Another Chibok School Girl Rescued By Troops

Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole deployed in Pulka on Thursday rescued one of the Chibok girls abducted by Boko Haram terrorists earlier in 2014.

So far, preliminary investigations revealedB that the young girl identified as Salomi Pagu is the same as the Chibok girl published on serial 86 of the online list of abducted Chibok girls.

Currently the girl who was intercepted in the company of another young girl, Jamila Adams about 14 years old with a child are in the safe custody of troops and receiving medical attention.

By: NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE On Thursday, January 04, 2018

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FULL LETTER: OAU Governing Council Members Query FG over Dissolution

8th July, 2016

HIS EXCELLENCY,
PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI
PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA,
COMMANDER IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES,
VISITOR TO OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, ILE-IFE
OSUN STATE.

Through:
The Honourable Minister of Education
office of the Honourable Minister
Phase III, Federal Secretariat
Shehu Shagari Way
Abuja.

Through:
The Executive Secretary
National Universities Commission
Maitama
Abuja.

Your Excellency Sir,

IN THE SERVICE OF OUR COUNTRY

I write on behalf of the "External members" of the Governing Council of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State consisting of the following:

Professor Rowland Ndoma-Egba Chairman
Arc Omoyele Daniel Member
Chief Moses Otazi Member
Hon. Tijjani Goni M. Guzamala Member
Barrister S. I. Ameh, SAN Member
Ms Ann Ebun Haruna Rep of Fed Min of Education

Mr President, the most important reason for this write-up is, to express our profound gratitude to the government for giving us the privileged opportunity to serve our great country as Council members of one of the top four first generation universities in this country. We feel privileged and greatly favoured when we consider that to select 5 members to join a Council from a population of over 170 million could not have been an easy task. Once more, our profound gratitude.
Your Excellency, running a university in a manner to achieve set objectives has never been easy anywhere in the world. This is understandably more so in our environment plagued with various challenges including poor financial resources, trades union matters, poor, decayed or decaying infrastructure, inadequate power and water supply, social maladies like cultism, tribalism and unemployment. In spite of all these challenges, the External members of Council working in close harmony with Internal members and Administration have been able since inauguration in February, 2013 to score tangible, verifiable achievements. The opportunities to achieve more have been identified and Council has been working assiduously to achieve them. The achievements of our Council will come as a separate report at the appropriate time. We were however, astonished when we heard over mass media including advertorial in print media that our Council, together with that of the University of Port Harcourt have been dissolved with immediate effect on July, 1, 2016.
We are not in a position to say why University of Port Harcourt Council was dissolved.

We are also, unfortunately, unable to say why our Council – Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) was also dissolved since the advertorial did not say so. We feel obliged however, that it is in the interest of our integrity given the high confidence reposed in us by government to adduce the possible reasons for this action and perhaps present our side of the story. Your Excellency, it is an act of wisdom to appreciated that they are two sides to a story. We are left with no other option than this since we were not queried or given the opportunity to defend ourselves before the punishment was meted out. Perhaps as free citizens saddled with such high social responsibility, we deserved more. The second part of this communication is an attempt to explain our own side of events. Our objective is not to challenge government action but to leave a written permanent record of events that probably led to the dissolution of OAU Council.

The immediate cause of the dissolution of the OAU Governing Council (OAUGC) must be the appointment of the 11th Vice-Chancellor(VC) of OAU. The term of the incumbent was to end on 23, June, 2016.

DUE PROCESS FOR APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHANCELLOR:
Your Excellency, the appointment of VCs in any Federal University ought not to be "rocket science" because the Federal Ministry of Education(FME) has produced in conjunction with the National Universities Commission(NUC) a complete, detailed directory on how it should be done! Called "APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHANCELLORS, RECTORS AND PROVOSTS"…….."WE CAN".

Using this FME guide, Council set out a due process that will ensure that a VC elect emerges by April,12, 2016. That will allow the VC elect to understudy the incumbent VC for a period of approximately 2 months before taking over. This is again aimed at a seamless and effective transition with good governance. Based on this philosophy, the following time-table evolved:
1.Dec15-17, 2015: Advertisement of vacancy with clearly spelt out criteria/template for the candidate that befits the status, age and international standing of OAU. This will ensure a transparent, verifiable, just and fair process. * While the template recommended 2 national dailies, we advertised in6 national dailies.

2.Jan 28, 2016: Special Council meeting to select Chairman of "The search Team" who must be an external member of Council. *Chief Moses Otazi was unanimously elected. Other members of the team as provided by the FME guide: two members of Senate who are not members of Council, one of whom must be a Professor; two members of Congregation who are not members of the Council, one of whom shall be a Professor

3.Jan 28,2016. Closure of Application for post of VC

4.Feb 1, 2016. Search team commences activities

5.March, 7 2016. Search team concludes its activities. * Over 10 universities visited and over 90 Professors head-hunted. No external applicant in spite of search!

6.March, 8, 2016. Council to consider and short-list applications already submitted by interested candidates. Advert used as template for the short-listing process. Before opening the boxes containing applications, Council debated the criteria and decided on the weighting of each of the criteria.*Curriculum vitae and submission of referees were used for the short listing. Before the scoring began, the cut-off point for short-listing was also agreed upon! * At the end of the short-listing exercise, 6 candidates were short-listed – IN ALPHABETAICAL ORDER AND WITHOUT SCORES IN THE RECOMMENDATION TO THE SELECTION BOARD!

7. March, 18, 2016. Invitation to short-listed candidates to attend Interaction/Interview with Joint Council and Senate Selection Board.

8.April, 6, 2016: Selection of Joint Council and Senate Selection Board according to FME guide:
Pro-Chancellor (Chairman)
Two members of Council who are not members of Senate (Members)
Two member of the Senate who are Professors but not members of Search Team (Members)
National Character Commission (Observers)
Rep of FME (Observer)

9.April 7-8, 2016: Formal Interaction between candidates and the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board. *On 7th April, 2016, while waiting to commence the interaction/interview, two unions SSANU and NASU who had been on strike for some "allowances and palliatives" from the outgoing administration, turned their vengeance towards the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board. It would seem at this point, that all efforts were being harnessed to frustrate the Selection Board. It would seem that the strike action was hijacked and further sponsored by some vested interests who did not want the due process to continue. It would also seem that the delay tactics were aimed at enabling SSANU and NASU to get a COURT INJUNCTION to stop the process. On persuasion by administration, we called a meeting of Council at the International Conference Centre to consider the aborted Interaction process at 11.30pm. It is amazing that the SSANU and NASU strikers became severely violent and restive. When I called out to the incumbent VC to call the Police, he said the Police Commissioner REFUSED TO ANSWER! It even became more serious when I asked him to call the SSS and the VC said THE SSS FEARED THAT THE WORKERS COULD BE ARMED AND SO WILL NOT COME!!!! At this point (12.30am), I had to call Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11

Your Excellency, that the External members are alive to tell this story owes everything to the concern and bravery of the Ooni of Ife. THAT THE SECURITY SERVICES ABANDONED US TO THE WHIMS AND CAPRICES OF AN IRATE, WILD AND VIOLENT WORKERS CANNOT BE ACCEPTABLE. The Council then took the decision on advice to hold future meetings of the Selection board in Abuja. The Administration informed Council that there is a purported injunction and that same was purportedly served on the University restraining Council from continuing with the exercise. To this, I am glad to report that the University has not been served with any injunction until date.

