Mikel gives us balance – Mourinho

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has again singled out his midfielder Mikel Obi for praise. Barely two hours before the big match against Arsenal on Monday at the Emirates, Mourinho told Chelsea FC website that even though the Stamford Bridge had not done exceptionally well in their last few games, they have been able to retain some respect and points because of the work rate of the Nigerian national player.

Mourinho said, “We have a lot of possession but are not killing opponents, they are killing us and we are exposed. Mikel (Obi) gives us balance.”

This is the second time within two months that the Portuguese has specially mentioned the Nigerian preparing to lead the Super Eagles midfield at the Brazil 2014 World Cup. In November Mourinho attributed Frank Lampard’s quality attacking display largely to the presence of Mikel on the pitch.

“Frank is able to attack freely because we have John (Mikel Obi). His good covering enables Frank to effectively push forward,” the former Real Madrid coach said.

It was based on his belief in the Nigerian that he was handed a starting place in the match at the Emirates last night. Mikel, Lampard and Ramires made up the midfield for the Stamford Bridge team with the Nigerian as the anchor. Mourinho then added that the presence of the Eagles midfielder should help reduce the effect of Mesut Ozil who has proved himself a very good buy for Arsenal this season. The German international has helped greatly in the Gunners chase for the elusive Premier League title this term.

Mourinho added, “We’ll try to control Mesut Ozil a little bit more. Let’s see.”

Mikel on his own has displayed a lot of growing confidence since Nigeria won the African cup last February. On Sunday he spoke on the country’s chances in Brazil next year and said he was very hopeful the Eagles would fly high. The African champions are yet to go beyond the second round in their four outings in the FIFA biggest competition.

“I think being African champions has given us a huge lift. I think the mentality of the team has changed in the past couple of years. We believe now that we can go into every game and win,” Mikel told Goal.com.

“I think the Africa Cup of Nations has given us a lot of belief to go into the World Cup – I know we can do well.”

Read More

Charles Novia Should See This: Beverly Osu And Adaora Ukoh Disclose SEXY Christmas Cards (SEE)

Following a good tradition of issuing festive Christmas cards, BBA housemate Beverly Osu and actress Adaora Ukoh share theirs in revealing outfits.

It looks like Charles Novia’s rants on Twitter about the misconception of Christmas (where he referred to Maheeda’s raunchy photos posted for the religious occasion) was not heard well enough.

Check out the cards below.


 

Read More

How FG allegedly lavished N4.7trn in 8yrs, by Reps

ABUJA—The Public Accounts Committee, PAC, of the House of Representatives revealed at the weekend that over N4 trillion was spent from 2004 to 2012 by the Federal Government from Service-wide Vote without the approval of the National Assembly.

The committee said due process was not followed in the manner such a huge sum was lavished, noting that it contravened Section 80 of 1999 constitution.
House of Representatives during plenary

House of Representatives during plenary

The committee also alleged that between 2005 and 2006, the government of former President Olusegun Obasanjo spent N250 million to feed former President of Liberia, Charles Taylor and his family, who were on an asylum in the country.

Chairman of PAC, Adeola Olamilekan (APC-Lagos), who disclosed these at a briefing of journalists, said the expenditure was made without parliamentary approval, starting from the government of President Obasanjo to that of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Olamilekan explained that “most of the expenditures to which the Service-wide Vote releases were deployed are routine in nature and did not qualify for emergency funding.

“For instance, between 2004 and 2012, a total of N1, 284,853,731.20 was spent on publicity and publication of various government programmes.

“Between 2004 and 2005, N250 million was spent on the upkeep of the former Liberian President, Charles Taylor, another  N14,006,494.847.57 was also released from the Service-wide Vote for the payment of judgement debts against the Federal Government.

“The office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Budget Office and the Ministry of Finance released to their various offices a total of N2, 267,002,101 to a few auditors as audit fees and in 2011 alone, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation paid out N809,358,504 as audit fees to some external auditors carrying out audit of the Federal Government financial activities instead of the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.”

He also alleged that over N160 million was released for the Budget and Accountant General’s offices.
He said further:  “The expenditure of N162million from the 2011 Service Wide Votes releases tagged; “Closing Accounts” incurred jointly by the Office of the Accountant-General and the Budget Office of the Federation.

“An expenditure of N1,059,177,589.31($6,619,859.93 at the rate of $1=N160) in 201 and 2011 said to payment of outstanding tax on Nigeria House in New York.

“Successive governments have from 2004 to 2012. Spent a whopping N4.17 trillion  as against N1.8trillion  approved by the National Assembly as Service Wide Votes component of the budgets of those years, translating to N2.27trillion extra budgetary spending or 220% above the Service Wide Votes as approved in the budget for the period.”

He explained that “such extra-budgetary expenditures constitute a breach of Section 81 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999(as amended) and an illegality.”

Olamilekan also said PAC  discovered in the course of its oversight that the Service-Wide Vote was converted to a recurrent fund by the government, instead of an infrastructure vote.

“Such releases were mainly used to finance recurrent expenses not targeted at critical and strategic sectors of the economy and the releases were random and did not follow any clear pattern.

“The Service Wide Votes had become an alternative budget which government prefers to patronize than the annual budget, leading to poor implementation of the annual budget as approved by the National Assembly,” he added.

The report was earlier last Thursday presented by Olamilekan to the House which resolved that the committee should do more on its findings and present another report within two weeks.
The Service Wide Wide is the fund set aside for emergency purposes.

Read More

Jonathan ‘s Reply to Obasanjo

For over ten days now the polity has been suffused with the verbiage of the letter written by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to President Goodluck Jonathan. The latter has been under pressure to respond to the issues Obasanjo raised in his letter. And for a while, it seemed the silence from the presidency implied consent, or that the President was too dazed by the vitriolic content of the letter to respond.

But yesterday, the President broke his worrisome silence, when he called a press conference and read out a lengthy reply to the Ota farmer. To be fair to President Jonathan, he tried to clear the fog on some of the issues, but not without throwing some jabs here and there at the former president.

I captured some, yes, some of the details in the response of the President. He started like this:

“His Excellency Chief Olusegun Okikiola Matthew Obasanjo, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

You must have wondered if I did not know what to reply you after you published what has become your latest act of infamy, in the name of a letter titled “Before it is Too Late” which you wrote to me.

Sir, I must confess that your letter took me unawares. As a respected Statesman, I did not expect this unbecoming means of communicating with me, if the essence was not to play to the gallery.

The other confession I must make is that some of the issues and accusations you made against me, were complete news to me. I have long set up committees to investigate the accusations and the reports are already coming in.

Before I deal on the specifics of your letter, permit me to say that, Sir, you must purge yourself of the overflowing messianic complex you have always operated in. Yes, I had said that after God and my parents, you are the next most important person in my life. But that did not mean you are my God or the provider of my oxygen. When goats are sold, the owner releases the rope. But you have chosen to hold on to the rope most tenaciously. That is the problem.

Indeed, we would have ignored you completely after your dear daughter, Dr Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, helped to put most of the issue in the right political perspectives in her own letter to you. But we needed to do this for the records.

I am somewhat disappointed that you are lamenting my performance in government. His Excellency, I am sure we would have moved at a faster pace if the right foundation was laid while you were in charge.

As for the issue of whether or not I will seek re-election in 2015, I am bemused that you are making a huge drama out of this even when you know I am constitutionally permitted to seek re-election. I cannot remember the incidents of my said promise not to seek re-election. But even if I did sir, am I not entitled to change of mind on any issue depending on the currency of information available to me? I do not expect you to be basing your conclusions, at your level, on the so-called fantasy of Body language.

And pray, were we not all witnesses of how you tried to manipulate the National Assembly to offer you the illegal third term chance? Senator Ken Nnamani is still alive.

