News: Two Chinese Nationals Killed By Gunmen In Borno

Gunmen in an unmarked Golf Volkswagen vehicle, yesterday, killed two Chinese nationals at a road site project in Benishiekh town in Borno State, just as two bomb blasts targeting soldiers rocked Mubi in Adamawa State, killing at least two civilians, according to the military.
The gunmen, who killed the Chinese nationals, also snatched their Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV, at 10.45am. Benisheikh is 72 kilometres West of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, and an epicenter of the Islamist sect.
According to an eyewitness and resident of Benishiekh, Yinus Abubakar, the gunmen came in two Golf Volkswagen vehicles in the morning and ambushed the Chinese engineers working on the Damaturu-Maiduguri dual carriageway and bridge.
He said: “We were shocked and terrified with the gunmen’s attacks and killings. We had to run into our houses, when we started hearing gunshots on the Damaturu road for 20 minutes, and fled towards Damaturu with the snatched vehicle of the engineers.”
Confirming the incident, yesterday, in a telephone chat in Maiduguri, Police Commissioner, Yuguda Abdullahi, said he heard that two foreign engineers working on the Damaturu-Maiduguri dual carriage way were attacked by unknown gunmen.
He said no arrest had been made, as investigations have commenced.
Meanwhile, in the Adamawa incident, residents said children were hurt in the blast at Kashuwar Sanu (cattle market) in the town of Mubi, which went off as a convoy of military vans drove through.
“There was an explosion that targeted a military patrol team, but the explosion missed the target.” as none of the patrol vans were affected but two civilians were killed,” said Brigadier-General John Nwaogu, the top Military Commander in the area.

News: New Bill On Kidnapping, Terrorism, Hostage-Taking etc. In Delta

DELTA State House of Assembly, yesterday, passed a bill stipulating death sentence for kidnappers and terrorists.
The bill, known as “Law to Prohibit Terrorism, Kidnapping, Hostage-taking, Cultism, Use of Bombs and Explosives and Other Matters thereto”, was unanimously passed by the 28 members of the House after consideration in a committee of the whole, presided over by the speaker, Victor Ochei.
Under the new bill, a traditional ruler in the state in whose domain hostages are held to his knowledge will be deposed or his kingship withdrawn.
Also, a telecommunications company, which refuses to make available to security agencies, within 24 hours of request, information on the communication made by a suspected kidnapper or terrorist, will pay a fine of N20 million for every request not granted.
The Clerk of the House, will, in the next few days, dispatch the bill to the governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, who is opposed to death penalty for such capital offences, for assent.
One of the lawmakers told Vanguard, yesterday: “I do not want to say that the governor will sign the bill or not. But suffice it to say that this is the second time the House is passing such a bill. He refused to sign the earlier one. If he does that again, we will invoke our veto power under the Constitution.”
Highlights of bill
Other highlights of the bill are that the governor, or his authorized representative, shall have power to sign an order authorizing the sealing up of premises used to harbor persons kidnapped or held hostage, with or without the demand of ransom.
The bill states that the sealing of the premises shall remain in place until a competent court decides on the forfeiture.
It is an offence under the Act, for a person, who, not being a member of the armed forces, unlawfully receives or has in his possession, bombs and other explosives with intent to cause harm. Such a person is liable, on conviction, to 14 years imprisonment. The same goes for those that manufacture the explosives.
It also forbids a person or group of persons from threatening the life of anybody through letters, phone calls or other electronic methods and gadgets, as any person found guilty is liable, upon conviction, to 14 years imprisonment.
Four person in authority who receives information on operations of kidnappers and terrorists and fails to take proper action, he is liable on conviction to three years imprisonment.
Community ruling organs, including executives of town, trust members and youth leaders in whose domain people are held hostage with their knowledge are also liable on conviction to be jailed for five years without option of fine.
Besides, those who aid and assist kidnappers to escape will be sentenced to 21 years imprisonment on conviction.

Sports: MANU To Reach The Champions League Knockout Stages

Manchester United became the third club to reach the Champions League knockout stages aft er coming from behind to beat Braga 3-1 and ensure they also top their group on Wednesday.
However, it was the side that beat them to being Britain’s first ever winner of the European Cup, Celtic, that stole the glory as they recorded a deserved 2-1 home win over four-time champions Barcelona just a day after the hosts celebrated their 125th birthday.
Another British winner of European club football’s premier competition – defending champions Chelsea – kept their hopes alive of avoiding the humiliation of becoming the first champions to go out at the group stage with a last gasp 3-2 home win over talented Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk.
However, while they top the group on goal difference from Shakhtar their fate probably hangs on their trip to Italian champions Juventus in a fortnight as their hosts are just a point behind them having demolished Nordsjaelland 4-0 in Turin.
The biggest winners of the night were last season’s beaten finalists Bayern Munich who humiliated hapless French side Lille 6-1 with Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro scoring a hat-trick in the first-half.
Bayern are battling it out on the same points as Valencia, who also enjoyed an easy night at home beating early pacesetters BATE Borisov 4-2. The Belarus side trail the top two by just three points but appear to have gone off the boil.
United were second best for most of their match with Braga but having resumed after a second-half power cut they scored three times in the last 10 minutes to give the scoreline a rather unfair look about it but still a place in the last 16.
That above all was a relief to Alex Ferguson and his players after they missed out on the knpockout stages last season.
“I think we were all disappointed (we didn’t progress from the group stage last year),” said veteran Ryan Giggs.
“It was not good enough and we knew we had to do something about it and we have. Long may it continue.”
Celtic had been unfortunate to lose 2-1 to Barcelona a fortnight ago having taken the lead but they did not make the same mistake on Wednesday more than holding their own after an early goal by the outstanding Victor Wanyama.
They sealed the points through a superbly-taken late second from 18-year-old Tony Watt – Lionel Messi grabbed a stoppage time consolation goal – prompting wild celebrations.
“I said when I took the job that I wanted to bring the thunder back to the club and I have never heard anything like that at the end of the match,” said manager Neil Lennon.
“This is simply unbelievable. The club has been the in doldrums. This is not the pinnacle, there is more to come from this team, but the progression is great. It gives us a great chance of qualifying.”
His Barcelona counterpart Tito Vilanova was gracious in defeat.
“Congratulations to Celtic and their fans. The credit is theirs,” Vilanova said.
“It was an amazing show. If we had scored first it would have been a more open match. We hit the post twice but their goalkeeper did very well.”
Chelsea showed terrific grit to seal their victory in the fourth minute of stoppage time through Victor Moses, his first goal in the competition, but their opponents deserved a share of the spoils.
“We’ve got a crucial three points. It was crucial for us to win this tough home game,” said Di Matteo.
“They are a very good side. Now it’s probably going to go down to the last kick of the last game in this group.”
Juventus will provide equally tough opposition for di Matteo’s side later in the month and the Italian side’s assistant coach Angelo Alessio admitted it would be crucial as to which of them progressed.
“We must beat Chelsea at home in the next game if we are to earn our place in the next round,” said Alessio.
“We wanted to go out there with the right degree of intensity and the lads got it right for this type of performance.”

