Another 60 soldiers to face trial for mutiny Thursday

   Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade

Another set of 60 soldiers are to be arraigned before a General Court Martial by military authorities in Abuja on Thusday for mutiny.

The soldiers allegedly committed mutiny on August 4, 2014 by refusing to join troops in Maiduguri for “an operation.”

Their arraignment which is to take place at the Sani Abacha Barracks in Abuja comes as The PUNCH gathered on Monday that some of the 12 soldiers convicted on September 15, 2014 by the GCM had notified the Court of Appeal of their intention to challenge their sentences.

The   GCM headed by Brig. Gen. C. Okonkwo   had sentenced 12 out of 18 soldiers facing trial guilty of mutiny among other offences and sentenced them to death. Five of them were however discharged and acquitted   and one sentenced to 28 days’ imprisonment with hard labour and reprimand.

The soldiers were charged with mutiny among other offences, including   attacking the former General Officer Commanding the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army, Ahmed Mohammed.

A copy of the charge sheet filed against the 60 soldiers   was obtained by The PUNCH in Abuja on Monday.

The charge sheet revealed that the soldiers, comprising two corporals, nine lance corporals and 49 privates, are to be arraigned on two counts of conspiracy to commit mutiny and mutiny.

Soldiers facing trial

The accused allegedly committed the offences at the Mulai Primary School, opposite African Independent Television in Maiduguri, Borno State on August 4, 2014 by refusing to join “111 SF Bn troops” led by Col. E.A. Aladeniyi to Maimalari Barracks in connection with an operation.

According to the charge sheet, they “conspired to commit mutiny against the authority of 7 Division,” an offence said to be punishable under Section 91(1) of the Penal Code Cap P89 LFN 2004.

The soldiers were also accused of committing mutiny which is said to be punishable under Section 52(1)(a) of the AFA CAP A20 LFN 2004.

The charges   are said to be triable in the GCM under Section 114 of the AFA Cap A20 LFN 2004 and punishable under Section 91(1) of the Penal Code Cap P89 LFN 2004.

The two corporals   are Andrew Ogolekwu and Saturday Efa.

The charge sheet reads, “Count One: Criminal conspiracy to commit mutiny triable by the General Court Martial by virtue of Section 114 of the AFA Cap A20 LFN 2004 and punishable under section 91(1) of the Penal Code Cap P 89 LFN 2004.

“Particulars of offence: In that you at Mulai Primary School Camp opposite AIT Maiduguri on or about 4 August 2014 conspired to commit mutiny against the authority of 7 Division.

“Count 2: Mutiny contrary to and punishable under section 52(1)(a) of the AFA CAP A20 LFN 2004.

“Particulars of offence: In that you at Mulai Primary School Camp opposite AIT Maiduguri on or about 4 August 2014 refused to join 111 SF BN troops led by Col. E.A. Aladeniyi (N/9695) to Maimalari Barracks in connection with an operation.”

Indications had emerged on Sunday that lawyers seeking to file an appeal challenging the conviction of some of the 12 soldiers by the GCM     had not been able to have access to them.

There were reports that the convicted soldiers had been moved from the Defence Headquarters Garrison, Abuja to a detention facility at the Directorate of Defence Intelligence, Lagos.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Godwin Obla,   who brought the process of appeal on behalf of three of the convicted soldiers, said   his chambers had made unsuccessful attempts to get in touch with them.

The soldiers are Iganmu Emmanuel, Steven Clement and  Andrew Ngbede.

Obla told one of our correspondents on the   telephone that the military did not volunteer information on where the convicts were being kept.

He said that the inability to locate them had hampered the completion of the appeal process as they had not been available to sign some documents required for the appeal.

The SAN said, “We have been trying to get them (the soldiers) to sign for the process; and because we have not been able to get them, we have not been able to complete the process; there are things for them to sign.

“Nobody has been able to tell us where they are being kept; nobody is volunteering information; nobody has been able to tell us where they are.

“We are just hearing that they have been moved to the Directorate of Military Intelligence Cell in Lagos.

“We   will make the move so that the process would be filed on their behalf.”

Soldiers facing trial

Obla also said that the filing process at the Court of Appeal had not been completed   because the findings against and the sentencing of the soldiers by the GCM had not been promulgated and communicated to them.

He said that the filing could only be made after the findings and the verdict of the court martial had been promulgated and communicated to them.

Obla said, “The findings and sentence by the General Court Martial need to be promulgated and it is to be communicated to the convicts. It has not been communicated to them.

“It is after the findings and the sentence have been communicated to the convicts that the filing can be made.”

A lawyer from Obla’s law firm, Mr. Enokela Onyilo-Uloko,   said     that the law firm of a former President of the Senate, Chief Amah Ebute, was handling the defence of six of the   convicted soldiers.

He listed those being represented by Ebute’s law firm as Jasper Braidolor, Friday Onuh, Alao Samuel,   Linus Alan,   Ifeanyi Alukagbe and Amadi Chukwudi.

He said, “Nine of the soldiers are already before the Court of Appeal; the appeals are within time; we are awaiting the hearing date from the Court of Appeal.

“A motion for Stay of Execution is being filed to make sure they don’t tamper with them.”

When The PUNCH sought to know from the   Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Olajide Laleye,   if the conviction of the soldiers had been confirmed by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah,   he said he was not aware.

“I am not aware if the judgment has been confirmed or not; I don’t have that information,” Laleye said

The PUNCH had reported on Friday   that the Army might arraign 13 soldiers for cowardice and failure to obey orders from their superiors to advance at the (war) front.

The soldiers were said to have been directed to join their counterparts at the 7 Division, entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating the ongoing counter-terrorism operation in the North-East early in the year.

(PUNCH)

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Nigerians should be prepared for change-Tinubu

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu

A former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, says there is a need for the country to undergo a “common sense” revolution, adding that Nigerians should be prepared for change

Tinubu, who is a national leader of the All Progressives Congress said the many years of misrule by successive Peoples Democratic Party presidents had continued to sink the country further into crisis.

The former governor said this in a statement titled ‘A Return to Decency’, on Monday.

He described the 16 years of PDP rule at the federal level as a period of steady decline into disaster.

He said, “The longer they rule, the less benefit the people derive. Nigeria now needs a ‘common sense revolution,’ a revolution that calls forth a return to decency, probity, transparency of process and fairness in outcome.

“This is done not by subterfuge, divide and rule and turning Nigeria in a field of discord or a street of broken institutions. It is accomplished by honouring the principles of democratic good governance and economic justice. It is done by persuading the people they are better off as one instead of better off tearing at one another’s throats.

“Nigerians should be prepared for change. We must rescue Nigeria from those set to cause it irreparable harm. The change I talk about is the only route to our deliverance from 16 years of the PDP locusts. Nigeria is ours to keep and its democracy is ours to save.”

He advised that this year’s Independence Day should be a time of sober reflection because other countries that received independence at the same time as Nigeria had since surpassed the country.

He described the Nigeria of today as the nightmare of its founding fathers. Tinubu further berated the PDP-led Federal Government of using religion to divide Nigerians.

