, Maiduguri.” Said Musa

VIDEO: Full budget implementation not possible – Okonjo-Iweala

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) today (Wednesday July 25, 2012), confirmed that the implementation of the 2012 budget has reached 56% from 39% as at the end of May.
 
Briefing State House Correspondents at the end of the council meeting chaired by President Goodluck Jonathan, the minister of finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala said that the 56% represents 324 billion naira of the 404 billion so far released.
She stressed that the objective remains that president Goodluck Jonathan and the executive arm of government are on the same page with the National Assembly in the execution of the budget and the need to deliver on the development programmes of the country.
On the reports that the lower legislative chamber wants President Jonathan to implement the budget 100% before September or be impeached, she said that “there is nowhere in the country where budget is implemented 100% by September” insisting that from her experience the least any country has done is 80%.
The FEC said that there is no lack of effort on the part of government on budget implementation expressing the confidence that in the next few months both the National Assembly and Nigerians will say “yes a good effort has been made”.
 Director General of the Bereau for Public Procurement (BPP), Emeka Eze highlighted the challenges in budget implementation, saying that “all projects must go through a process of scrutiny by the BPP and this is time consuming” he explains.
The FEC  directed that henceforth in bilateral agreement with any country on issues of education beginning with Turkey, the Ministry of Education should ensure a proper need assessment that will enable Nigerian students go into areas of study that are of national priority.

Pomp and pageantry kickstarts the London 2012 Olympics

Tour de France winner, Briton Bradley Wiggins, rang the largest harmonically tuned bell in the world to start the London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony.
All four (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) countries of the UK were represented in song, as the show capturing the best of Britain began.
The spectacle will be viewed by a TV audience of one billion people.
Reuters reports that among the 60,000-strong audience in the Olympic Park are celebrities, ordinary Londoners, dignitaries including America’s First Lady Michelle Obama as well as presidents, prime ministers and European royalty.
More than a billion people around the world are estimated to be watching the official start to 17 days of drama involving more than 16,000 athletes from 204 countries.
Chef de Mission Dave Currie is delighted with the turnout and earlier only 39 were expected to take part because others are due to compete in the early part of the Games.
There were loud cheers as the crowd saw a film featuring an unlikely meeting between the Queen and the 007 agent.
The film featuring the encounter between Bond and the monarch at Buckingham Palace prompted much laughter and cheers.
“Good evening Mr Bond,” the Queen said in the clip, before they leave together, apparently heading towards the Olympic Stadium in a helicopter.
A helicopter then flew over the stadium to the sound of the Bond theme tune, as two figures parachuted down, one dressed as the monarch.

 NIGERIA’s PARTICIPATION

No fewer than a 116 Team Nigeria contingent would represent the country in eight sports codes at the 2012  London Olympic Games, scheduled for between July 27  and Aug. 12 in London. The team would be expected to access the Games Village in London from their bases in Germany and Surrey, England
According to the contingent list released by the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) in Lagos at the conclusion of the Delegation Registration Meeting (DRM), they would be made up of 55 athletes, 12 coaches, 29 administrative officials and nine medical personnel.
Others were five contingent officials and six secretariat official.
The eight sports are: — Athletics, Basketball, Boxing Canoeing, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Weightlifting and Wrestling. Athletics would be represented by 49 persons, 29 athletes, 14 coaches and two administrative staff; Basketball with a team of 16, 12 players, two coaches and two accompanying officials.
Boxing had a total of seven – three boxers, two coaches and two accompanying officials. Others are: Canoeing to be represented by four – an athlete, a coach and two administrative staff; Table Tennis (eight), four athletes – two coaches and two accompanying officials; Taekwondo (six), two practitioners, two coaches and two administrative staff.
The rest are: weightlifting (5), two weightlifters, a coach and two other officials; Wrestling (seven), four wrestlers, a coach and two administrative officers, while the contingent officials (20), six from the NOC, nine medical personnel and five other officials.
The comprehensive list is as follows:
TEAM LIST – NIGERIAN DELEGATION
ATHLETICS – Women

