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Jonathan Gets Sweeping Powers Under Emergency

Governors of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe are now to take orders from President Jonathan on the administration of their respective states following the proclamation of emergency rule, according to official gazettes published by the Federal Government.
Copies of the two gazettes, exclusively obtained by Daily Trust, show that whereas the three affected governors are allowed to remain in office for the emergency period, they are subject to orders to be issued periodically by the president or by any of his designated officials.
The proclamation instruments also empower President Goodluck Jonathan to issue orders on utilising the funds accruable to the three states, as well as on arrests, detention and property confiscation.
"A state governor in an emergency area shall continue with the general functions of administering of the emergency area under the control of the president or any person designated or authorised to act on his behalf," says section 2, subsection 1 of one of the gazettes, titled 'Emergency Powers (General) Regulations, 2013, dated May 20.
Subsection 2 adds: "The president may give directions to a state governor or local government chairman directly or through his designate or a duly authorised person with respect to the administering of the emergency area and it shall be the duty of the state governor or local government chairman to comply with the directive."
On the finances of the three states, the gazette empowers the president to make orders that "provide for the utilisation of the funds of any state or local government in the emergency area".
The gazette also says President Jonathan may make other orders "as appear to him to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of maintaining and securing peace, public order, public safety and good governance in the emergency area."
The other gazette, titled State of Emergency (Certain States of the Federation) Proclamation, 2013, says the proclamation, announced last week, was necessitated by the fact that the crisis "overwhelmed" the response capacities of the three states. It says the situation requires "extraordinary measures" to restore peace, order and security in the states.

Nasarawa Massacre - Director Arrested, Accused of Leaking Information to Cultists

Abuja — Still trying to fish out the masterminds of the massacre of dozens of policemen and security agents in Alakyo in Nasarawa State about two weeks ago, security operatives have arrested a senior director working with the state government in connection with the killings.
The officer was alleged to have passed strategic security information to the cultists thereby enabling them to strike with precision on the fateful day.
Vanguard learnt from a reliable source that the director, whose name was given as Mohammed and works at the office of the Secretary to the State Government, was privy to most security decisions taken by the state on account of his position in the administration.
Findings by Vanguard yesterday revealed that angry security agents, who are still peeved over the killings of their colleagues by the dreaded Ombatse cult group, swooped on Mohammed after tracing some vital information leaked to the group, to his phone.
The suspect, who is believed to be an Eggon native, where the cult has its roots and base, was reportedly picked up from his office to the surprise of his staff, when the security men handcuffed and whisked him away in a commando-like fashion.
Mohammed was initially detained and questioned by men of the Criminal Investigation Department in Lafia before being transferred to Abuja for further interrogation in connection with the heinous crime.
A senior official of the Nasarawa State government, who pleaded anonymity because he had not been authorised to speak on the matter, confirmed the arrest of the director and transfer to Abuja by security men.
The officer said that the man was arrested after security agents established a relationship between him and the deadly cult group in the state.
The Inspector General of Police, Abubakar Mohammed, had on Monday confirmed the arrest of no fewer than 15 officers and men, who allegedly connived with the cult group to massacre the policemen in the state.
The IG said the men were still being investigated to determine their level of culpability or otherwise in the offence.
It would be recalled that no fewer than 96 police officers and men as well as Department of State Service, DSS, officials, who had gone to Eggon, about 10 kilometres away from the Nasarawa State capital, to arrest the leader of the Ombatse shrine were ambushed and murdered by the cultists on May 9, 2013.
As at yesterday, the security agencies were yet to swoop on the cultists, who are believed to be holed up in the vast forests in the area, roaring to descend on any intruder in the community.
The cult group, which had earlier been outlawed by the Al-Makura administration, was reportedly encouraged by some powerful politicians to continue with its malevolent activities, hoping to use them to outsmart their opponents in the 2015 elections.

Insecurity - Buhari Asks Jonathan to Resign

Nigerian soldier

Katsina — Former Head of State General Muhammadu Buhari has advised President Goodluck Jonathan to resign from office for his inability to tackle the security challenges facing the country.
"Jonathan should vacate and give way to competent hand to govern the country", he said.
Speaking to newsmen in his residence in Daura town yesterday, General Buhari said the issue of security is a fundamental duty of any responsible government, but Jonathan failed to protect the lives and the properties of Nigerians since he assumed power.
"When the Niger Delta militants started their activities in the South-South, they were invited by the late President Umaru Yar'adua.
An aircraft was sent to them and their leaders met with the late President in Aso Rock and discussed issues. They were given money and a training scheme was introduced for their members. But when the Boko Haram emerged in the north members of the sect were killed," General Buhari lamented.
"And when the police failed to address the insurgency, soldiers were invited and they captured the Boko Haram leader, Muhammad Yusuf alive and handed him over to police. But Yusuf was eventually killed, his in-law too was killed and their houses were demolished", he said.
He said the murder of the Boko Haram leader however provoked his followers and that was what led the country to its present situation. He suggested that government should adopt a new approach that will end the insurgency without affecting the lives and properties of innocent people.
"In Bama and Baga towns, military personnel were reported to have been engaged in extortion and sometimes raping of women. And because a soldier was killed in Baga the whole town was sacked by military. This is not the best way military should have acted when they were sent to restore law and order in a town. How can a responsible government allow its people to be killed in this way," he asked.
He warned that the police, SSS, army, navy and Air force should know how to conduct themselves and act professionally.
"The soldiers are not expected to go and sack a town because one of them is killed. They are expected to capture the culprits for prosecution. After all the soldiers are not meant to tackle internal crisis but when it is necessary they should act professionally.
"Whoever is sent to protect people should also protect their integrity. When the former England's Prime Minister, Margret Thatcher decided to hold its political meeting in Brighton the security advised her to cancel the meeting because of the IRN rebellions, but she insisted and held the meeting. The hotel she was accommodated was bombed and some of her political associates were killed but soldiers did not condone the area and kill everybody there, rather they conducted themselves professionally," Buhari said.
General Buhari, who condemned the imposition of state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, said state of emergency was not the best way to address insurgency in the three affected states and the country in general.
"Government cannot kill all the Boko Haram members. Government should rather arrest and prosecute the Boko Haram members. They should only be killed when they said clearly they wage war against their country like what happened during the civil war. And even during civil war we that fought in the war were given a copy of code of conduct book which guided us against killing innocent people", he said.

Nigerians On the Run As Military Combats Boko Haram

Nigerian soldier

Kano — Tens of thousands of residents of northeastern Nigeria's Borno State have fled their homes - thousands of them into neighbouring Niger and Cameroon - following airstrikes by Nigerian fighter jets on Boko Haram (BH) camps from 15 May.
The attacks on BH camps in northern parts of Borno close to the borders with Chad, Niger and Cameroon followed the 14 May declaration of a state of emergency by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan in the northeastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.
Musa Karimbe fled his village of Bulabute near Marte, BH's major stronghold in the area, on 17 May to Kusiri, 100km inside Cameroon where he is staying with a friend. "We are afraid of a repeat of Baga attacks on our homes," Karimbe said, referring to fighting on 16 and 17 April between troops from the Chad-Niger-Nigeria Joint Multi-National Task Force and BH members in which 187 residents from Baga town on the shores of Lake Chad were killed, and 2,128 homes burnt, according to Human Rights Watch.
People from villages around Abadam District, including Malamfatori, fled to Bosso in Niger's Diffa Region, while others have taken refuge in the Cameroonian towns of Fotokol, Amchide, Darak and Kusiri, according to interviews with displaced Nigerians. Officials say 2,000 people have fled across borders, though several of the displaced told IRIN they thought the number was higher.
The number of casualties from the fighting is not yet clear, though Nigeria defence spokesman Brig-Gen Chris Olukolade said on 17 May that there had been BH casualties, and that 100 BH members had been arrested.
An official with the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the capital, Abuja, said they had not yet been able to establish contact with their teams to find out the details of the humanitarian situation, because telephone networks in Borno and Yobe states have been shut down since 16 May. "The areas where military operations are ongoing, are not accessible," he told IRIN.
Residents of Gamboru Ngala in Borno State said military forces screened them thoroughly before allowing them to cross the border; others passed through the network of unofficial trade routes that criss-cross the region.
The military has placed a "food blockade" on northern Borno, refusing to allow trucks laden with household commodities from leaving Maiduguri (the state capital) to the northern part of the state, in case they end up in BH hands. As a result, prices have shot up, said Bukar Zanna, head of the Traders' Association in Gamboru Ngala.
Since January 2013 BH has taken control of Marte, Mobbar, Gubio, Guzamala, Abadam, Kukawa, Kala-Balge and Gamboru Ngala local government areas in northern Borno, chasing out local government officials, taking over control of government buildings and imposing Sharia law.

