About Me
- Kenneth Onojeta
- A young man of modesty and love, who believed "The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool".
Monday, May 24, 2010
New Music from the KokoMaster: D’Banj is Mr. Endowed
After making making the ladies swoon via the “Fall in Love” video a few weeks ago. D’Banj has answered the call of the fans by releasing new music.
His new single “Mr Endowed” premiered when he performed it at the Chris Aire “Hollywood Jewels” event in April. At that time, only a select few got to experience “Mr Endowed”, now the song has been released for all to listen.
D’Banj has always had a way with wordplay and this is no exception.
Over a strumming Don Jazzy beat, D’Banj tells us how is “Mr Endowed”.
Have a listen and let us know what you think.
Facebook CEO: privacy controls "missed the mark"
Report by Alexei Oreskovic
(Reuters) - Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said the Internet social network will roll out new privacy settings for its more than 400 million users, amid growing concerns that the company is pushing users to make more of their personal data public.
"Many of you thought our controls were too complex," said Zuckerberg in an opinion piece published on Monday in The Washington Post.
"Our intention was to give you lots of granular controls; but that may not have been what many of you wanted. We just missed the mark," said the 26-year-old Zuckerberg, who co-founded Facebook in his Harvard dorm room in 2004.
In the coming weeks, Zuckerberg promised, Facebook will add privacy controls that he said would be much simpler to use.
Facebook will also give users an easy way to turn off all third-party services, Zuckerberg said.
It was not clear whether the third-party services referred to applications designed to be used within Facebook, such as games from companies like Zynga and Electronic Arts Inc's Playfish, or to separate websites which have recently begun to incorporate Facebook data.
The comments come a few weeks after Facebook, the world's largest Internet social network, unveiled several changes to its service that have prompted sharp criticism from privacy advocates and spurred a few high-profile Facebook users, such as tech commentator Jason Calacanis, to delete their accounts in protest.
A feature called "instant personalization" automatically imports Facebook users' personal profile information to the music site Pandora and the user-review site Yelp.
Another recent change forced Facebook users to make some of their profile information, such as education, hobbies and hometown, tied to public pages devoted to those topics.
And many users decry the service's byzantine privacy settings, which one blogger has called the modern-day equivalent of the notoriously complex task of programing a VCR.
Palo Alto, California-based Facebook is a private company and does not disclose financial data, though analyst estimates for its 2009 revenue range from $500 million to $650 million, primarily from selling online ads targeted at users based on their activity and profile information on Facebook.
The service is expected to reach half a billion users in the next several weeks, up sharply from 150 million users in January 2009.
Zuckerberg also noted in his opinion piece in The Washington Post, whose chairman, Donald Graham, is a member of Facebook's board of directors, that Facebook will always be kept as a free service for everyone.
Source: Reuters
Mikel worry for Super Eagles.
Mikel: Fitness worry
Nigeria have played down fears over the fitness of John Obi Mikel, who is recovering from a knee injury - less than three weeks before the start of the World Cup in South Africa.
The 23-year-old picked up the knock during Chelsea's 2-1 defeat to Tottenham back in April missing the Blues' title run-in.
The midfielder recently underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus, but reports have suggested that he may be struggling to be fit for the tournament, which begins on 11th June.
Nigeria Football Federation media officer Idah Peterside does not believe there is cause for concern.
He told www.kickoffnigeria.com: "We are confident here that he will be okay. Monday is the last day of his rehabilitation and physiotherapy sessions, and the staff here are being sent there to speak with the Chelsea people to see that both sides can work together on a harmonised programme that will be in the interest of the player."
The West Africans are in Group B for the finals alongside Argentina, Greece and South Korea.
Source: Sky Sport
Stan Kroenke and Alisher Usmanov refuse to be drawn into Arsenal bidding war
The sale of Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith’s shares, which is expected to go through within the next month, is threatening to upset the delicate balance of power between the club’s largest shareholders, with Kroenke, the owner of several sports franchises in the United States, and Usmanov, the Uzbek-born mining billionaire, vying for outright control.
Bracewell-Smith, a former board member and the fourth-largest shareholder at the club, appointed the London office of Blackstone, the American finance house, to sell her 15.9 per cent stake last month. Bankers from Blackstone are in talks with a number of potential buyers, including investors from China, Singapore and India, however, Aliko Dangote, the Nigerian tycoon, today denied he is among them. “I am a longstanding supporter of Arsenal Football Club and have been involved in conversations around investment in the past,” Dangote said in a statement.
“However, I can say categorically at this time that I have no intention of investing in the club and will not be acquiring a stake. I wish Arsenal Football Club the best for the future and will continue to follow the team as a fan.” Arsenal’s shares are changing hands on the open market for up to £9,250, but it is thought Bracewell-Smith was initially trying to hold out for slightly more because of the strategic importance of her stake. Kroenke, who is also trying to gain control of the St Louis Rams, the American football club, holds the upper hand at at present because he has the support of Danny Fiszman, a director who owns 16 per cent. By buying that stake and those of small shareholders, Kroenke could call on more than 50 per cent of a vote. A combination of Fiszman and Bracewell-Smith’s holdings would give Kroenke or Usmanov control.
Source Time Online
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Why I recorded my phone conversation with 9ice –Ruggedman
The 9ice/Ruggedman controversy is still raging. Ruggedman had been fingered as the reason behind the break up of 9ice‘s one-year old marriage to Toni Payne, and a lot of people have insinuated that 9ice was referring to Ruggedman in his controversial song, Once Bitten Twice Shy, where he talked about his woman having oral sex with his friend. Many people are still condemning Ruggedman for recording his phone conversation on the issue with 9ice and going as far as posting it on the Internet.
However, in an e-mail sent to Life and Beat earlier in the week, Ruggedman, who said he was in London shooting some videos, explained the reasons for his actions.
According to him, it was never his intention to go that far, “but I decided to do so as a backup since I still can‘t get the reason why he (9ice), as a friend, hadn‘t come out to publicly clear up the sick rumour started by his song.
”I guess the decision to let people hear the conversation and hear 9ice himself saying he was not talking about me or Toni Payne in the song, was reached when he admitted it to me but bluntly and arrogantly refused to go public with clearing up the name of his friend and the mother of his child, especially since he admitted nothing of the sort ever happened.”
Rugged said he didn‘t care who 9ice was referring to in the controversial song.
”I guess it‘s a personal experience he had. That is not my concern. My concern was that people and even some soft sell magazines were pointing fingers at me as the person he was talking about in the song. That is not the type of person I am, and I don‘t want families, friends, fans and business partners seeing me as that. Unfortunately, for reason(s) best known to him, he admitted to me that it wasn‘t me or Toni Payne. But he has still refused to clear my name. I was left with no choice but to let people hear him say it himself. That was why I put out the conversation on the Internet. People have now heard him admit it was not me or Toni Payne he sang about, and that‘s all that matters to me. I still got mad love for him and his music, but his behaviour was bad,” Rugged said in the mail.
