Thursday 12 September 2013

JILTED BOYFRIEND AND HIS 7 FRIENDS GANG-RAPE HIS GIRLFRIEND

The police has arrested one Stephen Obi for allegedly conspiring with seven other men to gang-rape his estranged lover, a 28-year old woman (name withheld) in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria.

According to the lady, she decided to end their relationship because Obi said he wasn't ready to marry her as she was 5 years older than him and this didn't go down well with Obi who wanted the relationship to continue. He therefore, organized seven of his friends to gang-rape.

On the day the lady was allegedly gang-raped, Obi reportedly invited her to Baba Olopa Street, Adexson, in Igando to settle their differences. She obliged him and went. She said when she entered his room, seven of his friends came in and they locked the room and started beating her and asked her to strip. Obi then brought out condoms and gave them to the seven men who started raping her in turns.

She told her father about the ugly incident when she got home and they went to Igando Police Division and reported the matter and Obi was arrested and charged to court. But the other seven men escaped before they could be arrested.

Obi has been charged with conspiracy and rape before Ejigbo magistrate court, while seven of his accomplice are still on the run.

When the matter came up on Wednesday, he pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.

The presiding Magistrate, Mr M.B. Folami said after going through the doctor's report that Obi should be remanded in prison custody at Kirikiri adjourned the case to 23 September, 2013.

ASUU STRIKE LEFT NO CHANCES FOR THE EDUCATION MINISTER TO MAINTAIN POST

Professor at the Pan Atlantic University, Austin Nweze, in his appearance on ChannelsTV has analysed the recent cabinet reshuffle by the President Goodluck Jonathan. The renowned public affairs analyst is sure that the ongoing ASUU strike contributed to the eventual sack of former Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayat Rufai.

He explained that the cabinet reshuffle, which led to the sack of 9 ministers, "is a normal thing" adding that as 2015 elections draw near, President Jonathan wants to choose those who would help him achieve his second term ambition which he is yet to admit officially.

The ministries that were affected had 'question marks' in terms of performance.

He stressed that the ASUU strike, which has entered its 74th day, also contributed to the sack of former education minister as the President's decision for Governor Suswam to head a committee to resolve the crisis was a warning signal that all was not well.

That showed failure of leadership, he said, adding that, there has been nothing spectacular about the ministry of education.

He further stated that it is expected for every minister to generate ideas in line with the President's agenda but "it is not clear what the President wants to achieve in education sector". He added that the former minister was guilty of the same situation.

The announcement of the termination of the ministers appointments raised uproar in the public domain and has been described by some as a political move, which the Presidency denied.

MAN JAILED 20 YEARS FOR KEEPING WOMAN AS SEX SLAVE

A man was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison Wednesday for holding a young woman captive as a sex slave for six years.

Edward Bagley initially faced 11 federal charges accusing him of enticing an underage girl to be his sex slave, torturing and mutilating her, and allowing others to watch and participate in the torture sessions. In January, he pleaded guilty to one count of using an interstate facility to entice a minor into illegal sexual conduct.

Bagley agreed to the 20-year prison sentence as part of his plea arrangement - a deal his victim says will spare her from having to relive her ordeal in public.

"Even though Ed pleaded guilty, he still hasn't told the truth," the woman said in court, reading from a statement.

Prosecutors said Bagley, 46, and his wife, Marilyn, recruited the woman to live with them in their rural Lebanon, trailer in late 2002 and groomed her to become Bagley's sex slave. The Bagleys have insisted he didn't have sex with her until she turned 18 and that the often-extreme sex acts were consensual, but prosecutors believe it started years before that and was forced on the woman.

"I had no idea he was going to make it an every-single-night thing," the victim said in court as she gave her statement. "It started bad and got worse and worse."

She described how the Bagleys initially showed her images and videos of people practicing bondage, dominance, sadism and masochism - or BDSM - and told her it was fun. She signed a contract on her 18th birthday that Bagley said made her his sex slave for life.