Yobe Governor Doles Our N187 Million To Boko Haram Victims

The Yobe state Government has approved N187.4 million as assistance to those whose houses were burnt and those killed by unidentified gunmen or bomb blast in the state.

The Yobe state Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam

Rising from the executive council meeting held in Damaturu the state capital, on Wednesday the council said it hope the money will assist those whose houses were burnt while relatives of those killed by the insurgents will be assisted.
The state commissioner of Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Goni Fika while briefing newsmen at the end of the meeting said the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) had earlier carried out assessment and established that 99 people were confirmed to have been ‘innocently’ killed while 135 others were attacked and houses burnt during the attack.
Asked if the money will cater for worship places burnt by the insurgents, the commissioner said the fund is to assist all who suffered from the activities of the insurgents.
The Council, according to Mr Fika, approved the sum of N653.7 for 6.4 kilometre roads in three housing estates in Damaturu metropolis while the sum of N259.4 was also approved for the payment of registration fees for government sponsored candidates for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) May/June and June/July 2013 examinations.
He also said N787.5 was approved for 6,000 metric tons of Urea fertilizer for the 2013 farming season stressing that early supply of fertilizer will enhance the success of this cropping season.

Delta Government To Banish Recalcitrant Herdsmen

The Delta State Government has directed that any herdsman who allowed his cattle to destroy farm crops or kill or cause bodily harm to farmers in the state would be arrested and expelled. The Hausa-Fulani Leaders in such communities will be made to fish out the culprits.

The Secretary to the State Government, Ovuozorie Macaulay, who briefed journalists at the end of the State Security Council meeting held in Oghara, Ethiope West local government council and presided over by the state governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, said that the decision was reached because of the increasing act of criminal activities of the herdsmen.
Mr Maculay said the state government has decided to remind youths in the state agitating for a third phase of the Federal Government amnesty programme, that the programme is over and anyone caught disrupting the peace in the name of amnesty will be treated like a criminal.
He said the government has reiterated its decision to demolish any house and confiscate any land where kidnap victims are discovered to have been kept in the state.
The state government has also banned all youth activities in Oghara kingdom especially in Ogharaefe and Oghareki because of threat to peace by the youth bodies.
Companies operating in the area were however warned not to have any dealings with youth groups in the community as Oghara community has become a flash point for criminal activities in recent times.

Kwara Plans To Boost Power Supply With IPP Project

The Kwara State Government has said it plan to boost industrialization and commercialization with generation of 100 Megawatts of electricity through an Independent Power Project (IPP) as part of its plans to create an industrial cluster across the state.
According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the Kwara State Governor, Muyideen Akorede the IPP project was the highlight of a package of socio-economic projects designed to trigger rapid economic growth and job creation.
“We are taking advantage of the unbundling of the power sector by the Federal Government to create an IPP that will generate power to facilitate the emergence of industrial clusters. This will accelerate industrialisation, economic growth and generate a significant number of jobs for our youths, not to mention other sectors of our economy that will benefit from regular electricity supply”, the statement reads.
The governor of the state, Abdulfatah Ahmed, who identified the other projects as four mega schools, a modern ICT Village, construction of new hospitals, vast road construction across the three senatorial zones, construction of modern markets, and the remodelling of major sports infrastructure, said the state government had spent billions of naira on the provision of power supply infrastructure over the years and realized that IPP project offers the most efficient and cost effective means of industrializing the state, boosting commerce and enhancing the welfare of the people of Kwara State.
He assured that the proposed IPP project will run alongside the state government’s current power supply efforts which are focused on the provision of energy infrastructure, stressing that although these have boosted the availability of electricity, it was not enough to support industries in the state.

Delta To Construct Two Flyover Bridges In Warri And Asaba

The Delta state government has announced plans to construct two flyover bridges in its two commercial cities of Asaba and Warri in a bid to curb traffic that has plagued both cities following the ban of commercial motorcycles (okada).
The state’s Commissioner of Information, Chike Ogeah during a press briefing revealed this, where he pointed out that the state government has ratified some projects which cuts across the Ministries of Works and Health respectively.
These include the dualization of roads, construction of health units and offices in various cities in the state along with the two flyovers in Asaba and Warri.
Although the construction work has commenced, residents in the state appealed to the state government to do more by expanding the roads.
Mr Ogeah, in an interview session, further emphasized that the government is doing all it can to ensure that the projects are completed in due time.

We Sold Human Head For N8000, Suspects Confess

The Police force command in Lagos on Tuesday paraded four suspected men who specialised in selling human parts to herbalists and ritualists.
The suspects confessed that human heads were sold for N8000, hands goes for N4000 and private parts are sold at N10,000.
The suspects were arrested by officers of Special Anti-Robbery squad of the Lagos state command in Oja-Odan and other areas of Owode -Yewa in Ogun state.

Ezekwesili Commends Fashola For Transforming Public Schools In Lagos

A former Minister of Education and World Bank Vice President for Africa, Obiageli Ezekwesili, on Tuesday commended the Babatunde Fashola administration in Lagos State for its pace-setting work and unwavering commitment to improving the standard of education in the state.

Former minister of education and former World Bank group for Africa vice president, Obiageli Ezekwesili

The former Minister who delivered the keynote address at the opening of the third Lagos State Education Summit with the theme, “Qualitative Education in Lagos State: Raising the Standard” held at the Eko Hotels and Towers, Victoria Island, also applauded the sterling leadership of the governor.
She said with the kind of reforms that has been started by the state government through its steadfast focus on delivery of teacher improvement, irrespective of whatever indices are used to measure it, the  has made very significant progress.
Mrs. Ezekwesili who, until recently the World Bank Vice President for Africa, singled out the EKO Project of the state government for its successes and the way it has been adapted to suit the Lagos experience, explaining that the EKO Project promoted accountability and openness through its approval of discretional grants by schools.
She maintained that the improvement recorded in external examinations by pupils in the state is indicative of the fact that the reforms and additional trainings being embarked upon for teachers are yielding results.
She urged the state government to continue with boldness to put the educational sector in its right place and also step up activities, adding that the state could indeed double the results that it had been recording in WASCE.
Delivering his address on the occasion, Governor Fashola explained that the state government had not taken any decision on whether pupils would wear Hijab or not, adding that the emphasis wa on what the children knew and not what they wore.
According to him, government is mindful of the inequalities in the society and thought also that her continuous investment in education would help to bridge those inequalities.
The governor stated that the results from public examinations showed year-on-year from 2007 that education was heading in the right direction in the state, noting that if it was a quick fix, it would have its many political appeals.
“It is not a quick fix. I understand that it is a very long journey. It yet may be many years long after we have left that we will see the result but it is a journey that I am convinced that we should undertake,” he said.

Ekweremadu Seeks Revival Of Nation’s Values And Norms

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has called for a revival of the nation’s values and norms as part of efforts to rid the country of vices which have led to acts of terrorism and insecurity. 
In a re-launch of the WAI Brigade, now called Community Support Brigade,
established by the National Orientation Agency, Senator Ekweremadu in his address hinted that Nigeria could be transformed by Nigerians with the right attitude and values.
At the event that attracted participants from other paramilitary agencies, Senator Ekweremadu urged members of the brigade to assist security agencies in tackling crime and other social vices, adding that the nation would no longer allow her value systems to be eroded by a few Nigerians with external influences.
Lending support to the new brigade aimed at restoring the norms and values of the nation, the representative of the Inspector General of Police and the Minister of Culture, Mr. Edem Duke, expressed the belief that the Community Support Brigade will play a vital role in addressing some of the challenges being faced by Nigeria as a nation.
On his part, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency and initiator of the Community Service Brigade, lamented the decline in societal values, saying the re-launch of the brigade is aimed at arresting the decline and reinforcing national values.