He said, “We commemorate this Independence Day because the nation has survived despite its many challenges. We dare not celebrate because the nation has not flourished as it should. Fifty four years our national trek began with hope and promise, peace and unity.

“Today, the nation staggers beneath the weight of trouble multiplied by hardship. Peace and unity seem to have yielded the moment to violence and discord. We exist as a political unit on a map but we do not prosper as brothers and sisters in one nation, under one flag and pursuant to one accord.”

“Never has an elected government in Nigeria employed religion as a tool to divide the people, setting Nigerian brother against brother in a manner that allows this administration to function at the basest level of governance while seeking to establish a political domination that seeks no greater purpose than its self-perpetuation.”

He described attempts to stigmatise and physically intimidate the APC and the militarisation of elections as features of a perverse democracy.

He described President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda as an avenue to siphon funds through a dubious blueprint.

“They do not have a national blueprint or vision. They do have a blueprint and vision for excessive self-enrichment. Their equation is simple: You work, they feast. You toil, they grow fat. You seek a decent wage; they pilfer the collective treasury to enjoy a king’s ransom,” he said.

He said rather than promote religious tolerance and harmonious living, Jonathan’s government believes its electoral chances are enhanced by promoting ethnicism, internal divisions and religious suspicion but “successful nations are not built this way, have we not learned the lesson that we paid the high price of civil war to learn.”

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Police begin investigation into the murder of former Ekiti State NURTW chairman

Police in Ekiti State have launched investigation into the murder of a former Ekiti State Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers, Omolafe Aderiye.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Victor Babayemi, also announced the arrest of a number of suspects over the violence that erupted in the state on Friday.

Aderiye was a staunch loyalist of the Governor-elect, Mr. Ayo Fayose.

Fayose, who visited the widow of the decease, Funmilayo, described his murder as “barbaric” and “a political killing.”

“We were together till about 5pm yesterday, (Thusrday). But taking his life is not an option. It is not the best. This is irreparable and we have come here to condone with the family. If this other party are sure they are not the one responsible for the killing, they should be courageous enough to come and pay a condolence visit to his family.”

There was massive deployment of security agencies in the state capital, Ado-Ekiti.

The office of the Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, the All Progressives Congress Ado Local Government’s office and three campaign buses at the APC state secretariat in Ajilosun were burnt by hoodlums who also made bumfire.

Several properties including the house and vehicles of a former chairman of Ekiti State Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Rotimi Olabiwoninu, and keke NAPEP given out under poverty eradication programme of the state government were also burnt.

Olabiwoninu is a staunch loyalist of Governor Kayode Fayemi.

In a statement entitled “Murder of Chief Aderiye Omolafe and the attendant civil unrest” made available to journalists, Babayemi lamented that, “In the last 24 hours, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, has witnessed series of unpleasant events.”

He recalled that the police in the early hours of Thursday reacted to the rowdy situation by some group of people around the high court premises in Ado-Ekiti by dispersing them and escorting the judges and lawyers out of the court premises to their various abode.

Babayemi said, “Regrettably, while the police was reviewing its strategies at putting an end to rowdiness in and around the court premises in the state capital, the news of the shooting incident came in.

“And, in response, the Commissioner of Police led a section of Mobile and conventional Policemen out all night and was able to forestall the breakdown of law and order generated by the killing.

“However, in the morning hoodlums started coming out in droves, taking to the streets of Ado-Ekiti and causing carnage by setting fire on some buildings, vehicles and property.

“The Commissioner of Police again reacted by leading the DPOs and other officers on patrol to curtail the situation. With this prompt and decisive response, the situation in Ado-Ekiti metropolis was brought under effective control.

“This also paved way for other agencies like Fire and Ambulance Services to respond to the emergency situation.”

The police enjoined the people to comply with the dusk to dawn curfew order declared by the Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
Babayemi warned that anyone found flouting the order or breaking the law will be adequately dealt with in accordance with the law.

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13 soldiers to face trial for cowardice

Convicted Soldiers.

There were indications in Abuja on Thursday   that the authorities of the Nigerian Army might soon arraign 13 soldiers for cowardice and failure to obey orders from their superiors to advance at the (war) front.

Investigations revealed that the soldiers directed to join their counterparts at the 7 Division, entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating the on going counter-terrorism operation in the North-East early in the year.

It was gathered that the General Court Martial set up to handle the cases emanating from the on-going operation   led by Brig. Gen. CC Okonkwo will hear the   cases against the soldiers .

A military source, who made this known in Abuja, did not give the exact date for the hearing of the cases.

He said that the soldiers ‘’failed to advance when an order was given to them to do so.” Their action, according to him,   was against military laws.

It was learnt that the affected soldiers had all been moved to the Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja, which is the venue of the GCM.

When one of our correspondents contacted the Public Relations Officer of the Defence Headquarters, Garrison, Mogadishu Cantonment, Col. Aliyu Yusuf, he said that the GCM was not treating any case for now.

Yusuf   said, “For now, there is no court martial inaugurated. When the court martial is inaugurated, I will brief you appropriately on the issues before it.”

It was learnt that many military personnel in detention were waiting to face the court martial   for misdemeanours.

The misdemeanours include   negligence of duty, cowardice, failure to perform military duty, failure to advance with orders, leakage of information to the enemy and others.

According to PUNCH the military authorities had cleared the detention facility at the Mogadishu Cantonment where 12   who were sentenced to death on September 16, 2014, are kept to create room for the 13 soldiers   from the 7 Division.

It was learnt that the convicted soldiers had been moved to the detention facility of the Directorate of Military Intelligence in Lagos.

The GCM had found the 12 soldiers guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and mutiny and sentenced them to death by firing squad.

The Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, neither confirmed nor denied the planned trial of the 13 soldiers .

He said that the GCM was a standing court that would continue until all the cases before it were treated.

The DHQ spokesman said, “Normally, the court martial as a standing court is continuous until all the cases before it are disposed of.”

(PUNCH)

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Released Chibok girl “pregnant and mentally ill'' - Bitrus

     Abducted Chibok girls 

The abducted “Chibok girl” released on Wednesday is “pregnant and mentally ill,” the National Chairman of Chibok Community Development Association, Dr. Pogu Bitrus, has told TheCable.

Earlier on Thursday, the police revealed that the 20-year-old girl was abandoned by suspected terrorists at Mubi in Adamawa State, from where she was picked up. It also confirmed that she was one of the female pupils of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, abducted in April by Boko Haram.

However, Bitrus said it was still uncertain if the girl was from Chibok because her name did not correspond with any of the names in the records of the girls that were captured by Boko Haram on April 14.

“I was speaking Kibaku to her, but she did not respond; she was incoherent. She may be having mental issues as a result of trauma,” he said.

Bitrus added that preliminary tests – still not definitive – indicated that the girl is pregnant.

He added, “When she was picked up, she was taken to a clinic, not a standard hospital, and tests were carried out on her.

“From the tests, it was said she is pregnant, but that is still in the speculative domain because a qualified medical doctor has not confirmed that she is pregnant.

“However, we are still trying to establish if really she is from Chibok, because from our sources, the last name of the released girl does not tally with the surname of the person bearing the first name of the released girl captured in our records and whose father is a carpenter at Chibok. So, we are still trying to work out every detail.”

