Six pregnant teenagers were on Monday arraigned in an Umuahia Magistrates’ Court on a two-count-charge of conspiracy to commit felony, buying and selling newly-born babies.
Four of the teenagers, Blessing David, Chikodi Samuel, Mercy Dickson and Miracle Ifeanyi, appeared in court while Goodluck Erondu and Happiness Chinemerem were absent.
The prosecutor, Insp. Agwu Okoronkwo, told the court that the fifth and sixth accused were not in court as they had given birth while in custody.
Okoronkwo applied that the names of the two be deleted from the charge pending the time that they would be fit to stand trial.
The teenagers and one Isaac Okwuonu, a medical doctor, now at large, were said to have, between July and September, at Isaac Okwuonu Memorial Hospital, Ogbor Hill, Aba, conspired to commit felony and trade in newly-born babies.
When the charges were read to the accused, they pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.
Mr Ogbonnaya Nwannunu, the counsel for David, applied that she be granted bail since the offence was bailable.
Nwannunu told the court that his client was a victim of circumstance, who was tricked into the business by her aunt.
Ruling on the bail application, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Elizabeth Kalu, granted bail to the four accused in the sum of N80, 000 each.
She also granted the application of the prosecuting counsel that the two who did not appear in court be deleted till they were fit to stand trial.
The matter was adjourned to Nov. 27 for hearing. (NAN)*
Monday, 30 September 2013
Taraba crisis: Court asks ailing Governor Suntai, lawmakers to settle out of court
The judge was to give his ruling on Monday.
A High Court in Jalingo, Taraba State, has given the state governor, Danbaba Suntai, the state House of Assembly, and the speaker of the Assembly, Haruna Tsokwa, an opportunity to settle, out of court, a suit filed by the governor against the House.
The judge, Ali Ibrahim, was expected to deliver his ruling on Monday. But shortly after the case was mentioned, counsel to the governor, Alex Izinyon, who was represented in court by Elijah Nyaro, filed an oral application asking the court to offer opportunity for an out-of-court settlement.
“Even though the matter was adjourned for ruling today, I have the instructions from lead counsel to the plaintiff, Alex Izinyon to apply that the ruling should be adjourned for about three weeks, because the parties in the suit are exploring possible and amicable ways of resolving this matter out of court,” Mr. Nyaro said.
The counsels to the defendants, Yusuf Akirikwen and Adebayo Adelodun, did not oppose the oral application. Both of them said their clients did not object to the application if it would lead to the peaceful resolution of the matter.
Mr. Suntai was in court to challenge the decision of the state Assembly not to honour the letter he transmitted to it on 26 August, informing it of his return following a ten month stay in the USA and Germany where he received treatment for injuries sustained after an air crash in Yola, in October 2012.
In delivering the verdict, Mr. Ibrahim said, “Even though, this ruling is ready, since the plaintiff has asked for adjournment and the defendants have no objection, I will allow them to explore possible avenues to resolving the matter peacefully and amicably.”
When PREMIUM TIMES contacted some legislators loyal to both Mr. Suntai and his deputy, Garba Umar, both gave different interpretations of the court’s decision.
One of the lawmakers loyal to Mr. Suntai, who declined to be quoted because he was not authorised to talk to the media, said the court gave the parties three weeks to settle out of court. He added that members loyal to the governor were willing to give the talks a chance.
“It all depends on the approach, but I believe it is good to give it a chance and see,” he said.
Another lawmaker loyal to the Speaker, who also declined to be named said, the group had it on good authority that Mr. Suntai’s loyalists pushed for the out of court settlement following information that the verdict to be delivered would not favour them.
“They were just smart to ask for the out of court settlement to avoid embarrassing the governor. I think they did the right thing,” he said.
The matter will now come up on October 28, where the two parties would either report a settlement or hear the ruling by Mr. Ibrahim.
Mr. Suntai is still recuperating in Taraba from the treatment he received after the air crash while the states deputy governor still acts as governor.
Premium times
A High Court in Jalingo, Taraba State, has given the state governor, Danbaba Suntai, the state House of Assembly, and the speaker of the Assembly, Haruna Tsokwa, an opportunity to settle, out of court, a suit filed by the governor against the House.
The judge, Ali Ibrahim, was expected to deliver his ruling on Monday. But shortly after the case was mentioned, counsel to the governor, Alex Izinyon, who was represented in court by Elijah Nyaro, filed an oral application asking the court to offer opportunity for an out-of-court settlement.
“Even though the matter was adjourned for ruling today, I have the instructions from lead counsel to the plaintiff, Alex Izinyon to apply that the ruling should be adjourned for about three weeks, because the parties in the suit are exploring possible and amicable ways of resolving this matter out of court,” Mr. Nyaro said.
The counsels to the defendants, Yusuf Akirikwen and Adebayo Adelodun, did not oppose the oral application. Both of them said their clients did not object to the application if it would lead to the peaceful resolution of the matter.
Mr. Suntai was in court to challenge the decision of the state Assembly not to honour the letter he transmitted to it on 26 August, informing it of his return following a ten month stay in the USA and Germany where he received treatment for injuries sustained after an air crash in Yola, in October 2012.
In delivering the verdict, Mr. Ibrahim said, “Even though, this ruling is ready, since the plaintiff has asked for adjournment and the defendants have no objection, I will allow them to explore possible avenues to resolving the matter peacefully and amicably.”
When PREMIUM TIMES contacted some legislators loyal to both Mr. Suntai and his deputy, Garba Umar, both gave different interpretations of the court’s decision.
One of the lawmakers loyal to Mr. Suntai, who declined to be quoted because he was not authorised to talk to the media, said the court gave the parties three weeks to settle out of court. He added that members loyal to the governor were willing to give the talks a chance.
“It all depends on the approach, but I believe it is good to give it a chance and see,” he said.
Another lawmaker loyal to the Speaker, who also declined to be named said, the group had it on good authority that Mr. Suntai’s loyalists pushed for the out of court settlement following information that the verdict to be delivered would not favour them.
“They were just smart to ask for the out of court settlement to avoid embarrassing the governor. I think they did the right thing,” he said.
The matter will now come up on October 28, where the two parties would either report a settlement or hear the ruling by Mr. Ibrahim.
Mr. Suntai is still recuperating in Taraba from the treatment he received after the air crash while the states deputy governor still acts as governor.
Premium times
Molue ban: LAMATA, BRT operator boosts fleet with 50 buses on Island route
THE Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority LAMATA, in collaboration with the operator of Bus Rapid Transit BRT, has launched 50 new buses to beef up the existing fleet along Mile 12 to CMS route, in its bid to improve commuting and service delivery along the corridor.
It will be recalled that Lagos State government, recently banned operators of 911 commercial buses, popular called “Molue” from plying Lagos Island and the three bridges linking mainland to the Island, citing safety of lives as major reason among other factors with assurance to inject more BRT buses to cushion the effect of the banned 911 commercial yellow buses.
According to Managing Director of LAMATA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, the operator of the BRT system, First BRT Cooperative, had ordered 50 new buses, 40 of which had arrived and been deployed into operation, as part of a holistic plan at returning the BRT operations and experience to its once efficient and effective state at launch in 2008.
He said the remaining 10 buses were expected to be delivered before the end of the year, stressing, ”Besides the addition of the new buses, the operator has commenced refurbishment of 100 serviceable buses, 22 of which are already deployed for commuting services.”
Mobereola said the acquisition of the buses was in fulfilment of the agreement reached between government and the operator with a view to improving the BRT operations and return bus services along the Mile 12 to CMS corridor to the vision of a world class transport system for Lagos.
He said, ”Government would continue to support initiatives that would give succour to the commuting public by alleviating their transport needs.”
The LAMATA boss said the government was working on other transport projects, “especially the Blue Line (Okokomaiko to Marina) rail project, the first phase of which is expected to be completed soon, the Red line rail line (Agbado to Marina) and extension of the BRT to Ikorodu Town.”
He said that guarantee the longevity of the buses, the authority was currently rehabilitating the Mile 12 to CMS BRT corridor, adding that the BRT lanes would eventually be turned to rigid (concrete) pavement to withstand the weight of the BRT buses.
Mobereola assured that with the reforms already put in place, the BRT operation would soon return to what commuters used to experience at the launch of the Mile 12 to CMS BRT route.
vanguard
It will be recalled that Lagos State government, recently banned operators of 911 commercial buses, popular called “Molue” from plying Lagos Island and the three bridges linking mainland to the Island, citing safety of lives as major reason among other factors with assurance to inject more BRT buses to cushion the effect of the banned 911 commercial yellow buses.
According to Managing Director of LAMATA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, the operator of the BRT system, First BRT Cooperative, had ordered 50 new buses, 40 of which had arrived and been deployed into operation, as part of a holistic plan at returning the BRT operations and experience to its once efficient and effective state at launch in 2008.
He said the remaining 10 buses were expected to be delivered before the end of the year, stressing, ”Besides the addition of the new buses, the operator has commenced refurbishment of 100 serviceable buses, 22 of which are already deployed for commuting services.”
Mobereola said the acquisition of the buses was in fulfilment of the agreement reached between government and the operator with a view to improving the BRT operations and return bus services along the Mile 12 to CMS corridor to the vision of a world class transport system for Lagos.
He said, ”Government would continue to support initiatives that would give succour to the commuting public by alleviating their transport needs.”
The LAMATA boss said the government was working on other transport projects, “especially the Blue Line (Okokomaiko to Marina) rail project, the first phase of which is expected to be completed soon, the Red line rail line (Agbado to Marina) and extension of the BRT to Ikorodu Town.”
He said that guarantee the longevity of the buses, the authority was currently rehabilitating the Mile 12 to CMS BRT corridor, adding that the BRT lanes would eventually be turned to rigid (concrete) pavement to withstand the weight of the BRT buses.
Mobereola assured that with the reforms already put in place, the BRT operation would soon return to what commuters used to experience at the launch of the Mile 12 to CMS BRT route.
vanguard
Our amalgamation is a mistake – Ankio-Briggs
MS Ankio Briggs, rights activist and one of the leaders of the National Summit Group, says there is nothing to celebrate at 53 and the amalgamation of Northern and Southern protectorates to create Nigeria was a mistake. Excerpts:
How do you view Nigeria at 53?
I’m yet to see what we are celebrating. If we are celebrating the fact that we have had independence for 53 years and lived together for a 100 years then, 100 is just a figure. When you are celebrating, you have to show what you have achieved. And the question I’m asking is what have we achieved?
Unity? We are not united in this country. Developmentally, what have we achieved? I mean in things like roads and what have you? These are the things that should matter as we are progressing. We shouldn’t now be building roads at 100.
We should be improving on what we have built may be at 30, 40, 50, 60, not starting the development of Nigeria after a 100 years of being together.
So, for me, those are the things I use as yardstick to measure Nigeria. Like other countries are sending satelite into the space, Nigeria sent a satelite and lost it.
So, we should ask ourselves if Nigeria is not too big a country to be governed the way in which we are being governed today? Should we not have states being responsible for themselves? This is why national conference is necessary.
We have been like this for 100 years, aside the fact that we have been together and this is what everybody tells us as if it’s such a big deal to be together.
Annkio Briggs
America is still together and look at what they have achieved, likewise other countries. Other countries like the Soviet Union, Sudan, have broken up.
For Nigeria, I think by age alone, we are matured enough to ask ourselves some questions and answer them in a truthful manner. We are just deceiving ourselves.
People have said the coming together of different parts of the country is a mistake, do you agree?
I totally agree, but we can’t take responsibility for that, I might say, because it’s not Nigerians that created Nigeria.
It’s Lord Luggard who created Nigeria that brought us together and called us one people. But it’s very clear today that that’s not so. The North is the North and the South is the South.
These regions are made up of so many people with different cultures, religions, foods and different ways of looking at things.
And when you bring them together to say they should look at things the same way, you are telling them to look at Nigeria in only one way.
But one day, some of this people will wake up and say, look, things are not working for us this way.
The people it works for will resist other people who don’t want the process to remain like that. So, this is the problem Nigeria is having and anybody that doesn’t see it like that is not telling himself the truth.
Do we have any basis for Nigeria’s unity?
We have basis in the sense that it’s our choice. It should be our choice and it will be our choice, because that’s why we have these discussions going on now. I believe Nigeria can be a great country and that Nigerians can live together.
Look at the circumstances we are in and we are still able to manage it and to drag it along. But we shouldn’t be managing. We should have some rules and regulations that we all accept.
We should agree on how and when we are going to do it and once we agree, it will be much easier. The problem we are having is that we didn’t agree. And we have not found the basis on which we are agreeing. We must find that basis. It’s possible to live together. But the question is how? What are the terms and conditions?
Nobody is saying we shouldn’t live together. We are saying how? Who brings what? Who owns what? Who controls what? How much should I bring? How much should you bring? How much
What if we keep everything and pay something to the centre? These are the things we need to look at together. We can live together, but how?
Now, how do you think we can live together in peace and harmony in Nigeria?
Well, it won’t be for one person alone. I can only speak for my people. Like for instance, I come from Rivers State, which is in Niger Delta region.
For instance, most of what we are using to develop the country today is coming from my region, from my state.
Now, all I’m saying is that that should not be so. It has made every other state which does not have oil not to bring anything to the table.
So, what I’m saying is that we should have ownership of our resources and pay tax to the Federal Government. That way, everybody will be responsible for themselves.
And then, we from the Niger Delta will not feel that the weight of developing Nigeria is on our back and that we as a people are not gaining anything from it.
What percentage of tax do you think the regions should pay to the centre?
Taxes are usually 5 per cent, 2 per cent, 40 per cent and whatever. It’s something we must all agree upon. I mean, it’s not something that I will say, it should be like this.
What percentage do you suggest?
Well, I think 10 per cent.
vanguard
How do you view Nigeria at 53?
I’m yet to see what we are celebrating. If we are celebrating the fact that we have had independence for 53 years and lived together for a 100 years then, 100 is just a figure. When you are celebrating, you have to show what you have achieved. And the question I’m asking is what have we achieved?
Unity? We are not united in this country. Developmentally, what have we achieved? I mean in things like roads and what have you? These are the things that should matter as we are progressing. We shouldn’t now be building roads at 100.
We should be improving on what we have built may be at 30, 40, 50, 60, not starting the development of Nigeria after a 100 years of being together.
So, for me, those are the things I use as yardstick to measure Nigeria. Like other countries are sending satelite into the space, Nigeria sent a satelite and lost it.
So, we should ask ourselves if Nigeria is not too big a country to be governed the way in which we are being governed today? Should we not have states being responsible for themselves? This is why national conference is necessary.
We have been like this for 100 years, aside the fact that we have been together and this is what everybody tells us as if it’s such a big deal to be together.
Annkio Briggs
America is still together and look at what they have achieved, likewise other countries. Other countries like the Soviet Union, Sudan, have broken up.
For Nigeria, I think by age alone, we are matured enough to ask ourselves some questions and answer them in a truthful manner. We are just deceiving ourselves.
People have said the coming together of different parts of the country is a mistake, do you agree?
I totally agree, but we can’t take responsibility for that, I might say, because it’s not Nigerians that created Nigeria.
It’s Lord Luggard who created Nigeria that brought us together and called us one people. But it’s very clear today that that’s not so. The North is the North and the South is the South.
These regions are made up of so many people with different cultures, religions, foods and different ways of looking at things.
And when you bring them together to say they should look at things the same way, you are telling them to look at Nigeria in only one way.
But one day, some of this people will wake up and say, look, things are not working for us this way.
The people it works for will resist other people who don’t want the process to remain like that. So, this is the problem Nigeria is having and anybody that doesn’t see it like that is not telling himself the truth.
Do we have any basis for Nigeria’s unity?
We have basis in the sense that it’s our choice. It should be our choice and it will be our choice, because that’s why we have these discussions going on now. I believe Nigeria can be a great country and that Nigerians can live together.
Look at the circumstances we are in and we are still able to manage it and to drag it along. But we shouldn’t be managing. We should have some rules and regulations that we all accept.
We should agree on how and when we are going to do it and once we agree, it will be much easier. The problem we are having is that we didn’t agree. And we have not found the basis on which we are agreeing. We must find that basis. It’s possible to live together. But the question is how? What are the terms and conditions?
Nobody is saying we shouldn’t live together. We are saying how? Who brings what? Who owns what? Who controls what? How much should I bring? How much should you bring? How much
What if we keep everything and pay something to the centre? These are the things we need to look at together. We can live together, but how?
Now, how do you think we can live together in peace and harmony in Nigeria?
Well, it won’t be for one person alone. I can only speak for my people. Like for instance, I come from Rivers State, which is in Niger Delta region.
For instance, most of what we are using to develop the country today is coming from my region, from my state.
Now, all I’m saying is that that should not be so. It has made every other state which does not have oil not to bring anything to the table.
So, what I’m saying is that we should have ownership of our resources and pay tax to the Federal Government. That way, everybody will be responsible for themselves.
And then, we from the Niger Delta will not feel that the weight of developing Nigeria is on our back and that we as a people are not gaining anything from it.
What percentage of tax do you think the regions should pay to the centre?
Taxes are usually 5 per cent, 2 per cent, 40 per cent and whatever. It’s something we must all agree upon. I mean, it’s not something that I will say, it should be like this.
What percentage do you suggest?
Well, I think 10 per cent.
vanguard
Tragic tale of couple, 3 others killed in trailer crash
When Mr Victor Idam, his wife and three others left their home in an ash-coloured Nissan Primera car for Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, they had no premonition that the journey which started on a joyous note, would end in a disaster.
The couple and their three companions who hailed from Afikpo North Local Government Area, were involved in a ghastly auto-crash which claimed their lives, leaving two others with minor injuries. The crash which was a head-on- collision with a trailer, occurred at about 3.45 pm at Berger Junction along the Ishiagu – Afikpo Road.
The deceased couple who were members of Deeper Life Bible Church were riding in a Nissan Primera with registration number UML 250 AA when it (car) collided with a yellow-coloured Mack Trailer with registration No. APP 215 XP.
A source close to the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, in Ebonyi State told Vanguard Metro on condition of anonymity, that the crash was caused by over-speeding. He advised road users to desist from over-speeding on the smooth-surfaced Ishiagu/Afikpo road.
Another eyewitness attributed the crash to the carelessness of the driver of the trailer. The source told VM that the accident occurred when the conductor of the trailer was trying to take over from his driver while the vehicle was still in motion.
“The accident was very terrible; in fact, those who came to rescue the victims had to force the doors open before the victims were brought out. I learnt that the conductor was trying to take over from the driver while on steering. Before their death, the couple were resident in Umuahia. The wife worked with the Education Board in Abia, while the husband who is graduate of Ebonyi State University, EBSU, Abakaliki worked with a media outfit located in Port Harcourt. He was a presenter with Deeper Life Satellite Television,” the source explained.
The State Coordinator, Special Marshal RF 9.2 Nigeria, Dr. Henry Urochukwu who spoke on the accident, advised government to make the teaching and learning of safety education mandatory in primary and secondary schools.
