Independence Day: Nigerian Soldiers Shoot 9-Year-Old Girl

Tragedy was averted in Adamawa state on Independence Day as a 9-year-old girl escaped death by the whiskers after she was hit by a stray bullet from sporadic shooting spree by Nigerian soldiers who were on a journey towards Michika Local Government Area of the state.

The girl named Maryam Mohammed was among other pupils at a Quranic school in Shinco ward area of the state capital, Nigerian Tribune reports.

According to her elder brother, Ibrahim, the soldiers were moving along the Yola-Gombi road around 9:00am, shouting war songs and shooting sporadically into the air when a stray bullet hit Maryam on her left leg.

She was immediately rushed to a specialist hospital where it was confirmed that the bullet passed through her thigh.

Ibrahim said: “We have forwarded our complaint to the ward head, Mallam Aminu who personally came to see her and promised to report the incident to the appropriate authority.”

He added that his little sister was now back home and was responding to treatment.

Lamenting this growing indiscriminate shooting by soldiers resulting in casualties on the side of innocent civilians, residents of Yola, the state capital, decribed the soldiers behavior as unfortunate.

The residents, who complained over the latest shooting on Independence Day, said a nine-year-old girl, Maryam Mohammed, who was among other pupils at a Quranic school in Shinco ward area of the state capital, was hit by the soldiers’ bullets.

One of the residents named Buba Ishaku said: “This type of behaviour is unfortunate. I was around Police Roundabout this morning when the soldiers were passing in convoy and they fired about 50 shots into the air.”

Another resident, Abubakar Haru, added that a woman had suffered a miscarriage due to the indiscriminate shooting of the soldiers.

This is the second of such incident by soldiers, as about two weeks ago, same scenario played out in front of the Federal College of Education, Yola where some soldiers on patrol shot into the air few metres from the college.

Adamawa is one of the states which has been under Boko Haram attacks. Last week, no fewer than 500 houses were destroyed in Kubi and Watu villages by the insurgents.

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Nigeria To Get Electricity From Ghana

In response to the epileptic power supply experienced in Nigeria, a neighboring West African country has decided to export electricity to Nigeria.

Ghanaian President, John Mahama, made the disclosure on Wednesday at the Africa Global Business and Economic Forum held in Dubai, United Arab Emirate, Punch reports.

Ghana President, John Mahama

He said Ghana is planning on exporting thousands of megawatts of electricity to Nigeria, Ivory Coast and other neighbouring countries with power issues. He hinted that his government had made huge investments in power generation that would enable the country to export excess electricity to the aforementioned countries.

“We have given priority to electricity generation in our country. We have prioritized energy in such a way that we want to become the hub for power production in West Africa. We want to generate electricity to the point that excess power can be exported to Nigeria, Ivory Coast and other countries that have power deficit,” Mahama said.

According to him, to accomplish the said goal, Ghana has already secured export-import financing from China, and a special funds from Abu Dhabi to start several power generation projects. He said also revealed that a third hydropower dam project was already at an advanced stage.

Mahama, who was speaking at a panel discussion alongside President Mulatu Wirtu of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, said: “Where Africa faces some of its challenges lies its biggest opportunities. We are leveraging on public-private sector partnership to build infrastructure. Be it roads, electricity, ports or communication systems; if we create the right environment, investors will come.

The Ghanaian President insisted that creating the right environment that will attract foreign direct investment is a key to development. He also urged Kagame and Wirtu to hamper on the need for African governments to strengthen anti-corruption agencies in their various countries.

Mahama further stated that issues of accountability and transparency were very important, adding that there must be mechanism to fight corruption and pointed out that although they all have institutions but the major thing is resourcing them to effectively fight corruption as well as perform effectively.

In his response, Kagame, who also insisted that African leaders must create a system that is not sympathetic to corruption, expressed optimism that such would help attract the required Foreign Direct Investment to the continent.

“It is one thing to have the institutions; it is another thing to allow them to work. Governance and structure must be in place to make them to work. African governments must fix infrastructure, investment in development of education and skills, and also enhance connectivity among African countries,” Kagame said.

It would be recalled that on September 5, 2014, the Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has described the President Goodluck Jonathan administration as an agent of darkness.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government had earlier hinted that improvements in power service delivery enabled significant growth to 4,000MW, as compared to the previous level of 3,000MW.

