Abacha supported Nigeria Prays – Gowon

Aba (Abia) -  Gen. Yakubu Gowon, the Chairman of Nigeria Prays, said in Aba, Abia, on Saturday that the organisation was formed  to seek divine intervention for the county’s problems.
Gowon, a former Nigerian military Head of State, said  at a forum, organised by the South East Zone of the organisation, that the group was formed in October,  1996, during the regime of the late Gen. Sani Abacha.
He said at that time, Nigeria’s international image  was at the lowest ebb because of political instability, corruption and the infamous Advanced Fee Fraud (419).

Gowon said that Nigerians in the Diaspora, who were disturbed by the conditions of the time united and took a decision to address the country’s economic and political problems.
‘’They came to me and we held a series of meetings in London on how best to tackle the nation’s problems considering that even the government could not find the solution.
‘’We agreed that since we, as human beings, could not find the solution, there is somebody in heaven that can solve our problems if only we can go to him in prayer,’’ Gowon said.
He said that in an effort to implement the decision, a body of intercessors was formed and the members embarked on  three months intensive prayer to seek the face of God.
He said that he later met Abacha over the plan by the group to hold a national prayer for the country to be tagged, “Nigeria Prays.’’
He said that ‘’Abacha accepted the idea and also supported Nigeria Prays, saying that he believed in the power of prayers.

‘’He also recommended that I should mobilise both the Christians and Muslims for a joint national prayer and supplication to God.’’

Gowon said that rallies were subsequently organised in Abuja and different zones in the country culminating in the establishment of state coordinating offices of the organisation.
He said it was sad that in spite of  prayers by the organisation, Nigeria’s problems not only remained unresolved but escalated through acts of militancy, kidnapping and terrorism.
He said that the issue of the Boko Haram sect posed a great challenge to the group and implored all Nigerians to remain steadfast in their faith in God and ‘’to pray without ceasing.
‘’I assure that God will answer our prayers and bring an end to the problems of insecurity in the country.
‘’If we will take our problems to God genuinely, He will hear our prayers and heal our land.’’
The Chairman of the event, which was tagged ‘’Chance to meet with partners,’’ Rep . UzoAzubuike, and others underscored the need for Nigerians to take the challenges facing the nation to God.
In his opening remark, Azubuike, said that the alarming state of insecurity in the country showed  that the security agencies  had been stretched and were looking for appropriate strategies to deal with the situation.
He said that there could not be a better time to seek the face of God for solution to the nation’s problems than now and urged Gowon to reconsider Abacha’s suggestion for the mobilisation of  Nigerians of all faiths for prayers.

Azubuike, representing Aba Central Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, said that the problem of Nigeria was neither religious nor ethnic but ‘’ignorance of few people at the low level of society’’.

The Rector of Abia Polytechnic, Mr Allwell Onukaogu, in an address of welcome, also emphasised the essence of prayers and paid special tribute to Gowon for initiating the programme.
The General Overseer of Jesus the Way Ministry, Enugu, Rev. John Oga, who delivered a short exhortation, said prayer was ‘’invaluable’’ and a potent means of eliciting divine solution to the nation’s security and economic challenges.

Gowonhad earlier been conferred with the chieftaincy title of ‘’Ome Udo’’ (Peace maker) by Eze Ezenwata Mbakwe, the First Deputy Chairman of Abia State Traditional Rulers Council.
The ceremony took place in Mbakwe’s palace at Okaiuga in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia. (NAN)

BREAKING NEWS: Militants throw bomb in Jalingo, as Kano Blast Death Toll Rise

Militants have bombed a the state government ministry of Finance in Jalingo, Taraba state as terror campaign spreads in Nigeria's north.

3 Police Officers are feared dead. Police source claimed that a Police commissioner may be involved.

Details later!

Meanwhile, Bayero University, Kano Bomb Attack: Death Toll Rise to 25 persons and counting; including 2 professors. Numerous wounded.

The two dons believed to have died in the attack were Professors M .T. Ayodele of the Chemistry Department and Andrew Leo of the Library Department. Equally killed were Mr. Sylvester Ada, who is state president of an Idoma socio -cultural society within the Catholic church, known as “SS Peter and Paul”. A Chief lecturer in the Federal College of Education (FEC), Kano, Dr. (Mrs) Ololobo, also died in the attack. The attackers were armed with grenades and AK 47 assault rifles came in a Honda car and two motorbikes and surrounded the two adjourning theaters where christian fellowships were being held. They hauled grenades at the buildings and began shooting at worshippers fleeing the scene of the grenade attack.

Prof, 15 others die in varsity church attack

IT was like a scene from hell. All was solemn. The church service was on. Time was about 8.30a.m.
Suddenly, a huge explosion, preceded by gun shots, deafened the worshippers. The atmosphere became cloudy. There was pandemonium.
Minutes later, all was calm, no fewer than 16 people lay dead – victims of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) thrown into the hall and gunshots by yet unknown assailants.
The attack bore the marks of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram (Western education is a sin).
The scene of horror was a lecture theatre at the old campus of the Bayero University in Kano used as a Christian worship centre.
In the congregation were students, lecturers and other categories of employees of the university and outsiders.

One of the 16 dead was Prof. Andrew Leo Ogbonyomi of the Department of Library Science.
About 16 others were believed to be injured, some of them critically.
But Kano police spokesman Magaji Majiya said seven people died and that the injured were taken to the Aminu Kano Teaching hospital (AKTH).

University spokesman Mustapha Zahradeen also gave the figure of the dead as seven.
AKTH spokesman Aminu Inuwa said 16 injured people were admitted at the hospital’s Emergency Ward.
But he declined to speak on the death toll.
Andronicus Adeyemo, an official with the Nigerian Red Cross, said a canvas of local hospitals and morgues showed the attack killed at least 16 people. 
Some people were injured, though the aid agency did not immediately have an exact figure, Adeyemo said.  

After the attack, police and soldiers cordoned off the campus as gunfire echoed in the surrounding streets. Abubakar Jibril, a spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said security forces refused to allow rescuers into the campus. Soldiers also turned away reporters from the university.
It was gathered that the attack was carried out by gunmen, numbering about 15, who stormed the campus on motorbikes. The gunmen had earlier laid a siege to the area before the arrival of worshipers for the service.