It is pure mischief powered by uncharitable inclinations to accuse me of “double game’ in the support of gubernatorial candidates in some states. I personally participated in the campaigns of all our candidates. If they lost the elections, I cannot be blamed for that, as I am resolved to distance myself from manipulating electoral outcomes as it used to be in the past… you know what I mean

You made me look like the prince of corruption because of the ancient malaise of crude oil theft. Sir, it did not start with me. I have tried to combat it. There are many committees and task forces in place to check the roguery. Besides, it is even exaggerated under me. Did you not hear that the garrulous CBN governor, who raised the false alarm of missing $49.8 Billion has eaten the humble pie by recanting?

But  sir, with all sense of modesty, this does not compare with the degree of sleaze that characterized the PTDF scam between you and your former Vice, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. We did not forget. We have reformed the EFCC to be an indiscriminate fierce attack dog, unlike when it was reduced to a weapon against enemies.

As for the crisis in the PDP, we know of supposed elders who have been fraternizing with the renegade governors, the reason they were recalcitrant and irreconciliable.  You can only force a horse to the river,  you cannot force it to drink water. These renegade governors simply refused to drink water at the bank of reconciliation.

I am a Knight of the Anglican Church. I have never plotted to shed blood for any reason. No I have never. Therefore, the phantom alarm of training of killers are nothing but a tale from the mountains. Only the naïve are taken in by them. God will judge such accusers harshly.

By the Grace of Almighty God, I will finish well and strong. My good people of Nigeria are behind me, contrary to what you may wish to think. I have told the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) to ensure that they announce national fasting of forty days and forty nights to thwart all the plans of the enemies of Nigeria, no matter who they are.

That they must declare that no weapon fashioned against Nigeria, be it from Boko Haram or whoever, will prosper.

Finally, let me assure you that the transformation agenda of my government has been attracting international investors and in no time, the entire nation will soon become one large construction and industrial yard. We shall all be witnesses.

Please accept my best assurances of …”

Just as the President finished reading the letter to pressmen, his spokesman, Dr Rueben Abati , looking agitated with creases on his forehead, stepped out to co-ordinate the question and answer session, as over a dozen hands were already up, desirous to fire follow-up questions at Mr President.

Abati was just announcing the modality of the question and answer session, when the loud blast of a heavy duty truck woke me from my deep sleep, as my house is by the roadside. As I sprung up, I was looking for President Jonathan, asking breathlessly, “where is he, where is the president?”, and my children began to ask if I was alright. It was only then I realized I have been dreaming. Hmmmmm.

Read More

Pastor docked over sexual assault, theft of N250

LAGOS — A 28-year–old pastor, Chibuike Israel, yesterday, appeared before an Ejigbo Magistrate’s Court in Lagos, over alleged unlawful carnal knowledge and stealing.

The accused, who resides at the Ijegun area of Lagos, is facing three-count charge of sexual assault, stealing and obtaining by false pretences.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Femi Adeleye, told the court that the accused committed the offences sometime in August at  4, Ojorubutu St;, Kudeyibu, Ijegun, a suburb of Lagos.

Adeleye said the accused unlawfully had sex with his victim (name withheld), when she was nine months pregnant for another man.

He added that the accused also unlawfully obtained N250 from her under false pretence.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravene Sections 250, 263 and 312 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The counsel to the accused, Mrs Jacint  Ogbedele, pleaded with the court to grant her client bail in the most liberal terms.

The Magistrate, Mr P. E. Nwaka, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case to February 10, 2014.

Read More

‘I don’t steal, I only give robbers information’

A 28-year-old man, Nonso Egbuzobi, who was recently arrested by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad during a robbery operation in Lagos State, has pleaded with the police to release him, saying he was just an informant and not a member of any robbery gang.

Police authorities had said Egbuzobi and three others were part of a gang that killed three policemen during an ATM robbery at an Access Bank branch in Ayobo, Ipaja area of the state on November 20, 2013.

It was learnt that after the Ipaja robbery, SARS men led by the officer in charge, SP Abba Kyari, commenced investigations.

It was learnt that the suspect was arrested with one Ak-47 rifle while attempting to rob a house at the Ilasamaja area of the state.

He said, “Some weeks ago, I was at a snooker joint around Lagos State University when a man approached me saying he had a target that we could rob at Ilasamaja. I told him I was not a robber, but I knew people who were capable.

“I approached one armed robber known as Fine money and I connected him with the person that gave me information. On December 4, 2013, Fine money picked me up in a jeep around Mile 2 and I led him and two other guys to the house at Ilasamaja. We were told that the victim had N10m in his house.

“They all had guns, but I decided that I would remain in the car. However, before they could come down, policemen started shooting at us and everyone in the vehicle died except me because I hid on the floor of the car.

“Like I said, I did not rob, I only gave the robbers information that they needed. I am a responsible man and even a footballer at Lagos State University, it was poverty that pushed me to become armed robbers’ informant.”

Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, said when he received information about the robbery, he ordered his men to foil the attempt and the policemen engaged the robbers in a gun duel during which two robbers, Daniel Onuoha, and Eyo Bassey, a dismissed soldier, were killed.

Manko said investigations led policemen to the agent who helped the robbers to secure accommodation and after their house was searched, four AK-47 rifles, which belonged to slain policemen, were recovered, while the agent was also killed while attempting to escape.

He said a police walkie-talkie was also recovered adding that it was with the aid of the walkie-talkie that the robbers were able to monitor police movement.

He said, “Weeks after the ATM robbery at Ipaja, I got a tip-off that the same robbers were planning to attack at Ilasamaja and I informed the OC SARS. He led his men to the scene and there was an exchange of gunfire with the robbers on Akawo Street. Two of the robbers were killed while Egbuzobi survived.

“One AK-47 rifle, 11 AK-47 magazines fully loaded, one liberty jeep with plate number, LH124EKY and three Nokia phones were recovered from them. Investigations led policemen to the house agent of the robbers and he led us to the home of one of the robbers which happens to be their operational base. Four AK-47 rifles, one police walkie-talkie, Nigerian Army uniform, 19 AK-47 rifles, fully loaded, 300 rounds of AK-47 live ammunitions were recovered.

“The agent attempted to escape through the roof but he was killed. Among the five Ak-47 rifles recovered, four belonged to policemen killed in various robberies across the state.”

Read More

Basketmouth Pays Visit To Sick Kids In Santa Outfit

Ace comedian, Basketmouth showed us his kind heart when he recently launched the Bright Okpocha Foundation that helps in giving back to society.

The comedian re-affirmed his kindness yesterday when he visited the Children’s Hospital, Gbaja to spend time with the kids who have to spend the holidays in the hospital.

Dressed up as Santa, Basketmouth along with his family and team members shared gifts and smiles around the various hospital wards.

More photos below: -

Read More

Wizkid Gives Fan His Very Expensive Rolex Watch At Rhythm Unplugged Concert

Fans have been accusing the Omo Jaiye Jaiye crooner of being very stingy, but Wizkid has shown that he is the total opposite.

The young superstar performed at the recently concluded Rhythm Unplugged concert and as usual, delivered one of the best  performances.

That wasn’t the only highlight of the day as Wizkid also gave out his wristwatch.

Wizkid came towards the fans and asked them to demand anything from him and they all screamed “your wristwatch”. Surprisingly, Wizkid immediately handed it to them.

He also exchanged his cap with a fan during his performance.





 

Read More

Are D’banj And Genevieve Back Together?

D’banj confessed in an interview months back that if you could pick anyone to get married to, that he would definitely pick Nollywood screen goddess — Genevieve Nnaji.

It seems the entertainer superstar is making plans towards that direction as he was caught with the Nollywood actress, Genevieve Nnaji at the Gulder Club Ultimate party which held on Saturday, December 14th at Oceanview in Victoria Island, Lagos.

They really look good together though, would be magical if they actually settle down together.

