The Guardian on Alamieyeseigha’s pardon NDEED, the action sends the wrong signal to both the domestic and external environments, Igory most especially regarding the much-orchestrated war against corruption in Nigeria. It tells a tale of the insincerity of the Nigerian government to wage a sustainable war against corruption. Worse still, the decision can also strengthen the hands of public servants at all levels in the ‘Corruption Incorporated’ that Nigeria has become under the Jonathan presidency. After all,
looters of state treasury now have some measure of assurance that if they belong to the ‘right’ political camp, they can actually get state pardon, even when convicted. To add salt to an already festering injury, the pardon comes with the restoration of all rights and privileges, including the right to aspire to higher political offices. The message therefore seems to be that it pays to be corrupt. Editorial Page 14
TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth
Friday, March 22, 2013
Vol. 29, No. 12,503
www.ngrguardiannews.com
N150
Unemployment may explode into crisis, Obasanjo warns From Abiodun Fagbemi (Ilorin) and Bola Olajuwon (Abidjan)
Ex-president, AU experts seek action on agric, manufacturing
NLESS the high rate of U youth unemployment in the country is urgently
serious crisis in the polity, according to former President Obasanjo. Olusegun
checked, it may soon trigger a
Describing the country as sitting on “a keg of gun-powder” over unemployment, Obasan-
jo said that there was the need to develop commercial agriculture to check the crisis of
joblessness. Also yesterday, experts from critical arms of African Union Commission (AUC), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and their
developing partners dissected the state of industrialisation in Africa and other economies. emerging They suggested that it was onCONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Goni Aji is new Head of Service From Madu Onuorah, Abuja Goodluck RESIDENT P Jonathan has appointed Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji as the new
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. A statement by Presidential Spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, said that Aji would take over from Alhaji Isa Bello Sali who would attain the mandatory retirement age of 60 tomorrow. The Guardian had exclusively reported on Tuesday that Aji was the preferred candidate. Aji was until his new appointment the Permanent Secretary, Common Services Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. Jonathan had announced during a short valedictory session in honour of Sali, just before the commencement of
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Zenith Bank listed on London Stock Exchange Aji
Page 15
WOSEM founder, Obadare, passes on at 86 From Niyi Bello (Akure), Chris Irekamba and Isaac Taiwo (Lagos)
Mimiko, clerics pay tributes
R. Timothy Oluwole M Obadare, the blind prophet, whom thousands
Pastor Joseph Obadare. He died at the age of 86. Obadare passed on yesterday at his number 16, Adinlewa Street, Akure residence, close to the expansive WOSEM headquarters, where members of the congregation began gathering as the news of his passage filtered into town. Earlier yesterday, none of the church workers would confirm the veracity of the news
revered because of his reported healing powers, is dead. Obadare was the General Evangelist of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide and founder of the World Soul Winning Evangelical Ministry (WOSEM) headquartered in Akure, Ondo State. He was confirmed dead yesterday by his youngest son,
of the death of the prophet, who hailed from Ilesa, Osun State, preferring to wait for an official announcement to be made by the family through the first son, Pastor Paul Obadare , who was said to be overseas, yet many wore long faces and discussed the development in hushed tones. But when The Guardian made another visit to the residence of “Baba” as the prophet was called by many, the younger
Obadare
Pastor Obadare, who had earlier insisted on waiting for the
family announcement, confirmed the news which was already being spread by the social media. According to him, “Baba, because of old age, had been confined to this house for some time and today, he peacefully moved up to the higher realm of existence. Prophet T.O. Obadare is dead.” As journalists who had been waiting for confirmation got it, the news rapidly spread across the town and many sympathisers, mainly
women who had gathered to fetch water from the “Kosehunti well”, believed to have miraculous healing properties, trooped to the residence, some rejoicing that “Baba” lived a fulfilled life while others expressed shock at the development. Those who expressed shock said they had thought that the prophet, who after about three years had not attended the monthly “Kosehunti” prayer meetings, made a sur-
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