When contacted, 9ice, through his publicist, Black House Media, said they weren‘t ready to make any comment on the controversy.
However, it looks as if 9ice is making all the gains with the brouhaha. Life and Beat gathered that his latest album, Tradition, which contains the controversial song, has sold more than a million copies, as many people are curious to know what the artiste actually said in the song.
Source: Punch
There is no zoning arrangement in the PDP –Dejo Raimi
President Goodluck Jonathan contesting the 2011 presidential election and also spoke extensively on the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in his home state – Oyo State. Excerpts:
You are the secretary of the Southern Forum, a group which in 2005 advocated for a South-South president. What has been happening in the group in view of recent happenings in the polity?
When you look at all the geopolitical zones in Nigeria, virtually all of them have produced the president or the Head of State at one point or another except the South-South. Not a single person from that region has ruled this country for a day. We decided that there must be equity, justice, and fairness. So at a meeting in Enugu, three main officers were chosen. They were Ambassador M.T. Mbu as the chairman, Professor S.T. Igwe was chosen as the vice-chairman and I was chosen as the secretary-general. We put up a strong case and went round the whole country pleading that the South-South should be allowed to rule the country, even for one day. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo seemed to agree with this position in the run up to the 2007 election, until we were told that things had changed. That was how late President Umaru Yar’Ádua emerged as president in 2007. But, with what has happened - the divine intervention of God – President Goodluck Jonathan is going to contest the presidency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2011.
Will this be irrespective of the zoning arrangement of the PDP?
Which zoning? I don’t know of any zoning you are talking about.
Was it not the zoning arrangement that ensured the emergence of Obasanjo in 1999 and 2003?
There is no zoning. They have always been saying it. Nobody has been able to show us. Within the PDP, the Federal Character has been manipulated to say that power must rotate. Have you ever seen any zoning formula? What the Southern Forum is saying is that now, the work which we started in 2005 and 2006 has come to fruition through the handiwork of God and that President Goodluck Jonathan should contest the presidential election in 2011.
Has the Southern Forum met recently?
Yes, off course. We had a meeting this month in Lagos and we issued a communique which we gave to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) for distribution.
For quite sometime now, there has been disquiet within the PDP in Oyo State. As an elder of the party in the state, do you know what caused the crisis?
The PDP is such a large family nationwide and you cannot have such a big organisation without some misunderstandings here and there. It is not only in Oyo State that we are having these minor squabbles. We are having in Anambra where we do not have a governor. We are having in Rivers, Sokoto, Zamfara, Bayelsa States.We also have problems in Adamawa State where Atiku (Abubakar) just returned to the party. There is hardly any place where there is a total peace or tranquility. It is usually more pronounced when it is time for the party’s convention. In some states, the problem has always been between two giant sections. In such states, you could have two separate state offices. But such a thing is not happening in Oyo State. What we are presently witnessing in Oyo State is a child’s play when compared to some other states.
But what is the genesis of the crisis in Oyo State?
In the 2006 convention, there was a court injunction obtained by Chief Richard Akinjide and others that the state congress should not hold. Despite that injunction, late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu went ahead and organised the convention. But then, the question is: those who are now fighting, the state executive that had been inaugurated, accepted and attended National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the PDP, what were they doing between 2006 and 2009? Now, they suddenly woke up and discovered that the convention was illegal. Be that as it may, there are two groups and no member of the two groups has not passed through me. The coming together of (Senator) Lekan Balogun, former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, Elder Wole Oyelese and Chief Yekini Adeojo, challenging the legality of the executive of the PDP, only came in 2009. Luckily, they were able, in law, to back their challenge because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that was served the court injunction not to allow the congress to take place in 2006, did not attend the election. When this came up, the NEC of the party decided to look into the ensuing crisis along with all other cases. Of course, I have a copy of the INEC report, which says there was no congress in Oyo State. But after it was confirmed, why did the other group that held the congress and that has the executive wait till 2009 to seek for the lifting of an injunction that was pronounced in 2006?
It was in 2009 that the state executive went to court and got the injunction lifted. It was after this that the NEC decided to look into it. They first mandated the zonal body to look into it. That was when we had the Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun committee. The committee mandated the two factions to withdraw all litigations from the court. The committee also agreed that the local government chairmen and councilors, whose tenure were terminated by either the government of Ladoja or Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, should be compensated. We also agreed that there should be an end to the press war between the groups. We also agreed that there should be two committees: the Elders’ Committee and the Stakeholders/Leaders’ Committee.
These committees were put in place to carry out these assignments. So, an implementation committee was put in place. In this committee, five people were taken from the Governor Alao-Akala’s group, one each from Lekan Balogun, Oyelese and my humble self, Dejo Raimi. It was that committee we called the implementation committee. Unfortunately, that committee did not function. After this, the Senator Ike Nwachukwu committee was set up to look into the Ogun and Oyo States problems within the PDP. Immediately Nwachukwu got the report that INEC was not present at the congress that produced the state executive, he upheld that, even when there are controversies over the emergence of the PDP executive in Oyo State. You cannot correct an illegality with another illegality. Instead of the Ike Nwachukwu committee recommending a caretaker committee to come and takeover, it decided that the members of the implementation committee should transmute to a sort of an electoral college.
But even that decision by the Ike Nwachukwu committee also generated disagreement between the two sides. Is that not so?
Yes. And the reason is this: even if the Nwachukwu committee wanted to turn the implementation committee to an electoral college, what it should have done was to recommend a caretaker committee. Turning of the implementation committee to an electoral college where members will elect officers of the party from among themselves was illegal.
Why?
The implementation committee was turned into an electoral committee to vote for itself, which is clearly outside the mandate of the committee. The decision was not accepted by the governor. He wrote a letter signed by Akinjide, Chief Kolapo Ishola, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo and some other people complaining about the decision. The NEC looked into the complaints and Ike Nwachukwu came to Ibadan to inaugurate the elders and implementation committees.
What was supposed to be the purpose of the Elders’ Committee?
The Elders’ Committee is like the board of trustees at the state level, to ensure that things go on smoothly in the party. When Ike Nwachukwu came to Ibadan, he was supposed to inaugurate the Elders’ Committee and the state executive. He only inaugurated the Elders’ Committee and he did not talk about the other committee. The Alao-Akala’s group was also quick enough to point out that you cannot treat illegality with illegality. All these happened late last year to February this year.
What is the prevailing situation now
We had a meeting of the Elders’ Committee on March 29 this year. The meeting was called by Governor Alao-Akala and we had a good deliberation about how to move the party forward and how to prepare for the next election. Another date, April 8, was fixed for a stakeholders and leaders’ forum, where all the local government chairmen were invited. It was there that an overzealous person read out a communique that Governor Alao-Akala had been adopted for a second term. Right there, Alao-Akala stood up and said there would be primaries and a level playing ground for anyone that wants to contest.
But his adoption was celebrated all over the state and in the media. Are you not aware?
