welcome to September

Happy new month. 

Jonathan: Why We Did Not Appeal Bakassi Verdict

President Goodluck Jonathan has defended his administration’s decision not to bow to the clamour by a section of the Nigerian public to appeal the 2002 International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment that ceded the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroun.

If you have these symptoms, do HIV test

The war against HIV/AIDS is far from being over. This is because, globally, more than 34 million people now live with HIV/AIDS, while 3.3 million of them are under the age of 15.

According to amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, which is dedicated to ending the global AIDS epidemic through innovative research, in 2011 alone, an estimated 2.5 million people were newly infected with HIV; and out of these, 330,000 were under the age of 15.

Sad to say, everyday, nearly 7,000 people contract HIV — nearly 300 every hour.

And, despite the giant strides made in the fight against this disease, in 2011, 1.7 million people died from AIDS, and 230,000 of them were under the age of 15.

And if you must know, more than two-thirds (69 per cent) of all people living with HIV (23.5 million), live in sub-Saharan Africa, of which Nigeria is a part. Ninety-one percent of the world’s HIV-positive children are also found in the sub-Sahara. And in 2011, an estimated 1.8 million people in the region became newly infected.

An estimated 1.2 million adults and children died of AIDS, accounting for 71 per cent of the world’s AIDS deaths in 2011.

Experts say since the beginning of the epidemic in the early 1980s, more than 60 million people, globally, have contracted HIV; and nearly 30 million have died of HIV-related causes.

If these statistics convey any message at all, it is this: HIV knows no border and anybody can be infected with it. Worse still is the huge number of young people who were indicated as victims of this disease. Indeed, experts fear that apart from young people who may have been born HIV-positive as a result of Mother-To-Child-Transmission, many young people contract the infectious disease through unprotected sex with someone already infected.

But then, medical experts tell us that though there’s no cure for HIV/AIDS yet, when detected early, HIV can be managed and prevented from progressing to AIDS. The Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Prof. John Idoko, advises every sexually active person to regularly undergo HIV screening, so that they will know their HIV status.

Epidemiologist and Deputy Director, HIV/AIDS Division, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Segilola Araoye, recommends being tested at least once a year if you do things that can transmit HIV infection, such as injecting drugs or steroids with used injection equipment; having sex for money or drugs; having sex with an HIV infected person; having more than one sex partner since your HIV test; and having a sex partner who has had other sex partners since your last HIV test.

Experts say you are more likely to be infected with HIV if you have ever shared injection drug needles and syringes; have ever had sex without a condom with someone who had HIV; have ever had a sexually transmitted disease like Chlamydia or gonorrhoea; received a blood transfusion or a blood clotting factor between 1978 and 1985; and if you have ever had sex with someone who has done any of those things.

And if you happen to be one of those people who still dither about having HIV screening, here are the symptoms to look out for as you wonder whether or not you are HIV-positive.

The first one is fever. Family doctor, Eugene Osazie, says within a month or two of HIV entering the body, 40-90 per cent of people experience flu-like symptoms known as “acute retroviral syndrome.” She also notes that sometimes, HIV may not manifest for years. “As such, many people may even be HIV-positive without being aware,” she says.

She notes that such fever may be accompanied by certain symptoms such as fatigue, swollen lymph glands, and a sore throat, which may last for a few weeks. “By this time, the virus is moving into the blood stream and starting to replicate in large numbers,” Osazie warns.

She also warns that when HIV enters the bloodstream, it begins to attack certain white blood cells known as CD4 cells — the specialised cells that are a part of our immune system. “The immune system then produces antibodies to fight off infection. When you take an HIV test, doctors are actually looking for the presence of these antibodies, which confirm that HIV infection has occurred,” Osazie counsels.

Again, you should be worried if you now feel fatigued by simple activities that you were used to, such as walking; or if you feel pain in the joints and muscles, among others.

“One of the things that should ginger you up is when you start having swellings in the armpits, groin and neck, as these are some of the parts of the body where you have the lymph nodes.

“The lymph nodes are a sort of garrisons, as they act as filters for foreign particles and are important in the proper functioning of the immune system. When they are inflamed or swollen, therefore, it is an indication that something has gone wrong in the body, and only a competent medical screening can tell us what is cooking,” Dr. David Anyaegbuna of DuCross Clinics, Festac Town, Lagos, says.

Sore throat and headaches are also things to worry about if you have been engaging in risky behaviours as outlined above, experts warn. Ditto unexplained rash or boils, Anyaegbuna says.

Physicians also say nausea, vomiting and constant stooling (diarrhoea), as well as weight loss should be a wake-up call for HIV screening, as these may be signs that the immune system is being depleted systematically.

Doctors also advise that if you have prolonged dry cough that has become resistant to regular antibiotics; or if you always have night sweats even when the weather is cool; or if you develop mouth ulcers or genital herpes, go for HIV screening.

The online portal, health.com, also warns that if the colour of the nail changes, or if it thickens, splits or becomes discoloured with black or brown lines, HIV may be responsible.

Fashola don't sit on the fence and watch.

Former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has been asked to rescind his decision to impose his daughter, Shade Tinubu-Ojo, as the new leader of market women in the state.

£3,000 visa bond: FG summons British High Commissioner

Culled from punch

A diplomatic row  seems to be  brewing between Nigeria and the United Kingdom following a  proposed policy by the  British Government  requiring  Nigerian travellers to the UK to deposit £3,000 as bond in case they overstay  their visa limits.

On Monday,  the Federal Government  summoned the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Pocock, over the development  while the House of Representatives which flayed  the policy, argued that it could have negative impact on the relationship between  the two countries.

Nigeria, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Pakistan and India are  listed by the UK  as  countries whose citizens are to deposit the £3,000 under  the  proposed  policy that will take off in November.

A Home Office official said the six countries highlighted were those with “the most significant risk of abuse.”

About 2.2million people are granted visas to enter Britain every year.

Last year, 296,000 people from India were granted six-month visas, as were 101,000 from Nigeria; 53,000 from Pakistan; and 14,000 apiece from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

According to media reports, the Home Secretary Theresa May,  said the administration of British Prime Minister, David Cameron,  is serious about cutting immigration and abuses of the system.

