Vol. 1 No. 37, March 31 - April 5, 2014
N150
Sacrilege! Wage fraud Pastor's maid raped uncovered in Fed Poly Oko inside church Page 22
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DANGER!
Heart Disease epidemic in Nigeria soon, UK Surgeon warns Western lifestyle major causes Asks FG to fund Heart Surgeries 40 Open Heart Surgeries conducted by UNTH - CMD By Ted Peters
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EART Disease which is currently one of the major causes of sudden deaths across the globe may soon grow to an epidemic level in Nigeria due to westernized lifestyle especially the feeding habits adopted by the rich in the society, according to a United Kingdom based Nigerian Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Dr. Onyekwere Nzewi. He stressed the urgent need for the Federal Government and major companies to finance open heart surgeries to save the lives of many poor Nigerians with such ailments who cannot afford cost of treatment. Nzewi led a foreign medical team of Save-aHeart in Nigeria Foundation, a nongovernmental organization based in the United Kingdom, currently performing Open Heart Surgery on 18 patients at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Ituku Ozalla, Enugu State, the 5th Open Heart Surgery programme in the last one year . He stated that cases of heart diseases in Nigeria are reaching epidemic proportion due to Westernized feeding habits. The Nigerian-born Cardiothoracic expert
The Heart Needs Much Care
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I am a naïve We'll resist Fulani saint – Fr. James Ani cattle rearers S-East CAN warns:
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March 31 - April 5, 2014
Heart Disease epidemic in Nigeria soon, UK Surgeon warns Continued from front page aware that if they have sore throat from Nnewi in Anambra state, who y o u g e t once trained at UNTH before his antibiotic. It is sojourn abroad, told newsmen in treated by two an interview that there is urgent t a b l e t s o f need for increased funding of the penicillin. So, p r o g r a m m e b y N i g e r i a n with awareness, government in other to increase that is dropping. the number of patients being “But what is treated through open heart surgery, r i s i n g ; I a m adding that with proper funding, afraid to say this, UNTH alone can successfully is an epidemic carry out 250 open heart surgeries waiting is in one year. ischemic heart He advised Nigerians to go back to attack. Ischemic eating natural African foods to heart disease put guide against heart diseases, mildly is what saying that the main cause of heart c a u s e s h e a r t diseases is consumption of attack. That is artificial or canned foods even as rising and the he identified three types of heart reason why it is diseases. rising is that we Dr Nzewi, Cardiothoracic Surgeon He said: “There are three aspects a b a n d o n e d of heart problems. Congenital e a t i n g o u r funded in my institution in United heart disease no matter whether normal food cocoa, palm oil, food Kingdom and we do a thousand you are white, yellow or black is without fertilizer; we now depend cases every year. What the the same incidence all across all on fast food and westernized diet. government does is that at the races. One to two percent of all life What are the risk factors for this? beginning of the year they gave us births will have congenital heart You are diabetic, you are money for 1,200 cases and you overweight, have to deliver that every year. you smoke, The government knows how much y o u h a v e it cost to do one case.” hypertension Continuing, he said, “The a n d y o u r Nigerian government should cholesterol is provide money for instance in elevated. Bad UNTH we can do 250 cases in one combination; year, let the government finance thhat is why the surgeries for this number in a a l l t h e s e year and in that case many people young people will benefit from the programme. y o u h e a r Special intervention fund is not the suddenly 'he best way of funding such died' that is programmes because it is a one off massive heart thing. It should be funded yearly so attack. That that many people with heart is rising and diseases will be treated. “ we must do He explained that the Save-as o m e t h i n g Heart in Nigeria Foundation was about it. registered for the sole purpose of “ T h e r e a r e “helping, not only coming to do two ways we c a n d o Dr Christopher Amah, CMD UNTH s o m e t h i n g about it: We disease. The same number of change by education we realize congenital heart disease you have what causes it and modify our in Nigeria and her population is the lifestyle or we make provision for same heart disease you have in the treating it. 75 percent of all hear operations done in the West is for United States. That is one. “The second is rheumatic valvular ischemic heart disease and it is heart disease, which is a dying here with us because we did bypass HE South East branch of heard disease in the United States. on a patient in (UNTH) on Tuesday the Christian Association This heart disease is caused by and we have another patient that is of Nigeria, CAN, warned simple infection of sore throat that on admission and we are going to Friday that it would resist any is not well treated. So the do another bypass. I am delighted attempt to allocate grazing field to immunological consequence of that the UNTH has acquired a Cart the Fulani cattle rearers in any part that is that it gets deposited in the Lab which is what we use in of the South East geo-political heart muscles and from the age of diagnosing this which will soon 15, 20 to 25 the heart valves become functional. So, it is an zone. become thickened and diseased epidemic waiting to happen and The zonal chairman of CAN, and that is a serious problem when it happens, it is going to Bishop David Eberechukwu in a rheumatic valvular heart disease, strike the affluent members of the statement in Awka warned those campaigning for the allocation of because of the campaigns by the society and not the poor.” land as grazing field for the cattle l i k e s o f N i g e r i a n H e a r t s On funding, Nzewi said that “what rearers to desist because the zone Foundation and Pan African I expect the Federal Government was yet to accommodate all the S o c i e t y o f C a r d i o t h o r a c i c to do is to fund open heart people from the South East Surgeons the incidence is actually surgeries the way it is funded displaced in the North. dropping as more people became elsewhere. Open heart surgery is
cardiac surgery, but our main aim is to train the locals to be self-sustaining and be able to do the operations themselves, and it is only when they are able to do it themselves that the cost will come down and it will be sustainable.” A total of 40 patients suffering different kinds of heart diseases have successfully undergone open heart surgeries at the UNTH, UNTH, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu state since the past one year after the hospital resumed the programme. The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Dr. Christopher Amah who disclosed this Friday while conducting journalists round the ultra-modern cardiothoracic theatre where the 5th session of the open heart surgery was being conducted, said that UNTH has regained its status as the Centre of Excellence for Open Heart Surgery. The CMD disclosed that UNTH was in 1986 designated as centre of excellence for cardiothoracic surgery having performed the first open heart surgery in sub-Sahara Africa in 1974. He noted that the open heart programme of the hospital was suspended for about 10 years on account of the hospital's relocation to its permanent site at Ituku Ozalla, adding that the centre said to be of international standard, was reactivated at the permanent site by March 2013 through the collaboration of foreign partners. “Last year, precisely March, 2013, by the Grace of God and by the spirit of team work, we were able to reactivate the open heart surgery programme, which disappeared from here apparently some ten years before. After quite a lot of
preparations we were able to take off. Between March last year and now, this ongoing one is the fifth mission we are doing and we have operated on 40 persons all together. The last one was in December, we did 11; in this one now we have shortlisted about 18 persons both adult and children and there are many more patients pressing to be enlisted,” he said. Amah stated that the programme was reactivated in line with the transformation programme of the present administration in the health sector, noting that medical tourism has become a huge embarrassment to the country, hence the need to reverse the trend particularly on heart related ailments. He stressed the need for adequate funding from government at all levels and public spirited organizations and individuals in order to sustain the programme. The CMD noted that it costs about N750, 000 to N1 million to perform one open heart surgery on adults and N500, 000 for children, an amount he said was highly subsidized as the real cost should have been N1.8 million to N2 million. He said that the programme was not only providing treatment to patients but also teaching and training opportunity to Nigerian doctors who would in turn take over when the foreign collaborators would have gone. Some of the patients undergoing intensive care after a successful operation, including David Maduka, 49, a staff of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and Okani Chizara, a 100 level student of Architecture at Federal Polytechnic Oko, expressed gratitude to God and the surgeons for the operation. About 20 surgeons from the United Kingdom are currently performing the Open Heart Surgery at the hospital.
S-East CAN warns:
We'll resist Fulani cattle rearers
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According to the CAN boss, all the governors in the zone should never accept the idea of giving grazing fields to Fulani herdsmen under any circumstance. The cleric said: “The governors of the South East should avoid anything that will make posterity to be against them. The South East CAN is ready to go on demonstration to resist this move. “How can we give grazing field to the Fulani herdsmen knowing full well that we do not have land in the East? We are eagerly looking for a way to accommodate all our people already displaced in the North as a result of Boko Haram.
“How can this be when we are already experiencing raping of our girls/wives in the hands of the same Fulani rearers? “Again, the experience of Benue and Plateau where the same herdsmen are fighting the indigenes is not welcomed and we say no to their invasion of the entire nation. Allowing them is an importation of wars and everlasting fights with the people. “We call on the Northern governors to please build ranches for their kinsmen who are rearing cattle as this will give them employment and eliminate poverty in their states.”
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NATIONAL CONFAB:
Sultan, others protest marginalisation of Muslim ·As Igbo youths flay elders on exclusion
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he National President of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and the Sultan of Sokoto, Mohammed Sa'ad Abubakar Wednesday, led Muslims to protest the alleged marginalisation of Muslim in the composition of the on-going National Conference. Secretary General of the NSCIA, Ishaq Oloyede who spoke with state House correspondents after the meeting with the President said the president reassured them that the perceived marginalisation by Muslims was not a deliberate decision by government. “What we came to discuss with the President is to consult with Mr. President and we are happy we consulted with him, and he has given us reasons to re-assure that Muslims in Nigeria are not deliberately marginalised and he has asked us to convey the feelings of the government, the genuineness of the government, the fairness of the government to the entire populace. “The president told us that if there are issues that are not as they ought to be, they were not definitely deliberate and we want to believe that Mr. President told us his mind but we also want to believe that it is proper to protest, it is also proper to assume that a leader will always be just even if there are mistakes thereafter. “We just felt that we must convey the feelings of the Muslims in Nigeria to Mr. President and he has given us his words to re-assure the Muslims community that he is a genuine and committed Christian who will not be unjust to others even” he said. Other members of the delegation
included the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn-Garbai, the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammed Lawal Uwais, Former Head of civil service of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed and others.
Igbo youths also protest In the same vein, Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, has condemned exclusion of Igbo youths from the list of delegates to Mohammed Sa'ad Abubakar the National Conference, blaming it on space for young dynamic minds unwillingness of spent Igbo elders that drive the jet-age, describing to allow young elements play the entire process as anti-Igbo leadership role in the region. youths and, therefore, antiR i s i n g f r o m i t s N a t i o n a l posterity. Executive Council meeting in While wondering if Igbo leaders Awka, Anambra State, the group that excluded the youths from the said delegates, as they were list were well guided, the group currently constituted, lacked noted that amendment could be
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today Igbo. “More worrisome is that a look at the other five political zones in Nigeria shows young elements in active leadership capacity, especially in both elective and appointive posts. “But in Igbo land, there is no room for the youths let alone holding charge. We have to make a departure from this.” It specifically stated that a look at the list showed that Yoruba people did a thorough search to their young elements with vision were allowed to complement the elderly ones. “Pa Alex Ekwueme and Ben Nwabueze were repeatedly begged to lead Igbo delegates to the 2014 National Confab but they declined, saying age had caught up with them and that they had done so several times in the past, that latter generations of theirs, including the youths, should go and make their own mark and input. “Yet greed for power, fame and money has seen Igbo youths left out of the 2014 National Confab,” the group lamented.
Enugu Guber 2015: Asogwa declares interest to run on APC platform By Ted Peters
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he race for the 2015 governorship slot which has been zoned to Enugu North (Nsukka zone) is generating more interests as more political parties are likely to select their flagbearers from the area. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have already zoned their governorship slot to Enugu North
from where one of its own, Dr. Ifeanyi Asogwa made a declaration of his intentions to run for the governorship position. Addressing party supporters at the Conis Hotel, Nsukka, venue of the declaration, Dr. Asogwa who hails from Eha Alumona community in Nsukka Local Government Area, said his decision to offer himself to serve the people of the state as inspired by his personal conviction that he has something to offer in terms of moving
Troops lack capacity to stop North-East killings – ACF ormer Inspector General of Police and Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, has raised the alarm over the continuous killing of innocent persons and the destruction of property in the North Eastern parts of Nigeria. Coomassie expressed grave concern over the apparent inability of the Federal Government to squarely contain the reactionary and insurgent forces. Speaking in Minna, the ACF chairman believed the Army Division established to fight the insurgents did not seem to have the combat ability and readiness to checkmate the terrorists and stop the wanton killings of defenseless persons. Coomassie said these during a
made as the Presidency had been effecting changes since the list came out. In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the group said that on realising that Igbo youths were excluded from the list, it held a meeting where the list of Igbo youths delegates nominees were drawn and submitted to the Presidency, Office of Secretary General of the Federation, SGF, and other concerned quarters for consideration. The communique, signed by the president, Comrade Francis Oji, and Secretary, Mazi Okwu Okwu, read: “It is noteworthy that this conference will be aggressively pursued by the ethnic nationalities that have come face-to-face with the Biafran question. “Now the Igbo young elements that know the dynamics of the 21st century rules of engagements and its agitations are tactically excluded from the national delegates lists because of the adverse effects of gerontocracy and moneybag politics that are the two major social influenza killing
courtesy visit by members of the ACF to 'Chairman of the Northern Nigeria Governors' Forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu. He added that the unending massacre and the destruction of the economy of the region, if left unchecked, would lead to total annihilation of the entire people of the affected states. He warned that the killings would soon lead to genocide and annihilation of the people of the region if the Federal Government failed to curb the insurgents. The ACF chairman, who led other members of the forum on what was described as a “Save-our-Soul mission” to Aliyu on behalf of the people of the North-East, lamented that breadwinners of several hundreds of households were being
killed, thousands of women turned into widows, and hundreds of girls raped and abducted while many villages had been razed by the insurgent since 2009. He said members of the forum would soon storm the streets on mass protest over the pogrom in the North-East even as he urged the northern state governments to stand up to the huge security challenge currently threatening the region. He said governors in the northern region should collectively stand up and fight the ugly development or risk their relevance in the eyes of their people. Aliyu, while acknowledging the gravity of the crisis in the region, bemoaned the continuous killing of innocent, defenceless people and the wanton destruction of property.
the state to the next level. The Port Harcourt based business man said he was also coming into the race based on his personal conviction that APC, unlike other political parties, is made up of individuals who have the urge to change the fortunes of Nigerians in terms of quality service delivery. He said: “I have come to offer myself for service. If you consider me worthy, I stand here to assure you that you did not make any mistake. I was not pushed to come and contest. I came out because I was convinced within me that I have something to offer the people of Enugu State. I am also inspired by the caliber of politicians that are in APC. They have the integrity and honour and with all these qualities, very soon, the APC will be the thesis while the PDP will be the anti-thesis. “As a people, we have come to crossroads. Now is the time for us to take a decision; a decision that will tell on the future of our children and generations to come. Enugu state cannot be allowed to be led by individuals and parties that are irredeemably corrupt. We have the capacity to resist these looters and set a platform upon which the economic growth of the people can grow. The centre-point of democracy is the people. We as a people had no direction until APC came on board. In recent past, other parties that pride themselves as the largest in Africa deliberately closed the door against everybody and were running a cultlike administration in Enugu state and the nation as a whole but today, we have a viable option. “In terms of our economic resources, I
quite believe that if 30 percent of the entire allocation of this state is given to the Enugu North Senatorial Zone, the zone will be better than what we see today. In terms of human development, we are backward when compared with other zones in the state”. Dr. Asogwa while thanking the people for massively coming out to register as members of APC, urged them to remain united and focused in times to come. In his reaction, the State Secretary of APC, Chief Everestus Asadu who led other party stalwarts to the event thanked Dr. Asogwa for his courage and advised him to play by the rules of the party. He said the party has taken note of his declarations and urged him to expect that there will be more aspirants that will come to declare for the same position adding that the promise he will make is that the party will ensure internal democracy in all the primary elections. Chief Asadu said: “On behalf of the State Interim Committee, I thank you for your courage and gut. We also look forward to other contestants who will come forward to make their intentions known but the assurance and promise we make is that no one will be anointed. All the aspirants must be subjected to proper primary election. APC has come to change all those abracadabra we see in other parties. We need all the support to achieve the desired result. We shall ensure that we are not divided along individuals' interests. The party is greater than any one person. On this note, I wish you well”
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NAFDAC seizes goods worth N2.5m in Enugu ·Warns fake product importers to steer clear of Enugu Airport imported by the suspect with the intention of By Mary Chinda
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he National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Tuesday confiscated fake imported goods worth N2.5 million in Enugu. Its Deputy Director at the Akanu-Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, Mr John Okwori, told newsmen in Enugu that the goods were imported on Jan. 4 through the Ethiopian Airline. "The importer of the goods ran away on sighting NAFDAC men which made us to seize the goods,'' he said. The director listed the goods to include 20 packets of Nakhla Tobacco with its pipe, 2,100 Easy White cream, empty containers with crowns and 575 So Mma bright skin formula cream with crowns. Also in the sealed container are 24 packets of activated Charcoal, and 2,457 stickers for So Mma bright skin formula cream, all worth about N2.5 million, he said. Okwori said the cream container was
filling it with fake liquids to sell in place of the original one. He vowed to hunt down any citizen who thought that Akanu Ibiam International Airport was an escape route for fake products into the country. ``Those who thought they can pass their fake products or import fake goods into the country through Enugu airport are dreaming because there is no escape route for them,'' he said. He warned the citizens to always look out for the NAFDAC logo and numbers on every product to avoid buying fake ones. In another development, one Titus Chinwike was caught with fake 25,000 labels of Golden Country Sweet Corn from China. Okwori said that Chinwike imported the goods with the intention of using it to produced fake ones in the country. In his reaction, Chinwike told newsmen that he imported the label with the aim of using it to produce grond corn in Aba. ``Honestly speaking, I thought it is a genuine business,'' Chinwike said.
Artemisinin can kill 98% of cancer cells in 16 hours - Scientist
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aking in consideration it is one of the deadliest diseases; scientists constantly try to find a cure and finally put an end to cancer. This herb is one of those cures and it can kill up to 98% of cancer cells in just 16 hours. Namely, according to the researches published in “Life Science”, artemisinin, a “Sweet wormwood” or “Artemisia Annua” derivative, was used in Chinese medicine and it can kill 98% of lung cancer cells in less than 16 hours. Amazing Herb Kills 98% Of Cancer Cells In Just 16 Hours. The herb used by itself reduces lung cancer cells up to 28%, but in combination with iron, “Artemisia Annua” successfully and completely “erases” cancer, and in the experiment this herb had no impact on healthy lung cells. Artemisinin in past was used as a powerful antimalarial remedy, but now it is proven that this cure is also effective in the fight against cancer. When scientists added iron while conducting the study, which later attached to lung tissue, especially to cancer infected cells, artemisinine selectively attacked “bad” cells, and left “good” cells untouched. “In general, our results show that artemisinin stops 'E2F1′ transcription factor and intervenes in destruction of lung cancer cells, meaning it presents a transcription way
according to which artemisinin controls reproductive cancer cell growth”, was stated in the conclusion of the researches conducted in the cancer laboratory at the University of California. Iron deposits in cancer cells with special receptors which help in cell division. Normal cells also have these receptors, but cancer cells have them in larger amounts and according to this, cancer cells can be target combination of iron and artemisinin. There are numerous experiments conducted so far and they all prove that in combination with iron, artemisinin can effectively destroy cancer, and this extract was used in China for thousands of years, as a cure for malaria. Malaria parasite can not survive in the presence of artemisinine, because it is rich in iron, and bio-engineers Henry Lai and Narendra Singh from the University of Washington were the first scientists to discover this. Their research proved that cancer cells undergo an apoptosis, or selfdestruction, and until this moment it was difficult to get the extract for more acceptable prices, but people show more and more interest in this herb, so the prices could get lower. French medicine producer, “Sanofi”, announced that they expect production of 50 to 60 tones artemisinin every year, hoping that it will satisfy the needs of the world market.
ESUT Pro-chancellor decries incessant strikes in varsities Name: Elizabeth Omodon Name: Okoli Brenda Age: 21 years Hobby: Modeling Acting Modeling, Studying,and Sporting activities Hobby: Likes: Honesty Honesty, Hardworking Likes: Dishonesty, Laziness Dislike: Dislike: Dishonesty and Modeling Occupation: Email: Student/Acting brendyo417@yahoo.com Agency: Cosset Models Source: st santos productions Email: cossetmodel@rocketmail.com 07067899677 07039565041
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he Pro-Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Dr Chilo Offiah, has decried the incessant strikes in the country's universities by the various staff unions. Addressing the newly elected executives of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ESUT Chapter, at the Agbani Permanent campus, Offiah regretted that such strikes had affected academic activities and the calendar of most universities. Offiah, who is also the Chairman of the governing council of the university, said the development had also affected the quality of teaching and learning in a negative way. “It is an acknowledged fact that aggrieved workers have the right to express their displeasure over the inability of the system to meet their demand through strike.
“I am not happy with the prolonged strike because it is to the detriment of the system. Any action that lasts more than two weeks can be counter-productive. Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of the u n i v e r s i t y, P r o f . C y p r i a n O n y e j i , commended the new leadership of ASUU in the institution. Onyeji expressed optimism that the management of the institution would work harmoniously with the union to move it forward. In his speech, the Chairman of the union, Dr Chris Nnadi, promised to work in collaboration with the management, students and members of staff to maintain sanity in the institution. Nnadi expressed optimism that the federal government would implement the final agreement reached between it and ASUU.
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How SARS murdered one Nnabuike Nnaji in full glare of the public By Our Reporter
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xtra judicial killings have been on the increase in the recent time in Nigeria. Investigations have revealed that some percentage of arrested suspects by Enugu State Police especially the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) within past one year have lost their lives in the course of investigation without recourse to the provisions of law that states that an accused person is innocent until court proves otherwise. Police sources have alleged that the men of anti robbery squad now move beyond the law by killing their captors like hunters kill animals in the forest. Sometimes they kill innocent people and tag them armed robbers that died in course of exchange of fire. Yet the law provides that an accused is presumed innocent until it is proved otherwise and it's only a court of competent jurisdiction that should pronounce punishment if an accused is found guilty of an offence, not police. According to our sources, “people under the SARS custody are killed on daily bases and when the relations of such people traced them to SARS, the OC will boldly tell them that such person has travelled. But the question is, travelled to where? The problem is more compounded when Human Right Organisations remain docile and do not seem rise to the occasion. Some are more concerned about trivial issues which from instances available do not add to the survival of the poor Nigerians. “It gives me concern in the way our men kill young boys arrested these days. It gives concern to any thinkable and rational police officer. It is true that crime is on the increase now in the country, but we should not rule out the fact that God said “Thou shall not kill” there is nowhere in the Bible where it says kill in whatever form or condition. Instead, government should sit down and study the problem why crime is on the high side. Solution or solving the problem of crime should not only be by using force which sometimes results in killing”, said one of the sources. Saturday's 15th of February, 2014 was a dark day in Ibagwa Nike community, Enugu East local government Area where the men of SARS killed a 27 years old student of the Institute of Management and Technology, IMT, one Nnabuike Nnaji in full glare of the public. Late Nnabuike was said to be a youth leader in the community but was opposed to the traditional ruler for allegedly selling the community land without recourse to the future of the generations unborn. When our reporter visited the community, during the weekend, there were trails of the fracas that ensued as a result of the broad day killing with many smashed vehicles still left on the roads while some
people pointed at the spot where the police vehicle allegedly set on fire by some irate youths of the community was removed from, yet the atmosphere seem negatively charged but the army maintained permanent post resulting the fleeing of a good number of the youths of the community. At the house of the diseased, a group of sympathizers gathered while the father to the murdered Nnabuike, Chief Patrick Nnaji narrated what he knew about the killing of his son. “On that fateful day we all went for a traditional wedding of a member of our community. I even exchanged pleasantries with my late son, Nnabuike, who sat among his peers as the Vice Chairman of the community's y o u t h association. Later in the evening I returned to my house, but at about 8pm I started hearing s p o r a d i c gunshots. Sunday his friend who came to see if he was home called him on p h o n e (Nnabuike) for about three times but he didn't pick the calls. At about 10pm somebody picked the call and told us that he was hit by bullets and that they were in a hospital. I sat sleepless till morning when I started hearing t h a t o n e Ndubuisi Ugwu led a team of police Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, to the venue of the traditional wedding to attack Nnabuike and k i l l e d h i m . " The deceased father who spoke with measured words continued: "I was told that that SARS called him and as they were speaking, one of them shot him and the military men stationed in our Ibeagwa community retaliated. The Ndubuisi that lead the policemen has disappeared; the policeman that shot him was shooting in the air and ran away, as I was told. The Umuanekeode later reported the matter to the police. Pa Nnaji described his late son as a peace maker whom he said was at the church mission the previous day, “he doesn't make trouble. He was in IMT where he just finished his ND. There was never any reported case of cultism or crime of any sort against him.”