News: Israel Is Expected In Ghana for rescued

A team from Israel is expected in Ghana on Thursday to help search for survivors or victims after the collapse of a six-storey mall, with three deaths confirmed and 51 people rescued alive so far.
Ghana’s presidency announced the arrival of the 18-strong team from Israel in a statement following Wednesday’s collapse of the Melcom shopping centre in the capital Accra, which sparked desperate rescue attempts.
“The team will make an initial assessment of the site using special equipment and sniffer dogs that will help identify the locations of possible survivors or corpses,” the statement from President John Dramani Mahama’s office said.
“An additional team of about 150 with additional equipment including field hospitals, concrete cutters, among others, are on standby to move to Ghana should the initial assessment deem it necessary.”
The statement said that at least 51 people had so far been rescued alive from the rubble.
Police had said some 50 employees worked at the building, but it has not been determined how many people were inside at the time of the collapse, which was said to have occurred ahead of opening time.
Mahama has suspended his campaign for the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections in the West African nation and ordered a probe into the collapse, with the cause yet to be determined.

Job Vacancies: NIGERIAN DEFENCE ACADEMY- NDA 2012/2013 APPLICATION FORMS IS OUT!! APPLY NOW

This is to inform the general public that application into the 65th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna will be available online from 1st November 2012 – 28th February 2013 . Access codes are to be purchased at the cost of Two Thousand Five hundred Naira (N2,500.00) only, excluding bank charges of N500 for an online application. Applicants applying for admission into NDA MUST also apply to the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board and carefully select Nigerian Defence Academy as their choice of university. Such applicants are expected to sit for the Universal Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) .
EXAMINATION CONDITIONS
Only candidates who meet the JAMB national cut-off markwill be eligible to sit for the examination at the Examination Centre of choice.
The examination will be conducted as a Selection Examination (similar to Post–UTME examination), and is scheduled to hold on Saturday 18 May 2013 . Therefore, alleligible candidates are to please bring along their Acknowledgement Form , JAMB result slip and TWO (2) postcard size (3.5 x 5 inches) photographs to the Examination Centre on the examination date. The photographs should show only from the chest upwards and should contain candidate’s Name, State, Centre and Signature at the back. Only successful candidates at the NDA Selection Exams will subsequently be invited for the Armed Forces Selection Board following which the list of admitted candidates will be published.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION
Applications should be submitted online. On completion of the online application, candidates are to download an Acknowledgement Form. Upon release of the JAMB results,candidates should return to the applications portal and download their Examination Admission Card . Only candidates who make the JAMB national cut-off marks willhave access to print out the Examination Admission Card.
The Application is open to both male and female applicants
Interested candidates are advised to purchase access codes for the NDA 65th Regular Course Application from any of the branches of ZENITH BANK Plc nationwide, and start application process online at: http://www.ndaapplications.org/
Requirements For Admission Into The Regular Course Of NDA
To be eligible for admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy a candidate (Males and Females are eligible) musthave the following:
*. Minimum of 5 credit passes at SSCE (WAEC or NECO) orGCE O Level or Grade II Teachers Certificate obtained in not more than 2 sittings, relevant to the Faculty of their choice.
*. Credit in English Language and Mathematics
*. At least one supporting relevant credit to the compulsory credits in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and Faculty of Science. However, only one supporting relevant credit is required in the Faculty of Engineering.
*. Be at least 17 years old and not more than 21 years old at the time of entry into the Academy. Note that Nigerian Airforce candidates must be between 17 and 18years old at entry.
*. Must not be less than 1.68 metres tall for male and 1.50 metres for female.
*. Must be medically and physically fit and must be of good moral character.
*. Must be single male or female without legal obligation tosupport any child or other individuals.
*. Present a Certificate of Origin obtained from a Local Government and a Certificate of State Indigeneship from the Office of the State Governor is desirable.
*. Furthermore, candidates are to note the following:
1. Awaiting results are not qualified. Results not submitted with application form will not be accepted.
2. Only examination results of 5 years from date taken will be accepted.
3. Admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy is for both MALE and FEMALE NIGERIANS only.
COURSES AVAILABLE FOR ADMISSION AND THEIR REQUIREMENTS.
Course General Requirements Compulsory Credits Relevant Credits
Faculty of Science
• BSc Mathematics
5 credit passesin not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics English Language, Mathematics and Physics Chemistry, Additional/ Further Mathematics, Biology and Geography
• BSc Computer Science
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics English Language,Mathematics andPhysics Chemistry, Additional/ Further Mathematics, Biology and Geography
• BEng Physics
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics English Language, Mathematics and Physics Chemistry, Biology, Technical Drawing and Geography
• BSc BiologicalSciences
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics English Language, Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry Physics, AgricScience, Geography and Health Science
• BSc Chemistry
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology Physics, Health Science, Agric Science and Geography

Faculty of Arts and Sciences
• BSc History
5 credit passes innot more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics English Language, History and Mathematics History, Economics, Government, Accounts, Commerce, French and Arabic
• BSc Political Science and Defence Studies
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including EnglishLanguage and Mathematics English Language, Government and Mathematics History, Economics, French, Geography, Accounts and Commerce
• BSc Psychology
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics English Language, Biology and Mathematics Economic, Health Science, Government and Agric Science
• BSc Economics
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including EnglishLanguage and Mathematics English Language,Economics and Mathematics Accounts, Commerce, Government, Geography, History, French and Arabic
• BSc Accounting
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics English Language,Accounting and Mathematics Accounts, Commerce, Government, Geography, History, French and Arabic
• BSc Geography
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics English Language,Geography and Mathematics History, Economics, Government, Accounts, Commerce, French and Arabic
Faculty of Engineering
• BEng Civil
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics English Language, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry Technical Drawing, Further Mathematics, Biology and Geography
• BEng Electrical andElectronics
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry andPhysics Technical Drawing, Further Mathematics, Biology and Geography
• BEng Mechanical
5 credit passes in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics English Language,Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics Technical Drawing, Further Mathematics, Biology and Geography
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Written Entrance Examination for 65th Regular Course
General Instructions:
The following instructions apply to candidates seeking admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy for the 65th Regular Course.

