I don't need your job, Onyebuchi tells Chime

ENUGU 2015

Chinedu Onu joins Guber Race

Vol. 2 No. 102, September 18, 2014

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AFTERMATH OF ENUGU IMPEACHMENT

I don't need your job, Onyebuchi tells Chime Says he resigned from Civil Service before 2007 election The choice of CAC Bishop as new Deputy Gov

By Ted Peters & Rex Arum

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HE last may not have been heard about the impeachment saga in Enugu State as Governor Sullivan Chime decided to redeploy in a very humiliating manner his former Deputy, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi who was recently impeached for allegedly operating a commercial poultry in his official lodge at the Government House, Enugu.

Shortly after the Presiding Bishop of Christ Ascension Church, CAC, Ugwuaji branch, Rev. Raphael Ifeanyi Nwoye nominated by Governor Chime to replace the impeached Deputy Governor was sworn in, Chime announced the redeployment of Onyebuchi to the State Civil Service.

Subsequently, a letter of posting was sent to Onyebuchi redeploying him to the office of the Secretary to the State Government as Deputy Director on Grade Level 15. This was immediately rejected by Onyebuchi who described the Governor's action as another attempt to further humiliate him because, according to him, Chime knew that he had resigned from the civil service as a Permanent Secretary before they contested

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Onyebuchi

Chime

Tension in Enugu PDP as Nwabueze Okafor joins senatorial race

Pg 22

Nwoye

'Our sons rape us on a daily basis' – Imo Christian mothers cry out Pg 2

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Enugu Magistrate murdered by gunmen

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Enugu Magistrate murdered by gunmen *As bandits terrorize Abakpa Nike residents

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nugu residents have been thrown into panic following the murder of a serving Chief Magistrate O J Nwani on Tuesday.

Also, armed robbers that laid siege on Abakpa Nike, Enugu East local government area of Enugu state capital since last week have continued their raid on the residents stealing money and wounding their victims.

It was learnt that the judicial officer was killed by suspected

assassins at Aguowo area of Trans-Ekulu, Enugu.

The State Police Command has confirmed the dead of the Chief Magistrate, saying it has commenced investigations to unravel the motive behind the assassination.

Sources said that the Magistrate, who is serving in Enugu South, Magisterial Division was reportedly called by his assailant and when he came out, he was shot severally in his head and chest at

closed range.

The assailants were said to have fled the scene after the shooting in an unmarked vehicle.

The Chief Magistrate was said to have been rushed to an undisclosed hospital in Enugu, where he was confirmed dead.

The Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu while confirming the incident, said that the command had not made any arrest, but that efforts were on to

track-down the killers.

FacebookTwitterEmailMore “Our operatives are on the trail of the murderers, we will do everything possible to track them down,” Amaraizu said.

In a related development, the residents of Abakpa Nike area of Enugu are now living in fear following the rising wave of armed robbery in the area.

Barely three days after the major robbery incident at the Abakpa Timber Market where a salesgirl

was shot dead and some traders were seriously wounded, armed bandits laid siege on some residents along the Nike Lake road. Some residents attributed the violent crimes including frequent shootings in the area to the activities of two cult groups whose members reside in the area.

Meanwhile, the state police command has increased police patrol in the area but the night operations by the gunmen targeting street traders appeared to have made it difficult for the policemen to tackle the renewed security challenge.

How I was raped by soldier for 5 hours under a tree – Student

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23-year-old National Diploma, ND, student of Mass Communication Department, Ibarapa Polytechnic, Monday, narrated how she was raped under a tree by one of the security men attached to Operation Burst set up by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State to check criminality in the state.

The incident was said to have happened in Eruwa from 10.30 pm on August 29 this year while she was returning after seeing off a friend.

She said she was raped repeatedly for five hours before she was let off the hook by the rapist soldier.

According to her, the soldier allegedly ordered her to climb the motorcycle while threatening to stab her with a knife.

She said: “It happened on Friday, August 29, 2014. I was coming back to my room after seeing off a friend. He accused me of being a cultist for moving about around that time, but I denied it. He then ordered me to climb his motorcycle, but I pleaded with him that he should let me go.

“He removed a knife and said that he would stab me if I refused to obey him. So scared, I climbed the Okada and he took me to the Operation Burst office in Eruwa.

“When we got there, he forcefully led me to a dark area under a tree and ordered me to remove my dress to enable him see if I had tattoos on my body.

“I told him I did not have tattoos and that he should let me go. He then removed the knife again and said that he would slaughter me like a ram if I failed to 'cooperate' and that I would be buried like many other girls who had failed to cooperate in the past, and nobody would trace my death to him.

“Sensing danger, I removed my clothes. He ordered me to lie down under the tree and had sex with me several times while I was crying.

“He raped me till 3.30 am and I complained of catching cold. He entered into the office and brought out a bottle of beer. He gave it to me to hold for him.

“Later he said he was going to bring a blanket for me to cover my body. I waited for about 30 minutes, but when he did not return, I dressed up and ran away.”

The victim's counsel, Mr. Adeosun, confirmed her story, saying: “In the morning of Saturday, August 30, 2014, the victim called her parents on the telephone and told them what happened. It was the parents that came to brief our office. We thereafter advised that the victim should report to the Police

Station at Eruwa, which she did.”

When the matter was reported to the security outfit, the girl identified the rapist among other security operatives paraded before her.

To worsen her ordeal, the Eruwa General Hospital where she went for test did not help matter.

According to her, on arrival in the hospital, the doctor she met told her to buy hand gloves which she did.

She said: “The doctor told me to lie down and use his phone torchlight to examine my private part and wrote a report that although there was no trace of semen, the private part had been tampered with.”

It was gathered that the doctor

claimed he could not carry out test on the inner part of the vagina because the hospital did not have the facilities to carry out such test.

The victim's lawyer said a soldier called him at 8.25 pm on Sunday informing him that the Army had commenced court martial trial on the indicted soldier, but that the student must appear to testify.

Responding, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, quoted the security outfit as saying it had recommended the suspect for disciplinary measure for abandoning his duty post.

In a statement issued by the outfit's Second in Command, CSP Elijah Bawa, “immediately the outfit was informed of the allegation of rape against the said soldier, he dispatched an

investigation team to Eruwa.

“The team met with the Divisional Police Officer for the Eruwa Division, DSP Kayode Adigun who disclosed that the 23-year old Mass Communication student of the school lodged a complaint with the command that she had been raped by the soldier who was also an operative of the anti-crime outfit.

“The outfit's Second in Command and the DPO took the complainant to the Eruwa General Hospital for medical examination, the result of which they said proved negative.

“The soldier will, however, be charged for abandoning his duty post in the night without permission against standing instructions in the Operation Burst's code of conduct,” he said.

'Our sons rape us on a daily basis' – Imo Christian mothers cry out

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hristian Mothers in Mgbishii, a rural c o m m u n i t y i n Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area in Imo state have cried out to the government and the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiatical Province, Dr. Anthony Obinna, over alleged atrocities being committed by their sons and daughters in the area.

According to The Advocate, the women made this appeal during a recent visit to the Catholic Archbishop at the Maria Assumpta Catholic Cathedral in Owerri.

"We are raped and molested by our own children. You cannot come to Mgbuishii and return home safely because of the crime rate" the women said.

According to the women, they have complained to the state government and other security agents over the high rate of crime being committed by their children but all their complaints have not been answered. " We a r e a n g r y b e c a u s e

government is not looking at our direction at all. We h a v e b e e n c o m p l e t e l y abandoned for years.

Now we have no good roads, no e l e c t r i c i t y, n o market, nothing is going on in our p l a c e . To m a k e things worse, we are now suffering from insecurity" they said The women decried the lack of police presence within their community.

They say their sons have become so wayward that they beat up any police man who tries to intervene during any criminal activity within the community.

"Each time we report cases to the police and they manage to send their men at all, the criminals beat them (policemen) up because they (criminals) parade more sophisticated weapons than what

the policemen have. We needed police escort to get here (Maria Assumpta Cathedral) and we will also need them to go back home" they said The women also said they are thinking of relocating from their villages to safer places in Rivers state. They say even the catholic priest in their community is also threatening to leave their community

"Even the Reverend Father in our place is complaining and threatening to go away. About two weeks ago, some reverend sisters visited our place and were waylaid on the road and robbed.

We have a lot of problems and that is why the women have come to complain to the Archbishop, who is our father in the lord" they said The Archbishop after listening to all their complains prayed for the

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I don't need your job, Onyebuchi tells Chime Continued from front page Governor I never applied to the 2007 governorship election.

He told journalists in Enugu that the decision by his erstwhile boss to redeploy him to the State Civil Service after he had served as Commissioner and Deputy Governor was intended to either insult or humiliate him just as he suspected that the governor and his men may have decided to commence another game against him having failed to scuttle his senatorial ambition through the impeachment.

Onyebuchi said the redeployment was either a joke or something intended to make mischief, stressing that if those behind it had consulted their records properly they would have known that his joint ticket with Governor Chime in 2007 and 2011 would have been invalid if he (Onyebuchi) did not formally resign from the civil service.

He, however, acknowledged that a letter of redeployment was delivered to his residence posting him to the office of the Secretary to State Government, SSG, as Deputy Director and directing him to handover to the new Deputy Governor on or before Monday, September 8, 2014.

Hear him: “When I got the information I felt it was a joke or something just intended to insult and humiliate me. I can't imagine what they intend to achieve by this. After serving as Deputy Governor for seven years and three months I will go back to office as a Civil Servant on Level 15. I know they have not forgotten that I left the Civil Service as Permanent Secretary and before I became Commissioner.

“While I was serving as a Commissioner I took a leave of absence that enabled me served out my appointment as a Commissioner. Preparatory to my nomination to run for election as Deputy Governor in 2007, I formally disengaged from the State Public Service both as Civil Servant and as a Commissioner and that is what made me eligible to contest election because it is known that you cannot contest election while holding a public office in Nigeria. And we all know that you cannot ask for leave of absence to join a political party and you can also not ask for a leave of absence to contest election because to contest election you must belong to a political party. So, I never applied for a leave of absence to contest election as a Deputy Governor because that will be against the law.

anybody for a reinstatement as a civil servant because I have disengaged from the civil service.

They tend to forget that if I did not resign before my nomination, that means that my name was still in the nominal roll of the civil service and that will also mean that I was not qualified to contest the election.

“But they are aware that I contested election in 2007 and also contested in 2011 and if I was still a civil servant either on leave of absence or in whatever capacity, it means that the ticket and the platform under which I contested with my boss, the governor, was faulty and invalid but I do not believe it was so because the opposition and those who lost the election would have used it as basis to appeal against our election. So it is very clear that the report of my posting or redeployment is either a joke or something intended to make mischief either by a way of insult or humiliation.”

“However, I want to use this opportunity to congratulate the young man who was selected to represent me, Rev. Ifeanyi Nwoye. He is somebody I have known for long. He is my cousin and I am happy he was the one chosen and I wish him well. Any time he has any area he wants my advice I will be happy to avail him of such advice. If he succeeds I will be happy because we are related and from the same village.”

“For me, I said before, I do not bear anybody any grudges, I do not habour any bitterness against anybody for whatever role, he or she may have played. I believe God knows everything and because of the faith I have in God, I have handed over everything to him. I still maintain good relationship with all of them and do not intend to see this as a quarrel. What happened is not the end of the road for me. I can tell you clearly that it is not the end of

I left civil service formally before my nomination “It is not a question of whether I rejected the posting, there is no basis for it having disengaged from the service formally before I was nominated. So I want to put the record straight that I am not rejecting posting because there was no civil service appointment to go back to and there is nothing I forgot in the civil service that I want to go and pick up. I believe that I served the state well both as a civil servant and as a political office holder.

“I want to thank God for the opportunity. Also I want to thank the people of Enugu State for giving me the opportunity to serve them. I am ever very grateful and I will keep thanking God for it.”

I received a letter posting me to SSG's office as Deputy Director “My security man at the gate informed me that somebody brought a letter posting me to the Secretary to State Government, SSG's office as a Deputy Director and asking me to handover to the new Deputy Governor not later than Monday, September 8, 2014.

In the first place there is nothing the Deputy Governor hands over.

Nothing was handed over to me when I became Deputy Governor since the major function of the Deputy Governor is to represent the Governor; I do not think that I need to handover to him how he will represent the Governor.”

My election with Chime would have been invalid if I did Congratulates new not resign Deputy Governor,

“Having left office as a Deputy

promises to avail his t h o s e w h o advice undermined me

Ifeoma Nwobodo Speaking further on the circumstances that may have led to the governor considering him for redeployment to the civil service after he was indicted for gross misconduct and impeached, Onyebuchi said: “I believe that they made the decision in error, they did not consult the record properly because if they did, they will realize that there is no basis for that. It is just intended to crack a joke or something intended to humiliate me. I know the people I am dealing with and I know they will be coming with one form of tactics or the other. Every day I expect them to come up with something. Like I said in previous interactions, nobody is greater than God, whatever you do, even if you don't account to human beings here on earth, you must account to God.

I have forgiven

the road for me and that is why I tell you clearly that I do not feel bad or habour bitterness. I wish everybody well. I have even forgiven those who played one role or the other to undermine me because every day when we pray, we ask God to forgive us.”

I am capable of serving our people at the Senate Asked if the redeployment was targeted at scuttling his senatorial ambition, the ousted Deputy Governor said: “I don't really know but anything is possible in this game. Up there in the political terrain, it is a kind of jungle with all sorts of wild animals, that is why I thank God that having been in that jungle and till this time without anybody saying that I am fraudulent, I feel good and say that I am capable of serving our people.

“The letter may be something to prepare for another action after they have failed to use the impeachment to scuttle my ambition to represent Enugu East Senatorial zone at the Senate next year. I believe if they check properly, they will realize that if it is intended to serve as foundation for another action, that the foundation is weak because if I did not resign I would not have been eligible to run elections in 2007 and 2011.”

And the new Deputy Governor steps in Reverent Raphael Ifeanyichukwu Nwoye, is the third Deputy Governor being produced in Enugu State since 1999. He was sworn in on Monday, following the impeachment of Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi by the State House of Assembly.

A native of Ishiogbo Nara in Nkanu East local government, he made history when he accepted to serve the remaining tenure of his impeached kinsman, who was removed based on allegations of gross misconduct resulting from operating poultry farm and flagrant disobedience to the directives of Governor Sullivan Chime.

Nwoye is actually a cousin of Onyebuchi and he (Onyebuchi) confirmed this much last Thursday when he said; “I am happy that Ifeanyi has been named to succeed me. He is my brother and in fact my cousin. I am always available to guide him on anything he would require my assistance to enable him do his job better.”

A pastor and precisely a Bishop in the Christ Ascension Church, he is the presiding Bishop of the Ugwuaji District of the church.

His father, Apostle Professor O.N Godwin is the founder and head of the Church. Ugwuaji district is a rural community in Enugu South local government and made up of three branches of the Church the Ugwuaji 1 & 2 and another branch in Akpugo.

It was gathered that the Church, which is nationally known is divided into districts and headed by a Bishop for administrative conveniences. Ugwuaji was not a district until three years ago and Ifeanyi became the first Bishop.

Bishop Ifeanyi operates from the Ugwuaji 1, as the administrative headquarters of the Church for the district.

His rural district notwithstanding, he is said to be the second in command in the Church nationwide. Sources said that he is a member of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Enugu State branch and succeeded his father in the state executive committee of the group.

Described as a quiet and humble gentleman by those around him, especially in the religious circle, Nwoye before his appointment

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Chidoka orders review of security at airport terminals

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he Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has ordered a comprehensive review of the state of security at all the airport terminals in the country.

The minister, who gave the order during an unscheduled tour of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja, said it was part of efforts at ensuring that the country maintains the Category 1 Safety Status Certification.

He revealed that the United States' Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expected to visit Nigeria this month (September) to carry out a mandatory assessment of Nigeria's CAT 1 status with the aim of ensuring that the country still maintains the safety standard in air transport.

Chidoka noted that the FAA Category 1 status had provided the ministry opportunity to review all its security details and ensure safety of air passengers, saying he has ordered all the airline operators and airport officials to comply with the modus operandi.

Acknowledging the remodelling of the airport terminals by the former Aviation Minister, Stella Odua, Chidoka said all

available resource would now be deployed to the upgrading of security at the airport and ensuring safety of air passengers, in line with global standard.

He said: “That is why I have ordered a total review of security at the airport with a view that they meet global best practices.

“My predecessor has already focused on the remodelling of the terminal building, so there is nothing much to do about that, except to finish what is being done, so we need to move away from that and focus on the security and safety of passengers.

He noted that the ministry is making sure that there is an alignment between the safety on air and security of passengers at the terminal building.

“While we want the passenger to move in more comfortable manner, we don't want to compromise the security of the airport, so our major strategy is to begin to look into the security component of our work.

The minister appealed to air passengers to bear with the government on the ongoing work at the airport, assuring that within the next four to six months, the new Abuja Airport Terminal would be running.”

Falana vows to prosecute Boko Haram suspected sponsors

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uman rights Activist and Constitutional Lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) has threatened to approach court to compel the country's security agencies investigate the alleged sponsors of dreaded Boko Haram which had held sway in the last five years.

Making reference to the outcome and findings of Ambassador Usman Galtimari Panel of investigation set up by the present administration and last week revelation by another Federal Government foreign negotiator, Dr. Stephen Davis, which indicted former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff and former Army Chief, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, as insurgents' sponsors, Mr. Falana in a press statement Thursday declared that, if the security agencies failed to implement the “directives of the Federal Government which were handed down since May 2012”, within the next seven days, he would apply to the Federal High Court for “a writ of MANDAMUS to compel investigation of the accused persons.

Falana stated that the suit would also pray for the prosecution of the indicted sponsors of terrorism in the North Eastern part of the country.

The statement indicated that Dr. Davis's findings who was contracted to negotiate the freedom of over 200 abducted Chibok Secondary School girls, confirmed that Sheriff has strong link to Boko Haram, as one of its financiers, Alhjai Buji Foi was once a Commissioner for Religion Affairs in

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his cabinet between 2003 and 2007, alleging that the militia group was dumped and left to their fate after being initially funded by Sheriff to actualize his political ambition.

Frustration due to lack of funding the statement pointed out later forced members of the group to adopt religious extremism, coordinated by their ex leader, late Muhammadu Yusuf. Foi was killed at outset of the insurgency.

Mr. Falana added that the Galtimari's recommendation of investigating the suspected sponsors of insurgents' group in 2006 was accepted by the Federal Government, therefore directed the National Security Adviser to coordinate the investigations of the suspects, but the order was not carried out, apparently due to Sheriff's strong link and connection to the Presidency.

The embattled former Governor has since denied the findings and recommendations by the Galtimari's Panel and Australian FG negotiator.

He stated at a press conference in Abuja yesterday that Dr. Davis allegation was unfounded and threatened to sue him.

The National Publicity Secretary of the ruling PDP, Olisa Metuh also in a press statement Wednesday berated the opposition APC for his castigation on the party and Federal government, describing the address by the party National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, at a press briefing in Abuja Tuesday, as lacking validity, character and intellectual contents, befitting of his office.

British Deputy High Commissioner slumps, dies at Lagos airport

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he Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Parker, on Tuesday, slumped and died at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

Parker, who flew into the county aboard an American Airline, Delta Air Lines, sources said took ill while on board.

The plane had arrived the country from Atlanta Georgia, around 4:00 p.m., on Tuesday.

A source close to the airport confirmed that the medical personnel attached to

the terminal tried to revive him, but without success.

When it was confirmed that he had passed on, an ambulance was ordered to take him to the morgue.

As of the time of filing this report, the morgue where he was taken to could not be confirmed.

But information gathered indicated that the diplomat before dying was seen holding to his chest and screaming “my heart” and slumped before the health officials could reach him.

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Ezekwesili moves against journalists

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he garrulity of Oby Ezekwesili appears to know no bounds. Now that she has dumped every ethical standard to pursue the matter of the over 200 Chibok girls still in the detention centre of the mad group called Boko Haram, she is desperately trying to recruit new followers. And for refusing to join her less than decent and self-seeking campaign, she has picked on members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, her best supporter thus far.

She wants members of the guild to go beyond their present involvement of causing their reporters to give vent to the position of the BBOG; come on board her irrational train; and put government under more fire.

The emotions of Oby can be understood as a woman and mother, but she is gradually stepping out of line and seeking to burn whatever remnant of goodwill she has. Many know that the BBOG is a creation of the opposition, which has taken a good venture and given it a bad name and an opprobrious status.

Where was she when the PR firm of the APC in UK claimed that the group was part of the machinations of the opposition?

Didn't she know that was enough for the “lucrative” project to be kept at bay by even those who bought into it initially?

And the editors, being professional as they ought to be, even allowed her denigrating comments about them to see the light of the day as published in the Leadership newspaper: “We tried to hold meetings with editorial boards of media houses and it was difficult. I thought it was all about timing to align, that it would sort itself out. When the meeting wasn't coming through, I decided to call the president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors to collaborate with us on Day 130.

He said it was a good idea. But when he got back to his people, they agreed that they wouldn't collaborate with us because we were opposition tool. It is unfortunate that we would get this response from the fourth estate of the realm.

“If the media are scared to confront the government when it is wrong, what is there for us then? They are supposed to put the government on their toes; if they don't do that, then who will?

The social media has brought us thus far and will continue to move us on. One key issue has refused to go away in social media and it is the BBOG. We don't have power over the mainstream media but in the social media, we will continue.

Our advocacy is aimed at compelling the right action by government which is to bring

Oby Ezekwesili back the abducted girls to their families. That is the reason we are here. If we had not been here, the issue of the Chibok girls would have been swept under the carpet. We are seeking accountability; we want good governance. We know that the process of getting the girls back

will lead to getting the other abducted people home. It will be a victory for us against the terrorists….”

Oby got it wrong w h e n s h e suggested that the media was afraid to confront the government, because if any group has kept the issues related to the Chibok girls on the front burner, it has been the media and their chiefs. It is to the credit of the media that they have not allowed their emotions to run as wild as those of opposition elements like Oby. She should know better than to take them on, for that route is fraught with dangerous bumps.

And what exactly does she mean by confronting the government?

Does it mean that when these media chiefs see that government is doing or has done

all within its powers, they should continue to act as unreasonably as much as possible as the BBOG and the opposition parties do?

According to the Leadership newspaper, the BBOG agreed that military action is needed for the rescue of the Chibok girls and called on the federal government to act accordingly with all the military might at its disposal and ensure that the girls are rescued. This is again crass ignorance at its highest height.

Either the group has been watching too many Hollywood movies, or the unreasonableness that characterizes some unthinking women has become their lot. Have they considered the fact that using military might could be counter-productive and lead to needless loss of lives, even of the girls they want brought back home alive?

It may be necessary for Oby to apologise, not only to the guild, but also the people and government of Nigeria for her often uncontrollable outbursts where it concerns the abducted girls. While many have opined that the women that people the BBOG have been the best

supportive group for the release of the Chibok girls, it has to be observed that the group has been infiltrated by self-seeking politicians who see it as a franchise to steal of the public space it enjoys. Two of such are that woman and the foulmouthed former student union leader who was in the National Assembly.