As part of his sentence, Bagley also agreed to pay about $123,000 toward future counseling and medical care for the woman, who's now 27. Attorneys for Bagley declined to comment after his sentencing Wednesday.

The case came to light in early 2009 when the woman, then 23, was hospitalized after what prosecutors said was a torture session. Then-U.S. Attorney Beth Phillips called the case one of "the most horrific ever prosecuted in this district."

Two other men were sentenced in the case Wednesday - Bradley Cook and Dennis Henry. Marilyn Bagley and another two defendants - Michael Stokes and James Noel - will be sentenced Thursday.

Cook, 34, of the St. Louis suburb of Kirkwood received a 20-year sentence and must pay $123,000 in restitution. He pleaded guilty in December 2011 to one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion.

Henry, 53, former postmaster in Nevada, Mo., pleaded guilty in March 2011 to participating in a sex-trafficking conspiracy and transporting the victim across state lines for sexual activity. Of the six defendants, he is the only one whose plea deal didn't specify a prison sentence. He was sentenced to 10 years, $123,000 in restitution and lifetime supervision after he's released.

Marilyn Bagley along with Stokes, 65, of Lebanon and Noel, 47, of Springfield each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion. Marilyn Bagley, 48, is to receive probation and Stokes and Noel five years each.

The victim called Cook the most deviant of all the men who came to Bagley's trailer for torture sessions. Prosecutors say Cook watched her being whipped, locked in a dog cage, tied up and shocked with multiple electrical devices.

The woman said in court that she will never forget "how he laughed while I suffered. Laughed while I cried and begged. Brad Cook is evil. I can still hear his laughter."

As part of Cook's plea deal, charges accusing him of trying to hire someone to kill the woman while he was in federal custody in Leavenworth, Kan., in the case were dropped.

Prosecutors also alleged in court documents that Cook tried to hire a hit man to kill Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Cordes, but no charges were filed. As part of his sentence, Cook is not to have contact - or encourage others to have contact - with the victim or anyone involved with investigating and prosecuting his case.

IT'S HIGH TIME FOR A SPIRITUAL REVOLUTION - DAVID MARK

Speaking at a dinner with the priests attending the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in Otukpo, Benue State, yesterday, the senate president David Mark stated that this is the high time for a "moral and spiritual revolution" in Nigeria.


Mark urged the religious leaders to pray for the country to overcome the pressing social and political challenges, and he sustenance of the democratic processes in the country.

"The church should continue to use her weapons of prayer and fasting; divine and human resources to actualise transformation both in our hearts and our society. Nigeria needs moral and spiritual revolution. And this is the time", Mark stated.

Senate president said that everything humanly possible should be done within the ambits of the law to develop Nigerian democracy and yield the needed dividend for the population.

Mark also referred to the recent debates about same sex marriages. He reinstated that in spite of criticisms and pressure from outside, the law banning same sex marriage in Nigeria is irrevocable. He said that the idea of same sex marriage is counter Nigeria's laws and traditions, and indeed offensive to humanity.

The House of Representatives endorsed 14 years sentence for persons who contracted same-sex marriage in Nigeria at the end of May, which sparked criticism from Western countries.

IT'

It's High Time For A Spiritual Revolution – David Mark

12.09.2013, 13:18  Politics

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Speaking at a dinner with the priests attending the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in Otukpo, Benue State, yesterday, the senate president David Mark stated that this is the high time for a "moral and spiritual revolution" in Nigeria.


Mark urged the religious leaders to pray for the country to overcome the pressing social and political challenges, and he sustenance of the democratic processes in the country.

"The church should continue to use her weapons of prayer and fasting; divine and human resources to actualise transformation both in our hearts and our society. Nigeria needs moral and spiritual revolution. And this is the time", Mark stated.

Senate president said that everything humanly possible should be done within the ambits of the law to develop Nigerian democracy and yield the needed dividend for the population.

