Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Temporary break
Sorry for the 'break in transmission'...lolz, I mean break in regular posting. It was due to circumstances beyond my control here. I'm afraid its going to still remain like that for a couple of days. Will be back online fully very soon. THANKS FOR BEING THERE...lots of love
Labour halts planned strike
Leaders of the nation’s labour movement, midnight, called off the three day warning strike they earlier declared to protest the reluctance of the Federal and state governments to pay thenew minimum wage.
The strike was called off in Abuja after marathon meetings between labour leaderson one hand and delegations of the Federal Government and the Governors Forum on the other hand. At the end of the six hour meeting between the leaders of the Nigeria Labour congress, NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) one side and the Governors Forum on the other, the labour leadersheaded for the Office ofthe Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) for another round of negotiation which lastedfor over three hours.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State played the role of a mediator in breaking the deadlock between the Federal Government and Governors Forum onone hand and the nation’s labour movement. After the marathon meeting between labour leaders and the Governors Forum, the state chief executives, apparently mandated Governor Oshiomhole, who was the immediate past President of the NLC to accompany the labour leaders foranother meeting with the Federal Government delegation led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.
Although the meeting held behind closed doors, it was gathered that the Minister of Labour Chief Chukwuemeka Wogu was also present with the Director General of the National Wages and Salaries Commission, Chief Richard Egbule.
The strike was called off in Abuja after marathon meetings between labour leaderson one hand and delegations of the Federal Government and the Governors Forum on the other hand. At the end of the six hour meeting between the leaders of the Nigeria Labour congress, NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) one side and the Governors Forum on the other, the labour leadersheaded for the Office ofthe Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) for another round of negotiation which lastedfor over three hours.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State played the role of a mediator in breaking the deadlock between the Federal Government and Governors Forum onone hand and the nation’s labour movement. After the marathon meeting between labour leaders and the Governors Forum, the state chief executives, apparently mandated Governor Oshiomhole, who was the immediate past President of the NLC to accompany the labour leaders foranother meeting with the Federal Government delegation led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.
Although the meeting held behind closed doors, it was gathered that the Minister of Labour Chief Chukwuemeka Wogu was also present with the Director General of the National Wages and Salaries Commission, Chief Richard Egbule.
Labour halts planned strike
Leaders of the nation’s labour movement, midnight, called off the three day warning strike they earlier declared to protest the reluctance of the Federal and state governments to pay thenew minimum wage.
The strike was called off in Abuja after marathon meetings between labour leaderson one hand and delegations of the Federal Government and the Governors Forum on the other hand. At the end of the six hour meeting between the leaders of the Nigeria Labour congress, NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) one side and the Governors Forum on the other, the labour leadersheaded for the Office ofthe Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) for another round of negotiation which lastedfor over three hours.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State played the role of a mediator in breaking the deadlock between the Federal Government and Governors Forum onone hand and the nation’s labour movement. After the marathon meeting between labour leaders and the Governors Forum, the state chief executives, apparently mandated Governor Oshiomhole, who was the immediate past President of the NLC to accompany the labour leaders foranother meeting with the Federal Government delegation led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.
Although the meeting held behind closed doors, it was gathered that the Minister of Labour Chief Chukwuemeka Wogu was also present with the Director General of the National Wages and Salaries Commission, Chief Richard Egbule.
The strike was called off in Abuja after marathon meetings between labour leaderson one hand and delegations of the Federal Government and the Governors Forum on the other hand. At the end of the six hour meeting between the leaders of the Nigeria Labour congress, NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) one side and the Governors Forum on the other, the labour leadersheaded for the Office ofthe Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) for another round of negotiation which lastedfor over three hours.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State played the role of a mediator in breaking the deadlock between the Federal Government and Governors Forum onone hand and the nation’s labour movement. After the marathon meeting between labour leaders and the Governors Forum, the state chief executives, apparently mandated Governor Oshiomhole, who was the immediate past President of the NLC to accompany the labour leaders foranother meeting with the Federal Government delegation led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.
Although the meeting held behind closed doors, it was gathered that the Minister of Labour Chief Chukwuemeka Wogu was also present with the Director General of the National Wages and Salaries Commission, Chief Richard Egbule.
Monday, 18 July 2011
Why Bankole is not worried about his trial
Shortly after he was granted bail under whathas been described as"stringent conditions", the former speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, boasted that no court in Nigeria could convict him on any of the charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The statement, as reported in the press under variations of the headline, "No court can try me" shocked many, although it was no more than what his lawyers had told the court in their submission: "No court has jurisdiction to try orsubject him to jurisdiction in all matters which are related to, connected with, or arose from anyexercise of his official functions."
Now, friends and relations who have been visiting the Asokoro home of the former speaker since his bail came through are beginning to understand the nature of that claim, and the reason it was made. A constantly buoyant Mr Bankole has been reassuring them not so much of his innocence, but of his ability to beatthe rather hastily-prepared case of breachof trust and theft filed against him by the EFCC.
A recent visitor to the house, a former Reps member who prefers not to be named, said,"Bankole was a revelation. I think he had a strategy from day one and no one knew it." NEXT learnt that although the former speaker is defended by half a dozen lawyers, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria, his optimism is driven by less obvious factors. "The young man set up a system whereby he was never directly involved in the signing of cheques," said our source, who spent over an hour discussing the case with the former speaker.
Mr Bankole reportedly disclosed that he never signed cheques for money to be used for official purposes during his tenure, but left thatin the hands of aides in his office who are staffof the National Assembly.
Our source said Mr Bankole told him that there was no way anyone could find the evidence to nail him on those 17 charges.
The statement, as reported in the press under variations of the headline, "No court can try me" shocked many, although it was no more than what his lawyers had told the court in their submission: "No court has jurisdiction to try orsubject him to jurisdiction in all matters which are related to, connected with, or arose from anyexercise of his official functions."
Now, friends and relations who have been visiting the Asokoro home of the former speaker since his bail came through are beginning to understand the nature of that claim, and the reason it was made. A constantly buoyant Mr Bankole has been reassuring them not so much of his innocence, but of his ability to beatthe rather hastily-prepared case of breachof trust and theft filed against him by the EFCC.
A recent visitor to the house, a former Reps member who prefers not to be named, said,"Bankole was a revelation. I think he had a strategy from day one and no one knew it." NEXT learnt that although the former speaker is defended by half a dozen lawyers, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria, his optimism is driven by less obvious factors. "The young man set up a system whereby he was never directly involved in the signing of cheques," said our source, who spent over an hour discussing the case with the former speaker.
Mr Bankole reportedly disclosed that he never signed cheques for money to be used for official purposes during his tenure, but left thatin the hands of aides in his office who are staffof the National Assembly.
Our source said Mr Bankole told him that there was no way anyone could find the evidence to nail him on those 17 charges.
AFRICAN CHINA SET TO BUILD MULTI MILLION NAIRA MANSION,RECONCILES WITH FORMER RECORDING COMPANY
Abia state born Reggae star,Chinagorom Onuoha popularly knownas African China, according to insiders sources, has purchased about four plots of land in Festac,Lagos,where he has begun construction of a multi million naira residential building.
The landed property which experts say cost#200 million, we gathered, was purchaseearly this year before China and his wife did their traditional marriage while the construction of the one storey duplex was reported to have started weeks ago by aFestac Town based building contractor.
We also learnt that thatthe expected completion date has been fixed for February 2012.
Another cheering news from the stable of the Our Government Bad crooner is that he has finally settled the almost six years squabble with his former record label,Globedisk Music, a fall out that led to Chinadumping the label that brought him into limelight to float his own personal label.
After the reconciliation, we learnt that China has handed over the master tapes of the two albums he recordedoutside Globedisk and has given the company the exclusive rights to handle the distribution of the works henceforth.
The landed property which experts say cost#200 million, we gathered, was purchaseearly this year before China and his wife did their traditional marriage while the construction of the one storey duplex was reported to have started weeks ago by aFestac Town based building contractor.
We also learnt that thatthe expected completion date has been fixed for February 2012.
Another cheering news from the stable of the Our Government Bad crooner is that he has finally settled the almost six years squabble with his former record label,Globedisk Music, a fall out that led to Chinadumping the label that brought him into limelight to float his own personal label.
After the reconciliation, we learnt that China has handed over the master tapes of the two albums he recordedoutside Globedisk and has given the company the exclusive rights to handle the distribution of the works henceforth.
So many sad things have been heard about him in recent times,ranging from alleged mental stress to spiritual attack.But Rasheed Yekini,the oncebeautiful bride of the Super Eagles is graduallybouncing back. Contrary to report making the round that he is homeless, he actually has a four bedroom flat on Ring Road,beside the famousOni & Sons complex in the ancient town wherehe stays. Though,he was said to have gone broke for years,the death of his confidant,one Ibraheem,a very wealthy bureau de change operator in Saboarea of Ibadan turned things for the worse for him. The ex soccer star wasreported to be leaning on Ibraheem for his financial needs,before the guy was hacked down by notorious armed bandits,who raided his shop and shothim dead. The incident, it was further gathered, nearlyturned him into destitute, as he had to cope with loneliness. However, sources close to him informed us thathis family who had initially abandoned him to his fate had come to his rescue. He is trying to venture into a new business after unsuccessful attempts in the past.
So many sad things have been heard about him in recent times,ranging from alleged mental stress to spiritual attack.But Rasheed Yekini,the oncebeautiful bride of the Super Eagles is graduallybouncing back.
Contrary to report making the round that he is homeless, he actually has a four bedroom flat on Ring Road,beside the famousOni & Sons complex in the ancient town wherehe stays.
Though,he was said to have gone broke for years,the death of his confidant,one Ibraheem,a very wealthy bureau de change operator in Saboarea of Ibadan turned things for the worse for him.
The ex soccer star wasreported to be leaning on Ibraheem for his financial needs,before the guy was hacked down by notorious armed bandits,who raided his shop and shothim dead.
The incident, it was further gathered, nearlyturned him into destitute, as he had to cope with loneliness.