As commentators have said, the genuine fighters for the girls have had their voices drowned by the loud-mouths who know how to seize every opportunity to court the media. Now that the media appears ready to go elsewhere or follow the matter without being partisan, they have become the butt of needless invectives from the publicity stunts-persons. It has to be admitted that while the girls are not back home, the government has done its possible best in the prevailing circumstances of our clime. It should be encouraged to do more by well-meaning individuals so that at the end of the day, this country will once again know some modicum of peace and unity.

Written by Abba Adakole.

My constituents asked me to vie for Anambra Central senatorial seat—Umeh

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ATIONAL chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, has said that his decision to join the race for Anambra Central senatorial zone was as a result of pressure from the people of the constituency who, he explained, desired effective representation in Abuja.

Umeh, who spoke when he was adopted as the candidate of Anambra Central by stakeholders in the zone, said he had been humbled by the level of support from the people in all the seven local government areas that make up the zone as elected councillors from the area have urged him to vie for the position.

He said: “People have forced me into this race to run and I have accepted. I will, however, not

Chief Victor Umeh

take their support for granted. I will take the next two weeks to visit them, to tell them in all t h e l o c a l government areas.

“After the visit, I will then prepare for a formal declaration in my local government before we flag off the campaign in Awka which is the headquarters of Anambra Central.”

Umeh expressed optimism that he would win the race, because his people loved him, having done so much to

promote their interest.

He said further: “I was the person who brought out former Governor Peter Obi to the people of Anambra State and stood by him to be governor for eight years. I played a major role to get him elected for the first term, defended him in all the battles he waged.

“We ensured that he was reelected in 2010 for a second term and he has served the people of Anambra State and by the way God has designed it, we have elected another governor for Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano who is doing exceedingly well and the people are happy.

“So, from what I have seen in Anaocha Local Government Area, the statement has been loudly made that there is no stopping their son from going to the Senate. It is a clarion call for me to go and represent them.”

Employee Steals N2 Billion from T.Y. Danjuma

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ormer Defence Minister, Theophilus Danjuma was defrauded by one of his

staff The police have charged an employee of former Defence Minister, Theophilus Danjuma to court after he allegedly stole N2 Billion.

Manasseh Obadiah Zorto, who is currently on the run, has been accused of defrauding Tita-Kuru P e t r o c h e m i c a l s L t d , T. Y Holdings Ltd and Central Realities Ltd of the large sum of

money.

A charge filed in court stated that Zorto used his position as executive director and special assistant, finance and investment to the chairman of the companies (Danjuma) to carry out the fraud.

He is said to have taken separate sums of N1.6 billion and $121, 468.

However, he could not be arraigned in court because of his absence. The case was adjourned till October 2, 2014.

Former Defence Minister, Theophilus Danjuma

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'CBN Funding Boko Haram', Australian Negotiator Claims

Stephen Davis

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ustralian crisis negotiator, Stephen Davis has again spoken to the media about the inner workings of terrorist sect, Boko Haram.

Davis, who has links with the group, first of all claimed that Boko Haram was being financed

by Nigerian politicians.

He then went further to name former Borno Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff and former Chief of Army Staff, Azubuike Ihejirika as 2 of such financiers.

In a telephone interview with The Cable, Davis said: “…it is done through a legal channel, through the gatekeeper, the CBN, and that makes it very easy to cover up”.

“One of the biggest of suppliers of arms and military uniforms to the JAS (Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad, better known as Boko Haram) currently lives in Cairo, Egypt.

He is the recipient of money sent by political sponsors from Nigeria. The funds go through the CBN's financial system and appear to be a legal transaction.”

“Meanwhile, the CBN official who handles the funding is an uncle to three of those arrested in connection with the Nyanya bombings. The three boys lived with him. They were arrested by the SSS (Department of State Security) after the bombings but they do not seem to have been interrogated about their uncle in CBN. Or if they have given up information about their uncle then the SSS has not moved against him.”

“Also, a senior official of CBN, who recently left the bank, was very close to Sodiq Aminu Ogwuche, the mastermind of the Nyanya bombings who also schooled in Sudan. Boko haram commanders said Ogwuche's wife used to visit this top official in his office at the headquarters of the bank in Abuja before the Nyanya bombings. They were very close,” The Australian spent 4 months in Nigeria trying to secure the release of the abducted Chibok girls.

Boko Haram: Ikedife warns El-Rufai on Ihejirika, others

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r. Dozie Ikedife, former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has warned of a break-up of the country, if former Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, Nasir El-Rufai, and other northern leaders did not refrain from discrediting the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Major General Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd) and other Igbo icons.

Ikedife, who was a delegate at the just concluded national conference, stated that the manner El-Rufai and his fellow northern

elders molested Igbo icons, was becoming too unbearable that with a little more push, Nigeria would go down the slippery slope.

Speaking to newsmen in his Nnewi country home, Ikedife said, in his reaction to the recent social media report in which ElRufai was said to have fingered Ihejirika as one of the sponsors of the Boko Haram insurgents in the country, that such a blatant statement was capable of attracting the wrath of Ndigbo.

The visibly angry Ikedife said the accusation was another classical

case of hounding and haunting of an Igbo icon in the person of General Ihejirika, who left the Army a few months ago as the Chief of Army Staff.

He said: “I wish to recall that when Ihejirika left the Army, those I identified as destroyers of credit and rumour mongers said that he was dismissed from the Army, but my investigation revealed that Ihejirika retired as and when due and was indeed the last member of his course mates to retire from the army.

“Following that retirement, he continued, the high and the mighty in one section of the country ganged themselves up

and decided to take Ihejirika to the International Court of Justice for alleged crime against humanity because, as they said, of the way he hounded, the way he tried to checkmate Boko Haram insurgency when he was head of the Nigerian army. They accused him of using undue force and fighting Boko Haram mercilessly.

“That particular accusation seems to have died down because it must be understood that in the army, you carry out orders and take instructions from the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. So, the stigma they wanted to stick on him did not work.”

Jonathan approves Lagos to Calabar rail line

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resident Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday announced that the Federal Government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of a new railway line that will run from Lagos to Calabar and also extend to the Obudu Cattle Ranch.

The President made the announcement when he performed the groundbreaking of the second cement line being constructed by the United Cement Company of Nigeria Limited in Mfamosing, Akamkpa Local Government Council of Cross River State.

This came just as Chairman of the Board of UniCem, Mr. John Coumantaros, said the additional 2.5-million-metric-tonne per annum line would be constructed at the cost of N84bn, adding that the project, which is expected to

Jonathan be completed in 2016, would bring the production capacity of the company to five million

metric tonnes per annum.

Jonathan, who was represented by VicePresident Namadi Sambo, said it was commendable that barely five years after UniCem unveiled its first line of 2.5 million metric tonnes, the company had already concluded plans to double its production capacity.

He said, “In 2002, the Federal Government formulated the backward integration policy for the cement industry to facilitate Nigeria's drive in self-sufficiency for cement production. It should be noted that within a decade, there

had been a phenomenal growth from two million metric tonnes per annum to 39.5 million metric tonnes per annum of installed capacity.

“We are impressed that just five years after the first line in UniCem, we are gathered here again today for the second line, which will add 2.5 million metric tonnes per annum to the company's capacity. This is ample growth of operational efficiency and the resilience of the management of UniCem. Speaking on the proposed railway line from Lagos to Calabar, Jonathan said, “Indeed, I will like to state that very soon, the 550 megawatts station will be inaugurated. Also, on the railway line, I am also glad to inform you that the Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of a new railway line from Lagos to Calabar has been signed, and we hope that any moment from now, work will

Group asks ICC to prosecute alleged Boko Haram recommendations on those that may successive governments to ignore ICC will ensure that the truth is told sponsors be behind the Boko Haram attacks reports and recommendations of about those sponsoring the Boko

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he Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked Ms Fatou Bensouda, Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC) to use her office and position to urgently investigate allegations that certain high ranking public officials and politicians are among the sponsors of Boko Haram that has continued to engage in unlawful killings and destruction of civil property, and cases of extra-judicial killings in Nigeria.

The organization also asked the court to bring to justice anyone complicit in these international crimes prohibited under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, to which Nigeria is a state party.

In the petition dated 1 September, 2014 and signed by SERAP Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, the body said that, “We are seriously concerned that so far those who are responsible for the grave violations of international law have not been identified let alone p r o s e c u t e d . Wo r r y i n g l y, government's initiated probes with

have not yet been implemented.”

“A government committee in 2011 recommended the prosecution of some politicians for funding and providing general support to Boko Haram. This recommendation remains unimplemented as the government White Paper on it published in 2012 has been ignored,” the organization said.

The organization said that, “a Perthbased international adviser to Nigeria, Dr. Stephen Davis, who for four months was involved in negotiations on behalf of the federal government with commanders of Boko Haram for the release of over 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by the sect last April, has named certain high ranking public officials as sponsors of Boko Haram. Among others Dr Davis disclosed that a former governor of Borno state, a former chief of army staff and a former top official of the Central Bank of Nigeria have provided funds and other logistics to Boko Haram to commit crimes under international law.”

It added that, “We remain concerned that given the antecedents of

national agencies and institutions in situations like this, we are convinced that intervention by the ICC will bring international pressure to bear on the government to honour its international obligations by promptly identifying and bringing to justice those sponsoring and providing support for the Boko Haram attacks.”

Their request for the intervention by the ICC was further buttressed by increasing level of cases of extrajudicial execution that continued to take place in the country, saying that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke (SAN) revealed at a public event marking the Human Rights Day on December 10, 2012 that the Police alone had killed 7,108 persons in four years.”

“Additionally, given the weak criminal justice system and the fact that successive governments have shown themselves either unwilling or unable to prosecute suspected perpetrators of international crimes in places like Jos (Plateau State of Nigeria), the intervention by the

Haram attacks, and provide the much needed international accountability and ensure effective remedies for victims and their families,” the organization also said.

The organization pointed out that, “Without accountability for these serious human rights crimes, the victims will continue to be denied access to justice, and impunity of perpetrators will remain widespread and the result will continue to be a vicious cycle of violence and abuses with serious consequences for the entire citizenry.”

It said that, “Under Article 17 of the Rome Statute, the Court is a court of last resort, expected to exercise its jurisdiction only if states themselves are unwilling or unable genuinely to investigate and prosecute international crimes. Also, pursuant to the Rome Statute, the Prosecutor has power to intervene in a situation under the jurisdiction of the Court if the Security Council or states parties refer a situation or if information is provided from other sources such as the information SERAP is providing in this case.”

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Group rejects Abia guber zoning

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group, Abia First 2015 Project, has condemned the zoning formula adopted by the state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for 2015 governorship election, saying it would encourage mediocrity in the governance of the state.

The group known to be sympathetic to Dr. Alex Otti, a governorship aspirant, also described zoning as retrogressive and anti-democratic, and argued that only the best was good enough for the state.

It said that the best could not be selected through zoning, but through an open competition involving all interested, qualified aspirants.

The group in a statement by its Director, Media and Publicity, Chief Nwaka Inem, said what was needed was a credible person to consolidate and build on the foundation laid by Governor Theodore Orji, who it described as having responded to the security challenges in the state, especially kidnapping.

The statement said, “We are rightly of the opinion that zoning as being canvassed by some opinion leaders is retrogressive and antidemocratic. Zoning promotes mediocrity and as such must elect a governor based on his antecedents and record of performance. It is against this background that we are strongly convinced that Dr. Alex Otti, will do a better job than all other interested aspirants.

“What matters is for Abia to elect a governor who will not only consolidate on achievements of Gov. T.A. Orji but open new vistas in the development process of the state.”

CHANGE OF NAME

OFOKE – I formerly known as Miss Ofoke Roseline Mbam , now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Igweakpe Roseline Mbam.

All former documents remain valid. The general public please take note.

NWEKE – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Nweke Amoge/Ogechukwu Veronica, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Chinweuba Ogechukwu Vera.

All documents bearing the former name remain valid.

ESUT, Enugu State LGSC, UBA, First Bank, and general public should please take note.

7

September 18, 2014

Anambra moves to better socio-economic advancement – Ezeobi

M

ore commendations are trailing the 23rd anniversary of the creation of Anambra State.

The former Chief Medical Director Anambra State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Ifeanyi Ezeobi said the anniversary is worthy of celebration in view of the tremendous achievements recorded by various administrations since its creation on Aug 27,1991.

Dr. Ezeobi remarked that such achievements were most noticeable during the immediate past administration and Obiano's government which has made giant strides in all sectors and recorded huge successes.

According to the Former Chief Medical Director, the present administration began well, vigorously executing numerous development projects through its Four Pillars of Development and their Enablers particularly in the Health sector which has witnessed monumental transformation.

The Consultant Orthopedic and

Trauma Surgeon expressed the view that if the present tempo of development in Anambra State is sustained with the full support of the citizenry, the State will soon return to the path of sustainable economic growth.

He stated that with governor Obano's laudable programs and policies and their proper implementation, the State will move on to the threshold of socioeconomic advancement.

While describing governor Obiano as a man of integrity and strong character and one who possesses strong political will and all it takes to move the State to the next level, Dr. Ezeobi posited that in all his actions since he assumed duty March 17, he has remained committed to the core values of discipline, dedication and selflessness and has demonstrated unique and visionary leadership, and reaffirmed his commitment to the provision of quality health care delivery and a culture of outstanding performance in all sectors with remarkable results, developing talents and creating

Ezeobi job opportunities as evidenced in his noble policy of re-focusing agric sector towards commercialization to be attractive to our teeming young unemployed graduates.

The Medical Expert then charged the entire State Citizenry to give the administration maximum support just as he enjoined staff of the State University Teaching

hospital to be dedicated, patriotic, selfless and punctual to duty.

On the death of Prof.

Mrs. Dora Akunyili, Dr. Ifeanyi Ezeobi described it as a monumental loss not only to Ndi Anambra but to Africa and the world at large.

The Medical expert described the late erudite Professor as an Amazon, a Nation Builder, a Trail Blazer and one of the finest and most brilliant minds of our time.

Dr. Ezeobi remarked that late Akunyili will be remembered for her uncommon courage, doggedness, and ability to hold on to truth, equity and fairness no matter whose ox is gored.

He commended Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State and his pragmatic administration for their noble efforts in giving her a befitting funeral.

Group asks IGP to close illegal police checkpoints in S-East *Says Police has 'turned check points to bribe collection centres’

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group, Human Rights Writers Association, HURIWA, Wednesday, implored the acting Inspector General of Police Mr. Suleiman Abba, to urgently order the closure of illegal police checkpoints currently in operation in the South East region of the country.

The group, which made the call while briefing newsmen in Abuja, said it was astonished by the brazen manner policemen harassed and extorted money from commuters during an assessment tour it recently conducted in the South East.

National Coordinator of the g r o u p , M r. E m m a n u e l

Mr. Suleiman Abba

Onwubiko, said: “We want to use this medium to urge the Acting Inspector General of Police to pay particular attention to what his men are currently doing in the South East.

“HURIWA, having received a lot of complaints on the multiplicity of check points in all the South-Eastern states, we decided to embark on a four-day tour of the five states in the region.

“It was shocking to us to observe that policemen not only collect bribe openly, they beat and physically torture people at will. There is

How 72-yr-old Dutch lost N40.6m in romance scam

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31-year-old internet fraudster, Adio Opeyemi Michael, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for defrauding a 72-year-old Dutch woman of €200,000 (about N40.6 million) in a romance scam.

The suspect, who is a native of Owu Local Government Area of Ogun State, was said to have met his victim, identified simply as Jeanet De Jonge, on Netlog dating site and pretended to be a 41-year-old American citizen working as a chef in a Nigerian restaurant and needs a wife.

Spokesman for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, while confirming the report, said that the suspect's profile

actually attracted Jeanet and she eventually began sending him money through Western Union and Money Gram.

He further disclosed that the suspect collected various sums on the pretext that he was going to use the money to perfect his travel plans and obtain the required documents that would enable him travel to Holland to join or visit Jeanet. But his inability or refusal to honour the invitation from Jeanet prompted her to write a petition to the EFCC. Sources at the EFCC revealed that operatives of the anti-graft agency used information provided by the victim in her petition to track and apprehend the suspect.

Meanwhile, the suspect in his confessional statement said: “She

was sending me money monthly, ranging from $800 to $900 from June 2012, through Western Union Money transfer and Money Gram to the extent that Western Union blocked her access.

“So, she requested that I should go to London to enable her send more money there. I contacted a friend in London called Osas Odiah, who was supposed to receive the money and dispatch same to me in Nigeria.

“She first sent €2,000 to my friend's account in London and he didn't remit the money to me. I later opened a Keystone Bank Forex Trade account through which she sent me money.”

According to Wilson, the suspect will be arraigned in court as soon as investigation is concluded.

currently a general state of anarchy involving police in the South East.”

“Police in the region has turned check points to bribe collection centres. They do not care whether you are Boko Haram or carrying arms, they only care about money. This is an ugly trend that must be checked by the acting IGP immediately.”

“We want to assume that he is not aware of the situation which was why we forwarded a copy of our findings to him, hoping that he will swing into action promptly.”

“We are calling on the IG to put an end to these gross violations of human rights in that region as policemen there no longer focus on the discharge of their constitutional duties.”

“However, if he fails to take any concrete action within the next 21 days, we will write to the President on why he should not be confirmed as the substantive IGP. “It is our sincere believe that he would do the needful by abolishing illegal check points like his predecessor did.

“Secondly, we want to beg the National Assembly to okay the recommendation by participants at the just concluded national conference for the creation of state police.

“There is need for total overhauling of the present structure of the police. Why should we continue to spend money on a federal police system

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September 18, 2014

Anambra begins free distribution Pro-Jonathan group, TAN inaugurated in Enugu of seedlings, tractors to boost *Says 'Legal obstacles won't stop our efforts rice production APGA. to market Jonathan'

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nambra State government has introduced new high yielding quality seedlings as part of measures to boost rice production in the State.

The State governor, Chief Willie Obiano who made this known at Anaku, Headquarters of Ayamelum Local Government Area of the State, during a tour of the area explained that government in addition is providing free tractor services to the farmers and urged the people to continue to give his administration total support.

The governor said that the seedlings were being distributed free of charge to rice farmers under the various cooperative societies and pointed out that the exercise would engender bountiful harvest and enable the State achieve self sufficiency in rice production.

The National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Sir Victor Umeh who accompanied the governor commended the people of the area for their strong support and confidence in the party and government of Chief Obiano which he noted is working hard to uplift the lives of the citizenry.

The former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Dubem Obaze while

Obiano commending the Obiano administration's achievements in all sectors stressed the need for the people to elect credible candidates to represent the State at the National Assembly to assist governor Obiano in attracting more development projects to the State.

The Chairman of the Council, Mr. Paul Obiora expressed gratitude to the governor for the many ongoing projects in the area, revealing that it has made so many members of the People Democratic Party to defect to

Speaking at Nteje, O y i L o c a l Government Area of the State, during a similar thank-you visit, governor Obiano said the door of APGA would remain open for new members who want to identify with the ideology and aspirations of the p a r t y .

The governor said Ndigbo should be united under one platform to achieve their collective i n t e r e s t .

The member representing Oyi in the State House of A s s e m b l y, H o n .

Lilian Okadigbo observed that the governor has impacted positively on the lives of the people.

The Chairman of Oyi Local Government Council, Mr. Uchenna Okafor disclosed that the governor's onslaught against criminals has restored calmness and stability that would attract investors and boost business activities in the State.

An APGA chieftain, Pastor Ejike Nwachukwu described the governor as a visionary leader who has used his wealth and experience to make remarkable

Medical council suspends five doctors

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ive medical doctors have been suspended from practicing medicine in the country for various offences ranging from malpractice to negligence of duty.

The decision was taken at the third session of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal in Abuja.

The five doctors are Udueze, Temitope Onile, Nzurumike Nnanna, Danmusa Ochala and Omotaye Akinro.

Seven other doctors are also standing trial before the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.

Dr Udueze was handed a three months suspension for diverting a patient to his personal hospital for surgery. The patient eventually died after the surgery, forcing the family to petition the medical council.

Dr. Onile also got a three month suspension for negligence. He was suspended for abandoning a patient that was under his care,

while his other three colleagues, Nnanna, Ochala and Akinro were suspended for six months each.

10 policemen attacks officer NSCDC in Abuja

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bout 10 policemen weekend attacked an officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in front of corps' headquarters.

The incident, according to the Assistant spokesman of the corps, Shola Odumosun, occurred at about 11am.

Attempts by the policemen to gain entrance to NSCDC national headquarters were checkmated by the corps' officials who barricaded the organization's main gate despite sporadic shooting by the police officers.

This development caused pandemonium around the Peoples Democratic Party's headquarters and other areas leading to the NSCDC headquarters as people scampered in directions to avoid being hit by stray bullet

By Ted Peters

T

he pro-Jonathan o r g a n i z a t i o n , Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) has said that it would not be deterred by any form of legal obstacle in her ongoing nationwide rallies to market President Goodluck Jonathan and his achievements in the last four years.

The organization drummed support for President Goodluck Jonathan whom they said has done so much for the people of the South East and was ready to do more having demonstrated more interest in the development of the zone.

TAN said that the rally and road shows already held in the three geo-political zones of the Southern Nigeria would by next Saturday move to Minna, Niger state, which is in the middle-belt, the gateway to Northern Nigeria.

The founder and national coordinator of TAN, Dr. Ifeanyi Uba made this known in Enugu during the inauguration of TAN executives in the three senatorial zones, 17 local government areas and 260 wards of Enuu State.

Uba, who was the governorship aspirant of Labour Party in the November 16, 2013 Anambra governorship election, stated that Enugu has braced the tape as the first state in the country to establish state structures for TAN, and commended the state coordinator, Chief (Engr) Anayo Onwuegbu (Omeiheikwu) and the facilitator, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu for their untiring efforts.

The inauguration ceremony held at the City Park Hotel, Independence Layout, Enugu witnessed large turnout of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, members in the state including former federal and state lawmakers, political office holders and aspirants to various political offices in 2015.

Former Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly and now member of National Assembly Service Commission, Chief Abel Chukwu, Senator Gilbert Nnaji representing Enugu East Senatorial zone, former Commissioner for Environment , Chief Chinedu Onuh, former Commissioner for Special Duties and now Special Adviser to the Deputy Senate President on Projects, Engr. Bethel Onyenyiri and former Commissioner for Works and Housing, Chief Afam Nnaji were among dignitaries present at the occasion.

The TAN national coordinator, who was represented by Chief Ben Etiaba insisted that as a nongovernmental and non-political organization, TAN was not campaigning but merely drumming

support for the federal government led by President Jonathan with a view to highlighting the achievements of the administration, adding that TAN will enter the campaign stage at the appropriate time in line with INEC regulations.

“Jonathan has done a lot in health, finance, agriculture and the oil sector. The reason why TAN came to be was that the visioner (Uba) saw that this president was being pummeled, getting a bad press, please I want to at this point thank the media for supporting us; because before TAN came on board, it was as though there was a conspiracy against the president in the media. But TAN has somehow managed to turn it around, we are so

grateful to the media.”

Earlier, the state coordinator of TAN, Engr. Onwuegbu said that the entire South East has fared better under President Jonathan's administration more than any other in the past.