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Mr Nigeria Celebrates Independence With Photoshoot

Incumbent Mr Nigeria, Emmanuel Ikubese is celebrating Nigeria’s 54th Independence day by posing for these awesome photos.

Below is his message for his fellow Nigerians:

No matter what tribe or religion we represent, we are all Nigerians. Even as we celebrate our independence today lets strive for Peace, Love and Unity in our country. We are ONE. God Bless Nigeria. #ONENIGERIA #HAPPYINDEPENDENCEDAY #OCTOBER1ST

Show love to another tribe that is not yours today in honour of our independence day celebration. Take a selfie or picture with someone from another tribe or something that represents another tribe. Post on instagram. Tag me @emmanuelikubese, and use the hashtag #ONENIGERIA …The coolest and the most creative picture gets something special.

It will be be recalled that Emmanuel Ikubese, who came 2nd At Mr World Contest held a few months back at the Riviera International Conference Centre, Torbay, UK, has expressed his crush on Genevieve Nnaji and Rita Dominic.

The Delta State born entertainer had this to say on why he is attracted to these screen goddesses:

Yes, I used to have a crush on Mercy Johnson until she got married. Then I stopped because it is not good to crush on married women to avoid getting into trouble. Then Genevieve, Rita Dominic and Omotola too. I respect hardworking women a lot. I am still looking forward to the movie where I would play a romantic scene like a boyfriend to Genevieve or Rita. I really love those two.”

It would be also be recalled that just recently, the entertainer released some refreshing set of photos ahead of Mr World contest.

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New Baby Factory Uncovered In Abia State

The baby factories have resurfaced with the Abia State Police Command parading recently arrested suspects.

Many Nigerians thought the era of the proliferation of the so called baby factories in Nigeria has been nipped in the bud but they have resurfaced as the Abia State Police Command has busted another of such factories and arrested two nurses and four pregnant inmates, among whom was one with a two year old baby, disclosing that they were rescued during a raid of a hospital allegedly used as baby factory.

The state's Police Public Relations Officer, Geoffrey Ogbonna, while parading the suspects in the state capital, Umuahia, said though the Medical Director of the private hospital where the nefarious act was being perpetrated had bolted by the time the police got to the facility, the police was on his trail.

The police spokesman say the fleeing doctor and the nurses were using the hospital as shelter for young women with unwanted pregnancy only to buy off the babies upon delivery and in turns sell them to willing buyers.

The Police Command warned dubious medical practitioners and charity homes in the state who use their facilities as baby factories to desist from the wicked act or face the wrath of the law.

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Nigeria, Happy independence day!

Happy 54 Independence celebration and a wonderful new month!!!

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19 Arrested For Ekiti Violence, Murder Of Ex NURTW Chairman

The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested 19 persons for the murder of a former chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Ekiti State, Omolafe Aderiye.

According to The Punch, who quoted Mr. Victor Babayemi, the Ekiti Police Public Relations Officer, 19 persons, including one female, were arrested over the weekend. However, the suspects pleaded innocence, while investigation might proof otherwise.

“The 19 are being questioned in respect of the killing. This is to determine their level of culpability; it is not that they have been indicted. They are helping us in the investigation,” Babayemi said.

Aderiye was killed on Thursday. He was heading home when murder said to be around four stopped the former official and shot him down at close range. It happened in Ijigbo area of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

Mr. Aderiye was a huge supporter of Governor-elect, Ayodele Fayose.

His death caused violence across the state on Friday. As a result, the house and cars of a former state chairman of the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) were burned. Besides, there was a threat of reprisal by RTEAN members in the state.

Some vehicles burnt in Ado Ekiti. Photo: Vanguard

Meanwhile, the police on Monday held a peace-deal meeting with leading traditional rulers in Ekiti State. Babayemi said the essence was to find a lasting solution to the recurring violence in the state.

Taiwo Lakanu, Ekiti State Commissioner of Police appealed to the traditional rulers, led by their chairman, the Onitaji of Itaji, Obama Adamo Babalola, to appeal to their subjects to give peace a chance. He expressed concerns over the recurring violence, which is destroying the image of the state.