However, sources close to him informed us thathis family who had initially abandoned him to his fate had come to his rescue.
He is trying to venture into a new business after unsuccessful attempts in the past. Wish him the very best
Contrary to report making the round that he is homeless, he actually has a four bedroom flat on Ring Road,beside the famousOni & Sons complex in the ancient town wherehe stays.
Though,he was said to have gone broke for years,the death of his confidant,one Ibraheem,a very wealthy bureau de change operator in Saboarea of Ibadan turned things for the worse for him.
The ex soccer star wasreported to be leaning on Ibraheem for his financial needs,before the guy was hacked down by notorious armed bandits,who raided his shop and shothim dead.
The incident, it was further gathered, nearlyturned him into destitute, as he had to cope with loneliness.
However, sources close to him informed us thathis family who had initially abandoned him to his fate had come to his rescue.
He is trying to venture into a new business after unsuccessful attempts in the past. Wish him the very best
Allen steps up to Afghan war command
General John Allen, has taken over the command of US-led international troops in Afghanistan from General David Petraeus, hours after a senior aideto Afghan President Hamid Karzai was killed in another high-profile assassination.
Allen was promoted to a four-star general shortly before the handover ceremony in Kabul, the Afghan capital, on Monday, to replace his former superior Petraeus.
Petraeus is ending his year of service at the post to head up the Central Intelligence Agency.
At the ceremony, Allen said US forces' drawdown, which started earlier this month, did not mean international forces were easing up in their campaign to defeat the Taliban.
"It is my intention to maintain the momentum of the campaign,'' Allen said."There will be tough days ahead. I have no illusions about the challenges ahead.''
Al Jazeera's Bernard Smith, reporting from Kabul, said questions remain about the ability of the Afghan forces assecurity transition becomes the focus.
"This week, we are seeing the transition take place from foreign forces to Afghan forces. The concern here all the time is whether the Afghan police and national army are ready," he said.
"Many believe they are not."
Assaults and assassinations
U.S. officials have trumpeted success in reclaiming Taliban strongholds in southern Afghanistan and training Afghan securityforces, as signs that they are finally making progress toward peace in Afghanistan.
But violent attacks havecontinued, including a number of high-profile assaults and assassinations in recentweeks.
Sunday night's killing of the president's senior adviser Jan Mohammad Khan, a former governor of the southern Uruzgan province, follows the killing last week of Ahmed Wali Karzai, probably the most powerful man in southern Afghanistan and younger half-brother of the Afghan president.
An Afghan member of parliament, Mohammad Hashim Watanwal, also died in a raid on Khan's home by two gunmen wearing suicide vests.
Allen was promoted to a four-star general shortly before the handover ceremony in Kabul, the Afghan capital, on Monday, to replace his former superior Petraeus.
Petraeus is ending his year of service at the post to head up the Central Intelligence Agency.
At the ceremony, Allen said US forces' drawdown, which started earlier this month, did not mean international forces were easing up in their campaign to defeat the Taliban.
"It is my intention to maintain the momentum of the campaign,'' Allen said."There will be tough days ahead. I have no illusions about the challenges ahead.''
Al Jazeera's Bernard Smith, reporting from Kabul, said questions remain about the ability of the Afghan forces assecurity transition becomes the focus.
"This week, we are seeing the transition take place from foreign forces to Afghan forces. The concern here all the time is whether the Afghan police and national army are ready," he said.
"Many believe they are not."
Assaults and assassinations
U.S. officials have trumpeted success in reclaiming Taliban strongholds in southern Afghanistan and training Afghan securityforces, as signs that they are finally making progress toward peace in Afghanistan.
But violent attacks havecontinued, including a number of high-profile assaults and assassinations in recentweeks.
Sunday night's killing of the president's senior adviser Jan Mohammad Khan, a former governor of the southern Uruzgan province, follows the killing last week of Ahmed Wali Karzai, probably the most powerful man in southern Afghanistan and younger half-brother of the Afghan president.
An Afghan member of parliament, Mohammad Hashim Watanwal, also died in a raid on Khan's home by two gunmen wearing suicide vests.
Another top U.K. police official resigns over hacking scandal
Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner John Yates resigned on Monday, a day after hisboss stepped down over a phone hacking scandal.
Yates, who is the country's top anti-terrorism official, tendered his resignation after learning that he would be sacked over his 2009decision not to reopen an earlier investigation into reported phone-hacking.
"Assistant commissioner John Yates has this afternoon indicated his intention to resign to the chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA). This has been accepted," Scotland Yard said in a statement on Monday.
The highest-ranking casualty of the phone-hacking scandal so far is Paul Stephenson, who resigned as chief of the Metropolitan police service over links with Neil Wallis, former deputy editor of News of the World. Wallis was hired to advise theMetropolitan Police in 2009.
London Mayor Boris Johnson said Yates' resignation was"regrettable," but "the right call."
"There is absolutely nothing proven against the probity or the professionalism of either man," he said."But in both cases we have to recognize that the nexus of questions about the relationship between the Met and the News of the World was likely to be distracting to both officers in the run-up tothe 2012 Olympic Games."
Yates will be replaced by another assistant commissioner, 51-year-old Cressida Dick. Stephenson's successor is yet unknown.
News Corporation has come under intense criticism by politicians inBritain after it emergedthat some newspaper journalists employed bythe group had written stories based on material hacked from phone messages, including those belonging to crime victims, celebrities and politicians.
Yates, who is the country's top anti-terrorism official, tendered his resignation after learning that he would be sacked over his 2009decision not to reopen an earlier investigation into reported phone-hacking.
"Assistant commissioner John Yates has this afternoon indicated his intention to resign to the chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA). This has been accepted," Scotland Yard said in a statement on Monday.
The highest-ranking casualty of the phone-hacking scandal so far is Paul Stephenson, who resigned as chief of the Metropolitan police service over links with Neil Wallis, former deputy editor of News of the World. Wallis was hired to advise theMetropolitan Police in 2009.
London Mayor Boris Johnson said Yates' resignation was"regrettable," but "the right call."
"There is absolutely nothing proven against the probity or the professionalism of either man," he said."But in both cases we have to recognize that the nexus of questions about the relationship between the Met and the News of the World was likely to be distracting to both officers in the run-up tothe 2012 Olympic Games."
Yates will be replaced by another assistant commissioner, 51-year-old Cressida Dick. Stephenson's successor is yet unknown.
News Corporation has come under intense criticism by politicians inBritain after it emergedthat some newspaper journalists employed bythe group had written stories based on material hacked from phone messages, including those belonging to crime victims, celebrities and politicians.
Russian Navy to receive new air defense system
The Russian Navy will soon receive a new ship-based gun/missile air defense system, KBP Instrument Design Bureau, the developer of the system, said on Monday.
The system, dubbed Pantsyr-M, has been developed on the basis of the land-based Pantsyr-S1 (SA-22 Greyhound).
"Pantsyr-M will replace the Kortik air defense systems and will be installed on all new classes of Russian combat ships, from corvettes to cruisers," said Alexander Zhukov, a senior KBP official.
Zhukov cited specifications for an export version of Pantsyr-M as the data on the system for the Russian Navy is still classified.
The export Pantsyr-ME version has a response time of 3-5 seconds and can track and destroy simultaneouslyup to four targets.
Its missiles have a range of 20 kilometers and can hit targets at altitudes from 2 meters to 15 kilometers, while its guns have a range of four kilometers and canhit targets at altitudes up to 3 kilometers.
The system, dubbed Pantsyr-M, has been developed on the basis of the land-based Pantsyr-S1 (SA-22 Greyhound).
"Pantsyr-M will replace the Kortik air defense systems and will be installed on all new classes of Russian combat ships, from corvettes to cruisers," said Alexander Zhukov, a senior KBP official.
Zhukov cited specifications for an export version of Pantsyr-M as the data on the system for the Russian Navy is still classified.
The export Pantsyr-ME version has a response time of 3-5 seconds and can track and destroy simultaneouslyup to four targets.
Its missiles have a range of 20 kilometers and can hit targets at altitudes from 2 meters to 15 kilometers, while its guns have a range of four kilometers and canhit targets at altitudes up to 3 kilometers.
Senators demand probe of BPE over failed privatised firms
SENATORS are pushing for the investigation of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, over its failure to turn around the fortunes ofprivatised Federal Government-owned companies.
The Senators in a motion sponsored by Senator Ahmed Lawan, ANPP Yobe North, and 20 others which is yet to be debated on the floor ofthe Senate raises questions on the viability of the privatisation exercise.
The Senators are worried that the privatisation exercise has not yielded the right results in terms of employment generation and economic developmentof Nigeria.
Part of the motion read: “The Senate is informed that many Federal Government enterprises from all sectors of the economy have been sold out to various core investors over two decades under thegovernment privatisation programme.
“Further concerned that due to the collapse of the privatised companies, there are massive lossof jobs and colossal loss of economic returns to the Nigerian economy. For example, the privatised steel sector that used to employ up to 20,000 workers, now have less than 4,000 after the exercise. The Electricity Meter Company of Nigeria, Zaria that was privatised in December 2002, recently fired about 90 per cent of its workforce.”
They accordingly prayed that a special committee to investigate the process through which the BPE privatised the companies be set up.
According to the senators, “some of the privatised companies that have gone under include TheDaily Times Plc; the Electricity Meter Company of Nigeria, Zaria, the Peugeot Automobile of Nigeria, PAN.
The Senators in a motion sponsored by Senator Ahmed Lawan, ANPP Yobe North, and 20 others which is yet to be debated on the floor ofthe Senate raises questions on the viability of the privatisation exercise.
The Senators are worried that the privatisation exercise has not yielded the right results in terms of employment generation and economic developmentof Nigeria.
Part of the motion read: “The Senate is informed that many Federal Government enterprises from all sectors of the economy have been sold out to various core investors over two decades under thegovernment privatisation programme.
