ABIA ALIVE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT CONCERT IN PICTURES

This was held last week. PSqure, Terry G and a host of other musicians where there live to entertain Abians at Umuahia. So much was given away to empower the youths, Cars, buses, laptops, etc! 

 

9 New Federal Universities in Nigeria

The New 9 Federal Universities as Announced by President Goodluck Jonathan. These Universities are:
1] Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State. ---North Central.
2] Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State. -------North Central.
3] Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State.-- North East.
4] Federal University, Wakari, Taraba State. ----North East.
5] Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State.-North West.
6] Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State.-------North West.
7] Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State. ---South South.
8] Federal University, Ndufe-Alike, Ebonyi State.-South East.
9] Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State.-------South West.

President Goodluck Jonathan also on Thursday advised Nigeria’s National Economic Council (NEC) to approve the upgrade of six Federal universities to Mega tertiary institutions with absorptive capacity of 150,000 students to 200,000 students each. The will Affected Universities are yet to be named by the Presidency.

9 Reasons Why Some Nigerian Ladies End Up Single For Life

1. Many African ladies will end up singles for life because of media exposure- it is so disheartening how a lady will glue her eyes on a mobile phone from morning to night, only to raise it up to focus on television to watch another celebrity entertainment channel. Tell me, what else will dominate this lady’s mindset aside how to live a fake celebrity life being promoted on television channels?

2. Many African ladies now dislike cooking and home chores just because they had been totally brainwashed by movies showcasing men playing the role of women in a family, and due to excessive exposure to modern media that promotes gender-equality in a destructive way that’s aimed at destroying the unique African family setting that made our previous African marriages everlasting and envious to the westerns. Now, with this attitude, how do you expect a African man to desire to marry when he knows he is only buying more headache and trouble than helper for himself?

3. Excessive makeup turns most decent and serious-minded men off- if you have observed, you will discover that most men dislike excessive makeup, and more don’t even like it at all; reason they often times discourage their true loved ones to do away with it cos it speaks ill of a lady even though so many men will applaud and complement you for looking like an Egyptian mummy. A slight makeup is okay; but if you are out for marriage, try always to look simple and natural, it will attract better men, decent and serious-minded, except you are still living in your high school life and not thinking towards marriage.

4. Stop Giving Your Number Out To Every Joystick & Harry! No man would want to propose marriage to a lady whose phone is always talking and laughing with unserious calls. You may not be a playgirl, but he would judge you as one, and will likely flee at the slightest chance or disagreement.

5. You Don’t Bring Any Value Into The Life Of Men You Date or Are Dating- because your best friend married without contributing anything to the man that finally married her, doesn’t mean it will work for you that way. Think, work towards equipping yourself so that you can be a value and also add value to his life to convince him that you are worth committing to. Adding value to his life isn’t by giving him money, or material gifts, nope….good counsels, being his best friend, helping him attain his goals in life, lending him moral, mental and spiritual support, and by not just being a liability that only bring requests and problems to be solved.

6. Your Friends Run Your Life- how do you expect to find a husband when you still allow your clique of friends to be dictating which man you meet is worthy of your love and which is not? When will you wake up and face the fact that those your best friends even though they cherish you, wouldn’t want you to marry before them or to marry the best man?

7. You Give Everything Out During Dating- As a single lady who has not been taken to the altar, you need to reserve some things for your husband to be, especially your body, respect it and preserve it at all cost. In the past, men rushed to marry to get certain things or privileges they had been constantly denied while being single. Such privileges include and not limited to: constant s*x and companionship, good food and tidied home, etc. But today, a single man gets even the best and of course more of constant s*x, good food and excellent home-keeping more than his married counterparts, so tell me how the hell you want him to desire to marry you when you have given him virtually everything he desires from a wife while being his girlfriend? And the most painful part of it all is that he knows that you are prepared to cut down on s*x supply, cooking, home-keeping, etc once he marries you, so why would he not want you to remain his girlfriend for life?

8. You Package Yourself Wrongly- in your attempt to look sexy, adorable and maybe appealing to guys, you have derailed from appealing to appalling. In fact you look more whorish than modest; more distractive than attractive, and more disgusting than adorable. Your dressing style determines who gets attracted to you most times. If you dress high school, only high school-thinking guys will be attracted to you, and if you dress excessively sexy and provocative, only randy men will come to you for urgent satisfaction of their immediate s*x urge, so don’t be fooled by media hyping of certain kinds of dressing, they are meant for certain set of ladies you wouldn’t like to be associated with, be careful. Remember, not all clothes that look sexy are good for a seriously searching for a soul mate single lady.