He listed the construction of Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, award of contract for construction of Second Niger Bridge at Onitsha, reconstruction of Enugu-Port-Harcourt and Enugu-Onitsha expressway, the inland Port at Onitsha, appointment of Onyeabor Ihejirika the first Chief of Army Staff from the zone after the civil war and state burial for late Odumegwu Ojukwu among other things as the highlight of Jonathan's achievement in the zone.

“TAN is a non-governmental, nonpolitical organization, whose mandate is to package and tell the world what the government of Jonathan has achieved within the past four years, the main objective is to return President Jonathan back to Aso Rock,” he said.

Highlight of the occasion was presentation of three fresh registers containing 85, 000 signatures and phone numbers of people that endorsed President Jonathan for the second term in office and submitted by the coordinators at the zonal level including; Hon Frank Anioma for Enugu East (30, 000), Ozor Okey Ozoani for Enugu West (25, 000) and Frank Oloto for Enugu

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9

September 18, 2014

Constitutional provision becomes political tool

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ne of the least-attractive features of Nigeria's return to democratic rule in May 1999 is the repeated refusal of politicians to play the game by its established rules. The most egregious manifestation of this tendency is the use to which the constitutional provision of impeachment has been put.

Instead of being utilised as a last resort; to be employed when all other options have been tried and failed, impeachment has become a crude weapon for the achievement of crassly partisan political ends.

The recent impeachment of the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, must rank among the most gratuitous examples of this grossly-misused constitutional provision. The speed of the process, its glaring lack of transparency, and the sheer ludicrousness of the charges against him all combine

to show that getting rid of a perceived nuisance was the real aim, rather than serving the interests of due process and fair play.

Onyebuchi was accused of gross misconduct and flagrant disobedience to the directives of Governor Sullivan Chime, but the crimes alleged against him were underwhelming in their pettiness.

The deputy governor was said to have failed to represent the governor at ceremonies launching the construction of the Second Niger Bridge, and to have operated a poultry farm in defiance of a resolution of the Enugu State House of Assembly.

In a nation where financial impropriety, gross incompetence and the use of violence and intimidation as instruments of state policy are rife, it is truly incomprehensible that these would constitute the “grave violation or breach of the

provisions” referred to in Section 188 (11) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

If Onyebuchi's offences amount to no more than these allegations, then there can be little doubt that his impeachment was more a means to a dishonourable end, as opposed to an end in itself. The fact that the panel appointed by the Enugu State House of Assembly was unable to find truly serious charges to level against him, as well as its refusal to sit in public is a clear demonstration of the fact that the impeachment provision had been abused by politicians whose personal ambitions took precedence over constitutional propriety and natural justice.

When it is recalled that the deputy governor held the fort during Chime's well-publicised extended absence from the state in 2012, the injustice to which he has been subjected becomes even

more apparent.

The main reason why the impeachment weapon can be deployed so recklessly is the loosely-worded nature of the relevant sections. While it is accepted that the provisions dealing with impeachment cannot be defined too narrowly and cannot specify every imaginable offence, it is disturbing that the references to “gross misconduct” are so vague.

To make matters worse, the Constitution characterises it as “a misconduct of such nature as amounts in the opinion in the House of Assembly to gross misconduct.” Given the pliancy of so many state houses of assembly in the hands of state governors, it is no surprise that impeachment has been repeatedly misused in Nigeria over the years.

The consequences have not been beneficial to the country: violence, political instability, the

entrenchment of money politics and godfatherism have been the most obvious repercussions. The long-term implications are not positive either, as politicians will seek to rely less on competence and service as they increasingly realise that controlling the impeachment weapon is the most profitable strategy to longevity in office.

Onyebuchi has promised to seek redress in court. It is hoped that he makes good his intention, as it will enable the propriety or otherwise of his impeachment to be subject to the due process of law.

The removal of governors and their deputies from office is a profoundly serious undertaking; it can no longer be subject to the w h i m s o f o v e r- a m b i t i o u s politicians and craven state houses of assembly.

Culled from The Nation

How much is your vote worth?

By Eze Onyekpere

T

oday's discourse will seek to raise the poser: How much is your vote worth? It will also seek to raise possible answers to that poser. The vote is one of the fundamentals of the electoral and democratic process. Voting is done after becoming a registered voter and acquiring the requisite cards and documentation.

The exercise of the voting franchise is a hallmark of citizenry, self-expression and the affirmation of the right to decide who governs your society. The vote decides the choice of policies that will lead the country, state or local government over the tenure of four years as we have in Nigeria.

The vote also decides whether we should expect good, mediocre or bad governance. And this informs the anger that boils over each time people believe or there is a perception that the votes have been manipulated in an election so that the declared winner is not the person the majority of the electorate supported.

My first choice of engagement may sound like moralising and sermonising.

But it is the first way to go in any sane society.

It is to say that your vote cannot be quantified in monetary naira and kobo terms. The vote is invaluable; it is like the rights to life and dignity of the human person; and the concept of personhood.

They do not have a price tag and cannot be traded. Essentially, they are not commodities, goods or services but carry the spark of our whole essence.

Therefore, anyone who insists on selling one's vote at any price is like someone who is attempting suicide.

Such a person is insistent on destroying the fundamentals of his existence. From the point of view of our various faiths, we are exalted to do the right things. I am not aware of any religious teaching that encourages selling the vote.

There are a thousand and one reasons

why you should not sell your vote. The party or candidate asking you to sell your vote does not believe you are human. He sees you as automation, an animated character that should be manipulated for his selfish ends. He sees the electorate as some form of animals in the bush and himself as a hunter with a right to a fair game.

The politician demanding that you sell your vote sees himself as an investor, not a Father Christmas and he intends to r e c o u p whatever money he has doled out a million fold or as much as his conscience (which is dead) allows him.

The second l i n e o f engagement is that if you decide contrary to reason to sell your vote, what is the price tag of that vote? How much will you ask the political investor to pay? In other words, in the process of commoditization of the vote, what value do you place on it?

The current approach of accepting a few kilogrammes of rice, sugar, salt, wheat flour or a few thousands of naira, recharge cards, wrappers for women, etc, devalues the price of the vote.

It sells the vote at a very cheap take away price. If you must sell the vote, then go for its actual price which I intend to compute shortly. The first reality is that when you sell the vote, you lose the right to complain about bad governance and policies championed by the person who bought your vote.

You took your entitlements upfront; you sold your un-harvested acres of food for a pittance. So, there must be a way of quantifying the good governance and

policies you would have enjoyed but for the vote buyer.

What you stand to gain under a good government can be encapsulated under the right to an adequate standard of living. This right is a bundle of rights and it will include sound and adequate education, health, housing, food, water and sanitation, constant power supply, good infrastructure including roads, railways, air transport, etc. The good government will guarantee law and order and will not tolerate criminals and insurgents under any guise; less crude oil will be stolen; corruption will be minimized and available resources will be deployed for the common good. Our children's performance in the school certificate and university entrance tests will improve and our educational systems will start turning out world class graduates.

Very few of our women and children will die in childbirth and immunization preventable diseases.

Electricity will be available for the greater part of the day and the cost of running generators will no longer be there.

The green option of solar and renewables will be exploited and there will be less pollution in Nigeria.

The roads will be in good condition that travelling will be faster, cheaper and more enjoyable while railways for the long haul will also be available.

Improved transport will reduce the cost of living and connections will be established between farmers in the hinterland and the urban centres where the food is most needed.

The employment situation will improve.

Now let us imagine that every citizen contributes resources (the vote) to maintain this manifestation of good governance. By selling your vote, you

fail to make your own contribution available.

Let us also try to put a figure to every citizen's share of the resources that would be used to maintain this right to an adequate standard of living for all. At current costs, for a family of six husband, wife and four children, living an average life that is without opulence but satisfies the basic necessities, depending on their exact location in Nigeria, they will require about N1million a month to live the good life that protects their human dignity.

For that family, it will mean an annual income of about N12million. Therefore, the political investors, from the local government councillors up to the presidency that comes to buy your votes should cumulatively be able to pay this sum of N12million annually. This can be progressively divided between them.

Presidential and National Assembly candidates will be required to buy the vote for not less than N6million annually; Governorship and State legislature candidates will cough out N4million naira while the local government candidates the remaining N2million.

These annual figures will be multiplied by the four year tenure and demanded upfront. The figures will also be proliferated based on the number of family members or where an individual takes care of only himself.

The thesis is that we need not commoditise the vote; but where we chose to do that, we need to get a good bargain. Demand a fair price for your vote if you must sell it. Since selling the vote implies the loss of the power to demand accountability and empowering the political investor to loot ad-nauseam, then, let us get the right money for the vote. If every citizen and family insists on this pay off from the political investor, I am sure they will not be able to afford same. They will stop the dehumanization of Nigerians through the pittance they offer. In conclusion, do not sell you vote,

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Enugu MDG Local Govt projects performance poor – Report

Community primary

By Rex Arum

T

he Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are the world's time-bound and quantified targets for addressing extreme poverty in its many dimensions as income, hunger, disease, lack of adequate shelter, and the problem of exclusion.

It is expected to promote gender e q u a l i t y, e d u c a t i o n , a n d environmental sustainability. In a sense they are also basic human rights; the rights of each person on the planet to health, education, shelter, and security. However it has come in stages and the eight millennium development goals are: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, Achieve universal primary education, Promote gender equality and empower women, Reduce Child mortality, Improve maternal health, Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, Ensure environmental sustainability and to develop a global partnership for development The above goals are expected to be realised by the year 2015, from a blueprint, produced and approved by all the world's countries and the entire world's leading development institutions.

The UNDP reports that significant progress have been made towards achieving many of these Goals in the past few years.

Statistics have shown that between 1990 and 2002 the average overall incomes of the world over increased by approximately 21% and as such the number of people in extreme

evaluation inspection. For instance, only 9 projects have reached more than 80% completion. They include 3 projects in Nkanu East, 3 projects in Ezeagu, 2 projects in Oji River and 1project in Uzo-uwani LGAs. Nebo stated that “78 projects are still ongoing and 160 projects have not commenced”. On the quality aspect, his observation was that 28 projects are of good qualities (i.e.6 projects in Uzouwani, 8 projects in Nkanu East, 5 projects in Ezeagu and 9 projects Oji River), 47 others are of acceptable qualities while 172 projects are of poor qualities.

In Ezeagu local government area where over forty (40) projects were captured in the 2012 MDG local government track programme, only the renovation of a primary school at Amandim Olo has been completed; though substandardly done, almost the rest of the projects were barely out of foundation level, while some others are yet to be started. Where the projects are ongoing, they were obviously at a snail speed while some of the contractors awarded the jobs have not even started anything at the various sites, Mr. Nebo who came to evaluate the level of work done on the projects said, “The projects were supposed to have been completed in March 2014”, yet most of them do not have the contractors on site as at first week of May when the evaluation was done.

Owing to the sorry conditions of primary school buildings in the area, majority of the projects were either renovation of existing classroom blocks or building of new ones.

It was observed that in some of the schools in Ezeagu, pupils were learning under trees and except for being protected from the heat

in each state every year. The Advocate gathered that Southeast states are even further away from these goals a n d t h e i r achievement within the decade and as such are still struggling to implement the 2 0 1 3 M D G projects. There are indicators showing that the situation in the Southeast Nigeria has been deteriorating over the past years with Enugu, Abia and a host of others as mere poster symbols of the situation.

To say that Enugu state southeast Nigeria is lagging behind is an understatement as school Ozom Mgbagbu, pupils learning under mango tree the 2012 projects poverty declined by an estimated poverty, incredibly high child and local government track is still 130 million. maternal mortality, and large ongoing with majority of the Child mortality rates fell from 103 numbers of people living in projects remaining grossly deaths per 1,000 live births a year slums, and widespread shortfall unsuccessful while her sister state to 88. Life expectancy rose from for most of the MDGs. like Anambra is already in the 63 years to nearly 65 years. An In 2009, The Guardian reported 2013 projects. additional 8% of the developing that the implementation of MDGs A visit to the four local world's people received access to in Nigeria has been characterized government areas namely; Nkanu water. And an additional 15% by deeply entrenched corruption, East, Ezeagu, Uzo-Uwani and Oji acquired access to improved g r o s s i n e f f i c i e n c y a n d R i v e r a r e a s r e v e a l s a n sanitation services. unimaginable failure in the wastefulness.

But this progress recorded on A reflection on that report visa vi- implementation of the MGD local goals has not been uniform across s the recorded achievements on government track projects in the world. It has been identified MDGs in the last few years Enugu state. that there are huge disparities reveals that corruption has been a In a preliminary report, an MDG across and within countries. major problem militating against local government track evaluation Within countries, poverty is the progress of MDGs in Nigeria. consultant, Mr. Samuel Nebo greatest for rural areas, though I n N i g e r i a , M D G l o c a l stated, “the states of the works urban poverty is also extensive, government track is intervening in have not improved given what growing, and underreported by about four local government areas were seen during the last Continues on traditional indicators.

Therefore, this international objective meant to address global infrastructure especially in third world nations may not be said to be successful in its implementation owing to factors associated with funding, corruption and ineffective implementation strategies in some countries.

This initiative targets the development of the rural infrastructure yet in some countries this wonderful idea to reduce poverty may not be said to be flourishing especially in subSaharan Africa.

Nigeria which is daunted with poverty and economic underdevelopment, coupled with poor administration, lack of political will, etc. may not have made realistic progress towards achieving the MDGs in 2015.

There's been in Nigeria cluster of crisis, with continuing food insecurity, a rise in extreme The death trap at Community primary school Awene Olo

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Enugu MDG LG Track projects performance Poor – Report

Pupils learning under mango tree at Community primary school Ozom Mgbagbu CPS Amandim Olo Continues from page 10 the situation in Ezeagu is partly or Hon. Steve Anibueze, Supervisor of the MDG projects in Enugu leadership to overhaul its of the sun by the trees, they are forced to dismiss whenever it rains.

At Community primary school Awene Olo the contractor have not started anything yet the existing school building is a death trap as it has dilapidated beyond pardon and may cave in on the pupils and teachers any moment.

Infact one cannot behold the site of such learning environment in this millennium.

At community primary school Ozom Mgbagbu, pupils were learning under mango tree while MDG project was still at foundation level, although there's a toilet facility started by the community which was taken over

by MDG which is already nearing completion.

At all the sites designated for water projects, none of the contractors was seen or had any of the projects commenced.

A woman at Amansiodo Oghe in Ezeagu local government area who only identified herself as Maria narrated the untold hardship their people go through in getting water. She said, “We live in this hill, there's no water here, our only source of water is there,” pointing at a forest about two kilometers from the hill. “But since the Fulani herdsmen invaded our villages we are scared to go there, besides their cattle have destroyed the stream.”

Infact majority of the people spoken to narrated various disgusting experiences due to lack of basic amenities in their area.

At Nkanu East, Oji-river and UzoUwani local government areas,

wholly replicated as most of the projects are either not started or still at a foundation level with most of them poorly and substandardly being constructed.

An attempt to contact the Special Adviser to Enugu State Governor on MDGs, Hon Okezie Nwanjoku was futile as he said he was out of town and could not make comments on phone although he had earlier said that it is committed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) by 2015.

Hon. Nwanjoku, made the declaration in Enugu last at a town-hall meeting as part of the nationwide advocacy and sensitisation visit of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Dr Precious Gbeneol.

Nwanjoku said the state government had provided free maternal health care to reduce maternal and child mortality in the state.

According to him, “The Enugu State Government is quite committed to achieving the MDGs. The blueprint of the governor is in tandem with the eight Millennium Development Goals adopted by the UN.” “We are at the verge of accomplishing all the four-point development agenda before the terminal date of this administration incidentally is in 2015,'' he said.

Some of the teachers in the primary schools where these projects situate expressed dismay on the condition of the learning environment stressing that the contractors were hardly seen on site.

for works who represented the Ezeagu local government chairman Hon Emeka Ozoagu during the inspection declined comments on why the projects in the local government has not been completed instead asked our correspondent to make a blind date to the council headquarter in order to see the chairman for possible explanation.

Attempts to see the chairman before going to the press proved futile as our correspondent met his absence in two visits to his office However, The Advocate gathered that popular among the failure to deliver the local government track

State is due to poor funding of the projects. A source in the MDG office revealed that most of the contracts were awarded to politicians; members of the ruling party and as such could not be realized because some of them do not have the technical know-how to execute such jobs.

There's a widespread belief as has been reported “that despite the present challenges to the realization of the goals, the country has sufficient resources needed to meet the MDGs target by 2015 but what is of utmost importance and required for this to materialise is for the country's

conceptualization and implementation of policies and programmes to meet the 2015 target.”

However, the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals must involve greater attention and commitment by both government and the people.

So the providers, educators and advocates whose primary focus is the wellbeing of our people, must be guided by more specific and clear set of goals that should drive actions and priorities as related to the implementation MDGs in Nigeria especially in the Southeast.

Another Mango tree class at Community primary school Ozom Mgbagbu, Eziagu LGA

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The Nigerian Nationalist

argaret Ekpo (19142006) was a Nigerian women's rights activist and social mobilizer who was a pioneering female politician in the country's First Republic and a leading member of a class of traditional Nigerian women activists, many of whom rallied women beyond notions of ethnic solidarity. She played major roles as a grassroot and nationalist politician in the Eastern Nigerian city of Aba, in the era of an hierarchical and male-dominated movement towards independence, with her rise not the least helped by the socialization of women's role into that of helpmates or appendages to the careers of males.

Early life and education Margaret Ekpo was born in Creek Town, Cross River State, to the family of Okoroafor Obiasulor and Inyang Eyo Aniemewue. She reached standard six of the school leaving certificate in 1934.

However, tragedy struck at home with the death of her father in 1934, her goals of further education in teachers training was as a result put on hold. She then started working as a pupil teacher in elementary schools.

She married a doctor, John Udo Ekpo, in 1938. He was from the Ibibio ethnic group who are predominant in Akwa Ibom State, while she was of Igbo and Efik heritage. She later moved with

Margaret Ekpo her husband to Aba. In 1946, she had the opportunity to study abroad at what is now Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin Ireland. She earned a diploma in domestic science and on her return to Nigeria she established a Domestic Science and Sewing Institute in Aba. Early politics Margaret Ekpo's first direct participation in political ideas and association was in 1945. Her husband was indignant with the colonial administrators treatment of indigenous Nigerian doctors but as a civil servant, he could not attend meetings to discuss the matter.

Margaret Ekpo then attended meetings in place of her husband, the meetings were organized to discuss the discriminatory practices of the colonial administration in the city and to fight cultural and racial

Margaret Ekpo imbalance in administrative promotions. She later attended a political rally and was the only woman at the rally, which saw fiery speeches from Mbonu Ojike, Nnamdi Azikiwe and

Herbert Macaulay. By the end of the decade she had organized a M a r k e t Wo m e n Association in Aba to unionize market women in the city. She used the association to promote women solidarity as a platform to fight for the economic rights of women, economic protections and expansionary political rights of women.

Activism Margaret Ekpo's awareness of growing movements for civil rights for women around the world prodded her into demanding the same for the women in her country and to fight the discriminatory and oppressive political and civil role colonialism played in the subjugation of women. She felt that women abroad including those in Britain, were already fighting for civil rights and had more voice in political and civil

matters than their counterparts in Nigeria. She later joined the decolonization-leading National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NGNC), as a platform to represent a marginalized group. In the 1950s, she also teamed up with Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti to protest killings at an Enugu coal mine; the victims were leaders protesting colonial practices at the mine. In 1953, Ekpo was nominated by the NCNC to the regional House of Chiefs, and in 1954 she established the Aba Township Women's Association.

As leader of the new market group, she was able to garner the trust of a large amount of women in the township and turn it into a political pressure group. By 1955, women in Aba had outnumbered men voters in a city wide election.

She won a seat to the Eastern Regional House of Assembly in 1961, a position that allowed her to fight for issues affecting women at the time. In particular, there were issues on the progress of women in economic and political matters, especially in the areas of transportation around major roads leading to markets and rural transportation in general.

After a military coup ended the First Republic, she took a less prominent approach to politics.

In 2001, Calabar Airport was

NEWS

Ihejirika: Davies' Allegations against me frivolous ?

Assures Boko Haram will be defeated

T

he immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Azubuike Ihejirika, who was recently accused by Australian negotiator, Stephen Davies of being one of the sponsors of Boko Haram yesterday warned stakeholders not to be deceived by what he described as frivolous and baseless accusations aimed at diverting attention from the counter-terrorism and counterinsurgency efforts.

Ihejirika spoke during the meeting of the Alumni Association of members of Regular Course 18 of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), at the National Defence College (NDC), Abuja.

The former army boss said the claims by the Australian that the insurgents mentioned him and a former Governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sherrif, among the chief sponsors of Boko Haram terrorists was unfounded.

"I want to further advice that baseless, frivolous, and

Lt-Gen Azubuike Ihejirika

unfounded allegations like this have the capacity of diverting our attention away from the main problem", he said.

Speaking further, Ihejirika noted that if the allegations against his person were to have taken place in the developed countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, the issue would have been given not more than an hour's attention for it to be dismissed.

He warned stakeholders and allies that the terrorists are currently exploiting the country's ethno-religious, sociopolitical and multi-cultural faultiness to advance their cause, which they have not been able to achieve through violence.

He said: “Well, why have I chosen to talk at length; I have chosen to do this because we cannot allow national security to be toyed with; the need for security awareness still persist.

“I want to urge all Nigerians to join hands to support Mr. President and members of the Armed Forces in their onerous task to rid this country of terrorism.

“That we are where we are today is a lesson to us, the lesson is that the terrorists are not sleeping; what they cannot achieve

through bombing they want to achieve through media warfare.

War is no longer fought in the traditional three dimensions of air, land and sea; we have clearly seen the fourth dimension of warfare."

The former COAS said that he was not angered by the attention given to the allegation because of his belief that “we are yet to come to terms with the motives of the terrorists and their desire to bring this nation down.”

He stated also that he did not have any apologies to those who shared the conviction that he was high handed in the way he handled the insurgents during his tenure as the COAS. He also urged Nigerians to avoid utterances that could adversely affect the morale of troops which he described as very dangerous.

Ihejirika stated that the Nigerian Army under his command did a lot to crush insurgency and terrorism including recruitment of 9000 soldiers in 2013 to beef up the strength of the military and to monitor the borders more effectively.

He noted: “Nigeria must exist before you can hold a single political office and there is no compromise in the effort to have a peaceful and united Nigeria.”

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Gunmen rob, rape FRCN Training School students

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September 18, 2014

Trading is part of the solutions to unemployment – Group

n what is fast becoming the By Christopher Okon, Uyo norm, gunmen, last weekend, stormed the he Conference of Akwa Federal Radio Cooperation of Ibom State Traders Nigeria, FRCN, Training (CAIST) said it has assisted School, Lagos State, raping and the state government in creating robbing many of the female employment for over one million school leavers in the labour market. trainee journalists.

The Chairman Obong Christopher An eye witness in the school said that was the third time the armed Usoroh made this known in his address during the inauguration of men would be attacking the the state executive officers held at school.

Etaha Itam Day and Night Market An insider said: “The armed in Uyo. robbers were many. They He said that government alone attacked the school last week, cannot employ everybody and last two weeks and now this therefore their contribution would week. They always rape the girls minimize the issue of poverty, and dispossess others, including negative vices and reduce crime male students and workers on rate in the society. night duties of their valuables.”

