Kwankwaso Is Not Welcome In APC, Says Shekarau

Former Kano state governor and leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kano state, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau has said that the party will not welcome Kano state Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso into its fold.

Shekarau’s outburst is coming on the heels of the visit to Kano and Jigawa State by leaders of the APC led by interim national chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, General Muhammadu Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and including Governors Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti and Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, in a bid to have Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and Sule Lamido join the APC.



READ: Buhari, Tinubu, APC Governors Storm Kano, Jigawa, Hold Talks With Kwankwaso, Lamido

Shekarau who took over from Kwankwanso and handed over to him told newsmen that they would not welcome the governor into the party because he is a man with a rich history of violence against political contemporaries.

Addressing newsmen on the visit Shekarau vowed that the state APC would “not welcome such a personality into our party”

Shekarau who was a key player in the emergence of the new party said: “Rabiu Musa Kwankwanso is a man with a rich history of violence, he is not a man of peace, he did not live in peace with late Abubakar Rimi, he had a running battle with Aminu Wali, and he failed to live in peace with the party that brought him to power. How then can we be looking up to that personality to cross over to our party”.

Shekarau who spoke through his media manager, Alhaji Sule Yau Sule further said:

“we got the information about their visit to Kano yesterday (Thursday) and I do know that they have equally scheduled a meeting with Sardauna and his group tonight we would bear our mind because our party is a party of discipline.”



Abusidiqu

Driver kills 20-yr-old woman over NURTW’s N50 fee

 A disagreement between a commercial bus driver and a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in Ibadan over a union fee of N50, yesterday, led to the death of a young lady.
The bus, with number plate Lagos XR 989 ISR, hit the lady at Agodi Gate area of the city.
According to an eyewitness, the driver was trying to avoid paying the fee when he ran into the lady, whose age was put at 20.
The incident drew the ire of passers-by and traders in the area, who attempted to lynch the driver and burn the vehicle. The arrival of policemen put the situation under control.
Vanguard gathered that the driver refused to stop when the NURTW officer waved him down for the daily fee. While struggling with the union member, he reportedly lost control of the vehicle and hit the lady, who was said to have died instantly.
Police took him away to their station, while the lady was confirmed dead at Adeoyo State Hospital, Yemetu, Ibadan.
The state Acting Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Inyang Ignatius, said contrary to the accusation by the public that the police were protecting the driver, he was put in protective custody.

Vanguard

S-West govs open malls at former Daily Sketch space

Governors in the South West states, yesterday, gathered at the commissioning of two ultra-modern malls built by Odu’a Investment Limited.
While Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State was there, his counterparts from Osun, Ogun, Ekiti and Ondo states sent their representatives.
The mall now occupies the space used by the defunct Daily Sketch Newspapers, Dugbe, Ibadan.
While speaking at the ceremony, Governor Ajimobi said: “For us as an administration and you as a company, both of us with notable pedigree and heritage, today is another icing on our historic cake.”
Ajimobi who said the malls would provide 2,000 jobs noted that the vision to construct malls of this international class was conceived some years ago by the board and management of the company.
He said the vision of Odu’a Investment was to redefine business activities and improve the quality of lives in Ibadan and other neighboring states.
In his address, the Group Managing Director of O’dua Investment, Mr. Adebayo Jimoh said that the development of the malls was borne out of the need and demand by highly placed individuals in the South-West who spent time and money traveling to Lagos for shopping.
Also speaking, a former Chairman of Odua Investment, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi stressed the need for social and economic integration by all the Yoruba-speaking states so as to bring the South-West geo-political zone back to the path of development as it was in the days of the late Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
The commissioning was well-attended by politicians, captains of industry and royal fathers from Yoruba land.

Vanguard

APC leaders woo Governor Lamido

The leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have urged Gov. Sule Lamido of Jigawa to join the party for the progress of the country.

Speaking during a courtesy visit on Lamido in Dutse on Thursday, the interim APC Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, said that the party was on a rescue mission to save the country.

Akande said that APC was on a “recruitment drive’’ to woo Lamido to join the party.

“Our visit to Jigawa is about the future of this country and APC, as a party, is a fertile one that has place for Gov. Lamido.

“I am impressed by the governor’s developmental strides in the last six years, he is supposed to be among the progressive governors,” he said.


In his remarks, former Gov. Bola Tinubu of Lagos State described Lamido as “a reliable, resolute and courageous leader” who would bring good fortune to the party.

Also speaking, Gov. Raji Fashola of Lagos State said that Lamido “is a fearless leader” who the progressive governors would like to have in their midst.

NAN reports that former Head of State, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, former EFCC Chairman, Malam Nuhu Ribadu and Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti are some of the APC chieftains who visited Jigawa.

Others are a former Speaker of House of Representatives, Alhaji Bello Masari, and former Gov. Alli Modu Sherif of Borno, among others (NAN)*

Supply petroleum distribution details, Senate tells NNPC

The Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation  to provide it with details of petroleum products distribution.

The committee also directed the NNPC Group Managing Director, Mr Andrew Yakubu, to supply it with details of excess crude swap and the number of aircraft in NNPC.

The Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Magnus Abe, issued the ultimatum on Thursday in Abuja following the failure of the Managing Director, Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Ltd, Mr Paul Obelle, to appear before it.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that Obelle failed to honour an invitation to appear before the committee to explain the circumstances surrounding the fire that engulfed the petroleum plant on Oct. 22.

Obelle, however, forwarded a letter urging the committee to reschedule the meeting till another date, to enable him to make preparations for his daughter’s wedding in Asaba.

“I would like to request your kind consideration to give us another date.

“This is to enable me attend my daughter’s wedding taking place on Nov.1 to 2 at Agbor and Asaba,” the letter said.

The National Assembly Liaison Office of NNPC also sent a letter asking for more time to enable it to collate additional information on petroleum products and crude swap arrangement demanded by the committee.

Abe decried the attitude of government officials who allegedly showed disdain to lawmakers by failing to honour invitations to provide details of the operations of public organisations.

He, however, noted that the information required was important, saying that the NNPC needed more time  to collate the documents for the convenience of the committee.

“There are also issues to do with the implementation of the NNPC budget. We have also written to them to furnish us with all the details of the budget implementation as the year progresses.

“I would like to seize this opportunity to ask them and very seriously, call on NNPC and indeed, call on all government agencies that cooperating with the legislature is important for the stability of our democracy.

“So, I will plead with NNPC, to very quickly, within the next one week, assemble all the documents that we have asked for.

“This is more so particularly documents relating to the distribution of petroleum products and the crude-swap arrangement.

“This is an area that is of great importance to the Nigerian public because we need to know exactly how this arrangement is being carried out.

“We also want to know who are people involved and what the benefits to the Nigerian people are.

 “So, we will give them time to collate their documents and also within two weeks, they should collate their documents within and outside Nigeria.

“That time is enough for them to collate their documents and after two weeks, we fix a new date for this meeting.”

NAN

FG extends payment deadline for Sapele Genco

The National Council on Privatisation presided over by Vice-President Namadi Sambo on Thursday approved the application of the preferred bidder for the Sapele Generation Company, CMEC/Eurafric Limited, for an extension of time to complete the payment for the power firm.

CMEC/Eurafric Limited had already paid $180m out of the total sum of $201m.

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom, told State House correspondents of the approval at the end of the council’s seventh meeting held inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Ortom said the decision to extend the time of payment for the preferred bidder by three months was taken based on the advice of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Muhammed Adoke, and the Legal Committee of the NCP.

He said, “The NCP approved the application of CMEC/ Eurafric Limited, the preferred bidder for Sapele, for extension of time to complete the payment of the bid price. You will recall that at the last meeting of the NCP, the decision on the payment of the preferred bidder was referred to the Attorney-General of the Federation and the legal committee of the NCP for advice.

Punch

Nigeria at low risk of debt distress —IMF

The International Monetary Fund has said Nigeria is at low risk of debt distress with the country’s Gross Domestic Product expected to rise by 7.4 per cent in 2014.

This was contained in the IMF’s Regional Economic Outlook for sub-Sahara Africa, which was published on Thursday.

The report, which stated that softening and increasingly volatile economic conditions were expected to have only a moderate downward impact on the region in the next two years, predicted a growth rate of six per cent for sub-Sahara Africa.

Commenting on the report entitled, ‘Sub-Sahara Africa: Keeping the pace,’ the Director, African Department, IMF, Antoinette Sayeh, said, “Based on the joint World Bank and IMF debt sustainability analysis, Nigeria remains at low risk of debt distress. The country’s debt outlook remains robust in the baseline scenario that we have in the regional economic outlook.

“We’ve done some stress scenarios to see what happens under certain circumstances, and those scenarios show that without significant compensating policy measures, prolonged negative oil price shock or a permanent real GDP growth shock could undermine the progress that has been made in achieving macro-economic and debt sustainability.”

She added that given Nigeria’s strong starting position, it was important that steps were taken to avoid debt sustainability problems that might arise from such shocks.

The report, however, predicted that Foreign Direct Investment into Nigeria in 2013/2014 would remain at the same levels.

Punch

FG to protect privatised power assets with N1.28bn

As the Federal Government formally hands over the successor companies of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria to private investors on Friday (today) amid threats from the disengaged workers, The PUNCH has exclusively learnt that the sum of N1.278bn will be spent on “special security arrangements” for the protection of the privatised power assets nationwide.

The arrangement is to beef up security around the PHCN successor companies nationwide so as to ensure a smooth handover to the core investors.