Sources said the service was barely 10 minutes old when sporadic gun shots were heard.
The witness said the gunmen threw some Improvised Explosives Devices in the lecture theatre and opened fire on those who attempted to run away from the scene.
The witness said members of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) later arrived at the scene and engaged the attackers in a gun battle.
JTF spokesman Lt. Ikedichi Iweha said military operatives had been deployed in the area to restore order.

Iweha refused to give further details.
A victim, Faith Onche, a 400-level Accounting student who was hit by a bullet in her arm, narrated how the attack was carried out. She said the congregation had assembled for the day’s service at the open air theatre for interdenominational service. “Just a few minutes later, we heard gun shot sounds a few metres from the arena.
“Initially, it was mistaken by some of us for a burst tyre, until it became sporadic. It then dawned on us that it was a gun attack. At that point, there was stampede everybody scampered for safety,” she said.
She dismissed as false the impression that it was a bomb attack, insisting that she saw the gunmen, who opened fire on the worshipers.
The Indoor Sports complex accommodating Catholic worshippers was splattered with blood.
Many vehicles abandoned by fleeing panic-stricken worshippers, including motorbikes, were at the complex.

Men of the JTF intercepted a Mercedes Benz V Boot suspected to have been primed with explosives when they cordoned off the area. The anti-bomb unit of the police was immediately invited to the scene.
University sources told our reporter that the only time explosions were heard was when the attackers were escaping from the university after the operation, as they intermittently dropped Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to scare people, while they escaped.
Kano was the scene of the deadliest Boko Haram attack so far when almost 200 people were killed in co-ordinated bombings and shootings on the North’s commercial city in January.

The Nation

Boko Haram: We Gave Advance Warning of Kaduna Attacks

The Boko Haram sect says that it previously issued warnings of its intention to attack Kaduna over issues relating to the arrest and ‘intimidation’ of their members in Kaduna. The warnings were sent to the homes of traditional rulers in the state, and also delivered to government officials in Kaduna. Some of the communities affected include Ungwan Mua’zu, Rigasa, Ungwan Rimi, Nasarawa and Hayin Danbushiya, where the warnings were allegedly posted publicly.
According to the notice, the sect will relentlessly attack Kaduna and bring the state to its knees until their members are freed.

Part of the warning reads: “If you don’t set free our members, you will regret what will follow suit. We don’t know what they did that warrants your actions against their work for Allah. We will continue attacking you and your government, and we knew how to get you, enemies of Allah.”
The warning had several Quran quotations.
Boko Haram has set off several explosions in Kaduna State in the past few months, the last one being last Thursday in the city of Kaduna when a suicide bomber drove into the office of ThisDay. It carried out a simultaneous attack on newspaper’s offices Jabi, Abuja.

APGA v UPGA Can Okorie scale identity hurdle?

Chief Chekwas Okorie’s quest to register a new political party, United Progressives Grand Alliance (UPGA), is facing challenges, allegedly caused by his former party, All Progressives Grand Alliance. In this report, Assistant Editor, Augustine Avwode, examines the challenges and reports that the hurdle is built around its name and logo. 

When on March 28, 2012, Chief Chekwas Okorie, erstwhile chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), announced the formation of a new party, the United Peoples Grand Alliance (UPGA), he probably thought he would now have a new and fresh platform to rally people of like political minds and philosophy for the development of Nigeria and Nigerians. 

But by the midweek, it appeared such a hope was resting on the cliff-hanger as it emerged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) allegedly refused to register the party. 

INEC rejected the application on the grounds that it flouted relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The electoral umpire claimed that the logo of the proposed party has ethnic connotation and its acronym, UPGA, is similar in pronouncement to that of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

The decision of the umpire was contained in a letter dated April, 23, 2012 with reference number INEC/DPPM&L/UPGA/428/143 written by the Secretary to the Commission, Alhaji Abudalahi Kaugama, and addressed to Okorie.

The symbol of the proposed party is the rising sun with an acronym UPGA written on the bar upon which the rising sun is rested. The motto of UPGA is love and unity while the flag is made of white and green colours with the proposed party’s symbol displayed on the white part of the flag.

But in a swift reaction, Okorie fired back a letter on April 25, 2012 to INEC. Okorie described his letter as a ‘protest letter’. He wrote: “This letter (INEC’s) is not only belated; UPGA has become a political party by the effluxion of time. We are further surprised that the commission wrote this letter to us shortly after we complained in writing that Chief Umeh declared in a statewide television programme Face The Press in Anambra State that he had sealed the fate of UPGA at INEC.

“Democracy in Nigeria will be doomed the moment outsiders or virtual interlopers begin to direct and decide for the commission how to carry out its statutory functions and even have the audacity to boast in public in advance of the occurrence of what they boasted about.

“The INEC letter under reference is a rehash of the petition written to INEC by Chief Victor Umeh, objecting to the registration of UPGA as a political party.”

Speaking to The Nation on Friday, Okorie alleged that the letter written to him from the commission was a product of conspiracy by two officials in the commission. He alleged that the matter has not even been discussed and so it was baffling that such a conclusion could be reached by just two members out of the board of commissioners in INEC.

“However, there are several options that we can explore. There is the legal option, there is also the possibility of going to the ECOWAS court. We also could write a fresh application which is another option,” he said.

Faulting the ground for the refusal to register UPGA by INEC, Okorie said that by virtue of Section 78, paragraphs 3 and 4, the 30 days allowed by law had expired and the party was deemed to have been registered. 

He said were there any objection to the documents submitted by the party, there wouldn’t have been need to inspect the national headquarters and verify the members of the executive committee on April 17. 

“There is no legislation on intonation and so the claim that UPGA and APGA sound similar is incorrect. Besides, the issue of the logo is a non-issue because Biafra had no symbol or logo but a Coat of Arms which lasted only for 30 months and has since been declared defunct. How come they are bringing life into what is dead?

It will be recalled that APGA national chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, protested the registration of UPGA. In his protest letter, he had said: “We, in All Progressives Grand Alliance, have our reasons for not wanting Chekwas Okorie to register UPGA.  “One is that it is a rule that no political party should have similar acronym or name. The name United Peoples Grand Alliance is similar to All Progressives Grand Alliance. We are opposed to it more particularly as when we wanted to register APGA in 2002, the name we submitted to INEC for registration was United Progressives Grand Alliance, but INEC rejected the name.  We had to adjust to All Progressives Grand Alliance, that is replacing ‘United’ with ‘All’ to be able to scale INEC’s hurdle. That name APGA and UPGA sound similar. Moreover, UPGA has a historical perspective as an acronym. Our people and Nigerians can identify UPGA with the old party called UPGA (United Progressives Grand Alliance).  

