Jonathan offers no plan to resolve ASUU crisis, says strike politicized

Published: September 30,2013

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday offered the clearest sign yet that his administration was in no haste to resolve the three-month-old strike by university lecturers, calling their demands “politicized” and urging the lecturers to return to work for the sake of the students.

On his fifth presidential media chat on the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, the president said the nation’s bitter politics had crept into the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, and was responsible for the refusal of the lecturers to suspend their action despite the government’s effort.

“In the past, they did not go this far when strikes were called off; but now politics has gone into everything,” the president said. He did not elaborate when pressed further by a five-member interview panel on his claim about ASUU demands being politicized.

Mr. Jonathan said his administration had made concessions for the strike to be resolved, and has demonstrated remarkable commitment to addressing the massive infrastructure in the universities, one of the key demands ASUU has made.

He said the lecturers have refused to accept the government’s explanations that broad range reforms cannot be achieved instantly.

“ASUU strike is very very unfortunate,” Mr Jonathan, himself a former lecturer, said. He said crisis in education, in developing countries would always continue.

The president said the biggest indication to his government’s commitment to such reforms was the decision to catalogue the perennial rot afflicting all the universities.

“Throughout this time, no government has taken inventory of all the problems in federal and state universities,” the president said. “We said this must change. But it cannot change overnight. So for ASUU to go on strike over infrastructure, they need to understand that we are serious about intervening starting with N100 billion.”

The president’s remarks on the strike was his first since lecturers downed tools in June, asking for improved pay and better funding for universities. They vowed not to resume until the government fully implements the last agreement both sides reached in 2009.

The lecturers have vowed not to accept partial implementation of the agreement, with multiple intervention by the Senate and the House of Representatives stalemated.

The government said the challenges of improved funding requires more time, and claims it has made concessions by providing initial funding.

As the negotiations deadlock, millions of students have remained stranded at home with each claim of quick resolution to the crisis turning out unrealistic.

Mr Jonathan’s comments on Sunday provided the strongest indication yet, that, save a change in decision, students will remain at home longer as the crisis stretches without a resolution.

Asked specifically what the way forward would be for the strike, the president said he was calling on the lecturers to resume work for the sake of the Nigerian children and to realize that the government was committed to improving education.

He said the 2009 agreement which ASUU has harped upon, was negotiated by officials incapable for such a responsibility as the agreement was “not implementable”.

“Even if we have all the money in the world we cannot change things overnight,” he said. “The members of ASUU are our brothers and sisters, they should look at these young people and look at the commitment of govt.”

Niger Delta’s Most Wanted Kidnap Kingpin Arrested In Port Harcourt

 

Posted: September 27, 2013

      

caption: Kelvin and his gang

By SaharaReporters, New York

Kelvin Ibruvwe, the Niger Delta’s most wanted kidnap kingpin and leader of the Liberation Movement for the Urhobo People (LIMUP), he has been arrested today in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State.
Mr. Ibruvwe’s arrest came barely a week after he brashly gave the Federal and Delta State governments a 60-day ultimatum to develop the Urhobo area, particularly his community, Kokori in Ethiope East local government area, or risk heavy attacks on oil facilities. 
Two security sources told SaharaReporters that the notorious kidnapper was arrested on Wednesday morning by a special squad of the State Security Services (SSS) deployed from the agency’s headquarters in Abuja. “We were also assisted by some local security operatives based in Delta State to apprehended Henry at the early hours of today,” one of the sources said.
Our correspondent was told that Kokori town had been taken over by men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) who mounted a coordinated attack to arrest other members of LIMUP as soon as the news of Ibruvwe’s arrest filtered into the community.
A source in Kokori disclosed that the arrival of the JTF operatives sparked off an exchange of gun battle between members of LIMUP and the JTF. “The JTF people brutalized many people in our community. Some youths and men were arrested while some women were beaten for daring to prevent arrest of their husbands and children,” the source said. The source added that many residents had fled the community for fear of further reprisals and possible mistreatment by the JTF.
Last week, Mr. Ibruvwe and other members of his gang staged a dramatic event where they brandished sophisticated weapons while issuing an ultimatum to the Goodluck Jonathan administration as well as the Delta State government. One police source told SaharaReporters that the group’s high-profile event had embarrassed the state commissioner of police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, and the commandant of the JTF, adding that the two law enforcement officials almost earned reprimands from their bosses in Abuja.
“Because of the embarrassment Henry caused, orders were issued to trail him and arrest him by all means,” said the source.

I won’t honour police invitation for fear of torture, ex-Anambra Commissioner says

Published: September 24,2013

Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi

The police declared the former commissioner wanted for alleged fraud.

The former Anambra Commissioner for Special Duties, Vincent Ezenwajiaku, said he refused to honour the invitation of the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of Nigeria Police for fear of being tortured.

Mr. Ezenwajiaku was accused of defrauding a company, Bio Plastic Manufacturing Ltd, of N10 million by the owner, Chuks Mgbemena.

