₦airaland Forum

Acting Head of the United Nations Mission in Liberia, Louis Aucoin on Monday honoured more than 1,500 Nigerian peacekeepers, including 92 women, with UN medals for their contribution to UNMIL and peace in Liberia.

Aucoin hailed Nigeria’s outstanding contribution to international peacekeeping, describing the country as a committed ally of the UN’s efforts to bring peace and security to the world.

The Acting UN envoy further commended Nigerian peacekeepers, deployed in Bomi, Gbopolu and Grand Cape Mount counties, for serving diligently in their area of operations and then peacekeepers in Margibi and Montserrado counties for providing escort duties, conducting joint patrols with the Liberia National Police and UNMIL Formed Police Units, and for guarding government and UNMIL establishments.

He said, “As we re-double our efforts in re-enforcing the capacity of Liberian security agencies; I count on your continued professionalism and zeal as UNMIL proceeds with the transition planning.

“Liberia’s stability will remain UNMIL’s top priority while we work with the Government and partners to map a critical path towards a complete transition.”

Dignitaries present at the ceremony included UNMIL Force Commander Major-Gen. Muhammad Khalid; the Nigerian Ambassador to Liberia, Chigozie Felicia Obi- Nnadozie, the representative of the Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Bassey, UNMIL Deputy Force Commander, Brig. Gen. John Kwasie and UNMIL Force Chief of Staff, Brig. Gen. Hugh Van Roosen.

The program was also attended by other UNMIL Senior military and civilian staff. http://www.punchng.com/news/un-honours-1-500-nigerian-soldiers-in-liberia/

The Federal Government will today (Tuesday) reopen the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos, one week ahead of the scheduled delivery date of November 6, 2012.

The government had partially closed the bridge on July 7 to enable the contractor, Messrs Boroni Prono and Company Limited, to replace eight expansion joints on the bridge for a contract sum of N1bn.

The reopening of the bridge will come as a welcome relief to motorists and commuters, who have had to connect Lagos Island, Victoria Island, Lekki, Ajah and Epe from different parts of the mainland through Western Avenue due to restriction of vehicular movement on the bridge from 12 noon to 12am, while opening for movement to the mainland within the same time.

The Special Adviser to the Minister of Works on Media, Mr. Tony Ikpasaja, confirmed the reopening of the bridge in a telephone conversation with our correspondent on Monday.

According to him, the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, will open the rehabilitated bridge to motorists at a ceremony that will also have in attendance federal and Lagos State government officials and other stakeholders.

Onolememen had said during an inspection tour of the bridge on August 10, “The inspection visit is to track the progress that the contractor has made; whether actual progress is in line with our planned programme. I am happy to announce that the physical progress in not only in line with our programme, but there has been a gain of approximately one week, which is very commendable.

“It means that if we sustain the momentum, we will be able to deliver the project ahead of the scheduled delivery date of November 6, 2012.”

He had explained that the Federal Government decided to rehabilitate the bridge, which is the longest and most travelled in the country, because of its commitment to giving due attention to infrastructure in Lagos State, which he said was attracting about 53 per cent of commercial activities in the country.

As parts of efforts to minimise the disruptions to free flow of traffic in the metropolis, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority had deployed 700 officers to the bridge and traffic points on the alternative routes.

Officers of the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Army, Federal Road Safety Corps and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps joined their LASTMA colleagues in managing the attendant traffic.

http://www.punchng.com/news/fg-reopens-3rd-mainland-bridge-today/

President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President David Mark and House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal yesterday condemned the suicide bomb attack on the Catholic Church in Kaduna.

The President in a statement by his media adviser Reuben Abati described the suicide attack as “barbaric, cruel and uncalled for”.

Dr. Jonathan noted that the apparent objective of the criminal and unpatriotic elements and forces behind the attack is to set back the progress the Administration has made in the fight against terrorism. “It is obvious that these people do not mean well for Nigeria and its unity and development,” he said.

The President expressed confidence that the war against terrorism would become more unrelenting as the nation would never give in to the forces of terror and retardation. He added that the persistence of messengers of evil will not prevail over the will of the government and the people to secure peace and safety.

“Our efforts to deal with all acts of terror and violence would only be redoubled even as the security agencies continue to receive all the support they need from government to reverse this unfortunate and unacceptable trend that threatens the peace and stability of our nation,” President Jonathan said.

The President commiserated with the Catholic Church, family and friends of the victims of the bombing, assuring them that the government’s resolve to deal with terrorism remains strong.

Mark yesterday said that the bomb attack is “disheartening, embarrassing and totally condemnable”.

Mark noted, in statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, that Nigerians do not deserve to die the way they were killed in the blast.

He said government must find a way to stop the continued wonton destruction of lives and property.

His word: “This is inhuman and alien to us. We must put our differences aside and join hands together with government and security operatives to halt this senseless killing.

“We have enough channels to iron out any differences. Nigerians should learn to give peace a chance.”

Tambuwal described the attack as “outrageous and senseless”.

His Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs Malam Imam Imam, in a statement, said an attack on innocent worshippers and other bystanders is both callous and senseless.

He urged Nigerians to remain resolute and not to despair, saying it is gladdening that security agents have made commendable strides in efforts to handle the menace of terrorism in recent months.

He urged them to do more to destroy the ability of the terrorists to unleash mayhem on innocent, peaceful and law-abiding Nigerians.

Tambuwal condoled with the families of the victims of the attack, saying the House of Representatives would continue to support all efforts aimed at securing lives and property of all persons in all parts of the country.

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/news/jonathan-mark-tambuwal-condemn-attack/

Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar
THE Federal Government has ordered the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to arrest and prosecute all the principal suspects involved in the multi-million dollar Halliburton bribery scandal.

The suspects were, two years ago, arrested, following the heat on the Federal Government to prosecute all those involved in the bribery scandal.

A giant construction company linked with the scandal and recommended for trial later entered into plea bargain and paid the sum of $25 million to the Federal Government.

The latest government move follows the refusal of the United States government to release the balance of $180 million recovered from the Halliburton account.

The United States government had earlier prosecuted some major players in the scandal and convicted them in that country.

However, the Federal Government recently requested the United States government to release the balance of the $180 million frozen in the Halliburton account.

The United States government refused on the grounds that the government could not claim, that out of the all suspects, it was only Bodunde Adeyemi that was found fit to prosecute.