At the meeting were presented the Ajero of Ijero, Adebayo Adewole; Oose of Efan-Ekiti, James Popoola; Owaoye of Okemesi, M.G. Adedeji; Alara of Aramoko, Olu Adegoke Adeyemi; Olooye of Oye Kingdom, Oluwole Ademolaju; and Onisan of Isan, Sunday Ajiboye.

A source of The Punch at the meeting said the traditional rulers agreed to work with the police to achieve peace in the state.

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Jonathan urges unity to overcome B’Haram, others

Says 1914 amalgamation was divine 

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan Sunday urged unity among Nigerians to enable the country to tackle most of the challenges it is facing. If all Nigerians are united, according to him, the country would surely overcome Boko Haram.

  At the church service to mark the nation’s 54th independence anniversary Sunday in Abuja, the president observed that the country was able to fight and win the war against Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) because all Nigerians irrespective of their ethnic and political differences teamed up to fight the epidemic.

  He said: “God knows that we have challenges and he knows the beginning and the end. As a nation we are facing challenges. We survived the 30-month civil war. Society has gone so sophisticated that little children can make and detonate bombs but God is with Nigeria and we will overcome our challenges. We need to be united. There are rivalries everywhere including at the political level, we have only one country and should not destroy it.

   “Take the case of Ebola as an instance. When Patrick Sawyer brought the Ebola virus to Nigeria, it was first witnessed in Lagos State. In terms of political party, Lagos is governed by an opposition party while the central government is PDP. From Lagos, it moved to Rivers State which is also controlled by an opposition party. But all Nigerians fought Ebola irrespective of political and ethnic affiliations. We were able to win the war against Ebola because all Nigerians agreed that we must win the war against Ebola.”

   The president noted that Nigeria wouldn’t have come together as one under the 1914 amalgamation without the hand of God. “The amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 was not by accident,” he said.

  “What makes us great is our diversity, we need to unite. We have started very well in some areas, have challenges in some areas but we are moving in the right direction. We have put in place structures that would help us solve our problems”, he said.

  He thanked Christians and other Nigerians who constantly pray for the nation and commended the security agencies especially the Armed Forces, and appealed to Nigerians to encourage them to enable the country to tackle Boko Haram.

    Jonathan who said he would not make a long speech said: “Whenever I listen to a clergyman after a powerful message, I don’t like to dilute it with political statements. Also, this is a period that whatever you say would be used against you. The fewer words you use, the better.”

  In his sermon, the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, said that most of the troubles of the country, including corruption and terrorism, were self-inflicted.

   He said: “Life has troubles, there is trouble even when you are not looking for trouble, trouble just comes.   It does not need an invitation, but many are the troubles of the righteous but the Lord delivers him from them all. There are self-inflicted troubles. Most of the troubles of Nigeria are self-inflicted. Corruption is self-inflicted, it is caused by greed, thinking that what you have is not enough and always struggling to get more. There is corruption in high and low places, it has become a way of life. There is corruption everywhere. Terrorism is self -inflicted, tribalism and nepotism are self-inflicted.” 

   He said that about two years ago, he went to the American Congress and told them to designate Boko Haram as a terrorist organisation as according to him,  terrorism is not fueled  by poverty even though poverty can create  the ground for more people to be recruited.

     According to the cleric, terrorism is caused by extreme religious ideology and to solve the problem of terrorism, the Armed Forces must be encouraged and there must also be plans to de-radicalise those who are already radicalised.   He urged that “we must stop pretending as a nation and unmask those behind insurgency in the country.”

    He warned those troubling Nigeria to get ready for God’s judgement. “You will not get away with it. The judgement of God will find those who are troubling Nigeria. Nigeria is not being troubled by any other person other than Nigerians. There is a repercussion, “he said.

  According to him, Nigeria will not sink because someone supernatural is in the boat. “God preserved Nigeria through a 30-month civil war, Nigeria will get to its destination, Boko Haram will not consume Nigeria because God is in control. This nation will not be taken over by evil, peace is coming to Nigeria, from north to the south, east to the west, we will hold hands and walk on the street and tell people that Nigeria is one”, he said. 

   He noted that God would use the occasion of the 54th independence anniversary to unite Nigeria, bring peace to the country and take it where it is supposed to be.

  Present at the service were President of the Senate, David Mark, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives,  Emeka Ihedioha, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, former Head of Interim Government, Chief Earnest Shonekan, Secretary to the Government of the Federation,  Anyim Pius Anyim, Service Chiefs, cabinet ministers and members of the diplomatic corps.

