A 50-year- old man, Chukwugozie Opara, of 58, Yaya Abatan Road, Ogba,
accused his wife of charming him to love her. Meanwhile, the wife,
Priscilla, denied the allegation.
The husband informed an Agege Grade A Customary Court, sitting in
Lagos, that he did not know how he got himself attached to her, adding
that he would not have slept with a lady of her type.”For six years, l
followed her like a sheep being led to be slaughtered. If not for God,
she would have killed me or made me mad”, he said.
Opara also claimed that Priscilla made life unbearable for him as she was quarrelsome.
”One of our pastors in church that wanted to settle our quarrel died a
few days to the meeting, and my wife said she was the one that killed
him”, the husband stated.
He said that the wife told him that she made her ex- husband mad, and
adding that his wife abandoned their son for him when he was two
months.
He urged the court to dissolve the marriage and grant him custody of
their only child. Priscilla, resident at 5, Aina Ajob Street, Ogba,
denied the allegations and said she lived with Opara with a true and
honest heart, but “he treated me so bad, and threw me out of the house”.
She added: “I was told by one of our pastors that my husband was once
mad, but I did not believe until he exhibited the trait”. She agreed
with her husband that the court should dissolve the marriage but grant
her custody of her child. The court dissolved the marriage “because it
has broken down irretrievably”.
It granted custody of the only child of the marriage to Opara (the
plaintiff).He ordered that Priscilla should have access to the child
every holiday to enable his mother see him and give motherly affection.
Saturday, 20 October 2012
Pirates Confession in Nigeria.
One of them say's that he can't remember the number of killings we have done since we came
into this business. It is always like we were at war when in operation. I
am not rich but I am comfortable. Those who are rich and are really
making money from the business are the sponsors, they are the
beneficiaries and they are highly placed.’’
With these words, Numbers Blessing, the alleged leader of ship hijackers recently arrested by security forces after they attacked a ship on Nigeria’s waters, revealed their modus operandi.
According to him, so powerful is the Nigerian oil mafia that a successful ship hijacking in West Africa or even Africa cannot take place without their input.
Blessing gang’s arrest by the security forces is only one out of many in the last one month.
The NIMASA Joint Task Force has not only made a haul of arrests , it has also unravelled the mystery surrounding the operations of the dare devil pirates and hijackers that have turned the Gulf of Guinea of the West Coast of Africa to a nightmare for oil vessels.
Made up of a combined team of the navy, army, airforce, officials of NIMASA and Global West Vessel Specialist Limited (GWVSL), a privately owned firm, the Blessing gang’s arrest followed the attack and seizure last August 28,on MT Energy Centurion, a Greek operated oil tanker, 17 miles off the shoreline of the Togolese Capital, Lome, where it had anchored. The pirates, Golden Energy Management, the operators of the vessel , said then stole about 3, 000 of 56, 000 tonnes of gas oil it carried and robbed the crew of 23 Russians of their jewellry and money.
As reports of the attack and hijack filtered in, NIMASA, the Head of its Corporate Affairs, Hajia Lami Tumaka, stated, immediately informed the Nigeria Navy and, backed by the airforce, swiftly moved in to rescue the vessel after about six hours of fierce chase after the marauders.
The task force consequently launched investigation into the incident, spreading its drag net across the country. The outcome of the investigation was revealing. Blessing, who described himself as Commander of ship hijackers in Nigeria, and his men were rounded up. Like many of the others now in detention undergoing further interrogation, Blessing, an indigene of Gbaramatu, Delta State, was arrested in a Lagos hotel in company of some of his gang members planning another attack on a vessel in Cotonou, Benin Republic. The pirate leader, who has admitted in a confessional statement to the task force that he led the attack on MT Energy Centurion, further revealed at his detention camp in Lagos that he got a share of N10million from the operation.
The hijack and theft of the vessel’s oil cargo, like others in the past, he said, was sponsored by some powerful Nigerians he declined to name, stating that their sponsors were in the business for financial gains. He described the business of ship hijacking as highly lucrative, explaining that there were about 1, 250 trained pirates in the country today.”
On their operational modalities, Blessing, who claimed to have been born in 1985, said : ‘’Once there is a ship to be hijacked, our sponsors get across to us through their points men, we then move to get the details about the vessel from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, NNPC and then seek support from relevant security agencies. We operate on an agreed fee and between 70 and 80 percent of the fee is paid before we embark on the operation and the balance is paid immediately after the operation. Once we complete the assignment , we inform the points men, who immediately get in touch with another group also working for the sponsors to take charge of the hijacked vessel, get the oil off loaded into another vessel to deposit it in various oil storage facilities for distribution and sale to oil marketers and merchants, we do not engage in the sale of oil products, we do , however, assist at times to monitor it through arms support.
»I can’t remember the number of killings we have done since we came into this business. It is always like we are at war when we are in operation. I am not rich but I am comfortable.
Those who are rich and are really making money from the business are the sponsors, they are the beneficiaries and they are highly placed. There can be no successful vessel hijacking in West Africa or Africa as a whole without inputs from Nigeria oil mafias, including top government functionaries. For any successful major sea crime, Lagos plays a major role. Build up meetings to the operations are held in Lagos, lodgements of huge sums for operations are made here, it serves as hide outs for criminal elements, it is used as launch pad for operations and for movement of arms, being encircled by water ; money from oil theft and hijacking go far and round, we have meetings with our contacts in relevant security organisations, for every impending operation, huge sums are set aside for the security services, that is why you hardly see any meaningful thing coming out of the fight against pirates and vessel hijacking. Once you arrest and hand over to security agents it ends there, we were planning another operation on a vessel in Cotonou when we were arrested in a Lagos hotel, one of the top players in the oil industry contacted us for that job, we agreed to execute that job for N16million.»
Blessing’s identification and consequent arrest was aided by the security camera on board MT Centurion, calls made by the bandits while the operation lasted on board the vessel were comprehensively recorded.
They had been sent to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), Malaysia, which mailed them to the task force to aid investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Others arrested over the same operation with Blessing were Sola Sama, also known as Michael Babalola or Père John, from Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, and Captain Mike. Still at large are Ateke, Jonathan, Tari, Ebere, Solo, Ogene and Abedi.
With these words, Numbers Blessing, the alleged leader of ship hijackers recently arrested by security forces after they attacked a ship on Nigeria’s waters, revealed their modus operandi.
According to him, so powerful is the Nigerian oil mafia that a successful ship hijacking in West Africa or even Africa cannot take place without their input.
Blessing gang’s arrest by the security forces is only one out of many in the last one month.
The NIMASA Joint Task Force has not only made a haul of arrests , it has also unravelled the mystery surrounding the operations of the dare devil pirates and hijackers that have turned the Gulf of Guinea of the West Coast of Africa to a nightmare for oil vessels.
Made up of a combined team of the navy, army, airforce, officials of NIMASA and Global West Vessel Specialist Limited (GWVSL), a privately owned firm, the Blessing gang’s arrest followed the attack and seizure last August 28,on MT Energy Centurion, a Greek operated oil tanker, 17 miles off the shoreline of the Togolese Capital, Lome, where it had anchored. The pirates, Golden Energy Management, the operators of the vessel , said then stole about 3, 000 of 56, 000 tonnes of gas oil it carried and robbed the crew of 23 Russians of their jewellry and money.