10.May 31, 2016. Emergency Meeting of Council in Abuja:

Following the severe violence by SSANU and NASU who ordinarily have no role in the selection of a VC, compounded by the failure of the Security services to protect us, we held our Council meeting in Abuja. This had 3 purposes:

1.The state of the legal process
2.The need of the Selection Board to hold the interaction
3.The need to prevent a vacuum in Ife following the expiration of the term of the incumbent VC on 23/6/16.

At the end of the Council meeting, the evaluation of the situation showed the following:
1. After 2 months, there is no documentation to show that there is any court injunction preventing Council from carrying on its legitimate functions.

2. The Department of Tertiary Education had written dated 18/5/16 with ref FME/HE/CU/3A/T/128; wrote and advised the Council to continue.

3.The Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN) who is member of Council was of the opinion that legally we had no legal encumbrance restraining Council from its normal activities although the matter could be classified as "Les Pendens"!

Based on above considerations, Council directed the Joint Selection Board to go on and conduct the interaction with short-listed candidates.

11. June,6, 2016:
INTERACTION/INTERVIEW BY JOINT SELECTION BOARD

Following adequate evidence that all short-listed candidates were duly informed, the interaction was held at the Committee of Vice-Chancellors(CVC) building at 10 am. Three (3) short-listed candidates showed up for the interaction and were duly accredited. Two candidates withdrew from the interview; one for personal health reasons and the other candidate withdrew in protest for the change of interview venue from Ife. The interview followed the template of the FME/NUC guide. The Federal Character Commission and the FME representative were in attendance as observers.

Modus Operandi: This followed the guideline strictly in a transparent verifiable and fair manner. Each candidate had an IT exercise (same for all) for 5minutes, then made an oral presentation for a minimum of 30 minutes to sell his vision, mission and objectives. Scoring was individual. Candidates then had a final 10-20 minutes interaction. Final scores was by fining the mean of all scores.

12.June, 6, 2016
EMERGENCY MEETING OF COUNCIL TO RECEIVE RESULT OF JOINT COUNCIL AND SENATE SELECTION BOARD
Following conclusion of the interview/interaction of the Joint Council Senate Selection Board, the result of the exercise was presented to the full Council. Council accepted the report which was then adopted for discussion The full Council after consideration of the report, approved that Professor Ayobami Taofeek Salami as the 11th Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University having performed best at the interaction/interview.

At this Juncture, it is pertinent to draw your attention to the obvious fact that Prof. Ayobami Taofeek Salami after his selection, confirmation by Council, clearance by the Federal Character Commission and subsequent appointment has taken over as the 11th Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University and has been serving in that capacity without any impediments whatsoever since the 24th day of June, 2016.

13. MATTERS ARISING:
A. EVENTS OF 7/4/16:
While performing our legitimate functions as the Governing Council of OAU, we were held hostage by violent NASU and SSANU members. These are people whose "industrial actions are really feared because of their violence which include a prominent use of juju"…Prof Roger Makanjuola (former VC, OAU. Is somebody saying that having faced this ordeal as hostages, and having been abandoned by the Security services, we deserve to be dissolved as a reward? Our witness is His Royal Majesty, the Ooni of Ife who deserves a special national honours for saving our lives.

B.COURT MATTERS:
Up to this point of writing, the Council has not sighted a Court order of any form not to talk of an injunction. The Council is therefore not in contempt of any court process. Even if the Council is in contempt, does the court need any external agency to hold its brief?

CUNIVERSITY AUTONOMY:
As a Council, we have never been able to understand the real meaning of "University Autonomy". We find it hard to understand how running the affairs of the University within its Statutes and laws calls for sanctions. Even so, does the Council not deserve a right of fair hearing? How do others learn to perform better?

D.SSANU, NASU & POST OF VC
It is unbelievable that strike action by NASU and SSANU is being used to determine who becomes VC. In pidgin English they ask "wetin concern fowl with who chop kola?" It would seem that these are paid mercenaries! What remains frightening to this moment is why the Security services have tolerated the continued disobedience of the law with impunity. They have occupied the Administrative building since April. Although the police asked that we evacuate students, and the University was promptly closed, the Police are still to take action!

It is however to our chagrin, that until this moment neither SSANU, NASU nor any other union whatsoever within the University, has written a petition to the Council or the joint Committee expressing their grievances with the process of the selection of the 11th Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).

E.CONCLUSION:
In an article titled "Stigmatizing President Buhari", Prof Olusola Adeyeye puts it aptly: "The toxicity of half-truths rarely emanates from the profligacy of falsehood but rather from the subtle distortion of truth! Blatant falsehood is intuitively obvious and as such easy to reject. By contrast, when truth is softly bent, it takes great discernment to perceive its toxicity"!

The Governing Council of OAU stands by its honour and integrity and is willing to appear before anybody to defend itself! In the interest of our country we will act the same way without consideration for whose horse is gored. If this is aimed at securing power through the backdoor for any person, it is most unfortunate at this time of the CHANGE!!!!

Please see the following annexures
(a)The Letter of Clearance by the Federal Character Commission

(b)Letter from Director Tertiary Education had written dated 18/5/16 with ref FME/HE/CU/3A/T/128

I thank you for your patience, your Excellency

Prof. Rowland Ndoma-Egba

CC.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation
OSGF
Three Arm Zone
Abuja.

By: NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE On Sunday, July 17, 2016

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Ekiti to focus on education, agric

We’ve lost our place in education, agric – Fayemi

by Sodiq Oyeleke ⁠

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi laments the state has lost its number one position in education and agriculture.

Fayemi said this at a Business Luncheon organised by the Academics for Entreprenuer Studies in Lagos on Thursday.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Ekiti State: Investment Opportunities and Challenges,’ he said his administration was putting in place measures to restore the lost value.