According to reliable presidency sources, the US government was not happy that the Nigerian government is not serious in fighting corruption and as a result, refused to release the money.

The United States government specifically mentioned a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal AD Bello (retd); Ibrahim Aliyu, brother to a former head of state; a former Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mr Gaius Obaseki; a former Secretary of the Liquefied Natural Gas Board, a woman whose name is withheld as those neck deep in the bribery scandal.

They argued that Bodunde was merely an agent to those who benefitted from the Halliburton scandal.

The United States government also insisted that in spite of a construction firm’s plea bargain of $25 million, it too must be prosecuted.

The Halliburton scandal followed the bribe amounting to millions of dollar given to top government functionaries in order to get the second phase of the LNG project which has since been completed.

http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/lead-stories/49733-fg-orders-re-arrest-of-halliburton-bribery-scandal-suspects

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment towards ensuring sustainable security of the energy mix to promote greenhouse energy initiative and to address the current flooding challenge in the country.

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation,NNPC, Engr. Andrew Yakubu gave the assurance on the sidelines of the World Energy Forum 2012 with the theme: “A Forum for World Leaders” in Dubai.

According to a statement by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division Mr. Fidel Pepple the NNPC boss Federal Government was keying into its abundant hydrocarbon resources to fast track socio-economic development in the country.

Engr. Yakubu averred that the NNPC as a National Oil Company is determined to be part of the global noble initiative that would come up with a road map that was geared towards energy sufficiency and low carbon economy.

“The Federal Government under the dynamic leadership of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is focused on gas flare down which would ultimately be converted to an energy mix that would enhance development. The gas emergency initiative which is driven by the Honourable Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke has equally recorded great milestone in the area of sustainable power supply to Nigerians,”.
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/business/business-finance/fg-combats-flood-with-sustainable-energy-security/

The management of LAGBUS Assets Management Ltd on Tuesday said that 37 of its buses were damaged during the protest by commercial motorcycle riders in Lagos on Monday.

The company is one of the operators of buses using the dedicated Bus Rapid Transit lanes in the metropolis.

Mr. Babatunde Disu, Managing Director of LAGBUS, told the News Agency of Nigeria that in spite of the damage, no passenger was injured.

Disu said that the company was still taking stock.

Mr. Kolawole Ojelabi , the External Relations Specialist of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, another operator on the BRT lane, said five buses owned by the authority were damaged.

Ojelabi said the quick intervention of policemen prevented further damage.

He said, “Although commuters were stranded at our bus stations because ticketers were not on the ground, we commenced operation immediately normalcy returned.

Meanwhile, those who spoke with NAN condemned the action of the motorcyclists..

Mr. Oladele Banjo, a civil servant, who resides at Sango and works in Ikoyi, said he had to trek from Ikoyi to CMS because of the crisis.

Another civil servant, Mrs. Ibukun Adegbesan, said, “It is unlawful for certain people to hold the state to ransom for selfish reason.”

“The law is operational and commercial motorcyclists have to abide by it; after all some states have enforced the law and yet heads did not roll.

A banker, Mr Ralph Edet, said that the vandalism was a foolish way of protesting because the buses are for the masses.

“Nigerians should learn not to destroy government property as a way of showing their grievances because it causes a setback to the economy,’’ Edet said

NAN reported that due to the protest, most commuters were stranded while others had to trek to their destinations.
http://www.punchng.com/news/okada-riders-damaged-42-buses-lagbus-lamata/

The Nigeria Labour Congress has commended President Goodluck Jonathan, and the Independent National Electoral Commission for conducting what it described as a free, and credible election in Ondo State.

The organisation also hailed security agencies for the impartial manner in which they carried out their responsibilities during the election.

The NLC’s position was contained in an electronic mail signed by its acting General Secretary of the Congress, Mr. Emma Ugboaja on Monday.

Ugboaja, who   commended the Ondo citizenry for creating a conducive atmosphere for the poll, added that INEC had been able to demonstrate through the election that it could conduct free and fair elections.

He said the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, had demonstrated unflinching commitment to the conduct of elections that could be adjudged to be free, and credible, which he added, was the key to democratic growth in the country.

Ugboaja praised the President for fulfilling his promise to ensure that the election in the state was not rigged.

The conduct of the elections in Edo and Ondo states, he said,  gave hope for good governance in the country.

“…While we congratulate Dr. Mimiko as the candidate, we believe the people of Ondo State who conducted themselves peacefully before, during and after the election deserve a lot of commendation. Their conduct encouraged an atmosphere conducive for a free and fair election.”

However, Ugboaja called on the President to make bold to ensure a full implementation of the recommendations of the Justice Mohammed Uwais Committee on Electoral reforms, which he said would deepen democracy in the country.

He urged politicians to change their methods of politicking  as the era of electoral fraud: rigging, stuffing of votes and other acts of manipulations were over.
http://www.punchng.com/news/nlc-lauds-jonathan-inec-for-commitment/

The State Security Service has summoned a serving Senator, Ahmed Zanna, over his alleged involvement with the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

The summons is in connection with the arrest last week of a suspected member of the group, Shuaibu Bama, in a house believed to be the senator’s.

The Joint Task Force had arrested Bama in the building along Damboa Road in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, last Friday after soldiers stormed the House.

The JTF had claimed that Bama was one of the commanders of the sect, who had been under watch.

Zanna, who represents Borno-Central Senatorial District, confirmed the summons to newsmen on Sunday.

He admitted being aware of a text message from the Director-General of the SSS, Mr. Ekpenyong Ita, inviting him to the SSS headquarters on Monday (today).

Zanna stated that since the incident occurred he had not been contacted by security agencies until Sunday.

“Since my house was searched and the JTF made the announcement, I have not been contacted by security agencies.

“But it was only this morning (Sunday), I saw a text that the SSS DG will want to see me on Monday. I will honour the invitation”, he said.

The senator denied that Bama had any links with the sect, though he admitted that he was his sister’s son.

He described Bama as a “drug addict”, who frequently threatened to kill members of his family.

He claimed that due to his behaviour, he had to send him out of his house, but could not explain how he found his way back to his house last week.

The senator also claimed that Bama was arrested in the house of a former governor of the state, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, contrary to the report by the JTF.

When asked why the JTF linked Bama with him instead of Sheriff, the senator responded that it was a frame-up to pay him back for constantly attacking the JTF in the media.