Read More

37 PDP Reps defect to APC

Thirty-seven members of the Peoples Democratic Party in the House of Representatives ended months of speculation on Wednesday as they formally defected to the All Progressives Congress.

The development increased the numerical strength of the APC from 135  to 172. With this, it now has a simple majority in the House as the PDP now has 171 members.

Seventeen other lawmakers  are members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Labour Party, Accord Party and Peoples Party of Nigeria.

The APC had 137 members at a point but Mr. Bamidele Opeyemi, a member from Ekiti State, defected to the Labour Party, while Mr. Benjamin Aboho (Benue State) moved to the PDP.

This left the APC with 135 members before the 37 former PDP lawmakers joined the party.

Thirty-six of the 37 ex-PDP members came from four states (Kano, Rivers, Kwara and Sokoto), whose governors had earlier  defected to  the APC.

The 37th member (Dogara) came from Bauchi State.

Curiously, members from Adamawa State, whose governor (Murtala Nyako) had  also joined the APC, did not defect on Wednesday.

The defectors wrote a letter to the Speaker, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, citing alleged “divisions and factions” in the PDP as their reasons for moving  to the APC.

The speaker read out the letter and the names of the defectors on the floor.

They stood up to acknowledge their decision to abandon the PDP amid cheers and clapping by the APC lawmakers.

The letter reads, “We, the undersigned members of the House of Representatives elected on the platform of the PDP, wish to inform you that we have joined the APC.

“This action is as a result of the division (factionalisation) in the political party that sponsored our election into the House of Representatives.

“Furthermore, we write to inform you that following this division, the faction of the PDP, which we belong to, has formally merged with the APC.

“This communication is made pursuant to Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, for your information, guidance and records.”

The letter was dated December 18, 2013.

Some of the prominent defectors are  the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Zakari Mohammed (Kwara); Chairman, Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Mr. Dakuku Peterside (Rivers); Chairman, Committee on Justice, Mr. Ali Ahmad (Kwara); Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Mr. Aminu Shagari (Sokoto); and Chairman, Committee on House Services, Mr. Yakubu Dogara (Bauchi State).

There was jubilation on the floor  of the House as the APC members hugged the defectors and shook hands with them.

Most of  the  PDP members looked worried as they watched the unfolding drama on the floor.

However, some of them were heard  shouting “PDP, power”; “PDP, power to the people”; “PDP, no shaking.”

The defectors soon filed past Tambuwal, shaking hands with him.

A member from Rivers State, Mr. Kingsley Chinda, tried to protest the defection.

Raising Order 57(5) of the House Rules, he told the House that the matter was before a law court.

According to Chinda, the same members, who defected on Wednesday, had filed a suit seeking an order restraining the PDP from declaring their seats vacant after their defection.

Chinda argued that since the substantive suit was pending before the court, it was not proper for the members to defect.

In his response, Tambuwal merely said, “noted”, and looked away from Chinda.

Another member from Enugu State, Mr. Pat Asadu, also protested that there was no crisis in the PDP, but he too lost out.

Asked to comment on the complaint of the PDP members, the Chairman, Committee on Justice, Mr. Ali Ahmad,who is also  a defector, recalled that the House had long established that there was a faction in the PDP.

He added, “Recall that we took resolution number HR/RF/36/2013, vide votes and proceedings of Tuesday, September 17, 2013.

“The resolution came from a motion moved by Chinda himself, who stated that in view of the factions in the PDP, the House should pass a vote of confidence in the speaker.

“He is a PDP member and he moved that motion; so, the House already acknowledged that the PDP had factions.

“The motion was unanimously carried. We cannot come back today (Wednesday) and claim that there is no faction in PDP.”

It had been anticipated that the APC would assume the majority leadership of the House on Wednesday after it gained one member advantage over the PDP, but nothing of such happened.

The House still maintained its existing leadership structure on Wednesday.

When asked why this was so, Ahmad replied that the aim of the APC was not to hurriedly effect a change in leadership but to “make a bold statement as a political party.”

He said, “We have heard all sorts of things like we want to impeach Mr. President and all that; that is not our aim.

“People just go to the  Villa (Aso Rock) and say all sorts of things about the House just to get favours.

“Our intention is not to wrest power from the majority or cause confusion in the polity.”

However, investigations showed that the APC was buying time to win over more members and be in “comfortable majority” before calling for a change of structures in the House.

“We want to get at least 181 members fully declared and recorded for the APC.

“With that done, we will be home and dry”, a key APC source confided in The PUNCH.

Findings indicated that close to 40 more PDP members might declare for the APC by January 2014.

“There are members from states, whose governors have not defected to the APC.

“These members have issues with their governors; it is a matter of time before they move to the APC”, another source   said.

But the leadership of the  PDP threatened to  drag the lawmakers to court over their action which it   described as treacherous.

It said after its National Working Committee   meeting which held  immediately after the news broke, that the defection did not follow due process..

A  statement  issued after the meeting  by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh , reads in part,  “The defection, if confirmed to be true, is treacherous and a huge betrayal not only of the PDP but millions of voters ,who worked  hard for their election on the platform of the PDP in their respective constituencies.

“As lawmakers, the defectors must no doubt be aware of provisions of section 68 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) which clearly states the  conditions upon which a member of the Legislature will change platforms.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the courts of our land have declared that the PDP is one and not bedevilled  by any factions.

“Any member of the National or State Assembly who therefore renounces his membership of a united PDP must be ready to face the consequences of defection in line with provisions of the constitution.”

The  PDP  therefore condemned what it  described as a desperate attempt by selfish politicians to cause confusion in the polity.

Read More

Fuel scarcity looms as oil workers threaten strike January

Nigeria may experience nationwide scarcity of petroleum products immediately after the yuletide if the threat to ground operations in the oil and gas sector beginning from January 1, 2014 is carried out by workers in the industry.

The workers, under the aegis of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Employees, on Tuesday declared that they would embark on strike from next year if the Federal Government fails to retract plans to privatise the nation’s four refineries.

This was disclosed during a peaceful protest held at the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation in Abuja on Tuesday.

Speaking on behalf of the workers, the President, PENGASSAN, Mr. Babatunde Ogun, said the union had given the government a one-week ultimatum to halt its plan to sell the refineries to private investors.

He said, “If between now and December 24 we don’t hear anything from the government, we will mobilise, and between that time and the end of the year we will expect a retraction but if they fail to retract, then rest assured that in the first week of January all oil and gas workers in Nigeria will go on a total strike.”

On whether the unions had met with the Federal Government before coming out to make public its threat, he said series of agreements had been signed in the past and stressed that “the government cannot be trusted again with agreements.”

Ogun added, “Instead of selling our national asset, we should implement the Petroleum Industry Bill for it will give us a direction. The PIB has been in the National Assembly for years waiting to be passed, but up till now nothing meaningful has happened.”

He wondered why the minister of petroleum resources was quick to announce that the privatisation process would be completed before the end of the first quarter of next year while “it had taken the PIB six years to be passed.”

He said the Federal Government and the National Assembly was not serious about passing the bill and alleged that they were “systematically looking at the number of years remaining for President Goodluck Jonathan to complete his tenure and sell our national assets.”

He said, “They come out to tell Nigerians that we cannot work and cannot do business. If Nigerians cannot do anything properly, it means the Presidency and others in the Villa cannot govern Nigeria. So let us go and look for people to govern us.

Read More

Kogi convoy: ASUU welfare officer still in hospital

The National Welfare Officer of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Dr. Ngozi Iloh, is still undergoing surgeries and according to her, going through traumatic pains, at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin, Edo State.

This is contrary to reports that she was treated and discharged in Lokoja, Kogi State, shortly after the accident, which was said to have been caused by the convoy of the Kogi State Governor, Mr Idris Wada, on November 12.

The widely condemned accident, which happened while members of the union were on their way to Kano for a meeting, claimed the life of the former National President of ASUU, Prof. Festus Iyayi.