The governor said, “We have lost our pride of place in education and agriculture. We were known to be educated and blessed with abundance of resources, but not now. This administration is doing everything possible to bring back the lost glory. My responsibility is to create value and standard for the state and not to fault those who have caused the challenges.

“We should live to the appelation of ensuring standard instead of turning education down. We are trying to work on it. We have also focused our agenda on agriculture, since we know that 70 per cent of our population are on the farm but in a sustenance economy. We want them to go commercial.”

He added that part of the measures to enhance quality education in the state was to organise an examination for the teachers to test their proficiency, but wondered why the teachers had refused to take the examination.

“Imagine teachers are afraid to take the examination of Junior Secondary School Three, which they teach. This is why we are disagreeing, because I’m afraid that the future of the children will be jeopardised,” he said.

According to him, the state is making plans to build a local airport to boost business.

He added,”We are aware that there are lots of International airports in the country, we are planing to build a local airport to facilitate that development of local businesses in our state.”

"...We are planning to plant agricultural plantation for cocoa, cassava, yam rice and so many others, having fully known that our state is one of the major supplier of agricultural products..."

President of the AES Excellence Club, Dr. Ausbeth Ajagu, advised that states should devote their plans to the development of local industries by purchasing locally produced goods.

“Patronage of locally made equipment and facilities will help to grow industries and enhance development as it will equally provide job for the youth,” he said.

By: NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE On Friday, June 15, 2012

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Bribery: Police to declare Farouk Lawan wanted

Bribery: Police to declare Farouk Lawan wanted


THE Chairman of the House of Representatives probe panel on fuel subsidy management, Farouk Lawal, on Wednesday failed to show up at the police headquarters for interrogation.

An highly placed source in the police told our correspondent that the Force had concluded arrangement to declare the lawmaker wanted.

Acording to the police, there is enough evidence to declare the lawmaker wanted over the allegation by billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, that Lawan took $620,000 bribe from him.

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the probe of fuel subsidy mismanagement, Mr. Farouk Lawan
| credits: File

The Special Task Force investigating the bribery allegation waited in vain for the dimunitive lawmaker at the Force headquarters, Abuja on Wednesday.

A member of the investigating team, who spoke to our correspondent in confidence, said the police had enough evidence against Lawan, including the video, which he said contained what transpired between him and Otedola.

The source said the STF would invite other oil marketers who allegedly gave bribes to Lawan, for interrogation.

“The police expect him (Lawan) to honour the invitation, but, anytime from now, we will declare him wanted, if he does not show up. We have enough evidence to proscute the case, but we believe we can handle the matter in a civilised manner and that is why we invited him to come and help us with information on the case,” the member of the investigating team said.

The source said that Lawan had since June 4, 2012, been invited by the police to assist them in the investigation into the bribery scam.

Otedola, who was also summoned by the police, appeared before the STF on Tuesday, where he was said to have written a detailed statement on his encounter with the lawmaker and how he gave the bribe to him.

Another source explained that investigators had watched the video of the encounter between Farouk and Otedola, adding that the STF was convinced that the lawmaker had “a big case” to answer.

“The audio and video evidence before us strongly showed that Lawan has a case to answer because he was graphically seen accepting the money. We also saw Boniface Emenalo in the video wearing ‘resource control’ attire and pocketing dollar bills,” another source confirmed.

Lawan had on Monday said the video was doctored and that what was seen was his ‘caricature.’

Sources within the police confided in our correspondent that the investigating team strongly believed that Lawan had fleeced other oil marketers in the course of executing his committee’s mandate.

Our correspondent gathered that the police were sure that Farouk had fleeced other oil marketers in the course of carrying out his committee assignment.

“Some marketers, who allegedly bribed the committee will also be invited for interrogation,” a member of the STF said.

The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, was said to have shown serious interest in seeing that the case reached a logical conclusion. But according to a senior police officer, the IG wanted due process to be followed, hence the invitation to both Lawan and Otedola.

STF investigators were said to be angry that Lawan was trying to delay their work by not honouring the invitation and keeping the exhibit away, but the IG was said to have insisted that due process be followed, no matter the time it took.

Detectives handling the case said the lawmaker had no reason to take the exhibit to the House chamber. They wonder whether the House of Representatives had become a police station where exhibits are kept.

Head of the STF, Ali Amodu, had, in a letter dated June 4, 2012, written to the Speaker of the House, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, stated that the IGP had ordered a detailed criminal investigation into the bribery allegation.

He had also sought the assistance of the Speaker for Lawan to appear before the investigating team.

Before the June 4 letter, Amodu had written Lawan on May 16, requesting the money exhibit, names of witnesses and other material evidence from him.

Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, could not be reached on Wednesday for comments. His mobile phone was switched off.
Source: The Punch Newspaper

By: NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE On Thursday, June 14, 2012

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Stop diversion, implement fuel subsidy report, NLC tells FG

NLC TO FG: STOP THE DIVERSIONS. IMPLEMENT FUEL SUBSIDY REPORT NOW! -

Press Statement

The ongoing accusations and counter accusations between the Chairman of the Adhoc Committee of the House of Representatives on petroleum subsidy, Honourable Farouk Lawal and the Chairman of Zenon Petroleum, Mr. Femi Otedola over allegations of bribery involving the sum of $600,000, as serious as it is, should not be used to divert attention on the implementation of the report of the committee.

For us, we believe that Nigerians should not be overburdened with an issue that should strictly be the burden of appropriate security agencies, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Whether or not the Chairman or the entire members of the Adhoc committee solicited for and received gratifications to compromise the outcome of the committee’s investigations though quite disturbing, the final report of the committee still contains names and details enough for thorough and transparent investigation. The report, which has been submitted to the executive arm, must be subjected to proper investigation and prosecution of all those indicted.

We saw in the report a confirmation of our position. We have, since the mid eighties, insisted that subsidy do not exist in the petroleum sector, rather it has always been a conduit for a few cronies of successive governments with interest in the petroleum sector to siphon public funds for their private businesses.

For us, we believe criminal matters as serious as bribery should be what the police or EFCC should take very serious interest in and not politicize the issue through unnecessary diversionary tactics. We therefore urge the EFCC to implement the report of the committee, which President Jonathan was reported to have forwarded to the agency NOW.

Kiri Mohammed
Acting President

By: NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE On Tuesday, June 12, 2012

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Dana pilot’s last conversation with air traffic controller

Dana pilot’s last conversation with air traffic controller

by Oyetunji Abioye


Good day!” These were the last two words the courageous pilot told air traffic controllers before the Dana Air flight 0992 crashed into a residential building in Iju-Ishaga, Lagos, killing all the 153 people on board and 10 people on ground on Sunday, June 3, 2012.