OPINION: Prisons, Is That All?

The Senate has said that state governments can now build and operate prisons, which hitherto had been an exclusive right of the federal government.
Media reports quoted the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, Umaru Dahiru as saying: “Under the new arrangement, states can now build, fund, and maintain prisons in their domains,” without seeking any approval from the federal government.
This development, we want to believe, means that prison service has been removed from the old-fashioned Federal Exclusive List, even though this was not explicitly stated in the reports.
There is a sense in which Senator Dahiru’s statement makes a patriotic Nigerian want to cry because it is a tacit confession that Nigeria’s foremost democratic institution knows that Nigeria needs a new arrangement, which the Senate should have spearheaded by allowing the Constituents Assembly produce a new constitution for the country through a Sovereign National Conference.
So, while we would love to commend the Senate for this development, we dare ask why it is finding it difficult to muster the courage needed for total rearrangement?
We hope our senators know that building prisons involves funding, which many states may not have. Many of them are still struggling to pay the minimum wage because the near-scandalous revenue allocation formula is still preferred. We live in a country where federating states are not allowed to control their own resources and Value Added Taxes generated in the states are hauled off to Abuja.
For us in Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), removing prison service from the Federal Exclusive List is a bittersweet indication. The sweet sense is the gratification that the Senate knows that our call for restructuring of Nigeria’s political governance is essential to the country’s survival. The bitter sense, which lingers more, is the fact that liberalising prison service is actually a trifling portion of the heavy burden weighing down the country.
It is said that a leader takes the people where they want to be, but a great leader takes the people where they ought to be. We charge the Senate to be great leaders of our people.  They should take the bull by the horns by facilitating the convocation of a sovereign national conference to solve Nigeria’s problems once and for all.
 Kunle Famoriyo is the Media/Publicity Secretary of the Afenifere Renewal Group

University Dismisses Professor, Sanctions 7 Others For Various Offences

In a bold move to restore academic discipline to the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), authorities of the institution have terminated the appointment of an associate Professor, Dr (Mrs) Bamgbose Janet Titilayo, and an assistant lecturer, Mr. Bamgbade Akeem Adesina, for alleged plagiarism.
The University Council, at the just-concluded 76th Statutory Council meeting, also demoted two lecturers of the Department of Chemistry – Dr (Mrs) Nkiko Mojisola Olubunmi and Dr. Ahmed Sikiru Akinyeye – from Lecturer 1 to 2, over same offence.
This was contained in the university’s publication, “News Flash” dated May 10th, 2013 and issued by the Public Relations Directorate of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office.
Also, Mr. Adebisi Olalekan Isaac, a senior clerical officer, was dismissed over his non-remittance of journal page charges due the institution while one (Mrs) Banjo Omolola, an engineer, was suspended from duty without pay for three months over conduct prejudicial to discipline.
The Council also sanctioned  two Chief Technical Assistants, Messers Chukwu Vitus and Akinbola Oluwasina of the Works Department for engaging personally in trade and business without permission.
Meanwhile, 12 lecturers were promoted to the status of professorship while 25 others were moved to the position of Readers in various departments in the university.

Alleged Murder: Court Restrains Police From Arresting Kogi Lawmaker

A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, has restrained the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, from arresting a Kogi House of Assembly member, Friday Sanni, for alleged murder and setting up illegal security outfit.
The House of Representatives had passed a resolution compelling the police to arrest and prosecute the state lawmaker, based on a petition written by Ismaila Husseini, representing Igalamela/Odolu/Ibaji federal constituency, and a former Minister of Interior, Humphery Abba, alleging that Mr Sanni was involved in murder, thuggery and illegal setting up of a security outfit known as ‘Ajana Mopol.
In the petition, the former minister alleged that Mr Sanni had been declared wanted by the police for murder and wondered why the police still left the lawmaker to walk around as a free man.
The House of Representatives had subsequently ordered the Inspector General of Police to issue a warrant of arrest on Mr Sanni and cause him to appear before the ethics and public petition committee to answer to the allegations.
However, the lawmaker who denied all the allegations headed for the court to seek for an exparte order restraining the police, the National Assembly or their agents from arresting, detaining and summoning him before the House committee.
The trial judge, Justice Ekwo Inyang, while granting the application, averred that the fundamental rights of the lawmaker must not by any way be threatened by allegations which had not been determined by the court of law.
Justice Inyang, therefore, ruled that the status quo be retained and ordered the Inspector General of Police, the state Commissioner of Police, the Speaker of the House of Representatives or there agents not to arrest, detain or summon the lawmaker before any committee pending the determination of the case.

State Of Emergency: Adamawa Reduces Working Hours For Civil Servants

The Adamawa Government on Tuesday reduced official working hours in the state by one hour, to ease the difficulties civil servants face since it imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew.

The Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako

The 6pm-to-6am curfew was imposed last Wednesday to reinforce the current State of Emergency in the state.
The Secretary to the State Government, Kobis Aris,  said workers would now close at 3pm.
He explained in a statement: “Sequel to the declaration of state of emergency in the state by President, Commander-In-Chief and the imposition of 6am to 6pm curfew in the state, civil servants find it difficult to reach home before 6pm.
“Consequently, Governor Murtala Nyako has approved that the state civil service official working hours be adjusted from 8:00 am to 3:00 p.m during the time of the curfew,” it said.
The statement added that the governor was holding consultations with various stakeholders in the state to generate support on the current security situation and ensure the restoration of peace and stability.

Okorocha Launches Youth Empowerment Programme

In a bid to tackle the high rate of unemployment in Imo State, Governor Rochas Okorocha has launched the Youth Must Work programme aimed at engaging and empowering all unemployed youths in the state.
The programme which was launched at the Heroes Square in Owerri, the Imo State capital, South East Nigeria brought together over 10,000 unemployed graduates from all the 27 local government areas in the state.
The programme is aimed at bringing all unemployed youths in the state together, identifying their different areas of specialisation and empowering them with the necessary tools which will get them fully engaged before they are gainfully employed in their desired jobs.
While decrying the high rate of unemployment in the country, the governor said corruption, selfishness and primitive accumulation of wealth by political leaders had been the major cause of unemployment in the country.
He added that as part of the action plan mapped out for the Youth Must Work programme, the state government had set aside an interest-free loan of N5 billion for thrift arrangement which will aid the youths to set up integrated farming in their communities.
Mr. Okorocha said that government would also sponsor 100 youths to South Africa to train as pilots and 500 of them to Singapore for entrepreneurial training.
Governor Okorocha stated that one of the cardinal objectives of the Youth Must Work programme is to develop the economy of the state through agriculture for which the state government had provided one hectare of land in each of the 560 communities in the state.

NRC Willing To Partner With Private Sector On Rail Transportation

In a bid to complement the Federal Government’s effort at improving the rail transport system in the country, the Nigerian Railway Corporation has thrown its doors open to interested private partners to invest in the sector.
Briefing journalists in Lagos, the Managing Director of the Corporation, Mr. Adeseyi Sijuwade, notes that the management has developed a strategy that will allow for private sector participation in the sector.
He urged the National Assembly to pass the railway bill into law to enable the corporation achieve the PPP initiative and have control over its landed property.

AGF Files N10b Suit Against Melaye,Trustees Of NGO

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke has filed a N10 billion suit against a former federal lawmaker, Mr. Dino Melaye, and the registered trustees of the non-governmental organisation, Anti-Corruption Network.
In the suit filed by a legal team of senior advocates totalling 11, the Attorney General contends that  Mr Melaye, who is the head of the non-governmental organisation, and his group has damaged his reputation by accusing him of corrupt practices, obstruction of justice for corrupt elements and abuse of power as Minister of Justice.
The minister is asking an Abuja High Court for “an order of perpetual injunction restraining Melaye and his group from further inferring in any manner whatsoever to his reputation.
Mr. Melaye had raised seven allegations of abuse of office against the AGF including the controversial cases of the N150 billion recovered from former Oceanic Bank managing director, Mrs Cecilia Ibru, the $180 million Halliburton scandal and the return of Vaswani brothers to Nigeria after alleged N2.5 billion tax evasion.
No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.