The three attacks on the school have left many of the workers shocked, especially as policemen were supposed to be manning the school gate. he Nigerian Association of Chambers of The last attack occurred at about Commerce, Industry, 2am, with the gunmen targeting the financial records offices. M i n e s a n d A g r i c u l t u r e Three of the gunmen wore (NACCIMA) has extolled masks and focused on the new Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano on his efforts BOND FM station, which has a towards transformation of the l o t o f n e w e x p e n s i v e State. transmitting devices.

Speaking when he led his “Many of them broke into our National Executives to paid a offices, remove burglar-proofs, courtesy call on the State raped girls who were in training governor, at the Governor's and living in our hostel. They Lodge, the National President collected money, phones and o f N A C C I M A , A l h a j i laptops. This is the third time Mohammed Abubakar said this will be happening,” said a governor Obiano has recorded commendable achievements staff. within a short time in office.

According to another insider, the Alhaji Abubakar noted that the school has male and female g o v e r n o r ' s F o u r P i l l a r s o f trainees drawn from across different radio stations in the country who are on special courses. There are also private students studying broadcast o fewer than 5 persons journalism. including a bride and The insider added: “The gunmen groom billed to wed on are usually many whenever they Saturday 6th September 2014 in attack. The first time they came, Enugu were Friday night killed by they appeared to be searching r a m p a g i n g h e a v i l y a r m e d for something as they ransacked hoodlums.

Our Correspondent gathered the all offices.

This time, they came with three victims, were to take their marital or four men wearing masks. vows at St. Mary's Catholic They were apparently the people Church, Trans Ekulu, Enugu the who wanted something from the next morning before the evil men snapped life out of them. school or offices. When they T h e g r o o m , i d e n t i f i e d a s came this time, they were the Uzochukwu Eze, in company of his ones doing the frantic searching. bride (names with held) met their Whether they succeeded in untimely death when they stopped getting what they wanted this to buy fuel on their way to drop a time around is what we don't woman who brought a gift to them ahead of the ceremony. know.”

The state police public Relations Police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, however said only a case officer PPRO, Ebere Amarizu, while confirming the story said the of burglary was reported.

“I just got to hear today that the gunmen who robbed Genuine Petrol Station in the Trans Ekulu place has been burgled three area of the city, also killed the times. But they had never Manager of the fuel station. reported. It's only today that an However, as the robbers were official complaint was lodged. escaping through NOWAS/ Nike No case of rape was reported. Lake Road, they also shot and Nobody has come forward to say killed a police orderly attached to the wife of the Chairman of Nkanu that she was raped,” she said.

T

Some of these school leavers are often employed as shop attendant, sales help, receptionist who are paid salaries and others to be settled by their masters at the end of a specified period of training.

Usoroh said with these developments they are contributing in boosting the state economy, since year after year, they kept absorbing youth chunned out from various levels of education.

He said the aim of the union includes how to seek for the welfare of traders, foster peace, unity among traders and change members' lives positively ameliorate the challenges being encountered by traders.

While commending Akwa Ibom State Government on its performance, the conference called the government to partner with them to solve some of their problems, thanking members for their massive turnout during the occasion.

Earlier, Chairman of the Occasion, Elder Ubong Obot urged the newly inaugurated Executive Officers to live up to their responsibility and make sure members interest are protected without discrimination inorder to take the group a greater height and maintain the confidence reposed in them.

Elder Ubong, who is the managing director of Ubotex said since they

also contribute immensely in the employment sector and boost the state economy, they should continue to invest wisely towards assisting the society because government cannot do it alone, advising the trainee traders to diligently learn from their masters instead of being masters over night which would surely lead to failure in future.

The conference Vice Chairman, Akparawa Idorenyin Raphael and woman leader, Obonganwan Gloria Dickson Akpan also commended the government for partnering with the group while appealing for government assistant through giving them loan as given to other groups inorder to enable them expand their various trades which will in turn help in solving unemployment problem in the state.

NACIMA commends Obiano's transformation agenda

T

Gov. Obiano Development agenda and their enablers are comprehensive

economic blueprint that would turn around the State.

He commended the governor's efforts in providing strategic empowerment to all security agencies who he said are working in mutual collaboration to make the State crime free.

The NACCIMA boss thanked the governor for his support and encouragement to the organized private sector in the State which he recalled has already engendered series of interacting meetings with City Chambers of Commerce in the State and expressed their readiness to partner with the government towards consolidating on the achievements so far recorded.

He explained that the Association was in the State for its Quarterly Council Meeting in Onitsha which he said was an opportunity for meaningful interaction among their

members and the business community.

Responding, Governor Obiano explained various facets of his Pillars of Development and the enablers and assured that his government would not relent in sustaining conducive and enabling environment for individuals, organizations and institutions, to freely pursue socio-economic activities that would make inputs to State and national economics.

He explained further that the strategic and structured approach adopted in the implementation of his policies and programmes would create fresh opportunities to achieve food security, create employment for youths and s t r e n g t h e n t h e e c o n o m y.

The governor disclosed that plans were underway to boost power supply to drive the industrial sector.

Bloody Weekend:

Bride, Groom Shot Dead on Wedding Eve

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West Local Government Area.

The police orderly was said to have alighted from the vehicle to help ease traffic jam, which was building up at the Timber Market end of the road when the hoodlums disarmed

and rained bullets on him.

Amaraizu said: “Robbers were not really on the rampage, but there was an incident, which allegedly brought about the death of some people by suspected hoodlums who

shot sporadically before the arrival of security operatives.”

According to him, the police are working tirelessly with a view to ensuring that the robbers are apprehended and brought to book.

Dimgba Igwe killed in Lagos

Dimgba Igwe

D

imgba Igwe, a veteran Nigerian journalist and media administrator, was killed earlier today by a hit-and-run

driver near his residence in the Okota area of Lagos, Lagos State. He was 58 years A friend to the Igwe family told newsmen that Mr. Igwe, who was a former deputymanaging director of the Sun newspaper group, was hit and killed by a vehicle as he jogged in his neighborhood.

Mr. Igwe first emerged in the early 1980s as a strong voice in Nigerian journalism when he worked with the Concord newspaper group

owned by the late Moshood Kashimawo Abiola. Mr. Igwe wrote a highly regarded column that focused on political and literary issues. He rose to fame as a coeditor of the groundbreaking Weekly Concord, with his longtime friend and collaborator, Mike Awoyinfa.

Mr. Igwe and Mr. Awoyinfa teamed up again as founding deputy managing director and managing director of the Sun newspaper group owned by former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu. He and Mr. Awoyinfa were removed four years ago and teamed up to found Entertainment Express. Until his death, Mr. Igwe continued to write a back page column for the Sun that appeared every Tuesday.

Former Governor Kalu described Mr. Igwe's death as the darkest day

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Man kicked off a plane because of body odour

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French man who was sent off a plane for his stinking smell has filed a lawsuit against the American Airlines after being kicked off their plane.

The man filed a lawsuit against the airline for what his believed is discrimination!

Report says police has opened investigation to see if the airline is guilty of discrimination even though they have denied the charge.

According to an online report, the 27-year-old man from Paris, was thrown off the airplane at the Charles-de-Gaulle airport.

In his complaint, he claimed he was asked to leave the flight that was heading to Dallas, Texas, before takeoff after several passengers complained about his body odour.

American Airlines sued by French man for 'discrimination’

Sex worker appears in court for allegedly tearing Police officer's uniform

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25-year-old sex worker, Anita Mbewu, who allegedly assaulted and tore uniform of a policeman, was on Tuesday charged before an Apapa Magistrates' Court in Lagos.

Mbewu, who resides at Ojo area of Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of assault and unlawful damage to properties.

The Prosecutor, Cpl. John Iberedem, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Aug. 24 at Katifa Hotel on Old Ojo Road, Kuje Amuwo, Lagos.

Iberedem said that the accused unlawfully assaulted and tore the uniform of ASP Michael Udoh, while he was executing his

lawful duty.

“The complainant said he learnt that the commercial sex workers in the hotel usually hid hoodlums and criminals so he decided to lead a team to raid the hotel.

“While they were searching for the hoodlums, Udoh saw the

accused smoking a cigarette in public and ordered her to put it out.

“She refused and the policeman attempted to remove it from her lips, but as he drew close to her, Mbewu just grabbed him and tore his uniform”, Iberedem

stated.

The offences committed, he said, contravened provisions of Section 172 and 348 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Section 172 prescribes three years imprisonment for serious assault, while Section 348 stipulates two-year jail term for

3 hotel attendants docked for recording customer's sexual escapade

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hree hotel attendants, who allegedly recorded a customer's sexual affair and demanded a ransom of N10 million, have been

charged before an Ogudu Chief Magistrates' Court in Lagos.

The employees had used the hotel's CCTV to record the guest's sexual exploit with his girlfriend.

The accused: Sunday Okon, 23; Rita Emmanuel, 28; and Goodness Akpan, 24, whose addresses are unknown, are facing a four-count charge of fraud, demanding property with

Court freezes Dangote's brother's accounts in 20 banks

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unlawful damage.

However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

FacebookTwitterEmailMore The Senior Magistrate, Mr. Patrick Adekomaiya, granted the accused bail in the sum of N10, 000 with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case till September 15 for trial.

Federal High Court Standard Chartered sitting in Lagos on Bank, Sterling, United Thursday restrained 20 Bank for Africa commercial banks from honouring (UBA), Unity, Wema any cheque drawn by Sani and Zenith.

Dangote, younger brother of the Justice Abang, richest black man, Aliko Dangote, h o w e v e r, o r d e r e d and his companies, Dansa Foods Union Bank to file Limited and Bulk Pack Services undertaking to Limited. indemnify the The restraining order, according to defendants in the Justice Okon Abang, is to be in event that the freezing force until September 11 when all order ought not to applications filed in a suit brought have been made.

by Union Bank against Dangote “In line with Order 28 would be heard.

Rule 2 of the rules of The judge ordered the banks to file this court, an interim affidavit to show cause on the order is hereby made details of Dangote's accounts with restraining the banks them within five days. from allowing the The banks are Access, CITI, defendants to operate Dangote Diamond, Ecobank, Enterprise, their accounts with Fidelity, First Bank, First City them, especially honouring M o n u m e n t B a n k ( F C M B ) , Heritage, Keystone, Mainstreet, withdrawal of funds. “I think the Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Skye Bank, Stanbic IBTC, dictate of justice demands that a

preserving order should be made to preserve the res (subject matter) of this suit,” Justice Abang held.

Union Bank had sued Dangote and his companies over alleged failure to liquidate about N5 billion debt despite repeated demands.

The bank, in two separate suits against Dangote and his companies, had sought an order of mareva injunction restraining all commercial banks in Nigeria from allowing withdrawal of funds from their accounts pending the determination of the suits.

When the matter came up for hearing on Thursday, the motion could not be heard as the defendants had filed objection challenging jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit.

Out of all the banks, Diamond and Zenith appeared before the court on Thursday and explained that Dangote was equally indebted to them.

Zenith Bank specifically said Dangote was indebted to the bank to the tune of 7 million euros.

menace, conspiracy and indecent practices.

Prosecutor Uche Simon told the court that the accused had on Aug. 13 at a hotel in Ogudu area of Lagos conspired to record a guest while sleeping with his girlfriend.

According to him, the accused produced a VCD on it which they circulated to residents of the area.

He alleged that they also demanded a N10 million ransom and threatened to post it on the facebook if the man failed to part with the money.

“The accused actually posted it on the facebook between Aug. 13 and 23.''

Simon said the offences contravened Sections 136, 166 (d), 299 and 409 of Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused may be sentenced to a minimum of three years each on conviction.

The three men pleaded not guilty and were granted bail in the sum of N100, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

Reports said that the three attendants were taken to Kirikiri Prisons pending the fulfillment of their bail conditions.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs O. J. Awope, adjourned the case to Sept. 19 for mention.

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ENUGU 2015:

Chinedu Onu to vie for guber under PDP *Says Enugu needs a Governor that can transform her economy Hon. Chinedu Onu former Commissioner for Public Utility Enugu state, member TETFUND and businessman have seen it all in both public and private sectors. In this interview with The Advocate, the CEO of Ingrace Multiple Concepts said that he will certainly listen to the clarion call by the people of Enugu state to contest the Governorship seat of the Coal City State come 2015. He said that Enugu needs a governor with good ideas that will drive the economy of the state. those farm settlements. If you go to Amoli in Awgu today you will see pineapples perishing, why can't we setup small fruit processing factory and employ our people?

We are going to establish here in Enugu small agric implement manufacturing center. You find out that the tractors we use now are big ones and there is one man tractor being used today in China which the size we have now can get between 20 to 30 units of it. Our target is to produce such a thing at affordable price so that every household will have it, so that they can quickly deliver in our agricultural mandate. We shall get back to the days when palm produce was a major stay of the Eastern economy. Our land tenure system might pose some difficulties in doing this but we will find a way by working with our communities. We are going to do this by setting up agricultural product marketing board. We will also make young palms available to our people to plant so the marketing board will buy all you produce and sell to make money.

This will create a whole lot of jobs for our teaming youths.

By Rex Arum You are in the race for Enugu governorship seat, don't you think that the power of incumbency could mar your ambition?

Are you new in this country? You know Kayode Fayemi, the former governor of Ekiti State? He was a sitting governor, if governors do fail their elections, governors as it is today can also fail anointing of whoever they anointed.

Now that various groups and individuals are asking you to contest the governorship position in 2015, are they not indirectly anointing you too?

Anointing, I have said and I will say it again that the power of anointing is of God and you don't associate anointing to mortal.

However, if you say support I will agree but if you talked about anointing I will tell you that it is only God that can anoint.

How will you surmount the challenges of nomination as Hon. Chinedu Onu So in essence you are a governorship candidate of things in the state then. I am clear Agriculture is the fastest way to proponent of agro based PDP? I have been a party man for the past when I said that the present create job, the fastest way to put economy?

16 years in one party called governor is doing his best within Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, his own ability, but he cannot offer we are going to follow processes of what he does not have. selection and by God's grace I will What is your plan for emerge as the candidate.

Agriculture and job

What do you think gives you creation. an edge over other contestants?

Certainly you know that some persons are interested in contesting the election. I have passed through four ministries in this state, and at some point I was the commissioner for public utilities. What you see today being implemented as national urban water sector reform, we started it while serving in the then government, not this government and we paid complete counterpart fund for the project but today not even a drop of water has been delivered from that project. I recall also that what is today called Enugu State Waste Management Authority (ESWAMA) was when I was commissioner for environment that old ENSEPA was recreated and we brought this new one. It's about ideas. It is worthy to note that we partnered with DFID and began to create a number of

food on our table, and is the fastest way to engage our youths. What I intend to do is to get back to the era of using farm settlements. If you go to Adani we have over 4,000 plots of land lying fallow. What we intend to do is to reactivate all

Yes, fundamentally. I wish I could visit the man I call my mentor, M. I. Okpara and tell him 'our father what you did then' that which gave us prominence' I want to do it now.

If he was able to do it then with almost bare hands, we will do it

better now with the mechanization and with better equipment.

How do you intend to fight godfatherism to ensure that all these beautiful ideas of yours will be realized when you become the governor?

God willing we will surmount, that is why I am engaging our people so that if I said I am going to do this when I get there, people will say that which you said you will do, you have not done. Those who are not talking but they want to be governor, how are you going to measure their performance; those who want to be governor of Enugu state but they are not engaging our people? Certainly what we are planning to do is a clear contract; social contract with our people, so that in agriculture we are going to do this, in education we are going to do that. In first four years we will reduce whatever we are going to do in quarterly, in monthly and in weekly, from there we can continue to tackle them and our people will know clearly how to assess us. What we are suppose to achieve in month (a) do we achieve, in month (b) do we achieve it and at the end of the day were you able to achieve it? I want to be held responsible by whatever I promised to do. Part of what is working for us or has worked for us in Enugu…., recall that the present governor as it were then, was anointed. He was not prepared to be a governor but because he is receptive to good ideas, that's why few things are happening, but let me ask you, doing roads, is it anything that is mentally resourceful? Roads is what has been done years before we were born and it will continue to be done but, we need those ideas that will drive the economy, ideas that will change the curriculum of our education because we need to make our education functional and that is what we are set to achieve.

9 kidnap, robbery suspects nabbed in Enugu

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HE Enugu State Police Command has arrested nine persons suspected to be members of armed robbery and kidnap gangs operating in the state.

The Enugu capital city has recently witnessed an upsurge of violent crimes especially armed robbery which has claimed many lives.

Five of the suspects said to be members of an armed robbery gang were apprehended while planning a robbery operation in Enugu while the four suspected kidnappers were nabbed in their hideout after a gun duel with operatives of the Anti-kidnapping Unit of the state command, which

left some of the suspects fatally injured.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, said in a press release that operatives of the Central Police Station, Enugu, through proactive measures, arrested the five robbery suspects before they could carry out their nefarious activity on Sunday.

He gave the names of the suspects as Ukwuome Michael of No 38 Agbanike Road Abakpa Nike, Enugu, Obi Raphael Onyedika of Uzodinma close New Haven extension Enugu, Michael Orji of Mgbo Village Ohaozara Onicha, Ebonyi State, Monday Degba of Mgbo Ohaukwu Local

Government Area of Ebonyi State and Chinedu Agbedo of Udi siding Enugu.

According to him, the policemen had a tip off that “the suspects were about carrying out a robbery operation with a coal city taxicab with number plate UWN 542 XA and fleet No 621 when the operatives swoop on them and upon thorough search of suspects and vehicle, a locally made pistol with three live cartridges concealed by the door side of the vehicle were discovered.”

The police spokesman said that the suspects are now helping the police in their investigations.

In a related development, Amaraizu said that operatives of

the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the command have arrested four members of a kidnap gang.

The suspects, who gave their names as Peter Uche, C h u k w u e m e k a A r u e j i o f o r, Sunday Joshua and Ndubuisi Nwankwo, according to the PPRO, were nabbed on September 3, 2014 following a raid on their hideout.

He said that the suspects sustained severe gunshot wounds in the serious gun battled that ensued between them and the policemen.

He said that the suspects were already helping the police in the investigations of the alleged kidnap of one Edith Uchedenyi and Chinwe Eze by their gang.

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September 18, 2014

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Enugu Electricity Distribution Company raises alarm over vandalism

By Rex Arum

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HE Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has raised an alarm over the increasing rate of vandalism of her installations in the five states of the Southeast zone, saying the development was adversely affecting the company's efforts to ensure steady power supply.

The company stated that her underground cables, transformers and transformer oils have either been vandalized or drained in various parts of the zone, thereby putting various communities in the dark and called for the assistance of the masses to secure her installations.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the EEDC, Mr Robert Dickerman, who stated this during the first customers consultative forum organized in Enugu, explained that one of the greatest challenges of the Company since it took over last year was vandalism.

“There is no passing day without a report of vandalism in various parts of the zone.

They vandalize and steal our underground cables, drain oil in transformers and many others. This is a big hindrance to our distribution efforts. We lose millions of naira attempting to replace some of these items and securing these facilities. We are using this medium to appeal to you to assist us secure the installations and also ask whether you know any solution that we can apply to solve this problem”, he said.

Dickerman assured that the EEDC was poised to ensure all round distribution of electricity to all parts of the zone, explaining that from an installed 220MVA in November last year, the Company has added 45MVA so as to evacuate more power for easy distribution to the customers.

He stated that new transformers have been procured and were being mounted in various parts of Enugu to get the overloaded transformers relieved, assuring that within the next two weeks, there would be no more overloaded transformers in the state.

The Managing Director said the company has an elaborate plan to continue to meet the power needs of the zone, stressing that the problems being experienced in various

parts of the zone would soon be sorted out.

“These are the initial problems we should encounter because we are new but not new to the system. There is no way we cannot supply light to you unless we want to be out of business. The only thing we are known for is to supply generated electricity and that is why we will continue that our consumers should exercise patients, as all we know now a problems will be sorted out with time”, he added.

Dickerman, said the customer forum would be carried out in the five states of the southeast which is the company's operational coverage area to ascertain the challenges, complaints and prospects in her operations, saying it was a way of serving the public better.

Some of the participants identified unstable power supply, worn out transformers, low voltage supply, analogue meters, estimated billing system as well as inability to access prepaid meters as some of challenges being encountered by consumers in Enugu.

While commending the EEDC for striving to ensure steady power supply in the state, the participants, however, urged the company to improve on the equipment maintenance.

Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) First Customers Consultative Forum held in Enugu and Anambra States. Photo Speaks

Mr. Robert Dickerman, others at the EEDC First Customers Consultative Forum held at Bridge Waters Hotel, Enugu

Sir Emeka Offor and Robert Dickerman at the EEDC Customers Consultative Forum held in Awka Anambra State

Mr. Robert Dickerman addressing Customers at the EEDC First Customers Consultative Forum held at Bridge Waters Hotel, Enugu Saturday

Sir Emeka Offor first from Right, Mr. Robert Dickerman, others at the EEDC Customers Consultative Forum held in Awka Anambra State

Some management officers with traditional rulers at the EEDC First Customers Consultative Forum held at Bridge Waters Hotel, Enugu

Sir Emeka Offor second from Right, Mr. Robert Dickermanat the EEDC Customers Consultative Forum held in Awka Anambra State

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September 18, 2014

Inauguration of the Enugu State Chapter of Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN, was held at the City Park Hotel, Independence Layout, Enugu last Saturday.

The Advocate was there.

L-R. Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu, Chief Ben Etiaba, Senator Gilbert Nnaji and Chief Abel Chukwu at the inauguration ceremony for TAN, Enugu State Chapter

Chief Anayo Onwuegbu, Chairman TAN speaking with newsmen during the launch of Enugu State chapter of the pro-Jonathan group in Enugu

The TAN Members from different LGA of Enugu State, at the event

A cross section of TAN delegates

Convocation Word of Faith Church

Graduands of Refiners Institute of Biblical Studies of the Word of Fire and Refiners Assembly, Emene Enugu during their maiden Convocation creremony in Enugu recently.

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September 18, 2014

2015:

Chime Set to Clamp Down on Ekweremadu's Dream FM Radio

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arely two weeks after the impeachment of the former Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, Enugu appears set for the real political crisis as the State Government appears set to clamp down on the Dream FM, Enugu owned by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.

In an undated letter with r e f e r e n c e ENS/ECTDA/ADM/69/Vol. 11/312 issued by the Commissioner for the Ministry o f C a p i t a l Te r r i t o r y a n d Chairman of Enugu Capital Te r r i t o r y D e v e l o p m e n t Authority, ECTDA, Engr.

Ikechukwu Ugwuegede on Monday, the Enugu State Government demands that the Station submits its building plan failing which it would be shut down.

Although the letter is titled “Approval for All Telecommunication Masts in Enugu Capital City”, the body of the letter, which apparently differs from the heading reads: “In line with state government policy on Urban Renewal to create an efficient city, Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority in its resolve create

and manage the city infrastructural development in line with the original master plan (sic).

“You are advised to submit your building approval plan to Enugu Capital Development Authority on or before 12th September, 2014.