A group of the Umuanekeode clan people in Ibeagwa-Nike under the aegis of Greater Ibeagwa Forum led by Hon. Obinna Mbaeke alleged that the SARS officers led by Ndubuisi Ugwu were in a mission to kill, stressing that immediately Ndubuisi pointed at Nnabuike, the SARS officials shot him dead immediately without questioning. Mbaeke said: "It was Ndubuisi Ugwu that pointed at Nnabuike Nnaji and on pointing at Nnabuike, SARS shot him and he died instantly. The gunshots attracted the presence of the soldiers stationed at Ibeagwa-Nike market square for the past one year to maintain peace as the community have been engulfed in crisis since 2008 over the composition of
IG Abubakar power of attorney, election of the traditional ruler and the indiscriminate sale of the community's land by the Igwe and his fake power of attorney. "So when the gun was shot, the soldiers arrived at the scene and arrested the SARS officers that shot Nnabuike. Some of the SARS men ran away and two were caught by the military men. There is wide range belief and insinuations that the traditional ruler of the community and his cronies are the unseen hands in the incident because in January 2013, the same thing happened. When contacted the traditional ruler of Ibeagwa-Nike, Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu said he will not say anything to the press, noting that he had met with security agencies where he gave his own explanations.
The traditional ruler however contacted the accused Ndubuisi, who spoke with our correspondent on telephone. Ndubuisi accepted that he called the policemen but did not point directly at Nnabuike but at entire group that he alleged had problems with him previously. Ndubuisi alleged that he was killed because his group carried mob attack on the policemen. A member of community's board of power of attorney, alleged that some politicians are behind the crisis in Ibeagwa-Nike community but the Chairman of Enugu East local government, Prince Cornelius Nnaji washed his hands off the Ibeagwa crisis, noting that he promptly reported the matter to Enugu state Commissioner of Police and other s e c u r i t y agencies. The Spokesman of 82 Division of Nigeria Army in Enugu, Col. Hamza Gambo said that the soldiers are not in custody of any police officer from the scene of the incident. The Police Public Relations Officer of Enugu state command, Ebere Amaraizu stated that no policeman is being detained by the military as investigation is being conducted by men of the state criminal investigation Enugu to unravel t h e circumstances behind the incident. However the police on Friday, February 20th denied that men of SARS carried out the killing of Nnabuike while blaming it on men of Nigeria Army. According to him, “on February 15th our operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad had gone to Umuanekode Village in Ibagwa Nike on official duty to effect arrest an accused person allegedly involved in a case of Armed Robbery and Murder where they met a detachment of soldiers believed to have come from 82 Division of the Nigeria Army stationed at the market square at Umuanekeode whom they also intimated about their presence in the area”. “Later our men arrested eight suspects and consequently kept them in their official hilux vehicle and were heading to Abakpa police station when the army personnel at the market square whom the
operatives had earlier met with, prevented the suspects from following the operatives by shooting at the patrol vehicles tire thereby demobilizing the patrol vehicle which generated a heavy misunderstanding between the Special Anti Robbery Squad operatives and the soldiers”. The police in the statement alleged that “in the ensuing misunderstanding, the soldiers embarked on sporadic firing and thereby freeing and releasing the eight suspects already arrested by the operatives and also the burning of the police hilux vehicle by hoodlums from the area that joined the soldiers.” The PPRO said the military authorities have been communicated on the alleged role of the detachment of soldiers. Also it will be called that a few weeks back a taxi driver died in controversial circumstances alleged to be extra-judicial, while in the custody of men of SARS in Enugu. However on the death of the taxi driver, Mr. Chukwuma Ihezie, the Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, has called on the police to commence probe into the circumstances that led to his death in the SARS cell. The organization said the demand was necessary following complaints from the family that their son, who was arrested over thrumped-up charges, died in SARS cell few days later. The victim, a graduate of Mechanical Engineering at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu took to taxi driving as an alternative due to lack of employment. In a petition to the Commissioner of Police in the state, which was made available to journalists, the CLO wondered why the police should kill the suspect instead of charging him before a court of competent jurisdiction if they felt he was guilty of the offence for which he was arrested. The family of the deceased had alleged that he was murdered in cold blood while still in detention in the SARS cell, after his arrest on the 12th of January 2014. The letter signed by Mr. Paul Uwadiegwu on behalf of the CLO in Enugu State read in parts: “Mr. Chinedu Ihezie informed CLO that on the 12th January 2014, the deceased who is his younger brother, Mr. Chukwuma Ihezie was on his usual duty as cab driver and was hired by a man he did not know to take him to his destination in one of the Hotels known and called Media Royal Hotel located somewhere at the Independence Layout Enugu. “After waiting for some lengthy time, he began to hear 'hold him, hold him is a thief'. When he saw his passenger being dragged out from the hotel, he decided to turn
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THE
6
ADVOCATE
March 31 - April 5, 2014
Nigerian students urged to shun violence and always resort to dialogue
T
he Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth and Students Matters, Comrade Jude Imagwe has charged Nigerian students to “guide”, “protect” and “preserve” school properties and equipment in their own interest and in the interest of the Country. Comrade Imagwe said they should see such properties as theirs and avoid all acts capable of causing violence, destruction and even disruption of their academic activities. The Senior Special Assistant who was speaking at the Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze, Anambra State, during his one day official visit to the college said the call has become necessary in view of the Federal Government tremendous efforts to reposition the nations education sector to ensure that they are better equipped to face the great challenges posed by the extinction of white collar job by producing self-reliant graduates who in turn will be employers of labour. Comrade Imagwe urged the Nigerian students to employ dialogue as the best option in resolving dispute instead of violence and protest that bring no solution. He commended President Jonathan's Transformation Agenda which according to him has brought unprecedented development in virtually all sectors of the nation's economy and sited the remarkable achievement recorded in Agriculture, Power, E d u c a t i o n a n d Wa t e r a n d Transportation as clear manifestation of government resolve to develop the country and
bring democracy dividends to the people. Comrade Imagwe reiterated the Federal Government commitment to working assiduously to build a robust economy and an egalitarian society where every Nigerian will be proud of, just as he admonished citizens of the country to remain supportive of the government.
Earlier in their address the Caretaker Committee of the College Students Union Government under the leadership of Mr Charles Anya lauded the Jonathan administration for ensuring the development of the nation’s education sector through its adequate funding by TETFUND and other Agencies and for
Enugu Govt House Invasion:
Police declare Onwuka, BZF leader wanted …To be charged for Treasonable Felony By Ted Peters
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HE Enugu State police command has declared wanted the leader of the Biafra Zionist Federation, Barrister Benjamin Igwe Onwuka, who led the pro-Biafra group that invaded the Enugu Government House in the early hours of March 8, 2014 to hoist the Biafra flag. The police said Onwuka, 52, a native of Item in Bende local government area of Abia State, is wanted for alleged treasonable felony. The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who made this known in a statement said that “investigations into the alleged attack on Government House on March 8, 2014 by 4.30 a.m. have
been intensified as some arrests have been made to that effect and suspects already helping the police in their investigations to unravel all those behind the dastardly act and bring them to book while manhunt on the fleeing persons are in top gear.” He said: “The state police command has declared one Onwuka Benjamin Igwe wanted for treasonable felony. Onwuka Bejamin Igwe is one of the suspected actors in the unlawful act of 8/3/14 at Government House and since then has not been seen. He is 5ft 2 inches tall and not too dark in complexion and about 52 years and speaks English and Ibo languages fluently. “He is also a native of Item in
How Police involved in the extra-judicial seen again alive. Kalu explained killings of Nnabuike Nnaji that because of the rising wave of Continued from page 5 his vehicle, on the process, he was arrested. “Mr. Chukwuma Ihezie, was detained in the SARS Cell for six days before contact was made to his relations even as search was conducted in his house without any incriminating or weaponry that suggested that he is an armed robber. CLO said the organisation will take the matter to the International Community and Human Rights Watch over extra Judicial killing as Ihezie, was not allowed access to his lawyer or his family until his death and the police quickly deposited his body in the UNTH Mortuary that same day However, in an interview with the Director South East Operations, Centre for the Victims of Extra Judicial Killings and Torture, (CVEKT) Africa, Comrade Frank Agu Kalu Agu said it is incredible and has become worrisome, the rate at which the lives of Nigerians are being wasted by the men of
establishing Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria (YOUWIN) programme, an innovation annual Business Plan Competition (BPC) which aims at creating jobs by encouraging and supporting Nigerian youths in specialized Education Programmes and Skill Acquisition overseas. The Students Union Government
Caretaker Committee called on the Federal Government to build for then a standard student union secretariat and provide them with a vehicle. The Senior Special Assistant had earlier visited the college permanent site also in Umunze with his entourage where under the guidance of the college librarian, Dr Adolphus Ugwuanyi, he inspected some completed and on-going projects including the Auditorium, College multipurpose hall, Library and lecture rooms.
Nigerian police force, adding that despite the complaints to the authorities of police force, their men are doing the worse. “These men are trained not less than six months to one year which is enough for somebody to know that as police man you are not suppose to waste the life of your follow man, even if you are not a Christian. Your duty is to apprehend and arraign before the law court, expect where a criminal resisted arrest to the extent of putting your own life online, then you can shoot to maim, the law said shoot to maim and not to kill”, the director explained. “Today in Nigeria police force, a police man can quickly shoot somebody to death because of twenty naira and label the person an armed robber. Hundreds of Nigerians have met their waterloo in this way and nothing has happened. It is no longer news that men of Special Anti Robbery Squad kills people arrested on daily bases. You will see somebody today tomorrow the person will not be
crime in the country that brought the establishment of rapid response group within the police force. This rapid response group that was asked for was replicated in the establishment of special anti robbery squad (SARS). “SARS was established as a response group to forestall crime, but abysmally they are being used for other things that are not connected to armed robbery, as the name denotes 'Special Anti Robbery Squad', they are used to collect rent and indebtedness.” He alleged that they detain people in their office without trial for six months to one year. “We believe that their duty is to arrest and hand over to conventional police for prosecution”, he said. “So the aim is defeated. That fact we thought that they will be a source of succor to our people in terms of crime fighting but it has become a nightmare.” Kalu however, advise that the Inspector General of Police should re-organized the anti robbery squad.
BZM Leader, Onwuka Bende local Government Area of Abia state and is resident around Abakpa Nike axis of Enugu state. The command requests any one with useful information about Onwuka Benjamin Igwe to contact any nearest police Division or formation or the State Criminal and Investigations Department Enugu state for appropriate action as the informant will be adequately rewarded.” Onwuka had shortly after leading his group for the night operation at the Government House claimed responsibility for invasion of Enugu State seat of power, saying members of his group took control of the Enugu State seat of power for about four hours after they successfully hoisted the flag of the Republic of Biafra and some banners at the main gate. He told newsmen that their mission was primarily to reclaim the old headquarters of the former Biafra Republic, dismissing speculations that the group was sponsored by some politicians in Enugu State. He explained that the major target of the BZF members was to hoist
the Biafran flag as a symbol of rebirth of the defunct Biafra Republic, adding that member of his group who were not armed and who had no charms whatsoever, were in the Government House from 3 am to 7am before soldiers dislodged them, insisting that they accomplished their mission. He, however, warned that Nigeria should vacate the Biafra territory before March 31, 2014 or risk a bloodbath, disclosing that his group had concluded plans to take over total control of Biafra land from April 1. But Onwuka had gone into hiding since the incident even as the police said that four members of his group had been arrested and were helping them in their investigations into the incident. Meanwhile, security has been beefed up around the Government House, Enugu as Armoured Personnel Careers had been stationed at the two entrances to the Government House while dozens of armed security operatives including soldiers, have been deployed to the area.
THE
ADVOCATE
March 31 - April 5, 2014
7
Widow 92, persecuted by her own Church Petitions Pope Francis over threat to life by Catholic church in Anambra 22 workers arrested Church threatened by her daughter's new romance with a Pentecostal workers quarters and threatening to church security kill them if they don't leave the
I
s old age today a crime? Can one's favourable dispositions to humanity kill her? That was the words on the lips of a 92 year old Madam Juliana Onuorah, the proprietor of Our Lady's Industrial Centre, Nkpor in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. Mama Onuorah, as she is popularly known, became popular because of her bread industry known as Our Lady's bread at Nkpor where she opened several businesses in a very large expanse of land, besides chains of businesses in other parts of Anambra state and beyond; a conglomerate that provide jobs for over 5,000 workers and some of which include a Nursery to Secondary schools, poultry, fish pond, domestic science centre, piggery, rabbit farm, bakery, Orphanage, Widows center among others. “Our Lady's” who hail from the same community with both Governor Peter Obi and Dora Akunyili is old now but majority of her businesses are still flourishing like when she was in her prime. Mama Onuorah, our correspondent gathered has alleged serious threat to her life by the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha over a church she claimed she single handedly built and dedicated for worship in her multi billion naira estate to the Archdiocese of Onitsha. Mama's agony stemmed from the fact that she built the Church to enable her numerous workers going outside the compound searching for a church to worship with ease, but alas, it has turned to hunt her, which makes one to keep wondering whether priests are seeking for wealth and fighting for God unjustly rather than searching for souls and working to liberate the oppressed or are being the oppressor instead? Madam Onuorah said her life is in danger and needed only the intervention of the Pontiff for the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Reverend Valerian Okeke to order his priests to stop bullying, harassing her and her daughter Patricia and destroying her property as well as arresting her workers. She has petitioned the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis and the Council of Bishops to intervene before she dies like a fowl rather than a hero, appealing to them to ask the catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha to hands off her multibillion properties in Nkpor and stop from further destruction of the said property. She equally sent a strong worded petition to the Conference of Catholic Bishops. Her actions were based on the fact that all her plea to the Archbishop of Onitsha by proxy and by her counsels as she cannot move about
operatives in t h e again fell on i n d u s t r i a l deaf ears. Even centre as when the b e i n g Bishop visited responsible the compound for incident recently after an which led to incident, he arrest and could not come detention of and see her but o ver 22 left. workers of She cried out to Our Lady's Pope Francis b r e a d and conference b a k e r y of Catholic within the Bishops to stop compound the unjust b y t h e persecution of Nigerian Onuorah family police from by the Catholic Madam Juliana Onuorah (Our Lady’s) Most Reverend Valerian Okeke Ogidi Police Church in Division. Onitsha as their Pope Francis as well as Council of plans were not far from making her Bishops in Nigeria should intervene The Catholic youths of the parish were angered by the alleged attempt to die untimely. and let me not die in sorrow having to burn their priests alive invaded She further appealed to the accomplished myself in many Inspector General of police to aspects of human endeavour,” she the industrial centre destroying some items and pulling down some ensure that his men are not used to emphasized. perimeter fence. The property cause her high blood pressure and It will be recalled that Madam destroyed is estimated to be worth consequent heart attack simply Juliana in 1985 built Our Lady's over N100 Million including because of her charity and Catholic Church Nkpor, which was Electronic Moller machine, fridge philanthropic gesture to society. dedicated by the then Archdiocesan M a d a m J u l i a n a w h o s o b s Bishop, Cardinal Francis Arinze in and doors as well as already baked uncontrollably disclosed to our thanksgiving and fulfillment of her bread for distribution. The attack reporter that her life is now in promise to God that she will build a resulted in the desertion of the danger over her own property befitting Basilica to God if she workers of the company for three asking why the leadership of the comes back to Nigeria alive from days thereby causing more church should allow the matter to Western Germany where she went damages to the factory. On her part, the daughter of the old escalate to this point. for medical treatment. On arrival to widow, Lady Patricia Onuorah who “I built this place because I am in Nigeria, Cardinal Arinze laid a good term with the priests and foundation stone for the church and spoke to our reporter on phone from bishops. How can I instigate my one storey building was also where she was hiding, expressed workers to set my property ablaze erected for priests that will disappointment on the action of the and it is even a taboo to burn a superintend the church for worship church for oppressing her old church. I don't know why the by her thousands of workers mother which she said is a ploy to church is fighting me over my numbering over 5,000 as at that get rid of her and take over her property. property. I built the church in period. fulfillment of my promise to God. I The landlady of the church has only A c c o r d i n g t o h e r , “ I a m never knew that my magnanimity one female surviving child, Lady disappointed that a Catholic bishop will turn against me. They arrested Patricia Onuorah who is now into will be there to oppress a widow. some of my workers, closed my hiding for fear of either being There is nothing he has not done to bakery and the Catholic Church killed, arrested or molested by the deal with us. He closed our have been chasing my only security agents, as the Catholic orphanage home that was housing daughter around, pulled down my Church have been allegedly after over 300 orphans and also closed perimeter fencing and threatening them because of the massive land our widow's programme. They have also to burn me alive here. Let God worth over N10 Billion excluding publicly announced in the church reward all of us accordingly. I leant structures. The Catholic Church has that they either take the church built that my Archbishop came here for sometimes now allegedly laying by my mother or it will not be and yesterday but he never visited me claims over the ownership of the they were doing all that because my father is not alive.” and the priests are right here under land/church. my nose but they have never come The problem had been like a cold “So, the best option for them now is here. My son, I am gradually dying war between the church and the to leave as we have examined them and found out that they have no in sorrow. daughter of the woman but later conscience, no fear of God and they “And for this, let me state clearly snowballed into a serious rift sequel that the church is for worship of to a fire outbreak in the premises are also violent. The church was God, they should come and worship that gulfed the Priest's house. Our built to win souls for God and not to God and go but leave my property correspondent gathered that the win wealth. They alleged that I am alone. I am not interested in the priest alleged that security officials no longer a catholic and want to proceeds they get. I even give the of the massive compound were give the place to Pentecostal little I have to support the work of responsible for the inferno, an church. Well, only God knows but I God but what I cannot tolerate is allegation they have since denied challenge them to mention the fighting me with my own sweat and pointing out that electrical church I attend now if not catholic. that is why I am calling on the surge/fault may have been They said I'm not a parishioner and should stay away and even filed an world, the government, activists to responsible. hear my cry. I don't have anything to A resident Priest, Rev Fr. Ben ex-parte order in court against my fight the church and I don't want Oguejiofor as claimed was inside mother's property. They have also anything to happen to my only the house as at that time of the fire attempted selling our properties at daughter. The Inspector General of incident while the Parish Priest, the estate. Police , the President , Senate Rev. Fr. Martin Onukwuba was in “The latest is the arrest of 22 workers in our bread bakery and President , Speaker of House of the church celebrating mass. Representatives and our father The two priests fingered the chasing them away from the
factory. Will they create job for them if they leave? They were just doing all these to frustrate my mother to death and then get at me. We have donated churches in other places but they are interested here because they want to take over the factories we have in this estate. Here, we have, school (Nursery to Secondary), we have poultry, fish pond, domestic science centre, piggry, rabbit farm, bread bakery among others. These things are what they are after because my mother has no male child. She blamed the fire disaster at the priest's house to electrical fault thus, “It could be electrical fault or any other thing. This is hamattan season when anything can happen in terms of fire disaster”. However, an eye witness and a site Engineer from Benin, Engr. Alex Wilcox who escaped death from the Catholic youths at Our Lady's estate narrates his ordeal thus; “I was in the site where we were constructing the spectator's gallery and the school field when the mob came with machetes and other dangerous weapons. They whipped my workers and injured some of us. They later took us to the father's house where they threatened to burn us alive accusing us of burning the Reverend father's house. They tortured us severely and latter allowed us to go on the order of the bishop”. On her part, the manager of the bread bakery, Mrs Paulina Obidiaso threw emotions to the winds and wept uncontrollably while recounting their encounter in the hands of the police who they said, beat them to stupor. She said, “As we were working that morning, police came from Ogidi division and arrested us. They beat us mercilessly and later took us to father's house asking us why we burnt Father's House which we know nothing about. But before that, they broke all our doors looking for our security men and other workers. They even spoilt one of our machines. The worst torture was throwing tear gas canister on our mouths, both men and women. ''At the priest's house, we were asked to kneel down including some parents that were about 50 and 60 year's above. They later took us to Ogidi Police station and from there to CID Awka. At night on the same day, we were transferred to Neni police Station where we saw hell. We were denied food for 2 days before our bail out. They confiscated our phones, our money and motorcycles but they later released other things except the motor-cycles”. Other workers including the senior driver in the company, Mr Andrew Onwuasoanya, the machine operator, Mr. Emeka Osafini confirmed what the manager of the
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THE
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ADVOCATE
March 31 - April 5, 2014
U.S. serves FG forfeiture notice on $500m Abacha loot
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he United States of America (USA) has written the Federal Government for assistance to serve forfeiture notice on the late Gen. Sani Abacha's son, Mohammed, an associate of the dictator, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and Dumez Nigeria Plc. The defendants are to forfeit over $550million and £95,910, 222.84(million) in 10 accounts and six investment portfolios linked to the Abachas in France, the Britain, British Virgin Islands and the United States. Abacha has up till today (March 25, 2014) to file an application before the U.S District Court for the District of Columbia to either set aside the forfeiture order or vary it. Failure to file a counterapplication or ask for a stay will lead to the automatic forfeiture of the cash and other assets today. The letter contains a breakdown of some of the accounts and investment firms/ banks where the looted funds were stashed abroad. The highlights are as follows: Doraville Properties Corporation $287 million in Account Number 80020796 located at Deutsche Bank International Limited in the Bailiwick of Jersey; HSBC Fund Administration (Jersey) $12 million in account number S104460 in the Bailiwick of Jersey; and Rayville International, S. A $1 million in a c c o u n t n u m b e r 223405880IUSD at Banque SBA
Sani Abacha in Paris, France. Others are: Standard Alliance Financial Services Limited $144 million in account 223406510PUSD at Banque SBA in Paris; Mecosta Securities $21.7 million in accounts 10030688 and 100138409 at Standard Bank in the United Kingdom; and HSBC Bank Plc $1.6 million in account number 38175076. Also listed are Blue Holding (1)
Pte Ltd/ Ridley Group Limited £6,806,900; Blue Holding (2) Pte. Ltd/ Ridley Group Limited £21,846,983; Blue Holding (1) Pte. Ltd/ Ridley Group Limited £10,293,343.58; Blue Holding (2) Pte. Ltd/Ridley Group Limited £56,962,996.26 In the letter to the Federal Government by the Associate Director, Criminal Division of the Office of International Affairs of the US Department of
IEDs, rifles and 70 motorcycles were recovered.” The director said “a similar encounter in Gumbi also led to the death of four other terrorists.” He added that sustained patrols and searches by the Joint Task Force had led to the arrest of more insurgents, including a heavily armed suspect, who claimed dual nationalities of Chad and Burkina-Faso. Olukolade said the suspect was arrested with different calibre of arms along the Chad border. The defence spokesman said members of the task force were patrolling areas around the Lake Chad, including Kwatan, Kanwa, Kwatan Yobe and other areas to apprehend more of the insurgents. In a related development, fear has gripped Yola, the Adamawa State Capital following the discovery of 102 live ammunitions and two guns tucked in the perimeter fence of Damare Secondary School in Damere Ward of Yola,
South Local Government Adamawa State. The development has created anxiety among residents who said they sleep with their two eyes open following the intensification of armed robbery in Yola and environs in recent times despite the state of emergency and curfew imposed in the town. The weapons were discovered by children who were playing around the area according to eyewitnesses. “Some children who were playing around the area spotted the ammunitions tucked deeply inside the block holes and quickly raised alarm”, a resident stated. According to him, “When residents observed that they were live ammunitions, they called the police who came and demolished the fence leading to the discovery o f l a rg e n u m b e r o f l i v e ammunitions and guns,” the source said.