Our correspondent learnt that the sum, which will be shared by the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Directorate of State Security Service, had already been approved by the National Council on Privatisation chaired by Vice-President Namadi Sambo at its October meeting.

The money will be drawn from the special funds set aside from the proceeds of the sale of the firms.

According to a memo dated October 14, 2013, raised by the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, and exclusively obtained by our correspondent, the Office of the National Security Adviser recently presided over a meeting of the Nigerian Army, SSS, NSCDC and the Ministry of Power on the need to guard the national power infrastructure from October 20 to December 3, 2013, a period in which the new owners would have settled down to run the companies.

“The meeting became imperative as a result of intelligence report viz-a-viz probable subversive activities and reactionary outburst that might be unleashed by some disgruntled staff members of the moribund PHCN and successor companies (GencoS and DiscoS), thus the need to monitor and guard the national power infrastructure,” the minister wrote.

He added that the three security agencies at the meeting presented the financial requirements for the nationwide surveillance and protection for the period as N1.278bn.

According to the breakdown, SSS will get N115m; the NSCDC will get N239.9m, while the Nigerian Army will get N186.6m and an additional N737.1m as outstanding debt.

In explaining the outstanding debt, Nebo wrote, “Prior to this latest planned security exercise, the Nigerian Army was engaged to protect the power infrastructure due to the prolonged agitation as well as activities of the labour groups in the power sector and the vandalism of some power facilities by hoodlums.

“The ministry is indebted to the Nigerian Army for the services and the inability to fully pay the Army was due to paucity of funds and non-budgetary allocation. The Nigerian Army is requesting for payment of the services rendered.”

For the two-month period, the memo showed that the NSCDC demanded N31m for the protection of the Lagos area; N33.5m for Kaduna; N20.9m for Bauchi; N40m for Owerri; N24.6m for Abeokuta; N27.7m for Benin; N19.5m for Makurdi; and N42.3m for Minna.

The sum includes operation allowance, cost of buying petrol and diesel, medical allowance and communication.

The breakdown of the NA budget for the period showed that N136.8m would be spent on operation allowance of 1,249 troops at the rate of N1,500 per day for 73 days; N23.8m for petrol for 84 Hilux vehicles; N12.6m for diesel for 84 trucks; N9.2m for medical allowance at the rate of N1,500 per day per troop; and N4.3m for mobile phones’ recharge cards  at the rate of N700 per day per troop.

Troops are expected to be deployed from 1, 2, 3, 81 and 82 Divisions of the Nigerian Army as well as the Army Headquarters Garrison.

The 1 Division will get N45.8m; 2 Division, N43m; 3 Division, N22.5m; 81 Division, N30.6m; 82 Division, N34.2m, and the Army Headquarters Garrison, N10.6m.

Punch

Six-year-old boy dies in Lagos building fire

A six-year-old boy identified as Abiodun, lost his life after fire razed 11 rooms in a compound located on Ogundele Street in the Ifako, Gbagada area of Lagos State.

The incident was said to have occurred around 9.30pm on Tuesday.

Although the actual cause of fire could not be ascertained as of press time, residents told our correspondent that they believed that the fire was caused by a lighted candle.

When PUNCH Metro visited the scene of the incident on Wednesday afternoon, smoke continued to emanate from some of the burnt items.

Burnt books, beds, doors, televisions and other items littered the area as residents toured the building.

A resident in the compound, whose room was not affected because it was detached from the main building, said the fire started during the premiership football match between Arsenal and Chelsea.

The occupant, Michael Olujimi, said most of them were at a viewing centre when the fire started.

He said, “Most of us were at a viewing centre in the next compound, watching the match when we saw smoke billowing from our compound. We all rushed back but the fire was already intense.

“The youths in the area got buckets of water and tried to douse the flames but it continued to rage. At that point, we did not know that  Abiodun was inside one of the rooms because most of us were outside.”

A resident, who did not identify himself, told PUNCH Metro that the little boy’s parents had gone to church while his elder brother did not inform them on time that the deceased was inside the room.

A landlord in the area, Sunday Ogundele stressed the  the need for government disaster management agencies to improve on its response time.

He said, “A fire truck from Lagos State Fire Service arrived but they left because there was no water. When the fire was about spreading to another compound, one of my tenants, who works at the Federal Medical Centre, Oyingbo, called the Federal Fire Service which is close to the hospital but they did not come.

“He then had to drive down to Oyingbo to lead them here. They finally came around 11pm and doused the flames but by then, the deed had been done.”

Abiodun was reportedly  buried at Atan Cemetery, Yaba.

Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Razaq Fadipe,  however, denied the allegations.

He said, “Two fire trucks from Ilupeju and Ikeja with 10,000 litres each responded. They were busy fighting the fire on their own. A journalist and a fireman that live in the area, were the ones that first called our attention to it and we have evidence to show that we responded on time.”

Punch

Trader arrested for drug trafficking

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 42-year-old trader, Tochukwu Umeozor at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while attempting to board a Qatar flight to China with 1.305kg of cocaine. In China, drug offenders are liable to capital punishment.

In a statement by the NDLEA’s Head of Public Affairs, Mitchell Ofoyeju, Umeozor said he was unaware of the death penalty for drug culprits in China.

Umeozor, a native of Anambra State, said, “I sell jewellry and reside in the Oyingbo area of Lagos. My wife just gave birth to our third child and I have been unable to settle the medical bill.

“I also got a quit notice from my landlord and to top it all, my business is at zero level because I have no savings.

“This was why I could not resist the $5,000 I was promised to take the drug to China. I did not even know that drug trafficking attracts capital punishment in China.”

NDLEA Airport Commander, Mr. Hamza Umar, said the suspect tested positive for drug ingestion during search operation.

Umar said, “The suspect was intercepted during the outward screening of Qatar passengers to China. He tested positive for narcotic ingestion. During observation, he excreted 71 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.305kg.”

Concerned about the development, Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, called on stakeholders to collaborate with the agency in the anti-narcotics campaign.

He said, “It is disturbing that while we are making frantic efforts to prevent the execution of Nigerians on death roll in Chinese prisons, others like Umeozor are trying to increase the number. Let us join hands in fighting the scourge of drugs in our society.

“The agency will continue to protect lives through intensive control measures at all entry and exit points in the country. We equally need the support of all because we cannot win this battle alone. He will be charged to court when investigation is concluded.”

Punch

Man accused of stealing 147 bags of rice

A 25-year-old man, Peter Jekoye, has been taken before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing 147 bags of rice.

The incident was said to have occurred on Taylor Road in the Iddo area of Lagos.

The stolen rice was estimated at N1, 255, 800.

It was alleged that Jekoye had, around 3am of October 24, 2013, broken into the shop of the complainant, one Mrs. Esther Olufunmilayo.

He was said to be loading the rice into a van he brought into the area when he was caught in the act.

Jekoye was subsequently handed over to the law enforcement agents for prosecution.

The defendant was said to have claimed to be a servant to Olufunmilayo but the complainant denied knowing him.

The police arraigned him on Thursday on two counts of stealing and unlawful entry.

The charges read, “That you, Peter Jekoye, on October 24, 2013, at about 3am at No 1, Taylor Road, Iddo, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District did break and enter a shop belonging to one Esther Olufunmilayo Nigeria Limited and thereafter committed felony, to wit stealing.

“That you, Peter Jekoye, did steal 138 bags of Belaluna rice, nine bags of Golden Falcon rice cumulatively valued at N1,255, 800, properties of one Esther Olufunmilayo.”

The prosecutor, Cousin Adams, said the offences were punishable under Sections 307(1) and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

His defence counsel urged the court to grant him bail in liberal terms.

The magistrate, Mrs. M.O Tanimola, who held brief for the resident magistrate, Mr. K.O Ogundare, granted Jekoye bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties each in like sum.

She added that one of the sureties must be the defendant’sblood relation and be resident in Lagos, among others.

The matter was adjourned till December 2 2013.

Punch

I came to Lagos for pipeline vandalism –Boy, 15

Fifteen-year-old Sani Musa on Thursday shocked onlookers during a parade by policemen attached to the Inspector General of Police Special Task Force on Anti-Pipeline Vandalism, when he confessed that he had travelled to Lagos from Jos for the sole purpose of engaging in pipeline vandalism.

Musa was arrested alongside three others -Chibuzor Okorie, Musa Adamu and Aminu Suleiman- with a truck as well as 200 kegs of 50 litres of diesel, which was allegedly siphoned from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation pipeline in the Sagamu area of Ogun State.

The teenage suspect told PUNCH Metro that it was his quest for a better life that got him into the business of pipeline vandalism.

He said due to the poverty in his family as well as the unrest in Jos, his father advised him to travel to Lagos where he would easily make money.

Sani said, “My family could barely feed and there was no money for my education. My father advised me when I was 14 that I was old enough to travel down to Lagos and make money for the family.

“He called one of my relatives, Alhaji Sherrif, who is a businessman in Lagos that he wanted him to show me the way and Alhaji told me about the business (pipeline vandalism).

“As soon as I arrived, Alhaji Sheriff said I should join him as a conductor in his business. He buys and sells diesel and other products to drivers and most of them are got from our suppliers at Sagamu.

“He told me the implication of the business and the danger in case of arrest. He was the one that advised me to say that I am a student and had just arrived Lagos few weeks ago in case the police accosted me. My duty is just to serve as a conductor attached to one of his drivers.

