₦airaland Forum

erad: i can see u are very sensible. if u saw ma earlier comment, i stated that i am pro-ACN. my problem is with tinubu and not ACN. still bothers me why some idiots won't attack the arguement but instead attack the other person's personality. thats how i detect who's a failure.

erad: Can't believe i'll say this but you are the biggest fool here?? How the hell did u attempt guessing where i'm from so stupidly?? I'm from Odo-Otin LGA, osun central senetorial district, osun state. I live in ile-ife, osun state. get ur facts right before spewing bullshit. and if its my username that misguided you, ur stupid self should have tried rearranging the words from the back and i'm sure it would have given you something like "DARE". Fool.

University dons from Africa and the United States at the weekend spoke with one voice and asked the Nigerian government to acquire DNA database in order to bring down the rate of crime in the country.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar has said that in order to aid DNA test and track down perpetrators of crime, the Federal Government should acquire a national database for its citizenry.

The I.G who made this plea during a two-day DNA forensics colloquium, titled; From Crime Scene to the Courtroom, held at the University of Lagos said the rate of crime in the country would have been reduced to the barest minimum if a database was instituted where there will be no hiding place for anyone who commits crime, adding, "The issue of Boko Haram insurgence would have been a thing of the past."

Speaking through the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Forensic Science Service), Mr Ovie Oyokomino, he noted that if a police detective in the process of crime investigation comes across fingerprint, palmprint, saliva, blood stain or any other means of identification at crime scene, we can compare it with the ones already stored in the database through DNA to know the actual suspect.

The Police Force boss who sponsored 20 police officers to the programme which attracted speakers from the US and South Africa, noted that DNA test is a new technology that aids the investigation of cases.

[b]According to him, the unique thing about DNA is that any part that is left at the place of crime contains DNA that helps to solve the crime.

He explained that DNA test can be used to identify individuals except an identical twin, stressing that their fingerprints are, however, different from each other as God has created fingerprints to identify different individuals.

However, he pointed out that the setback in DNA test is that since a lot of criminals know that fingerprints can implicate them, they resorted to wearing gloves. With gloves, you don't leave fingerprints at the crime scene.

Nonetheless, if in the process of committing the crime, he gets injured, he may leave blood stains somewhere or if his hair falls, DNA could be carried out on it and the perpetrator will be discovered.

"Besides, if the criminal smokes, we can get the DNA through the remains of the stick of cigarrate or if he drinks, we can get his fingerprints on the glass or beer bottle."[/b]

It is not limited to criminals alone, he said, adding that DNA test could also be used to detect the paternity of a child where two men are claiming ownership of the child from the same women. "Not that we cannot use other methods to detect this, but the best approach is DNA test."

Again, when a crime is committed and the victim's body is no longer at the scene, but the blood stain or hair is found, DNA test could be performed on their relatives to get the similarity of the victim's blood.

A typical example of such is during a plane crash where victims' bodies could not be identified because they were burnt beyond recognition, a DNA test will be carried out on the victim and a family member to see if they are the same.

He said: "The Nigeria Police Force are in the process of building DNA capability. We have trained three officers to that effect. The necessary equipment are being put in place. However, DNA technology as known all over the world, is not cheap to acquire so because of the cost, we are taking it in batches. Our personnels received their training in the USA.

"We have two more phases to go to complete the process, so that if any thing happens that demands DNA test, we will not be referring them to foreign laboratories.

We have used DNA to solve a number of cases. In 2007, we used DNA test to identify the killer of the Dutch woman who was murdered in Ikoyi. Even as we speak, we have cases that the public may be helpless saying that the police is not doing anything. But, we are using DNA test to arrive at the proper identification and prosecution of the offenders."