The transcription of the last conversation between the air traffic controller and the crew revealed that the pilots did everything to land the aircraft safely on Runway 18 Right of the Murtala Muhammed Airport.

The recording, a copy of which was obtained exclusively from a top official of the Ministry of Aviation on Monday by our correspondent, showed that the flight crew did not lose hope even up till the last second before the aircraft crashed.

The crew had believed the aircraft would make it to Runway 18R of the Lagos airport.

The transcription revealed that the aircraft had indeed lost its two engines, shortly after which the pilot declared an emergency.

This revelation is, however, contrary to the view of Dana Air’s Director of Flight Operations, Captain Oscar Wason, who had said it would be premature to conclude that aircraft lost its two engines.

Wason claimed that there was nothing to indicate that the pilot told the air traffic controller that the two engines of the aircraft had been lost.

The transcription revealed that the pilot told the controller he had “dual engine failure.”

Apart from having dual engine failure, the pilot also told the air traffic controller that he had “negative response from the throttle.”

Overall, the transcription revealed that the airplane was in a very devastating condition.

This explains why it was said to have descended very fast shortly after the pilot declared emergency, saying, “May Day, May Day”

Air traffic controllers, who spoke to our correspondent under condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to comment on the matter, confirmed that the aircraft descended very fast.

The video recording of the radar also revealed that the aircraft pilot declared emergency at about 5,000 feet above the sea level.

It further revealed that the ill-fated Boeing McDonell Douglass-83 plane disappeared from the radar at about 800 feet above the sea level.

The recording, however, confirmed Wason’s claim that the pilot of the ill-fated plane never spoke with air traffic controllers in the Control Tower.

Rather, the pilot spoke with ATCs in the radar control room of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, which is also located at the airport.

The recording also revealed that the pilot was handed over to the ATCs in the Control Tower, but he never had a chance to speak with them before the crash.
From the recording, the last words the pilot told the radar control unit was, “1181, good day,” in response to some information he had received from the ATC on duty.

The ATC had told him to contact the Control Tower on frequency 1181. The pilot, who had declared emergency to the ATCs in the radar control room, replied, “1181 good day,” meaning he had got the information.

According to ATCs, “good day” is the usual parlance they and pilots use in signing off from a conversation.

From his accent, it was obvious he was the Indian co-pilot, Mr. Mahendra Roathore, who spoke with the ATCs during the last minutes of the tragic flight.

The pilot, an American, Captain Peter Waxtan, was said to have been busy, struggling to keep the aircraft in flight, while the co-pilot spoke with the ATCs.

Below is the word-for-word account of the conversation between the crew of the ill-fated plane and the ATC on duty.

Co-pilot: “Lagos Tower, Dana code 0992!”

ATC: “Dana Code 0992, this is Lagos radar, go ahead!”

Co-pilot: “May Day! May Day! May Day! Dana code 0992 Five November Romeo Alpha Mike! (5N-RAM) dual engine failure!”

ATC: “Dana Code 0992, read me?”

Co-pilot: “I read you five by five! Dual engine failure! Negative response from throttle! Requesting for direct straight approach!”

ATC: “Alright, position it one mile to touch down, Runway 18R! Contact tower now on 1181!”

Co-pilot: “1181 Good day!”

Unfortunately, the crew never spoke with the control tower. The aircraft crashed into the residential building a few seconds after this discussion.

By: NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE On Tuesday, June 12, 2012

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Mimiko urges Nigerians to reflect on June 12

Mimiko urges Nigerians to reflect on June 12

Sodiq Oyeleke

The Ondo State Governor, Dr OLusegun Mimiko has called on Nigerians to reflect on the events and controversies that invaded the country’s evolutionary history as a nation when the will of the people of Nigeria to freely choose a leader of their choice was truncated by the annulled election of 1993.

According to a statement by the state government, Mimiko in his good will message on the occasion of the anniversary of the annulled June 12 1993 presidential election believed to have been won by Chief MKO Abiola canvassed that the only condition for peace in the country is to allow the people elect leaders of their choice.

He said, “It is a day which will continue to remind us, and the cabal which waived those controversies, that the will of the people, no matter how long it is suppressed, will eventually prevail. It is a day which has become a watershed in the political development of our dear country. It is a day we have chosen to honour as our true Democracy Day.”

“People should to reflect on the events that brought us to where we are today. After 13 years of uninterrupted civil democracy, there is no gainsaying that the way forward for our country is democracy, the peoples’ government, chosen by the people themselves. It is, perhaps, the only way to ensure peace and sustainable development in our country and in our state.”

According to him, Nigerians must emulate the late Abiola, adding that Abiola will remain to be celebrated in the country.

He said, “The dramatis personae of this day, late Chief Moshood Abiola, has become and will remain for us a symbol of that will; a symbol of our collective struggle to permanently install the culture of free and fair elections, the culture of one man one vote, into our polity.”

By: NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE On Monday, June 11, 2012

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S'West States declare public holiday

S' West states declare June 12, public holiday

Sodiq Oyeleke

Oyo, Ogun and Ekiti State governments on Sunday declared June 12, public holiday in remembrance of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.


The Oyo State government in a statement signed by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Akin Olajide, said it declared the day, earmarked as Democracy Day, to remember the anniversary of the June 12, 1993 elections, believed to be the freest and fairest election in the history of the country.

The election was generally believed to have been won by the late Chief MKO Abiola.

The government said the anniversary was also in recognition and honour of the martyrdom of Chief Abiola, who laid down his life for Nigerians to enjoy the dividends of democracy today.

Also, a statement from the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Ogun State, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, said the work-free-day was declared to honour the late martyr of democracy, Bashorun MKO Abiola.

The SSG further said in the release that the democracy day would feature a “Democracy Day Walk” which will be led by the state Governor, Ibikunle Amosun.

Adeoluwa said the walk will take off from the June 12 Cultural Centre in Kuto, Abeokuta, by 9.00 am round designated spots within metropolis.

Ekiti State government also declared Tuesday, June 12, public holiday to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election won by the late Chief MKO Abiola.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, the holiday is in line with the decision of the Dr Kayode Fayemi-led administration to accord the June 12 election its rightful place in the political development history of the country.

The statement said further that the seed that culminated into the current democratic dispensation was sown and watered by the annulled June 12, presidential election in 1993.

The statement urged the citizens to continue to work towards the socioeconomic and political advancement of the country in general and Ekiti State in particular.

Activities scheduled for the June 12 celebration in the state include a public lecture, media chat and democracy walk to be led by the governor.