9. You Lack Manner, Character, Wisdom and Good Home Upbringing- definitely, your ‘hot girl’, ‘pretty girl’, ‘sexy girl’ looks will win you so many men; both the good, and the bad, but your inner beauty, your character and manner are the things that will determine whether any of those men would stay or run after accomplishing their evil missions. In order words, do away with nagging, being possessive, challenging with men in negative ways, the mentality of ‘what a man can do a woman can do better’, a lie devil has used to deceive and destroy so many ladies today, please do away with it.

NGF: No Re-Election For Amaechi – Presidency

 

As the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) meets in Abuja tomorrow, the Presidency has again dismissed reports that it is working behind the scenes to ensure Rivers States Governor, Rotimi Amaechi does not return as chairman of the forum.

Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Dr. Ahmed Gulak, said  that the Presidency’s interest was in upholding the rule of law.

According to him, President Goodluck Jonathan, as a loyal member of the PDP, will be delighted to have another PDP governor taking over from Amaechi as the NGF chairman as his tenure comes to an end.

On whether Jonathan would be ready to work with the embattled chairman of the NGF if re-elected, the presidential aide dismissed any talks of re-election saying it was alien to the forum.

Gulak said, “The fact that the President met with the PDP governors was an indication that he is united with the governors. When has it become an aberration for him to meet the governors?

“It is not about removing Amaechi. Amaechi’s tenure as NGF chairman is ending this April, so nobody is talking about his removal. When Bukola Saraki’s tenure ended, he handed over to Amaechi. Since Amaechi’s tenure is ending too, he must hand over to somebody else.

“The President is interested in any PDP governor, not necessarily Shema, taking over from Amaechi at the expiration of his tenure. There is no re-election for Amaechi. His tenure has expired except if he wants to extend his tenure and there is no tenure elongation in the NGF.”

Behave Yourself Or I’ll Cut You To Size, Oshiomhole Warns Igbinedion

Edo State Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole on Monday fired a warning shot at the  Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, to stop undermining state laws.

Oshiomhole, who was speaking at the inauguration  of 14 newly elected local government chairmen  in Benin,   said his government had  the capacity and the will to contain Igbinedion’s excesses.

He also asked the state Independent Electoral Commission to tender unreserved apology to the people of the state for the lapses recorded in the local government polls held last Saturday.

He said, “There is evidence that he (Igbinedion) has undermined the prosperity of the state for a very long time. Those who live in glass houses do not throw stones.

“I want to send a warning to Chief Igbinedion that he should take it easy;  he has acquired a lot of government land that the people have not engaged him on. He walks as if he is above the law. He was a chief tax collector in this state, pocketing 25 to 30 per cent of every kobo that accrued while his son was the governor.

“I have not looked back because my mandate is to look forward. I want to put him on notice that if he continues with elderly rascality, I will bring him to justice.

“He must never ever underestimate the fact that I have the will and I have the capacity to deploy that will; if he crosses the law, he will be cut to size.

“Elders must teach the younger ones to behave responsibly” Oshiomhole stressed.

Petrol Tanker Fire Razes Houses, Mosque In Ibadan

No fewer than fifty houses, a mosque, shops, vehicles and other property worth millions of naira were lost to an inferno Monday evening at Omitowoju and Inalende areas of Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Witnesses said the fire was caused by a tanker carrying about 33,000 litres of petrol.

“The tanker was taking fuel to the Oando filling station on the narrow road in the residential area. As it was negotiating to turn around St. Stephen Church at Omitowoju junction, it fell and the fuel started pouring on the road and before we knew what was happening, the fire has started consuming the houses,” one of the witnesses Adewale Salami said.

The fire which started burning down houses almost went wild, but it was put out at Okun Abere Street where one of the vehicles of the fire service was stationed. The fire fighters battled to ensure that it did not extend beyond the area.

In the words of another witness, Dada Damilola, “It would have been more than that if not for the promptness of the residents. Everybody trooped out en mass with their buckets full of water which they were pouring on the fire. That was what we were doing before the fire service came.”