Speaking in the same vein, the Director of Nebraska Institute of Forensic Sciences, US, Dr Matthias Okoye who delivered lectures on Crime and Crime Scene, DNA Evidence Presentation in Court and The Need for Legislation said, the limitation of forensic sciences is based on the knowledge of people who practise it, it should be collected, preserved and analysed appropriately. From where it is taken to the laboratory for analysis, the person is important because it can destroy the whole process.

Was the sample appropriately collected before it was brought to the lab for analysis? Was it done according to standards? There must be a good quality control in DNA test.

Because of the importance of DNA, many cases have been thrown out of court in the US and other parts of the world."

On the inability of DNA test to detect the perpetrator of a crime by a twin, he said the twins must be identical before it can be difficult for DNA test. If the twins are not identical, DNA test can detect the one who actually committed the crime. If they have similar profiles, it will be difficult to identify.

However, with DNA test and police investigations, you identify the crime suspect even if he is an identical twin. Forensic investigation, police, individual investigation and other experts will help to arrive at a perfect investigation. Many of us in the diaspora are trained experts in the field of forensics."

Security agents have begun a manhunt for the gunmen who invaded Mubi, Adamawa State, on Monday night, killing about 46 students from three higher institutions in the state.

Their search for the killers Wednesday led to a house-to-house search in Mubi during which an unspecified number of suspects were arrested.

The state Police Commissioner, Mohammed Ibrahim, who confirmed the arrest to Reuters, declined to give further details.

The search began just as President Goodluck Jonathan ordered the security forces to intensify efforts to fish out the killers, widely believed to be Boko Haram insurgents, while Senate President David Mark called for capital punishment for the attackers.

The gunmen who had attacked students of the Federal Polytechnic, Adamawa State University and the School of Health Technology, all in Mubi, were said to have gone from room to room in a building in the town on Monday and killed the people they found there with guns and machetes.

However, the police were also said to be investigating whether the killings were as a result of a feud inside the college.

Ibrahim said the police were still keeping an open mind on whether the killing spree was carried out by militants or rival students, but there were signs of an "inside job".

"Relatives of the slain students said the assailants called their names out before killing them. The majority were killed with gun shots or slaughtered like goats," he added.

One possibility was that the killings were related to a dispute between rival groups at the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, following a student union election on Sunday, Ibrahim said.

"The second day after the election winners were declared, you have the killings ... Really we cannot rule out the possibility that the attack may have been carried out by either the Boko Haram or a ... gang," he added.

Jonathan, who was briefed about the incident, along with other cabinet members, by the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa'i, at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) Wednesday in Abuja, condemned the attack.

According to the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the president, Dr. Reuben Abati, Jonathan described the killings as tragic, sad, barbaric and shocking.

"The president has directed security agencies to investigate the matter and get to the root because this kind of incident, where people are called out and shot, is really shocking," he said in a statement.

Mark, while reacting to the attack, advocated capital punishment for the killers to serve as a deterrent to others.

Mark, in his remarks while the Senate was considering a motion by Senator Bindowo Jibrilla, from Adamawa North Senatorial District, said the time has come for the country to test the capital punishment clause as enshrined in the statute books.

Before observing a one-minute silence for the victims of the attack, the Senate urged the Federal Government to swiftly bring the perpetrators to book.

Mark added that the need to provide security in the area had become expedient because of the swelling insecurity in the region.

He said: "The security challenges before us in this country are grievous and we have to tackle them headlong. On the specific issue of this are the Mubi killings.

"I think it is a pity that people will go from one room to the other calling names and slaughtering the people. It is totally unacceptable. Even if it is just attacking the symptoms now, those involved must be arrested and brought to book.

"I know that this is a democracy and with due respect to all of us, but capital punishment is still in our statutes."

He said the time and opportunity had come for the country to apply the death clause in the statute books and use it as a deterrent to others.

While blaming government for its slow response to security emergencies, he said: "It is not that crimes don't take place in other places; they do. But it is the reaction of government; the speed with which those involved in crimes in other countries are arrested, tried and punished accordingly that differs.