The SFU of Nigerian Police in Lagos declared him wanted on September 18 for refusing to honour its invitation.

The commissioner told journalists in Awka on Monday that the fraud unit and the complainant, Mr. Mgbemena, were not after the money owed them.

“They want to arrest, detain and torture me and if possible maim me for life as a way of humiliating me,” he alleged.

He said that there was no truth in the report that he defrauded Mr. Mgbemena using an inexistent company.

The commissioner said Mr. Mgbemena ran the necessary checks on the company and found it to be duly registered before making the payment of a total sum of N8.2 million.

“The amount was for the acquisition of 34 per cent share in the company which he paid within three years. The allegation against me that I duped him with an inexistent company is not true.

“It is sheer fabrication and falsehood. The company is duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission with registration number RC 278625 by a law firm A.C. Ezenduka and Co. in 1995.

“The certificate of incorporation is there and the law firm is still in existence till date.

“We ran two bank accounts; Equity Bank and Diamond Bank, and you know that there is no way you can open a corporate account without your company being incorporated.

“The company, Bio Plastic Manufacturing Limited, while it existed was also a member of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).

“I had mandated him to choose someone to be his eye in the company and he chose his elder brother Mr. Mike Mgbemena who then became the General Manager and received salaries.

“How can he claim that I duped him with an inexistent company when it was he who came to me and begged me to purchase shares in my company?” Mr. Ezenwajiaku asked.

The commissioner said that he had instituted a libel suit against the SFU and Mr. Mgbemena demanding for N250million for alleged defamation of his character.

He thanked Governor Peter Obi of Anambra for seeing the matter as a deliberate act to tarnish his reputation, maintaining that the matter was politically motivated.

“It is a case of hatred. How can they declare me wanted when they know how to get to me?

“They are out to arrest, detain and torture me; that was why I went to court,’’ he said.

Mr. Ezenwajiaku, had, however, maintained that he only owed N6.5 million.

He was appointed commissioner in June 2012, but resigned his position three days ago.

(NAN)

Tenant kills landlord, landlady, sets house ablaze in Uyo

Published: September 24,2013

The suspect had threatened to burn the house if ejected.

A tenant in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, allegedly set his residence ablaze on Monday, killing his landlord and landlady.

The house is located at Asuquo Eyo Street in Ifa Ikot Okpon in the Uyo Local Government Area of the state.

The suspect, in his mid 40s, identified simply as Ime and popularly known as Shawa, was said to have threatened to burn down the house and kill his landlord and wife if they ejected him.

The News Agency of Nigeria learnt that Ime, allegedly kept his threat by stabbing his landlord, Edem Akpan, and the landlady, Affiong Udo, to death, before setting the house ablaze.

Emem Akpan, the deceased’s daughter, narrated the incident to saying that trouble started when her father asked Ime to quit his house.

Ms. Akpan said that the suspect refused to park out and threatened that if her father insisted on ejecting him, he would kill them and burn down the house.

“We thought what he said was just a mere threat. None of us could believe that Ime was capable of doing what he said.

“Two days ago, we saw him bringing worn-out tyres into the compound. We didn’t know he had a plan.

“Yesterday, before we left for church in the evening, he brought 20 litres of fuel, more than what his generator could contain.

“I remember a neighbour asking him what he was going to do with such amount of fuel, but he told him that he was going to run the generator overnight.

“This is what we saw this morning as we returned from church, that the fuel and worn-out tyres were weapons used by the assailant to kill my parents,” she said.

Ruth Jeremiah, another daughter of the deceased and ex-girlfriend of the suspect, said she parted ways with Ime over a year ago.

She said it was Ime’s crafty attitude of not letting her know his parents, his actual Local Government in Annang and even his surname that made her to terminate the relationship.

Ms. Jeremiah said that for the period she was with Ime, she did not know anything about his other names, except Ime’ or `Shawa’.

She said that the suspect had removed all his property in the house on Sunday night before killing her parents and setting the house ablaze.

Ms. Jeremiah said that there was no tenancy agreement between her father and the suspect as the house was rented out, based on gentleman’s agreement.

The Public Relations Officer of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Etim Dickson, confirmed the incident, saying that the command was aware that an elderly man and the wife had been burnt to death.

Mr. Dickson said that investigation was going on to unravel the mystery surrounding the killing of the man and wife and the burning of their house.

“We are aware that a husband and wife have been set ablaze. We do not know the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“We are still investigating the incident. No arrest has been made yet,” he said.

(NAN)

Fresh agitation over HND, degree disparity

SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

Like a malignant tumour, the agitation for parity between holders of the Higher National Diploma and Bachelor’s degree persists, CHARLES ABAH writes

When Mr. Fabian Ojo got admission to study Mass Communication at the Institute of Management, Enugu in 1985, he looked forward to graduating from the institution with a Higher National Diploma five years after.