The extent of the destruction could not be ascertained yet, according to one of the leaders of the fire service. He said they would be in a better position to give the accurate extent of destruction later.

“As you can see, several things have been destroyed. Houses, cars, shops and other things. We are trying our best to put it off. Immediately we heard of the incident, we drafted our men and vehicles from virtually all our stations including secretariat, Gbagi and Molete. Zartech also assisted us by sending its private truck. Things are under control now. We have combated it. What we are doing now is to put it off completely.”

Manchester United are Champions Again.

Manchester United overcame Aston Villa’s hoodoo, thanks to a Robin van Persie hat- trick in the first half, enough for the Reds to clinch the title at the expense of their neighbours Manchester City. City were determined to retain the title they won in a dramatic fashion last year but lost to Tottenham Hotspur prior to Monday, hence United went into the fixture knowing a win will be enough for them to clinch the title.
Manchester United are the champions of England for a record 20 time. Robin van Persie’s hat- trick in 31 minute silenced the travelling fans, by the interval; it was obvious to the home fans the trophy was coming to Old Trafford with four games to spare.

Robin van Persie.

It took the home team 81 seconds to get in the lead, Wayne Rooney’s sublime cross field ball released Antonio Valencia who teed up Rafael, Rafaels deep, first time cross found Ryan Giggs at the edge of the area, Giggs in turn cushioned a low pass across goal before van Persie sidefooted it home.

The First Goal.

Old Trafford trembled with the rendition of the famous ‘campeones’ and not long enough van Persie got a chance to double the lead but volleyed over.
Aston Villa struggled to get into the picture as the rampaging United came out in full force, however Christian Benteke fired wastefully off- target almost immediately to remind the host of their defensive duties.
But it was Rooney and van Persie’s combination that rocked Villa’s boat. Rooney clipped a magnificent 40- yard pass into the path of van Persie, whose audacious, first time volley hurtled across Guzan and into the bottom corner.

Van Persie’s Second Goal of the Match.

Van Persie, Giggs and Kagawa combined shortly after the half hour to seal the Dutchman’s double- quick treble. Kagawa’s fine through ball sent Giggs scampering into the area, and the veteran astutely squared for van Persie to take a touch, dribble past Guzan and belt a finish which ricocheted off the upright into the net. The hat- trick immediately announced the Reds’ number 20’s coronation on the top scorer’s chart.

After Netting a Hat- Trick.

As the second half kicked off, van Persie’s first contribution came deep inside his own half, clearing Andreas Weimann’s header off the goal line as the visitor made a bright start to the second period. David De Gea was forced into a low save by Benteke, then a wonderful full- length tip over the bar to keep out substitute Karim El Ahmadi’s fine long- range effort.
Guzan’s involvement was comparatively muted, as the home team wasted series of sporadic efforts. Rooney twice came close in a matter of seconds before making way for substitute Danny Welbeck, while Kagawa undid a beautiful feint by blasting high into the Stretford End after a fine wing play from Valencia.
There would be no fourth goal, leaving van Persie as the man in the spotlight.
Both team failed to create any clear- cut chance before Referee Anthony Taylor blew the final whistle.

The health sector is dearest to my heart – Governor Orji

Governor, Theodre Orji

Recently, the Federal government Good Governance Tour took its train to Abia state to access the several concluded and ongoing projects in the state. The team led by the Information Minister, Labaran Maku was in Abia, mainly to see for themselves what the state Governor has been able to achieve in the state.

The state government’s acceptance of the good governance team was against the wish of some Governors who have kicked against such tour, saying it was a waste of time and resources.

However, while speaking to DailyPost in an interview, the Abia state Governor, Theodre Orji said he had to freely allow Maku and his team into the state to further justify the series of objective media reports on the numerous concluded and ongoing projects in the state. He also commended the Federal Government’s team for the tour, asserting that such was capable of encouraging performing Governors to do more, and could also push non performing Governors into action.

He told DailyPost that the projects so dear to his heart were the ones executed in the Health Sector.

Excerpts:

The Good Governance Team led by Information Minister, Labaran Maku just left the state after having gone round to assess projects executed, and ongoing in both the state and in the Local governments. What is your impression of the Good Governance project ?

