15:16 16/06/2015
Abuja - Some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are
said to have started a process to reconcile the Senate President, Bukola
Saraki and the national leader of the party, Bola Tinubu, reports Tribune.
The
duo fell apart following the sharp differences over the choice of the
party’s candidates for the top seats in the National Assembly.
The
leaders decided to intervene and settle the dispute in view of its
implications for the image of the party and the stability of the
administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The party leaders have already opened a line of communication between the two .
Read more at Tribune.
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Wednesday, 17 June 2015
Chad's president vows no impunity for those behind twin attacks
06:54 17/06/2015
N'Djamena -Chad's President Idriss Deby vowed on Tuesday there would be no impunity for those who masterminded twin suicide bombings that killed 24 people and wounded more than 100 day earlier.
The bombings, the first such attacks in the capital N'Djamena, have been blamed on Boko Haram jihadists who have previously attacked villages along Chad's border with Nigeria.
"Whoever is responsible (for the attacks), ... will answer for their action. And I promise that this action will not stay unpunished," said Deby, who had just returned from an African Union summit in Johannesburg.
"This invisible hand and its co-sponsors have hit a peaceful people who were only seeking peace for themselves and for Africa and for the world," he added.
Deby said he was "not surprised" by the attack given Chad's lead role in a regional offensive against Boko Haram fighters operating out of northeastern Nigeria.
Security was stepped up in N'Djamena on Tuesday, with scores of police and soldiers patrolling the streets and stopping cars for security checks.
Vehicles with tinted windows had been barred from the streets and the area around the presidential palace and the police headquarters -- which was one of the bombers' targets, along with a police academy - had been sealed off.
Monday's attacks on the police caused deep shock in the capital.
"It's terrible...I never would have thought that such a thing would happen in N'Djamena," Ali Gamane, an engineer working for the agriculture ministry, said.
Doctors at the city's Amitie hospital were struggling to cope with the influx of wounded.
"Many of the injured risk dying if the public doesn't come forward to donate blood," nurse Ache Zenaba warned.
Four "terrorists" were also killed in the blasts, according to the authorities, who gave no further details.
The government called for calm.
"These attacks, which aimed to strike fear into the people, will not slacken Chad's determination to combat terrorism," the government said, assuring the situation was "entirely under control."
Although Boko Haram has yet to claim responsibility for the bombings, France, which relies heavily on N'Djamena in the fight against jihadist groups in the Sahel region, accused the militants of being behind the attack.
"There is no doubt that Boko Haram is responsible and will be brought to justice for this new humanitarian horror," French President Francois Hollande said during a visit to Algeria.
Hollande spoke with Deby by telephone and hailed the Chadian leader's "brave" fight against terrorism while assuring him of France's support, a statement from the French president's office said.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also condemned Monday's attacks and praised Chad "for its courageous role in the fight against Boko Haram".
'Unspeakable cruelty'
Boko Haram's leader Abubakar Shekau had threatened several times to attack Chad and other countries that joined forces against the group, whose bloody six-year insurgency is increasingly spilling across Nigeria's borders.
In February, the group carried out its first attack inside Chad, crossing Lake Chad by boat under cover of darkness to attack the village of Ngouboua, torching homes and killing several people.
Monday's attacks were the first however in the capital of the former French colony, which hosts the headquarters of France's Sahel counter-terrorism force, Operation Barkhane.
"We're used to seeing these things (terrorist attacks) in other places but thought it would never happen here," said Andre Toal, a civil servant, told AFP, admitting to "living in fear".
Opposition politician Brice Mbaimon called on the government to "quickly implement a plan of national vigilance".
President Mahamadou Issoufou of neighbouring Niger condemned the attacks as "acts of unspeakable cruelty".
Issoufou urged the international community to back member states of the Lake Chad Basin Commission in a joint struggle against Boko Haram, which killed 74 people, including 28 civilians, in a raid inside Niger on April 25.
Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Benin and Cameroon agreed last week to set up a regional task force of 8,700 soldiers, police officers and civilians, based in N'Djamena, to combat Boko Haram.