The Sunday Times of  London had reported that  every visitor  aged 18 and above granted a  six-month visa would  forfeit the £3,000 if they overstayed in Britain after the expiration of their  visa .

Initially, the scheme will target hundreds of visitors, but the plan is to extend it to several thousands, according to the broadsheet’s front-page report.

 It was gathered that Pocock would  meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru,  on Tuesday (today) to explain  the policy.

A source close to the ministry, who confirmed the meeting,  said the government was seriously concerned about the implication of the policy on the economy and image of the country.

“Pocock is to explain to government if the plan is true and why Nigeria is a target. Government is worried about the highly discriminatory policy which tends to portray the country in a bad light,” he explained.

Another source told one of our correspondents that the Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK, Dr. Dalhatu Tafida,  was  also billed to brief Ashiru    on the development.

But Ashiru,  at the 2013 Ministerial Platform on the mid-term activities and achievements of the ministry in Abuja on Monday, said  he had not been contacted officially by the UK authorities  on the development.

He said, “We have not received any official communication from the UK government. When we receive communication, we will study the proposal. I can assure all Nigerians that President Goodluck Jonathan’s government will defend the interest of Nigerians by whatever means it can. When we get the proposal,  we will study it to see how it will  affect  ordinary Nigerians.”

In the   House of Representatives,  Chairman,  Committee on Foreign Affairs, Ms. Nnena Elendu-Ukeje, stated that the policy was a U-turn on a promise by the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, to improve trade relations between the two countries  next year.

She said,  “This policy will not foster true  relationship between Nigeria and the UK. It does not promote the spirit of the Commonwealth either.

“The same British Government that promised improved trade relations with Nigeria is introducing such a discriminatory policy.

“It is a somersault, to say the least.”

However, Elendu-Ukeje observed that the policy appeared to be “a political issue.”

She explained, “The Conservative Party wants to prove that they are serious about immigration matters. They are doing this to win voters ahead of the next elections.”

But, she called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to register its protest before the take-off date of the policy.

“We have to take proactive measures to oppose this policy and by way of reciprocity because next time they will increase this bond of a thing”, she said.

The lawmaker recalled that in 2008, the British Government introduced £1,000 “fine” on travellers.

“They tried it first in 2008; today, four years down the line, they are saying that it will be £3,000. What will be the next figure if we don’t take proactive measures now?” Elendu-Ukeje  asked.

An expert in constitutional law, Prof. Itse Sagay, also  described the  policy as “  hostile and therefore contrary to international diplomacy.”

 He said, “It is evidence of contempt and a clear case of saying ‘we don’t want people from their country and  so let us make it impossible for them to come.

 “How many people can pay N750,000 as deposit which the British Government will keep and probably trade with while the owner cannot touch it. I think we need to respond appropriately by also raising impossible barrier to British people coming into Nigeria  so  that at  the end,  we will see who will lose more.

“I think they are making the mistake of believing we need them more than they need us.  In fact,  it is they who are making more out of Nigeria.

“They have a wrong idea of their importance to us. We are more important to them than they are to us.”

Meanwhile,  Ashiru said at the   Ministerial Platform  that Nigeria’s   foreign policy in the 70s  could not  be compared with the present.

He said, “The problem today is unemployment. We have to use diplomacy to support job creation in Nigeria so that we can develop our private sector to make it  employ more people.

“Our youths from universities cannot get jobs. So foreign diplomacy must be used to create jobs and that is what we have been doing.”

Justifying the budgets for generators and fuel used by  Nigerian High Commissions in countries with constant power supply, Ashiru said the criticism “is the ignorance of the highest order.”

“It is to power the boiler which in most countries in Europe either uses fuel or gas. It is to heat and power the foreign mission houses in winter and also to get hot water.”

According to him, the biggest challenge facing the ministry is the plight of Nigerians living abroad.

“All ambassadors now know that their priority is to attend to the needs of Nigerians in their countries of accreditation. No Ambassador today is allowed to close his doors on Nigerians,” the minister said.

Ashiru warned Nigerians living abroad against drug trafficking, adding that it was tantamount to committing suicide.

 “I must   warn those who willfully commit crime and thereby commit suicide. Drug trafficking in some countries attracts death penalty. All the airports today have sophisticated equipment; there is no where you hide the drug in your body that you will not be caught.”

Ashiru also ruled out closing any foreign mission house because, “when you close a mission, you lose a friend. Nigeria cannot afford to lose a friend at this time”.

He promised that no Nigeria would be treated unjustly in foreign lands.

Amaechi calls NGF meeting for Wednesday

Culled from punch

Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has called a meeting of  the NGF for  Wednesday in Abuja.

Amaechi, who is the Rivers State Governor, has also invited Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, who contestthe NGF chairmanship with him on May 24.

Cynthia was strangled to death, policeman tells court

A policeman attached to Area E Police Command, Festac Town Police Station, Mr Joseph Edo, has stated that Cynthia Osokogu, who was murdered at Cosmilla Hotel, Festac, in July 2012, was chained and strangled by her killers.

Fatai Rolling Dollar wanted to make a confession before he died –Widow

Zainab Olagunju, one of the wives of late highlife musician, Fatai Rolling Dollars, says the veteran musician asked for her forgiveness moments before he took his last breath. She told Saturday Beats that the music legend did so because he knew he had offended her.

PDP moves to reconcile with Amaechi, others

The Peoples Democratic Party has initiated moves to reconcile with Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and other estranged governors elected on the platform of the party.

This indication was given in Abuja on Friday by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, after a meeting of the PDP National Convention Planning Committee.

I’m not a fraudster, says ex-Lagos deputy gov

Culled from punch

Former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, has maintained that she is innocent of the allegation of fraud levelled against her and her son, Samson.

Al’Makura: Why Nasarawa Elites Are against Me

Governor Umaru Tanko Al’Makura of Nasarawa State has alleged that he has been having a running battle with some of the elites in the state in the last two years ago simply because he has refused to sh

Customs Officers Shoot Pregnant Passenger, Abscond

Some customs officers stationed at the Ilase Customs checkpoint, on the  Owode-Idiroko Road, yesterday shot a passenger, Alhaja Fausat Ayode, who was pregnant, to death and absconded for fear of being lynched by an irate mob.