“Further concerned that due to the collapse of the privatised companies, there are massive lossof jobs and colossal loss of economic returns to the Nigerian economy. For example, the privatised steel sector that used to employ up to 20,000 workers, now have less than 4,000 after the exercise. The Electricity Meter Company of Nigeria, Zaria that was privatised in December 2002, recently fired about 90 per cent of its workforce.”
They accordingly prayed that a special committee to investigate the process through which the BPE privatised the companies be set up.
According to the senators, “some of the privatised companies that have gone under include TheDaily Times Plc; the Electricity Meter Company of Nigeria, Zaria, the Peugeot Automobile of Nigeria, PAN.
FG, states, LGs share N1.3trn
The Federal Government, states andlocal governments, weekend, shared an unprecedented N1.3 trillion from the Federation Account and proceeds of the Value Added Tax, VAT, earned in June.
The figure was more than twice the allocation received from the federation revenue in the previous month which stood at N606.5 billion.
The Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, which allocates federation revenue to the three tiers of government decided to release the huge funds to the government to enable states commence the implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage.
This month’s huge allocation to the states will not, however, be sustained as it included six months’ arrears totalling N710.71 billion which the committee, chaired by the Minster of State, Finance, decided to release to the three tiers of government.
An analysis of the detailed allocations showed that the Federal Government took N693.79bn representing 2.68 per cent; the 36 states got N351.90bn representing 26.72 per cent while the 774 local governments got N271.30bn or 20.6 per cent.
It also showed that thenine oil producing statesgot an additional N171.21bn, representing13 per cent derivation from crude oil revenue.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Danladi Kifasi, told journalists that the gross revenue received for the month of June stood at N883.3bn, representing a N212.83bn increase overthe N670.46bn collected in the preceding month.
He attributed the increase in gross revenue to a rise in oil prices at the international market as well as the increase in payment of the Production Sharing Contracts.
However, there was a decrease in crude oil production and lifting during the month owing to the ongoing maintenance work at the Brass terminal.
In spite the increase in the gross revenue, Kifasi said N82.96bn was added to the total sum as augmentation for the month to push up distributable revenue based on the 2011 approved budget.
The figure was more than twice the allocation received from the federation revenue in the previous month which stood at N606.5 billion.
The Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, which allocates federation revenue to the three tiers of government decided to release the huge funds to the government to enable states commence the implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage.
This month’s huge allocation to the states will not, however, be sustained as it included six months’ arrears totalling N710.71 billion which the committee, chaired by the Minster of State, Finance, decided to release to the three tiers of government.
An analysis of the detailed allocations showed that the Federal Government took N693.79bn representing 2.68 per cent; the 36 states got N351.90bn representing 26.72 per cent while the 774 local governments got N271.30bn or 20.6 per cent.
It also showed that thenine oil producing statesgot an additional N171.21bn, representing13 per cent derivation from crude oil revenue.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Danladi Kifasi, told journalists that the gross revenue received for the month of June stood at N883.3bn, representing a N212.83bn increase overthe N670.46bn collected in the preceding month.
He attributed the increase in gross revenue to a rise in oil prices at the international market as well as the increase in payment of the Production Sharing Contracts.
However, there was a decrease in crude oil production and lifting during the month owing to the ongoing maintenance work at the Brass terminal.
In spite the increase in the gross revenue, Kifasi said N82.96bn was added to the total sum as augmentation for the month to push up distributable revenue based on the 2011 approved budget.
I’ll ensure protection of life, property of Ogun people –Amosun
THE Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has said his administration will do everything possible to protect life and property of the people of the state wherever they are.
The governor said this after he was briefed bythe Permanent Secretary in the Ministryof Environment, Mr Sola Adeyemi, on the evacuation of about 150indigenes of Ogun Stateliving in Borno State.
The governor said “a team led by the state director of State Emergency MaintenanceAgency (SEMA), Mr Timothy Oyenekan, was dispatched to Maiduguri, Borno State, after receiving a distress call from students of the state origin, studying at the University of Maiduguri.
It will be recalled that the institution was shut down on July 12, as a result of the growing insecurity in the state over the violent activities of the Boko Haram .
“The violent nature in Borno State should be a major concern to all and sundry. Ogun State has to take this bold step because our administration believes in the welfare of our people.
“Let me reiterate that our cardinal principle is to serve the good people of Ogun State and protect them accordingly,” the governor said.
Earlier, Mr Adeyemi had described the situation in Maiduguri as “a very ugly one,” adding that itwas a tough task.
“Considering the level ofinsecurity in Borno State, our people were practically living in fear, they weren’t too sure of the next moment,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of Ogun indigenes evacuated from Maiduguri, Taiwo Sokanlu thanked the state government, especially the governor, for the quick intervention, saying that “perhaps we would have been victims of one of the bomb explosions, because one of the incidents happened veryclose to where some ofus reside.”
The students, who could not hold back theirappreciation on the kind gesture of the Ogun State Government, were seen dancing and singing songs in praise of Governor Ibikunle Amosun.
The governor said this after he was briefed bythe Permanent Secretary in the Ministryof Environment, Mr Sola Adeyemi, on the evacuation of about 150indigenes of Ogun Stateliving in Borno State.
The governor said “a team led by the state director of State Emergency MaintenanceAgency (SEMA), Mr Timothy Oyenekan, was dispatched to Maiduguri, Borno State, after receiving a distress call from students of the state origin, studying at the University of Maiduguri.
It will be recalled that the institution was shut down on July 12, as a result of the growing insecurity in the state over the violent activities of the Boko Haram .
“The violent nature in Borno State should be a major concern to all and sundry. Ogun State has to take this bold step because our administration believes in the welfare of our people.
“Let me reiterate that our cardinal principle is to serve the good people of Ogun State and protect them accordingly,” the governor said.
Earlier, Mr Adeyemi had described the situation in Maiduguri as “a very ugly one,” adding that itwas a tough task.
“Considering the level ofinsecurity in Borno State, our people were practically living in fear, they weren’t too sure of the next moment,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of Ogun indigenes evacuated from Maiduguri, Taiwo Sokanlu thanked the state government, especially the governor, for the quick intervention, saying that “perhaps we would have been victims of one of the bomb explosions, because one of the incidents happened veryclose to where some ofus reside.”
The students, who could not hold back theirappreciation on the kind gesture of the Ogun State Government, were seen dancing and singing songs in praise of Governor Ibikunle Amosun.
Oba of Benin hails Oshiomhole, Fashola
THE Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba Erediauwa, has commended Governors Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State for the fast pace of development in both Action Congress of Nigeria-governed states.
The Oba made the commendation while receiving the ACN governors, who paid him a courtesy visit after their meeting in Benin City, the Edo State capital, last weekend.
Throwing his weight and that of the palace chiefs behind Governor Oshiomhole for a second term in 2012, the royal father said “you will come back andcomplete unfinished projects”.
The Oba, however, tooka swipe at a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Owere Dickson Imasogie, for casting aspersion on the palace.
Receiving the ACN governors, the Oba said “Edo State Governor, both you and all your colleagues are welcome. When I was told you were coming to pay a visit after a retreat, I asked what retreat are they coming to do in EdoState? So thank you very much for this visit.
“You are all praying for Oshiomhole to come back in 2012. We are also hoping that he comes back and I and my chiefs say you will come back and complete unfinished projects.
“Lagos Governor, when I see what you’ve done for Lagos where I spentmany years; when I saw what you did at Oshodi; when I was in Lagos I used to pass that road to Ibadan, you know how many hours I used to spend there? When I saw how you’ve changed it, I told an old friend and chief to say “ E ku ise o”for doing that. Una do well o. Its rainy season we are in, but it won’t stop you (Comrade Oshiomhole) from finishing the roads, especially Airport road, Ese o, e kaabo, thank you.”
The Oba made the commendation while receiving the ACN governors, who paid him a courtesy visit after their meeting in Benin City, the Edo State capital, last weekend.
Throwing his weight and that of the palace chiefs behind Governor Oshiomhole for a second term in 2012, the royal father said “you will come back andcomplete unfinished projects”.
The Oba, however, tooka swipe at a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Owere Dickson Imasogie, for casting aspersion on the palace.
Receiving the ACN governors, the Oba said “Edo State Governor, both you and all your colleagues are welcome. When I was told you were coming to pay a visit after a retreat, I asked what retreat are they coming to do in EdoState? So thank you very much for this visit.
“You are all praying for Oshiomhole to come back in 2012. We are also hoping that he comes back and I and my chiefs say you will come back and complete unfinished projects.
“Lagos Governor, when I see what you’ve done for Lagos where I spentmany years; when I saw what you did at Oshodi; when I was in Lagos I used to pass that road to Ibadan, you know how many hours I used to spend there? When I saw how you’ve changed it, I told an old friend and chief to say “ E ku ise o”for doing that. Una do well o. Its rainy season we are in, but it won’t stop you (Comrade Oshiomhole) from finishing the roads, especially Airport road, Ese o, e kaabo, thank you.”
Rep donates 1,800 bags of fertiliser to constituents
A member of the Houseof Representatives, representing Misau/Dambam federal constituency of Bauchi State, Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed, has donated 1,800 bags of assorted fertiliser and other farmimputs to his constituents, just as hecharged his people to maintain the peace.
Donating the fertiliser and the imputs in Misau and Dambam, on Monday, Ahmed said it was his contribution to boosting food production in the area this season.
He assured that he would continue to makehis contribution to the development of the area in particular and the state in general.
“My constituents are mostly farmers who need a lot of encouragement by way of farm inputs, as they do not have any other trade but farming, which has become part of their lives.
“As a lawmaker and representative of the people, I always carry the interest of my people at heart and that is why my doors are always opened to all, irrespective of political affiliation, ethnic, religion or social background, particularly political difference.
“But politics should be practised for development,” he said.
While admonishing his people to maintain the peace, he said “without peace, there can be no farming; there can be no development in any way or form and you asMuslims should keep to the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and Hadith.
“I also enjoin you to live in harmony with those that are not Muslims, bearing in mind that we are all created by Allah (SWT) and on the last day, we shall stand before him for judgment.”
