The Nigerian
PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol . 39 NO.077 • MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2 014 • N 100.00
VIEWPOINT Pg. 13
Pluralistic Relativism Of Criticisms
Govt polices, programmes: HOS tasks civil servants BENIN CITY – Edo State Head of Service (HOS), Mr. Igbaekemen Jerry Obazele has tasked civil servants over government policies and
programmes. He gave the charge during a seminar for clerical officers from various Ministries, Parastatals and Agencies, stressing that
the actualisation of government policies and programmes rest squarely on them. The HOS who was represented at the occasion by the
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Establishment and Special Duties, Mr. Alfred O. Olaye pointed out that without an Continues on page 2
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Corruption
OPINION Pg. 18 Should There Also Be A Christian Republic In Nigeria?
Kwakwanso berates PDP
• Urges Nigerians to condemn Boko Haram By ANDY EGBON BENIN CITY – The Governor of Kano State, Engineer Rabiu Kwakwanso has berated the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), describing the party as a haven for corrupt people. Governor Kwakwanso chat in Benin City when was speaking at a media he visited Edo State as
part of his nationwide consultations ahead of the 2015 general elections. He said, he was also in the state to felicitate
with the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion on his (Igbinedion) 80th birthday anniversary as well as interact with his
former governor friends and the indigenes of Kano State who are schooling in a private university in Edo State. The governor
disclosed that one does not need to be in opposition to know what is happening in the country. Continues on page 2
Jonathan restates commitment WARRI (DELTA) to credible elections President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday assured Nigerians of his administration’s commitment to free and fair elections in 2015. Jonathan gave the assurance at the opening of the 2014 Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Warri, Delta. The president was represented by the state Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan. ‘’On behalf of President Jonathan, I congratulate the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). “ The president is committed to free and fair elections in 2015; he has given us the assurance,” he said. He noted that religion was vital to the transformation of any society, saying that his administration was partnering with religious
bodies in that direction. ‘’This area had the worst experience in the Niger Delta crisis but prayers helped us to overcome the challenges. ‘’I believe that prayers will also help us to resolve the current Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East part of the country,’’ he said. Speaking on his own capacity, Uduaghan said that his administration would continue to create an enabling environment for investment. ‘’We embarked on `Delta Beyond Oil’ because we observed that oil cannot sustain the economy because of its volatility. ‘’The programme is all about the future of the youth; so, we will ensure there is security, infrastructure and human capacity to adequately attract investors,’’ he said.
TIT BIT
“You need power, only when you want to do something harmful, otherwise, love is enough to get everything done.” - Charlie Chaplain
The President of CBCN, Most Rev, Ignatius Kaigama, called for continuous prayers to sustain peace and unity in Nigeria. He said that Nigeria’s security and other challenges were surmountable. Kaigama, the Archbishop of Jos, said that those advocating for division of the country might not know the consequences. ‘’There is no guarantee that things will become better if we go our ways,’’ the cleric Continues on page 2
THANKSGIVING: L-R: Dr. Pius Odubu, Deputy Governor of Edo State and his wife, Deaconess Endurance Odubu and Rt. Hon. Uyi Igbe, Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly and his wife, Mrs. Jennifer Igbe during the thanksgiving 80th birthday service of Mrs. Regina Omorose Igbe, mother of Hon. Uyi Igbe at Holy Cross Cathedral, Benin City weekend. Photo: GODWIN ISEGUAN.
Church building collapse: Death toll rises to 40,
LAGOS - The National E m e r g e n c y Management Agency (NEMA) yesterday said that 40 dead bodies had been recovered, while 130 people trapped in
the collapsed Synagogue building had so far been rescued. The Public Relations Officer of NEMA, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed this in a
130 rescued
telephone interview with newsmen in Lagos. Farinloye said that 80 per cent of people
rescued from the collapse building at Synagogue Church of All Nations, Ikotun, Lagos,
Former IG implores Northern Elders to KADUNA - A former tackle security challenges Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, has urged Northern leaders to tackle the security challenges facing the
North. Coomassie, who is the Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum
(ACF), gave the advice at the emergency meeting of the ACF with Northern non-
g o v e r n m e n t a l organisation leaders in Kaduna yesterday. He said the security Continues on page 2
were women. He said that two female children, aged four and eight years, were among those rescued from the collapse building. According to him, the continued rescue exercise has increased the number of dead persons from 17 to 40. A six-storey building belonging to the Synagogue Church of All Continues on page 2