It is a good project. My impression is quite positive. I love the initiative. It is a project worth commending. The Good Governance Team came to Abia, they saw and they conquered. Most of the performing states that are under reported would be brought to the open by the visit. The Team would open them up. They looked at projects being done and those already done by the Federal, State and Local Governments. It motivates the three levels of government up. It is a good project that should be sustained. I knew they were going to look at projects and we had a lot of them on ground. I did not hesitate to invite them. And we are happy that they came. In this state, when journalists who are based here report objectively the projects we are doing and those we have done, the opposition abuse them and call them names, saying that there are nothing on ground. One wonders what they have to say now that the Good Governance Team has visited to see things the way they are. Journalists should be proactive and say freely and objectively what they see on ground. There shouldn’t be any form of prejudice in such situation.

How did you manage to fund such huge projects?

It has not been easy, but we try to manage judiciously the little we have so that the people who own the money can feel its impact. However, we urge the Federal Government to take a second look at the allocation with a view to reviewing it in favour of the states. If we have more money, we will do a lot more. The states no doubt need more money because the state is where more actions take place.

The Governors are unanimous in asking for increase in the allocation to them. If the states get more money they can even do Federal projects without discrimination. The issue of increasing allocation to states is paramount, it is very necessary because the volume of work to be done at the state level is enormous.

During the visit, the Minister singled out Aba as a potential economic power house of the nation, but noted with regret the penchant of the residents for disobeying constituted authorities which he said could be a draw back. What is your take on his view?

My appeal to the residents of Aba is to listen to and abide by the advice of the Minister. It is for their interest. We are doing everything possible to turn Aba around and ensure that it bounces back to its old glorious days. We know that they have problem of roads, dirty environment, and power mainly. We are presently working on 16 roads with good drainages in the city, in addition to the ones we have done before. The Oil Producing Community Commission[ NDDC] has ear-marked to handle ten additional roads in the city. Our state environmental agency, ASEPA, is doing a lot to improve the sanitation of Aba. We therefore urge the residents to help the government and help themselves by obeying sanitation laws. They should stop dumping refuse any how, especially into the drainages, which is one of the greatest problems of Aba roads. They get bad when the drainages are blocked with refuse and flood has to look for alternative route to flow. These are some of the things the Minister talked about. They should respect laws made to provide good things for them.

We are working in the area of power which we know will fire up the economic activities in the city, and we aware that industrialists in the city are coming back, so we are doing everything possible to support the giant Alaoji Power Plant being built by the Federal Government and the one being built by Geometric to come on stream soon.

The industrialists in Aba and the state are very eager to key into the two power projects. And because we know that power is their major problem, we are partnering with the Federal Government and Geometric to ensure that the power stations become operational soon. And to encourage Geometric, the Government has given them tax waiver worth N50 million. We are providing the enabling environment. We are trying to provide a large expanse of land in the area for housing estate where the people will live. So, Aba is coming up very well, because the power plants will start operation in no distant time.

Of all these projects your administration is doing, which one do would you consider as dearest to you as the Governor?

The area most dearest to my heart is the Health Sector and that is why we are putting a lot of money there to give the people affordable and quality health services.

It is health first before anything. So health is critical; first, my people have to be healthy before they enjoy roads and other amenities. We want to provide the best logistics to make the Doctors comfortable. From Sure-P, we built General Hospitals and built houses for doctors; we are tackling the critical issues in the sector. We want to give our people the best in health sector. We have invested heavily at the Diagnostics Centre in Umuahia and Aba, as well as at Amachara Specialist Hospital. We are bent on giving our people the best in the Health Sector. The new Government House is also critical to me. It never occurred to the last government to build a befitting Government House for the state. I don’t want to do that. I want to live here [present Government House] and build a befitting Government House. I also promised to relocate the Umuahia Main Market, and we are doing that just to change the face of the capital city. We are on course.

Recently, a statement credited to your predecessor said that members of state House of Assembly and the Commissioners were being impoverished by your administration. How would you react to that?

It is laughable and quite untrue. Whoever said that must be a fool. Abia House of Assembly is intact and happy. The same thing goes with my commissioners. None of them will tell you that they are impoverished. The person who said that must be living in fools paradise. What evidence has the person to show? I have the best House of Assembly in the country, unlike what was obtained during my predecessor’s time, when he was always fighting with them, instigating them to impeach one Deputy Governor or the other. I am sure that the House members would react to this lie. They are happy and we have cordial relationship, working for the common good of the state and the people.