“I never joined them when they went into the bush; all I did, was to stand by the roadside, watch out for security personnel and alert them. Our duty is strictly to carry the product and deliver it to Mile 12, where we have tanks. He pays me N2,000 per trip which is a lot of money.

“I am terribly sorry; it’s just that I promised to change the fortunes of my family. I am sorry, please forgive me and give me another chance to return back to school. I am still in primary four.”

Another suspect, Okorie, who claimed to be 44, told PUNCH Metro that he had contacts that monitored NNPC and alerted him whenever fuel was being pumped into the pipelines.

He said he usually sold adulterated diesel to suppliers at the cost of N4, 500 for 50 litres.

“At the end of the day it will be sold at N6,000 to retailers who are always on a standby because of the price at which it is sold. On a part time basis, we also work with a group of vandals who assists us in collecting fuel from pipelines,” he said.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Friday Ibadin, who is in charge of the task force, said the suspects were arrested on October 17, 2013 around Sagamu through the cooperation of the community.

Punch

Osun: APC blasts CAN, PDP over Islamic bond

The All Progressives Congress has berated the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State for their criticisms against Sukuk, the Islamic bond raised by the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

The Director  of Publicity, Research and Strategy of the APC in Osun State, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, in a statement in Osogbo on Thursday said that Aregbesola had been vindicated with the £323m  Sukuk raised by Britain which is not an Islamic state.

He said that both CAN and the PDP were mischievous for arguing that Aregbesola wanted to Islamise Osun State when he raised the bond.

The APC spokesperson said that with the Sukuk bond, Britain had now become the first non-Muslim Western country to access the Sukuk, adding that it was planning to make the  country a leading Islamic finance hub in the Western hemisphere.

The statement read, “Mischievous Peoples Democratic Party politicians and their Christian Association of Nigeria  surrogates in Osun State should hear this: Great Britain has raised a £323m Sukuk – the Islamic bond, which Gov. Rauf Aregbesola also raised for the State of Osun, but which, according to PDP and CAN in the state, is the governor’s tactics to allegedly Islamise Osun.”

Punch

APC desperately wooing our govs –PDP

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party said it was aware that the All Progressives Congress was  wooing and coaxing some of its governors.

In its  reaction  to the Tuesday meeting by some APC leaders in Sokoto, the PDP stated that  by  wooing and coaxing  its governors,   the APC had shown it lacked true followership.

Four   aggrieved PDP governors – Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto);   Rabiu Kwakwanso (Kano); Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); and  Sule Lamido (Jigawa), were present at the meeting which  was  attended by  a former Head of State, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari  and an ex-Lagos  State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu

 Three other   aggrieved governors of the PDP, Aliyu Babangida (Niger); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); and Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara)  were  however absent.

 The APC  leadership  was said to have used the Tuesday meeting to discuss the possibility of the aggrieved governors  defecting to the APC.

But the PDP, in a statement on Thursday by its  National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said it was ironical that the APC  was “celebrating mere discussions” with three or four” of its governors.

The statement said that for “desperately coaxing PDP governors,” the “hypocritical party” had shown that it lacked “genuine ideology and principles.”

The statement added, “By wooing PDP governors, the APC has also confirmed that it lacked true followership and electable materials at all levels, hence its desperate bid to poach from the PDP.”

The statement  added that the APC had also   shown that it was nothing but “a party of hypocrites driven by desperate and blind quest for power and not by any ideology geared towards serving the interest of the people.”

 Expressing optimism  that the bid to poach  its governors and other members would not yield any meaningful result, the PDP  said “ the  normal practice  is  for politically- informed persons to move  away from parochial parties such as the APC to a national party with robust ideology and agenda such as the PDP and not vice- versa.”

 It  said by   wooing  its  members,  the APC  had shown its height of hypocrisy and ultimately confirming to Nigerians that it had nothing to offer.

 The ruling party stated that if  the APC  did  not  lack   genuine followership and electable materials,  it would not be desperate to poach its members.

 “Why would it celebrate and dramatise mere discussions with three or four  of our aggrieved governors?,” it  asked in the statement.

 The  PDP  however stated that it was not perturbed by the actions of the opposition party  because    “no genuine member   will opt for the APC,” which it  described as a party given to religious bigotry, promotion of violence and division  among Nigerians.

 While appealing to its members not to join the APC, the PDP  further alleged that the opposition party  had  continued to fan the embers of religious fanatism, ethnicism, dissensions and general social intolerance among Nigerians.

But  the Interim National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji  Lai Mohammed,  said the PDP would soon realise that its supporters were no longer there.

 Mohammed, who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone, said  the leadership of the APC had just met Kwankwaso and that with the way they were received, it was almost sure that PDP was dead in the state.

 He said, “We  met the governor of Kano State and I can tell you that we would be meeting governors of Jigawa and Adamawa states and other states very soon.

“With the crowd that received us, the PDP is just bellyaching and I can tell you that we have taken over their territory.”

Mohammed appealed to Nigerians to remain calm in the face of their suffering, saying it  would soon be over.

Punch

Jonathan, Amaechi, Dickson hold secret talks

THERE were indications that President Goodluck Jonathan, the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, and his Bayelsa State counterpart, Mr. Seriake  Dickson, on Thursday had a closed-door meeting in Rivers State.

The venue and agenda of the meeting were not clear as at the time of sending this report.

However, sources said the ongoing feud between the Peoples Democratic Party and the seven rebel governors loyal to the New PDP could be part of the discussion.

It was gathered that Amaechi and Dickson flew in the same chopper with Jonathan from the Port Harcourt International Airport to Okrika in Rivers State, where the remains of the President’s wife’s foster mother, late Mrs. Charity Oba, would be buried today (Friday).

A Government House source said Jonathan, Amaechi and Dickson might have met in the private residence of the President’s wife, Patience.

The source explained that the President, Amaechi and the Bayelsa State governor could cash in on the opportunity provided by the burial of Jonathan’s in-law to resolve their political differences.

Also, the Chief Press Secretary to the Rivers State Governor, Mr. David Iyofor, told The PUNCH that only Amaechi and Dickson, who were at the airport to receive the President, flew with him (Jonathan) in the chopper to Okrika.

Iyofor, however, said he could not ascertain if the President and the two governors had gone into a closed-door meeting when they got to Okrika.

“Governor Amaechi and the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, received the President at the Port Harcourt International Airport and the two governors joined the President in a chopper to Okrika.

“I am aware that they (Jonathan, Amaechi and Dickson) flew to Okrika in a chopper, but what I cannot say for now is whether they went into a closed-door meeting,” Iyofor said.

The PDP had been embroiled in a lingering crisis, which led to the emergence of the Alhaji Kawu Baraje-led New PDP.

However, ahead of the burial of the late Oba, security was beefed up around Okrika Local Government Area with soldiers, policemen and security operatives from other agencies stationed at different points to forestall any possible breakdown of law and order.

Punch

N255m bulletproof car scandal: Oduah denies wrongdoing, blames NCAA DG, aides

The embattled Minister of Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah,   has been   accused by the  House of Representatives Committee on Aviation of approving  N564m for the purchase of 54 cars   beyond her power.

The committee alleged that Oduah, who  finally appeared before it  on Thursday after  failing to honour  earlier invitations,  did not follow the budget approved for the Aviation ministry and its agencies  by the National Assembly.

  The minister, who wore a striped blue ankara dress with a matching blue head scarf, walked into the hall at 11.42am looking somewhat disturbed.  She also wore white beaded jewellery to complement her embroidered blouse.

Oduah   first walked to take a seat facing the committee  members and made to sit but changed her mind.  She    went halfway between her seat and the high table, where she exchanged pleasantries with the Chairman of the committee, Mrs. Nkiruka Onyejeocha.

After that she walked out of the hall, spending about 10 minutes before returning   to   her seat to make a presentation.

A few seconds after, the committee chairman while giving her opening speech,  tried to douse the tense atmosphere at the venue of the hearing.

“We are not mourning here, there is no aeroplane crash; I want to see everyone smiling. Please  feel  free and relax,” she counselled.

- Oduah on the hot seat

Thereafter, Oduah  was  called upon to testify on her role in the purchase of two bulletproof cars at a whopping N255m and other vehicles by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

She took an  oath,  promising to say  “nothing but the truth, the whole truth.”

  The  minister,  who seemed to have regained confidence   looked   the committee members   in the face and then   apologised for  her  failure  to  honour  their earlier summons.

She  denied that the NCAA  bought  the two   bulletproof cars   for her use.

Her audacity took the lawmakers aback a bit, as she also rationalised the action of the NCAA, claiming that its decision to buy  the  54 cars did not breach any law of the land.

She stated that the NCAA  bought  the bulletproof cars  for its own operations in line with the rising profile of Nigeria as an ICAO member.

The minister, who sounded impatient as she gave her testimony, added that there was a required international standard for state-of-the cars to provide security for visitors and certain category of passengers   visiting  any  country.

According to her, she was alarmed by media reports tying the purchase of the cars to her personal comfort.

She said, “It is not true that NCAA spent N255m to purchase the bulletproof cars for the minister.

“It is totally untrue; there is nothing reflecting my name.  The cars were not registered in my name.

“All I did was approve based on the proposal sent to me on lease financing by the NCAA.”

She defended the NCAA, saying that it bought the cars as part of its three-year budgetary plan to beef up its operational fleet.

But, there was a mild drama when the committee questioned her over the approval of  N564m  for the   54 cars above  the   N100m which ministers could approve.