As reports of the attack and hijack filtered in, NIMASA, the Head of its Corporate Affairs, Hajia Lami Tumaka, stated, immediately informed the Nigeria Navy and, backed by the airforce, swiftly moved in to rescue the vessel after about six hours of fierce chase after the marauders.
The task force consequently launched investigation into the incident, spreading its drag net across the country. The outcome of the investigation was revealing. Blessing, who described himself as Commander of ship hijackers in Nigeria, and his men were rounded up. Like many of the others now in detention undergoing further interrogation, Blessing, an indigene of Gbaramatu, Delta State, was arrested in a Lagos hotel in company of some of his gang members planning another attack on a vessel in Cotonou, Benin Republic. The pirate leader, who has admitted in a confessional statement to the task force that he led the attack on MT Energy Centurion, further revealed at his detention camp in Lagos that he got a share of N10million from the operation.
The hijack and theft of the vessel’s oil cargo, like others in the past, he said, was sponsored by some powerful Nigerians he declined to name, stating that their sponsors were in the business for financial gains. He described the business of ship hijacking as highly lucrative, explaining that there were about 1, 250 trained pirates in the country today.”
On their operational modalities, Blessing, who claimed to have been born in 1985, said : ‘’Once there is a ship to be hijacked, our sponsors get across to us through their points men, we then move to get the details about the vessel from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, NNPC and then seek support from relevant security agencies. We operate on an agreed fee and between 70 and 80 percent of the fee is paid before we embark on the operation and the balance is paid immediately after the operation. Once we complete the assignment , we inform the points men, who immediately get in touch with another group also working for the sponsors to take charge of the hijacked vessel, get the oil off loaded into another vessel to deposit it in various oil storage facilities for distribution and sale to oil marketers and merchants, we do not engage in the sale of oil products, we do , however, assist at times to monitor it through arms support.
»I can’t remember the number of killings we have done since we came into this business. It is always like we are at war when we are in operation. I am not rich but I am comfortable.
Those who are rich and are really making money from the business are the sponsors, they are the beneficiaries and they are highly placed. There can be no successful vessel hijacking in West Africa or Africa as a whole without inputs from Nigeria oil mafias, including top government functionaries. For any successful major sea crime, Lagos plays a major role. Build up meetings to the operations are held in Lagos, lodgements of huge sums for operations are made here, it serves as hide outs for criminal elements, it is used as launch pad for operations and for movement of arms, being encircled by water ; money from oil theft and hijacking go far and round, we have meetings with our contacts in relevant security organisations, for every impending operation, huge sums are set aside for the security services, that is why you hardly see any meaningful thing coming out of the fight against pirates and vessel hijacking. Once you arrest and hand over to security agents it ends there, we were planning another operation on a vessel in Cotonou when we were arrested in a Lagos hotel, one of the top players in the oil industry contacted us for that job, we agreed to execute that job for N16million.»
Blessing’s identification and consequent arrest was aided by the security camera on board MT Centurion, calls made by the bandits while the operation lasted on board the vessel were comprehensively recorded.
They had been sent to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), Malaysia, which mailed them to the task force to aid investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Others arrested over the same operation with Blessing were Sola Sama, also known as Michael Babalola or Père John, from Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, and Captain Mike. Still at large are Ateke, Jonathan, Tari, Ebere, Solo, Ogene and Abedi.
Ondo Guber: Governor Segun Mimiko in Early Lead.
Governor Segun Mimiko was Saturday, on course for a historic
re-election after first results showed him dusting his two major
opponents in their respective homes in the gubernatorial election in
Ondo State.
Governor Mimiko, who stood as candidate of the Labour Party (LP), defeated Rotimi Akeredolu, the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in Akeredolu’s polling unit at GRA Unit 6, Owo by 144 votes to 139. Akeredolu was also defeated at the ward level by Mimiko who took first position with 420 votes and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Chief Olusola Oke, who took second position with 292 votes, leaving Akeredolu with 287 votes.
Should Mimiko be confirmed, he would be the first governor of the new Ondo State to be re-elected.
Governor Mimiko, who stood as candidate of the Labour Party (LP), defeated Rotimi Akeredolu, the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in Akeredolu’s polling unit at GRA Unit 6, Owo by 144 votes to 139. Akeredolu was also defeated at the ward level by Mimiko who took first position with 420 votes and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Chief Olusola Oke, who took second position with 292 votes, leaving Akeredolu with 287 votes.
Mimiko during accreditation, Saturday, in Ondo.
News: 13 Year-old-girl Kept In Fridge After Murdered
13-year old named Yetunde,
Racheal Samuel had known what fate had in store for her on 5TH October, she
would have changed her mind about staying home and followed her family to
the wedding of the day. But life played a fast one on her and kept her in the
dark about the evil that lurked at the corner . She had no premonition
whatsoever, that on that particular day, she would bid the world goodbye in a
gruesome manner.
On that day, the serene town of
Isanlu, headquarters of Yagba – East Local Government of Kogi State was thrown
into tumoil following the gruesome murder of Yetunde, whose body
was deposited inside a medium size freezer after being strangled to
death by yet to be identified killers.
Yetunde Rachael Samuel, a JSS 2
student of Oluyori Comprehensive College, Isanlu was killed in the night of
October 5th and neatly deposited inside a medium size freezer to create
impression that she fell into the freezer and was subsequently jamlocked and
frozen to death without any body knowing; which shows that her death was
pre-planned and carried out with an ulterior motive.
What has remained a mystery is who
actually murdered her and for what. Aside that, the question on the lips
of people is why was she the only one left in the house that particular
day and why she was hurriedly buried in the cover of the night? Why did
the parents or the guardians fail to report her mysterious death to the police
before she was committed to mother earth? Only the police or perhaps, the
late Yetunde herself could actually reveal who killed her and how she died.
The perpetrators of the henious
crime would have gotten away with it if the police had not gotten wind of it.
Maybe Yetunde’s blood is seeking for justice as no one knows how the
Police heard about it.
The state commissioner of
Police, Alh Mohammed Musa Katsina who got wind of the dastardly act,
suspected foul play, arrested the guardians of the girl and ordered that
the corpse be exhumed for a thorough autopsy to confirm whether the girl
actually jumped inside the freezer and got frozen or she was killed.
It was a hectic time for our
correspondent and detectives led by the deputy commissioner of police,
Alh Zannah Mohammed who travelled to the community with a pathologist
from Federal Medical Centre to exhume the decompsing corpse for autopsy.
The guardian of the girl who is at
the centre of the mysterious death, Mrs Deborah Motunrayo Jaiyeoba
claimed that she left the girl who was the daughter of her younger sister at
home that Saturday morning for a marriage ceremony along with all her
children.
According to her, when she got back
from the wedding ceremony and did not see Yetunde, she thought she had
gone to play. She said she was thirsty and raced to the deep freezer to get a
satchet of water to quench her thirst when she suddenly discovered that Yetunde
was stone dead in the freezer and she immediately raised alarm.
Mrs jaiyeoba, a sanitary inspector
at the local government claimed Yetunde wanted to clean the deep freezer in her
small retail shop when she fell into the deep freezer and must have frozen to
death.
Saturday Vanguard also gathered that
the father of the desceased was said to have felt indiferrent about the death
of her daughter as he hurriedly consented that she should be buried
immediately.