PART ONE – USE OF ENGLISH. The use of English is compulsory for ALL candidates
PART TWO – CHOICE OF SUBJECTS
>A.) CANDIDATES FOR ENGINEERING.
Candidates for Engineering are to answer ALL questions inthe following subjects:
*. Mathematics
*. Physics
*. Chemistry
B.) CANDIDATES FOR ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES.
Candidates for Arts and Social Sciences are to answer questions in any THREE of the following subjects, which must include the candidate’s chosen course.
*. Mathematics
*. Economics
*. Geography
*. History
*. Government
C.) CANDIDATES FOR THE SCIENCES.
Candidates for the Sciences are to answer all questions in any THREE of the following subjects, which must includethe candidates chosen course of study.
*. Mathematics
*. Physics
*. Chemistry
*. Biology
EXAMINATION CENTRES
Serial State Examination Centre
1 Adamawa Government Day Secondary School Opposite HQ 23 Armd Bde, Yola
2 Bauchi Army Children School, Bauchi
3 Benue Command Secondary School, Makurdi
4 Cross River Army Children School, Akim Barracks, Calabar
5 Ebonyi Command Secondary School, Abakaliki
6 Edo Nigerian Air Force Primary School, Benin
7 Enugu Army Day Secondary School, Abakpa Barracks, Enugu
8 FCT Command Day Secondary School, Lungi Barracks, Abuja
9 Gombe Govt Science Secondary School, Jeka Da Fari, Gombe
10 Imo Holy Ghost College, Owerri
11 Kaduna Command Secondary School, Kaduna South
12 Kaduna Nigerian Defence Academy, Permanent Site, Kaduna
13 Kaduna Nigerian Defence Academy, Old Site, Kaduna
14 Kano Army Day Secondary School, Bukavu Barracks, Kano
15 Lagos Command Children’s School/Command Day Secondary School, Ikeja Cantonment, Lagos
16 Lagos Navy Secondary School, Ojo Town, Lagos
17 Ondo Army Day Secondary School, Akure
18 Oyo Command Day Secondary School Odogbo, Ibadan
19 Plateau Command Day Secondary School Rukuba Barracks, Jos
20 Rivers Navy Secondary School, Port Harcourt
21 Sokoto Army Day Secondary School, Sokoto
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This is the Frequently Asked Questions page which answers all the questions you need to know as a guide tofilling out the online application form.
1. QUESTION:
What should be downloaded on completion of the online registration form?
ANSWER:
The acknowledgement form should be downloaded on submission of the online registration form by all applicants.
2. QUESTION:
Can i come along with my credentials to the examination center?
ANSWER:
No, you are to come to the examination center with the downloaded Aknowledgement/Examination card,Bank slip issued on purchase of Access code and your 2 postcard size photographs.
3. QUESTION:
Do i need to scan and upload my passport photograph?
ANSWER:
You are not required to scan and upload passport online,come along with two (2) (3.5 inches x 5 inches) postcard size photograph (showing from your chest upward) to the examination center with your name,center,state and signature written at the back of the photo.
4. QUESTION:
Can both Male and Female candidates apply?
ANSWER:
MALE & FEMALE Applicants of Nigerian descent are eligible to apply.
5. QUESTION:
I will be 22 years by March/April, 2012 when the examination will be held,can i apply?
ANSWER:
Candidates above the age of 21 at the period of examination are not eligible to apply.
Helpline:
08036129701
08036182877
07041722877
Email: info@ndakadunaonline.org

News: Can Nigeria Tackle Boko Haram By US Strategic?

Nigeria and other African countries facing Islamic militancy have been offered four options for tackling the conflict under an overarching objective of preventing further radicalisation of Muslim population.
The Washington- based African Centre for Strategic Studies, in its latest African Security brief made available to the Nigerian Tribune, identified better information on insurgents, local engagement, open dialogue with militants and targeted use of force as potent options in solving the insurgency
The brief, entitled: “Islamic Militancy in Africa`` noted that “there is a need to gather in-depth knowledge and credible information on Islamic militant movements and the contexts in which they appear covering rhetorics of Islamic militants and local issues on which they are mobilising support.
“It should entail analysis that captures more than the immediate security dimensions but integrates historical, political, economic, and sociocultural perspectives with the goal of gaining nuanced and differentiated knowledge,” the report noted.
The report, put together by Professor Terje Ostebo of the University of Florida, advised that rather than “branding all emerging demands as part of the radicalisation of Islam, a range of voices needs to be heard while grievances borne from under-representation, marginalisation, and alienation need to be acknowledged.
“This will often entail careful processes of confidence-building between governments and Muslim groups—across religious divides and among different ethnicities with a view to properly recognise such grievances and adopt more inclusive policies to enhance political participation and broaden citizens’ affinity with the state,’’ the report declared.
On dialogue with Boko Haram and others, the report advised that the goal should be to identify moderate elements and seek out avenues for negotiations that duly recognise the complexity of each context.
It, however, advocated targeted use of force against hardcore insurgents.

News: PDP, ACN And Others Teared Apart By US Election

The quick resolution of Tuesday’s presidential election in the United States, last night, sparked off quarel among the three leading parties in Nigeria, with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and opposition parties accusing one another of bad manners.
Reacting to the quick acceptance of defeat by Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, the PDP in a statement congratulating the victorious Barack Obama, had advised opposition parties in Nigeria to learn to accept defeat, accusing them of being bad losers.
The Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN and the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC in separate reactions, tongue-lashed the PDP for being the major obstacle to democracy in the country. The ACN said the joke was on the PDP and charged the party to ask why its candidate in the recent Ondo State gubernatorial election, Olusola Oke was in the courts if really there was a level playing ground in the country.
President Obama’s victory was, nevertheless, hailed across the country with President Goodluck Jonathan, the Senate and the House of Representatives sending their respective congratulations to the victorious US Democratic Party candidate, Obama who was returned for a second term.