“Even today, some people still pronounce APGA as UPGA. In the South-East part of Nigeria, for instance, rural women and men only know UPGA; they don’t understand APGA. That was the old party they knew and supported in the past... ”. 

But Okorie countered within the week that parties registered by INEC include those with the following acronyms, ANPP and UNPP, CPP and CPC, PDP and DPP, ADC and ACD.  

“These parties have their different symbols and nobody has ever complained about any conflict in their identities.” 

Whatever happens in the next two or three weeks, one thing is clear, the time to sing halelluyah by Okorie and bask in the euphoria of leading another political party has been deferred.

Genesis of Enugu intrigues

The political scenario of Enugu State will continue to be funny and unpredictable as long as the governor of the state, Mr. Sullivan Chime remains publicity shy. Loved by the lower members of the society, the governor’s apathy for publicity (and of course propaganda) always makes it difficult for the people to know the true situation of things whenever there is a little problem in the state. Chime has made the people of Enugu state reap the dividends of democracy through massive roads construction and rehabilitation. Prior to Chime’s emergence, the belief among the people of Enugu state was that it was only the Federal Government that can venture into roads reconstruction and building.

Chime silently, without the pseudo media hype of his predecessor, “Enugu state is working”, transformed and restored the glory of Enugu city as the capital of the defunct Eastern region. His efforts endeared him to the people of the lower cadre. And anything said to be affecting the governor negatively, sends shivers down the spine of his numerous admirers.

For this his disposition towards publicity, his opponents always capitalize on it to fly kites whenever there is a problem in the state. Tales have been told of the governor’s “quarrel” with the deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu. Despite Ekweremadu’s denials publicly and in private, the opposition still continue to insist that the two “inseparable” politicians have parted ways.

Recently, the kite being flown by the opposition was that Chime and the godfather of Enugu State politics, Chief Jim Nwobodo, are having   problems over land issue. The story goes that Chime had solicited the services of Nwobodo to help him reach out to the judges sitting over the case challenging his nomination as the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State. The case was filed by an Abuja based businessman, Chief Alex Obiechina. Nwobodo was said to have been given a large sum to deliver to the judges.

But along the line, according to the story, Nwobodo could not deliver the money and was said to have refused returning the money to the governor. And the governor in retaliation pounced on a large acreage of land said to belong to Nwobodo and shared it among his aides. But these were flatly and staunchly denied by Nwobodo. He told reporters that he was never sent on such errand by Chime and the governor never touched any of his land. “In any case, I don’t have an inch of land at where they are mentioning. I have no problem whatsoever with my governor. We have been the best of friends. Those who spread the rumour are not only wicked and inhuman, they are as well enemies of progress,” Nwobodo said.

He threatened to close down a local weekly tabloid that celebrated the “unfounded story,” saying he had already instructed his lawyers to take action against the Nsukka based tabloid. The story came strong as judgment was being awaited on the suit by Obiechina. The judgment which was to be delivered last Monday May 23 was adjourned sine die by the court. 

The prayers in the suit are similar to those of the former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, whose suit was thrown away by the Supreme Court, which declared them as party matters and, insisting that the courts have no jurisdiction over them.

Prior to May 23, the camp of Obiechina, joined by Anayo Onwuegbu, was in celebration that Chime would be thrown out by the court on the judgment day. Obiechina and Onuegbu are from the same community, Oji-River.  Their supporters were so sure that either of the two would be declared the authentic flag-bearer of the party. Some of them even boasted they had seen the judgment.

While the drama was on, the governor’s camp opted to keep mum. Chime being a lawyer, would not want his aides to make comments on the impending judgment as he believed that his lawyers and those of PDP and INEC did a thorough job in their response and submissions.

But wagging tongues of both social and political stakeholders in the state are querying why the two kinsmen would not allow Chime to carry on his administration of the state since emerging as governor for a second tenure? Onwuegbu, whose supporters call Omeiheukwu, had challenged the governor earlier in the court and lost. Before the primaries, Onwuegbu had told reporters in his Enugu residence that the problem they had with Chime was his “refusal to open” the party and not that he was not delivering the dividends of democracy to the people. It is for this reason that Chime’s supporters said Onwuegbu’s insistence to challenge the governor was informed by obvious commitment of the Nwodo family, which promised him the ticket of the party under the platform of their then faction.

Obiechina, whose suit was adjourned sine die, is not also a new player in Enugu State politics. But he had been in oblivion since he was roundly trashed by Chimaroke Nnamani in 2003, in the race to occupy the Lion Building. He was then straddling on the back of Senator Jim Nwobodo to upstage Nnamani. Nwobodo had promised Obiechina “What I did for Chimaroke, I will do for you.” Seeing that penetrating the PDP then was impossible, they decided to contest on the platform of United Nigeria Peoples Party (UNPP). He did not make any mark in the general elections which was won by PDP’s Nnamani.

Nobody heard of him again after that. His name only resurfaced in Enugu political scene in January last year after the primaries.   Most people did not know he was in the contest. It is the court action that made people to know that he was in the race. The actual contenders then, apart from the governor, were Okey Ezea, Anayo Onwuegbu and Val Nnadozie.

Okey Ezea later picked the ticket of Labour Party while Val Nnadozie got that of Action Congress of Nigeria to contest the election. This led to questions by people why the duo of Obiechina and Onwuegbu, if they considered themselves popular, did not empower other parties and contest on their platform.

The latest development in the suit did not only actually save an impending ugly situation in the state; it also pacified the majority of Enugu residents, who were already roaring for action if anybody was imposed on them. 

Although the judgment is still pending, Chime and his aides are not even perturbed that anything would go against them while the Obiechina/Onwuegbu camp is still hopeful that the judicial pendulum would rest on their side.