“If we start on time to talk about safe driving from our primary and secondary schools, it help the situation. That accident that happened at Ishiagu was very pathetic; learning how to drive is not just it, you need to know about the maintenance of the vehicle among other requirements.
“In this case, we must look at both human and environmental factors before we can accurately discuss the reasons behind that accident. If a driver is not conversant with the road, accident may occur. Note that the road may be well tarred but accident may occur due to poor lighting of the road at night. If a driver does over 100 kilometres per hour, it is over speeding. The psychological disposition of a driver matters a lot during driving,” he said.
Continuing, Dr Urochukwu asked a lot of rhetorical questions : “We need to look at the medical history of the driver to ascertain whether he had had a heart attack. What is his psychological disposition to driving? Is he an epileptic patient? Is the driver tired after driving for about 17 hours? Is the person prone to risk taking? Does he have a pulse for over-speeding; does he have a defective judgement while driving; does he spend time quarrelling with another road user instead of focusing on his lane? Does he have a poor perception of his or her environment? It is a very complex issue but these are the factors we need to put into consideration”
VM learnt that the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at a mortuary in Uturu, Abia State while the injured victims are currently receiving treatment in hospital.
Vanguard
The couple and their three companions who hailed from Afikpo North Local Government Area, were involved in a ghastly auto-crash which claimed their lives, leaving two others with minor injuries. The crash which was a head-on- collision with a trailer, occurred at about 3.45 pm at Berger Junction along the Ishiagu – Afikpo Road.
The deceased couple who were members of Deeper Life Bible Church were riding in a Nissan Primera with registration number UML 250 AA when it (car) collided with a yellow-coloured Mack Trailer with registration No. APP 215 XP.
A source close to the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, in Ebonyi State told Vanguard Metro on condition of anonymity, that the crash was caused by over-speeding. He advised road users to desist from over-speeding on the smooth-surfaced Ishiagu/Afikpo road.
Another eyewitness attributed the crash to the carelessness of the driver of the trailer. The source told VM that the accident occurred when the conductor of the trailer was trying to take over from his driver while the vehicle was still in motion.
“The accident was very terrible; in fact, those who came to rescue the victims had to force the doors open before the victims were brought out. I learnt that the conductor was trying to take over from the driver while on steering. Before their death, the couple were resident in Umuahia. The wife worked with the Education Board in Abia, while the husband who is graduate of Ebonyi State University, EBSU, Abakaliki worked with a media outfit located in Port Harcourt. He was a presenter with Deeper Life Satellite Television,” the source explained.
The State Coordinator, Special Marshal RF 9.2 Nigeria, Dr. Henry Urochukwu who spoke on the accident, advised government to make the teaching and learning of safety education mandatory in primary and secondary schools.
“If we start on time to talk about safe driving from our primary and secondary schools, it help the situation. That accident that happened at Ishiagu was very pathetic; learning how to drive is not just it, you need to know about the maintenance of the vehicle among other requirements.
“In this case, we must look at both human and environmental factors before we can accurately discuss the reasons behind that accident. If a driver is not conversant with the road, accident may occur. Note that the road may be well tarred but accident may occur due to poor lighting of the road at night. If a driver does over 100 kilometres per hour, it is over speeding. The psychological disposition of a driver matters a lot during driving,” he said.
Continuing, Dr Urochukwu asked a lot of rhetorical questions : “We need to look at the medical history of the driver to ascertain whether he had had a heart attack. What is his psychological disposition to driving? Is he an epileptic patient? Is the driver tired after driving for about 17 hours? Is the person prone to risk taking? Does he have a pulse for over-speeding; does he have a defective judgement while driving; does he spend time quarrelling with another road user instead of focusing on his lane? Does he have a poor perception of his or her environment? It is a very complex issue but these are the factors we need to put into consideration”
VM learnt that the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at a mortuary in Uturu, Abia State while the injured victims are currently receiving treatment in hospital.
Vanguard
NNPC to intensify domestic gas use
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC has said that the massive ongoing gas pipeline projects across the country will provide a veritable platform for individual homes and estates to be linked with gas pipelines to enhance domestic use.
The Group Managing Director, NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, disclosed this during a panel discussion on power at the Nigeria Investment Summit in New York. Yakubu, who was represented by the Group Executive Director Gas and Power, Dr. David Ige, noted that gas provides cleaner and safer energy for households, adding that already, the SPDC Estate in Warri, Delta State, is fully wired up with gas for domestic use.
He observed that the ongoing Calabar-Ajaokuta-Kano gas pipeline project will soon avail the Corporation the opportunity to provide gas through pipelines to homes and estates in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, which is a ready market for the project. Giving an update on the gas to power project, Yakubu noted that steady and sustainable progress is being made in this regard, as gas supply has grown from 620 million standard cubic feet per day to 920 mmscfd between 2010 and 2013, adding that supply is seeing rapid growth, and demand even faster.
He said, “Supply grew at an average annual rate of 20% in the last three years to 1500mmscfd.The non-power sector has almost doubled from 185mmscfd to 310mmscfd.Similarly, over 360km of gas pipelines have been completed and commissioned.”
The NNPC boss also projected that by the second quarter of 2015, gas demand for the power sector will grow to 2200mmcfd, adding that with the massive outlay of pipelines, the NNPC will continue to grow gas supply exponentially to meet the demand.
Accordingly, Yakubu maintained that the power sector will witness significant improvement in gas supply over the next two to three months, which will in turn improve the electricity situation in the country.
The NNPC boss also listed other gas supply projects that are ongoing and are at various levels of maturation from 2015, the biggest being Assa North with a target capacity of 750mmcfd by end of 2018, adding that the total incremental additions by end of 2018 will be 2150mmcfd.
He implored prospective investors to invest in the multibillion dollar Ogidigben Industrial Park, which offers investment opportunities in petrochemical, fertilizer, methanol and other non-oil sector of the Nigerian economy which he described as the choice destination for quick return on investment.
vanguard
The Group Managing Director, NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, disclosed this during a panel discussion on power at the Nigeria Investment Summit in New York. Yakubu, who was represented by the Group Executive Director Gas and Power, Dr. David Ige, noted that gas provides cleaner and safer energy for households, adding that already, the SPDC Estate in Warri, Delta State, is fully wired up with gas for domestic use.
He observed that the ongoing Calabar-Ajaokuta-Kano gas pipeline project will soon avail the Corporation the opportunity to provide gas through pipelines to homes and estates in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, which is a ready market for the project. Giving an update on the gas to power project, Yakubu noted that steady and sustainable progress is being made in this regard, as gas supply has grown from 620 million standard cubic feet per day to 920 mmscfd between 2010 and 2013, adding that supply is seeing rapid growth, and demand even faster.
He said, “Supply grew at an average annual rate of 20% in the last three years to 1500mmscfd.The non-power sector has almost doubled from 185mmscfd to 310mmscfd.Similarly, over 360km of gas pipelines have been completed and commissioned.”
The NNPC boss also projected that by the second quarter of 2015, gas demand for the power sector will grow to 2200mmcfd, adding that with the massive outlay of pipelines, the NNPC will continue to grow gas supply exponentially to meet the demand.
Accordingly, Yakubu maintained that the power sector will witness significant improvement in gas supply over the next two to three months, which will in turn improve the electricity situation in the country.
The NNPC boss also listed other gas supply projects that are ongoing and are at various levels of maturation from 2015, the biggest being Assa North with a target capacity of 750mmcfd by end of 2018, adding that the total incremental additions by end of 2018 will be 2150mmcfd.
He implored prospective investors to invest in the multibillion dollar Ogidigben Industrial Park, which offers investment opportunities in petrochemical, fertilizer, methanol and other non-oil sector of the Nigerian economy which he described as the choice destination for quick return on investment.
vanguard
Knox: Judge allows new DNA test on knife
A judge in the retrial of Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito has ordered a new DNA test on the knife alleged to have been used in the murder of British student Meredith Kercher.
The first day of the hearing took place in Florence, Italy, but neither defendant was in court, Skynews reports.
The test on the weapon was requested by prosecutors who won an appeal against the acquittal of Knox and Sollecito, who have already served four years in prison for the crime.
The judge has agreed to test one DNA trace not previously examined because it had been deemed too small.
A court-ordered review in the first appeals trial discredited DNA evidence on the kitchen knife linked to 21-year-old Kercher.
The court also agreed to hear testimony from a jailed Mafioso who has implicated his brother in the murder, but rejected most of the other defence requests for new testimony or evidence.
American student Knox, 26, repeatedly said she would not travel from Seattle for the retrial, nor is she compelled to do so by law.
Her former boyfriend Sollecito, a 29-year-old Italian IT graduate, is following proceedings from the Caribbean, where he is on holiday, said his father.
“I will be informing Raffaele of what happens on the phone after the hearing,” said Francesco Sollecito.
He added he would be attending every hearing in the appeal trial, which is expected to last until Christmas.
Sollecito’s father denied suggestions in the media that his son was dipping into a fund he had set up for contributions to his legal expenses.
Knox’s decision to not be present in court was criticised by Patrick Lumumba, the former barman who Knox initially accused of taking part in the murder of Kercher in Perugia.
“Knox is afraid – she knows she has responsibility for the death of poor Meredith,” he said in court.
As the hearing got under way, the presiding judge turned down a request from Knox’s lawyers to exclude Lumumba as a civil plaintiff from the trial.
Knox’s defence lawyer Carlo Dalla Vedova said there was a risk of an “infinite trial,” since the charge of murder has no statute of limitations.
Sollecito’s lawyer Giulia Bongiorno asked the court to accept only “reliable evidence,” saying the intense media attention on the case had affected the previous trials.
Bongiorno asked the court to reconsider Kercher’s mobile phone as key evidence, calling it the “black box” of the trial, which could prove her exact time of death due to two “anomalous”, incomplete calls around 10pm on the night of November 1 when she was killed.
Francesco Maresca, a lawyer representing the Kercher family, handed the judge a letter from the family, explaining their absence from the session on health grounds.
The letter also said, ‘’We desperately want to uncover the truth and find justice for Meredith, who was brutally taken away from us.
“Nothing will bring back our beautiful Meredith and we will always have her in our hearts and in our memories but we need to know what happened, she deserves, at least the dignity of the truth.”
Punch
The first day of the hearing took place in Florence, Italy, but neither defendant was in court, Skynews reports.
The test on the weapon was requested by prosecutors who won an appeal against the acquittal of Knox and Sollecito, who have already served four years in prison for the crime.
The judge has agreed to test one DNA trace not previously examined because it had been deemed too small.
A court-ordered review in the first appeals trial discredited DNA evidence on the kitchen knife linked to 21-year-old Kercher.
The court also agreed to hear testimony from a jailed Mafioso who has implicated his brother in the murder, but rejected most of the other defence requests for new testimony or evidence.
American student Knox, 26, repeatedly said she would not travel from Seattle for the retrial, nor is she compelled to do so by law.
Her former boyfriend Sollecito, a 29-year-old Italian IT graduate, is following proceedings from the Caribbean, where he is on holiday, said his father.
“I will be informing Raffaele of what happens on the phone after the hearing,” said Francesco Sollecito.
He added he would be attending every hearing in the appeal trial, which is expected to last until Christmas.
Sollecito’s father denied suggestions in the media that his son was dipping into a fund he had set up for contributions to his legal expenses.
Knox’s decision to not be present in court was criticised by Patrick Lumumba, the former barman who Knox initially accused of taking part in the murder of Kercher in Perugia.
“Knox is afraid – she knows she has responsibility for the death of poor Meredith,” he said in court.
As the hearing got under way, the presiding judge turned down a request from Knox’s lawyers to exclude Lumumba as a civil plaintiff from the trial.
Knox’s defence lawyer Carlo Dalla Vedova said there was a risk of an “infinite trial,” since the charge of murder has no statute of limitations.
Sollecito’s lawyer Giulia Bongiorno asked the court to accept only “reliable evidence,” saying the intense media attention on the case had affected the previous trials.
Bongiorno asked the court to reconsider Kercher’s mobile phone as key evidence, calling it the “black box” of the trial, which could prove her exact time of death due to two “anomalous”, incomplete calls around 10pm on the night of November 1 when she was killed.
Francesco Maresca, a lawyer representing the Kercher family, handed the judge a letter from the family, explaining their absence from the session on health grounds.
The letter also said, ‘’We desperately want to uncover the truth and find justice for Meredith, who was brutally taken away from us.
“Nothing will bring back our beautiful Meredith and we will always have her in our hearts and in our memories but we need to know what happened, she deserves, at least the dignity of the truth.”
Punch
Traders want Assembly’s help over market demolition
Traders from the Retail Market in Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos State, on Monday urged the state’s lawmakers to intervene and halt the plan by the Ojodu Local Council Development Area to demolish the market.
The traders, who staged a peaceful protest at the House of Assembly complex, Alausa, said the demolition was a pretext by the council to take the market from them.
The protesters also carried placards with different inscriptions such as “No to demolition of Ogba Retail market, we are the original owners of the shop”, Assembly please save us from demolition of Ogba market.”
The spokesperson for the traders, Mrs. Kehinde Adeola, said the development was sad and a way to make the traders jobless.
She said, “We were devastated to hear that Ojodu LCDA in collaboration with a developer and a bank is planning to demolish our shops. The effect of this action will expose us to great degrees of psychological trauma which cannot be relieved by monetary compensation.
“This undemocratic act will render thousands of law abiding citizens jobless, thus hindering them from paying tax to the government.”
The protesters explained that they took possession and the ownership of the shops during the regime of Alhaji Lateef Jakande in 1983 under a leasehold agreement with a proviso to pay ground rent every year.
Addressing the protesters, Deputy Leader, Lola Akande, promised that the Assembly would look into their plight.
She said “We are your representatives, you elected us and we shall always listen to your complaints, grievances and attend to petitions sent to the Assembly.”
Akande, who is representing Ikeja Constituency II, also urged the aggrieved traders to go back to their normal businesses without causing violence and public disorder
Punch
The traders, who staged a peaceful protest at the House of Assembly complex, Alausa, said the demolition was a pretext by the council to take the market from them.
The protesters also carried placards with different inscriptions such as “No to demolition of Ogba Retail market, we are the original owners of the shop”, Assembly please save us from demolition of Ogba market.”
The spokesperson for the traders, Mrs. Kehinde Adeola, said the development was sad and a way to make the traders jobless.
She said, “We were devastated to hear that Ojodu LCDA in collaboration with a developer and a bank is planning to demolish our shops. The effect of this action will expose us to great degrees of psychological trauma which cannot be relieved by monetary compensation.
“This undemocratic act will render thousands of law abiding citizens jobless, thus hindering them from paying tax to the government.”
The protesters explained that they took possession and the ownership of the shops during the regime of Alhaji Lateef Jakande in 1983 under a leasehold agreement with a proviso to pay ground rent every year.
Addressing the protesters, Deputy Leader, Lola Akande, promised that the Assembly would look into their plight.
She said “We are your representatives, you elected us and we shall always listen to your complaints, grievances and attend to petitions sent to the Assembly.”
Akande, who is representing Ikeja Constituency II, also urged the aggrieved traders to go back to their normal businesses without causing violence and public disorder
Punch
Police arrest man in child alleged sex attack
Irish police are considering whether to charge a man arrested over an alleged sex attack on two girls who are understood to have been lured away from a children’s birthday party.
The man was one of three people detained by Garda after the youngsters, who are under the age of 10, were subjected to a serious sexual assault in Athlone, Westmeath, Ireland, Skynews reports.
Two men who were in the home where the alleged attacks took place were released without charge on Monday morning.
A file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions to assess if they will face charges in the future.
The alleged assaults took place on Saturday afternoon while a group of children were celebrating a friend’s birthday.
While the party was under way, the girls were playing outside and are believed to have been enticed to a house by a man who was not attending the celebration.
It is believed they managed to flee from their attackers by climbing out of a window.
The girls ran back to the house where the party was taking place and raised the alarm. They were taken to hospital in Galway for medical treatment.
The three men were initially arrested for public order offences and taken to Athlone Garda Station.
They were subsequently taken before a special sitting of the local District Court on Saturday where they were remanded in custody.
All three were later re-arrested as part of the investigation into the alleged sexual assault and taken back to Athlone Garda Station. Two were subsequently released.
More than 300 people took to the streets of Athlone as detectives questioned the suspect.
Justice Minister Alan Shatter went on radio to deny claims that the man being questioned had been in prison for a sex offence.
Shatter said he wanted to “set the record straight” to ease people’s “genuine and understandable fears and worries”
Punch
The man was one of three people detained by Garda after the youngsters, who are under the age of 10, were subjected to a serious sexual assault in Athlone, Westmeath, Ireland, Skynews reports.
Two men who were in the home where the alleged attacks took place were released without charge on Monday morning.
A file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions to assess if they will face charges in the future.
The alleged assaults took place on Saturday afternoon while a group of children were celebrating a friend’s birthday.
While the party was under way, the girls were playing outside and are believed to have been enticed to a house by a man who was not attending the celebration.
It is believed they managed to flee from their attackers by climbing out of a window.
The girls ran back to the house where the party was taking place and raised the alarm. They were taken to hospital in Galway for medical treatment.
The three men were initially arrested for public order offences and taken to Athlone Garda Station.
They were subsequently taken before a special sitting of the local District Court on Saturday where they were remanded in custody.
All three were later re-arrested as part of the investigation into the alleged sexual assault and taken back to Athlone Garda Station. Two were subsequently released.
More than 300 people took to the streets of Athlone as detectives questioned the suspect.
Justice Minister Alan Shatter went on radio to deny claims that the man being questioned had been in prison for a sex offence.
Shatter said he wanted to “set the record straight” to ease people’s “genuine and understandable fears and worries”
Punch
New PDP asks court to dismiss Tukur suit
National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur
The leaders of the New Peoples Democratic Party have asked an Abuja Federal High Court to dismiss a suit in which the Alhaji Bamanga Tukur faction of the PDP sought to restrain them from parading themselves as the national executive members of the party.
The lawyers of the New PDP maintained that the dispute was an internal affair of the party, and as a result, the court had no jurisdiction to hear and determine it.
The suit was filed before the Abuja FHC by PDP, Tukur and the national officers of the party after the respondents – Abubakar Baraje, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Sam Jaja and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar formed the breakaway faction of the party on August 31, 2013.
The Independent National Electoral Commission was equally joined among the defendants, as the Tukur faction asked the court to order the electoral commission to refrain from engaging in any business with the New PDP.
The Tukur faction was insisting that the Baraje group was not elected, and as a result, asked the court to stop them from acting as the PDP executive.
However, at a hearing in the matter on Monday, the New PDP maintained that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the matter.
Counsel to the leaders of the New PDP, Ahmed Raji, SAN, Robert Clarke, SAN, and E. R. Emukpoeruo, in their preliminary objections, insisted that the matter was an internal affair of the PDP, which was beyond the jurisdiction of the court.