Mark also referred to the recent debates about same sex marriages. He reinstated that in spite of criticisms and pressure from outside, the law banning same sex marriage in Nigeria is irrevocable. He said that the idea of same sex marriage is counter Nigeria's laws and traditions, and indeed offensive to humanity.

The House of Representatives endorsed 14 years sentence for persons who contracted same-sex marriage in Nigeria at the end of May, which sparked criticism from Western countries.

BEING POSITIVELY REALLY CAN EXTEND YOUR LIFE

Heart disease patients with a positive attitude live longer than those with a negative attitude, and this boost in survival may be due to increased exercise, a new study suggests.



In the study, heart disease patients with a positive attitude were 42 percent less likely to die over a five-year period than those with a negative attitude. All patients in the study had coronary artery disease, or a narrowing or hardening of the arteries that supply blood to the heart.

What's more, patients with a positive attitude were about twice as likely to exercise. In fact, a further analysis revealed that those with a positive attitude lived longer because they exercised.

However, the researchers don't know which came first: Does a positive attitude give heart disease patients the motivation they need to exercise, or does exercise put you in a better mood?

There is evidence for both hypotheses, said study researcher Susanne Pedersen, a professor of cardiac psychology at Tilburg University, the Netherlands.

"Irrespectively, the finding cements what we already know - namely, that exercise is good for the heart," Pedersen said.

SCHOOL PRINCIPAL JAILED FOR MURDER

According to reports, a former school principal has been sentenced to life in prison for murder.

Anthony Giancola was high on crack when he murdered two people and injured multiple others in Florida will face life behind bars.

In 2007, Giancola bought the drugs from an undercover officer. According to surveillance video footage, Giancola told an officer that if he got caught, he would blame a child.

"I'd find some kid I hate and I'd be like, what's this? Oh!" Giancola can be heard saying in the video.

In June 2012, Giancola stabbed four people at a home where five deaf adults were sleeping, beat a couple who ran a hotel, hit four pedestrians with his car and tried to run over a 13-year-old boy on his bicycle. The spree took place over a two and a half hour period.

Two people were killed in the stabbing.

IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT IS NOT RULED OUT - JIBRIN FAULTS KAWU'S STATEMENT

The deputy minority leader of the House of Representatives Hon Samaila Kawu, who is believed to have said the House was not considering the impeachment of the President, has been advised not to speak on behalf of the House.

This warning was given by the chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin in a press statement on.

Earlier yesterday, Kawu said that impeachment of the President Goodluck Jonathan was not on the House's agenda, adding that those who might want to exploit the factionalisation of the PDP to foment trouble in the House should stay away.

Jibrin faulted Kawu's statement, saying that it is not within the power of Kawu to decide whether or not the House would choose to impeach the President.

"With due respect to him ... Hon. Kawu is not the authorised spokesman of the House, so he is not in a position to speak on its behalf. That responsibility is reserved for somebody else, who, as far as the world knows, has up until this moment not made any public statement with regard to the intra-party feud within the PDP," he stated.

He added that the PDP crisis had transformed from a merely internal into a nation-wide one, and would be treated as a national problem when the House resumes next week. Jibrin said:

"When a ruling party begins to toe the path of self-destruction in a manner that clearly threatens the unity of Nigeria, it is simplistic for anyone to reduce such a crisis to an internal problem that should be left for the party alone to deal with."

Jibrin added that impeachment is a constitutional instrument and said whether the lawmakers would use it nor could not be determined by Kawu.

It will be reminded, that a new PDP faction consisting of seven of the party's 23 governors, announced that it takes over the party on Saturday, August 31. Since then the ruling party has been torn by internal struggles.

FG RESPONSIBLE FOR HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

The Director-General, Ekiti State Job Creation and Employment Agency, Mr. Folorunso Aluko, on Wednesday blamed the Federal Government for the high rate of unemployment in the country.