THISDAY gathered that pandemonium erupted in the area as the irate mob made to attack the customs officers who fled to their unit at Owode-Idiroko.

200 Nigerian Girls Trafficked to Russia Monthly

Not even the adverse weather conditions in Russia is enough deterrent for Nigerian human traffickers as no fewer than 200 Nigerian girls are trafficked every month to Russia for prostitution, says Nigeria’s ambassador to Russia, Asam Asam.

She did not attempt to flush her baby- OAU

Authorities of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, say a 400-level engineering student, Miss Oyinlola Rotimi,  did not attempt to flush her newborn baby boy down the toilet at Moremi Hall on Wednesday.

Rotimi had caused commotion when she was seen in the toilet with the baby. Read the first story from this link.

How Last Minute Politicking Saved Tukur’s Job

Culled from ThisDay

The long-awaited meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ended in an anti-climax  Thursday without a single word of dissent against the beleaguered national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

THISDAY gathered that Tukur was able to retain his job due to the last minute horse-trading and lobbying that took place throughout Wednesday to ensure that the chairman was not removed.

Kwakwanso is deceitful- Jang

Plateau State Governor, Mr. Jonah Jang, has said his Kano State counterpart, Alhaji Rabiu Kwakwanso, is bearing a moral burden in his explanation of what transpired at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum election.

Jang, who scored 16 votes, lost to River State Governor Romiti Amaechi who secured 19 votes in the election.

Jang, in a statement on Thursday by the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Yiljap Abraham, said by Kwakwanso’s admission, his nomination as chairman of the NGF by the northern governors was a political game, which showed the level of “descent to which some politicians had sunk in terms of lost moral ethos.”

Sir, you are a dictator- Rivers CP to Amaechi

Culled from punch

THE feud between the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, and State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu, took a different dimension on Thursday when Mbu described the governor as a tyrant and a dictator.

Mbu, who spoke with newsmen in Port Harcourt, also dared anyone to embark on a protest in the state without seeking police permission.

As Boko Haram Resorts to Satellite Phones, JTF Outlaws Device in Borno

In response to the rising spate of killings in the states under emergency rule, the Joint Task Force (JTF) yesterday banned indefinitely the use of Thuraya mobile phones in all states under emergency rule.
Thuraya phones are based on satellite technology and do not rely on any of the existing GSM or CDMA networks in Nigerian to function.

Police Beef up Security in Lagos over MEND Threat

The police have beefed up security around strategic places in Lagos, especially fuel tanker terminals, tank farms and other establishments associated with the petroleum industry to forestall any terrorist attack.

Why do South Africans hate Nigerians?

 BY BAYO OLUPOHUNDA (BAYOOLUPOHUNDA@YAHOO.COM)

Recently, some Nigerians living in South Africa were reported to have been victims of violence allegedly fuelled by xenophobia. Hate crimes against Nigerians living in South Africa are nothing new. Since the dismantling of apartheid, Nigerians and other African nationals living in the country of the Madiba have been the subjects of coordinated xenophobic violence reminiscent of what black South Africans themselves suffered during the apartheid era.  The story of this recent violence was not different from previous attacks. Reports of spontaneous assault by some South African members of Port Nolloth community were said to have targeted the Nigerian community living in the area.

Tukur knows fate today as PDP NEC meets

Culled from punchng

Who  laughs  last in the  battle for the soul of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party?

An answer to this  will emerge at the party’s National Executive Committee meeting on Thursday (today) where governors loyal to Rivers State Governor,  Rotimi Amaechi, and those in the Jonah Jang  camp  will play prominent roles in determining  whether or not Bamanga Tukur will retain his job as PDP’s national chairman.

The Amaechi  group is allegedly pushing for Tukur’s removal while the Jang  faction  backed by  members of the party’s caucus, including the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih,  is bent on his (Tukur) retention in office.

Amaechi shuns Patience Jonathan’s Port Harcourt event

Culled from punchng

Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and his wife, Judith, on Wednesday shunned the inauguration of the South-South Zonal Secretariat of the Women for Change and Development Initiative by the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience.

Police declare ex-deputy gov wanted for fraud

The Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police has declared a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, wanted for allegedly defrauding a land buyer of N130m.

The SFU alleged in a statement on Wednesday that the suspect and her son, Samson, obtained money from the victim by false representation.

He formed EFCC to deal with his political enemies- Shekarau

A two-time former governor of Kano State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, has alleged that the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) was not set up to fight corruption, but to frustrate and muzzle perceived political enemies of government.

Tambuwal to Jonathan " I am your property Mr. President"

A mild drama preceded the parley of the more than two dozen members of the caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which met Tuesday when Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, described himself as ‘property’ of the president.

OAU student gives birth and attempt to flush the baby in the school hostel

from lindaikeji's Blog
According to unconfirmed reports I got this morning from students of Obafemi Awolowo University, a female student of the school gave birth in the Moremi Hostel hall toilet and attempted to flush the baby but was caught my the hall cleaners.

FG Fixes 180 Cut-off Mark for Varsities, 150 for Others

The federal government has released the cut-off marks for admission to tertiary institutions for the 2013/2014 academic session with students seeking to enter any of the nation’s universities expected to score about 180 in this year's Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Yuguda: Kwankwaso's Deception of Jang is a Tragedy for Nigeria

Bauchi State Governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda, has responded with a salvo at his Kano State counterpart, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, for having deliberately set up Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang for failure at the contest for the chairmanship of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), describing the action as a tragedy for Nigeria.

Me resign, NEVER- Tukur

Barring any last minute changes, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has slated July 15 to hold a mini-national convention to endorse the changes in the National Working Committee (NWC) expected to take place during tomorrow’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party.

Before the mini-national convention, however, the party will also hold zonal congresses on July 13 nationwide.

The purpose of the zonal congresses and mini-convention is to hold elections into positions for those 16 members of the NWC that the report of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had indicated that their election did not meet the PDP election guidelines. 