The Economics Of ShopRite In Abia

The recent foundation laying ceremony of the Abia Mall, at the old Garki area of Umuahia, has led to appreciable excitement among residents of the state; especially as Africa’s biggest retailer, ShopRite, is touted as one of the partners of the project.



 


The state government entered a strategic partnership with Pall Mall which involves a joint funding of the project to achieve its set objectives. In a recent interview, Governor Theodore Orji confirmed that the state government has paid its own part of the funding. “ShopRite is coming to Abia State,” he said. “We have completed everything, paid our own counterpart funding to them and it is left for them to come onboard.”
This development, according to analysts, is a major significant socio-economic gain for the hitherto under-developed state. In terms of direct and indirect employment, this project when completed stands to significantly depopulate the labour market in Abia State and convince hesitant investors to take the plunge.
Samuel Eke, a financial analyst, commends the state government for proactively engaging the retail giant and fast-tracking talks to get to this stage. “Last year, ShopRite announced that it would be investing N32 billion on property developments in Nigeria to overcome lack of infrastructure and capitalise on rising consumer spending,” he said. “Responsible state governments took note of this and began to put in place incentives to attract the retail giant.
For Abia, it is indeed a coup to have secured this partnership as apart from Enugu, the retail giant is not present in any other South-Eastern state in the country. I must commend Governor Theodore Orji for taking this step and ensuring that speed is of importance. If this tempo is sustained, we may see the mall commissioned soon. The benefits of this development to residents of Umuahia and indeed surrounding towns cannot be over-emphasised.”
ShopRite operates a policy of augmenting dependence on international suppliers by sourcing, promoting and procuring local products. In Abia, local industries thrive and have gained increased visibility in recent times. Some of the entrepreneurs are looking forward to possible partnerships with the retail giant.
Ndidi Achonu operates a small factory inside the Aba Leather Cluster zone where African-themed shoes and handbags are produced. “I relocated to Abia from China with my husband in 2009 to start this and I can sincerely say that there are no regrets,” she said. “Things were tough initially but I am gradually making an impact here and can now boast of seven employees. If ShopRite comes to this state, I will certainly explore ways of taking this business to the next level because I am confident that my products will make their shelves.”
A survey of 700 consumers conducted by Business Day Nigeria during October 2012 found that while price was still crucial to the Nigerian consumer, health considerations were becoming more important. 50% of respondents said that they read the labels of packaged food and beverage products before purchasing them. 39% said that they would like to see more nutritional information, including calorie counts, on restaurant menus.
In an era of more sophisticated Nigerian consumers, the development also comes as a relief to residents of Abia, a state notorious for counterfeiting of high-target brands. “For me, I consider this one of the state government’s recent economic initiatives that has really tricked down to the people,” said Ifeyinwa Obodo, a civil servant in the state. “To be able to go to a shop where you have the peace of mind that everything there is guaranteed and you have the luxury of options is a very welcome development. I urge the state government to hasten work on the site so that this can be opened soon. I thank Governor Theodore Orji for making this dream come true.”

PSquare, M.I, J Martins, DJ Jimmy Jatt, DJ Wazzy, Dauda and host of other artists to perform at the Abia alive Youths Empowerment Concert.

Abia roof tops will no doubt be on fire with best of Nigerian Music acts in the coming days. The event is the 'ABIA ALIVE YOUTHS EMPOWERMENT CONCERT' organized by the Ochendo Youth Foundation and Powered by 2Flame Ent.

Top on the list of acts expected to thrill Abians are DJ Jimmy Jatt, DJ Waxxy, P-Square, M.I , Flavour, Dauda, J. Martins, Morachi and Muno.

The event is scheduled to kick off from 10am on Wednesday, 24th April 2013 at the Umuahia Township Stadium and the gate is FREE.

Controversial Actress, Tonto Dikeh Joins Illuminati?

Highly controversial Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh recently displayed some hot and stunning pictures with her fans on social media and captioned one of them as ‘Feeling Flirty’.