"However, when they happen in this country, after a week, we tend to forget it and wait for the next one to happen.

"I think we have gone beyond the point of singing these songs of lamentations over and over again. We should not be lamenting, we should be able to act. And government needs to act as swiftly as possible."

Mark urged both the Federal Government and states to live up to their responsibilities of providing security to the citizenry.

"I think this is a very serious issue and if we don't tackle the real issues and begin to go on diversionary expeditions, we will be missing the point.

"Terrorists will succeed once they can stop you from doing what you want to do and once they can stop government from doing what they want to do, they want all Nigerians to be very scared of sending their children to polytechnics and universities. I think there are very serious challenges and we must address them," he added.

In her contribution, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, attributed the insecurity facing the country to lack of good governance and leadership failure.

She said: "The expectations of the people are that government should provide power and security for the citizenry. The attack in Mubi is evidently a sign of a failed state."

In his contribution, Senator Barnabas Gemade said the killings, especially in some Northern parts of the country, could have been orchestrated to disrupt the economies of the area. He suggested that security around the borders and the cities in this region be strengthened.

The National Coordinator of Human Rights Writers' Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), Emmanuel Onwubiko, also condemned the massacre in Mubi.

Speaking at an event to mark the fifth anniversary of HURIWA, Onwubiko said: "This bestial, cruel, crude and inhuman action of the armed attackers was reprehensible, despicable and absolutely condemnable."

According to him, the presidency's reaction to the massacre was unfortunate, sad, disappointing and shocking.

He accused the Federal Government and the state governments in the North of failing to restore and institutionalise the rule of law and respect for the sanctity of life as provided in Section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

Also speaking at the event, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, called for the inclusion of the right to good governance as a constitutional provision in the ongoing amendment to the constitution.

He said this would enable Nigerians to use the courts to remove from office any leader that errs.

Forester45: Evry tin is to make sure that Nigeria moves forward. They should reduce his powers. Its becoming unbearable.

amor4ce: Without referring to any official statistics, is it not safe to assume that South East Nigeria is the kidnapping capital of Nigeria and West Africa?

dayokanu: Bros can you name the 3 states controlled by APGA?

Antivirus92: I think you should have concentrated on tinubu who is already in jail.

Lagos — Eminent Nigerians, yesterday, took a dispassionate peep into the topsy-turvy journey of Nigeria into nationhood 52 years after independence and returned a grim verdict: There is nothing to celebrate because the country is hanging on the precipice of disintegration amid worsening poverty among the citizenry. They dissected the causes of the country's stunted development and proffered solutions.

In clear terms, they said there was urgent need to deepen the country's fragile unity, address lingering insecurity, decaying health and educational facilities and epileptic power supply among others. They also agreed that in spite of mounting challenges, the country would not implode.

Among those, who spoke on the issue were former Chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Prof. Anya O Anya; Second Republic Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Richard Akinjide; Second Republic member of the House of Representatives, Dr Junaid Mohammed; Governors Babatunde Fashola of Lagos and Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State.

Others include Anglican Archbishop of Lagos Province, Most Rev. Adebola Ademowo; Mrs Doyin Abiola; former Lagos State Attorney General and Justice Commissioner, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; Senator Gbenga Ashafa; Rep. Charles Odedo; Bishop of Egba Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rev. Bishop Emmanuel Adekunle and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) among others.

While Akinjide attributed the country's stunted growth to human factor and bad leadership, Junaid identified the first military coup of 1966 as the genesis of the crises and accused successive governments of ruining the country.

We' ve put the cart before the horse - Ademowo

Most Rev Ademowo said: "I see Nigeria's 52 years as a very challenging stage of creation; but in truism, we have put the cart before the horse, making attempts at living before creation. And because of this, the country has passed and is passing through very burly rings... Our country is becoming one of the most dangerous places on earth.