Iloh, who recalled her ordeal during online chats with PUNCH Metro, said she had been traumatised for weeks following the discovery that Iyayi died in the accident.

It was learnt that she had so far undergone two major surgeries, one on her right leg and another on the left hand.

When our correspondent enquired about a deep tear in her left hand, Ilo was not specific if there was any medical report that the injury was a bullet wound.

There had been some speculations as to the cause of Iyayi’s death until a medical examination showed that there was no evidence of bullets.

In the chat,  Iloh said, “We travelled in a convoy from ASUU Benin zone. We stopped at a filling station to refuel on the way to Kano. The travelling team was from University of Benin, Delta State University, Abraka, and Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma.

“The UNIBEN bus took off and I asked the driver to slow down so the others could catch up with us. My saving grace was that I kept looking back and the rest is history.”

Iloh added that she was shocked to hear that she was discharged from the hospital in Lokoja after being treated for minor bruises.

I am still in hospital. My injuries are not minor,” she said.

Read More

Obasanjo’s letter: PDP members urge govs to speak out

Goodluck Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo

Peoples Democratic Party supporters   in the   North-West on Monday urged the party’s  governors to speak up on the issues raised by   former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his letter to President Goodluck Jonathan.

The supporters,  under the aegis of the North-West Solidarity Forum, said the PDP governors’  continued silence on the issues was worrisome.

The Zonal Leader of the forum, Alhaji Abubakar Danfulani, said this in a statement  made available to journalists in Abuja.

They said  there was a need for the governors to take steps to reconcile the two leading figures in the party.

In the  statement  titled,“Obasanjo’s letter: Where are the PDP governors?”  the  forum  members said they were  concerned  because  the 18-page letter “borders on issues of governance and exposes details of such other issues which should not have been meant for the public space.”

They also said they were concerned about the motivation behind the declassification of the letter by Chief Obasanjo.

The statement reads in part, “The silence in the camp of the PDP governors is worrisome to us. It gives the forum the impression that the governors may be sympathetic to the cause of Chief Obasanjo since he was said to have been responsible for the election of no fewer than 18 out of the 23 of them (out of which five have   defected to the All Progressives Congress).

“But is that enough reason to keep mute and stand the risk of being complicit in the grand plan by the former President to expose the underbelly of the   Jonathan’s administration to attacks by the opposition elements?

 “At this point, the PDP governors who believe in the survival of the Federal Government and the PDP cannot afford to sit on the fence or keep mute.”

Also, the Bishop of Anglican Communion Nigeria, Ife Diocese, Oluranti Odubogun, on Monday said President Jonathan must respond to the various issues raised in Obasanjo’s letter.

Odubogun argued that the controversial letter had made the political climate hotter and there was need for Jonathan to clear the air on most of the issues raised.

The cleric, who spoke during the church’s ordination service, described the allegations as “too weighty for the President to keep silence on.”

He said, “Whatever the issues are, President Jonathan must respond to all the allegations. The man has gone public and has made allegations. Is it true that over a 1,000 names are on his list? Are we back to the dark ages of Abacha regime? Some other things are true: bad governance, corruption. These are truism; everyone can see it.

“Nigerians have continued to suffer under the yoke of bad governance and no one who has been in governance can absolve himself from the state in which we are today.”

The cleric pleaded with the President not to throw the country deeper into a state of chaos and insecurity by his “self-serving aides” who are out to protect their selfish interest rather than the nation.

“The National Assembly cannot absolve itself from the pandemic corruption that is causing the nation to bleed; this has led the entire nation into captivity. But if the path of liberation of this country is in the confusion that is ensuing, so be it and glory be to God,” he added.

Read More

ASUU Suspends Strike After 5 Months

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its over five months old strike.

ASUU Chairman, University of Lagos Chapter, Dr. Karo Ogbinaka told Channels Television that the union decided to suspend the strike after a marathon meeting held in Minna, Niger State capital on Monday.

In attendance at the meeting, which ran till late in the evening, were all the ASUU branch chairmen and secretaries, the national executive members of the body, coordinators and past leaders, including 56 members from 52 universities.

Dr. Ogbinaka said that, in line with procedures, the different chapters of ASUU would hold congress meetings on Wednesday to inform members and managements of the institutions of the latest development.

“We expect the students to resume and expect their members to go back to class immediately after the congress meeting and we expect the government to keep to the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU),” Dr. Ogninaka stated.

He said that the union and the government would hold meetings in 2014 to look at gray areas that may arise and come to a common ground.

The Federal Government and ASUU had reached a compromise during a negotiation brokered by the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar on Wednesday, December 11, which led to the signing of the MoU.

Speaking to journalists after the agreement with the government on Wednesday, the National President of ASUU, Dr. Nasir Isa Fagge, said that the union would consult with its National Executive Council and would intimate Nigerians of its decision on the strike within one week, expressing optimism that the outcome of the consultation would be positive.

It was gathered that the MoU addressed all the resolutions that the leadership of the ASUU and the Federal Government agreed to in their 13-hour meeting with President Jonathan on November 4, as well as their widely criticised fresh demands.

ASUU’s demands include the upward review of the retirement age for professors from 65 to 70; adequate funding to revitalise the university system; progressive increase of budgetary allocations to the education sector by 26%; transfer of Federal Government property to universities; setting up of research and development units by the companies; and renegotiation of the signed agreement.

The fresh demands include a non-victimisation clause, provision and deposit of N200 billion infrastructure revitalisation funds in an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) details of disbursement of the funds and payment of salary arrears which has accrued to the teachers during the strike.

The Wednesday agreement between the two which is reportedly due for renegotiation in 2014 was reached barely 24 hours after the Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe presented a proof of payment of N200 billion into an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Nigeria’s university lecturers have been on strike since July 1, 2013 to demand full implementation of the 2009 agreement it reached with the Federal Government on conditions of service for university lecturers, and funding of infrastructural development in Nigerian universities.

Read More

ASUU set to end strike today

ASUU president, Fagge

There are strong indications that the strike embarked on by the Academic Staff Union of Universities since July 1, will be called off today.

Feelers from a meeting by the National Executive Council of ASUU held at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State on Monday indicated this.

 Though no official of the union was ready to confirm this, a source, who attended the meeting, said members of the union’s negotiating team had agreed to call off the strike.

According to the source, the National President of the union, Dr. Nasir Fagge, will address members of the press today at noon where he is likely going to announce the suspension of the strike.

The source spoke to one of our correspondents at 12.50am today.

But before then another source at the meeting had confided in one of our correspondents as of 10pm that the NEC members comprising all the branch chairmen of ASUU and zonal coordinators were still deliberating on the issue.

The source said, “The meeting is still ongoing. No decision has been reached, but an official position of the union would be issued by the President the moment we are through with the meeting.”

 The leadership of the union had last week after a meeting with the Federal Government representatives in Abuja, promised to end the strikewithin a week.

This came after the Federal Government provided evidence that it had domiciled N200bn in the Central Bank of Nigeria for the provision of infrastructure in the nation’s public universities among other sundry issues.

Meanwhile, journalists who gathered at the venue to cover the outcome of the meeting were harassed by some ASUU officials who called them unprintable names.

In fact, one of the ASUU officials was heard shouting, “Who invited these stupid people here?”

The Chairman, ASUU, FUT, Minna, Dr. Abdulfatai Jimoh, particularly assaulted the Daily Trust Correspondent, Aliyu Hamagan.

Jimoh had earlier thought Hamagan was a member of the union and invited him to come closer. He then asked, “Who brought this stupid people inside? What are they doing here?”

Hamagan quickly responded by saying, “I am one of the people you are calling stupid. I will not have you insult us like  that.”

Abdulfatai on finding out that he was speaking with a journalist pushed Hamagan and asked him to leave the premises saying that, “You people are intruding, we did not invite you, get out of this place now.”

The meeting started about 11:30am.