But, two years later, precisely after obtaining the Ordinary National Diploma, Ojo changed his mind about continuing with the course and the polytechnic education  altogether. Reason: he was not getting the inner satisfaction of being an undergraduate. The polytechnic system, he said, did not accord him the needed psychological recognition.

Among his peers in Esan, Edo State, especially those in the university, he realised that they were not on the same page. Not that they were better off academically, but there was a reduction in his rating because he was in a polytechnic. So, the fact that he was in IMT and not a university became an instant minus for him.

The story of Mr. Victor Jegede, a HND graduate of the Ibadan Polytechnic, paints another scenario. Following the discrimination that he faced, in terms of promotion, in the organisation where he worked, he had since gone for a post-graduate diploma course to enable him to secure a university degree. Before then, he alleged,  younger university degree holders in the firm got accelerated promotion and were made to supervise him just because he possessed an HND.

The stories of Jegede and Ojo are just a tip of the iceberg concerning what many polytechnic graduates undergo in the country. While the older OND/HND holders are complaining about facing promotion ceilings in their different organisations, the younger ones who are seeking employment are grumbling about the frustration and hard times in the labour market. In fact, many firms, they claim, prefer recruiting university graduates to those who hold diplomas from the polytechnics.

The discrimination that Ojo faced about 30 years ago is still playing out. Like a cancerous growth, it has refused to heal and it was not surprising that the issue of disparity came to the fore again recently, when the Committee of Chairmen of Governing Councils of Federal Polytechnics met at the Yaba College of Technology in Lagos.  For some of the stakeholders who spoke on the occasion, there was the need to put an end to the B.Sc/HND inequality in the country.

For instance, the Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education, Dr. Masa’udu Kazaure; and the Rector, Yaba College of Education, Dr. Margaret Ladipo, urged the Federal Government to address urgently the inequality between university and polytechnic graduates.

The disparity, they said, was affecting the growth and development of polytechnic education in the country.

Apart from Kazaure and Ladipo, unions like the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics, among others, have protested against the disparity in the past.

Even as the unions kick against the discrimination, some analysts argue that the Federal Government’s efforts at resolving the issue has been nothing but unfortunate. They posit that the government has not shown strong commitment to ending the inequality.

An ex-Education Minister, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, perhaps affirmed this when she said the FG had not received any formal document to bring the two positions at par.

According to her, the National Council on Establishments, comprising all heads of service in the country, has yet to meet to rectify the decision.

But a former SSANIP National President, Mr. Ganiyu Akinyele, disagrees with Rufa’i, saying the FG has never mustered enough political will to resolve the issue.

Akinyele notes that during the era of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, after exhaustive deliberations among government agencies comprising officials of the ministries of Education, Labour and Productivity, a circular authorising the government to equate degree holders and their HND counterparts to the same entry point was released.

The idea, he says, is to end the lack of motivation being faced by the likes of Jegede and Ojo and to turn around the nation’s polytechnic education.

Akinyele adds, “The problem of polytechnic education borders on poor implementation of policies and this has resulted in the discrimination against diploma holders. The essence of the circular, which was released many years ago, was to ensure that HND graduates could rise and terminate at the same level with their university counterparts. Theoretically, the government must have released the circular. But as I speak, its execution has not taken place. So, who are those not interested in the execution of the policy?”

“Again, have you ever bothered to ask what the government has done to establishments and firms that discriminate against polytechnic graduates in terms of employment?”

The National Secretary of SSANIP, Chief Monday Jegede, who shares Akinyele’s view, links the unending disparity to the actions of policy makers.

For instance, he wonders why the NCE would, till date, not implement the 2004 Federal Executive Council decision removing the limiting of the career progression of HND holders in the civil service.

 Beyond that, the SSANIP National Secretary, who hails the productivity of polytechnic graduates, partly blames his colleagues for sabotaging the initiative.

He notes, “This is an issue we have been fighting for over the years, to no avail. I also think there are concerted efforts, even from within the polytechnic system, to make sure the disparity remains.”

Apart from affecting the psyche of polytechnic graduates negatively, other analysts argue that the disparity has put pressure on the country’s university admission process. To this, Akinyele concurs, remarking that many Nigerians see the polytechnic education as second to university learning.

But for an education consultant, Dr. Olusegun Omisore, the debate about the disparity is just a distraction. According to him, what should occupy the minds of Nigerians is a better framework that will enable the country to face the vicissitudes of life and the global challenges.

The citizens, Omisore advises, should challenge the Federal Government to concentrate on providing better educational policy and funding rather than engaging in the disparity controversy.

He adds, “There isn’t much in terms of the provision of funds and facilities, whether in the universities or in the polytechnics. Many of the graduates of these institutions are not masters of their disciplines. So, for me, the disparity debate is premature. All we need is the political will to go back to the basics.”

$25,000 bribery scandal: My story—Emodi

FORMER Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emodi, has reacted to speculations making the rounds on the reasons for her sack.