"In this country, we experience militia killings, brutal attacks and bombings. Amidst all, Nigeria is still one through the special grace of God. The country is too great to shred into pieces all in the name of greed, ethnicism, nepotism, religion, etc.

"In view of the above, our country is daily moving towards total political, economic and social collapse, and disintegration and the situation must be arrested before it is too late."

Nigerians must keep hope alive -Ashafa

To Senator Ashafa, Nigerians must keep hope alive even though there is nothing to celebrate as of now.

Urging leaders to take stock of events in the country and carry out an honest and candid appraisal of the situation, he said: "We must admit that we are in a mess and not by making nostalgic and inspirational speeches on October 1 every year about the "labours of our heroes past," pat each other on the back and congratulating one another on our independence.

Parochial sectional interests must be dislodged-Tinubu

National leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in his statement on the nation's 52nd independence anniversary urged Nigerians to refocus on their country and rededicate themselves to its development, saying :"Nigeria, our dear country, could be passing through a very difficult time now, but these are not problems we cannot collectively solve, if we all put our minds to them."

Tinubu said one of the burning challenges was that of a constitution to make Nigeria a true federation and correct all the structural imbalances that have resulted in mutual distrust and slowed down economic growth and prosperity. He called for the strengthening of our various institutions to serve the interests of the citizenry and not personal political interests.

According to him, "the sustenance of our democracy is important. The can do spirit of Nigerians must be harnessed. Parochial sectional interests must be dislodged. And we must work collectively for peace and stability of the nation."

Amosun wants synergy between leaders, followers

In Abeokuta, Governor Amosun called for a synergy between Nigerian leaders and followers to move the country forward. Speaking to reporters after a church service to mark the 52nd Independence Day celebration, he absolved leaders of full responsibility for the country's woes at 52, noting that followers too should be part of the blame.

He said: "That is why there is this need for a result-oriented and positive synergy between the leaders and the followers for us to get over the woes. Yes, it is true that leadership has a role to play in the challenges we are facing now. The country ought to grow beyond this level we found ourselves. The type of leaders will ultimately determine the road to progress, but that notwithstanding, the followers' angle is also very important."

We must reclaim our pre-eminent status in Africa -Fashola

On his part, Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State said it was time for Nigerians to halt the slide, reclaim their pre-eminent status in Africa and re-new their commitment to the Nigerian project to actualise the dreams of their founding fathers.

Fashola, speaking on the state of the nation, said in the context of the African continent being the next investment destination of the world, Nigeria should rise and take the lead in reaping the economic benefits of that reality.

He also called on Nigerians to be sober, humble and listen more to those they have entrusted with authority, adding that if those in authority fail to perform, Nigerians have the chance to throw them out during the next election.

Fashola expressed delight that in the last 48 hours, Nigerians had been asking very honest questions as to whether we, as a people, are the problem or the nation itself.

He said: "This is not the worst place to live on earth and I can tell you that. Let us take the financial issues for instance, the Spanish government raised its taxes by 52 per cent, Italy has raised its tax by 60 per cent. Italians are leaving their country. That is not our position here. People are being struck by earthquakes, Tsunami, but we have arable land for farming here. There are challenges here alright but they should be seen as building blocks for us to aspire to greater things."

Why Nigeria is still crawling - Anya, Osinbajo, Abiola

Prof. Anya, Osinbajo and Abiola at an Independence Anniversary Lecture, entitled: "Nigeria at 52: Embracing Peace and Unity," organised by the Cosmopolitan Women's Club, CWC, in Lagos, weekend, identified corruption, quota system, misplacement of priorities, non-patriotism, over reliance on oil, and inequitable distribution of the country's wealth among other as factors hindering the country's growth.

Anya, who was the guest speaker at the occasion, attributed the sectarian crises leading to blood-letting in the country to the inequitable sharing of the nation's resources by the British colonialists.