Opposition parties are bad losers — PDP

Urging Nigerians especially, the opposition and those who lose elections to emulate the action of the Republican candidate in his swift acceptance of defeat, the PDP said it was a good element of patriotism which opposition parties should learn to make Nigeria a greater nation.
“The swift manner of congratulations and the graceful conduct of the defeated candidate is a shining example of patriotism and submission to the overall will of the people,” the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh said in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.
This act, according to the PDP, is one of the elements that have made America’s democracy the envy of all nations.
“The greatest threat to the stability of our democracy is the reckless bickering that happens after elections in Nigeria,” Metuh added.
“A lot of time and energy is decimated on frivolous legal suits and the pursuit of bitterness which indeed affects valuable time for the delivery of electoral promises.”
According to Metuh, the PDP was particularly delighted at the conciliatory posture of President Obama and his emphasis on the values that unite America rather than the divisions that manifested during the campaign, adding, “President Obama’s constant reference to patriotism and a sense of duty to America by Americans in his acceptance speech is another lesson we must imbibe in our quest to build our democracy. Also noteworthy is the charge by the re-elected President for Americans to always uphold the philosophy of “not expecting what can be done for us but what can be done by us to move our nation forward.
‘With this election, America has once more blazed the trail in overcoming its internal stratification for the overall benefit of their country”.
The joke is on PDP —ACN
The ACN and CPC in two separate reactions were unsparing in their denunciation of the PDP, accusing the dominant party of hamstringing the democratic process through devious schemes.
The ACN speaking through its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed told Vanguard yesterday:
“They are very daft with due respect. You see, it is a process and the only reason the loser was able to concede defeat was because there was a free and fair election.
“The joke is on them. Why is their own candidate for instance, in Ondo State challenging the outcome of the election? So, they should heal themselves first. They should ask, ‘why is their candidate, Oke, saying that the election is not free and fair that he is not going to congratulate Mimiko? Why? So the joke is on them.
“There is no lesson to learn except that if elections are free and fair, the losers will be willing to congratulate the winner. Romney immediately conceded defeat because he could not say there was ballot stuffing here or that a commissioner was arrested with AK-47,” the ACN spokesman said.

PDP should be ashamed — CPC

In his own reaction to the charge from the PDP, the CPC’s national publicity secretary, Engr. Rotimi Fashakin said:
“The ruling PDP leaders should be ashamed of themselves. The electoral process in the US – that is devoid of the do-or-die philosophy of the forebears of the PDP- is another pointer to the worthlessness of PDP rule in the country.
“Ordinarily, electoral contest, having been conducted with scrupulous adherence to governing rules, should be devoid of acrimony and bitterness as was seen in the recent US presidential elections. But the salient variable that is missing is the corruptive superimposition of the ruling PDP that removes the fairness, free-ness and credibility from our elections. Owing to the President’s indulgent use of executive powers in militarizing the polity for the purpose of election rigging, the inexorable consequence is rejection of results. Indeed, if elections are fair, we shall imbibe the culture of congratulating winners immediately. The question is, can the PDP really learn from this,” he asked.

Jonathan congratulates Obama

Meanwhile, President Jonathan, yesterday, congratulated Obama on his re-election, promising to sustain the cordial relations between the two countries.
In a statement issued on his behalf by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Reuben Abati, he said:
”On behalf of himself, the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan heartily congratulates President Barrack Obama on his success in winning re-election in yesterday’s (Tuesday’s) presidential elections in the United States.
“President Jonathan welcomes President Obama’s victory in an intensely fought presidential race as an endorsement by the good people of United States of his leadership, progressive world view and the very good work he has done in the past four years towards ending global economic depression and fostering global peace and security.
“Nigeria, the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union enjoyed very cordial and productive relations with the Obama Administration in his first term.
“President Jonathan looks forward to continuing to build on Nigeria’s and Africa’s developmental collaboration with the United States in the next four years.
“The President looks forward in particular to the further strengthening of US-Nigeria bilateral relations and the US-Nigeria Bi-National Commission which was established in President Obama’s first term as the primary platform for the promotion of greater trade and economic cooperation between both countries as well as bilateral collaboration in other areas.
“President Jonathan also hopes that the millions of people across the world, especially those in developing nations who watched the beauty and strength of democracy unfold in the United States presidential elections yesterday will come to a greater and better appreciation of democracy as the key to building peaceful, stable and progressive societies.
“The President wishes President Obama continued good health and God’s blessings and guidance as he prepares for his inauguration in January for a second term in office as the President of the United States of America.”

Senate, Reps hail Obama, Americans

Meanwhile, the Senate, yesterday, said that the election of the United States of America would serve as an inspiration to Nigerian politicians.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Publicity, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, noted that the will and wishes of the people prevailed, just as he stressed that there was no imposition of candidates during the primary election.
The Senate also congratulated the people of America and President Obama over his victory and expressed confidence in President Obama‘s ability to lead America out of the current economic challenges bedeviling the entire world.
Also yesterday, the House of Representatives congratulated Obama on his re-election.
This was sequel to a motion moved by Rep. Friday Itulah (PDP, Edo State) who in his motion said that the election had lessons for Nigeria to learn from.
Seconding the motion, Rep. Abike Dabri-Erewa said thatthe outcome of the election should be a source of inspiration for the Nigerian electorate and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Contributing to the debate on the motion, Rep. Samson Osagie appealed to INEC to learn from the experience of the US presidential election.
The motion was also supported by Rep. Nnenna Ukeje, Andrew Uchendu and Bimbo Daramola among others.

News: Okoli Arraigned Over Alleged Terrorism

Factional leader of Aguiyi Ironsi International Market Ladipo market, in Mushin area of Lagos, Chief Jonathan Okoli, 49, who was arrested by detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, has been arraigned before an Ebute Metta magistrate’s court for alleged terrorism.
Okoli, an indigene of Ndiowu in Anambra State, was also accused of being in possession of illegal arms, attempted murder and extortion. The accused and others at large were said to have on March 5, 2012, at Ladipo market in Lagos, armed themselves with dangerous arms, such as gun, matchet, bottle, iron rod etc in public places without lawful authority and caused terror to traders in Ladipo market and the neighbourhood and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 51 of the criminal laws of Lagos State Nigeria 2011.
Refusing to take Okoli’s plea, the presiding Magistrate, Mrs. M. O. Olajuwon, ordered that the accused file be duplicated for DPP advice and he (accused) should be remanded at Ikoyi prisons, pending the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, advice on the matter.
The charge read in part: “That you Jonathan Okoli and others at large on the 5th of March 2012 at about 1100hrs at Ladipo market Lagos in the Lagos magisterial district did demand money with menace from one Ejike, Nnamdi Chigozie, Mike Osagi and other traders at Ladipo market Lagos with threat of injury or detriment of any kind to be caused on them.”
According to Police the arrest and arraignment of Okoli followed his importation of arms, such as guns, machetes and thugs from the Southeast popularly called Bakassi boys, who have been terrorizing traders and residents at Papa Ajao and its environs.
It was gathered that Okoli assumed leadership in the Aguiyi Ironsi market and after five years which his tenure elapsed, he refused to conduct election and hand over. Traders in the market were divided into several factions. Okoli allegedly went to the east and brought Bakassi boys and started causing terror in the area.
Okoli is facing a seven-count charge ranging from terrorism, illegal arms, attempted murder and extortion among others, while the matter was adjourned till 3 December 2012.