What surprised all and many is that, she did a sign of illuminati and her fans are asking, 'has she joined the global money club led by Lucifer?' Let’s wait and see!
SEE MORE PHOTOS:

CBN Governor Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to Speak at Abia Youth Empowerment Summit

The people and government of Abia state will on Wednesday, April 24 2013 play host to thousands of youths in the first ever Abia youth empowerment summit tagged A-YES.

According to a statement by the commissioner for Information and strategy, Dr. Eze Chikamnayo, the initiative will be the first time in 20 years that Abia youths will assemble in unity to celebrate security, stability and prosperity ushered in by an acknowledged icon whose transformational impact on Abia state has been widely celebrated.

The commissioner said the summit; a three-pegged event will witness a lecture, award of people empowerment tools (buses, cars, tricycles etc) and a gala night.  He said the lecture tagged “1st Ochendo Youth Lecture”  will be delivered by the governor of the central bank of Nigeria (CBN), mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi at 10 am on April 24 2013 at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia.
The Information boss stated that mallam Sanusi will speak on youth empowerment as panacea to insecurity.
He further revealed that the award ceremony and gala night which will be graced by a galaxy of Nigerian artistes are scheduled for Umuahia township stadium in the afternoon and evening of April 24 2013.
The administration of Chief Theodore Orji therefore invites all Abians and Nigerians to witness A-yes, a legacy of innovativeness and tenacity of purpose.

Gov declares zero tolerance for kidnapping in Abia State

UMUAHIA — ABIA State governor, Chief Theodore Orji, has restated the determination of his government to ensure that kidnappers never returned to Aba in particular and the state  generally.

In fact, the governor boasted that the state was fully prepared for armed robbers and kidnappers.

The governor said it was because the government fought criminals, especially kidnappers, out of the state that roads and other developments were being witnessed in the state.
Orji, who spoke yesterday in Aba during the commissioning of seven of the 16 roads he flagged-off in January, said  if the kidnappers were still terrorising people in the state, the roads would not have been done.

Recalling the bad state of Aba, both in security and infrastructure before now, Orji said better days awaited Aba residents, but urged them to always pay their taxes to enable government do more.

He announced that the state had introduced a single tax regime against the old system where all manner of people demanded for different taxes from residents, most of which ended in private pockets.

“We have introduced single tax regime. We are not happy with double taxation. Pay your tax and leave the rest for me.  My job is to give you conducive environment and ensure that you are comfortable.

“First, we have to thank God who helped us to fight kidnappers. If they were still here, we would not have done these roads and other things we are doing in Aba.

“When I came here in 2010, Aba people, all fled. But today, everybody is back. We have flagged-off 16 roads and we have done 10 roads under two months.

“I want Aba people to believe in government that tells you the truth, my yes is my yes and my no is my no. When we say we will do something, we will do it. I never told Aba people that I will do work on all Aba roads. I told you I will work on some roads.
“Any politician who tells you that he will build all the roads in Aba is not sincere, because it is not possible. We are bringing new things in Aba.

“This is a working government. I am not interested in praises, but I know that I’ll be celebrated,” Orji said.

Jonathan, Service Chiefs Meet on Amnesty Committee Report

Barely 24 hours after President Goodluck Jonathan met with traditional rulers from the north on the possibility of granting amnesty to members of the Boko Haram sect, another meeting between him and the service chiefs was held Tuesday to consider the report of the Amnesty Security Committee set up two weeks ago.



The committee, which was set up by Jonathan following the agitation by northern leaders, who had met with him on the precarious security situation in the region, was mandated to consider the feasibility of granting pardon to Boko Haram adherents, among other terms of reference.

The meeting with the security chiefs, it was gathered, was also meant to look at the position paper presented on Monday night to President Jonathan by the Northern Traditional Rulers Council (NTRC) led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III.



Present at Tuesday’s meeting were the Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Ola Ibrahim; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Dele Ezeoba; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Alex Badeh; Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika; and Inspector General of Police (IG), Mohammed Abubakar, among others.

After the meeting, however, none of the top security chiefs spoke to journalists as they hurriedly left the presidential villa for other engagements.



Nonetheless, in its bid to reinstate peace in the north, the federal government has challenged leaders of northern Nigeria extraction to emulate their Niger Delta compatriots, as it continues to explore the possibility of the amnesty option for members of the sect.

Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, who made the call Tuesday noted that Niger Delta leaders displayed an uncommon courage in the heydays of militant agitation in the region by visiting various camps to persuade former militants to drop their arms and embrace peace.