He said, “Contrary to the claim of the JTF, the boy was arrested in Rabi Street, off Damboa Road. And the house belongs to Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.

“Before, the house belonged to one Abba Mala, a Cameroonian. And later he sold it to the late Tijjani Banki and Sheriff bought from Tijjani Banki.

“I reacted because they said they arrested the boy in the house of a serving Senator along Damboa Road and I am the one living along Damboa road.

“I really do not understand why they did all this. I am confused. If they want to frame me up, they have failed in that one because they did not get that boy in my house.

“I have nothing to do with it. Let them go and ask the person where the boy was staying. So, they should not have mentioned my house.

“Yes, he is my sister’s son. As for his behaviour, he is a drug addict. He beats up my children, he abuses my friends.

“He came to my house, so I sent him away. That was about almost a year ago. And for whatever reason I don’t know, he came to my house last week and I told my wife that he should leave the house.”

http://www.punchng.com/news/sss-summons-senator-zanna-over-boko-haram-commander/

Members of the National Assembly have been called upon to re-prioritize their engagements and face the rigour of making quality legislation that assuages the thirst of Nigerians for good governance.
This urgent advice was given by Congress for National Stability, CONSTAB, a good governance advocacy group against the backdrop of frequent sack calls on the executive arm by the National Assembly.
The group noted that they were flustered if not embarrassed, that in the last six months, NASS have called on the executive arm to sack the  CBN governor, the SEC DG, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, the DG of BPE, Heads of Security Agencies, Ministers of Aviation,   Information,  and Petroleum, the PPMC boss for  orchestrated fuel scarcity in Abuja, and even threatened to impeach the president for good measure.
“Within this corresponding time frame, members of our august law making body have not initiated, passed, or about to pass any law that have transformational capacity to lighten the yoke of the people.
“Given that the integrity of lawmakers lie in the quality of their laws not opportunistic resolutions, we call on our lawmakers to re-kit their tools and make haste to generate bills that will strengthen our anti-corruption crusade, invigorate our agriculture, compel maintenance of our highways, make ordinary clean drinking water available, boost security, rather than this frequent sack prescriptions on the executive branch.
“As Nigerians who relish the special tag of being called elected representatives of the people, and whose recall process is virtually impossible despite the hunger and anger of most Nigerians to do just that, they should stop this indulgence and reveling in sack overdose to the detriment of vibrant debates and legislation.
“If sackings are the only antidote they know of, then they should open up the National Assembly for a thorough sweep and very necessary sacks. This proper conduct of removing the specks in their own eyes will help to douse the common suspicion that their sack calls are carefully targeted blackmails to induce their lobby,” the group said.
The group’s position was made known by their president, Mr. Kingsley J.C. Ugwu, who also noted that they were not averse to incompetent  personnel  of government being given the boot, but respect  must be given to processes and procedure so that condemnations should not be served where commendation is more appropriate.

http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2012/10/18/nass-flayed-for-pestering-executive-over-sack-prescription/

Nigeria and Niger Republic will soon begin a joint border patrol along some unspecified portion of the 930 miles border covering the two countries.

Also, the two countries agreed to provide equipment and logistics, which would be put at the disposal of their National Boundary Commission (NBC) to ensure rapid completion of the re-demarcation of the Nigeria-Niger International boundary.

The agreement, which was signed at the end of the sixth session of the High Authority of the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission for Cooperation, held in Niamey, the capital of Republic of Niger was said to be part of the agreement signed by the two countries Thursday, as part of efforts to curb the activities of the Boko Haram sect in Nigeria.

President Goodluck Jonathan while addressing the joint commission, said the modus operandi for the joint border patrol exercise had been worked out, explaining that what was left, “is the provision of vehicles for the joint patrol teams.”

Before adopting and signing of the bilateral agreement on Defence and Security with his host, President Jonathan had “admonished law enforcement agents, financial institutions and other relevant agencies of the countries to devise means and ways of stemming the activities of human and drug trafficking and business fraudsters.”

He said Nigeria would give quick attention to the agreement, “as the pains inflicted on our economy by the activities of these cross-border crimes have become very grave.”

The President assured that Nigeria was willing to take adequate steps to support the completion of the international road projects under construction, the construction of new ones as well as rehabilitation of the existing ones.

The President said the feasibility studies for a rail line linking the two countries would commence in 2013, as both leaders directed relevant authorities to create favourable conditions for the establishment of joint ventures between the entrepreneurs of both countries.

On the equitable sharing and utilisation of the common water resources of both countries, the two leaders observed that obstacles relating to the conveyance of water from dams located on both sides of borderline were yet to be overcome.

They, therefore, instructed that, “to enforce the spirit of understanding and cooperation and at the same time take appropriate measures for the effective release of water and execution/realisation of hydro-agricultural schemes.”

On the proposed rail link, he said his administration would lend its support to its realisation, stressing that government would take into account the ongoing works on the Kaura Namoda-Sokoto-Konni as well as the Kano-Magaria-Zinder rail link.

Besides, Jonathan said his administration was ready to support any airline that decides to start the direct fly between Nigeria and Niger which was abandon by Arik airline.

According to the communique issued at the end of the session, the two leaders expressed concern over the preponderance of terrorism in the region which necessitates the need to jointly tackle the situation which has become a big threat to peace and stability in the West African sub-region.

The communique was jointly signed by the two countries Foreign Affairs ministers. Dr. Nurudeen Muhammad, minister of state, Foreign Affairs and Mr. Mohamed Bazoum, Senior Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration and Nationals in Diaspora for Nigeria and Niger Republic respectively.

The communique reads: “At the sub-regional level, the heads of state expressed their concerns over the danger brought by the international terrorism into their sub-region, namely Al Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb, Boko Haram and other weapons and drug trafficking criminal organisations which constitute a big heat to the peace and stability within the whole of West African region.

“The two Heads of States agreed on the immediate take off of the joint Border patrols along the border between the two countries. The two governments have also been directed to provide envisaged funds and required logistics for the exercise.

“Similarly, the two heads of state instructed the relevant authorities to provide the National Boundary Commissions of both countries with requisite logistics for the rapid completion of the re-demarcation of the Nigeria-Niger international boundary.”