In a related development, however, Governor Amosun will also be meeting with all the aspirants seeking chairmanship positions under the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

The meeting, scheduled to hold by 2.00 pm at the Presidential Lodge, Ibara, GRA, was said to be part of the preparations towards ensuring that the party has a hitch-free nomination process for the local government election that has been scheduled for July 21, this year.

By: NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE On Monday, June 11, 2012

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Lawmaker’s house demolished in Ogun

Lawmaker’s house demolished in Ogun

Written by Olayinka Olukoya, Abeokuta

A building being constructed by a member of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Honourable Adijat Oladapo-Adeleye, within the legislative quarters at Ibara GRA, was on Sunday, demolished by people suspected to be agents of the state government.

Oladapo-Adeleye, representing Ifo II state constituency, also alleged threat to her life, following the demolition of the building which she claimed was meant for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving with her.

But the lawmaker said that those who invaded her official quarters on the fateful day were hired assassins and not agents of government.

Nigerian Tribune, said it gathered from a lawmaker who did not want his name in print that those who carried out the demolition exercise were agents of the state government.

He told the Nigerian Tribune that the people, numbering 16, were working for the state Bureau of Urban Regional and Physical Planning (BURPP).

The said building, according to the source, contravened building laws of the state, adding that demolition notice had been served on the building.

But Oladapo-Adeleye insisted that no government worker, works on Sunday,  hence she could not believe that those who carried out the attack had the approval of the state government to do so.

“They came through the back perimeter fence after pulling down the fence; the house maid that was inside told me that they were shouting my name and when they discovered that I was not in, they resorted to demolishing the block that was under construction,” she said.

A lawmaker who was on ground during the demolition exercise, Honourable Samson Onademuren representing Ijebu North-East state constituency said those who carried out the exercise threatened to kill him when he attempted to stop them from carrying out the exercise.

The BURPP GM, when contacted, said he lacked the capacity to comment on the matter, while stressing that any civil servant in the state can work any day when his/ her service is needed.

By: NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE On Monday, June 11, 2012

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Kabo Air denies having old aircraft

Kabo Air denies having old aircraft
Sodiq Oyeleke

Nigerian airliner, Kabo Air Limited on Sunday denied media reports that some of its aircraft are over 30 years old.

A statement issued by its Public Relations Manager, Alhaji Aminu Hamza in Kano said the planes described in the reports were phased out many years ago.

“The planes described in the reports have been phased out many years ago and are no longer in the fleet of the airline. The management of Kabo Air is worried about the publication, entitled: “panic over age of aircraft”, published in one of the daily newspapers on June 8,” it said.

According to the statement, the report erroneously painted a picture that Kabo Air had seven aircraft in its fleet and went on to give the average age of the aircraft as 35.3 years.

The report, according to the statement, was contradictory as it specified the ages of five of the purported aircraft that were no longer in the fleet of the Kabo Airline.

“The management wishes to state that three of the said aircrafts, namely, 5N-JJJ, 5N-PDP and 5N-RRR have been phased out several years ago’’ and wondered what the report wanted to achieve.

“In view of the mourning mood of the nation as a result of the recent unfortunate air mishap, the company feels that this is not the appropriate time to boost its credentials but assured Nigerians of safe and efficient service all the time,’’ it said.

Kabo however failed to state the age of its operational fleet.

By: NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE On Monday, June 11, 2012

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HISDAY editor, Simon Kolawole, resigns in protest

HISDAY editor, Simon Kolawole, resigns in protest

Ogechi Ekeanyanwu

The paper's publisher says Mr. Kolawole is free to go in pursuit of other interest

The editor of THISDAY, Simon Kolawole, has resigned in response to Sunday’s new appointments at the newspaper which saw him removed as editor and reassigned as editorial director.

In the new appointments, Ijeoma Nwogwugwu, who was previously Editor of THISDAY on Sunday was named Mr. Kolawole’s replacement while Tunde Rahman, former editor of THISDAY on Saturday takes over from Ms. Nwogwugwu as Editor of The Sunday paper. Mr. Rahman’s deputy on the Saturday paper, Laurence Ani, was appointed the substantive editor of the Saturday newspaper.

The paper has since accepted Mr. Kolawole’s resignation. “He is free to pursue other interests,” the paper’s publisher, Nduka Obaigbena, told PREMIUM TIMES. “There is no quarrel, there is no problem.”

Mr. Kolawole was, in June 2010, appointed for a fresh three-year tenure which should lapse in June 2013. But Mr. Obaigbena, suddenly called a meeting of the board of directors of the company on Saturday to announce his plan to cut short Mr. Kolawole’s tenure, and restructure other top editorial positions at the paper.

An insider in the newspaper said shortly after the decisions were communicated to him, Mr. Kolawole turned in his resignation letter, telling colleagues that by terminating his tenure midway without even consulting him, the company had indicated that he was no longer wanted in the organization.

After he submitted his resignation letter, Mr. Kolawole turned off his mobile telephones, and had been unreachable ever since. Efforts to get him to comment for this story were unsuccessful.

“Simon was angry that he wasn’t consulted,” a source in the company said. “He felt that the company should have had a conversation with him if there was a need to cut short his tenure.”

But speaking to PREMIUM TIMES, Sunday afternoon, Mr. Obaigbena said Mr. Kolawole’s tenure had since expired, and that he should have expected his removal.

“He took over from Segun Adeniyi in June 2007 and his five-year tenure expired this June,” Mr. Obaigbena said. “Everybody knows what to expect in THISDAY. He has just been replaced in line with our style.”

When reminded of a fresh three-year tenure handed Mr. Kolawole in 2010, Mr. Nduka denied knowledge of such an arrangement, saying the editor had already overstayed in office.

But checks by PREMIUM TIMES indicate that news of the extension of Mr. Kolawole’s tenure was published in both the THISDAY edition of January 20, 2011 and on the paper’s web platform. Read that publication here.

Mr. Obaigbena also said Mr. Kolawole was informed before his removal. “There was a board of director meeting yesterday (Saturday) and the MD spoke to him from the meeting,” the flambouyant publisher said. “The deputy MD also spoke to him. So those telling you Simon wasn’t consulted are blatant liars.”

It is not clear why Mr. Obaigbena removed Mr. Kolawole before the expiration of his tenure, but sources in the paper said the move was a result of intense power play within the company and a breakdown of the cosy relationship between the editor and the publisher.

UPDATE: Highly-placed sources in the newspaper has since informed us that top managers in the newspaper had no advance knowledge of the appointments. "There was no board meeting as claimed by our publisher," a top official, who pleaded anonymity, said. Besides, THISDAY has no board, it is owned 100 per cent by Nduka. Almost all the top managers here read about the changes in the paper this morning.

