Thursday, 29 October 2015
47 Boko Haram prisoners relocated from Ekwulobia Prisons
47 Boko Haram prisoners relocated from Ekwulobia Prisons
The
Federal Government has relocated 47 Boko Haram prisoners in Ekwulobia
Prison in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Briefing
reporters at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia on Thursday, the State
Governor, Willie Obiano, flanked by the leadership of the traditional
institution, church and market leaders, expressed gratitude to President
Muhammadu Buhari and the Vice President, Yemi Osibanjo, for their
cooperation in the matter that threw the state into disarray for weeks.
Governor Obiano also commended the citizens of the state for their patience and belief in him to ensure an end to the matter.
He urged them to keep supporting both the state and Federal Government as they continue to work towards citizens’ well being.
The prisoners, according to the Governor, were relocated out of the state on Tuesday.
The
All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) had on July 13, urged the Federal
Government to urgently move the 47 Boko Haram inmates recently
relocated to Ekwulobia Minimum Prison in Anambra.
The party’s
National Chairman, Dr Victor Ike Oye, asked the government to move the
inmates to a more secure facility outside the state or take them back to
where they were moved from.
Traders in Nigeria’s South-east also
shut down markets in Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Abia and Ebonyi states in
protest of the continued stay of the dreaded Boko Haram prisoners in the
region.
The
protest came despite the assurance by the Anambra State Governor,
Willie Obiano, after a security meeting with a 7-man delegation from the
National Security Adviser, that the 47 Boko Haram detainees at
Ekwulobia prison would be moved out of the state soon.
2007 election worst in Nigeria’s history – Prof Jega
2007 election worst in Nigeria’s history – Prof Jega
Immediate
past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,
Professor Attahiru Jega, has said the 2007 elections were manifestly the
worst in Nigeria’s history as described by both domestic and
international observers.
Jega disclosed this yesterday in Abuja
while delivering the medain edition of the University of Abuja Public
lecture titled ‘ Electoral Reforms in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects.
He
said the EU observer mission, noted that the election fell short of
basic international standards and were characterised by violence and
crude use of money to buy votes.
He said “there was reckless
mobilization of ethno_ religious cleavages and heightened use of money
and thugs to influence results”.
He said the pre_electoral
process, such as party primaries were conducted in grossly undemocratic
fashion, in many cases the results were said to have gone to the
highest bidder.
According to him, winner of the 2007 presidential
election, late President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua, him seld had admitted
that the elections that brought to power had serious flaws.
He
said the country would have been engulfed in constitutional crises had
the 2011 and 2015 general elections stale mated into a run off ,if there
were to be no outright winner.
He said ‘’Presidential run off
would have ignited constructional crises .We recommended to national
Assembly since 2013 to amend certain sections of the constitution
particularly those requiring 7 days to conduct run off but they have not
heeded our request. It is a compelling necessity’’
On
the need for a sustainable electoral reforms the former INEC boss, said
given the fact that elections are the major pillar of leadership
selection and governance in liberal democracies, constant and un-seizing
effort for the reformation of the electoral process is imperative,
especially in all countries that are democratizing.
He said’’ It
is especially necessary in countries in transition to democracy, such as
Nigeria, where there is a long history of badly conducted elections;
where elections have been bastardized, and where many voters have become
despondent and have virtually given up hope of their votes counting in
choosing their elected executives or representatives in legislatures’’.
The
former ASUU boss further lamented that Nigeria’s fledging democracy
needed to be demerged from what he called ‘’ series of badly conducted
elections’’ that creates perpetual political instability and easily
reverse the gains of democratization.
According to him ‘’If
adequate care is not taken, badly conducted elections can undermine
democratization and replace it with authoritarian rule, of the civilian
or military varieties. At best, they can install inept and corrupt
leadership that can herald, if not institutionalize bad governance’’.
Earlier
in his welcome address at the lecture Vice Chancellor of the
University, Professor Micheal Adikwu, said the Public Lecture series was
instituted to create interactive activities beyond the usual classroom
setting.
He said” the lecture series is designed to constantly
bring together staff and students from all faculties as well as
established professionals outside the borders to cross fertilize
knowledge and ideas’’
5 Deputy Comptroller Generals Of Customs Resign In Protest
The five officials at the rank of deputy comptroller-general of the
Customs Service tendered their resignation in a joint letter dated
October 29 and addressed to the chairman, Nigerian Customs Service
Board.
The one-page letter (see below) says that the top officials are resigning “unanimously and voluntarily” from the service. The officials are A. J. Atte, T. A. Musa, I. M. Mera, A. C. Nwosu, and A. A. Adewuyi (who was yet to sign the document).