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Survivors Of Ebola Virus Visit Governor Fashola

Governor Fashola yesterday received survivors of the deadly Ebola virus disease at the State House in Alausa, Ikeja. While welcoming them, the Governor thanked God on their behalf and also commended the survivors for coming forward to share their experiences with the Nation.

As seen in the pictures above, the survivors are; widow of late Port Harcourt doctor, Dr Emenuo Kelechi (left), Dr Ibeawuchi Morris (second left), Dr Fadipe Akinniyi (centre), Mr. Dennis Akagha (late Nurse Justina Ejelonu's fiance) and Dr Adaora Igonoh. More photos below;

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Reps summon Diezani, NNPC GMD, NUPENG over strike

Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke

The House of Representatives on Wednesday summoned the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, over the ongoing strike by oil workers in the country.

Also summoned were the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Joseph Dawah, the leadership of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers.

The House issued the summons through its Joint Committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream)/Petroleum Resources (Downstream); and Gas Resources.

In a statement signed by the three chairmen of the committees in Abuja, the House said it was worried that a strike in the oil sector at this time would adversely affect the country’s economy.

Those who signed the document were Mr. Muraina Ajibola (Upstream); Mr. Dakuku Peterside (Downstream); and Mr. Bassey Ewa (Gas Resources).

The statement noted that media reports indicated that members of staff of the NNPC had already embarked on strike.

“The Joint Oil and Gas Committee of the House of Representatives is concerned by the strike, as reported in the media by members of staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation,” it said.

The lawmakers observed that as the main driver of the economy, any strike in the oil sector would be costly.

The statement added, “Alive to our constitutional responsibilities, the joint committee has decided to intervene in this matter with a view to resolving whatever the issues may be.

“Accordingly, we have invited the Minister of Petroleum Resources and the affected unions and relevant stakeholders in the sector to a meeting for tomorrow, Thursday, September 18, 2014.

“Given the urgency of this matter, it is our hope that the relevant parties will attend this meeting.

“We enjoin the parties to work with us to resolve their differences in the overall interest of the nation.”

The joint committee fixed 11am as the time of the meeting.

Members of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria

Media reports indicated on Monday that a major cause of the looming crisis was the dispute over compliance with the Pension Reform Act, 2014.

The National Pension Commission had already given the NNPC a 12-month grace to ensure full compliance with the law.

On Monday, the Group General Manager, NNPC Public Affairs Division, Ohi Alegbe, had stated in Abuja that the corporation would ensure that the strike was averted.

The NNPC had added that as of 2010, there was N298bn funding gap in the pension scheme, which had been reduced to N85bn in June this year.

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Nigerian Military kill 300 insurgents in Borno

Maiduguri residents hailing soldiers for repelling and killing about 300 insurgents in Konduga and Ngamdu in Borno State…on Wednesday

The military has recorded a major feat in its battle against the militant Islamic sect, Boko Haram by killing no fewer than 300 insurgents in two Borno State communities.

One hundred and fifty of them were shot dead in Konduga, a town between Bama and     Maiduguri, while the remaining 150 were killed in Ngamdu, about 100 kilometres from the   state capital.

The military also captured one Armoured Personnel Carrier, three Hilux vans, and a cache of arms and ammunition from the insurgents.

Residents of Kodunga, who were impressed by the gallantry of the soldiers, trooped to the streets hailing the special forces for routing the militants.

The special forces had killed about 150 insurgents in Konduga barely six days ago.

A member of the Civilian Joint Task Force, who put the number of insurgents killed by the soldiers in Ngamdu at 300, said he believed they (insurgents) were heading for Maiduguri for an attack on the city.

He said the soldiers from the Nigerian Army 7 Division in Maiduguri who were   stationed at Konduga and Ngamdu were assisted by   vigilance groups.

The source, who spoke on the phone with one of our correspondents on Wednesday afternoon, said, “As I am talking to you, the corpses of the insurgents are on the streets in the two towns.”

A vigilante,   Bashir Abbas,   said some militants were also   repelled   at Ajiri,   about 60 kilometres from Maiduguri and Mafa, which is 50 kilometres from the state capital on Tuesday night.

Some of the insurgents who were going to the scenes of the battle for reinforcement in four trucks were said to have escaped.

The Defence Headquarters, in a statement on its website on Wednesday, said the insurgents were on a mission to avenge the killing of their members on September 11 when they met their waterloo.

It however did not state if the special forces recorded any casualty during the incidents which began at about 6pm on Tuesday and ended 4am on Wednesday.

The DHQ statement added that the soldiers were carrying out a cordon and search operation to find out the exact number of casualty on the side of the insurgents.

It said, “Troops this(Wednesday) morning successfully crushed another attempt by terrorists who were on a revenge mission to Konduga after 12 hours of fighting on the outskirts of the Borno State community.

“Troops are now combing the vicinity, in a cordon and search operation to determine the heavy casualties suffered by the terrorists in the encounter.

“Meanwhile, three Hilux vans, one APC and a cache of arms and ammunition were confirmed captured by the troops.”

Similarly, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Olajide Laleye, said in a statement on Wednesday that the insurgents were defeated in Konduga due to the vigilance of the troops.

Laleye   also said that “three Hilux vans with mounted machine and anti-aircraft guns, one Mowag APC and assorted arms and ammunition” were seized from the militants.

The Army spokesman said that the morale of the troops   was very high due to new strategies devised by the leadership of the Armed Forces.

He urged the public to continue to support the troops in the   counter-terrorism operation.

Laleye said, “It must be noted that the renewed morale, fighting spirit and combat efficiency of troops have been boosted by new strategies devised by the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the support of well-meaning members of the public.

“Therefore, the Nigerian Army implores the public to continue to support the military and other security agencies engaged in the on-going operation to rid Nigeria of blood-letting insurgents and ruthless religious extremists.”

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20 killed in Kano college blast

Kwankwaso

A bomb explosion which was preceded by sporadic gunshots left over 20 people dead   and 40   injured in   Kano on Wednesday.

The explosion at the entrance to new site of the Federal College of Education, sent many students,   residents of the area and business owners scampering to safety.

According to a witness, Hauwa Abdu, some gunmen who arrived at the area started shooting near the bus stop   and suddenly, a   man in black attire told people   to remain where they were or risk being killed.

She said, “When   the terrified people took to their heels, the gunmen started shooting and suddenly there was explosion at the entrance of the college.”

An NCE 2 student, Aminu Ibrahim, said many students receiving lectures in a theatre close to the gate of the institution rushed out on hearing the explosion.

He explained that in the ensuing melee, some were injured while others lost their lives.

A victim, Hanne Muhammad, said, “When we rushed out of the theatre, some of us were hit by shrapnels. My friend was hit on the face   and hands. She lost consciousness.”

At the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital in the city, some workers were seen   attending to injured people.

One of them,Yusuf Musa,   put the number of corpses brought to the hospital at 21.

“Some people came to identify and take the corpses of their loved ones for burial.   We cannot ascertain if they are more dead people   but we counted 21 corpses, including babies.   About 40 are receiving treatment.”