Mogaji: When Honouring the Dead Inflicts Pain on the Living

Culled from ThisDay

If the grumblings and discomfort expressed by a cross section of people who spoke to THISDAY yesterday over the closure of virtually all markets in Lagos State in honour of the late Alhaja Abibat Mogaji, the mother of former Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu, is a representation of the feelings of Lagosians, then it is apt to describe it as a typical case of pleasing the dead to displease the living.

B’Haram kills nine students, 13 fishermen in Borno

Culled from punchng

Suspected Islamist militants opened fire on a school in Maiduguri on Tuesday, killing nine students, witnesses and a medical worker said. This was the second  deadly attack on schools in three days.

An eyewitness, Ibrahim Mohammed, said he was taking exams in a classroom at Ansarudeen School when gunmen stormed the building and opened fire at random.

Nigerians should blame all leaders,not Jonathan alone for country’s woes-Maku

The Information Minister said this in
Lagos on Wednesday.
The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku,
on Wednesday said that President Goodluck
Jonathan’s administration is committed to
reinforcing democratic institutions in
Nigeria, adding that Nigerians have failed
in holding their local leaders
accountable.

Fashola Signs Bill Legalising Cremation in Lagos

Despite the protracted controversy that trailed its passage by the House of Assembly, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Monday assented to a bill legalising cremation of bodies in the state.

SHOCKING: Nigeria holds world record in number of children out of school

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation has released a shocking report indicating that one out of every five Nigerian children is out of school.
In what is clearly a national disgrace for a country that is the world’s eight largest oil producer, the UNESCO Education for All Global Monitoring Report (EAGMR) says Nigeria holds the world record of having the highest number of its young people out of school.
With approximately 10.5 million kids out of school, Nigeria dominates twelve other countries with which it accounts for 47 percent of the global out-of-school population.
The other countries are Pakistan (5.1 million); Ethiopia (2.4million); India (2.3million); Philippines (1.5million); Cote D’Ivoire (1.2million); Burkina Faso (1million); Niger (1million); Kenya (1million); Yemen (0.9million); Mali (0.8million) and South Africa (0.7million).
And of all these countries, UNESCO says Nigeria is among the four that has experienced the highest increase since 1999.

Pouring Garri On Policeman

There was a mild drama at Sabo Magistrate’s Court when a 30-year-old man, Ayo Ogori, was arraigned for allegedly assaulting a police officer, Isadare Abiodun, by pouring garri ( Cassava flakes) on him.
Ogori, who was arraigned on two counts of assault, was said to have committed the offence at Ebute Ilaje, Bariga area of Lagos.
However, the magistrate, Mrs. Folarin Williams, interrupted the proceeding, saying there were some inconsistencies in the charge sheet drafted by the prosecutor, Mrs. Nike Abudu.


The charge sheet read in part, “That you, Ayo Ogori, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did unlawfully assault one Isadare Abiodun by pouring a substance suspected to be garri on his police uniform.”
The offence was said to have breached section 166 of the criminal law of Lagos State Nigeria, 2011.
The magistrate observed that the charge sheet stated that the offence was committed on July 15, 2013 which could not have been true.

Hezbollah: Lebanese File Suit, Demand N50bn Damages

By Tobi Soniyi and Chuks Okocha

The co-owner of Amigo Supermarket, Mustapha Fawaz and three other Lebanese - Abdalah Tahini, Talal Rouda and Khosai Nouridine, who were arrested over the armoury and Hezbolla terror cell uncovered in Bompai, Kano State have filed a suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

N3.7bn Electricity Projects May Be Abandoned

 Land owners meet visiting minister with protest
John Shiklam in Kaduna

There are fears that power projects worth N3.7billion may be abandoned in Kaduna State.
Managing Director of the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDC), Alhaji Idris Mohammed, who expressed the fears saturday said electricity projects under the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company worth N3.7billion may be abandoned if the federal government fails to complete them before the eventual sale of the company to private investors.

Confusion as bride fails to turn up for wedding

There was drama in Ado Ekiti on Saturday as a bride failed to turn up at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Okesa, Ado Ekiti, for her planned wedding ceremony.

Another political party coming to birth

Culled from ThisDay

As Northern professionals oppose 6-year single tenure

Vincent Obia in Lagos and Chuks Okocha in Abuja              
Peoples Democratic Party governors who voted for the re-election of Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi in the last Nigeria Governors' Forum election may be considering floating a new party, to emerge as a Third Force to the ruling PDP and opposition coalition party, All Progressives Congress.

APC’s plans to win 2015Presidency revealed

Leaked documents have indicated that
the newly formed opposition political
party, the All Progressives’ Congress
(APC) is approaching the 2015
elections with all seriousness hav

Hezbollah: SSS seeks permissionto demolish Amigo Supermarket

Following the alleged discovery of
boxes with arms within the popular
Amigo Supermarket complex in Abuja,
the State Security Services (SSS) has
begun moves to demolish the
supermarket, which is owned by some
Lebanese who have been linked with
terrorism activities such as providing
cells for the Hezbollah terror group
in Kano.

MASSOB: 6 feared killed, Police vehicle burnt in Onitsha

No fewer than six persons were
alleged to have been shot dead by
security agencies in the commercial city
of Onitsha, Anambra State, Saturday,
during the MASSOB Sit-at-Home order
which was believed to have recorded a
partial success.
MASSOB claimed three of the six men
killed were its members named Sunday
Idom, Emeka Ibe and Okechukwu Okoro.
They were allegedly shot dead by
soldiers at Bida Road Onitsha, where
five others were also said critically
injured.
Vanguard also gathered that some group
of boys suspected to be MASSOB members
set ablaze a Police patrol van at Oba
Junction.
Commander 302 Artillery Regiment
Onitsha, Col. T. A. Gagariga told
newsmen on phone that he was not also
aware that Soldiers shot and killed
MASSOB members, adding that he was aware
that some MASSOB members who were on
patrol with their vehicles, had a fatal
accident at Modebe Avenue junction by
Iweka Road which led to the instant
death of two of them while some others
sustained serious injuries.

June 12 what- Usman

A former Presidential candidate of
the now rested National Republican
Convention, NRC, Alhaji Bashir Usman
Tofa has described the June 12
remembrance as a fiction, stressing
that it is a dead and forgotten
issue.