Soldiers kill 11 insurgents, apprehend others attempting to escape to Cameroon
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he military said Thursday that 11 terrorists were killed when the troops engaged the terrorists in a gun duel while some of them were apprehended as they attempted to escape to Cameroon through Taraba and Adamawa borders. The D irector, D efence Information and Coordinator of Joint Information Centre, Counter terrorism Campaign Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, who disclosed this in a statement said the insurgents were attacked by troops on patrol of the areas in the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign. According to him, “the terrorists were trapped following the ongoing offensive launched by troops along the borders. Some of them could no longer bear the hunger in their make-shift camps at the forest. Those apprehended led the troops to some hideouts where fierce fighting ensued and seven terrorists died, while Improvised Explosive Devices,
Justice, Jeffrey M. Olson, the US government said it sought the help of Nigeria in line with January 14, 2003 Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between the two nations. The letter, which was obtained by our correspondent, reads in part: “The United States Central Authority respectfully requests the assistance of the Central Authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria pursuant to t h e Tr e a t y b e t w e e n t h e Government of the United States of America and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters (the Treaty). “The United States' request for assistance stems from forfeiture proceedings by the U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section (the prosecutor) against property related to the corrupt conduct of Sani Abacha, the former head of state of Nigeria, and the subsequent laundering of corruption proceeds. “The United States is required by law to provide notice to natural or legal persons who may have an interest in property that is the subject of forfeiture proceedings, in order to give them an opportunity to file a claim. “Therefore, the prosecutor requests that the Federal Republic of Nigeria provide notice of the pending forfeiture action to Mohammed Sani Abacha, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and Dumez Nigeria Plc “The prosecutor also requests that the Federal Republic of Nigeria serve Mohammed Sani Abacha and Abubakar Atiku Bagudu with the record of proceedings under the United Kingdom Civil Jurisdiction and Judgement Act, which is needed in order to enforce the warrant of arrest in rem issued by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.” In separate letters to Mohammed Abacha and Abubakar Atiku Bagudu by a counsel, Herbert Smith Freehills(LLP), the defendants were told that they have up till March 25 (today) to “set aside or vary the court order”. The counsel warned that a breach of the forfeiture order might be punished with a fine or a term of imprisonment. The letters said: “We act for the United States of America which, on 25 February 2014, obtained a freezing order from Mr. Justice Teare (the “Order”) in relation to assets held in the names of Mohammed Sani Abacha, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Mecosta Securities Inc (“Mecosta”), Ridley Group Limited, Blue Holding (1) Pte Limited and Blue Holding (2) Pte Limited (together, the “Primary
Respondents”) “We enclose, by way of service upon you, a copy of the Order. The Order grants a freezing injunction over specified assets in the names of the Primary Respondents. These include the following assets (the Assets”) believed to be held in your name or in the name of Mecosta (see paragraph 5(1) to (3) of the Order) “Any money (or other assets) in accounts in the name of Mecosta at Standard Bank Plc, including or traceable to account numbers 100130688 and 100138409. “Any money (or other assets) in account at HSBC Bank Plc in your name, including traceable to account number 38175076 and “Any money (or other assets) in accounts in your name at HSBC Life (Europe) Limited including or traceable to account number 37060762. “You should read the Order carefully and also urgently take legal advice. Under the terms of the Order, you are prohibited from removing from England and Wales or in any way disposing of, dealing with or diminishing the value of the Assets, save with the consent of our client or the permission of the Court. “We draw your attention to the Penal Notice on page one of the Order, the implication of which you may wish to discuss with your legal representatives. You should understand that breach of the Order may be contempt of court, which may be punished with a fine or a term of imprisonment. “The Order lasts until 25th March 2014 (the Return Date), although you do have the right to apply to set aside or vary the Order in the meantime (see paragraph 7 of the Order). On the Return Date the applicant will apply for the Order to be continued. However, you must obey the order in its current terms until it has been set aside or its terms varied. “The Order was made as part of legal proceedings in which you were named as a defendant. We therefore enclose, by way of service upon you, a sealed copy of the Claim Form and a Response Pack, a sealed copy of the Application Notice, the evidence in support at the hearing at which the Order was obtained, and the skeleton argument used at that hearing. A note of the hearing at which the Order was granted is also enclosed. “We have not included the Bundle of Authorities referred to in the Skeleton Argument. However, please let us know if you require a copy of this. “We also enclose a sealed copy of the Application Notice for the Return Date hearing in respect of the Order.”
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March 31 - April 5, 2014
I am a naïve saint – Fr. James Ani Reverend Fr. James Ani, a Catholic Priest with St. Theresa's parish Mmaku Awgu Diocese had served in the Nigerian army as a chaplain. He is twenty years in the priesthood. In this exclusive interview with the Advocate, Fr, Ani revealed how men of the Enugu state police, doing the bidding of the Bishop of Awgu diocese arrested and striped him naked in the church while celebrating holy mass; how he was charged with attempted murder, kidnapping and armed robbery which led to his being remanded in prison custody adding that he was neither a murderer, kidnapper nor armed robber as the charge was meant to give a dog a bad name to hang it. Excerpts. Are you a kidnapper or armed robber as police charged you? Let me say it seven times; I Rev. Fr. James Ani… is not a kidnapper neither an armed robber; that is a plot. Rev. Fr. Lawrence Eze four or five years now in priesthood is the person that said when we are at Awgu police station around that December, 2012 and January that he is going to wipe Mmaku out with all the powers he has as the secretary of Awgu diocese and consequently he colluded with some priests to come and kidnap me so as to exterminate me. So they are the ones who told police that I threatened their lives. It was when the police invited them and myself, Lawrence Eze came with three Rev. Fathers; Emmanuel Anugwo, Callistus Onyia and Donatus Ekwe, when they came, he was commanding the police to the extent that I was shocked he was commanding them (the police ) as if they belong to the church. It was at the end that police told us to go and settle this case. When they asked us to go, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Eze was still boiling in front of them threatening that he is going to use his powers as the secretary of Awgu diocese to wipe Mmaku out. I came back to my parish here, deliberated with the people who went with me and went back and told the police that I came back because you people queried why didn't I come and report. I reminded them that it was in front of you that Rev. Fr Eze made the threat that he was going to wipe Mmaku out with his power as secretary of Awgu diocese. I want to make a report so that you will call him to explain. The police said no that they will handle that. I said no I want to make a statement so that you will call him to explain and I made a statement and they asked me write how he can do it. I said he can carry out a campaign of calumny against St. Theresa's parish Mmaku, he can go to parishes and say it, he can say it in other ways, he can invite people to come for kidnap in Mmaku and now these things are happing but they (police) never called us. So anybody calling me a kidnapper is saying rubbish because they are telling the people that the Revrened Frs that came to kidnap me were actually kidnappers and they want to involve me. But they know if I was in the meeting where they organised to come for that
obnoxious act. Fr. James will say no. If I was in the meeting where they asked them to leave their parishes, come to sleep in Mmaku and come to St. Theresa's church and even naked one woman while trying to look for me. So I am not a kidnapper, maybe those people want to tell us that those Revrened Fathers are kidnappers.
Do you have problem with Fr. Lawrence Eze before now? I don't know him but the story is that people who know him said that he belong to the same clan with Rev. Fr. Mathew Eze who was the former Vicar General, who was former parish priest of this St. Theresa, Mmaku. He was said to have told Mmaku people that these things they build here (Mmaku Catholic Centre) that he is going to transfer it to his village Mgbowo that the priest who build the centre got the money oversees, that he is going to get his own here in Mmaku and build this type of a thing in his village and I am sure he has built something like that in his village.
Did you remove the CWO executives?
Rev Fr. James What is Mmaku Catholic reunion' precisely 2009 August from the Bishop of Awgu Catholic Centre? along Enugu/Port-Harcourt Church to take care of him that There is a site we call Mmaku Catholic Centre just behind this Fathers' house. Inside the centre there were nursery/primary schools, secondary school, bakery, pure water factory, piggery and hospital. So the man was marvelled, he said that he was classmate to Rev. Fr. Innocent Udoafor who managed to get such money he used to build the centre from somebody's country or town that he is in Mmaku to also get the same money in order to build the same thing. I have no relationship with him; Mathew Eze is not my classmate, so it was how it started then. So when Fr. Mathew failed in their kidnap attempt on me as the secretary of Awgu then, he was sent abroad, they brought Fr. Lawrence Eze to be the secretary. That is how he came out to execute the work of wiping Mmaku out. But God will not allow them. So I don't know where that odium started. I am not a pan-associate of Rev. Fr. Lawrence Eze as we discuss because we are priest.
Why are you in your home church? In 2009 one Festus Ekwe from Amagu-Mmaku in Mmaku town, a senior seminarian in Awgu diocese had an accident with fellow seminarian while returning from 'a
bishop personal secretary Fr. Patrick they were the people he said were going to be his witnesses. He asked me Father, I want to know from you before, there is something I want to do, I want to rusticate you but I want to hear from you. Who removed Festus Ekwe from University Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH)? I said am the person. He asked me why? I said it is because there is no other person, I am from Mmaku and he is from Mmaku I have to take care of him. He said, “so it appears you are doing father, brother and sister in the Church”. I told him there is no other person, I am the person even if it is a crime, and I am ready for any punishment. That was how it happened; I didn't know what was going on. So after that the diocese wrote, accusing me of removing all the executives of CWO and put my own women. Rev. Fr. Mathew Eze, Cyprian Oji, Stannous Okonkwo and Charles Ukahia said that my parish Umu-agi Inyi and I asked them whose women are that, so that we can call them to testify before everybody. I told them you are supposed to have given me copy of the petition if you are saying the truth. But they never did or shown me the said petition, while they insisted that what I did was wrong.
express way. They were taken to University of Nigeria Teaching hospital. The other seminarian had minor case. There was a conflicting report on his health condition, some say he has been in coma while some say he has stop breathing sometimes because I had not visited him. He was kept there for some time and at a point somebody from Mmaku called me Father, “have you ever gone to the hospital to see Brother Festus Ekwe? I said no. The person told me that the young man is asking you to come and see him, please try to go and see him. That conversation was on Saturday and I promise to go and see him and on Tuesday I went to see him. I came there and if I knew that what is happening now will happen I would have taken his picture. He was just like a skeleton and I cried and told the hospital authorities to discharge him so that instead he will die in the hospital I will carry him home. He complained to me that the hospital are not giving him food, that he indeed had stopped eating their food. He will shit on the bed, urinate of the bed and it is the brother that takes care of all these. He told me that some people had expressed concern for his condition and asked permission
there is a place where spinal cord could be cured in Enugu but the church authority in the diocese refuses those people to come for his rescue. Hearing this I ask nurses if they can tell me the place, and they said Mephis hospital. I went there and confirmed that they can take the MIR. I asked them how much they said N70,000 so I went and made arrangement on how to bring him out from UNTH, then they told me to give them seven days and after the seven days I went back to UNTH where I paid over N240,000 they said it must be paid before he was discharged. So I took him to Annunciation Hospital, Emene (a Catholic DDL sisters hospital) there they received him pending the time I paid for MIR at Mephis hospital. When they took MIR, I carried him back to Annunciation Hospital where he stayed. So that was the crime I committed. So what the bishop did was that he called me and during the positing of 2009 he removed me from my parish and didn't post me anywhere. It was November 7th the bishop called me in his office and he told me these were his witnesses; Rev. Fr. Mathew Eze the Vicar general, Fr. Cyprian Oji, Fr. Stannous Okonkwo the former secretary and
I have not visited them but I know they are working. I know this person is the president but I have not visited them in their meeting and I don't even know their treasurer. They said I stopped the choir and the youth. I was just about nine months old at that parish. It could be interesting for you to know that when I was posted to the parish, before my arrival Fr. Anthony Eze who was there before I came had told them that the priest posted to them is a mad man.
Are you saying there was no petition against you? I don't know? They said there was a petition against me. If there was a petition against me they would have given me a copy of those alleged petition. That is how it is done in an organised society. They were the people that wrote it themselves. They wrote the petition against me because if they think it was true they should have given me the copy even if the church is so secretive. You must give a person accused a chance for defence according to Canon Law. If anybody said somebody committed a crime, you must find it out inside the Canon Law and the punishment must be inside the Canon Law. That is the Canon in the Catholic Church. So they didn't give me the chance because they have a target which I don't know.
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March 31 - April 5, 2014
I am a naïve saint but bishop and his men are stack sinners Continued from page 9
What then led to your coming to your home parish? In February 2010 there was to be what they called Awgu at 5, they said they are going to have a conference to talk about the future. I have observation in a paper and I ask them let us discus it but they said they would not discuss what I wrote in the observation paper, which include why did they not write Mmaku as the mother parish of Awgu diocese, is there anything they want, what they intend to gain by not writing that Mmaku as the first parish in Awgu diocese. I also wrote about the creation of parish from other parishes, while the bishop is creating from other parishes, bishop is not creating from Mbanambo where he is from and there was five parishes. While many of them supposed to be divided into two or three even, instead it remained a single parish. Based on how people complained during one of the pastoral council meeting, that since you have carved out a parish from main parish, that levies on such parishes should also be reduced. The bishop told them that he will not reduce money taxed those parishes even if it is only one person that remains in that parish. I commented about it noting that these things cannot help us, I therefore asked for equity because it is a public thing. If it is something secret we leave it secret but whatever is public let us discuss it publicly so that the church will move. I wrote an observation that there was too much levy in Awgu diocese, that Awgu is the only countryside diocese in the whole of Nigeria. That these people only depend on when they plant their cassava in six months they bring it out and sale for them to contribute to the diocese. That there was constant levy from the diocese, so that the parishes cannot have time to bring out levy for its own project among other issues raised in the letter. So I wrote the letter and said let us read in the pastoral council because I have a right to present it there. Then the bishop said it cannot be discussed that I wrote something evil, and that I should retract. He said anybody that is holding the paper should burn it; they went and collected the papers. In August of that 2010 we went for retreat at Nchatancha, Emene in Enugu meanwhile the bishop said when we come for the retreat that I should submit my letter of apology retracting what I wrote. There at the retreat they asked me to bring it, I said I didn't write it and that I am not writing that I am a priest of God and that what I said in that letter is true that has to be treated. At the end of the retreat they kept
everybody begging me to retract and apologise. I accepted and apologised and the bishop came out and embrace me. They asked me to write the apology there I said no but as soon as I got home I will write it. I didn't know that, the bishop embrace was a trick. I came back on Friday, Saturday I went to the diocese and submitted the apology. On September 25 the bishop gave me letter that I should precede on four months leave because of the recent happening. The letter was given to me by Fr. Mathew Eze who said I should park all my properties while I go but he didn't tell me where to go. He brought the letter by 11:55 am precisely and Fr. Eze supervised the parking and further organised with the youth to park out my belongings. I left the parish in the mid-night because Fr. Eze didn't want me to pass the night in the parish. On Monday I went to him because the bishop wrote in the letter that I should contact him and when I got to him to tell me where to go for the leave. He shouted on me don't you have a house, didn't you build a house, don't you have friends, don't you have friends in the army. I replied I don't have a house. I told him I will sleep in his parish he said no and that day I slept in my car. Later he said I should go to St. Theresa's parish Mmaku my home parish to stay with the priest there. I ask him to write it, and he wrote it and gave me. I came here and gave the letter to the priest, he accepted me. Meanwhile, in the letter he wrote 'please father, Fr. James will stay with you for some days until I find out from the bishop where he will go', some days passed he didn't come either to tell me to go to monastery or not. The monastery is a place where you go if it is an administrative leave, but he didn't tell me and that was how I came into this place. I was living in harmony with the Rev. Father at Mmaku, he was two years old at that time. It was in 2010 November when they did the posting, they remove that Rev. Father and posted him to Akwachi and the youths who was supporting the father, during the positing when we went for the meeting, this priest returned earlier to announce to the youth leaders and the youths who have been working with him started
making noise that they don't want him to leave St. Theresa's, meanwhile he has told them that Rev. Fr. Cyprian Orji, former parish priest of St. Theresa's Mmaku in 1993 when I was ordained priest is the person posted to take over from him. The whole Mmaku people rose and said they don't want him again. Some even came to me and asked me that they want to go to the bishop and I told them that it is late that it's better to accept it in good faith. I didn't know that Fr. Benedict Okorie, the parish priest had another plan with the youths that want him to remain. The Mmaku Catholic said they don't want Fr. Orji.
the parishes and Rome has to write to stop that, that properties belong to the parishes that legitimately acquired such properties not the bishop and it is the government that insisted that they should not incorporate that bishop is the sole owner of all the properties, they should exert pressure on the other projects and if government refuses they should adopt what they call 'parish incorporation' as in one diocese and it contained in the Canon law; canon 1256. So those who said that I incorporated the church, you should ask them what I incorporated it into. They said I incorporated Orthodox Catholic Church, that I changed this church into Orthodox Catholic Church.
Are you still a catholic So did you incorporate the priest? church into Orthodox Yes till I die. No one can ex- Catholic as they claimed?
communicate me from the church. It is St. Theresa's Parish Mmaku. It The only thing they can do, they is St. Theresa that is incorporated can say Mmaku you are no longer not Orthodox Catholic Church. The certificate of incorporation is 'CAC:I/No.6106 Corporate Affairs Commission' Corporate Affairs Commission Federal Republic of Nigeria Certificate of Incorporation of the incorporated trustees of St. Theresa's Parish W e l f a r e Association and was dated 8th day of May 2013. So there was a time we went to poverty alleviation and they asked us about certificate. They ask us if we are registered with CAC or you go and beg your bishop to give you a letter because he has Bishop John Okoye incorporation certificate. So under Awgu and if Mmaku stay without this certificate you will alone for thirty years it become a n e v e r g e t a n y t h i n g from type of Catholic Church and is government and catholic parishes duly recognised by the Vatican unless they go bribing the Vatican don't get anything from the with their money, but they cannot government and the bishops will do it to Mmaku people for Mmaku use their own to collect something from the government and they will is not a vehicle that you can carry. tell the people not to get Your antagonist said that incorporated. If there is poverty you went to CAC and alleviation programme the bishop will not talk on behalf of the changed the Church. Ask the people who said I change people he is ruling. They will not the church what did I change it to. take any money from government So those people are liers and they for them instead they will tell them were paid to lie. The canon law, to contribute to the church. Reverend Sisters and all the W i t h o u t c e r t i f i c a t e o f congregations are incorporated incorporation you can never do with CAC, go and ask. If they are business with government even not incorporated the government the bank. will not recognise them. The Now you are in your home dioceses are incorporated, and town, if your bishop post there was a time the bishops in you to a new parish now will America were incorporating and they said bishop is the owner of all you go? the parishes and all the things in I am in my home already I don't need it. My name has been
destroyed by the same bishop. He can use the police to kill me today and any parish I go the bishop can instigate them to poison me. I am safe here in Mmaku. Let him not dream of it. I am not the priest to stay in his home. It is not abnormal some people have been doing it. Some people are in their homes as parish priest in the other diocese it is because bishop has deep hatred for Mmaku not only Fr. James Ani. He will make you believe that I am a sinner, I am a naïve saint but bishop and his men are stack sinners.
Where is the seminarian that brought the trouble? I don't know because Fr. Ferdinand Okorie wrote to me that Festus said that I did him evil. That I took him away from UNTH where he was comfortable to Mephis and dumped him. So I called the boy and read the letter to him, “look at what they said you told them”. I asked him, how they can be using you when they have condemned you. You called me to intervene in your precarious situation while you were in UNTH. I don't know what they promised him, maybe he was thinking that he will walk with his two legs and they will ordain him priest.
My experience in the prison For my experience in the prison, it was a happy experience. I told the people when they kidnapped me in the church, they handcuffed me, beat me and carried me naked. Don't ask me my experience but what preoccupied my mind. At the prison what preoccupied my mind, is how it was possible that a government commission in a democratic system had all it takes to arrange over sixty policemen and fourteen Hilux van, fuel it and they had parade upon parade on how to arrest one single individual, Rev. Fr. James Ani from Mmaku and kit them combat ready, armed to the teeth and they have to drive more than 50km looking for Fr. James Ani. How these people were able to agree to come and arrest a Rev. Father and left whatever they are suppose to do and also left the Boko Haram issue. That showed me what people used to say; that police will catch somebody and give him a rifle and ask him to write that he is an armed robber and that is how many of them entered the prison. I am now a witness that what the police are accused of doing in Nigeria is true. What a policeman told me is true how they managed to give them little stipend, to come to Mmaku breaking homes, jumping fences, breaking doors and windows in other to get some people that they will say that went on armed robbery with Fr. James Ani. Unfortunately for them I don't know they went inside the village and caught one old man a palm wine taper and put him in the cell; that he is an armed robber. I
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March 31 - April 5, 2014
Sacrilege! Pastor's maid raped inside church By Our Reporter
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residing Pastor of The Apostolic Church, Oboama, Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Pastor Sach Samuel Okechukwu could not hide his shock and embarrassment when he narrated how his 16 years old house maid was allegedly defiled and raped right inside the house of God. The act which many in the community have described as a “sacrilege and abomination” was
the pastor's wife. But after enquiry from the girl who later became his victim, Kingsley was told by the girl that the item he wanted to buy was not available, and that the owner of the kiosk was not in, according to the pastor. The Advocate learnt that Kingsley later pretended as if he was leaving the church premises and suddenly made a quick uturn. Surprisingly, he went after his main target the girl in the main church hall as she was taking a plastic chair inside the
community, Umunama where, after a medical test, the doctor wrote a report to the police. “The FMC even gave her some tablets to drink,” he said. “I will soon write our Headquarters in Lagos to send one of the best lawyers of the church to make sure that Kingsley alias Gulder goes to jail to serve as deterrent to others,” he said. In her narration, the pastor's wife, Mrs. Ebere Samuel said she was nonplused when she returned from the market and was told of how a certain boy came and gave her younger sister a serious bite
but he was telling me cock and bull story. He said he came to buy detergent soap and the girl abused him. Then I asked after his mother but was told that she was out. I told the boy that I would soon be back. He then said if he offended me, I should forgive him. At this time, I never realized that he not only bit my sister, he also defiled and raped her as well as profaned the house of God,” she said. She said on getting back to the church, “Gulder's” sister quickly came and told her to go and treat her sister, and also find out from her if she was sexually abused so
traditional ruler of the community, Eze Julius Amaefule, the Aladinmma II of Oboama autonomous community, told our reporter that this is the first time he would hear of such a shameful act happening since the creation of the community. He said that soon after the matter was reported to him, he told the community vigilante and the youth to quickly arrest the boy and hand him over to the police for appropriate action. “This is the first time I notice such a thing; is so sad that a boy went to
The church building signpost of the church said to have been committed by one 27-years-old Mr. Kingsley Christopher Mark-Ogu alias Pa Gulder from Umuekwere village of Oboama Autonomous Community, our reporter was told. The suspected rapist first gave his victim a “serious bite on her right arm to subdue her before tearing off her clothes, defiling and raping her inside the church,” the cleric told our reporter. The Apostolic Church in question is located in Umuekwere village. Kingsley reportedly went to the church on the pretence that he wanted to buy detergent soap from the kiosk in front of the church. The kiosk is operated by
auditorium. The act was committed on 11th February, 2014 but the suspect was on Thursday 6th March arrested by the community vigilante and the youth. They later handed him over to the police at Itu Police Station near Ezinihitte Council Area Secretariat. He is currently in police custody. Pastor Okechukwu said on being told what happened, his wife quickly went to complain to the family of the alleged rapist who reportedly apologized to her. However, the cleric said the victim was taken to the General Hospital, Aboh Mbaise for proper medical checks but was referred to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), at a neighbouring
The suspect, Kingsley alias Gulder on her arm. She told our reporter during an interview: “On 11th February, 2014, I went to Nkwo Market. When I returned, I saw my little sister, 16 years old girl, raising her arm in pain and there were kids following her about. Then I asked what brought about the bite on her arm and I was told that a certain boy called “Gulder” was responsible.” The pastor's wife said the kids who know Gulder's house later led her to the family of the suspect. “I was very angry because I can't imagine someone entering a church compound to bite my sister. On seeing the boy I scolded him in a very harsh tone. I asked him why he bits my sister
that they would know the type of treatment to give her. Thereafter she said that the suspect and his people never bothered to come back to apologise for the more serious offence of defilement and rape of the 16-year old teenager. On what she expects from the government, she said: “I would like the government to punish him appropriately to serve as deterrent to other young boys who might want to rape girls or women in future. It is a very bad conduct for somebody to enter a house of God and commit this kind of atrocity which I never heard of since I was born. This type of mischief must stop.” Confirming the incident, the
a holy place of God to commit such an offence,” Eze Amaefule said. He added: “It's a horrible situation which the community never experienced before now.” The traditional ruler said he has been talking to parents in the community during gatherings to always make sure that their children behave well by not going into crime and tarnish the image of the community. “Parents should be more attentive to the training of their children than what they have been doing before now,” he admonished. The police at Itu Police Station confirmed the incident but added that investigation is ongoing to determine how everything happened.
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March 31 - April 5, 2014
Ekweremadu calls for stronger parliamentary relations between Nigeria and Japan
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OKYO, JAPAN- The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has called for stronger parliamentary ties between Nigeria and Japan as the next step towards deepening relations between the two countries. He made the call at a meeting with the Vice President of the House of Councilors of the Diet of Japan, Hon. Azuma Koshishi on Wednesday in Tokyo, Japan, as part of his working visit to the Asian nation. The Deputy President of the Senate who was accompanied by the Ambassador of Nigeria to Japan, Hon. Godwin Agbo thanked the Government and people of Japan for their multi-sectorial interventions and support to Nigeria. Senator Ekweremadu stressed that parliamentary diplomacy was fast gaining ground as a veritable
instrument for greater mutual understanding, socio-economic, and political cooperation among nations. He said: “The trade relation between Nigeria and Japan is on the increase. From USD34 billion
in 2009, it moved up to about USD 58 billion in 2012. So, a lot is happening in the economic and diplomatic areas of our relationship and the time has come to move our relationship to the next level through parliamentary
diplomacy.” “I believe that our peoples, businessmen, and corporate institutions have so much to gain from closer parliamentary ties as well as the sharing of the general and peculiar investment
opportunities and intervention needs of our nations and constituencies. In his reply, Hon. Azuma Koshishi expressed happiness over the growing parliamentary ties between both nations and promised Japan's continued support for Nigeria's democracy and development.