They also argued that the suit should not have been filed before a FHC, since it did not complain about the action of any agency of the Federal Government.
“I urge the court to decline jurisdiction in this matter because it bothers on the domestic affairs of a political party which is not justiciable.
“All they are asking the court to determine is who are the elected leaders of the PDP,” Raji contended.
He maintained that the party was in the best position to resolve the dispute through relevant internal organs.
Clarke insisted that the suit was not competent enough to be brought before the court.
He urged the court to “throw away the case for lack of competence for no effectual order or orders can be made by this court in relation to the suit.”
In the same vein, Emukpoeruo, argued that the suit was an abuse of the court process, as the Tukur-led PDP had also filed a similar, pending case before the Lagos FHC.
“In the Lagos suit, PDP is the 4th plaintiff and in this case PDP is the 1st plaintiff, so it is misleading to say PDP did not sue in Lagos,” he said.
But counsel to the Tukur-led PDP, Tochukwu Onwugbufor, SAN, insisted that the court had the powers to hear the suit.
He stressed that the court had the powers to interpret provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act and the PDP constitution, which were relevant to the determination of the dispute.
“We are seeking your Lordship’s interpretation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act and the PDP constitution,” Onwugbufor said.
He refuted the defendants’ claim that the suit was an abuse of the court process.
The presiding judge, Justice Elvis Chukwu, adjourned the matter for judgment.
However, the date for the judgment was not disclosed.
Justice Chukwu said the date would be communicated to the parties.
Meanwhile, a suit filed before the court by one of the factional governorship candidates of the PDP in Anambra State, Tony Nwoye, has been struck out.
The development followed the withdrawal of the suit by the plaintiff.
Nwoye had asked the court to order INEC and PDP to recognise him as the party’s candidate for the forthcoming poll.
Nwoye filed the suit after a Port Harcourt FHC disqualified him from contesting the election while affirming Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu as the PDP candidate.
The development prompted Ukachukwu to ask the Abuja FHC to join him as a party in the suit.
Before the withdrawal of the suit, the court had directed the rival PDP candidates to address it on the implications of the Port Harcourt FHC judgment
Punch
The leaders of the New Peoples Democratic Party have asked an Abuja Federal High Court to dismiss a suit in which the Alhaji Bamanga Tukur faction of the PDP sought to restrain them from parading themselves as the national executive members of the party.
The lawyers of the New PDP maintained that the dispute was an internal affair of the party, and as a result, the court had no jurisdiction to hear and determine it.
The suit was filed before the Abuja FHC by PDP, Tukur and the national officers of the party after the respondents – Abubakar Baraje, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Sam Jaja and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar formed the breakaway faction of the party on August 31, 2013.
The Independent National Electoral Commission was equally joined among the defendants, as the Tukur faction asked the court to order the electoral commission to refrain from engaging in any business with the New PDP.
The Tukur faction was insisting that the Baraje group was not elected, and as a result, asked the court to stop them from acting as the PDP executive.
However, at a hearing in the matter on Monday, the New PDP maintained that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the matter.
Counsel to the leaders of the New PDP, Ahmed Raji, SAN, Robert Clarke, SAN, and E. R. Emukpoeruo, in their preliminary objections, insisted that the matter was an internal affair of the PDP, which was beyond the jurisdiction of the court.
They also argued that the suit should not have been filed before a FHC, since it did not complain about the action of any agency of the Federal Government.
“I urge the court to decline jurisdiction in this matter because it bothers on the domestic affairs of a political party which is not justiciable.
“All they are asking the court to determine is who are the elected leaders of the PDP,” Raji contended.
He maintained that the party was in the best position to resolve the dispute through relevant internal organs.
Clarke insisted that the suit was not competent enough to be brought before the court.
He urged the court to “throw away the case for lack of competence for no effectual order or orders can be made by this court in relation to the suit.”
In the same vein, Emukpoeruo, argued that the suit was an abuse of the court process, as the Tukur-led PDP had also filed a similar, pending case before the Lagos FHC.
“In the Lagos suit, PDP is the 4th plaintiff and in this case PDP is the 1st plaintiff, so it is misleading to say PDP did not sue in Lagos,” he said.
But counsel to the Tukur-led PDP, Tochukwu Onwugbufor, SAN, insisted that the court had the powers to hear the suit.
He stressed that the court had the powers to interpret provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act and the PDP constitution, which were relevant to the determination of the dispute.
“We are seeking your Lordship’s interpretation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act and the PDP constitution,” Onwugbufor said.
He refuted the defendants’ claim that the suit was an abuse of the court process.
The presiding judge, Justice Elvis Chukwu, adjourned the matter for judgment.
However, the date for the judgment was not disclosed.
Justice Chukwu said the date would be communicated to the parties.
Meanwhile, a suit filed before the court by one of the factional governorship candidates of the PDP in Anambra State, Tony Nwoye, has been struck out.
The development followed the withdrawal of the suit by the plaintiff.
Nwoye had asked the court to order INEC and PDP to recognise him as the party’s candidate for the forthcoming poll.
Nwoye filed the suit after a Port Harcourt FHC disqualified him from contesting the election while affirming Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu as the PDP candidate.
The development prompted Ukachukwu to ask the Abuja FHC to join him as a party in the suit.
Before the withdrawal of the suit, the court had directed the rival PDP candidates to address it on the implications of the Port Harcourt FHC judgment
Punch
Do eye test, it can save your life!
There’s a popular saying among physicians, to the intent that the eye is the window to the body. Even if you’ve never heard this before, have you noticed that when you visit the doctor, one of the regular examinations he does is to gently examine your eye? It’s not for nothing, it turns out.
Indeed, experts say, the body’s systems are interconnected, such that changes in the eye can reflect whatever changes are ongoing in the vascular, nervous and immune system, among others.
Researchers say that because the eyes are see-through in a way other organs aren’t, they offer a unique glimpse into the body, and the blood vessels, nerves and tissue can all be viewed directly through the eye with the aid of specialised equipment.
Numerous researches are being carried out to determine how physicians can use the window of the eye to correctly tell where a problem lurks in the body, and checkmate it before it progresses further. Here are some of the diseases that can be correctly diagnosed through the eye.
Diabetes
Experts say one of the well-known effects of diabetes is eye and vision damage, usually caused by diabetic retinopathy.
“This means that delicate blood vessels in the eye swell or bleed; while they may also grow abnormally on the retina itself. When this happens, it allows unprocessed blood sugars, fats, and proteins to leak out of weakened blood vessels. And that is what damages the retina and can cause vision loss,” Diabetologist/Medical Director of Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre, Lekki, Dr. Afokoghene Isiavwe, says.
An online portal, rnib.org.uk, notes that the unusual changes in blood sugar levels resulting from diabetes can affect the lens inside the eye, especially when the diabetes is not being controlled via proper medical supervision. This can result in blurring of vision, which comes and goes over the day, depending on the patient’s blood sugar levels.
Isiavwe notes that cataract is the resultant long-term effect of diabetes, being a condition that makes the lens of the eye to go cloudy.
Not everyone who has diabetes develops an eye complication, experts say. And of those that do, many patients have a very mild form of retinopathy, which may never progress to a condition that threatens the sight.
The American Diabetes Association notes that roughly 90 per cent of diabetes-related blindness can be avoided by getting an annual eye exam.
Isiavwe warns that in order to prevent sight loss due to diabetic retinopathy, you should have regular retinal screening. “Early detection and treatment may prevent sight loss,” she declares.
Jaundice
General Practitioner, Dr. Abiola Lanre-Iyanda, says if any disease could readily be detected via the window of the eye, it is jaundice. She notes, “Jaundice is often more prominent in the whites of the eyes.” She also warns that, depending on the skin tone, it can be a sign of liver disease. An eye test enables the patient to take charge of their health condition immediately, Lanre-Iyanda says.
Advanced hypertension
Experts say this deadly disease can manifest as bleeding in new blood vessels, and cause the retina to detach.
Experts say the retina is the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the inner eye, which acts like the film in a camera. Images come through the eye’s lens and are focused on the retina. The retina then converts these images to electric signals and sends them via the optic nerve to the brain.
The retina is normally red due to its rich blood supply. An ophthalmoscope allows a health care provider to see through your pupil and lens to the retina. If the provider sees any changes in the colour or appearance of the retina, it may indicate a disease.
Scottish scientists at the University of Edinburgh say a simple eye test, such as taking a high-definition image of the retina, could reveal problems with blood vessels that are indicative of cardiac disease.
Again, physicians reveal that very high blood pressure in anyone who is over the age of 30 can lead to crossings in the blood vessels of the eye, where the artery has hardened and probably severe the vein underneath. They warn that an eye test will reveal a very high pressure that may cause blood vessels to burst and haemorrhages to form. This test can, therefore, save thousands of heart attack patients from sudden death, experts argue.
Sickle cell anaemia
Physicians say while sickle cell disease is present at birth, most infants don’t show any signs until they are over four months old. They warn that the symptoms of the disease vary, and that in some people, they are mild, while in others, they may be severe and require hospitalisation.
Experts say sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait can be diagnosed with a simple blood test; but researchers now argue that the disease can also be diagnosed through certain unusual characteristics in the eye.
They warn that yellowing of the eyes might, sometimes, be an indication of the disease, in addition to other known symptoms.
Colon cancer
Researchers are currently studying how dark spots on the back of the eye, known as congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium, are associated with certain forms of colon cancer, and how dementia-related changes are signaled in the eye, such as how the eye reacts to light.
HIV/AIDS
Tell the average person to go for HIV screening, and he wonders why. Yet, even if you are afraid to know your HIV status, a simple eye test can still reveal what is going on in your bloodstream.
According to researchers, HIV/AIDS, lupus and other autoimmune diseases can be detected through certain eye examinations.
Scientists say this is because the diseases can cause the retina to become severely inflamed, and consequently lead to blindness if adequate care is not taken.
Stroke
Experts say sometimes, symptoms of stroke develop gradually. But when an individual is having a stroke, he might likely have one or more sudden warning signs, including inability to see with one or both eyes.
Lanre-Iyanda says sudden difficulty seeing in one or both eyes can be the sign of a stroke. “And that’s why an eye test could reveal whether a part or the entire sight has been damaged or missing. When this happens, it will certainly correlate with the side of the brain affected by the stroke,” she intones.
To stay safe, go for eye test today, and make it a twice-a-year habit afterwards.
Punch
Indeed, experts say, the body’s systems are interconnected, such that changes in the eye can reflect whatever changes are ongoing in the vascular, nervous and immune system, among others.
Researchers say that because the eyes are see-through in a way other organs aren’t, they offer a unique glimpse into the body, and the blood vessels, nerves and tissue can all be viewed directly through the eye with the aid of specialised equipment.
Numerous researches are being carried out to determine how physicians can use the window of the eye to correctly tell where a problem lurks in the body, and checkmate it before it progresses further. Here are some of the diseases that can be correctly diagnosed through the eye.
Diabetes
Experts say one of the well-known effects of diabetes is eye and vision damage, usually caused by diabetic retinopathy.
“This means that delicate blood vessels in the eye swell or bleed; while they may also grow abnormally on the retina itself. When this happens, it allows unprocessed blood sugars, fats, and proteins to leak out of weakened blood vessels. And that is what damages the retina and can cause vision loss,” Diabetologist/Medical Director of Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre, Lekki, Dr. Afokoghene Isiavwe, says.
An online portal, rnib.org.uk, notes that the unusual changes in blood sugar levels resulting from diabetes can affect the lens inside the eye, especially when the diabetes is not being controlled via proper medical supervision. This can result in blurring of vision, which comes and goes over the day, depending on the patient’s blood sugar levels.
Isiavwe notes that cataract is the resultant long-term effect of diabetes, being a condition that makes the lens of the eye to go cloudy.
Not everyone who has diabetes develops an eye complication, experts say. And of those that do, many patients have a very mild form of retinopathy, which may never progress to a condition that threatens the sight.
The American Diabetes Association notes that roughly 90 per cent of diabetes-related blindness can be avoided by getting an annual eye exam.
Isiavwe warns that in order to prevent sight loss due to diabetic retinopathy, you should have regular retinal screening. “Early detection and treatment may prevent sight loss,” she declares.
Jaundice
General Practitioner, Dr. Abiola Lanre-Iyanda, says if any disease could readily be detected via the window of the eye, it is jaundice. She notes, “Jaundice is often more prominent in the whites of the eyes.” She also warns that, depending on the skin tone, it can be a sign of liver disease. An eye test enables the patient to take charge of their health condition immediately, Lanre-Iyanda says.
Advanced hypertension
Experts say this deadly disease can manifest as bleeding in new blood vessels, and cause the retina to detach.
Experts say the retina is the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the inner eye, which acts like the film in a camera. Images come through the eye’s lens and are focused on the retina. The retina then converts these images to electric signals and sends them via the optic nerve to the brain.
The retina is normally red due to its rich blood supply. An ophthalmoscope allows a health care provider to see through your pupil and lens to the retina. If the provider sees any changes in the colour or appearance of the retina, it may indicate a disease.
Scottish scientists at the University of Edinburgh say a simple eye test, such as taking a high-definition image of the retina, could reveal problems with blood vessels that are indicative of cardiac disease.
Again, physicians reveal that very high blood pressure in anyone who is over the age of 30 can lead to crossings in the blood vessels of the eye, where the artery has hardened and probably severe the vein underneath. They warn that an eye test will reveal a very high pressure that may cause blood vessels to burst and haemorrhages to form. This test can, therefore, save thousands of heart attack patients from sudden death, experts argue.
Sickle cell anaemia
Physicians say while sickle cell disease is present at birth, most infants don’t show any signs until they are over four months old. They warn that the symptoms of the disease vary, and that in some people, they are mild, while in others, they may be severe and require hospitalisation.
Experts say sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait can be diagnosed with a simple blood test; but researchers now argue that the disease can also be diagnosed through certain unusual characteristics in the eye.
They warn that yellowing of the eyes might, sometimes, be an indication of the disease, in addition to other known symptoms.
Colon cancer
Researchers are currently studying how dark spots on the back of the eye, known as congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium, are associated with certain forms of colon cancer, and how dementia-related changes are signaled in the eye, such as how the eye reacts to light.
HIV/AIDS
Tell the average person to go for HIV screening, and he wonders why. Yet, even if you are afraid to know your HIV status, a simple eye test can still reveal what is going on in your bloodstream.
According to researchers, HIV/AIDS, lupus and other autoimmune diseases can be detected through certain eye examinations.
Scientists say this is because the diseases can cause the retina to become severely inflamed, and consequently lead to blindness if adequate care is not taken.
Stroke
Experts say sometimes, symptoms of stroke develop gradually. But when an individual is having a stroke, he might likely have one or more sudden warning signs, including inability to see with one or both eyes.
Lanre-Iyanda says sudden difficulty seeing in one or both eyes can be the sign of a stroke. “And that’s why an eye test could reveal whether a part or the entire sight has been damaged or missing. When this happens, it will certainly correlate with the side of the brain affected by the stroke,” she intones.
To stay safe, go for eye test today, and make it a twice-a-year habit afterwards.
Punch
Jonathan faulted over Shekau, corruption
Some Nigerians have expressed concern about President Goodluck Jonathan over his comments on the death or otherwise of Abubakar Shekau — the leader of the fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram; as well as his perception about the depth of corruption in Nigeria.
While fielding questions from a panel of journalists during the Presidential Media Chat in Abuja on Sunday, Jonathan had said, “I don’t know whether he (Shekau) is dead or alive. I don’t know him and I have not seen him before.”
He also stated that the perception of corruption by Nigerians is different from reality, noting that “Everyone talks as if corruption is our number one problem. But corruption is not Nigeria’s biggest problem. The key thing is access to finance, infrastructure…”
Many Nigerians who took to social media to express their opinion on the issue on Monday said they were not impressed by Jonathan’s grasp of issues.
They argued that while they believe that Shekau could not be simultaneously alive and dead, Jonathan, as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, ought to know the state of affairs of the leader of the sect that has been snuffing lives out of innocent Nigerians with impunity.
A Twitter user, Elenathan John, says since Jonathan as the Chief Security Officer of the nation does not know if the country’s most wanted terrorist is alive or dead, Nigerians are in serious trouble.
“How Jonathan could open his mouth and say, ‘I don’t know if he is dead or alive…you journalists should know more than us,’ beats me. That is irresponsibility. Our number one terrorist suspect! Our own Osama bin Laden! He is joking about not knowing where he is or if he is alive.”
On Facebook, one Bello Abdullahi described the President’s statement on Shekau as “confusion at the topmost level.”
“You mean your security details have not given you (Jonathan) the right report on him, whether dead or alive? My goodness!” Another Facebook user, Deya Ezekiel laments.
An angry Kazeem Bisiriyu, after describing the President’s statement as “shameful” called for Jonathan’s resignation over his statement on Shekau.
“This is shameful. If the Chief Security Officer of Nigeria can tell the whole world that he is not sure if the Boko Haram leader is dead or alive, the best thing he should do is to tender his resignation,” Bisiriyu states on Facebook.
On Jonathan’s take on the depth of corruption in the polity, they argued that the President is out of touch with the scale of the problem. According to them, the only devil standing between Nigeria and the realisation of her developmental dreams is the menace of corruption which, they said, had eaten deep into the body fabric of the nation.
A reader on punchng.com, Maurice Oguh, writes, “I disagree with my admirable President. If you take corruption out of our national life, every other thing shall automatically fall in place. The right people will get the right jobs, contracts and positions. And we will begin to achieve better results. Therefore, sir, corruption is our number one problem. Solve it and you would have solved 75 per cent of our problems.”
Also, another reader on punchng.com with the name Adoki, while disagreeing with the President says, “Pardon me, Mr. President, but you cannot say that corruption is not our greatest problem because it definitely is.
“I don’t know what you mean by ‘access to finance,’ but I do know that good people don’t like to put their money into a system they know is plagued by corruption.
“And how can you expect adequate infrastructure development if most of the money allocated to that sector is stolen by corrupt officials? While corrupt businessmen may just find Nigeria an ideal place to do business, the rest of us ultimately bear the brunt of a corrupt system.”
A prolific Twitter user, Kayode Ogundamisi, also notes that for the President to admit that corruption is not the number one problem of the country shows his level of incompetence.
“The Presidential Media Chat exposes the fact that Jonathan is completely detached from reality. So sad! The President is completely ignorant of the reality of Nigeria and what is happening around him. We all need to pray for Goodluck Jonathan; it appears his aides are not helping matters. What a tragedy!”
Punch
While fielding questions from a panel of journalists during the Presidential Media Chat in Abuja on Sunday, Jonathan had said, “I don’t know whether he (Shekau) is dead or alive. I don’t know him and I have not seen him before.”