Donating the fertiliser and the imputs in Misau and Dambam, on Monday, Ahmed said it was his contribution to boosting food production in the area this season.
He assured that he would continue to makehis contribution to the development of the area in particular and the state in general.
“My constituents are mostly farmers who need a lot of encouragement by way of farm inputs, as they do not have any other trade but farming, which has become part of their lives.
“As a lawmaker and representative of the people, I always carry the interest of my people at heart and that is why my doors are always opened to all, irrespective of political affiliation, ethnic, religion or social background, particularly political difference.
“But politics should be practised for development,” he said.
While admonishing his people to maintain the peace, he said “without peace, there can be no farming; there can be no development in any way or form and you asMuslims should keep to the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and Hadith.
“I also enjoin you to live in harmony with those that are not Muslims, bearing in mind that we are all created by Allah (SWT) and on the last day, we shall stand before him for judgment.”
We’ll fight to the finish - Labour vows •Says airports, sea ports,schools, banks to be shut •Advises Nigerians to visit banks •FG, states, LGs to share N1.3 trillion
THE organised labour under the Nigeria LabourCongress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), in conjunction with their civil societies coalition, declared, on Sunday, that the promises by the FederalGovernment and governors would not stop the nationwide strike, scheduled to commence on Wednesday.
To this end, they had directed workers acrossthe country to commence the strike asplanned and advised Nigerians to visit their banks between Mondayand Tuesday to withdraw money needed for the period and stock their houses with enough foodstuffsin preparation for the three-day strike.
“From Wednesday, indeed from midnight ofTuesday, no aircraft would be allowed to fly;the ports will be completely shut down. The roads will be deserted; there won’t be any university that will open, while the banks will be closed.
“We, therefore, call on all Nigerians, so that, between Monday and Tuesday, they can stockpile foodstuffs; they can go to the banks to collect money; even PHCN, as erratic asit is, will not work,” NLC deputy president and chairman of the National Labour Strike Coordinating Committee, Comrade Promise Adewusi, said at a press conference addressed at the Labour House on Sunday.
Comrade Adewusi said the labour movement welcomed the promise by the 36 state governors that they would pay the new national minimum wage, but regretted that, “we have always taken this for granted, because we do not see how governors who arethe chief security officers of our states would choose not to obey the law; only anarchy would result from such an act.”
To this end, they had directed workers acrossthe country to commence the strike asplanned and advised Nigerians to visit their banks between Mondayand Tuesday to withdraw money needed for the period and stock their houses with enough foodstuffsin preparation for the three-day strike.
“From Wednesday, indeed from midnight ofTuesday, no aircraft would be allowed to fly;the ports will be completely shut down. The roads will be deserted; there won’t be any university that will open, while the banks will be closed.
“We, therefore, call on all Nigerians, so that, between Monday and Tuesday, they can stockpile foodstuffs; they can go to the banks to collect money; even PHCN, as erratic asit is, will not work,” NLC deputy president and chairman of the National Labour Strike Coordinating Committee, Comrade Promise Adewusi, said at a press conference addressed at the Labour House on Sunday.
Comrade Adewusi said the labour movement welcomed the promise by the 36 state governors that they would pay the new national minimum wage, but regretted that, “we have always taken this for granted, because we do not see how governors who arethe chief security officers of our states would choose not to obey the law; only anarchy would result from such an act.”
Jubilation as Japan wins World Cup
Japanese erupted in joy Monday after their team won the women’s World Cup,hailing “a dream come true” and “a miracle” forthe country as it battlesto recover from March’shuge earthquake and tsunami.
Local media reported extensively on the reactions of people livingin shelters after the March 11 disaster in the northeast destroyed homes, left 21,000 people dead or missing and sparked a nuclear crisis.
Katsuo Mori, a 74-year-old man whose home was washed away by the towering tsunami, told Jiji Press news agency: “This will help brighten the atmosphere at the temporary housing complex. It will boost our efforts to hang on.”
In the same temporary unit in the city of Natori,50-year-old female part-time worker Yoshiko Saito told Jiji: “Women are strong. I believe women will emerge stronger in the future.”
In the shelters, and in bars, public places and inmillions of homes, football-mad Japanese watched glued to the action live from Germany as their women emerged 3-1 on penalties over twice champions the United States.
Japan become the first team from Asia to win the women’s World Cup.
Hundreds of fans, manyof them clad in blue Japan jerseys, bundled out onto the streets of fashionable Shibuya, a hub of Tokyo’s nightlife,chanting “Nippon! Nippon!” after the match finally ended at around 6:20 am Japan time.
“It was a great victory which gives impetus to our reconstruction,” saidYukihito Abe, the head of the football association in the tsunami-ravaged town of Minami-sanriku.
“I really want to say ‘Thank you’,” he told public broadcaster NHK at one temporary housing unit.
“Nadeshiko, the world number ones!” screamed identical banner headlines in extra editions of the major daily newspapers Asahi Shimbun and Yomiuri Shimbun that were handed out in Tokyo and other major cities.
Local media reported extensively on the reactions of people livingin shelters after the March 11 disaster in the northeast destroyed homes, left 21,000 people dead or missing and sparked a nuclear crisis.
Katsuo Mori, a 74-year-old man whose home was washed away by the towering tsunami, told Jiji Press news agency: “This will help brighten the atmosphere at the temporary housing complex. It will boost our efforts to hang on.”
In the same temporary unit in the city of Natori,50-year-old female part-time worker Yoshiko Saito told Jiji: “Women are strong. I believe women will emerge stronger in the future.”
In the shelters, and in bars, public places and inmillions of homes, football-mad Japanese watched glued to the action live from Germany as their women emerged 3-1 on penalties over twice champions the United States.
Japan become the first team from Asia to win the women’s World Cup.
Hundreds of fans, manyof them clad in blue Japan jerseys, bundled out onto the streets of fashionable Shibuya, a hub of Tokyo’s nightlife,chanting “Nippon! Nippon!” after the match finally ended at around 6:20 am Japan time.
“It was a great victory which gives impetus to our reconstruction,” saidYukihito Abe, the head of the football association in the tsunami-ravaged town of Minami-sanriku.
“I really want to say ‘Thank you’,” he told public broadcaster NHK at one temporary housing unit.
“Nadeshiko, the world number ones!” screamed identical banner headlines in extra editions of the major daily newspapers Asahi Shimbun and Yomiuri Shimbun that were handed out in Tokyo and other major cities.
Presidency, NASS set agenda for constitution amendment •Revenue formula, single term presidency, state creation top list •Six-year single term recommended
THE National Assembly will soon begin a fresh constitutional amendment process in a way that would address the perennial issues of structural imbalances in the country, sources close to the administration have said.
Sources in Abuja told the Nigerian Tribune that a convergence of opinion on certain national issues between key members of the National Assembly and the presidency was facilitating the fresh amendment, which is also aimed at resolving what is called “the second term syndrome”in the polity.
Sources told the Nigerian Tribune that President Goodluck Jonathan himself was unhappy that some politicians usually took advantage of governorsand even the president whenever they were prosecuting second term ambitions and that the nation was always the victim.
Sources stated that thegovernors and even the president were forced to listen to what could best be termed nonsense and pretend as if they were being carried along by such presentations, especially when the presentations were from politicians who were seen as being in influential positions for the second term ambition.
“To resolve such trash, a team of legal experts has proposed a single term in office for governors and the president. In order to ensure that something tangible is achieved by the office holders, a single term of six years has been recommended,” a source said at the weekend.
Sources said that with a president who had served as governor and president, Dr Jonathan had experienced the two worlds and he had seen the deficits inherent in the second term bid by governors and the president.
Sources in Abuja told the Nigerian Tribune that a convergence of opinion on certain national issues between key members of the National Assembly and the presidency was facilitating the fresh amendment, which is also aimed at resolving what is called “the second term syndrome”in the polity.
Sources told the Nigerian Tribune that President Goodluck Jonathan himself was unhappy that some politicians usually took advantage of governorsand even the president whenever they were prosecuting second term ambitions and that the nation was always the victim.
Sources stated that thegovernors and even the president were forced to listen to what could best be termed nonsense and pretend as if they were being carried along by such presentations, especially when the presentations were from politicians who were seen as being in influential positions for the second term ambition.
“To resolve such trash, a team of legal experts has proposed a single term in office for governors and the president. In order to ensure that something tangible is achieved by the office holders, a single term of six years has been recommended,” a source said at the weekend.
Sources said that with a president who had served as governor and president, Dr Jonathan had experienced the two worlds and he had seen the deficits inherent in the second term bid by governors and the president.
Boko Haram: IG places embargo on sales of dynamites
As controversy continues to trail last week’s interception of a lorry carrying 700 quarry explosives used for the blasting of rocks by construction companies in the FCT, the Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Abubakar Ringim has placed a temporary embargo on the buying and movement of such construction explosives (dynamites).
Speaking in Abuja, Monday, the IG disclosedthat henceforth, before any construction company is allowed to buy such blasting dynamites and move them, they must seek and get clearance from his office.
Explaining that the measure has become necessary in view of the current security situation where the Boko Haram group continue to indulge in throwing of bombs, Ringim insisted that the Police cannot put a permanent ban on the operations of such dynamite manufacturing companies as doing so will not only have severe consequences onroad construction business, but will lead to a lot of people losing their jobs, having been thrown into the unemployment market.
Commenting on the alleged intercepted 700 bombs, the IG said, “Although the Nigeria Police have previously issued a statement which categorically proved the report to be false and baseless, the force finds it absolutely necessary to follow up this public notice in viewof the grave security threat such a report entails”.
“It was the kind of report that could give rise to peril; which could in turn degenerate into a breakdown of law andorder especially at a time when public apprehension is at its peak” he said, pointing out that the two Police personnel who accompanied the vehiclein their official capacitiesas approved by the police were released on the same day the vehicle was intercepted contrary to reports thatthey are still being detained by the Army authorities’.
Speaking in Abuja, Monday, the IG disclosedthat henceforth, before any construction company is allowed to buy such blasting dynamites and move them, they must seek and get clearance from his office.