You don’t know how we play our politics. If you say you want to contest for any election, immediately you signify your interest, we will start calling you by the name of the position such as governor, senator etc.
What is the status of the implementation committee now?
The committee is out of existence. They have not been doing anything. Nobody is mentioning them again. They are dead. The day the decision was taken that the chairmanship of the party had been given to the Ladoja group, they went about saying that Ladoja has taken over the party, whereas they have taken nothing.
What is your assessment of the Alao-Akala’s administration?
I am a patriotic Ibadan man. But I have always prayed that if an Ibadan man will not be useful to the majority of the people, may God not allow him to become the governor of the state. When we constituted a coronation committee for the Olubadan of Ibadan, we held meetings and we calculated how much we would need for the coronation and we arrived at a figure of N39.5 million. Out of this amount, we were able to contribute N5.6 million. So, four of us, Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola, Ambassador A. Sanu, Bode Amoo and myself, went to Governor Alao-Akala to seek for financial assistance. When we showed him the bill, he looked at it and sent us a cheque of N40 million. We were perplexed and shocked at his financial response. Alao-Akala is the only governor that ever thought of renovating Mapo Hall, which is a symbol for every Ibadan man. The Adeoyo Hospital had been in a very bad state for over 30 years. But we have a new teaching hospital there now. The dualisation and construction of roads such as the Molete-Queen Cinema Road, Iwo Road-Olodo and others are other achievements of Governor Alao-Akala. Governor Alao-Akala has done more for Ibadan than any other Ibadan man. I am also told that he is doing the same in Oke-Ogun and other areas of Oyo State. The present PDP government has performed creditably well in Oyo State and I pray that it is returned to government in 2011.
Source: Nigerian Compass
3 Fulani Herdsmen Killed in Jos Crisis
From Seriki Adinoyi
Three days after the curfew imposed on Jos city, since the beginning of the crisis, was lifted following the return of relative peace in the city, three Fulani herdsmen were yesterday murdered, roasted and buried in a shallow grave in Tusung Village near Kassa, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, by people suspected to be Berom youths.
Briefing newsmen at the Nigerian Air Force Hospital mortuary, Jos, where the bodies were deposited, the Director of Operations of the Military Special Task Force (STF), Colonel Kayode Ogundele, said though no arrest has been made, but his men who discovered the bodies are on the trail of the assailants. He assured that they would be tracked down.
Meanwhile, the state police command has commenced a process for the re-trial of suspects of the Jos crises in the state capital as required by the Constitution of the Federal Republic on Nigeria.
This was made known yesterday in a press statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Muhammed Lerama, on behalf of the state Police Commissioner, Ikechukwu Aduba.
Lerama said in the statement that, “The Plateau State Police Command wishes to state that the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) and the Federal Directorate of Public Prosecution (FDPP) Abuja held a pre-trial meeting at the Police Headquarters Jos on May 20 with the officers and personnel of the state CID Jos as well as the private legal practitioners employed by the Federal Ministry of Justice to prosecute the offenders involved in the Jos crises.
“The reason for this meeting is for the stakeholders to harmonise all aspects of investigations conducted in the cases for a successful prosecution”
Source: Thisday Newspaper
Three days after the curfew imposed on Jos city, since the beginning of the crisis, was lifted following the return of relative peace in the city, three Fulani herdsmen were yesterday murdered, roasted and buried in a shallow grave in Tusung Village near Kassa, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, by people suspected to be Berom youths.
Briefing newsmen at the Nigerian Air Force Hospital mortuary, Jos, where the bodies were deposited, the Director of Operations of the Military Special Task Force (STF), Colonel Kayode Ogundele, said though no arrest has been made, but his men who discovered the bodies are on the trail of the assailants. He assured that they would be tracked down.
Meanwhile, the state police command has commenced a process for the re-trial of suspects of the Jos crises in the state capital as required by the Constitution of the Federal Republic on Nigeria.
This was made known yesterday in a press statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Muhammed Lerama, on behalf of the state Police Commissioner, Ikechukwu Aduba.
Lerama said in the statement that, “The Plateau State Police Command wishes to state that the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) and the Federal Directorate of Public Prosecution (FDPP) Abuja held a pre-trial meeting at the Police Headquarters Jos on May 20 with the officers and personnel of the state CID Jos as well as the private legal practitioners employed by the Federal Ministry of Justice to prosecute the offenders involved in the Jos crises.
“The reason for this meeting is for the stakeholders to harmonise all aspects of investigations conducted in the cases for a successful prosecution”
Source: Thisday Newspaper
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Inter beats Bayern 2-0 to win Champions League
Argentina's Diego Milito scored twice yesterday as Inter Milan squeezed the life out of a hesitant Bayern team to end a 45-year wait for its third title.
The victory might also signal Mourinho's exit from Inter. After the game, he said it was "more probable that I'll go than stay." He is tipped to take over at Real Madrid, where yesterday's final was played.
The Argentina striker Milito scored in the 35th and 70th minutes at the Bernabeu Stadium to add the title to Inter's triumphs back in 1964 and '65.
The merited victory - Inter dominated the game - meant that Inter coach Jose Mourinho completed the triple triumphs of the Champions League and domestic league and cup successes and became only the third coach to win the title with two different clubs.
Mourinho, who won it with FC Porto in 2004, out-thought Bayern coach Louis van Gaal, the man he worked for while they were at Barcelona. This time the pupil was the master as Mourinho relied on his solid defense to snuff out the threat of Bayern's Arjen Robben and expertly won the game on the counter-attack.
Milito's two goals were taken with style and he had great support from attacking midfielder Wesley Sneijder and defensive midfielders Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti, the Inter captain who collected the trophy in his 700th appearance for the club.
The loss meant that Bayern missed out on the treble, having also won the domestic league and cups.
"We were not good enough to impose our game," Van Gaal said. "Inter only reacted but they still won deservedly. The timing of the goals was decisive. The players learned today that it comes down to small details.
"I still have the feeling that we could have won. There was no great difference. We attacked, Inter defended. But you have to be in great shape to beat Inter and we were not today. I still think Inter merited the win."
Franz Beckenbauer, honorary president of Bayern, said Inter deserved its victory."Bayern did not have its day. We had a few moments at the start of the second half but that was not enough," he said. "They made fewer mistakes."
After the final whistle, Mourinho walked onto the field and was congratulated by his players in a low-key celebration by his standards. In the past he has been known to race across the pitch to celebrate some of his most famous victories, infuriating opposing supporters.
Source: Washinton Post
Nigeria: P-Square, MI Make BET Awards '10 List
Both artistes are up for the Best International Act award.
In what many analysts have described as an unusually strong contingent from the African continent, Nigerian born veteran soul singer, Sade, was included in the list of nominees as well.
Other Nigerian born acts nominated for awards include soul singer Laura Izibor and rapper Wale. Jay-Z leads the nominations list in general with a total of 5 nominations.
To be hosted by Queen Latifah, the 2010 BET Awards is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 27, 2010 at the Shrine Auditorium, L.A.