Earlier this year, Chad and Niger launched a joint ground and air offensive on Nigerian soil against the insurgents, wresting back some territory from the extremists.
Boko Haram, which launched a bloody campaign for an Islamic caliphate in northeast Nigeria six years ago, is believed to be still holding more than 200 schoolgirls abducted in a raid on a school at Chibok in northeastern Borno State a year ago.
N'Djamena -Chad's President Idriss Deby vowed on Tuesday there would be no impunity for those who masterminded twin suicide bombings that killed 24 people and wounded more than 100 day earlier.
The bombings, the first such attacks in the capital N'Djamena, have been blamed on Boko Haram jihadists who have previously attacked villages along Chad's border with Nigeria.
"Whoever is responsible (for the attacks), ... will answer for their action. And I promise that this action will not stay unpunished," said Deby, who had just returned from an African Union summit in Johannesburg.
"This invisible hand and its co-sponsors have hit a peaceful people who were only seeking peace for themselves and for Africa and for the world," he added.
Deby said he was "not surprised" by the attack given Chad's lead role in a regional offensive against Boko Haram fighters operating out of northeastern Nigeria.
Security was stepped up in N'Djamena on Tuesday, with scores of police and soldiers patrolling the streets and stopping cars for security checks.
Vehicles with tinted windows had been barred from the streets and the area around the presidential palace and the police headquarters -- which was one of the bombers' targets, along with a police academy - had been sealed off.
Monday's attacks on the police caused deep shock in the capital.
"It's terrible...I never would have thought that such a thing would happen in N'Djamena," Ali Gamane, an engineer working for the agriculture ministry, said.
Doctors at the city's Amitie hospital were struggling to cope with the influx of wounded.
"Many of the injured risk dying if the public doesn't come forward to donate blood," nurse Ache Zenaba warned.
Four "terrorists" were also killed in the blasts, according to the authorities, who gave no further details.
The government called for calm.
"These attacks, which aimed to strike fear into the people, will not slacken Chad's determination to combat terrorism," the government said, assuring the situation was "entirely under control."
Although Boko Haram has yet to claim responsibility for the bombings, France, which relies heavily on N'Djamena in the fight against jihadist groups in the Sahel region, accused the militants of being behind the attack.
"There is no doubt that Boko Haram is responsible and will be brought to justice for this new humanitarian horror," French President Francois Hollande said during a visit to Algeria.
Hollande spoke with Deby by telephone and hailed the Chadian leader's "brave" fight against terrorism while assuring him of France's support, a statement from the French president's office said.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also condemned Monday's attacks and praised Chad "for its courageous role in the fight against Boko Haram".
'Unspeakable cruelty'
Boko Haram's leader Abubakar Shekau had threatened several times to attack Chad and other countries that joined forces against the group, whose bloody six-year insurgency is increasingly spilling across Nigeria's borders.
In February, the group carried out its first attack inside Chad, crossing Lake Chad by boat under cover of darkness to attack the village of Ngouboua, torching homes and killing several people.
Monday's attacks were the first however in the capital of the former French colony, which hosts the headquarters of France's Sahel counter-terrorism force, Operation Barkhane.
"We're used to seeing these things (terrorist attacks) in other places but thought it would never happen here," said Andre Toal, a civil servant, told AFP, admitting to "living in fear".
Opposition politician Brice Mbaimon called on the government to "quickly implement a plan of national vigilance".
President Mahamadou Issoufou of neighbouring Niger condemned the attacks as "acts of unspeakable cruelty".
Issoufou urged the international community to back member states of the Lake Chad Basin Commission in a joint struggle against Boko Haram, which killed 74 people, including 28 civilians, in a raid inside Niger on April 25.
Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Benin and Cameroon agreed last week to set up a regional task force of 8,700 soldiers, police officers and civilians, based in N'Djamena, to combat Boko Haram.
Earlier this year, Chad and Niger launched a joint ground and air offensive on Nigerian soil against the insurgents, wresting back some territory from the extremists.