Explaining that the measure has become necessary in view of the current security situation where the Boko Haram group continue to indulge in throwing of bombs, Ringim insisted that the Police cannot put a permanent ban on the operations of such dynamite manufacturing companies as doing so will not only have severe consequences onroad construction business, but will lead to a lot of people losing their jobs, having been thrown into the unemployment market.
Commenting on the alleged intercepted 700 bombs, the IG said, “Although the Nigeria Police have previously issued a statement which categorically proved the report to be false and baseless, the force finds it absolutely necessary to follow up this public notice in viewof the grave security threat such a report entails”.
“It was the kind of report that could give rise to peril; which could in turn degenerate into a breakdown of law andorder especially at a time when public apprehension is at its peak” he said, pointing out that the two Police personnel who accompanied the vehiclein their official capacitiesas approved by the police were released on the same day the vehicle was intercepted contrary to reports thatthey are still being detained by the Army authorities’.
South Africans celebrate NelsonMandela’s 93rd birthday.
South Africa celebrates Mandela Day, marking the 93rd birthday of thecountry’s first black president, with each citizen urged to donate 67 minutes for volunteer work — a minute for every year he devoted himself to the anti-apartheid struggle. Celebrations kick off at 0605 GMT with some 12.4 million children in schools around the country singing “Happy Birthday”
His foundation has urged people to do 67 minutes of voluntary work on the day – to represent the 67 years he devoted to South Africa’s political struggle.
The anti-apartheid icon is expected to spend the day with family in his home village of Qunuin the Eastern Cape.
Millions of school childrenhave simultaneously sung him a special birthday song.
It is not clear whether the target of 12.4m was reached to set a new world record for the number of people singing to an individual at the same time.
The song Happy Birthday Tata Madiba – specially composed for his 93rd birthday was sung at school assemblies across the country.
Ban Ki-moon UN secretary-general
Mr Mandela, who is a hero to many in South Africa and around the world for his long fight against white minority rule, has appeared increasingly frail since heretired from public life in2004.
He has been receiving round-the-clock medical care at home following his release from hospital in January where he was treated for an acute respiratory infection, says the BBC’s Nomsa Maseko in Johannesburg.
Known to South Africans by his clan name Madiba, Mr Mandela has not appeared at a public engagement since the closing ceremony of the football World Cup in July2010.
His foundation has urged people to do 67 minutes of voluntary work on the day – to represent the 67 years he devoted to South Africa’s political struggle.
The anti-apartheid icon is expected to spend the day with family in his home village of Qunuin the Eastern Cape.
Millions of school childrenhave simultaneously sung him a special birthday song.
It is not clear whether the target of 12.4m was reached to set a new world record for the number of people singing to an individual at the same time.
The song Happy Birthday Tata Madiba – specially composed for his 93rd birthday was sung at school assemblies across the country.
Ban Ki-moon UN secretary-general
Mr Mandela, who is a hero to many in South Africa and around the world for his long fight against white minority rule, has appeared increasingly frail since heretired from public life in2004.
He has been receiving round-the-clock medical care at home following his release from hospital in January where he was treated for an acute respiratory infection, says the BBC’s Nomsa Maseko in Johannesburg.
Known to South Africans by his clan name Madiba, Mr Mandela has not appeared at a public engagement since the closing ceremony of the football World Cup in July2010.
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Over 7 Palestinians injured in Israeli airstrike on Gaza
More than seven Palestinians, including children, were injured in an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip, local health officials said on Sunday.
The Israeli military planes delivered strikesagainst the town of Beit Hanoun in northeast Gaza. Israeli sources reported that Palestinian militants had fired three rockets on southwestern Israelthat caused no casualties or destruction.
Israel has warned it willrespond to any instance of Israeli territory shelling by militants in the Gaza Strip.
In the past two weeks, the Israeli airstrikes have killed three and wounded over 20 Palestinians, including children.
The Gaza Strip has been subject to Israeli attacks and economic blockade since the radical Islamic group Hamas took control of the enclave in the summer of 2007, ousting President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement.
Israeli Operation Cast Lead, which lasted for three weeks and endedin mid-January 2009, killed some 1,300 Palestinians in Gaza andinjured over 5,300 others. Up to 50,000 people were also left homeless in the enclaveof 1.5 million.
The Israeli military planes delivered strikesagainst the town of Beit Hanoun in northeast Gaza. Israeli sources reported that Palestinian militants had fired three rockets on southwestern Israelthat caused no casualties or destruction.
Israel has warned it willrespond to any instance of Israeli territory shelling by militants in the Gaza Strip.
In the past two weeks, the Israeli airstrikes have killed three and wounded over 20 Palestinians, including children.
The Gaza Strip has been subject to Israeli attacks and economic blockade since the radical Islamic group Hamas took control of the enclave in the summer of 2007, ousting President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement.
Israeli Operation Cast Lead, which lasted for three weeks and endedin mid-January 2009, killed some 1,300 Palestinians in Gaza andinjured over 5,300 others. Up to 50,000 people were also left homeless in the enclaveof 1.5 million.
Russia has no plans to supply arms to Libya - Russian envoy
Russia has no plans to supply arms to Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi, Russia's NATO envoy Dmitry Rogozin said in an interview with Ekho Moskvy radiostation on Sunday.
"Both the Russian legislation and the legislation of the European Union states ban any supplies of arms to a territory hit by a civil conflict or a civil war," Rogozin said.
According to Rogozin, what some NATO states are doing in Libya is disgraceful and contradicts all the resolutions of the UN Security Council on the North African country.
"Namely, the air-dropping of arms to (Libyan) rebels by French helicopters is the subject of our very complex talks with them (NATO states)," Rogozin said.
The protests in Libya, one of the world's major oil suppliers, started on February 15 amid violent anti-government demonstrations across the Middle East. Mass protests were held against Gaddafi's 40-year rule which were later followed by an armed conflict between the government and rebel forces.
On March 17, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution stipulating a no-fly zone over Libya and thepossibility of limited foreign military intervention. Britain, France, the United States, Canada, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Denmark, and Norway are involved in a coalition mission that began there on March 19.
On March 31, NATO took control of the Libyan operation. The stated aim of Operation Protector is to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under attack or threat of attack. The mission consists of three elements: an arms embargo, a no-fly zone and actions to protect civilians from attack or the threat of attack.
The mandate of the operation expired on June 27, but NATO extended it for another90 days, until late September, on July 1.
UN Security Council Resolution 1970, passed in February, prohibited states from providing any kind of arms to Libya. Resolution 1973, passed a month later, authorized countries"to take all necessary measures" to help protect Libyan civilians.
"Both the Russian legislation and the legislation of the European Union states ban any supplies of arms to a territory hit by a civil conflict or a civil war," Rogozin said.
According to Rogozin, what some NATO states are doing in Libya is disgraceful and contradicts all the resolutions of the UN Security Council on the North African country.
"Namely, the air-dropping of arms to (Libyan) rebels by French helicopters is the subject of our very complex talks with them (NATO states)," Rogozin said.
The protests in Libya, one of the world's major oil suppliers, started on February 15 amid violent anti-government demonstrations across the Middle East. Mass protests were held against Gaddafi's 40-year rule which were later followed by an armed conflict between the government and rebel forces.
On March 17, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution stipulating a no-fly zone over Libya and thepossibility of limited foreign military intervention. Britain, France, the United States, Canada, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Denmark, and Norway are involved in a coalition mission that began there on March 19.
On March 31, NATO took control of the Libyan operation. The stated aim of Operation Protector is to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under attack or threat of attack. The mission consists of three elements: an arms embargo, a no-fly zone and actions to protect civilians from attack or the threat of attack.
The mandate of the operation expired on June 27, but NATO extended it for another90 days, until late September, on July 1.
UN Security Council Resolution 1970, passed in February, prohibited states from providing any kind of arms to Libya. Resolution 1973, passed a month later, authorized countries"to take all necessary measures" to help protect Libyan civilians.
Beyoncé's dad refutes allegationsof stealing from her •Star spends £9,000 in 90 minutes on a shopping spree in London
WHEN Beyoncé fired her father Matthew Knowles as manager in March, both of them claimed the decision was mutual due to the father's desire to focus on gospel acts. “I've only parted ways with my father on a business level” the pop superstar said at the time. “I love my dad dearly and I am gratefulfor everything he has taught me” and her dadwho had managed her since she was a teenager agreed in his own statement, saying they were parting waysafter “doing great things together”
“Business is business and family is family,” hesaid. “I love my daughter and am very proud of who she is andall that she has achieved.” Following the split, rumours surfaced that Knowles was suspected of taking money he was not entitled to from his daughter's massive tours, and now the singer's father is refuting those rumours.According to new allegations, Matthew Knowles is taking Beyoncé's former concert promoter to court claiming that Live Nation Entertainment is behind the rumours that he dipped his hands in the kitty. In papers filed with the court on Monday 11th July 2011, Knowles accused the company of telling Beyoncé he “had stolen money from her on her most recent tour or otherwise taken funds that [he] was not entitled to." These allegations prompted her legal team to conduct an audit in October 2010, which concluded Knowles had taken funds which ultimately led to him getting the boot.
Knowles denied the allegations and has requested a judge to ask Live Nation, the rationale for its claim.
The ex-manager is suggesting that Live Nation deliberately took him out of the way so they can get a bigger chunk of the singer's 2011 world tour.
Known for her generosity towards her loved ones, it is safe to assume she was not shopping for herself alone. Last year, she treated her hubby Jay-Zto a $2 million Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport car-the world's fastest road vehicle for his 41st birthday on December 4th and just last month, Beyoncé splashed out on 25 pairsof designer shoes as a 25th birthday gift for her sister Solange.