Oshiomhole To Support Edo Farmers On Irrigation Farming

Governor Adams Oshiomhole has promised to provide assistance to farmers in the state on irrigation farming, as the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, appealed for more land for that purpose in the state.
Mrs. Ochekpe made the appeal in Benin on Tuesday when she led a delegation comprising senior management staff of the ministry and the Benin-Owena River Basin Authority (BORDA) on a visit to the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole.
She said that the importance of irrigation to farmers could not be over-emphasised as it would enable them to farm all year round which guarantees gainful employment.
The Minister also stressed the need for the ministry to partner with the state government in the area of flood control.
While pledging his government’s support, Mr. Oshiomhole pleaded with the authorities of BORDA to liaise with relevant ministries like those of agriculture, energy and water resources in the state to ensure that people took full advantage of the facilities.

We’ve Not Banned Use Of Hijab In Public Schools – Lagos Government

The Lagos State government has denied banning use of hijab in public schools, as the issue is still being looked into with a view to taking a broad-based stand on it.

Muslims protest punishment of pupils for wearing hijab

In a reaction to a report by Punch newspaper which credited the Commissioner for Education, Olayinka Oladunjoye, with writing off the possibility of allowing hijab in public schools, the state government rejected the report as incorrect, sensational and out of context.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lateef Ibirogba, said the government was still making wide consultations on the issue and will only come up with a position after exhausting all the avenues that will allow for a peaceful resolution of the matter.
To avoid a needless heightening of tension, the Commissioner advised the people of the state, particularly Muslim faithful, not to allow people with diabolic intentions to trivialise the issue of sustaining the peaceful co-existence of the diverse groups in the state.
He also urged media practitioners to avoid sensationalism and inflammatory statement in their reportage of government activities so as not to create unnecessary confusion and misrepresentation of government position.
According to him, what Mrs Olayinka explained at the briefing was that the government had held meetings with some key stakeholders and would still consult widely before taking a position, saying “it will therefore be premature and pre-emptive to say that government has rejected the use of hijab in public schools in Lagos”.
The Commissioner added that it was strange that the explanation of a public officer about on-going effort to resolve an issue could be misconstrued to mean that government had taken a negative position on such an issue.
He thanked Lagos residents for tolerating one another by living peacefully without playing up divisive interests and advised them to continue to be their brothers’ keepers.

Disabled Student Qualifies As Medical Doctor

A graduate of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Pelumi Adeniyi says his ability to acquire a degree as a medical doctor, despite his physical disability, means anything is possible.
Mr. Adeniyi, in an interview with Channels Television reveals that he was diagnosed of a rare genetic condition known as muscular dystrophy at age 13.
Muscular Dystrophy is a group of genetic disorders that results in muscle weakness and decrease in muscle mass, overtime.
Mr. Adeniyi also discloses that he is a budding athlete and that prior to his disability, he had engaged in and excelled at different sports including running and jumping.
About his days in the higher institution, Mr. Adeniyi says that he was forced to live off-campus as the accommodations obtainable in the school are not designed for persons with physical challenges.
“I’d have to wake up 4 0’clock in the morning, just to get here from where I live at Alagbado,” he explains.
His mother, Mrs Theresa Odeniyi, credits her son’s success to determination although she admits it is a challenging feat.
Mr. Adeniyi says he plans to become a psychiatrist.

Three Women Missing For About A Decade Found Alive In Cleveland Home

Three Ohio women believed abducted separately about a decade ago were found alive on Monday at a Cleveland house near where they were last seen, and three brothers were arrested as suspects in their disappearances, police said.
Police said they were alerted to the whereabouts of the women by a frantic emergency call from Amanda Berry, who was freed from the house by a neighbor who said he heard screaming and came to her assistance.
“Help me! I’m Amanda Berry. … I’ve been kidnapped and I’ve been missing for 10 years and I’m here. I’m free now,” Berry, 26, is heard frantically telling a 911 operator in a recording of the call released by police and posted on the website of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
During the call, she gave the name of her alleged abductor, said he was “out of the house” and urged police to come quickly. She indicated that she knew her disappearance had been widely reported in the media.
The neighbor, Charles Ramsey, said in an interview broadcast by CNN that when he arrived, Berry appeared desperate to get through the door, which did not open properly.
“I see this girl going nuts trying to get outside,” he said, adding that he was astonished when she identified herself.
“Then I realized I’m calling 911 for Amanda Berry. I thought that girl was dead,” he said. He said Berry had emerged from the house “with a little girl.”
The two women found with Berry were identified by authorities as Gina DeJesus, 23, who vanished in 2004 at age 14, and Michelle Knight, who was reported to have been 20 when she disappeared more than a decade ago.
All three women were taken to a local hospital, MetroHealth Medical Center, where Dr Gerald Maloney told a news conference they were all “safe” and “appear to be in fair condition.”
“This isn’t the ending we usually have to these stories, so we’re very happy. We’re very happy for them,” Maloney said.
He declined to comment on unconfirmed media reports that two children were found with the three women at the house.
The suspects, ages 50, 52 and 54, were arrested based on information given to investigators by the three women after their rescue, according to Deputy Cleveland Police Chief Ed Tomba, who said the women had probably been held in that house since they vanished.
One of the men was identified earlier as Ariel Castro, 52, a bus driver for Cleveland public schools.
CROWDS CHEER
Crowds on the street where the women were found cheered as police cars drove into the cordoned-off area around the house.
Berry was last seen leaving her job at a fast-food restaurant to go home on the day before her 17th birthday.
City Councilwoman Dona Brady, a friend of the family, told Reuters that Berry’s grief-stricken mother had died at age 47, essentially from a broken heart.
A cousin of DeJesus, Sheila Figaro, told CNN that the girl’s mother, Nancy, “never gave up faith knowing that her daughter would one day be found. What a phenomenal Mother’s Day gift she gets this Mother’s Day.”
The suspects’ uncle, Caesar Castro, who owns a grocery store on the same street, said Ariel Castro owned the house where the women were found. He added that members of his family and the family of DeJesus “grew up together.”
“Everyone is shocked,” said the elder Castro. He said he had known Ariel Castro to be “a good guy” and a musician who played the bass.
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson said, “I am thankful that Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight have been found alive.”
“We have many unanswered questions regarding this case, and the investigation will be ongoing,” he added.

Ivorien Referee Picked For Eagles Vs Kenya W.Cup Match

World football-governing body, FIFA has picked Ivorian official Noumandiez Doue as referee for next month’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Kenya’s Harambee Stars in Nairobi.
Doue, will be joined by compatriot Songuifolo Yeo and Burundian Jean-Claude Birumushahu  as assistant referees for  the game scheduled for Wednesday, June the 5th at the MOI International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
The same venue hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier between both countries, where the Super Eagles needed a win and also needed Mozambique to hold Tunisia in Maputo same day, to qualify for the showpiece in South Africa.
Referee Doue was at the center when the Super Eagles defeated Rwanda 2-nil in a 2013 Cup of Nations qualifier in Calabar 11 months ago, and also when the Eagles drew 2-2 with Guinea’s Syli Nationale in Abuja on October 2011 in a 2012 cup of nations qualifying game.

Ekiti Govt. Continues Demolition Exercise For Road Project

Ekiti State government has continued the demolition exercise of the road dualization project, the beautification of Ado Ekiti and recreational park which is in line with the transformation agenda of Dr Kayode Fayemi-led administration.
Speaking during the exercise, Commissioner for housing, physical planning and urban development; Remi Olorunleke said adequate compensation has been paid to the property owners since 2011 abut they have refused to relocate even after additional two weeks’ notice were given to them.
Some also said they were not compensated.
Speaking while monitoring the exercise, the Commissioner for Physical, Urban and Regional Planning, Mr. Ebunlomo Awoyemi remarked that some of the structures are dangerous to human existence.
Mr. Awoyemi noted that the exercise is mainly to correct the non-compliance with Urban Planning of the state as well as to beautify the city.
He also said in order to achieve the objective of the agenda, all building plans of newly developed property in the state shall henceforth carry the seal and signature of a qualified architect in order for it toqualify for Government approval.
The Commissioner said further that property developers are to observe the minimum setback as prescribed in the Urban and Regional Planning Law of the State which is 20ft (6m) from the edge of the road for developed areas, 30m for state roads and 50m for Federal roads.
Awoyemi added that all property developers in the state, are to strictly observe all building codes and regulations. He however admonished owners of properties whose construction are not in compliance with the Urban Renewal Law to regularise them immediately.