Irked by reports that her sack was not unconnected with the bribe-for-impeachment drama that allegedly rocked the House of Representatives recently, Emodi denied knowledge of anything that has to do with ‘money-sharing’ in the National Assembly.

She stated that she has never been part of any plan to give financial inducement in order to impeach any member of the House.

Speaking with Vanguard, yesterday, she also denied having any shouting match with anybody over $25,000 allegedly given to National Assembly members, saying most of the reports published about her were false.

“I was surprised to read the report of my alleged involvement in the money-sharing scandal. I was not given any money to share and definitely, the alleged money shared did not pass through my office. I have never brought any money to the National Assembly. If they brought money to the members, they know who brought it but not me. I don’t know anything about it. And more over, I don’t encourage such things.

“They said I had a shouting match with Diezani and that was not true. I have never fought with her. She is my friend and we only meet during occasional meetings. She is not a member of the National Assembly.

“I have heard all kinds of things since last Friday but you must realise that National Assembly members are my colleagues. I used to be one of them. I was there as a member of the House and a senator. I was relating with them through dialogue and diplomacy. You don’t achieve anything by fighting.”

Sen. Emodi

Asked to shed more light on what transpired before her sack, she said she owes a lot of gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan for letting her serve as his Adviser.

“I thank the President and all the legislators for the opportunity given to me to work with them. I enjoyed working with them”

President Goodluck Jonathan had last week Friday relieved Mrs Joy Emodi, (Special Adviser on National Assembly) and Dr. Tunji Olagunju, (Special Adviser on New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) of their duties without giving any reason. The statement of her sack was read by Mr Rueben Abati, Special Adviser to the President on Media.

Senator Emodi was appointed to the position in 2011, and walked the difficult path of forging cordiality between the administration and the often skeptical National Assembly. She was able to win the confidence of the legislators despite the hard feelings felt towards some elements in the administration while Mr. Olagunju had served as Special Adviser to the President on NEPAD since June 2007.

The new Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP in a reaction had kicked against the sack of Emodi urging her recall.

The party’s statement read: “We learnt Senator Joy Emodi was sacked as Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters because of her candid advice that inducing members of the National Assembly financially to impeach their principal officers would be counter-productive. If this is true, we hereby demand her immediate reinstatement.

For Senator Emordi to be bold enough to tell Mr. President the implication of such a corrupt inducement of the lawmakers should earn her commendation rather than a sack. Instead of sacking such a forthright and patriotic Amazon, the President should sack those hawks around him planning to ridicule him by encouraging him to embark on acts capable of making him very unpopular amongst his supporters and followers.”

JAMB ready for computer-based test – Ojerinde

SEPTEMBER 24, 2013 

JAMB Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board says it is now ready to conduct the Computer Based Test for candidates writing its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, gave the assurance during an advocacy campaign  on  the CBT initiative in Akure, on Monday.

The event, which took place  at the Federal University of  Technology, Akure, had  100  students from 10  schools participating in a mock exercise.

At the end of the examination, which lasted for one hour, each of the students got their results immediately.

Ojerinde noted that candidates, who might wish to write the 2014 UTME, would have the option of choosing  between CBT and the normal Pencil  to  Paper method.

FG can borrow to resolve ASUU strike –VC

SEPTEMBER 24, 2013 

Vice-Chancellor, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State, Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem

The Vice-Chancellor, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State, Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem, in this interview with SUCCESS NWOGU, speaks on the nation’s university system, especially with regard to the ongoing strike embarked upon by lecturers in public universities

How has the journey been at the Al-Hikmah University?

I am grateful to God that things are working out well in the university. Just last Saturday, we had our third convocation. We graduated 506 students and 14 of them had First Class, while 124 of them obtained Second Class Upper Division. From a population of about 70 students at inception in 2005/2006 academic session, the school has grown to 3,420 students currently.

The first convocation we had was two years ago and it was a combination of three sets where we graduated 454 students.

Last year, we graduated only one set and this third set. I thank God because the ongoing strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities would have affected it.

What’s the effect of the strike on private universities?

I have observed that any time any  school is on strike, whether it is that of ASUU or any other strike, students normally do not go home. They visit their friends in other institutions.

So, there is no way any VC can feel safe when there is strike going on because those students that will not go home will come to  other universities to either influence behaviour or at least, look for shelter.  That is why, every time there is strike, vice-chancellors are concerned about happenings in their schools.

Again,  I was worried when I read in the newspapers that the National Association of Nigerian  Students suggested that private universities should be disturbed so that the Federal Government would be more concerned about the ongoing ASUU strike.

How did you receive NANS threat?

It was not a delight, of course.  I can appreciate their concern, but I feel that they should realise that private universities are actually paying already for continuity of non-strike on campuses.

That is why private university owners cannot afford to renege or delay negotiation with their staff because they do not  have subvention or contributions from federal or state government.

What is your take on the prolonged strike and the teachers’ demand?