“Business is business and family is family,” hesaid. “I love my daughter and am very proud of who she is andall that she has achieved.” Following the split, rumours surfaced that Knowles was suspected of taking money he was not entitled to from his daughter's massive tours, and now the singer's father is refuting those rumours.According to new allegations, Matthew Knowles is taking Beyoncé's former concert promoter to court claiming that Live Nation Entertainment is behind the rumours that he dipped his hands in the kitty. In papers filed with the court on Monday 11th July 2011, Knowles accused the company of telling Beyoncé he “had stolen money from her on her most recent tour or otherwise taken funds that [he] was not entitled to." These allegations prompted her legal team to conduct an audit in October 2010, which concluded Knowles had taken funds which ultimately led to him getting the boot.
Knowles denied the allegations and has requested a judge to ask Live Nation, the rationale for its claim.
The ex-manager is suggesting that Live Nation deliberately took him out of the way so they can get a bigger chunk of the singer's 2011 world tour.
Known for her generosity towards her loved ones, it is safe to assume she was not shopping for herself alone. Last year, she treated her hubby Jay-Zto a $2 million Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport car-the world's fastest road vehicle for his 41st birthday on December 4th and just last month, Beyoncé splashed out on 25 pairsof designer shoes as a 25th birthday gift for her sister Solange.
Minimum wage: Govs bow, agree to pay •Implementation may differ
The 36 State Governors’ of the federation have doused the tension within the workers in the country over the payment of the N18,000 minimum wage as they have decided to comply and pay the stipulated amount.
The workers under the umbrella of Nigeria Labour Congress{NLC} had concluded plans to commence a three-day warning strike from Wednesday this week as a prelude to a general showdown should the various governors renege on the implementation.
However, at a meeting of the governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors Forum, they all agreed to comply with the provisions of the Minimum Wage Act.
The meeting was attended by majority of the governors at the Rivers State Governor’s Lodge.
According to the resolution reached, ‘The Forum resolved to comply with the provisions of the Minimum Wage Act and further agreed that individual states should commence implementation modalities.’
Sunday Tribune gathered that the implementation period may differ as the forum announced that it would depend on the term of agreement between the state and the labour union.
The forum also appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress to shelve both the warningstrike and the main one in the interest of the country.
In order to show the importance attached to the NLC and the impending warning strike, chairman of the NGF, Rotimi Amaechi, stated that he would meet the labour leadersin Abuja latest by Tuesday.
It unanimously agreed to intensify efforts on the issue of polio eradication campaign and would hold a quarterly sensitisation campaign in all the states to raise awareness on the scheduled dates which included August 13 2011, November 2011, February 11 2012 and May 12 2012.
The NGF condemned thefrightening security situation in Borno State and the attendant losses of lives and property, just as it called on the leadership of the area to do everything possible to curtail the situation.
The workers under the umbrella of Nigeria Labour Congress{NLC} had concluded plans to commence a three-day warning strike from Wednesday this week as a prelude to a general showdown should the various governors renege on the implementation.
However, at a meeting of the governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors Forum, they all agreed to comply with the provisions of the Minimum Wage Act.
The meeting was attended by majority of the governors at the Rivers State Governor’s Lodge.
According to the resolution reached, ‘The Forum resolved to comply with the provisions of the Minimum Wage Act and further agreed that individual states should commence implementation modalities.’
Sunday Tribune gathered that the implementation period may differ as the forum announced that it would depend on the term of agreement between the state and the labour union.
The forum also appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress to shelve both the warningstrike and the main one in the interest of the country.
In order to show the importance attached to the NLC and the impending warning strike, chairman of the NGF, Rotimi Amaechi, stated that he would meet the labour leadersin Abuja latest by Tuesday.
It unanimously agreed to intensify efforts on the issue of polio eradication campaign and would hold a quarterly sensitisation campaign in all the states to raise awareness on the scheduled dates which included August 13 2011, November 2011, February 11 2012 and May 12 2012.
The NGF condemned thefrightening security situation in Borno State and the attendant losses of lives and property, just as it called on the leadership of the area to do everything possible to curtail the situation.
Boko Haram: Borno gov opens up •Explains why state is fertile for sect •Says region isworld's poorest •Names sect's base•Traces crisis to imposition of minority over majority opinion
Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, has shed lighton why the state is conducive for activities of the Boko Haram sectterrorizing the state and other neighbouring ones.
The governor, who traced the history of Islam, fundamentalism and economic challengesof the state, disclosed these in a statewide broadcast to the peopleof the state on Saturday.
He said the World Bank had described the regionof the world to which the state and North-East Nigeria fall as the poorest and most challenged parts of the world, a development that makes the area fertile activities of such dreaded sects.
“The World Bank has described the central region of the Savannah-Sudan, comprising of the areas covered by the North-East Political Zone of Nigeria, the Republic of Chad, Eastern portion of Niger Republic, Northern Cameroons and the Dafur Region of the Republic of Sudan, as being one of the poorest regions on earth.
“The region has very little and mainly dilapidated infrastructure, a population with poor or ill-education and highestlevel of unemployment, especially among the youths, little or poor authority for mobilisation of people for self-help, a large number of hungry and angry population, inept and bankrupt leadership, little or complete absence of government control, network and other factors for economic progress and social harmony of the area.
“The foregoing scenarioprovides a fertile groundfor the emergence of radical organizations, such as the Janjaweed Militia of the Dafur region and Jama’atul Ahlul Sunnah Lidda’wati wal Jihad, often called Boko Haram by the Nigerian media, in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria,” he said.
While appealing to members of the sect tostop the ‘war’ against their fellow citizens, Governor Shettima, gave assurance of the readiness of his administration to dialogue with all aggrieved sections of the society, adding thathe was personally pained by the turn of events in the state, as a bonafide indigene of Maiduguri. Read more http://www.tribune.com.ng/sun/front-page-articles/4515-boko-haram-borno-gov-opens-up-explains-why-state-is-fertile-for-sect-says-region-is-worlds-poorest-names-sects-base-traces-crisis-to-imposition-of-minority-over-majority-opinion
The governor, who traced the history of Islam, fundamentalism and economic challengesof the state, disclosed these in a statewide broadcast to the peopleof the state on Saturday.
He said the World Bank had described the regionof the world to which the state and North-East Nigeria fall as the poorest and most challenged parts of the world, a development that makes the area fertile activities of such dreaded sects.
“The World Bank has described the central region of the Savannah-Sudan, comprising of the areas covered by the North-East Political Zone of Nigeria, the Republic of Chad, Eastern portion of Niger Republic, Northern Cameroons and the Dafur Region of the Republic of Sudan, as being one of the poorest regions on earth.
“The region has very little and mainly dilapidated infrastructure, a population with poor or ill-education and highestlevel of unemployment, especially among the youths, little or poor authority for mobilisation of people for self-help, a large number of hungry and angry population, inept and bankrupt leadership, little or complete absence of government control, network and other factors for economic progress and social harmony of the area.
“The foregoing scenarioprovides a fertile groundfor the emergence of radical organizations, such as the Janjaweed Militia of the Dafur region and Jama’atul Ahlul Sunnah Lidda’wati wal Jihad, often called Boko Haram by the Nigerian media, in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria,” he said.
While appealing to members of the sect tostop the ‘war’ against their fellow citizens, Governor Shettima, gave assurance of the readiness of his administration to dialogue with all aggrieved sections of the society, adding thathe was personally pained by the turn of events in the state, as a bonafide indigene of Maiduguri. Read more http://www.tribune.com.ng/sun/front-page-articles/4515-boko-haram-borno-gov-opens-up-explains-why-state-is-fertile-for-sect-says-region-is-worlds-poorest-names-sects-base-traces-crisis-to-imposition-of-minority-over-majority-opinion
NYSC allowance ’ll be N50,000 soon -DG
THE Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General, Ismaila Maharazu Tsiga,has said the leadership of the NYSC would continue to lobby government on the need to increase corps members’ allowance toN50, 000 per month, adding that the new allowance of N19, 800 to corps members would take effect fromMarch this year.
This is just as the Tsiga disclosed that theallowance given to corps members was a right and not a privilege,calling on states, local governments and parastatals to also review allowance given to corps members
He further said that anybody making live unbearable for corps members would received negative treatment from the Almighty God because they were innocent Nigerians serving their fatherland.
According to him , the new allowance would be paid in arrears from March, 2011, saying that Batch B, 2010 corps members who just passed out, are going to receive their arrears of about four months.
Brigadier General, Tsiga, speaking during his visit to the Kano State orientation camp on Saturday, also said the security of lives and property of corps members was paramount to him, assuring parents of corps members that the NYSC would ensure that the lives of their children were saved.
He however disclosed that it was not NYSC’s desire to redeploy corpsmembers but that the organisation was compelled to see to their security because NYSC does not want innocent corps members to suffer where they serve their fatherland.
This is just as the Tsiga disclosed that theallowance given to corps members was a right and not a privilege,calling on states, local governments and parastatals to also review allowance given to corps members
He further said that anybody making live unbearable for corps members would received negative treatment from the Almighty God because they were innocent Nigerians serving their fatherland.
According to him , the new allowance would be paid in arrears from March, 2011, saying that Batch B, 2010 corps members who just passed out, are going to receive their arrears of about four months.
Brigadier General, Tsiga, speaking during his visit to the Kano State orientation camp on Saturday, also said the security of lives and property of corps members was paramount to him, assuring parents of corps members that the NYSC would ensure that the lives of their children were saved.
He however disclosed that it was not NYSC’s desire to redeploy corpsmembers but that the organisation was compelled to see to their security because NYSC does not want innocent corps members to suffer where they serve their fatherland.
Olowu stool: OBJ, Oba Dosunmu, others dragged to court
Former president Olusegun Obasanjo, the Olowu of Owu, Abeokuta Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu and eight others, have been dragged before a High Court in Abeokuta over the appointment of Oba Dosunmu as the Olowu of Owu.
In a suit no: AB/158/2011 filed by one of the contenders to the throne, Prince Olutayo Adebiyi Fadairo, the plaintiff averred that the meeting, and selection of the 1st defendant (Oba Dosunmu) as the new Olowu of Owu by the 2nd-7th defendants, and other Owu warrant kingmakers on the 3rd of July 2005 or any other day, was in contravention of the age old tradition and custom of Owu and thechiefs law.