...Support border closure to monitor Boko Haram Insurgence
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he Deputy President of the Senate has thrown his full weight behind the decision of the Federal Government to shut down Nigeria's borders with Cameroon along the Adamawa axis over the Boko Haram menace, insisting that “unusual times require unusual measures”. He stated this during a meeting with over 33 Ambassadors of African nations under the auspices of the African Diplomatic Corps, ADC, Japan. Senator Ekweremadu
who asserted that the Federal Government had waged a highly commendable war against terrorism, said that Nigeria was left with no other choice as the militants exploited the porous borders and their peculiar terrains to unleash deaths and destruction on the Northeastern part of the country. He said that terrorism was a global phenomenon that required cooperation among nations, governments, and citizens of all countries, insisting that “a threat to one nation is a threat to all nations”. The Deputy President of the Senate called on the Federal Government not to hesitate to
close more border areas that pose threat to Nigeria's security and peace. “We need to appeal to our neighbours, especially Cameroun and the Republic of Niger to cooperate with Nigeria for effective monitoring of the border areas to curb the menace of terrorism in the border states of Borno and Adamawa”, he added. Senator Ekweremadu has also condoled with the government and people of Yobe State over the recent massacre of innocent students in Buni Yadi, Yobe State, describing it as “mindless, beastly, and cowardly”.
Kogi LG Chairmen commended on the use of SURE-P fund
Ogugu market and two other markets which construction are going on simultaneously in the other districts of the Council, he people, and called on other Adejoh, Chairman of Olamaboro conceptualized to improve the has used the SURE-P fund for road Chairmen to emulate his efforts. Local Government Council said economic well-being of people of construction and to improve on ocal Government Councils Earlier in his report, Farouk t h e m a r k e t p r o j e c t w a s the area adding that aside the several other infrastructures. in Kogi state has been charged on the need to sustain and effectively utilize SURE-P funds accrued to their Councils. The State Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi, gave the charge when he a l w a y s m a i n t a i n authority does not want to see inspected ongoing construction of By Christopher Okon, p e a c e a n d o t h e r them. market stalls at Ogugu in Uyo believing that every They said there has been series of Olamaboro LGA of the State. situation will be meetings with the university The market project is being he National Association of restored he appealed authority but still to no avail as executed by the Olamaboro Local University Pensioners, t o F e d e r a l they are treated like outcasts, Government Council is being University of Uyo branch G o v e r n m e n t t o instead the authority refused to set funded with the SURE-P has threatened for a show down in intervene over their up a pension board that will intervention funds. state over unpaid pension/gratuity. suffering before it o v e r s e e a n d m a n a g e t h e The Deputy Governor The Chairman University of Uyo gets out of hand since pensioners. commended the council on the pensioners, Rev. Offiong Offiong their members are Reliable source revealed from the prudent use of resources deployed Udoh while speaking to our experiencing untold university circle said there is a foul in the market construction, reporter expressed dissatisfaction h a r d s h i p o n t h e play in the system over the describing the level of work done over the entire drama being played pensioners demands which has matter. as excellent. by the University authority that caused a lot of ripples among With sorrow and Awoniyi, who promised sustained have abandoned and turned deaf stakeholders in the university lamentation over their monitoring of all ongoing SURE-P ears to those who are retired after education sector. faces some members projects across the various meritorious service to the of the Association The source said that as some top councils in the State, said the institution. who spoke under officials have been fingered as initiative was geared towards He said they would not relent over anonymity told our being responsible to the plight of ensuring quality standard of work their demand for in the payment of reporter that their these senior citizens but assured and efficient utilization of their retirement benefits despite g r i e v a n c e s a r e that they would soon be exposed. resources. the bitter experiences of hardship Vice Chancellor, Mrs. Comfort Ekpo stemmed from the When our reporter went to see the On the extent of work done on the and death of his members, but fact that the University authority University Vice Chancellor, Mrs. market project, the Deputy would continue to wax them believe whoever sits on their right have refused to pay some of them Comfort Ekpo for comments on Governor commended the State stronger over their inalienable would soon be exposed. We pension on time and the non- the matter, some of her subjects SURE-P monitoring committee wondering why the University right. refused our correspondent access for closely watching activities of authority are heartless; not payment of 2002 gratuities till to her office saying she has According to him, “we will not date. the Chairmen and for the fairness take the laws into our hands but minding our age, suffering under They vowed they would soon have traveled to Abuja for official and objectivity in their report. the sun and rain to demand our continue to act maturely with a a show down with University engagement, while some of others He lauded the Olamaboro council peaceful protest. How many of us gratuities, yet they ignore us in this authority if their plights are not as overheard by our reporter were boss for a good job in providing are still remaining? Our members manner. treated with dispatch querying whispering that “Madam is in the critical infrastructures for the are are dying on daily basis, we While calling on his members to 'what next remains' if university office.”
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UNI-UYO Pensioners threaten show down over unpaid pension/gratuity
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March 31 - April 5, 2014
National Lottery Regulatory Commission, asks Promoters to ensure compliance
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ational lottery has called lottery promoters to ensure strict compliance with the laws governing lottery promotion in Nigeria. Speaking during a courtesy call on the Enugu zonal office by the Promoter of the World Cup Dream Promo management, the Zonal coordinator, Mr. Michael Eke said that as agency vested with the responsibility to regulate lottery business in the country, the staff of zone are alive to their responsibility and will ensure effective monitoring, supervision and conformity to the set rules of the business. He enjoined the general public to identify and participate in lottery adding that lottery is not an offence before God rather it is a veritable tool for human empowerment as well as national development. He gave instances of how lottery has been used in developed countries of the world to build various monumental edifices adding that even the last Olympic games that was held in London was sponsored through proceeds from lottery. Mr. Eke who was flanked by top management staff of the zone said that a diligent observation has shown that the World Cup
Dream Promo sponsors, ACCOLADE MEDIA, who are working with a genuine company Mekanems Limited to power the promo is a reputable organisation. According to him, “we are committed to our responsibility to promote transparency and effective compliance to the rules of lottery business and we have
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the July world cup. As well as empowering others with various prizes that will bring about change in their lives. He said that anyone who wants to participate in the promo should either use his/ her phone to enter as it is ICT powered or alternatively obtain the tickets from designated sales points. Nebo told the Zonal Director that
he was on courtesy call to his office in-order to cement the understanding between his organization and the Agency haven fulfilled the Agency's requirement for the promotion. He pledged to conform to the rules government lottery promotion in the country adding the transparency is the watchword of his organisation.
Akobundu hails S-East Govs for electing Orji as Chairman SEGF
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ational Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South East zone, Col Austin Akobundu (rtd) has extolled South East governors for electing Gov Theodore Ahamefula Orji of Abia state as the new Chairman, South East Governors' Forum (SEGF), He described the Abia chief executive as a consummate politician worthy of trust to pilot the affairs of the South East geo-political zone at a time Ndigbo need a focused, reliable, people-oriented and result-driven character to pilot their affairs to the next political
Anambra shuts down 'babies' home' over alleged child trafficking nambra State Ministry of Women Affairs has closed down Umunna Street Motherless Babies' Home, Onitsha in Onitsha South Local Government Area of the state for alleged involvement in the use of the home as transit point for child trafficking. The Director of Child Development in the state Ministry of Women Affairs, Mr Emeka Ejide, told newsmen at the Home, while vacating about 14 motherless children from the home to Red Cross Motherless Babies Home also in Onitsha that the ministry would equally come back with the Department of Security Services, DSS to padlock and seal the home completely till further notice. Ejide noted that the shut-down of the home was in line with section 190 of the Child Rights Law of Anambra state, adding that the ministry was also acting on a recent press briefing by the Anambra state Commissioner of Police who disclosed that some suspected managers of the home, who got involved in child trafficking had been arrested and paraded before the press in the state, following the interception of some human traffickers by the police in the state. According to Ejide, “today, Onitsha South Community Children Home, formerly known
been enlightening the public through various media programmes so that they will know what lottery is all about and how it can benefit members of the society.” Earlier in his speech, Mr. Ralph Nebo, said that world cup my dream promo is geared towards sponsoring an ultimate winner all paid expenses to Brazil during
as Onitsha South Motherless Babies Home is being shut down and this follows cases of using the home for other purposes not essentially the main purpose it was created for. And if you heard the news, the commissioner of police had a briefing with the press last Thursday in Awka, and he paraded the managers of the home”.
Gov. Orji space. In a press statementm, Col Akobundu listed Gov Oji's numerous achievements particularly as it concerns his quiet representation and canvassing of support for Ndigbo from the federal government which has led to the building of such landmark infrastructures like the 2nd Niger bridge, Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway etc, pointing out that
Gov Orji's fraternity and unanimity with the federal government since he assumed office in 2007 has contributed in President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan's positive disposition to Ndigbo. At the home-front, the PDP boss in the South East believes that Gov Orji has elevated the act of governance to high pedestal to the point that stakeholders and the people in Abia state are working in tandem towards an Abia that is economically viable, politically stable and socially enchanting. He believed that the Abia governor has risen beyond petty political clandestinity to a statesman where his world view is anchored on the people, their interest and wellbeing, saying however that Gov Orji has also not failed to assist in rebuilding the PDP in South East and ensuring that the party retains its winning streak in the South East which is a traditional home of the PDP. “His Excellency has indeed supported PDP in the South East both in cash and in kind. In Abia
where he is the governor, PDP has remained the only party known to the people, chiefly because of the support, encouragement and lifeline given to it by him; in addition to the good governance which he renders, and which ultimately is the hallmark of democracy. Col Akobundu believes that the new Chairman, South East Governors' Forum will replicate what he has done in Abia to the south east in terms of quality leadership; even as he commended the out gone Chairman of the forum, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State for his quality leadership that served as a remarkable economic and social compass for Ndigbo. The PDP South East boss used the opportunity to commend other PDP governors in the zone for their developmental strides as well as the provision of the dividends of democracy in their respective states, accomplishments that have endeared PDP to the people. He stressed that with the performance of PDP governors in the zone PDP remains the party to beat in 2015 polls.
I am a naïve saint but bishop and his men are stack sinners Continued from page 10 never knew that man, he is not a Catholic. The police said my catechist is the commander. So after the Father is commander, the catechist will become the commander and that will tell you what the police are doing. That was what preoccupied my mind. Imagine how it would have been possible a group of people who are living on government expenses, the police commission living on government expenses, who are paid to protect the lives and properties of people are intimidating them and dabbling into religious issues because of bribe collected.
Did they stripe you naked in the church? Yes. Over sixty policemen well armed stormed Mmaku with more
than fourteen hilux van for me. They stormed into the church shouted if you move I will shoot you. Their aim was to desecrate the church. I told the worshipers that if they do you catholic will not celebrate mass here again. Because they wanted to burn the church or set alter ablaze, so that the bishop whom they were carrying his biding will say the church has been desecrated. God gave me wisdom and I stopped the mass and came down from alter. They said, naked yourself or we will shoot you; at gun point and I had to obey. So as they were saying it at gun point. One of them kicked and the other said is he the one that disobeyed the bishop? And he kicked me and I fell down and they striped me naked. They
dragged me out of the church naked and carried me naked to the police headquarter, Enugu and this is the church where I laid down during my ordination. So, I thanked God that in my twentieth year it was inside the same church that police came and made me naked. Fortunately that day people didn't come to church in their numbers.
But Catholic Church has rules, why using police to arrest, to the extent of stripping a priest naked? The Catholic Church has its canon laws and there is no problem in the church that is not written in the canon laws. However, the police they say is our friends decided to come to Mmaku to arrest people, they collected N20,000 some
N30,000 for bail against the oil money they collected from government. I will suggest that the police force should be scrapped if they have time to arrange and go for armed robbery and kidnapping. Or in alternative the force should be handed over to Peace Corps of Nigeria, unless you want your children to be taken to the prison everyday especially in Enugu state. At the prison the inmates said I have come to liberate people languishing, erroneously charged of offences they knew nothing about. That the governor will release those people that are falsely accused languishing in the prison. However, they say everybody that entered the prison is an armed robber whether you are guilty or not and that is the damage some people have done to my person but God will not allow them to destroy my name.
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Kogi varsity lecturer taught virtues of Jihad (Holy war) – DSS
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he Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, Friday, denied bail to Dr. Mohammed Nazeef Yunus, a lecturer at the Kogi State University, accused of being the spiritual leader of a Boko Haram cell situated at Igala land in Kogi State. This came as the Department of State Service, DSS declared that the Kogi varsity lecturer propagated terrorism across the federation by the teaching of virtues of Jihad (Holy war). The accused lecturer who had been in the custody of the Directorate of State Service, DSS, since October 30, 2013, was on February 3, transferred to Kuje Prison, Abuja, on the order of the trial high court. *Dr. Muhammed Nazeef Yunus. Others the court ordered should remain in prison custody yesterday were Alhaji Salami Abdullahi and Umar Musa, who were both accused of belonging to the Boko Haram sect. In a ruling, Justice Gabriel Kolawole said it would not be in the interest of justice to release the accused persons at this stage of their trial, stressing that in view of the prevailing atrocious acts of the Boko Haram sect in the North Eastern part of the country, it was safer to deny them bail. Citing the wanton and mindless killing of innocent people, especially the recent massacre of students of the Federal Government College Buni Yadi by members of the Boko Haram, Justice Kolawole, said he was minded to exercise his discretionary powers to grant bail against the accused persons. He maintained that the court, in exercising its discretion, must do so judicially and judiciously, “The bail applications are hereby refused,” the Judge held, even as he okayed accelerated hearing of the charge against them. Besides, the court dismissed plea by the 2nd accused, Salami, to be released on health ground. Meantime, the court yesterday slated their trial for March 18, 19, April 3 and May 6. Government had alleged in an eight count charge before the court that the trio, within the months of May and October, 2013, at Ayangba in Kogi state, engaged in an act in furtherance of acts of terrorism by not only acquiring weapons, but also recruiting new members for the Boko Haram Islamic sect. According to the charge, some of the weapons recovered from the accused persons included 2 AK-
47 Rifles, 2 Magazines and 60 rounds of live ammunition. By belonging and supporting the illegal activities of a proscribed organization, the government, said the action of the accused persons ran contrary to sections 4, 10, 12, 16(1) (4), 17 and 18 of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2013, as amended. The accused persons had since pleaded not guilty to the charge. The Federal Government earlier disclosed its intention to call about six former students of the accused lecturer to appear as witnesses before the court with a view to establishing his complicity in the propagation of terrorism across the federation. The prosecuting counsel, Mrs N.B Jones Nebo, told the court yesterday that there was a prima facie evidence to prove that Dr. Yunus, supervised the burial of weapons in the ground. “My Lord, we have also by way of evidence
shown what the weapons were meant for. We have identified the ones we have discovered so far, which from all indications, were the case of keep this, we are getting more”, she added. The DSS had maintained that the 44 years old lecturer and a graduate of Islamic University of Medina, Saudi Arabia, confessed that he had over 80 adherents, and hitherto conducted preaching sessions every last Saturday and Sunday of the month at Ethosho Secondary School Ojiolo, Dekina, Kogi. He was said to have confessed that his adherents were specifically taught the virtues of Jihad (Holy war) and the sanctity of the Sharia system as an alternative form of governance. However, in his application for bail, Dr. Yunus, argued that under the Nigerian Constitution, he ought to be presumed innocent until his guilt is established,
contending that the same trial Judge earlier released Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume who was equally accused of having a relationship with the Boko Haram sect, on bail, pending the determination of the charge against him. According to counsel to the accused person, Mr Hassan Liman , SAN, “I urge my Lord to grant the accused bail considering that he has made a convincing and compelling case to warrant the exercise of discretion in his favour. He is a family man, a University Don with PHD. His detention has in no small measure, affected his academic relationship with the students. More so, there is no evidence that he has ever committed any offence before. I plead the court to take judicial notice of the antecedents of the accused person”, he added. On his part, Salami, who was
fingered as the major financier of the terrorist cell in Kogi state, yesterday, begged the court to release him from prison detention on health grounds. Salami, through his lawyer, Chief James Ocholli, SAN, further tendered a medical report signed by one of his sons, Hayatu Abdullahi, a medical Doctor at Garki General Hospital, Abuja, which indicated that he has a critical medical condition that requires constant medical attention. In the report, the 2nd accused person who was alleged to have hosted several nocturnal meetings that were held by leaders of the Boko Haram sect in Kogi state, was said to have at a point, went into coma for three months and was flown to London in an air ambulance. Ocholli, told the court that his client received treatments at Wellington and London Bridge Hospitals in the United Kingdom, adding that there was no evidence linking him with any of the other accused persons.
NJC suspends Rivers Chief Judge, queries recommendation to the him over breach of oath of officeGovernor of Rivers State that
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he National Judicial Council (NJC) has with immediate effect suspended the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice P. N. C. Agumagu. A statement from the Acting Director of Information in the NJC, Mr. Soji Oye, said the Council took the decision at an emergency meeting on Wednesday. The statement explained that Justice Agumagu's appointment was illegal, as it did not comply with the provisions of section 271 of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulated that a state governor must appoint a Chief Judge on the recommendation of the NJC. The NJC stressed that it did not recommend Justice Agumagu for appointment as the state's Chief Judge. Besides the suspension, Justice Agumagu is also facing dismissal as the NJC has queried him, asking him to explain why he should not be dismissed as a judicial officer for failing to abide by his Oath of Office. The statement said that “At its 10th emergency meeting, which was held on the 26th March, 2014, the National Judicial Council under the chairmanship of Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Aloma Mariam M u k t a r, c o n s i d e r e d t h e purported appointment,
Justice P. N. C. Agumagu. confirmation and swearing-in of Hon. Justice P. N. C. Agumagu as the substantive Chief Judge of Rivers State on the 18th day of March, 2014. “In the course of deliberations on the matter, Council noted that it is expressly provided in Section 271 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as
amended) that the appointment of a person to the Office of the Chief Judge of a State shall be made by the Governor of the State on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, subject to the confirmation of the appointment by the House of Assembly of the State. “The National Judicial Council did not at any time make any
Hon. Justice P. N. C. Agumagu, President, Customary Court of Appeal, be appointed the substantive Chief Judge of Rivers State. “Council therefore resolved as follows: “That the National Judicial Council does not and will not recognise Hon. Justice P.N.C. Agumagu as the Chief Judge of Rivers State. “That the general public and all concerned in the matter, particularly the Governor of Rivers State, the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Judiciary in Rivers State, be notified and informed that the National Judicial Council will not deal with Hon. Justice P.N.C. Agumagu as the Chief Judge of Rivers State. “That a query be issued to Hon. Justice P. N. C. Agumagu to explain in writing within four days, why he should not be removed from office as a judicial officer for his failure to abide by his Oath of Office to uphold the Constitution and Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “In the meantime, Council in exercise of its powers under paragraph 21 (d) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, has suspended Hon. Justice P. N. C. Agumagu from Office as a judicial officer with immediate effect.”
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The Nigerian Nationalist Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande
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lhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, (born 23 July 1929) was a journalist who became governor of Lagos State in Nigeria from 1979 to 1983, and later was Minister of Works under the Sani Abacha military regime (1993/98). Background Lateef Kayode Jakande was born in the Epetedo area of Lagos Island on 23 July 1929. He studied at the Lagos public school at Enu-Owa, Lagos Island, then at Bunham Memorial Methodist School, Port Harcourt (1934/43). He studied briefly at King's College in 1943, and then enrolled at Ilesha Grammar School in 1945, where he edited a literary paper called The Quarterly Mirror. In 1949 Jakande began a career in journalism first with the Daily Service and then in 1953 joining the Nigerian Tribune. In 1956 he was appointed editor-in-chief of the Tribune by the owner Chief O b a f e m i Aw o l o w o . H i s editorials were factual and forthright, and were treated by the colonial powers with
respect. After leaving the Tribune in 1975, Jakande established John West Publications and began to publish The Lagos News. He served as the first President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN). Governor of Lagos State Encouraged by Awolowo, he ran for election as executive governor of Lagos State in 1979, on the Unity Party of Nigeria platform, and was e l e c t e d . H i s administration was effective and open. He introduced housing and educational programs targeting the poor, building new neighbourhood primary and secondary schools and providing free primary and secondary education. He established the
Jakande L a g o s S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y. Jakande's government constructed over 20,000 housing units. The schools and housing
units were built cheaply, but were of great value.He also started a metroline project to facilitate mass transit. The project was halted and his tenure as Governor ended when the military seized power on 31 December 1983. Later career After the military takeover in 1983, Jakande was charged, prosecuted and convicted of treason, although later he was pardoned.[1] After being freed, he accepted the position of Minister of Works under the Sani Abacha military regime, which earned him some criticism. He claimed that he had accepted the post under pressure from M. K. O. Abiola and other progressive leaders. In a later interview, he said he had no regrets about the decision to
serve. However, his association with Abacha handicapped his career in politics after the restoration of democracy in 1999. Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande became a senior member of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) when the UNPP and APP merged. In June 2002, he was "suspended" by a faction of the ANPP loyal to Chief Lanre Razaq. Jakande was the first chairman of the Action Party of Nigeria (APN) when it was formed in November 2006. In May 2009, he was reported to be engaged a struggle for control of the party with his former ally, Dr. Adegbola Dominic. Many prominent people attended his 75th birthday celebration. At this event, Governor of Lagos State Bola Ahmed Tinubu said Jakande was worth celebrating for his life of consistent commitment to public service. Imo State Governor Achike Udenwa said Jakande's life and times epitomised "resilience, positive audacity, bravery and bravado, and a knack for excellence.�
Church threatened by her daughter's new romance with a Pentecostal church Continued from page 7 bakery said and even shared more unpalatable experiences they had in the hand of the police and the catholic youths and regretted why the Bishop of Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese should allow such to happen to their benefactor. They confirmed the old woman had spent fortunes on the church and priests in the state without looking for reward as nobody remembers her during Mothering Sundays rather she still spends. They wondered why the priests are acting strangely wondering if they were acting a script by the church or somebody superior since there is freedom of religion in the country. However, the parish priest of the church, Rev Father Martin Onukwuba agreed that the church was built by Madam Onuorah and given to them for worship but alleged that their landlady's daughter, Patricia Onuorah dumped Catholic church for Pentecostal church and wants to take over the church and give to Pentecostal church. When contacted, the Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) in Anambra State Mr Emeka Chukwuemeka said he has not been briefed on the matter and will not comment on the matter while the Spokesperson of the Onitsha
Archdiocese, Rev Father Pius Ukoh did not pick his calls nor respond to the text message sent to his mobile phone by our reporter Speaking on the legal implication of this matter, an Nnewi based lawyer from Oseloka and Osigwe Chambers, Barr Sam Anozie said that somebody who gives a gift can as well, take it back. “Somebody that gives a gift can as well take it back either by deed or by parole. It is evident that the parish building is a gift to the church which is for enhancement of God's kingdom. But from what is going on now, it seems the church is more interested in the estate than the church work and hoodlums took the advantage of those things and burnt down the Father's house so that both parties can lay counter claims� But in a further reaction when the incident occurred, a priest-inresidence of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Nkpor in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Rev. Fr. Ben Oguejieofor, alleged that he escaped death by whiskers on 17th December morning when some suspected arsonists invaded the church premises and set the priests' house ablaze. He alleged that the incident occurred while Fr. Onukwuba was celebrating a morning mass inside the main church building, while
(he) Fr. Oguejiofor was in the fathers' house. Our investigation showed that the allegation of the arsonists could not be confirmed but the police at Ogidi Division on the alleged prompting of the priests arrested no fewer than 12 suspects, including some workers at Our Lady's Bread Bakery and Industrial Centre within the compound. Frs. Onukwuba and Oguejiofor had confirmed to newsmen at the scene that when they noticed unusual movements within the church compound, they scaled the fence and jumped into neighbouring compound in order not to be burnt alive, but that however contradicted investigation reports that said one was in the church and the other at the razed building. They also confirmed that the attackers, who they suspected to be security operatives guarding the compound, started their operation in the early hours, shooting sporadically in the air and into the two-storey building where the Reverend Fathers resided. According to them, when the attack became too hot for them, they escaped by jumping through the fence into an adjacent compound. They further confirmed that although there were some gun
shots, Tuesday night, around the area, the main attack came in the early hours of Wednesday. Specifically, Fr. Onukwuba disclosed that the Ogidi High Court had earlier issued an order that the blockages mounted by the security officers inside the Our Lady's Industrial Centre to block vehicular movements to the priests' residence be dismantled, an order which he said did not go down well with the security men. Onukwuba further alleged that when the attackers could not get him or the resident priest, they set the two-storey building ablaze and also burnt the boy's quarters. The Parish priest, however, said those arrested by the police were just members of staff of Our Lady's Industrial Centre and bakery as the security guards who attacked them were on the run. He insisted that those who were arrested had nothing to do with the arson and may probably know next to nothing about it. The counsel to the church, C. J. Asiegbu also told newsmen that he was seriously suspecting the security operatives in the compound who are in the employ of the land lady who he said was in court with the church, prior to the incident. Several calls to the phone number of the Archbishop Valerian Okeke
was not answered after attempts to the spokesperson Fr Pius Ukoh failed even as efforts to speak to the Bishop during his visit failed too. The Divisional Police Officer at Ogidi, Mr. Yusuf Abdul who confirmed the incident, said he had deployed some policemen to the church premises to affect more arrests. But rather than police making more arrests, the Men of Discipline and Order of the Church invaded the Bakery molesting and beating up aged factory workers and haranguing them out of their rooms. They allegedly did that thrice even whisking away some three members of the staff before the police were invited to rescue them but the police allegedly only asked them to release those they detained and only advised them not to take laws into their hands. But they continued beating them when the police left as testified by a lawyer who came suddenly to the factory premises and warned them sternly over the overzealousness they are exhibiting in a case they know little or nothing about. They have reported to the Criminal Investigative Department Awka. Utterances from the youths and members of the church were indicative that if something urgent is not done the woman may not wake up one morning as life may have snuffed off her by her traducers.