They also condemned in strong terms, the taking of hostage by terrorist groups, especially the recent one in Dakoro, Republic of Niger and other acts of violence committed by Boko Haram. Concerning the political situation in Mali, the two leaders jointly agreed on the need to assist Mali in regaining its territory.

In this regards, the two leaders adopted the setting up of an international military force for Mali by the United Nations Security Council.

They argued that the reunification of the country will facilitate restoration of democracy and re-establishment of the state authority nationwide.

Also as part of the efforts to boost trade between both nations, the two leaders directed their relevant authorities to ensure the completion of the road construction work and also the feasibility studies of the rail links aimed at connecting both countries.
“The two heads of state also directed the Nigeria-Niger joint commission to ensure the completion of the road construction work of all remaining short stretches and the feasibility studies of rail links aimed at connecting both countries,” the communique added.

President Jonathan, who led the Nigeria’s delegation arrived the Diori Hamani International Airport, Niamey at 9.45a.m aboard the presidential jet 5N-FGW.

Thereafter, he co-chaired the session where issues ranging from security to trade were discussed between both countries.
President Jonathan is the first Nigerian President to visit Niger in the last seven years after former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s visit in 2006.

He was accompanied by Governors Sule Lamido (JIgawa),  Ibrahim Shema (Katsina) and Kashim Shettima (Borno). 

Others on the delegation include Ministers of Transport, Water Resources, Environment,  lnterior, Ministers of State for Defence, Foreign Affairs and Works.

It would be recalled that in August this year, when United States Secretary of State, Mrs. Hillary Clinton, met with President Goodluck Jonathan, the issue of monitoring the movement of goods, particularly weapons and explosive devices smuggled to the sect through the borders of Nigeria and Cameroon was part of the discussion.
Then it was gathered that the US also offered to assist Nigeria to monitor in this regard.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/nigeria-niger-to-begin-joint-border-patrol/128117/

The auditors who worked on the financial books of the Nigeria Football League Limited for the year ended June 2012 have raised the alarm over missing N38m in cash. The broadcast rights fraud is part of the comprehensive embezzlement chronicled by the auditors with the first part published exclusively by The PUNCH on Thursday.

The report submitted by Olaniyi Wale Odunaiya & Co to the executive secretary of the board alleged that a lot of fraud was going on with this aspect of sponsorship of the Nigeria Premier League even while teams cry out for cash on daily basis.

The auditors wrote, “We were able to trace the sum of N115,358,730 (One hundred and fifteen million, three hundred and fifty and fifty eight thousand, seven hundred and thirty naira only) to the bank statement as payment made by Total Promotion Limited in respect of the season under review as league’s television broadcast right.

“According to the executive secretary the outstanding balance of N38,141,270 (Thirty eight million, one hundred and forty one thousand two hundred and seventy naira only) was paid through physical cash, we were unable to trace this outstanding revenue. This is one of the many ways Total Promotion Limited has helped institutionalise corruption in Nigeria Football League Limited/Nigeria Premier League. A responsible organisation would make payment of this nature directly into the company’s bank account.”

The auditors have recommended full investigation by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission of Total promotions and their payments to the NPL from the inception of their relationship for alleged unethical practices. The NPL board failed to provide any answer to the requests made by the auditors on this subject.

So much controversy has trailed the television broadcast rights for the Nigeria premier League over the years. While many followers of the game believed that so many things have been hidden from public view by the NPL, the board members never addressed the subject.

The October start off for the current league season was postponed on the recommendation of the Minister of Sports Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi to enable proper investigation and reorganisation of the running of the league be carried out. On Monday, the NPL board announced they were set to kick off on December 1. We could not reach the Minister to find out if the league will start as scheduled in the light of the auditors’ report.

 
http://www.punchng.com/news/npl-fraud-n38m-cash-missing-from-broadcast-revenue/

i tell you, it is only in nigeria you see that the actions and inactions of executive are met with constant crticism.....for instance the present flood crisis..the president has taken actions yet, he's been criticised for taken actions .... GEJ should only remain focus and imperturbable...i know one day, nigerians and crtics alike will have cause to compare his administration with that of his predecessors and successors... and give him the desserved accolades

The Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS), Onne, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, withdrew the admission of 55 trainees, including four women, for alleged certificate forgery.
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Naval Training Command, Apapa, Rear Admiral Azubuike Ajuonu, made the fact known to newsmen in Lagos.
Azubuike said that the suspects had been handed over to the police in Port Harcourt for further investigation.
He said that if found guilty, the trainees, who spent three months in the school, risked seven years imprisonment.
The FOC said that the command had a process of weeding candidates with fake school certificates through verification from various examination bodies.
“The verification is a continuous process; nobody will come to navy with false certificate and nobody will come to navy with a brother’s certificate.
“If you want to join the navy, come with your genuine certificate,’’ he said.
The FOC said the alleged falsification of results was discovered during a verification carried out for more than 1,000 trainees.
He said that some of the certificates could not be verified due to lack of examination number.
“Some grades were altered on certificates, some had invalid candidates’ number, some results were not available for the candidates’ in specified year.
“Grades and names on certificates in some cases were different from the results online,” Azubuike said.
The main objective of the school was to conduct basic training for officers and ratings.
The FOC warned those who might want to indulge in falsification of results with the hope of getting admission to Navy school to desist.
Azubuike promised that the Nigerian Navy would do everything possible to follow the case to a logical conclusion.

http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2012/10/17/navy-throws-out-55-trainees-over-certificate-forgery/

Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Argbesola, has said state governors are not chief security officers of their respective states.

Aregbesola, who spoke on Tuesday, in Osogbo said governors were not chief security officers in the true sense of the word, stressing that “no commissioner of police will listen to the directive or instruction of any governor.”

Aregbesola also made a case for the need to establish state police in the country, saying the idea remained the panacea for ensuring effective security nationwide.

A statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said Aregbesola made the call when he signed state Security Trust Fund Law at the Governor’s Office, Abere.

He said, “The bogus appellation given to the governors as Chief Security Officers of their respective states is a mere expression.

“Those who say Nigeria is not ripe for state police are not sincere. I don’t know where they get their own reasoning from. Even school campuses have their own police to ensure that criminal activities are curbed in their institutions.”

http://www.punchng.com/news/governors-not-chief-security-officers-aregbesola/

President Goodluck Jonathan has said he will abide by Nigerians’ decision on the review of the constitution.