Oduah said the expectation was that because the NCAA entered into a “lease financing” agreement with the First Bank of Nigerian  to span 36 months, the amount of money it would have paid to the bank by December was N100m.  According to her, the N100m is still within the spending limit.

The Head, Lagos Mainland branch  of First Bank, which handled the transaction, Mr. Seyi Ojefeso,  had on Tuesday told the committee that    the NCAA approached the bank for a loan to purchase vehicles for its management staff.

Ojefeso claimed that it was possible that the NCAA “got it mixed up” when it  described it as a lease agreement.

He explained that the NCAA applied for a loan package of N643m to finance the purchase of  54 vehicles.

For the bulletproof cars, he said there was a Coscharis pro forma invoice attached to the application in the value of N255m.

He added, “We offered an auto loan to the NCAA in May to purchase cars for its management staff.

“The application was for N643m; we financed the purchase of the cars based on the application they submitted to us.”

But the  committee observed that the original request of the NCAA to the  minister   was N564m, but First Bank eventually approved a loan of N643m.

 When asked to explain how the difference came about, Ojefeso said only the NCAA could answer the question since N564m was not in the agency’s communication with the bank.

When the committee members  accused her of giving anticipatory approval for expenditure beyond her power, Oduah  said  she expected the NCAA to go back and do “the needful” by complying with procurement regulations.

Leading the barrage of questions,   Mr. Jerry Manwe stated, “You did not follow the budget approved for you by the National Assembly because when you calculate the total expenditure, the  NCAA would have paid over N1bn for the 54 cars.

“The agency would have paid N160m which is above your approval limit  by December as part of the instalments and not N100m, which is  within your power.

“The committee refused to approve the N140m the NCAA proposed for bulletproof cars because we said you cannot use bulletproof cars to patrol  the perimeter fencing at the airports.

“Nowhere in the budget did we approve bulletproof cars, but you went ahead to spend money in anticipation of budgetary provision.”

But, the minister countered that the interpretation of her approval was that the NCAA should do the appropriate thing by complying with the requirement of procurement laws.

  “My memo says, approved. Please, do the needful; what does that mean? What does that tell you?”, Oduah asked Manwe.

She implied that her approval was not final, to the dismay of lawmakers.

There was more drama when the committee turned the heat on the bureaucracy of the Ministry of Aviation and the management of  the NCAA.

The  Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. George Ossi, and a former Acting DG of the NCAA, who supervised the transaction, Mr. Joyce Nkem-Akonam, both admitted that the approval implied that they were to comply with due process regulations.

Nkem-Akonam stated, “What the approval means is that we go through due diligence in our system.

“We did that in our procurement department and complied with the law.

“From the point the minister’s approval came, we went ahead with the mindset that we already had a budgetary approval by the National Assembly.”

In the ensuing buck-passing and confusion, the committee read out the portion of the 2013 NCAA budget where the National Assembly “clearly approved only N240m for the purchase of 25 operational vehicles.”

Manwe then  tried to blast the NCAA and the permanent secretary for allegedly “misleading the minister.”

He noted that they ignored the budgetary approval of N240m for 25 cars and made their own proposal of 54 cars for N564m which  was  “far above the approval limit of N100m” without recourse to the Federal Executive Council.

Another member of the committee, Mr. Adeyinka Ajayi, sought to know the date the Board of the NCAA approved the transaction, but there was no answer.

Neither Nkem-Akonam nor Osi could give the date of the approval. They promised to consult and get the date.

Adeyinka again asked, “Where are the bulletproof cars now since the minister has said they were not bought for her?”

Nkem-Akonam replied that the vehicles were “pool cars” that could be used by any officer, including Oduah.

“They are pool cars for VIP movement, including the minister; including you, honourable member”, he added.

- Minister apologises, says issues muddled up

Earlier, Oduah had apologised for her failure to appear before yesterday, blaming it on  her  trip abroad  to sign a Bilateral Air Services  Agreement   between Nigera and Israel .

She also admitted that attempts made by some officials to clarify the car scandal were “muddled up.”

She spoke further, “You may recall that there have been attempts at clarifying issues pertaining to this particular procurement. In the process, some of the issues were further muddled up.

“I mention in this regard the first attempt at clarifying the issue by the Coordinating Spokesperson for the parastatals when he was first confronted with the allegation, without recourse to the Minister or the Principal Officer of the Ministry and its agencies, described the information as a mere rumour.

“This was followed by the statement of my Special Adviser, Media, who was himself guided by his own perception of the duties and challenges of my office and possibly, even the danger to the person and office of the minister.

“This is made evident by the fact that his statement focused on my personal security and safety without recourse to procurement process and policy file to which he had no access.

“Although both inaccurate and innocently misguided, I understand the urgency and aggression considering the sources the information was breaking from.

“The last official intervention in this matter came from the Director-General of NCAA, the agency charged with the oversight of the aviation sector and the agency that actually undertook the procurement.

“Whereas the DG was right in saying that the vehicles were not bought for my office, the anticipated positive effect of this correct piece of information was marred by remarks credited to the DG suggesting that the agency was more concerned about issues of administration and information security that had no bearing on this issue.”

Meanwhile, Coscharis Motors insisted on Thursday that the cars it supplied were the same quoted on the transaction documents.

Lawmakers, who  inspected the bulletproof cars at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport on Tuesday, reported that they bore different chassis numbers from those quoted in the transaction documents.

- Coscharis says “transposition error” occurred

However, on Thursday, the Chairman of the company, Mr. Cosmos Maduka, and his team blamed the discrepancy on “transposition error.”

“The cars you inspected are the correct cars. There are 12 cars on the end-user certificate and the DW68011 you are referring to is one of them”, he said.

Amidst heated disagreement between the two sides, Coscharis offered to access the BMW factory online, using the chassis numbers to prove that they were the right cars.

But the committee members   overruled  him  and directed  Coscharis  to produce more documents to defend  his claim.

Having heard from all the parties to the controversy, the committee made what sounded like a preliminary report.

- We’ve established some facts – Committee

Onyejeocha, who closed the session, said, “Facts speak for themselves.

“We have listened to the NCAA, Coscharis, First Bank, Customs and the minister.

“It has been established that N240m was budgeted by the National Assembly for 25 cars; we have seen that N255m was used to buy bulletproof cars.

“We have seen another approval of N643m for the purchase of 54 cars.

“We will consider all our findings to see whether they are in line with extant laws and financial regulations and  then write our report.

“We assure Nigerians that we will report to them.”

Oduah too spoke briefly with reporters on her way out. She  thanked  the House for giving a “platform for my own side to be heard on this issue.”

She said she was happy that the “truth” came out that bulletproof cars were not bought for her.

Punch

Fellow judges, NJC did evil to me –Salami

Retired President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, on Thursday said fellow judges as well as the National Judicial Council betrayed him in the twilight of his career, especially after his suspension by the NJC.

Salami likened his travails to that of the Biblical Joseph, who was sold into slavery by members of his family.

He said, “The last three years of my career were dogged by travails which are not dissimilar to the fate of Joseph in the book of Genesis in the Bible.

“As his brothers conspired to destroy him by throwing him into a well and selling him into slavery, my learned brothers and friends in the legal profession planned and executed doing evil to me.”

He spoke at a valedictory session organised to mark his retirement from the Court of Appeal.

The retired PCA was suspended after a clash with the then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu.

He was still serving the suspension until he left the service, having reached the mandatory retirement age of 70 years.

Justice Salami informed the gathering, which included top serving and retired judicial officers that the NJC sold out to the Executive and failed in its duties and functions.

He said, “The National Judicial Council created by the Constitution to protect me, nay any judicial officer was on the vanguard of my travails. The NJC failed in its duties and thereby surrendered its functions to the Executive arm of government thus, ingratiate itself to the Executive.

“For instance, the NJC, having cleared me of any wrongdoing, following the recommendations of Justice Aloma Mukhtar’s committee, ought to have recalled me to office without asking the President to exercise the power that he does not possess, on the flimsy excuse that it had earlier referred the matter to him.

“In truth, as a matter of courtesy, all it needed to do was to write the President that in view of its recent decision, this matter was now outside his purview.

“After so informing him, NJC would be free to take the necessary step to implement its decision.”

Continuing, Justice Salami said, “The position in which NJC has found itself is similar to that of the proverbial cock that betrayed itself to the fox that what was on his head was not fire and encouraged the fox to touch it.

“The fox, having satisfied itself that truly it was not fire, has since been hunting cocks to make menu of them.

“Also, when the report of the committee the NJC set up to make recommendation on Umaru Abdullahi’s report was submitted to it for ratification, neither the CJN nor the next most senior Justice of the Supreme Court was present at the meeting.

“Justice Moses A. Bello, who was neither the CJN nor the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, took it upon himself to preside at the meeting contrary to the express provisions of sub-paragraph (a) and (b) of paragraph 20 of the Third Schedule of the Constitution.

“No other members of the NJC, including statutory members, could be chairman.”

The retired judge noted that Justice Bello was an impostor for claiming to be the Acting Chairman of NJC in the two letters he (Justice Bello) wrote to him, dated August 9 and 18, 2011.

This, he said, was because Bello was “neither a Justice of the Supreme Court, next most senior Justice of the court nor the CJN.”

He also accused the Council of treating matters of national importance with levity.

“This is the levity with which the NJC treats matters of national importance. Clearly, Justice Bello has not only behaved irresponsibly, but also recklessly,” he said.