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Enugu International Trade Fair in Pictures
Innoson group of companies at the 25 Enugu International Trade fair
Tummy Tummy stand at the Fair
Indomie, at the Trade Fair
Juhel Stand at the Fair
Bright Kitchen also at the Fair
Hardis & Dromedas at the Trade Fair
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Event & personalities VON Schools move to redeem Igbo language and culture
Pupils of VON Nursery school
Students of VON Secondary schools
Teachers of VON schools VON Bursar Mrs Lilian Igwa inspecting varieties of Igbo dishes on display By Ted Peters
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n line with the avowed commitment of the apex Igbo sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo to inculcate and sustain the Igbo language and cultures in the people, VON Schools, New Haven, Enugu on February 20, 2014 celebrated the Igbo day. The ceremony coincided with the United Nations declaration of February 21every year as Mother Tongue Day. It was a moment of glory for the school as people from all walks of life graced the Pretty Mrs Peculiar Edike occasion. in an Igbo cultural attire On that day, all staff and students appeared on traditional attire. Apart Some students in cultural display from that, all the activities were performed in Igbo language. The welcome address, speeches, drama, national anthem and the Nigerian pledge were all rendered in the lgbo language to the admiration of the crowd. To make the occasion more meaningful, palm fronts were used as canopies. The highlight of the ceremony was a traditional wrestling contest, fashion parade and display of artifacts and totems. Indeed, it was a show of true Igbo culture. Mrs. Virginia Uzoaga, Director of the school said the institution embarked on the festivity to give the children all round training in character, moral and academic excellence for them to Compete successfully outside the school environment. Uzoaga said that the Igbo day celebration was a way of joining different groups to ensure that the language did not go into extinction. She believes that human beings create, learn, and adapt culture. "Culture helps us to understand ourselves as both individuals and members of various groups. I welcome the idea especially now that Igbo language is no longer compulsory in the school curriculum. Our target is the pupils between the ages of two and five years. If we can get motivation and support from state governments, Ohanaeze, Umuada Igbo group and individuals, we will go far in projecting the language", she said. Uzoaga also stressed the need for parents of Igbo extraction to teach their younger ones their mother tongue, noting that other tribes in the country jealously guide and promote their own mother language. According to her, one of measures to preserve, promote and inculcate Igbo language and values on the younger generation, is to set aside a day to showcase the cultural heritage of Igbo people in the school. Mrs. Ngozika Ajoku, Head of Igbo language and culture said the school also set aside every Friday as Igbo language day to encourage staff and students of the school to speak the language. "On that day even students that are not of Igbo origin join us in speaking the little they know including wearing the traditional attire. You know children have greater chances of learning faster than adults". However, Ajoku bemoaned the difficulty in teaching the language. "Often times the children find it difficult to comprehend what we are teaching them in Igbo. This is because the items we use in the teaching are strange to them; they have not seen them before. Except you show them those items, some of them would not
Continues on page 18
Cultural display by Teachers
A cross section of VON Teachers
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Policeman runs amok, Lady married to a ghost for several years kills wife, 5 others, self Continued from last edition
IGP Abubakar
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ANDEMONIUM broke out in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital Thursday, when a police corporal, Sunkanmi Ogunbiyi, went berserk, shot dead his wife, a landlady, two year-old girl and three others before killing himself. After killing his estranged wife who was also a policewoman, Corporal Oluwatosin Faremi, attached to the Obantoko Police Division, the rampaging police corporal reportedly shot dead a commercial motorcycle rider, and five members of a family, before shooting himself dead immediately. The tragic incident which occurred at Akingbala area of Eleweran, Abeokuta, at 7:02 am reportedly forced some policemen to abscond from their duty posts. Also, residents of the area fled the place to avoid being caught in the mayhem. It was gathered that in the process, three other persons sustained gunshot injuries and were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba for treatment. It was gathered that the killer policeman had in the past issued several warnings to the landlady, popularly called Iya Basira, to desist from harbouring his wife and children in her house whenever they had any misunderstanding and she moved out of his house. But the landlady who lived at 67, Ifelodun Street, Akingbala area, was said to have turned deaf ears to the warnings, preferring to shelter the policeman's wife and two children. An eye witness who pleaded anonymity said that the furious policeman stormed the landlady's place at about 7:02 am and immediately shot his wife, the commercial motorcycle rider simply identified as Kunle and other four members of the family
including a two-year-old girl, who was sleeping, to death. Ogunbiyi, according to findings, who had laid ambush for his victims in a nearby bush was said to have emerged from nowhere with his rifle, killing the commercial motorcycle rider who was about to pick the wife, already dressed for work, and their two children who were said to be in their school uniforms, in front of the house. CP visits scene; orders forensic investigation He then reportedly proceeded to the landlady's six-room uncompleted building where he also killed the woman who was said to be sleeping. It was gathered that Ogunbiyi also shot dead a daughter of the landlady, Basira, and her twoyear-old daughter, Jesutofunmi as well as the landlady's two sons, Taofeek, a Senior Secondary School II student of Nawar-uDeen Grammar School, Obantoko and his elder brother, Sikiru. The state Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, was said to have visited the scene of the shooting incident to assess the situation. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement said that Ogunbiyi and his wife had been having domestic conflicts before the shooting incident. Adejobi, however, said the command had already commenced a thorough forensic investigation into the deaths, adding that the command would also ensure justice is done in the matter. He said, “the Ogun State Police Command has deemed it necessary to react to the killing of six persons by a police Corporal, Sunkanmi Ogunbiyi, attached to the Ogun State Police Command. “The unfortunate incident
occurred this morning, Thursday, March 27, 2014 at 0758hrs when the said corporal, who had been having domestic conflicts with his wife, shot and killed six persons, with his rifle, including his wife, Woman Corporal Oluwatosin Faremi, the landlady, a two-yearold baby girl and two males and one female, while another three persons sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Idi Aba, Abeokuta. The said corporal, having killed these persons, shot himself dead immediately. “The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State, CP Ikemefuna Okoye, has described the incident as unfortunate, and has visited the scene with other senior police officers in the command to assess the situation and sympathize with relations of the deceased and members of the Akingbala Ifelodun Estate, Eleweran Area, Abeokuta, where the incident took place. “The command has, therefore, commenced thorough forensic investigation into the killing and promised to make sure justice is done in the matter. The Commissioner of Police, however, appeals to the general public to perceive the incident as one of the unfortunate social mishaps and not to judge the Police with the incident, as the Police is committed to protection of lives and property and will not tolerate any act capable of trampling on fundamental human rights of the citizens of Ogun State.”
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e would mutter: “It is time to go home. I am fulfilled now.” The first time I heard it, I thought he was having a bad dream, so I woke him up. When he was fully awake, I told him what he said and he told me he couldn't remember anything and asked me to forget about those silly words. But when it persisted, I became worried and I told Grace, and as usual, she told me I worry too much and advised me not to disturb myself. It was even worse because we did not attend any church so there was no pastor to talk to. After a while he stopped. “Mark, what do you mean by what you are saying?” He told me not to worry myself. Six months after I had Alice, Felix opened a big boutique for me as my birthday gift, which he stocked to the brim. This made me really excited. I had to shuttle between the boutique and home to make sure my children were alright. One day while at the boutique with my staff, taking stock, two beautiful women walked in. Immediately, I recognised one of them as Beatrice, my secondary school friend. “You are Beatrice right?” I asked. “Yes, I am. Hey, Linda, quite a long time. Do you own this place?” She asked. We hugged each other and decided to catch up on old times. I invited her over to the house and she accepted to
Event & personalities VON Schools move to redeem Igbo language and culture Continued from page 17 understand those articles. The parents are not helping matters, most of the children have not visited their various villages for a long time and it is in the villages that we see those things. In that case, I go extra mile in providing those topical items in the school", she said. Mr. Patrick Aneke, principal of the school told The Advocate that the celebration had made the school very unique as other schools would now follow the pace. "The school is unique because the director is focused on human development programmes that will benefit our children. We have systems of beliefs, knowledge, values, and traditions. Students need to understand multiple perspectives that derive from different cultural vantage points", he said. Chinedum Ofomata, a veteran Igbo icon said one of measures to preserve, promote and inculcate Igbo language and values on the younger generation was to make it a compulsory subject in both primary
and secondary schools. He lauded the effort of VON schools in preserving and inculcating the Igbo language and culture in the students. He advised Igbo parents to look inward and teach their children Igbo language, as nobody would do that for them. " Va r i o u s s t a t e governments should also establish Igbo cultural centres throughout Igboland and in diaspora and the teaching of Igbo language and morals" the Ohanaeze should also make Igbo an official language of communication in all gatherings", he said. VON is the acronym of Virginia Okwusara Nwaneri, the proprietor of the school. The school which started as a play pen at the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus in 1970 now runs Nursery, Primary and Secondary schools. "In the past 43 years the school has been growing gradually from one level to the other. For more than 25 years we operated in a rented site before we moved to the permanent location. In fact, it has been a gradual but successful movement" said Uzoaga.
visit on Saturday as she couldn't wait to meet my husband and children. Immediately I got home, Felix told me he would be travelling to Abuja on Saturday aboard the 10 a.m. flight on an official assignment; however he would be back on Tuesday. “Sweetheart, I wanted you to meet a friend of mine who would be visiting us on Saturday. Anyway, no problem
I am sure you will meet her another time,” I said. “Yes dear, this trip is an emergency. Please help me pack my travelling bag,” Felix pleaded. On Saturday morning, before leaving for the airport, Felix said, “Linda, I love you and the children very much. You are the only family I have in life. Please take care of yourself and the children until I return from my trip.” He gave me a hug and a kiss. He also hugged the kids. He told me he would pick a cab to the airport, which sounded strange because I always dropped him off at the airport whenever he was travelling. “I will see you and the kids on Tuesday my love,” he said and waved goodbye. Since Beatrice was coming, I hurriedly prepared chicken stew and rice. At exactly 1.15 p.m., she arrived. I was so delighted to see her. The children greeted her and she gave them all the beautiful gifts she had bought for them. However, I noticed that she kept staring at our wedding picture on the wall. “Why do you keep staring at my wedding picture? Anyway, that is Felix my husband. He travelled to Abuja this morning.” Suddenly, the glass cup dropped from her hand. “What is the matter Beatrice?” I questioned. “Did you say he is your husband? What did you call his name again,” she asked. “Felix,” I replied. “But this is Raymond. We are from the same village and our houses are not far from each other,” she revealed shivering. “Why are you shivering Beatrice?” I asked. “Raymond died about six years ago in a car accident. I attended his funeral. His parents live in the village,” she revealed. She asked me where he said he was from, and I told her what he told me. “My friend, you have been living with a ghost,” she said.
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Nkanu West PDP endorses Nwobodo for Senate
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he leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nkanu West local government area of Enugu State has passed a vote of confidence on Chief Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo and also unanimously endorsed her as its sole candidate for the Enugu East Senatorial seat in the 2015 general election. The motion for the adoption of Mrs. Nwobodo for the Enugu East Senatorial District seat come 2015 general election was moved by Hon Iloabuchi Aniagu, Member Representing the local government in the State House of Assembly and seconded by Mrs. Ndidi Chukwu, the State Commissioner for Gender Affairs. Speaking shortly before moving the motion during the meeting of the party stakeholders, at Agbani, Mr. Aniagu described Mrs. Nwobodo as a selfless leader who used her position to contribute immeasurably to the development of Nkanu land in particular and Enugu State in general. The Honourable Member noted that Mrs. Nwobodo is a very marketable commodity, a caring mother and woman of substance, adding that if given the mandate come 2015 general election, she would do more to the people of the zone far better than those who were there in the senate before her. Also speaking while seconding the motion, the Commissioner for Gender Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Chukwu thanked Mrs. Nwobodo for her special concern for the socio-political wellbeing of the people of Enugu East Senatorial zone and Nkanu land in particular. She described Mrs. Nwobodo as an apostle of justice, equity and fair play with an unquenchable thirst and hunger to serve, to help people and to excel no matter how insurmountable a task may seem. According to her, Mrs. Nwobodo has contributed in no small way in the positive transformation and up
liftment of Nkanu West Local Government Area and its people and will do more for the people if elected Senator to represent Enugu East Senatorial zone come 2015. Also in their separate speeches, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development and Community Relations, Mr. Dons Ude and the Chairman ALGON Enugu State Chapter, Prince Cornelus Nnaji added their voice in support of the motion and described Mrs. Nwobodo as a very efficient, trust worthy, honest achiever who had excelled in her field of endeavour. Prince Nnaji who spoke on behalf of the Chairmen of the six local government areas of the zone who were present at the meeting recounted the achievements of Mrs. Nwobodo, especially in human capital development, women empowerment and management of man and materials. The State ALGON Chairman who is also the Chairman of Enugu East local government appealed to the stakeholders to go home and mobilize their people and ensure their total support for Mrs.
the council area. Mr. N n a j i explained modalities for the party meetings and registration of new members and appealed to them to abide by them to avoid anti p a r t y activities. He explained that party members must a t t e n d meetings in their wards and also channel all their activities Mrs. Nwobodo to the wards. I n h i s Nwobodo and the party during the welcome address, the Chairman 2015 general election. of Nkanu West local government In an opening remarks before the council, Mr. Afam Okereke stakeholders meeting, the PDP t h a n k e d s t a k e h o l d e r s f o r Chairman for Nkanu West local endorsing Mrs. Nwobodo as the government council Chairman party's Senatorial Candidate for Mr. Vincent Ani Nnaji spoke in the Enugu East Senatorial zone favour of the candidature of Mrs. come 2015 general election. Nwobodo and told the people that He noted that Mrs. Nwobodo is the party released a total of 12,500 most qualified for the Senatorial membership cards for the seat going by her good works registration of new members in pedigree and antecedents and
therefore appealed to her to answer the call by her people and accept the endorsement. Mr. Okereke described the endorsement as a wise decision and pledged the total support of all the chairmen of the six local government councils that makeup the zone to this noble course. He described PDP as one family in Nkanu West local government area and promised to continue to carry the stakeholders along in the scheme of things. In her brief remarks, the Nkanu West local government council PDP candidate for Enugu East Senatorial District, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo thanked the stakeholders for the honour done her and said “I am highly honoured and humbled by your kind words and reactions, we will continue to do our best to render services to our people.” Mrs. Nwobodo specifically thanked the six council chairmen from the zone for their special interest in the Senatorial seat project and said that she will hand over the entire programme to God who will take absolute control and direct the affairs as they unfold. PDP stakeholders from all the political wards in Nkanu West local government council as well as top government officials and appointees attended the meeting.
In Hiroshima, Ekweremadu Tasks World Leaders on Peace …Urges ECOWAS Ambassadors to Attract Development Support from Japan
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IROSHIMA, JAPAN- The Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has called on world leaders to show more commitment and concerted efforts towards sustainable global peace. The call was made during a tour of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Park, where he also met with one of the survivors of the Atomic Bomb dropped in Hiroshima during the World War II, Mrs. Keiko Ogura. Accompanied by the Ambassador
of Nigeria to Japan, Hon. Godwin Agbo, Senator Ekweremadu said that the Hiroshima disaster remained one sad experience that should steer mankind away from the part of senseless development of war armaments. He observed that global peace was not the absence of disputation within or among nations, but the commitment to resolve issues by means of dialogue rather than aggression and armed conflicts, since at the end of the day the even the warring nations or groups
would still end up at the dialogue table. “It does not pay to have crises, as the best thing that can happen to mankind is to have peace and to live in peace with one another”, he said. Senator Ekweremadu said, “It is our prayer that this kind of tragic incident would never happen again in our lifetime and even after. I believe that we all as world leaders need to ensure that there is peace everywhere in the world. We must end all armed conflicts immediately and pursue peace with everything
that we have in our homes, in our communities, in our countries, our continents, and indeed globally”. He commended Japan and those who lived to tell the story of the Atomic Bomb disaster for directing their individual and national energies towards global peace and development rather than cave in to bitterness, self-pity, and the acquisition of weapons of mass destruction. Highpoint of the visit was the laying of wreath by the Deputy President of the Senate in memory of the victims of the Atomic Bomb.
Community urges Chime to remove, prosecute Igwe Meniru
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he people Egwu Achi community in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State has appealed to Governor Sullivan Chime to remove and possibly prosecute their traditional ruler Igwe Victor Meniru over alleged impersonation and vandalization of property belonging to the community. The people who stated this during a peaceful demonstration to the
Government House Enugu today, said the traditional was not elected by them but was rather imposed on them by some undesirable elements in the community. Speaking on behalf of the people of the community, President of the town Union, Mr Okechukwu Onwuka alleged that he ( the traditional ruler) who assumed the title, Igwe Meniru had unleashed a reign of terror on the community using hoodlums and thugs to
intimidate anyone who dared to oppose him. Onwuka said the traditional ruler who is based in Abuja, used the same hoodlums to vandalize public property at Egwu Achi in order to punish the people for their refusal to accept him as their ruler. Mr. Onwuka said that 'Igwe' Meniru comes to the Community sparingly and unleashes mayhem on the people and locks up some of his perceived enemies.
He lamented that the two 500KVA transformers provided to the Community by the State Government was seized by the Igwe who claimed that they were attracted by a politician in the area. The town Union President appealed to the governor of Enugu state to investigate the activities of the self made Igwe with a view to withdrawing his certificate of recognition which was erroneously given to him. Responding on behalf of Governor Sullivan Chime, the State Commissioner for Human
Capital Development and Poverty Allocation, Mr. Godwin Ogenyi urged the people to remain law abiding and employ dialogue in dealing with their grievances. The Governor assured the people of the readiness of his administration to provide security and ensure peaceful existence among the people of the state. He added that development can thrive in an atmosphere of peace and security assuring them that government would look into their grievances, with a view to resolving their problems amicably.
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March 31 - April 5, 2014
Governor Chime has transformed Enugu State – Ezeata Engr. Benjamin Ezeata Goodnews is a registered member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu State. He is a trained Engineer and a native of Ugbene Ajima, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State . In this exclusive interview with The Advocate, Ezeata who is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Becnl Group Engineering Limited, bares his mind on political and development issues especially as it relates to his home-state, Enugu as well as the transformation programme of Governor Sullivan Chime. Excerpts By Chuks Anayo Okolo Can we meet you? My names are Engr. Benjamin Ezeata Goodnews. I hail from Ugbene Ajima, Uzo-Uwani L.G of Enugu State. I am a graduate of Engineering ESUTECH.
What do you do for a living? I am an Engineer by profession and superintend over BECNL GROUP NIGERIA LIMITED, a construction, oil, gas etc engineering company.
Which area of Engineering are you specialized? We a r e i n t o C o n s t r u c t i o n Engineering, Equipments Leasing, Marine, Oil and Gas services. We are into Road, Structural, Facilities and Oil servicing Engineering.
Are there known Roads/Buildings etc which you have handled in the country? Of course, we have done so many roads/oil and gas projects in Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers and Imo States etc. In Bayelsa we were voted and given an Award for professional Excellence. That is to show that our good works speaks for itself. Engr. Benjamin Ezeata We give quality service. We deliver to time and specifications. who have met me that I have left those who supported Barr. Dr. Sullivan Iheanacho Chime, from a This is so because we design, plan unassisted. distance. I have informally, met quantify and execute. We begin Are you a politician? If I say no, I will be naïve and will him face to face just once. He does from 1st to the last. be regarded as insincere, if I say not even know where and how. How far have you been able yes, I may be misunderstood. The And that was before he was to touch the lives of people fact is that politics is played at all nominated the candidate of PDP in around you, this is in view levels of life. From the micro 2007. The impression I made of of the fact that as Chief platform of your family kindred, him then propelled me to give my Executive Officer/MD of ward, and to national, you are support to him. I was shuttling m a j o r c o n s t r u c t i o n playing politics. Even, in the between Bayelsa and Enugu to join his campaign train. I was there company, you must have church to which you belong. (at my ward and LG-Uzo-Uwani) Again, there is no how your made money out of your friends and brothers will be in to vote and work for his election. I effort? politics that you will not be did it without him knowing what I Actually, it is not for me to speak, involved in one way or the other. did. but those who have benefited from For instance, the jobs I am doing, I What was that impression me both in cash and in kind. You do it because some of my friends that made you believe in can go to my town, my church, the who are in politics feel that I can Enugu State indigenes in Bayelsa. do some of the jobs we bring in the him? It's because of my relationship expatriate to do here. So, I need to The first impression was that I saw with my environment that made interact with them, key into their him as a gentleman, a man of his principles? This is a man, when he them elect me for the 2nd tenure as aspirations and activities. In that is convinced about a course, he the President General of Enugu case, you are directly or, indirectly will pursue it until that course is State indigenes in Beyelsa State. I involved. As a matter of fact, I achieved. In pursuing that course, have championed their causes, registered as a PDP card carrying even if the entire world is opposed collectively and individually. Also member and attend meetings and to it, he does not stop. At the end of have touched their lives in functions when the need arises. the day, he will be vindicated. For different ways. I cannot mention How will you asses or rate instance, when he came into them one after another, but no Governor Sullivan Chime? power, he vowed to transform indigenes of Enugu State I know I must tell you that I was one of Enugu into “Obodo Oyibo” in
Nigeria. Many people never believed him. He started by assembling some of the best brains both at home and in diaspora. Many people criticized him for abandoning the politicians who worked for him and picked the returnees /strangers to take over positions. Today, the difference is clear! Not only has he delivered on his promises but has surpassed it by transforming Enugu State into one of the best cities we see in America or UK. To accomplish this he is assumed to have stepped on toes by demolishing illegal structures. This action elicited uncontrollable condemnations. As if heaven was going to fall, yet he was undaunted. Today even the detractors agreed that Sullivan is working. This is a man who knows where he was coming from and where he is going. If he has been listening to criticisms and cynicisms, we may still be where we were twenty years ago.
Are you saying that Sullivan has done well? Absolutely well! I gave him 85 to 90% score.
In what specific areas will you say he has done well? Enugu State is about the most secure state in the country. A state where you can go to sleep with your two eyes closed. Night life is booming. Tourism and Hospitality business is booming as a result. Enugu State is amongst the best in Roads and other infrastructure. Many communities have been opened up in terms of road networks. My own community and L.G is connected to other communities and local governments, thanks to His Excellency Bar. Dr. Sullivan Iheanacho Chime. As I talk to you now he does not know me. But I do not need to be a member of his cabinet or his 5&6 for me to appreciate a man who has exhibited tremendous political will and courage to do so many link roads in Enugu State, by extension, other bold and legacy projects. Even the blind could see them. As a construction / structural engineer, I know what 10klm roads could take, or some housing projects scattered across the state. Again, Sullivan provided the enabling environment for investors to come into Enugu. The Akanu Ibiam International Airport, the Innoson technical Industries Company, and other sactorial investments; the Shoprite Complex is a tourist attraction; virtually all the commercial banks have more than three or four branches in Enugu State. There is peace in Enugu. Understand that it was in this regime that greater autonomy was given to so many communities in Enugu State. And each of these communities has their traditional
rulers in places. Yet, there is no major crises or bickering in most of these communities. Selection of traditional rulers has been democratically done, as can be attested by very few court cases in that line. In a great stride His Excellency Bar. Sullivan Chime has virtually electrified more than 80% of the communities in Enugu State. About 10 years ago, electricity was a luxury to the people in the rural communities, but now, you can drink cold beer or water, even in the remotest parts of Enugu State. With this kind of facilities, life in the rural communities have been given a meaning. Rural to urban Migration has been reduced drastically. Now many people who were hitherto doing their business in the urban for reason of lack of electricity like the panel beaters, electricians, etc have relocated to their communities where they don't pay house rent or rent for workshop. Some civil servants now go to work from their villages on daily basis. This is because that attraction, in the city has been transferred to his door step. It's as result of one man's vision, drive, will and courage. Yet detractors call him names. What I read on papers about him baffle me because, I know that right now virtually all the streets and houses in the capital city have been repiped for water supply. I have some of my close friends who are members of his cabinet at one time or the other. One of the former commissioners in Chime's cabinet narrated the shock that took greater part of them when they went on supervision with him in some of the roads/facilities in the state. As they got to a point and he stopped to measure the dimensions of the road only to discover that it fell short of the specification, he invited the contractor through the commissioner for works. When the contractor arrived he did not even recognize the contractor until he the contractor was introduced to him. So he (Chime) asked him (the Contractor) whether he saw him when the contract was awarded to him or whether he was ask to give any gratification or bribe before he was given the contract. The contractor replied no, he now called for the contract papers and it was ascertained that the job done fell short of specification on the papers. There and then he revoked the contract and sacked the commissioner and ordered the contractor to go back and re-do the work to the specification. Failing which he will deal with him. This shows a man that is not corrupt contrary to opinions in some quarters. To have given his commissioners free hand to do their work is a testimony. The shock was that Governor does not even know who the contractors are. That was the extent to which
Continues on page 21
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Governor Chime has transformed Enugu State – Ezeata earlier?
