[size=15pt]Nigeria: 'Don't Burn This Country'[/size]

This Day (Lagos)

March 2, 2007
Posted to the web March 3, 2007

Philip Ogunmade
Lagos

Former governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande yesterday warned President Olusegun Obasanjo to desist from making inflammable statements capable of causing uproar in the polity.

Jakande made this comment yesterday while addressing the press in his Ilupeju Lagos home during which he endorsed the candidacy of Mr. Owolabi Salis, as the flagbearer of the Action Party of Nigeria (APN) for the lagos State gubernatorial ticket.


Jakande advised Obasanjo to always consider the interest of Nigerians before making any public utterance adding that, his unguarded utterances could engender crisis of huge proportion.

"Mr. President should always think of all of us whenever he makes public speeches. I know that he is educated. But I appeal to him not to set the country on fire by his utterances," Jakande stated.

Jakande also cautioned the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to employ decorum in the discharge of their duties and avoid perpetuating such acts capable of dividing this country and simultaneously precipitate confusion and civil war.

The former minister of works also charged politicians canvassing for votes not to twist the law in a desperate bid to win elections, saying none has the power to thrust himself into any position, unless God has so given him the grace. He warned that no matter how manipulative a man can be, God remains the decider of all things.

Said Jakande: "PDP, INEC, ICPC and EFCC should spare this country the agony of a divided country. They should spare us the agony of a confused nation. They should spare us the agony of of civil war. No one is fit to govern except by God's will. I appeal to everyone, let's admit God as the Master of all." He also warned people advocating the postponement of April election to spare the country of anguish.

[size=15pt]Nigeria: FG Sets Up C'ttee On Pipeline Vandalisation[/size]

This Day (Lagos)

March 2, 2007
Posted to the web March 3, 2007

Josephine Lohor
Abuja

President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday set up a committee to recommend measures to effectively deal with pipeline vandalisation.

The Committee set up after a meeting on pipeline vandalisation at State House, has Professor Akin Mabogunje, of the Lagos Megacity Region Board, as its Chairman. The Committee's terms of reference are: to assess the condition of pipelines in relation to frequency of vandalisation; ascertain the causes of vandalisation and establish the areas most prone to vandalisation; to identify those involved; recommend measures that will effectively deal with issues and dangers of vandalisation, including technological innovations; recommend relevant legislation and an institutional framework to check vandalisation; and make any other recommendations that has bearing on conditions of pipeline right of way and issue of vandalisation.

The Committee has one month within which to submit its report. Members of the Committee are Minister of Environment and Housing, Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Department of Petroleum Resources, Pipelines and Product Marketing Company and the Special Adviser to the President on Energy.

Membership of the committee also include the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Lagos and Ogun States, the Lagos State Commissioners of Physical Planning, Works, and Environment, as well as the Ogun State counterparts in charge of Physical Planning and Environment.