He also stated that the perception of corruption by Nigerians is different from reality, noting that “Everyone talks as if corruption is our number one problem. But corruption is not Nigeria’s biggest problem. The key thing is access to finance, infrastructure…”
Many Nigerians who took to social media to express their opinion on the issue on Monday said they were not impressed by Jonathan’s grasp of issues.
They argued that while they believe that Shekau could not be simultaneously alive and dead, Jonathan, as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, ought to know the state of affairs of the leader of the sect that has been snuffing lives out of innocent Nigerians with impunity.
A Twitter user, Elenathan John, says since Jonathan as the Chief Security Officer of the nation does not know if the country’s most wanted terrorist is alive or dead, Nigerians are in serious trouble.
“How Jonathan could open his mouth and say, ‘I don’t know if he is dead or alive…you journalists should know more than us,’ beats me. That is irresponsibility. Our number one terrorist suspect! Our own Osama bin Laden! He is joking about not knowing where he is or if he is alive.”
On Facebook, one Bello Abdullahi described the President’s statement on Shekau as “confusion at the topmost level.”
“You mean your security details have not given you (Jonathan) the right report on him, whether dead or alive? My goodness!” Another Facebook user, Deya Ezekiel laments.
An angry Kazeem Bisiriyu, after describing the President’s statement as “shameful” called for Jonathan’s resignation over his statement on Shekau.
“This is shameful. If the Chief Security Officer of Nigeria can tell the whole world that he is not sure if the Boko Haram leader is dead or alive, the best thing he should do is to tender his resignation,” Bisiriyu states on Facebook.
On Jonathan’s take on the depth of corruption in the polity, they argued that the President is out of touch with the scale of the problem. According to them, the only devil standing between Nigeria and the realisation of her developmental dreams is the menace of corruption which, they said, had eaten deep into the body fabric of the nation.
A reader on punchng.com, Maurice Oguh, writes, “I disagree with my admirable President. If you take corruption out of our national life, every other thing shall automatically fall in place. The right people will get the right jobs, contracts and positions. And we will begin to achieve better results. Therefore, sir, corruption is our number one problem. Solve it and you would have solved 75 per cent of our problems.”
Also, another reader on punchng.com with the name Adoki, while disagreeing with the President says, “Pardon me, Mr. President, but you cannot say that corruption is not our greatest problem because it definitely is.
“I don’t know what you mean by ‘access to finance,’ but I do know that good people don’t like to put their money into a system they know is plagued by corruption.
“And how can you expect adequate infrastructure development if most of the money allocated to that sector is stolen by corrupt officials? While corrupt businessmen may just find Nigeria an ideal place to do business, the rest of us ultimately bear the brunt of a corrupt system.”
A prolific Twitter user, Kayode Ogundamisi, also notes that for the President to admit that corruption is not the number one problem of the country shows his level of incompetence.
“The Presidential Media Chat exposes the fact that Jonathan is completely detached from reality. So sad! The President is completely ignorant of the reality of Nigeria and what is happening around him. We all need to pray for Goodluck Jonathan; it appears his aides are not helping matters. What a tragedy!”
Punch
Man confesses to freezing brother after killing him
An unidentified man has admitted killing his younger brother with a hammer, cutting up the body and putting the remains in a freezer, Skynews reports.
The 39-year-old Spanish suspect said he carried out the gruesome attack after a turbulent year living in the same home as his sibling, police officers said.
He was detained after he voluntarily turned up at a police station to confess, according to a police statement.
Officers said they went with him to the home where they found “two freezers with bone and organic remains as well as part of the body”.
Police said the man, whose name was not released but is from Palma in Majorca on the Balearic Islands, could not recall how many days ago the crime took place.
The suspect apparently told police his 32-year-old brother had moved in with him about a year ago, leading to heated arguments.
“In one of those arguments in the home, the brother took a hammer and tried to assault the detainee, who snatched the weapon and aimed several mortal blows at the (victim’s) head,” police said.
punch
The 39-year-old Spanish suspect said he carried out the gruesome attack after a turbulent year living in the same home as his sibling, police officers said.
He was detained after he voluntarily turned up at a police station to confess, according to a police statement.
Officers said they went with him to the home where they found “two freezers with bone and organic remains as well as part of the body”.
Police said the man, whose name was not released but is from Palma in Majorca on the Balearic Islands, could not recall how many days ago the crime took place.
The suspect apparently told police his 32-year-old brother had moved in with him about a year ago, leading to heated arguments.
“In one of those arguments in the home, the brother took a hammer and tried to assault the detainee, who snatched the weapon and aimed several mortal blows at the (victim’s) head,” police said.
punch
Lagos PDP seeks probe of hotel, Fashola’s assets
The Lagos State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party on Monday sought to know the financiers of a new hotel that was inaugurated in the state on Sunday.
The party also insisted that the state Governor, Babatunde Fashola, should make his assets public in order to convince Lagosians that he was above board.
In a statement by its state Publicity Secretary, Taofik Gani, the party said it had observed that there was a high level of corruption in governance of Lagos State under the present administration.
The party added that many government officials diverted the proceeds from governance into personal businesses.
The party said, “More than ever before, we are convinced that the governor and his predecessor have indeed plunged the state into unnecessary high debt.
“Everyday, we hear Lagos State Government collects huge loans. Presently, the state is indebted to the tune of over N1tn in local and foreign loans.
“In spite of the fact that the state now realises at least N23bn as Internally Generated Revenue every month, Lagos residents are not enjoying improved cheap social-welfare services. What we see instead are new hotels, shopping malls, airlines, banks, private housing estates and construction companies that are linked to the government officials.”
The Lagos State PDP consequently reiterated its demand that Fashola must make public his asset or face its wrath.
“The party has now given the governor 14 days within which to make public his assets or the masses shall be mobilised for a protest to demand same,” the state PDP added.
Punch
The party also insisted that the state Governor, Babatunde Fashola, should make his assets public in order to convince Lagosians that he was above board.
In a statement by its state Publicity Secretary, Taofik Gani, the party said it had observed that there was a high level of corruption in governance of Lagos State under the present administration.
The party added that many government officials diverted the proceeds from governance into personal businesses.
The party said, “More than ever before, we are convinced that the governor and his predecessor have indeed plunged the state into unnecessary high debt.
“Everyday, we hear Lagos State Government collects huge loans. Presently, the state is indebted to the tune of over N1tn in local and foreign loans.
“In spite of the fact that the state now realises at least N23bn as Internally Generated Revenue every month, Lagos residents are not enjoying improved cheap social-welfare services. What we see instead are new hotels, shopping malls, airlines, banks, private housing estates and construction companies that are linked to the government officials.”
The Lagos State PDP consequently reiterated its demand that Fashola must make public his asset or face its wrath.
“The party has now given the governor 14 days within which to make public his assets or the masses shall be mobilised for a protest to demand same,” the state PDP added.
Punch
Drug barons fleeing Lagos – NDLEA
Chairman, Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mr. Ahmadu Giade, on Monday said barons had been fleeing Lagos State due to a renewed offensive against drug trafficking coupled with the discovery of four clandestine laboratories last year.
Giade said this while receiving two Toyota Hilux vehicles from the Lagos State Government at Alausa.
In a statement by the NDLEA Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, Giade added that the arrest of the operators which included three Bolivians, also induced the flight.
He said, “Lagos State presents a peculiar challenge for the NDLEA because of certain characteristics that drug barons find attractive. Lagos has a large rich population.
“The presence of seaports, airport and land borders are also attractive to the drug barons.
“However, most of them have been forced to relocate from Lagos due to efforts of our men and the discovery of the methamphetamine factories.
“We have intelligence on them and a systematic raid operation shall be launched against them wherever they may be as soon as it is expedient.”
Thanking the government, Giade added that the donation marked the beginning of a long cordial and promising relationship between the agency and the government.
He added that he had informed the state government in January of the drug situation in the state.
He said, “The situation today is better and this donation is the beginning of a fruitful partnership with the Lagos State Government. I can assure you of a vibrant and promising anti-drug campaign in the state.”
Fashola expressed support for the campaign advocating stiffer penalties for drug offenders.
He said, “I am in support of your campaign for stiffer punishment for drug traffickers. In the face of global insecurity, it is impossible not to put a sharper focus on the role drugs play in crime.”
punch
Giade said this while receiving two Toyota Hilux vehicles from the Lagos State Government at Alausa.
In a statement by the NDLEA Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, Giade added that the arrest of the operators which included three Bolivians, also induced the flight.
He said, “Lagos State presents a peculiar challenge for the NDLEA because of certain characteristics that drug barons find attractive. Lagos has a large rich population.
“The presence of seaports, airport and land borders are also attractive to the drug barons.
“However, most of them have been forced to relocate from Lagos due to efforts of our men and the discovery of the methamphetamine factories.
“We have intelligence on them and a systematic raid operation shall be launched against them wherever they may be as soon as it is expedient.”
Thanking the government, Giade added that the donation marked the beginning of a long cordial and promising relationship between the agency and the government.
He added that he had informed the state government in January of the drug situation in the state.
He said, “The situation today is better and this donation is the beginning of a fruitful partnership with the Lagos State Government. I can assure you of a vibrant and promising anti-drug campaign in the state.”
Fashola expressed support for the campaign advocating stiffer penalties for drug offenders.
He said, “I am in support of your campaign for stiffer punishment for drug traffickers. In the face of global insecurity, it is impossible not to put a sharper focus on the role drugs play in crime.”
punch
Police nab three teenage stowaways at Lagos airport
The Airport Command of the Nigeria Police Force has arrested three teenagers for allegedly attempting to illegally board some international flights in Lagos.
Commissioner of Police for the command, Salahu Waheed, said the suspects, Lateef Popoola, 13; Amadi Joshua, 14; and Ukpabio Onyedikachi, 14, were arrested at different times at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja.
Waheed, while handing over the suspects to their mothers, said there was a need for their respective state governments to rehabilitate them like the Edo State Government did with teenage stowaway, Daniel Ihekina, who was arrested on August 24, 2013 after sneaking into the tyre compartment of a Lagos-bound Arik plane.
He said, “These boys were found at different times at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. Their aim was to get into any plane and travel out of Nigeria.
“I decided to hand them over to their parents so they will be well taken care of and stop dwelling on the fantasy that you can just come into the airport, enter a plane and travel.
“Their state governments should try to rehabilitate them just like Edo State did for the stowaway in Benin.
“Lateef Popoola is from Ogun State; Amadi Joshua is from Ebonyi while Ukpabio Onyedikachi is from Abia State.
“The airport is not a place that you can just come into and travel. There are formalities. We don’t want to see these children here again.”
The teenagers, who spoke to PUNCH Metro, said they had been nursing the idea of travelling abroad, adding that they were not ready to execute their plans yet.
Lateef said he went to the tarmac to observe how aeroplanes take off and land.
He said he was able to gain access to the runaway by sneaking into an airport apron bus, but was arrested shortly after alighting.
He said, “I am not in school, I dropped out in Primary three. I was arrested last week Wednesday. I actually wanted to travel but I have yet to decided where I will go. So, I just went to the tarmac to see the aeroplanes.”
Lateef’s grandmother, Adunni, said she had no idea that her grandson was nursing the idea of travelling out of the country. She said she had been responsible for his upkeep since his mother abandoned him at infancy.
“I did not know that he wanted to travel. I just did not see him last week and I started looking for him all over the place. It was on Saturday that I finally found out that he had been arrested,” she said.
Onyedikachi and Joshua were said to have been arrested after asking some security agents where Malaysia flights were boarding.
After being questioned, the boys, who were both in SS1, said they had no travel documents and were immediately arrested.
Police said Onyedikachi’s brother was in Malaysia and it was possible that the teenager wanted to travel out to see his brother.
Onyedikachi, however said, “We were at the departure area of the airport. We did not attempt to travel out. We were just loitering and wanted to see the aeroplanes. We did not want to travel out on that day.”
Onyedikachi’s mother berated her son for his escapade. She said she had warned him and Joshua to be well behaved at all times.
She said, “I had no knowledge of what they did. Onyedikachi is well taken care of and is not suffering. I don’t know what pushed him to do this.”
punch
Commissioner of Police for the command, Salahu Waheed, said the suspects, Lateef Popoola, 13; Amadi Joshua, 14; and Ukpabio Onyedikachi, 14, were arrested at different times at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja.
Waheed, while handing over the suspects to their mothers, said there was a need for their respective state governments to rehabilitate them like the Edo State Government did with teenage stowaway, Daniel Ihekina, who was arrested on August 24, 2013 after sneaking into the tyre compartment of a Lagos-bound Arik plane.
He said, “These boys were found at different times at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. Their aim was to get into any plane and travel out of Nigeria.
“I decided to hand them over to their parents so they will be well taken care of and stop dwelling on the fantasy that you can just come into the airport, enter a plane and travel.
“Their state governments should try to rehabilitate them just like Edo State did for the stowaway in Benin.
“Lateef Popoola is from Ogun State; Amadi Joshua is from Ebonyi while Ukpabio Onyedikachi is from Abia State.
“The airport is not a place that you can just come into and travel. There are formalities. We don’t want to see these children here again.”
The teenagers, who spoke to PUNCH Metro, said they had been nursing the idea of travelling abroad, adding that they were not ready to execute their plans yet.
Lateef said he went to the tarmac to observe how aeroplanes take off and land.
He said he was able to gain access to the runaway by sneaking into an airport apron bus, but was arrested shortly after alighting.
He said, “I am not in school, I dropped out in Primary three. I was arrested last week Wednesday. I actually wanted to travel but I have yet to decided where I will go. So, I just went to the tarmac to see the aeroplanes.”
Lateef’s grandmother, Adunni, said she had no idea that her grandson was nursing the idea of travelling out of the country. She said she had been responsible for his upkeep since his mother abandoned him at infancy.
“I did not know that he wanted to travel. I just did not see him last week and I started looking for him all over the place. It was on Saturday that I finally found out that he had been arrested,” she said.
Onyedikachi and Joshua were said to have been arrested after asking some security agents where Malaysia flights were boarding.
After being questioned, the boys, who were both in SS1, said they had no travel documents and were immediately arrested.
Police said Onyedikachi’s brother was in Malaysia and it was possible that the teenager wanted to travel out to see his brother.
Onyedikachi, however said, “We were at the departure area of the airport. We did not attempt to travel out. We were just loitering and wanted to see the aeroplanes. We did not want to travel out on that day.”
Onyedikachi’s mother berated her son for his escapade. She said she had warned him and Joshua to be well behaved at all times.
She said, “I had no knowledge of what they did. Onyedikachi is well taken care of and is not suffering. I don’t know what pushed him to do this.”
punch
PFN asks Nigerians to forgive
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria has called on Nigerians to use the period of the country’s Independence anniversary for sober reflection and to embrace the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation.
The PFN independence goodwill message by its National President, Dr. Felix Omobude, urged Nigerians to eschew all forms of discord and take on the task of nation-building in one accord.
The message read, “Let us show love to one another as we let peace and justice prevail in our land. Tendencies that tend to pull us apart are infinitesimal when placed side by side with the interests we share as a people.
“In as much as we have made some positive strides as a nation, the challenges that face our country today are daunting, to put it mildly. Nigeria is presently under siege with a wave of violence threatening to capsize the ship of state. Evil is spiraling out of control, threatening to envelop the land.
“The forces of darkness are manifesting in different dimensions, with wanton loss of lives, kidnapping, rape and erosion of societal values becoming the order of the day.”
Punch
The PFN independence goodwill message by its National President, Dr. Felix Omobude, urged Nigerians to eschew all forms of discord and take on the task of nation-building in one accord.
The message read, “Let us show love to one another as we let peace and justice prevail in our land. Tendencies that tend to pull us apart are infinitesimal when placed side by side with the interests we share as a people.
“In as much as we have made some positive strides as a nation, the challenges that face our country today are daunting, to put it mildly. Nigeria is presently under siege with a wave of violence threatening to capsize the ship of state. Evil is spiraling out of control, threatening to envelop the land.
“The forces of darkness are manifesting in different dimensions, with wanton loss of lives, kidnapping, rape and erosion of societal values becoming the order of the day.”
Punch
Eight Artisans Rape Teenager To Death
Miss Chekwube Mbaka was yesterday allegedly raped to death by 8 Artisans at Odume Obosi in Idemili North Council Area, Anambra State.
A 20 years male family friend suspected to be brain behind her abduction and rape with his friends is helping the Anambra police state command in investigation as the police have already swung into action to unravel the circumstances surrounding her untimely death.
The boy went out with the late Chekwube for the errand sent her by her father even as one artisan has been arrested. Chekwube was from Ogboji Ezzagu, Ishielu Loccal Government Area of Ebonyi State but was residing at MINAJ village, Odume Obosi.
Family sources said she was sent to buy a-hundred Naira garri by her father who came back from work at about 9 pm, because there was no food for him in the house but she never came back.
The sources said a meter away to their entrance gate gate, the hoodlums allegedly dragged Chekwube to an uncompleted building where she was raped violently to death.
Narrating his daughters ordeal, Mr. Mbaka regretted that if he had known that sending his daughter out to buy food for his family could bring about people laying ambush for her, he should have preferred the entire family sleeping without dinner.
Mbaka said he is suspecting the artisans from Okposi also of Ebonyi State who are living close to their yard to have masterminded the barbaric act, following the alleged regular sexual demands they have made to his daughter in the past.
He appealed to Corporal Ibrahim Idris Aboki attached with Divisional Crime Bureau, DCB of Obosi Police Division to do a thorough investigation and bring the peperators to book.
The Nation leant this was the fourth rape case Odume Obosi has recorded within the space of three months. Two deaths were also recorded in the barbaric acts of the hoodlums.
Divisional Police Officer of Obosi Division, CSP Dimale J.O confirmed the incident, stating that two people have been arrested in connection with the ugly story, adding that investigation is now on to unveil all that have hands in the death but declined further comment on the matter.
The Nation
A 20 years male family friend suspected to be brain behind her abduction and rape with his friends is helping the Anambra police state command in investigation as the police have already swung into action to unravel the circumstances surrounding her untimely death.
The boy went out with the late Chekwube for the errand sent her by her father even as one artisan has been arrested. Chekwube was from Ogboji Ezzagu, Ishielu Loccal Government Area of Ebonyi State but was residing at MINAJ village, Odume Obosi.
Family sources said she was sent to buy a-hundred Naira garri by her father who came back from work at about 9 pm, because there was no food for him in the house but she never came back.
The sources said a meter away to their entrance gate gate, the hoodlums allegedly dragged Chekwube to an uncompleted building where she was raped violently to death.
Narrating his daughters ordeal, Mr. Mbaka regretted that if he had known that sending his daughter out to buy food for his family could bring about people laying ambush for her, he should have preferred the entire family sleeping without dinner.
Mbaka said he is suspecting the artisans from Okposi also of Ebonyi State who are living close to their yard to have masterminded the barbaric act, following the alleged regular sexual demands they have made to his daughter in the past.
