NEWS 5
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
LIVING LIVING TOTO BE BE 100100
One health tip daily Native American Power Herb
The herb known by the Latin name ligusticum has many varieties around the world: Native Americans call it osha; the Chinese species is named chuan xiong. It has long been a key herb in the longevity tradition of China, prized for its powers to boost the immune system, activate blood circulation, and relieve pain. Studies confirm
ligusticum’s efficacy in preventing stroke and restoring blood flow to the brain and heart, and the herb has been found to inhibit tumor growth in animals. Used along with other immune-support herbs during chemotherapy or to treat anemia, ligusticum is often taken in a supplement blend for synergistic effects.
Soldiers Seize LEADERSHIP, Daily Trust, The Nation Newspapers In Minna FROM COVER
As early as 6am yesterday, parcels of LEADERSHIP were impounded at the Kilometre 10 military checkpoint in Minna, while another set of armed soldiers stormed the distribution centre. This move is contrary to the denial by defence spokesman, Major General Chris Olukolade, who said that the military had found nothing wrong with the editorial content of the affected papers and that the papers were now being distributed freely. LEADERSHIP can report that for four days running, in addition to the newspapers being seized at the checkpoint, officers and men of 31 Field Artillery Brigade had been drafted to Fleet Street in Bosso, Minna from where newspapers are distributed, to make sure that none of the three newspapers circulated in the state. Soldiers had been stationed up until noon each day, to make sure that none of the three titles were on the newsstands. Newspaper distributors and vendors in Minna were warned not to sell any of the three newspapers, as anyone caught doing so would be dealt with. A man who was found with a copy of LEADERSHIP he bought from Suleja - the only place where the newspapers could be found in the state - was harassed and instructed to disclose where he had gotten the newspaper when he was apprehended in Minna by some soldiers. All efforts by the commissioner for information in Niger State, Malam Danladi Ndayebo and the secretary to the Niger State
government, Hon. Idris Ndako Kpaki, to get the military to release the newspapers being impounded at the checkpoint were still unsuccessful as at the time of filing this report. Efforts to reach the spokesman of the 31 Artillery Brigade, Captain Salisu Mustapha for comment failed, as he could not be reached by phone. The chairman, Niger State Newspaper Vendors and Distributors Association, Mr. Festus Elijah, however said, “We are ready to sell any paper, but you have to help assure us that no member of the association will be harassed by the soldiers. “The sad thing is that it is only Niger State that military are still laying siege. We have contacted other states and reports from there showed that sales of all papers has resumed.” Security checks on newspapers will continue – Military The Nigerian military has said that the clampdown on the media would continue until the current security situation in the country has improved. Director of defence information, Maj Gen. Chris Olukolade, while explaining to journalists yesterday the reason for the continued confiscation of newspapers and search of vehicles conveying them, said the exercise was necessary as long as the present security challenges persisted. Olukolade, speaking during the national briefing on the efforts to rescue the Chibok schoolgirls, appealed to media house owners and the general ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
Police Surround Kano Emir’s Palace
By Sadiq Abdullateef, Abubakar Salihi, Kano, Midat Joseph, Kaduna, Abu Nmodu, Minna, George Okojie, Lagos, Patrick Ochoga, Benin City, Adesuwa Tsan, Chibuzo Ukaibe, and Umar Abdullahi Abuja
Operatives of the Nigeria Police yesterday surrounded the Emir of Kano’s palace at about 6pm. Even though there was no visible presence of the policemen in the city, there are conflicting reports that the policemen were there to prevent the new emir from gaining entrance into the palace. A source told LEADERSHIP that after Sanusi was sworn in at the Government House, he was not escorted to the emir’s palace as was expected in accordance with the emirate tradition. It was further gathered that there were plans to arrest the new emir and prevent him from moving to the emir’s palace. At the time of going to press, the new Kano emir was still at Naseer House, a guest apartment at the Kano Government House. A source close to the new emir told LEADERSHIP that the new Kano emir was expecting some of the royal fathers and children of late Bayero to come and pay their respect. Our reporter confirmed that one of the emir’s sons, the district head of Kumbotso local government area, Alhaji Ahmad Ado Bayero, came to the Government House to pay his respect to the new emir. It is also uncertain when the new emir would move to his palace. Our findings revealed that he may not move to the emir’s palace until the families of late Bayero had vacated the place and moved to their new houses which the state government had built for them. The new emir may also delay his movement to the palace until it had been renovated. However, hundreds of youths and vigilance groups were at Kano Government House to ensure the emir’s safety and that of the Kano State governor against alleged possible attack by protesters. Police spokesman in Kano, ASP Musa Majia, neither picked his calls nor responded to the text messages sent to his phone at press time. FG withdraws police security from Kano Govt House The federal government yesterday withdrew police security from Kano Government House and environs, a source in the state government told LEADERSHIP. According to the source, the police around the state government house left their duty posts at about 1pm. “They just packed up and left
their duty posts without any explanation and when the state government tried to reach them. They were said to be instructed to report back to their respective stations,” the source disclosed. When LEADERSHIP went round the town, the various police checkpoints and posts at State Road, Tarauni, Gyadi-Gyadi, Sabuwar Kofa, Kofar Nasarawa and environs were abandoned, with no policemen in sight. But there was security presence around Magwan, Nasarawa GRA, Bompai and Alu Avenue environs. When contacted by phone, the police spokesperson in Kano, ASP Musa Majia, said it was not true and that all the policemen were at their respective duty posts in Government House and environs. “I don’t know where you get that story from, it’s not true at all,” he said. Under the law in which Kwankwaso okayed the appointment of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the federal government has no role to play in his elevation or removal as only the kingmakers have the authority to make a pronouncement on his status with the approval of the governor. FG suspends chartered flights to Kano LEADERSHIP further gathered that the federal government yesterday banned chartered flights from operating in and out of Kano and Jigawa states. The development is said to have been responsible for the grounding of Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi. The government’s action caused Amaechi, Senator Danjuma Goje and Alhaji Kawu Baraje to return to Abuja from Kano by road. There are fears that the suspension of chartered flights may be extended to Katsina and other neighbouring states. The idea, LEADERSHIP learnt, is to make any visit to Kano as difficult as possible. Buhari, Northern Govs set agenda for Emir Sanusi Former head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari and the Northern Governors’ Forum have set agenda for the new emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. Buhari, who is one of the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urged the new emir to support the government in fighting terrorism and unrest in the country. On its part, the Northern Governors’ Forum advised him to rule without any partisan considerations. Buhari, who gave the advice in a personal letter of congratulations to the new emir, admonished him to bring his wealth of experience in assisting the economic revival ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
Sanusi