Boko Haram, which launched a bloody campaign for an Islamic caliphate in northeast Nigeria six years ago, is believed to be still holding more than 200 schoolgirls abducted in a raid on a school at Chibok in northeastern Borno State a year ago.
Helicopters deliver aid to 1000s fleeing S Sudan violence
Kieran Guilbert
06:54 17/06/2015
London - Helicopters have delivered life-saving supplies to thousands of people uprooted by fighting in South Sudan to help them survive the lean season, aid agencies said on Tuesday ahead of a pledging conference for the conflict-hit country.
Recent violence in the greater Upper Nile region has forced some 150 000 people to flee to hard-to-reach areas, with many abandoning their land before they could plant crops, according to UN agencies and aid groups.
Survival kits have been delivered to some 30 000 people in Unity State in the north. They include mosquito nets, fishing supplies, water purification tablets and nutritional biscuits for children.
The number of South Sudanese going hungry - some 4.6 million people including nearly a million children under five - has almost doubled since the start of the year.
"Hundreds of thousands of children are malnourished, at risk of disease and death, yet they are the future doctors, lawyers, civil servants and community leaders of South Sudan," said Ronald-Paul Veilleux, International Rescue Committee country director.
Further risk of violence
"Not getting aid to them in time further undermines the development potential of this nation," he said in a statement ahead of the Geneva pledging conference in which international agencies are appealing for $1.63bn.
More than 2 million people have been uprooted since fighting erupted 18 months ago between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and rebels allied with his former deputy, Riek Machar.
Heavy fighting in Unity and Upper Nile states has forced aid agencies to suspend activities and in some cases relocate staff, leaving tens of thousands of people vulnerable.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation said it was working to ensure the delivery of supplies would not put relief workers and those in need of aid at further risk of violence.
For many displaced communities, the survival kits could be the only aid they receive during the next few weeks of the annual lean season, according to the agencies.
Only 36% of the South Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan 2015 - $656m - has been funded to date, according to the United Nations.
London - Helicopters have delivered life-saving supplies to thousands of people uprooted by fighting in South Sudan to help them survive the lean season, aid agencies said on Tuesday ahead of a pledging conference for the conflict-hit country.
Recent violence in the greater Upper Nile region has forced some 150 000 people to flee to hard-to-reach areas, with many abandoning their land before they could plant crops, according to UN agencies and aid groups.
Survival kits have been delivered to some 30 000 people in Unity State in the north. They include mosquito nets, fishing supplies, water purification tablets and nutritional biscuits for children.
The number of South Sudanese going hungry - some 4.6 million people including nearly a million children under five - has almost doubled since the start of the year.
"Hundreds of thousands of children are malnourished, at risk of disease and death, yet they are the future doctors, lawyers, civil servants and community leaders of South Sudan," said Ronald-Paul Veilleux, International Rescue Committee country director.
Further risk of violence
"Not getting aid to them in time further undermines the development potential of this nation," he said in a statement ahead of the Geneva pledging conference in which international agencies are appealing for $1.63bn.
More than 2 million people have been uprooted since fighting erupted 18 months ago between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and rebels allied with his former deputy, Riek Machar.
Heavy fighting in Unity and Upper Nile states has forced aid agencies to suspend activities and in some cases relocate staff, leaving tens of thousands of people vulnerable.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation said it was working to ensure the delivery of supplies would not put relief workers and those in need of aid at further risk of violence.
For many displaced communities, the survival kits could be the only aid they receive during the next few weeks of the annual lean season, according to the agencies.
Only 36% of the South Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan 2015 - $656m - has been funded to date, according to the United Nations.
Imo lauds appointment of Ejiogu as Secretary
Okoro Chinedu
08:24 17/06/2015
Lagos - The Imo State Government has hailed the appointment of Sir Jude Ejiogu as the Secretary to the Government.
Government singled him out for praise among a number of aides that have been appointed.
“On Monday, June 8th , 2015, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha (OON) sworn in Sir Jude Ejiogu as the Secretary to the Government of Imo State and other newly appointed Aides,”
Ikenna Onuoha, Ejiogu’s spokesperson, said.