He said: "Today, the contemporary Nigeria could best be described as a knife-edge. All these travails could be traced to the act of the British colonialists in milking resources from the then Southern Protectorate to enrich the Northern Protectorate. The shaky political structure and sharing formula have been the cause of all the sectarian crises in Nigeria today."

On quota system

The former university teacher said the quota system, which establishes that leaders must emerge based on some factors rather than merit, portended doom for the nation, if not revisited.

Anya said: "After 52 years of Independence, Nigeria has produced 13 leaders, where nine are from the northern part of the country. These northern leaders have been in power for 32 years of the country's 52 years of existence. Amidst this long period in governance more than any other region, the North has remained in abject poverty and underdevelopment."

Over-reliance on oil

He held that if Nigeria aims to join the comity of developed nations within any stipulated time, she must stop relying on oil, since it's bound to deplete, adding: "Rather than over-depend on oil, which has become a curse rather than blessing, the government must ensure it educates its citizens on how to be productive and create wealth that must be equitably distributed."

The task ahead

On their part, Osinbajo and Abiola, who were discussants at the event, opined that the myriads of challenges, such as corruption in public and private offices, the Boko Haram insurgency, rot in the education and health sectors bedevilling the nation after 52 years of independence came as a result of the failure of the elite to chart a positive direction for the development of the country.

Abiola blamed the tottering state of the nation on lack of maintenance and sustenance culture. According to her, it's a common place in Nigeria to see projects of a previous administration abandoned by an incoming administration no matter how positive it may be.

Political, economic space must be opened-TUC

In a statement to mark Nigeria's 52 independence anniversary, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, yesterday said only genuine talks among ethnic nationalities in the country could halt the nation's drift into anarchy. It argued that the current insecurity challenge facing the country posed the greatest threat to the nation's unity since the end of the civil war.

In the statement entitled: "Nigeria at 52: The Journey thus far", TUC President-General and Secretary General, Comrade Peter Esele and Chief John Kolawole, respectively, declared that the political and economic space must urgently be opened to build an inclusive nation that would allow all to creatively contribute and participate in the hallowed effort of nation building.

"A combination of deep internal political schisms and serial inept but corrupt leadership despite the huge resources both human and material robbed the nation of the various opportunities to transform itself into a great nation that would deliver to her citizens the best possible benefits.

This failure to get it right in these past years has foisted on the people one of the greatest burdens of the contradiction of increasing suffering and deprivation in the midst of increasing revenue to the government; the syndrome of 'rich dad, poor children.'"

"Access to basic social services - medical care, Education, Housing, Food and Transport have all constricted over the years. Unemployment has burgeoned and continued increasing, manufacturing continues to suffer adversely and worse still, and there is an increasing threat to the political stability of the nation posing serious danger to its corporate existence."

"The present security challenge posed by the unfortunate events in the northern part of the country has presented the nation with the greatest threat to dismemberment since after the civil war in 1970. It has exacerbated the poverty in that region and has imposed massive sufferings and deprivations on the hapless populace dislocating thousands in the process.

As we mark this national day, TUC believes that our situation is not hopeless and that we can stop this continued slide into anarchy. We believe that we can reverse all these adversities and march back to the path of greatness that has always been the destiny of this nation even at conception."

"We know that this will not be easy but the Congress is assured that there is hope for this nation but it requires hard work and our collective determination to make the necessary sacrifices and change needed to generate the critical mass for development. It calls for the people at the top to arise and take responsibility for the parlous state of affairs and be determined to redeem the nation through a positive change to leadership styles and objectives.

The nation must seize the opportunity presented by the current centrifugal forces laying siege on the polity to forge a united and progressive country that we can all be proud of.

This is the only way to put a lie to the desires of the various criminal elements both local and international who seek the breakup of Nigeria. We must be determined to prove them wrong. That is why we believe that at no other time in our history than now do we require a genuine and honest conversation between and amongst the diverse cleavages and interests in country."