Maku argued that amnesty in the Niger Delta did not come easily as leaders from the region had to pluck up courage, took risks and went to dreaded camps in the creeks to persuade the former militants to accept the federal government’s amnesty package.

The minister, who made the remarks at a press briefing organised by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in Abuja, said since the amnesty programme rolled off the ground in 2009, enormous progress and development had been recorded in the region.



Also Tuesday, the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar III and Cardinal John Onaiyekan described the planned amnesty to the Boko Haram sect as healthy.

The two religious leaders, who spoke at the 2013 Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony organised by Leadership Newspapers in Abuja, urged the federal government to bring stakeholders together.



Onaiyekan while speaking on behalf of the two religious leaders, said the country “still has enough time to avoid being a failed state,” if the challenges of corruption and insecurity were solved.

Speaking on the theme of the conference: “Rebuilding Nigeria”, Onayeikan, who had co-chaired the Nigeria Inter-religious Council (NIREC) with the Sultan, said: “We still have enough time to avoid being a failed state. We need to sustain our great dream. With sincere faith, that is possible.



“When people in government say they are doing their best, they should know that their best is not enough.”

Canvassing for a radical and substantial reformation in the leadership style, the clergy said: “We have what it takes to succeed. All it takes is leadership that is wise, transparent and sincere.”



On his part, Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, expressed confidence that the activities of the sect would not divide Nigeria, adding that Boko Haram’s campaign of terror and the rising wave of kidnapping in the south would come and go, while the nation would remain indivisible.

“Whatever Boko Haram and kidnappers do, Nigeria as a nation shall overcome,” Okorocha, who chaired the award ceremony, said, adding: “For us as a nation, we must see these as challenges that developing nations must pass through to get to the point of reference.”



Speaking further, he said: “Leaders must take responsibility. There are crises all over the world. For us as a nation, we must see these as challenges that developing nations must pass through to get to the point of reference.”

In his contribution, his Niger State counterpart, Babangida Aliyu, faulted the view that Boko Haram is a Muslim organisation, arguing that the sect does not represent Islam.



“If a Muslim commits suicide, he goes straight to hell. If a Muslim kills another man without justifiable reason, the sins of that person are transferred to him. There is no compulsion to the religion of Islam,” said Aliyu, who also chided Okorocha and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, for coming late to the event after the arrival of the sultan and Onaiyekan.

Also, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Tuesday in Abuja challenged the Ja’amatu Nasril Islam (JNI) on its claim that Muslims were the main victims of Boko Haram, saying the sect had caused the deaths of 1,250 Christians and the burning of over 200 churches in the last three years.



Reeling out the data on the damage caused by the sect, the General Secretary of CAN, Rev. Musa Asake, insisted that amnesty could not precede reconciliation, compensation, restitution and other ameliorating steps for people and institutions hurt by Boko Haram’s unprovoked violence.

Asake said: “Statistics released by international agencies show that more Christians were killed in Nigeria in the year 2012 alone for their faith than the rest of the world combined.”



Buttressing his point, he said: “In the last three years, besides the isolated bombings in Abuja, the Boko Haram has bombed over 200 churches and killed over 1,250 Christians worshipping in their churches, burnt and destroyed whole villages, targeted specific communities/individuals and have made good every threat they published at inception, to wit the elimination of all Christians from Northern Nigeria and the total Islamisation of the north by imposition of strict Sharia rule.

“Any process of seeking peace, sustainable security and development in Boko Haram-infested areas that do not take the issue of its victims very seriously will be an exercise in futility in the long run.”



He expressed regret that since Boko Haram did not see anything wrong with its style of jihad, and had shown no remorse, “all we can do now is to pray while making efforts to defend ourselves and communities.”

Asake said while CAN respects the support by Onaiyekan and Bishop Matthew Kukah for amnesty, they cannot speak for the association.



He therefore called on the president to, as a matter of urgency, dismiss the whole idea of amnesty for an unrepentant group because it would be a panacea for confusion in the country.

“Instead, the federal government should begin the process of compensating and alleviating the sufferings of the victims of Boko Haram. The president should ignore this so-called northern elders who are putting pressure on him and turning serious security matters into politics,” he said.