Man to do community service after carrying out acid attack

An Abule-Egba Magistrate Court in Lagos
sentenced a 26-year-old man to 120 hours
of community service after pleading
guilty to pouring acid on three people.
The Magistrate, Mr Tajudeen Elias, said
the defendant, John Adetokunbo, would
have been sentenced to minimum of 18
months imprisonment without an option of
fine.”

I wept for Nigeria- Buhari

General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) has said that he had to weep in public because of the hardships Nigerians suffer despite the enormous wealth the country is blessed with.

Buhari, who spoke in a radio interview in Kano yesterday, blamed the bad leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the country’s numerous woes.

“I joined politics on two grounds: first was, after I was out of the prison, people asked me to join politics, perhaps they saw the potential in me; the second was, the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the changes it brought about compelled me to join politics and based on multi-party system if justice will be done to all,” Buhari said.

He described as embarrassing the outcome of the recent election in the NigeriaGovernors’ Forum (NGF) which is enmeshed in leadership tussle.

Police demolish alleged mum killer’s shrine

The shrine of controversial Chief Chimezie Bede Osigwe, the man who allegedly killed his mother, embalmed her body and kept the skeleton for about 10 years in his cupboard, has been destroyed by a combined team of Nigeria Police and Imo Security Network.

I drank garri throughout- Akerele

An octogenarian, Pa Akinyele Akerele, who was kidnapped in Igbobini, Ese-Odo Local Government area of Ondo State by gunmen on May 4, said on Thursday that the hoodlums fed him with gaari and flogged him every day throughout the period.

Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force secured the release of the old man on Tuesday and apprehended no fewer than seven suspects in connection with the kidnap.

JTF claims ‘global terrorist’ Kambar killed

MAIDUGURI- The Nigerian military claimed on Thursday that US-designated “global terrorist” Abubakar Adam Kambar was killed in an operation last year, though Washington had not confirmed the death.

We suspended Wamakkofor ignoring Tukur’sphone calls, not NGF election – PDP

The national leadership of the
Peoples Democratic Party has
explained why Governor Magartakarda
Wamakko of Sokoto State was
suspended.

Me leave PDP, NO- Amaechi

Contrary to the media speculation
that Governor, Rotimi Amaechi of
Rivesr State was leaving the Peoples
Democratic Party following his
suspension, the governor has said he
has no intention to leave the
acclaimed largest party in Africa for
whatsoever reason..
The embattled governor, who spoke in
a communiqué by his Chief Press
Secretary, Mr. David Iyofor, on
Thursday, explained that contrary to
the comments by the State Publicity
Secretary of the Action Congress of
Nigeria, Mr. Jerry Needam, Amechi
remained an active member of the PDP.
Amaechi debunked the
claims that he was
making plans to join
the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN,
describing it as outright lies and a
figment of the imagination of the
opposition party’s spokesman.

EFCC arrests studentsof OOU, Lead City students,others over internet scam

Five under-graduates and four other
Nigerians were on Monday arrested by
operatives of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,
over internet-related scam.
The undergraduates, who are

Policemen caused accident in Lagos

Tragedy struck on Thursday at Ikeja Along
Bus Stop on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway,
Lagos State, after a heavily loaded 40-
foot container truck fell on a government
meat van, crushed a passerby, and wounded
several others.

Mimiko vs Amaechi WW

The war of words between Governors under
the aegis of Nigeria Governors Forum
(NGF), continued yesterday with Ondo State
Governor – Olusegun Mimiko, challenging
his Rivers State counterpart, Chibuike
Rotimi Amaechi to substantiate his claim
that he (Mimiko) voted at the disputed
election by producing the video evidence.
Mimiko, who is also the Vice Chairman of
the Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang-led
faction of the Forum, in a statement in
Akure, was reacting to Amaechi’s claim
that he (Mimiko) voted at the
controversial election which the Rivers
Governor claimed to have won.

6-Year Single Term For President,Governors

More than a year ago, the National
Assembly began the process of amending
the 1999 constitution with both
chambers setting up committees to
review the constitution.
After months of retreats, consultations
and public hearings across the six
geopolitical zones to feel the pulse of
the people on the issues up for amendment,
the senate committee, headed by the Deputy
Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has
completed its report and made
recommendations on the areas up for
amendment.

CBN reacts to Premium Timesreport on Sanusi's sexapades

3rd June, 2013
The Ag. Managing Editor,
Premium Times
Our attention has been drawn to the
libelous story posted on your website
on 2nd June, 2013, on the Governor of
the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and
which has now been circulated by other
online websites and blogging groups.
The post was full of fabrication and
inaccuracies. Ordinarily this would
have been best ignored. We are however
constrained to write to you on account
of the severe implications of the
allegations for the integrity of the
CBN, as an institution.

Our kidnappers complained bitterlyabout bad governance --Pakistanis

Five Pakistanis, who regained freedom
after spending 12 days with their
abductors, have said their abductors
lamented bad governance in Nigeria which
they gave as the reason for their
criminal action.

120 million Nigerians still indarkness, FG admits

The Federal Government on Wednesday
regretted that despite the various
efforts being put into stabilising the
power sector; about 120 million Nigerians
were still in darkness.

Dangote to site $8bn refinery in Olokola

Indications emerged on Wednesday that the
$8bn refinery proposed by Africa's
richest man and President, Dangote Group,
Alhaji Aliko Dangote, would be located at
the Olokola Free Trade Zone, Ondo State.
A senior official of the company, who
asked not to be named because he was not
authorised to speak on the matter, told
our correspondent that the refinery would

be located in the OFTZ.

North kicks against ban on B'Haram,Ansaru

The North on Wednesday disagreed with the
National Assembly on the proscription of
two Islamic miltant groups - Boko Haram
and Ansaru-by President Goodluck
Jonathan.

Senate stops N4bn first ladies'mission house project

The Senate on Wednesday dropped the
controversial African First Ladies' Peace
Mission House project when it passed the
N259.65bn budget of the Federal Capital
Territory for the 2013 fiscal year
without approving the N4bn appropriated
for it.