“Failure to comply with the stated deadline will result in the closure of your programmes.”

Although efforts to contact the management of the radio station failed, sources close to it said its lawyers would study the letter to make some sense out of it.

“The heading of the letter talks about approval for telecommunications masts, but the body talks about building plan. So, my thinking is that the management and lawyers would meet in earnest to study the letter and maybe request the ECTDA to clarify”.

However, in a swift reaction, the Enugu Rescue Group, ERG, has lampooned the move as “totally political and an extension of Governor Chime media clampdown and civilian dictatorship in Enugu State”.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Martin Okenwa and made available to newsmen in

Chime Enugu, the group said that ''the disparity between the heading of the letter and its content showed that the Enugu State Government was just gambling on the best way to silence the Dream FM before finally settling for the socalled building approval plan”.

The ERG further reasoned: “This radio station has been standing right in front of the Enugu State Secretariat for ages. So, why this emergency demand for building approval plan and why the threat of shutdown a few weeks to the PDP congresses and primaries?

Ekweremadu “Enugu people only read what the State government allows because government mops up every edition of newspapers and magazines it considers its content offensive to it; it locked out the media during the recent kangaroo impeachment trial; hence this imminent clampdown on the Dream FM Enugu is a bid to also determine what the people listen to.

It is indeed a total affront on free press and a grave threat to a free democratic society.”

The group also recalled that it

was the same Hon. Commissioner Ugwuegede and his Enugu Capital Development Authority, which evacuated the contentious 3,000 birds from the ex-Deputy Governor's poultry farm in January this year, but could not account for birds during the chicken impeachment trial.

The ERG urged the media, the civil society and conscientious politicians to stand up against what it called “full blown impunity and tyranny in Enugu State”.

Enugu Youths ask Chinedu Onu to contest 2015 governorship election Kidnappers Abduct Woman and Her Two Children in Aba

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he Enugu state Youths General Assembly has unanimously called on a former commissioner in Enugu state Hon. Chinedu Onu to run for the state governorship position in 2015.

In a well attended meeting at CITIPARK Hotels, Enugu the group said it was about time a youth should be allowed to take path in development of the state.

While acknowledging the efforts Governor, Sullivan Chime especially on the Enugu urban roads, the group commended the deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu for empowering so many the people of Enugu state, especially the youths, including his role in the appointment of Hon. Chinedu Onu, described as their role model, as member representing south-east in Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TET-FUND).

The group after considering the profile of four other aspirants resolved unanimously on Hon Onu as the first among equals to lead the state come 2015.

In his speech, leader of the group, Mr. Chima Obieze who presented the name of Chinedu Onu as the man who the cap fits, said it was

Hon. Chinedu Onu nice for members of the group to have chosen Onu, adding that he is youthful, zealous, and motivational, enlightened, experienced and above all, believes in the empowerment of the youth.

The YGA leader said it is paramount for all youths in the state, both present in the gathering and those at home, to

unite en-masse to make sure that Onu receives maximum support noting youth's participation in politics will no longer be about voting for others but also being voted for.

He insisted that with the group behind Onu, that the sky will be his standing point as well as enumerated the many positions Onu had held before in the public sector, starting from the president of YDA to b e c o m i n g a commissioner adding that “Today he is the founder and president of multinational business organization known as 'Ingrace Multiple Concepts' .

He pleaded with Hon. Onu on behalf of the body to please endeavor to listen to voice of the young ones of Enugu state and “contest the 2015 as they have also resolved to resist handpicking or imposition of mediocre candidates on the people, a situation that has over time impeded on the collective will of the people.

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eavily armed gunmen Saturday stormed Ohuru in Obingwa council Area of Abia State, where they abducted one Mrs. Ogochukwu and her two children (Chika and Favour).

A reliable source told The Advocate that the kidnappers hijacked the Honda SUV vehicle the woman and her two children were traveling in at about 8:30pm and drove them to an undisclosed location.

However, unconfirmed report has it that the abductors later e s t a b l i s h e d communication with the

victims' family and demanded an undisclosed amount of money as ransom.

No member of the family could be reached for comments at press time.

When contacted, the Abia State Commissioner of Police Adamu Ibrahim, disclosed that the SUV was recovered Saturday morning by his men at Owerrinta in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.

The Abia state CP, said efforts were already in top gear to ensure that the woman and her children were released unharmed and without payment of any ransom by her family

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September 18, 2014

Gov. Obiano defies rain, takes Jonathan, APGA support mission to grassroots

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n a more practical demonstration of the move by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to contest all elective positions with the exception of the Presidential slot in 2015, Anambra Sate governor, Chief Willie Obiano has embarked on grassroots visits to local government areas of the State to drum support for both President Goodluck Jonathan and APGA. Governor Obiano who defied rainfall in the areas he toured to conscientize the people on the expectations from them and government, pointed out that APGA would contest all available political positions, except the Presidential slot which he said the party has already endorsed President Jonathan. He said beyond the Presidential ticket, APGA is in contention for all the State and National Assembly seats with an eye to win them not only in Anambra State but also in the South East geo-political zone.

He assured the party is determined to promote internal democracy by going through normal primaries to enable the people elect candidates of their choice and pointed out that that there would be no automatic ticket for any aspirant outside that of the National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh.

The governor who was accompanied by the National Chairman of the APGA, State Executive members of the party and some cabinet members who are stakeholders in areas visited assured that the party would provide a level playing ground for all aspirants in future elections.

Speaking at Neni, Anaocha Local Government Area Headquarters, during the visit Tuesday, the governor said APGA is on course and is leaving no stone unturned in its determination to consolidate its dominance in the entire SouthEast zone starting with Anambra State.

Governor Obiano who received a rousing reception at Ajalli, Orumba North Local Government Area during the tour expressed satisfaction with the strong grassroots support enjoyed by the party and urged them not to relent.

He thanked the people for the remarkable support given to his administration and assured that he would not let them down.

At Aguata Local Government Area of the State, governor Obiano said his administration would sustain equitable distribution of democracy dividends to all parts of the State, stressing that all communities and local government areas would receive their fair share of political appointments and infrastructural development, including roads leading to agricultural basins and industrial layouts.

He explained that the visits would afford him the opportunity for close interaction with the people to

Jonathan feel their pulse, identify their problems and harness ideas on the future of the party, stressing that APGA has continued to grow from strength to strength.

Speaking at Umunze, Orumba

Obiano South Local Government Area of the State and Awka South Local Government Area, respectively, the governor restated that APGA would not impose any candidate on the people and disclosed that

more people have declared for the party because of its ideological leaning on equity and fairness.

The National Chairman of the Party, Sir Victor Umeh who accompanied governor Obiano

2015: Beware of PDP, APGA endorsements, Jonathan warned collapsed ... What is happening in

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s different pressure groups and political parties jostle for recognition in their endorsement deals for President Goodluck Jonathan to seek re-election in 2015, a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Sunday Odumegwu has warned the President to be wary of such moves as according to him, the protagonists are merely posturing.

Speaking after the altercations between the PDP and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) over which of the parties should be in a better position to deliver Jonathan in the forthcoming Presidential election, if he decides to run, chief Odumegwu stated that Jonathan stands a better chance of sweeping votes in the South East without any group or party working for it.

Odumegwu who was a former Assistant Secretary of PDP described those jostling to campaign for the election of Dr. Jonathan as President come 2015 as mere political jobbers, as according to him, the South-East geo-political zone in particular will vote for Jonathan whether they work for him or not .

According to him, the people of South-East zone see President Jonathan as one of their own and are prepared to vote for him massively for the second time, stressing that the former Easterners in the South East and

South South zones do not need undue pressure to support Jonathan, whom he described as their half brother.

He said that the tenure of President Jonathan is more or less an Igbo Presidential ticket, stressing that Igbo nation has already sold its ticket to Jonathan, in which case, he canvassed for the North to take its turn after Jonathan's second term in office before it gets to the turn of Igbos in 2019. “ After Jonathan, power will shift to the North and it is after the turn of the North say four or even 8 years that the Igbos will begin to nurse the ambition to rule Nigeria.Jonathan is working for the entire country, not for Igbos alone. He has Nigeria as his constituency. We will support him as a brother; he is our half brother, not necessarily because he has fully met the demands of the Igbos.”

Chief Odumegwu expressed worry that the PDP which he said lacks credible leadership and is yet to win the governorship seat in the State since 2003 is among the groups and parties jostling to install Jonathan in 2015 in the State, pointing out that a party leadership in the State that could not win a chairmanship seat or up to at least 10 percent of councillorship seats is not worthy to remain in office. “ The state of PDP in Anambra State is worrisome. The PDP structure in the State has since

Anambra State is lack of credible leadership.

“How can you say there is a party leadership in Anambra State, yet it failed to win at least ten percent of councillorship seats. How can one tell you there is a party leadership in Anambra State, yet it failed to win one chairmanship seat in the last local government council elections? It is a shame that Anambra PDP has continued to fail to win council and governorship elections.”

He also blamed the problem in PDP on struggle by godfathers to hijack and control the party and when they fail, he said, the loser turn to work against the party.

On what should be done for the PDP to reclaim its lost glory, Odumegwu called for immediate removal of the present leadership of the party in the State in particular in order to bring in grassroots-oriented politicians in power to deliver Jonathan come 2015, just as he pointed out antecedents of people wishing to rule should be considered. ” In Anambra State, the problem is mainly about people with questionable character forcing their way into leadership positions. Let PDP look for a neutral person with good background, character, credibility and integrity and you see PDP come alive in the State.PDP does not have credible people as leaders and that is why people think they are not worthy to be followed.”

throughout the grassroots visits stated that APGA remains a viable platform for Ndigbo to project stronger voice and presence in the country and occupy the right position in national affairs.

Observing that the governor has started on a strong footing and fulfilled his promises of ensuring continuity, Chief Umeh expressed satisfaction that the governor has shown readiness to expand the frontiers of the party and defend its interest.

Chief Umeh stated that Obiano's achievements especially in the area of security and implementation of development pillars have restored smiles on the faces of the people and created conducive environment for socioeconomic activities to survive and thrive.

In their separate speeches, the member representing Anaocha I and Anaocha II in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Anselem Duru and Hon. Ebere Ejiofor, and their Aguata II counterpart, Hon Ikem Uzoezie, as well as Awka South counterpart, Hon. Harford Oseke said the governor has sustained high tempo of infrastructural development, completed some ongoing projects and initiated new ones.

Their counterparts for Orumba North and Orumba South, Hon. Romanus Obi and Princess Nikky Ugochukwu noted that the governor has justified the confidence reposed on him, and assured that the legislature would continue to give him total support to turn around the State.

The Chairman of Aguata LG Council, Mr. Chuma Umeoji and his Orumba North and Orumba South counterparts, Messrs Okey Enekwe and John Onyeakpa respectively extolled the governor for the various interventions in their areas, noting that the governor has brought a new dawn that impacted positively on the lives of the people.

Also speaking, Chairman of Awka South Local Government Council, Mr. Azubuike Iloh expressed gratitude to governor Obiano for his relentless efforts to give the State a befitting capital status while his Anaocha counterpart, Mr. Ikeobi Ejiofor extolled the governor for the policy thrust of his administration.

A chieftain of APGA in Anaocha and a House of Assembly aspirant, Barrister Nneka Ezeani pointed out that the governor has laid a solid foundation for the sustainable development of the State, which she said would provide an added platform for APGA to win future election.

Barrister Ezeani expressed the hope that APGA under governor Obiano would continue to maintain the gender sensitivity it has shown in appointing many women in positions of authority by ensuring that more women are given opportunity to seek election position in the spirit of equity, justice and fairness.

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September 18, 2014

Ulasi commends Obiano's policies, extols Akunyili's indomitable spirit

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he Chairman, Anambra State Post Primary Schools Service Commission, has described the 23rd anniversary of the creation of Anambra State as not only a welcome idea but one most appropriate in view of the unprecedented achievements witnessed since its creation on August 27, 1991.

Lady Joy stated that the immediate past administration of Chief Peter Obi entrenched quality leadership and that the present Obiano administration has consolidated on the solid foundation laid by his predecessor, took giant strides in all sectors and exhibited uncommon courage, determination and strong political will, and successfully drove the State to the path of socioeconomic development.

According to Lady Joy Ulasi, governor Obiano's dynamic, purposeful and result-oriented leadership has put smiles on the faces of the people, and through his unparalleled Four Pillars of development and their Enablers and his Robust and Novel Joint Security network have given hope to Ndi Anambra, rekindled their unmatched spirit of enterprise, sustained continuity in infrastructural development and made Anambra State an investment destination in Nigeria.

Said the PPSC Boss, “Governor Willie Obiano, has Successfully sent criminals packing from the State, created a conducive environment free for businessmen and women who now operate without fear of molestations or harassment, and

Fintiri, Floors Modibo, Marwa, Others in Adamawa PDP primary

Lady Joy Ulasi re-directed the state natural resources to priority areas for optimum result, even as she

praised his administration for evolving a holistic and concrete strategic plan to curb the incidence o f y o u t h unemployment through refocusing the agric sector towards commercializatio n to be attractive to our teeming unemployed young graduates.

Lady Joy Ulasi also paid glowing tribute to governor Obiano for his r o b u s t intervention in the education sector, in providing many incentives including buses to schools to enhance efficiency and allowances to teachers of core

Ekwueme urges N'Assembly to approve confab report

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former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme has called on the National Assembly to avoid delay in granting approval to the report of the recently-concluded National Conference.

The elder statesman spoke with journalists during the inauguration of a multi-billion naira mega church edifice called, “The Refuge” belonging to House on the Rock Church at Abuja last Saturday

According to him, the National Assembly should go ahead and approve the report, instead of “taking it sentence by sentence.”

He said, “The decision on whether the report of the 2014 confab should be ratified by the National Assembly or through a referendum should have been taken before the conference itself started.

“During our time (1995), it was a military government and there was no National Assembly and

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the document setting us up specified that whatever decision we arrived at would be accepted without amendment by the military government.

“In this case, the issue of whether it should go to the National Assembly or through a referendum should have been agreed before it started. If it goes to the National Assembly, it would be done the same way they handle bills. They will take each section one by one, clause by clause, phrase by phrase and they will start patching and patching.

IGP appoints new police commissioners

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he Acting Governor of Adamawa State Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Fintiri finally emerged the winner of the PDP primaries for the October 11th, 2014 governorship bye-election in the state.

Fintiri won with 624 votes, while Dr. Modibbo came a distant 2nd with 197 votes while Retired Brigadier General Buba Marwa, Dr. Arod and Jery Kundisi got 54, 09 and 04 votes respectively.

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Oladimeji Bankole who announced the result at 4.03am Sunday morning said 23 votes were invalid.

subjects and those posted to rural areas and opined that with these incentives the state will witness more progress in this key sector of the economy.

She charged the management and staff of her commission to be d e d i c a t e d , s h u n t r u a n c y, absenteeism and even lateness to duty, warning that the present government has no room for lazy workers.

On the death of Prof Dora Akunyili, Lady Joy Ulasi described it as a monumental loss not only to Ndi Igbo and Nigeria but to the entire black race.

A woman of indomitable spirit, a bridge builder, a trail blazer, lady Joy also described her as one of the finest and most fertile minds of our time.

And while recalling her giant strides in NAFDAC where she served meritoriously as the Director General, and fought gallantly against drug abuse, at the Federal Ministry of

Information where she served as a minister and introduced the philosophy of Rebranding Nigeria, and at the recently concluded National Conference where she contributed immensely in laying a strong foundation for a better Nigeria before her demise, she described her as an Amazon and a heroine whose legacies will linger for years.

Lady Joy Ulasi remarked that the erudite professor will be ever remembered for her uncommon courage, doggedness and above all, her determination to hold on to truth, equity and fairness no matter whose ox is gored and prayed God to grant her soul eternal repose.

On PPSSC, she warned against i n d o l e n c e , t r u a n c y, a n d absenteeism on the part of the staff, stressing that the present administration will never condone any form of laxity on the part of staff, just as she commended Governor Willie Obiano for his interest in the welfare of Anambra State workers.

ollowing recent promotions and retirements in the Nigerian Police force, the Acting Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba Monday appointed new Commissioners of Police for 21 states of the federation with CP Kayode Aderanti moving to Lagos as the new CP. He takes over from AIG Manko who is now in charge of Zone 2.

CP Usman Baba is the new Commissioner of Police in charge Delta State. He was formerly in charge of Police Cooperative at Force headquarters.

CP Dan Bature is the new Commissioner of Police in charge of Rivers State. He takes over from AIG Tunde Ogunsakin. CP Paul Okafor is the Commissioner of Police in charge Kogi State. He was formerly DCP attached to

IGP Abba Police Pensions.

CP Wilson Inalegwu is the new FCT Commissioner of Police. He takes over from AIG Joseph Mbu Joseph; CP Hyacinth Dagala is the Commissioner of Police in charge of Benue State. CP Usman Yakubu

is Commissioner of Police Nasarawa State.

CP Isaac Gabriel Achong is the new Commissioner of Police Akwa Ibom State and CP Idris Farouk Umar is the new Commissioner of Police in charge Jigawa State.

Others are CP Salihu Garba, Commissioner of Police Kwara state, CP A.K. Shodipo, Commissioner of Police Oyo State, CP Abubakar Marafa is Commissioner of Police, Osun State, CP Clement Adoda is moved to Borno state as the Commissioner of Police, CP Karma Hosea Hassan is the new Commissioner of Police, Anambra state.

He takes over from AIG Bala Nasarawa who is the AIG in charge Force Intelligence at Force headquarters.

Furthermore CP Titilayo Busari is moved to Cross Rivers State as Commissioner of Police; CP Valentine Ntomchukwu is moved to Bayelsa State as Commissioner of Police.

But bearing in mind that the final report was approved unanimously, I think if people are logical and if the National Assembly itself means well, they should go ahead and approve it and not taking it sentence by sentence.”

Speaking on the recommendation of the confab for the creation of more states, Ekwueme said what was inherited from the British colonial government and the nation's founding fathers was not a multiplicity of states.

He said, “Well, you know my attitude. In the 1995 Conference Report, I was of the view that each of the six geo-political zones should become a federating unit because in fairness to our founding fathers, what we inherited from them and from the British government was not a multiplicity of states.”

At the event, Adefarasin warned political office holders to desist from abusing public office. He called on the masses to rise up against leaders who engaged in such acts of impunity.

Adefarasin said, “We must rise up against those who use public offices for private or selfaggrandisement.

“I charge you all, in the words of an illustrious former President of the United States of America, Franklyn Delano Roosevelt, who declared that, 'In the days of d i ff i c u l t y, w e A m e r i c a n s (Nigerians) everywhere must and shall choose the path of social justice, the path of faith, the path of hope, and the path of love towards our fellow man.' Even so, let us build a great Nigeria whose architect and designer is the Almighty God.”

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September 18, 2014

Ohanaeze gives APC ultimatum to apologise to Ihejirika

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he Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing on Sunday threatened to label the All Progressives Congress an 'antiIgbo political party' if it fails to apologise to former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, within 48hours.

The threat, which the Ohanaeze Youth Wing issued in a statement jointly signed by its National Secretary, Emmanuel Nnabuike, and Publicity Secretary, Obinna Adibe, followed the APC's demand for Ihejirika's prosecution over alleged sponsorship of the Boko Haram sect.

The APC demanded Ihejirika's prosecution in the wake of claims made by Australian negotiator, Mr. Stephen Davies.

In the statement titled, 'Ongoing Attempts To Brand Gen. Ihejirika a Boko Haram Sponsor', the Ohanaeze youths described the negotiator's claims as “spurious”.

The group expressed regrets that the APC did not bother to ascertain the veracity of his

allegations before calling for Ihejirika's prosecution.

Ohanaeze youths noted that Ihejirika deserved an apology from the APC since the Department of State Security has now absolved him of any involvement with Boko Haram.

It said, “It is on record that the same people trying to frame up Gen. Ihejirika are the same people who claimed they would make Nigeria ungovernable for President Jonathan, in the Ex-Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika aftermath of the 2011 presidential election.

“We view the call for Ihejirika's matter, we ask the APC to issue an matter to be politicised. Therefore trial by the APC through its apology to Gen. Ihejirika and it is unpatriotic for political leaders to embark on character s p o k e s m a n , A l h a j i L a i Ndigbo within 48 hours.

“If they fail to do so, the APC shall a ssassination based on Mohammed, without bothering to confirm the authenticity of the be formally labeled an anti-Igbo unsubstantiated and misguided statement, as malicious and party and other sanctions shall rumours. follow.” Continuing, the group “Dr Stephen Davies has shown premeditated. described Davies as a “fraudulent himself to be a fraudulent “Now that the Director of State character and a mercenary, whose Security has officially absolved character and mercenary”.

Ihejirika of any complicity in the It said, “Security is too weighty a stock in trade is the distortion of

information in order to cause chaos, thereby creating more business for him.”

Ohanaeze youth wing added that Davies employed “cheap propaganda tactics” by naming Ihejirika alongside former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, who has been consistently linked with the emergence and sponsorship of Boko Haram as the sect's sponsor in order to lend credence to his claims in the eyes of “gullible members of the public”.

The group noted that Davies did not provide any evidence or motivation for Ihejirika, a Christian and an Igbo from the South East, to sponsor Boko Haram.

Further casting doubt on his claims, the group noted that his allegation that the Central Bank of Nigeria official who handled the funding of Boko Haram was an uncle to three of the Nyanya bombing suspects was equally disproved by the DSS. “It is uncharitable for Nigerians to reward someone who laid down his life in defence of his country by associating him with the

Police nab PDP Party Ibesikpo/Asutan NAPPS trains teachers on advantage of the association's towards introducing a workshop Leader for Stealing modern techniques workshop and embrace its of this nature that would

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ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) Ward Chairman in Riyom Local Government area of Plateau State, Mr. Gyang Fwa has been arrested by the Police in Kum village, in connection with the stealing of Railway equipment meant for the construction of rail lines.

The materials stolen were meant for rail construction which passes through the village, linking Kuru in Jos South Local Government of the State.

The Advocate source said that the PDP leader was apprehended along with one Dung Jato popularly known as (Santos) when the security guiding the equipment alerted the police in Riyom council area.

Our correspondent gathered that an Elder in the area, who craved anonymity, explained, “On Thursday evening last week at about 9 pm, a young man who has just been appointed to guard the Railway equipment saw the culprits and alerted the police since only him couldn't have over power him, hence, was arrested.

The Elder regretted the incident, saying the community had always warned the youths in the locality against stealing and wondered why those who are suppose to lead by example would descend so low and involved in such criminal activities.

The Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer, DCP Emmanuel Abu when contacted said, “When I received details from the DPO of the Local Government, I will get back to you”.

As at the time of filing this report, no information relating to the incident came from him.

However, our correspondent reliably gathered that since the arrest, some PDP stakeholders in the council area, have been thronging the Police station, seeking for bail to be granted the suspect.

By Christopher Okon, Uyo

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he National Association of Proprietors of Private School (NAPPS) Ibesikpo/Asutan Chapter has embarked on a workshop primarily to train teachers and proprietors on the modern techniques, standard and current education system.

The chairman of NAPPS Ibesikpo/Asutan Chapter, Rev. Etim E. Udosen said this in an interview with journalists during the educational development training workshop for proprietors and teachers of private schools in Ibesikpo/Asutan Local Government Area.