Jonathan said he would not alter their decision if they chose to amend any portion of the constitution through popular method.

The President spoke on Tuesday at an event organised to mark the 80th birthday of a former Vice-President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, in Abuja.

Jonathan, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim, however, called on Nigerians not live with one another with distrust.

He said, “The President has no intention to overturn the decision of Nigerians on constitution review; he will abide by their decision.

“The President will however want Nigerians to live together with trust because distrust will not lead us anywhere.

“What will strengthen the federation called Nigeria is to have hope in our nation and be patriotic, which is the tonic that drives any nation.”

Meanwhile, eminent Nigerians on the occasion disagreed on the aspect of the constitution to be reviewed, especially whether there was need to have the six-geo political zones.

While some insisted that there was need to have it in the constitution, others disagreed.

Ekwueme was the proponent of the six geo-political zones at the 1995 National Constitutional Conference, where he was a delegate.

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), set the tone for the discussion, when he asked how the geo-political zones would be funded if it was enshrined into the constitution.

He also wanted to know if that would not mean a gradual return to regional government or even result in the dismemberment of the nation.

Rather than blame the constitution, the governor said its operators should be held responsible for its bad implementation, adding that there was nothing wrong with agreements but those who made the agreements.

The Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, said since the agreement (constitution) was faulty, it should be rectified.

The agreement, he said, must favour all, adding that there was no way all the parties would be when the agreement did not favour them.

He said there was no way some zones would have between seven and six states whereas one would have five states and there would be justice.

However, the Governor Rabiu Kwankwanso of Kano State, who was represented by his deputy, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar, said political zones should be scrapped.

He said there was no need for it, insisting that those asking for it did not take the issue of land mass and population into consideration.

http://www.punchng.com/news/ill-abide-by-nigerians-decision-on-constitution-review-jonathan/

Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria ACN Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday launched a final attack on Governor Segun Mimiko describing him as an ingrate and a serial betrayer even as he disclaimed any aspiration towards fitting into Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s shoes.
At a rally in Akure to round off the party’s rallies ahead of this weekend’s gubernatorial election, Tinubu declared ‘I am not fighting for the shoes of Awolowo it is too big for me. I am not fighting for Awolowo cap. He has taken both away.’

Tinubu also took time to castigate the incumbent governor Olusegun Mimiko describing him as an ingrate whom he helped but later dumped him.
Quoting from the Holy Bible what will happen to those who are ingrates, Tinubu insisted that he bankrolled the expenses incurred by Mimiko at the election petition tribunal.
He said that Mimiko betrayed his two predecessors in office, Adebayo Adefarati, Olusegun Agagu and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Tinubu however said that he was not surprised that Mimiko is denying that he collected money from him when he was in the trenches.
He asked the people of the state to drive Mimiko out of Ondo state through their votes this weekend.
On godfatherism, he pointed out that ‘I am happy he calls me godfather. My own godfather is not that of Anthony Anenih in Edo state. Mine is for the development and progress of South West states.
‘My own godfatherism is mentoring reliable and dependable people in the South West states for progress and development.’
He reiterated the need for Ondo State to join other states in the region to make integration of the region a success.

http://www.informationnigeria.org/2012/10/ondo-polls-my-own-godfather-is-not-that-of-anthony-anenih-in-edo-state-bola-tinubu.html

The Federal Government has so far saved a total sum of N350 billion from ongoing procurement reforms, Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Mr Emeka Ezeh said Monday.

Speaking in Abuja at the opening of the fourth conversion training exercise for procurement officers in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Ezeh said the savings were enhanced by strict compliance with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act by BPP in the awards of contracts.

He said: “Our focus has been on the end result of the Act, which is ensuring that government gets value-for-money and that there is transparency and competition in the public contracting process.

“We have been assured over time that we can hardly make progress without due process being our watchword in the way we spend government money. This is one major way in which the much needed growth in infrastructure and utilities can be guaranteed.”

Eze noted that the training was aimed at building the capacity of personnel charged with the responsibility of ensuring the implementation of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.
According to him, the implementation of the procurement Act had provided a new level of freedom which had deepened the democratic culture as public officers were now beginning to see public funds as money to be spent with care and high sense of responsibility.

He said BPP would continue to develop this new culture for the sake of the present and future generations.
He said: “Experience has shown that improved quality of life partly comes when the people’s right to know and participate in how government spends public resources becomes entrenched. This does not only create the right framework for their support and engagement with the reform process, but also confirms that they are Bonaire owners of the policy.”

Continuing, he said: “It is the more reason why we have been involved in many awareness campaigns, workshops and interactive sessions with all categories of stakeholders. It is also the reason why we are committed to seeking further knowledge on the institutionalisation of procurement.”

Meanwhile, the Head of Service of the Federation, Isa Bello Sali, said it was because of the importance of procurement that his office supported all efforts of BPP to institutionalise the reforms, adding that the Procurement Act 2007 had led to tremendous improvement in expenditure and helped to curtail the award of contract based on personal and premedical interests.


Sali, who was represented by Alhaji Bashir Sambo said: “Even before Nigerian commenced procurement reforms, people have been complaint that the budget was not being implemented 100 per cent, therefore they can not now say that procurement is the problem.

“One problem we have is lack of planning. No  budget can be fully implemented without a procurement plan. Government needs to look back and find out why budget implementation is at the level it is now,” Sali said.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/fg-recovers-n350bn-via-due-process/127801/

Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, has lamented the low quality of leaders in the country.

He frowned on the educational quality of some National Assembly members, saying they can barely write their names.

Ekweremadu stated this in Awka, the Anambra State capital on Monday while delivering the 2012 Zik Lecture Series organised by the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists. The lecture was entitled, ‘True Federalism and the Political Ideology of the Great Zik’.

He said it was still a surprise to him that as educationally advanced as the South-East “we still send to the National Assembly some people who can barely write their names”.

Ekweremadu, who described the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe as a knowledgeable leader, said without knowledgeable leadership, the country was heading nowhere.

According to the lawmaker, the country needs leaders that are patriotic, selfless, knowledgeable, incorruptible, who have a lot of integrity and who will always put country first.

He said, “For Nigeria’s, particularly, low development or rather lack of it has been variously traced to successive national leadership.”

Ekweremadu said though a proper federal structure and an error-free constitution were desirable, without purposeful and transformational leadership, they would not help the situation in the country .