Jang, 13 other northerngovernors shun meeting in Kaduna

The crisis rocking the Nigeria Governors
Forum, NGF, may have split the governors
of the 19 northern states as only five of
them attended Thursdays meeting of the
Northern State Governors Forum in Kaduna.
The governors that attended the meeting
are the chairman of the northern
governors’ forum, Babangida Aliyu of
Niger; Sule Lamido of Jigawa; Ibrahim
Dankwanbo of Gombe; Tanko Almakura of
Nasarawa; and the host governor, Mukhtar
Yero of Kaduna State. The others were
represented by their deputies.

NYSC sanctions 49 corps members inAkwa Ibom

Three corps members will repeat the whole
service year.

Sitting with them is forbidden for me- Gov.Yuguda

The Bauchi Governor blamed his northern
colleagues for the NGF crisis.
The Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda, on
Thursday in Abuja said the Northern
States’ Governors Forum and its leadership
should be blamed for the crisis rocking
the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).

Ace Music Producer, OJB Jezreel Suffers Kidney Problem

One of Nigeria’s most talented music
producers, OJB Jezreel is down with kidney
related disease. The ace music beats-
maker, who produced 2Face’s ‘African
Queen’ hit song, is said to be receiving
treatment from a specialist at the Lagos
University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
According to reports, OJB needs a donor to
save him from dying as a result of the
kidney failure.
As reported, OJB has been suffering from
the ailment for some months but kept it
away from the press. We gathered that
money is not the problem but getting to
get a matching kidney donor to keep his
survival.

Yekini resurrects in Nairobi

Nigeria’s prolific goal scorer Rashidi
Yekini, resurrected Wednesday at the
Kasarani Sadium in Nairobi.

American agric investor to employ50,000 Nigerians

AN international agricultural
investment company, the Global Green
Investment based in the United States of
America, USA, is to employ about 50, 000
Nigerians when its planned project in
Anambra State takes off.
Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of the
company, Mrs. Mary Flower, said in Awka
that the company’s aim was to reduce
unemployment and insecurity in Nigeria
through its agricultural project.
According to Flower, the company is
already searching for 15,000 hectares of
land in Anambra State for the execution
of the project.
She added that in addition to employing
many Nigerians, it would also empower
rural farmers, with a view to curbing
rural-urban migration of youths in
search of jobs.

Soldiers flood Anambra over MASSOB’s sit-at-home order

Palpable fear has allegedly
gripped the people of Anambra State
especially residents of Onitsha, sequel
to the reported arrival of group of
soldiers in droves for security build up
against the alleged Sit-At-Home order
being canvassed by the Movement for the
Actualisation of the Sovereign State of
Biafra, MASSOB.

Jonathan bans Boko Haram, Ansaru

DETERMINED to wage war against
terrorism headlong, the Federal
Government, yesterday proscribed two
terrorist groups unleashing mayhem on
the polity, describing their activities
as illegal and acts of terrorism.
The outlawed groups are the Jamaatu
Ahlis-Sunna Liddaawati Wal Jihad
otherwise known as Boko Haram and the
Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis
Sudan also known as Ansaru.

No Stopping us- kenya's commissioner for Sports

The drumbeats of war roared louder in Nairobi on Monday, with Kenya’s Commissioner for Sports, Gordon Oluoch stating emphatically that the Harambee Stars would defeat the Super Eagles 1-0 in Wednesday’s 2014 World Cup qualifier at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

See you all in Court- Pro-Amaechi led by Fashola to Anti-Amaechi led by Akpabio

The politics of acrimony currently tearing the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, apart, has assumed a fresh dimension, as the warring factions have through two separate suits, asked different Abuja high courts to recognize them as the authentic body of Governors in the country.

This was just as monarchs from the South-South geo-political zone have commenced moves to resolve the face-off between President Goodluck Jonathan and Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, which dovetailed into the crisis rocking the Governors Forum.

The Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, is leading the faction loyal to Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, while the other faction in court has Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, who is equally a lawyer, as its leader.

Private varsities’ VCs move against ‘moonlighting’ among lecturers

culled from punch

The Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Registrars of Private Universities in Nigeria has decided to host a website where the list of all lecturers in the private universities will be uploaded to checkmate ‘moonlighting.’

Moonlighting, according to the Vice-Chancellor, Redeemer’s University, Mowe, Redeemed Camp, Ogun State, Prof. Debo Adeyewa, is an unethical practice where a lecturer works on full-time basis in more than one institution.

Eagles reject Hotel

Nigeria Football Federation on Monday rejected the hotel accommodation reserved for the Super Eagles by their Kenyan hosts and immediately set out to make alternative arrangement for the team. The NFF Chief Media Officer Ademola Olajire said that the place named 680 Hotel was turned down because it did not meet the standard expected.

Lagos should be expecting potable water soon- Gov. Fashola

Fashola spoke during the inauguration of the Igborosun Micro Water Scheme in Badagry Local Government, according to a statement by the Ministry of Rural Development on Monday.

Buhari posters flood Abuja.

Posters, announcing a former Head of State, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), as the consensus presidential candidate of the yet-to-be registered All Progressives Congress in the 2015 elections surfaced in Abuja on Monday.

Jonathan is strong for PDP primaries- Dr. Gulak

The Presidency has said President Goodluck Jonathan is not afraid of participating in the presidential primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party if he decides to contest the 2015 election.

Babcock University- Convocation Story

Last Sunday’s convocation of Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State, was a potpourri of emotions. For some, it was expectedly exciting. Shouts of joy, mixed with backslapping and hugging, were not in short supply.

 But while most of the graduating students had cause to rejoice and shed tears of joy, two of the graduating students and their family members, who managed to grace the occasion, were grief-stricken. But, first, they story of joy.

At the carnival-like 11th convocation, 1,359 students were awarded first degrees. Twenty got postgraduate diplomas, 71 obtained Master’s degrees in various disciplines while another set of 41 got PhD degrees in various disciplines.

Man installing DSTV signals to different homes for N5,000 and charged N1,000 per month as subscription fee arrested

The Nigerian Copyright Commission has arrested one Mr. Ubong Obot for illegally transmitting broadcast signals of Multichoice (DSTV) to an estimated 500 houses in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.

Obot is said to have installed the DSTV signals to different homes for N5,000 and charged N1,000 per month as subscription fee.