The NAPPS Chairman said with this development the strategic f r a m e w o r k f o r e ff e c t i v e teaching and learning cannot be over emphasized, thus the training exercise would not fail to boost the children's education dream as it will also boost governor Akpabio's free and compulsory education in the state.

He appealed to proprietors to kindly employ qualified teachers and not patronize quacks in the system as government is serious on the effective development of the state education sector, while commending members for their massive turnout which showcased true character of the association.

The financial secretary, Elder Ime Jones who said the training is a welcome development which would surely upgrade their professional skills and “advised other members to take

policies for effective administration rather than encouraging unnecessary operations of private mediocre schools.”

He saluted the Chairman Rev. Etim Udosen's initiative

encourage teachers and proprietors to understand current techniques of education despite challenges being experienced in the sector calling that workshop should be a continuous process.

Treasure Int'l School opens permanent site at Trans-Ekulu

By Mary Chinda

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arents have been called upon to continue to invest in the education of their wards especially the girl child, despite the prolonged abduction of the Chibok school girls in Borno State.

This charge was made recently by the proprietress of Treasure International School, Reverend Mrs. Majisola Orgaly at the 5th anniversary celebration of the school which was held to mark the opening of the permanent site of the school at Trans-

Ekulu last weekend.

“The new location of the School will play host to all the primary arms of the school and provide for security as we continue to churn out excellent students who are also spirit filled” she explained.

Going down memory lane, the Reverend, who is also the wife to the regional pastor of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), recalled that the school which was marking its 5th year had been through the stormy times particularly during its inception in September 2009

with 11 pupils, thanking God that laid the foundation for its current expansion with over 200 students.

Addressing guests at the graduation ceremony, the senior prefect, little Miss Cynthia Okoye announced that the pupils had performed well in their common entrance exams.

She further expressed joy to be one of the first crop of Treasure pupils passing out into Secondary school. ''We have been equipped for the future. I have no fears that we will do well in life” she affirmed

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Tension in Enugu PDP as Nwabueze Okafor joins senatorial race * Ifeoma Nwobodo's supporters panic

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he decision of by the National President of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Chief Nwabueze Okafor, to join the race for Nkanu East Senatorial seat at the National Assembly come 2015 has created tension in the ruling People's Democratic Party especially in the political camp of Governor Sullivan Chime which is said to have anointed the Chief of Staff, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo for the position.

But political analysts in the state said Okafor's entry into the race has changed the political equation as he is seen as potent force that could snatch the senatorial ticket from the governor's preferred candidate.

The supporters of Ifeoma Nwobodo who had thought that she would have no difficulty whatsoever in getting the PDP's ticket for the contest, according to insider sources, were said to be uncomfortable with the decision of Okafor to vie; a development that is believed to have caused panic among her supporters some of who have reportedly pledged their support for Okafor.

Others in the race are former Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, the incumbent Senator representing the zone, Senator Gilbert Nnaji, immediate past Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Sunday Onyebuchi and Mr. Frank Nweke Jnr. Speaking with newsmen in Enugu, Chief Nwabueze Okafor said that his ambition was borne out the desire to ensure effective representation that would translate to visible federal government presence in the senatorial zone.

“I have decided to run for the Enugu East senatorial seat and the decision was borne out of my desire to ensure that my people are well represented which should translate into visible presence of the government in my area. I joined the race in confidence that my people are fully behind me, having called severally on me to contest the position,” Okafor, who was the immediate past Chairman of Enugu South Local Government Area, said.

According to him, Enugu East Senatorial zone which has a mixture of urban and rural components requires quality representation, adding that he was confident that the people of the zone which is regarded as Nkanu Land would give him their support to represent them at the upper legislative chamber.

On the speculations that the

Chief Nwabueze Okafor Enugu State Government has already endorsed someone from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the same position, Okafor said: “When you talk about endorsement and other aspirants, I only know about myself. I am coming out to win and the issue of endorsement has no place here because I am the candidate to beat.”

He said that he was sure of getting the PDP nomination because he

enjoys tremendous support of the constituents and has the ability to effectively mobilize the people to support his ambition. “I have gotten several PDP nominations in the past; we have run elections and my participation in governance have always been in the plank of elections. We know how to get nominations and we know how to win elections,” he said.

The ALGON boss further said

that he was favoured by the PDP zoning arrangement for the senatorial seat which rotates among the three federal constituencies in the senatorial zone namely Enugu East/Isiuzo, the Enugu North/Enugu South and the Nkanu West/East .

He said: “The senatorial seat moved from my federal constituency (Enugu North/South), when Chief Ken Nnamani was there and from there to Nkanu West federal constituency when the former governor, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani was there and now Enugu east where the present senator Gilbert Nnaji comes from and it is now time to return her (Enugu South).

“I considered all the factors, I considered geo-political balancing. But most importantly, I have to convince myself that I have the capacity to represent my people to ensure that I do not go there just to stay in the chambers but to make sure that the issues, the challenges plaguing our people is brought to national

focus. That is the greatest consideration for me.

“It is time for big ideas, it is time for ideas that will bring the problems and issues we have in our senatorial zone to the front burner and this entails the kind of system we put in place to lift them from the present situation to playing their role in nation building. Then for the youths, how far have we mentored our youths, how far have we gone to ensure that they have benefited from the ICT and what have they contributed?”

Okafor stated that the experiences he had acquired as a grassroots person, who understands the need of the people, would enable him make quality contributions to debates on issues before the National Assembly.

“My experience comes very handy based on my being a grassroots person, I understand their need and we want our people to be empowered. By my experience as a Local Government Chairman and President of all Local Government Chairmen in Nigeria, I have all the linkages to ensure that attention is given to my senatorial zone. I will however tell the people of my zone, that we are here to ensure they are well represented and to tell them that their call has been answered and that it is time for big ideas to move our zone forward,”

I don't need your job, Onyebuchi tells Chime Continued from page 3 was a member of the State Pilgrims Board.

Although many said he has been around for some time, especially within his Nkanu East axis, getting the right information about his person and activities was difficult. On his Facebook page, the only information about his educational attainments is his claim to have studied at the Azusa Pacific University, California, USA. Further inquiries reveal that Azusa Pacific is a private, interdenominational evangelical Christian University located near Los Angeles in Suburban Asuza, California.

The school is reputed for offering variety of academic programs and it is suspected that Nwoye may have acquired training in one of the school's religious courses.

Being religious had never hindered Nwoye from playing active politics. In fact, he is said to have been involved in politics more at his rural community of Ishiogbo Nara the way he may have been involved in religious activities. He was the President General of his community.

He came into political limelight in1999, when he contested and

Chime and his new deputy, Nwoye won election as deputy chairman for Nkanu East local government under the then All Peoples Party (APP). He had served the then council administration of Mr. Laz Nnaji. He crossed over to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at the expiration of his tenure.

He was later appointed a Commissioner for Environment in Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani administration and was said to have been relieved of the position in less than one year. .

He later returned to the local government system when

Sullivan Chime came into office and became the transition council chairman in 2007 and handed over to Ejike Ani, who was the elected Council Chairman for Nkanu East. Although he had been around and hails from same community with the deposed deputy, Onyebuchi, many do not see his choice as good enough to assuage the injury meted to Nkanu people in the unceremonious removal of their son over week ago Unlike Onyebuchi, whom the governor felt was more interested

in pursuing his political fortunes next year, than paying full concentration to the affairs of his office, Nwoye is seen as not constituting problem for the Governor at all.

There are also indications that he does not have any political aspiration next year, a development that may make him pursue ideas that may unite the government further to peacefully hand over next year.

Nwoye's Nkanu East remains the most backward in terms of government presence and amenities and expectations are high that if Chime could not provide such amenities in the area apparently because of his misunderstanding with Onyebuchi, he should now pay attention to the area with his new Deputy which he has personally chosen to work with and this will go a long way to determine the level of support the PDP would receive from the area in the coming elections.

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Boy arrested in Edo state for alleged sexual intercourse with a dog

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he incident occurred in Iguosa, a community in the Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Benin City, Edo state south-south Nigeria involving a boy allegedly said to have had sexual intercourse with a dog.

The suspect, Osagiator Ighodaro said: “I was going on the street and

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the dog kept following me and I carried it like a baby and thereafter I took it to an uncompleted building where I did what I did to it. It was there that one man came into the building and arrested me,” A resident of the area explained how the teenager was caught: “When I saw the young man carrying the dog like a baby, I

decided to tell the owner and advised him to go into the uncompleted building. I told him to go round the house while I went through the other side and we saw him having sex with the dog,” The owner of the animal, one Garba Samari told security officials that he had no further need of the dog and that it should be taken along with the suspect.

India girl marries dog to ward off evil spirits

Residents panic after chicken begins talking before being slaughtered

Chicken illustration

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esidents of a small town in Nigeria, have fled in panic after a chicken began talking in Arabic before being slaughtered, police said.

Benue State Police said that the incident of the talking chicken

occurred at a local market in Makurdi.

Residents living near the Wadata Market fled as the news of the talking chicken spread like fire.

“I heard that the police have taken the chicken into their possession,

and that is why the police station is so crowded. Everybody wants to see the chicken talk,” a woman who identified herself as Aishetu, said.

As the residents crowded the local roads police shot tear gas to disperse the crowd and clear the roadways for normal traffic. This was not the first time that an animal began to talk before being killed.

In a similar development Zalman Rosen, and his worker Luis Nivelo of New York, said that they were about to kill a fish when it began shouting at them. “It said 'watch out' and 'the end is coming,'” Rosen said.

Rosen admitted that in a state of panic he tried to kill the fish, injuring himself in the process and ending up in a hospital. The fish was finally killed by Nivelo and sold

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n a remote part of India, young Mangli Munda is marrying a stray dog to fight off evil spirits that her family believes she has. The dog was found by the woman's father.

The big wedding was taken care of by the 18-year-old's parents, to the dismay of the wife-to-be.

Munda wasn't pleased with her parents' selection of a groom, saying, “I am not happy with this marriage.”

If you think Munda's father was solely to blame for this unusual arrangement, he wasn't. Munda's mother was adamant about the need for her daughter to get hitched to the hound named Sheru.

The pooch even arrived stylin' and profilin' as most grooms often do

chauffeured in a car. Munda's mother mentioned, “We have to spend money on this wedding.

That is the only way we can get rid of her bad luck and ensure the benevolence of the village.”

But Munda won't have to love and honor her husband all the days of her life.

The relationship isn't legally binding, which will probably keep this bride from going barking mad.

In this remote village in the eastern state of Jharkhand, the ceremony isn't unheard of. It's just a tradition meant to ensure the longevity of a couple's marriage when Munda is eventually married to a human groom. And, hopefully, her next husband won't turn out to be a dog.

How woman ate flesh and blood of her grandson

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woman in Niger state has been arrested for killing and consuming the flesh and blood of her grandson. Our correspondent reports that the incident occurred at Doso Village in Doko District of Niger State.

The woman known as Fatima Saraka Mohammed slaughtered her nine-year-old grandson, Mohammed, shared his roasted flesh and drank his blood in connivance with two other people in an apparent act of cannibalism. When quizzed by police officers, the woman confessed that the act was done to satisfy her witchcraft spirit.

The bubble burst, when Mohammed Doko, father of the said boy could not locate his son after he came back from an outing. The boy's in the house led to an intensive search for him; a search that lasted for weeks, but the boy was nowhere to be found. It was gathered that during the search one of the villagers told

the father of the child that he saw the child with his grandmother sometime before his disappearance, along a nearby bush path in the area.

Doko with some villagers then went to the boy's grandmother's place about 50 metres away from his own compound in Doso village, invariably to find out as it was plausible that the boy may be with the grandmother.

At first, when Fatima, as was called, was confronted by Doko and the villagers, she vehemently denied any knowledge of his whereabouts, or even that she had seen the boy before his disappearance.

After a lot of pressure by the

The Witches: Fatima, Zhitsu and Amina

villagers, and threats of calling in the police, Fatima finally caved in and admitted that the boy was taken to a nearby bush where she had invited one Zhitsu Aliyu, a 38-year old man, to help her slaughter her grandson and collect the blood in a bowl, all this in connivance with her friend, Amina Wusa Mohammed, who she said, belonged to the same coven of witches.

Fatima narrated how she and her collaborators each took part in drinking young Mohammed's blood and having their share of his flesh after roasting it.

The villagers carefully searched the crime scene and recovered the knife used in killing the boy and the bloodstained clothes confirming the dastardly act.

Consequently, the villagers invited the policemen in Bida division and handed Fatima and her collaborators over to the detectives.

As at press time no official statement has been made by the police confirming the truth or otherwise of the incident

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2015:

Anambra endorses Jonathan in a mass rally

By Uche Chukwu, Awka supporting President Goodluck

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n appreciation of his purposeful leadership and ability to keep Nigeria as one despite obvious orchestrated tendency to throw Nigeria into a state of anarchy, Anambra State governor, Chief Dr Willie Obiano, the national leadership of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the good people of Anambra State as well as well wishers, have unanimously endorsed the candidature of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and urged him to declare his intention to run come 2015 Presidential election.

The endorsement which took place at Ekwueme Square, Awka, Saturday August 30, this year was part of the massive rally organized by a non-governmental organization, Join Jonathan Journey (JJJ) with the support of the All Progressives Grand Alliance and the Willie Obiano administration in the State.

The mass rally attracted both APGA and non-APGA members including notable PDP chieftains as Sir Emeka Offor represented by former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani, former Senator Alphonsus Ubanesse Igbeke, former Minister of Women Affairs, Iyom Josephine Anenih, former Interior Affairs Minister, Chief Emmanuel Iheanacho, billionaire business mogul and politician, Prince Arthur Eze ably represented by Prince Dr. Emeka Eze, former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Okey Udeh, former chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Ben Oranusi, members of the National Working Committee of the APGA led by Sir Victor Umeh, and focal point of the movement, Ben Obi, an aide to governor Obiano.

Also in attendance were the National and State Assemblies aspirants, chairman of the 21 local government councils, 318 councilors, APGA executives in 21 LGAs and 326 wards in the State.

Speaking during the occasion, governor Obiano pointed out that APGA is in control of the State and stands in a better position to deliver President Jonathan in the 2015 Presidential election, adding that APGA will even ensure easy victory for the President in the entire South East geo-political zone better than any other group or party.

Said Obiano, “We are in control of Anambra State. There is nothing that happens in the State without the knowledge of APGA under my watch. We are

Ebele Jonathan for President come 2015.Beyond the Jonathan ticket, we (APGA) are running for all seats from the State House of Assembly, to the National Assembly seats and we will win all of them.”

Governor Obiano who excused the absence of his predecessor Chief Peter Obi who he said travelled to United States of America for the World Igbo Council, noted that outside the Presidential ticket for which President Jonathan has been endorsed, there is no automatic ticket for aspirants in APGA. Speaking further on the import of support for Jonathan, Governor Obiano stated that APGA will continue to support Jonathan to enable him continue with his noble and laudable transformation agenda. “Forget the noise others are making, Igbos is APGA and APGA is an Igbo party.”Governor Obiano assured that all those who died fighting for

Jonathan the Igbo cause in the Biafran war will not be forgotten as plans are underway to organize a befitting proper funeral for the repose of the souls of the fallen heroes, even as he noted it will be all-

embracing affair devoid of any p o l i t i c a l affiliation.

The National Chairman of APGA, used the forum to throw more light on the reason for backing President Jonathan for the second term, recalling that in 2010 and 2011 the party did not field a Presidential candidate in order to create a field day for Jonathan to run as a candidate of the PDP and amass votes from Igbo states.

Chief Umeh who welcomed new entrants and decampees into APGA announced that APGA is working out a process of having an accord between it and PDP, assuring APGA members that it does not

Enugu-West youths urge DSP Ekweremadu to re-contest

By Mary Chinda

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rising from its congress, the Enugu West Youths General Assembly has u rg e d t h e D e p u t y S e n a t e President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu to re-contest the Enugu West senatorial seat which he is currently occupying in 2015.

In a meeting held wednseday at CITIPARK Hotel, Enugu which was well attended by youths from all the five council areas that made-up of the senatorial zone; tagged, 'meeting of 810 youths raised 10men each in the 81 wards of the zone', promised that they will go the extra miles to ensure that his good representation is supported, promoted, encouraged and continued.

The youths regretted that despite the fact that someone from the zone has been the governor for the past 7 to 8 years the people of the zone especially the youths are yet to feel the impact of his administration in their various homes.

The leader of the group and coordinator-general of Enugu West Youths General Assembly, Barr. Chima Obieze noted that though Governor Sullivan Chime has tried in changing the face of Enugu Urban, the rural areas of their zone still needs a lot of attention.

Obieze who commended the pragmatic and overwhelming achievements of (DSP)

Obieze said has culminated in a total of 1,015 students of the zone benefiting from the Ikeoha Foundation as at 2012 scholarship programme and his adult literacy program which have also made many old uneducated people of the zone to learn how to read and write.

“Micro-credits for women cooperative societies and widows in the zone”, he mentioned.

T h e Yo u t h L e a d e r further disclosed that the Senator Ike Ekweremadu 'Ikeoha Unity Football Ekweremadu and his quality Tournament' the deputy senate representation of the zone in the president instituted has fostered senate, said the best thing that will unity among the young ones in the happen to the people of Enugu zone; it has helped greatly in West is that Sen. Ekweremadu be keeping them away from crime and violence. returned to the senate.

H e d i s c l o s e d t h a t S e n . Obieze disclosed that there's no Ekweremadu's achievements community in the zone that has span through the five local not benefited from uncountable government areas of the senatorial infrastructural development zone and beyond, which includes; which the DSP, has attracted in the “Helped in securing gainful zone and other charitable works employments for over 350 young which too are numerous to graduates of the zone in federal mention. agencies, commissions, services Prayers session was also held as the youths prayed for God's and ministries.

“Unflinching support he has given protection and guidance to give to the students of Enugu West and him a strong heart and grant him his support to education”, which success during the 2015 polls if he decides to run.

mean the party is throwing away its identity and independence.

Comrade Chuka Obele who fought for the prosecution of suspected killers of the former Chairman of NBA, Onitsha South Branch, Barnabas Igwe and his wife as well as their unborn baby, expressed immense gratitude to be part of the JJJ rally organized

by APGA, noting that he joined the party as a result of sincerity and compassionate nature of governor Obiano, who he said has shown flashes of an astute performer.

He also thanked Umeh whom he described as a dogged fighter and purposeful leader for his indefatigable disposition which he pointed out is responsible for APGA to survive and thrive.

Earlier in his speech, the State Coordinator of JJJ and former Council Chairman of Orumba South, Chief Oranusi recalled that the JJJ is a movement formed under the framework of APGA to provide a platform to actualize the Presidential bid of Jonathan to return to power in 2015.

In his speech, former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani who represented Sir Emeka Offor, praised the initiative of APGA to set up a body for President Jonathan to seek for re-election, a development he said is akin to the move by PDP to return the President to power come 2015.

Former Women Affairs Minister, Iyom Anenih who he said President Jonathan has brought peace to the country in the face of threat of disunity expressed happiness that APGA is identifying with the Jonathan reelection bid.

Also speaking, a lawyer and the House of Assembly aspirant on the platform of APGA for Anaocha State Constituency, Nneka Ezeani, commended both governor Obiano and APGA under the leadership of Chief Umeh for working for the reelection of President Jonathan, pointing out that APGA as the ruling party in the State stands in a better position to deliver Jonathan in the 2015 Presidential election.

Barrister Ezeani described APGA as an Igbo party noting that it is a party that Ndigbo should identify with that will effectively work to deliver the PDP candidate in the 2015 election.

Highlight of the occasion was the welcoming of a human rights activist, Comrade Obele Chuka Obele former Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) into APGA as well as about 100 PDP members into APGA including the House Committee Chairman on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Gabriel Onyenwife as well as Hon. Rita Maduagwu who had earlier moved to APGA.

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ADVOCATE Al-Makura meets Jonathan, says no more impeachment plot

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o v e r n o r Ta n k o A l Makura of Nasarawa State on Friday met with President Goodluck Jonathan behind closed door at the Presidential Villa over the recent bloody clashes in the state.

The governor dismissed fresh plot by the Nasarawa State House of Assembly to remove him from office after an impeachment panel exonerated him of the charges leveled against him by the state lawmakers.

The governor, who spoke with state house correspondents after his meeting with Jonathan, described the alleged fresh moves by members of the state House of Assembly to impeach him as “speculative”.

There have been insinuations that the President, who is of the Peoples Democratic Party, was behind the repeated plots to remove the governor, who is a member of the opposition All Progressives Congress.

The governor, who refused to elaborate on the alleged fresh plot to remove him by the state legislators, said he would only act as events unfolded.

“That (the alleged fresh impeachment plot) is within the realm of speculation. I don't want to respond to speculation. But once we get to the bridge, we will cross it,” he said.

The governor told journalists that his mission at the presidential villa was to update President Jonathan on the ethnic clashes in the state, while assuring that his administration would ensure that lasting peace was restored in the state.

He said, “As you all know the President is the leader of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I have to come to update him on the situation in my state.

“You are aware that we have faced some certain security challenges in my state, but by God's grace we are on top of the situation. My purpose of visiting Mr. President is to give him update on what is happening in the state and I can assure you that things are calming down now, we are on top of the situation now.”

He said in addition to ongoing police investigation on the clashes, his administration had set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry and that part of the recommendations contained in the commission's White Paper were already being implemented.

He said, “Government has already gone a step further, by setting up a judicial commission of inquiry and the white paper is already out.

Government has started implementing some aspects of the white paper, especially the administrative aspect that is within the responsibility of the government.

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Obiano, Umeh excited as 1,500 PDP members decamp to APGA

By Uche Chukwu

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he chances of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the forthcoming general elections brightened greatly following the defection of about 1,500 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) at a tour of Njikoka Local Government Area of the State in continuation of tours of local government areas by the State governor, Chief Willie Obiano.

In a well-attended gathering at Abagana, Njikoka LGA, Wednesday, governor Obiano and the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, were visibly excited with the decampment from PDP by its erstwhile chieftain and one-time representative of Njikoka constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Okey Ekpeh.

Also, a former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Nwabude led another group of politicians and their followers to join APGA. The governor appreciated their movement and urged the APGA members to sustain the tempo of voter education to prepare the people well for the forthcoming elections.

Speaking at the thank-you tour of the area attended by top government officials, party leaders, serving and out-gone law makers, market women and supporters of aspirants, governor Obiano pointed out that the visit was to thank the people of Njikoka for their massive support to APGA and for him in the last elections.

Governor Obiano who donated food items and cash to party executives urged the people to support APGA in the State and National Assembly seats except the Presidential slot being aspired by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Also speaking, the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Umeh assured that the people would choose candidates of their choice in free and fair primaries.

The member representing Njikoka 1 constituency Hon. Ify Onyebumuo promised that they constituents would deliver the party in all the elections.

Also speaking, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Hon. Emeka Ozumba whose is a native of EnuguUkwu in the Local Government Area commended the governor for his people-oriented service delivery, and assured that the area would always support the ruling party in the State.