“The elevation of Sir Jude Ejiogu from Chief of Staff, Government House to Secretary to the Government of Imo State did not come to the good people of the state by surprise going by the level of his achievements in his previous positions.”
Onuoha said Ejiogu had shown that good communication guarantees understanding of his mission, goals, and vision.
“Everyone wants to work with him because they believe in his traits. In other words, it’s important to note that due to the confidence reposed in him, his workers understand that they are working towards the same goal their master beams his light towards,” said Onuoha.
“He has made communication the instrument of consistency in establishing work expectations, giving constructive feedback, and by training new leaders. His ingenuity has propelled his workers to give their best at their various duty posts.”
Onuoha further lavished praise on Ejiogu.
“Ejiogu as a leader remained at the front burner of public domain for people to judged, he has set the tone of commitment and others are joining suit. His unique personality and sense of humor shows people that he is more than a leader. As a good leader who is worth working with, Sir Jude Ejiogu has an exemplary character, trusted and known to live his life with honestly and integrity.”
He concluded, “There are leaders but there is a great leader, Sir Jude Ejiogu’s contribution to the development and emancipation of the state cannot be over emphasized. He is indeed a leader that is worth working with no matter the circumstance.”
Lagos - The Imo State Government has hailed the appointment of Sir Jude Ejiogu as the Secretary to the Government.
Government singled him out for praise among a number of aides that have been appointed.
“On Monday, June 8th , 2015, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha (OON) sworn in Sir Jude Ejiogu as the Secretary to the Government of Imo State and other newly appointed Aides,”
Ikenna Onuoha, Ejiogu’s spokesperson, said.
“The elevation of Sir Jude Ejiogu from Chief of Staff, Government House to Secretary to the Government of Imo State did not come to the good people of the state by surprise going by the level of his achievements in his previous positions.”
Onuoha said Ejiogu had shown that good communication guarantees understanding of his mission, goals, and vision.
“Everyone wants to work with him because they believe in his traits. In other words, it’s important to note that due to the confidence reposed in him, his workers understand that they are working towards the same goal their master beams his light towards,” said Onuoha.
“He has made communication the instrument of consistency in establishing work expectations, giving constructive feedback, and by training new leaders. His ingenuity has propelled his workers to give their best at their various duty posts.”
Onuoha further lavished praise on Ejiogu.
“Ejiogu as a leader remained at the front burner of public domain for people to judged, he has set the tone of commitment and others are joining suit. His unique personality and sense of humor shows people that he is more than a leader. As a good leader who is worth working with, Sir Jude Ejiogu has an exemplary character, trusted and known to live his life with honestly and integrity.”
He concluded, “There are leaders but there is a great leader, Sir Jude Ejiogu’s contribution to the development and emancipation of the state cannot be over emphasized. He is indeed a leader that is worth working with no matter the circumstance.”
EFCC invites 4 govt. officials in Katsina
08:24 17/06/2015
Katsina - The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday invited four officials of the Katsina State Government to clarify issues related to financial misappropriations.
This is contained in an invitation letter issued by Aminudeen Muhammad, an official of the commission, on behalf of the EFCC Executive Chairman.
The officers affected include Permanent Secretaries, ministries of Works and Agriculture, the Managing Director of the Katsina Road Maintenance Agency (KASAROMA) and the State Accountant General.
It directed the officials to come with contract documents awarded between 2011 and 2015, annual budgets from 2011 to 2015 and actual funds released to the ministries/agencies from 2011 to May 2015.
The EFCC also directed the officials to appear before it with documents for funds allocations made to the state and local government councils from the Federation Account between 2011 and May, 2015.
The statement said the officials should provide documents for funds released to the ministries of agriculture, works, housing, transportation, sports, Road Maintenance Agency (KASAROMA) and statutory budget of the state between 2011 and May 2015.
The Accountant General is expected to appear before the commission on June 17, and the Managing Director of KASAROMA and the two permanent secretaries on June 18.