Revocation Of Bi Courtney’s Airport Assets: Court Dismisses Government Objection

The Federal High Court Lagos on Monday dismissed the preliminary objection of the Nigerian government in the action filed by Bi-Courtney Limited to challenge the purported revocation of its leasehold interest on the hotel and conference centre at the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MM2).

With this ruling, Bi-Courtney says the revocation order of the Federal Government as announced by FAAN is illegal, null and void.
The issue of the current ownership of these properties is a subject of dispute between the concessionaire, Bi-Courtney and the Federal Government.
In two separate letters, dated 19 April 2012, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had informed Bi-Courtney that the leases granted it in respect of the two projects had been terminated as a result of breaches committed by the company in the agreements it signed with FAAN on the two projects.
Bi-Courtney promptly went to court the challenge the revocation.
Presiding Justice Mohammed Idris has dismissed the preliminary objection filed by the Federal Government which contends that the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
Though counsel to the Federal Government was not available for comments, Counsel to FAAN, Oremeyi Amune of the law firm of Kola Awodehin and co said the ruling was partly in its favour as the court has struck out FAAN as a party to the suit while its Managing Director is still listed as the third defendant.
The court has fixed hearing in the substantive suit for 5 June.

Turn By Turn Politics Is Fine, If It Is Constitutional – Benson Enikuomehin

A legal practitioner; Mr. Benson Enikuomehin has advised Nigerian politicians to go by the country’s constitution rather than introducing elements that are not in the constitution into politics. This will make them run foul of the law.
Speaking on the endorsement of President Jonathan for a second term by the Ogun state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on a turn-by turn basis, because the country is “turn by turn Nigeria Limited”, Mr Enikuomehin said “the constitution says a president or governor of a state must be an indigene of the state or country, 40 years of age, have at least a school certificate and must not be bankrupt. If there  are individuals who possess this and if its on turn by turn basis then so be it.”

Ban On Tinted Glass Is Needed To Combat Security Challenges – Frank Mba

The Nigerian Police Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba has said the ban on the use of tinted glasses in vehicles has to be enforced now more than before, because of the security challenges facing the country.
Speaking on Channels Television breakfast show; Sunrise Daily, Mr. Mba, explained that there is a law called the Motor Vehicle Prohibition of Tinted Glasses Act, Cap M21 laws of the federation, which says “except with the permission of appropriate authority and on good course no Nigerian or person should be allowed to ply our roads with vehicle with tinted glasses, it doesn’t matter if those glasses are tinted any way shaded lightly or thickly, colored in any manner as long as it makes it difficult for persons or objects in the vehicle to see clearly.”
He added that most of the vehicles illegally bringing arms and ammunition into the country and those used for suicide bombing have tinted glasses.

Fresh Attacks Leave 10 Dead In Adamawa

Police say at least 10 people have been killed in an attack in Northeast Nigeria that targeted a church and a local market.
The attack occurred Sunday in Njilan, a village in Adamawa state.
Adamawa state police spokesman, Muhammad Ibrahim said that six people had been killed in the market, while another four were killed around the church.
Mr Ibrahim could not immediately offer a motive for the attack, nor could he say whether police had any suspects in the violence.
Northeast Nigeria has faced increasingly bloody attacks by Islamic extremists since 2010. While the government has deployed more soldiers and police in the region, the attacks by the extremist network Boko Haram, splinter groups and others continue.

Two Pilots Killed As Nigerian Air Force Plane Crashes In Niamey

A Nigerian Air Force Alpha jet crashed on Monday at Dargol, near Niamey, killing the two pilots, according to a Defence Headquarters statement issued in Abuja.
The statement signed by Brigadier General Chris Olukolade, Director Defence Information, said the aircraft was on a non-combat mission when it crashed.
It said the Alpha jet was one of the four based in Niamey as part of the African-led Support Mission in Mali.
It stated that an investigation had begun “to unravel the circumstances that led to the accident”, adding that details would be made known as soon as the families of the pilots had been informed.

Shell Announce Investment in Deep-Water Project in Nigeria

Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Thursday announced major investments in a number of projects including a deep-water project in Nigeria and an oil recovery project in Oman.
Also, the company announced Thursday that it recorded a $7.95 billion profit in the three months ended March 31, up 3.6 per cent from $7.68 billion a year earlier, despite a difficult security environment in Nigeria.
The company, according to the BBC, said the results were underpinned by Shell's growth projects, an improvement in downstream profitability.
Shell however warned that the oil and gas industry continued to see "significant" energy price volatility due to economic and political turmoil. The turmoil, he said impacted it negatively as its revenue was down to $112.8 billion in the January-March period from $119.92 billion last year.
Shell said total oil and gas production grew to 3.559 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in the first quarter, from 3.552 million in the same period in 2012.
It also said it would increase its first quarter 2013 dividend to $0.45 per ordinary share, up 5 per cent from last year.
"Shell has emulated its rivals in beating expectations for the quarter, although investors are well aware that this is only part of a long game strategy," commented Richard Hunter, head of equities at Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers.
According to Hunter, "The volatility of the oil price is a factor which Shell is trying to mitigate over a period of time.Even so, the company remains committed to selective acquisitions, non-core asset sales where appropriate and an extensive project plan which currently numbers 30 in an effort to underpin future production across several energy sources."
Meanwhile, the company has said that it's Chief Executive; Mr. Peter Voser will step down in the first half of 2014.
Voser, 54, said he wanted to spend more time with his family, adding that he was leaving for a "change in lifestyle". He was appointed the chief executive in July 2009 and was an executive director since 2004.
"After such an exciting executive career I feel it is time for a change in my lifestyle and I am looking forward to having more time available for my family and private life in the years to come," Voser said in a statement Thursday.

Human Rights Groups Want Mechanism to Enforce ECOWAS Court Decisions

The groups said citizens of ECOWAS member-states should properly document evidence of human rights violations.

West Africa's human rights institutions on Wednesday said member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) should establish a mechanism to enforce compliance with the decisions of the Court of Justice.
The groups also said at the end of a two-day meeting and annual general assembly in Abuja that violators of the Court's decisions should be sanctioned.
In the absence of a state institution to enforce compliance, the groups said members of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa, NNHRI, should be allowed to take up the responsibility.
The meeting provided the forum a chance to agree on ways of increasing the capacity of members to respond to emerging human rights challenges in the region and reinforce the capacities of senior officials of its members in investigating, monitoring, documenting and reporting human rights violations.
It was also intended to help mobilize opinions on how to reposition the NNHRI and its Secretariat for more effectiveness in the protection and promotion of human rights in West Africa.
At the end, participants agreed to activate regional judicial and financial structures to allow for an effective tackling of human rights-related atrocities, as well as accept an ECOWAS proposal to implement and support human rights programmes in collaboration with NNHRIs at the national level across the region.
In addition, they asked the ECOWAS Commission to ensure that country reports of all human rights institutions be presented to the ECOWAS Parliament and Court of Justice, popularized and shared in Member States.
While reflecting on the various crises confronting the region, particularly terrorism, the participants called on citizens of ECOWAS member-states to properly document evidence of human rights violations by both terrorist groups and national security forces, and report same to the NNHRI secretariat.
In addition, the group agreed to adopt a common vision to deal with human rights violations and related challenges in relation to electoral, democratic, economic and social instability and leadership crises in the region.
To ensure an effective service delivery, they agreed to work more closely with the West African Civil Society forum (WACSOF) and other national civil society organizations in advocacy and sensitization, while calling for the strengthening of measures aimed at enforcing the free movement of persons.
In a four-point resolution, participants specifically stated that the right to freedom of expression and the press must be protected, and the security of journalists be assured in all Member States.
They urged Member States to respect the rights of citizens to demonstrate or protest actions inimical to their interests in line with the extant laws in their respective countries.
While calling on ECOWAS to ensure accountability for human rights violations arising from terrorism, whether perpetrated by terrorists or state security agents, they called for an end to the long transition in Guinea Bissau through the conduct of a presidential election.
Urging ECOWAS to ensure regular, but free, fair, credible and inclusive presidential and legislative elections in member States, the groups also recommended that the network endorse their proposal to collaborate with relevant UN agencies to organize a regional conference to deliberate on the issue of the protection of human rights in the course of preventing terrorism.