Obiano The Chairman of the Njikoka Local Government Council, Hon. Emeka Onuora accompanied by his wife, Lady Ogechukwu and members of his legislative Council, thanked the governor for giving the people a sense of belonging and pledged continued support to his government and party.

Earlier in his visit to Ihiala, Ihiala Local Government Area headquarters and later Nnewi South Local Government Area, governor Obiano commended their wisdom and courage to join the party, Receiving 47 APC members who decamped to APGA,

Umeh Governor Obiano in an address to the people of Nnewi South at Ukpor, reassured that no road project would be abandoned in any part of the State, explaining that work on roads has temporarily slowed down due to rainy season.

According to him, all road projects initiated by his predecessor would be completed, adding that work on roads would soon be accelerated to ensure that the projects are completed as quickly as possible.

He enjoined Ndigbo to remain together and pursue their collective interest under one umbrella.

Police kills two notorious Robbers in Enugu

By Rex Arum

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wo suspected members of a robbery gang that have been terrorizing Enugu and its environs were on Thursday shot dead by operatives of the state Police Command, at the Akagbeugwu Awkunanaw community, in Nkanu West local government Area of the state.

The Advocate gathered that the two were killed during an exchange of fire with the police who invaded their hideout, following a reported case of a car snatch -Toyota Camry by the gang.

According to the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ebere Amarizu, who in Enugu, “two other members of the gang escaped with bullets wounds.”

He said the gang had robbed the owner of the Camry car [name withheld] at gun point and also dispossessed him of an undisclosed huge amount of money.

“Acting on a distress call, the operatives of the Enugu state command were able to be

guided to the direction of movement of the gang by public spirited individuals, consequent upon which they were traced to the hideout”, Amarizu explained.

The Command Spokesperson, revealed further “the police men engaged the criminals in a gun duel in their hideout, which led to the death of two among them while two others escaped with bullet wounds.

“After the gun battle, the police was able to recover the snatched car from the criminal's hideout and a pump action gun”.

“Other materials recovered included two black berry phones and an amount of money believed to belong to the owner of the car, which they collected from him at gun point, at the time of snatching his car.

“The Command in its efforts to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang, has appealed to members of the public and every hospital management in the city to report any person with suspected bullet wounds to the police before treatment, so as to determine the source of such wound”. Amarizu indicated.

The governor said that plans are underway to boost power supply to various industrial layouts in the State, stressing that the industries would be arranged in clusters to enhance direct regular power to reduce cost of production and their opportunity to grow and expand.

He explained that the shopping mall and other ongoing projects in the area are in the best interest of the people.

National Chairman of APGA, noted that governor Obiano has entrenched effective security network and has continued to demonstrate commitment in promoting the Igbo Agenda and defending the interest of APGA. The Sole Administrator, Nnewi North Local Government Area, Chief Emeka Ojukwu junior said the governor has within a short time made giant strides in various sectors that would turn around the State.

Chief Ojukwu extolled the governor for directing all local government councils to select three roads for construction by the State government and requested, among other things, more policemen and security vehicles.

At their separate speeches, the member representing Nnewi South I in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Rita Nmaduabu and his Nnewi South II counterpart, Hon. Hon. Kingsley Iruba said the governor has already performed beyond the expectations of the people and noted that, if the present tempo is sustained, the State would soon be a model in the country.

Also speaking, a former member representing Ihiala 1 in the State House of Assembly, Chief Simeon Ohajianya assured that Ihiala would continue to give the governor total support to deliver his vision.

A former Commissioner for Lands and a native of the area, M r. J o h n O k o l i - A k i r i k a applauded the governor's successful war against criminals and enjoined the people to support the administration by being alive to their civic responsibility through prompt payment of taxes and levies.

The State Chairman of APGA, Chief Mike Kwentoh said that APGA government has elevated the State to a pride of place and urged the people to continue to give him total support.

Earlier in his speech, the Local Government Council, Mr. Ossy Iyiegbu noted that the governor has sustained the tempo of good governance in the State.

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The Advocate Gospel This Week

TEXT: Matthew 19:7-9 'Why then,' they asked, 'did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?' Jesus replied, 'Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.' (NIVUK)

NARRATION When Jesus was asked about divorce, He told them about God's design for marriage in which He joins a man and a woman together. "What God had joined together, should not be separated", said Jesus. Some of the Pharisees believed that there was a provision for easy divorce in God's Law (Deuteronomy 24:1-4), and they pressed Jesus to explain the passage which apparently allowed a husband to write a certificate of divorce and send his wife away if she displeased him.

Jesus looked behind the certificate to the attitude of the husband. Instead of focussing on the failure of the wife to live up to her husband's expectations, Jesus exposed the heart of the husband as being hard, cruel and unforgiving.

That was not God's plan for human beings or for marriage.

In the beginning there was love and harmony in marriage.

But when sin entered the world the first change was that nakedness became a sign of shame (Genesis 3:7) instead of intimacy (Genesis 2:25).

The end-point of shame within marriage is either forgiveness and reconciliation, or divorce. But Jesus removed the automatic presumption of remarriage. And even where the marriage bond has been broken through adultery, it is still preferable to soften hard hearts. Hardheartedness is not just a marriage problem but a spiritual problem, which will continue even though divorce may leave a faulty marriage behind. It does not come from God. Whatever the outcome of relationship problems, there is no joy while hearts remain hard.

Whether you are married or not, get used to a regular discipline of being open to God about the state of your heart.

Let His Word diagnose your 'heart disease' and repent of hardness of the 'arteries' and 'muscles' of your spiritual heart. Failure to deal with that will be fatal to relationships with others and God. Instead of judging your spouse unfairly, examine your own heart and let the Lord do whatever is necessary to soften you so that He can use you to bless others instead of cursing them.

Prayer: Loving God. Thank You that Your plan for relationships always works when people's hearts are soft.

Forgive me for the times when I have hardened my heart against other people or You. Please help me to understand where my heart is hard, and give me the grace to be soft to Your truth and love, and to pass it on to others. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

"Crisis Will Start" – TB Joshua's warning message seeing militants are

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igerian Prophet T.B Joshua, the general overseer of the Synagogue Church of All Nations has revealed that Nigerian politicians will begin to be targets of Boko Haram sects.

Prophet TB Joshua gave this warning message on Sunday, 31st of August, 2014.

He also warned American president, European nation of Poland and said he foresees another plane crash near Ukraine.

Prophet TB Joshua said: “Last time, I said we should pray for Nigerian 'bigshots' because I am seeing these people begin t o t a rg e t t h e m , ” h e reminded people of the message he had said in May that Boko Haram insurgents will start targeting the political class.

“It will result to death”. “They are just looking for an avenue that will cause crisis and conflict in the region. When it happens, it will cause political crisis.”

He immediately called for prayers against the impending attack of the political bigshot, stating that they only want to use it to cause political crisis.

“There would also be a plane crash in the unstable region near Russia and Ukraine.

Commercial planes should not pass there because I am seeing a

T.B Joshua plane full of passenger's crash in that region. It will not be between Ukraine and Russia this time but it is close to that place, a neighboring region,”he warned.

“Pray for the president of America. I am seeing him being rushed to the hospital but he will get over it. “They should allow him to rest; he should not go for an operation. I am not talking of myself; I am talking of God,” he said.

He also prophesied a militant attack against a highly placed political figure in Southern Africa, also specifying the nation of Kenya for prayer. “I am

interested in embarrassing a president either they kill him or kidnap him.

That is just their objective in the Southern region to kidnap the president, vice president or first lady of that nation.”

“Crisis will start any moment from now. It will start with internal crisis…

What is the word 16? I was made to see the nation Poland pray for the nation,” he said.

Prophet TB Joshua who is one of the most popular not only in Nigeria but also in Africa as a whole has been in the news recently.

TB Joshua who has followers from all over the world recently explained why he does not want to establish branches of his church everywhere.

With the deadly EBola Virus Disease (EVD) ravaging West Africa countries, Prophet TB Joshua has said satan is the manufacturer of Ebola.

In August, it was reported that TB Joshua reportedly sent 4,000 bottles of his 'anointing water' to Sierra Leone to help the country in its fight against the deadly virus. In April 2014, Prophet TB Joshua said he had a vision concerning the Chibok school girls abducted by the Boko Haram sect that God told him the

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome denies adultery accusations, threatens to sue Journalists

Chris and Anita Oyakhilome

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yakhilome's counsel further said the media's coverage was engineered to bring him and the church shame and ridicule, though his wife was the person who aired the allegations against him. Earlier, Mrs. Oyakhilome even told journalists, through counsel, that the marriage had "terribly degenerated".

Though not denying the growing divorce scandal surrounding him, the head pastor of Christ Embassy Church, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, has threatened legal recourse against journalists publishing stories about him and his wife, Anita's divorce.

The pastor, who spoke through his lawyer, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), called the accusations of adultery a "false and malicious" attack against him and the church.

“The attention of our client, Rev. Chris Oyakhilome, and the church has been drawn to the wave of false, malicious and fabricated stories being published in the print and electronic media about his person, the church and a matrimonial cause between him and his wife," his attorney stated.

Sharply criticizing the recent coverage of the divorce proceedings, which the statement did not refute, the

release claimed that publishers went so far as to fabricate claims that he had committed adultery against his wife, Anita. These contradict her claims that the leader of Christ Embassy Church had indeed been unfaithful during their "terribly degenerated" marriage, something she disclosed through counsel to the media Characterizing the media's coverage of his wife's efforts to divorce him as “complete distortion of the facts in the pending proceedings in the United Kingdom”, the statement cited the coverage as "selfishly motivated" for political and financial advantage.

The statement also acknowledged freedom of the press, but quite contradictorily cautioned that further action will be taken to safeguard the image of the church and the pastor if coverage continued. "Be warned therefore that unless the concerned media houses desist from further publishing words and stories which are false and damaging of our client's reputation and the church, we shall, without further recourse to the concerned publishers, promptly embark on appropriate legal machinery with a view to protecting our client's reputation and that of the church.”

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September 18, 2014

Dangote: 9m tonnes supply to crash cement prices by 300%

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angote Cement Plc, has predicted sharp drop in local cement prices by 300 percent from next month.

The company said this will be made possible by the supply of an additional nine million metric tons into the market from its factories at Ibese and Obajana.

Also the cement giant is coming out with its own brand of 32.5 grade cement in the next seven days.

Devakumar Edwin, Group Managing Director, Dangote Cement, told journalists in Lagos that the company is currently reviewing the selling prices of its products with intent to reduce them and make the products available with the recent

commissioning of additional six million metric tons per annum lines 3 and 4 in Ibese, Ogun state and another three million metric ton capacity additional line 4 at Obajana, Kogi State.

Altogether, the company is producing locally at a combined installed capacity of 29.25 million metric tons per annum across its three plants in the country Ibeshe, Obajana and Gboko.

“We have significantly increased the supply of cement to the market and as it is expected, the enhancement in supply of the

Dangote product to the market has also resulted to a reasonable reduction

in the price of the product; our distributors have started effecting the price changes as the price of the 42.5 grade is now less by N100 per bag, while the soon to hit market 32.5 grades will be selling N200 lower than the price of higher strength 42.5,” he disclosed.

On why they are adding 32.5 cement grade to existing products, he explained that it was in response to popular demand from the customers as well as in full compliance with the SON directive encouraging production of all grades of cement but with clear labeling on the use.

“The entrance of the 32.5 cement grade from Dangote would ensure that the consumer pays the appropriate price for the right value rather than paying more for

N50m goods lost Glo Xchange: Glo recruits in Onitsha market agents for mobile money fire disaster Challenge; Constantial Hotel, Airport Road, ational telecoms carrier, Globacom

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oods worth over N50 million were consumed by fire at the Bright Street section of Onitsha Main Market Tuesday night.

Although no life was lost in the fire disaster, the affected traders are now counting their losses just as stakeholders expressed serious concerns over incessant infernos in the multi-billion naira international market.

It was learnt that the fire started at about 9.45 pm on the first floor of one of the storey buildings and destroyed some warehouses said to have been stocked with rice, chemicals and other spiritual materials worth over N50 million.

The source, however, noted that the inferno did not affect other shops located on the ground floor.

An eyewitness, Mike Okongwu, said when the fire started at that odd hour, a vigilante man guarding the area noticed smoke emitting from one of the shops and when it became unbearable, he alerted the chairman of the street traders, Ifeanyi Chukwudum (Ifetex), who immediately contacted the police for a dispatch of some policemen to the scene.

At the scene of the incident, fire fighters from Onitsha Main market and their counterpart from Okpoko Fire Service Station were on ground to contain the inferno from spreading to other shops.

The Fire Officer, Okpoko Fire Service Station, Ogbaru Local Government, Mrs. Mary Affah, said her men arrived the scene about fifteen minutes later on receiving a phone call over the fire outbreak, even as she noted that the cause of the fire incident was yet unknown.

She disclosed that two of her fire officers sustained various degrees of injuries while attempting to put out the fire.

When contacted, chairman Bright Street Traders Association and Governor's Liaison Officer for Onitsha North Local Government, Chief Chukwudum, emphasized the need for all the shops to have fire extinguisher.

He, however, commended soldiers, the police and the vigilante operatives for maintaining orderliness throughout the fateful night.

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recently held town hall meetings with prospective agents of Glo Xchange, the Mobile Money Agent Network in partnership with Ecobank, First Bank, Stanbic IBTC, and Zenith Bank in some major markets across the country.

The meetings afforded the prospective agents the opportunity to discover the huge business in the mobile money industry, where they learnt the rudiments of the mobile money distribution process and the technicalities of the transaction. It also gave the prospects the opportunity to ask questions as well as helped them finalize their applications.

According to the Head of Mobile Money Financial Business Department in Globacom, Mr. Esaie Diei, the event was held in five different locations simultaneously.

The locations were Ibadan at Genesis hotel,

Benin; Immaculate Hotel Annexe, Wuse 2, Abuja; Landmark Hotel, Port Harcourt; Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos Mainland, and Orchid Hotel, Lekki, Ajah Road, on Lagos Island.

Diei said that Globacom will recruit and train agents for Glo Xchange nationwide and provide its massive network of outlets pan Nigeria for the platform while the partner banks will provide their mobile money platform to mobile phone subscribers in compliance with the Central Bank of Nigeria's policy on mobile payment.

Glo Xchange is the easy and convenient platform, in partnership with Mobile Money Operators that will enable Nigerians to use their mobile phones to send or receive money and pay for airtime, goods and services, including utility such as electricity, water bills and pay TV subscription in different parts of the country.

SON seeks public cooperation to curb substandard products

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he Director-General of Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Joseph Odumodu, has called for the cooperation of the public to curb the importation of inferior products in the country.

The SON DG called for collective efforts in the fight against importation of fake products and counterfeits, adding that the fight could only be won with the support of all Nigerians.

Odomodu said that such support for the agency's efforts in the campaign against fake products could help to end the importation of fake products noting that the use of inferior products has adverse effects on the economy of the country by depreciating the value of companies and businesses.

“Most fire outbreaks in homes, offices and other places are due mainly to the use of fake electrical materials and this makes it necessary for us to check and look out for fake wires and bulbs in the markets,” he said, adding that SON has presented a Bill to the National Assembly to empower it to

seize and destroy any pirated products within three months and also prosecute the culprits.

He said the agency had started the implementation of zero tolerance campaign against fake products in the country through regularly sensitisation meetings with importers and other stakeholders.

He said the management of SON always embark on campaigns, especially at Alaba International Market, Computer Villages in Lagos, Abuja, Onitsha and other main markets to sensitise dealers against fake products.

“Today, you have original and fake products displayed side by side with impunity in most markets, and the buyer decides, depending on choice and purse.

“This is why we are calling on all genuine companies, individuals and agencies importing products to collaborate with SON in the fight against fake products because it devalues our economy.

“It also negatively affects lives and we are trying our best to put a check on this and to wipe out the sale of inferior goods and products,” he said.

lower grade as is presently the case in the market.

“Our 32.5 cement grade branded “Dangote Cement 1X”, would be clearly marked in the colour prescribed by the SON with the uses for which it should be applied, which is purely for plastering,” he stated.

Dangote with this move now produces 42.5 for column and beam casting, block making, decking and other general purpose construction work that require high strength, while also producing the premium 32.5 grade for plastering and flooring only.

Edwin also informed that the company is also pushing out the 52.5 grade for specialised construction of high strength structures such as bridges,

Nigeria-UK trade to hit 20b pounds by 2020

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resident, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), Prince Yemi Adefulu has hinted that trade between Nigeria and Britain has the potential to hit 20 billion pounds by year 2020 if government remains proactive and encourage business to thrive.

Adefulu who made this known during a press briefing heralding its Centenary celebration in Lagos said the formulation of the right policies that will encourage export of processed non-oil products is the key to winning for Nigeria, adding that government must also accord priority attention to the provision of critical infrastructure that will enable businesses to grow and remove undue costs.

He said the trade between Nigeria and Britain, which grew to eight billion pounds from four billion pounds in four years, has merely scratched the surface, saying that the base already exists to promote the trade between the two countries ex potentially.

“With the right policies in place, products and services should be moving daily between the two countries,” he said, pointing out that it is the responsibility of the government to create and nurture an enabling environment which will attract foreign investment and encourage export of Nigerian goods.

According to him, “We at NBCC stand as the facilitator of trade between Nigeria and Britain for mutual benefit of both countries.

We represent the best of each to the other. We now partner with the United Kingdom Trade and Investment Agency (UKTI) and encourage the import of value enhancing products to Nigeria from Britain which will help value creation and processing of our local products. We also partner with Nigeria Export Processing Council, NEPC to facilitate the export of Nigerian goods and services to the UK market.”

Meanwhile, the Chamber's centenary celebration of the Nigeria- British trade relations, holding in collaboration with the UKTI is billed to hold from November 11, to November 29, 2014, with NBCC Golf Classics which will be held at the Ikeja Golf Club.

The Chamber said captains of industry, members of the diplomatic corps, top level government functionaries, senior members of the British Cabinet and Past Head of States will be in attendance.

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About Seven Million Nigerians are visually-impaired – Expert

By Our correspondent

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e n o w n e d a n ophthalmologist, Sebastian Nwosu, has said that no fewer than 7million Nigerians are visually impaired.

Out this number about one

Ebola: Nigerian tourist under isolation in Jerusalem

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Nigerian tourist in her twenties was hospitalized in isolation at Shaarei Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem Friday, after rising concerns that she may have tested positive for Ebola, according to Walla! News.

The tourist complained of high fever before being rushed to hospital, the news site said, and tests were conducted on her to diagnose the condition - the results of which are expected Saturday night.

The medical staff at the hospital has been placed under special protection and gave notice of the situation, as required by the Ministry of Health, saying that it is estimated that the chances the tourist is actually suffering from Ebola are low.

The tourist was working in the health system in Nigeria, which is not included in the list of countries at risk for the epidemic by the Israeli Health Ministry. She also did not visit a hospital in Nigeria in the month before becoming ill, which is considered one of the risk criteria.

Ebola is a worldwide epidemic.

1,900 people have died since the epidemic began in March including nearly 400 in the last week alone. 3500 were infected with Ebola in Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and other countries.

The mortality rate from the disease is 51%.

The disease causes a severe hemorrhagic fever, inducing vomiting, diarrhea, as well as internal and external bleeding.

"Ebola virus is one of the deadliest killers known," reported Ben Neuman, a virologist at the British University of Reading. "If this virus spread between people more easily, it would probably be more deadly than the black plague.

Fortunately, up to this point, it has not."

There has not been much scientific incentive in developing a cure, largely because of the financial loss the expensive research process for a disease largely limited to impoverished rural areas of Africa would cause.

However, a recent experimental vaccine has been under intensive development, according to CNN, and wide-scale studies are being conducted on Ebola patients in West Africa to help expedite a cure.

million are blind while another three million people are partially blind with another three million partially visually-impaired,.

Nwosu, who is also the president of Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria (OSN), spoke in Ibadan, Oyo State, during the week at a public lecture with the theme

"Universal Eye Health: The Synergy Needed" organised by the OSN. Accordng to him, "Most eye diseases are caused by glaucoma and cataracts", often results in avoidable blindness, if not detected early by the victims.

"The way the world is going, we

can't abandon everything about health care to the government; we need to partner with private individuals to move eye care forward. This will save our people from visual impairment and total blindness".

The eye expert said research had further revealed that Nigerians from the age of 40 and above are often affected and this represents 42.2 per cent of the population.

Fresh Ebola fear in Lagos as patient dies at LUTH

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ear of fresh cases of the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, has gripped residents of Lagos following news of the death of a suspected Ebola patient at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi- Araba The suspected patient, who died at LUTH in the early hours of Tuesday, was brought in by the Port Health authorities from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja on Monday.

A source, who was on duty when the patient was admitted into the institution's Accident & Emergency Unit, A&E, confirmed that the patient showed high-level suspicion for Ebola, but died in the early hours of yesterday at the Spill-Over ward of the hospital.

The source said that the patient, a male, was rushed to the A&E, with high fever, vomiting and stooling which are confirmed Ebola-like symptoms.

Further, it was gathered that the medical team which attended to the patient, unfortunately, were not kitted with the recommended Personal Protective Equipment, PPE. According to the source: “We quickly took his temperature, it was very high. We were all scared to take his blood samples because we were not wearing any Personal Protective Equipment.

We had to take him out of the emergency ward to the other spillover ward to avoid any form of contamination. We also reported to the Lagos State Government so that they can take him to the Infectious Diseases Hospital, IDH, in Yaba for proper treatment. But he had started vomiting blood by this morning, (yesterday) and few hours after, he died.”

It was gathered that the body of the deceased has been transferred to the Infectious Diseases Hospital, IDH, for further testing to ascertain the cause of death.

Continuing, the source explained: “As I said, we could not take any blood sample when he was alive because we were not wearing PPE, and we could not manage him effectively because of the severity of the symptoms we saw and considering the fact that he was coming from the airport. He could have been coming from an

Ebola-affected country.

“They will need to establish the cause of death, so as to be able to know whether to quarantine those that he had contact with from the airport to the hospital. LUTH does not have the facilities to handle any suspected case of Ebola; government should know that, so they don't keep bringing suspected cases here. All suspected cases should be taken to IDH.” Currently, there is growing concern among the medical team that attended to the unknown patient. Some doctors who spoke on the development expressed fear that they may be at risk of Ebola if the patient is confirmed to have the disease.

Other health workers urged the Federal Government to direct Port Health authorities to refer persons with such high index of suspicion to the IDH so as to avert possible transmission of the disease to other people.

Reacting to the development in a telephone interview, Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Professor Akin Osibogun, who confirmed the death of the patient, however, stated that the hospital was yet to determine the cause of death.

Dismissing it as 'mere rumour', he said although the patient had high level of suspicion for Ebola, it was yet to be confirmed if he had the disease.

“There is a difference between suspected and confirmed cases and you as a journalist should know. There is no need creating panic. We are only investigating the case to protect our people. We have had that situation two times in the hospital now. If you now say everybody that vomits has Ebola, then you cannot go to work because everybody at the bus stop will be running away, and that is creating panic.”

Ebola scare in Zaria A 19-year-old student of Law at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, was reportedly diagnosed with the Ebola virus in Kaduna on Tuesday the first case in the Northern region.