Saturday Vanguard’s investigation
revealed that Yetunde’s mother was impregnated at the age of 17 while she was
still in secondary school; and after delivery , decided to drop Yetunde
at the age of two with her sister and headed to Ilorin for greener
pasture where she later got married. However, the autopsy carried out revealed
that the late girl was actually killed; maybe, for rituals.
Preliminary doctor’s report
confirmed that the girl died as result of neorogenic shock secondary to
multiple skeletal injuries most likely sustained from blunt force trauma .
The doctor’s report also said two of
the girl’s teeth were removed with some vital parts while the entire head
region was battered with blunt instrument.
Speaking with Saturday Vanguard, the
State Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Kastina said the whole episode was a case
of culpable homicide. He said the innocent girl was brutally murdered but
expressed shock that the biological father of the girl did not show concern but
instead, he brought a letter to his office along with somebody who claimed to
be a judicial officer that the case be withdrawn.
The CP said when he interrogated the
father, he could not even read nor comprehend the contents of the letter which
gave suspicion that some people were behind the murder. He therefore called on
members of the public to be more vigilant with their children and to know who
they give their children to for upkeeping but vowed to pursue the case to
a logical conclusion .
If truly Yetunde’s guardian was
behind the gruesome murder, why and what could be the reason behind it
after sucessefully nuturing her for the past 13 years? What does
she stand to gain? All these questions seem unanswarable as the peoples
wait patiently for the police to unravel the case and make their
submission known on time.
Those arrested along with the 43
year- old Mrs Jaiyeoba Deborah who was the guardian are three of her children
namely: Jaiyeoba Titilayo, 20 years old; Tunmininu Jaiyeoba 23 years old and
Jaiyeoba Femi 18 years old. Others are Shade Jimoh, Chief J I Owolabi, Raphael
Owolabi, Raphael Abiodun and Tolulope Sunday.
Politics: Ondo State Guber Poll
ACN raises alarm over insecurity, irregularities
In a statement issued Saturday in Akure, Ondo State, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party therefore called on INEC officials and security agencies to move fast to rectify the situation.
The party said inadequate security has been reported in many localities in the State, with the worst-hit areas being Idanre and Okitipupa.
“In Idanre, for example, thugs on motorcycles are harassing voters and agents of the opposition. There are also reports of stuffed ballot boxes being moved to polling booths with the protection of Labour Party thugs.
“In Owo, a state government Commissioner has been arrested by soldiers after he was found with weapons. The widespread insecurity has led to apprehension by voters, and there is the need for security agencies to urgently deploy additional security to the affected areas.”
ACN also alleged that many of its agents whose names were forwarded to INEC were not given accreditation tags in several polling units across the state, raising fears that the party’s agents may not be able to monitor the election. It however, called on the INEC to immediately remedy the situation.
The party lamented the delay in election materials to get to some polling units hours after there were distributed to many polling units across the state
“Specifically, materials have not been brought to Ese Odo LG Ward 1 Unit 11, as well as Akure South Ward 8 Wofere Unit. Also at both Units, INEC officials have not been sighted. At the Ese Odo LG, Apoi 4, Unit 1, duplicate EC8A was presented”, the statement disclosed.
Accreditation of voters begins in Ondo state
10 22 am: INCE’s accreditation of voters in Okiti Pupa LG in Ijuodo polling both OO5 staterd at 920 am.
INEC staff lamented that the dely was due to vehicles problems which hinder transporting the election materials
10 10 am: The ACN guber candidate has called all the Ondo people to take the money being offered to them by politicians but that they should vote the right candidate.
Akeredolu who was on queue waiting for accreditation made this statement in Unite 2 ward 6 in Owo LG.
He also said that he is contended with the security position in the state as the security is there to deter the thugs and not the peaceful voters and enjoined the peope to come out en mass to vote.
Akeredolu in
For complaints on the election call INEC hotlines 07098115592,07098117563,07098114865,07098115257,07098110916, #ondovotes,#ondodecides
In Agbogbo Busstop Ward 4 in Akure women queue waiting to be accredited.
9 44am: Accreditation is on going in Ago Ijumu Unite 29 Ward 7 in Ondo LG. But only two INEC official are attending to about one thousand voter who are on queue for accreditation.
9 38 am: In Unite 6 in Owo LG the ACN guber candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu is expected to come for his accreditation soon.
9 26 am: In Okiti Pupa and Igbo Tako accreditation has also commenced and voters are excited and are coming out in great numbers to exercise their franchise .
9 am: Two arrested in Owo with ammunitions.
8 55 am: Accreditation started at in Ward 3 of Akure LG at about 8.03 am. The security level to is said to be calm and has enable voters to come enmass to cast their votes.
8 51 am : Accreditation, yet to commence in Akure metropolis as at 7am reports Charles Kumolu
8 15 am: In Owo accreditation is about to start as INCE official are ready
Also the security level in Owo is calm
INEC has commence accreditation of voters in most part of Ondo State
Splendid morning indeed here. Ondo state generally sleeps early- between 8.30 and 9p.m- and wakes up late – between 7 and 7.30a.m compared to Lagos where the day ends say at 1a.m and a new one starts 3 to 4 hours later
Federal Poly, Oko Now Turn To University
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Sen. Uche
Chukwumerije, has called on the Federal Government to upgrade the
Federal Polytechnic, Oko, to a university and rename it after Dr Alex
Ekwueme.
Chukwumerije made the call on Friday in Oko while delivering a paper at the 3rd Alex Ekwueme Annual Lecture Series, to mark his 80th birthday.
The event was organised by the polytechnic in honour of Ekwueme.
It will be recalled that Ekwueme, an octogenarian, was Vice President of Nigeria during the Shehu Shagari administration (1979 -1983).
Chukwumerije said that Ekwueme had made huge contributions to Nigeria’s democracy and should be honoured.
In a lecture entitled: “The Igbo and the Nigerian Political Space: The path to self-rehabilitation,” Chukwumerije said for Ndigbo, their birthday present to Ekwueme would be “to heal their post-civil war infirmity of unanchored individualism.”
Ndigbo, he added, should declare “never, never again to self-inflicted injury when a golden opportunity (like the PDP Jos Presidential Primary) knocks in the near future in their presidential bid”, while calling on them to unite in order to take their rightful position in the political process of the country.
“No matter the help the Igbo get from the outside, they can never occupy that rightful place if they are disorganised, directionless, and lack focus as a group,” he said.
The senator expressed optimism that with unity “no force from the outside, no matter how formidable or entrenched, can hold them down for long.”
In a remark, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, commended the organisers of the which he described as a call for Igbo to unite and forge a common front.NAN.
Chukwumerije made the call on Friday in Oko while delivering a paper at the 3rd Alex Ekwueme Annual Lecture Series, to mark his 80th birthday.
The event was organised by the polytechnic in honour of Ekwueme.
It will be recalled that Ekwueme, an octogenarian, was Vice President of Nigeria during the Shehu Shagari administration (1979 -1983).
Chukwumerije said that Ekwueme had made huge contributions to Nigeria’s democracy and should be honoured.
In a lecture entitled: “The Igbo and the Nigerian Political Space: The path to self-rehabilitation,” Chukwumerije said for Ndigbo, their birthday present to Ekwueme would be “to heal their post-civil war infirmity of unanchored individualism.”