No Nigerian Airport Among Africa's Best 10

No Nigerian airport was listed among the best in Africa in the 2013 Skytrax World Best Airport Awards held at Passenger Terminal EXPO, Geneva, Switzerland.
South African airports dominated the top 10 ranking in Africa, with Cape Town International Airport emerging the Best Airport in Africa, followed by Durban King Shaka International Airport and Johannesburg (Tambo) International Airport in 2nd and 3rd places respectively.
This year's awards, voted by airport customers from around the world, garnered 12.1 million responses.
Egypt's Cairo International Airport was ranked 4th while the 5th position went to Mauritius International Airport.
East London Airport, South Africa, was placed in the 6th position; Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Ethiopia, 7th; and Port Elizabeth Airport, South Africa in 8th position.
Morocco's Marrakech Menara International Airport and Seychelles International Airport ranked 9th and 10th respectively.
South Africa also made a clean sweep of the Best Airport Staff category with Cape Town International Airport, Durban King Shaka International Airport, Johannesburg International Airport, East London Airport, and Port Elizabeth Airport occupying all the five positions.
World's best airport
Singapore Changi Airport was voted the 2013 world's best airport, the 4th time it had claimed the top prize.
The Singaporean airport toppled Incheon International Airport, South Korea, which moved to second place, to clinch the position.
Amsterdam's Schipol Airport, Hong Kong International Airport, and Beijing Capital International Airport were ranked 3rd, 4th, and 5th best in the world.
"In winning this prestigious accolade, Singapore Changi cements its place as one of the world's favourite airports and Skytrax offer their sincere congratulations on what has been a fantastic year of achievement" said Edward Plaisted, Chairman of Skytrax.
"The vast array of leisure and entertainment facilities really standout at Changi and serve to highlight the extent to which the management has gone to ensure maximum levels of passenger satisfaction.
"We only have to look at the fact that Changi served more than 50 million passengers for the first time during 2012, to see that it continues to attract customers and maintain its place as one of the world's leading hub airports," Mr. Plaisted added.
Lee Seow Hiang, Chief Executive Officer, Changi Airport Group said that winning the Skytrax World's Best Airport award again is an immense honour for Changi Airport.
"It is as much a recognition of the passion of the 32,000-strong airport community that is the backbone of Changi's collaborative and well-oiled operational processes , as it is an affirmation of our mantra in putting our passengers at the heart of all that we do," said Mr. Hiang.
Three South African airports - the only ones from Africa - were also listed anong the world's top 100 airports, ranked 22nd, 26th, and 28th respectively.

Lagos Targets U.S.$48.2 Billion Locked in Extra-Legal Economy

The Lagos State Government Thursday put the value of assets locked outside its legal framework at an estimated $48.2 billion, which it said, it was working on the modalities to formalise the state's extra-legal economy.
The state government also said the development of the Lekki Deep Seaport (Phase I) would gulp the sum of $1.5 billion while the cost of building the Lekki-Epe International Airport had not been ascertained.
The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Olusola Oworu, said this at a news conference at the state secretariat, saying her ministry was working hard "to make the Lekki Free Trade Zone a fully functional investment haven."
Oworu, who addressed the conference alongside Special Adviser on Commerce and Industry, Mr. Oluseye Oladejo, among others, added that a pre-diagnostic study conducted by the Institute of Liberty and Democracy (ILD) revealed that 90.2 per cent of real estate assets were locked outside the legal framework.
According to the commissioner, an estimated $48.2 billion was located in the extra-legal sector with concomitant undercapitalisation of business undertakings, and impoverishment of the masses.
She added that the state government had commenced works on the development of the Lekki-Epe International Airport "to complement activities at the LFTZ and also provide alternative air transport services in the state.
"The Lekki-Epe International Airport is designed to handle five million passengers annually with provision for a modular terminal for future expansion. Preliminary works on the project have commenced the clearing of 150 hectares (run way), 4.5km of the access road and 9 kilometres of perimeter road."
She pointed out that the airport would be built and managed by private investors, noting that the process for the selection of private investors "to develop and manage the airport has commenced."
She said the process of selecting the private manager had been contracted "to a team of local and internationally-acclaimed consultants namely Stanbic IBTC (financial advisers), Arup PTY (Technical Consultants), Norton Rose (off-shore legal consultants) and Banwo & Ighodalo (local legal consultants)."
The commissioner also lamented the inadequacy of facilities at the Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports, thereby necessitating the need for Lekki Deep Seaport, which development would gulp $1.5 billion.
She said the state government with the federal government through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and a private investor - Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise (LPLE) had commenced the development of the Lekki Deep Seaport.
Presently, the commissioner said, shareholders agreement had been executed while preliminary works had started at the site.
When completed, the port would relieve the pressure on the Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports and would also support business activities at the Lekki Free Zone.
He said the construction of the port "is expected to last for about four years and over 10,000 jobs are projected to be created directly and indirectly during the construction period while over 169,000 jobs would be generated directly and indirectly when it becomes fully operational."

U.S. State Department Daily Press Briefing: Nigeria & LIbya

DOCUMENT

Excerpts from the United States Department of State daily press briefing: 
QUESTION: On Nigeria.
MR. VENTRELL: Yeah.
QUESTION: You'll recall you had a statement last week following some violence in the village of Baga --
MR. VENTRELL: Yeah.
QUESTION: -- in which the Nigerian military said that several dozen homes were burned. Human Rights Watch is out with a report today saying that satellite imagery shows that more than 2,000 homes were burned during that violence. Do you have any reason to doubt the Nigerian military's assessment of that violence?
MR. VENTRELL: I hadn't seen the Human Rights Watch report of the press coverage of that since coming down here. We did strongly condemn that violence that took so many innocent civilian lives. That was in Baga, Borno State. And we said at the time our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones who died or were injured. But I'd have to look into more information for you on the specific issue of further damage or wider assessment of damage from that particular attack.
QUESTION: Can you take that question then, on the HRW?
MR. VENTRELL: I'll take the question. I'd be happy to.
QUESTION: Thank you.
MR. VENTRELL: Go ahead, Dana.
QUESTION: Sorry. Is Nigeria still an ACOTA partner, and are we still funding part of their military to go into Mali?
MR. VENTRELL: I don't know the answer to the question if they're still an ACOTA partner. I'll check on it.
QUESTION: And if they are, I mean, has that been suspended at all, given these allegations of the military?
MR. VENTRELL: I'm not aware one way or another on the ACOTA piece, but I'll look into it. In terms of human rights, we've been very clear with the Nigerian Government, including when the Secretary was with his counterpart here in Washington just a few days ago, that there needs to be progress on human rights and that in terms of instability in the north and extremist violence, there's got to be an evenhanded way of dealing with this and the legitimate concerns of northerners. And the security response has to be done in a way that respects the human rights of people in the north as well.