Read More

Village heads beat up monarch over chieftaincy disagreement

Alaye of Ayetoro, Oba Azeez Adelakun

Scores of angry youths on Saturday went on the rampage in Ayetoro, Yewa North Local Government Area, Ogun State, following an alleged assault on the Alaye of Ayetoro, Oba Azeez Adelakun, by 10 village heads, popularly called baales.

The youths also took to the streets on Sunday and prevented the opening of the market in the town, while other businesses were forced to close shops.

The baales allegedly beat up Adelakun, cutting the traditional royal beads off his neck over a chieftaincy disagreement.

The fracas between the baales and the monarch was said to have occurred at the palace while Adelakun was making preparations to install the new village head of Ago-Imala, Chief Olayiwola Ajibola, a move which the village heads allegedly opposed.

Our correspondent learnt that there had been a tension between the baales and the monarch over his installation of two village heads in the Saala community, which boiled over on Saturday when Adelakun moved to formalise Ajibola’s headship of Ago-Imala community.

A resident, who pleaded anonymity, explained that the village heads had requested a meeting with the Oba.

He said, “When the monarch entered his palace for the meeting, the aggrieved baales refused to pay him the traditional homage and instead told him that they no longer recognise him as the traditional ruler of the town.

“One of the baales moved to forcibly remove the royal beads from the monarch, but his (monarch) resistance led to the fracas in the palace. The baale beat him up.”

It was learnt that some youths of the community learnt of the assault on the monarch, they rushed to the palace and descended on some of the baales, who were still in the palace.

PUNCH Metro was told that the state Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, later led his men to restore normalcy in the area.

Our correspondent, who visited the town at about 2.00pm on Saturday, observed bonfire made by the aggrieved youth, who protested the alleged assault on the monarch.

At the Orile Saala Road residence of the monarch, our correspondent was told that the monarch had lost his voice allegedly due to the assault.

However, the Baale of Ayinbo-Ayetoro, Chief Ezekiel Ogundele, who spoke on behalf of the embattled monarch, alleged that his aggrieved colleagues had planned to dethrone Adelakun.

Ogundele said, “They said Kabiyesi disgraced them in Abeokuta and they will retaliate by removing him as the king of the town. There are two baales in Saala and the baales wanted the two offices merged, but Kabiyesi  disagreed, saying he was the one that installed both of them.

“This did not go down well with the aggrieved baales who vowed to deal with the Kabiyesi by removing him.

“When the baales got to the palace, they did not pay homage and   when the monarch asked them why they failed to pay the homage they said the Kabiyesi had been removed as the king.They were about 10 in number.

“Some of them tore the traditional beads of the king and beat him up. All of them had held a meeting where they planned on how to attack the king and they acted the script. As they were beating the Kabiyesi, the Kabiyesi urged his people not to touch them. Later the police came and took them away.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the incident, said that 19 Baales were involved in the crisis.

Adejobi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, added that only one person was injured in the violence.

He said, “Baale Keesan assaulted the monarch by removing the beads from the king. The youth in the area reacted, but the prompt intervention of policemen saved the day and only one person was injured.

“The Olu of Ilaro and Yewa Traditional council have intervened. So, there is no need of arrest. The Olu of Ilaro has intervened and normalcy has been restored in the area.”

Read More

World bids Mandela final goodbye

World bids Mandela final goodbye

With military pomp and traditional rituals, South Africa buried Nelson Mandela on Sunday, thus  marking  the  end of an exceptional journey for the prisoner turned President.

Mandela,  who died on December 5   at the age of 95,  was laid to rest in his childhood village of Qunu.  His body travelled from Pretoria by air to Mthatha in Eastern Cape province, and then by road to Qunu .

Present at the private burial   were about 450 members of the Mandela family,  political and religious leaders as well as foreign dignitaries, including  Britain’s Prince Charles, American civil rights activist ,Reverend Jesse Jackson and talk show host Oprah Winfrey.

 Tribal leaders clad in animal skins joined the dignitaries in dark suits at the grave site overlooking the rolling green hills.

As pall-bearers walked toward the site after a funeral ceremony,  three helicopters whizzed past dangling the national flag. Cannons fired a 21-gun salute and their   echoes rang over the quiet village.

  Mandela’s widow, Graca Machel, dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief as she watched the proceedings.

“Yours was truly a long walk to freedom. Now you have achieved the ultimate freedom in the bosom of God, your maker,” an officiator at the grave site  was quoted by the Cable News Network as saying.

Military pall-bearers gently removed the South African flag that draped Mandela’s   coffin and handed it to President Jacob Zuma, who gave it to the   former President’s family.

At the request of the family, the lowering of the casket was closed to journalists.

• The funeral ceremony

Before the burial, 4,500 family members, friends and dignitaries attended a state funeral service in a huge domed tent, its interior draped in black, in a field near Mandela’s homestead.

  Seated on either side of  Zuma  were  Graca Machel, and Mandela’s  ex-wife, Winnie.

African National Congress members, veterans of the fight against apartheid, several African presidents and business mogul, Richard Branson, were among the guests.

The flag-covered casket was carried in by military chiefs, with Mandela’s grandson and heir, Mandla, and  Zuma following in their footsteps.

It was then placed on black and white Nguni cattle skins in front of a crescent of 95 candles, one for each year of Mandela’s life. A choir sang Nkosi Sikelel’iAfrika or “God Bless Africa” drifted over the village, a giant picture of Mandela looked down with a smile. Mourners placed their fists on their chests, some with tears streaming down their faces.

The Deputy Leader of the ruling ANC , Cyril Ramaphosa, who presided over the three-hour ceremony, broadcast live across the nation and around the world, said, “The person who is lying here is South Africa’s greatest son.”

Zuma, in his remark, described the ex-South African leader as a beacon of hope and    thanked the Mandela family for sharing him with the world.

He said, “Today (Sunday) marks the end of an extraordinary journey that began 95 years ago. It is the end of 95 glorious years of a freedom fighter and a beacon of hope to all those fighting for a just and equitable world order.

“We shall not say goodbye, for you are not gone. You’ll live forever in our hearts and minds.”

In other major cities, including Johannesburg, crowds watched the funeral at special screenings in stadiums.

• I’ve lost a brother -  Mandela’s prison mate

Mourners represented all spheres of Mandela’s life. There were celebrities, presidents, relatives and former political prisoners.

“You symbolise today and always will … qualities of forgiveness and reconciliation,” said a tearful Ahmed Kathrada, Mandela’s  close friend, who served time in prison with him  for defying the apartheid government.

 “I’ve lost a brother. My life is in a void, and I don’t know who to turn to,” Kathrada lamented.

Talk show host, Oprah Winfrey; Prince Charles; and business mogul, Richard Branson, were also among the attendees.

• Final chapter

The funeral and burial ended  10 days of national mourning for a man whose fame transcended borders.

“Mandela was our leader, our hero, our icon and our father as much as he was yours,” Tanzanian President, Jakaya Kikwete, said, regaling mourners with tales of a secret visit Mandela made in 1962 to Dar es Salaam to gather support for   the African National Congress.

During his fight against apartheid, Mandela fled to Tanzania, which housed the headquarters of the ANC.

In sharp contrast to the days of apartheid, the events honouring Mandela included a great deal of pageantry as well as state honours.

Before arriving in Qunu, the  ex-President’s body lay in state for three days in Pretoria. After an emotional service at the air base there, which included the handing over of his body to the ANC , it was put in a military helicopter for the final leg of his journey.

Though he dined with kings and presidents in his lifetime, the international icon relished his time at the village. He herded cows and goats there as a child, and always said it was where he felt most at peace. Some of his children were  also buried there.

“He really believed this is where he belonged,” said his daughter, Maki Mandela.

Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years for defying the racist apartheid government that led South Africa for decades. He emerged from prison in 1990 and became South Africa’s first black president four years later, all the while promoting forgiveness and reconciliation.