According to a release by the organisers, BET AWARDS '10 will recognize the achievements of artists, entertainers and athletes in 19 categories. Front runner Jay-Z gets five individual nominations across multiple categories: Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Best Collaboration, Video of the Year (for which he holds two nominations) and Viewer's Choice.
Closely behind are Beyonce (Best Female R&B Artist, Best Collaboration, Video of the Year, Viewer's Choice), Alicia Keys (Best Female R&B Artist, Best Collaboration, Video of the Year, Viewer's Choice), Trey Songz (Best Male R&B Artist, Best Collaboration), Viewer's Choice) and Melanie Fiona (Best Female R&B Artist, Best New Artist, Video of the Year, Centric Award) with four each.
Source: Vanguard
Inter won and Samuel Eto'o another Goodluck jonathan
kenneth O.
World Cup 2010: Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan wants trophy success
Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan has demanded the 'Super Eagles' return from the World Cup in South Africa this July with the biggest prize in international football.
Jonathan, who will attend the opening ceremony on June 11 when South Africa face Mexico, will also watch Nigeria's tournament opener against Argentina on June 12 at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg.
Nigeria are drawn in Group B along with Argentina, South Korea and Greece and the country's president expects the Super Eagles to soar into the next round and on to the final.
'No easy draw for Nigeria' Speaking at a special dinner to send the Super Eagles off to the World Cup on Friday, Jonathan said: "This is a call to national duty and I expect the Eagles to prepare well and win this trophy.
"That will be a birthday gift for our country and set the stage for a golden jubilee celebration of our independence as a nation," added Jonathan, who shook hands with the entire Nigeria squad led by coach Lars Lagerback.
"Play, win and we will make you smile."
On Tuesday, they tackle Saudi Arabia in a warm-up game in Austria.
Nigeria's biggest achievement at the World Cup so far was reaching the second round in both 1994 and 1998.
Source: Telegraph.co.uk
The following is the complete final 30-player team list for Nigeria's World Cup team.
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda, Israel), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Petah Tikva, Israel), Bassey Akpan (Bayelsa United, Nigeria)
Defenders: Taye Taiwo (Olympique Marseille, France), Elderson Echiejile (Rennes, France), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Onyekachi Apam (OG Nice, France), Joseph Yobo (Everton, England), Daniel Shittu (Bolton Wanderers, England), Ayodele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam, Netherlands), Rabiu Afolabi (SV Salzburg, Austria), Terna Suswan (Lobi Stars, Nigeria)
Midfielders: Chinedu Obasi (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany), John Utaka (Portsmouth, England), Brown Ideye (FC Sochaux, France), Peter Utaka (Odense Boldklub, Denmark), , Kalu Uche (Almeria, Spain), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham, England), Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Sani Kaita (Alaniya, Russia), Haruna Lukman (AS Monaco, France), Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine), Osaze Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia)
Strikers: Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Victor Anichebe (Everton, England), Nwankwo Kanu, Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg, Germany), Ikechukwu Uche (Real Zaragoza, Spain), Obinna Nsofor (Malaga, Spain).
Friday, May 21, 2010
Reps reject two-party system
THE House of Representatives yesterday rejected the two-party system which has been the subject matter of serious discuss in the country in the last few weeks.
Of the 221 lawmakers present, 172 voted in favour of retaining the present multi-party system, 48 voted for the two-party system, one person abstained from voting while 139 were absent.
All those who voted against the two-party system were members of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
But the circumstances in which the two-party system was rejected was loaded with series of dramatic scenes and uproar.
Speaker Dimeji Bankole had upon the resumption of the consideration of the report on the Electoral Bill announced that it was time for the House to decide on whether or not the option of two-party system was right for the country or not.
This was followed by some 15 minutes of consultation by members of the House during which they tried to persuade one another for or against the two-party system.
And when the session became calm, Bankole declared that following consultations with many members of the House, he had decided to simplify matters by putting the issue to voice votes.
The declaration was opposed by the pro-two-party system lawmakers led by the House Minority Leader, Aliu Ndume. They wanted the House Electronic Voting Machine to be activated and used.
At this point, the pro-multi-party lawmakers had taken to their feet urging the Speaker to insist on voice vote. They had their way as Bankole put the question to voice vote.
But following another round of protest that greeted the voice vote, the Speaker announced that he would divide the House to allow for a clearer picture on how the two groups stood.
Bankole said: “Honourable members, May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We tried voice vote. Members are complaining. They are not satisfied, no problem. It is my duty and responsibility to ensure that votes count in this House. But some members do not have their cards here. So the best way of ensuring that votes count is to divide the House.”
And immediately, he directed that those in support of the two-party system should move to one side of the chamber while those opposed to the two-party system should move to the opposite direction.
Tempers rose higher as the pro-two-party lawmakers rejected the voice vote option and insisted that electronic voting be used to decided the matter.
They marched close to the Mace table, chanting the song “no to multi-party! No to manipulation!”
This prompted the tightening of security around the Mace table to prevent the seizing of the mace by any member.
Meanwhile, the House Clerk, Alhaji M. A. Sani Omonori, had already concluded the counting of each of the groups and handed it over to the Speaker for announcement.
When the result was announced in favour of the multi-party system, the pro-two-party system simply walked out without uttering a word.
Ndume had two weeks ago, suggested that the House should take advantage of the current constitution amendment exercise to limit the number of political parties in the country to only two.
His suggestion was taken from an earlier suggestion by the Former Governors’ Forum (FGF), which had visited the National Assembly and canvassed the two-party system.
Led by the erstwhile governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, the forum which was represented in that visit by 10 former state helmsmen were of the opinion that "the present multiparty system is too unwieldy to be able to promote a self-sustaining democratic polity."
The forum added: "A two-party system offers a superior form of electoral democracy . The PDP has become the only dominant national party because of the inability of other parties to grow beyond their regions or states. The present system where most parties in the country do not exist beyond their registration certificates does not create an effective opposition, which is the bedrock of democracy."
Meanwhile, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) has commended the House of Representatives for rejecting the two-party system and for retaining multiparty democracy for Nigeria.
A statement last night by Yinka Odumakin, the ARG’s National Publicity Secretary, said: “As we all know, the right to multiparty system in Nigeria has a constitutional basis. Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides for freedom of association ‘with other persons’ and ‘any political party, trade union or any association.’ This also finds support in African Charter of Peoples and Human Rights and the Protocols of ECOWAS. And lest we forget, it was the legal battle and, subsequently, the victory that Gani Fawehinmi fought and won for Nigerians in the Supreme Court.
“Without doubt, Nigeria is not the only country with multiparty democracy. As we speak, there are 367 registered political parties in Great Britain and 46 in Northern Ireland. United States of America, interestingly, a country we are quick to mention when issues of this nature arise, also practises multiparty democracy.
“Apart from its two major and three minor political parties, there are also others appropriately classified as active, inactive and regional. Ghana has 20 and there is every proof to show that South Africa and Benin Republic practise multiparty democracy.