Ndigbo, he added, should declare “never, never again to self-inflicted injury when a golden opportunity (like the PDP Jos Presidential Primary) knocks in the near future in their presidential bid”, while calling on them to unite in order to take their rightful position in the political process of the country.
“No matter the help the Igbo get from the outside, they can never occupy that rightful place if they are disorganised, directionless, and lack focus as a group,” he said.
The senator expressed optimism that with unity “no force from the outside, no matter how formidable or entrenched, can hold them down for long.”
In a remark, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, commended the organisers of the which he described as a call for Igbo to unite and forge a common front.NAN.
Boko Haram Member Arrested At Senotor's House
Nigerian authorities said Friday they had arrested an alleged high-profile member of Islamist extremist group Boko Haram at the home of a senator in the violence-torn Nigerian city of Maiduguri.
The statement from a military task force in Maiduguri did not name the senator and provided few other details. There have been allegations of links between elements of Boko Haram and local politicians in the past.
“A high-profile Boko Haram commander, one Shuaibu Mohammed Bama, who has been on the list of wanted terrorists … was arrested by task force troops in a serving senator’s house …,” the statement said of the arrest on Thursday.
Catalogue of attacks blamed on Nigeria’s Boko Haram
- Following are the main attacks linked to the Boko Haram Islamist sect in Nigeria since 2009:
2009
- July 26: Boko Haram launches a short-lived uprising in parts of the north that is brutally crushed by the military in an assault that leaves more than 800 people dead, mostly sect members.
2010
- December 24 and 27: A series of attacks claimed by Boko Haram and reprisals in the northeastern city of Maiduguri, the sect’s home base, and the central city of Jos kill at least 86 people.
2011
- June 16: Boko Haram says it is behind a suicide blast against police headquarters in Abuja, in which one policeman dies.
- August 26: Boko Haram claims responsibility for a suicide bombing against the UN compound in Abuja, killing at least 25 people, the first attack targeting the international community.
- November 4: A series of attacks on police targets and churches in the northeastern city of Damaturu claimed by the sect kills at least 150 people.
- December 22-23: Attacks in the cities of Damaturu, Potiskum and Maiduguri claimed by the group along with a heavy military crackdown leave up to 100 people dead.
- December 25: A wave of attacks claimed by the group targeting churches during Christmas services and police leave at least 49 people dead.
2012
- January 20: At least 185 people are killed in the northern city of Kano following coordinated bombings and gun battles, claimed by Boko Haram.
- February 15: Boko Haram claims a raid on a prison in central Nigeria in which 119 inmates are set free.
- April 8: An Easter bomb attack on a church in the northern city of Kaduna claims at least 41 lives.
- June 17: Boko Haram claims suicide attacks at three churches at Kaduna and Zaria, sparking reprisal violence by Christian mobs who burn mosques and target their Muslim neighbours. More than 100 are killed over a week.
- July 10: Boko Haram claims raids by gunmen in central Plateau state on the 7th and 8th which leave more than 100 people dead.
- August 6: Gunmen open fire on an evangelical church during a service in Kogi state in central Nigeria, killing at least 19 people.
- September 17: Nigerian soldiers shoot dead a man suspected to have acted as a spokesman for Boko Haram.
- September 25: Nigeria’s military says that it has killed a senior Boko Haram Islamist leader and arrested 156 suspected members of the group during a weekend raid in northeastern Adamawa state.
- October 11: Nigerian security forces as well as Islamist extremist group Boko Haram may both be guilty of crimes against humanity, Human Rights Watch says, adding the death toll of those killed in the violence is more than 2,800 people since 2009.
- October 16: Nigeria’s military says 24 Boko Haram members were killed in violence that rocked Maiduguri, saying the extremists launched attacks with bombs and rocket-propelled grenades.
- October 18-19: Attacks and gun battles between suspected Islamists and security forces in the northeastern Nigerian town of Potiskum kill several people and destroy buildings. Explosions and gunfire are also heard in Maidguri.
“He is in the custody of the (task force) and assisting in the investigation and has since made startling revelations.”
In November 2011, Nigerian secret police said they had arrested an alleged Boko Haram spokesman with ties to a member of parliament. The alleged links however appeared to involve local politics in Nigeria’s northeast.
Nigerian authorities frequently exaggerate their efforts in arresting or cracking down on Boko Haram, which has carried out scores of bombings and shootings.
Violence linked to Boko Haram’s insurgency in northern and central Nigeria, including killings by security forces, is believed to have left more than 2,800 people dead since 2009.
The statement from a military task force in Maiduguri did not name the senator and provided few other details. There have been allegations of links between elements of Boko Haram and local politicians in the past.
“A high-profile Boko Haram commander, one Shuaibu Mohammed Bama, who has been on the list of wanted terrorists … was arrested by task force troops in a serving senator’s house …,” the statement said of the arrest on Thursday.
Catalogue of attacks blamed on Nigeria’s Boko Haram
- Following are the main attacks linked to the Boko Haram Islamist sect in Nigeria since 2009:
2009
- July 26: Boko Haram launches a short-lived uprising in parts of the north that is brutally crushed by the military in an assault that leaves more than 800 people dead, mostly sect members.
2010
- December 24 and 27: A series of attacks claimed by Boko Haram and reprisals in the northeastern city of Maiduguri, the sect’s home base, and the central city of Jos kill at least 86 people.
2011
- June 16: Boko Haram says it is behind a suicide blast against police headquarters in Abuja, in which one policeman dies.
- August 26: Boko Haram claims responsibility for a suicide bombing against the UN compound in Abuja, killing at least 25 people, the first attack targeting the international community.
- November 4: A series of attacks on police targets and churches in the northeastern city of Damaturu claimed by the sect kills at least 150 people.
- December 22-23: Attacks in the cities of Damaturu, Potiskum and Maiduguri claimed by the group along with a heavy military crackdown leave up to 100 people dead.
- December 25: A wave of attacks claimed by the group targeting churches during Christmas services and police leave at least 49 people dead.
2012
- January 20: At least 185 people are killed in the northern city of Kano following coordinated bombings and gun battles, claimed by Boko Haram.
- February 15: Boko Haram claims a raid on a prison in central Nigeria in which 119 inmates are set free.
- April 8: An Easter bomb attack on a church in the northern city of Kaduna claims at least 41 lives.
- June 17: Boko Haram claims suicide attacks at three churches at Kaduna and Zaria, sparking reprisal violence by Christian mobs who burn mosques and target their Muslim neighbours. More than 100 are killed over a week.
- July 10: Boko Haram claims raids by gunmen in central Plateau state on the 7th and 8th which leave more than 100 people dead.
- August 6: Gunmen open fire on an evangelical church during a service in Kogi state in central Nigeria, killing at least 19 people.
- September 17: Nigerian soldiers shoot dead a man suspected to have acted as a spokesman for Boko Haram.
- September 25: Nigeria’s military says that it has killed a senior Boko Haram Islamist leader and arrested 156 suspected members of the group during a weekend raid in northeastern Adamawa state.
- October 11: Nigerian security forces as well as Islamist extremist group Boko Haram may both be guilty of crimes against humanity, Human Rights Watch says, adding the death toll of those killed in the violence is more than 2,800 people since 2009.
- October 16: Nigeria’s military says 24 Boko Haram members were killed in violence that rocked Maiduguri, saying the extremists launched attacks with bombs and rocket-propelled grenades.