INJUSTICE - 20 OWNERS OF RICHEST OIL BLOCKS IN NIGERIA WITHOUT NIGER DELTA PEOPLE

 How Babangida, Abubarkar, Abacha, Obasanjo Shared Nigeria’s Oil Blocks

(1) This oil block business is so lucrative that Danjuma’s Sapetro divested of its investment in Akpo condensate for $1billion dollars. This business is second to none in Nigeria. That is why any attempt to investigate the activities in this sector will always be futile. The money is so much that they give bribes in millions of dollars. A birthday gift or child naming gift from an oil block owner to a government official could be as paltry as $2million dollars, and if the official’s father died, the condolence gift could reach mere $3 million dollars. When they want to bribe legislators, it is in millions of dollars and any ongoing investigation ends within weeks. They are so confident that with excess money they can buy up Nigeria and they are succeeding

(2) OML 110 with high yield OBE oil fields was given Cavendish Petroleum owned by Alhaji Mai Daribe, the Borno Patriarch in 1996 by Sanni Abacha. OBE oil field has estimated over 500 million barrels of oil. In layman’s language and using average benchmark of $100 dollars per barrel, translates to $50 billion dollars worth of oil reserve. When you remove the taxes, royalties and sundry duties worth about 60% of the reserve payable over time you get about $20billion dollars worth of oil in the hands of a family.

(3) OPL 246 was awarded to SAPETRO, a company owned by General Theophilus Danjuma, by Sanni Abacha in 1998. Akpo condensate exports about 300,000 barrels of crude daily.

(4) NOML 112 and OML 117 were awarded to AMNI International Petroleum Development Company owned by Colonel Sanni Bello in 1999. Sanni Bello is an inlaw to Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Head of State of Nigeria.

(5) OML 115, OLDWOK Field and EBOK field was awarded to Alhaji Mohammed Indimi from Niger State. Indimi is an inlaw to former Military President Ibrahim Babangida.

(6) OML 215 is operated by Nor East Petroleum Limited owned by Alhaji Saleh Mohammed Gambo.

(7) OML 108 is operated by Express Petroleum Company Limited is owned by Alhaji Aminu Dantata.

(8) OML II3 allocated to Yinka Folawiyo Pet Ltd is owned by Alhaji W.I. folawiyo

(9)ASUOKPU/UMUTU marginal oil fields is operated by Seplat Petroleum. Seplat is owned by Prince Nasiru Ado Bayero, cousin to the Central Bank Governor Lamido Sanusi. This oil field has the capacity of 300,000 barrels of oil daily. This translates to $30million dollars daily at average benchmark of $100 dollars per barrel. Deducting all sundry taxes, royalties etc , this field can yield $12billion dollars daily for the owners .

(10)Intel owned by Atiku, Yarádua and Ado Bayero has substantial stakes in Nigeria’s oil exploration industry both in Nigeria and Principe and Sao Tome.

(11) AMNI owns two oil blocks OML 112 and OML 117 which it runs Afren plc and Vitol has substantial stakes in oil blocks. Afren plc is operating EBOK oil fields in OML 67. Vitol lifts 300,000 barrels of Nigerian oil daily. Rilwanu Lukman, former OPEC Chairman has stakes in all these named three companies.

(12) OPL 245 was awarded to Malabu Oil& Gas Company by Sanni Abacha. Dan Etete, Abacha’s oil minister owns Malabu Oil. In 2000, Vice President Atiku Abubakar convinced Obasanjo to revoke OPL 245 given to Malabu Oil. Etete had earlier rejected Atiku’s demand for substantial stakes in the high yield OPL 245 and it attracted the venom of Ota Majesty who revoked the licence. However, in 2006, Obasanjo had mercy on Dan Etete and gave him back his oil block worth over $20 billion dollars.

(13) OPL 289 and OPL 233 was awarded during Obasanjo era to Peter Odili fronts, Cleanwater Consortium, consisting of Clenwater Refinery and RivGas Petroleum and Gas Company. Odili’s brother in law, Okey Ezenwa manages the consortium as Vice Chairman.

(14) OPL 286 is managed by Focus Energy in partnership with BG Group, a British oil concern. Andy Uba has stakes in Focus Energy and his modus operandi is such that you can never see his name in any listings yet he controls OPL and OML through proxies

(15)OPL 291 was awarded to Starcrest Energy Nigeria Limited, owned by Emeka Offor by Obasanjo . Immediately after the award, Starcrest sold the oil block to Addax Petroleum Development Company Limited (ADDAX) Addax paid Sir Emeka Offor a farming fee of $35million dollars and still paid the signature bonus to the government. Emeka Offor still retains stake in ADDAX operations in Nigeria.

(16) Mike Adenuga’s Conoil is the oldest indigenous oil exploration industry in Nigeria. Conoil has six oil blocks and exports above 200,000 barrels of crude daily.

(17)The oil block national cake sharing fiesta could take twists according to the mood of the Commander-in –Chief at the particular time. In 2006, Obasanjo revoked OPL 246 which Abacha gave to Danjuma because he refused to support the tenure elongation bid of the Ota Majesty. In 2000, Obasanjo had earlier revoked OPL 241 given to Dan Etete under the advice Atiku. However, when the Obasanjo-Atiku faceoff started, the Ota Majesty made a u-turn and handed back the oil block to Etete.

(18)During the time of Late President Yarádua , a panel headed by Olusegun Ogunjana was set up to investigate the level of transparency in the award of oil blocks. The panel recommended that 25 oil blocks awarded by the Obasanjo be revoked because the manner they were obtained failed to meet the best practices in the industry. Sadiq Mahmood, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum endorsed the report to then president with all its recommendations. As a result of the report Yarádua revoked eleven oil blocks.

(19) In April 2011 Mike Adenuga attempted to buy Shell’s OML 30 for $1.2 billion dollars. The Minister for Petroleum and Nigeria’s most powerful woman refused the sale of the OML30 to Adenuga citing national interest. This block was later sold to Heritage Oil for $800 million dollars eleven months later.

(20) In the name of competitive bidding, which Obasanjo introduced in 2005, Officials bring companies overnight and through processes best described as secretive and voodooist they award blocks to party faithful, fronts and phoney companies. They collect gratifications running into hundreds of millions of dollars which is paid into offshore account and the nation loses billions of dollars of revenue to private pockets.

During the third term agenda, Obasanjo was deceived that the allocation of oil block to party faithfuls is to fund the third term agenda. With the failure of the third term, the beneficiaries went home with their fortunes and thanked God or Allah for buttering their bread. Senator Andy Uba co ordinate the award of the last rounds of oil block by Obasanjo in 2005 and 2007. The then minister of petroleum, Edwin Daukoru was a mere errand boy who took instructions from the presidential aide.

Two professors, 10 others killed in Bayero varsity attack

16 others injured

It was yet another bloody Sunday in Kano on Sunday as  12 Christian worshipers were feared dead when gunmen attacked Christian places of worship at the old campus of Bayero University, Kano (BUK).