“From the foregoing, one cannot but doubt the motive of the wonderboys of our own system, those who never struggled for, but are mere benefiaciaries of the people’s struggle.
“Admitted! Some of these parties are formed for the sole purpose of collecting grants and related funds from the government. However, the idea that having so many parties is unwieldy does not hold water.”
The ARG added: “Again, Nigerians should not forget in a hurry that Ibrahim Babangida’s two-party contraption on Nigerians was by military fiat. Needless to repeat here also that the annulment of June 12, 1993 elections, adjuged both locally and internationally, as the freest and fairest in the country, was also by military fiat. Why then do we have to trek a despicable path that has not in any way led the people to the Promised Land?
“Yes! As things stand, there are more than 50 registered political parties in Nigeria. Nevertheless, all over the world, where dominant parties have emerged, it has been through the electorate, not by any fiat.
“It is our considered view that the problem of Nigeria has nothing to do with political parties. Rather, it has got to do with having a credible system and credible umpires; where people will vote and their votes will count.
“So, what we need is Electoral Reforms which the National Assembly has so far treated with contempt. And let nobody close the democratic space because we fought for it!”
Of the 221 lawmakers present, 172 voted in favour of retaining the present multi-party system, 48 voted for the two-party system, one person abstained from voting while 139 were absent.
All those who voted against the two-party system were members of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
But the circumstances in which the two-party system was rejected was loaded with series of dramatic scenes and uproar.
Speaker Dimeji Bankole had upon the resumption of the consideration of the report on the Electoral Bill announced that it was time for the House to decide on whether or not the option of two-party system was right for the country or not.
This was followed by some 15 minutes of consultation by members of the House during which they tried to persuade one another for or against the two-party system.
And when the session became calm, Bankole declared that following consultations with many members of the House, he had decided to simplify matters by putting the issue to voice votes.
The declaration was opposed by the pro-two-party system lawmakers led by the House Minority Leader, Aliu Ndume. They wanted the House Electronic Voting Machine to be activated and used.
At this point, the pro-multi-party lawmakers had taken to their feet urging the Speaker to insist on voice vote. They had their way as Bankole put the question to voice vote.
But following another round of protest that greeted the voice vote, the Speaker announced that he would divide the House to allow for a clearer picture on how the two groups stood.
Bankole said: “Honourable members, May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We tried voice vote. Members are complaining. They are not satisfied, no problem. It is my duty and responsibility to ensure that votes count in this House. But some members do not have their cards here. So the best way of ensuring that votes count is to divide the House.”
And immediately, he directed that those in support of the two-party system should move to one side of the chamber while those opposed to the two-party system should move to the opposite direction.
Tempers rose higher as the pro-two-party lawmakers rejected the voice vote option and insisted that electronic voting be used to decided the matter.
They marched close to the Mace table, chanting the song “no to multi-party! No to manipulation!”
This prompted the tightening of security around the Mace table to prevent the seizing of the mace by any member.
Meanwhile, the House Clerk, Alhaji M. A. Sani Omonori, had already concluded the counting of each of the groups and handed it over to the Speaker for announcement.
When the result was announced in favour of the multi-party system, the pro-two-party system simply walked out without uttering a word.
Ndume had two weeks ago, suggested that the House should take advantage of the current constitution amendment exercise to limit the number of political parties in the country to only two.
His suggestion was taken from an earlier suggestion by the Former Governors’ Forum (FGF), which had visited the National Assembly and canvassed the two-party system.
Led by the erstwhile governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, the forum which was represented in that visit by 10 former state helmsmen were of the opinion that "the present multiparty system is too unwieldy to be able to promote a self-sustaining democratic polity."
The forum added: "A two-party system offers a superior form of electoral democracy . The PDP has become the only dominant national party because of the inability of other parties to grow beyond their regions or states. The present system where most parties in the country do not exist beyond their registration certificates does not create an effective opposition, which is the bedrock of democracy."
Meanwhile, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) has commended the House of Representatives for rejecting the two-party system and for retaining multiparty democracy for Nigeria.
A statement last night by Yinka Odumakin, the ARG’s National Publicity Secretary, said: “As we all know, the right to multiparty system in Nigeria has a constitutional basis. Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides for freedom of association ‘with other persons’ and ‘any political party, trade union or any association.’ This also finds support in African Charter of Peoples and Human Rights and the Protocols of ECOWAS. And lest we forget, it was the legal battle and, subsequently, the victory that Gani Fawehinmi fought and won for Nigerians in the Supreme Court.
“Without doubt, Nigeria is not the only country with multiparty democracy. As we speak, there are 367 registered political parties in Great Britain and 46 in Northern Ireland. United States of America, interestingly, a country we are quick to mention when issues of this nature arise, also practises multiparty democracy.
“Apart from its two major and three minor political parties, there are also others appropriately classified as active, inactive and regional. Ghana has 20 and there is every proof to show that South Africa and Benin Republic practise multiparty democracy.
“From the foregoing, one cannot but doubt the motive of the wonderboys of our own system, those who never struggled for, but are mere benefiaciaries of the people’s struggle.
“Admitted! Some of these parties are formed for the sole purpose of collecting grants and related funds from the government. However, the idea that having so many parties is unwieldy does not hold water.”
The ARG added: “Again, Nigerians should not forget in a hurry that Ibrahim Babangida’s two-party contraption on Nigerians was by military fiat. Needless to repeat here also that the annulment of June 12, 1993 elections, adjuged both locally and internationally, as the freest and fairest in the country, was also by military fiat. Why then do we have to trek a despicable path that has not in any way led the people to the Promised Land?
“Yes! As things stand, there are more than 50 registered political parties in Nigeria. Nevertheless, all over the world, where dominant parties have emerged, it has been through the electorate, not by any fiat.
“It is our considered view that the problem of Nigeria has nothing to do with political parties. Rather, it has got to do with having a credible system and credible umpires; where people will vote and their votes will count.
“So, what we need is Electoral Reforms which the National Assembly has so far treated with contempt. And let nobody close the democratic space because we fought for it!”
Source: Guardian Nigeria
Okigbo Report: FG Considers Action against Babangida
•Govt statement unambiguous, says IBB
By Chiemelie Ezeobi
By Chiemelie Ezeobi
The Federal Government may take legal action against former military President Gen. Ibrahim Babangida if there is evidence to prove the allegation of mismanagement of $12.4 billion during his tenure.
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mohammed Adoke (SAN) disclosed that a committee would be set up to review the allegations to see if a criminal charge could be sustained.
But the former president has described Adoke’s statement as “unambiguous”.
But the former president has described Adoke’s statement as “unambiguous”.
Adoke was responding to a petition by a coalition of civil society groups, asking the government to implement recommendations of the Dr. Pius Okigbo report by prosecuting Babangida.
Allegations of corruption and mismanagement of $12.4 billion in a Dedicated and Special Accounts while he was in office should be probed, the groups stated.