Northern Governors' Forum joins NGF in crisis

Culled from Punch

More members of the Northern Governors’ Forum are preparing to withdraw their membership of the 19-member group in  protest over the May 24 Nigeria Governors’ Forum election.

Investigations by The PUNCH on Monday showed  that the  governors are those sympathetic to Governor Jonah Jang, who heads a faction of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

A formidable member  of the Northern Governors’ Forum and  Bauchi State Governor  Isa Yuguda had on Sunday  pulled out of the  group.

He lied against OBJ- Oyinlola

Former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola has accused a member of the Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustees, Shuaib Oyedokun, of fanning the embers of discord in the party.

Oyinlola, in a statement he signed on Monday, said it was “unbecoming” of Oyedokun to seek to create a rift between President Goodluck Jonathan and former President Olusegun Obasanjo with “unguarded statements based on falsehood”.

Nigerian media are junks, useless,blogger Omojuwa says, as controversyrages over comment on Gani

A blogger, Japhet Omojuwa, has described
the Nigerian media as junky and useless,
in reaction to a Channels TV publication
 which suggested that he underestimated
the struggles of late human rights
fighter, Gani Fawehinmi.

Hezbollah weapons warehouse belongsto Sierra Leonean – Lebanese. Consul

KANO — Acting Lebanese Consul in Kano,
Khallel Musliman, has revealed that the
private residence that housed cache of
weapons of mass destruction linked to
international terrorist organisation,
Hezbollah, belongs to a Sierra Leonean.
Speaking in Kano, Musliman said the
property owner who is already in custody
over his infamous role in the arm saga
is Abdu Hassan Tahir.The controversial property located at
Gaya Road within Bompai GRA is within a
striking distance to the police
headquarters that was sacked by the
dreaded Boko Haram members in January
20, 2012.

Same. sex marriage not a crime- EU

European Union has criticised the
National Assembly for passing the law
criminalising same-sex marriages in
Nigerian.
Representative of the Union in Nigeria,
Ms Catherine Ashton, said in a statement
in Abuja, Monday, that although the
union does not support same sex marriage
nor oppose it, it was against making it
a crime.
She said: “EU seeks neither to promote
nor discourage same sex marriages, but
has been clear it opposes discrimination
or any form of legislation that
persecutes someone on the basis of
sexual orientation.”

Forbes rates Aliko Dangote world’s25th richest man

Renowned international journal, Forbes,
has said Africa’s richest man, Aliko
Dangote, is now 25th richest man in the
world.

Nigerian women lead in skinbleaching – WHO

The World Health Organisation, WHO, has
said 77 percent of women in Nigeria use
skin-lightening products, the world’s
highest percentage. The figure compares
with 59 percent in Togo, and 27 percent
in Senegal.

Unemployment may rise to 208m by2015 – ILO

The International Labour Organisation,
in its report released, yesterday,
warned that the number of unemployed
persons could rise to 208 million by
2015.

Arrest Uwazuruike, divide Nigeria –MASSOB

Movement for the Actualization
of Sovereign State of, MASSOB, has
threatened to divide the country if
their leader, Chief Ralph Uwazurike, was
arrested for trial over treason.
MASSOB members who marched in large
numbers in their Biafran uniform to all
major streets of Onitsha, yesterday,
carried placards with various
inscriptions.

APC to end insurgency, corruption ifregistered

Okoi Obla said APC will provide better
governance for the people through
participatory democracy.
The Deputy National Secretary of the CPC,
Okoi Obla, said the All Progressive
Congress, APC, is committed to stopping
insurgency and corruption if registered as
a political party.
Mr. Obla, a member of the APC Merger
Committee, said in Abuja on Monday that
APC would win the 2015 general elections.
He said that APC would wage war against
indiscipline in the country if voted into
power in 2015.
According to him, the party will provide
better governance for the people through
participatory democracy. He said that the
masses had not been enjoying dividends of
democracy the way they should since 1999.
Mr. Obla said, before 1999, the nation’s
economy was buoyant, the railway system
was working well and there were enough
employment opportunities for the people.
He urged every Nigerian to exercise self
discipline and control to enhance the
beauty of democracy in the country.
The opposition leader said the APC would
provide employment to unemployed Nigerians
if voted into power in 2015.
(NAN)

Charge Amigo Supermarket owner, twoother Lebanese to court or releasethem, lawyer tells SSS

The firm wants Service to release
suspected gunrunners or risk legal action.
The Lagos-based law firm of Bamidele Aturu
& Co has written the State Security
Service, SSS, requesting access to
Mustapha Fawaz, a proprietor of Amigo
Supermarket and Wonderland Amusement Park,
Abuja and two other Lebanese currently
being detained in connection with alleged
gun running and terrorist activities.
In the letter dated June 3, and addressed
to the Director General of SSS, Ekpeyong
Ita, the firm also demanded that they
should be charged to court if they have
committed any offence since the Nigerian
constitution forbids preventive detention
without trial beyond 24 hours.
It warned that if its demands are not
granted on or before Wednesday it would be
forced to take legal action against the
Service.

US places $23m reward for BokoHaram leader, Shekau, 4 others

The US today Monday June 3rd posted up to
$23 million in rewards to help track down
five leaders of militant groups accused of
spreading terror in west Africa.
The highest reward of $7 million is
offered for the Boko Haram leader Abubakar
Shekau, who last week called on Islamists
in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq to join
the bloody fight to create an Islamic
state in Nigeria.
The US State Department’s Rewards for
Justice program also targeted Al-Qaeda in
the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), offering its
first ever bounties for wanted militants
in west Africa.
Up to $5 million was posted for Al-Qaeda
veteran Mokhtar Belmokhtar, the one-eyed
Islamist behind the devastating attack on
an Algerian gas plant in January in which
37 foreigners, including three Americans,
were killed.
A further $5 million was offered for top
AQIM leader Yahya Abou Al-Hammam,
reportedly involved in the 2010 murder of
an elderly French hostage in Niger.
 Malik Abou Abdelkarim, a senior fighter
with AQIM, and Oumar Ould Hamaha, the
spokesman for Mali’s Movement for Oneness
and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO), were
also targeted by the rewards program,
which will give up to $3 million each for
information leading to their arrests.
Source: AFP

Akwa Ibom outlaws ‘customary’maltreatment of widows

The custom of seizing properties of the
deceased husbands and subjecting their
widows to inhuman practices has been
outlawed by the Akwa Ibom State
Government. Such customs like shaving
the grieving wives’ hair and making them
drink the water used to bath

Lagos Assembly halts demolition of Pelewura Market

Lagos State House of Assembly has
directed the state ministries involved
in the planned demolition of Pelewura
Market annex to put the exercise on hold
pending the outcome of the investigation
by the committee set up to investigate
the matter.