I Will Contest Presidential Election Again in 2015 - - Buhari

Minna — Former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, said he "will surely seek the mandate" of Nigerians in the 2015 presidential election under the platform of the All Progressive Congress, APC.
Buhari who lost the 2011election on the platform of Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, however said he was ready to step down for any other better candidate that may emerge under the new party.
He spoke in Minna, capital of Niger State during the maiden edition of Sam Nda-Isaiah Annual Lecture Series, saying that politics should not be seen as a do-or-die affair.
Buhari, however advocated that the best candidate should always be given a chance in the midst of many.
He said: "Whoever said he wants to contest has a chance. Let him come out because the more we are, the merrier. But I will be ready to step down if there is a formidable and better candidate.
"It is not about me but for the survival of the party. APC is about ensuring internal democracy. Whoever emerges is the person I will support. Yes I will be ready to step down".
Also speaking in a separate interview with newsmen, former governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau assured that the presidential ticket of the emerging party will surely be given to the most credible candidate of the party.
According him, "it is even too early to talk about or to have a presidential candidate. In APC, we will have internal democracy that will guide the party. Let us have the party on the ground first and it will be followed by congresses at various levels that will produce our candidates and at that point, anybody can contest and the party will support the best candidate that will emerge.
"Let Nigerians know one thing for sure, we are not talking of just dismantling the PDP. We want a change. We are not just talking about change in democracy but change in attitude, change in approach, change in character, change in conducting the business of government. That is why our slogan is change. We are determined to change Nigeria for the better".
Gen. Buhari, who spoke on "the role of youths in sustaining democratic values in Nigeria," asked the media to be courageous and carry out their constitutional responsibilities by keeping leaders and those in government on their toes towards serving the electorate diligently.
Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu in his message, noted with dismay that youths were being used to foment crisis in the polity.
He said: "It is regrettable that young people have become most vulnerable to social vices in society today and this was largely due to the lack of adequate parental care and neglect of our core moral values and social norms. This is why we must pay more attention to the training of our children for the good of the society".

Save This Power Project From Collapse

Hopes that there may be bright light at the end of a long tortuous dark tunnel in the Northern parts of the country are fading, because the region's biggest power plant will not come on stream as scheduled by 2014.
Reports suggest that the project, to which huge financial and other resources have been committed, has suffered a major setback caused apparently by shoddy planning.
According to these reports, the transportation of the seven remaining turbines from Onne Port in Rivers State to Kaduna, the home of the project, has been put off due to this.
The Kaduna project was envisaged to be a 215megawatt generating capacity, capable of feeding industries in wide swaths of the rejoin, thus freeing existing capacity for wider domestic coverage.
Contract for the project was awarded in November 2009 to General Electric and Rockson Engineering, with a December 2013 completion deadline. But just when the contractors thought they had overcome a two-year difficulty in transporting the turbines with two special trucks imported for the purposes, new hurdles have arisen. The government had to repair, in some cases upgrade, sections of the road and reinforce the bridges on the route from Onne to Kaduna in order to withstand the weight of the consignment. After the trucks made their first trip to Kaduna last March to deliver a part of the consignment, they broke down. The repairs and upgrading may not have been sufficient. The unusually heavy equipment took a heavy toll on the 950-kilometre stretch of road. Some sections of the road crumbled under the sheer weight of the equipment; because of that, road engineers have determined that the trucks and the heavy-duty equipment they carry may not be able to run on it smoothly again.
Obviously there is a problem. The remaining seven sets of the turbines are now trapped at the Onne Port and the contracting firms have insisted that there would be need to once again repair the road and reinforce the bridges with stronger and more durable materials before the remaining turbines can safely be transported to Kaduna.
The Kaduna plant is part of the government's Independent Power Project initiative conceived as part of efforts to revive industries that folded up as a result of unstable power supply from the national grid. Its scope included manufacture and supply of eight General Electric Frame 5 Dual Fuel Gas Turbines from Italy and shipment to Nigeria, as well as the design, engineering, procurement of the balance of the plant, installation, construction, testing and coming on stream of the entire project.
When the contract was awarded in 2009, the planners appeared not to have taken the peculiar topography of the region and the nature of Nigerian roads into consideration.
It is as if the shipment of the turbines was planned without any thought to how they would be transported from Onne Port to Kaduna. This yawning gap in the feasibility aspect of the project was only discovered when the equipment arrived at the port in Onne, more than two years ago.
This is no time to wring hands or play the blame game.
The situation does not appear to be a technically-challenging one as the project's handlers are making it out to be.
The contracting firms involved are internationally renowned multinationals, so it would not be asking for too much if the government should request that the heavy machineries be dismantled into easily transportable bits and taken to the site in Kaduna for reassembly. If that procedure would mean additional cost, it would be a much better and cost-effective course of action to take than the long term option of reinforcing the roads and rebuilding bridges.

Gunmen in 50 Hilux Vans Destroy Buildings, Telecom Masts in Borno - Share Tweet

Maiduguri — Gunmen in their hundreds in a convoy of 50 Hilux vans attacked Marte Local Government Area of Borno State, yesterday evening, where they succeeded in burning down all public buildings like schools, hospitals/clinics, police stations and all telecommunications masts in the council headquarters.
Marte is about 150 kilometres from Maiduguri, the state capital which also shares borders with Baga and Chad Republic. It is also an epicentre of Boko Haram sect which had witnessed series of attacks and bombings.
A top police officer in Marte said: "The gunmen invaded the town at about 4p.m with over 50 Hilux 4-wheel drive vehicles armed with sophisticated weapons, chanting Allahu Akbar, meaning (God is Great) and started throwing Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, at all public structures without being challenged by security operatives."
Another reliable source said: "Apart from the Lake Chad Development site, no other public structure remained standing in the town as all of them have been destroyed by the terrorists."
Our correspondent gathered that the suspected terrorists had after the Baga carnage, issued a warning that Marte town would be their next target of attack.
No life was, however, lost as the terrorists had warned those working in the public buildings in the town to vacate before they struck.
Contacted, the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Yuguda Abdullahi and his image maker, DSP Gideon Jubrin's phones rang several times without response, but a top security officer who did not want his name mentioned confirmed the incident.

Ibori Loses Appeal to Get Jail Term Reduced

The former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, Thursday lost an appeal before a London court for a reduction in his jail term following his conviction for money laundering-related offences.
Justice Anthony Pitts of the Southwark Crown Court had sentenced Ibori last year to a 13-year jail term, after he had pleaded guilty to charges that he embezzled £50 million during his eight-year tenure as governor of the oil-rich state.
Ibori's legal team had based its argument for a reduction in his 13-year jail term sentence on some purported promise by Justice Pitts that he could sentence Ibori to a jail term of not more than 10 years if he pleaded guilty to the charges filed against him.
However, the Court of Appeal dismissed the argument, saying the promise was not emphatic enough to support the plea.
There was a mild drama in the case as a team of the Court of Appeal justices previously empanelled to hear the appeal was changed at the last minute.
The justices, led by Lord Justice Brian Henry Leveson, who were previously scheduled to hear the appeal were replaced on Wednesday by a new panel of justices, which presided over the case yesterday.
Lord Justice Antony Edward-Stuart, who led Lord Justice Treacy and Peter Collier QC in the ruling, held that Justice Pitts' promise of a lower sentence for Ibori could not be relied on for a successful appeal as it was not "emphatic enough", according to agency reports of the court proceedings.
He said even though Ibori's counsel had "legitimate expectations" based on Justice Pitts' insinuations of a 10-year sentence, the Southwark Crown judge did not emphasise or commit to a 10-year jail term for Ibori if he entered a guilty plea.
He ruled that there would be no need for a long trial of the appeal as the justices had already familiarised themselves with the grounds of the appeal and had read the submissions of both sides.
After the counsel had addressed the court briefly, the judges retired into the chamber and came back some 15 minutes later to deliver their judgment.
Justice Edwards-Stuart, in rejecting the argument, said a money laundering offence should attract close to the maximum 14-year sentence.