A letter by Adoke dated 12th May 2010 with reference number HAGF/PG/2010/Vol1 said: “I acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 5th May 2010.
I appreciate your effort in making available a signed copy of the Dr. Pius Okigbo Panel Report, and as appropriate, I shall set up a Committee that will confirm the authenticity of the said report and also review the allegations and recommendations contained therein with a view to ascertaining whether these allegations can sustain a criminal charge.
While we shall keep you informed of our effort in this regard, I would like to thank you for your concerted effort in sustaining the fight against corruption in our society.”
Executive Director, Socio-Economic Rights and Accoun-tability Project (SERAP), Adetokunbo Mumuni, reacted to the AGF’s statement thus: “While we prepare a detailed response to the letter by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, we would like to welcome the clear commitment of the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan to prosecute the former military president on the basis of the strong and compelling evidence contained in the Okigbo report.”
Mumuni urged the government to accelerate the process of investigating and prosecuting the case. He argued that if the case was pursued to a logical conclusion, it would show that the government could do things differently.
“This would also provide effective remedy for the countless victims of high level official corruption in the country,” he added.
“This would also provide effective remedy for the countless victims of high level official corruption in the country,” he added.
Mumuni continued: “We urge the Honourable Attorney General to involve the civil society and the United Nations in the work of the committee to ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done. We stand ready to offer full support and assistance to the authorities in the prosecution of suspected perpetrators of the $12.4bn scam.”
The groups that send the petition are: SERAP; Women Advocates and Documentation Centre (WARDC); Access to Justice, AJ; Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR); Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC); Partnership for Justice (PFJ); Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA); Nigeria Liberty Forum (NLF); Nigeria Voters Assembly (VOTAS); and Centre for the Rule of Law (CFR).
The petition by the groups was signed by Adetokunbo Mumuni; Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Executive Director, WARDC; Joseph Otteh, Executive Director, AJ; Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director, CISLAC; Kayode Ogundamisi, Convener, NLF; Olanrewaju Suraju, Head, HEDA; Olasupo Ojo, President, CDHR; Itoro Eze-Anaba, Managing Partner, PFJ; Moshood Erubami, President, VOTAS; and Tejumade Oke, Programme Director, CFR.
Adoke had requested a signed copy of the Okigbo Report when the groups sent the petition. He promised to act on it when he receives it
In a letter dated 5th May 2010, they sent the 352-page original report. They also quoted parts of the report which described the management of resources at the time.
“The Dedication and Special Accounts had become a parallel budget for the Presidency. The decision as to what expenditure items to be financed out of these dedicated accounts was made by the President alone. For example, the accounts had been utilized to defray aim assortment of expenses that could not in any way be described as priority such as: $2.92 million to make Documentary Film on Nigeria: $18.30 million to purchase TV/Video for the Presidency; $23.98 million for Staff Welfare in the Presidency; $.99 million for travels of the First Lady abroad; and $59.72 million for security,” the Okigbo report stated.
“The approved budget for the Federation did not reflect the receipts into the Dedication and other Special Accounts; that the balances kept in these accounts were not included in the Federation Account, a practice which violated the fundamental precepts of the federal fiscal relations in Nigeria, and that in a number of cases, there were significant variations between the amounts approved for payment and the actual disbursements made, without any further explanation from the documents supplied,” the report added.
The Dr. Pius Okigbo Panel set up under former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, had raised questions on how the oil windfall during Babangida’s tenure was managed.
IBB promptly responded to the Federal Government through his Spokesman Kassim Afegbua.
IBB promptly responded to the Federal Government through his Spokesman Kassim Afegbua.
“What the Attorney General said in his response to the petition is unambiguous; that the government will try to ascertain whether that is the true copy of the Okigbo report. The whole concept of civil society organisations bringing signed copy[ies] of a Federal Government Report to government raises a lot of curiosity and mischief on the part of the civil societies. I have not seen a situation where a government will set up a panel, only for report to be given to it [government] by unknown bodies.
“Despite all the clear cut attempts to rubbish the good name of General Babangida by this gang of sinuous fawns who want to play the 'angelic' role as civil societies, I am yet to find anywhere in the whole wide world where these organisations have rendered account of their own grants from foreign countries in the years of their existence. This is our challenge to all of them,” Afegbua said.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Capricia Penavic Marshall, Chief Of Protocol, SLIPS On White House Steps At State Dinner (VIDEO, PHOTOS)
Read More: Capricia Marshall Fall, Capricia Marshall Slips, Capricia Penavic, Capricia Penavic Marshall,Capricia Penavic Marshall Falls, Capricia Penavic Marshall Slips, Chief Of Protocol, Chief Of Protocol Falls, Chief Of Protocol Slips, Penavic Marshall, Slidepollajax, Slideshow, State Dinner, Style News
Oh no! Chief of Protocol of the United States Capricia Penavic Marshall slipped on the steps of the North Portico of the White House before the arrival of Mexican President Felipe Calderon and his wife Margarita Zavala to the State Dinner. President Obama cautioned photographers "Don't take that picture" and Michelle Obama added "Don't print that picture!"
Sorry, Mr. President
Source: The Huffington Post
Source: The Huffington Post
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Namadi Sambo sworn in as Vice President
President Goodluck Jonathan (R), decorating Vice President Namadi Sambo during the swearing in- ceremony at the presidential villa in Abuja on Wednesday.
The Kaduna state Governor Namadi Sambo was on Wednesday sworn in as Nigeria's Vice President, state television showed.
President Goodluck Jonathan, government ministers, state governors and ambassadors watched as Mr. Sambo took the oath of office at the presidential villa in Abuja.
Source: NEXT
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Study suggests processed meat a real health risk
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Eating bacon, sausage, hot dogs and other processed meats can raise the risk of heart disease and diabetes, U.S. researchers said on Monday in a study that identifies the real bad boys of the meat counter.
Eating hot dogs, bacon, sausage or deli meats increases the chance of heart disease by 42 percent, US researchers said in a report out Monday.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Jamie Squire)
Eating unprocessed beef, pork or lamb appeared not to raise risks of heart attacks and diabetes, they said, suggesting that salt and chemical preservatives may be the real cause of these two health problems associated with eating meat.
The study, an analysis of other research called a meta-analysis, did not look at high blood pressure or cancer, which are also linked with high meat consumption.
"To lower risk of heart attacks and diabetes, people should consider which types of meats they are eating," said Renata Micha of the Harvard School of Public Health, whose study appears in the journal Circulation.
"Processed meats such as bacon, salami, sausages, hot dogs and processed deli meats may be the most important to avoid," Micha said in a statement.
Based on her findings, she said people who eat one serving per week or less of processed meats have less of a risk.
The American Meat Institute objected to the findings, saying it was only one study and that it stands in contrast to other studies and the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
"At best, this hypothesis merits further study. It is certainly no reason for dietary changes," James Hodges, president of the American Meat Institute, said in a statement.