By: NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE On Monday, June 11, 2012

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Bayelsa Assembly reverses Speaker’s impeachment

Bayelsa Assembly reverses Speaker’s impeachment

June 11, 2012
By Samuel Oyadongha

Yenagoa – The 16 – member Bayelsa State House of Assembly, weekend, indicated its willingness to reverse the impeachment of the Speaker, Mr  Kombowei Benson  and return to status quo, following the intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Meantime, Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN’s  National Youth Leader, Mr Ebikibina Miriki, has described the impeachment controversy as a huge embarrassment to the people and the legislature in the state.

The decision of the aggrieved Assembly members to reverse themselves on the impeachment of the three months old Speaker, it was learnt, followed a close door meeting between President Jonathan, Governor Seriake Dickson and other leaders of Peoples Democratic Party in the state.

President Jonathan, according to a party source, brokered peace among the aggrieved lawmakers and the Speaker, who was impeached last Monday over allegations of high-handedness and failure to carry members along in the running of the legislature.

Jonathan, who was received by Governor Dickson at the Port-Harcourt International Airport, was immediately flown to his Otuoke hometown in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.

Though the President’s visit was private, it was gathered that his intervention may not be unconnected with the under current that led to the impeachment of the Speaker.

Key members of his political group in the state, Green Movement, were alleged to have sponsored the controversial impeachment in protest against the purported influence of his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan in the emergence of the Speaker

By: NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE On Monday, June 11, 2012

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Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi sacks 3000 workers over certificate forgery

Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi sacks 3000 workers over certificate forgery



The axe fell on 3000 workers of the Oyo State Government today as Governor Abiola Ajimobi approved their dismissal.
Ajimobi's Special Adviser, Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, hinted of this today in a release signed by him.

Adedayo explained the development was the outcome of the painstaking audit of the staff of the state government which unveiled series of fraudulent practices relating to certificate forgery, indiscipline and continued collection of government pay even after official disengagement from service.

The release stated, "The Oyo State government is committed to improving the lot of workers in the state. It has done this in the last one year by paying more attention to workers' welfare and promotion as at when due. It will not, in the spirit of the new Oyo State that it is bent on having, continue to abet the continued service of workers who forged their certificates, ages or who violated their rules of engagement, to stay a day longer in the workforce. It is like a cancer which, if not promptly checked, can eat up the whole of the system,"

By: NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE On Monday, June 11, 2012

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‘Credible journalism, accountability way forward for Nigeria’

May, 2012 by Sodiq Oyeleke

A former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Abdulhakeem Abdullateef, and Producer of Sunrise Daily on Channels Television, Sulaiman Aledeh, on Wednesday, have identified responsible news reportage, law and accountability as keys to enhancing development in the country.

They both spoke at the annual symposium organised by the Muslim Students’ Society, Nigerian Institute of Journalism in Lagos on Friday.

AbduIlateef, who was the guest speaker, said the Nigeria populace must rise to the occasion of development in terms of transparent electioneering, saying there could never be accountability without proper electoral process.

The former adviser to Lagos State Governor on Legislative Matters, said, “The Nigerian constitution is not the bane of the country, but the implementation which is mostly being manipulated by the lawmakers at both the National and state houses of assemblies.

“Those who represent us are not sincere and as electorate, we are not also helping matters. We need men and women of sincerity to re-invent our nation. Accountability brings about development and that is what we deserve from our representatives.”

He also called for religious tolerance, saying all religions were equal according to the constitution.

“The Nigerian constitution may not be perfect, but it is good enough to bring absolute peace to any nation in the world,” he added.

Speaking on how journalism could be used for the development of Nigeria, Aledeh said ethics and morals must be strictly adhered to and followed in the practice of the profession.

He said, “The mass media are meant to enhance and harmonise positive things in the society and not to dehumanise the state of the citizenry.”

By: NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE On Sunday, June 10, 2012

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Tambuwal, govs express shock, condole with families

June 4 2012 by Segun Olugbile, John Ameh and Sodiq Oyeleke

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, and governors Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, on Sunday described the Dana Airline plane crash in Iju-Ishaga, Lagos as shocking.

They also condoled with the families of the 153 victims, praying for the repose of their souls.

A statement by Tambuwal’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Imam Imam, quoted the Speaker as saying that “the unfortunate incidence came at a time Nigeria made giant strides in the area of aviation safety.”

The statement added, “This is a one off incident that should not deter Nigerians from travelling by air.”

Fashola, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello, condoled with the families of victims of the air crash.

Fashola expressed shock at the incident which, reportedly, occurred as the aircraft approached the vicinity of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja.

This experience, he said, could be traumatic.

“It is unfortunate that your expectations to welcome and embrace your loved ones after their journey could be cut short so abruptly and in such unexpected manner. There is no gainsaying the experience could be traumatic,” Fashola said.

He also regretted that the incident would destabilise homes as well as cause disruption to the lives of the affected families.

The governor also condoled with residents of the crash site in Iju-Ishag, whose houses and properties were either damaged or destroyed in the crash.

He advised Lagosians against sending panicky Blackberry messages pointing out that emergency operations had been mobilised while relevant officers were on the ground to deal with the situation at hand.

His counterpart from Imo State, Chief Rochas Okorocha, also called on Nigerians to pray for the souls of those that lost their lives in the ill-fated crash.

The governor said this in a statement by the state spokesperson, Mr. Chinedu Offpor, on Sunday.

He said, “Nigerians should pray for the repose of the souls of those lost on board the ill fated Abuja-Lagos bound Dana air crash.”

He prayed that God would grant their families and the nation the fortitude to bear this ‘irreparable’ loss and other tragedies that had befallen the country.

Also, the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, described Sunday’s twin tragedy of a commercial flight crash in Lagos and the Living Faith Church bomb blast in Bauchi State as “unfortunate national disaster of monumental proportions”.

Ahmed, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, said the plane crash and the Bauchi bombing called for sober reflection on the state of the country.

The Bauchi incident, the governor noted, further underscored the fact that the spate of security challenges called for collective efforts of all Nigerians to tackle as “all of us must be watchdogs and advocates for peace as security agencies cannot do it alone.”

By: NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE On Sunday, June 10, 2012

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Why FG’ll not release Dana’s black box record —Investigation

Sympathisers who thronged the crash site of the ill-fated Dana aircraft in Iju on Friday
| credits: Stanley Ogidi

Contrary to the Federal Government’s promise to release information from the black box about the crashed Dana aircraft and the flight records of previous crashes to the public, investigation shows that the promise might not be kept.