Continued from page 20 he gave free hand to his team to award contract and supervise it is execution. In another bold step and foresightedness, his Excellency started the reconstruction of the famous Enugu State secretariat complex. And this attracted horrendous criticisms from diverse quarters. Yet, this is a man who wants to restore the dignity and prestige of the state civil servants through motivation anchord on job enrichment and enlargement. As a manager of human and material resource, His Excellency understands that when you create a good and conducive working environment, the workforce is bound to be motivated as follows:- (1) H e (the worker) is motivated because he will now be proud that instead of a dilapidated (leaking roof and so on) office he is now workng in an office fully equipped with airconditioners, good seats, office furniture and prestige. (2) He will be willing to stay in the office and work rather than loiter around and gossip under the mango tree. (3) He is proud to be addressed as a civil servant because he is proud of his work environment. (4) He will now dress corporately to office and be proud to receive visitors in his office. So, Sullivan Chime, by this project wants to improve productivity of the state workforce by touching the environment of his work. Again, it is an architectural master piece which also builds on the corporate image of the state. The project is not only monumental but is also a legacy. Our children and children, children will live to say indeed, this man left this for us. If he is listening to criticisms and opposition, he may not have achieved this landmark.
What is your advice to him for the remaining part of his tenure. My advice is that he should remain focused and steadfast. He should not allow himself to be distracted from the work he is doing.
The political climate does not seem to be favouring him given the coming together of his estranged political colleagues including Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, Senator Ike Ekweremmadu (DSP) and National Assembly members? Much as I am not holding brief for him, Bar. Sullivan is a man of few words; he has fought many
I am not just an admirer, but a strong supporter of his causes, his aspirations and activities.
political battles in eight years of his administration, and he has not lost any and he is certainly not going to lose this one. What is happening in Enugu is what is happening at Abuja the seat of power.
What makes you feel so? Many people feel that Jonathan came into governance by accident. No! no!! no!!! Goodluck Jonathan came as a gift to Nigerian nation a gift from Above. As you can see, he is focused, he is a man of few words, refused to be distracted because he knows where he is going. Please let us support his transformation agenda. He is on course. If Nigeria misses this opportunity this time, I am afraid, it may be difficult to get it right again.
So, you support or applaud him (Chime) for declaring Nsukka, the zones to produce his successors? What he has done is reason why people like us will always see him as a man from the moon. Inspite of pressure and threats from different quarters, he remains resolute in his determination to make good his promise. I salute this rare courage. It was reading in the papers that his people of Udi/Enugu West accuse him of neglect. Yet he has done so much for other zones. So even if he failed to meet what may have been the expectation of his people of Udi/Enugu West, anybody who will succeed him from Nsukka Zone, should take it as a
Engr. Benjamin Ezeata challenge to touch the base of His Excellency in such a way that the people will say “after all, he did not make a mistake”.
It's like you admire President Goodluck Jonathan by reason of your passing comment
There is the insinuation that it is the Chief of Staff, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo, that is de-facto Governor of Enugu State. What is your view? As I talk to you now, I only see the Chief of staff on TV. I don't think I have met her face to face. But whatever insinuations there is,
the fact remains that Governor Sullivan Chime has moved Enugu State to the next level, and she is part of that success story. I believed that there are special qualities which the Governor saw in her that made him appoint her Chief of staff. If she is not effective and efficient in that office, the Governor would have shown her the way out. From my investigation, her only sin is that she is hardworking; I also understand that she guides the administration on the part of prudence. And in our society, if you are not extravagant with spending (especially government) money, you become a bad person. You will be called names. I also know that she has declared her ambition to go to the senate. This is an area that certain people feel is exclusive to men. All these combine to bring her person to work of across purposes with many people in the state. One thing is clear, if you are idle and doing nothing, nobody will see you or criticize you. But if you are being criticized and vilified, just know that you are working hard. She is facing the same problem Dr. Okonjo Iwuala and Dezani Allison Madueke are facing at the federal level. So, there is nothing new or strange about such situation. My information has it that she has used her good offices to empower so many youths and the down trodden. Some, she has helped to become LG chairmen, who ordinarily may not have smelt such positions. Thank you.
Obiano's emergence, an act of God – Chief Dan Okpoko
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he emergence of Chief Willy Obiano as the successor of former Governor Peter Obi has been described as an act of God. T h e n a t i o n a l c o o r d i n a t o r, Concerned Citizens Group, CCG, Anambra State, Chief Dan Okpoko made the statement in Awka while speaking to the press shortly after the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Willy Obiano as Anambra state governor. Chief Okpoko noted that in every election, there must be a winner and a loser and “therefore politicians should exercise restraint and not create the impression as people who are desperate for power.” He therefore called on politicians to learn to accept defeat after elections so as not to overheat the polity and curb the inherent marathon petitions that tend to derail the focus of government of the day. According to him, “it portends grave danger for politicians to
have no recourse to the rules of the game. It is unfortunate that those who are clamouring to earn peoples franchise for the purpose of leadership will after all have no regards for the verdict of the masses.” The architect, social commentator and civil society activist maintained that election is a constitutional exercise by the people for the purpose of electing such personalities that will manage the resources of the governed e ff e c t i v e l y, a d d i n g t h a t Anambra election was free, fair and credible. Arc. Okpoko argued that no other party was better favoured to win the election other than the ruling party, APGA which Chief Willy Obiano flew their flag. In his words, “APGA was favoured by the structure on ground, by the opinion poll, and even by the power of incumbency. The party had good time for their
Chief Dan Okpoko campaigns, had good partnership concepts to woo the electorates to their side, as well as goodwill that accrued from the infrastructural development that the
administration of former governor Obi bequeathed to the people as seen in all the nooks and crannies of Anambra State.” While he noted that as no single tree can make a forest, he enjoined Anambrarians to give maximum support to the leadership they had chosen in order to ensure peace, harmony and development in the state. Okpoko congratulated Chief Obiano for his victory at the polls, urging him to remain focused inorder to improve on the legacies left by his predecessor. “Chief Obiano needs not only the support but also the full cooperation and prayers of the people in his onerous task of steering the ship of state to a socioeconomically safe and peaceful shore”, he concluded.
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March 31 - April 5, 2014
Wage fraud rocks Fed Poly Oko As staff schools going extinct, students read under tree, jam packed classrooms Staff owed 19 months' salary arrears, under paid for 13 years under hard labour They are independent, says Management 10 widows lament their plight We are not independent, we are staff of Polytechnic as our letters stated Rex Arum, & Onah O. Onah
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taffers of Federal Polytechnic, Oko staff schools, Nursery/Primary and secondary schools are walking dead. They have many reasons to curse the management of Federal Polytechnic Oko for insensitivity and gross neglect. They have endured for long until the bubble bust at last recently upon which they have petitioned the Presidency and all that mattered for intervention. The school was opened around September, 2002 after an internal and external advert in the National Dailies with ref no FPO/RG/02/Vol.111/140. The vacancy advertisement was for the two schools and salary structure in the advert was HATTIS 6, 7, 8, and 9 as endorsed by the then Acting Registrar, Chief A.N Nkwonta, who is now the President general of IsuAniocha community in Awka North local government area. But that was the beginning of their numerous problems as after resumption as the staff of the schools were owed salary of 19 months without reasons. The salaries were still owed till date as many resigned to fate and others left after 19 months working without salary. So many others died on the process due to hunger and deprivation although as proud staffers of Federal Polytechnic, Oko. The travails of these worker could no longer survive suppression following an alarm to the management through a newspaper publication opening up the fact that they owed from July 2013 to October, 2013, being only four month arrears of salary. They had written the Management to no avail. They protested twice to the management yet nothing happened until the publication. Although they were eventually paid the four months, yet their problem was far from being solved.
Save our souls The staff of the schools suddenly realized that praying, fasting and going into their cocoon would not be of any help to them and they raised an alarm. ''We ,the under listed staff off Federal Polytechnic Oko, working at the staff schools have suffered untold marginalization
with respect to payment of our salaries and every other condition of service since our employment .We have been reporting, complaining and crying out to the polytechnic management over our plight to no avail. The condition worsens by the day, which adversely affects our lives and families. We, once again, implore you to use your good offices to immediately correct these marginalized and anomalies in our previous and subsequent pay packages for the following reasons: ''We are confirmed staff of Federal Polytechnic Oko (confirmed l e t t e r s enclosed). Our respective ID cards issued to u s o n employment, with our staff reference numbers, confirm our employment status (copies enclosed). In 2006, we took part in the E-Registration exercise for Public Sector Employees registered with a Pension Fund Administrators ( P FA ) . We receive our p e n s i o n a c c o u n t updates as every other public sectors employee, to date. The p e n s i o n Administrators , over the years, are evidence of our true pay package from F e d e r a l Government, which gets lost in transits and so does not get to us (photocopies attached). These alerts and letters come even in those blue days we stay for 3 to 4 months at a stretch without even the little we are given as salaries (E.g. February-April, AugustNovember 2010, July-Oct.2013 experiences). ''Some of us were involved in 2003 staff Audit exercise. All of us were involved in 2006 and 2010
staff Audit exercise .All of us were involved in 2012 assets declaration exercise for Public Officers, and we were all fully involved in the recent Federal Polytechnic Oko Staff Biometric Data Capture 2012, and numbered like every other staff (photocopies attached). Some of our fellow staff members (precisely 6 of them)working under the same roof, doing the same job in the staff schools receive all their pays and entitlements , under our nose ,while we walk and work hungrily before them, thereby increasing our psychological torture. We cannot continue to cry from
paid, as portrayed in our pension letters; including other attendant conditions of service.” ''That we be given our 2012 promotion, with its accruing arrears; and subsequent promotion as and when due, as every other staff. That the difference between what we are being given as salary and the pay package our pension letters portray all these years, be given to us. That we be treated with respect and dignity as every other human being employed by the polytechnic; as these inhuman treatments has sapped many of us psychologically. That we be placed in an enabling w o r k i n g environment structurally, as hitherto we have been working in dilapidating buildings with caving-in roofs, in large contrast with all other structures in the polytechnic. This situation has lingered for years, and is increasingly becoming unbearable.
Appeal
Prof. Godwin Onu one management office to the other (as was the case these last months) before we are given the little we receive as pay. The above facts left us in gross and embarrassing confusion over what is happening to our salaries in Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State, all these years. They had earlier made some earnest demands including , “that we be given our due placement and our salaries henceforth be
The staff made appeal to those t h e y complained to including President Goodluck Jonathan, S e n a t e President David Mark, Speaker of House of Representative s, Alhaji Aminu Ta m b u w a l ; M i n i s t e r f o r Education , Nyesom Wike , Governing council of the Institution and other relevant supervisory bodies of Polytechnic Education. Their appeal went thus,'' We use this medium to solicit for your kind intervention into our employment and salary dilemma in Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State. We were all employed between
2002 and 2005. We were employed, confirmed and numbered into the Federal Polytechnic Oko work force (as seen in the enclosed staff list and Staff Bio Data). We do not understand why our salaries, all these years, will only reflect in our pension letters, even to date, while we do not receive such salary in cash. We are sons and daughters of Nigeria. We do not have any other country to belong to. Please, for God's sake, kindly use your good offices to come to our rescue, and help us out of this embarrassing and humiliating dilemma and injustice done to us in our father land. The letter by over 50 staff of the P o l y t e c h n i c S t a ff s c h o o l s comprising of three schools were written on their behalf by Mr. Agwu S.C with phone number 08063761322; Mrs. Nwako G.I 07035808878; Mrs. Obi ,A.I 08037371914; Mr Ehichanya E with phone number 08026210977; and Mr. Arinze Ken 08027146905. This pathetic save our soul letter by the three schools dated 20/11/2013 were sent to Head of Service of the Federation , Minister for Education , Rector and Governing Council chairman of the Institution and other Polytechnic supervisory bodies as well as Trade Unions. They lamented that the former Bursar, Mr. Joseph Obi, a chartered Accountant was contributory to the humiliation and deprivation of their rights for 13 years having defied orders of Prof Uba Nwuba , then Rector who was worried on the disparity in salaries of the Staff school with Non Academic staff of the Polytechnic, insisting they would only earn what is due them when he is dead. “I was there and Prof Nwuba asked that our names be included in the main list of the Polytechnic”, one of them stated. The Rector, Prof Nwuba in a response demanded that he be invited to the next PTA meeting. But Obi's cousin, Mrs Tina Nwafor employed the same period with others enjoyed her full salary. She is now back to the Polytechnic. Also enjoying their salary while others starve are Ezoke Nkem and Mrs Oge Nwuba , relative to then Rector. Efforts to get the former Bursar, Mr Obi to react to his involvement
Continues on page 23
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March 31 - April 5, 2014
‘We are not independent, we are staff of Polytechnic as our letters stated’ Continued from page 22 in the dirty deal was unsuccessful but the school management reacted, however.
The four months arrears that sparked off the investigation The staff had written to Prof Godwin Onu through the Acting Principal , Mr S.C Awgu dated 26th September, 2013 entitled ''Your Staff School in Distress''. The staff referred the Rector to letters they have written 26th August and 13th September, 2013 stating that their problems have been compounded as they resumed on 16th October, 2013.
The letter read thus , ''We have not been paid since July 2013 and the staff insist on being paid with the new salary structure which prepared schedule has been waiting for approval since October 2012 as we are yet to receive the subvention for last academic session. '' we urgently need a re-roof of one of the classrooms which caved in and leaks very badly as we cannot accommodate our new intakes without it. We need extra classrooms. We seek your approval to collect Lab equipment from Ufuma 'campus of the Polytechnic'. We need fund for running of the schools. ''We need some stationeries which are not available in the schools store such as Black Board chalk , Stencil, Ink , ribbons and sports etc. We need computer system for the schools. The above are problems that demand urgent attention. Please sir, come to our aid. Yet there was no response from the management. The Principal was unrelenting as he wrote another letter for release of their subvention dated 26th August 2013, reminding Prof Onu led management that he had written on 12th January 2013 for the release of the subvention to no effect reminding that it was a long slog through the last academic session without the subvention yet the schools were unable to pay salaries. ''The school have run out of every material necessary for running the schools as it stands…….''. Why then should those still owed 19 months not enjoy the labour of their hands while alive and those who have died have their next of kins paid with apologies. The condition of service of the staff school is frustrating and nobody cares as immediately after they were employed, the HATTIS scale was thrown away and they are now using Grade
level salary scale not in accordance with the rule of engagement. For that reason they rejected their Cheques but rather than amend the cheques to reflect the rule of engagement, they stopped paying them until after 19 months and instead asked all of them to resign. Yet, the workers persisted and have been down with hunger and unpaid bills, they were paid that 20th month with Grade level and they accepted it without anybody giving them explanation about the 19 months arrears. They lamented that grade level was far lower to the rule of engagement. It was Dr Yusuf Awodi , then Acting Rector that exposed their wickedness against us as he informed us that our salary comes from the same source with the other Polytechnic staff and we should be taking home same salary structure with Polytechnic Non Academic staff but the other Rectors and management allegedly embezzled their 19 months' salary arrears and shortchanged them for 13 years. In confirmation of the deceit, on August 15th, 2013 the staff of the Polytechnic staff schools, Nursery/Primary and Secondary got alerts from First Generation Pension Fund that their salary has entered and they have taken their cut. That was when they wondered why the management of the Polytechnic have been deceiving them in the past 13 years and have been doing business with their monies starving their families and threatening and intimidating them. A staff who will not want to be mentioned alleged that there was a grand design by the Former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to ensure the staff school never existed as it would be a challenge to the popular Gaius Benton Memorial schools near the Polytechnic owned and managed by the wife of the former Vice President but another staff wished it away. The staff insisted that although the Gaius schools are doing great and the staff schools going down with lamentation, it has nothing to do with the former Vice President. Founder of the Polytechnic staff school, Dr U.C Nzewi today is an unhappy man as his dream has refused to grow. The baby continued to crawl 13 years after. During the first ever Ekwueme lecture series in 2011 founded by the incumbent Rector, Prof Godwin Onu , a philanthropist from Umunze, Orumba South local government area , Chief Jona Eze, a multi billionaire gave the Institution N20 Million naira to put an end to the lamentation of a permanent structure for the Polytechnic staff schools at the
Permanent site of the Polytechnic, yet the Nursery/Primary is still operating in an environment best described as an 'eye sore' and the Secondary school in a precarious situation. A concerned staff said, ''The money till today we don't know what happened to it aside the numerous intimidation, harassment and suppression of staff. We have nothing to boost of as parents daily withdraw their wards because of lack of amenities and it is not funny at all''. ''There is no laboratory here, no facilities for practical even the Entrepreneur classes we could not introduce with WAEC at hand , staff spend their own money in the Polytechnic Laboratory to do practical because they demand money from us. That is why in JSS 1 and SSS 1, we would have many students intake but before their JSS 3 and SSS 3, they would desert the school having discovered its emptiness.
The Sack At a time we were forced to resign because according to them the school had been handed over to a Consultant, one Mr Mbanefo who addressed us and sacked all of us in both Primary and Secondary section. He gave us our sack letters even when they were owing us 19 months arrears and incomplete salary of 13 years. But because we were hungry and deprived we could not afford a lawyer and we did not even remember the fourth estate of the realm. ''Many of the teachers have resigned but are interested on when they would be paid their 19 months and remnants of the incomplete salary for 13 years. Many others have died and many retired but they still call us to know what the management is doing in that regards. Our teachers and their families were impoverished by ill advised fraudulent management of the Polytechnic and they were using our money for business at the detriment of our families and up till now they have not deemed it fit to correct the wrongs of yester years for their selfish gains. Whereas they in management buy new cars and build new houses every day sending their children to the best of schools. Another concerned staff revealed during investigation ,''Promotions have been denied us since 24th June 2008 till date and all our anticipations for promotion 13 years after in a Federal Polytechnic where we have counterparts in Colleges of Education and Polytechnics as well as Universities enjoying the Federal civil service salary scheme. And those who had promotions at last year was with
notional effect to 2009 and financial benefit from 2012, so it w a s m e s s y. T h e y e n j o y promotion as at when due why can't us. And we have no other financial benefits. We have continued in the same salary structure till date. There has never been anything like increment in salary structure. If for example you are taking home N50, 000 in 2002 when the institution started, the person is still taking home the same amount till date. ''Again, we have never had a full fledged Principal but Acting Principals till today in a Federal Government establishment. The first Principal Mr Ebele Ehieheanya acted from 2003 to last year 2012 on acting capacity and when he realized there was no headway and started agitating for the teachers, he was removed unceremoniously for asking about the N20 Million donated by Chief Eze. And Mr Stephen Awgu appointed also in acting capacity but they are regretting appointing the man because the man cannot tolerate their excesses. ''that has been bane of the growth of the school, because from over 600 students in each new term to a little above 200 before you say Jack Robinson. Parents and Guardians withdraw their children and wards without notice having seen they are retrogressing rather than grow academically. We had thought Prof Godwin Onu, would have tackled it in the last four years but nothing was done but now he has been according to the PRO reappointed. The pupils in Nursery/Primary are staying in a gallow of death in a four storey uncompleted building. Our Correspondent was able to obtain files in the Registrar that showed that the staff of the Polytechnic staff school are m e m b e r s o f s t a ff o f t h e Polytechnic as indicated in their letter of confirmation dated August 1, 2005 with Ref Number FPO/SC/ staff file number included and the letter read thus,'' Confirmation of Appointment ----I am directed to inform you that the confirmation of your appointment as a staff of Federal Polytechnic , Oko has been approved with effect from 15/11/2004 . Please accept our congratulations as signed by then D e p u t y R e g i s t r a r, O k e y Mgbemena (JP) for the Registrar. The invitation for interview dated 3rd October, 2002 read thus,'' following your application for a teaching appointment in the Polytechnic Primary/Secondary School , I am pleased to invite you for an interview on Thursday the 10th day October, 2002. The venue is the Polytechnic's Council Chamber, 2nd floor , Administrative Block , (ASO
ROCK) by 10 am . Please endeavour to be there on time and don't forget to bring ORIGINALS of your academic and other credentials. The document was signed by G.H.M Maduekwe Deputy Registrar. It was curious that all the correspondences between the staff and management were written in the Polytechnic letter heads and duly signed by Registrar or the representative yet they have been treated with impunity. After the staff school teachers were sacked, they were recalled shortly after because the staff refused to be intimidated until their arrears of salaries were paid. They are ready to resign but their arrears should be paid. The then management could not vomit the millions they have embezzled and the staff purportedly recalled via this a letter to the consultant that the sacked teachers were no longer sacked and the consultant read it to them. The letter of the withdrawal of their sack dated 10th August, 2010 with reference FPO/P/47/VOL.1/79 and signed by C.A Ilonze Deputy Registrar for the Registrar entitled ,''Appointment of Consultant for the Polytechnic staff schools---a withdrawal read thus--Subsequent to our letter on the above subject matter referenced FPO/P/47/VOL.1/30 dated 2nd August , 2010, I am directed to withdraw the said letter. By this memo, you should count yourself a staff of the Polytechnic staff schools. The protest letter that removed the former Acting Principal, Mr. E. Ehichanya as a Principal without payment of all his arrears of salary and salary cuts was dated 17/02/2011 for and on behalf of the staff entitled 'Re: Polytechnic Staff schools staff welfare. It went thus: Your advertisement of 12th February, 2011 vide the Saturday Sun paper of same date has called for attention to our general problem here in the staff schools. We did plead in our letter of 6th October 2010, subtitled ''Action Sought'' item 2 that we be absorbed into the Polytechnic fold. It is on this note that we are here appealing to your dynamic judgment, tempered with mercy and love, as we see the mentioned advertisement as an opportunity for the Management to absorb us into the main stream of the Polytechnic as we earlier requested. Attached sir, is a list of the staff of the Polytechnic staff schools and such data as we think would help in this exercise. Thank you immensely while we wait for your favourable action''.
Continues on next Edition
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March 31 - April 5, 2014
Ihiala Monarch commended for contribution to peace and security
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Community Leader in Ihiala and member Oluoha in Council, Chief Willy Obikanyi says Traditional Rulers have vital role to play in the maintenance of peace and security in their communities. Chief Obikanyi who is Ichie Nnamuzie remarked that by their position and proximity to the rural dwellers they notice what goes on in the communities, feel the pulse of the people and excise their position as Royal Fathers The Ichie Nnamuzie who was speaking to newsmen at his country home Ihiala noted that it was in recognition of this important role of traditional rulers that governments at all levels took full cognizance of their position and did everything possible to give them maximum support and co-operation. He commended the Traditional Ruler and Oluoha of Ihiala, Igwe Dr. Cosmas Okechukwu for his uncommon courage and commitment to the welfare of Ihiala Community. According to Chief Obikanyi the Oluoha-in-Council toil day and night, working assiduously to ensure peace and progress of
Ihiala even as he maintained that the Oluoha and his Ndichies stop at nothing to achieve this all important objective. While describing peace and security as veritable tool for the socio-economic and political development of any town, state or nation, Chief Obikanyi called on the people of Ihiala particularly the youths to see peace and unity as their watchword. He described Ihiala as a vibrant large and united community with abundant human and material resources including vast arable land conducive for agriculture and
opined that with peace and unity the town will grow socially and economically and assume its rightful position in Anambra State in particular and Nigeria in general. Chief Obikanyi expressed optimism that with peace and mutual understanding among the natives, Ihiala Kingdom will grow and progress the more with the people contributing their quota to meaningful development. He described Nigerian youths as future leaders of tomorrow and urged youths in the town to imbibe those noble attributes of discipline
dedication, resilience and hard work, stressing that with these attributes they would properly utilize their potentials and gain their rightful positions not only in Ihiala but in the country. The Ichie Nnamuzie commended the special adviser to the governor on Chieftaincy and Town Union Matters (CTUM) Dr Sir Godfrey Muotolu for the able manner he has been piloting the affairs of the department and pointed out that the peace and stability prevalent in many communities in the state is partly due to his pragmatic and dynamic leadership and efficient
administrative ability. He lauded the efforts of OluohaIn-Council in Ihiala comprising the Traditional Ruler and members of his cabinate and urged them not to relent in their efforts in working for the progress of Ihiala Community. Chief Obikanyi paid glowing tribute to governor Obi for his untainted patriotism, unbending will to develop the state and his unprecedented support and recognition to Traditional Rulers and expressed the hope that the incoming administration will follow his footsteps.
NSCDC warns Pipeline vandals, Oil bunkerers, others By Christopher Okon, Uyo
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he Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Akwa Ibom State Command has warned illegal private security outfits and organizations to conform to the stipulate standards in the State or face the consequences. The State Commandant of Nigerian Security and Civil
Defence Corps, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Pedro Awili Ideba (JP) stated this while speaking with journalists over the activities of unlicensed security companies and other related issues aimed at employing new strategies for tackling pipelines vandals and bunkering in Uyo. Ideba warned that any person found to be going contrary to the law will face the full weight of the
law adding that the command would not fold their hands and watch perpetrators of such menace go free without bearing the consequences of their actions. He advised private security companies to always embrace the proper direction to avoid embarrassment saying that the command is not witch hunting them rather advising them for proper dealings in their own
interest. The NSCDC Commandant told journalists that through their effort a school principal was arrested while encouraging examination malpractice, thereby frustrating the standard of education in the state. He said that the command is poised to check the issues of pipelines vandals, bunkering and electricity vandalization through training and retraining over 352 personnel to make sure no stone is left unturned in the fight against crime.