News: Student Arrested With 1.535kg Cocaine By NDLEA

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, yesterday arrested a 23 years old student of Management Accounting at Waltham College, London Mr. Chiwuzie Godson Chiedozie in an attempt to smuggle about 1.535 kilogrammes of cocaine through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The suspect, was nabbed by official of the anti-narcotics agency when he tested positive to drug ingestion during the screening of passengers on an Arik flight to London.
Speaking on the arrest, NDLEA Airport Commander, Mr. Hamza Umar pointed that after arresting the suspect, he was placed under observation where he excreted about 92 pellets of substances that tested positive to cocaine weighing 1.535 kilogrammes.
According to Hamza, the suspect was also found in possession of two tickets. “Chiwuzie presented a valid Asky ticket from Lagos to Lome at the screening but during search, a valid Arik ticket from Lagos to London was recovered in his luggage.
The Lome ticket was to divert attention from him but besides having multiple tickets, he also tested positive for drug ingestion,” Hamza explained.
The NDLEA Airport Commander also stressed that from investigation conducted, the agency gathered that Chiedozie had lived in London since 2009 where he was recruited to smuggle drugs in his school at Waltham College, London.
Narrating his ordeal, Mr.Chiedozie pointed out that he was lured into trafficking drugs with a promise that he was going to be paid £3,500 pounds with which he intended to pay his tuition fees.

News: Wife and Kids detained over alleged theft by husband

AUGUST 7, 2012 will forever remain indelible in the minds of the family of Hyacinth Okwute of Asaba in Delta State. On that memorable day, a team of policemen from the Delta State Police Command stormed the residence of Okwute and arrested no fewer than eight persons including children, their mother and a pregnant woman over an alleged theft of the sum of N13. 8 million from the boot of a car that belongs to the State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Frank Omare.

Crime Alert was reliably told that Okwute, a domestic staff in the employment of the commissioner along with four of his colleagues, were accused of stealing the commissioner’s money and disappearing with their loot.

The President-General of the Environmental and Human Rights Justice Committee (EHRJC), Mr. Benjamin Iluobe, a Benin-based legal practitioner and counsel to the Okwute family who narrated  how the incident happened said ,  “On the 8th day of August, 2012, the Personal Assistant to the Commissioner for Environment, Delta State, Sammy Ayiwie, in company of four armed police officers, went to the house of one Hyacinth Okwute who is our client’s younger brother and who was working for the Commissioner for Environment, Delta State as a cook and arrested his under-aged children, wife and other members of the family.

The children and other persons who were arrested by the police and detained before they were released and subsequently re-arrested on the alleged orders of the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba are;- Sophia Hyacinth Okwute, 7, Kelvin Hyacinth Okwute, 5, Dominion Hyacinth Okwute, 2 and Nonso Hyacinth Okwute, 5. Others include; Calista Cletus, 15, a cousin and Chinyere Hyacinth Okwute, his wife, Mrs Aladi Friday (wife of Hyacinth’s younger brother) and Mrs. Lilian John (wife of Hyacinth’s elder brother).

The suspects were alleged to have been arrested and detained by the Police in a questionable manner until Hyacinth Okwute, the alleged perpetrator of the crime was found. The abducted children were said to have been kept in a room inside a house allegedly owned by the commissioner before they were released following media outcry on the way and manner they were arrested and incarcerated by the police.

Mr. Iluobe, in a petition to the Chairman, Police Service Commission and titled, “SERIES OF BAIT ARREST BY THE DELTA STATE POLICE COMMAND:- A CALL FOR INVESTIGATION AND IMMEDIATE REMOVAL OF THE POLICE COMMISSIONER, DELTA STATE POLICE COMMAND”, said that his client informed him that the reason for  their arrest was because Hyacinth Okwute allegedly stole the sum of N13.8million belonging to the Commissioner for Environment, Delta State.

Besides, Iruobe said he was told by his client that on the order of the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, Mrs. Chinyere Hyacinth, Mrs. Aladi Friday, Mrs. Lilian John and Miss Calista Hyacinth were detained at the police cell in Asaba till the 10th day of August, 2012 , while the under aged children, Miss Sophia Hyacinth, Master Kelvin Hyacinth, Master Nonso Nnachukwu Hyacinth and Master Dominion Hyacinth were taken to the house of the Commissioner for Environment where they were allegedly maltreated and starved till the 14th day of August, 2012. He added that following media outcry on the arrest of the children and the women in lieu of Hyacinth Okwute, the Commissioner of Police and the Environment Commissioner later released them.

The Human Rights activist said that again, on the 29th of August, 2012, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State ordered a fresh arrest and detention of Mrs. Chinyere Hyacinth, Mrs. Aladi Friday and Mrs. Lilian John pending when Hyacinth Okwute would submit himself to the police.

“Our client said since the said Hyacinth Okwute was alleged to have stolen the money, no member of his family has seen him to confirm the story. He said they are uncomfortable with the story and are confused as to what had happened to him or what the commissioner for Environment must have done with him.

Our client further told us that on the 20th day of September, 2012, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State, sent police officers to his house at No. 31C, Ogbeagwezie Street, Asaba Delta State to arrest him as a bait to get his brother, Hyacinth Okwute. He said he was not at home at the time and that the police officers entered his room and removed valuables including documents and three of his photographs and  threatened to declare him wanted for an offence he did not commit.”

In a 27-paragraph affidavit in support of the application by the applicants against the Delta State Commissioner of Environment, Delta State Police Commissioner and five others at an Asaba High Court, Mr. Cletus Okwute, younger brother to Hyacinth Okwute, said that the applicants were deceived by the Personal Assistant to the Commissioner for Environment, one Sammy Ayiwie who came to inform them that the Commissioner wanted to see them and that there was a problem to be resolved. He deposed that   Ayiwie who is the third Respondent in the suit claimed that the children were also needed.

Wife of Hyacinth Okwute, Mrs. Chinyere Hyacinth while corroborating what was contained in the affidavit explained that they were taken to the Police Headquarters and from there, they took the children from them just as she added that while at the police detention for three days, they were not given food or even allowed to have their bath.

“For my children, the police did not tell us where they kept them all those days. At first, they claimed they were at the Ministry of Women Affairs. We went there, but we did not see them. We called them on phone, they said they were at the Welfare Office; we went there, again, we did not see them , but when the children appeared after they were released to the family, they put the record straight  by saying that they were kept in one of the rooms at the Commissioner’s quarters, Government House, Asaba with little or no care.”