The June 3 Dana air crash, which killed all the 153 passengers on board in Iju Ishaga, Lagos, had provoked public demand for the release of the black boxes of aircraft that crashed in the past.

But the Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of Accident Investigation Bureau, Captain Muhtar Usman, told SUNDAY PUNCH, in an interview that such demands would not be met going by the conventions of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, which Nigeria had ratified.

However, he said the practice had been for the AIB to use part of the information to write its report, but would not wholly release the details as contained in the flight recorder.

He said, “There is an international convention of the ICAO preventing us from publishing the information from the black box the way it is.

“We can use the information in it to write our report, but not to publish it the way it appears. We have adopted ICAO rules.”

The implication of this is that Nigerians might not fully know the cause of the Dana flight tragedy.

Stanley Ogidi

Sympathisers who thronged the crash site of the ill-fated Dana aircraft in Iju on Friday

Since November 20, 1969 when the Nigerian Airways BAC VC 10 crash-landed and killed 87 passengers and crew on board, the country had recorded about 39 other air accidents. None of the crashes has had its black box information made public.

A flight data recorder also known as accident data recorder (popularly called the black box) is an electronic device employed to record any instructions sent to any electronic systems on an aircraft.

Though the AIB has published the report of 19 of the accidents on its website, www.aib.gov.ng, none of the reports contain specific information from the black box.

Usman said even though some countries publish the information contained in the black boxes of crashed aircraft, ICAO rules forbid members from doing so.

The AIB boss noted that such countries might have relied on some laws in their land to do so.

Despite current doubts about the safety of the country’s air space, Usman claimed that the safety recorded in the past six years was due to the recommendations AIB had made to relevant aviation authorities.

Out of the four major air crashes in the country between 2005 and 2006, only the report of the Sosoliso Airline that claimed the lives of 103 passengers and crew members on December 10, 2005 in Port Harcourt, was available on AIB’s site.

The report of the October 22, 2005 Bellview Airlines Boeing 737 airliner that went into flames on crashing in Lagos and claimed the lives of 117 people, could also not be found on the website.

Similarly, the report of the October 29, 2006 ADC Airline Boeing 737 that killed 104 passengers and crew minutes after take-off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport was not there.

Nevertheless, Usman told our correspondent that the reports were ready and would soon be made available on the website.

He said, “We don’t normally wait until the whole report is ready. Once there is something, we make reports that are targeted at institutions to implement them.

“Our recommendations are being implemented by relevant organisations and these have ensured safety in the airways.”

The Special Assistant to the Minister of Aviation on Media, Mr. Joe Obi, told our correspondent that information found in the black box as well as the AIB reports were usually made available to the President through the Ministry of Aviation.

Obi said, “The law mandates the minister to transmit the information to the president and that is what has been happening.

“The AIB has the mandate to conduct investigations and the reports are transmitted to the president through the minister. We don’t have the reports.”

When contacted, Special Adviser to the President on Aviation, Captain Shehu Iyal, referred our correspondent to the AIB, adding that the bureau had the mandate to handle investigations and report its finding.

However, the General Secretary of Airline Operators of Nigeria, Captain Mohammed Joji, said that the public had the right to know what information was contained in the black box.

Joji said on the phone on Friday, “The public has a right to know what happened to an aircraft. Normally, they give it to the president and any person that wants to know can apply for it.”

At the behest of the Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah, the black box retrieved from the ill-fated Dana plane was sent to the United States on Monday.

She had said, “At the site of the incident, there were officials of AIB who gathered information, they cut the parts from the aircraft, looking for clues.

“Every information that they take will be taken back to the laboratory where it will be analysed to get the exact reason for the accident.

“But in addition to that, because we do not have a laboratory for that, things like the black boxes, for instance, we need to take them outside the country for proper analysis and then bring them back.

“I want to also say that among the team that worked with AIB, there are international experts, and so you are not likely to have collusion or reports that will have integrity issue; so, I want to assure you that the report you will get, will be a very authentic report.”

On former reports, the minister said, “I want to say that all the reports of past air crashes, the Sosoliso, ADC etc, are ready and when we get the proper approval to release to the public, we will do so because it serves no purpose to keep them because it is for public knowledge.”

According to her, it is very important to make the findings public as there are lessons to learn from such incidents.

The Senate while debating the crash last week had clamoured for information from the black boxes of aircraft that crashed in the past to be made available to the public.

By: NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE On Sunday, June 10, 2012

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Reps set April 2013 date for new constitution

A new constitution for the country will not be due until April 2013, the House of Representatives said on Monday.

The Deputy Speaker of the House and Chairman of its Constitution Review Committee, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, said in Abuja, that in the next one year, lawmakers would be deliberating on the proposals before the House.

Ihedioha told a news conference that at the last count, about 75 proposals had been received from Nigerians and various groups calling for amendments to some sections of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

He said the committee was also in receipt of 10 bills on amendments to the constitution.

Ihedioha said in line with the work plan set for the assignment, “we have indicated achieving a fresh set of amendments to the Constitution by April 2013″.

He added that this would be done in collaboration with the Senate.

He said, “We have received close to 75 submissions since then (September 2011) and expect to receive more.

“In addition, the House in plenary has referred about 10 bills to the committee after passing second reading.

“The memoranda submitted so far have focused on the following issues, among others – Federalism and Nigeria’s political structure, devolution of powers, Issues with respect to Local governments, indigeneship and citizenship, electoral reforms, excision of Land Use Act from the constitution, state creation, justiciability of Chapter II of the constitution, Judicial reforms and national security and police reform.”

He said there was plan to whittle down the powers of governors, saying the House would be cautious in amending the constitution.

The House has already admitted a proposal to grant financial autonomy to state legislatures, a move that may bring the legislatures in conflict with their governors.

It also seeks to grant financial autonomy to local government councils by abolishing the State/Local Government Joint Account as being operated.

Among others, many Nigerians have demanded the removal of the immunity clause from the constitution so that the President and the governors would no longer enjoy immunity from prosecution while in office.

But, on Monday, Ihedioha claimed that there was no plan to tamper with the powers of the governors.

He said, “We do not set out to whittle down the powers of governors.

“Our duty is to have a constitution that fits into modern-day democratic practices.”

Asked the essence of granting autonomy to state legislatures if not to free them from the grips of governors, Ihedioha said the aim of the House was to streamline the operation of state legislatures with that of the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, chairman of the Senate Constitution Review Committee and Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has said the next phase of the Constitution review exercise will offer another chance for state legislatures to gain financial autonomy.