His defiance of white minority rule and his long incarceration for fighting segregation focused the world’s attention on apartheid, the legalised racial segregation enforced by the South African government until 1994.

Years after his 1999 retirement from the Presidency, Mandela was considered the ideal head of state. He became a yardstick for African leaders, who consistently fell short when measured against him.

“Thank you for being everything we wanted and needed in a leader during a difficult period in our lives,” Zuma said.

Read More

Obasanjo’s letter, attack on Niger Delta — Ijaw groups

The Ijaw Republican Assembly has condemned the letter sent to President Goodluck Jonathan by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, describing it as an attack on the oil-producing South-South geopolitical zone.

The spokesperson of the Ijaw group, Annkio Briggs, in an interview with SUNDAY PUNCH said by writing the letter, Obasanjo sought to throw Nigeria into  turmoil and turn around to blame Jonathan for it.

Briggs said the letter was born out of Obasanjo’s frustration due to Jonathan’s refusal to allow him rule the country indirectly.

She said, “It is really sad for Obasanjo to have written such a letter to Jonathan. I find it such a pity that a man like Obasanjo can at this particular time want to throw Nigeria into turmoil, because his letter was not just an attack on Jonathan as a person but an attack on the South-South, and our right to produce a President. This is the way we are looking at it from the Niger Delta.”

The group accused Obasanjo of throwing the PDP into disarray, adding that the former President was not in a position to accuse Jonathan of corruption.

The group also warned that if Jonathan was not allowed to contest for a second term in 2015, the people of the Niger Delta would ensure that other regions of the country do not get the proceeds of the oil and gas in the region.

Also, on Friday, the Niger Delta Youth Administrative Council flayed former President Olusegun Obasanjo for allegedly writing a derogatory letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, describing the letter as a distraction to the Federal Government.

A member of the council, Marvin Yobana, who spoke on behalf of the council in Abuja  on Friday stated that Obasanjo had no moral justification to ask Jonathan not to contest for re-election in 2015.

Yobana, who is the African representative in World Association of Youths, stated that Obasanjo should tread the path of reconciliation and statesmanship like the late South African President, Nelson Mandela, instead of writing letters capable of over-heating the polity.

The youth leader admitted that the former president had the right to advise Jonathan, but noted that his letter should not be sensational or derogatory. He stressed that he should rather support the current administration to actualise its goals of generating employment and reforming the power sector, among others.

The National Coordinator, North Central/South-East of the Niger Delta Peoples’ Volunteer Force, Emmanuel Amakiri, who also reacted to Obasanjo’s letter to President  Jonathan, pleaded with the former leader not to overheat the polity with politically hostile words, noting that the decision to seek re-election belonged to Jonathan and the Nigerian electorate.

He said, “Obasanjo was instrumental to Jonathan’s emergence as president and he is therefore expected to interface with those pressuring Jonathan not to contest, instead of trying to stop the President from contesting for re-election. We plead with Obasanjo to look at the issue with equity and fairness and stop overheating the polity with provocative letters.”

In an eight-page letter to Jonathan, Obasanjo criticised the present administration, accusing the President of being ineffective in governance and fighting corruption, and also allowing himself to be possessed by some people of the Ijaw nationality.

Read More

I will never wear mini skirt — Abiola Segun-Williams

Abiola Segun-Williams

Known as Titi K in the soap, Tinsel, Abiola Segun-Williams talks about her career and style
Q: Tell us about yourself

A: I was born in Lagos.   I have always lived in Lagos. While I was growing up, my father was very strict, while my mother was a very soft woman. Unfortunately, he died in 1995.  I am married to Segun Williams but the name is very general.  I wanted to answer just Segun and drop the Williams but it occurred to me that my parent in-laws may feel bad.

Q: What did you study in school?
A: I studied Theatre Arts at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Actually, God told me to go and study drama.  What happened was that I finished secondary school in 1983 and I kept writing JAMB.    When I wrote it the fourth time, I decided that was the last time I would ever write the exam. I asked God to give me direction on what to study and He instructed me to make use of the talent He gave me. When I heard the instruction, I decided to apply to study drama.

Q: What was your first performance as an actor?
A: I was with Chuck Mike, who taught me directing in school at a time. But he left as I was entering final year and because of that, I decided to major in playwriting.  I felt Chuck was the only lecturer who could teach me directing.  Studying playwriting sharpened my skills in writing. I could see a play from the perspective of a writer and not just from that of a director.   The movie, ‘Home’ was my first professional job and it was directed by Chuck Mike.

Q: How did you meet your husband?
A: I met him in church.   He is a brother to my pastor’s wife.  The first day I saw him, he winked at me and I thought, ‘who is this mischievous person winking at somebody in the church?’   I asked who he was and they said he is the brother to my pastor’s wife.  My husband plays with everybody. He has an amiable nature and he also loves to worship. He has a very good conscience.

Q: How long have you been together?
A: I met him in 1992 and we started going out in 1996.

Q: How many kids do you have?
A: We have two kids.

Q: You have been in the industry for a long time. How old are you?
A: I am definitely not going to say my age. But I am few years short of fifty.

Q: Apart from Tinsel, which other movies have you done?
A: I have done quite a number of movies and I cannot remember all of them. I did ‘In the cupboard’ by Desmond Elliot and I got an award for it. The award was given to me from the United States America for my role in the movie.   I did ‘I will take my chances’, also directed by Desmond Elliot and produced by Emem Isong. I also featured in ‘Damages’ with Uche Jombo.   The latest is a non-English speaking character I played in a film called, ‘Finding Mercy.’

Q: What determines how you choose your script?
A: I would definitely not play some roles.  I cannot kiss in a movie. As a Christian, I would not be unequally yoked. One may say it is a role in a movie but my mouth is still the one that is being kissed! In fact, my husband would kill a man if I should kiss him in a movie. Moreover, I will never go nude in a movie.

Q: You have been on Tinsel for six years now. How did you get into the series?
A: Some friends informed me about an audition which I attended.   When I got there, I met a mammoth crowd of young people pushing themselves around. I could not wait. I went home and called my friend Austin. I told him I could not wait for the audition. My friend talked to somebody and I was given another day to come for the audition.  They gave me the character I auditioned for.

Q: How has it been since then?
A: It has been fantastic. I have enjoyed playing the character of Titi tremendously and I thank God for my experience on Tinsel.

Q: How do you relate to your character in the series?
A: Titi is just a stupid person. I can never be like that.  Number one, I don’t like social gatherings. I don’t attend parties and if I do, I will always go late in order to leave immediately. Titi likes to associate herself with socialites. I don’t even know people who are socialites in Nigeria.  I am always in my house when I am not working.
Q: Was it challenging playing the character?
A: No. Titi was not challenging for me.  There are people like her all over the world. There was a time I was in Punch as a reporter and I went to interview one actress. She had a very high estimation of herself and it showed through her speeches.  In order to play Titi, I remembered her.

Q: How do people react when they see you?
A: They meet me either at the shopping mall or at the market.  When they see me, they see the real Abiola.   A lot of times, I don’t wear make-up. I am always simply dressed with my pumps. When they see me, they become confused.   They would not recognise me as Titi but would comment instead, that I look like her.   I am smaller and I look younger in real life than I do on television.  But the character, Titi, helps me when there is a long queue somewhere. People would naturally make space for me.

Q: How do you keep yourself looking so trim?
A: I have always been slim. I have not been able to get around to exercising but I know that I need to exercise to be fit. When one gets to a certain age, one needs to keep fit. My husband does not want me to exercise. He exercises for both of us because he is on the big side.  But I always watch what I eat and I have been doing that since I started having children.

Q: What do you do at leisure?
A: Leisure for me is sleeping.  I don’t have a lot of friends. I don’t encourage people to come and visit me because I don’t know how to host people.