He pointed out that the NJC took the decision to suspend him when his application for an order restraining the Council from deliberating on his case was pending before the Federal High Court.

Arguing that the matter was sub judice, he said, “It is this illegal decision that the NJC had been relying upon to keep me out of office from August 18, 2011.”

Salami noted that the Council treated him in a most cruel manner, employing all manner of tricks to sustain his suspension.

He said, “The NJC, a body set up to protect judicial officers, has dealt so cruelly with me.”

But he insisted that he had no regrets for his actions.

“I have no regret whatsoever over all that I did, having acted according to the dictate of my conscience and in the fear of Almighty God.

“I swore to uphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to do justice to all manner of people without fear or favour; God has helped me so to do.”

Acting President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, praised Justice Salami for his achievements in office.

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Okey Wali, SAN, who was represented by Sunday Ameh, SAN, urged the Bar and Bench to reject attempts to compromise the independence of the Judiciary.

The Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, SAN, was absent at the event and was not represented.

Adoke had advised Jonathan not to approve the NJC’s decision to reinstate Justice Salami on the grounds that the matter was sub judice.

The CJN, Justice Aloma Mukhtar; a former CJN, Justice Mohammed Uwais; Justice Mahmood Mohammed of the Supreme Court; and the President of the National Industrial Court, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, were among the dignitaries at the event.

Punch

22 Lagos pupils faint after inhaling gas

There was confusion at Ogba Junior Grammar School, Lagos, on Thursday after about 22 pupils fell unconscious.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident was caused by a gaseous substance emitting from a neighbouring laboratory, close to the school. The chemical was said to have engulfed the entire school.

When our correspondent visited the school premises, it was deserted. However, a security guard, who did not identify himself, said the incident occurred around 1pm.

He said, “I was just by the gate when I perceived this offensive smell. I quickly ran to a corner and covered my nose with my shirt.

“Pupils came running, saying some of their colleagues had fainted. When the smell subsided, teachers rallied around and rushed them to a hospital.

“I don’t know the exact number of pupils affected but they were over 20. A few minutes later, emergency officials came around to attend to the victims.”

Panic-stricken teachers reportedly fled in different directions, using clothes to cover their nostrils so as not to be affected by the foul smell.

Moments later, the teachers rushed four of the pupils to Blue Cross Hospital, Ijaiye Road, Ogba, Lagos, while the others were attended to by emergency officials.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the rescue officials went around the compound in a bid to identify where the smell emanated from.

Our correspondent learnt that the odour was traced to Ogba Shopping Arcade, Ijaiye Road, which shares a fence with the affected school.

Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Razaq Fadipe, said it was discovered that a photo laboratory located in the complex was emitting the substance.

He said, “On getting to the school, 22 students were unconscious. LASAMBUS was able to revive most of them and their parents took them home.

“Four were not alright and had been taken to Blue Cross Hospital. We were able to trace the odour to the complex which shares a fence with the school.

“We spotted the laboratory where the smell was coming from and the place has been cordoned off. Investigations are still on.”

When asked why it was only those in the school that were affected by the chemical, Fadipe said it was probably because the lab faced the school directly.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the matter had been reported to the police while the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency had taken up the case.

An official of LASEPA, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “We will revisit the laboratory on Friday (today). If it is discovered that the laboratory was run illegally, then those running the place will be prosecuted.

“However, it is too soon to jump into conclusions; we will inform the public of our findings.”

When our correspondent visited Blue Cross Hospital, a nurse on duty said the pupils had been revived and transferred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.

“Four children were brought here and we were able to stabilise them before transferring them to LASUTH. We don’t know the nature of the chemical they inhaled,” she said.

Punch

Tunnel linking US and Mexico found

More than 75 tunnels under the US-Mexico border have been found since 2008
A drug-smuggling tunnel equipped with electricity, ventilation and a rail system has been found connecting San Diego, California, and Tijuana, Mexico.

Authorities seized more than eight tons of marijuana and 325lb (147kg) of cocaine in the discovery.

Officials have not revealed the exact length or location of the recently finished tunnel, but Mexican media report it is near Tijuana's airport.

More than 75 such secret tunnels have been discovered since 2008.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the find on Thursday.

'Just completed'

It was described as "a just completed, highly sophisticated underground passageway", according to an ICE statement.

The tunnel is the eighth discovered just in San Diego since 2006, according to media reports.

In 2010, officials confiscated 22 tons of drugs from a 640m (2,100ft) tunnel equipped with rail tracks stretching from a Tijuana home to two San Diego warehouses.

Bbc news

Cameroon: Nigerian Army Shoot Own Refugees at Border

Cameroonian gendarme Gaitan Atouba was stunned when the Nigerian military opened fire on more than 100 Nigerian refugees under his protection, killing 15 and seriously wounding seven in the northeast Nigerian border town of Banki earlier this month.

Nigerian Muslims fleeing the military crackdown on Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria have fled to Cameroon's Minawao refugee camp, near Mokolo, Far North region. Photo October 25 2013

Atouba and his fellow officers had been ordered to round up refugees in the town of Amchide in Cameroon's Far North region and hand them over to the Nigerian border authorities in Banki for questioning about their possible involvement with the rebel Islamist sect Boko Haram.

Around 8,300 Nigerians, fleeing both attacks by Boko Haram and the heavy-handed response of the security forces in northern Nigeria, have crossed into Cameroon's Far North since Nigerian President Jonathan Goodluck declared a state of emergency in June.

The Cameroon government believes Boko Haram members have infiltrated Cameroon posing as refugees, and are using it as a safe haven to launch attacks into Nigeria as part of their drive to establish an independent state based on sharia (Islamic law) in largely Muslim northeast Nigeria.

Hundreds have been killed in Boko Haram attacks and fighting between the group and Nigerian security forces in recent months.

"The refugees had already been warned that if they didn't relocate to the official refugee camp in Minawao, they would be treated as illegal immigrants or combatants and handed over to the Nigerian authorities," said Atouba.

"In our search, we found evidence that connected them to Boko Haram, so we had to kick them out of the country."

Shooting broke out when the Nigerians, under Cameroonian escort, reached the border on Oct. 5, Atouba said.

"When we arrived in Banki, we heard gunshots. Nobody knew where they came from, but the refugees panicked and made a run for it. To my disbelief, the Nigerian military started firing to stop them getting away," Atouba told Thomson Reuters Foundation.

"There was no mercy, no respect for human life. Some died on the spot. We recovered the wounded and drove them back to Cameroon where they could get treatment. I never imagined they would shoot to kill unarmed people.

They might have been Boko Haram, we'll never know, but nobody deserves that," said Atouba, who declined to use his real name for security reasons.

The Banki shootings have drawn criticism from the U.N. refugee agency, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, which in a press statement on Tuesday questioned the ethics of the Cameroonian security forces for sending people back into an area of known insecurity.

In a statement, the UNHCR said it had been alarmed by reports of the attempted forced return of 111 people from Cameroon to Nigeria. In light of the security situation in northeastern Nigeria, people fleeing are likely to meet the criteria for refugee status as outlined in the 1951 Refugee Convention, it said.

The UNHCR statement did not say the refugees had been killed by the Nigerian military, and Nigerian authorities have not commented on the incident.

"The UNHCR has got to understand that they are looking at things from a humanitarian perspective, but we have to look at things from a security perspective," Augustine Fonka Awa, Governor of the Far North region, told a European Union Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) mission to Maroua last week.

"In the Amchide roundup, we found two semi-automatic rifles and over 80 rounds of ammunition, which suggests that they are Boko Haram, that they are combatants and not refugees," said an angry Awa, banging his fist on the table.

Combantant or refugee?

Cameroon, lacking Nigeria's military strength, has taken a number of unorthodox steps to try to separate refugees from combatants.

The Minawao refugee camp has been set up 120 km (75 miles) from the Nigerian border, more than twice the recommended 50 kms, as the government believes this will deter militants from using it and encourage only genuine refugees.

But Ndeye Ndour, the UNHCR representative to Cameroon, says the refugees do not want to move so far from the border.

"They have the same culture and speak the same language as the Cameroonian people, who have taken them in out of solidarity. They don't want to leave that for the refugee camp lifestyle," Ndour said.

"It's the rainy season too, so many of the refugees are cultivating their land in Nigeria during the day and running back to Cameroon to sleep at night."

Of the estimated 8,300 refugees in Cameroon, the United Nations has managed to transfer only 1,800 to the Minawao refugee camp.

Other ways used to try to distinguish between Cameroonian locals and Nigerian immigrants, refugees or combatants have also raised eyebrows among the humanitarian community.

"Some of the Nigerians have stolen Cameroonian ID cards, so we check to see if they speak French and then we check for vaccination marks, because all Cameroonians have a mark on their forearm," said Awa, rolling up his sleeve to show a dark dot just below the inner elbow crease.

But aid workers say this is not a valid test of nationality. "The Far North has a very low vaccination prevalence, so not everyone will have a mark.

Also, vaccination campaigns tend to be uniform, so those vaccinated in Nigeria will have the same mark in the same place," said Dr. Souleymane Kanon of UNICEF Cameroon.

"Differentiating between Nigerians and Cameroonians using these techniques will be very challenging," Kanon said.

For Atouba, trying to distinguish between the two nationalities, this is disheartening.