Among the dead victims of the attack which also left 16 others in critical conditions are two professors of Library and Chemistry Departments of the University.

The University authorities, through its spokesman, Mustapha Zahradeen confirmed the death of seven, adding that they were made up students and outsiders in the neighborhood, who worship in the campus.

It was gathered that the attack was carried out at about 8.30 am on Sunday when the gunmen, numbering about 15 stormed the university on motorbikes.

The gunmen had earlier reportedly laid siege to the area before the arrival of worshipers for the service,

Barely 10 minutes the service commenced, sporadic gun shots rented the air, at the end of which some of worshipers were gunned down in two coordinated attacks.

AKTH spokesman, Alhaji Aminu Inuwa confirmed to The Nation that 16 of the injured worshippers were admitted at the Emergency Ward of the Teaching hospital but declined to comment or confirm the death toll.

Meanwhile, doctors at the Teaching Hospital are battling to save the lives of those who were in critical condition.

A victim, a 400-level Accounting student of BUK, Faith Onche, who was hit by bullet on her arm, while narrating her ordeal to reporters on how the attack was carried out, said that about 8.30 am when the congregation had assembled for the day’s service at the Open air theatre for interdenominational service, gunshot sounds were heard a few metres away from the arena.

“Initially it was mistaken by some of us for a burst tyre until it became sporadic.  That was when it dawned on us that it was a gun attack and that at that point there was stampede as everyone scampered for safety”.

She dismissed as false the impression that the incident was a bomb attack, insisting that as far as she was concerned, she sighted gunmen, who opened fire on the worshipers during the open air worship.

The Nation findings revealed that the attack on the Indoor Sports complex, where Catholic worshippers held their service recorded more causalities, as fresh blood stains were all over the environment.

Many vehicles abandoned by panic-stricken worshippers, including motorbikes were seen at the Indoor Sports complex of the campus.

Vatican condemns anti-Christian attacks in Kenya, Nigeria

VATICAN CITY  (AFP) – The Vatican condemned what it called “terrorist” attacks on Christians in Kenya and Nigeria on Sunday which claimed around 20 lives and called for restraint against a cycle of violence.
“The new terrorist attacks in Kenya and Nigeria at Christian celebrations are horrible and despicable acts,” Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said.

A priest receives the ordination from Pope Benedict XVI during an ordination mass at St Peter's basilica at the Vatican on April 29, 2012, to mark Vocation Day.Among the nine was one man from Ivory Coast, one from Colombia and one from Vietnam. AFP PHOTO

“We must be close to victims and communities that suffer just as they are peacefully celebrating a faith that wants love and peace for all,” he said.
“We must encourage the whole population…. not to give in to the temptation to fall into the vicious circle of homicidal hatred,” he added.
Attackers armed with bombs and guns opened fire at church services in a Nigerian university on Sunday, killing around 20 people.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, although the attack was similar to others carried out by the Islamist group Boko Haram.
In a separate attack in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, a man set off a grenade during a church service, sowing chaos and killing one worshipper.

Nairobi has been hit by a series of unclaimed blasts since late 2011, which Kenyan officials have blamed on Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab Islamists.

Vanguard news

Bloody weekend in Adamawa, gunmen in killing spree

Five persons were killed at the weekend in Adamawa State by unknown gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram. A police inspector was killed in Jimeta.
 
According to reports, a police patrol team was attacked leading to the death of a police officer and a female colleague on duty. A few hour later two civilians were killed at a shopping complex building in the heart of the state capital by unknown gunmen who rode on a motor bike.
The slain police officer was attached to the police station in Jimeta before he met his untimely death. It was gathered that at Demsawo Street in the state capital some gunmen who rode on motor bike ran into the police special Anti-Robbery Squad SARs which was on patrol and opened fire on them leading to the death of the officer while another sustained injuries.
It was believed that the gunmen were members of Boko Haram Islamic sect, although the suspects are yet to be identified.

The residents of Demsawo, a suburb in Jimeta who spoke to our reporter described the incident as most unfortunate "it will be the first confrontations by unknown gunmen against the police patrol team since the killing of SARs commander in the state.
Also at the Mubi residence of the Assistant Financial Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State, Alhaji Abdulraman Kwacham and two of his security guards were killed by unidentified gunmen at their duty posts. According to an eyes witness, Mr. Danlami Audu told our correspondent that two men came to the politician’s house on a motor bike pretending to be his associates.
He said that immediately they gained entrance to the PDP chieftain’s compound they found out that he was not in town. And later called two of the securities on duty by their names as if they wanted to make an inquiry before they were shot dead. Speaking to our correspondent Kwacham confirmed that his Mubi resident was attacked when he was at the state capital. He said that the attack has no political undertone since he had no political rift with nobody.

When asked if he suspected Boko Haram, he said that Boko Haram sect carry out such attack since politicians are not their target. He called on federal government to dialogue with the sect so that peace can return to the country, adding that some criminals commit offenses against fellow citizens and hide under the cover of Boko Haram .

The police image maker (AS.P) Nemuel Yoila confirmed the incidents saying that no arrest has been made. He assured that patrol has been intensified to catch up with the felons " A routine patrol was attacked and lost a policeman while another sustained injuries during the shoot out. "


Source: The Nation

Victims of Thursday Kaduna twin bomb blasts speak

For the first time, wounded victims of  bomb explosions that rocked the Kaduna  offices of Thisday, the Sun and the Moment Newspapers, spoke to the press on their hospital bed just as another victim, caught in the second explosion that occurred five hours later at Unguwan Muazu, also gave account of how it happened.
All the three were receiving treatment at St. Gerald Catholic Hospital, Kaduna.

Isa Ahmed (Victim of the Kaduna bomb blast at THISDAY office SOJ Plaza Kontogora Road, Kaduna) taking treatment at St Gerald Catholic Hospital kakuri Kaduna . Photos by : OLU AJAYI

The Police said three were confirmed dead and 25 injured. All the three bombers have been apprehended and are also receiving treatment under Police custody.

There was a blast and the earth trembled— Abdulkabir

Danlami  Abdulkabir, 32, is a Panel Beater from Edo state. 

“I came to visit my friend who lives near the place. Unfortunately, he had gone out to supply some products to some people. While inside the house, I heard a lot of commotion outside. I heard, ‘lets kill him! Lets Kill him!’ I asked the mother of my friend what the noise was about.