The decision is in protest to the “high-handedness” and “insecure leadership style” of the new customs boss, Colonel Hameed Ali (Rtd), an appointee of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Our investigations reveal that on resumption early September, Ali, a long-time loyalist of Buhari had posted the senior officials to zonal offices to work with assistant comptroller-generals of. On their return, they were given letters instructing them to proceed on annual leave according to a schedule (see below).
According to our sources, the Nigerian Customs Service had six (6) deputy comptroller-generals of Customs when Ali, who is a retired army official and former military administrator of Kaduna State took over the headship of the agency. One of them had retired before today.
Our source tells us that on assumption, Colonel Ali made no effort to work with the senior brass of the Customs Services, preferring instead to sideline them and engage his cronies, who have long retired from the service as consultants. This attitude of the new Customs boss led to further discontent within the service.
The decision by Buhari to appoint a long-time loyalist to head the Customs service has been questioned for its legality. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome had condemned President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing a non-customs officials to head the service. He said that the appointment was “illegal and contrary to section 3:11:1 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria official gazette (2002), as Ali is a retired soldier and not a product of the customs”.
Ozekhome said in a statement, “The appointment of Hameed Ali has, particularly, raised serious issues of propriety, having been brought in from outside the customs service. By Section 3:11:1 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria official gazette No 24, vol 89, dated March 25, 2002, the choice of the CG of Customs shall be by appointment of a suitable Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs.”
In the wake of Ali’s appointments, there were news reports that Nigeria could be expelled from World Customs Organisation (WCO) because his appointment failed to comply with the rules of the organisation.
In September, Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo, an activist had filed a suit at the Federal High Court Umuahia, Abia state challenging the constitutionality of the appointment of Ali as the Customs boss by Buhari.
The one-page letter (see below) says that the top officials are resigning “unanimously and voluntarily” from the service. The officials are A. J. Atte, T. A. Musa, I. M. Mera, A. C. Nwosu, and A. A. Adewuyi (who was yet to sign the document).
The decision is in protest to the “high-handedness” and “insecure leadership style” of the new customs boss, Colonel Hameed Ali (Rtd), an appointee of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Our investigations reveal that on resumption early September, Ali, a long-time loyalist of Buhari had posted the senior officials to zonal offices to work with assistant comptroller-generals of. On their return, they were given letters instructing them to proceed on annual leave according to a schedule (see below).
According to our sources, the Nigerian Customs Service had six (6) deputy comptroller-generals of Customs when Ali, who is a retired army official and former military administrator of Kaduna State took over the headship of the agency. One of them had retired before today.
Our source tells us that on assumption, Colonel Ali made no effort to work with the senior brass of the Customs Services, preferring instead to sideline them and engage his cronies, who have long retired from the service as consultants. This attitude of the new Customs boss led to further discontent within the service.
The decision by Buhari to appoint a long-time loyalist to head the Customs service has been questioned for its legality. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome had condemned President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing a non-customs officials to head the service. He said that the appointment was “illegal and contrary to section 3:11:1 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria official gazette (2002), as Ali is a retired soldier and not a product of the customs”.
Ozekhome said in a statement, “The appointment of Hameed Ali has, particularly, raised serious issues of propriety, having been brought in from outside the customs service. By Section 3:11:1 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria official gazette No 24, vol 89, dated March 25, 2002, the choice of the CG of Customs shall be by appointment of a suitable Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs.”
In the wake of Ali’s appointments, there were news reports that Nigeria could be expelled from World Customs Organisation (WCO) because his appointment failed to comply with the rules of the organisation.
In September, Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo, an activist had filed a suit at the Federal High Court Umuahia, Abia state challenging the constitutionality of the appointment of Ali as the Customs boss by Buhari.
Senate President Saraki Knows Fate Tomorrow Over Alleged False Asset Declaration
Senate President Saraki Knows Fate Tomorrow Over Alleged False Asset Declaration
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal will on Friday (tomorrow)
deliver judgement on whether or not to throw out the charges of false
asset declaration brought against Senate President Bukola Saraki before
the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
The Appeal court had two weeks ago, postponed it's ruling indefinitely without giving any reason for the action.
The Appeal court had two weeks ago, postponed it's ruling indefinitely without giving any reason for the action.
Coach Sunday Oliseh Recalls Obafemi Martins To Super Eagles
Coach Sunday Oliseh Recalls Obafemi Martins To Super Eagles
Oliseh made the announcement The 31-year-old Seattle
Sounders' had been out of the Super Eagles since 2013 when he played in
a World Cup qualifier under Stephen Keshi.