Most dietary guidelines recommend eating less meat. Individual studies looking at relationships between eating meat and cardiovascular diseases and diabetes have had mixed results.
But studies rarely look for differences in risk between processed and unprocessed red meats, Micha said.
She and colleagues did a systematic review of nearly 1,600 studies from around the world looking for evidence of a link between eating processed and unprocessed red meat and the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
They defined processed meat as any meat preserved by smoking, curing or salting, or with the addition of chemical preservatives. Meats in this category included bacon, salami, sausages, hot dogs or processed deli or luncheon meats.
Unprocessed red meat included beef, lamb or pork but not poultry.
They found that on average, each 1.8 oz (50 grams) daily serving of processed meat a day -- one to two slices of deli meats or one hot dog -- was associated with a 42 percent higher risk of heart disease and a 19 percent higher risk of developing diabetes.
They found no higher heart or diabetes risk in people who ate only unprocessed red meats.
The team adjusted for a number of factors, including how much meat people ate. They said lifestyle factors were similar between those who ate processed and unprocessed meats.
"When we looked at average nutrients in unprocessed red and processed meats eaten in the United States, we found that they contained similar average amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol," Micha said.
"In contrast, processed meats contained, on average, four times more sodium and 50 percent more nitrate preservatives," Micha added.
Last month, the Institute of Medicine urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to regulate the amount of salt added to foods to help Americans cut their high sodium intake.
The FDA has not yet said whether it will regulate salt in foods, but it is looking at the issue.
Source: Yahoo news
N800m Stolen at THISDAY
THISDAY Newspapers has lost over N800 million to fraudsters in the employ of the company.
The fraud was perpetrated through the collaboration of Accounting, Audit and Circulation sales staff over the last one year.
The police have arrested seven of the suspects, while two of the ringleaders – Messrs Dirisu Andrew Eshorame from Okpella in Edo State and Sola Popoola from Okemesi in Ekiti State - are at large.
Dirisu was the newspaper’s Kakawa, Lagos Island, Sales Representative, while Popoola was its Sales Auditor at the Account Department.
The fraud was carefully carried out by the suspects who had been stealing the organisation’s newspaper sales proceeds using fake bank tellers.
In a petition to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Apapa Police Station, Apapa, Lagos, the organisation’s Managing Director, Mr. Eniola Bello, said: “On Wednesday April 28, 2010 a routine check of the account where our newspaper sales are deposited in GTBank showed some discrepancy in what was sold and what was actually paid in from our Kakawa sales point.”
Bello explained that on getting a query about the discrepancy in the payment, Dirisu quickly paid N1 million two days after he should have deposited the money into the account.
Also, Dirisu, Popoola and others paid another N10.8 million, triggering suspicion by senior management.
The suspicion led to investigation which uncovered massive fraud, showing that they had been stealing between N10 - N20 million per week by using fake bank tellers.
Furthermore, it was discovered that in Lagos Island alone, N175 million has been stolen from Kakawa sales point since January this year.
Bello therefore requested the police to assist the newspaper in apprehending Popoola, whose last known address was 9 Idowu Williams Street, Off Toyin Bus Stop, Agbado Road Iju Ishaga, Lagos.
In addition, the paper’s MD asked the police to apprehend Dirisu whose last known address was 30 Ogunbowale Street, Ilasamaja Lagos.
Bello added that THISDAY believes that both Popoola and Dirisu are in a good position to name others involved in the fraud.
The MD also called on members of the public who have information about the suspects to furnish the police with same.
Meanwhile, up to seven accounting and sales staff have been arrested and are currently facing questions.
Source: Punch
The fraud was perpetrated through the collaboration of Accounting, Audit and Circulation sales staff over the last one year.
The police have arrested seven of the suspects, while two of the ringleaders – Messrs Dirisu Andrew Eshorame from Okpella in Edo State and Sola Popoola from Okemesi in Ekiti State - are at large.
Dirisu was the newspaper’s Kakawa, Lagos Island, Sales Representative, while Popoola was its Sales Auditor at the Account Department.
The fraud was carefully carried out by the suspects who had been stealing the organisation’s newspaper sales proceeds using fake bank tellers.
In a petition to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Apapa Police Station, Apapa, Lagos, the organisation’s Managing Director, Mr. Eniola Bello, said: “On Wednesday April 28, 2010 a routine check of the account where our newspaper sales are deposited in GTBank showed some discrepancy in what was sold and what was actually paid in from our Kakawa sales point.”
Bello explained that on getting a query about the discrepancy in the payment, Dirisu quickly paid N1 million two days after he should have deposited the money into the account.
Also, Dirisu, Popoola and others paid another N10.8 million, triggering suspicion by senior management.
The suspicion led to investigation which uncovered massive fraud, showing that they had been stealing between N10 - N20 million per week by using fake bank tellers.
Furthermore, it was discovered that in Lagos Island alone, N175 million has been stolen from Kakawa sales point since January this year.
Bello therefore requested the police to assist the newspaper in apprehending Popoola, whose last known address was 9 Idowu Williams Street, Off Toyin Bus Stop, Agbado Road Iju Ishaga, Lagos.
In addition, the paper’s MD asked the police to apprehend Dirisu whose last known address was 30 Ogunbowale Street, Ilasamaja Lagos.
Bello added that THISDAY believes that both Popoola and Dirisu are in a good position to name others involved in the fraud.
The MD also called on members of the public who have information about the suspects to furnish the police with same.
Meanwhile, up to seven accounting and sales staff have been arrested and are currently facing questions.
Source: Punch
Family of five, others die in Awka road accident tragedy
By Jude Atupulazi
Tragedy struck Monday evening around 8 o’clock in Awka, Anambra State, when a truck, coming down the UNIZIK slope, apparently lost its break and smashed into three vehicles at a police checkpoint, opposite the Parktonian Hotel. The accident led to the death of seven people, including a family of five.
According to an eyewitness, the green-coloured IVECO truck, was speeding down uncontrollably, having lost its break, and despite the shouts of the conductor that the truck had lost its break, the road could not be cleared on time by policemen whose checkpoint caused a long line-up of vehicles.
One of the vehicles it smashed into was occupied by a family of five, including a 3-month old baby, who had just been dedicated at the church the previous Sunday. The other victims were one of the policemen and the driver of the truck. The remains of the victims were deposited at the nearby Amaku General Hospital, Awka.
Other vehicles involved in the accident included a 504 Peugeot saloon car with registration number ANSG43, a Toyota Hilux van with registration number AN33A03, and a red Nissan car with registration number BB589PP. The Peugeot was badly damaged, with the driver said to be unconscious, while the driver of the Toyota escaped unhurt. The dead family was traveling in the Nissan car, which was damaged beyond recognition.
When NEXT arrived at the gory scene of the accident on Tuesday morning around 8am, the body of one of the victims, believed to be the driver, was still lying there. Those who gathered at the scene were weeping profusely and blaming the police for the accident.