100m Women
1.         Blessing Okagbare
2.         Gloria Asumnu
3.         Lawretta Ozoh
200m Women
1.         Gloria Asumnu
2          Lawretta Ozoh
3.         Christy Udoh
400m    Women
1.         Regina George
2.         Omolara Omotosho
400m H Women
1.         Ajoke Odumosu
High Jump Women
1.         Doreen Amata
Long Jump
1.         Blessing Okagbare
Shot Put
1.         Vivian Chukwuemeka
Hepthatlon
1.         Uhunoma Naomi Osazuwa
Marathon
1.         Esther Obiekwe
100m H Women
1.         Seun Adigun
4 x 100m Women
1.         Blessing Okagbare
2.         Gloria Sunmu
3.         Lawretta Ozoh
4.         Oluwadamola Osayomi
5.         Wisdom Isoken
6.        Christy Udoh
4 x 400m Women
1.        Regina George
2.        Omolara Omotosho
3.        Bukola Abogunloko
4.         Endurance Abinuwa
5.         Idara Otu
6.         Margaret Etim
ATHLETICS – Men
100 m Men
1.         Obinna Joseph Metu
2.         Ogho Oghene Egwero
3.         Peter Emelieze
110 H Men
1.         Selim Nurudeen
400 m H Men
1.         Ameadi Morton
Long Jump
Triple Jump
1.         Oluwatosin Oke
Probation – 200m Men
1.         Noah Akwu
2.         Stanley Azie
100m H Women
1.         Jessica Ohanaja
2.         Stanley Gbageke
Officials
1.         Yusuf Alli
2.         Innocent Egbunike (Head Coach)
3.         Nat Page
4.        Gabriel Okon
5.        Christopher Doomes
6.        Garfield Ellenwood  (Personal)
7.        Ken Onuagulichi (Persoanl)
8.        Paul Obodochima  (Personal)
9.        Daniel Etsebimor (Personal)
10.      Oluyomi Sule (Personal)
11.      Gabriel Opuana (Personal)
12.      Solomon Aliu (Personal)
13.       Sunday Uti (Personal)
14.      Falilat Ogunkoya (Personal)
15.       Maria Wophill                         –            Admin. Personnel
16.       Chief Solomon Ogba               –            Team Leader
BASKETBALL
1.         Oyedeji Olumide
2.        Diogu Ikechukwu Somto
3.           Oruche Richard Dean Chukwuma
4.         Ugboaja Ejike
5.         Dagunduro Adeola Adedokun
6.       Oguchi Chamberlain Nnaemeka
7.         Aminu Abdul Alade
8.         Ibekwe Ekenechukwu
9.         Archibong Aniekan Okon
10.       Aminu Al Farouk
11.       Obasohan Derrick Osamuuyi
12.       Skinn Anthony Oludewa
13.       Ayodele Bakare –   Head Coach
14.       Sani Ahmed- Coach
15.       Francis Gbiri-  Admin. Personnel
16.       Tijjani Umar  -         Team Leader
BOXING
1. Akanji Muideen Olalekan-           75kg
2. Lawal Lukmon Olaiwola –     81kg
3.  Ogoke Edith Agu (Female)     –           75kg
4. Idika Nsofor – Coach
5.Anthony Konyegwachie –  Coach
6.  Patrick Uwagbale- Admin. Personnel
7. Major-Gen. Tobiah Minimah  -           Team Leader
CANOEING
1.  Jonathan Peter Akinyemi  -    K1 Slalom
2. Ebenezer Ukwunna  - Coach
3. Olubunmi Oluode  - Admin.
Personnel
4. Rear Adm. Festus Porbeni
- Team Leader
TABLE TENNIS
Male
1.         Aruna Quadri
2.         Segun Toriola
Female
1.         Edem Offiong
2.         Olufunke Oshonaike
Officials
1.       Nosiru Bello  -  Coach
2.         Richard Edem –  Coach
3.         Segun Oguntade
-           Admin. Personnel
4.      Alhaji Kayode Abdulwahab Omotose Team Leader
TAEKWONDO
1.         Chika Chukwumerije  -  +80 kg
2.         Isa Mohammed    -           -68 kg
3.         Keum Silwan  -           Coach
4.         Carl Lewis Langan   –           Coach
5.         Chinedu Ezealah –           Admin. Personnel
6.         Chief Jonathan Nnaji –           Team Leader
WEIGHTLIFTING
1.  Ekpo Felix Cobham –  77kg
2.    Usman Maryam (Female)      -           +75kg
3.  Patrick Bassey  -   Coach
4.         Uche Onwumeh   –           Admin. Personnel
5.  Mr. Chimdi Ejiogu –     Team Leader
WRESTLING
Male
1.         Boltic Sinivie  - 96kg Freestyle
2.         Dick Adibo  -  84kg Freestyle
Female
1.         Obiajunwa Amarachi  -           72kg Freestyle
2.         Oborodudu Blessing –           63kg Freestyle
Officials
1.         Daniel Igali – Coach
2.         Olumide Bamiduro                 –           Admin. Personnel
3.         Austin Edeze            -           Team Leader
CONTINGENT OFFICIALS
1. Mallam  Bolaji Abdullahi                    -           Hon. Minister of Sports & Leader of Delegation
2. Engr. Sani Mohammed Ndanusa        - President Nigeria Olympic Committee
3.  Chief (Dr) Sir Patrick Ekeji                  -           Chef de Mission
4.  Hon. Babatunde Popoola                    -           Secretary-General, NOC
5. Mr. Alhassan Yakmut              -           Deputy Chef de Mission
MEDICAL TEAM
1. Dr. Abdulkadir Mu’azu                        -           Team Doctor & Head Medical
2.  Dr. Hirekaan Lazarus              -           Team Doctor
3.  Dr. Ibrahim Gyaran –    Team Doctor
4.   Dr. Ken Anugweje   –     Team Doctor
5.  Mr. Oladipo Odunuga             –           Physiotherapist
6.  Mr. Ekundayo Ogunkule                     –           Physiotherapist
7. Mr. Kayode Abdulsalam                     –           Physiotherapist
8. Miss Judith Enebe                   –           Physiotherapist
9.    Mrs. Nneka Eze             –           Nurse
SECRETARIAT
1. Manufor Hellen                                              Administrative Personnel
2. Emmanuel Nweri                                            Administrative Personnel
3. Augustine Odijie                                            Administrative Personnel
4. Tony Ubani                                          Press Attache
5. Emmanuel Igbinosa                            Administrative Personnel
6. Olalekan Alabi                                                Administrative Personnel