Provost FCE (technical) Umunze Gov. Chime and the Politics of Forced Endorsement bags NANS Award Continued from back page
Prof. Josephat Ogbuagu
T
he provost Federal College of Education (technical) Umunze Prof. Josephat Ogbuagu has bagged an Award of Excellence from the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) zone B as the most outstanding Chief
Executive of the year in the South-South and South-East. The Association also designated his college as the fastest growing tertiary institution also in the South-South and South-East. Presenting the award to the provost, the leader of NANS
delegation Comrade Chinonso Obasi commended Prof. Ogbuagu for his monumental transformation of the college particularly in areas of infrastructural provision, attraction of degree awarding status to the college and provision of amenities for the student's welfare. NANS executives also scored the provost highly in terms of transparency, accountability and excellent management of human resources, just as they disclosed that they had earlier paid unscheduled visit to the college and came with the conclusion that the institution stands out as one of the best colleges of education in the country. According to the NANS executives' nomination of Prof. Ogbuagu as the most outstanding Chief Executive of the year was based purely on merit and in recognition of his selfless service to the nation's educational system. In his brief remark the college provost, Prof. Ogbuagu reiterated the commitment of his administration to make the Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze a model in Nigeria just as he described the award as catalyst that will spur him to work harder.
George Eze has also stopped the distribution of 20,0000 units of antimalarial drugs acquired by the Ikeoha Foundation to assist health centres in the area to fight the malaria scourge, the highest killer and bane of infants, nursing and pregnant mothers. All in the name of politics! The question now is, after all the “yeye� endorsements, what next? Have Chime, Ifeoma Nwobodo and co become PDP flag bearers for the next election? Has that precluded those interested in the seats Chime and company are gunning for from contesting? Has that made them Senators? No. So, this overheating of the Enugu polity serves nothing except the awful showcasing of power drunkenness, foolery, and abundance of poor strategists and bad cooks in Chime's kitchen cabinet. Chime is undoubtedly the Governor of Enugu State. But that does not confer on him the powers to expropriate the rights of the Enugu PDP faithful and Enugu people to elect leaders of their choice in a free and fair party primary and general e l e c t i o n , r e s p e c t i v e l y. T h e constitutional powers of the Governor and the State party Chairman is not more than that which a child has over a goat said to be his. Their role is to ensure the welfare of the goat, not to sell or kill it. This, Chime has failed to
appreciate. He has neither lived humbly like a man whose palm kernels were cracked by benevolent spirits nor has he shown gratitude/respect to those the gods used to elevate him. Thus, when one considers his rising impunities and controversies, from the wife incarceration scandal to the destruction of the Deputy Governor's poultry, I sometimes wonder if the gods are not deliberately goading him on the path of self destructionLike Ezeulu. Otherwise, why should a Governor be so excessive and reckless with power, arrogating unto himself powers over the destinies of men? A man who stands against the voice of the people and will of the gods should observe the anus of the proud dog who tried to put off the furnace with his puny fart. Or consider Ezeulu who eventually losses everything that is important to himhis family, his religion, his community (which abandons him), his favourite son (Obika), and ultimately, his sanity. Ezeulu even lost the sympathy of the villagers who believe that their god had taken sides with them against his headstrong and ambitious priest, thereby upholding the wisdom of their ancestors- that no man however great was greater than his people. Nicholas Ozor writes from Awgu, Enugu State
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March 31 - April 5, 2014
Obiano will better reposition Anambra State – Ifeakor T By Our Reporter
he Anambra State Road Maintenance Agency (ARMA) says the administration of Chief Willy Obiano will be a blessing to Ndi Anambra as it will be quite eventful. In a strongly worded statement issued in Awka, the Acting Managing Director of the Agency, Engr Charles Ifeakor remarked that from his antecedents Chief Obiano has not only the will and capacity, but infact possesses all it takes to develop Anambra State economically, socially and even politically, and enable her maintain its pride of place in the comity of Nigerian States. Ifeakor pointed out that as a government of continuity, his administration will start from where governor Obi stopped,
complete on-going projects, and initiate new ones through that formidable mass developmental strategy, ANIDS, and reposition the mindset of the youths to imbue them with quality value system through the state Social Re-Orientation Program. The Road Maintenance Agency Boss recalled Chief Obiano's service to the nation as a banker of international repute, and the administrative prowess he exhibited throughout his carrier and described him as a c o n s u m m a t e administrator, a man of Engr. Ifeakor uncommon focus and The Ag. Managing Director zeal, and one who, with Anambra State Road Maintenance Agency his strong commitment,
will definitely better reposition Anambra State and move her to the next level of socio-economic advancement. While recalling his campaign period, Engr Ifeakor noted that throughout the elections, Chief Obiano exhibited firm commitment to integrity, equity and fairness by playing the game in accordance with the rule. He therefore expressed optimism that he will perform with his administration impacting positively on the lives of the people. On the roads in the state, Engr Ifeakor re-iterated the commitment of the State Road Maintenance Agency resolve to work assiduously to justify the confidence reposed in it by ensuring that all dilapidated portions of Anambra State roads are maintained. The Agency Acting Managing
Director, of the Agency pointed out that this commitment is in line with its mandate and mission of ensuring all the state roads are motorable. He said his agency has all its takes to actualize this all important objective and expressed optimism that the Obiano administration will provide it with the needed support especially in the area of provision of technical man power. Ifeakor then charged the entire Ndi Anambra to remain fully supportive of the Obiano government, just as he noted that as no tree can make a forest, Chief Obiano needs not only the support but also the full cooperation and prayers of the people in his onerous task of steering the ship of state. He then commended the state works commissioner Arch. Callistus Ilozumba for his great support to the Agency.
Senator Nnaji hails ex-Gov Nnamani's return to PDP my stewardship which by the grace of God and sincere judgement of humanity is quite impressive and enough to take me further. "But for now, I a m s t i l l exercising the mandate already given to me to the best of my ability and to the glory of God. And you know that governance and politics are different things that should not be combined if our democracy m u s t g r o w. There is time for everything.” On whether there is an agreement peculiar to Enugu-East Senatorial Zone that any elected senator shall do just a single term Ex-Gov. Chimaroke Nnamani irrespective of philosophy of the PDP "it is the performance, Senator Nnaji said people that ultimately determine that it was not true although the fate of every leader.” previous coincidences seemed to "Therefore since the people that I make it look real, adding that he did represent are obviously satisfied not sign any agreement accepting with my performance and as a to serve one term at the National result have been clamouring for me Assembly. to serve them again, I have since He continued: "It is strange that it is graciously accepted to offer myself only in Enugu-East that all manner for their mandate renewal. Do not of political misinformation exist. forget that all the political The other time it was alleged that I leadership positions I have held signed a pact with an individual to before now were through elections do just a single term. Now it is including the one I am currently being insinuated that it is an occupying. So in the same tradition agreement for any elected senator I have offered myself to the party to do just one term in office. If and the people for re-assessment of these two positions are true, then I can say that Enugu-East Senatorial
·Says he had no agreement with anybody to serve only one term at Senate By Ted Peters
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enator Gilbert Nnaji representing Enugu East Senatorial zone at the National Assembly has described the return of former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as a welcome development saying it would enhance the chances of the party in the 2015 elections in the state. Senator Nnaji, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Communications, also said in a press statement issued in Enugu that he did not enter into any agreement with anybody in Enugu State to serve only one tenure insisting that he would seek reelection into the senate in 2015. According to him, Nnamani was right in his decision to return to his political base, stressing that the party was big enough to accommodate both returning and new members. "Senator Nnamani's return to PDP is a welcome development. His decision to stage a come back to where he originally belonged is good for the party. PDP's umbrella is too big and wide to accommodate both returning and new members in addition to the existing members of which I am one. "Again, it shows that PDP is truly repositioning to continue as the ruling party all over the country and Enugu State cannot be an
exception. So the door of the party is wide open for anybody that cares to enter. Therefore Chimaroke's reentry is an asset to the party because as a former governor and a former senator he has a lot to offer in ensuring that PDP is victorious come 2015. Nobody can take that away from him," Prince Nnaji said. Reacting to reports that the former governor has declared his intention to return to the Senate on the platform of PDP, Nnaji said: "Even though I read it in the media, I cannot speak for him. It is his right to contest for any position of his choice. But it is also the party that decides who goes for what. So if party nominates him, automatically he becomes the party candidate. And if the party decides otherwise, as a good party man, he abides by the party's decision. There are no two ways about that. "But I think the very first thing to do is to build the party into a one big united family before deciding on who is contesting and who is not. So like I always say, when we get to the bridge we cross it. But for now, all hands have to be on deck in the on-going membership drive and also support the successful implementation of the Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government.” The senator who declared his intention to seek reelection into the senate, said that going by the meaning of democracy and also the
District is not part of Nigeria again. There is no reasonable person that can contemplate such backward ideas. What then is the essence of calling democracy the government of the people by the people whereas it is only one person or a few individuals that determine the fate of the people? Why is it only in Enugu-East that is being singled out for such anti-people policies if at all they exist? But I think it is the figments of the imagination of people who are afraid to face the court of public opinion and also who have made up their mind to fail the people if given opportunity to serve. For instance if such an agreement exists, once one is elected he or she should not even bother to deliver since he or she must vacate office whether or not he or she performs. But because such is not existing, I have deployed all efforts in making sure that my constituency, EnuguEast, is not left out in the dividends of democracy both in terms of representation and attraction of federal presence. “Then finally, I can say that it is rather series of in-house fighting that seemed to make the previous senators from my zone to do just a term. Otherwise they all have tangible things to show while in office but due to lack of maximum cooperation and support from home government it was impossible for them to seek reelection. And also while senators Jim Nwobodo, Ken Nnamani and Chimaroke Nnamani fall into this category, Isaiah Ani's own was due to military intervention. So in all honesty, there is no form of agreement that it is only one tenure that elected senators from EnuguEast zone can do.”
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The Advocate Gospel This Week
WILLING AND ABLE TEXT: Matthew 8:1-4 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, 'Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.' Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be clean!' Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, 'See that you don't tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’
NARRATION In the workplace, we need willing and able people. If they are not willing, then they will be perpetual grumblers, reluctant to give any more than they must, and they will encourage other workers to resent their work and the people around them. On the other hand, if they are not able to do the work, they will fail in their tasks, put pressure on the other workers and managers; they will become expensive liabilities needing more training time and even then they may not be able to perform their duties to a good standard. Jesus is both willing to respond to people who trust Him, and able to meet their needs. He is so different to most powerful human authorities who are often either unwilling or unable to help individuals. The leper in today's narrative knew that he was rejected by his village and family because of his disease. He might have thought that there was no point to approaching Jesus in the middle of a crowd because they would also make him go away. But his faith overcame his fear. He got through the crowds, past the disciples and knelt down at Jesus' feet - in full view of everybody. He believed that Jesus could help him but did not presume: "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus demonstrated His willingness by touching the man (something nobody else would dare to do for fear of catching the disease). He then demonstrated His ability to heal by commanding the leper's body to be clean: and it was. Despite the public demonstration, it was an intensely private encounter. The healing had to first be validated by the priest; and after thanking God for his healing, the man could safely re-enter his home and community. Jesus never sought popularity, but He rewarded the faith of people who came to seek Him despite opposition. Never think that Jesus is on a popularity crusade, even though some religious leaders stir up the excitement of crowds. Jesus is seeking individual seekers - the people who have enough faith to push past the obstacles and defy the criticism of others, to present themselves and their needs to Him. When they do, He is willing and able to help them - to forgive their sin, to deal with their fear, to fill them with His Spirit, to give them hope for the future and peace with God. His willingness comes from his heart of love, compassion, mercy and grace. His ability comes from the infinite power of God. The leper recognised His power to deal with the incurable disease: if you know He has the power, do you doubt His willingness? He is still willing and able to do anything He chooses.
Prayer: God of power. Thank You for this example of the love, compassion and power of the Lord Jesus. I am sorry when I have doubted your ability or willingness to show Your love to me. Please enable me to grow in faith so that I will ignore the obstacles others put in my way and dare to trust You with all my heart. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
ADVOCATE
I Shall Not Die (3) By Gabriel Agbo
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bedience is the key to defying premature death. When we live a holy life and totally walk in obedience to God's laws and leading, then, it will become almost impossible to die untimely through sickness, diseases, enemy's attacks, demonic arrows, etc. And I hope you know that obedience includes respecting natural, spiritual, psychological, health and even nutritional laws; for they all stem from the divine laws. For example, when you smoke, do drugs, live in immorality, take alcohol, you are already breaking spiritual and health laws and you are inviting death. When you live in bitterness, unforgiving, fear, hatred, envy, anxiety, impatience, etc, you are breaking psychological as well as spiritual laws. When you don't eat right, you don't expect to live long and healthy because you are already breaking a law that has God put in place to help you. This is also the same when you break physical laws like lack of exercises, overworking yourself, exposing yourself to physical dangers, etc. God said that we should be wise in all areas of life. And that is complete wisdom. True! Now, you can ask yourself why the older generations lived longer, healthier and even more spiritual than us. Please, let me know your thought please. Now, back to Jesus, He was able to defy and conquer death because He totally lived in obedience to God. He was always conscious and anxious to observe divine laws as written. He was always eager to seek and obey directives from His Father 'His will be done'. He was working for the kingdom interest. Heaven cannot afford to lose you when all you think and do every moment of your life is to protect, propagate and proclaim the gospel and goodness of
Jesus Christ. When you give yourself totally to the work for God, all the machinery of heaven will be put in place to secure, protect and keep you. This is just what preserved Jesus while He finished His divine assignment on earth. And that was what He meant when He said that if you work in the light you will not stumble and the darkness (and its instruments) will not overshadow or defeat you. Get up today and throw yourself totally into His work and His grace will totally preserve you. Don't expect to live long when you are not adding any value to the kingdom business. He also told us clearly in Mark Chapter Sixteen, verses seventeen and eighteen that no power of the enemy or sickness shall be able to overcome us. Listen to it,” These signs will accompany those that believe…They will be able to handle snakes will safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won't hurt them. They will be able to place hands on the sick and heal them.” Praise God! He didn't go back with these grace and power. He left them behind for us. And the snakes here mean all the powers of Satan and death. I said all. The poison represents all physical and spiritual agents that can be injuries to our health, our organs and our well-being. And even when the enemy thinks he can sneak in sickness, Jesus said we have the power to heal and cast him and his bag of diseases and pains away. Praise God! What again do you need?? You have every provision to immediately defy Satan, that sickness and all those lifethreatening conditions. Yes, you will not die; you will surely live to finish your assignment on earth. It's not over yet. I command you to get out of that condition now, in the mighty name of Jesus! Rev. Agbo is the author of the book Power of Midnight Prayer. Tel: 08037113283. Email: gabrielagbo@yahoo.com
Things would have been worse in Nigeria if there were no many churches – Kumuyi
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he General Overseer, Deeper Life Christian Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, on Friday urged all Nigerians to support the security agencies currently tackling the security challenge facing the nation. Kumuyi spoke at a press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Imo Council Secretariat, to announce the crusade of the church, holding between March 7 and March 10 in Owerri. He maintained that insecurity was not limited to Nigeria alone, but had become a global challenge. “Nigerians should all join hands to support the government and the security agencies in their efforts to check the spate of insecurity in the country,'' he said. Kumuyi said that the crusade would attract over 15, 000 people from all walks of life and denominations.
According to him, the power of God will be manifest at the crusade where there will be signs and wonders. “This programme is organised for the people of the South-East. It will be a supernatural encounter as the gathering is unto God and not unto man,” he said. Kumuyi said that the church, which started as a small gathering in a University in 1973, had grown to have many branches in Nigeria and across the African continent. According to him, testimonies abound of people whose lives have been changed and who have been healed by God through the Ministry. He called on those attending the crusade to have faith in God. On why crimes were on the increase in Nigeria despite the proliferation of churches, he said that the situation would have been worse if there were not many churches.
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March 31 - April 5, 2014
Citilux, Cartel and Marvelux Paints get SON certification By Mary Chinda
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he Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, has given certification to three products of to Codilly Investments Limited, with a call on other manufacturers in the country to subject their products to the SON certification. Addressing guests' during the presentation of certificates to Codilly Investments, Engineer Olugbenyinge Awobode, who represented the Director General of SON, said that the NIS certificate issued to the brands were because Codilly paints have passed the regulation standards set by the law adding that the brands which carry the NIS certification are accepted anywhere in the globe. In his speech during the c e r e m o n y, t h e H e a d o f department, chemistry, SON,
Enugu State said, “We have inspected and analyzed these product and found out that Citilux, Cartel and Marveliux emulsion paints respectively have met the parameters for a paint that should be widely consumed; “Codilly Paints fulfills the claims that it makes, as one coating alone on the wall really does the magic”, she added. Chief Daniel Odelinye, the CEO of Codilly Investment limited could not hide his joy, as array of the company's products such as Citilux Emulsion Paints, Cartel Emulsion Paints and Marvelux Emulsion paints received NIS certification from the standard organization of Nigeria (SON). In his speech, Chief Odelinye expressed happiness that his paint manufacturing company does not only employ dozen of youths but is also fast becoming a household name with tremendous market expansion from the south-east to Abeokuta, Benin, Jos, etc.
He then called on customers to patronized Codilly investment Ltd as its products meet the international standard and leaves
customers having full value for their money. In an official presentation of the NANCAP certificate to the company, Chief Odelinye told the story of the little beginnings of Codilly's investments as he started off 10yrs ago with only 5
workers, adding that “the company is not going back on the high quality brands it's noted for” In this same vein, the company's manager Mr Uche remarked that the NIS certificate now put the Codilly brands ahead of it's competitors.
Joseph Odumodu, SON Boss
Group wants Akwa Ibom govt to invest in petroleum depot By Christopher Okon, Uyo
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he Tipper Contractors' D e v e l o p m e n t Association, Akwa Ibom State has called on the State government to invest in fuel depot infrastructure inorder to permanently put to rest the hardship and embarrassments that result in from petroleum scarcity. The chairman of the Association Mr. Udo Uko Akpabio stated this while speaking with journalists over the sufferings and untold hardship that fuel scarcity bring the people of the state The chairman said the development will surely reduce hardship to a marginable rate, create employment and also stand out as a major landmark achievement by the state government which will be worthy also yield revenue to the state government. According to him, “Though we suggested a petroleum depot to check scarcity and unwarranted increase in pump price, government as at then rather formed a task force on petroleum price monitoring in the state with considering our plight as wouldbe direct beneficiaries from the project. Mr. Udo Akpabio expressed dismay that even after the association initiated this great solution to fuel scarcity, government seem not interested, insisting that the association has been marginalized and abandoned without recourse to
their plight as contributors to the economy. The Chairman pledged the Associations support to the state government especially as it
matches on with her uncommon transformation agenda; such that has never been seen since the creation of the state, but called for
the recall of the Association's representative in the petroleum committee in the state whose removal has remained a puzzle to
the group. He called on the state government to look into their situation and consider investment in the sector as an integral part of the economy which will create jobs and also contribute to the sustainable development of the state.
HOUSING
Professional Associations advised to own their homes By Our Reporter
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embers of Professional Associations in Nigeria have been advised to endeavour to own their own descent homes. This would help to resolve the shortage of 16 million houses needed to make most Nigerians have nice shelter over their heads in the nearest future. The Managing Director of FIT Consult Limited, Chief Loretta Ngozi Aniagolu, gave the advice while speaking with reporters in Enugu on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Legacy Homes Estate being handled by her firm at Asaba, Delta State capital. Lamenting the huge costs people pay to own houses which otherwise would have been provided with affordable prices,, Aniagolu said : “It breaks my heart really when I see what it costs people to buy homes. And how many people can afford these kinds of costs which means descent people who have good jobs, who are loyal, who are doing
a good job at their places of work are deprived of the opportunity of owing a nice home or living in a nice place because they cannot afford the several millions that are required to make or buy an affordable home.” Chief Aniagolu explained that FIT Consult Limited entered into a Private-Public Partnership (PPP) Housing Project between Central Bank of Nigeria Staff Association in Asaba, and Delta State Government to build for the staff 75 homes comprising three and four bedroom bungalows and duplexes with “beautiful landscaping, paved streets, good roads, street light, 24-hour water supply, electricity, parks and shops.” According to her, while the Diamond Bank is financing the construction of the project, Abbey Mortgage Bank Plc and Transatlantic Mortgages Ltd are providing the mortgages for prospective buyers. Besides, she added that Delta State Government is doing a 100 low cost housing project also
being handled by FIT Consult all geared towards providing descent houses for people at affordable prices. Explaining the new concept which, she said, her firm introduced to enable Nigerians own nice homes, Aniagolu said: “The idea was that they will get the land and we will raise the funds and finance build the residential projects where they themselves would be able to buy homes at affordable rates by taking advantage of the land they provided; even thought the land they provided was not worth a lot; it was worth about three percent of the entire cost of the project, but it's their land any way.” She added: “But in recognition of this land, we 've been able to put together a project whereby they can buy their own homes at about 40 percent less the market price. And with that, it makes it possible for them to live in affordable homes that are elegant and nice. And then the rest of the homes would be sold to the public. The members of the public will now pay up the difference in the
pricing.” Aniagolu said further that a concept like this created a major advantage for members of professional associations because “if they bond together, it is possible for them to purchase land and property at a good price. And if they have a developer that is considerate, the developer can do a very nice estate and keep the sale price down and give them an advantage while the members of the public will now provide the difference in cost.” Stressing that her company's ultimate goal was to make affordable homes a reality for Nigerians, she noted that the fact that a “home is cheap and inexpensive does not mean it has to be ugly and nasty which is what we see.” She added: “We want to build lovely homes and at good prices. We 've done a similar project in Taraba State where over 500 houses were built and sold at only N3.2million , that was a few years ago. But we continue to strive to do this kind of thing all over Nigeria.”