He appealed to Corporal Ibrahim Idris Aboki attached with Divisional Crime Bureau, DCB of Obosi Police Division to do a thorough investigation and bring the peperators to book.
The Nation leant this was the fourth rape case Odume Obosi has recorded within the space of three months. Two deaths were also recorded in the barbaric acts of the hoodlums.
Divisional Police Officer of Obosi Division, CSP Dimale J.O confirmed the incident, stating that two people have been arrested in connection with the ugly story, adding that investigation is now on to unveil all that have hands in the death but declined further comment on the matter.
The Nation
Self-taught hypnotist put married woman in a trance and told her she was his sex slave before forcing her to degrade herself
Timothy Porter learned hypnosis and offered to carry out hypnotherapy
The 40-year-old has been jailed for 18 months at Teesside Crown Court
Court hears incident has had a 'profound effect on victim's general health'
Timothy Porter has been jailed for 18 months for degrading a woman who he put under his trance, telling her he was her master and she was his sex slave
A self-taught hypnotist has been jailed for degrading a woman who he put under his trance, telling her he was her master and she was his sex slave.
Instead of using hypnotherapy to help his vulnerable victim with weight-loss and anxiety issues, ex-RAF man Timothy Porter made the woman touch her breasts while he committed a sex act on himself.
The grandfather, who had an unblemished record in the services spanning 24 years, has now been jailed for 18 months at Teesside Crown Court.
The 40-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to causing a person to engage in sexual activity without their consent.
Jonathan Walker, prosecuting, said Porter, who served at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire until the end of 2012, learned hypnosis and offered to carry out hypnotherapy on the married mother, whose identity cannot be reported.
After a series of sessions, Porter turned up at her home on the night of December 2 last year when her husband was away.
Despite her reservations, Porter offered to hypnotise her more deeply than before and the pair sat on a sofa.
'He kept saying, "No mind, no will of your own",' Mr Walker said.
She became frightened but the session continued. Mr Walker said: 'The defendant stated he was her master, she was his sexual slave.'
The amateur hypnotist then persuaded her to expose and touch her breasts while he performed a sex act on himself.
She was roused from the hypnosis and went to the kitchen, the court heard, and Porter tried to restart the session, without success.
Instead, his upset victim rang a friend, police were called and he was arrested.
House-hunting couple being shown round run-down home by estate agent left with head and back injuries after plunging 14ft through floor into basement
Mr Walker said: 'His account was that he believed she was consenting to his actions during the course of this incident.
'He agreed the incident had escalated and he misread the situation.'
Mr Walker said the victim was deeply upset.
Porter had previously pleaded guilty to causing a person to engage in sexual activity without their consent
'It has had a profound effect on her sleeping pattern and her general health,' he said.
She had declined Porter’s offer on previous occasions to use hypnotherapy to achieve more intense orgasms.
Jon Gregg, defending, said: 'Sad it is to see a man who has served his country proudly for so many years in so many active operations in the dock at a crown court staring down the barrel of a custodial sentence.'
Recorder Tim Gittins said the defendant was of good character, adding: 'You worked for Queen and country and undertook a number of arduous tours abroad.'
Porter was jailed for 18 months, placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years and banned from contacting his victim and from acting as a hypnotist for 10 years at Teesside Crown Court (pictured)
He continued: 'Regrettably one of your recent hobbies or interests in recent years is to be engaged in an amateur way in hypnotherapy and hypnotism.
'You have had no formal training and it is of concern that you engaged in such activity with a number of females without learning anything of the dangers or restrictions.'
Porter was jailed for 18 months, placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years and banned from contacting his victim and from acting as a hypnotist for 10 years.
daily mail
Ex-Militants In Gun Battle Over Amnesty Cash Largesse In Bayelsa
Gun fire erupted in the coastal settlement of Bilabiri in Ekeremo local government area of Bayelsa State over the weekend as a group of ex-militants revolted against their leader, "General" Pius.
The rebellious group accused their leader of diverting part of their amnesty financial package doled out by the amnesty office coordinated by Kingsley Kuku.
Two sources said the Sunday morning shoot-out forced many residents to flee the community for their safety.
"The gunmen arrived in two speed boats in search of 'General' Pius," said one source. He added that the militant "commander" was reportedly spending his weekend in Bilabiri. "The residents ran and took refuge in the mangrove swamps as the gunfire intensified," the source added.
SaharaReporters gathered that the attacking ex-militants moved from the waterfront and advanced to the residence of their "commander" where the shooting intensified.
A resident of the community disclosed that the embattled ex-militant leader may have escaped having been tipped off by some loyalists about the attack.
One source said the gunmen made away with several outboard engines and an undisclosed amount of cash in local and foreign currencies from the residence of the ex-militant leader.
The attack reportedly left the community in a state of anxiety for fear of another attack or a reprisal by gunmen loyal to "General" Pius.
A source with the Joint Task Force confirmed the development, stating that they had received reports of the shoot-out. "Yes, we heard that there was a battle between ex-militants in the area," the source said.
The force's spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu said on Sunday that the task force was keeping a close watch on developments in the community.
sahara reporters
The rebellious group accused their leader of diverting part of their amnesty financial package doled out by the amnesty office coordinated by Kingsley Kuku.
Two sources said the Sunday morning shoot-out forced many residents to flee the community for their safety.
"The gunmen arrived in two speed boats in search of 'General' Pius," said one source. He added that the militant "commander" was reportedly spending his weekend in Bilabiri. "The residents ran and took refuge in the mangrove swamps as the gunfire intensified," the source added.
SaharaReporters gathered that the attacking ex-militants moved from the waterfront and advanced to the residence of their "commander" where the shooting intensified.
A resident of the community disclosed that the embattled ex-militant leader may have escaped having been tipped off by some loyalists about the attack.
One source said the gunmen made away with several outboard engines and an undisclosed amount of cash in local and foreign currencies from the residence of the ex-militant leader.
The attack reportedly left the community in a state of anxiety for fear of another attack or a reprisal by gunmen loyal to "General" Pius.
A source with the Joint Task Force confirmed the development, stating that they had received reports of the shoot-out. "Yes, we heard that there was a battle between ex-militants in the area," the source said.
The force's spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu said on Sunday that the task force was keeping a close watch on developments in the community.
sahara reporters
RETRACTION: Retired Col. A.K. Togun is alive
The retired officer is not dead.
This evening, one of our correspondents, based in the northern flank of Oyo State, filed a report indicating that retired Col. A.K. Togun had passed on. He claimed to have spoken to close family members of the retired officer in the process of getting the story.
But moments after we published the story, it came to our attention that the story was untrue and we have since pulled it down.
We apologise earnestly to the retired officer, Mr. Togun, his family, associates, and our readers for the error. It is unacceptable, and a low mark by the standards we set for ourselves, and by which we seek to be judged. We are already in contact with Mr. Togun, offering our apologies, pledging a retraction, and promising a visit.
This incident has also compelled us to take another look at our gatekeeping process. A thorough disciplinary process has also been activated for the reporter and editors involved in the incident.
Musikilu Mojeed
Managing Editor
Premium times
This evening, one of our correspondents, based in the northern flank of Oyo State, filed a report indicating that retired Col. A.K. Togun had passed on. He claimed to have spoken to close family members of the retired officer in the process of getting the story.
But moments after we published the story, it came to our attention that the story was untrue and we have since pulled it down.
We apologise earnestly to the retired officer, Mr. Togun, his family, associates, and our readers for the error. It is unacceptable, and a low mark by the standards we set for ourselves, and by which we seek to be judged. We are already in contact with Mr. Togun, offering our apologies, pledging a retraction, and promising a visit.
This incident has also compelled us to take another look at our gatekeeping process. A thorough disciplinary process has also been activated for the reporter and editors involved in the incident.
Musikilu Mojeed
Managing Editor
Premium times
Obama congratulates Jonathan, Nigerians on 53rd independence anniversary
The U.S. President, Barack Obama, has congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan and the people of Nigeria as the nation celebrates 53rd anniversary it Independence Day on Oct.1.
“A warm friendship connects the Nigerian and American people, reflecting our shared values of democracy, economic growth, security, and respect for human rights and the rule of law.
“Our partnership is strong because of our people, as the proverb tells us, if you want to go quickly go alone. If you want to go far go together,’’ Obama in a statement, issued by Secretary of State, John Kerry said on Monday.
He added that in the coming years, the U.S. would be looking forward to going further with Nigeria as the country expands education, jobs and opportunity for its people.
“On the 53rd anniversary of your independence, I wish all Nigerians a safe and prosperous future,” Kerry quoted the U.S. president as saying.
Meanwhile, in the historic city, New York, Nigerians and friends of Nigeria from around the world are gearing up to celebrate the anniversary of Nigeria’s Independence.
The celebration is scheduled from Oct.3 to 5 with activities ranging from party for young Nigerians and their friends, to a cultural night where the youth would demonstrate appreciation of their Nigerian heritage.
Also there would be an Independence Day Parade/Carnival and Festival.
People from all walks of life are expected at the celebration to showcase the glory of Nigeria.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Nigeria, Time for change’’.
Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration in New York started in 1991.
The celebration is usually the largest of its kind by any African nation in the U.S. (NAN)*
“A warm friendship connects the Nigerian and American people, reflecting our shared values of democracy, economic growth, security, and respect for human rights and the rule of law.
“Our partnership is strong because of our people, as the proverb tells us, if you want to go quickly go alone. If you want to go far go together,’’ Obama in a statement, issued by Secretary of State, John Kerry said on Monday.
He added that in the coming years, the U.S. would be looking forward to going further with Nigeria as the country expands education, jobs and opportunity for its people.
“On the 53rd anniversary of your independence, I wish all Nigerians a safe and prosperous future,” Kerry quoted the U.S. president as saying.
Meanwhile, in the historic city, New York, Nigerians and friends of Nigeria from around the world are gearing up to celebrate the anniversary of Nigeria’s Independence.
The celebration is scheduled from Oct.3 to 5 with activities ranging from party for young Nigerians and their friends, to a cultural night where the youth would demonstrate appreciation of their Nigerian heritage.
Also there would be an Independence Day Parade/Carnival and Festival.
People from all walks of life are expected at the celebration to showcase the glory of Nigeria.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Nigeria, Time for change’’.
Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration in New York started in 1991.
The celebration is usually the largest of its kind by any African nation in the U.S. (NAN)*
Disabled President And His Bootlicking Cabinet By Bayo Oluwasanmi
Few minutes after concluding the piece originally meant for this week, I dashed off to SaharaReporters’ site. The title of Sonala Olumhense’s article “An Outbreak of Political Worshippers” serves as a bait that lures me to read the item.
Olumhense’s article was acerbic criticism of event that took place at the luncheon with President Goodluck Jonathan. Olumhense was one of the Nigerian professionals in the United States invited to lunch with Mr. Jonathan in New York.
Billed as a PR stunt to sell or resell Nigeria to Nigerians abroad, the event soon turned to exaltation of the president by “political worshippers.” Mr. Jonathan was instantly transformed into Nigeria’s savior and the apotheosis of all kingly and godly qualities.
Apparently in disbelieve, Olumhense was miffed by the superbly choreographed musical comedy of praises by some of Mr. Jonathan’s cabinet members namely Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Coordinating and Finance Minister, Olusegun Aganga Industry and Trade Investment Minister, Ade Adefuye Nigeria’s Ambassador to the US, and two unidentified MCs.
According to Olumhense, Adefuye spoke about Mr. Jonathan’s “heart and his wonderful decision-making” ability. Okonjo-Iweala “described how well the Nigerian economy is doing,” while Aganga “praised Jonathan’s wisdom, leadership and achievements.”
“One of the MCs bragged about Nigeria’s ‘achievement’ as Mr. Jonathan would speak in 4th place at the United Nations General Assembly debate… that Mr. Jonathan would ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange,” recalls Olumhense.
That President Jonathan is a weak leader as aptly stated by Olumhense is an understatement. It’s no news therefore that the bootlicking cabinet members of Mr. Jonathan are taking full advantage of a disabled and deluded president whose leadership deficit grows everyday with his presidency.
The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. Mr. Jonathan has failed miserably to define reality. He is caught up in his own power, pride and arrogance that ultimately drive his administration. As a leader, Mr. Jonathan is afraid to make mistakes and failed to admit them when he did.
He has created an atmosphere within his administration where risk taking is not encouraged. He is more concerned with his popularity than any other thing which leads him to believe his own press.
The need for courageous advisers and cabinet members who could brave the presidential aura and awe and tell Mr. Jonathan the truth cannot be stressed enough. A good leader must encourage reflective backtalk which allows the leader to learn and to find out more about himself. Mr. Jonathan believes more in pleasing people than in serving people.
The make-up of Mr. Jonathan’s cabinet and advisers tells us that he likes people who would deceive him and tell him lies he would like to hear. In the contrary, a good leader encourages dissent.
Mr. Jonathan needs people around him who have contrary views, who are devil’s advocates, who can tell him the difference between what Nigerians expected and what is really going on. Instead, Mr. Jonathan hires reflectors and clones who will mirror his opinions and desires.
The Okonjo-Iwealas, the Agangas, the Adefuyes and countless others in Mr. Jonathan’s administration are all too aware of what they perceive as dangers in speaking up. The duty of Mr. Jonathan is to look into the eyes of his staff and tell them point blank: “I want you to tell me exactly what’s wrong with me and my administration, even if it means losing your job.”
As a leader, Mr. Jonathan does not possess optimism, faith, and hope. Optimism and hope provide choices. But how can the president give what he doesn’t have? The opposite of hope is despair. Nigerians are in despair. And when the people are despair they feel trapped, crushed, helpless, and choice less.
Mr. Jonathan is incapable of balancing stakeholders’ competing claims and needs of a huge nation like Nigeria. The leader thinks of the impact of every decision he makes on public opinion, on the poor, the middle class, on consumers, on labor unions, on the states, on the municipalities, and so many other groups in the society.
As a leader, one is sure to face choices that affect not only his own life, but many others. A leader must put others first many times people whom you are likely to disagree with.
A leader must choose what is best for others, not what appeals to his own taste. A leader must constantly ask himself who will benefit most from his decision, me or others?
History offers a countless examples of leaders who failed because they refused to heed warnings. Just before the outbreak of World War II, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain failed to heed warnings from several parties concerning the threat posed by Adolf Hitler. Instead, Chamberlain pursued a policy of “appeasement” and confidently announced “peace in our time.” He died a year after the Nazi invasion of Poland.
A good leader knows when to heed warnings and advice. Mr. Jonathan has demonstrated over and over again that he is not receptive to advice and he is tone deaf to warnings. The handling of Boko Haram terrorists, the petroleum subsidy saga, the Governor Amaechi affair, and lately the ASUU strike bear witnesses to the grotesque leadership style of Mr. Jonathan.
The president’s counselors and cabinet members have run out of arguments – but not of praises. Given the extent and extreme hypocrisy and ineptitude of Jonathan’s administration being exposed on daily basis, the advisers and the coterie of cabinet liars have less and less to say. Guilty consciences want to flee justice, but the people’s fury of revenge would find them out!
byolu@aol.com*
sahara reporters
Olumhense’s article was acerbic criticism of event that took place at the luncheon with President Goodluck Jonathan. Olumhense was one of the Nigerian professionals in the United States invited to lunch with Mr. Jonathan in New York.
Billed as a PR stunt to sell or resell Nigeria to Nigerians abroad, the event soon turned to exaltation of the president by “political worshippers.” Mr. Jonathan was instantly transformed into Nigeria’s savior and the apotheosis of all kingly and godly qualities.
Apparently in disbelieve, Olumhense was miffed by the superbly choreographed musical comedy of praises by some of Mr. Jonathan’s cabinet members namely Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Coordinating and Finance Minister, Olusegun Aganga Industry and Trade Investment Minister, Ade Adefuye Nigeria’s Ambassador to the US, and two unidentified MCs.
According to Olumhense, Adefuye spoke about Mr. Jonathan’s “heart and his wonderful decision-making” ability. Okonjo-Iweala “described how well the Nigerian economy is doing,” while Aganga “praised Jonathan’s wisdom, leadership and achievements.”
“One of the MCs bragged about Nigeria’s ‘achievement’ as Mr. Jonathan would speak in 4th place at the United Nations General Assembly debate… that Mr. Jonathan would ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange,” recalls Olumhense.
That President Jonathan is a weak leader as aptly stated by Olumhense is an understatement. It’s no news therefore that the bootlicking cabinet members of Mr. Jonathan are taking full advantage of a disabled and deluded president whose leadership deficit grows everyday with his presidency.
The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. Mr. Jonathan has failed miserably to define reality. He is caught up in his own power, pride and arrogance that ultimately drive his administration. As a leader, Mr. Jonathan is afraid to make mistakes and failed to admit them when he did.
He has created an atmosphere within his administration where risk taking is not encouraged. He is more concerned with his popularity than any other thing which leads him to believe his own press.
The need for courageous advisers and cabinet members who could brave the presidential aura and awe and tell Mr. Jonathan the truth cannot be stressed enough. A good leader must encourage reflective backtalk which allows the leader to learn and to find out more about himself. Mr. Jonathan believes more in pleasing people than in serving people.
The make-up of Mr. Jonathan’s cabinet and advisers tells us that he likes people who would deceive him and tell him lies he would like to hear. In the contrary, a good leader encourages dissent.
Mr. Jonathan needs people around him who have contrary views, who are devil’s advocates, who can tell him the difference between what Nigerians expected and what is really going on. Instead, Mr. Jonathan hires reflectors and clones who will mirror his opinions and desires.
The Okonjo-Iwealas, the Agangas, the Adefuyes and countless others in Mr. Jonathan’s administration are all too aware of what they perceive as dangers in speaking up. The duty of Mr. Jonathan is to look into the eyes of his staff and tell them point blank: “I want you to tell me exactly what’s wrong with me and my administration, even if it means losing your job.”
As a leader, Mr. Jonathan does not possess optimism, faith, and hope. Optimism and hope provide choices. But how can the president give what he doesn’t have? The opposite of hope is despair. Nigerians are in despair. And when the people are despair they feel trapped, crushed, helpless, and choice less.
Mr. Jonathan is incapable of balancing stakeholders’ competing claims and needs of a huge nation like Nigeria. The leader thinks of the impact of every decision he makes on public opinion, on the poor, the middle class, on consumers, on labor unions, on the states, on the municipalities, and so many other groups in the society.
As a leader, one is sure to face choices that affect not only his own life, but many others. A leader must put others first many times people whom you are likely to disagree with.
A leader must choose what is best for others, not what appeals to his own taste. A leader must constantly ask himself who will benefit most from his decision, me or others?
History offers a countless examples of leaders who failed because they refused to heed warnings. Just before the outbreak of World War II, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain failed to heed warnings from several parties concerning the threat posed by Adolf Hitler. Instead, Chamberlain pursued a policy of “appeasement” and confidently announced “peace in our time.” He died a year after the Nazi invasion of Poland.