Q: What turns you off about people?
A: I don’t like it when people are dishonest.

Q: Have you had sad moments?
A: As a young person, I did not know anything called sadness.  The first time I would lose anybody close to me was when my father died. My heart wrenched then and only God consoled me. Then, when Pastor Bimbo Odukoya died, I was below depression. She was my sister in-law and I worked closely with her. I loved her a lot. Everybody in the church loved her. She was a rare woman.

Q: What does style mean to you?
A: Style is confidence. I had a friend who had a few clothes but she wore them with such confidence that people who had more clothes felt small beside her. Basically, that is style. My mom also taught me that whatever I wear, I must have confidence.

Q: What would you never wear?
A: I would never wear micro mini. I would never wear clothes that show my cleavage. I feel it removes from your femininity if your are showing all that to men.

Read More

Boko Haram burns 100 houses in Borno

At least four people were killed and more than 100 houses burnt down on Saturday when members of the Boko Haram, attacked Arboko village behind Gwoza hills in Borno State.

The gunmen were said to have launched the attack around 2:30 am on Saturday and overran the villages before dawn. The village is said to be inhabited by a tiny Christian minority.

Executive Director, Stefanos Foundation, Mr. Mark Lipdo, said in a text message on Saturday that cries by the villagers for help did not yield any fruit, until they were completely overrun by the gunmen.

He said, “Reports just coming in now around 2:30 am says Arboko community of Gwoza, Borno state is presently under attack. Sources said houses are now on fire. Villages behind Gwoza hills said their plea for soldiers to protect them has not been heeded and these majority Christian communities have continued to come under attack”

He added, “Latest report says four people were killed and over 100 houses burnt in the attack.”

When our correspondent contacted the Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen Chris Olukolade, he said that he had not received a situation report on the attack and would not be in a position to confirm and deny it.

“I have not got any situation report on the attack you are talking about and would not be in a position to confirm or deny,” he said.

Read More

Chronology of Nelson Mandela’s life

As the remains of a great African icon, Nelson Mandela, the first South African post-apartheid President, are committed to mother earth today in Qunu, here are some of the memorable moments of Mandiba’s life before his passage.

1918, July 18: Born Rolihlahla at Mvezo village in Transkei, one of 13 children in a family with connections to Thembu royalty.

1925: Attends primary school near Qunu. Teacher names him Nelson, in line with the custom at the time of giving English names to children.

1927: Entrusted to Paramount Chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo after his father dies when he is nine-years-old.

1934: Circumcised.

1938: Matriculates from Healdtown Methodist boarding school and enrolls at the SA Native College of Fort Hare.

1940: Elected to Fort Hare student representative council, but is expelled after a student strike.

1941: Leaves for Johannesburg to avoid an arranged, tribal marriage.

1942: Starts articles at the law firm Witkin, Sidelsky and Eidelman. Completes BA degree from the University of SA via correspondence.

1943: Enrolls for an LLB at the University of the Witwatersrand; joins the African National Congress (ANC).

1944: Marries Evelyn Ntoko Mase, a nurse. Founds the ANC Youth League with Anton Lembede, AP Mda, Oliver Tambo and Walter Sisulu.

1946: Evelyn gives birth to their first child, a boy named Thembi. Another boy and two daughters, one of whom dies in infancy, follow over the next nine years.

1948: Mandela becomes ANCYL national secretary. The National Party comes to power and starts introducing legislation to entrench apartheid and crush opposition.

1949: Mandela joins the ANC executive after the ANCYL takes control of the organisation.
1951: Elected ANCYL president.

1952: Appointed volunteer-in-chief of the ANC’s non-violent defiance campaign against racist laws. Elected Transvaal leader and first national deputy president of the ANC. Arrested and convicted with JS Moroka, Sisulu and 17 others of violating the Suppression of Communism Act: sentenced to nine months imprisonment with hard labour, suspended for two years.

1952, July: Opens the first black legal partnership in South Africa with Oliver Tambo.

1952, September: Banned from attending meetings or gatherings for the next two years.

1953: Devises the M-Plan for the ANC’s future underground operations.

1955: Separates from Evelyn and meets Winnie Madikizela, a social worker from Pondoland. Watches as the Freedom Charter is adopted at Kliptown.

1956, December 5: Arrested on a charge of high treason with 155 other people; the trial drags on for several years.

1958: Divorces Evelyn and marries Winnie; Africanist faction splits from the ANC to form the Pan Africanist Congress.

1959: Mandela and Winnie’s first child Zenani is born; a second daughter Zindzi follows in 1960. The ANC and PAC organise separate anti-pass campaigns.

1960, March: Mandela imprisoned with thousands of others as a state-of -emergency is declared. The ANC and PAC are banned in the wake of the Sharpeville massacre.

1961: Mandela and all the other treason trialists are acquitted. The government bans the ANC, which in turn sets up its armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), under Mandela’s direction. Mandela goes underground and the first acts of sabotage follow in December.

1962, January: Mandela is smuggled out of the country for guerrilla training.

1962, August 5: Mandela is arrested in South Africa, near Howick in KwaZulu-Natal.

1962, November 7: He is sentenced to five years in jail for incitement to strike and for leaving the country without a passport.

1963, January: The nucleus of MK’s leadership is arrested at Liliesleaf farm in Rivonia.

1963, October 9: In what becomes known as the Rivonia Trial, Mandela, Sisulu and eight others are charged with sabotage and attempting to violently overthrow the state.

1964, June 11: Mandela and all but two of his co-accused are found guilty of sabotage.

1964, June 12: They are sentenced to life imprisonment. Mandela is sent to Robben Island.

1969: Thembi dies in a car accident.

1973: The government offers to release Mandela to the Transkei. He refuses.

1977: Winnie is banished to Brandfort, in the Free State.

1979: Mandela is given the Nehru Award by the government of India.

1980: The ANC’s leadership in exile launches the “Free Mandela” campaign.

1982: After 18 years on Robben Island, Mandela is moved to Pollsmoor Prison, on the mainland.

1985, January 31: President PW Botha offers Mandela his freedom, provided he unconditionally rejects violence.

1985, February: Mandela rejects Botha’s offer. Protest action spreads throughout the country.

1985, August: Justice Minister Kobie Coetsee pays a social visit to Mandela in hospital where he is undergoing prostate surgery. Mandela is later separated from his comrades to give the government private access to him.

1986, February-May: Commonwealth Eminent Persons’ Group visits Mandela but fails to persuade the government that he should be released.

1986, June 12: A nationwide state-of-emergency is declared and Mandela secretly meets Coetsee for talks.

1986, August: A prison official takes Mandela on his first car outing in 24 years.

1988: Mandela is moved to the private Constantiaberg MediClinic in Cape Town for treatment of tuberculosis.

1988, December 9: He is moved from the clinic to a warder’s house at the Victor Verster prison.
1989, July 4: He meets PW Botha for tea at Tuynhuys.

1990, February 2: Botha’s successor FW de Klerk unbans all political parties and announces the release of political prisoners.

1990, February 11: Mandela is freed.

1990, March 2: He is elected as ANC deputy president under Oliver Tambo.

1990, May 2: Mandela heads the ANC delegation in talks with a government team on the transition to a non-racial democracy.

1990, June: He visits Europe, the United Kingdom, North America and Africa, then attends an Organisation of African Unity summit in Addis Ababa.

1991, July: Elected ANC president in place of the ailing Oliver Tambo.

1991, December: Attends first meeting of the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (Codesa), set up to negotiate procedures for constitutional change.

1992, April 13: Announces that he and Winnie have agreed to separate.

1993, May: Causes a political row when he suggests 14-year-olds should be allowed to vote in the coming polls.

1993, December: Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, together with De Klerk. His autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, is published.

1994, April 27: Votes for the first time in his life, and the ANC wins a convincing majority in Parliament.