She said, “you are the only one still sitting here, all the men have gone out to hold a man who wanted to plant a bomb and kill us. So, I rushed out. I saw people beating the man, and he was bleeding very much. Some people were taking pictures of the man with their phones. I brought out mine too.  I learnt  that they found him at the end of Jos Road hiding in an  uncompleted building beside a transformer.  I took pictures with my phone.
“Then they reached the gate of the building. The man pointed at a new Honda car. I cannot remember the model. He said that there  was a bomb in that car  but that he could go and disconnect it.  They said he must go and bring out the bomb.  It was a huge  crowd. Only the man went in. The rest stayed outside the gate.  I was looking for a better position to snap him. Then I heard an explosion behind me. The earth trembled but somehow  I didn’t fall.  Then I found myself in a dark cloud. I even forgot where I was. They was  momentary total darkness.  I found my way out of the dark cloud. As the cloud began to clear, I saw that the boy that was standing in front  of  me  had his legs peeled. He was lying down in his pool of blood. There were many people on the ground too.
As for me, I was wounded in the hand and some parts of my body. A man on a motor bike took me to Rakiya Hospital, before I was brought here.

Believe me, I didn’t see what exploded… may Allah protect the poor—Surajo

Abdullahi Surajo, 25,  was hawking Gala, from Zamfara state. 

On my way to Ahmadu Bello Stadium where I  sell my Gala, I saw a crowd  shouting: ‘there is bomb in that car!’ As I tried to find my way out of the area,  I heard a bang. I didn’t know where it came from. Fragments of things shot into my body. I fell down, and I saw other people lying on the ground too. There was also fire coming up. Believe me, I did not see what exploded.
Then I heard the siren of Police and Civil defence. I was among those they brought here.
Please if you have a way of reaching the people doing this to us, tell them that if they have any problem  with government, they should find a way of solving it. They should leave us alone because we are only looking for means to feed. These are the kind of things we usually see on TV or hear over the radio.

Blood was gushing out like a tap, I thought  the heavens had fallen —Mrs Immaculate

Mrs Immaculate Ezeji,  Women leader of Ukpo Town union.

We lost one of our members at Kurmin Mmashi. My secretary called me and said she wanted to visit  the  bereaved but that she did not know the place. She pleaded that I go with her.  But by that time, we have already heard of the bomb on Kontagora road inside town. So, my husband said that I should not go.  But I objected and said it would not be proper for me as the chairperson of our town union not to visit my member who had lost her husband.
So, I agreed and left to meet my secretary and we set off in her car. I was sitting with her in the front and we were just conversing. We moved on for  some minutes. The next thing was a bang! The car almost went off road. She tried and controlled it .
I suddenly could not see again. My ear was blocked because something entered my ear. I came out of the car. We heard people saying, “It is bomb o! Bomb o! Bomb o!’ . Then I felt as if someone was pouring water on me. When I touched  my clothe, it was  soaked in blood. The source of the blood was my head. When I touched it, it was like a tap was opened. Then two men  came and said that I had to be rushed to the hospital, or else I will die.
I still don’t know what was the cause. I just heard a loud noise. It was as if the heavens fell.

More photos of victims:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Communities demand N98bn gas flaring compensation

The Abia state chapter of the Oil and Gas Host Communities of Nigeria have demanded N98 billion from the Federal Government as part of the accumulated compensation for gas flaring.
Chief Jonathan Ezere, the chairman of the association, who made the demand on Friday while briefing journalists in Umuahia, put the total amount of compensation at N1 trillion.

Ezere claimed that the compensation was a product of a tripartite agreement reached in 1958 between host communities on one hand and the Federal Government and the oil multinational companies on the other.

He claimed that the oil multinationals had paid the money into government coffers and demanded that the government should pay an initial N98 billion and thereafter, agree with the association on how to pay the balance.

``We are not fighting the Federal Government to pay us this money mistakenly paid into its account; it is our right; Government must release the money to address numerous environmental challenges in the area.''

The chairman accused the government of developing other parts of the country with the oil revenue while the communities suffered from environmental degradation.

``If this money is given to us, we can use it to provide pipe borne water, cottage industries, modular refineries, credit facilities and other things
to empower our people.''

Ezere told reporters that the group was awaiting President Goodluck Jonathan's response on the matter, having forwarded its demand through the
Minster of Petroleum Resources.

``Youths and other interest groups are beginning to lose patience; government must act fast to save the region from the dark days of
restiveness.''

The chairman urged the oil companies to stop gas flaring and embrace environmentally safe methods of oil exploration used by their counterpart in other countries.

Alleged N5b Fraud: Orji Kalu Has Case To Answer - Appeal Court

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Friday, unanimously held that the former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, had a case to answer over his alleged theft of N5 billion public funds while in office between 1999 and 2007.
The court cleared the coast for the prosecuting Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to continue with his trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja, by dismissing Kalu’s appeal seeking to upturn the decision of the trial court that he must face trial.

A full panel of the court led by Justice Ejembi Eko, while throwing out the appeal by the former governor and his company; Slok Nigeria, also ruled a restraining exparte order granted Kalu by the Abia State High Court on 31st May, 2007, a racket, aimed at frustrating his arrest and prosecution.

The High Court had ordered the Federal High Court to stay all proceedings against Orji, with the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Michael Aondoaaka (SAN), declaring then that the prosecution would obey it.
Justice Eko in yesterday’s lead judgement held that “That order was an order at large, personal rather than definite. It was an order made as an ex-parte and not at the course of trial and an abuse of court process.”
Kalu and his company had asked the appellate court to set aside the ruling of the Federal High Court that they had a case to answer, claiming that they were arraigned on non-existent law and that the proof of evidence did not disclose a prima facie case against them.

The appellants further contended that since the Abia State High Court had issued an ex-parte motion on the matter, the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case, while seeking the leave of the appellate court to enforce his fundamental human rights by declaring his arrest, detention, and arraignment a nullity.
They wanted the court to determine whether the EFCC and the federal government were competent to prosecute a case involving the revenue of a state.
Justice Eko, reading on behalf of Justices Kayode Bada and Regina Nwodo, resolved all the grounds of appeal in favour of EFCC and dismissed the appeal for lack of merit.

Justice Eko held that the proof of evidence attached to the 97 count charge preferred against the appellants by the EFCC disclosed a prima facie case against the former governor and others, adding that that as far as there was a link which prima facie was all about, the appellants had an obligation to stand trial to
He affirmed that the claim of breach of personal freedom by Orji was sentimental in nature, saying that ”This claim borders on the realm of conspiracy theory and is politically motivated. Right to personal liberty is not absolute”.