"They came to us as our brothers at a time of desperation, but there are a few among them who have sinister intentions, and in the end everyone suffers because we can't tell the good ones from the bad," he said.*

Reuters

APC invites Kwankwaso to join national movement

Indications emerged in Kano, northwest Nigeria on Thursday that the state governor, Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso may soon dump the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the All Progressives Congress, APC, as General Muhammadu Buhari led a powerful delegation to Kano Government House wooing Kwankwaso to their side.
Kwankwaso is a major player of the PDP G-7 governors who have been in a running battle with the presidency and the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP national leadership.
The APC leadership has embarked on an aggressive campaign to woo “persecuted” governors and political leaders in the PDP, using Kano as the starting point.
Kwankwaso’s body-language, coupled with the warm reception he accorded his august visitors indicated that he may be comfortable cross-carpeting to the progressives, though he tacitly implored them to be patient for his reply as he was duty-bound to consult with his people.
Interim national chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande described Kwankwaso and the G-7 as great minds who are needed in the APC.
His words, “we decided to come to you to solidarize with you because we know you are of great mind; and that is why some of you are being persecuted in your political party.
“Wherever small minds are in power, great minds are persecuted; so in recognition of this, in this wisdom, the leaders of the APC decided to come and lure you to join the progressive party.”
“We are proud to showcase our own party, the APC as a platform and a soft-ground for great minds like you; and for that reason, we decided to come and let you know that we have plenty rooms in APC for great minds.
“Our coming to Kano has shown us the tremendous transformation that has taken place in Kano metropolis. These are the type of things we want governors of APC to be able to do just like the ones in Lagaos, Edo, Osun, Ekiti and everywhere—and when we see such type of development in Kano, we are always proud of you. On behalf of my party, the APC, Mr. Governor, we are here as campaigners in politics which is not about individuals, it is about the unity and progress of Nigeria. We invite you to look favourably to our party.”
Also General Buhari said: “We are in Kano to lure you into APC and I am also here with my colleagues, and the governors from other states, to convince you firstly, that we feel very uncomfortable about Kano not coming along with us.
“We are here on a tough and ruthless recruitment drive, we are people-oriented party and our concern is about our people and Nigeria. What APC is fundamentally going to do is to secure and effectively manage this country when we secure power.”
“I am very grateful to Governor Kwankwaso for his courage, alertness and congratulate him for his luck, because not so many people get the opportunity to correct whatever mistake they think they have made, he was a governor, we voted him out, he quietly went to the Ministry of Defence, and came back and got elected. So, he is a very lucky person, it is not the red-cap that gave him the victory, it is his stars. So, in our bid to get Kano back, we enjoin the governor to join us to deliver this country; and by the mercy of God, we shall succeed.”
Owelle Rochas Okorocha, governor of Imo state who spoke on behalf of APC governors urged Kwankwaso to hurry and join the moving train because, “victory has been signed and sealed for the APC in 2015.
“We have come to invite you, our brother, into this movement. APC is not a political party, per se, it is a movement, a movement of change. We are people, carefully, selected by God. We’ll assure you as our colleagues that governors in APC are accorded their due respect. I want to assure you that you are coming to a place you rightfully belong.”
Responding to their proposal, Kwankwaso said: “We have listened to you very attentively; we have heard what you said and I feel elated that people of these caliber sat down and decided to visit us for this purpose—this shows that we are important.
“Immediately you leave this place, I will sit down with the stakeholders because this party belongs to all of us. The Kwankwasiyya Movement is not a one-man show. No member of the Kwankwasiyya Movement does it alone. We are working as a team and this team is strong and capable enough to win elections in 2015. By the grace of God, our group will continue to grow from strength to strength.
“If you are expecting me to say yes or no to your offer now, you will not get it because we have to sit down as one family and weigh the challenges; and at the end of the day, we will communicate you through General Buhari.”
There were, however, insinuations that all may not be well with the APC leadership and immediate past governor of Kano state, Ibrahim Shekarau who was absent during the visit.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in an interview with journalists after the event, however, allayed such feelings saying, “I am not sure that he (Shekarau) is available for this meeting, but there is no problem.”
Among the APC bigwigs that visited Kano are Lagos state governor, Babatunde Rraji Fashola, Ekiti state governor, Kayode Fayemi, Imo stste governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nuhu Ribadu, Chief Bisi Akande, former Speaker of House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari, Senator George Akume, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, Lai Mohammed, General Muhammadu Buhari, former Deputy Governor, Kano state, Abdullahi Tijani Gwarzo, former lawmaker, Farouk Adamu Aliyu, former governor of Edo state, John Oyegun, former ANPP national chairman, Yusuf Ali, former labour Minister Musa Gwadabe, Kashim Imam, Senator Nazit and Senator Annie Okonkwo.

Pm news

HIV vaccine on the horizon thanks to major breakthrough in understanding structure of the virus

Scientists have begun to understand the structure of HIV's 'envelope'
The 'envelope' is what allows the virus to enter human cells
Understanding it will allow scientists to identify parts of the virus that could be mimicked by a vaccine to elicit an immune response

A vaccine which could prevent HIV infection is on the horizon, new research suggests.

Scientists have begun to understand the structure of the virus’s ‘envelope’ which helps it enter human cells.

The researchers say the breakthrough is of great value for medical science.

The finding provides the most detailed picture yet of the AIDS-causing virus’s complex structure - including parts of the virus that future jabs could mimic to elicit an immune response.

About 34 million people are infected with HIV and although drugs are used to manage many cases, there is currently no vaccine that can prevent new infections.

None of the HIV vaccines tested so far have come close to providing adequate protection against the virus.


About 34 million people are infected with HIV and although drugs are used to manage many cases, there is currently no vaccine that can prevent new infections

This is because of the challenges posed by the ‘envelope’ protein, which is called Env.

Env’s structure is so complex and delicate scientists have found it difficult to get the protein into a form that is suitable for the imaging technique necessary to study it.

Professor Andrew Ward, of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), explained: ‘It tends to fall apart, for example, even when it’s on the surface of the virus, so to study it we have to engineer it to be more stable.’

In the study, researchers created a version of Env that has the stability and other properties needed for successful imaging, but that retains virtually all the structures found on Env.

Using cutting-edge imaging methods they were then able to study the new Env in minute detail.

The study was the first ever of Env, and revealed the envelope’s structure in finer detail than has been reported before.

The study for Science Express revealed how Env assembles and undergoes shape changes during infection, and showed how it compares to envelope proteins on other dangerous viruses - such as flu and Ebola.

Professor Ian Wilson, of TSRI, said: ‘Most of the prior structural studies of this envelope complex focused on individual subunits - but we’ve needed the structure of the full complex to properly define the sites of vulnerability that could be targeted, for example with a vaccine.’

dailymail

Nigerian School Leaver Extorted $40m From US Citizen

 A 19-year-old Internet fraudster, along with his accomplice, have been apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for reportedly extorting $40 million from an American citizen.

Tobechukwu Igbokwe and Ifeanyi Obi were arraigned before Justice Lawal of a Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, on a 12-count charge bordering on forgery, conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretences.

The suspects have been remanded in prison custody pending their bail hearing.

Igbokwe, a 19-year-old secondary school leaver, has, under fraudulent guises, allegedly duped his victims, many of them foreigners, of huge sums through the Internet.

He worked in concert with Obi to dupe an American, Michael Silva, of $40 million in an inheritance scam. Silva was led to believe that Igbokwe and his accomplice had a huge inheritance that they wanted to move to a foreign account for safekeeping. The victim was then asked to send money to "process" the transfer. In the process, $40 million were made in installments through Western Union Transfer to Igbokwe and Obi.

Tobechukwu Igbokwe, alias David Prince, alias John Emma, is facing charges for allegedly tricking other unsuspecting foreigners into handling him sums as large as $6,000, $15,000.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges read to them.

Justice Akapo adjourned the matter till December 3, and ordered that the defendants be remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Lagos.

vanguard

Universities shut in United Kingdom (UK) as thousands of university staff go on strike

Just like in Nigeria, where the university staff union (ASUU) embarked on a nationwide strike, union members working in higher education in United Kingdom have taken part in a UK-wide strike over pay on Thursday.

Members of trade unions took to the picket line at University of Ulster Jordanstown, St Mary's College in west Belfast and Queen's University.

They are calling for an improvement in the 1% pay rise offer made by employers as they say they have suffered a 13% real term pay cut since 2008.

According to Unite union, pay and benefits for university leaders have increased on average by more than £5,000 in the last year, with the average pay and pension package for vice-chancellors hitting almost £250,000.

Mike Larkin, president of the university and college union at Queen's said workers felt they had no other choice.

"Pay has been so low for so many years, we've lost 13% in our pay over the last four years and a 1% pay offer is just not good enough," he told UTV.

He added that those on strike were not out to damage the education of university students.

Eugene McGlone, from Unite the Union, told UTV: "Staff at universities have seen their pay drop over the last five years.

"And at the same time have noticed that the top 10% of the employees at the university - that's the top 10 managers etc - have seen their pay increase by at least 5.5% year or year and those sorts of figures are absolutely damning."

Academic and support staff have both taken part in the action.

Dr John Barry from the School of Politics at Queen's said the walk-out was a "sign of desperation".

"Prices have risen, the price of fuel, the price of childcare, travel and essentially we've taken a pay cut over the last number of years and enough is enough," he said.

"Our campaign is not simply for well-paid academics, this is really about the pay and conditions for the quality of work that we want.

"Universities are here as major drivers of the economy, certainly in Northern Ireland, it's about helping create a post-conflict society.

"We certainly want to be paying academics and indeed our support staff good wages as well."