The Federal Government should look for ways to prevent strike at all costs. I realised that we may be saying that we do not have limitless funds to run universities; but we do know the number of universities we have. My prayer is that they will take it as a responsibility to make sure that the main actors on campus, in this case, the lecturers, must be satisfied such that there will be no recurrence of strike for good.

The striking teachers are talking about things needed to give quality education to their students.

As a parent, I want the Federal Government to do everything possible to meet ASUU’s demand because if they are asking for something beyond reasonable, I can understand the Federal Government not providing them.

But if they are asking that provisions be such on the campuses that the very best of education is given to our students, I feel the Federal Government should please meet these demands. The striking teachers are saying they want to meet with the global expectations and I believe that should also be of concern to the Federal Government.

Are you then justifying the strike?

These are the demands agreed upon as far back as 2009, according to ASUU. I do not think that it should drag on indefinitely. The Federal Government should look for ways of meeting these demands, even if it means taking a loan.  They have taken loans to do some laudable programmes in the past. If they do it for the education sector and our youth, I do not think it is too much a sacrifice.  My prayer is that God gives the Federal Government the wisdom and wherewithal to meet these demands so that university education can move on.

If FG meets about 70 per cent of their demands, would you advise ASUU members to resume work while negotiations for the remaining demands continue?

I believe that if the FG meets 70 or 80 per cent of their demands, Nigerians will prevail on ASUU members to go back to work.  Right now, the authorities have only met 30 per cent of their demands. This is far from the demands. My prayer is that the leadership of this country and the supervising minister of education will sit down and look for ways of coming up with higher provisions to meet the ASUU demands.

Nasarawa Crisis: Al-Makura sacks security adviser

Published: September 24,2013

Tanko Almakura, Nassarawa State Governor

The governor said the office is no longer essential in the state.

The Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Al-Makura, has sacked his security adviser, A. Umaru, a retired Major-General.

The sack was announced on Monday evening in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Zainab Abdulmumini.

Mr. Al-Makura said the office of security adviser is no longer needed following the recent deployment of soldiers by the Federal Government to assist in curbing the violence in the state.

The sacked security adviser is an Eggon from Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area, the headquarters of the Eggon people to which the Ombatse cult belongs.

“In view of the new approach to contain security challenges, especially the reinforcement of security operatives by the federal government in order to give them an unfettered operational discretion, the office of the state security adviser has become irrelevant,” the statement read.

Mr. Al-Makura, however, thanked the sacked security adviser of his contribution to the state and wished him well in his future endeavors.

The statement further called on displaced person to return to their houses following the return of peace to those areas with a promise to provide vehicles to convey them to their various places.

“Consequently government will provide vehicles to convey the displaced persons in various camps to their various homes,” the state government said.

Heavy Rainfalls Wrecks Havoc in Edo

 SEPTEMBER 24, 2013 

It was tales of woes for most  residents of Benin City, the Edo State capital  on Monday following heavy rains which lasted for several hours disrupting commercials activities just as inhabitants around erosion prone areas counted their losses.

The rain which started at about 6:30am also left most part of the city flooded.

Commercial areas like ring road, forestry, third junction and new Benin area had most stores and retail businesses locked up as a result of the intensity of the rains.

Magdalene Ohis, says she had to lock up her stores because there was really no point opening since the rains prevented most people from coming out of their homes.

While business owners counts lost, so also are some others who suffered lost occasioned by the flood that followed the heavy down pour.

At Ugbioyokho, parts of GRA, Ikpoba Hill, College Road area off Ekenwan and parts of textile mills and Aduwawa were the areas most affected by flood.

Several houses and properties around these areas were taken over by flood.

Cordelia Igbe says her house and properties were not spared by the flood occasioned by the flood which lasted for several hours.

According to her: “I was in the office when I received a phone call from my neighbour to come home quick as flood has entered my apartment.

“I had to take excuse from my boss and rushed home. What I saw was not what I bargained for at all.  Am really confused I don’t know what to do.”

The heavy down pour it learnt became another sad story as the roads in most of the flooded areas were rendered impassable by the flood.

Rivers CP mingles with criminals – Amaechi

SEPTEMBER 24, 2013  

Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi

RIVERS State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has accused the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu, of mingling with criminals in the state.

Amaechi, who spoke at the maiden edition of Rivers International Fashion Week in Port Harcourt on Sunday, said the development had worsened the security situation in the state.

The governor explained that those that orchestrated kidnapping, killings, rape and armed robbery in the state in 2007, were fighting hard to come back to power in the state.

Amaechi added that the state would not allow the current commissioner of police in the state to take the state back to 2007 when crime was at it highest level in Rivers.

He recalled that the state government was able to fight crime from 2007 with the support of several police commissioners that came to serve in the state, adding that only Mbu had gone contrary to his (Mbu) function of securing lives and property.

The governor explained that the people would not allow those stealing the state’s resources to come back, adding that his administration was committed to protecting the state’s resources.

“Mbu is mingling with criminals, but no matter the number of police commissioners they send here, we will not allow the state to be taken over by criminals.