On whether EFCC had the competence to charge the appellants, the court maintained that both the EFCC Establishment Act and the Money laundering and Prohibition Act, (MPLA, 2003, 2004) had given the commission power to prosecute offenders.
“EFCC derives its competence to prosecute from section 6 and 7 of its Establishing Act. Equally, the definition of economic crime is quite wide,” the judge said.

http://tribune.com.ng/sat/index.php/news/7234-alleged-n5b-fraud-orji-kalu-has-case-to-answer-appeal-court.html

Media Watch International condemns the SUN newspaper over biased reporting

A Non-Governmental Organization known as Media Watch International has condemned in strong terms the bias reporting of SUN newspapers on events happening in Abia State. Media Watch International based in the UK said that its surprised that SUN owned by ex Abia governor Kalu has thrown the ethics of journalism into the wind as its now practising blackmail journalism with special reference to Abia where the paper seems to see nothing good coming out from the state even when the money used in establishing the paper was stolen from Abia State when Kalu was governor. Media Watch says its surprised that the SUN did not report the appeal court ruling that EFCC should prosecute Kalu. It urged SUN to emulate Independent that reported the jailing of Ibori despite the fact that Ibori is the owner of Independent

Former Aides to OUK Commend the Appeal Court on its Ruling to Allow EFCC to Prosecute Him

Former aides of ex governor of Abia State Orji Uzor Kalu have commended the appeal court for quashing attempts by the former governor to stop his trial by EFCC. They include Chris Akomas, Reagan Ufomba, Chuka Odom, Lisa Akerele, Ikechukwu Ukaegbu , Ebere Nwachukwu and Stanley Ohajuruka. It will be recalled that Reagan Ufomba the embattled Ogoni man who claims to be an Abian had earlier last week prayed EFCC and the court to commence the trail of Kalu whom he is insisting looted Abia funds. 

The former aides who jointly issued a statement hailed the judgment of the appeal court which rejected Kalu's pleas that his trial be stopped based on flimsy excuses. According to them Kalu is on his way to jail. They stated that during the trail the world would see how Kalu looted Abia dry. They urged EFCC to ensure that Orji's mother Eunice Kalu and Nnanna Kalu are also tried alongside the ex governor.

The former aides said that their reason for taking this hard stance is due to the way Kalu used and dumped them. Akomas it was learnt is bitter that Kalu forced him to sell his house in Abuja to him (Kalu) during the last election, a situation that has made him financially down. Ohajuruka is not happy with Kalu for denying him PPA ticket while Ufomba is annoyed that Kalu has refused to bail him out from the huge debt on his head which has forced him into hiding.

Blasts: Police boost security at newspaper houses

Nigerian police stepped up security at newspaper buildings on Friday as authorities probed unprecedented attacks on the media, with two offices belonging to a prominent paper bombed.
The attacks against the influential ThisDay newspaper in the capital Abuja and the northern city of Kaduna killed at least nine people, drew widespread condemnation and came after the Boko Haram sect issued threats to the media.

"Yesterday we started sending additional patrols to what we have on the ground with them," Abuja police spokesman Moshood Jimoh said of media buildings.
AFP news agency reported that precautions were also taken in the economic capital Lagos, which has so far not been targeted by such bombings that have mainly affected the north of Africa's most populous nation and largest oil producer.

"The (commissioner of police) gave a directive yesterday to all area commanders and divisional police officers to beef up security at media houses," said Lagos State police spokesman Joseph Jaiyeoba.
If Boko Haram is confirmed as the culprit, it would be yet another escalation in the group's insurgency that has killed hundreds, with the United Nations, churches and local authorities having already been among its targets.

Meanwhile, The Federal Capital Territory Administration has offered to offset the medical bills of victims of Thursday’s suicide attack on the Jabi, Abuja office of ThisDay Newspapers.
Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, announced this on Friday when he visited the victims receiving treatment at the National Hospital, Abuja.
At least nine victims of the blast are currently receiving treatment at the hospital where they were rushed to after the incident.

Some others had been treated and discharged.
The minister while commiserating with the victims wished them quick recovery.
He urged the victims not to lose hope, stressing that the Federal Government and Nigerians were solidly behind them.

He asked all Nigerians to collectively rise up and tackle the security challenges confronting the country.
Senator Mohammed prayed for the victims and directed the medical personnel at the hospital to give them adequate attention.

Why we attacked ThisDay, others – Boko Haram

The Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad, popularly known as Boko Haram, said yesterday that it attacked Thisday newspaper’s offices in Abuja and Kaduna to send a strong message to the media that it would no longer condone reports misrepresenting it in the press, or blaming it for acts it knows nothing about.
Abul Qaqa, spokesperson for the sect told Premium Times, in an exclusive interview, that his organisation was fed up with the deliberate misinformation being peddled about it in the Nigerian and foreign media.

“We have repeatedly cautioned reporters and media houses to be professional and objective in their reports. This is a war between us and the Government of Nigeria; unfortunately the media have not been objective and fair in their report of the ongoing war, they chose to take side,” Mr. Qaqa said.
He identified three instances where he claimed his group was deliberately misrepresented by the media. The first, according to him, was the rumour of his capture by the Nigerian intelligence agencies.
“Some reporters are aware that I am Abul Qaqa, they know my voice through our long interactions and they also know the role of Abu Darda who heads the enlightenment committee and sometimes facilitates interviews; yet they (media) go by the unsubstantiated view of government that Abul Qaqa is in custody and I am the new spokesman or number two,” he said.

Premium Times had continuously reported that Abul Qaqa was not arrested contrary to reports and that it was Abu Darda, another member, that was arrested.
The second misrepresentation, according to Mr. Qaqa, was the reporting on the kidnappings of foreigners in the Northern part of Nigeria.

“Another issue was the recent kidnappings in the north; we were clear with our position as a group during a teleconference with reporters but we were shocked the next day when newspaper headlines added a lot of things which I never said during that interview.”

The third example, Mr. Abul Qaqa said, is the mistranslation of the video the group posted recently.
“Another example is the recent video posted on YouTube by our Imam; I challenge every Nigerian to watch that video again. There is no place our imam either said he will crush President Jonathan or issued an ultimatum to the government in Nigeria; but nearly all papers carried very wrong and mischievous headlines.”
When asked why ThisDay appeared specifically chosen for the attack, Mr. Qaqa said ThisDay’s “sins” are more grievous.