He said, “Even the best constitution or federal structure in the world cannot yield the best of democracy dividends or drive the lofty dreams of a nation unless there is a general commitment by the leadership and citizens alike to live by the principles and letters of that constitution and the norms that promote development.”

Ekweremadu added that Nigerian leaders had often mistaken stubbornness and arrogance as principles in politics, saying “this hasrobbed Nigerians of great opportunities of linking up with modernity and technology”.

He added, “Leaders who cannot think beyond their immediate environment have nothing new to offer their people.”

Ekweremadu urged Nigerian leaders to adopt sound principles like Azikiwe did in his days so that they could lead the country into the elite corps of nations.

First son of Azikiwe and Owelle of Onitsha, Chief Chukwuma Azikiwe, said for any leadership to have meaning it must identify with the downtrodden.

He said, “If our farmers and the have-nots are empowered, then they will impact our economy and themselves.”

http://www.punchng.com/news/some-nassembly-members-can-barely-write-their-names-ekweremadu/

Reports reaching us from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, said a massive explosion occurred around the ever busy post office area on Monday afternoon.
Residents of the area report seeing at least ten bodies including that of some soldiers.
The post office area is a meeting point for a lot of commuters in the city as commercial vehicles move from there to other parts of the town. It is also very close to the main market in Maiduguri, the Monday Market.
Details later…
http://premiumtimesng.com/category/news/national

President Goodluck Jonathan, on Sunday, said the government was concerned about resettling the flooded communities and averting looming food scarcity.

Jonathan, who was taken round the flooded communities in Bayelsa State in an aircraft in company with the state governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, said the Ministry of Agriculture had been directed to map out strategies against the impending scarcity.

He spoke in Yenagoa before visiting the relief camp for flood victims at the Sports Complex, observing that the flooding had dealt a big blow on the country’s food production.

He said, “But our main interest is how they will survive when the flood goes down. All their crops and farmlands are flooded and in most cases even their seedlings, suckers and cassava cuttings must have been destroyed by the flood. We are looking at different options.”

One of the options being considered by the government, he said was importing scarce food items and supplying them to the affected areas.

He said another alternative was to look for species of crops that would mature within a short period after planting.

He added, “Something like maize that takes about three months to mature, we are looking at how we can get the ones that will mature in 60 days.  We are also looking for the rice that will endure some level of flooding. These are the areas the Ministry of Agriculture is working on.”

He said the government believed that constructing additional dams would minimise the impacts of flooding in the future.

He explained that unlike the 1969 flooding when water from the River Niger overran many communities, the bulk of the water that resulted in the present disaster came from the River Benue.

He argued that the Shiroro and Kainji Dams, which were constructed after the 1969 disaster, were able to contend with upsurge of water from the River Niger.

He said the dearth of dams in the Benue axis aggravated the disaster, adding that there was an urgent need for the government to construct dams in the area.

He said it was difficult for any government to plan for natural disasters like flooding, noting that government could only plan for other forms of disasters like the ones that occur in the aviation sector.

He said, “Flooding is not something very common. The last big flood that we experienced in this country was 43 years ago. It is difficult to build an infrastructure to intervene. I have noticed that the flooding we used to experience before came from the River Niger.

“With the completion of the Kainji Dam and the Shiroro Dam, that flooding reduced. This year, when I visited Kogi State and we went to the confluence point, we were told that the bulk of the water came in from Benue.”

http://www.punchng.com/news/survival-of-flood-victims-our-concern-jonathan/

Why can't we just bury and forget ashes of the past and commune together on possible ways of forging ahead as one entity.

Good talk.......... Naija an sovereign state... Security agencies should face the tasking of protecting the country from internal and external agressions

As the book, There was a Nigeria, a yet-to-be-released literary work of ace writer, Chinua Achebe continues to raise dust; millions of Nigerians have waded into the matter. While some are condemning the work of art, others are equally giving kudos to the literary doyen for the book, which reportedly accused the late Obafemi Awolowo of the brain behind the pogrom and genocide against the Igbos in 1967-1970.

Registering his comment on the issue, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) told Vanguard that he has no regret for the civil war which claimed the lives of many Nigerians, adding that Awolowo was not the cause of the secession and he should not be brought into the controversy

Speaking on Professor Achebe’s latest book, the ex warlord said:“Let me read it first. I’m not in the country now.

Let him check himself and of course on our part, we know that, that was not what we were. That was how we were portrayed but, on our part, we know that was not what we were in our actions and all that.

“But would you please go and ask historians about the beginning of the war rather than for you to ask me to comment about whether Awolowo and I actually had hands in what he is talking about? Go and find out from historians?

Gowon added that: “The historians will tell you the correct story. I am not in Nigeria presently and honestly this is a question that I have had to answer several times. You would have asked them if there was a controversy or whoever did what. Let them do their own interpretation of what happened.”

Asking if the late Awolowo actually fingered the 3-year civil, Gowon who is currently in the shores of England affirmed: “If there was no secession, we wouldn’t have the civil war. Awolowo was not the cause of the secession. Why then are they bringing him into this controversy?

“If there was no secession, there wouldn’t have been the war that we had, which was a very unfortunate situation in the life of Nigeria.
That is the answer that I would give to you about this.”

“You can be rest assured that as far as we are concerned, we did everything that was possible. And we have no cause to regret what we did.

“So, I think whoever is saying what I am now hearing that they are saying, the question is; why are they saying what they are saying now? For what reason are they saying it at this time? He wondered

http://dailypost.com.ng/2012/10/13/civil-war-gowon-says-cause-regret/

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday urged victims of the devastating floods in Kogi State not to commit suicide, saying the Federal Government will support them.

He also promised to build more dams across the country to forestall a recurrence of flooding.

Jonathan, who spoke in Lokoja, Kogi State after he inspected places ravaged by the floods in the state, decried the havoc the flooding caused.

While advising the victims not to commit suicide, the President promised that the Federal Government would within its available resources provide them with the needed assistance.

The visit, he said, was to deliver the Federal Government’s message of sympathy to the victims.

He said the Federal Government would provide more funds for the affected states.

According to him, the initial Federal Government’s financial provision is to stabilise the affected people.

The President said the Federal Government would further assist the victims who had collected loans from banks, particularly the farmers among them.

He stated that the committee put up to generate money for the victims would succeed and impact positively on the victims.