The Public Relations Officer of the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, ABUTH, M a l l a m B i l y a m i n u U m a r,

yesterday, said that a law student from ABU has been admitted at ABUTH, Shika, Zaria with signs similar to that of the Ebola lethal fever.

“I can tell you that a law student who has been ill for some time has shown signs of the Ebola fever.

But we are still studying the development. He has already been quarantined, and all safety measures are in place. So there is no need for panic. I cannot tell you more than this”, he said.

Confirming the development, Kaduna State Commissioner for Health, Dr Thot Dogo said: “The hospital (ABUTH) authorities alerted the Ministry when it suspected that a Law undergraduate of ABU, Zaria started showing some signs of Ebola symptoms like high fever and rashes on his body after over a week he was admitted at the hospital.

“The blood sample of the patient has been taken to a laboratory in Lagos for tests, which will come out by Tuesday next week. The outcome of the laboratory result will determine further actions.

“The state government has provided the hospital management with protective equipment for its team of medical personnel attending to the patient,” he said.

Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Ambassador Nuhu Bajoga, who is Chairman, Kaduna State Ebola Prevention and Control Committee, also said that the situation should not cause any anxiety in the state.

“Kaduna State Governor, Dr. Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, in his wisdom, has designated three Ebola quarantine and prevention centres in the three senatorial zones of the state just for this kind of emergency. We have all the equipment and the personnel and two of the sites are ready.

“There is small misunderstanding between my committee and some members of the community. But we are talking and bridging the communication gap. So, in a very short time, we shall be ready to contain any outbreak in any of the zones, with the assistance of the Federal Government and the World Health Organisation.

“But while people should not unduly panic, like bathing with salt, drinking salt water and

Ebola: FG to test trial drugs on 3 patients as 278 contacts set free in Lagos

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inister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu s a y s F e d e r a l government has ordered for the Ebola experimental drug from Japan to be tested on three Ebola patients in Nigeria.

Prof. Chukwu disclosed this on Monday at the 2nd National Council of Health meeting in Abuja, adding that 278 contacts under surveillance in Lagos have been released after completing their 21 days observation and showed no trace of the disease.

According to Chukwu, the Treatment Research Group (TRG) which he had informed earlier, had been working hard to identify experimental drugs like Zmapp, and also make recommendations to government on further research on these drugs as well as vaccines for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) treatment and prevention.

“Following the TRG's recommendation and in consultation with NAFDAC and NHREC, Nigeria has indicated interest to participate in the clinical trials for two candidate EVD vaccines and are considering a third that may be added to the list.

We have also applied for experimental drugs such as TKMEbola.

“The TRG has submitted a detailed profile and brief on the oral antiviral agent which the Japanese government has offered to make available to affected countries through the WHO. We are now considering this profile and brief to enable us reach a final decision on making it available to our patients.

“Our initial knowledge of the agent is that it has been shown to have strong antiviral activity against the influenza virus following phases I and II human trials, it is now going through phase III clinical trials; it is shown to have strong antiviral property against Ebola Virus in vitro and in vivo. These and the fact that it is considered safe, having passed through phases I and II clinical trials, makes it a good candidate drug for use in emergency situations as the EVD,” he explained.

Chukwu said government was taking a holistic approach to contain EVD in Nigeria adding that as at 31st August, 2014, the number of contacts under surveillance in Lagos stood at 72 while in Port Harcourt, the total number of contacts under surveillance stood at 199.

“There is nobody under surveillance in Enugu presently and no case of EVD in Enugu State.

As of 31st August, 2014, 278 contacts in Lagos State had completed the 21 days surveillance and have been discharged from surveillance. While in Enugu, all the six identified contacts have completed the 21 day observation period and have been discharged from surveillance. No contact in Port Harcourt has completed the 21 day observation period.

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September 18, 2014

Entertainment plus

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Actor Saint Obi acquires N48m Bullet Proof G Wagon

O

binna Nwafor, better known as Saint Obi, is not a strange name in Nollywood who for some time now, has been absent on the screen and in movies.

Recall that sometime ago, the actor disclosed that his reasons for being absent from Nollywood was because he needed to work behind to help ensure good distribution network of Nollywood produce after he pointed out that it was one of the challenge the industry is faced with.

Well, not too long, the tall, masculine, softspoken and handsome actor, who has not featured in any movie for about a decade now, just took delivery of the 2014 edition of the Mercedes Benz G Class (G65-AMG) popularly known as a G Wagon.

According to sources, the onetime popular actor just acquired a 2014, G65 AMG Mercedes Benz which cost him nothing about $292,000.00, approximately N48million.

Obi's G Wagon, BITurbo, boasts of a specially constructed V12 engine and is also bullet proof.

Flavour, Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, others for Independence Day show in Warri O rganisers of the forthcoming 'Warri Again: The Flagship' show to mark this year's Independence Day celebration, Brownhill Events Centre, during the week released the list of top Nigerian music stars who will be performing alongside their American counterparts, Ja Rule, and R&B singer, Ashanti at the one-stop event.

They include, queen of songs, Tiwa Savage, Davido, Flavour, Oritsefemi, Yemi Alade, Patoranking, Olamide, Wizkid, Iyanya, Dr Sid, Harrysong, Ice Prince, Daddy Showkey and Seyi Shay.

Others are top comedians including AY, Bovi, Buchi, I GoDye, Basketmouth, Okey Bakasi, Gordons, I Go Save, Funny Bone, Buchi, Baba Kome and Frank De Don. Whereas DJ Xclusive and Explicit Dance Crew will be handling the entertainment stuff, the show will be anchored by ace-comedian Ali Baba and Omawumi, with a guest appearance by Don Jazzy.

Furthermore, Denrele Edun and Eku Edewor will host the red carpet.

Speaking on the show, Managing Partner/CEO of Brownhill Events Centre, Mrs Julie Pinnick said, 'Warri Again' is a show aimed at rebranding Warri and making it a destination for entertainment.

We can use entertainment to drive social and commerical activities in Warri. Before we started the show, people used to look at Warri from a negative perspective. I am happy that people are beginning to acquaint themselves with what Warri really stands for; peace, hospitality and warmth. The forthcoming show, I can tell you will be the biggest show ever to be organised in Africa. The vision is to keep using entertainment to drive the economy of Warri, she added.

The maiden show was held in October, last year.

O

sita Iheme has written his first book. Nollywood actorOsita Iheme has written his first book. The petite actor recently completed the motivational book, which is called 'Inspiration 101.' Known to have always tweeted inspirational quotes on his Twitter and Instagram accounts, Osita recently visited the office of Innoson Motors to present the book to its CEO, Innocent Chukwuma

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September 18, 2014

By Okey Anyichie

Blatter set to stand for re-election as Fifa president next year

FIFA president, Sepp Blatter

F

IFA president Sepp Blatter will stand for re-election next year,

he confirmed on Monday.

The 78-year-old Swiss, who was first elected in

1998, confirmed his candidature for a fifth term as president in a recorded

interview transmitted to delegates at the Soccerex Global Convention.

“You see a mission is never finished. And my mission is not finished,” he said.

“Then I got (from) the last (Fifa) congress in Sao Paulo not only the impression but the support of the majority, a huge majority of national associations asking 'Please go on, be our president also in future.'

“Now I would make an official declaration definitely in September (to stand)... when we have the executive committee.

“I will inform the executive committee. It's a question of respect also to say then to the football family, 'Yes I will be ready. I will be a candidate.'“ Last month Michel Platini

ended speculation about his bid for the presidency when he said he would not stand for election - instead he will seek another term as the president of European soccer's ruling body, UEFA. The only other declared candidate is the former FIFA deputy secretary general Jerome Champagne, although the candidacy deadline is not until January next year.

Before the World Cup started in Brazil in June, f i v e o f F I FA ' s s i x confederations - the exception being UEFA gave Blatter their support to continue as president and it is almost inconceivable that he will not be re-elected when voting takes place at the FIFA Congress in Zurich next June.

US Open: Serena Williams powers past Caroline Wozniacki for sixth title *Williams beats Dane 6-3, 6-3 in Flushing Meadows final * She joins Evert and Navratilova on 18 grand slam singles titles

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erena Williams rescued her season with a lopsided victory over Caroline Wozniacki to win her 18th grand slam title in a final that flirted with towering mediocrity, was restored to passable competence and finished with merciful speed in a dribble of errors.

On a day of records, major and minor, the 32-year-old American ended what for her constituted a drought a year without a major winning 6-3, 6-3 in an hour and a quarter. She stands alongside Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova now, and four behind Steffi Graf as major winners in the Open era, but still trailing Helen Wills Moody (19) and Margaret Court (24) in the history of the game.

The last time she played in all four majors and went winless she was 19 years old. This was a good save, at least but it might have been the poorest contest of the tournament.

It is a wonder the net did not collapse, so many times was it bashed. There is no papering over the cruel statistics. Wozniacki, the former world No1 seeded 10th here and still to win a grand slam title at 24, held her serve only three times each with the help of aces.

Her second serve, except for the three times it hit the netting, travelled over it as slowly as 77 miles an hour. She hit a solitary

winner off the ground, a backhand in the 73rd minute for 15-all and 35 in the second set, with the guillotine hanging over her head.

Two minutes later it was over.

It was not nice to watch and cannot have been much fun to execute.

With her parents watching and a good percentage of the gathering on Arthur Ashe Court no doubt hoping victory would be a balm to the spiritual wounds she suffered when Rory McIlroy ended her first love affair, the 24-year-old Dane seemed weighed down by sentiment and expectation.

“You're an unbelievable friend and definitely owed drinks later,” Wozniacki told her conqueror, who has been so supportive of her after her break-up, a gesture reciprocated when Williams also suffered a mysterious dip in spirit during the summer, highlighted when she collapsed during a doubles match at Wimbledon.

“It was a wonderful finish [to the slam season],” a sobbing Williams said courtside. “Of all the struggles we've been through, we've texted each other nearly every day.”

It was the third year in a row here that the final entertained two players who have been ranked the best on their Tour, although you would not have guessed so had you arrived from Mars and witnessed opening exchanges that were more

like botched handshakes than blows of mean intent.

Williams is a wonderful player, one of the best in the history of the game, but, when Usain Bolt told her this week she was no sprinter, he was not joking.

Steamrollers Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki share a hug after the American's move faster, a fitting metaphor victory in the 2014 US Open final. for her progress in places they would do most reached another career landmark the fortnight as and with somewhat more elan than she flattened six opponents, two of damage. them seeded, who could muster Williams, who hit 23 unforced that on show in the women's final. only 32 games against her power errors and three double faults The 36-year-old Americans won and precision. They detained her overall, began without caution, their 100th doubles title, their 16th barely six and a half hours. Wozniacki with too much of it and in a major and fifth in their home Wozniacki did little better in the it was 20 minutes before the first tournament by beating the d o u b l e - d i g i t r a l l y. W h e n Spaniards Marcel Granollers and one match that mattered.

What was doubly disappointing Wozniacki's right arm finally Marc López 6-3, 6-4. for the loser was that she came to warmed up, it was too late and the In the girls' final the unseeded Czech Marie Bouzkova was a the final on a roll with every first set was gone.

The second set was marginally debutant winner for her country expectation of giving Williams a contest. But, when two friends go more competitive yet it had the when she took just over two hours to war, the result can be about as unmistakable air of a slow walk to beat Ukraine's ninth seed intense as a pillow fight before towards a disappearing target, the Anhelina Kalinina 6-4, 7-6, in the lights out in the dorm. There were last of Wozniacki's 15 unforced 40th edition of this championship. five straight breaks of serve in the errors floating long. The applause The unseeded Australian Omar first set as they turned one of the was that of relief as much as Jasika came from a set and 4-2 down to beat France's fifth seed game's most dramatic settings into celebration. a demilitarised zone, the balls Earlier the Bryan twins, Bob and Quentin Halys 2-6, 7-5, 6-1 in the whistling everywhere but the Mike (or was it Mike and Bob?), boys final. Jasika, although not

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September 18, 2014

Obudu Mountain Race Gets Nov 8 Date

T

he Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Obudu International Mountain Race and the African Mountain Running Championships has announced Saturday, November 8, 2014 as the date for this year's two-in-one race.

Speaking at the end of its meeting in Calabar at the weekend, Cross River State Commissioner for Youth & Sports, Patrick Ugbe, who is also the vice chairman of the LOC, revealed that this year's race will be unique.

Ugbe who has been a strong part of the race since its inaugural edition in 2005 revealed, “The 10th edition of the annual Obudu race and the sixth African mountain running championships will hold on Saturday November 8 at the Obudu Ranch Resort in Obudu,” “The race this year will be different from past editions because we are celebrating the 10th year of sponsoring Africa's best ever mountain running event and the highest paying mountain race in the world.

We have thus christened this year's race 'Mountain Race of the Stars'. We want to

invite all area champions and the very best mountain runners in the world to come and celebrate with us,” further said Ugbe As part of decisions reached by the LOC, a total of 110 athletes are expected to feature in the world-class mountain race based on their performances around the globe.

The LOC has proposed to host one of the best competitions which will feature oath taking, match past, short speeches and local dances during the opening and closing ceremonies.

The committee also revealed that prizes and awards shall be presented immediately at the end of each event to make the event one of the most ICT compliant in the history of the competition.

“The event shall feature children, youth, media and VIP races on the first day of the competition while the main race will come up on day two. His Excellency, the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke has promised to take part in the VIP race personally,” said Ugbe.

Last year, Ethiopia's Yalew Ganet and

Obudu International Mountain Race Kenya's Rono Philemon won the respective women and men's individual titles while Oltaruesh Perine and Godfrey Kusoro led Kenya and Uganda to the men and women's team titles.

The Obudu mountain race is an associate member race of the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) and is also endorsed by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

U-17 World Cup Trophy not destroyed by NFF fire – FIFA (NFF) when a fire gutted the Glass House in Abuja on August 20 as claimed by NFF officials.

Nigeria won the FIFA U-17 World Cup last year in UAE after the Golden Eaglets defeated Mexico in the final. The trophy is to be presented at the next final to be staged in Chile next year.

But a FIFA spokesman at the weekend refuted the NFF version that alluded to the fact that the under-age world trophy was in their possession in Abuja.

He told journalists that the original U-17 World Cup trophy was in FIFA's custody in Zurich adding orld football governing reports that the FIFA U-17 World that the trophy in the custody of b o d y, F I FA , h a s Cup was in the custody of the the NFF was a replica given to categorically denied Nigeria Football Federation Nigeria for keeps after the Eaglets'

W

Keshi picks Ike Uche for South Africa

N

igeria coach Stephen Keshi has picked Ike Uche to replace Uche Nwofor for Wednesday's AFCON qualifier against South Africa in Cape Town.

The Advocate gathered that Ike Uche and his older brother Kalu Uche are to join the Eagles in South Africa for Wednesday's showdown.

The Uche brothers' late

invitation has meant the axing of striker Uche Nwofor and El Kanemi Warriors goalkeeper David Obiazor.

Interestingly, Keshi has said he will not beg the prolific Villarreal striker to play for Nigeria.

It was a claim the player promptly denied, insisting it is an honour to represent Nigeria and he does not need to be begged to do so.

Uche's last presence in the Super Eagles was in the last year's AFCON, which Nigeria won in South Africa.

Subsequently, Keshi dropped him on claims of tactical indiscipline and stuck to his guns by not considering 'IK' for the World Cup in Brazil.

However, the invitation of his older brother, Kalu, shocking as the striker who is now playing his football in a lowly rated league of Qatar was not called up even when he was painting Turkish top flight with goals two seasons ago.

record making feat in the UAE. “Each winning team of a FIFA tournament is awarded a winner's trophy and the original tournament trophy always remains with FIFA. This means that Nigeria was awarded the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2013 Winner's Trophy for them to keep.

Regarding the reported harm to the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2013 winner's Trophy, FIFA has not been contacted by the NFF in that regard and therefore, we trust that it (the replica trophy) remains in good condition,'' the FIFA spokesman said.

After the fire that completely burned the Accounts Department, the Secretary General office and

the Computer Unit, resulting in loss of players' data, furniture, account record and domestic competitions trophies, NFF officials doused fears of Nigerians by insisting that the FIFA U-17 World Cup and AFCON trophies were insulated from harm as they were in a safe inside the building.

Long before the fire which cause(s) has not been ascertained, the safety record at the Nigerian federation where over $236,000 was stolen from one of the office account safes few years ago remains a source of concern to football enthusiasts. Up till now, there is neither a trace of the money nor the prosecution of a prime suspect for the theft

Osaze faces a long Spell on the Sidelines; uper Eagles winger Out Till 2015 Peter Odemwingie

S

Osaze

needs surgery on his injured knee and will not play again this year.

Odemwingie limped out of Stoke's 1-0 win over Manchester City and will go under the knife in two weeks.

The Potters have left him out of their 25-man Premier League squad, which cannot be changed until January.

Stoke manager Mark Hughes said: “It's a significant injury and unfortunately it's a longterm one but Peter has a great attitude to work and life in general.

“He's always got a smile on his face and he's going to need those qualities. It will be a long road back but we wish him well.

The former West Brom forward scored five goals in 15 Premier League appearances for the Potters last season after joining from Cardiff in January.

Vol. 2 No. 102, September 18, 2014

Wilson Oruma Back page comment

Abia 2015 guber

As Marc Wabara presents self for service T

By Chinyemike Torti

he recent declaration of Sir Marc Wabara the ebullient and charismatic former bank executive to serve Ndi Abia received very raving reviews amongst the critical sections of the civil society, stakeholders, gentry and commoners, judging from the immense and rapturous turn out both at the PDP local government headquarters in Ndoki, and State Party Headquarters in Umuahia, Abia State on August 26,2014.

At the Ndoki PDP LGA party headquarters, where his expression of interest was initially announced to the party faithfuls, the grassroot, party stalwarts, and officials, there was a unanimity with the view that Marc Wabara was the man, whose time has come, given his unblemished national record of service.

They assured him of a 100% support not only because he was a home boy, but because of his unblemished national reputation as a politician imbued with the purpose of securing, protecting, promoting good governance, accountability and welfare of all citizenry.

Stakeholders especially the LGA party Chairman affirmed that given Wabara's skills, experiences, intelligence, integrity, his qualities of honesty, God fearing, he would steer the affairs of the state, with an even keel if elected. His track record reveals he is an effective politician that is trustworthy and reliable. Wabara is always poised to capture the essence of truth, sincerity, candor and practices what he preaches. He makes decisions and accepts responsibility for his actions and his words. The same is true in his dealings with his people.

He makes promises and keeps them. Here is a peoplecentered leader that could be relied upon. Loving people with all his heart, might, mind, soul and striving to help them as a

true mark of a responsible leader.

As an erstwhile high flying banker whose over twenty years of successful duty tours in corporate Nigeria and in the Diaspora stood him out as a beacon, his innate integrity and technical skills to handle challenging assignments, fiscal matters, policies, plans, projects, ideas is believed, would put him in a good stead to proffer solutions to Abia problems.

Armed with these commendations, the party structure and train moved to the state P D P p a r t y headquarters on Finbars road, where the cultural troupe that received him was a spectacle to behold. Wabara had a tumultuous reception by the party top brass led

by Senator Emma Nwaka.

Sir Marc Wabara did his pitch as he e l o q u e n t l y articulated the reason for the season. He extolled the founding fathers of the PDP for the vision and wisdom that powered the creation of the party in 1999 as a veritable political platform that has metamorphosed as the biggest in Africa.

He acknowledged special tributes to titans like Senator Nwaka, President Goodluck Jonathan, President Obasanjo and our dear Ochendo Global Dr T A Orji father of modern Abia who is well appreciated also as Ochendo Grassroots.

Sir Wabara said he broadly drew his inspiration to serve Ndi Abia because of the legacies of the incumbent Governor TA Orji; Ochendo who by popular acclaim and all indices of best governance practice, had gone beyond the

leadership in Abia state.

Wabara thanked the people of Abia State for the privilege the polity had offered him both at call of duty to deliver the the state and national levels to dividends of democracy to serve. Samplers: In 2002, he Abia people. Here is a self served the PDP finance effacing and thoroughbred committee for the reelection of administrator not given to Obasanjo. Not too long ago razzmatazz and fanfare of so Governor TA Orji asked him to called 'action governors' play a role on the finance whose predilection is to hug committee in the 2011 election the klieg lights. Rather with an period. unflappable calmness, Dr TA Because of his love for Abia, Orji for eight years devoted his he is offering to be at the beck energies and resources to and call of the people and uplifting the socio economic, ready to listen to everybody to well being of our people. continue to consolidate the Wabara recalled that, Abia not legacy foundations for a too long ago, was a byword for dynamic society which will k i d n a p p i n g , s t a g n a t i o n , create solutions for any challenges, and finally develop strategies and political systems that will help implement those s o l u t i o n s automatically. The template of team work with the elements of unanimity, mutual respect and understanding of each party, will constitute his grundnorm for leadership.

If elected, Governor: Wabara, avowed to leave Abia better as a payback for the love lavished on him by the state which culminated in the endowment of Enyi Abia awards. Such recognitions, gave him the impetus to serve. confrontation, divisions along various ethnic dichotomies, It was very refreshing to the youth restiveness, killings, public, to see an articulate candidate with an overarching thuggery and mayhem. vision of a Christian, political Because, Abia had nothing to show for more than its twenty philosopher; like Joshua who years of existence, Ochendo was gifted with the spirit of had to literally commence leadership to take the Israelites from ground zero, to put to the Promised Land. God together the building blocks confirmed his position with the that would yield the dividends miraculous crossing of the of democracy in a well thought Jordan River. Sir Marc Wabara out and structured template has crossed the Rubicon, and shorn of showmanship. Sir Abians are earnestly yearning Wabara, emphasized this was to follow him. His envisaged made possible because of the paradigm shift captures the c o o p e r a t i o n o f p a r t y mood of the state ipso facto the

Wilson Oruma (born 30 December 1976 in Warri, Nigeria) is a former football midfielder from Nigeria.

Career Oruma played most of his career in France, after arriving at RC Lens in 1994.

A season after being loaned to Nancy, he returned to Lens and played seven matches during their 199798 Ligue 1 title campaign. After representing Nigeria at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, he moved to Turkish side Samsunspor, returning to France one year later to play for NĂŽmes.

In 2000, Oruma was transferred to Swiss side Servette, playing two season before coming back to France again, where he played until 2009 for Sochaux, Marseille and Guingamp, winning the 2003-04 Coupe de la Ligue with Sochaux and the 2008-09 Coupe de France with Guingamp.

He was handed a trial by Cardiff City - a club based in Wales but who play in the English football league system - in the summer of 2008 and scored in a 2-2 preseason friendly at Chasetown, but was not awarded a contract due to a lack of fitness.

He retired from professional football in 2010 after a season with Greek club AO Kavala.

International career He was part of the Nigeria under-17 team which won the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Championships,[11] captaining his sideand becoming the tournament's top [11] goalscorer with 6 goals. He played 19 times international matches over 11 years for Nigeria and was part of the team that participated in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, where he scored in the only appearance he made in the tournament against Paraguay.

He also was part of the squad that won the Olympic gold medal in 1996, a year after he debuted for Nigeria, and also a member of the Nigerian squad at the 2002 and 2006 Africa Cup of Nations, finishing both competitions at third place.