A good leader knows when to heed warnings and advice. Mr. Jonathan has demonstrated over and over again that he is not receptive to advice and he is tone deaf to warnings. The handling of Boko Haram terrorists, the petroleum subsidy saga, the Governor Amaechi affair, and lately the ASUU strike bear witnesses to the grotesque leadership style of Mr. Jonathan.
The president’s counselors and cabinet members have run out of arguments – but not of praises. Given the extent and extreme hypocrisy and ineptitude of Jonathan’s administration being exposed on daily basis, the advisers and the coterie of cabinet liars have less and less to say. Guilty consciences want to flee justice, but the people’s fury of revenge would find them out!
byolu@aol.com*
sahara reporters
Taraba Police Commissioner Jibril Adeniyi Explains Giwa's Arrest
The Nigeria Police Force, Taraba State Command has shed light on the arrest of Chief Silvanus Yakubu Giwa, the Senior Special Assistant to recuperating Governor Danbaba Suntai, last Friday, saying the police action was as a result of an intelligence report that Giwa and his friends were planning to invade the state House of Assembly with the aim of causing chaos.
Speaking during a press conference in his office in Jalingo, the state capital Monday, the command's Commissioner of Police, Mr. Jibril Adeniyi, said Giwa and his friends were arrested at about 11.00pm while holding a meeting on how to invade the Assembly and further create crisis in the state at a hotel on the outskirts of Jalingo.
Adeniyi said that Giwa and his group would soon be arraigned in court, adding that Giwa had since been released on bail and directed to report daily at the Command headquarters while investigation continues before they are charged to court.
Expressing the preparedness of the command to maintain the peace and security of the state, the police commissioner warned those with the intention of fomenting trouble in the state to desist from such plans, saying the command would not hesitate to arrest anybody, no matter how highly placed found to be threatening the peace of the state.
“We are determined to maintain the existing peace and security of this state. We have been working very hard to sustain peace in Taraba State and we’ll not fold our arms and allow anybody to disrupt the existing peace. We are prepared to arrest anybody, no matter how highly placed that wants to disrupt the peace of the state. We’re ready to face the challenge," he said.
Refuting the allegation that he is being used by the acting governor of the state to clamp down on his opponents, the police boss maintained that such insinuations and allegations only exist in the imagination of those making the insinuation, insisting that the peace of the state remains sacrosanct and that the command would not treat any threat to the peace of the state with levity.
He implored politicians to avoid acts that are capable of breaching the peace of the state, adding that the politicians should intensify efforts at resolving the lingering political crisis in the state as well as resolve their differences in the interest of the development of the state.
sahara reporters
Speaking during a press conference in his office in Jalingo, the state capital Monday, the command's Commissioner of Police, Mr. Jibril Adeniyi, said Giwa and his friends were arrested at about 11.00pm while holding a meeting on how to invade the Assembly and further create crisis in the state at a hotel on the outskirts of Jalingo.
Adeniyi said that Giwa and his group would soon be arraigned in court, adding that Giwa had since been released on bail and directed to report daily at the Command headquarters while investigation continues before they are charged to court.
Expressing the preparedness of the command to maintain the peace and security of the state, the police commissioner warned those with the intention of fomenting trouble in the state to desist from such plans, saying the command would not hesitate to arrest anybody, no matter how highly placed found to be threatening the peace of the state.
“We are determined to maintain the existing peace and security of this state. We have been working very hard to sustain peace in Taraba State and we’ll not fold our arms and allow anybody to disrupt the existing peace. We are prepared to arrest anybody, no matter how highly placed that wants to disrupt the peace of the state. We’re ready to face the challenge," he said.
Refuting the allegation that he is being used by the acting governor of the state to clamp down on his opponents, the police boss maintained that such insinuations and allegations only exist in the imagination of those making the insinuation, insisting that the peace of the state remains sacrosanct and that the command would not treat any threat to the peace of the state with levity.
He implored politicians to avoid acts that are capable of breaching the peace of the state, adding that the politicians should intensify efforts at resolving the lingering political crisis in the state as well as resolve their differences in the interest of the development of the state.
sahara reporters
Delta Central by-election: Urhobo people decide their destiny
The passage of Pius Akpo Ewherido into the great beyond, has created opportunity for the making of another Senator to represent the Delta State Central Senatorial seat in the Senate Chamber at Abuja.
That is life. A generation comes, a generation goes and it is only the earth that remains forever. Goodbye to “Gogorogo”; the amiable Ewherido! Welcome to another person! But who would this person be?
As the October 5, 2013 date of the by-election into the vacant seat comes closer, we need to be reminded that it is going to be purely Urhobo people affairs. Yes, the Delta Central Senatorial Zone is purely occupied by the Urhobo people, the fifth largest tribe in Nigeria. Expectedly therefore, lots of dynamics are already playing out on who, amongst many sons and daughters of the Urhobo Nation, emerges to occupy the seat.
The bitter truth that needs to be pointed out here and now is the fact that too many external influences [outside the Urhobo Nation and her people] will play diversified roles, much so that the right person might not emerge. Permit me to draw our attention to the national broadcast made by General Olusegun Obasanjo in his capacity as Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces on the eve of the 1979 general election that ushered in the second republic.
“As Nigerians go to the poll tomorrow to elect their President, they should bear in mind that the most qualified candidate might not necessarily win”.
What that [the broadcast] meant became interpretation of various schools of thought until the interpretation was crowned by the twelve-two-third judgement, delivered by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The reference being drawn by this writer here is that, like the case above, other factors than those in the control of the Urhobo people of Delta State can play a “stranger” up as senator representing this dynamic people in the Senate. A look at few of such likely factors will suffice here – just for posterity and for historical records.
The Governor of the State is keenly interested in who succeeds Ewherido for strategic reason for his personal political survival and that of his tribe. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan grew up an Urhobo, in Urhobo land with ability to navigate tough and rough waters of Urhobo to safety in Urhobo shore.
Yes, he became the Governor of this vibrant State of Delta by the “finger” of Urhobo man – James Onanefe Ibori. Yet, the truth holds that Emmanuel Uduaghan is not an Urhobo man. Given his ancestral background [forget about the place where he grew up which is accidental], will he be a “broad way” of paving the road for emergence of purposeful leader to represent and organise the Urhobo people for a position of stronger nationality within its nationality contemporaries? I doubt if the generosity of Uduaghan can go that far.
Another factor is the financial background of contending candidates in the race. How many of them are financially viable outside government before now? Yes, l am aware of O’tega Emorhor who has been a financial institution from inception [which may not translate into political heavy weight of course] and Ede Dafinone [who tapped into his father’s wealth], most of them are financially made by governments. It means therefore that those that are in control of power of today can throw-up the very worst of Urhobo man to become the next senator.
Will Ighoyota Amori make it? Huh! Did l hear that Ovie Omo Agege is in the race to represent the good people of Urhobo? Fred Majemite, my own personal bosom friend is coming up mightily with the backing of the Deputy Governor. Let us see how far he can go. Festus Keyamo, the firebrand lawyer from Lagos, no doubt has fought many battles in his career. I think he has decided his case with his “own” party (APC) already without taking into heart the place of the Lord of the Political Jungle in Lagos, Ahmed Bola Tinubu. How could my brother Festus have done that?
I may not be able to mention all the contenders [both serious and pretenders] here for lack of space – forgive me please. Permit me to end this piece by asking the most authoritative question.
Where is Professor Samson Oyovbaire in this race to the Senate? If only he had shown interest he would have been the best the Urhobo would have produced for the glorious chamber of the Senate. My God!
The “Ebora Owu” – the legendary Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, said it all: “The best might not necessarily emerge”. And if Professor Oyovbaira cannot emerge due to oppressive factor, there is no way he could have won in a contest he never contested – meaning he would never be in the Senate to represent the Delta Central Senatorial Zone.
Yet, it is him l salute greatly as we shall miss him seriously in the Senate of the Federal Republic. Such is life!
*Mr Etakibuebu, a political analyst, wrote from Warri
vanguard
That is life. A generation comes, a generation goes and it is only the earth that remains forever. Goodbye to “Gogorogo”; the amiable Ewherido! Welcome to another person! But who would this person be?
As the October 5, 2013 date of the by-election into the vacant seat comes closer, we need to be reminded that it is going to be purely Urhobo people affairs. Yes, the Delta Central Senatorial Zone is purely occupied by the Urhobo people, the fifth largest tribe in Nigeria. Expectedly therefore, lots of dynamics are already playing out on who, amongst many sons and daughters of the Urhobo Nation, emerges to occupy the seat.
The bitter truth that needs to be pointed out here and now is the fact that too many external influences [outside the Urhobo Nation and her people] will play diversified roles, much so that the right person might not emerge. Permit me to draw our attention to the national broadcast made by General Olusegun Obasanjo in his capacity as Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces on the eve of the 1979 general election that ushered in the second republic.
“As Nigerians go to the poll tomorrow to elect their President, they should bear in mind that the most qualified candidate might not necessarily win”.
What that [the broadcast] meant became interpretation of various schools of thought until the interpretation was crowned by the twelve-two-third judgement, delivered by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The reference being drawn by this writer here is that, like the case above, other factors than those in the control of the Urhobo people of Delta State can play a “stranger” up as senator representing this dynamic people in the Senate. A look at few of such likely factors will suffice here – just for posterity and for historical records.
The Governor of the State is keenly interested in who succeeds Ewherido for strategic reason for his personal political survival and that of his tribe. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan grew up an Urhobo, in Urhobo land with ability to navigate tough and rough waters of Urhobo to safety in Urhobo shore.
Yes, he became the Governor of this vibrant State of Delta by the “finger” of Urhobo man – James Onanefe Ibori. Yet, the truth holds that Emmanuel Uduaghan is not an Urhobo man. Given his ancestral background [forget about the place where he grew up which is accidental], will he be a “broad way” of paving the road for emergence of purposeful leader to represent and organise the Urhobo people for a position of stronger nationality within its nationality contemporaries? I doubt if the generosity of Uduaghan can go that far.
Another factor is the financial background of contending candidates in the race. How many of them are financially viable outside government before now? Yes, l am aware of O’tega Emorhor who has been a financial institution from inception [which may not translate into political heavy weight of course] and Ede Dafinone [who tapped into his father’s wealth], most of them are financially made by governments. It means therefore that those that are in control of power of today can throw-up the very worst of Urhobo man to become the next senator.
Will Ighoyota Amori make it? Huh! Did l hear that Ovie Omo Agege is in the race to represent the good people of Urhobo? Fred Majemite, my own personal bosom friend is coming up mightily with the backing of the Deputy Governor. Let us see how far he can go. Festus Keyamo, the firebrand lawyer from Lagos, no doubt has fought many battles in his career. I think he has decided his case with his “own” party (APC) already without taking into heart the place of the Lord of the Political Jungle in Lagos, Ahmed Bola Tinubu. How could my brother Festus have done that?
I may not be able to mention all the contenders [both serious and pretenders] here for lack of space – forgive me please. Permit me to end this piece by asking the most authoritative question.
Where is Professor Samson Oyovbaire in this race to the Senate? If only he had shown interest he would have been the best the Urhobo would have produced for the glorious chamber of the Senate. My God!
The “Ebora Owu” – the legendary Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, said it all: “The best might not necessarily emerge”. And if Professor Oyovbaira cannot emerge due to oppressive factor, there is no way he could have won in a contest he never contested – meaning he would never be in the Senate to represent the Delta Central Senatorial Zone.
Yet, it is him l salute greatly as we shall miss him seriously in the Senate of the Federal Republic. Such is life!
*Mr Etakibuebu, a political analyst, wrote from Warri
vanguard
Kenya mall attack: No woman involved — Shebab
Somalia’s Shebab Islamists insisted Monday that no woman joined them in an attack on Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall, dismissing speculation that British ‘White Widow’ Samantha Lewthwaite took part in the massacre.
“We once again openly declare that no woman was involved at Westgate,” Shebab said on Twitter, reiterating it had a policy of “not employing sisters for such missions”.
“A week after Westgate, the Kenyan government and Western intelligence officials failed to uncover the facts and details of the Westgate Operation,” it added, playing up an apparent lack of information on the attackers and details of how the massacre was planned and carried out.
“The Kenyan govt (government) is still chasing its tail by holding on to the hopeless notion that a woman led the attack,” the group said in another Twitter post.
The four-day bloodbath at the upmarket shopping mall, which Kenyan forces brought to an end on Tuesday, left at least 67 people dead. The Kenyan Red Cross said Monday that 39 more were still missing.
Lewthwaite, a 29-year-old Muslim convert, was married to Germaine Lindsay, one of four suicide bombers who attacked the London transport network in July 2005, killing 52 people.
The mother-of-three has been on the run in East Africa for around two years and is wanted by Kenyan police for alleged involvement in a separate terror plot.
Interpol issued a “red notice” arrest warrant for Lewthwaite on charges of possessing explosives and conspiracy to commit a felony dating back to December 2011.
Kenyan officials have given contradictory statements about whether a British woman may have been involved in the attack.*
“We once again openly declare that no woman was involved at Westgate,” Shebab said on Twitter, reiterating it had a policy of “not employing sisters for such missions”.
“A week after Westgate, the Kenyan government and Western intelligence officials failed to uncover the facts and details of the Westgate Operation,” it added, playing up an apparent lack of information on the attackers and details of how the massacre was planned and carried out.
“The Kenyan govt (government) is still chasing its tail by holding on to the hopeless notion that a woman led the attack,” the group said in another Twitter post.
The four-day bloodbath at the upmarket shopping mall, which Kenyan forces brought to an end on Tuesday, left at least 67 people dead. The Kenyan Red Cross said Monday that 39 more were still missing.
Lewthwaite, a 29-year-old Muslim convert, was married to Germaine Lindsay, one of four suicide bombers who attacked the London transport network in July 2005, killing 52 people.
The mother-of-three has been on the run in East Africa for around two years and is wanted by Kenyan police for alleged involvement in a separate terror plot.
Interpol issued a “red notice” arrest warrant for Lewthwaite on charges of possessing explosives and conspiracy to commit a felony dating back to December 2011.
Kenyan officials have given contradictory statements about whether a British woman may have been involved in the attack.*
Army arranges medical support for 800 Anambra flood victims
More than 300 residents of Nzam community in Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State on Monday benefited from the 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, comprehensive medical outreach.
The regiment had on Sunday treated about 500 residents of Umuoba Anam and Mmiata Anam communities in the same area. The villagers were victims of last year’s flood disaster that submerged communities and farmlands in the state.
The Commander of 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, Col. Taritimiye Gagariga, said the outreach was part of the vision of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, to transform and make the Nigerian Army professional and humanitarian-service oriented.
Gagariga, who was represented by Lt.-Col. John Majebi, said the exercise would enhance civilian-military relations.
Punch
The regiment had on Sunday treated about 500 residents of Umuoba Anam and Mmiata Anam communities in the same area. The villagers were victims of last year’s flood disaster that submerged communities and farmlands in the state.
The Commander of 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, Col. Taritimiye Gagariga, said the outreach was part of the vision of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, to transform and make the Nigerian Army professional and humanitarian-service oriented.
Gagariga, who was represented by Lt.-Col. John Majebi, said the exercise would enhance civilian-military relations.
Punch
Policemen assault Punch photographer for obeying traffic light
Three policemen on Sunday night assaulted a Punch photojournalist, Sam Adeko, in Abuja for obeying traffic light.
Adeko, who was driving a Honda Accord car, had stopped for the red light opposite Unity Bank headquarters along Herbert Macaulay Way, Central Business District, Abuja, when three policemen in a pick-up van, marked E-5, assaulted him for observing traffic rule.
The policemen, who were attached to Total Nigeria Plc Headquarters, stopped their vehicle sharply beside him and one of them hit him with his rifle and threatened to shoot him for not disregarding traffic light because the road was free.
Adeko said, “The red light countdown was on 11 seconds when the police van stopped beside me and three armed policemen jumped down. One of them slapped me and shoved his rifle to my neck, saying why did I stop for the red light when the road was free.”
Punch
Adeko, who was driving a Honda Accord car, had stopped for the red light opposite Unity Bank headquarters along Herbert Macaulay Way, Central Business District, Abuja, when three policemen in a pick-up van, marked E-5, assaulted him for observing traffic rule.
The policemen, who were attached to Total Nigeria Plc Headquarters, stopped their vehicle sharply beside him and one of them hit him with his rifle and threatened to shoot him for not disregarding traffic light because the road was free.
Adeko said, “The red light countdown was on 11 seconds when the police van stopped beside me and three armed policemen jumped down. One of them slapped me and shoved his rifle to my neck, saying why did I stop for the red light when the road was free.”
Punch
Universities Workers begin strike
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities on Monday began indefinite strike.
This followed by a unanimous resolution adopted by members of the University of Ibadan chapter of the association at a congress held at the university Arts Theatre in Ibadan.
The Chairman of the association, University of Ibadan chapter, Dr Wale Akinremi, said that the strike was total.
”This is as a result of the directive from our National Executive Council; so, the strike is a national strike.”
He said that the association should have gone on strike for a very long time ”because of the government’s provoking way of attending to issues”.
” We have been short-changed by the government in the area of subventions and we cannot take it again ,” Akinremi said.
According to him, the education sector is the bedrock of the nation’s development and should be treated with care.
He said that there were other important issues beside the subventions that needed to be addressed.
Akinremi listed the issues as training, funding and disparities in terms of payment.
He said: ”Non-teaching members of staff are wrongly placed in the education system, and these issues must be holistically addressed.”
According to Akinremi, SSANU will continue with the strike until it is call off by the national body.
Punch
This followed by a unanimous resolution adopted by members of the University of Ibadan chapter of the association at a congress held at the university Arts Theatre in Ibadan.
The Chairman of the association, University of Ibadan chapter, Dr Wale Akinremi, said that the strike was total.
”This is as a result of the directive from our National Executive Council; so, the strike is a national strike.”
He said that the association should have gone on strike for a very long time ”because of the government’s provoking way of attending to issues”.
” We have been short-changed by the government in the area of subventions and we cannot take it again ,” Akinremi said.
According to him, the education sector is the bedrock of the nation’s development and should be treated with care.
He said that there were other important issues beside the subventions that needed to be addressed.
Akinremi listed the issues as training, funding and disparities in terms of payment.
He said: ”Non-teaching members of staff are wrongly placed in the education system, and these issues must be holistically addressed.”
According to Akinremi, SSANU will continue with the strike until it is call off by the national body.
Punch
EFCC opposes ex- Finbank MD’s no-case application
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday opposed a no-case application filed by the former Managing Director of Finbank, Mr. Okey Nwosu, and three others.
Nwosu and three former directors of Finbank -Dayo Famoroti, Danjuma Ocholi and Agnes Ebubedike- were arraigned by the EFCC before Justice Lateefat Okunnu for allegedly stealing N10.9bn belonging to the bank.
The defendants had, on September 16, asked the court to dismiss the alleged theft charge preferred against them by the anti-graft agency in separate no-case submissions filed by their respective counsel.