But the state Police Commissioner, Adenrele Shinaba, told journalists that 15 people were   killed while 36 were injured.

The Police headquarters, in a statement   which gave a different account of how the blast happened and its exact place, said two of the armed men were shot dead.

The statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, also put the death toll at 15 but gave the number of those wounded as 34.

It said the terrorists, after detonating an Improvised Explosive Device, began shooting sporadically outside the school premises.

The statement read in part,” At about 1530hrs, two armed men detonated an IED at the lecture Hall of Federal College of Education, Zaria Road, Kano.

“Thereafter, they began sporadic shooting outside the premises. Police team from a nearby Tactical Operations Point responded and shot dead the two insurgents. Their AK 47 rifles were recovered.

“On examination of the scene of the explosion, 15 dead bodies were recovered, while 34 injured were taken to hospital for treatment. The police have sealed the scene of crime and commenced investigation.”

The entrance to the college was sealed by policemen and other security officials   when one of our correspondents visited.

On May 18, 2014, five people died in a suicide car bomb attack in the city.

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Why PDP governors endorsed Jonathan for 2015

President Jonathan

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors yesterday endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan as their sole candidate for the 2015 presidential election.

The governors took the decision after their meeting at the Akwa Ibom State Governor’s Lodge, Abuja.

Before the meeting, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, had announced that the party had fixed November 29 and December 6 as dates for the party’s governorship and presidential primaries, respectively.

The Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, who is also the Governor of Akwa Ibom State,   Godswill Akpabio, told journalists after the meeting that decision to make Jonathan   their sole candidate   was not challenged by any of the governors that attended the meeting.

The governors in attendance were those of Cross River, Niger, Kogi, Kaduna, Taraba (Acting) Gombe, Abia, Delta, Adamawa (Acting), Bayelsa, Plateau, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Benue, Jigawa (Deputy), Katsina (Deputy), Sokoto (Deputy), Kebbi (Deputy).

The Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, who is believed to be nursing presidential ambition, was absent.

It was however not clear if his deputy, who was in attendance, disapproved of the decision of the governors.

The decision of the governors is expected to be debated at the National Executive   Committee meeting of the party, which holds in Abuja on Thursday (today).

Akpabio said, “The forum hereby endorses President Jonathan for a second term in office and resolved to support his bid for re-election come 2005.

“The forum urges all PDP faithful to support this gesture which should enable the President to become the sole presidential candidate of the PDP come 2015.”

The forum, according to him,   also discussed the outcome of the governorship election in Osun State, which was won by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola.

He said the governors were in support of the candidate of the PDP, Sen. Iyiola Omisore, to challenge the outcome of the election in court.

He added that the governors supported the result of the party’s primary in Adamawa State and called on the people of the state to support the Acting Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri,   for the October 11 election in the state.

Also in Abuja, Metuh, who briefed journalists on the meeting the PDP leadership had with Jonathan on Tuesday night,   said the primaries for the National Assembly would hold on November 22.

He explained that the dates for the presidential, governorship and National Assembly primaries     were ratified by the members of the PDP National Working Committee   in Abuja on Wednesday.

Metuh , however, said the dates were a mere proposal that   was subject to approval by the NEC.

He said, ‘‘We expect all public servants, government appointees and elected party officials who are interested in contesting any position to   resign their appointments seven days before the commencement of the ward congress election.”

It was learnt that sales of nomination and expression of interest forms for various elective offices, would be between October 27 and 28.

This, according to a source at the national headquarters of the party, was to enable public office holders who want to resign their appointments to contest elective positions to do so before October 20.

Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, had told State House correspondents at the end of the PDP governors meeting with Jonathan   that the party’s election guidelines for   general elections dominated their discussions

He said, “Most of the discussions   centred on the 2015 elections, that is, preparations of the party for the 2015 elections. There were presentations by the NWC . You know we will have our NEC meeting on Thursday(today) and the guidelines for the party were discussed.

“But most of the decisions will be taken at the NEC meeting . What we did here was to brainstorm on certain issues that will be presented at the NEC meeting. So, it is on Thursday(today) that a lot of the decisions that will guide us for the 2015 elections will be taken.”

Meanwhile, a prominent Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has called for the adaptation of Jonathan as the sole candidate of the PDP for the presidential election.

Clark said this was necessary since the President had signified his intention to run, adding that “this is the practice in the United States of America whose democracy we are practising.”

Clark, who spoke with one of our correspondents in Abuja, said Jonathan deserved the ticket, having worked for the country since he assumed office following the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua.

Though the President has yet to openly declare his intention to run, some groups, including his ministers, have openly adopted him as their candidate.

The Presidency is also believed to be behind some of the groups, which are being coordinated by the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Prof. Rufai Alkali.

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T.B. Joshua blames Boko Haram for collapsed building

TB Joshua

The founder and General overseer of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Prophet T. B. Joshua has said Boko Haram may be responsible for the collapse of a six-storey building in the church premises.

Joshua, who told members of his church on Sunday not to be afraid, said the attack was targeted at him and not at them.

The prophet made it clear that the collapse of the six-storey building at around 11.45am on Friday which led to the death of no fewer than 16 persons was a Boko Haram attack.

Joshua buttressed his claim by showing to his congregation on the Emmanuel TV the chronology of events shortly before and after the accident as captured by the church’s CCTV.

He said, “I received a phone call immediately I got here, just 10 minutes later when I was in the church, that there was a jet hovering over the mountain where I had just left. They said it was hovering at a close range. Before I knew it, I received another phone call that the same jet was now at the church hovering over the building, passing it four times at a very close range before the building collapsed.”

Joshua read to the church a letter which he said was addressed to him by a Boko Haram member, confessing how he had attempted to plant a bomb inside the church.

Joshua said his church was being attacked to scare away members.

“This environment at Ikotun Egbe, we have never witnessed an accident of a building collapse. This is a very stable terrain. I have been here for the past 30 years. I am pregnant with words, but we have left the security agencies to do their job. Let us believe and educate our people and be alive.”

Assuring his congregation that God would bring the perpetrators of the attack to book, Joshua said that the decision of the insurgents to focus on his church might be the end of the Boko Haram’s activities in the country.

He said,“I know you will ask why the church? It is because of the spiritual blessings that God has bestowed upon us. A big head wears a large hat.

“Don’t forget about the Ebola issue too, it was God that rescued the church. Probably they would have dropped an Ebola patient inside the church, so that they would said, ‘there is an Ebola patient in the church, don’t go there.’

“They are trying to scare you from coming to church. Don’t be scared, you are not the target, I’m the target. I know my time has not yet come. I have not yet finished my job.

“I want to assure you that our God will get back at them and you will know when he gets back to them. May be this would be the end of the whole thing.”

Meanwhile, the death toll had officially risen to 44, while 130 people were said to have been rescued alive.

The National Emergency Management Agency on Sunday said that 44 dead bodies had been recovered, while 130 people trapped in the collapsed Synagogue building had so far been rescued.

The Public Relations Officer of NEMA, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed this via a text message to our correspondents.

Farinloye, however, told the News Agency of Nigeria that 80 per cent of people rescued from the collapse building were women.