- October 18-19: Attacks and gun battles between suspected Islamists and security forces in the northeastern Nigerian town of Potiskum kill several people and destroy buildings. Explosions and gunfire are also heard in Maidguri.
“He is in the custody of the (task force) and assisting in the investigation and has since made startling revelations.”
In November 2011, Nigerian secret police said they had arrested an alleged Boko Haram spokesman with ties to a member of parliament. The alleged links however appeared to involve local politics in Nigeria’s northeast.
Nigerian authorities frequently exaggerate their efforts in arresting or cracking down on Boko Haram, which has carried out scores of bombings and shootings.
Violence linked to Boko Haram’s insurgency in northern and central Nigeria, including killings by security forces, is believed to have left more than 2,800 people dead since 2009.
Friday, 19 October 2012
News: SUBEB Has Blamed School Principals Over Payment of NYSC Allowances
The Kebbi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has blamed
school principals over the delay in the payment of allowances to NYSC
members who staged a protest on Wednesday.
The corps member had staged a protest and disrupted activities at the SUBEB headquarters in Birnin Kebbi demanding payment of their allowances.
The board’s Public Relations Officer, Malam Bello Bagudo, told newsmen on Thursday that the principals failed to submit the authentic lists of corps members posted to their schools for prompt payment of their allowances.
He said the board appreciated the role of NYSC members in the education system, considering the dearth of teachers in the state.
Bagudo said the payment had been made to those who had evidence of posting to the schools involved but added that the process of payment for 125 corps members had been delayed due to their late clearance.
“The board would ensure that payment to corps members was not delayed in future considering the significant role played by corps members,’’ he said. (NAN)
The corps member had staged a protest and disrupted activities at the SUBEB headquarters in Birnin Kebbi demanding payment of their allowances.
The board’s Public Relations Officer, Malam Bello Bagudo, told newsmen on Thursday that the principals failed to submit the authentic lists of corps members posted to their schools for prompt payment of their allowances.
He said the board appreciated the role of NYSC members in the education system, considering the dearth of teachers in the state.
Bagudo said the payment had been made to those who had evidence of posting to the schools involved but added that the process of payment for 125 corps members had been delayed due to their late clearance.
“The board would ensure that payment to corps members was not delayed in future considering the significant role played by corps members,’’ he said. (NAN)
News: Be Awake Of PHCN Irregularities Says NERC
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has advised
electricity consumers to be alert to certain irregularities by some
employees of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).
Giving the advice on Thursday in Uyo, Dr Tony Akah, NERC’s General Manager, Government and Consumer Affairs, said the commission was aware that some PHCN officials compelled consumers to pay for transformers, electricity poles, cables, and meters.
Akah, who spoke at the commission’s “Power Consumer Assembly’’, urged consumers to watch out for such employees, adding that consumers who felt cheated should file complaints with the commission for action.
He stated that the commission had given PHCN an 18-month ultimatum to provide consumers with meters and stressed that it was illegal for the company to arbitrarily give consumers estimated bills.
“We are aware of such things like customers being forced to buy meters, transformers, electric poles. We are urging you as journalists to help us expose these people.
“Nigerian consumers should be fully alert to the trend. You have phones that have cameras, record these things and bring them to us.
“Be rest assured that as soon as we prove that there is a violation of this, we will consider it as a pure criminal violation and we as a commission will take it to the highest level and ensure that whoever the culprits are, will be brought to book.
“We ask the consumers to compile and properly file any complaints about PHCN employees asking them to buy transformers, poles, cables and meters.
“When we look at the individuals’ consumers complaints from our databank, we will be able to make PHCN do what it is supposed to do.
He advised on the importance for consumers to first file their complaints at the PHCN office that charged them for any item.
“We are aware of the increased complaints that people are being given crazy bills, bills that are not based on scientific reasons,’’ Akah said.
He said that even if the meters were not available, there was a methodology that had been created to produce a “more or less scientific projection to what consumer billing may look like instead of arbitrary billing’’.
Akah said as regulators, the commission also had useful information from different stakeholders that would enable it to come up with more effective regulations, and effectively monitor the rules.
He said that the power consumer assembly was a platform to bring stakeholders together to harness ideas and receive complaints from consumers with a view to addressing their complaints. (NAN)
Giving the advice on Thursday in Uyo, Dr Tony Akah, NERC’s General Manager, Government and Consumer Affairs, said the commission was aware that some PHCN officials compelled consumers to pay for transformers, electricity poles, cables, and meters.
Akah, who spoke at the commission’s “Power Consumer Assembly’’, urged consumers to watch out for such employees, adding that consumers who felt cheated should file complaints with the commission for action.
He stated that the commission had given PHCN an 18-month ultimatum to provide consumers with meters and stressed that it was illegal for the company to arbitrarily give consumers estimated bills.
“We are aware of such things like customers being forced to buy meters, transformers, electric poles. We are urging you as journalists to help us expose these people.
“Nigerian consumers should be fully alert to the trend. You have phones that have cameras, record these things and bring them to us.
“Be rest assured that as soon as we prove that there is a violation of this, we will consider it as a pure criminal violation and we as a commission will take it to the highest level and ensure that whoever the culprits are, will be brought to book.
“We ask the consumers to compile and properly file any complaints about PHCN employees asking them to buy transformers, poles, cables and meters.
“When we look at the individuals’ consumers complaints from our databank, we will be able to make PHCN do what it is supposed to do.
He advised on the importance for consumers to first file their complaints at the PHCN office that charged them for any item.
“We are aware of the increased complaints that people are being given crazy bills, bills that are not based on scientific reasons,’’ Akah said.
He said that even if the meters were not available, there was a methodology that had been created to produce a “more or less scientific projection to what consumer billing may look like instead of arbitrary billing’’.
Akah said as regulators, the commission also had useful information from different stakeholders that would enable it to come up with more effective regulations, and effectively monitor the rules.
He said that the power consumer assembly was a platform to bring stakeholders together to harness ideas and receive complaints from consumers with a view to addressing their complaints. (NAN)
Job Vancacy: RS Hunter Limited
RS Hunter Limited, a firm committed to offering full HR outsourced services to take away the day to day challenge of finding the right people. At RS Hunter we believe our clients have the resources, what we do is to galvanise, advice and, partner with our clients to understand the peculiarities of their businesses and then find the best solutions and best HR strategies that work.
RS Hunter Limited is recruiting to fill the below position:
Job Title: Sales Executive
Location: Lagos
Job Role:
The sales executive will be required to work in assigned territorial sectors in marketing our internet service.
She/he will chase prospective leads to closure, manage the relationship between the company and the customer, uncover needs in virgin terrains, and work with Sales Manager in conjunction with technical department to develop an acceptable solution for this need in a bid to close out sales.
He/ she will be required to follow-up all sales closure with collections by working with finance department to ensure that customer are invoiced promptly and payment issues resolved in lead time.
Job Responsibilities
Marketing & Business development drive.
Lead follow-up, closure and management
Sales revenue invoicing, payment follow-up, payment closure.
Documented opportunity funnel.
Gathering and coordinating content for sales presentation.
Weekly sales report to sales manager.
Coordinated & purpose driven sales/marketing calls.
Education and Experience
Candidate must have at least 2 years experience in Broadband sales
University degree in Business, Actuary Science or relevant discipline.