“It is not only THISDAY that has been engaged in negative media campaign, fictional stories and constantly promoting fake stories by the JTF to give an impression that they are making headway against us yet there is no time the media investigated further as an objective and responsible bystander in this war.
“But the sins of THISDAY are more,” he said.
“They once insulted the Prophet Mohammed in 2001 and we have not forgotten. They recently said our Imam executed me which is false. Here I am speaking to you, I am alive and healthy.”

Expect more media attacks

The group’s spokesman further warned of more attacks on the media.
“We have just started this new campaign against the media and we will not stop here, we will hit the media hard since they have refused to listen to our plea for them to be fair in their reportage,” he said.
Mr. Abul Qaqa also said his group  would give further information on biases by the media.
“In the coming days we will give details and instances where the media have not been fair to us and why we are going to attack them as well.”

Media should be neutral

“The media in Nigeria are not a problem to us if they will do their job professionally without taking sides,” Mr. Abul Qaqa said.

“But each time we say something, it is either changed or downplayed. But when our enemy says something even without logical proof, it is blown out of proportion.”
“We have repeatedly asked some reporters to retract some stories or even give us the right of reply but none of these requests were given to us.”

Court adjourns judgment on suit to sack Chime indefinitely

A Federal High Court presided over by Justice Adamu Bello has again adjourned judgment on the suit seeking to sack Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State from office, sine-die (indefinitely).
Bello had on February 20 fixed judgment on the matter for April 23, but he informed parties when the court resumed that judgment was not ready saying, however, that he  would  in due time, communicate a new date to them.

A former governorship aspirant in the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, Chief Alexander Obiechina, had approached the court, querying the  propriety of the ‘’special’’ primary election that saw the emergence of Chime as candidate of the party last year.
Obiechina contended that the laid down conditions precedent for nominating a candidate for the governorship position, as provided in Sections 85(1) and 87(1)(4)(b) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) were not fulfilled in the case of Chime, asking the  court to determine whether the special congress  held for Chime’s nomination was validly held on January 12, 2011.
He said he met all the requirements and was duly cleared to contest the primaries alongside the governor and other aspirants, but added that he was illegally excluded from participation.
According to him, while he was busy soliciting support of the electorate in the state for the primaries, he heard on the state radio that Chime had won the gubernatorial ticket to fly the party’s flag in the election, even when the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, was not informed at least 21 days to the primaries as required by Section 85 (1) of the Electoral Act.
Insisting that Chime was handpicked through a kangaroo process, Obiechina through his lawyer, Mr Oba Maduabuchi, urged the trial court to nullify the said illegal primary election and order governor Chime to forthwith vacate the office.

“My lord, it was section 31(1) of the Electoral Act that made it possible for Chime to even participate in the April 26, 2011 governorship election pending the outcome of this suit, otherwise he was a goner”, the plaintiff averred.

The INEC, in a written address before the court, also washed its hands off the said controversial primaries, maintaining that the January 12, 2011, primary election in Enugu where Chime was nominated  breached  the provision of Section 85(1) of the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended.
“With respect to primary elections said to be conducted on January 11 and 12, 2011, it can be said that what was passed as the “Notice’ was the plaintiff’s exhibit addresses to the Resident Electoral Commissioner at Enugu, which most certainly is not the same as the first defendant, who by the clear terms of section 85(1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 must be the Commission itself.
“This apart, the letter is dated January 10, 2011 and apparently was received on January 11, 2011, the very next day.

“It gave notice of primaries scheduled for the same day. Certainly, no one should be left in doubt that the envisaged notice of 21 days was not complied with in obvious violation of section 85(1]). Added to the foregoing is the fact that the resident Electoral Commissioner cannot be regarded as the Commission, which presents a further violation.
“It stands to reason that a notice of primary election dated January 10, 2011 for the events to be held on January 11 and 12, 2011 has the potential of violating the right to equal opportunity to be voted for.
“Having said that, INEC, reiterates that there was clear non-compliance with section 85(1) of the Electoral Act, 2010”, the Commission submitted.

However, Governor Chime and the PDP adduced reasons why the suit should be dismissed in its entirety. The PDP  and Chime were represented by the former National Legal Adviser, Chief Olusola Oke, who drew attention of the court to a Supreme Court judgment in a case involving Senator Lado Vs the CPC, which he said fortified the party’s objection to the jurisdiction of this court to entertain the suit.
Chime’s Counsel  Mrs Justina Offiah, SAN, adopted the prayers of the party, insisting that her client was validly nominated for the Enugu state gubernatorial election.

Culled from Vanguardnews

Insecurity: Okorocha pledges N1m to information volunteers

OWERRI— Following the high crime wave in Imo State, Governor Rochas Okorocha, yesterday announced donation of N1 million to anybody who volunteered useful information that could lead to the discovery of criminal hideouts and arrest of kidnappers and armed robbers in the state.
Governor Okorocha made the promise at a stakeholders forum.

The governor said he was embarrassed by the security situation in the state, and also announced that his administration will pay N.1 million to anybody who returned illegal firearm to security agencies.
“I am assuring everybody that willful return of pistols and AK 47 rifle would attract N50,000 and N200,000 respectively. This measure was part of government’s efforts to stem the tempo of youith involvement in serious crimes,” the governor said.

Okorocha said he would deposit N100 million in a commercial bank to kick-start the reward programme, stressing that classified information would be thoroughly investigated and treated confidentially.
He also decried  the rot going on in the traditional institution in the state, pointing out that a judicial panel of inquiry would soon be instituted to critically look into the records of serving royal fathers, with a view to flushing out those with questionable antecedents.
Speaking at the forum, Imo State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Benjamin Ahanonu Njemanze, appealed to Governor Rochas Okorocha to gear his efforts towards building industries that would absorb the teeming unemployed youths in the state.
“Government should think of building industries that will absorb our teeming unemployed youths instead of hotels. The bulk of the serious crimes the state is experiencing stems largely from unemployment,” the Chief Judge reasoned.

He recalled that his several jail delivery sessions in federal prisons, Owerri, revealed that a good number of those in jailed said they would not have gone into crime if they had meaningful means of livelihood.
He pleaded:  “The prison is extremely congested. It now houses a number of persons that is far above the designed capacity of about 500. Establishment of industries will do the magic instead of the hotels your administration is planning.”

Source: Vanguardnews

ABUJA Bomb Blast in Pictures