The plaintiff sought for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st defendant fromparading himself as the Olowu of Owu.
Prince Fadairo prayed the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the 2nd-11thdefendants, their agents, servants, or privies, from recognising, or dealing with the 1st defendant in any way or manner whatsoever as the Olowu of Owu Abeokuta.
Others joined in the suitalongside with Obasanjo, Oba Dosunmuare Chief S.O Olaifa, Chief O.O Oshungboye, Chief Adisa Adewolu, Chief M.Ola Yusuf, the Secretary, Abeokuta North Local Government, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Attorney General of Ogun State and the state governor.
In a suit no: AB/158/2011 filed by one of the contenders to the throne, Prince Olutayo Adebiyi Fadairo, the plaintiff averred that the meeting, and selection of the 1st defendant (Oba Dosunmu) as the new Olowu of Owu by the 2nd-7th defendants, and other Owu warrant kingmakers on the 3rd of July 2005 or any other day, was in contravention of the age old tradition and custom of Owu and thechiefs law.
The plaintiff sought for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st defendant fromparading himself as the Olowu of Owu.
Prince Fadairo prayed the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the 2nd-11thdefendants, their agents, servants, or privies, from recognising, or dealing with the 1st defendant in any way or manner whatsoever as the Olowu of Owu Abeokuta.
Others joined in the suitalongside with Obasanjo, Oba Dosunmuare Chief S.O Olaifa, Chief O.O Oshungboye, Chief Adisa Adewolu, Chief M.Ola Yusuf, the Secretary, Abeokuta North Local Government, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Attorney General of Ogun State and the state governor.
North, South senators battle forSenate top committees•Ex-govs insist on Grade ‘A’ committees •Appropriation, finance, communications, public accounts toplist •Mark, Senate leadership in close consultations
A tough battle is said tobe unraveling in the Senate ahead of the composition of the standing committees, which could be announced any momentfrom now.
Senate President David Mark is said to have come under intense pressure from senators, most of whom are eyeing what is called ‘Grade A committees.’
The Senate has 54 committees with Mark having emerged as the chairman of the Selection Committee, which comprises the 10 principal officers.
Sources in the Senate confirmed to Sunday Tribune that an intense battle is ongoing over who chairs the prime committee of the Senate; the Appropriation Committee, which was last headed by Senator Iyiola Omisore from Osun State.
It was learnt that whileNortherners are pushingfor the chairmanship slot of that committee and are pushing forward Senator Badamosi Maccido, who was vice chairman of the committee in the last dispensation, senators from the South-East are also angling for the slot.
Former chairman of Senate Committee on Information, Senator Ayogu Eze, who was a member of the Appropriation Committee in the last dispensation is said to have put himself forward as a candidate for the chairmanship of the committee.
Sources said the bid by Senator Eze has, however, been raising eyebrows with some senators from the South-East insisting that Enugu State shouldnot cart away every juicy post that would begiven to the South-East in the Senate. The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, is from Enugu State as Senator Eze.
But while the Northern senators are insisting on Appropriation and Finance committees, it was learnt that other geopolitical zones, including the North-Central and North-East, are also angling for the slot.
Other committees regarded as ‘Grade A committees’ include Senate Services, said tohave been reserved for a North-Central senator;National Security and Intelligence, Communications, Finance, Petroleum, Marine Transport, Agriculture and Public Accounts.
Senate President David Mark is said to have come under intense pressure from senators, most of whom are eyeing what is called ‘Grade A committees.’
The Senate has 54 committees with Mark having emerged as the chairman of the Selection Committee, which comprises the 10 principal officers.
Sources in the Senate confirmed to Sunday Tribune that an intense battle is ongoing over who chairs the prime committee of the Senate; the Appropriation Committee, which was last headed by Senator Iyiola Omisore from Osun State.
It was learnt that whileNortherners are pushingfor the chairmanship slot of that committee and are pushing forward Senator Badamosi Maccido, who was vice chairman of the committee in the last dispensation, senators from the South-East are also angling for the slot.
Former chairman of Senate Committee on Information, Senator Ayogu Eze, who was a member of the Appropriation Committee in the last dispensation is said to have put himself forward as a candidate for the chairmanship of the committee.
Sources said the bid by Senator Eze has, however, been raising eyebrows with some senators from the South-East insisting that Enugu State shouldnot cart away every juicy post that would begiven to the South-East in the Senate. The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, is from Enugu State as Senator Eze.
But while the Northern senators are insisting on Appropriation and Finance committees, it was learnt that other geopolitical zones, including the North-Central and North-East, are also angling for the slot.
Other committees regarded as ‘Grade A committees’ include Senate Services, said tohave been reserved for a North-Central senator;National Security and Intelligence, Communications, Finance, Petroleum, Marine Transport, Agriculture and Public Accounts.
FBI, SSS unravel secret of Boko Haram’s blasts
Operatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) of the United States of America (USA) who are in the country to work with operatives of the State Security Services (SSS) have unraveled some operational details which aided the Boko Haram bombing ofPolice Headquarters, Abuja and some other recent blasts across states of the North.
This is coming as it wasalso learnt that after the return of the first set of suicide bombers, the last batch of the 800 trainees have also returned to Nigeria ahead of the end of themonth activities to mark the anniversary ofthe death of the sect’s leader, Mohammed Yusuf.
Sources in government confirmed to Sunday Tribune that one of the trainees of the sect who recently returned from a three-month course in Sudan and Somalia carried out the suicide attack on the Force Headquarters in Abuja on June 16.
The suicide bomber was one of the 100 trainees who returned to the country ahead ofthe July 31 anniversary of the killing of Yusuf.
It was confirmed that the Police Headquarter bomber was among theoperatives who escaped SSS ambush ontheir return to Nigeria. Some of the 100 were said to have been intercepted on their return to the country.
It was confirmed that independent assessment of the bomb scene at the Force Headquarters by ateam of FBI agents and the SSS led to the discovery of body parts that later confirmed theidentity of the suicide bomber and that of the police traffic warden who also died in the attack.
“The DNA on the two has confirmed the identity of the suicide bomber and the traffic officer, a source said, adding that the police should not shy away from the fact that some Nigerian extremists have actually received training in suicide attacks from Somalia and Sudan.
“The Police Headquarterbombing was carried out by one of the first batch of suicide bombers trained in Somalia, but the force wanted to reduce tension and fear when it declared that the suspect might not be a suicide bomber,” another source said.
This is coming as it wasalso learnt that after the return of the first set of suicide bombers, the last batch of the 800 trainees have also returned to Nigeria ahead of the end of themonth activities to mark the anniversary ofthe death of the sect’s leader, Mohammed Yusuf.
Sources in government confirmed to Sunday Tribune that one of the trainees of the sect who recently returned from a three-month course in Sudan and Somalia carried out the suicide attack on the Force Headquarters in Abuja on June 16.
The suicide bomber was one of the 100 trainees who returned to the country ahead ofthe July 31 anniversary of the killing of Yusuf.
It was confirmed that the Police Headquarter bomber was among theoperatives who escaped SSS ambush ontheir return to Nigeria. Some of the 100 were said to have been intercepted on their return to the country.
It was confirmed that independent assessment of the bomb scene at the Force Headquarters by ateam of FBI agents and the SSS led to the discovery of body parts that later confirmed theidentity of the suicide bomber and that of the police traffic warden who also died in the attack.
“The DNA on the two has confirmed the identity of the suicide bomber and the traffic officer, a source said, adding that the police should not shy away from the fact that some Nigerian extremists have actually received training in suicide attacks from Somalia and Sudan.
“The Police Headquarterbombing was carried out by one of the first batch of suicide bombers trained in Somalia, but the force wanted to reduce tension and fear when it declared that the suspect might not be a suicide bomber,” another source said.
Another Lagos building collapse kills 2
A second deadly building collapse since the start of the month in Nigeria's main city has killed two people, while sixothers were rescued,some after an all-night effort, officials said Saturday.
The two-storey residential building in Lagos, which rivals Cairoas Africa's largest city with some 15 million people, collapsed on Friday night, according to officials from the National Emergency Management Agency.
A third floor was in the process of being constructed on the building in the Ketu area of the sprawling city when it came down, said agency official Iyiola Akande. Recent heavy rains may have contributed to the collapse, he said.
"We moved out six people alive and two died," he said, adding it took all night to remove rubble to free some of the survivors. All residents were now accounted for, he said.
At least 11 people died when a Lagos apartment building collapsed on July 5, with the crowded city regularly plagued by poor construction. I think its high time this issue of inceasant building collapse is dealt with once and for all. The Lagos state government should possibly relocate those in substandard building structures(i.e. If they dnt want them 'displaced' to avoid untold hardship) and demolish them. This rate of building collapse in Lagos is becoming something else. Now another two vibrant souls have lost their lives to this building collapse again. Too bad!!!
The two-storey residential building in Lagos, which rivals Cairoas Africa's largest city with some 15 million people, collapsed on Friday night, according to officials from the National Emergency Management Agency.
A third floor was in the process of being constructed on the building in the Ketu area of the sprawling city when it came down, said agency official Iyiola Akande. Recent heavy rains may have contributed to the collapse, he said.
"We moved out six people alive and two died," he said, adding it took all night to remove rubble to free some of the survivors. All residents were now accounted for, he said.
At least 11 people died when a Lagos apartment building collapsed on July 5, with the crowded city regularly plagued by poor construction. I think its high time this issue of inceasant building collapse is dealt with once and for all. The Lagos state government should possibly relocate those in substandard building structures(i.e. If they dnt want them 'displaced' to avoid untold hardship) and demolish them. This rate of building collapse in Lagos is becoming something else. Now another two vibrant souls have lost their lives to this building collapse again. Too bad!!!
Boko Haram plans massive bombings in seven states
As the nation grapples with the cases of incessant bombings, the increasing notoriety of the outlawed Islamic sect, Boko Haram, there seems to be no end in sight to the loss of lives and property as the sect has finalised plans to launch further massive attacks in seven states of the federation.