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Four Nigerians get double honours, three receive houses

•  Jonathan places national flag designer on salary of presidential aide for life

•  Maiden Alex-Ibru dedicates award to  her late husband, staff, readers 

FOR their diligence, dedication to duty and honesty, four Nigerians received double honours at yesterday’s conferment of national awards on distinguished Nigerians and foreigners. 

   The event was part of the activities for the 54th independence anniversary.

  The special awardees included Mr. Imeh Usuah, the taxi driver, who in 2007 returned N18 million left in his cab by a foreigner who hired him from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja; Mr. Onuh Isaac Michael, the Chief Steward of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, who served nine Presidents and Heads of State right from the Second Republic, Corporal Solomon Dauda, a traffic warden stationed at a strategic location in the Federal Capital Territory and Mr. Taiwo Akinkunmi, the 77-year-old designer of the national flag. 

  The Publisher of The Guardian, Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru, who received the MFR alongside others, said that the award would   inspire her to attain greater heights.  She dedicated the award to her late husband, the staff of The Guardian  and the reading public.

  She said she received the award with mixed feelings, noting, “whatever your president decides to offer you, you must accept it graciously, so I’m actually thankful. This is the first time I’m attending even as a guest.” 

   Mrs. Alex-Ibru said she was not expecting the award, disclosing  that  she was at a meeting when her son received a text message congratulating him on this award.

  She said the event meant that there was hope for Nigeria,  noting that  “all we need to do is to put our house in order because the country is such a blessed country,  with human resources, natural resources. But you can’t do these things if there is no stability,  no peace, if the country doesn’t feel secure and the threat we are experiencing is not coming from outside, it is coming from within and so it is really quite bad. And  I  just hope that God will intervene very soon so that the country can continue to enjoy some peace and we can all get on with the business of the day.”

  On her advice for other Nigerians, she  said: “Everybody should try to put in their best in whatever they do.”  Citing  the case of the taxi driver, the publisher said he returned the money seven years ago, “but you can see that honesty pays. It has been not just an honour but also he is going home with a three-bedroom flat and I’m genuinely happy for him.”

  Besides the various categories of national awards, the three recipients got three-bedroom flats in the FCT, while Akinkunmi is to receive the salary of a special assistant to the president for life. 

   Akinkunmi was awarded the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR); Usuah got the Member of the Order of Federal Republic ( MFR); while Onuh and Dauda received the  Member of the Order of the Niger ( MON).

  The president directed the Minister of the FCT, Bala Mohammed, to immediately make available the houses to the trio whom he  specially called to the podium. The president further directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, to place septuagenarian Akinkunmi on a lifetime salary of a special assistant to the president.

   The two other beneficiaries of the house largesse were Usuah and Dauda. Dauda was recognised for his exceptional dedication to duty at his post in Abuja.

  Jonathan expressed the hope that the recognition accorded all the recipients would inspire other Nigerians to rededicate themselves to rendering services to the country and humanity.

   He underscored the essence of the awards, pointing out that “no great nation toys with honours that constitute its national code of ethics.” The president said a national honour must never be seen as a piece of paper or garland that could be obtained by persons of questionable character.

   He therefore urged Nigerians to actively participate in the nomination process whenever it is advertised in the media, and noted that the broader spectrum exhibited in this year’s award was an indication of  a wide search conducted by the Honours Committee.

  Jonathan lamented that much of society had lost respect for noble ‎professions and vocations, adding that there was a  time when people feared to tread near places of worship whereas religious houses had now become targets of bombings and vandalism.

   “A nation is void and soulless if she does not have those sacred values it holds dear and individuals who project them. It is in such men and women that you find the authentic inheritance of the generations and their nurturing. That is why a nation is poor that is not rich in people who carry noble values that are transferred from generation to generation.

   “No great nation will toy with honours that constitute her trans-generational character code. This was why I insisted last year that our national honour must never be seen as a piece of paper or garland round the neck which individuals not worthy of honour can pick up and continue to project wrong values that diminish our heritage.

  “I also directed the National Honours Committee to always cast their net wide to ensure that all strata of our society where honourable Nigerians are excelling should be brought into the honours’ fold.”