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March 31 - April 5, 2014
Govt apologises over power cuts, absolves new owners of blame ·30 million households lack electricity – Minister By Our Reporter
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HE Federal Government has absolved the new owners of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) successor companies of blame in the power cuts being experienced across the country. Rather, government heaped the blame on non-availability of gas, infrastructure vandalism, sabotage in the sector and low water-level to power the hydro power plants. Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, who addressed newsmen in Abuja on the worsening power s u p p l y, a l s o a p o l o g i s e d t o consumers over the development, promising that government was tackling the issue from all fronts. He was still optimistic that the nation would witness visible improvement in power supply by June this year. In a related development, the minister, also said about 30 million households in the country lack access to electricity. He stressed that the trend, if not reversed, was capable of truncating sustainable development of the nation's economy. Nebo, who disclosed this in Nsukka during the First African International Conference/Workshop on Application of Nanotechnology to Energy, Health and Environment holding at University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), stated that without steady power generation and supply, no nation will attain sustainable development. He added that increased access to electricity was crucial to fundamental, economic and social development not only in Nigeria but globally. He said: “The United Nations (UN) estimates that about 600 million people of sub-Sahara Africa lack access to electricity. In Nigeria, 30 million households have no access to electricity. “This is the reason the Federal Ministry of Power is rolling out comprehensive roadmap on access to power. This roadmap will systematically connect households through grid and off-grid solutions.” The minister, who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Access of Power and renewable Energy, Mr. Albert Okorogu, said it was in view of providing electricity to all households that President Goodluck Jonathan in January inaugurated three pilot projects of the Federal Ministry of Power under Operation Light up Rural Nigeria Initiatives. “The pilot programme will provide energy-efficient lighting to homes, streets and community centres with up-to-date solar technologies. There is plan to replicate this pilot project across 36 states of the federation.” Nebo commended the organisers of the conference, noting that nanotechnology had helped in fabrication of energy storage devices and energy generation
technologies which had resulted in energy efficiency. “Exploitation of nanotechnology in Nigeria will provide sustainable solutions to our environment, social responsibility, overall well-being and increase in access to electricity”, he said. In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Barth Okolo, commended organisers of the conference, noting that with a high calibre of scientists in various fields within and outside the country attending the conference, he had no doubt that the conference would proffer solutions to obstacles in achieving rapid technological development in the country. The minister, while responding to a question in Abuja as to why Nigeria continues to export gas when the local electricity market is underserved, said government might reconsider its gas export commitments as a last option to improve gas to power supply. Available statistics indicate that Nigeria exports a vast quantity of its natural gas in the form of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and through the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) to nearby countries. Late President Umar Yar'Adua had promised to declare emergency in gas sector wherein government would set aside its export obligations on gas in order to satisfy supply to the power sector. That promise never saw the light of the day. Nebo, who lamented the issue of poor gas supply to the power sector, also announced that the President had approved the reconstitution of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Gas to Power. The committee, he stressed, would be charged with the responsibility of identifying and ensuring that all the enablers and interventions required to deliver adequate powers to the nation's power plants are delivered on time. He stressed: “The reform of the Nigerian power sector has been very much on course culminating in the handover of generation and distribution assets to private investors on November 1, 2013. We are very much on our way to the next phase of the reform, the d e c l a r a t i o n o f Tr a n s i t i o n a l Electricity Market in which relationship between market participants would be strictly governed by contracts and rules emanating from the regulator. The power sector has also recorded significant increases in available generation from a dismal capacity of about 2000mw in mid-2013 to a peak of 4,248mw in February 2014. “The reform has however not been without significant difficulties and this is not unexpected in the light of the unprecedented scope and magnitude of the Nigerian initiative. The recent dip in power supply has been mainly due to inadequate gas supply to thermal power plants
arising from recurring acts of vandalism on gas pipelines.” Some of the more recent attacks on gas infrastructure associated with the power sector, he said, include ELPS A pipeline out for over seven months with a loss of 200 million standard cubic feet of gas and generation capacity of about 800mw; the Trans-Forcados out now with a loss of 200 million standard cubic feet of gas and generation capacity of about
vicinity of the high tension transmission line. Despite the farreaching impact of losing the line, the cost of restoring the line has been estimated at over N600 million with a completion period of six months. Other recent incidents that affected availability of power include the fire accident at Osogbo in which a 1 5 0 M VA t r a n s f o r m e r w a s completely lost thus significantly reducing the capacity of the substation. The nation's power
Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo 800mw; the Alakiri-Onne LBVS which blasted in March and had had adverse impact on gas supply to industries. He said there had been similar attacks on Trans Niger with a loss of 120 million standard cubic of gas and a loss of 500mw from the Afam VI IPP and that the temporary shutdown of the Chevron gas plant this month contributed to the low peak generation of 2,672mw on March 12, 2014. His words: “I wish to reiterate that gas shortage not only affects the availability of power for dispatch to consumers but the frequency of system collapses is also strongly correlated to this menace. Other factors that recently impacted on service delivery in the sector include occasional loss of transmission lines and sub-stations across the country. Many of you here may have read of the collapse of 12 towers on the Sapele/Delta 330kV transmission line that occurred on March 9, 2014 thus constraining the evacuation of power from the Delta power plant. “The incident was caused by a petrol tanker that caught fire in the
infrastructure suffered attack with the hacking of three towers at Ibuzo.” Insisting that the outages had nothing to do with the new utility owners, Nebo said a lot of rehabilitation work was going on by the new owners. He went on: “The hydropower plant units at Kainji are for the first time since they were commissioned in the 1960s being rehabilitated with funding from the World Bank. Some of the major components of the Shiroro Hydroelectric Power Plant are also being rehabilitated thus reducing the plant by about 300mw. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has also taken advantage of additional funding sourced from multilateral agencies to expedite urgently needed repair work. The impact of all these ongoing works upon completion during the year would improve service delivery in the entire value chain.” On resolving the gas challenge, he said additional 295mscf of gas would be available by June 2014 and another 370 mscf by the end of the
year. On efforts to check vandalism, Nebo said: “I am also pleased to report that the issue of security of pipelines is receiving the attention of the highest level of government. It is gratifying to note that President Goodluck Jonathan has recently pledged a sum of $1 billion towards addressing the challenge of vandalism of pipelines and theft of crude oil. I am confident that the strategies being proffered by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, the IOCs and other security agencies would significantly curtail such occurrences.” The minister maintained that the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) was still at its mid-term phase and would require patience from the populace. His words: “Associated with this is t h e t r a n s i t i o n f r o m l a rg e l y government-driven enterprises to the private sector. To address the post-privatisation challenges that may arise, the Vice President has recently inaugurated a standing committee under the Chairmanship of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, to address issues that include, but not limited to sector liquidity, legacy debt overhang, metering gap, and so on. I trust that you will agree that timely payment for gas by the GenCos is a confidence building enabler for even more gas to the power sector. In this regard, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Bureau of Public Enterprises have developed a robust frame-work for the monitoring of the activities of all players in the market. I want to assure that the Federal Government would not hesitate in applying necessary sanctions against any investor that fails to meet the expectations and deliverables agreed with the government. “The distribution sector represents the interface and the last mile to consumer premises. As part of the effort towards ensuring the sustainability of the reform agenda, the NERC is developing a framework for fast-tracking the roll-out of pre-paid metering across the country. It is planned that the prevalent case of estimated billing would soon be a thing of the past and consumers would only pay for the electricity they consume.” He pleaded with Nigerians to bear with the government. His words: “I wish to apologise to our valued customers for the difficulties we are all going through, particularly at this time of the year. Inadequate and erratic power supply had stunted the economic growth of this great country for too long. I want to reassure Nigerians that Mr. President's agenda for the power sector is working and we are very much on the right path to eradicating darkness. We are committed towards actualising the charge of Mr. President that customers must experience visible improvement in power supply by June 2104.
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March 31 - April 5, 2014
Enugu International Trade Fair
Airtel stand at the fair
Glo stand at the fair
Enugu Jubilee Fair kicks off… Jonathan pledges enabling environment for foreign, local investors
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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has reiterated his commitments in providing an enabling environment for both foreign and local investors in the country, saying the role of international trade and investment remained potent tools for achieving sustainable economic growth and mainstreaming the national economy. Declaring open the 25th Enugu International Trade Fair on Friday, President Jonathan who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Abdulkadir Musa said “it is a paradox that Nigeria is endowed with abundant human and natural resources yet the vast majority of the people are poor”. The President stated that the paradox of life required deep reflection in order to place the country on a pedestal of steady growth, industrialization and economic development, adding that the infrastructural development is being given priority attention in order to attract investment and
increase the nation's industrial capacity. According to him, the choice of the theme of the trade fair entitled “increasing competitiveness at the Nigerian products in the global Market” is very apt and timely considering the present
administration determination to place Nigeria's economic environment as an investment hub in Africa and among the twenty largest economies in the world by 2020. “This administration new development paradigm anchored
on transformation agenda and vision 20:2020 is a step in the right direction. The general improvement in power generation is a step towards this direction”, he added. On the completion of Enugu trade fair permanent ground, he said that
Diamond Bank with different innovative products at the fair
Dangote stand at the fair
in order to fast track it, government had decided to adopt the private public partnership (PPP) arrangement to enable private sectors to be involved in the construction of hall, provisions, offices, eateries, shops, etc while government would concentrate on provision and maintenance of facilities such as electricity, water, roads, security among others. Also speaking, the Enugu State g o v e r n o r, S u l l i v a n C h i m e commended the Federal Government for its efforts at transforming the economy, pointing out that such measures included among others increase in the volume of funds available as loans and grants for local industrialists, the establishment of free trade zones and the introduction of tax and other waivers to encourage direct foreign investment in the nation's industrial sector. Governor Chime who was represented by the state Commissioner for Enugu Capital Territory, Ikechukwu Ugwuegede said the high level of security and efficient transformation system in the state had led boom in business and commercial activities in the state.
Union Bank at the fair
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March 31 - April 5, 2014
By Okey Anyichie
Rangers and Kano-Pillars Nigerian Premier League in the Africa league soccer championship soccer champion-ships postponed
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he 2014/2015 Africa League soccer champion-ship kicked off two weeks ago across the continent, different football clubs traded tackles to qualify for the next round. Nigeria produced two football clubs for the continental soccer competition for football clubs, Enyimba F.C of Aba and Kano Pillars football club featured in both first and second legs of the first round of the competition In the first leg encounters, Kano Pillars travelled to Congo republic and lost to the Rangers player in actoin Congolese football club by 3-1, Aba was the venue for an encounter between Enyimba football club of Aba and Angels football club representing Togo. Enyimba tamed the visiting Togolese side by 3-1 at Aba. In the second leg played at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, Kano Pillars failed to live up to the expectation of their numerous supporters by beating their guest from Congo republic narrowly by 2-1. With this score-line, Kano pillars had been eliminated from the competition by 4-3. Enyimba on the other hand shot into the second round by losing narrowly with 2-1 and thus scaled through with 4-3 aggregate and now the only Nigerian football club in the continental league soccer competition for this season. It would be recalled that Enyimba is the only Nigerian football club Kano Pillars Team that won the competition twice 2003 and 2014, other Nigerian football clubs that had played in the continental league soccer competition never made an impact in the competition. Enyimba of Aba will now take on Real Bamako Football club of Mali in the second round of the competition.
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he 2013/2014 Premier League soccer championship has been postponed to the second Friday, 7th March 2014. The League soccer championship which would have kicked off on the 23rd February, 2014 will now be played on that second Saturday of next month across the country among the twenty Football clubs in this premier division of the league. Among some of the Football clubs that will trade tackles for this season's league soccer fiesta are Kano Pillars, the defending champion, Rangers football club of Enugu, Enyimba F.C of Aba, Sharks of Port-Harcourt, Lobi F.C. of Makudi, Heartland F.C. of Owerri, Gombe United F.C, Sunshine F.C. of Akure among others. These clubs that will compete for the Premier League soccer championship this season are expected to improve on their standard of skill and performance to attract teeming supporters at different venues of the encounters, it is obvious that football fans are no longer interested in Nigerian Premier League as the league championship of England, Spain and some European countries have infected them, making them lose interest in the home League championship. However like it is said, mine is mine, ours are ours; everything should be done to sustain the interest of football fans in the home League Premier League soccer fiesta. After all Nigerian footballers graduate from this home league to play in the foreign league championships that are now captivating the football fans across the country. Again this season is expected to produce a strong football club that will play in Africa league soccer championship. The early elimination of Kano pillars in the continental league last week-end tells a lot of stories about the standard of our Premier League.
UN secondary School Enugu Campus 15th Biennial inter-House sport competition
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he University of Nigeria Secondary School Enugu campus last Thursday held their biennial inter-house sports competition at the school ground. The sport fiesta attracted parents and distinguished personalities in town. Speaking during the competition, the principal of the secondary school Mrs C.V. Egwim, stated that the aim of Secondary school education was to train students for higher education and to prepare them for useful living in society; she highlighted that sports promotes true spirit of winning honourably and losing honourably. She advised the competitors featuring for their Houses to brace up for the competition seriously so as to be true ambassadors of their Houses and also the University of Nigeria. She finally highlighted their
needs for the following sport equipments like four sets of Table-tennis equipment for both junior and secondary schools, one standard Basket ball pitch and accessories, a Volley-ball pitch and accessories, one standard Lawn-tennis court and accessories plus redeemable trophies for winners. He appealed to all and sundry including the old students of the school to come to the aid of the school. In the Inter-house sports competition, Achebe, Arinze, Mandela, Ezejiofor and Onyali Houses participated and thrilled the spectators during the competition, that saw the athletes of the five Houses in a Keen struggle to win laurels for their Houses. Achebe House won the 2014 biennial sports fiesta with 509 points and bagged the trophy that was redeemed with N13,000, while Mandela House
came second with 474 points and N10,000, Ezejiofo House brought the rear to a third position with 458 points and
N7,000 The sports competition was very thrilling and spectators enjoyed the five hour sports competition.
The students and athletes comported themselves gracefully throughout the competition.
Secondary school boys in a 100 meters race
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March 31 - April 5, 2014
Who replaces Wenger, Jürgen Klopp or Roberto Martínez? Y
ou know you're on a downer when even Paul Scholes pipes up to slag you off. The famously publicity shy former Manchester United midfielder made his punditry debut on Sky on Tuesday night, presumably as part of some subtle Gary Neville-planned campaign to remind David Moyes what a decent central midfielder looks like and he took time out from discussing the Manchester derby to give a characteristically nofrills assessment of Arsenal's current woes, which, he reckoned, amount to just "a typical week for Arsenal". Scholes went on to decry, with barely disguised contempt, the "indiscipline" of Arsenal midfielders whose approach to matches appears to consist of going for "a little walk up field, lose the ball, play a nice little onetwo and not even bother sprinting back". Arsenal, droned Scholes, lack urgency, method and leadership. They also lack a midfielder so committed to his profession that in 20 years he never learned to tackle but Scholes forgot to mention that. Still, Scholes's outburst is a sign of the times: only a week after entire forests were compelled to publish tributes to Arsène Wenger on his 1,000th match, questions about the manager's current methods are being raised with new alarm. Funnily enough, the very last thing Scholes said in his punditry debut is that he's available for work as a manager if a position should, you know, become available.
Arsène Wenger
But is a position about to become available at the Emirates? Some organs reckon not and claim Wenger is poised to finally sign a
new contract, although the term of that deal has been reduced from two to three years, which still gives the Frenchman ample scope
to lure Callum Chambers from Southampton; others insist Wenger will be invited to go spend some quality time with his new little gold cannon and that the new big shot at Arsenal will be one of Roberto Martínez, Brendan Rodgers, Jürgen Klopp or, of course, Steve Bould. You'll note Big Sam's name does not feature on that list and, obviously, the only possible explanation for that is he's not trendy enough. If his name were Sam Le Grand or Der Gross Sam, clubs would be pleading with him to come shower them with his magic dust. But no. In fact, word is Allarydce may even be going out of fashion at Upton Park and West Ham fancy a makeover from that dashing foreigner Michael Laudrup. Barcelona, meanwhile, are lining up a new deal for Lionel Messi and are preparing to play the
Sony Open: Andy Murray left with regrets following Novak Djokovic defeat
T
he Scot went out on straight sets in Miami and while he was upset with how the match panned out, he believes he is close to returning to form. Andy Murray was left to rue his failure to capitalise on several openings after old foe Novak Djokovic ended his Sony Open title defence. World number two Djokovic gained a measure of revenge for his defeat to Murray in last year's Wimbledon final with a clinical 75 6-3 victory in their quarter-final encounter in Miami. The 20th meeting between these
two men was the first since the Scot triumphed in straight sets at SW19 and was tainted by controversy in the 12th game of the first set. With sixth seed Murray serving, Djokovic advanced and appeared to play the ball before it passed over the net - which is against the rules. The point stood and Murray seemed unable to put it to the back of his mind, making three unforced errors as Djokovic wrapped up the first set. Although Murray made a confident start to the second set and broke Djokovic for a 3-2 lead,
the Serbian hit back to win the last four games to move into the semifinal. Murray admitted he failed to take his chances but took comfort in some aspects of his performance. "I had many opportunities like 30all games and 0-30s on his serve, and I didn't serve so well when I went ahead in the second set," Murray said on the ATP Tour website. "I would have liked to have done that better, but I was hitting the ball better from the back of the court. "I was playing aggressive. I was taking the ball early. I was trying
Everybody wants Diego Costa, says Atletico Madrid President Cerezo
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he Rojiblancos supremo has paid tribute to the Spain striker and coach Diego Simeone, but claims every player in the world is playing to catch-up Lionel Messi Atletico Madrid President Enrique Cerezo says he is not surprised that "everyone" is interested in signing Diego Costa. The 25-year-old has been in sensational form this season, firing 25 goals in 29 La Liga appearances to fire the Rojiblancos top of the table with eight matches remaining. Chelsea have taken initial steps towards signing the Brazilianborn striker this summer, while Real Madrid have also been rumoured to be monitoring the forward, and Cerezo admits any side would be happy to have him. "He's been with us for many years. He's been with many other
Argentine a world record £336,000 per week. Expect to read reports in the next few days of Cristiano Ronaldo being "sad" at Real Madrid and seeking succour in the form of, let's see now, a £337,000-perweek contract. How much is Fernando Torres worth? That's a matter that Chelsea could be discussing soon with Internazionale. And then they'll go into another room in the San Siro and discuss Demba Ba's worth with AC Milan. Juventus, meanwhile, want Parma defender Gabriel Paletta. Finally, with Vahid Halilhodzic set to step down after the World Cup, Algeria have started going through a wish list of potential new managers. In fact, they must have started going through it a long time ago if they've now reached the name Fabrizio Ravanelli.
sides in Spain [on loan], and everywhere he's been, they've spoken well of him," he told Marca. "And that means one thing: that a player is valuable. So everyone wants him. "He will be one of the top scorers this season and will shine with Spain in Brazil, I'm certain. He has quality and he deserves this, he's worked hard to get there.” Cerezo believes Lionel Messi remains a cut above the rest in world football, however, and claims the criticism of Barcelona this season is senseless given the fact they could still win the treble this season. "Barca has a squad of outstanding players, starting with the best in the world for me, Leo Messi. He is above the rest, and everyone else has to follow," he said. "They are a great team and each
season come out fighting for three titles. People say they are so bad and yet they can still win the Champions League, the Copa and La Liga.” Cerezo, who took the reins as Atletico president in 2002, went on to praise the work of coach Diego Simeone, who has transformed the club into Liga title contenders and a force to be reckoned with in the Champions
League. "He is a great person and professional from head to toe. He is a football man, he lives it 24 hours a day and, above all, he enjoys it, he is passionate about what he does," Cerezo added. “Cholo has found a team with fantastic hopes, tremendous quality. And all the changes he has made have made the team better."
to come forward a bit. My game is not far from where I want it to be." As for the incident that left a cloud over the encounter, Murray told reporters: "It maybe had a slight bearing on that game." Djokovic, meanwhile, was immensely satisfied by his straight-sets win over one of his closest rivals. "That tournament win is very special for me from a mental point of view, because I have been struggling throughout the whole tournament," he said. "That gives me even more confidence and self belief that I need in this moment." Djokovic will face Kei Nishikori in the last four after the 20th seed rallied from a set and a break down to stun 2005 and 2006 champion Roger Federer. The fifth seed won the first set with the minimum of fuss and claimed what appeared an allimportant break in the seventh game of the second set. Nishikori refused to accept defeat, however, and took the match to a decider, where the Japanese wrapped up a 3-6 7-5 64 victory in two hours and eight minutes. In the women's action, second seed Li Na edged out Caroline Wozniacki in two tight sets to move into the semi-final. The Danish 11th seed looked on course to take the match to a decider after taking a 5-3 lead in the second set, but lost the last four games as Li sealed a 7-5 7-5 success. The Chinese will next play 10th seed Dominika Cibulkova, who hit back from a set down to defeat Agnieszka Radwanska 3-6 7-6 (7/5) 6-3, in a repeat of this year's Australian Open final, which Li won in straight sets.
Vol. 1 No. 37, March 31 - April 5, 2014
Andy Murray Back page comment
Gov. Chime and the Politics of Forced Endorsement T By Nicholas Ozor
hose who understand power within the context of democracy know, as Chinua Achebe pens in one of his classics, the “Arrow of God”, that their power is “no more than the power of a child over a goat that was said to be his”. On the day the goat is killed or sold, it would know the rightful owner. That power belongs to the people. In the novel, Ezeulu is the chief priest of Ulu, the deity of Umuaro. Although he knows that he is “merely a watchman” for the gods, he is obsessed with the immensity of his powers over the lunar year and crop, hence the people. Describing Ezeulu, his main antagonist, Nwaka, says: “A man who carries a deity is not a king. He is there to perform its ritual and to carry sacrifice to it. But
must retire in 2015. This impudence naturally drew public ire as it was generally considered unconstitutional, arrogant, dictatorial, and illogical. Illogical in the sense that Chime who is completing the maximum two terms as governor, would have certainly gone for a third, and even more terms had the constitution permitted. But he does not see the need for himself to retire. Instead, he wants these swept away to create space for himself and his cronies to retire to the NASS. This is unjust, selfish, and grossly undemocratic. Consequently, to assert himself, just like Ezeulu, Chime, working in consonance with Engr. Vita Abba, the State Chairman of the PDP in Enugu who himself has a governorship ambition, has literally brought the Enugu PDP and the state in general under unnecessary tension through his gibberish endorsement
of Enugu West Senatorial District to sign a document purportedly zoning the senatorial seat from Greater Awgu (Chief Ekweremadu's area) to Udi/Ezeagu (Chime's area), the party Chairman in his native Udi LGA, Uchenna Ogbodo, has not been allowed to function. For advising against sponsoring a newspaper advertorial against Chief Ike Ekweremadu by the Awgu LGA chapter of the Governor's college of political sycophants, a Permanent Secretary in Enugu State Civil Service, Barrister Eze O. Eze was unceremoniously demoted to a Director. These so-called Stakeholders are given money to place adverts announcing purported endorsements of Chime by LG party executives without even consulting the executives concerned. That was why courageous LG party executives have equally been issuing statements/advertorials denying
Andrew Barron "Andy" Murray, OBE (born 15 May 1987) is a Scottish professional tennis player, ranked World No. 6 and British No. 1. He achieved a top-10 ranking by the ATP for the first time on 16 April 2007, and reached a career peak of World No. 2 in August 2009, then again in April/May 2013. He is the current holder of the Wimbledon Championships singles title, and is the 2012 Olympic tennis men's singles champion. In 2013, Murray became the 6th man in tennis history to have won over $30,000,000 in career prize money.
Personal life Murray was born to Judith (Erskine) and William Murray in Glasgow, Scotland.His maternal grandfather, Roy Erskine, was a professional footballer in the late 1950s.Murray's brother, Jamie, is also a professional tennis player, playing on the doubles circuit. Murray attended Dunblane Primary School, and was present during the 1996 Dunblane school massacre, when Thomas Hamilton killed 16 children and a teacher before shooting himself; Murray took cover in a classroom. Murray says he was too young to understand what was happening and is reluctant to talk about it in interviews, but in his autobiography "Hitting Back" he states that he attended a youth group run by Hamilton, and that his mother gave Hamilton lifts in her car.
Junior tennis Leon Smith, Murray's tennis coach from 11 to 17, described Murray as "unbelievably competitive", while Murray attributes his abilities to the motivation gained from losing to his older brother Jamie. At the age of 12, Murray won his age group at the Orange Bowl, a prestigious event for junior players.
2014 Ex-Gov, Chimaroke Nnamani
Gov, Sullivan Chime
Senator Ike Ekweremadu
…Ezeulu… wants to be king, priest, diviner, all”. Ezeulu is also a character of pathos. Those whom the gods want to kill, they first make mad. Thus, looking at the chain of events surrounding this tragic hero, I sometimes wonder if the gods themselves did not deliberately goad their chief priest to destruction, perhaps, to punish him and/or teach mortals some lessons in the vanity of power. Yet, whichever it is, the storyline of Umuaro and Ezeulu playing out in Enugu politics ahead of the 2015 general election does not show that mortals have learnt a thing. The forced endorsements and political impunity being perpetrated by the Governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime and his kitchen cabinet is just like an Ezeulu testing his powers against the will of the people, and perhaps the gods. Let us rewind to 2013. Governor Chime overreached himself when he decreed that all federal lawmakers from Enugu State doing second tenure and upwards
project. Worst still, they go about it childishly and stupidly because rather than give Chime any edge, the gale of compelled and fraudulent endorsements expose him as jittery, insecure, unloved, and lacking in true followership. Otherwise, why would a sitting Governor be so panicky about his senatorial ambition as to be literarily chasing Local Council Chairmen and party executives about and threatening them to endorse him and his Chief of staff? This has also come with a lot of impunities. For visiting former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani and Chime's godfather who recently rejoined the PDP, several Ward Chairmen and executives were suspended because the Governor's Chief of Staff, Ifeoma Nwobodo, is running for the senatorial seat, which Nnamani is also eyeing. For reasoning against the hasty and sheepish endorsements; for resisting the attempt to force PDP Chairmen in the five LGAs
the whole rubbish. And one hopes that the anti-graft agencies are noting government's misappropriated spending on this charade. Meanwhile, the future of our youths and health of our people are also put at risk as the state government has descended on the Ikeoha Foundation, Ekweremadu's NGO. The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Chris Okoro, has ordered secondary school principals not to release their students to participate in the 2014 edition of Ikeoha Quiz Competition, which has promoted competitive learning for over a decade in the Senatorial District. Winning schools up to the second runner up- receive instructional and science equipment, while overall winning students who gain admission into higher institutions of learning have always received half a million Naira each. The Commissioner for Health, Dr.
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Murray started his season at the Qatar Open in Doha. In the first round, he defeated Mousa Shanan Zayed in straight sets in 37 minutes without dropping a single game, but was defeated in three sets by world number 40 Florian Mayer in the second round, despite being a set and a break up three games into the second set.[166] He then played a warm up match at the 2014 AAMI Classic in Kooyong against world no. 43 Lleyton Hewitt, losing in two close tiebreaks.
Endorsements and equipment Murray wears Adidas sportswear; in 2009 he was signed up for a five-year-deal worth £30 million. This includes wearing their range of tennis shoes.The contract with Adidas allowed Murray to keep his shirt sleeve sponsors Shiatzy Chen, Royal Bank of Scotland and Highland Spring. Before he was signed by Adidas in late 2009, he wore Fred Perry apparel.Murray uses Head rackets, and regularly appears in advertisements for the brand. In June 2012, the Swiss watch manufacturer Rado announced that Murray had signed a deal to wear their D-Star 200 model.
Charitable work Murray is a founding member of the Malaria No More UK Leadership Council and helped launch the charity in 2009 with David Beckham. Footage from the launch at Wembley Stadium can be seen on YouTube and the charity's website.