Katsina - The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday invited four officials of the Katsina State Government to clarify issues related to financial misappropriations.
This is contained in an invitation letter issued by Aminudeen Muhammad, an official of the commission, on behalf of the EFCC Executive Chairman.
The officers affected include Permanent Secretaries, ministries of Works and Agriculture, the Managing Director of the Katsina Road Maintenance Agency (KASAROMA) and the State Accountant General.
It directed the officials to come with contract documents awarded between 2011 and 2015, annual budgets from 2011 to 2015 and actual funds released to the ministries/agencies from 2011 to May 2015.
The EFCC also directed the officials to appear before it with documents for funds allocations made to the state and local government councils from the Federation Account between 2011 and May, 2015.
The statement said the officials should provide documents for funds released to the ministries of agriculture, works, housing, transportation, sports, Road Maintenance Agency (KASAROMA) and statutory budget of the state between 2011 and May 2015.
The Accountant General is expected to appear before the commission on June 17, and the Managing Director of KASAROMA and the two permanent secretaries on June 18.
Tuesday, 16 June 2015
Abducted Ekiti Catholic priest freed
16:13 16/06/2015
Ekiti - A priest of the Catholic diocese of Ekiti, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Akingbade, who was kidnapped by three gunmen in Ido Ekiti last week Tuesday, has been released, Punch reports.
The Catholic Bishop of the diocese, Most. Rev. Felix Ajakaye, confirmed the news to journalists on Tuesday in Ado Ekiti.
Although he said no ransom was paid to secure the release of the priest, Ajakaye confirmed that the abductors had demanded N200m.
Fr. Akingbade was kidnapped by the gunmen on June 9 in his bedroom at the mission house of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, Ido Ekiti, around 8pm and taken to an unknown destination.
Read more at Punch
Ekiti - A priest of the Catholic diocese of Ekiti, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Akingbade, who was kidnapped by three gunmen in Ido Ekiti last week Tuesday, has been released, Punch reports.
The Catholic Bishop of the diocese, Most. Rev. Felix Ajakaye, confirmed the news to journalists on Tuesday in Ado Ekiti.
Although he said no ransom was paid to secure the release of the priest, Ajakaye confirmed that the abductors had demanded N200m.
Fr. Akingbade was kidnapped by the gunmen on June 9 in his bedroom at the mission house of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, Ido Ekiti, around 8pm and taken to an unknown destination.
Read more at Punch
Kashamu withdraws libel suit against Obasanjo
15:16 16/06/2015
Lagos - Senator Buruji Kashamu, has withdrawn a N20.1bn libel suit he instituted against former President Olusegun Obasanjo before a Federal Capital Territory court in Abuja, Punch reports.
The presiding judge, Justice Valentine Ashi, struck out the suit on May 26, 2015, following the notice of discontinuance of the suit filed by the plaintiff.
Kashamu had on February 6, 2014, sued Obasanjo for “maliciously and recklessly” publishing a letter titled, ‘Before it is too late,’ addressed to former President Goodluck Jonathan in December 2013.
He had asked the court to award him N20bn as aggravated and exemplary damages, and another N100m against Obasanjo for maliciously portraying him as a fugitive wanted for drug- related offences in the United States of America.
Read more at Punch
Lagos - Senator Buruji Kashamu, has withdrawn a N20.1bn libel suit he instituted against former President Olusegun Obasanjo before a Federal Capital Territory court in Abuja, Punch reports.
The presiding judge, Justice Valentine Ashi, struck out the suit on May 26, 2015, following the notice of discontinuance of the suit filed by the plaintiff.
Kashamu had on February 6, 2014, sued Obasanjo for “maliciously and recklessly” publishing a letter titled, ‘Before it is too late,’ addressed to former President Goodluck Jonathan in December 2013.
He had asked the court to award him N20bn as aggravated and exemplary damages, and another N100m against Obasanjo for maliciously portraying him as a fugitive wanted for drug- related offences in the United States of America.
Read more at Punch
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