The applicants are seeking among other reliefs, an order of the court for the enforcement of their fundamental rights under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a declaration that the arrest, and subsequent detention of the 5th to the 8th applicants from the 8th day of August 2012 to the 14th day of August, 2012 in the premises/houses, offices and within the premises of the  1st and 7th Respondents by the 2nd and 3rd respondents, is a breach of their constitutional rights and that such detention and arrest is unconstitutional, unlawful and therefore actionable.

The applicants want the court to declare that the arrest and the subsequent detention of the 1st to 4th applicants by the 2nd to 3rd respondents is a breach of their constitutional rights provisions and that such detention and arrest is unconstitutional, unlawful and therefore actionable. The applicants are asking for general, aggravated and exemplary damages for the sum of N2billion against the respondents jointly and severally as reparation for the unconstitutional and unlawful act.

Attempt made to reach the Commissioner for Environment, Frank Omare for his own side of the story failed as he would not pick several telephone calls put across to him. Delta State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Mr. Charles Muoka could not be  reached also.  However, , a police source in Asaba confirmed the story saying that the matter was being investigated.

News:Twin Blasts in Restive Mubi, Two dead, children hurt

Two bomb blasts targeting soldiers rocked northeast Nigeria on Wednesday, killing at least two civilians in a region hit hard by Islamist extremists, the military said.
Boko Haram Islamists have carried out scores of similar attacks in the area, repeatedly targeting the military as part of an insurgency that has killed hundreds since 2009.
Residents said children were hurt in the blast at Kashuwar Sanu (cattle market) in the town of Mubi, which went off as a convoy of military vans drove through.
“There was an explosion that targeted a military patrol team, but the explosion missed the target as none of the patrol vans were affected but two civilians were killed,” said Brigadier General John Nwaogu, the top military commander in the area.
A resident said a young girl was among those hurt and reported seeing “a young boy with both legs blown off.”
After the blast, soldiers left their vehicles, fired their weapons and made several arrests, according to two witnesses who requested anonymity.
“I was in my shop when I heard an explosion which was followed by shootings and I saw people running,” said one shop owner near the market.
“I was told there were arrests after the blast,” he added.
The military blamed Boko Haram for a separate blast in the nearby city of Maiduguri, which is considered Islamist group’s base.
“A remote-controlled improvised explosive device went off as a military patrol vehicle was passing along Bama road around 8:35 am (0735 gmt) today without causing any casualty,” Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa told AFP.
Mubi was the site of gruesome massacre at a university student housing building last month where at least 40 people were killed, including many who had their throats slit. It is not clear who carried out that attack.
Violence linked to the Boko Haram insurgency is believed to have left more than 2,800 people dead in the north and centre of the country since 2009, including killings by the security forces.
Boko Haram has said it wants to create an Islamic state in the mainly Muslim north of Africa’s most populous country, where the south in predominately Christian

News: Shopping Mall Collapses in Ghana

A six-storey shopping mall collapsed in the Ghanaian capital Accra on Wednesday, with at least three people so far confirmed dead and dozens of victims feared trapped, sparking desperate rescues.
Police said around 50 employees were reported to be in the building before the collapse on Wednesday morning. It was not immediately clear if customers were also inside, with one worker saying the mall had yet to open.

President John Dramani Mahama suspended his campaign ahead of December 7 elections and offered prayers for those trapped. Thousands thronged the site, including family members in search of relatives.
“My son, my son, my son! My son is going to die! Get him for me! He is my only son!” one woman could be heard screaming.
Assistant Police Superintendent Freeman Tettey told journalists that three people had so far been confirmed dead and six rescued, as workers rushed to find those buried with the west African heat bearing down.
“According to information that I gathered when I got here, about 50 employees were in the building before it collapsed,” Tettey said.
Family members could be seen at the site attempting to call relatives who may be trapped, while scores of rescue workers at the scene sought to clear debris and get oxygen masks to victims.
A man who saw his brother being put in an ambulance on a stretcher yelled out in agony: “He can’t move! He can’t move!”
The cause of the collapse of the Melcom shopping mall in the centre of the capital was not immediately clear. Workers from a nearby construction site were urgently called over to help dig through the rubble.
“They said, ‘please bring equipment’,” said one of the construction workers, Camille Moukarzel.
Stephen Ansah, a Melcom employee from another branch, said he had spoken with someone buried who had said he needed water.
“They are suffering,” he said. “The heat is too much.”
President Mahama issued a brief statement on his Twitter account about the disaster, saying: “My prayers are with the workers, shoppers and others who are trapped in the rubble of the collapsed Achimota Melcom building.”
Another tweet from his account said he was suspending his campaign ahead of the presidential and parliamentary polls next month because of the disaster.
“President John Mahama suspends his campaign tour of the Northern Region in the wake of the Achimota Melcom disaster,” it said.
Police rushed to the scene and were still seeking to confirm details while soldiers worked to help maintain order.
“They are still working to get to the root of the building,” Assistant Superintendent Juliana Obeng told AFP. “Meanwhile we have sent ambulances to the scene.”
Witness Ama Okyere told AFP: “I was very close to the mall because I was going to buy something, only for me to see the building coming down.
“I had to run for my life. I was so terrified. I believe there are lots of people trapped under this because this is a heavily patronised shopping mall in the area.”
Another witness said he heard a bang followed by the building falling in.
“I was on my way to school and all of a sudden heard a big bang and people shouting, only for me to see that the shopping mall has collapsed,” said John Owusu.
The Melcom Group of Companies, based in Ghana, includes extensive retail outlets, according to its website.
Ghana — a country of some 20 million people and a major producer of gold and cocoa which began significant oil production in 2010 — is viewed as a success story in often turbulent west Africa and a rare example of a relatively stable democracy in the region.

News: Bomb Blast in Maiduguri

The men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Tuesday survived another fresh bomb explosion which was planted along the major road linking Gwange/London Ciki wards of Maiduguri metropolis.
Our Correspondent report that the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) which was planted by suspected terrorists group exploded at about 8am few metres away from the JTF vehicle which was in a patrol operation, a situation that led to the shattering and damaging of the windscreens, as well as the body of the vehicle destroyed without no casualty from the occupants.
Immediately after the blast, our Correspondent gathered that, there was an exchange of gunshot sounds around the area which lasted for twenty minutes, before the JTF cordoned off the area to prevent further attacks.
Confirming the incident to Journalists, the JTF Spokesman, Leuitenant Colonel Sagir Musa said, at about 8:35 am on Wednesday, there was a failed IED attack on a JTF patrol vehicle along Gwange/Costain area of Maiduguri metropolis.
He said, an IED remote control bomb targeted at JTF vehicle (s) was planted and buried on the road by suspected Boko Haram Terrorists.
He added that no casualty was recorded and nobody was killed or wounded. The area was cordoned off, searched and swept by the bomb disposal arm of the JTF, pointing out that normalcy has since been restored in the area. End.

