The Nation July 15-2011

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Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

News Alaafin shuns talks as Onpetu tackles Olubadan P7 Sport Super Eagles star Taiwo: Ronaldinho is my Idol P24 Business Bank of Industry disburses N195b to manufacturers P12 http://www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

VOL. 6, NO. 1821 FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan talked tough yesterday on corruption. He gave the policy direction of his government on the menace. The President said the battle against corruption had been taken a notch up, with a directive to anti-graft agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to beam their search-

Jonathan orders probe of ministries •EFCC, ICPC to focus on ministers From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

light on ministries and government departments. They are also to focus on the other tiers of government. Activities of ministries in the last

four years are to be audited, he said. The President, who quoted proDr Jonathan spoke at the Presiden- fusely the words of the late Dr. Tai tial Villa at the Solarin, a prominent swearing in of SEE TEXT ON PAGE 5 humanist and educathe last batch of tionalist, said: “May ministers, who were cleared on your road be rough. I’m not cursWednesday by the Senate. ing you; I’m wishing you what I

N150.00 wish myself every year. May there be plenty of troubles for you this year! If you are not so sure what you should say, why not just say, same to you? I ask no more!” He said the road ahead of the administration may be rough, but with sincere and purposeful leadership, the task of transforming the country will be achieved. Dr Jonathan warned the ministers to shun corruption, saying that the Continued on page 2

BOKO HARAM VIOLENCE IN MAIDUGURI

Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Edo indigenes flee Borno Abia, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Imo also evacuate people

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ORE states are moving their citizens from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital hobbled by Boko Haram violence. Lagos, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Abia and Oyo are bringing home their indigenes, following the lead by some states in the North. Kwara, Kano, Kaduna, Benue and Plateau. Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola ordered

From Jide Babalola (Abuja), Miriam Ndikanwu (Lagos) and Ugochukwu Eke (Umuahia)

the immediate evacuation of Lagos students from the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), which the authorities have closed for security reasons. The General Manager/ CEO of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the

directive covers students who are either indigenes or residents of Lagos State. Said the LASEMA chief: “The Lagos State Government cannot fold its hands while its indigenes and residents are exposed to danger. That is why the Governor directed the immediate evacuation of those students to Lagos.” Abia State Governor Theodore Orji has dispatched several buses to Maiduguri to

bring back Abia indigenes who are students of UNIMAID. The governor’s media adviser, Mr Bonnie Iwuoha, said: “The governor has assured all Abians wherever they are in the country of his resolve to protect their interests at all times, once they are threatened in any form.” Besides, he advised all indigenes of Abia State in other parts of the country to remain calm.

Iwuoha restated the governor’s belief in the unity of Nigeria, urging the trouble makers to allow peace to reign for the country to meet its goals. Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi is said to be deeply concerned about the security of Ekiti students in the Borno State capital. In a statement, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, said the first batch of about 50

Ekiti students, who are mostly students of tertiary institutions in Borno State, left Maiduguri early yesterday for the long journey to Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. The second batch of Ekiti indigenes are to be brought back as state officials are making frantic efforts to establish links with the remaining students in the northern state. Continued on page 2

Merkel advises Nigeria to fight insecurity, graft From Vincent Ikuomola and Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

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IGERIA must overcome insecurity and corruption for its economy to grow, German Chancellor Angela Merkel advised yesterday. The German leader, who is on a two-day visit to Nigeria, spoke at the State House in Abuja at a joint news conference with President Goodluck Jonathan. She spoke against the backdrop of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North, especially in Maiduguri. She advised Nigeria to expand its industrial base and diversify its economy to enjoy trade balance with Germany. Merkel came to Nigeria in continuation of her three-nation African tour. She had visited Continued on page 2

•President Jonathan and German Chancellor Merkel chatting with some members of her delegation during the visit at the State House in Abuja ... PHOTO: STATE HOUSE yesterday.

•POLITICS P17 •AGRIC P14 •SPORTS P24 •SOCIETY P29 •BRANDS P49


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