He also hailed the efforts of the state government, National Emergency Management Agency and other agencies in checking the flooding.

Earlier Governor Idris Wada commended Jonathan for the Federal Government’s quick intervention.

He requested the President to further assist the victims by allocating unoccupied Federal Government houses and buildings at Ajaokuta Iron and Steel Company.
http://www.punchng.com/news/dont-commit-suicide-jonathan-tells-flood-victims/

Former Speaker of House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, has blamed politicians for the many problems bedevilling the country.

Bankole, who is currently facing corruption charges in Abuja, said this while delivering a lecture at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta on Wednesday.

In a paper entitled, “Mentoring and the Challenges of Leadership in Africa”, the former Speaker said the political class had worsened the woes of the ordinary Nigerians.

He noted that if Nigerian leaders had returned to the standards of the nation’s founding fathers, many more concrete achievements and tremendous breakthroughs would have been accomplished in the country.

Bankole, who also spoke on the need to mentor future leaders properly, said it was a sure way for the survival of democracy in Nigeria.

He said, “These leaders fail to mentor those who are to take over from them and what we have instead are sit-tight leaders who decide to die in office.

“Nigeria will only be placed on the path of progress, growth and development when we start to prepare our youths for leadership. Proper tutelage is indispensable for success in any vocation and Nigeria must urgently start the process of disallowing untutored and untested persons from mounting the saddle of leadership.”

Canvassing a way out, he said, “We must seek to build a system that enables us make creative use of people who have occupied leading positions in our national life to gain useful experience.”

Earlier, the FUNAAB Vice Chancelor, Prof. Olusola. Oyewole, said there was a need to insulate youths from the foibles of the current leaders.

“There is a need to mentor a future generation of leaders who will not be bedevilled by our past unproductive and destructive attitudes. We need to draw attention to great leaders whose legacies can serve as beacons of hope to our country at such a time as this.

“To move beyond the gloom of these days, we need to get some shinning lights to remind us that we can still make it.”
http://www.punchng.com/news/bankole-blames-political-class-for-nigerias-problems/

A chief magistrate court in Abuja today ordered Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police to investigate allegations that Boniface Egboka, the vice chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, had misappropriated government funds. The court, which sits in Wuse Zone 6 of Abuja, also directed the IGP to examine allegations that Mr. Egboka had engaged in bribery and corrupt enrichment.
The court’s orders arose from a direct criminal complaint filed by Nnamdi Nweke, a lawyer from the Agnus Dei Chambers in Abuja. The court wants the police boss to complete his investigations and report back to the court on October 30, 2012.
Mr. Nweke is an Abuja-based legal practitioner, human rights activist and anti-corruption crusader.
Below is a copy of the court’s letter to the IGP as well as the direct criminal complaint.

Embattled former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Oladimeji Bankole had on Thursday, berated Nigerian leaders for not giving the youth the opportunity to lead, rather they prefer to ‘die in office.’

The ex lawmaker had expressed his frustration over the matter in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital at the commencement of a public lecture of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAB) in Alabata.
The Lecture was entitled : “Mentoring and the challenges of leadership in Africa.”

According to Bankole, “These leaders failed to mentor those who are to take over from them and what we have instead are sit-tight leaders, who decide to die in office. Nigeria will only be placed on the path
of progress, growth and development when we start to prepare our youths for leadership.

“Proper tutelage is indispensable for success in any vocation and Nigeria must urgently start the process of dis-allowing untutored and untested persons from been given the saddle of leadership.”

Bankole said: “I wish to propose that we give further thought to ensuring that the choice of deputies is underlined by the requirement of competence and a modicum of collective enlightened self-interest.

“Another is the development of the agricultural sector. Studies have shown that our farming population across the country is ageing fast.
We must seek to build a system that enables us make creative use of people, who have occupied leading positions in our national life to gain useful experience.”

The ex speaker was of the opinion that democracy would survive if mentoring of upcoming leaders was taken seriously.
Present during the lecture were: Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, Editor-in-Chief/GM, Publication, Vanguard newspaper, and President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
Others include: former Head of Service of the Federation, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, who chaired the occasion, and the Vice Chancellor of FUNAB, Prof. Olusola Oyewole.


http://dailypost.com.ng/2012/10/11/our-leaders-love-rule-die-office-former-speaker-bankole/

Tragedy struck in Umuode Community, a suburb of Nkanu East local government area of Enugu State yesterday following the gruesome murder of the paramount ruler of the land, Igwe Moses Ugwu.

According to eyewitness, the monarch was reportedly shot dead by two unknown young men who invaded his shop at Akpoga Nike at about 7.30pm Tuesday.

It was gathered that the assailants shot at the royal father severally and abandoned him in a pool of blood and eluded immediately without touching anything.

Popularly called Ode 1 of Umuode, the late Ugwu until his sad demise had been on throne for over 10 years.

It was further learnt that efforts by some of his relations who rushed him to the Annunciation Hospital, Emene Enugu were fruitless as the king was confirmed dead by the doctors on duty.

Sources said the Igwe Ugwu’s Umuode community, the country home of the former Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji, had been at war with their neighbouring Oruku community for the past eight years.

It would be recalled that the two communities recently engaged in fire exchange before the intervention of security operatives.

The remains of the late Ugwu has been deposited at the hospital’s morgue.

http://dailypost.com.ng/2012/10/10/gunmen-assassinate-traditional-ruler-enugu/

Independent National Electoral Commission might review its voting rules due to the recent flooding that hit some parts of the nation. This was discussed in Awka, Anambra state, at a session for senior executives of the commission from Abia, Anambra and Benue states.

Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukaogu, Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner said many electorate have lost their voters cards due to the flooding that sent them out of their communities.

Furthermore, he added that water might have destroyed many documents belonging to some local councils submerged by the flood.

Prof. Onukaogu said,“I would enjoin you as you go on to draw a strategic plan for 2012–2016 to focus your mind on how elections would be administered in these areas with our offices submerged by water,with the residents fleeing and their belongings,including voter cards destroyed and washed away by the flood.”