“We have been able to fight crime in the past and we chased criminals away from the state with the support of police commissioners who came to serve in the state at that time.

“But only Mbu has refused to support us in fighting crime. Those who stole the resources of the state are trying to come back, the government with the people of the state will not allow them,” he said.

However, efforts made to reach the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Angela Agabe, to react to Amaechi statement, was not successful as she could not respond to several calls put across to her by our correspondent.

This further fuelled speculations that the PPRO had been removed over the alleged shoddy manner she handled the story of the release of the kidnapped Archbishop Ignatius Kattey.

The clergyman had said that the police were not responsible for his release contrary to what Agabe told the press.

Man killed by hit-and-run motorists

SEPTEMBER 24, 2013  

Some residents at the scene

Some residents of the Olopomeji end of Oworonshoki Expressway, Lagos State on Monday cried after one of them, identified only as Emmanuel, was crushed by a vehicle while attempting to cross the expressway.

PUNCH Metro learnt that after the deceased was knocked down by the vehicle, other oncoming vehicles heading towards the Third Mainland Bridge also ran over him.

It was learnt that the corpse was left on the road for hours until emergency officials arrived the scene.

When our correspondent visited the scene, relatives of the deceased were seen crying while the corpse was being conveyed into an ambulance.

Our correspondent also observed a pedestrian bridge about 60 metres from where the incident occurred.

Residents, however, blamed the government over the incident.

PUNCH Metro had reported on June 11, 2013 that the Chairman, Kosofe Local Government, Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Sofola,  ordered the sealing of the pedestrian bridge due to its derelict state.

 It had also been reported that the bridge, which was constructed by the Federal Government in the 1970s had been in a state of disrepair for over two years.

 Speaking with our correspondent at the scene on Monday, the General Secretary, Council of Oworonshoki Youth Forum, Babajide Kabiawu, described Emmanuel’s death as an avoidable tragedy.

He said the deceased, who was also his friend, was not married and his mother was an employee of the state government.

He added that it was because of the dilapidated state of the bridge that the deceased resorted to crossing the road. He said at least four others had been injured recently while attempting to cross the expressway.

He said the condition of the bridge was regrettable, as the community had made representations to the government without getting results.

He said, “In 2011, when we lodged complaints about this bridge, a representative of the Federal Ministry of Works, South West Zone, was here. He promised to write a report to the headquartres in Abuja. But it is saddening that up till now, nothing has been done about it. Is it when lives are involved that they will be bothered?’’

When contacted on the telephone, the assistant Police Public Relations Officer, Damasus Ozoani, confirmed Emmanuel’s death to our correspondent.

“The incident occurred around 4am on Monday. No vehicle was identified but the corpse has been recovered,” he said.

Nursing mother held over cannabis exportation

SEPTEMBER 24, 2013 

Cannabis, Nbonu

A 34-year-old nursing mother, Mrs. Chizoba Mbonu, has been arrested by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in connection with the unlawful exportation of six kilogrames of cannabis to China.

The drug was said to have been detected during a routine inspection of cargoes at the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Shed, Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

The compressed dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis was hidden in a luggage meant for export on an Ethiopian airline flight.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the suspect, requested that she be allowed access to her baby after her arrest.

NDLEA Lagos Airport commander, Mr. Hamza Umur confirmed the arrest.

He said, “Chizoba had brought a bag for export to China. During search, six kilogrammes of compressed cannabis was found inside the bag. Also contained in the bag, were clothing, cell phones, cell phone batteries and shoes.

“The case is already under investigation. As a nursing mother with a three-month-old baby, Mbonu has a choice to be with her baby during the course of investigation.”

Mbonu, however, claimed that she was a victim of circumstance.

She said, “I am a customs licensed agent with five years working experience. I was given the bag by a client to send to China.

“I was told that the bag contained sample goods, unfortunately drug was hidden inside. I didn’t know there were drugs hidden inside until when it was discovered during the search.”

NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade, said the agency would intensify efforts in arresting other persons connected with the shipment.

He said, “Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other persons connected with the case. The NDLEA will not relent in its efforts to prevent drugs from coming in and out of the country.”

Police rule out foul play in officer’s death

SEPTEMBER 24, 2013  

Ogunkoya

On September 14, 2013, the police officer in charge of Anti-Robbery Section at the Ogun State Criminal Investigation Department, Fola Ogunkoya, was on his way to the Ijebu Ode area of the state when he died in a car accident.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Ogunkoya, a Superintendent of Police, died after his car, a Honda Accord, otherwise known as End of Discussion, with plate number MZ 717 AAA, somersaulted many times and hit another oncoming vehicle.

It was learnt that after colliding with a Toyota Prado Sports Utility Vehicle, Ogunkoya’s vehicle split into pieces and an explosion occurred.

Following the incident, there was a theory that his accident and death was caused by a bomb explosion.