He had talked about retiring from the national side after being ignored by the former coach who he claimed did not like him.
Sunday Oliseh who made Thursday afternoon also invited Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, Feirense goalkeeper Dele Alampasu and Genk midfielder Wilfred Ndidi. See full list below;
Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England);
Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars);
Dele Alampasu (Club de Sportivo Feirense, Portugal)
Defenders: Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Kalu Orji (Enugu Rangers FC); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz, Germany); Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors)
Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars); John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium); Sylvester Igbonu (FC UFA, Russia)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba FC); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders, USA)
Sunday Oliseh who made Thursday afternoon also invited Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, Feirense goalkeeper Dele Alampasu and Genk midfielder Wilfred Ndidi. See full list below;
Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England);
Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars);
Dele Alampasu (Club de Sportivo Feirense, Portugal)
Defenders: Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Kalu Orji (Enugu Rangers FC); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz, Germany); Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors)
Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars); John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium); Sylvester Igbonu (FC UFA, Russia)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba FC); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders, USA)
JAMB Introduces New Rules For 2016/2017 Admission Seekers
JAMB Introduces New Rules For 2016/2017 Admission Seekers
Candidates seeking admission to tertiary institutions will have to abide
by new rules from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB),
The Punch reports.
This is because the examination body has modified its procedure for
students seeking admission for the 2016-2017 academic session with the
introduction of the “preferred choice” platform in its portal.
This new addition will enable candidates have wider opportunities of
securing admission as sales of form for the session commenced on
September 30 to end on January 30, 2016.
According to Dr Fabian Benjamin, the chief information officer of the
board, who spoke during an exclusive interview with The Punch on Monday,
the modification, will lessen competition among candidates seeking
placement to the nation’s “oversubscribed” universities.
“What we did initially was that you only have one choice. Now, we have made it in such a way that if you miss the University of Lagos; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaira, you will have an opportunity of going to another school.
“Before, all universities will be in first and second choice and that will not solve any problem. We have now decided to put a few of those schools we feel will have more spaces as more preferred.
“Institutions placed on the more preferred choice are those that are mostly not oversubscribed. This is because it will not make any sense if you place institutions like the ABU, UNILAG, OAU and UNN, when in actual sense they cannot even admit one third of the candidates that will choose them as most preferred,” he said.
See What PDP Senators Did Over Aamechi's Ministerial Confirmation
'Create A System To Rehabilitate Mental Health Patients' -- Majek Fashek
'Create A System To Rehabilitate Mental Health Patients' -- Majek Fashek
Reggae maestro, Majek Fashek, who just came out of a rehab centre, said, 'mental health is
very important in the lives of people and a nation.' He made this known at the 46th Annual General Conference and
Scientific Meeting of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN)
in Lagos, themed 'Mental Health as a Driver for Positive Change'.
According to him,
“Mental health is not a yardstick to look down upon people. There is need to create a system to manage or rehabilitate people who are not mentally balanced and as well create more awareness on mental health challenges and appropriate management. Government should look into how to rehabilitate mental health patients as most of them have great potentials and talents.'
Senate confirms Prof Mahmud Yakubu as INEC Boss, Four Other Commissioners
Senate confirms Prof Mahmud Yakubu as INEC Boss, Four Other Commissioners
The senate has confirmed the nomination of Professor Mahmud Yakubu as
INEC Chairman and four INEC Commissioners namely Antonla Taiye Okoosi
Simbine for North-central, Alhaji Baba Shettima Arfo for North-east,
Mohammed Mustafa Lecky for South-south, Amina Zakari for North East and
Soyebi Adedeji Solomon for South-west. They were all screened today Thursday,
October 29, 2015.
Checkout Plans By PDP Lawmakers to Stop Amaechi's Final Ministerial Confirmation Today
Checkout Plans By PDP Lawmakers to Stop Amaechi's Final Ministerial Confirmation Today
Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi
The Senate, on Wednesday, October 28, wrapped up the ministerial screening, which started on October 12, with the screening of the remaining five nominees. However, the lawmakers will also confirm the outstanding 18 nominees who have already undergone the screening process.
The nominees who were screened yesterday are Dr. Okechukwu Enyinna Enelamah, professor Gozie Anthony Anwuka a, Mohammed Musa Bello, Adamu Adamu and Aisha Abubakar.
The other nominees who had been previously screened but are also awaiting confirmation are Adewole Isaac Folorunso, Hon. Bawa Bwari, Mr. Godfrey Onyeama, Zainab Ahmed, Mansur Mohammed Dan Ali and Pastor Usani Usani Uguru.