The DG said this while addressing journalists in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

Aluko, a job creation expert, said that the failure of the Federal Government to arrest the economic drift in the land brought about the predicament of joblessness, which he traced to 1983 military incursion in government.

He said the introduction of the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme by President Goodluck Jonathan, was in response to the efforts made by the South-West governors to reduce unemployment and poverty in the zone.

He said, "Governor Kayode Fayemi has directed this agency to create employment for 20,000 Ekiti indigenes under the youths volunteer corps scheme.

"About 17,666 target has been met. The last batch, numbering 5,000, would be turned out on Thursday.

"Governor Fayemi's efforts in undertaking the Ekiti volunteer programmes, had produced the chunk of the Ekiti State Traffic Management Agency, the paramedics, fire fighters and about 1,400 youths that were injected into the Teaching Service Commission."

5 USEFUL TIPS: HOW NOT TO GET BORED ALL THE TIME

1. Change Your Attitude

You need to change your outlook, the world is not a very sad place to live in. Getting bored is an attitude. The fact that you feel bored is because you have allowed it to creep into your life. Be ready to change gears. Tell yourself that I am not going to allow this to happen to me. Just stop thinking how bored you are, instead ask yourself - let's do something.

2. Organise Your Life

Stop mulling, instead put things into perspective. Chart a routine for yourself, and squeeze in some time for a recreational activity, exercising or a hobby. That'll keep you happily busy. When you are too caught up in a routine due to lack of organisation, you tend to feel suffocated.

3. Apply Changes Constantly

Someone has rightly said, variety is the spice of life. It is imperative to introduce small changes to our daily lives, from the way we think, the way we dress, to changing the set up of the living room once in a while or picking up some off-beat book and reading it up. The idea is to not stick to a set order, and keep experimenting.

4. Find a Hobby

Keep yourself enthused by learning something different. Try to hone a skill or develop a new one. Join a baking class, learn how to strum the guitar, become a fitness enthusiast, go swimming, learn a new dance form, or simply pick a sheet of paper and sketch your heart out. Look for new activities. It could be a new hobby, some adventure sport, or learning a new language. Remember age is no bar.

5. Communicate

Take interest in people outside your friend circle. You are sure to find a whole section of interesting ones out there! People with different personalities and tastes will add novelty into your life.

DONT TRUST FRAUDSTERS, NPF NOT RECRUITING NOW - CSP MBA

Nigeria Police Authorities expressed deep concern that many young and able-bodied Nigerian Youths desirous of enlisting into the Nigeria Police Force are being hoodwinked by fraudsters into believing that the Force is currently engaged in recruitment/enlistment exercise.

Therefore, in order to inform members of the public that no recruitment/enlistment exercise is taking place now at the Force Headquarters or at any of our institutions, Commands and Formations, the police issued the official statement on their website and on Twitter.

In the statement signed by CSP Frank Mba in Abuja on September 12, 2013, the NPF promised to duly inform the general public whenever it intends to recruit/enlist personnel through appropriate channels, including public advertisements in the media.

The statement also advised not to fall victim, by making monetary payments or any other consideration to fraudsters masquerading as agents of the Police. The public is further advised to feel free to contact the Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) in their State of residence or the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) nearest to them when ever in doubt on all issues relating to recruitment and other policing matters.

CAN DEBUNKS PLANNED DEMOLITION OF CHURCHES RUMOUR

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Borno State has denied reports that over 20 churches and schools would be demolished by the Borno State government to give way for the construction of 1000 housing units in Maiduguri.

Speaking at a press conference at the CAN headquarters in Wulari area of Maiduguri metropolis, the state chairman of CAN Reverend Titus Pona called on Nigerians to disregard the media report which was the outcome of a letter sent to some churches from the state ministry of land and survey.

He said, "We feel duty bound to correct the erroneous impressions created by the said media reports which was credited to CAN, and wish to disown it. We believe that the national CAN office acted in the interest of Christian community in Borno State based on the information contained in a letter dated 20th August, 2013 from the ministry of land and survey to some churches around the area of the said estate development.