PUNCH Metro learnt that after his death, the Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit in the state commenced investigations and conducted tests on his vehicle.

Police Public Relations Officer for the state command, Muyiwa Adejobi, told our correspondent on the telephone on Monday that the police had closed investigations as there was no evidence of foul play or bomb blast.

He said, “Around 3.30pm on the said date, SP Ogunkoya was on his way to a function at Ijebu Ode. On getting to Day Waterman College end of Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway, he lost control of his vehicle and crossed three lanes. His vehicle hit a pole on the road divider but kept moving.

“The vehicle was torn in pieces and its roof removed. The vehicle crossed to the other side of the road and hit a Toyota Jeep and the Jeep also lost control, hit a culvert and caught fire. The owner of the jeep sustained broken legs but survived.

“Following reports of a bomb, the Commissioner of Police, EOD, Abdulmajid Ali, commenced investigations and it was concluded that no explosive element was found in the vehicle.”

Meanwhile, it was learnt that Ogunkoya, a graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University had been buried in Ijebu Ode.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the deceased, who also held a Master’s degree from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, is survived by his wife and three children.

“His death is a great loss to the entire police and we want to urge members of the public not to peddle rumours over the incident.

“However, anybody that suspects foul play or has contrary information should feel free to report to the police,” the PPRO stated.

LAGBUS crushes soldier to death in Lagos

SEPTEMBER 24, 2013  

The LAGBUS and witnesses at the scene

Tragedy struck on Monday on the Funsho Williams Avenue bypass, Surulere, Lagos State, after a yet-to-be identified soldier was crushed to death by a LAGBUS, one of the buses in the state mass transit scheme.

Commuters plying the bridge could not help but watch in horror as the mangled body of the soldier was cut into two by the bus.

Eyewitnesses said the  victim, who was riding a motorcycle, was also carrying a woman on the back seat. The passenger was reportedly flung away by the impact of the collision.

She was said to be in a critical condition and had been taken to an unknown hospital in the state.

It was further learnt that the bus driver, after seeing the extent of the damage, removed his uniform and fled the scene.

The vehicle passengers also took to their heels to avoid reprisals by soldiers.

A mechanic, Taiwo Akindele, said the accident was caused by the bad state of the bridge.

He said, “The accident happened around 7.30am. It involved a red LAGBUS with number ‘30’ written on the body. It did not have a number plate.

“The driver was on top speed, not knowing the bridge was dilapidated. As he approached a bad spot on the bridge, the vehicle began to swerve dangerously towards the left of the bridge.

“But the driver turned the steering and the soldier, who was on a motorcycle, was pinned to the railing of the bridge. As the bus driver strived to control it, the bus dragged the soldier and cut through his bowel. He died on the spot.”

Akindele added that other soldiers arrived at the scene around 10am, while their presence caused panic in the area.

A Lagos State ambulance, which came to evacuate the deceased, was reportedly chased away by the angry soldiers.

A source said, “The whole place was filled with heavy military presence. Everybody was afraid. The soldiers later called in their own vehicle to carry the corpse. They were armed and looked menacing.”

He said the accident also drew the presence of members of the Federal Road Safety Corps and policemen.

A trader under the bridge told our correspondent that there had been four of such accidents within a space of three months due to the condition of the bridge.

Our correspondent observed that two connecting slabs of the bridge were almost pulling apart which usually forced drivers to move slowly when they got to the point.

Around 2pm, another tragedy was averted when a petrol tanker belonging to AP, and marked XA 273 AUG, broke down after the driver’s compartment caved in.

The driver had applied the brake when the incident happened. He was however able to escape without much injuries.

A resident who pleaded anonymity said, “This is not the first time we will be witnessing accidents here. We all are afraid for our lives.”

Another resident, Biodun Falola pleaded with the government to do something about the bridge which had become a death trap.

The Managing Director of LAGBUS, Mr. Babatunde Disu, confirmed the incident to our correspondent on the telephone, adding that the driver had been handed over to the police.

He said, “He only ran away as a safety precaution. We have since handed him over to the police for further investigations.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, when contacted, said she was in a meeting and would get back to our correspondent.

Kenya Forces 'Control' Nairobi Mall

 SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

Kenyan security forces say they have taken control of all floors of the Nairobi shopping centre attacked by suspected al-Shabab militants.

An explosion and bursts of gunfire were heard coming from the complex on Tuesday morning as speculation grew that the operation was nearing its end.

At least 62 people have been killed with more than 170 injured.

Meanwhile, Kenya's foreign minister said "two or three" Americans and a British woman were among the attackers.

In an interview with the US TV programme PBS Newshour, Amina Mohamed said the Americans were 18 or 19 years old of Somali or Arab origin and lived "in Minnesota and one other place".

She said the Briton was a woman who has "done this many times before".

The Kenyan Red Cross has told the BBC that 63 people remain unaccounted for.

It is unclear how many militants are in the Westgate building but Kenyan officials said three "terrorists" had been killed.