Microsoft environment savvy.
Basic knowledge of ICT.
Good analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Skills
Good written and oral communication skills.
Possession of fair knowledge selling
Strong interpersonal skills.
Highly self motivated and directed.
Ability to meet set target on schedule.
Self starter, confident and aggressive for results
Performance Indicators
Target attainment within set period
Successful client portfolio management
Successful revenue collation within set period
Internal / External customer relations management.
Application Closing Date
31st October, 2012
How To Apply
Interested candidates should send Application and CV to: vacancy@rs-hunter.com using Job Title as subject of the email.
Entertainment: NCC Sued by MCSN For Right Abuse
The Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN) has filed a suit at the
Federal High Court, Lagos to enforce its fundamental and constitutional
rights and those of its officials, asking for an award of N100 Million
as damages against the Nigerian Copyright Commission and 4 others.
It has also demanded that the NCC should within seven days return all materials, files, documents and computers illegally removed from its offices in a recent raid, otherwise it would be claiming One Million Naira per day for the number of days which the materials remain in the custody of the NCC.
In Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1163/12 filed on 3rd October 2012, MCSN and its 6 other officials, namely, Olukayode Ajayi, Benson Yusuf, Omolara Banjo, Halim Mohammed, Louis Udoh and Mayo Ayilaran are asking for the following reliefs among others: An Order of perpetual injunction restraining the Respondents whether by themselves, officers, agents and privies from further harassing, intimidating, detaining or further arresting the Applicants or any of its officers or agents in the course of performing their lawful and legal duties and administering their property rights, an order of the Honourable Court awarding compensation for the Applicants and against the Respondents (jointly and severally) in the sum N50 Million for unlawful disruption and interference in 1st Applicant’s lawful businesses and an order of the Honourable Court awarding compensation for the Applicants and against the Respondents in the sum of N50 Million (jointly and severally) for threat to arrest, unlawful arrest, detention, intimidation and harassment of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th 7th and 8th Applicants.
Other Defendants in the suit apart from the Nigerian Copyright Commission are the Director General of the NCC (Afam Ezekude), Mr. Amodu Augustine Alewu, Mr. Mathew D. J. Ojo and the Inspector General of Police.
The suit was filed on behalf MCSN and its officials by Dr. Ope Banwo of Banwo & Igbokwe (Solicitors) and a hearing date was being expected.
It has also demanded that the NCC should within seven days return all materials, files, documents and computers illegally removed from its offices in a recent raid, otherwise it would be claiming One Million Naira per day for the number of days which the materials remain in the custody of the NCC.
In Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1163/12 filed on 3rd October 2012, MCSN and its 6 other officials, namely, Olukayode Ajayi, Benson Yusuf, Omolara Banjo, Halim Mohammed, Louis Udoh and Mayo Ayilaran are asking for the following reliefs among others: An Order of perpetual injunction restraining the Respondents whether by themselves, officers, agents and privies from further harassing, intimidating, detaining or further arresting the Applicants or any of its officers or agents in the course of performing their lawful and legal duties and administering their property rights, an order of the Honourable Court awarding compensation for the Applicants and against the Respondents (jointly and severally) in the sum N50 Million for unlawful disruption and interference in 1st Applicant’s lawful businesses and an order of the Honourable Court awarding compensation for the Applicants and against the Respondents in the sum of N50 Million (jointly and severally) for threat to arrest, unlawful arrest, detention, intimidation and harassment of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th 7th and 8th Applicants.
Other Defendants in the suit apart from the Nigerian Copyright Commission are the Director General of the NCC (Afam Ezekude), Mr. Amodu Augustine Alewu, Mr. Mathew D. J. Ojo and the Inspector General of Police.
The suit was filed on behalf MCSN and its officials by Dr. Ope Banwo of Banwo & Igbokwe (Solicitors) and a hearing date was being expected.
Job Vacancies: Wesley University of Science and Technology, Ondo
Wesley University of Science and Technology, Ondo is a private University established by the Methodist Church, Nigeria with core values of seeking excellence, intellectual freedom of expression, integrity and high moral values.
We hereby invite applications from suitably qualified candidates
THE ACADEMIC POSITIONS
i. Professor
ii. Associate Professor (Reader)
iii. Senior Lecturer
iv. Lecturer I
v. Lecturer II
vi. Assistant Lecturer
Colleges and Discipline
I. COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Food Science & Technology
Nutrition and Dietetics
Hotel Management & Tourism
Home Economics & Food Management
Agriculture (Economics. Crop Production, Extension e.t.c)
II. COLLEGE OF SOCIAL AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES:
Banking and Finance
Business Administration
Economics
Mass Communication
Political Science
Accounting
III. COLLEGE OF NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES:
Marine Biology & Fisheries
Microbiology
Industrial Chemistry
Biochemistry
Industrial Mathematics
Physics with Electronics
Geology
Geophysics
Computer Science
IV. COLLEGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT
Urban and Regional Planning
Estate Management
Salary and Allowances
In Wesley University of Science and Technology, Ondo, salaries and allowances are generally comparable with what obtains in Federal, State and Private Universities in the country.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
I. PROFESSOR (WUCASS 07)
Candidates must possess Ph.D from a recognized University with at least 12 years of Teaching. Research and Professional experience in a University. Should show ability to initiate and develop research projects in addition to having substantial scholarly publications in local and international journals and relevant administrative experience in working with interdisciplinary groups.
Suitable candidates must have attained the position of Senior lecturer or Reader in a recognized University.
He/she must have the capacity to provide academic and managerial leadership to upcoming colleagues and be able to attract research grant. Computer literacy is an essential requirement.
Final consideration for appointment will be made after positive reports on the external assessment of publications after interview.
II. READER (WUCASS 06)
Qualification is the same as in (i) above with at least 10 years of teaching experience in a recognized University.
Suitable candidate must have attained the position of Senior lecturer. Computer literacy is an essential requirement.
Final consideration for appointment will be made after positive reports on the external assessment ofpublications after interview.
III. SENIOR LECTURER (WUCASS 05)
Qualification is the same as in (i) above with at least 8 years of teaching experience in the University.
Candidates for Senior Lectureship must demonstrate evidence of teaching in a University or an institution of similar standing and contribution to knowledge in the form of scholarly publications in reputable journals.
Candidates must have spent a minimum of two years as a Lecturer I. Computer literacy is an important requirement.
IV. LECTURER I (WUCASS 04)
Candidates must possess Ph.D from a recognized institution with at least 5 years of teaching experience.
Candidates for Lecturer I must demonstrate evidence of teaching in a University or an Institution of similar standing and contribution to knowledge in the form of scholarly publications in reputable journals.
Candidates with PhD must have spent a minimum of two years as a Lecturer lI. Computer literacy is an important requirement.
V. LECTURER II (WUCASS 03)
Qualification is the same as in (iv) above with at least 3 years of Post Qualification experience. Computer literacy is an essential requirement.
VI. ASSISTANT LECTURER (WUCASS 02)
Candidates should posses a good first and masters degrees with at least 3 years of relevant post qualification experience plus Ph.Ds Progress Report. Computer literacy is an essential requirement.
Candidates for all categories of academic positions must be able to demonstrate ability to use ICT and Audio-Visual facilities to teach students.