News: Beggar Absconding with colleagues' Money #250,000

The police in Lagos on Wednesday arraigned a beggar, Aminat Aliyu, 48, before an Oshodi Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly absconding with N250,000 belonging to one Malam Ya’u Yusuf and 11 other beggars.
The accused who resides at Carol market, Oshodi, is facing a two-court charge of obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.
The police prosecutor, Cpl. Kehinde Olatunde, told the court that the accused committed the offence sometime between August and October at 17, Araromi St., Oshodi.
He said that the accused obtained N250,000 from her victims at Araromi and Cairo markets respectively.
Olatunde said that Aliyu collected the money under the false pretence of helping them to keep it till when it would be needed .
“The accused collected various sums of money in the name of contribution from the physically challenged beggars.
“The beggars have been contributing money they have been receiving from people from August to October to the accused for safe keeping,” he said.
Olatunde said that the accused converted the said money to her own use.
The prosecutor said that the offence contravened sections 285 and 312 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2012.
When the charge sheet was read to her, Aliyu pleaded not guilty.
The magistrate, Mrs M.R. Osho-Adebiyi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum

News: A Social Network Facebook Boyfriend Pushes UNILAG Student Off Storey Building.

A 21-year-old student has been hospitalised, after she was allegedly pushed down from the third floor of the multi-storey building in Lagos, following a disagreement with a man she met on the social network, facebook.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akabugu Nkiruka sustained multiple injuries, including a pelvis fracture, and was undergoing surgery at the General Hospital, Marina, Lagos, on Tuesday.
Nkiruka, a linguistic student of the University of Lagos, told NAN on her hospital bed that she met the young man through the social media, barely a week before the Nov. 1 incident.
She told NAN that the 26-year-old man (names withheld) last Wednesday invited her to a night club in Apapa from where they ended up in his family home at 1004 Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos.
She noted that the young man had earlier talked about sex on phone prior to the outing but she told him she was menstruating.
Nkiruka said that on getting to the house, the man tore her dress and tried to rape her.
According to Nkiruka, the man thereafter pushed her down from the third floor of the building because she refused to have sex with him.
When contacted, the mother of the young man, who was at home on the night of the incident, however, told NAN that she was not aware of what happened, saying that she slept around 10 p.m., wile the disageement between the couple started much later.
The mother, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that she paid part of the hospital bill immediately after Nkiruka was admitted, and even tried to transfer her to a private hospital.
“I took her as our own daughter and so, I can do anything that will make her recover quickly,” she added.
She insisted that her preliminary inquiry indicated that Nkiruka was not pushed by her son as alleged, but that she jumped on her own in the ensuing scuffle.
When contacted, CSP Fayoade Adegoke, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Bar Beach, Victoria Island, Lagos, told NAN that Nkiruka wrote in her statement to the police that she jumped on her own, in order to escape being raped.
Adegoke said that he ordered his men to convey the victim to the hospital immediately after he was informed of the incident by night security guards in the area.
The DPO said that the suspect was released on bail, pending further investigation into the matter.
NAN recalls that seven young men, including two who met her on facebook, are currently facing trial for the alleged rape and killing of 24-year-old Miss Cynthia Osokogu, in Lagos earlier this year.

News:YABATECH Lecturer Arrested

A lecturer in the Business Administration Department, Yaba College of Technology, YABATECH, Mr. Joseph John has been arrested for beating and inflicting injuries on a 12-year old boy living with him.
John, who lives at No. 7 Osanyinpeju Street, Akoka, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria was arrested by the police in conjunction with the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, WAPA on Tuesday at his residence and brought to Alausa.
The boy (name withheld) started living with John’s family on 7 January 2012 and was stopped from going to school since March 2012 over what John termed as unruly behaviour.
The victim painted a gory tale of how he was being allegedly maltreated by John’s family and he drew the sympathy of all.
Officials of the WAPA ministry claimed that people living the John’s neighbourhood were overjoyed when the boy was rescued and the alleged culprit arrested. There were wounds on the boy’s body, one close to the eyes, another on his buttocks,  several marks of beating and swollen hands occasioned by severe maltreatment.
According to the victim, who hails from Imo State, “I started living with the man in January and they put me in school, Primary 4 but they stopped me from going to school in March. They said I gave my father’s number to my teacher to call.
“The man will not give me food but he will give his son food, so whenever he gives his son food, I will eat from it and this will attract beating. He beats me with electric cable, plank and curtain rod.”
He alleged that “he will tie my hands from the back and tie my legs. Anywhere he inflicts injury on me, he will apply pepper to that spot.
“Whenever he keeps food, I will eat it because he did not give me food. I normally go outside to beg for food and he beats me when he knows about it. At times he will use blow on me.”
He further alleged that he was being accused of eating from the food he was asked to give to the dog, saying that “he will ask me to bring plank and hit it on my buttocks and I will feel serious pains.”
However, John admitted that he beat him whenever he did something wrong, saying that the aim was to correct his bad behaviour.
“This boy is my uncle’s child and I brought him to Lagos. The one who seniors him has impregnated a girl. I was asked to train him.
“I put him in school and in that school, I receive report that he is not participating. I asked him for his book and it was blank and I flogged him. After sometime, I discovered that he had started stealing, he will break the door and empty my money and he says because he is hungry.
“We saw money in his bag and it is only God who can judge between him and me. I even took him to Mountain of Fire Ministry so that his life can change but he will go there to sleep,” he explained.
He denied using planks and electric cable to beat him, but noted that he had exceeded the limit in beating, saying that he would send the boy back to his parents.
Permanent Secretary, WAPA, Risikat Akiyode lamented the serious injuries inflicted on the boy’s body, adding that the Child Rights Law forbade inflicting wounds on a child. “You can beat a child but not to inflict injury on him. The law will take its course,” she stated.
As at the time of filing this report, John had been taken to the Alausa Police Station for further investigation while the victim was taken to one of the state’s rehabilitation homes.