NAFDAC parades 4 over N59bn fakedrugs importation

National Agency for Food and Drug
Administration and Control, NAFDAC,
weekend, paraded four suspects over the
importation of counterfeit drugs worth
N59 million.

52 graduate with First Class at Babcock

52 students wth first class. Interesting.
No fewer than 52 students, yesterday,
graduated with First Class honours at
Babcock University, BU, Ilishan-Remo,
Ogun State. 1,059 made Second Class
Upper, while 248 made Second Class
Lower.

PUNCH Interview: Why I Didn’t Talk To FelaFor Six Years – Femi Kuti

This interview was conducted march 31st by punch. Enjoy if you are interested.

Why did your father choose
controversial lifestyle?

It was because he was too honest about
his way of life. He liked women and he
did not hide it. He liked to smoke
marijuana and he did it in the open.

ACN slams GEJ for backing Jang

Following President Goodluck Jonathan’s
recognition of Governor Jonah Jang of
Plateau State as the Chairman of the
Nigeria Governor’s Forum (NGF), the
Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has
slammed the presidency, saying the act
was a travesty of democracy.

Rangers through to CAF confederation stages

The Flying Antelopes who had won the first
leg 1-0 a fortnight ago.
Nigeria’s flag bearers in CAF
Confederations Cup Enugu Rangers are
through to the Group phase of the
competition after battling to a goalless
draw on Sunday evening away to Tunisia’s
CS Sfaxien.

How Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor LavishedPublic Funds On Married Mistress-PREMIUM TIMES

Twenty minutes to midnight on February
25, 2013, and a day before the board of
the Central Bank of Nigeria was due to
meet, Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi
developed a craving for romance—he
badly needed a kiss.

Customs intercept smuggled poultry worth N48.7m

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 25 cars and two articulated vehicles smuggling 11,623 cartons of poultry products.

Muhammed Inuwa, the Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, estimated the Duty Paid Value (DPV) on the seized products to be about N48.7 million.

“This, we consider as the mother of all the seizures in the years since the customs has been involved in fighting smuggling,” he said. “One of our officers, Principal Inspector of Customs, Adamu Tabuwa, was seriously injured during the interception, but he is responding to treatment now.”

The federal government banned the importation of poultry products more than 10 years ago, but smugglers continue to move the commodity into the country through its porous borders.

Inuwa said the NCS was determined to collaborate with the other security agencies to stop the crime.

NDLEA to search private jets for drugs

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and
the Nigeria Immigration Service have
intensified efforts to check movement of
aliens and drugs aboard private aircraft,
SUNDAY PUNCH, has learnt.
The agencies said the move became
necessary due to the spate of insecurity
in the country.
The Federal Government had on May 12,
2013, said illegal consignments, cash in
local and foreign currencies, and
fugitives were being smuggled "on daily
basis" in and out of the country aboard
private jets.
The Coordinating Information and
Communications Manager for aviation
agencies, Mr. Yakubu Dati, told
journalists that an order for the
declaration of passenger manifest - a
document containing details of all
persons aboard the plane – was necessary
to check the abuse of the use of private
and chartered jets.
Speaking to our correspondent on the
telephone on Friday, the Head, Public
Affairs, NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said
although drugs had not been found on
private jets, it was however common on
commercial carriers.
"On chartered planes with passengers, we
do make arrests from time to time. There
is no point fighting the drug war, if we
don't do it, because all the drug barons
will start to buy private jets to have
their criminality unhindered. Our focus
is on both private and public flights. We
search everybody.
"The NDLEA Act is so wide that we can
search any aircraft, pilot, crew members
and diplomats; we have the powers. When
Olusegun Obasanjo was President, he set
the precedent; when he was travelling, he
would say 'search me and everybody on my
entourage.' We already have that
precedent, which is good for the
country."
In a separate interview, the Deputy
Comptroller, Public Affairs, NIS,
Ekpedeme King, said stipulated procedures
had been followed on both commercial and
private aircraft vessels.
"There are certain agencies that work
together at the ports (air and sea); we
complement each other. While you check
the baggage, others check the passengers,
and another checks the food items you're
moving with," King said.

We're not involved in Hezbollah armoury saga - Lebanese community

The Lebanese community in Kano has exonerated itself from the large consignment of arms  uncovered by the Nigerian security agents in the troubled northern Nigerian commercial city that was linked to international terrorist organization, Hezbollah.

Addressing newsmen in Kano in its first official reaction since the Hezbollah cell in the city was busted by the security agents, Chairman of the community, Tahir Fadlallah said that the Lebanese Community ‘’unequivocally condemns crime in whatever form”.


Tahir Fadlallah,  who also doubled as the chairman of the Tahir Guest palace in Kano said that, “with almost 100 years of our stay in Kano, we have never been associated with any crime that threatened the peace of our host”.

Tahir Fadlallah said that, ‘’the community is ready and willing to cooperate with security and law enforcement agencies in their efforts to counter any act or activities associated or related to terrorists act”.

Fadlallah maintained that,” Lebanese community will not accept or associate with any criminal individual or group”.

The chairman further disclosed that the Lebanese community will give their full and unwavering confidence in the ability of the relevant authorities to carry out thorough investigations with a view to bring the culprits to justice.

Tahir also condemned in strong terms, the purported newspaper report that linked him and his organization to Hezbollah armoury, stressing that, “I am not involved and I’m prepared to initiate a legal action for redress. I have been receiving calls within and outside the country over the purported story but it’s not true at all as you all can see now.  I’m addressing you and will not leave the damage to go like this because I will sue them”.

Source: Vanguard