"Our people deserve to be told the truth which is capable of throwing increasing light on the affairs of the land and lifting the mood of despondency that has enveloped us as a nation.

We therefore call on all political actors in Nigeria especially those currently in position of authority to eschew all forms of greed as the reverse portends greater danger to all Nigerians and Nigeria. The Political and Economic space must urgently be opened to build an inclusive nation that would allow all to creatively contribute and participate in the hallowed effort of nation building.

The present trend that concentrates Political and Economic power in the hands of a very few minority portends disaster and is therefore not sustainable in the long run."

"Let us use this period to remind the government that the People remain the greatest asset of the nation. Building the people by investing in them, creating a strong middle class and putting the citizens back to work should be the best way to go. This is what will eventually solve the security challenges, stabilise the polity and drive progress.

The Congress therefore urges those in leadership positions to use this occasion to seek the restoration of the people's confidence in the nation by also showing an unwavering loyalty and faith in its capacity to become great again. The loyalty of the present leadership to the Nigerian project is questionable.

Their children in different schools abroad questions their faith, their insensitive trips abroad for medical care while the hospitals in Nigeria remain comatose poses serious question about their commitment to this country and their penchant for foreign properties and accounts raises deep concerns in the minds of the citizenry. They must change this perception by domesticating all their affairs during this celebration for it to have a meaning."

Orji Uzor Kalu’s presidential ambitions might not be given a chance to materialize.
The controversial former governor of Abia state, Orji Uzor Kalu, has hit a major brick wall in his ambition to lead Nigeria come 2015.

The political party under which he intended to vie for presidency, the People’s Progressive Alliance, PPA, has declared war on Mr. Kalu and asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to imprison him.
PPA’s National Chairman, Ken Gbalokoma, asked the EFCC to ensure that the former governor, and founder of the party, is sent to jail.

Mr. Gbalokoma said EFCC’s ‘sloppy’ prosecution of the former governor had given him the guts to throw his hat in the presidential contest.
“If the EFCC had put him through diligent trial, Orji Uzor Kalu should have been in jail by now rather than on the soap box canvassing for votes,” Mr. Gbalokoma said.

He said Mr. Kalu’s credentials are tainted with fraudulent activities as he plunged “Abia State into a N27.3 billion debt”.
The party chairman also appealed to the Chief Justice of the Federation to expedite Mr. Kalu’s trial in order that he “be sent to jail where he truly belongs to save the nation from further embarrassment.”
Kalu’s many travails

PREMIUM TIMES had exclusively reported how the former governor of Abia state, kicked off his campaign in Ile Ife, the ancestral home of the Yoruba, in Osun State.
He had a hush-hush meeting with the Ooni of Ife, Okunade Sijuwade, to lobby for the support of the powerful monarch in his quest to be Nigeria’s president in 2015.

Since leaving office in 2007, the pan-Igbo politician has been facing trial for corruption.
Shortly after leaving office in July 2007, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arraigned Mr. Kalu before an Abuja High Court on a 10-count charge bordering on money laundering, official corruption, and diversion of public funds totaling over N5 billion. The case which is still in court has dragged with a very slow pace.

His airline, Slok Air, also went under not long after the EFCC linked it to allegedly stolen Abia State funds.
In 2010, Mr. Kalu was questioned by the American police after a female friend died in his U.S home.

sheyguy: Well, in a sane govt, the presense or public declaration of payment for a contract by a governor is not suppose to 'Ginger' Local Authorities . . . From your comment above it is clear you are a 'PDP' Type.

dayokanu: 2008. I was in oshogbo

dayokanu: I know Osun State very well. My mom is from Osun State. I usually attend all Osun festivals from 1988 till 1997.

I also schooled in Osun State

I knw a lot of rural areas in the place as well from Awo to Sekona to Tonkere, Gbongan, Okuku, Otan-Aiyegbaju.

Umartins is an illiterate a new member of the 40laptop PDP gang.