NUPENG begins strike

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike over the failure of the federal government to pay subsidy for imported petroleum products and the poor state of the country’ refineries among other issues.
The group disclosed this at a media briefing addressed by its national president, Achese Igwe, in Lagos.
Meanwhile, the NUPENG president said the union will begin its planned strike today in sympathy with their members sacked on Wednesday by the MRS Oil and Gas Plc.
Mr Igwe said the strike will continue until the MRS management reinstates the sacked drivers.
He said: “Despite the promises and understanding reached between the union and the management of MRS, the company still went ahead to sack our members, about 2,500 tanker drivers.
“The action of the company is not acceptable to us as a union.”
He said the strike would be restricted to the Lagos zone, which includes Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, Oyo, Osun and Kwara States.
Other parts of the country depend on this area for supply of fuel; therefore, it would be more like a national strike.
Mr Achese said that other parts of the country might join the strike in sympathy and solidarity.

Pirates kill oil worker in Tarabora creek Bayelsa

An oil worker under the employ of Italian energy firm Eni has been killed by pirates. The worker was on a boat belonging to the firm’s local subsidiary Agip in the Niger Delta region. The military said on Friday.
“The boat conveying some staff of Agip was attacked by sea robbers and one of the staff of the company died when he was attempting to escape and drowned,” Onyema Nwachukwu, spokesman for Nigeria’s military joint task force, told Reuters.
Nwachukwu also confirmed that two staff of the oil company went missing after the attack on the boat in the Tarabora creek in Bayelsa.
Pirates off the coast of Nigeria tend to raid ships for cash and cargo rather than hijacking the crews for ransom like their counterparts off the coast of Somalia
Onshore kidnapping has been a recurring decimal in Nigeria especially in the neglected oil producing Niger Delta region.

Documentary: One killed in battle to save Makoko

The Residents of the Makoko/Iwaya waterfront in Yaba Local Council Development Areas (LCDA), on Monday stormed the office of the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola to protest the demolition of their shanties.
The protesters, who were conveyed to the secretariat by commercial buses, brandished placards, with inscriptions such as: ‘Shelter is our right’, ‘Lagos State Government, respect our privacy and right’, ‘Leave Makoko residents alone’, ‘respect us as citizens of Lagos’, and ‘We are not foreigners’, among others.
Watch video below for full report:

Dana Air crash: Coroner issues arrest warrant on Red Cross, Conoil, and Total

The Coroner of Alimosho District in Lagos state, Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, who is conducting an inquest into the recent Dana Air crash, on Thursday, issued a bench warrant on some oil companies and emergency relief agencies, compelling them to appear before him on Monday.

Dana Air crash site in iju ishaga

Those who the bench warrants were issued on include Red Cross Society of Nigeria, Conoil Plc, and Total Nigeria Limited.
The Lagos Coroner gave the order while responding to a submission made by Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) whose law firm, Falana and Falana Chambers, petitioned the Lagos State Chief Coroner, Justice Lateefat Okunnu, for an inquiry into the air crash.
At the resumed sitting of the inquest on Thursday, Mr Falana reminded the Coroner that some oil companies and emergency agencies that have been served with summons are yet to appear before it.
The human rights lawyer also suggested that the authorities of the Nigeria Police Force should be ordered to investigate the deaths of people that died on the ground, emphasizing that it is not the responsibility of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB).
He noted that the AIB is only to investigate the causes of the crash of ill-fated Dana airline.
Dana Air Flight 0992 crashed into a residential building in the densely populated Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos on the 3^rd of June, 2012, killing all 153 passengers and crew on board and nine people also lost their lives in the affected building.
Magistrate Komolafe and other interested parties also agreed to schedule appearance of more witnesses following the submission of the counsel to the Nigerian Airspace Management, Mr. Obi Okwusogu (SAN).
The Magistrate also directed that any of the witnesses who are submitting deposition should forward it to the court two days before the day they would give evidence.
Video Clips
According to the schedule, Channels Television and AIT are to appear on Monday to show the clips of the crash on the day it happened.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA) and Julius Berger, who had earlier been summoned but failed to show up, are scheduled for Tuesday along with National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The AIB which was represented by its counsel, Maureen Tsenongo at the hearing where she told the Coroner that she intends to submit a written deposition and requested to make appearance on Wednesday, August 1, 2012 to enable her bring its witness.
The Coroner also granted the request of the counsel to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Mr. Babatunde Irukera and his Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), C. Chiwete to appear on Thursday, August 2, 2012 and Monday, August 6, 2012 respectively.
The court proceeding with the Coroner was then adjourned to Monday, July 30, 2012.