Ekweremadu, who is also the Speaker of the Ecowas Parliament, spoke at an interactive session on the activities of the National Institute for Legislative Studies on Monday in Abuja.

He said the National Assembly had secured its autonomy at the last amendment to the 1999 Constitution, as the autonomy had ensured that the National Assembly received its funds on first line charge.

According to him, the status has impacted positively on the National Assembly as members now carry out their oversight functions without hindrance.

Ekweremadu said, “The National Assembly made efforts to empower the state legislature in the last exercise, but unfortunately they (State Houses of Assembly) voted against their autonomy by two votes.

“They (state assemblies) have another chance in the on-going constitutional review process to vote for their autonomy.”

By: NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE On Sunday, June 10, 2012

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Gunmen attack churches

Nigeria: Gunmen attack churches

Gunmen in Nigeria have attacked two churches during Sunday services, killing and wounding worshippers.

In the central city of Jos, a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a church, killing at least two people and wounding dozens more.

Five gunmen opened fire in Biu in Borno state, killing one woman and injuring three other people.

No-one has admitted the latest attacks, but radical Islamic sect Boko Haram has targeted churches before.

One witness at the church in Biu said that "gunmen came to the premises of the church and started firing at people outside the church before going into the main building to carry on their killings", Reuters news agency reported.

"Many people have been killed and wounded," witness Hamidu Wakawa was quoted as saying.

---

In a country already divided along religious lines these attacks have the potential to trigger further clashes between Muslims and Christians. The Islamist militant group Boko Haram has admitted carrying out past attacks on churches. They said these were in revenge for killings of Muslims in central Nigeria during previous bouts of violence.
Boko Haram says it wants to impose Sharia law across Nigeria. A recent statement from the group rejected the idea of peace talks with the government and vowed to increase the attacks.

Moments after the suicide bombing in Jos, Christian youths set up roadblocks and had to be dispersed by police, according to one witness.

"Angry youths have gone wild, even attempting to prevent the security personnel from getting to the scene of the incident. They had to force their way out by shooting in the air to disperse them," Emmanuel Davou was quoted by Reuters as saying.

The explosion killed at least two worshippers and the suicide bomber, while wounding more than 40 others.

But government sources feared "scores" may have died, according to news agency AFP.

Boko Haram has carried out numerous attacks in northern Nigeria, killing hundreds of people since 2009.

The group - whose name means "No to Western education" - wants to impose Sharia law across Nigeria.

It has targeted churches, schools, police stations, and other government buildings.

The group has said it was behind the suicide bombing of a church last weekend which left at least 12 people dead in Bauchi City.

By: NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE On Sunday, June 10, 2012

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148 bodies recovered at Lagos plane crash site

By Yinka Aderibigbe, Kelvin Osa-Okunbor and Wale Adepoju

Some of the victims

-Jonathan: it’s setback for reforms-Black box recovered

All was calm and gloomy yesterday in Iju-Ishaga on the outskirts of Lagos, where Dana Air flight 9J-922 went down on Sunday.
Rescue operations have given way to investigation – on how and why the aircraft crashed.
It was, also, time for relatives of victims to begin the terrible but necessary task of identifying their loved ones among the piles of bodies – 148, as at 8.30pm- taken to the morgue.
All 153 people on board died in the crash. An unspecified number of people died on the ground as the plane crashed into buildings.
Family members of victims were at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja to identify the bodies of their relatives.
Federal Road Safety Commission spokesman Jonas Agwu gave the details of the recovered bodies as males 88, females 48 and children 12.
He said the recovery of bodies would continue today.
DNA tests have begun on the retrieved bodies from the scene of the crash, especially those burnt beyond recognition, according to the General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA) Dr Femi Oke-Osanyintolu. He said the tests were being carried out at LASUTH.
The bodies were taken to the morgues at LASUTH and the Mainland General Hospital.
An official said the identified bodies were tagged.
Another FRSC official Mr. Fatai Adesina Bakare added: “ We have also recovered a number of personal effects, like handbags, traveller’s bags, shoes, combs and cash. We have, for instance, an identity card of an employee of NNPC, and from his purse, we recovered some cash, and business cards, which have been lodged. We also recovered a woman’s a purse containing $114 and N4,000 cash.”
“We have created a desk where all those personal effects are been documented and officials who are in charge would do justice to them and ensure that it gets to family members of the victims safely,” he added.
Two Indians were among the victims of the air crash. One was the co-pilot of the ill-fated plane. Rani Malik, the consular officer of the Indian High Commission in Lagos told PTI that the name of the Indian co-pilot was Mahendra Singh Rathore.
Rijo Eldos, a young computer engineer from Neriamangalam in the Idukki district of Kerala, was the other Indian. According to his family in Kochi, Eldos was travelling from Abuja to Lagos to take part in a company meeting. He was working with Reddington Nigeria.
According to the Chinese Consulate in Nigeria, six of its men died in the crash.
A representative of the Peoples Republic of China, who led a team to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) said their country was grieved at the unfortunate incident which he described as unfortunate.
He said the Chinese government would appreciate it if the hospital could help to identify the bodies of its citizens for onward repatriation back to China for burial.
One of the victims was the Deputy Managing Director (DMD), Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) Nigeria Limited
The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has begun investigation into the crash. An official confirmed yesterday that the agency already has in its custody the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), popularly known as the black box.
AIB spokesman Mr Tunji Oketumbi explained that investigators recovered the black box from the scene of the crash. He said preliminary work had begun on how to ascertain its contents.
Oketumbi said AIB officials, have started gathering the evidence needed for the investigation from the components of the aircraft, which will be taken to a laboratory for test and detailed examination.
The investigations will be carried out in collaboration with the the United States National Transportation Safety Board(NTSB), whose officials are expected in the country.
The NTSB team will be accompanied by representatives of the country of manufacture of the aircraft to assist in the investigation.
Oketumbi explained that nothing could be disclosed about the cause of the crash until the investigators have completed their assignment.
Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) spokesman Sam Adurogboye said the aircraft and its crew had a valid insurance cover - part of NCAA’s requirements for airlines.
DANA Air is expected to pay not less than one $100,000.00 as insurance claims for each of the 153 passengers - in line with the requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organisation ( ICAO).
The expected compensation regime is in line with the the standard set by the ICAO , Montreal Convention, which a few years ago raised the compensation to $100,000.00 from the $10,000.00 stipulated by ICAO, according to the Warsaw Convention.
For the two pilots, DANA Air is expected to pay $250,000.00 each. The six crew members’ will each be paid $150,000.00 each .

By: NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE On Thursday, June 07, 2012

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