However, the EFCC lead counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), during Monday’s proceedings, urged the court to dismiss the applications.
He said, “It is clear from the statement of the first defendant (Nwosu) that there was no board approval to give out the N22bn loan belonging to the bank.
“A prima facie case has been established in that regard. I also urge the court to dismiss the no-case submissions of the second, third and fourth defendants as a prima facie case has been made already. A counter affidavit has been filed in response to these submissions.”
Punch
Nwosu and three former directors of Finbank -Dayo Famoroti, Danjuma Ocholi and Agnes Ebubedike- were arraigned by the EFCC before Justice Lateefat Okunnu for allegedly stealing N10.9bn belonging to the bank.
The defendants had, on September 16, asked the court to dismiss the alleged theft charge preferred against them by the anti-graft agency in separate no-case submissions filed by their respective counsel.
However, the EFCC lead counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), during Monday’s proceedings, urged the court to dismiss the applications.
He said, “It is clear from the statement of the first defendant (Nwosu) that there was no board approval to give out the N22bn loan belonging to the bank.
“A prima facie case has been established in that regard. I also urge the court to dismiss the no-case submissions of the second, third and fourth defendants as a prima facie case has been made already. A counter affidavit has been filed in response to these submissions.”
Punch
NSCDC deploys 120,000 personnel for independence celebrations
The Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr Ade Abolurin, on Monday said the organisation had deployed 120,000 personnel to boost security during the 53rd Independence Celebrations nationwide.
The commandant general made this known during a media briefing in Abuja.
He said the NSCDC would continue to ensure the protection of the lives and properties of Nigerians at all times.
According to him the corps apprehended 823 suspects between January and September across the country.
He said of the 823 apprehended, 782 were currently being prosecuted for various crimes.
Abolurin said the corps, in collaboration with relevant agencies of government, had convicted 41 suspects arrested for vandalizing critical infrastructure across the country.
Punch
The commandant general made this known during a media briefing in Abuja.
He said the NSCDC would continue to ensure the protection of the lives and properties of Nigerians at all times.
According to him the corps apprehended 823 suspects between January and September across the country.
He said of the 823 apprehended, 782 were currently being prosecuted for various crimes.
Abolurin said the corps, in collaboration with relevant agencies of government, had convicted 41 suspects arrested for vandalizing critical infrastructure across the country.
Punch
Ex-employee drags Eco Bank to court over sack
A former employee of Intercontinental Bank PLC, now Eco Bank, Mr Abubakar Abudulahi, on Monday dragged the bank before the National Industrial Court over termination of appointment.
The counsel to the claimant, Mr Nasiru Saidu, prayed the court to declare the sack illegal, wrongful, null and void, and to reinstate and pay Abubakar all his entitlements from 2009 till date.
Saidu said the claimant was appointed clearing officer in 2005, but was suspended in June 2009 over an ATM imbalance.
He said the claimant was on suspension for one year and eight months without pay before he was recalled in 2011.
The counsel said that two months after Abubakar’s recall, he was again suspended over “an ATM cash pilferage’’.
Saidu alleged that his client was suspended without fair hearing.
The presiding judge, Justice Maureen Esowe, adjourned the case to Oct. 28 for hearing. (NAN)*
The counsel to the claimant, Mr Nasiru Saidu, prayed the court to declare the sack illegal, wrongful, null and void, and to reinstate and pay Abubakar all his entitlements from 2009 till date.
Saidu said the claimant was appointed clearing officer in 2005, but was suspended in June 2009 over an ATM imbalance.
He said the claimant was on suspension for one year and eight months without pay before he was recalled in 2011.
The counsel said that two months after Abubakar’s recall, he was again suspended over “an ATM cash pilferage’’.
Saidu alleged that his client was suspended without fair hearing.
The presiding judge, Justice Maureen Esowe, adjourned the case to Oct. 28 for hearing. (NAN)*
Our chemical exports to Syria may have been weaponised’
(AFP) – The German government on Monday admitted it had approved as recently as 2011 the export to Syria of chemicals that could be weaponised, and in larger quantities than previously known.
Data released by the economy ministry showed that German firms had exported between 1998 and 2011 to Syria a total of 360 tonnes of chemicals for either military or civilian use.
The ministry insisted that it had no evidence the chemicals, which were approved as recently as April 2011, were used in weapons.
“After a comprehensive review of all available information, it can be assumed that the goods were used for civilian purposes by private industry,” it said in a statement.
The ministry did not say which companies had exported the chemicals but said that shipments stopped from May 2011 when sanctions against chemical exports to Syria were imposed.
It had acknowledged two weeks ago that export licences were granted between 2002 and 2006 for shipments totalling more than 100 tonnes of so-called dual-use chemicals.
Ministry sources said the chemicals could be used in the surface treatment of metals, fluorination of drinking water and the manufacture of toothpaste.
UN chemical weapons inspectors reported in September that banned chemical weapons were used on a large scale in the Syrian civil war, and that evidence showed sarin gas killed hundreds in an opposition-held area near Damascus on August 21.
The UN report did not say who used the sarin gas, though the Syrian opposition and its allies have blamed President Bashar al-Assad’s troops. The United States claims more than 1,400 people died in the attack and has threatened to attack Assad’s regime.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Saturday at the UN General Assembly that Berlin was ready to give financial and technical support to the international operation to destroy Syria’s chemical weapons.
The announcement followed a resolution passed by the UN Security Council which ordered the destruction of Assad’s banned chemical arms.*
Data released by the economy ministry showed that German firms had exported between 1998 and 2011 to Syria a total of 360 tonnes of chemicals for either military or civilian use.
The ministry insisted that it had no evidence the chemicals, which were approved as recently as April 2011, were used in weapons.
“After a comprehensive review of all available information, it can be assumed that the goods were used for civilian purposes by private industry,” it said in a statement.
The ministry did not say which companies had exported the chemicals but said that shipments stopped from May 2011 when sanctions against chemical exports to Syria were imposed.
It had acknowledged two weeks ago that export licences were granted between 2002 and 2006 for shipments totalling more than 100 tonnes of so-called dual-use chemicals.
Ministry sources said the chemicals could be used in the surface treatment of metals, fluorination of drinking water and the manufacture of toothpaste.
UN chemical weapons inspectors reported in September that banned chemical weapons were used on a large scale in the Syrian civil war, and that evidence showed sarin gas killed hundreds in an opposition-held area near Damascus on August 21.
The UN report did not say who used the sarin gas, though the Syrian opposition and its allies have blamed President Bashar al-Assad’s troops. The United States claims more than 1,400 people died in the attack and has threatened to attack Assad’s regime.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Saturday at the UN General Assembly that Berlin was ready to give financial and technical support to the international operation to destroy Syria’s chemical weapons.
The announcement followed a resolution passed by the UN Security Council which ordered the destruction of Assad’s banned chemical arms.*
BREAKING: Brig. Gen A.K. Togun, Babangida’s security aide linked to Dele Giwa’s murder, is dead
Brigadier-General Ajibola Kunle Togun (rtd.), one time deputy director of the State Security Service, SSS, has passed on in his native Saki town in the northern edge of Oyo State.
Mr. Togun, whose age could not be verified at the time of filing this report, died a pastor early Monday, September, 30.
Details of the late officer’s death is also sketchy at this time.
Rev. Togun came to national attention when he was linked to the Oct 19, 1986 brutal murder of Dele Giwa by parcel bomb.
Mr. Dele Giwa was co-founder of Newswatch Magazine,
Rev. Togun famously claimed that at an October 9, 1986 media parley for media executives and the then newly created State Security Service, Dele Giwa and Alex Ibru, founder and publisher of The Guardian newspaper, who later became Minister of Internal Affairs from 1993 to 1995 during the military regime of General Sani Abacha, purportedly reached a secret censorship agreement with government. Under this presumed agreement, the media was to report to the SSS before publication any story with potential to embarrass the government. No evidence of this claim was ever found, except that it was a period in the then dictatorship of General Babangida when media censorship was a key challenge to the administration.
Rev. Togun and his then boss, Colonel Haliru Akilu, director of the SSS, were close aides to then General Ibrahim Babangida.
Brig-Gen. A.K Togun was later reported to have given an interview to airport correspondents of the Guardian on 27 October 1986. In the said interview, Rev. Togun, when asked about Dele Giwa’s murder and the suspicion that he was killed by the Babangida administration, reportedly said, ”…one person cannot come out to blackmail us. I am an expert in blackmail. I can blackmail very well. I studied propaganda so no one person can come and blackmail us after an agreement…”.
Prolonged efforts by Dele Giwa’s lawyer, the late Gani Fawehinmi, to prosecute Messrs Akilu and Togun in court , was unsuccessful.
In 2001, Messrs Babangida, Akilu and Togun declined to testify before the Justice Chukwudifu Oputa-led national human rights investigative commission about Mr. Giwa’s murder.
The trio went to court and obtained an order restraining the commission from summoning them to appear before it.
Justice Oputa said then that the commission had the power to issue arrest warrants for the trio but decided against this “in the over-all interest of national reconciliation”
Premium times
Mr. Togun, whose age could not be verified at the time of filing this report, died a pastor early Monday, September, 30.
Details of the late officer’s death is also sketchy at this time.
Rev. Togun came to national attention when he was linked to the Oct 19, 1986 brutal murder of Dele Giwa by parcel bomb.
Mr. Dele Giwa was co-founder of Newswatch Magazine,
Rev. Togun famously claimed that at an October 9, 1986 media parley for media executives and the then newly created State Security Service, Dele Giwa and Alex Ibru, founder and publisher of The Guardian newspaper, who later became Minister of Internal Affairs from 1993 to 1995 during the military regime of General Sani Abacha, purportedly reached a secret censorship agreement with government. Under this presumed agreement, the media was to report to the SSS before publication any story with potential to embarrass the government. No evidence of this claim was ever found, except that it was a period in the then dictatorship of General Babangida when media censorship was a key challenge to the administration.
Rev. Togun and his then boss, Colonel Haliru Akilu, director of the SSS, were close aides to then General Ibrahim Babangida.
Brig-Gen. A.K Togun was later reported to have given an interview to airport correspondents of the Guardian on 27 October 1986. In the said interview, Rev. Togun, when asked about Dele Giwa’s murder and the suspicion that he was killed by the Babangida administration, reportedly said, ”…one person cannot come out to blackmail us. I am an expert in blackmail. I can blackmail very well. I studied propaganda so no one person can come and blackmail us after an agreement…”.
Prolonged efforts by Dele Giwa’s lawyer, the late Gani Fawehinmi, to prosecute Messrs Akilu and Togun in court , was unsuccessful.
In 2001, Messrs Babangida, Akilu and Togun declined to testify before the Justice Chukwudifu Oputa-led national human rights investigative commission about Mr. Giwa’s murder.
The trio went to court and obtained an order restraining the commission from summoning them to appear before it.
Justice Oputa said then that the commission had the power to issue arrest warrants for the trio but decided against this “in the over-all interest of national reconciliation”
Premium times
Banking sector biometric database ready by March 2014 – Sanusi
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Lamido Sanusi, at the weekend in Lagos, said following a rigorous selection process for the provider, a biometric database for the nation’s banking industry will be ready by March next year.
Delivering the anniversary dinner of the Ikoyi Club 1938, Sanusi lamented the paucity of birth and death register in Nigeria, following which many people who die are unidentified, noting that as part of the database, “every bank customers will have his biometric data captured. It will be taken to microfinance banks, the pension funds, the insurance companies and others.”
Explaining further, he added that “if your wife comes with a marriage certificate, she has to put her finger and once it shows that she is the same person, nobody is going to ask her for another document.
“The biometric database is essential. We have been waiting for NIMC for a long time and I think NIMC is making some progress.
“The banking industry has moved on and I can assure you that by March next year, you will go and have your biometric records. It helps us to identify customers. If you commit a fraud in one bank, you can’t go to another bank because it will pick you up from the database. If you commit a fraud in a microfinance bank in a village, it will pick you up when you go to a bank.”
Also as part of its consumer protection efforts, the CBN, Sanusi continued, is coming out with a policy, where “if you go to your bank with an issue and the bank does not respond, if you write to us, we have an entire department that goes to check
Daily independent
Delivering the anniversary dinner of the Ikoyi Club 1938, Sanusi lamented the paucity of birth and death register in Nigeria, following which many people who die are unidentified, noting that as part of the database, “every bank customers will have his biometric data captured. It will be taken to microfinance banks, the pension funds, the insurance companies and others.”
Explaining further, he added that “if your wife comes with a marriage certificate, she has to put her finger and once it shows that she is the same person, nobody is going to ask her for another document.
“The biometric database is essential. We have been waiting for NIMC for a long time and I think NIMC is making some progress.
“The banking industry has moved on and I can assure you that by March next year, you will go and have your biometric records. It helps us to identify customers. If you commit a fraud in one bank, you can’t go to another bank because it will pick you up from the database. If you commit a fraud in a microfinance bank in a village, it will pick you up when you go to a bank.”
Also as part of its consumer protection efforts, the CBN, Sanusi continued, is coming out with a policy, where “if you go to your bank with an issue and the bank does not respond, if you write to us, we have an entire department that goes to check
Daily independent
Resign Now, CNPP Urges Okonjo-Iweala
The Conference of National Political Parties (CNPP) has called on Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, to resign forthwith for deceiving President Goodluck Jonathan.
In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Osita Okechukwu, CNPP said it was outraged when Mr. Jonathan stated during his media chat last night how Dr Okonjo-Iweala brandished a World Bank Report which placed corruption in the 3rd or 4th position, after access to fund and infrastructure, as the key factors undermining Nigeria’s development.
“It is the considered view of Conference of Nigerian Political Parties {CNPP} that infrastructure deficit and poor access to fund are by-products of the monumental corruption going in the country,” the statement said.
“We challenge Dr Okonjo-Iweala to publish the said World Bank Report and resign; for we now know how inchoate and anti-people economic policy dished out by the two time Minister of Finance led to the failure and poor performance of ex-president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo regime and currently President Jonathan, adding there is no wonder the Nigeria Governors Forum called for her sack last week.
CNPP pointed out that it is trite that with the type of monumental corruption going on in the land for the past decade, in the midst of unprecedented Oil and Gas Revenue; gross infrastructure deficit, capital flight and poor access to fund was certain to be the ultimate outcome.
“CNPP is appalled that the Minister and others of her ilk exploit the kindness and gullible trust of Mr. President to fleece and milk our dear country dry.
“Otherwise, if not for corruption, what is the economic sense for a country to spend over $7 billion annually for importation of refined petroleum products; rather than building new refineries?”
Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the Conference said, has shown that $3 billion can build a 400,000-barrel per day capacity refinery in less than 3 years.
“CNPP goes further to ask, if not for corruption why have the Agege-Ota-Abeokuta, Lokoja-Abuja, Lokoja-Benin, Lagos-Benin, Lagos-Ibadan, Gombe-Maiduguri, Maiduguri-Kano, East-West, Port Harcourt-Enugu, Enugu-Onitsha and others roads not been completed? They were budgeted for year in and year out and government in its wisdom budgeted below prevailing market rate of oil price and yet uncompleted,” it said.
“If not for corruption, why didn’t the $16 billion spent on the power sector provide adequate electricity supply? If not for corruption, why is 75% cost of Zungeru Power on loan?”
It described as “uncountable” the examples of how corruption created gross infrastructure deficit, led to capital flight, devalued the Naira, poor access to fund, high interest rate, crippled social services, ASUU strike and Boko Haram are legion.
CNPP then called on Okonjo-Iweala to resign immediately for deceiving President Jonathan into believing that corruption is not the greatest of the cancers afflicting Nigeria, which must be stridently exorcised if we are to advance.
Only last week members of the Nigeria Governors Forum also asked Okonjo-Iweala to resign, citing bad economics.
sahara reporters
In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Osita Okechukwu, CNPP said it was outraged when Mr. Jonathan stated during his media chat last night how Dr Okonjo-Iweala brandished a World Bank Report which placed corruption in the 3rd or 4th position, after access to fund and infrastructure, as the key factors undermining Nigeria’s development.
“It is the considered view of Conference of Nigerian Political Parties {CNPP} that infrastructure deficit and poor access to fund are by-products of the monumental corruption going in the country,” the statement said.
“We challenge Dr Okonjo-Iweala to publish the said World Bank Report and resign; for we now know how inchoate and anti-people economic policy dished out by the two time Minister of Finance led to the failure and poor performance of ex-president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo regime and currently President Jonathan, adding there is no wonder the Nigeria Governors Forum called for her sack last week.
CNPP pointed out that it is trite that with the type of monumental corruption going on in the land for the past decade, in the midst of unprecedented Oil and Gas Revenue; gross infrastructure deficit, capital flight and poor access to fund was certain to be the ultimate outcome.
“CNPP is appalled that the Minister and others of her ilk exploit the kindness and gullible trust of Mr. President to fleece and milk our dear country dry.
“Otherwise, if not for corruption, what is the economic sense for a country to spend over $7 billion annually for importation of refined petroleum products; rather than building new refineries?”
Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the Conference said, has shown that $3 billion can build a 400,000-barrel per day capacity refinery in less than 3 years.
“CNPP goes further to ask, if not for corruption why have the Agege-Ota-Abeokuta, Lokoja-Abuja, Lokoja-Benin, Lagos-Benin, Lagos-Ibadan, Gombe-Maiduguri, Maiduguri-Kano, East-West, Port Harcourt-Enugu, Enugu-Onitsha and others roads not been completed? They were budgeted for year in and year out and government in its wisdom budgeted below prevailing market rate of oil price and yet uncompleted,” it said.
“If not for corruption, why didn’t the $16 billion spent on the power sector provide adequate electricity supply? If not for corruption, why is 75% cost of Zungeru Power on loan?”
It described as “uncountable” the examples of how corruption created gross infrastructure deficit, led to capital flight, devalued the Naira, poor access to fund, high interest rate, crippled social services, ASUU strike and Boko Haram are legion.
CNPP then called on Okonjo-Iweala to resign immediately for deceiving President Jonathan into believing that corruption is not the greatest of the cancers afflicting Nigeria, which must be stridently exorcised if we are to advance.
Only last week members of the Nigeria Governors Forum also asked Okonjo-Iweala to resign, citing bad economics.
sahara reporters
Lawyer sues FRSC over issuance of new number plates
The lawyer argued that no Nigerian law backed the FRSC’s action.
A lawyer, Emmanuel Ofoegbu, on Monday, filed a suit before the Federal High Court, Lagos, against the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), challenging the issuance of new number plates by the agency.
The applicant is seeking a declaration that the threat by the respondent to arrest and impound the vehicles of motorists who failed to acquire the new number plates from Oct. 1, was “unconstitutional“.
The FRSC has since extended the deadline for procuring the new number plates to next year.
In his statement of facts, the applicant averred that the old number plates were issued under the provisions of the National Road Traffic Regulations (NRTR), 2004.