The rest of the nominees are Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Claudius Omoleye Daramola, Brig. Gen. M M Dan-Ali (rtd), Barrister James E Ocholi, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, Mustapher Baba Sheburi and Heineken Lokpobiri.
Meanwhile, It was learnt that there are moves by senators of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to frustrate the confirmation of two of the ministerial nominees, including the former Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Amaechi and the Cross Rivers State representative, Pastor Usani Usani Uguru.
The PDP senators caucus met for more than one hour after yesterday’s plenary sitting to hatch their strategy on how to tackle the two nominees today, National Mirror learnt.
It was learnt that part of the plan agreed by the senators was to urge all the PDP senators to be present in plenary today to add their voices to the direction of the proposed voting of the party. The lawmakers agreed that should the Senate President eventually use his discretion to wrongly interpret the voice votes, especially as it pertains to Amaechi and Uguru, the PDP senators would call for division, wherein, there will be vote counts to determine the actual voting pattern.
The PDP senators had boycotted the screening of Amaechi last week because of the refusal of Saraki to discuss the report of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition on the alleged fraud allegations leveled against the former governor by a Portharcourt-based integrity group.
Following the boycott of the PDP senators, only APC senators eventually screened Amaechi
Ewo! Angry Teacher Flogs Student To Death in Ibadan (See Photo)
Ewo! Angry Teacher Flogs Student To Death in Ibadan (See Photo)
Students of IMG Secondary School, Oke Ado, Ibadan, on Wednesday, went
on rampage following the death of one of their colleagues allegedly
flogged to death by a teacher.
Tribune Newspaper reports that the student slumped and gave up the ghost as a result of
the severe punishment from a teacher for arriving late to school.
Invaluable properties of the school were destroyed by the students
who took to protest before the members of Nigerian police force came to
rescue the situation.
The identity of the deceased could not be ascertained as at press time while policemen had cordoned off the area.
An eye witnesses who claimed anonymity said
The identity of the deceased could not be ascertained as at press time while policemen had cordoned off the area.
An eye witnesses who claimed anonymity said
“trouble started when the student arrived school after classes had commenced for the day, he reportedly told the teacher he came late due to illness.”
“At that point,” the eye witness added, “the principal, who was passing by asked the teacher the cause of the discussion.”
The principal allegedly ordered the teacher to flog the student for coming late and in the process of the flogging, the student slumped. “All our efforts to save the student proved abortive,’’ the eyewitness added.No fewer than 10 fully armed policemen were seen on surveillance at the premises of the school with three of their vehicles parked near the school gates.
British/Ghanaian actor Sam Sarpong commits suicide
British/Ghanaian actor Sam Sarpong commits suicide
Sam Sarpong, a British-Ghanaian actor known popularly for his role as a co-host of MTV’s Yo Mamma is dead!
It was reported that he jumped off a bridge in Pasadena, California.
Omoni Oboli expressed her grief on social media saying “Have
mercy Lord!!! I have been balling my eyes out for the last hour! I
can’t deal with this! God knows I can’t! My husband in the movie ‘Anchor
Baby’ gone like that! I have never met a more positive guy in my whole
life! He’s the most genuine, God fearing, lovable character you’ll ever
meet. What is in this life now? all the hustle! Over! Just like that!
I’m MISERABLE! God speed fam! Rest in the bosom of The Lord!”
His friend Wilmer Valderrama also took to Instagram to express his grief “I
am so sad & so confused.. Sam did it all, believed in dreaming
bigger than anyone around him.. We made memories together that will last
us forever, thank you for sharing your talent with me and the world..
You were a light everywhere you went and I couldn’t be more proud of the
journey you traveled.. You just left us too early Sam..
We will miss
you and pray for you.. Once again thank you for all those years you
dedicated to our show, we couldn’t have done it without you! Find your
peace my brother! And to everyone in a dark place.. PLEASE, please talk
to someone.. Anyone..
Trust me that we WILL listen.. You are not alone,
there are so many people that feel the same darkness, let’s help one
another, let us shine hope on all those that need our understanding!!
Reach out to someone and make your first step towards living a life you
deserve. My prayers and heart are with family and friends that were
blessed to know his beautiful soul #RIPSamSarpong”
Julius Agwu Opens Christian Nightclub in Lagos
Julius Agwu Opens Christian Nightclub in Lagos
Which one is this again o! Christian night club. 42-year old ace comedian, Julius Agwu, says he is rededicating his life to God after he survived a brain surgery.
According to City People, he made this known that he would be opening a Christian nightclub called Believer’s Lounge (Tabernacle) at Lekki in two months time.
The Comedian is also going to launch a TV show which he calls C.E.O (Christian Entertainer’s Outreach) and is to release a gospel song titled Second Chance.