The Somali Islamist al-Shabab movement has said it carried out the attack in retaliation for Kenyan military operations in Somalia.

Kenyan Interior Minister Joseph Ole Lenku told the BBC late on Monday that the operation would continue overnight, but stressed it was in its final stages.

"The terrorists could be running and hiding in some stores, but all floors now are under our control," he said.

"There is no room for escape."

He said it was "unlikely" that any hostages were still in the building.

As night fell on Monday, flames and thick smoke continued to rise from the building an hour after four large explosions shook the neighbourhood.

At about 06:30 (03:30 GMT) on Tuesday a reporter with the Associated Press said another explosion and more gunfire could be heard.

Why BRT buses are in very bad shape- Lagos Commissioner

Published: September 24,2013

Lagos has also acquired about 90 new BRT buses.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Public Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, on Monday said that the state government had taken delivery of 90 new buses to ease the transportation difficulties facing the residents. He also gave reasons why many of the BRT buses were in a poor state, saying it was caused by dearth of spare parts.

Mr. Opeifa told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that the state government acquired the buses for its Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) scheme.

He said that the new buses would soon be inaugurated.

He said that the Safest Way Transport Company in Agege and the Mutual Transports Company in Ejigbo/Ikotun had acquired 10 and 30 buses respectively, alongside 50 buses that were already acquired by the state.

Reacting to the commuters’ complaints about the poor condition of BRT buses, Mr. Opeifa attributed the slow pace of maintenance work on the buses to the dearth of spare parts.

“You know, we don’t manufacture buses and we don’t manufacture spares but we have acquired additional 50 buses.

“Besides, Safest Way Transport in Agege has just acquired 10 more buses, while Mutual Transports in Ejigbo/Ikotun has also acquired another 30 buses.

“We have a total of about 80 to 90 new buses now, which will soon be introduced; we are also working hard with the operators to improve their capacity to fix their buses.

“The major problem is the issue of spare parts, which we don’t manufacture, but by and large, the operators can do better.

“We are working hard with the owners of those buses to ensure that they improve on the quality of their services,’’ he said.

Opeifa, however, expressed the state government’s commitment to putting in place a first-class transport system in the state so as to promote the people’s socio-economic activities.

(NAN)

My critics implemented a shoddy privatisation programme – Jonathan

SEPTEMBER 24, 2013 

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has berated  his opponents, particularly those who handled the past privitisation exercise, saying they are now “opening their mouth wide” to attack his administration.

Jonathan, who said this while addressing Nigerian professionals in New York, United States, on Monday said the privatisation of public utilities by his administration was being done in a transparent manner.

He also said the problem of the Boko Haram insurgency was being exploited to blackmail his administration.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria report, the President said that   so far $3bn had been realised without any form of corruption compared to the privatisation that took place in the past.

Jonathan’s critics that played key role in the past privatisation included former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and an ex-minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

Berating his critics, the President said, “In the country’s past privatisation, we know what happened there and yet those who sat over the exercise are the same people who are opening their mouths wide to attack this administration.”

But speaking through his Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai said that the Jonathan administration did not understand transparency.

He challenged the President to be specific in his allegations.

The former minister said, “President Jonathan is dealing in innuendo as is the tradition of his government. He should make specific allegations against specific persons since he claims to know what went on in the previous privatisation regime.

“We are all witnesses to how rules have been bent in the ongoing power privatisation in favour of investors with close ties to government. This government does not understand transparency, and is in no position to practise it.”

Reacting to the allegation of shoddy performance as the chairman of the National Council of Privatisation, Atiku said he was proud of his achievements.

Atiku who spoke through his Media Adviser, Malam Garba Shehu, expressed confidence that his tenure was not in President Jonathan’s frame of reference.

Shehu said, “(He) acquitted himself well when he held sway at the NCP.

“We are very proud of Turaki’s legacies at the NCP and that his vindication is there for all to see in the reports of the  separate investigations by both the Senate and the House. We have our records. Let us see his own.”

On security, Jonathan said that in the past, the major security challenge facing the nation was armed robbery. He said that terrorism had emerged as the major challenge in the country now.

Jonathan, however, stressed that the challenge of terrorism was being seriously tackled by the government.

He stated, “I appreciate that we have a serious security challenge with Boko Haram insurgency. This is the area where the government is being blackmailed, but by the grace of God this will soon be a thing of the past.

“Before now it was robbery, until terrorism took us by surprise. Soon it will be a thing of the past.”

On Nigerians in Diaspora, the president acknowledged that they had excelled in their respective professions in the US.

He stressed “Nigerians in Diaspora are an important group particularly those in the US.”

According to him, the administration needs them to work in different areas of the Nigerian economy.

“You do not have to relocate to Nigeria to make the necessary impact, you can come and establish businesses to create jobs for your brothers and sisters at home,” Jonathan said.

The coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in her remarks said that the country’s economy was growing stronger, noting that the Jonathan’s transformation agenda was helping the economy.