He said that two female children, aged four and eight years, were among those rescued from the building.

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APC accuses Jonathan, PDP of breaking electoral law

President Goodluck Jonathan

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of flouting the electoral law by encouraging and funding the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria which has been rallying support for Jonathan’s re-election nationwide.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said in a statement on Sunday that Jonathan’s refusal to stop the rallies was evidence that he was behind TAN.

The APC also said the fact that the rallies were being coordinated by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius, ministers, governors and other public office holders in Jonathan’s administration, showed that TAN had the President’s backing.

The APC said it was hypocritical of the President to have stopped the Bring Back Goodluck 2015 movement after international condemnation but allowed TAN to continue to operate. The party said the collapse of the podium where dignitaries were seated during the TAN rally in Niger State on Saturday was only the beginning of the destruction of the PDP.

The statement read, “If the President had not been running a government hallmarked by impunity, there is no way any political party would have brazenly kick-started electioneering campaign under the guise of an ‘’NGO’’ that is coordinated by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, ministers, governors and other public officials, at a time like this.

“The PDP-led Federal Government and its ‘NGO’ called TAN are bare-faced liars and cheats. They have seized an undue advantage over every other party by defying the nation’s laws to start an early electioneering campaign, and no one, not even INEC, dares call them to order! Little wonder, their podiums are collapsing under the weight of their lies,’’ it said.

However, the PDP in a statement on Sunday, urged members of TAN and other groups in support of the second term of Jonathan not to include officials of the party in their campaigns.

The National publicity Secretary of party, Chief Olisa Metuh, who said this in a statement he issued, said it was wrong to link officials of the party with the campaigns of the support groups.

Metuh insisted that while the party recognised the inalienable right of citizens under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to freely associate and publicly express their support for persons of their choice, the party wished to restate in the strongest possible terms that no official of the PDP at any level should for any reason whatsoever be involved in such events until after the primaries.

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Police Arrest Man Stealing Cash At Bank With Invisible Ring

A man who walked into GTB bank thinking he was all invisible because he wore an invisible ring has been arrested by the Police. The man jumped over the counter and started stuffing a bag with cash, before the cashiers held him. Police where later called in and he was asked why he did that, and he said he thought no one could see him because he wore an invisible ring. How thoughtful!

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Why Jonathan ordered removal of offensive campaign banners

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday ordered the immediate removal of the #BringBackJonathan signs being used by his supporters for his second term bid.

The directive, contained in a statement by the presidential spokesperson, Dr. Reuben Abati, followed worldwide condemnation, with the United States of America’s influential newspaper, Washington Post, describing the use of the slogan as “galling.”

Like many Nigerians, the Washington Post in its editorial, noted that the #BringBackJonathan sign was parodying the #BrinBackOurGirls – the social media campaign used to nudge the world to the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, by the Boko Haram terrorist group in April.

The critics, including the Washington Post, queried the basis for parodying the rescue campaign slogan when Jonathan’s administration had failed to rescue the girls from captivity.

But Abati, in his statement, said the signs were being used without President Jonathan’s knowledge or approval.

He said the President had therefore ordered that the “offensive and repugnant” signs and campaign banners bearing the slogan be immediately brought down.

The statement read, “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has directed that the #BringBackJonathan 2015 signs and banners around Abuja, which he and many Nigerians find offensive and repugnant, be brought down immediately.

“President Jonathan wholly shares the widely expressed view that the signs, which were put up without his knowledge or approval, are a highly insensitive parody of the #BringBackOurGirls hash tag.

“While President Jonathan appreciates the enthusiastic show of support for his administration by a broad range of stakeholders, he condemns the #BringBackJonathan 2015 signs, which appear to make light of the very serious national and global concern for the abducted Chibok girls.

“The President assures all Nigerians and the international community that his administration remains fully engaged with efforts to rescue the abducted girls and that he will not knowingly promote any actions that will fly in the face of the seriousness of their plight and the anguish of their families.”

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FG, Teachers disagree over schools’ resumption date

 Ibrahim Shekarau

The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Federal Government (FG) have disagreed over the new resumption date of September 22 and threatened to go on strike if the FG fails to put in place measures to protect its members and pupils from contracting the deadly Ebola Virus Disease before the resumption of schools.

But the Federal Government says there is no going back on the date since there is no scientific basis for schools to remain shut beyond the September 22 resumption date announced by the Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau.

The NUT National President, Michael Alogba, in a telephone interview   with one of our correspondents on Wednesday, stated that the union would not allow   any of its members to teach until it was scientifically and medically proven that the country was out of the Ebola scourge.

The Federal Government initially fixed October 13 as schools’ resumption date but it later announced the new date , saying that the country was almost Ebola-free.

But the new date drew criticism from doctors, activists and civil society groups who alleged that the government was stampeded into announcing it by some powerful school proprietors.

On Tuesday, the House of Representatives directed its Committee on Education to take another look at the September 22 resumption date in view of the fact that the EVD had yet to be contained in the country.

Before Alogba spoke, the committee Chairman, Aminu Usman, told The PUNCH in Lagos on Tuesday that the committee would meet with the leadership of the Nigerian Medically Association and the Federal Ministry of Education over the September 22 date.

During the interview with The PUNCH, Alogba said the NUT   had already written the Federal Government about its position on the September 22 date.

He   warned that   if the new date was not extended by Monday, the NUT national executive council would meet on Tuesday in Abuja to take a drastic action.

The NUT chairman said, “In any sane society, decision such as this will not be taken until the government and all stakeholders have met and discussed the issue at stake and are sure that the nation is scientifically and medical free from the scourge.

“But this is not the case in our country. When they arrived at the early October 13 date, they wrote us and we agreed with their argument but when this new date was given, they did not because of the influence of some powerful school owners who put pressure on them (Federal Government) to announce the September 22 date.

“Anyway, we have written to tell them that if the   Federal Government does not shift the date and provide all necessary safety measures in schools before Monday next week, all NUT leaders will meet in Abuja by 9am on Tuesday to decide our fate by ourselves. “Though I don’t want to preempt the outcome of the meeting but as teachers who have families and who should protect our future, I mean our students, we will shun the classes; we will call for strike.

“What kind of government is this, don’t they know that children can never be as hygienic as adults? Don’t they know that the immunity level of children is not as high as that of adults? Why do you want to open schools when you have not cleared out the virus; when you still have about 400 people under surveillance in Port Harcourt and Lagos?

“You are aware of what is happening at the Obafemi Awolowo University. How are we sure that there is no primary or secondary school pupil that has had   contact with an Ebola patient.

“It’s good that the   NMA (Nigerian Medical Association) has spoken and we have told them too that we would not cooperate with them. That   is why we are going to take a drastic action on Tuesday to protect ourselves and our children.

“I can tell you that we will shun schools; we won’t cooperate with them. In other words, we will embark on strike.”

Also, the Media Concern Initiative for Women and Children said there was no need for the government to rush into the reopening of schools.

Its Executive Director,   Princess Olufemi-Kayode, therefore urged the government to discard the latest resumption date.

She said, “How many children will be able to do proper hygiene in schools? It is like creating a nuclear weapon in our nation. Who are the schools opening for?