Queen's University has said it does not support strike action and that it has taken necessary steps to ensure there is minimal impact on students.

Some students were disgruntled at the disruption to their classes and told UTV they were not in favour of the strikes.

But further action, around graduation and exam times, could be planned if a resolution that workers are happy with is not found.


According to BBC Mary Senior, UCU's Scottish official, said there had been a good turn-out at the picket line at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh.

She said: "We're very upbeat, we've been explaining to people why we are out today and people have been signing our petition.

"Lectures have been cancelled and the library in Glasgow is closed, so the action is having an effect.

"We want the employers to come back to the negotiating table and make a better offer."

Protests were also organised at Stirling and St Andrews.

Union members were also expected to take part in rallies later.

Credits: UTV  and BBC*

Nigerians, Ghanaians, Others Condemn UK’s “Go Home” Campaign

Africans as well as Asians in the UK have criticised the “Go Home” campaign targeted at illegal immigrants living in Britain.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the British government has embarked on a campaign to encourage illegal immigrants to leave the UK as tough immigration laws are being proposed.

NAN investigation revealed that many immigrants, who have overstayed in the country, have received text messages from the UK Home Office advising them to leave the country.

Part of the message which was sent to over 58,000 people read: “You are required to leave the UK as you no longer have the rights to remain.’’

Similarly , “Go Home or Face Arrest” posters are on display in public utilities as well as on taxis and buses, although the Advertising Standards Authority said it had banned the posters, as they had misled the public on arrest statistics displayed.

Reacting to the development, Mr Bimbo Folayan, President of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK) said, “racist elements could high jack the campaign by targeting a certain group of people.

NAN

Brooklyn Beckham following in his dad's footsteps with a trial at Manchester United

 Brooklyn Beckham today had a trial with Manchester United. The 14-year-old, son of Reds' legend Beckham , took part in a training session with one of the club's youth teams under the watchful eye of his father this afternoon.              

United have declined to comment but a Reds source told the M.E.N.: "He was there with his dad and took part in a practice session with one of the academy sides.

"It was a chance for him to impress and if he's done well then no doubt the club will look at taking him on."

M.E.N.

Woman Tries To Create "New Breed" Of Animal Using Dead And Live Cats For Experiment

A woman was arrested in Poland who had been trying to create a "Frankenstein" dog in a series of sick experiments involving dead and live animals.

The woman had almost 100 dead animal bodies in the freezersin her home, some of which had looked like they had been experimented on.

Officers raided the house, acting on a tip-off from neighbours who had complained about the smell and noise created from dozens of cats in the building.

In total, animal welfare officers found 72 cats, all of whom were severely malnourished, and said that the conditions in the house were disgusting with animal waste in every room.

A police spokesman said: "She was banned from keeping dogs. She had become obsessed with creating a new breed of dog, and when that became no longer possible, she switched to experimenting with cats."

"There has obviously been some sort of sick experiments going on, but until we get the autopsy is back on the bodies and have looked at the injuries to the living cats, we won't know more about exactly what she was doing here."

The woman faces up to two years in jail this time for animal cruelty if police confirm that the animals were abused for illegal experimentation purposes.

dailymail

Teenager docked for $40m fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested a suspected teenage internet fraudster, Tobechukwu Igbokwe, and his accomplice, Ifeanyi Obi for allegedly defrauding an American of $40 million.
The suspects, who were arraigned before Justice Lawal of a Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, on a 12-count charge bordering on forgery, conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretences contrary to Sections 8(a) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006, were remanded in prison custody pending their bail hearing.
Igbokwe, 19-year-old secondary school leaver, was alleged to have duped his victims, many of them foreigners, of huge sums through the internet under fraudulent guises.

He allegedly worked in concert with Obi to dupe an American, Micheal Silva, of $40 million in an inheritance scam.
Silva was made to believe that Igbokwe and his accomplice had a huge inheritance that they wanted to move to a foreign account for safekeeping.
The victim was asked to send money to “process” the transfer and in the process, he wired $40 million in installments through Western Union Transfer to Igbokwe and Obi.
Other victims
Igbokwe also confessed that he had duped other foreigners among them a Tommy Bedwell, who lost $6,000 to him and Richard Hunt, $15,000.
One of the charges against Igbokwe and Obi read: “Tobechukwu Igbokwe (alias David Prince, alias John Emma, sometimes in the month of October 2011 in Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division, with intent to defraud, obtained $800, $700, $200, $400, $200, $300, $500, $500, $500, $200 (totaling $5,500).
“Which sum you obtained separately from Michael Silva of the United States of America under false pretence that the money represent part payment for processing inheritance funds due him as a beneficiary of the fund and which pretence you knew was false.”
When the charges were read to them, the defendants pleaded not guilty.
EFCC counsel, Fadeke Giwa prayed the court for a trial date and to remand the accused persons in prison custody.
However, counsel to the first defendant, D. A. Omougbai, asked for a short date to file his bail application.
Also, counsel to the second defendant, D. A. Eimuejel, prayed the court to accept the bail application he filed on behalf of his client.
Justice Akapo, however, adjourned the matter till December 3 and ordered that the defendants be remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Lagos.

vanguard

Nigerian leaders lack leadership qualities, says LEAP

A non-governmental organisation, Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability and Professionalism Africa, has said negative occurrences in the country are indicators that the country is governed by people who do not possess leadership qualities.

The programme coordinator of LEAP Africa, Mr. Oluseyi Ojurongbe, said this during the SNEPco Youth Empowerment Programme organised for 100 youths in Lagos.

He explained that it was important to train the youths if the country must grow to the desired level.

He said, “If positive things are not happening, it is not leadership. If things are not done in the right way, that means there is no leadership. May be we have rulers, dictators or people in the position of authority but they may not necessarily be demonstrating leadership.

“There is a name for every other thing but if it is not positive, it is not leadership. The value and leadership programme is to train young people between the ages of 18 and 30 on value-based leadership. This is because we have realised that people no longer take leadership role seriously. By this training, however, they can be more useful to themselves and the society.”

According to him, one of the objectives of the training is to help youths discover their talents and assist in nation building with their skills.

He added, “Through training, youths can be helped to discover themselves and how they can make positive changes to the nation. With leadership skill, they can have sustainable businesses and run affairs of the society.

“Also, the training will help our youth to look for things they can do to make their environment better. They must come together to do what will benefit the nation. The youth must remain focused and open minded to learning, they should be change agents and ethical in their behaviour.”

One of the beneficiaries of the programme, David Ekugum, called on leaders in the country to be dedicated to developing humanity.

Punch

There’ll always be quarrels in politics -Sambo

Vice President Namadi Samo said in Abuja on Thursday that there would always be quarrels in any political gathering.

Sambo spoke at the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party during the inauguration of the national campaign for the Anambra State Governorship campaign committee, which he heads.

He said there was the need for the party to reconcile with all its aggrieved members in order to win the election in the state.

He said, “I seize this opportunity to urge all members of PDP to come back and let’s join hands in the interest of our party to deliver Anambra State.

“All members that are aggrieved, in a family, there will always be a certain quarrel, but there will be a point where we will all come together. Even the teeth some time bite the tongue.

“Please I am seizing this opportunity to invite all of us to come back and join hand together and if we do that, I have no doubt that, with the caliber of people in Anambra State, we will win that election.”

He said it would be wrong for people to assume that the party was starting the campaign late, saying one week was enough time for an election.

Sambo said President Goodluck Jonathan was in Israel to pray for the country and the party, adding that his prayers would not be in vain.

He said, “We witnessed our President in Jerusalem pray for our country and all these successes we have been achieving is from the name of our leader, Goodluck. By God’s grace, this name will go with us and we are going to deliver Anambra State.”

Punch

Anambra gov poll candidates tussle in debate

Most of the 23 candidates contesting the November 16, 2013 governorship election in Anambra State faced themselves in a television debate on Thursday at the Women Development Centre, Awka.

Each candidate tried to use the short time given to them sell themselves and their programmes to the world.

But organisers of the debate expressed disappointment with the conduct of the audience, which continuously interrupted proceedings with applauses, cheering and jeering as the candidates marshaled their points.

The chairman of the Nigeria Election Debate Group, Chief Taiwo Allimi, said Anambra had given them their worst experience since they started the debates series 10 years ago.

“This is a disappointment and a disgrace to Anambra State. It is an assault on a debate. You have disappointed Anambra State,” Allimi said, pointing out that the conduct of the audience had been watched around the world.

It took a lot of persuasion to calm the supporters of one of the candidates to give peace a chance after they were stopped from storming the debate venue.

Prominent among the participants were the candidates of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Willie Obiano; the All Progressives Congress, Senator Chris Ngige; the Labour Party, Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah; the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Tony Nwoye; and the Peoples Progressive Alliance,  Mr. Godwin Ezeemo.

The final of the debate will hold on Friday. The finalists will be picked from a poll conducted among the audience by the NEDG.

Punch

Supreme Court stops PDP campaign in Anambra

The Supreme Court on Thursday restrained the Peoples Democratic Party from starting Tony Nwoye’s campaign for the Anambra State governorship election.

The apex court gave the order in a ruling after an extended hearing, which lasted beyond 6pm.

PDP was ordered to refrain from going ahead to begin Nwoye’s campaign pending the determination of an appeal filed by a rival governorship candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu.

Ukachukwu’s appeal is to be heard on Monday.

As a result of the development, it is expected that the campaign, expected to be led by Vice President Namadi Sambo, will no longer hold on Saturday.