Sports: Samuel New Technical Adviser, Sunshine stars

Sunshine Stars FC of Akure on Wednesday in Abuja announced the appointment of Samuel Abimbola as its new Technical Adviser.
The club said in a statement by its Manager, Patrick Ngwaogu that Abimbola would take over from Gbenga Ogunbote, who resigned from the position for personal reasons.
It said that Abimbola, who was an Assistant Coach to the National U-20 team until recently when he was unceremoniously dropped, beat other coaches in an interview for the position in Akure on Monday.
The statement said that Abimbola, who was chosen ahead of much favoured Ladan Bosso and John Obu, would be formally unveiled at the weekend in Akure.
“Born 50 years ago, Abimbola was an Assistant Coach to the National U-17 team that won the silver medal at the 2009 U-17 World Cup in Nigeria.
“He also assisted John Obu to win the Africa U-20 Youth Championship in 2011 and to reach the quarter-finals of the U-20 World Cup in Colombia the same year.’’
It noted that Abimbola was the immediate past technical adviser of the City of David (COD) FC of Lagos, a national division one club.
“He has also handled Gateway FC of Abeokuta where incidentally, he also took over from Gbenga Ogunbote,’’ the statement said.
It noted that Abimbola was a former chairman of the FCT chapter of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association, coach of Finance United FC, Court of Appeal FC, Access FC and Central Bank FC, all of Abuja.
The statement said that as technical adviser, “his major task will be to lead Sunshine Stars back to the continent at the end of the 2012/2013 football season’’. (NAN)

News: Jonathan Congratulates New Elected US President Obama.

President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated President Barack Obama over his re-election as the President of the United States of America.

A statement issued by the special Adviser to the President Dr Reuben Abati quoted the president as saying that he “looks forward to continuing to build on Nigeria’s and Africa’s developmental collaboration with the United States in the next four years”.
The statement reads: “On behalf of himself, the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan heartily congratulates President Barrack Obama on his success in winning re-election in yesterday’s presidential elections in the United States.
“President Jonathan welcomes President Obama’s victory in an intensely fought presidential race as an endorsement by the good people of United States of his leadership, progressive world view and the very good work he has done in the past four years towards ending global economic depression and fostering global peace and security.
“Nigeria, the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union enjoyed very cordial and productive relations with the Obama Administration in his first term; President Jonathan looks forward to continuing to build on Nigeria’s and Africa’s developmental collaboration with the United States in the next four years.
“The President looks forward in particular to the further strengthening of US-Nigeria bilateral relations and the US-Nigeria Bi-National Commission which was established in President Obama’s first term as the primary platform for the promotion of greater trade and economic cooperation between both countries as well as bilateral collaboration in other areas.
“President Jonathan also hopes that the millions of people across the world, especially those in developing nations who watched the beauty and strength of democracy unfold in the United States presidential elections yesterday will come to a greater and better appreciation of democracy as the key to building peaceful, stable and progressive societies.
“The President wishes President Obama continued good health and God’s blessings and guidance as he prepares for his inauguration in January for a second term in office as the President of the United States of America”.

News: Cult Clash In Benin, 4 Die.

No fewer than four students of the College of Education, Katsina-Ala, in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, were yesterday reportedly  killed when two cult groups clashed in the school.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the ugly incident happened Saturday night where two students were killed while the two others were murdered between 5.pm and 6.pm on Monday.
Consequently, the Provost of the institution, Dr. Harns Senwua, yesterday ordered the immediate closure of the school, saying that the college would not open until the management was able to set up a committee to look into the clashes. He called on the students to quickly vacate the hostels on or before noon, or risk being punished.
However, it was gathered that the clash occurred due to a serious disagreement between the red and black cult groups over a lady who was said to be having a love affair with a senior student of the college, popularly referred to as ‘lord’ and who was alleged to be the leader of one of the cults.
An NCE 1 English student of the college, who gave her name as Mercy Alu, said that four students were killed in the clash and that one of the murdered students was an NCE 2 student of political science department while the others were first year students of the theatre arts/social studies departments.
According to Mercy, one of the deceased students was sleeping in his room with his girlfriend at night last Saturday when some unidentified students came and knocked on his door and demanded that he should follow them out of the house, whereupon they macheted him to death. She said another student was also killed in the school during the incident.
 Our correspondent also gathered that the other deceased students were sitting with friends at the main gate of the college, Monday, at about 6.pm when an unidentified vehicle conveying three persons drove to the scene. They allegedly came for reprisal attack and immediately shot and killed two of the students. The development reportedly caused panic to the residents of the college community who quickly fled for safety.

News: Romney’s Concession Speech After Obama’s Re-election

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s concession speech after Obama’s re-election.

Thank you.
I have just called President Obama to congratulate him on his victory. His supporters and his campaign also deserve congratulations. I wish all of them well, but particularly the president, the first lady and their daughters.
This is a time of great challenges for America, and I pray that the president will be successful in guiding our nation.
I want to thank Paul Ryan for all that he has done for our campaign and for our country. Besides my wife, Ann, Paul is the best choice I’ve ever made. And I trust that his intellect and his hard work and his commitment to principle will continue to contribute to the good of our nation.
I also want to thank Ann, the love of my life. She would have been a wonderful first lady. She’s — she has been that and more to me and to our family and to the many people that she has touched with her compassion and her care.
I thank my sons for their tireless work on behalf of the campaign, and thank their wives and children for taking up the slack as their husbands and dads have spent so many weeks away from home.
I want to thank Matt Rhoades and the dedicated campaign team he led. They have made an extraordinary effort not just for me, but also for the country that we love.
And to you here tonight, and to the team across the country — the volunteers, the fundraisers, the donors, the surrogates — I don’t believe that there’s ever been an effort in our party that can compare with what you have done over these past years. Thank you so very much.
Thanks for all the hours of work, for the calls, for the speeches and appearances, for the resources and for the prayers. You gave deeply from yourselves and performed magnificently. And you inspired us and you humbled us. You’ve been the very best we could have imagined.
The nation, as you know, is at a critical point. At a time like this, we can’t risk partisan bickering and political posturing. Our leaders have to reach across the aisle to do the people’s work. And we citizens also have to rise to the occasion.
We look to our teachers and professors, we count on you not just to teach, but to inspire our children with a passion for learning and discovery. We look to our pastors and priests and rabbis and counselors of all kinds to testify of the enduring principles upon which our society is built: honesty, charity, integrity and family. We look to our parents, for in the final analysis everything depends on the success of our homes. We look to job creators of all kinds. We’re counting on you to invest, to hire, to step forward. And we look to Democrats and Republicans in government at all levels to put the people before the politics.
I believe in America. I believe in the people of America. And I ran for office because I’m concerned about America. This election is over, but our principles endure. I believe that the principles upon which this nation was founded are the only sure guide to a resurgent economy and to renewed greatness.
Like so many of you, Paul and I have left everything on the field. We have given our all to this campaign.
I so wish — I so wish that I had been able to fulfill your hopes to lead the country in a different direction, but the nation chose another leader. And so Ann and I join with you to earnestly pray for him and for this great nation.
Thank you, and God bless America. You guys are the best. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thanks, guys.end of story marker