"We urge Christians to disregard the said report and continue their normal activities. Christians everywhere are known to cherish peaceful-coexistence. We want to use this opportunity to tell all those who may have been misinformed about the issue at stake to take cognizance of the fact that the Christians and Muslims have always lived together, even in trying times, such as we have been experiencing," it said.

Reverend Pona said facts available to them indicate that the planned construction of a housing does not warrant the demolition of any church, or any public or private structure at that location.

GOODNEWS: SCIENTISTS COME VERY CLOSE TO ANTI-HIV VACCINE

Scientists form Oregon Health and Science University developed a vaccine that may be able to fight HIV.

Their new study suggests that a vaccine for the monkey equivalent of HIV appears to eradicate the virus.

Research published in the journal Nature has shown that vaccinated monkeys can eradicate equivalent of HIV infection, which is called Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) and is 100 times more deadly then HIV, from their bodies.

Infected monkeys usually die within two years but in nine of the 16 inoculated monkey the virus did not take hold thanks to the vaccine.

Rhesus macaque monkeys were firstly vaccinated and then exposed them to SIV. The researchers found that at first the infection began to establish and spread, but then the monkeys' bodies started to respond, searching out and destroying all signs of the virus. The nine monkey that successfully responded to the vaccine were still clear of infection between one-and-a-half and three years later.

The researchers now want to use a similar approach to test a vaccine for HIV in humans.

Prof Louis Picker, from the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute at Oregon Health and Science University, said:

"It's always tough to claim eradication - there could always be a cell which we didn't analyse that has the virus in it. But for the most part, with very stringent criteria... there was no virus left in the body of these monkeys."

SHOCKING: DEAD BODY OF FEMALE JOURNALIST DISCOVERED IN KADUNA

The mutilated lifeless body of a female journalist, A'isha Usman, was discovered at the Kwangila Flyover in Zaria, Kaduna state on September 11, 2013, Wednesday.

According to a police source of Daily Trust, the officials of the Kwangila Motor Park invited policemen to the scene.

"When we dispatched our men to the scene they found an Identity Card of the deceased, which showed that she worked with a Hausa Magazine, Mahangar Arewa," a source said.

The body of the deceased journalist were deposited at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika, Zaria.

The State Police confirmed commencing a thorough investigation to unravel those behind her death.

An eyewitness revealed that the killers of the journalist clubbed her to death.

"Nobody can tell who the killers are but it appeared that they were hoodlums who attempted to rob her, or, perhaps, for other reasons. We have discovered that her body was mutilated when we came out for work this (yesterday) morning, and that forced one of her eyes to come out and one of her legs was fractured," Shehu Danladi, an eyewitness, said.

A publisher of the Mahangar Arewa Magazine, Aliyu M. Aliyu, said the police had called from Zaria to tell him that one of his staff had an accident and her remains were deposited at the ABUTH.

"She called her brother yesterday (Tuesday) night and asked him to pray for her, as they had left Abuja for Kaduna. It is unfortunate that the innocent lady lost her life in a mysterious manner," the publisher said.

OUTRAGE OVER JONATHAN'S DECISION TO SPARE SOME CONTROVERSIAL MINISTERS


Lots of angry reactions appeared following President Goodluck Jonathan's decision to spare some of his most controversial ministers in a Wednesday cabinet reshuffle that saw the removal of nine ministers.

Activists and political leaders criticised the president's decision to sack only nine ministers from a cabinet that had 42 largely non-performing ministers, many facing serious allegations of corruption.

They specifically expressed outrage that the Ministers of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, Finance/Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke; Police Affairs Minister, Caleb Olubolade and others were left untouched.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, Osita Okechukwu said although the president had the discretion to sack any minister, he disappointed Nigerians by keeping Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke and Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala, in government.

Mr. Okechukwu said the economic policies introduced by Mrs Okonjo-Iweala, who is also the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, were anti-people and at variance with the social condition of the people.