DUE DATE: 13th November, 2012
TO APPLY
Interested applicants are requested to forward 15 copies of their applications, accompanied with detailed Curriculum Vitae, photocopies of certificates and other relevant credentials.
The Curriculum Vitae shauld be in the following format:
I. Name in full with Surname in capital letters.
II. Post desired/Field of Specialization.
III. College.
IV. Nationality
V. State of Origin
VI. Marital Status
VII. Numbers and Ages of Children
VIII. Home Address
IX. Present Postal Address
X. Telephone numbers, Preferably mobile phone
XI. E-mail address
XII. Institution attended with dates
XIII. Academic and Professional Qualifications Obtained (Including dates and institutions)
XIV. List of Publications in detail (Where applicable). copied from: nigerianbestforum.com-
XV. Professional Accomplishment (Where applicable)
XVI. Evidence of ongoing Research (Where applicable)
XVII. Working experience with dates and posts held
XVIII. Present employment, Status, Salary and employers address
XIX. Other activities outside current employment
XX. Extra-curricular activities
XXI. Names and addresses of three referees.
XXII. Availability and Proposed date for resumption of duties if appointed.
Applications could also be sent online through:
Wustoinfo@mail2methodist.com
Referees shuId forward their references to the Registrar directly.
The envelope containing offline applications should be marked on the top right hand showing the position being sought and forwarded to:
The Registrar,
Wesley University of Science and Technology,
P.M.B 507,
Ondo State.
Nigeria.
Wesley University of Science and Technology, Ondo Vacancies, Friday 19, October 2012
Polities: NHRC Raises Alarm Over Violence in Ondo Guber Poll
WITH only a day to the conduct of the gubernatorial election in Ondo
State, the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, yesterday raised the
alarm over possible electoral violence in the state and called on the
Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and security agencies
to take necessary actions to forestall any setback.
No fewer than 12 political parties are presenting candidates for the crucial poll but only three of them, drawn from the Labour Party, Action Congress of Nigerian and the Peoples Democratic Party are believed to be the main contenders for the plum job.
At a media briefing in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Prof. Bem Angwe, warned that the anticipation of fraud being amplified by allegations against INEC and security agencies by the parties, particularly ACN, might spark violence during and after the election.
At the briefing, attended by stakeholders and civil society groups, the NHRC boss also drew the attention of those saddled with the conduct of the election to the cases of violent attacks against officials and campaign offices of political parties.
He noted that the attacks were still inflaming passions a few days to the election.
Angwe said: “Allega- tions of ‘fake’ voter register and cards and arrest of some individuals with such cards are likely to lead to confusion at the polling centres.
“Effectiveness of INEC in the deployment of electoral personnel and distribution of electoral materials is a major determinant of electoral security.
“There has not been consistent improvement in this area as was the experience in the recent Edo election character- ized by delay in the deployment of personnel and distribution of materials that nearly marred the poll.
“Intra-party disaffection leading to the defection from one party to the other has also been recorded and this may also result in violent attack against individuals seen as political traitors.”
To checkmate the potential threat to the poll, NHRC asked for a joint meeting of INEC and security agencies to be convened today to appraise the threat level in the state and to adopt measures to tackle any anticipated inadequacy that might mar the election.
No fewer than 12 political parties are presenting candidates for the crucial poll but only three of them, drawn from the Labour Party, Action Congress of Nigerian and the Peoples Democratic Party are believed to be the main contenders for the plum job.
At a media briefing in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Prof. Bem Angwe, warned that the anticipation of fraud being amplified by allegations against INEC and security agencies by the parties, particularly ACN, might spark violence during and after the election.
At the briefing, attended by stakeholders and civil society groups, the NHRC boss also drew the attention of those saddled with the conduct of the election to the cases of violent attacks against officials and campaign offices of political parties.
He noted that the attacks were still inflaming passions a few days to the election.
Angwe said: “Allega- tions of ‘fake’ voter register and cards and arrest of some individuals with such cards are likely to lead to confusion at the polling centres.
“Effectiveness of INEC in the deployment of electoral personnel and distribution of electoral materials is a major determinant of electoral security.
“There has not been consistent improvement in this area as was the experience in the recent Edo election character- ized by delay in the deployment of personnel and distribution of materials that nearly marred the poll.
“Intra-party disaffection leading to the defection from one party to the other has also been recorded and this may also result in violent attack against individuals seen as political traitors.”
To checkmate the potential threat to the poll, NHRC asked for a joint meeting of INEC and security agencies to be convened today to appraise the threat level in the state and to adopt measures to tackle any anticipated inadequacy that might mar the election.
News: Senate Urges Jonathan to Sack Oteh
Ms Arunma Oteh, DG, SEC
Senate at Abuja, yesterday, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to sack Ms. Aruma Oteh, Director-General, Security and Exchange Commission, SEC, saying it would not have anything to do with the commission if she remained the head.
It also threatened not to screen members of the commission’s board.
According to a statement by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Capital Market, Senator Ayoade Adeseun, ACN, Oyo Central, the move became imperative because of her reinstatement by the Presidency in flagrant disregard of resolution of the House of Representatives, which asked the President to sack her.
Supporting the position of the House of Representatives, the Senate Committee said: “You will recall that the House of Representatives, few months ago, set up an ad-hoc committee, which investigated the near collapse of the Nigerian Capital Market.
“Consequently, the House passed a resolution based on the report of that Committee that the President should sack the Director-General, SEC, Ms. Aruma Oteh.
“The House further resolved that should the President fail to comply with its resolution, the House would cease to accord any recognition to the Ms. Oteh.
“You are also aware that instead of complying with the resolution of the House, the DG was reinstated in flagrant disregard of the resolution.
“Again, on resumption from recess in September, the House re-affirmed its earlier resolution and gave a 14-day ultimatum for compliance by the executive arm of government. Till date, that ultimatum has been ignored.
Her ‘crimes’
“Furthermore, since Ms. Oteh’s resumption of duty, there have been series of protests against her manner of managing the agency.
“Rather than seek amity with the workforce, she has continued with the same style of administration for which even the Presidential Review Committee indicted her.
“Specifically, the staff have again accused her of highhandedness, sole administratorship, intimidation, insensitivity, malice and a headlong drive for vengeance.
“Consequently, the Senate Committee on Capital Market, at its meeting of September 26, considered these and other goings on at the commission, all of which could negatively affect the Nigerian capital market and came to the conclusion that if this trend is not arrested, the capital market might be brought finally to its knees, with attendant deleterious effect on the economy of the country.
“The committee, therefore, resolved to support the position of the House of Representatives that the D.G, SEC, be removed forthwith. The committee also resolved to have nothing to do with Ms. Arumah Oteh for as long as she remains at the helm of affairs at the Security and Exchange Commission.’’
Thursday, 18 October 2012
News: UK Court Allow Nigerian couple to keep the baby
A couple, who could not have children, have been told by the High
Court in United Kingdom they can keep a baby born in Nigeria, despite
tests showing they were not the child’s biological parents.
The mother said she was tricked by a doctor into believing she had given birth while sedated, after she went to Nigeria for fertility treatment.
But the judge ruled they were victims of an “appalling scam.”
The presiding judge Mr. Justice Coleridge added the case was “extraordinary, bizarre and worrying.”
Charities meanwhile have raised concerns about the judgement, warning it may encourage trafficking.