  The president urged all Nigerians to participate in the selection of those they thought deserved the awards, saying that was the only way Nigerians could claim the ownership of the exercise even as he urged Nigerians in all their professional callings to strive to give their best, saying recognition could come through such efforts.

  The president recalled that in the past, honesty and dedication were prominent virtues, saying the decadence the country was experiencing was as a result of the loss of these virtues.

  He said: “I believe one of the reasons why our society is not at ease is because we have neglected our ennobling traditional value system. There was a time in our country that when you were honoured with traditional or religious titles in any community, you were deemed to personify the highest ethos of that community.

  “It was a period when a teacher was the hallmark of the most honourable values in a settlement. The bank manager in any community was a man of high probity in whose care people trusted their money and were rest assured.

  “It was a period when people kept quiet and walked gently when they approached a place of worship for the fear of God in their heart, not now that people throw explosives in places of worship.

  “We must get back those time-honoured values that shaped us for good so that we can live right. This is what the National Honour in its truest essence seeks to do. To identify and celebrate men and women whose lives depict the very essence of societal existence. Therefore, at all times, our honourees must be sincere men and women who point society in the right direction and mirror the possibilities of greatness unlimited.”

   He congratulated all the awardees and enjoined them all to realise that the honours their country bestowed on  them was  an additional responsibility to continue to demonstrate the strength of character that had brought them  to the hall of fame. He insisted that their lifestyles must be exemplary and reflect those of  truly honourable men or women. 

   “To all our country men and women, my challenge to you is to strive to do the best in whatever endeavour you are in, that would recommend you for the recognition of your nation. It really does not matter what you do”, he said.

  Jonathan said: “Let me specially appreciate these people, the taxi driver, Imeh Usuah, corporal Solomon Dauda, presidential steward, Mr. Isaac Michael Onuh. Those who take to criminality because of poverty are not quite right because myself and some of you here knew where we are coming from. We passed through stress but we didn’t take to criminality. For these gentlemen, we appreciate you. FCT minister give one flat each to the three of them.”

   On the presidential steward, he said: “A very dedicated steward who has served every head of state loyally since President Shehu Shagari. From Shagari till today, to have survived about nine presidents and nine first ladies, you must be a great man.”

  On the reward to the national flag designer, he said: “As someone who contributed so much to the history of this country, the person who designed the Nigerian flag, Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi, who was also honoured here, you have to place him on a salary of special assistant to the president forever.”

  According to him, the Act empowered the president to confer national honours on deserving Nigerians and friends of Nigeria who have distinguished themselves by their various contributions to the peace, growth, development and well-being of the country.

  He noted that the annual award which was suspended during the military rule was restored following the restoration of democratic rule in the country.

  The highest honour for this year - Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) went to Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, Lt-General Kenneth Minimah, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin,  ‎Air Marshal Adesola Amosun, Acting Inspector General of Police Suleiman Abbah, Justice Bolarinwa Babalakin, Justice Chukwuma Eneh, National Security Adviser  (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki ( rtd) and Alhaji Bukar Goni Aj, immediate past Head of Civil Service of the Federation, among others.

  The President of the Court of Appeal, Zainab Bulkachuwa (CFR) on behalf of the recipients, said the honour would serve to ginger the awardees to do more for the nation.

  The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, recalled that the annual awards were instituted by the Order of Dignity Act of 1963. The ceremony was, however, suspended during a greater part of military rule in the country, and it didn’t take place last year, thus making this year’s event a combination of 2013 and 2014 ‎award ceremonies.

  “That is why the Golden Eaglets who lifted the FIFA Under-17 World Cup last year, have now been formally honoured with Member of the Order of the Niger (MON)”, Anyim explained.

  The Chairman of the Honours Award Committee and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Alfa Belgore, said a rigorous screening process was used to select persons of honour and impeccable character deserving of the awards.

  A total of 4,737 persons have received all categories of the national honours from 1963 to date, disclosed Belgore as he declared that  the  number (313) honoured for 2014 indicated the stability of the polity.

   Belgore noted that the recipients were carefully selected for the award for the recognition of their invaluable contributions towards the actualisation of the  success of the nation.

  He said: “The scheme is designed as a catalyst for development of the spirit of nationalism, selfless service to humanity and as an instrument of reward for those identified to have made meaningful contributions  towards the nation’s greatness and achievement.