He doubted if INEC would still stick to its rules that stipulate that “it is the voter’s cards only that can admit voters to the polling station” when for some unforeseen factor, their voters’ cards have been mislaid or destroyed as a result of the flood.
http://dailypost.com.ng/2012/10/10/voting-rules-may-reviewed-inec/

Earlier today, we brought you the story of Gosple Tungba maestro, Yinka Ayefele’s N200 million House of Music, that has been earmarked for demolition by the Oyo state government.
The singer who is still devastated by the turn of events has explained that he obtained all the required approvals from various authorities before he erected the edifice. He expressed dismay that the property situated on the land he duly purchased from the Ibadan Properties Company was marked for demolition.
“I will never go against the law.  I’m not a novice who doesn’t know what step back is. We complied with the required set back according to the law. You see if you are looking at the house from a far it will look as if the roadis bent a bit which could make one to think the house is on the main road but if you get to thefront of the house you will see that the house is located far from the main road.  We complied with the required 10 metersstep back to the main road. This road is a Federal Government existing road; it is not new or recently  proposed road.  The Federal Housing Authority approved it,  we also did the certain meters of stepback to the existing main road but now that  the government wants to extend the road, well, no problem with that. There are ways to it. There are other areas in the same locality that can be used. Baba Arisekola’s filling station is close by too and the demolitionplan is far from it, it does not affect it.”
The singer said as at yesterday Monday 8, 2012, he was yet to be served with any letter or notice to the effect that his building would be demolished.
“ All I saw was just this X mark in red this morning on the building. I have never been written or told by anybody that the building will be demolished. Besides, since I learnt about this, I have been broken down since yesterday.   I’m down, troubled; in fact I cannot concentrate on my next studio album since I heard the news that the House of Music has been marked for demolition. This is my sweat over the years and I’m appealing to Governor Ajimobi and the good people of Oyo State to look into this matter all over again. I believe there is a way out.”
Asked if he had pulled his influence as a prominent musician to have the ears of influential Oyo State indigenes to get the government to reverse the decision, he said.
“I think the best I can do is what I’m doing now and I’m appealing to the Governor to look at it all over again. I know there is a way out.This is all I have sweated for and I can never be the same if it’s demolished. Not even any form of compensation can appeaseme or make me happy. The building if I want to estimate is worth N200million but the compensation is not on my mind.”
There were speculations that Ayefele, though a gospel artiste was perceived as a supporter of the former governor of Oyo State, Chief AlaoAkala. Could the planned demolition have political intonation? “I don’t think so. I’m not a politician, I’m an artiste. I don’t have problem with anybody and with due respect I don’t think Governor Ajimobi is thinking like that.  Yes, it’s about urban development of the city but I know if the matter is looked into critically the building will be exempted. We carried all due diligence when we wanted to put up the structure and the records are there.
Ayefelewho also dispelled reports that he had an eye surgery recently, hinted that he personally bought the piece of land the House of Music is erected contrary to insinuations thatit was given to him by Ibadan-based business mogul and Are Musulumi of Yorubaland, AlhajiAlaoArisekola.  “Don’t mind those reports. I never had an eye surgery. It was a journalist’s thought. It was (name withheld),he said he wanted to make some sales and I don’t think it’s fair enough.
On the land, he said: “I actually bought the land from the Ibadan Properties Company. I have all my papers to that effect. But it’s very painful that after I erected the building I have moved from one matter to the other. Do you know that for the past two years I have been in court over the land? Though the Ibadan Properties Company insisted they have no issues with the OmoOnile(land speculators) but we have been in court since. Just three months ago, I took it upon myself to settle amicably with the Omoonile(land speculators). I paid themoff justrecently andnow the demolition matter came up. I can only appeal to Governor Ajimobi to please consider the fact this all I have labored for all my life. This is my sweat.”

http://www.informationnigeria.org/2012/10/ayefeles-passionate-plea-if-my-house-of-music-is-demolished-ill-never-be-the-same.html

Unknown gunmen in Ejigbo, Osun State, on Tuesday, kidnapped the wife of the Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Mr Najeem Salaam.

Muiba, the first wife of the Speaker, was kidnapped in the Bamagay Square area of the town shortly after she had left her shop where she sold bags of rice, semovita and groundnut oil.

Her Honda car was overtaken by the vehicle of a six-member gang. The gang reportedly forced her Honda car to stop along Union Baptist Road in the Oke-Oyo area of Ejigbo, the Speaker’s hometown.

Our correspondent learnt that Muiba, who alighted and attempted to run from the kidnappers, was stopped and forced into a waiting car.

Chairman, House Committee on Regional Integration and Special Duties, Mr Femi Fafiyebi, confirmed the development, saying the news was “shocking.”

“I just heard about it a few minutes ago. Osun is a very peaceful state. We are the only state that checked flooding and created the most enabling environment in the south-west. I don’t know why this should happen in our dear state,” Fafiyebi said.

Police Public Relations Officer, Osun Command, Mrs Sade Odoro, who promised to get across to our correspondent over the development failed to do so.

Her phone was switched off when our correspondent called her back for confirmation.

Our correspondent reports that it is in Odoro’s character to ignore inquiries by journalists over crime matters in the state.

http://www.punchng.com/news/wife-of-osun-speaker-kidnapped/

An enormous iron Ore has been found in Agbaja, Kogi State by an Energio Limited An Australian Company.
In a confirmatory statement, the company said it has discovered about 488 million tons, with an In-situ Iron grade of 42.7 per cent. The Ore will largely affect the Nigerian economy, especially everything that has to do with Iron, both usage and export.

Iron Ore currently trades on the international market for around $100.
 
According to the company, the Ore is about 13.9km2 and 9km2 represents about 15 percent of the potential areas as well as 9.2 per cent of the company’s 151km landholding for Iron, which is the first JORC Iron Ore discovered in the Country.
 
The Company however, named June 2013 as the date for update on the resources, a clinical geological survey will be done, and they believe the company would have known everything it needs to know about the entire resource potentials.
 
The current JORC resources approximation allows the admission of project development studies for the Iron Ore production project following feasibility studies.
Energio further complimented the discovery and location of the Ore, adding that the Ore is uniquely located, in a shallow flat channel, which will give room for the development and utilization of the abandoned rail lines there.
Dr. Ian Burston, the Chairman of Energio Limited in a statement noted that the discovery of the Ore is a wonderful result for the country, considering the fact that the company began drilling at the site only Last year November.

http://businessnews.com.ng/2012/10/04/enormous-iron-ore-deposit-found-in-kogi-worth-billions-of-dollars/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NigeriaBusinessNews+%28Nigeria+Business+News%29