“The government is   not being factual with us because there are new cases. For me, my child is not going back to school.”

The Education Rights Campaign and Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit also faulted the directive by the government.

The President of the ERC , Hassan Soweto, who accused the government of   attempting to risk the lives of pupils, alleged that the goal of the directive was to justify political rallies and gatherings by supporters of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said, “ EVD is a great crisis but it is not one that should affect the pupils alone. If the Ministry of Education has decided to fix a day for resumption, it must therefore mean that all the mechanisms needed to ensure the safety of pupils are in place in   schools.

“Facilities approved by the World Health Organisation   for the prevention of EVD have to be provided accross the nation, whether it is private or public.

The President of the MSSN , Lagos State Area Unit, Kamil Kalejaiye, warned that it was dangerous to expose   pupils to risk.

He described the decision to reopen   the schools as “hasty “, saying no visible measures has been put in place to curtail the disease.

Kalejaiye said, “If the pupils resume on september 22, what are the measures that the government has put in place to ensure that EVD will be curtailed. Presently, the government is not telling us the measures. They are only bothering us with the resumption of the pupils. Things must be put on the ground and the risk of allowing the pupils back to school must be assessed.”

The Lagos State Chairman, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Mr. Yomi Otubela, however denied that the Ministry of Education was lobbied to change the resumption date to September 22.

Otubela said there had yet to be a scientific basis for schools to remain shut till next month.

FG defends resumption date, warns against irrational fear

In Abuja, the   Federal Government through the Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, said that the calls for the postponement of schools resumption were caused by “irrational fear.”

Chukwu told journalists after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, that the “irrational fear ”   lacked scientific basis.

He said, “First unlike other countries, there is no community transmission of the disease in Nigeria; not one yet. But we have taken precautions, what we are doing, we may as well have said everybody should just be moving about, but we are taking precautions.

“There is no scientific basis for school resumption to be postponed. There is no community transmission of the disease in Nigeria. That is what separates Nigeria from other countries. It is what I call irrational fear; we don’t need to be irrational about this.”

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Education has said   its meeting with the NMA and   the Federal Ministry of Education on September 15 would address the appropriateness of a review of the September 22 resumption date.

Its chairman   stated that the concerns raised by the NMA over the new resumption date would not be brushed aside.

Usman, who was on a   visit to the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos alongside members of the committee, said since the NMA   had kicked against the new resumption date,   it would be wise for the House   to meet with key stakeholders.

He said, “The NMA has advised government not to allow   students to resume on 22nd of this month. The NMA is made up of professionals and there are certain things they could have seen which may be unclear to us.

“We have invited the officials of both the NMA and the Federal Ministry of Education for a meeting on   Monday for us to look into the issues of Ebola once again. We are going to look into the demands of the NMA and come up with a decision in the best interest of the country.”

(PUNCH)

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Youths, vigilantes kill 80 fleeing insurgents in Adamawa

    Boko Haram members

Youths and vigilance group members in Michika and Madagali local government areas of Adamawa State on Tuesday night killed about 80   Boko Haram insurgents fleeing   the areas.

The insurgents, who had been wreaking havoc on some boundary communities in Adamawa and Borno states, were said to have run into the bush after running out of arms and ammunition.

It was gathered that normalcy had returned to the the LGAs   with   troops stationed in strategic places.

A resident of Michika, Vandi Joseph, told journalists on Wednesday in Yola, that the insurgents were overpowered by youths and vigilantes who shot them to death.

He said, “As I am speaking to you, our youths and vigilance group members ambushed and killed over 80 insurgents who escaped from soldiers and hid themselves in the bush. Our youths and vigilantes saw them and killed them.”

Meanwhile, the Mubi Emirate Council of Adamawa State has refuted media reports that the Emir of Mubi, Alhaji Abubakar Ahmadu, left Mubi and his palace for Yola, following an attack by Boko Haram on the town.

The spokesperson for the council, who is also the Danruwata Mubi, Chief John Elias, said at a news conference on Wednesday, that the Emirate was dismayed by the report.

Elias explained that the Emir who is the Amirul Hajj for the 2014 Hajj operation for Adamawa State , went to Yola to meet members of the delegation over preparation for the pilgrims.

He said, “The Emir did not leave Mubi for Yola as an escape from the insurgents but rather for meeting with members of the 2014 pilgrimages delegation committee which he is the leader. He returned to Mubi immediately the meeting was over.”

The Danruwata Mubi cautioned people to desist from spreading information that had no source and creating panic in the Emirate and the state in general.

He claimed that there was no attack on Mubi and anywhere in Mubi North and Mubi South LGAs as well as Maiha LGA.

Elias,who however said only Michika and Madagali had been affected by insurgency, called on the public to  remain calm .

However, report from Michika indicated on Wednesday night that the attacks on the people might   be linked to the fact that some people   in the town   harboured   insurgents.

An indigene of the town, who gave his name simply as   Daniel said, “Some people who have sympathy for the sect are frustrating   military’s efforts at flushing out the insurgents.”

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OAU student tests negative for Ebola virus

The management of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, has said that the female student of the institution who was suspected to have the Ebola virus and moved to Lagos State has tested negative to the virus.
The Public Relations Officer of the OAU, Mr. Abiodun Olanrewaju, said this in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Thursday.
He said, ” The preliminary result of the girl is out and she tested negative. Another test will be done tomorrow. The university will issue a statement on this later today.”
The female student of the university who hails from Port Harcourt, Rivers State was said to have had contact with Dr. Iyke Enemuo who died of the Ebola virus after treating an ECOWAS diplomat in a hotel room.
The OAU student was said to have been put under surveillance in Port Harcourt for 21 days before she was certified okay having tested negative to the virus.
However, on her return to the OAU to resume her studies, she took ill again on Monday and she walked to the university’s health centre where she was admitted.
He confession to have had contact with the late doctor and the symptoms similar to the EVD triggered rumour that she had the virus and the whole university community was thrown into panic.
Some students told our correspondent that the lady was bleeding and showing signs of the Ebola virus.
But the result of the second test now would calm students of the university who had been thrown into panic since she fell sick and was moved to Lagos.

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At Last, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Opens Up On Divorce Saga

After about one week of keeping mum about his divorce which is currently making headlines, Pastor Christian Oyakhilome has yesterday addressed the allegations leveled against him in the law suit filed by his wife in the United Kingdom.
Speaking on Sunday evening during the monthly global communion service of the church, he described the allegations as “crazy” and “stupid”. He however acknowledged that divorce is unbiblical adding that he could consider the option should his wife insist on it.
He also criticized the media for prying into his private life and urged members of his church to pray for his estranged wife. Read his speech after the cut.

I understand that some media houses particularly in Nigeria and maybe in South Africa (I don't know) but there are some of them that have been writing some real stupid things...real stupid things, and errrrhh...frivolous charges...that's crazy.
A man of God...you have to understand something about a Man of God. A man of God is not just someone who worships God or who preaches God. A man of God is directed by God, set on course by God. If you study the scriptures you will not find one Man of God going against God, sinning against God, the only thing you can find is a Man of God, maybe...in two different things  

1. Moses for example, when he struck the rock twice, provoked by the anger of the people, not because he wanted to do something against the Lord. No Man of God does something against the Lord. Are you hearing me? No!...a Man of God is set on course, there is a type of life that he's been given, alright?  