The states, SUNDAY PUNCH gathered, are Bauchi, Niger, Borno, Kaduna, Taraba, Plateau, Benue as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Maiduguri, the Borno State capital and Sulejain Niger State have witnessed in recent times, several explosions in which thesect had claimed responsibility for.
Just on Friday, a bomb was thrown at some policemen in a patrol vehicle in Maiduguri.
A few hours before the policemen were attacked, soldiers in Abuja had intercepted a truck conveying no fewer than 300 explosives suspected to be bombs.
The fresh plan of the sect to focus on more states came to the fore on June 17, 2011 when the group announced on its website that it would attack Nassarawa, Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, and Taraba after its commandos arrived from Somalia where they trained in the acts of terrorism.
Indeed, a top police chief confirmed to our correspondent on Friday that the force was aware of the plans, even as he said the group was becoming more sophisticated and deadly in its terrorism attacks.
Though the identity of the members and leaders of the sect were still sketchy, he said the group’s determination in preparing more potent Improvised Explosive Devices was not in doubt.
The states, SUNDAY PUNCH gathered, are Bauchi, Niger, Borno, Kaduna, Taraba, Plateau, Benue as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Maiduguri, the Borno State capital and Sulejain Niger State have witnessed in recent times, several explosions in which thesect had claimed responsibility for.
Just on Friday, a bomb was thrown at some policemen in a patrol vehicle in Maiduguri.
A few hours before the policemen were attacked, soldiers in Abuja had intercepted a truck conveying no fewer than 300 explosives suspected to be bombs.
The fresh plan of the sect to focus on more states came to the fore on June 17, 2011 when the group announced on its website that it would attack Nassarawa, Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, and Taraba after its commandos arrived from Somalia where they trained in the acts of terrorism.
Indeed, a top police chief confirmed to our correspondent on Friday that the force was aware of the plans, even as he said the group was becoming more sophisticated and deadly in its terrorism attacks.
Though the identity of the members and leaders of the sect were still sketchy, he said the group’s determination in preparing more potent Improvised Explosive Devices was not in doubt.
Police foil bombing attempt in Delta
MEN of the anti-bomb unit of the Delta State Police Command, Asaba,yesterday, foiled an attempt by some unidentified persons to blow up the residence of a community leader at Oha community in Okpe local government area of the state, Chief Moses Asini.
Asini is a retired civil servant and the Duke ofOha town. It was not readily ascertained the reasons the object, suspected to be a bomb, was planted in his compound.
Sunday Vanguard gathered that the object was placed in the compound unknown to the chief, but a distress call was made to the police as soon as it was discovered, at about 10.30 a.m., prompting the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Orerokpe to lead a teamto the house.
The bomb components, comprising an incendiary(petrol) in 4 liter-keg two connecting wires, 9-Volt battery and four pyrotechnics, were detonated by the police.
Delta State police spokesman, Mr. Charles Muka, confirmed that hecompound was swept clean by the police and the area was calm as at7.00 p.m
Asini is a retired civil servant and the Duke ofOha town. It was not readily ascertained the reasons the object, suspected to be a bomb, was planted in his compound.
Sunday Vanguard gathered that the object was placed in the compound unknown to the chief, but a distress call was made to the police as soon as it was discovered, at about 10.30 a.m., prompting the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Orerokpe to lead a teamto the house.
The bomb components, comprising an incendiary(petrol) in 4 liter-keg two connecting wires, 9-Volt battery and four pyrotechnics, were detonated by the police.
Delta State police spokesman, Mr. Charles Muka, confirmed that hecompound was swept clean by the police and the area was calm as at7.00 p.m
Boko Haram: Ekiti, Edo, Akwa Ibom indigenes arrive home from Borno
AS non-indigenes continue to leave Borno State following the spate of attacks unleashed on the state by the Boko Haram fundamentalist sect, many indigenes of Ekiti, Edo and Akwa Ibom states who fled the embattled state have arrived home.
43 arrived Ekiti on Friday. Over 150 were also received in Edo and 65 in Akwa Ibom.
The Ekiti evacuees, whoare students of tertiaryinstitutions in Borno State, arrived the Government House, Ado-Ekiti at about 3.30 a.m. in three buses.
The students, who narrated their ordeal to reporters, hailed Governor Kayode Fayemifor coming to their rescue by sending buses to convey them from Maiduguri.
Officials of the Government House were on hand to attend to the needs of the evacuees.
Some of the 43 Ekiti State students evacuated from Maiduguri, departing the Government House, Ado Ekiti, to their respective homes, Friday.
They were given stipends to transport themselves to their respective homes.
The president of Federation of Ekiti StateStudents Union (FESSU), University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) chapter, Osetuyi Gabriel Sola, who is a 600 level student of veterinary medicine, praised Fayemi for prompt response to their distress call, saying it was God that saved them from being killed inthe Boko Haram crisis.
In Edo, Governor AdamsOshiomhole received theover 150 evacuees, appealing to the relevant authorities to quell the Boko Haram crisis in the north in the interest of the unity of the nation.
The governor, who received the evacuees at Government House, Benin City, after he dispatched four buses to bring the indigenes home, described the Boko Haram crisis as sad and unbelievable, but urged the indigenes, majority of them students of UNIMAID, not to be discouraged or doubt the unity of the nation.
43 arrived Ekiti on Friday. Over 150 were also received in Edo and 65 in Akwa Ibom.
The Ekiti evacuees, whoare students of tertiaryinstitutions in Borno State, arrived the Government House, Ado-Ekiti at about 3.30 a.m. in three buses.
The students, who narrated their ordeal to reporters, hailed Governor Kayode Fayemifor coming to their rescue by sending buses to convey them from Maiduguri.
Officials of the Government House were on hand to attend to the needs of the evacuees.
Some of the 43 Ekiti State students evacuated from Maiduguri, departing the Government House, Ado Ekiti, to their respective homes, Friday.
They were given stipends to transport themselves to their respective homes.
The president of Federation of Ekiti StateStudents Union (FESSU), University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) chapter, Osetuyi Gabriel Sola, who is a 600 level student of veterinary medicine, praised Fayemi for prompt response to their distress call, saying it was God that saved them from being killed inthe Boko Haram crisis.
In Edo, Governor AdamsOshiomhole received theover 150 evacuees, appealing to the relevant authorities to quell the Boko Haram crisis in the north in the interest of the unity of the nation.
The governor, who received the evacuees at Government House, Benin City, after he dispatched four buses to bring the indigenes home, described the Boko Haram crisis as sad and unbelievable, but urged the indigenes, majority of them students of UNIMAID, not to be discouraged or doubt the unity of the nation.
Ripples over Al Qaeda planned base in Nigeria
Al-Qaeda’s alleged plan to set up a command and control base in Nigeria is creating diplomatic ripples as Nigeria debunked the claim, last week, insisting that country is not a safe haven for anarchist groups. Indications, however, emerged that the pro-jihadist group may have chosen to set up its operational base in Nigeria in its terrorist war with America and the Western countries.
Britain’s intelligence MI5 had allegedly warned the prime minister, Mr. David Cameron, that Al-Qaeda wants to set up a command and control centre in Nigeria to gain access to the United Kingdom (UK) where there are dozensof flights from Lagos toLondon daily.
FG dismisses claim
Officials of Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja dismissed the claim in an interview with Sunday Vanguard, callingit a brilliant piece of fiction that suits the mood of the times. An official of the ministry, who pleaded confidentiality, said: “That report did not substantiate its claim but just preferred to cite the Boko Haram uprising to buttress it. It is a perfect conjecture of the author’s imagination.
It is obvious that hatersof Nigeria will capitalise on the Boko Haram incident to further dent the image of the country.” The official will not elaborate on why the FG has not issued an official statement on the claim that was published on July 4, 2011, saying “government does not conduct its operations based on media reports.”
Britain’s intelligence MI5 had allegedly warned the prime minister, Mr. David Cameron, that Al-Qaeda wants to set up a command and control centre in Nigeria to gain access to the United Kingdom (UK) where there are dozensof flights from Lagos toLondon daily.
FG dismisses claim
Officials of Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja dismissed the claim in an interview with Sunday Vanguard, callingit a brilliant piece of fiction that suits the mood of the times. An official of the ministry, who pleaded confidentiality, said: “That report did not substantiate its claim but just preferred to cite the Boko Haram uprising to buttress it. It is a perfect conjecture of the author’s imagination.
It is obvious that hatersof Nigeria will capitalise on the Boko Haram incident to further dent the image of the country.” The official will not elaborate on why the FG has not issued an official statement on the claim that was published on July 4, 2011, saying “government does not conduct its operations based on media reports.”
Strauss-Kahn, wife attend concert in Massachusetts
Former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn, battling attempted rape chargesin New York, has attended two Boston Symphony Orchestra concerts in Lenox, Massachusetts, The New York Times said Saturday.
The newspaper said thefirst concert on Thursday was a recital by Danish violinist Nikolaj Znaider.
Strauss-Kahn was back on Friday for a concert with conductor Kurt Masur and cellist Lynn Harrell, the paper reported.
Strauss-Kahn, who had orchestra seats and was photographed withhis wife, declined to talkto reporters.
He was released from house arrest earlier this month after US prosecutors raised concerns about the credibility of the New York hotel chambermaidwho accused him of sexual assault.
But the charges made by the Guinean woman have not been dismissed, and Strauss-Kahn is due back in courton July 18.
The newspaper said thefirst concert on Thursday was a recital by Danish violinist Nikolaj Znaider.
Strauss-Kahn was back on Friday for a concert with conductor Kurt Masur and cellist Lynn Harrell, the paper reported.
Strauss-Kahn, who had orchestra seats and was photographed withhis wife, declined to talkto reporters.
He was released from house arrest earlier this month after US prosecutors raised concerns about the credibility of the New York hotel chambermaidwho accused him of sexual assault.
But the charges made by the Guinean woman have not been dismissed, and Strauss-Kahn is due back in courton July 18.
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