The Nigerian
PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol . 38 • NO. 463 • THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014 • N 100.00 CHILD HEALTH AND YOU Page 15 Ensuring survival of premature babies
External Reserves rise to $37.9bn LAGOS - The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said that the nation’s external reserves stood at 37.91 billion dollars as at April 15. This was posted on the apex banks’ Website on
Wednesday. According to the apex bank, 36.87 billion dollars of the reserves is in ‘liquid’ form, while 1.048 billion dollars is in
‘blocked’ form. The new figure represents an increase of 60 million dollars or 2.77 per cent over the 37.85 billion dollars recorded on April 1.
Reports state that the reserves has been fluctuating from 43.51 billion dollars in January to 37.91 billion dollars in April. It will be recalled that Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Continues on page 2
2015
SECURITY ISSUES Page 18 Of Primordialism and nationalism security
Shun empty promises, Oshiomhole tells royal fathers By ADAMS OYIBOKE
BENIN CITY- Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has urged royal fathers in the state to remain focused on the maintenance of peace and security in their domains and ignore politicians who make empty promises and have nothing to offer the people, as the 2015 election approaches. He made the call Benin City. yesterday at the The governor said: inauguration of the “as we approach the State’s Council of 2015 elections, we Traditional Rulers and politicians, and myself Chiefs under the inclusive are going to Chairmanship of His go round your Royal Majesty, Omo domains and promise n’Oba Erediauwa, CFR, to put air conditioners Oba of Benin at the everywhere. Some of Government House, us might use ethnic
sentiments where it suits us and to play one brother against another. “This is the moment
where your leadership will be brought to test because for some politicians, the
end justifies the means. “Some will try to spread false rumours, spread disinformation but I pray
that you will remain constant in your commitment to peace and security.” While urging the royal fathers to help the government in the maintenance of peace and security in the state, Oshiomhole said “current Continues on page 2
Ibori’s Assets Trial Rights Group tasks British PM, House of Commons
BENIN CITY- Against the backdrop of lack of evidence by the Southwark Crown Court trial judge, Anthony Pitts, a human rights group, Niger Delta Alliance for Human Rights (NDAHR), has called on the British Prime Minister and the House of Commons to take interest in the on-going assets confiscation trial of former Delta State Governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori. The Group stated that this was imperative so as
not to damage the reputation of Britain even as they took a swipe at the selective war on graft by the Federal Government. Chairman of the group, Comrade Igbotako Nowinta at a World Press Conference in Benin City yesterday, called on the House of Commons to “investigate the use of the British citizens’ tax payers’ 7million pounds which was apparently wasted by the Metropolitan Police in the c o n t r o v e r s i a l
TIT BIT “The opportunity that some persons seek in life is such that would aid them to prevent others from acquiring the opportunities to express themselves” - Kinglsey Ogbeide-Ihama
investigation which yielded no evidence.” The Niger Delta Alliance for Human Rights said “we are particularly piqued that the crown prosecution’s confiscation request is ignorantly anchored on Nuhu Ribadu’s EFCC and British Metropolitan Police’s claim that Ibori defrauded Delta State, whereas there is no single evidence Continues on page 2
RECONSTITUTION: Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole (left) congratulating the Vice Chairman, Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, (Edo North), HRH Dr. A.Y.E. Dirisu, OON, Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, (right), while middle is HRH Ehidiamen I, Onojie of Opoji, Vice Chairman, (Edo Central). The reconstituded Council is under the Chairmanship of the Oba of Benin Kingdom, HRM Oba Erediauwa.
Petroleum Subsidy Scam
EFCC recovers N4.3bn from suspects
LAGOS -The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Lamorde, has disclosed that the Commission has recovered N4.3billion from suspects involved in the petroleum subsidy scam.
In a statement made available to The NIGERIAN OBSERVER, the EFCC boss said this
when the management of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) led by
- Lamorde
its Executive Secretary, Farouk Ahmed paid him
a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja. Lamorde said the Continues on page 2
claim the corpses of their loved ones. Our Correspondent
who visited the hospital reports that many of the Continues on page 2
Deceased’s family members demand release of corpses ABUJA Family Nyanyan blasts:
blast in Nyanya trooped members of persons who to the National Hospital died in Monday’s bomb Abuja yesterday to