2. Then you have a young man, a young prophet, he wasn't named, he was deceived by another Man of God, and so he went in the direction God says don't go.

That's only the kind of thing you'd find about a Man of God when he misses the message of God or he acts beyond what God said. But a Man of God setting himself in defiance to the word of God and living like they (media houses) are writing those stupid things that I did this, that I did that...You don't know what a Man of God is.. I don't go in that direction. That's crazy. 

I wasn't accused of those things you (media houses) said, nor did I commit those stupid thing that you said...and I don't need to go to that level and such discussions. Jesus Christ was accused by many, with lots of frivolous charges. There would ALWAYS be those who'd like for it to be true, but you know, in spite of the accusations against Jesus, it didn't change who he was!  

There are preachers and there are Men of God. I'm not a preacher, I'm a Man of God...understand the difference. And I go in the way I'm asked to go, it may cause some troubles with individuals, but that's not because I've done something wrong.

And when it comes to Rev. Anita, what I'd say to you is pray for her, don't act like 'why why why is she....' . Married to a Man of God does not automatically make you Woman of God! You can make mistakes, but you know, people expect the wife of a Minister to definitely be at the level of the Minister, and so they may be looked upon and the expectations maybe like that, but it's a positional thing! alright!   

If a Man of God is married, it does not automatically mean the wife of the Man of God is therefore a Woman of God! That's not how it is in the Bible. That's why you don't really find wives of Men of God listed in the bible. How many of them? Who was Peter's wife? Did you ever know her name? You'd never find out! Who was John's wife? Did you ever read the name? What about all the other apostles? How many are registered in the bible? You never find their names, why? Ask God when you find HIM! **Smiles  

So, they are little things, don't try to make something big out of them, and emmm.. we're journeying, doing the things that God's called us to do...Christians should not have a divorce, it shouldn't be, but you see, that doesn't mean a Christian may not take the step. They may do it, but that doesn't make it right. And we shouldn't take one another to court, but when it happens, not because we wanna go there, someone is taking us there.

That's a problem, be wise, stay focused in the Word of God, and don't let those who want to feast on things like this including Christians. You know there are Christians who like things like this, they wanna make something big about it. You should only say those things that are from God, and become honorable in your speech, Alright! ...and judge nothing before the time...be wise, Glory to God.   

So we are going greater and greater and greater by the power of the living Christ. Hallelujah! So, we are not walking in sin and living in sin and hoping we can mix sin and righteousness together, NO!, we are the manifestations of His righteousness, we walk in that light only, and that's the way it's gonna be! Glory to God.

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Monarch’s Marriage Generates Tension In Community

The peaceful Agbor town in Delta State is currently enmeshed in tension following the alleged secret wedding to a white woman by a monarch, the Dein of Agbor, Benjamin Ikechukwu Kiagborekuzi 
Reports said that residents of Agbor and the palace chiefs are worried over the marriage to a white lady by the Dein of the kingdom.
A highly respected palace chief, Alika (surname withheld) told our correspondent that the ruling council has insisted that the Dein, who is in his 30s should get married to a Nigerian from Agbor kingdom according to the tradition.
Speaking further, Chief Alika alleged that the secret wedding is a taboo in the kingdom.
When our correspondent visited the palace, some persons who agreed to speak to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, claimed that the Dein called it a bluff stating that he has the right to do whatever he wants.

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Nigerian Government Launches 10,000 Mortgages For Affordable Housing Units

 

The Nigerian Government today launched the first 10,000 mortgages for the commencement of the Presidential Initiative on the delivery of affordable housing units to Nigerians.
The Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said in Abuja that the launch was part of the Federal Government’s efforts to fulfill its promise of providing affordable houses to Nigerians.
“During the launch of the Nigeria Mortgage Refinancing Company (NMRC) in January, Mr President made the pledge to provide affordable housing by the end of the second quarter of the year.
“This is so that Nigerians will be able to apply for mortgages in large numbers; we are here to implement his vision and dream.
“The launch today is the actualisation of this promise to move on the road to affordable housing finance for Nigerians,’’ she said.
According to her, the launch is the kick-off of the first initial 10,000 mortgages to be provided by lenders.
She said the NMRC would provide mortgage lending with access to more liquidity and long term funds.
The minister said the NMRC mission was to provide more liquidity for longer term funding for the housing sector.
She said the initiative would address the limitation faced by banks to deliver mortgage services.
According to her, the ability of banks to deliver mortgage services is limited by the fact that 80 per cent of all banks deposit are for 30 days only.
“This does not make for great strength or sustainability in providing resources for the housing sector.
“The NMRC provides greater access for financing of tenures from 15 to 20 years, instead of people buying houses and paying up in either, 12, 24 or 36 months, it is changed,’’ she said.
She said that prequalifying people for the mortgage was a critical step to home ownership.
The minister said that once a person was cleared by a lender, he or she would be emboldened to buy a house within the limit of the mortgage provided.
Okonjo-Iweala said that the scheme would target first time home buyer to buy houses between two and N20 million.
“We try to keep it low to address our first time buyers and above all our young people; essentially what we have done is to develop an online portal especially for this scheme.
She gave the address of the portal as www.housingfinance.gov.ng, and urged interested applicants to access the portal from Monday Aug 4.
Okonjo-Iweala said that upon completion of the form, the processing time for prequalification which used to be six to nine months had been reduced to three to six weeks.
“This will be subject to the level of risk analysis that will be undertaken by the mortgage lender,’’ she added
The minister said that developers would be prequalified for building standards.
“We will be willing to work with any developer with reliable housing stalk and we can also work with developer who are just about to start construction of estates,’’ she said
She said the scheme would equally accommodate beneficiaries with existing loans who might need micro loan to renovate their homes.
The Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Akon Eyakenyi, described the scheme as a mile stone in the housing sector.
Eyakenyi said the programme was part of Jonathan’s transformation agenda to evolve a plan for the timely delivery of affordable housing units to Nigerians.
She pledged the ministry’s commitment for the commencement of the project in August.
According to her, the ministry has received support from some states governments through the provision of land documents for the provision of the housing units.
The minister, however, appealed to states that were yet to make commitments to do so in the interest of their indigenes.
She appealed to private sector to seize the opportunity and invest in the initiative aimed at reducing the housing deficit in the country.
Also, the Managing Director, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Mr Gimba Ya’u Kumo, praised the efforts aimed at providing affordable housing units to Nigerians.
Kumo described the initiative as the beginning of a revolution in the housing sector in the country.
He said the FMBN had concluded arrangement to introduce a housing scheme for Nigerians in the Diaspora before the end of 2014.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kogi, Niger, Anambra and Bauchi had keyed into the scheme. (NAN)

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Shocking: Robbery Suspects Say They Pray Before Every Operation

     The arrested robbery gang members.

Four members of a robbery gang who were arrested by the Lagos State Police Command have said they usually prayed to God before any operation.