The state police boss, Philemon Leha, described the accident as unfortunate. He, however, said it is regrettable that people had given in to sentiments and were blaming the police. According to Mr. Leha, the checkpoints had greatly helped in curbing the activities of kidnappers in the state.
No end to checkpoints
On the issue of the continued mounting of road blocks, the police commissioner said there were no plans to remove them, owing to their advantages in preventing crime.
“It is very difficult to remove them because if you do, the kidnappers will come and carry even me in this place,” Mr. Leha said.
Speaking to NEXT on the phone, the secretary to the state government, Paul Odenigbo, described the accident as unfortunate, but advised that it should not be politicised.
“What happened could have happened to anybody and anywhere. It is very sad,” he said.
Meanwhile, the injured persons were said to have been taken to the Regina Caeli Hospital, also in Awka.
The accident, which occurred on a federal road between Enugu and Onitsha, is another in a series of regular accidents on the busy UNIZIK axis, which led the state government to build a pedestrian bridge at the UNIZIK junction, but most pedestrians have refused to use this bridge.
Source: Punch
Tragedy struck Monday evening around 8 o’clock in Awka, Anambra State, when a truck, coming down the UNIZIK slope, apparently lost its break and smashed into three vehicles at a police checkpoint, opposite the Parktonian Hotel. The accident led to the death of seven people, including a family of five.
According to an eyewitness, the green-coloured IVECO truck, was speeding down uncontrollably, having lost its break, and despite the shouts of the conductor that the truck had lost its break, the road could not be cleared on time by policemen whose checkpoint caused a long line-up of vehicles.
One of the vehicles it smashed into was occupied by a family of five, including a 3-month old baby, who had just been dedicated at the church the previous Sunday. The other victims were one of the policemen and the driver of the truck. The remains of the victims were deposited at the nearby Amaku General Hospital, Awka.
Other vehicles involved in the accident included a 504 Peugeot saloon car with registration number ANSG43, a Toyota Hilux van with registration number AN33A03, and a red Nissan car with registration number BB589PP. The Peugeot was badly damaged, with the driver said to be unconscious, while the driver of the Toyota escaped unhurt. The dead family was traveling in the Nissan car, which was damaged beyond recognition.
When NEXT arrived at the gory scene of the accident on Tuesday morning around 8am, the body of one of the victims, believed to be the driver, was still lying there. Those who gathered at the scene were weeping profusely and blaming the police for the accident.
The state police boss, Philemon Leha, described the accident as unfortunate. He, however, said it is regrettable that people had given in to sentiments and were blaming the police. According to Mr. Leha, the checkpoints had greatly helped in curbing the activities of kidnappers in the state.
No end to checkpoints
On the issue of the continued mounting of road blocks, the police commissioner said there were no plans to remove them, owing to their advantages in preventing crime.
“It is very difficult to remove them because if you do, the kidnappers will come and carry even me in this place,” Mr. Leha said.
Speaking to NEXT on the phone, the secretary to the state government, Paul Odenigbo, described the accident as unfortunate, but advised that it should not be politicised.
“What happened could have happened to anybody and anywhere. It is very sad,” he said.
Meanwhile, the injured persons were said to have been taken to the Regina Caeli Hospital, also in Awka.
The accident, which occurred on a federal road between Enugu and Onitsha, is another in a series of regular accidents on the busy UNIZIK axis, which led the state government to build a pedestrian bridge at the UNIZIK junction, but most pedestrians have refused to use this bridge.
Source: Punch
Child marriage: NAPTIP quizzes Sani, ex-Zamfara governor
The National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other-Related Matters on Tuesday interrogated Senator Ahmed Sani on his marriage to an Egyptian minor.
The agency had earlier summoned Sani to appear before it to answer questions on his involvement in the marriage allegedly in contravention of the Child Rights Act.
The former Zamfara State Governor arrived in the Wuse Zone 5 headquarters of the NAPTIP at about 9.45am in a black Toyota Aurion Grande, wearing white babariga with a red cap to match. He was accompanied by some of his aides and supporters.
He was said to have faced NAPTIP interrogators for over three hours, responding to questions relating to the marriage of the minor, reported to be 13 years.
Sani was, however, granted bail on personal recognition after he made a statement in writing, and subsequently signed an undertaken to report back to the agency on June 17, 2010.
It was, however, gathered that during the interrogation, the former governor, told the NAPTIP officials that age was not a consideration for a marriage under Islamic law.
He was said to have been reminded that he contracted the marriage in Abuja where the Child Right Act was in force.
A source close to the agency said that the former governor, in his response, alluded to the constitution, arguing that it guaranteed the freedom of religion and that Islam permitted him to marry the girl.
He was said to have also declined to tell the real age of the girl in spite of pressure on him to do so, since he had repeatedly denied that she was not 13.
The former governor, who is a member of the Senate, also denied seeing the international travelling documents of the girl to ascertain her age.
The source added that when asked why he did not conduct the marriage in Egypt, Sani replied that he did it in Nigeria for the convenience of his family members and his friends.
According to the source, the senator added that it was untrue that he was trying to avoid Egyptian laws.
Speaking to journalists shortly after his release, Sani said he was not worried at the turn of events because he had not broken any known law in Islam.
He maintained that Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution guaranteed the freedom of religion to all Nigerians.
Sani said, “The Child Right Act they are talking about was brought to me in Zamfara as a governor; my people rejected it so also other states in the North. It was rejected by the Zamfara State House of Assembly because it is against the Islamic religion.”
The Executive Secretary of NAPTIP, Mr. Simon Egede, said the agency invited the senator following a series of petitions against his marriage to the teenager.
He disclosed that the agency was on top of the investigation and that it had established that Egyptian law forbids marriage to an under age.
Egede said the investigation into the matter was neither politically-motivated nor influenced by religion.
He said, “It is purely within our mandate having received petitions from so many interest groups.
“We are in touch with the Egyptian authorities, we know it is illegal in Egypt and we do not need to get to Egypt before we get the age of the girl. Within the federal capital, there is a law against marriage to a minor and the law is no respecter of any person.”
According to him, the agency would soon conclude its investigations on the matter and all Nigerians would know what really the issues are.
On why the senator was not detained, the Executive Secretary said it was because he willingly turned himself in to the agency.
Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission has commended NAPTIP for interrogating the former governor over his marriage to the Egyptian minor.
The commission, in a statement by its Executive Secretary, Mr. Roland Ewubare, on Tuesday, said NAPTIP’s action demonstrated that impunity had no place under the current dispensation in the country.
The NHRC also commended President Goodluck Jonathan and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, for their efforts at entrenching a culture of respect for the laws of the nation.
Ewubare said, “The NHRC also commends the exceptional courage and initiative of the Executive Secretary of NATIP, Mr. Egede, for trying to bring Senator Sani to book. The NHRC fully identifies with NAPTIP in this regard and is prepared to partner and collaborate actively with the agency in addressing the human rights issues raised by the actions of the senator.”
Source: Punch
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)