Counsel for the respondents in the matter gave assurances that their clients would abide by the apex court’s ruling.

Ukachukwu’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu, SAN, had expressed his concerns that PDP was planning to commence campaign and hand over the party’s flag to Nwoye as its candidate.

Earlier, the apex court had dismissed an application by another claimant to the party’s ticket, Dr. Andy Ubah, to be joined in the appeal brought by Ukachukwu.

The panel of Justices of the Supreme Court held that since Ubah already had an appeal pending before the court, his application amounted to an abuse of court process.

Punch

53 Nigerians Arrested For Protesting A Murder Of A Fellow National In India

Fifty three Nigerians were detained today after a mob of about 200 of them blocked a National Highway over the death of a fellow national, prompting the Goa government to announce a major crack-down on foreign nationals living in the state without proper documents.

The mob blocked highway after allegedly ransacking the police hearse van that was carrying the body of a Nigerian, who was found dead with multiple stab wounds last night, police said.

Following the incident, the police would comb the entire state and locate Nigerians and other foreign nationals staying without visa and other documentation.

Police officers said that the murder was fall-out of a gang rivalry in the drug trade.

Of the 53 Nigerians who were detained today, those involved in the ruckus would be arrested and the documents of others would be verified, the police said.

Locals people were said to have brutally beaten up two Nigerians protesting on the road, who were admitted to the district hospital. Locals who assaulted the Nigerians would also be booked, the assured.

times Of India

Our bid to reclaim $15m Ibori bribe money not over yet — DELTA GOVT

DELTA State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Charles Ajuyah (SAN), yesterday said that the state government would not give up its bid to reclaim ownership of the $15 million that was allegedly offered to  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in 2007 by convicted former governor, Chief James Ibori.
Fielding questions from newsmen when he took his turn to present the mid-term report of his ministry, Ajuyah said that the state government was not deterred by last week’s  judgment by a Federal High Court in Abuja, which refused to grant ownership of the money to the state government.
He said that the state government was studying the judgment and looking at all the variables on whether to file an appeal or not.
He said: “The judgment has been given, and we will take appropriate steps within the time frame of three months. We are looking at the variables.”
66 convicted for kidnapping/armed robbery
The Attorney-General gave a breakdown of criminal cases in various high courts from 2007 to October 2013, which, according to him, showed that 2,386 criminal cases were initiated during the period, 238 convictions were secured, 472 struck out and 110 cases discharged.
“It will interest you to know that we have secured 148 convictions of which 66 were connected with kidnapping and armed robbery. What this signifies is that arrested suspects are not unnecessarily incarcerated for long periods without trial. Once we have evidence, we go all out to prosecute,” he said.

vanguard

Okonjo-Iweala denies granting waiver for armoured cars

The Ministry of Finance on Thursday said it did not grant waiver for the controversial N255m bulletproof cars purchased by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

The disclosure came barely 24 hours after the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation was informed that  the  Federal Ministry of Finance and the National Security Adviser were made  to believe that the  two vehicles  were for   the 18th  National Sports Festival (Eko Games 2012) hosted by Lagos State.

But in a statement on Thursday and made available to our correspondent, the Coordinating Minister for the economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said the waiver was granted only to the Lagos State Government and not for the purchase of the controversial armoured cars

The statement by the CME’s Special Adviser (Communications), Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu, described claims that the finance ministry granted waiver to Coscharis Motors Nigeria Ltd for the purchase of armoured cars as “totally false and without foundation.”

It reads in part, “On June 23, 2012, the Lagos State Government applied for Waiver of Destination Inspection Charges and Duty Exemptions for Coscharis Motors Nigeria Ltd, the official Automobile Partner for the National Sports Festival (EKO 2012), to purchase 300 vehicles on its behalf for the event.

“Since the Lagos State Government met the laid down criteria, the waiver was granted.

“It is also important to clarify that the waiver granted to the Lagos State Government for the event did not include the purchase of armoured vehicles.”

Also, the Nigeria Custom Service in a statement on Thursday said its role in the car scandal was to implement the waiver granted for the importation of the 300 vehicles.

Punch

Buhari, Tinubu, APC Governors Storm Kano, Hold High Level Talks With Kwankwaso

Former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, Former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor elected under the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and other leaders of the party Thursday held a high level talk with Kano state governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in a bid to get him to crossover to their party.

The visit particular by General Buhari puts paid to reports that the former Head of State is not comfortable with a possible alliance between the APC and the New PDP, especially against the backdrop of reports that Governor Kwankwaso may be considered for the presidential ticket.



According to one of the associates, who pleaded anonymity, “if there is any resistance to the planned fusion, which is also intended to bring the G7+5 nPDP governors into the APC, it will be coming from the ‘old guards’ of Buhari associates, who are no longer relevant to his political ministry”.

Speaking on the visit to the Kano governor, Interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, said that leaders of the APC decided to come for solidarity with the governor and others because of the persecution they  were suffering  in their party.

Akande spoke at Kano Government House on Thursday after holding  about one hour meeting with Kano state Governor with leaders of the APC.

He said “We are proud to showcase our own party, APC as likeminded party of people like you”.

Details of the meeting will be brought to you later

abusidiqu

Jonathan, Amaechi fly in same chopper to Okrika

.Security Chokes Okrika for First Lady’s Mother’s Burial


Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state was at the Port Harcourt International Airport to welcome President Goodluck Jonathan and later flew in the same chopper to Okrika town for the burial of the adopted mother of Mrs Patience Jonathan.
They were joined on the trip by Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson.
This fuelled excitement within the political circles, with speculations that President Jonathan and Ameachi, both politically estranged duo will use the joint flight to have a heart to heart talk.
Governor Amaechi and members of the state executive council had arrived Port Harcourt Airport and waited for the arrival of the President.
Supporters of Seriake Dickson,Nyesom Wike,the supervising Minister of Education, with his political group; Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDI), as well as members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state,all jostled for space and attention while also awaiting the president’s aircraft as it touched down at the airport at about 1:40pm.
Okrika town and its environs were choked with soldiers, policemen, men of the Department of the Secret Service, Civil Defence Corps and Federal Road Safety Commission,all strategically positioned.
There were several naval war boats patrolling the Okrika waterways.
There were also military fighter helicopters on air surveillance, just as there was an aerial camera bearing balloon, overlooking the perimeters of the area where the event took place in Okrika.
Mrs.Jonathan, was accompanied to the Port Harcourt Polo Club, venue of the service of songs, by the wife of the vice president, Hajia Amina Namadi Sambo.
Football and Nollywood stars were also at the service of songs to show solidarity with the First Lady.
Most of the women clad in specially designed apparels for the occasion went into a frenzy when Patience Ozokwu, made her appearance on the ground of the Port Harcourt Polo Club.
Nollywood stars present were Zachee Orji and Kanayo Kanayo,the Akin and Paw-paw fame.
The people of Wakrike,(that is the Okrika people)used the opportunity of the burial rites of Madam Charity Oba, the adopted mother of the First Lady in Okrika to confer Chieftaincy titles on the President and his Wife.

Pm news

Army Liquidates Boko Haram Operational Vehicles in Borno

The Nigerian Army said it had destroyed two suspected operational vehicles of the Boko Haram sect in the ongoing operations in Maiduguri.

The spokesman of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, Lt.-Col. Mohammed Dole, announced this in a statement on October 31, 2013, Thursday.

Lt.-Col. Dole revealed the main goal of the destruction was to clear the insurgents terrorising motorists on high ways in Borno.

"We have been able to identify camps used by the terrorists in planning attacks against motorists and innocent villagers in Kaga Local Government Area of the state.

"Troops of the division, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, have been able to destroy these camps since we began the operations this week," Dole said.

He said three surveillance motorcycles believed to be used by the sect in planning attacks had also been recovered.

"They mostly used the motorcycles in spying to plan for attacks on innocent people.

"The General Officer Commanding the division (GOC), Maj.-Gen. Obidah Ethan, is happy with the cooperation of the public towards supplying vital information on the movement of the terrorists.

"I therefore wish to express our gratitude to the public for the support and cooperation extended to us so far.

"We have been able to dislodge the terrorists from their camps which have been their hiding places.

"They are now in disarray, trying to save their lives instead of planning attacks on innocent persons," Dole said.

Lt.-Col. Dole also informed the division had created patrol teams on major high ways in the state to prevent isolated attacks on motorists.

It would be added that in a parallel operation this week, a suspected Boko Haram member was killed and four others in Gadan Maiwa Village, Ningi Local Government Area, Bauchi State.

(NAN)*

Primary School Teacher Nabbed for Allegedly Sodomising 10 Male Students

The Police Command of Matabeleland North province, northwest Zimbabwe, has informed about the arrested of a primary school teacher, who was accused of repeatedly sodomising at least 10 male students.

According to the reports of the state media on Thursday, a 24-year-old teacher of Longwe Primary School was arrested after an 8-year-old boy reported to his parents that he was sexually abused.

As the investigation went on, more and more victims found courage and accused the teacher of indecent acts, the provincial police spokesman, Siphiwe Makonese, revealed.

It has been learnt that the teacher even paid money to his victims to keep them silent.

The mentioned 8-year-old boy is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital, as the victim suffered severe injuries on his bottom.

According to Zimbabwean law, non-consensual same-sex behaviour is viewed as aggravated assault, and can attract a maximum of life imprisonment if convicted.

(Xinhua/NAN)*