In the meantime, reactions to the proposed offer of amnesty to the Islamic terror group Boko Haram continued Tuesday when a non-governmental organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), said the threat by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) to attack mosques and some Islamic institutions was unjustified.

MURIC’s Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, said in a statement issued in Ibadan that the timing of MEND’s threat was wrong, uncoordinated and illogical.



Akintola said the organisation’s position was based on the fact that the federal government had been working vigorously to stem the Boko Haram menace.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the NGO as stating, “The fact that MEND’s threat is coming just when light starts to appear at the end of the dark tunnel is quite interesting.



“The federal government has been working round the clock to find a solution to the Boko Haram menace. Why not allow the FG to conclude its plans?”

It urged Muslims and Christians to disown the threat as a mere cover up of MEND’s agenda and which was not in the interest of brokering peace.



In furtherance of the NGO’s condemnation, a faction of MEND, which claims to be affiliated to Henry Okah, joined the fray Tuesday when it disowned another faction of MEND and its spokesperson Jomo Gbomo.

Shortly after Okah’s incarceration, MEND through Gbomo Jomo, had threatened to resume hositilities in the Niger Delta and codenamed its offensive “Hurricane Exodus”.



On Sunday, the same faction issued another threat codenamed “Operation Barbarossa” aimed at attacking Islamic institutions and mosques in reprisals against Boko Haram activities.

However, in a statement Tuesday signed by Timi Azizi, MEND said neither members of its high command nor loyal foot soldiers to Okah were associated with the operations referred to by Jomo Gbomo.



“Our primary objectives at present are as follows: to secure the release of our leader (Comrade Henry Okah) and other members of our fraction in various detention centres in the country; compensate families of our members killed by the security agencies; withdraw all military personnel (JTF) and tanks in the region then hand over the control (total) of our resources back to us.

“As the spokesperson to Comrade Henry Okah, I wish to assure Niger Deltans and Nigerians at large that the Operation Barbarossa is an imagination of the ‘old brigade’ trying to gain relevance, hence we strongly advise this so called Jomo Gbomo to desist from these acts and stop using the name of Henry Okah as a reason(s) for their criminal activities or else we will fish them out and hand them over to the law enforcement agencies for prosecution,” the statement warned.



Also reacting to the statement by Asari Dokubo, Monday, the MEND faction associated with Okah said it owed the ex-militant nothing and he should be grateful for all Okah had done for him.

“Before you came in contact with him, you were a nobody, we are watching, mind your utterances as we might come for you someday, for our pay cheque,” the statement said.



“For those saying that MEND no longer exists, we all know it is not true; MEND is strongly rooted in all the southern states of the federation and beyond, soon we will take decisions against those that betrayed the struggle and the region.”

SOME OF THE CONSTRUCTED ROADS BY GOV.T.A ORJI ,,ABIA STATE.

Man Impregnates Two Of His Daughters, Attempts molesting The Third

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 A 58-year-old man from Agbura community, Yenagoa Local Government, Bayelsa State was on Thursday [Apr. 11] arrested by the police for allegedly impregnating his two daughters.

The suspect, whose name was not disclosed, was also said to have attempted to rape his third daughter.

His arrest was initiated by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs, Mrs. Pulu Zifawei. The matter reportedly got to the office of the special adviser after the suspect made several attempts to rape his younger daughter.

The 14-year-old daughter, a student of the Community Secondary School, Agbura, was said to have reported the sexual harassment by her father to the school counsellor during a guardian and counselling session.

The school counsellor, who is also the victim’s class teacher, reported the case to the Ministry of Women Affairs which alerted the police.

The suspect was arrested and detained at the Azikoro Police Station.

A community source, Rowland Eview, told PUNCH correspondent that investigations by the police revealed that the suspect had already impregnated two of his daughters. One of the daughters, 23, was said to have conceived twice for the father but mysteriously lost the babies at birth.

The second pregnant daughter was said to have relocated from the community out of shame. The 21-year-old son of the suspect, who declined to mention his name, said he became aware of his father’s shameful acts at the age of 12.

“Our mother had reported the matter to the members of the family. On that day, our father nearly beat my mother to death. Each time the issue came up, my father would beat my mother”, he said.

He said his father had also inflicted machete cuts on him and his elder brother for daring to challenge his actions.

A senior police officer at the Azikoro Police Station confirmed that the suspect was in detention.