At the High Court on Thursday, Mr. Justice Coleridge ruled that the pair, who he described as people of the “highest calibre”, should be given custody of the girl who is nearly two years old.
The couple – who live in London but cannot be named for legal reasons – failed to conceive a child despite undergoing IVF treatment in the UK.
They were said to be “desperate and distressed”.
In 2010, the couple travelled to Nigeria where the woman received fertility treatment at a private clinic.
She told the court that when she returned to the clinic months later she was sedated. When she regained consciousness she was handed a baby and told she had given birth.
On her return to London, a GP raised concerns. The child was taken into care and a DNA test proved the child was not related to the couple.
They then launched legal proceedings to get custody.
The court was told that such “baby exchange” frauds were common in Nigeria.
The mother said she was tricked by a doctor into believing she had given birth while sedated, after she went to Nigeria for fertility treatment.
But the judge ruled they were victims of an “appalling scam.”
The presiding judge Mr. Justice Coleridge added the case was “extraordinary, bizarre and worrying.”
Charities meanwhile have raised concerns about the judgement, warning it may encourage trafficking.
At the High Court on Thursday, Mr. Justice Coleridge ruled that the pair, who he described as people of the “highest calibre”, should be given custody of the girl who is nearly two years old.
The couple – who live in London but cannot be named for legal reasons – failed to conceive a child despite undergoing IVF treatment in the UK.
They were said to be “desperate and distressed”.
In 2010, the couple travelled to Nigeria where the woman received fertility treatment at a private clinic.
She told the court that when she returned to the clinic months later she was sedated. When she regained consciousness she was handed a baby and told she had given birth.
On her return to London, a GP raised concerns. The child was taken into care and a DNA test proved the child was not related to the couple.
They then launched legal proceedings to get custody.
The court was told that such “baby exchange” frauds were common in Nigeria.
News: Global Smartphones
Renowned technology analysts, Strategy Analytics has released new
figures which pegged the number of smartphones in use worldwide above 1
billion.
The research firm says the milestone was reached in Q3, 16 years after the first smartphone was launched in 1996.
It also predicted that the next billion will be achieved in less than three years – that is by 2015.
According to the Executive Director of the research group, Neil Mawston, it is estimated that one in seven of the world’s population owned a smartphone in the third quarter of 2012.
However, he added that smartphone penetration is still relatively low because “most of the world does not yet own a smartphone and there remains huge scope for future growth, particularly in emerging markets such as China, India and Africa.”
Corroborating him, senior analyst Scott Bicheno, recalled that “the world’s first modern smartphone, the Nokia Communicator, was introduced in 1996 and Nokia remained a dominant force in smartphones for over a decade until the arrival of Apple’s iconic iPhone in 2007,”
But the analysts said that the number of smartphones in use worldwide reached 1.038 billion units in Q3, up from 708 million in the same quarter a year ago.
The research firm says the milestone was reached in Q3, 16 years after the first smartphone was launched in 1996.
It also predicted that the next billion will be achieved in less than three years – that is by 2015.
According to the Executive Director of the research group, Neil Mawston, it is estimated that one in seven of the world’s population owned a smartphone in the third quarter of 2012.
However, he added that smartphone penetration is still relatively low because “most of the world does not yet own a smartphone and there remains huge scope for future growth, particularly in emerging markets such as China, India and Africa.”
Corroborating him, senior analyst Scott Bicheno, recalled that “the world’s first modern smartphone, the Nokia Communicator, was introduced in 1996 and Nokia remained a dominant force in smartphones for over a decade until the arrival of Apple’s iconic iPhone in 2007,”
But the analysts said that the number of smartphones in use worldwide reached 1.038 billion units in Q3, up from 708 million in the same quarter a year ago.
News:Nigeria Terrorism Will Be Counter says US Army General
WASHINGTON (AFP) – Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Thursday
nominated a former senior commander in Afghanistan as the new head of
the military’s Africa Command, which oversees US security efforts on the
continent.
The change in leadership comes amid growing concerns over Al-Qaeda’s affiliates in the region, particularly in Mali, and a deadly attack on a US consulate in Libya linked to Islamist extremists.
Panetta said General David Rodriguez, who served as the deputy American commander in Afghanistan and helped plan the “surge” of additional troops in the war, was well-suited to the post.
As chief of the NATO-led force’s joint command, Rodriguez “oversaw the coalition and Afghan forces during the surge, and was a key architect of the successful campaign plan that we are now implementing,” Panetta told a news conference.
Rodriguez, known by troops as “General Rod” and who currently serves as head of US Army Forces command, was touted as a possible chief commander for Afghanistan last year. The job however went to a Marine, General John Allen, who after a year in Kabul is due to hand over soon to another Marine, General Joseph Dunford.
If his nomination is confirmed by the Senate as expected, Rodriguez will succeed General Carter Ham, who played a key role in the NATO air war in Libya.
As head of Africa Command, Rodriguez would help oversee counter-terrorism missions in Somalia, Yemen, Mali, Nigeria and elsewhere, as well as training and other efforts designed to bolster US military ties across the region.
The command’s headquarters is based in Stuttgart, Germany.
Panetta also named General John Paxton as the new number two of the US Marine Corps, as the outgoing assistant to the commandant, Dunford, will soon be taking over as the top US and NATO military chief in Afghanistan.
The change in leadership comes amid growing concerns over Al-Qaeda’s affiliates in the region, particularly in Mali, and a deadly attack on a US consulate in Libya linked to Islamist extremists.
Panetta said General David Rodriguez, who served as the deputy American commander in Afghanistan and helped plan the “surge” of additional troops in the war, was well-suited to the post.
As chief of the NATO-led force’s joint command, Rodriguez “oversaw the coalition and Afghan forces during the surge, and was a key architect of the successful campaign plan that we are now implementing,” Panetta told a news conference.
Rodriguez, known by troops as “General Rod” and who currently serves as head of US Army Forces command, was touted as a possible chief commander for Afghanistan last year. The job however went to a Marine, General John Allen, who after a year in Kabul is due to hand over soon to another Marine, General Joseph Dunford.
If his nomination is confirmed by the Senate as expected, Rodriguez will succeed General Carter Ham, who played a key role in the NATO air war in Libya.
As head of Africa Command, Rodriguez would help oversee counter-terrorism missions in Somalia, Yemen, Mali, Nigeria and elsewhere, as well as training and other efforts designed to bolster US military ties across the region.
The command’s headquarters is based in Stuttgart, Germany.
Panetta also named General John Paxton as the new number two of the US Marine Corps, as the outgoing assistant to the commandant, Dunford, will soon be taking over as the top US and NATO military chief in Afghanistan.
News: Fuels Queues Is As A Result of Misinformation says PENGASSAN
Today, The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of
Nigeria (PENGASSAN), said the incessant fuel queues in the
country were a result of panic buying due to deliberate misinformation.Alhaji Sanusi Abdulkarim, the Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) branch Chairman of PENGASSAN, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.
“It is based on the penchant for raising false alarm over the production, pricing, demand and supply chains, otherwise there is no cause for these queues.”
Abdulkarim noted however that the ongoing Turn Around Maintenance of Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries had contributed to the shortfall in supply.
He said he was convinced there was no plan by the Federal Government to increase the price of fuel as some people were assuming.
“We should stop raising false alarm over what we have sufficiently in the country,” he further admonished. (NAN)
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