  “The National Honours Award recipients emerged through a very rigorous and painstaking selection by a screening process which was carried out by the National Honours  Award committee set up by the president.

  “The process was carefully designed to ensure that only credible individuals, men and women of impeccable characters and those who have contributed positively towards our continued efforts at attaining greatness as a nation were being considered for the prestigious National Honours Award.”

  He said since the inception of the scheme in 1963, more than 4500 Nigerians and friends of Nigerians had been honoured with a breakdown as follows: 15 persons have received the award of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic ( GCFR); 35 persons have so far been conferred with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger ( GCON); 283 persons have so far been conferred with the Commander of the Federal Republic ( CFR) and 508 persons have been awarded the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

  He said 889 persons had been conferred with the Officer of the Federal Republic ( OFR) award; 1,218 have been conferred with the Officer of the Order of the Niger ( OON); 871 persons have been conferred with the Member of the Federal Republic award, while 708 persons have received  the Member of the Order of the Niger ( MON); 140 persons got the Federal Republic Merit ( FRM)1 and 72 persons have received  the Federal Republic Medal ( FRM) 11.

  In attendance were Senate President, ‎David Mark, Ike Ekweremadu, Emeka Ihedioha, Alooma Mukhtar, Adamu Muazu, Tony Anenih, governors, ministers, and family members of awardees.

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TB Joshua T.B. Joshua Prophecies About Plane Hijacking By "Militants"

Famous Nigerian pastor and the general overseer of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), T.B. Joshua, came up with another warning message during the Sunday service, September 7.

Pastor T.B. Joshua

Speaking with his congregation, Joshua urged people to pray for Pope Francis of the Catholic Church and prophesied the upcoming plane hijacking by “militants”, Nigerian Eye reports.
The prophet with admirers not only among ordinary people, but also among politicians and celebrities, in Nigeria and worldwide, said he saw “a very big religious leader”, the one he characterized as a “father” figure respected by millions in different parts of the world.
Joshua continued that he had seen an alarming “vision” about him.
“I have been praying for him… They should pray for him,” Joshua proceeded, although not specifying which area people should direct their prayer towards… The clergyman I am talking about is the Pope.”

Pope Francis

The Nigerian prophet also claimed he had seen the “Breaking News” about the hijacker, the militant capturing the plane:

“They will attempt to enter a plane. You will hear ‘Breaking News’ of a hijacker inside the plane that carried the plane from its original direction to another direction. We should pray so that it will not just end like that and we learn that there’s a crash.”
The last statement probably referred to the tragedy, which occurred in the United Sates on September 11, 2001, when Al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked  planes and crashed them into the towers of World Trade Center in New York.
“This is another big attempt they want to do.”
It would be recalled that last week Joshua prophesied a plane crash “in the unstable region near Russia and Ukraine” and urged people to pray for the US President Barack Obama, because the cleric saw him “being rushed to the hospital”. As for Obama, he said that the country leader would recover. He also spoke about a militant attack against a top official in Southern Africa, and in relation to this called for prayer for Kenya.

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Confab: Adoke Heads Presidential C’ttee On Implementation

President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the setting up of a Presidential Committee to study and draw up the implementation strategy for the recently-concluded 2014 National Conference.
 

This was contained in a terse statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the Assistant Director (Press) in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Oise Johnson.
According to the statement, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) is to serve as chairman while the SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim will function as Secretary of the committee.
Other members of the committee, the statement said, include the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar; Minister of State for Finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda; Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka; Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory Administration, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide and Minister of Works, Architect Mike Onolememen.
The committee’s terms of reference include studying the Report of the 2014 National Conference; articulating the recommendations therein and developing appropriate strategies for its implementation and advising the Federal Government on all matters necessary for the effective implementation of the Report.
The statement encouraged the committee to commence work immediately

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See How FG Has Currently No Plan To Persecute Ihejirika And Sheriff

The Nigerian authorities has claimed they did not plan prosecute General Onyeabo Azubuike Ihejirika and Ali Modu Sheriff based solely on the allegations by Australian negotiator Stephen Davis.