1994, May 9: Elected unopposed as president in the first session of the new National Assembly.

1994, May 10: Inaugurated at the Union Buildings in front of the largest gathering of international leaders ever seen in South Africa.

1994, July: Undergoes eye surgery for a cataract.

1995, April: Fires Winnie from her post as deputy arts minister, following her involvement in a series of controversies.

1996: Divorces Winnie.

1997: Plays a key role in persuading Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to hand over Lockerbie bombing suspects for trial in the Netherlands.

1998 July 18: Marries Graca Machel, the widow of Mozambican leader Samora Machel, on his 80th birthday.

1999, June 16: Hands over the presidency to Thabo Mbeki.

1999, December: Accepts position of mediator in a bid to end civil conflict in Burundi.

2001, July: Diagnosed as having microscopic prostate cancer; undergoes a seven-week course of radiotherapy.

2002: Throws his weight behind calls for the South African government to institute a national public sector antiretroviral treatment programme for people with HIV/Aids. Launches global HIV/Aids campaign 46664, named for his prison number.

2003: Celebrates his 85th birthday with a party attended by celebrities from around the globe.

2004, May: Plays a key role in securing the 2010 Soccer World Cup for South Africa.

2004, June 1: Announces his retirement from public life with the catchphrase “Don’t call me, I’ll call you.”

2005, January: His only surviving son, Makgatho, dies of Aids at the age of 54. Mandela goes public on the cause of death.

2005, February: Addresses a rally in London’s Trafalgar Square on the eve of a meeting of G7 finance ministers, to demand freedom for the millions of “slaves” of poverty worldwide.

2005, March: Gives his blessing to the creation on Johannesburg’s Constitutional Hill of the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory and Commemoration, to honour and document his life.

2007: Witnesses the installation of grandson Mandla Mandela as chief of the Mvezo Traditional Council in the Eastern Cape.

2008: Turns 90, and asks emerging generations to continue the fight for social justice.

2009: Mandela’s birthday is endorsed by the United Nations as International Mandela Day, on which people are encouraged to do good deeds for others.

2011, January: Admitted to hospital in Johannesburg for what the Nelson Mandela Foundation describes as “routine tests”.

2011, June: Mandela moves to his home town, Qunu, in the Eastern Cape.

2012, January: The presidency announces that Mandela will return to his Johannesburg home because of “maintenance” at his Qunu home.

2012, February: The presidency announces Mandela’s admission to a Pretoria hospital for a stomach ailment.

2012, December: Mandela admitted to a Pretoria hospital for treatment of a recurring lung infection and to have gallstones removed. He spends between December 8 and 26 in hospital.

2013, March 9: Mandela admitted to a Pretoria hospital for a scheduled check-up. He is discharged the following day.

2013, March 27: Mandela is re-admitted due to a recurrence of his lung infection. He is discharged on April 6.

2013, June 8: Admitted to hospital in the early hours of the morning due to a recurring lung infection.

2013, June 24: The presidency announces Mandela’s condition is critical.

Read More

Four killed, 15 injured in Kenyan grenade attack

A suspected grenade attack on a minibus in Kenya’s capital on Saturday killed at least four people

The incident occurred near a Somali-dominated area of the city. No immediate claim of responsibility was recorded.

Police, however, said attack mirrored some explosions in 2012, which were blamed on Somali militants.

“So far, I can confirm that four people have died in the explosion,” the Nairobi County Police Commander, Benson Kibui, told Reuters, without giving details.

Another police officer described it as a grenade attack.

At the scene in Pangani, an area next to Eastleigh, which is home to many Somalis, a Reuters reporter saw a destroyed minibus and metal, glass and other debris on the street. A car nearby was also damaged.

Kenya Red Cross and other ambulances were there. St John Ambulance reported on its Twitter account that 15 people were taken to one hospital and three died from their injuries.

On Friday, there was a grenade atttack on a market in Wajir, in northeast Kenya, near the Somali border. In that attack, police said masked men hurled two grenades, killing one person and injuring others.

Last year a series of such attacks in and around the Eastleigh area of Nairobi were blamed on Somalia’s al Shabaab Islamist group. The group staged an assault on a Nairobi shopping mall in September, which killed 67 people.

Al Shabaab said its gunmen carried out the mall attack to force Kenya to withdraw troops from Somalia, where they are part of an African peace-keeping mission battling with the Islamists.

Philips added that as a part of ways to solve the Boko Haram menace, there was the need for government to ensure equal access to opportunities across ethnic and religious lines.

He said, “The Boko Haram issue has to become a Nigerian issue. It doesn’t matter what part of the country I live or my religion. I do not believe that any true Muslim believes that this is what should be happening. I believe that we should stand up to be counted.

Read More

Controversial letter: N’Assembly demands Jonathan’s response

The National Assembly has said President Goodluck Jonathan must “comprehensively” address issues raised by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his letter to him (the President).

The two chambers said this on Friday in their separate reactions to the controversial letter written by Obasanjo to Jonathan.

But while there are indications that the House of Representatives would, this week, raise a motion on the letter, the Senate stated that it would wait for Jonathan’s response before taking any action.

Obasanjo had in the 18-page letter accused Jonathan of condoning corruption and engaging in acts that were capable of destroying the country.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang, in an interview with one of our correspondents on Friday in Abuja,  said Jonathan should address the issues raised by Obasanjo in the letter in due time to avoid tension.

He said, “The letter by Obasanjo touches on national security and all the issues raised therein cannot be ignored. President Jonathan has a duty of taking the issues raised in the letter, one after the other and explaining his side of the story to Nigerians”

Enang was of the view that the legislature cannot take action on the letter until an appropriate response from the Presidency had been made.

He said, “As it is, no legislative action can be taken unless the issue had been raised as a motion after appropriate responses had been made by the presidency in reaction to the allegation.”

Also, the Minority Whip, who is also a prominent leader of the opposition in the Senate, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, admitted that the issues raised by Obasanjo were capable of heating up the polity and causing serious tension.

He said, “All issues raised are very sensitive and germane.  The Presidency cannot just dismiss the letter just like that. They should give full explanation. It is not a beer parlour talk.

“Asking us to investigate it at the National Assembly level may not achieve the desired result. Any responsible government owes the citizenry the responsibility of letting the world know the true position of things.

“The sensitive issues raised by Obasanjo are enough to make us to shiver as a nation. A situation when a former President for eight years is saying the symbol of the ruling party has performed woefully called for a serious action.”

On their part, members of the House of Representatives said it would serve Jonathan’s interest and the interest of the nation for him to respond “urgently” to the allegations of Obasanjo.

The lawmakers said silence on the allegations would be “dangerous” and that delay could “give political forces the opportunity to heat up the polity.”

Speaking on the issue, the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Zakari Mohammed, said the House was vindicated by Obasanjo’s letter.

He said since June 2011, the House had always fought corruption, cautioned the executive, demanded details of budget implementation, but made little progress.

Mohammed said, “These are very serious, dangerous allegations and we should not look at the messenger but the message.”

On whether the House would conduct a probe specifically into the content of the letter, Mohammed stated that the House would continue to perform its duty of exposing corruption.

“It is not just about the letter, but we will continue to conduct investigations; we have a job to do and we will continue to do it,” he added.

Commenting in a similar vein, the Minority Leader of the House, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, told SUNDAY PUNCH that “Jonathan must respond to the weighty allegations.”

According to him, some of the allegations “are almost satanic” and did not fall in the category of issues the ruling PDP usually wished away as “PDP family affairs.”

Gbajabiamila, who is the caucus leader of the All Progressives Congress at the House, noted that the allegations on security training and placing some people on security watch list were “grave and must not be wished away.”

He stated that members were still studying the letter and would likely raise motions on the floor next week.

“There are aspects of these allegations having to do with national security.

“In the coming week, members may want to ask more questions on these security allegations, like placing people on a watch list,” he added.

Read More