He said that the NRTR 2004 is a subsidiary legislation made under the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Act, Laws of the Federation, as revised in 2004.
According to the applicant, the NRTR 2012, in Regulations 230 (2), provides that the revocation of the 2004 Regulations, shall not affect anything done, or purported to be done pursuant to that Regulation.
Mr. Ofoegbu averred that there was no law made in accordance with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which prohibits the use of the old number plates, or declares its use as an offence.
He also averred that the threat by the respondent to impound vehicles and arrest motorists who failed to comply with the October 1 deadline was a gross violation of the provisions of Section 36 (12) of the constitution, which guarantees the rights of individuals.
He, therefore, wants the court to declare as unlawful, the threat by the respondent to arrest motorists using the old number plates, because there was no law validly made in accordance with the constitution, prohibiting their use.
The applicant also seeks a court injunction restraining the defendants from impounding vehicles or otherwise arresting or harassing motorists who fail to acquire the new number plates.
The suit number FHC/L/CS/ 1332/13, was yet to be assigned to a trial judge as at Monday morning.
(NAN)*
A lawyer, Emmanuel Ofoegbu, on Monday, filed a suit before the Federal High Court, Lagos, against the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), challenging the issuance of new number plates by the agency.
The applicant is seeking a declaration that the threat by the respondent to arrest and impound the vehicles of motorists who failed to acquire the new number plates from Oct. 1, was “unconstitutional“.
The FRSC has since extended the deadline for procuring the new number plates to next year.
In his statement of facts, the applicant averred that the old number plates were issued under the provisions of the National Road Traffic Regulations (NRTR), 2004.
He said that the NRTR 2004 is a subsidiary legislation made under the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Act, Laws of the Federation, as revised in 2004.
According to the applicant, the NRTR 2012, in Regulations 230 (2), provides that the revocation of the 2004 Regulations, shall not affect anything done, or purported to be done pursuant to that Regulation.
Mr. Ofoegbu averred that there was no law made in accordance with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which prohibits the use of the old number plates, or declares its use as an offence.
He also averred that the threat by the respondent to impound vehicles and arrest motorists who failed to comply with the October 1 deadline was a gross violation of the provisions of Section 36 (12) of the constitution, which guarantees the rights of individuals.
He, therefore, wants the court to declare as unlawful, the threat by the respondent to arrest motorists using the old number plates, because there was no law validly made in accordance with the constitution, prohibiting their use.
The applicant also seeks a court injunction restraining the defendants from impounding vehicles or otherwise arresting or harassing motorists who fail to acquire the new number plates.
The suit number FHC/L/CS/ 1332/13, was yet to be assigned to a trial judge as at Monday morning.
(NAN)*
My Assessment Of Nigeria's Health Sector Performance At 53 By Dr. Osahon Enabulele
It is an undeniable fact that in the last 53 years of Nigeria’s history, her health sector like other sectors of the country’s economy has had its good and bad times with uninspiring national health indices attributable to years of cumulative insults, lack of professional order and best practices, a weak private health sector, poorly developed social infrastructure, as well as policy inconsistency.
It is troubling that after 53 years of Nigeria’s independence, her health system is still struggling to deliver health dividends of democracy to her long suffering people.
Nigerians had expected that following the Walter-Harkness Ten Year Development Plan as well as the enunciation of the first National Health Development Plan in 1960, Nigeria before half a century of her independence would have achieved Universal Health Coverage with all her citizens having access to quality and affordable healthcare. Sadly, many factors have continually conspired against the realization of this laudable objective, despite the current efforts of the Federal Government through the country’s Honourable Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi C.O. Chukwu, to reposition the health sector.
Some of these factors include:
(1) Poor governance at most levels of government;
(2) Political instability, policy inconsistency and evident lack of political commitment to health by most state and local governments in Nigeria;
(3) Monumental corruption and infrastructural decay;
(4) Undue politicization of the health sector coupled with declining professionalism and non-adherence to best practices;
(5) Poor constitutional and legal framework for health in Nigeria, particularly the absence of a National Health Act that clearly makes the health rights of the people justiciable; that defines the roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals, as well as the roles and responsibilities of Local, State and Federal Governments in the management of the three levels of healthcare;
(6) Poor co-ordination, integration and implementation of health policies, programs, projects and donor support;
(7) Poor funding and budgetary provisions for health, far less than the stipulated 15% of the National budget as prescribed by the World Health Organization and affirmed by the 2001 Abuja declaration of African Heads of State;
(8) Poor Health Human Resource (HHR) Development Plans and Reward System in the health sector, including poor remuneration, poor working conditions and poor motivation of the health workforce; as well as inadequate numbers and inequitable distribution of the health workforce;
(9) Worsening poverty and low level of Health Coverage for all Nigerians;
(10) Inadequate involvement of health professional associations and communities in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of health policies, programs and projects; as well as in budget monitoring;
(11) Weak private health sector coupled with inefficient utilization of healthcare resources;
(12) Pervasive quackery in the health sector with poor enforcement of extant laws;
(13) Poorly developed data base and Health Management Information System, coupled with poor use of Information Communication Technology, particularly e-Health in advancing access to healthcare;
(14) Conflicting professional regulatory laws/Acts in the health sector which has been a major factor responsible for disharmony in the health sector;
(15) Weak Primary and Secondary levels of care with a weak Referral System, attributable to evident lack of commitment to the development of the primary and secondary healthcare systems by most local and state governments; and
(16) Poor state of other social and physical infrastructure, including roads and power supply.
Despite these challenges which have affected the life expectancy of Nigerians and blighted Nigeria’s progress in her health sector, it is important to note that there have been some achievements recorded over the years in the health sector, particularly in the last decade. For instance, whereas most other public/government parastaltals and banks have either collapsed or are at the verge of collapsing, the indigenous managements of most public and private hospitals in Nigeria have survived the travails and systemic decay of the Nigerian society. This is an achievement in itself, especially when one recalls that the International Hospital Group of British managers imported some time ago to run National Hospital, Abuja, could not contend with the suffocating environment under which the current Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of public hospitals operate. Of course, one cannot forget the tremendous milestones recorded in Nigeria’s health sector in the 80’s and early 90’s with general improvements in Primary Health Care, as well as noticeable improvements in institutional and human resource development.
On account of some development initiatives by the current Federal Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi C.O. Chukwu, backed by renewed commitment to health and good governance by some state governments, in addition to the contributions and constructive support of other stakeholders in the Nigerian project, there seems to be hope that with respect for professionalism and best practices in the health sector, Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system can be repositioned to meet the health and development needs of Nigerians and citizens of the world.
This hope is further strengthened by some improvements recorded in Nigeria’s health indices, as reflected in the results of some recent health surveys. These include improvements in the Maternal Mortality Ratio from its 2003 figure of 800/100, 000 live births to the 2010 figure of 545/100,000 live births, and now below 400/100, 000 live births in 2013 (according to the National Bureau of Statistics). Similarly, the Infant Mortality Rate is said to have improved from its 2003 figure of 100/1000 live births to 75/1000 live births, while Under-five Mortality Rate is said to have improved from its 2003 figure of 201/1000 live births to 157/1000 live births.
As Nigeria celebrates her 53rd Independence anniversary, she could in subsequent years, witness better performance in her overall growth and development if greater efforts are made to secure:
(1) Greater commitment to electoral reforms and enthronement of good governance, as well as credible, committed, accountable and people-centered leadership at all levels of government;
(2) Political commitment to health by all levels of government, particularly state and local governments with political leaders at local, state and federal government levels committing themselves to the utilization of public healthcare facilities in their communities, states and local governments rather than the frequent recourse to foreign medical care for medical conditions that can be effectively managed in Nigeria; This will save Nigeria from the huge capital flight and annual loss of over $800 million due to unrestricted medical tourism;
(3) Transparent and sustained implementation of poverty reduction schemes to reduce household poverty;
(4) Rapid expansion of the National Health Insurance Scheme with commitment to Universal Health Coverage by government at all levels. This will substantially reduce catastrophic health expenditures by Nigerians and improve their overall standard of living;
(5) Sincere improvement in the budgetary provision for health to at least 15% of Nigeria’s national budget, backed with adequate release and effective utilization of the available funds and resources;
(6) Provision of modern and standard health infrastructure and facilities with sustained maintenance and facility/infrastructural upgrade; backed with a strengthened computerization, automation and public-private policy.
(7) Urgent resuscitation, rehabilitation and strengthening of the secondary and primary healthcare systems with strengthening of the Referral System and employment of an adequate and appropriate mix of health manpower, including the employment of at least one Medical Officer of Health per Primary Healthcare Centre in each Local Government Council;
(8) De-politicization of the health sector with emphasis on professionalism, best practices and adherence to professional job description, ethics and values;
(9) Concrete provisions for health in Nigeria’s constitution with the health rights of the people defined and made justiciable to empower them to demand accountability from their leaders;
(10) Accelerated passage of the National Health Bill (NHB) with assent by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Nigeria has no excuse not to have a National Health Act in this 21st century;
(11) Improved co-ordination, integration and implementation of health policies, programs, projects and donor support;
(12) Committed implementation of the National Strategic Health Development Plan by all levels of government;
(13) Establishment of effective and responsive Health Human Resource (HHR) Development Plans and Reward System in the health sector, in a way that drives productivity and attracts health human resources;
(14) Improved Remuneration and welfare packages with universal application of wages in the health sector to encourage retention of health personnel in rural areas;
(15) Involvement of health professional associations, communities and other stakeholders in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of health policies, programs and projects; including their involvement in budget monitoring at institutional and governmental levels;
(16) Ban on indiscriminate advertisement of herbal and medicinal products on the electronic and print media to save Nigerians from the untoward effect and dire complications of quackery exhibited by charlatans;
(17) Empowerment of existing regulatory bodies and agencies with institution of stiffer penalties for quacks in the public and private health sectors; including the introduction of life imprisonment;
(18) Improvement in the data base and Health Management Information System for appropriate research and decision making; coupled with improved utilization of Information Communication Technology, particularly e-Health in advancing access to healthcare;
(19) Resolution of conflicting professional regulatory laws/Acts in the health sector to return harmonious relationship in the health sector, particularly in the area of laboratory services in Nigeria’s public hospitals;
(20) Improvement in health-related social sectors such as Power, Transportation/Roads, Education, Water, Agriculture, Security and Housing; and
(21) Resolution of the chaotic drug distribution market in Nigeria through ingenious means such as the creation of regulated drug markets by the government, and enforcement of the extant laws guiding prescription of prescription-only medicines by only licensed medical doctors/dentists and veterinary doctors. Stiffer penalties should be prescribed for illegal prescribers of prescription-only medicines.
(22) Government support for the private health sector through the institution of a private health and hospital development fund.
I am sanguine that if most of these strategic recommendations are given serious consideration and implemented, Nigeria in the not-too-distant future should have a healthcare delivery system that compares favourably with that of other developed countries.
Dr. Osahon Enabulele
President, Nigerian Medical Association
&
Vice President (WAR), Commonwealth Medical Association
sahara reporters
It is troubling that after 53 years of Nigeria’s independence, her health system is still struggling to deliver health dividends of democracy to her long suffering people.
Nigerians had expected that following the Walter-Harkness Ten Year Development Plan as well as the enunciation of the first National Health Development Plan in 1960, Nigeria before half a century of her independence would have achieved Universal Health Coverage with all her citizens having access to quality and affordable healthcare. Sadly, many factors have continually conspired against the realization of this laudable objective, despite the current efforts of the Federal Government through the country’s Honourable Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi C.O. Chukwu, to reposition the health sector.
Some of these factors include:
(1) Poor governance at most levels of government;
(2) Political instability, policy inconsistency and evident lack of political commitment to health by most state and local governments in Nigeria;
(3) Monumental corruption and infrastructural decay;
(4) Undue politicization of the health sector coupled with declining professionalism and non-adherence to best practices;
(5) Poor constitutional and legal framework for health in Nigeria, particularly the absence of a National Health Act that clearly makes the health rights of the people justiciable; that defines the roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals, as well as the roles and responsibilities of Local, State and Federal Governments in the management of the three levels of healthcare;
(6) Poor co-ordination, integration and implementation of health policies, programs, projects and donor support;
(7) Poor funding and budgetary provisions for health, far less than the stipulated 15% of the National budget as prescribed by the World Health Organization and affirmed by the 2001 Abuja declaration of African Heads of State;
(8) Poor Health Human Resource (HHR) Development Plans and Reward System in the health sector, including poor remuneration, poor working conditions and poor motivation of the health workforce; as well as inadequate numbers and inequitable distribution of the health workforce;
(9) Worsening poverty and low level of Health Coverage for all Nigerians;
(10) Inadequate involvement of health professional associations and communities in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of health policies, programs and projects; as well as in budget monitoring;
(11) Weak private health sector coupled with inefficient utilization of healthcare resources;
(12) Pervasive quackery in the health sector with poor enforcement of extant laws;
(13) Poorly developed data base and Health Management Information System, coupled with poor use of Information Communication Technology, particularly e-Health in advancing access to healthcare;
(14) Conflicting professional regulatory laws/Acts in the health sector which has been a major factor responsible for disharmony in the health sector;
(15) Weak Primary and Secondary levels of care with a weak Referral System, attributable to evident lack of commitment to the development of the primary and secondary healthcare systems by most local and state governments; and
(16) Poor state of other social and physical infrastructure, including roads and power supply.
Despite these challenges which have affected the life expectancy of Nigerians and blighted Nigeria’s progress in her health sector, it is important to note that there have been some achievements recorded over the years in the health sector, particularly in the last decade. For instance, whereas most other public/government parastaltals and banks have either collapsed or are at the verge of collapsing, the indigenous managements of most public and private hospitals in Nigeria have survived the travails and systemic decay of the Nigerian society. This is an achievement in itself, especially when one recalls that the International Hospital Group of British managers imported some time ago to run National Hospital, Abuja, could not contend with the suffocating environment under which the current Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of public hospitals operate. Of course, one cannot forget the tremendous milestones recorded in Nigeria’s health sector in the 80’s and early 90’s with general improvements in Primary Health Care, as well as noticeable improvements in institutional and human resource development.
On account of some development initiatives by the current Federal Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi C.O. Chukwu, backed by renewed commitment to health and good governance by some state governments, in addition to the contributions and constructive support of other stakeholders in the Nigerian project, there seems to be hope that with respect for professionalism and best practices in the health sector, Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system can be repositioned to meet the health and development needs of Nigerians and citizens of the world.
This hope is further strengthened by some improvements recorded in Nigeria’s health indices, as reflected in the results of some recent health surveys. These include improvements in the Maternal Mortality Ratio from its 2003 figure of 800/100, 000 live births to the 2010 figure of 545/100,000 live births, and now below 400/100, 000 live births in 2013 (according to the National Bureau of Statistics). Similarly, the Infant Mortality Rate is said to have improved from its 2003 figure of 100/1000 live births to 75/1000 live births, while Under-five Mortality Rate is said to have improved from its 2003 figure of 201/1000 live births to 157/1000 live births.
As Nigeria celebrates her 53rd Independence anniversary, she could in subsequent years, witness better performance in her overall growth and development if greater efforts are made to secure:
(1) Greater commitment to electoral reforms and enthronement of good governance, as well as credible, committed, accountable and people-centered leadership at all levels of government;
(2) Political commitment to health by all levels of government, particularly state and local governments with political leaders at local, state and federal government levels committing themselves to the utilization of public healthcare facilities in their communities, states and local governments rather than the frequent recourse to foreign medical care for medical conditions that can be effectively managed in Nigeria; This will save Nigeria from the huge capital flight and annual loss of over $800 million due to unrestricted medical tourism;
(3) Transparent and sustained implementation of poverty reduction schemes to reduce household poverty;
(4) Rapid expansion of the National Health Insurance Scheme with commitment to Universal Health Coverage by government at all levels. This will substantially reduce catastrophic health expenditures by Nigerians and improve their overall standard of living;
(5) Sincere improvement in the budgetary provision for health to at least 15% of Nigeria’s national budget, backed with adequate release and effective utilization of the available funds and resources;
(6) Provision of modern and standard health infrastructure and facilities with sustained maintenance and facility/infrastructural upgrade; backed with a strengthened computerization, automation and public-private policy.
(7) Urgent resuscitation, rehabilitation and strengthening of the secondary and primary healthcare systems with strengthening of the Referral System and employment of an adequate and appropriate mix of health manpower, including the employment of at least one Medical Officer of Health per Primary Healthcare Centre in each Local Government Council;
(8) De-politicization of the health sector with emphasis on professionalism, best practices and adherence to professional job description, ethics and values;
(9) Concrete provisions for health in Nigeria’s constitution with the health rights of the people defined and made justiciable to empower them to demand accountability from their leaders;
(10) Accelerated passage of the National Health Bill (NHB) with assent by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Nigeria has no excuse not to have a National Health Act in this 21st century;
(11) Improved co-ordination, integration and implementation of health policies, programs, projects and donor support;
(12) Committed implementation of the National Strategic Health Development Plan by all levels of government;
(13) Establishment of effective and responsive Health Human Resource (HHR) Development Plans and Reward System in the health sector, in a way that drives productivity and attracts health human resources;
(14) Improved Remuneration and welfare packages with universal application of wages in the health sector to encourage retention of health personnel in rural areas;
(15) Involvement of health professional associations, communities and other stakeholders in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of health policies, programs and projects; including their involvement in budget monitoring at institutional and governmental levels;
(16) Ban on indiscriminate advertisement of herbal and medicinal products on the electronic and print media to save Nigerians from the untoward effect and dire complications of quackery exhibited by charlatans;
(17) Empowerment of existing regulatory bodies and agencies with institution of stiffer penalties for quacks in the public and private health sectors; including the introduction of life imprisonment;
(18) Improvement in the data base and Health Management Information System for appropriate research and decision making; coupled with improved utilization of Information Communication Technology, particularly e-Health in advancing access to healthcare;
(19) Resolution of conflicting professional regulatory laws/Acts in the health sector to return harmonious relationship in the health sector, particularly in the area of laboratory services in Nigeria’s public hospitals;
(20) Improvement in health-related social sectors such as Power, Transportation/Roads, Education, Water, Agriculture, Security and Housing; and
(21) Resolution of the chaotic drug distribution market in Nigeria through ingenious means such as the creation of regulated drug markets by the government, and enforcement of the extant laws guiding prescription of prescription-only medicines by only licensed medical doctors/dentists and veterinary doctors. Stiffer penalties should be prescribed for illegal prescribers of prescription-only medicines.
(22) Government support for the private health sector through the institution of a private health and hospital development fund.
I am sanguine that if most of these strategic recommendations are given serious consideration and implemented, Nigeria in the not-too-distant future should have a healthcare delivery system that compares favourably with that of other developed countries.
Dr. Osahon Enabulele
President, Nigerian Medical Association
&
Vice President (WAR), Commonwealth Medical Association
sahara reporters
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