It would be recalled that the confusing story started with the disclosures made by Mr Davis, who had been allegedly hired by President Goodluck Jonathan and had spent 4 months in Nigeria negotiating with Boko Haram commanders on Chibok girls release. The Australian said that ex Chief of Army Staff Ihejirika and the former Borno State governor Modu Sheriff were one of major insurgency sponsors in the country. According to Davis, several Boko Haram commanders provided this information personally to him.
Following a series of reports and interviews with the expert, the Nigerian officials yesterday responded to his statements saying that the government had not hired the Australian as a negotiator at all however vowed to investigate the allegations concerning Ihejirika and Sheriff.

Onyeabo Azubuike Ihejirika

The coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mike Omeri insisted:

“For now, the Federal Government of Nigeria have not appointed anyone to negotiate on its behalf with the Boko Haram sect, anytime it decides to do so, the Federal Government will make it known to the public. On the various allegations made by the alleged negotiator, the Federal Government is still investigating it, whatever should be done rightly will be done but there is no plan to probe any Nigerian for now.”
Reacting to the accusation, Ali Modu Sheriff vowed to sue the Australian calling his claims baseless. However Davis did not seem to be bothered with the possible legal proceeding. Moreover, he urged for it saying:
“Good luck to him if he decides to sue me in Australia. He can’t buy the judges here. Truth is not for sale. Australia has zero toleration for those who might sponsor terrorism.”

Ali Modu Sheriff. Photo: saharareporters.com

Meanwhile Nigerian human rights lawyer Femi Falana also insisted on Sheriff’s involvement in sponsoring Boko Haram and referred to the findings of the investigation panel previously set up to discover roots of terrorism in the country. Falana additionally disclosed that ex-governor was arrested in 2012 by Cameroonian security:
“In October 2012, Sheriff was arrested in Cameroon on crime committed by the Boko Haram he sponsored. The state government pleaded with the Cameroonian government to release him because he is a well known man here and he cannot be arrested.”

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Australian Negotiator Stephen Davis Dares Sheriff To Sue Him

Australian negotiator Stephen Davis who last week named Ali Modu Sheriff as one of Boko Haram sponsors dared ex Borno governor to sue him.

Dr Stephen Davis

Davis, who had spent 4 months in Nigerian and exposed his life to extreme danger while negotiating with sect commander over Chibok girls release, recently claimed that Sheriff was involved in funding terrorist activities in the country. Outraged by the comments the former governor described the scandalous allegations as baseless and vowed to initiate legal proceedings against the Australian. Sheriff also expressed his readiness to appear before any panel in to have his name cleared.
According to Africa Independent Television, now Davis fires back again in today’s  interview with the Nigerian TheCable and insists on Sheriff’s involvement:
“He is worried, is he? He knows that if he goes to court, the evidence will be produced and he cannot escape justice. Let him go to court if that is what he wishes. It is his right to do so. He will not be able to avoid close examination and then the facts will be known.”

Ali Modu Sheriff. Credits: saharareporters.com

Davis seems undisturbed with ex-governor’s threats to sue him and also makes a sarcastic remark about the corruption in Nigeria’s justice system:
“Good luck to him if he decides to sue me in Australia. He can’t buy the judges here. Truth is not for sale. Australia has zero toleration for those who might sponsor terrorism. No one should be above the law whether in Australia or Nigeria. Justice must be served for every Nigerian killed, every girl and boy kidnapped, every girl raped, every person who has lost their home in the course of this violence. It seems to me the extent of involvement of every person named by Boko Haram as a sponsor should be closely and thoroughly examined by the correct authorities.”
Davis refers to the information provided to him by different Boko Haram commanders “individually and separately” in different periods of time and once again insists that he is “very sure” of the facts about Sheriff’s sponsoring.
The Australian specialist estimates Sheriff’s attempts to deny allegations as poor.
“I read his defence on the media this week. Rather than come out as a statement of facts, it read like a novel of unconvincing fiction. In the last 48 hours, I have been in touch with some commanders of the group and they maintain their stand on Sheriff’s involvement. Sheriff’s ploy of casting himself as a victim is a poor attempt at disguising his sponsorship as alleged by the Boko Haram commanders.”
It will be recalled that Stephen Davis has made a series of striking revelations in the recent month, both to international and Nigerian media, about those who sponsor insurgency in the North-East of the country. His position has remained unchanged: Sheriff is among those who should answer for being linked with Boko Haram, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) helps passing Boko Haram funds “through legal channels”, many of the insurgency sponsors are in the opposition.

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