One of the suspected robbers, Mutalubi Abdullahi, explained that the prayer was to ensure that only ‘sinners’ would be dealt with by the gang, while the ‘innocent’ would be spared.

Abdullahi, who was arrested along with Ismaila Moruf, Opeyemi Akinyemi and Sarah Emmanuel, were arrested by the operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the command, for robbing early morning pedestrians and motorists in the Mile 2 area of the state.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the gang, which operated on commercial motorcycles otherwise called okada, made use of three locally-made guns in their operations.

According to the police, the female member of the gang, Emmanuel, allegedly supplied two of the three guns. It was gathered that two of the guns had, however, been recovered by the police.

The police said the suspected robbers, who were arrested from their respective hideouts in Iyana Iyesi, Sango Ota, Ogun State, also operated in the Agege, Isolo and Oshodi areas.

It was gathered that the mode of operation of the gang was to attack unsuspecting motorists and pedestrians on the expressway early in the morning and during traffic hitches.

But 29-year-old Abdullahi from Igbeti, Oyo State, said he and other members of the gang were driven into robbery by poverty. He said they were careful to rob only those who deserved to be robbed.

He said, “That is why we usually prayed to God before embarking on any operation. The prayer was for God to protect us and to bring only sinners our way so that those who were innocent would be spared.

“I was formerly working as a panel beater in Oyingbo, Lagos State. I started robbing just last year. I have gone on robbery operations about 10 times.

“The gang has three guns. We only use the guns to frighten people. Mile 2 Expressway, Alapere and Oshodi are areas where we operated. The money I made from panel beating and okada riding was not sufficient. That was why I took to robbery.”

Thirty-year-old Akinyemi, who was also an okada rider before joining the gang, said he made about N25,000 from each robbery operation.

He said, “I was an okada rider, but when I had an accident with the okada, I stopped the business. I made about N25,000 each from about four operations I went with the gang. Our style was to attack people in traffic jams. My wife did not know I was a member of a robbery gang. It is true that we prayed before our operations, asking for protection as we went out.”

Moruf, 30, from Epe, Lagos, said he was lured into the gang after his job as a roadside mechanic did not bring sufficient income.

The only female in the gang, 31-year-old Emmanuel, who allegedly supplied them with guns, said her friend, Modinat, convinced her to buy the guns for the gang.

She added that apart from getting guns for the gang, she had not gone for any operation.

She said, “I was working as a hairdresser. It was one of my friends, Modinat, who called me and said the gang needed a gun. Modinat was a girlfriend to one of them. She then asked me to come with her and I did. We got the two guns for N25,000 at Idi Iroko from some mechanics. That was in February. I know I am guilty.”

Our correspondent learnt that the gang was arrested, after several complaints had reached the former commissioner of police, AIG Umar Manko, about robberies in the area.

It was gathered that Manko had then directed SARS Commander, SP Abba Kyari, to go after the robbers.

A police source at the command said investigations into the matter were ongoing.

(PUNCH)

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Sister of Late Doctor Tests Positive for Ebola

  Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu

The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, has put the total number of confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria at 18. The 18th patient, according to the Federal Government, is the sister of the late Port Harcourt doctor who died of the EVD recently.

A statement issued on Wednesday night by his Special Assistant (Media and Communication), Mr. Dan Nwomeh, said the number of cases successfully managed and discharged was eight while the number of deaths from EVD was seven.

Chukwu also debunked rumours of EVD cases outside Lagos and Port Harcourt, adding that, “regarding the rumoured case in Zaria, the blood sample has been sent for Ebola testing.”

He said, “The total number of confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria is now 18. The 18th confirmed case is the sister of the late Port Harcourt doctor. The total number of cases successfully managed and discharged is now eight.

“The last case to be discharged, the first secondary contact to be diagnosed and a spouse of a primary contact of the index case, went home from the isolation ward in Lagos yesterday (Tuesday). The 9th survivor is the ECOWAS Commission official, who jumped surveillance in Lagos and travelled to Port Harcourt, where he infected the doctor who attended to him.

“The total number of deaths from Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria is now seven. One, the index case occurred in a private hospital in Lagos four in the Lagos isolation ward; one in the Port Harcourt isolation ward (the female patient who was on admission in the same hospital where the late Port Harcourt doctor was also admitted), while another one was the doctor who was infected by the ECOWAS Commission official in Port Harcourt and who did not come under the care and management of the Incident Management Committee.

“The total number of EVD patients currently under treatment is two, one in the Lagos isolation ward and another one in the Port Harcourt isolation ward.

“The total number of contacts currently under surveillance in Lagos is 41, while Port Harcourt is 255. The total number of contacts discharged in Lagos after they were observed for 21 days is 320.”

The minister also debunked rumours of EVD cases outside Lagos and Port Harcourt.

These include the three reported cases in the Federal Capital Territory and one case in Calabar.

He also debunked the story that the body of the late Port Harcourt doctor was transported to Edo or Delta, saying the body had been decontaminated and would be interred in Port Harcourt.

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Federal High Court Freezes Dangote’s Accounts In 20 Banks

                                 Sani Dangote
 A Federal High Court in Lagos today ordered 20 Commercial banks in Nigeria to dishonour all cheques from Sani Dangote and his companies, Dansa Foods Limited and Bulk Pack Services Limited until September 11th. 

Sani Dangote is a younger brother  to Nigerian multimillionaire, Aliko Dangote.

According to reports, the high court judge, Justice Okon Abang, gave the order while presiding over a case brought against Dangote by Union Bank. Union Bank had dragged him and his companies to court over alleged refusal to pay up the N5.2bn loan granted his company since September, 2008. 

The bank, through its lawyer, Mr. Chukwudi Enebeli had instituted suits seeking an order of mareva injunction to restrain all the defendants’ banks in Nigeria-  Access, CITI, Diamond, Ecobank, Enterprise, Fidelity, Keystone, Mainstreet, Skye, Wema, Heritage, Sterling, Unity, Zenith Banks,  First Bank, First City Monument Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Standard Chartered Bank and United Bank for Africa - from allowing Mr Dangote and his companies to withdraw funds from their accounts pending the determination of the suits.

In the affidavits in support of its suits, Union Bank Plc urged the court to urgently grant the mareva order  because in a bid to evade payment of the loan, Dangote has been making frantic efforts to deplete the funds in the accounts of his companies, and that the bank’s investigations revealed that the defendants had started diverting the funds to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Canada and Switzerland.

An official of the bank, Olufunmilola Ayoola, while speaking about the suit said the failure of Mr Dangote's companies to pay up the loan had negatively affected the Nigerian economy, a development which the bank claimed necessitated the suits. She said this has made the bank handicapped in supporting small scale businesses because of the lack of Funds.

When the case was called up for hearing, the counsel to Dangote and his companies told the court that that they had filed objections challenging jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit. Officials of Diamond and Zenith banks who were present revealed that Mr Dangote was owing them as well.  Zenith Bank specifically said Dangote was indebted to the bank to the tune of seven million euros.

In view of the defendants’ objections contesting jurisdiction, the judge said the matter would be adjourned  till September 11, 2014 to be able to take all the applications.

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