Another Faction Of Boko Haram Emerges

Boko Haram

Abuja — A new insurgent group known as Nassiruddeen Li Ahlil Jihad Alal Kitab Was Sunnah, or Islamic Victors Committed to Qur’an and Sunnah, yesterday claimed that it had taken possession of a large cache of weapons following its attack on military barracks in Munguno in Borno State recently.
The head of the new group, Abu Muhammed Ibn Muhammed Abubakar Al-Shakawi, in a YouTube message, said that the weapons, which he displayed, were hauled from the military barracks sacked by adherents of the group.
Agitated and visibly excited, Al-Shakawi gesticulated in the film as he was being cheered on by his followers, who shouted “Allahu Akbar”, meaning “God is great”, and showed off the cache of arms and ammunition.
The footage showed several M16 rifles, AK-47 rifles, rocket launchers, boxes of ammunition, various sizes of bullets and other assorted weapons. The group’s leader estimated that there were about 30,000 pieces of AK-47 bullets on display.
“We thank God who gave us the wisdom and ability to uplift his religion. I bring you good tidings from our escapade at Munguno where, with God’s guidance, we were able to subdue the soldiers and drive them away,” Al-Shakawi explained. “This is indeed a great success. We are very happy with the development. We burnt the premises and they (the soldiers) took to their heels, so we carted away these guns and ammunition. This is indeed a great feat that we accomplished.”
Although it is unclear whether the attack was carried out by Ahlul Jihad, LEADERSHIP checks showed that the details given by Al-Shakawi bear resemblance to the March 3 attack during which JTF spokesperson, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, said 20 of the attackers were killed.
But in the film, which appears to show the sect on a wide expanse of desert, the weapons al-Shakawi claimed they took from the soldiers  were scattered on the ground while he was surrounded by the adherents of the group equally wearing army fatigue uniform.

Robbers Target Nigerian Diplomat

Johannesburg — Robbers opened fire on Nigeria's deputy high commissioner in South Africa after following him home to Pretoria from OR Tambo International Airport, it was reported on Thursday.

Kayode Oguntuase's driver Dan Mohlala was wounded in his left hand in the shooting on Wednesday, Beeld reported.
According to the newspaper, Mohlala took Kayode Oguntuase to the airport to fetch his wife Hailey.
As they got back home to Waterkloof Ridge, Mohlala told them they were being followed.
Hailey Oguntuase reportedly asked Mohlala to stop the car so she could get out, but he advised her against it, and they locked their doors.
According to the newspaper, the men following them tried to open the car doors, and when they could not, fired several shots at the vehicle, one of which went through a neighbour's window.
Neighbours summoned help. The gunmen fled. Beeld reported that Oguntuase drove Mohlala to hospital.
"We're investigating charges of attempted murder and attempted armed robbery," Brigadier Phuti Setati told the newspaper.

Enugu Govt Dismisses Chime's Rumoured Death

Sullivan Chime

For the umpteenth time, officials of the Enugu State government Thursday dismissed the rumoured death of Governor Sullivan Chime in far away India.
News of the governor's purported death had taken over the internet and other social media networks, causing tension in the state as both residents and workers in the state capital were seen in groups discussing the development.
It is recalled that similar scenario had played out early in the year following the governor's trip to the United Kingdom on health grounds which was later discovered to be treatment for cancer of the nose.
It took the governor who returned to the state after almost five months absence, to dispel the rumour.
However, following the upsurge of enquiries on the whereabouts of the governor, some officials of the government who though could not reveal his actual location, dismissed the rumour.
The Commissioner for Information, Chuks Ugwoke, who spoke with THISDAY laughed off the rumour, noting that some idle minds have finally found succour in peddling unfounded rumours.
"How do you expect to begin to react to the activities of rumour peddlers? The other time, they equally said the governor died in India and it was later discovered that the governor had never visited India. Now, they've come again, and it is our hope that very soon, they would equally eat the humble pie," the commissioner noted.
THISDAY checks however revealed that the governor had left the state for Abuja last Tuesday after an official function at the Government House.
It could not be ascertained as at press time whether he had travelled outside the country.

Expectation of Better Bilateral Deal as Jonathan Visits South Africa

As President Goodluck Jonathan makes his maiden official state visit to South Africa this weekend, Raheem Akingbolu writes that the meeting could be another opportunity to strengthen the bilateral relationships between the two African giants
Consumers and investors, who are involved in trans-border transactions between South Africa and Nigeria, may have begun feeling the good times to come, as a result of the current moves being made by the leadership of the two countries to boost the bilateral relationship between them.
Three weeks after the South African President, Jacob Zuma, paid a one day visit to Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan is poised to return the good gesture to pursue issues that would further aid the economic growth of Nigeria and South Africa.
Matters Arising
According to Channels TV that reported the visit of the South Africa leader, shortly after his arrival in the capital city of Abuja, President Zuma went into talks with his host at the Aso Rock presidential villa. After the hour-long talks, Zuma told state house correspondents that both leaders discussed issues of regional peace and security, among others.
He said it was important to align with Nigeria on certain issues that concerned both countries and indeed the continent, especially as President Jonathan was billed to visit South Africa very soon.
According to President Zuma, the continent would soon be observing the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the precursor of the African Union (AU); hence it was important that Nigeria and South Africa exchanged views on what to do to move the union forward.
With the latest development, pundits believe that there couldn't have been a better time for the leadership of both countries to cement their relationship, given the mutual suspicion brewing between Nigerians and South Africans, which reached its climax last year when the latter deported 125 Nigerians for allegedly travelling with fake yellow cards; a situation which gave room for retaliation by the Nigerian government.
But the crisis, which would have led to strained relationship, was, however, amicably resolved after South Africa apologised to Nigeria.

Media Freedom and the Threat of Impunity in Nigeria

The past half a decade has been perhaps the most challenging years since Nigeria's return to civil rule in 1999.
Literally, the fate of some 160 million citizens have been caught between nationalist insurgents in the south, and Islamist terrorists in the north, with no relief from a distressing canopy of spectacularly poor evidence at governance, and thieving politicians left, right, and centre.
Narrating these evidently polarizing experiences on a daily basis, falls on the media, that has had a mixed bag of brilliant moments and, just putting it straight, sometimes appalling results of what looks like a Kafkaesque sequence of events.
What is clear, however, from the perspective of the media, is that these five years also represents perhaps the most dismal period in the over 150-year institutional biography of one of our most heroic national citadels.
Constrained by inter-communal, inter-faith, minority, and other diversity issues, political reporting in Nigeria can be a test for any journalist, and heightened with the added challenges posed by a swelling climate of intolerance, fueled by the reign of criminal gangs who are sustained through official corruption, oil theft, the now lucrative kidnapping business, politically-financed terror squads, ethno-national mobs, or private security gangs.
These are the notations of impunity, the hydra-headed monster that now threatens freedom, rights, and ultimately, the democratic aspirations of citizens. In all climes, reporting events like these comes at dreadful costs; and the Committee to Protect Journalists [CPJ], an independent, , nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide, has diligently followed the trails of such reporters, keenly documenting the heroism of such brave messengers, under capricious regimes, through whom daily history is brought to us.
Now, the same CPJ is alerting us in Nigeria that this wave of impunity has finally come home to roost. In its 2013 Impunity Index release in New York today, CPJ states chillingly: "Nigeria has become one of the worst nations in the world for deadly, unpunished violence against the press."
The CPJ global index calculates unsolved journalist murders as a percentage of each country's population, and found this year that soaring impunity rates were also recorded in Somalia, Pakistan, and Brazil.
In the five-year matrix taken for this computation, the CPJ cites the unresolved murder of Channels TV reporter, Enenche Akogwu; the killing of Nathan Dabak and Sunday Gyang of the Christian Times in Jos; Zakariya Isa of NTA Maiduguri; and Bayo Ohu of the Guardian Newspapers in Lagos.
Blaming "militants in the north and politically inspired aggression nationwide" for the growing impunity in the land, the CPJ Impunity Index puts Nigeria in the category of a dozen countries where journalist murders occurred from January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2012, and remain unsolved. The index, published annually, considers cases unsolved when no convictions have been won.
There are strong lessons for Nigeria here. Slamming what he recently characterized as "a choreographed attempt to deliberately cast the administration in bad light," the spokesman for the Nigerian presidency, Mr. Reuben Abati, a newspaperman and lawyer, pretentiously claimed, "This government is proud of its record on press freedom, its relationship with and promotion of access for the media and civil society."
The administration, as Mr. Abati argues it, actually expects gratitude from Nigerians on account of "its commitment to press freedom times over [because the] Freedom of Information Bill (FOI) was signed by this President into law and under this government the Nigerian print and electronic media has grown in number, reach and in terms of freedom to practice."
True, but it was also under the watch of this president that the most elaborate and illegal assault on the privacy and constitutional rights of citizens had been initiated in the post-independence history of this nation.