He also said the petroleum minister had shown that she did not understand that the nation's refineries could be rehabilitated or that new ones could be constructed.

A group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, applauded the sack of the ministers, but insisted that the president "must carry out further surgical overhaul of the Executive Council of the Federation to weed out other lazy and incompetent persons currently constituting grave cog in the wheel of progress of Nigeria."

The Chairman of the Civil Society Network Against Corruption, Olarenwaju Suraj, said there was nothing to celebrate about the cabinet reshuffle, stressing that the President should have sacked the non-performing ministers and those variously linked with corruption cases. In particular, he referred to Mr. Wike, said he had no business remaining in government because he was behind the political crisis in Rivers State.

"Except the sack of the Education Minister and that is because there have been crises in the education sector, there is nothing to celebrate about this (reshuffle)," the Chairman said.

President Jonathan on September 11, 2013 Wednesday, fired Ruqqayyatu Rufa'i (Education), Olugbenga Ashiru (Foreign Affairs), Hadiza Mailafa (Environment), Shamsudeen Usman (National Planning), Ama Pepple (Housing and Urban Development) and Ita Bassey Okon (Science and Technology), saying he wanted to retool.

Three ministers of state- Zainab Kuchi (Power), Olusola Obada (Defence) and Bukar Tijjani (Agriculture), were also affected.

The President's decision came after months of speculations on possible cabinet reshuffling.

BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY: TEN MEMBERS KILLED, 2 CAMPS DESTROYED -ARMY

The Nigerian Army declared on September 11, 2013, Wednesday that 10 members of the outlawed terrorist group, Boko Haram, were killed in an airstrike on two of their camps in Borno State.

The military, who revealed that the two camps of the terrorist group in Mada and in Konduga Local Government Areas of the state were destroyed during the airstrike, lamented that a soldier was injured in the attack.

Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, the spokesman of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, revealed the following in a statement:

"Following airstrike and subsequent destruction of two Boko Haram terrorist camps at Mada, Konduga local government area of Borno State, some troops of 231 battalion of 7 Division on their way to Biu had an encounter with fleeing Boko Haram terrorists on Maiduguri/Damboa road at about 10 pm on Tuesday September, 2013."

Lt. Col. Musa confirmed that 10 terrorists lost their lives and some ammunition including four AK47 rifles, five AK47 magazines and 250 rounds of assorted ammunition were recovered.

The Nigerian Army also destroyed 10 motorcycles belonging to the sect members in the air and land raids.

PASTOR THREATENS TO BURN THE QURAN

A controversial US pastor has been arrested in Florida after announcing plans to burn nearly 3,000 copies of the Koran on the anniversary of 9/11.


Terry Jones, 61, was stopped by police while driving a truck that was towing a large barbecue grill filled with the kerosene-soaked Muslim holy books.

He had said he planned to burn the 2,998 copies at a Tampa Bay park in recognition of the victims of 9/11.

Terry Jones's threat to burn the Koran in 2010 sparked widespread outrage.

His congregation at the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainsville, Florida, did burn a Koran in 2011, which led to violent and deadly protests across the Middle East and in Afghanistan.

Terry Jones was detained - along with his associate pastor Marvin Sapp Jr - as they drove through the town of Mulberry on Wednesday.

As well as towing a trailer carrying the grill and the Korans, the pastor was also reportedly carrying extra bottles of kerosene inside his truck.

Both men were charged with transporting fuel illegally and Mr Jones was also charged with openly carrying a firearm, police said.

Terry Jones had previously announced on his website plans to burn the Korans at a nearby park.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said his detectives had previously warned Mr Jones that his plans were against the law.

"We not only told him that he had a first amendment right to free speech," Sheriff Judd said.

"We encouraged him to come to that park if he wanted to make any statements that he wanted. But he was not going to come to Polk County and violate the law."

EVERTON CAN BEAT CHELSEA - LUKAKU

Romelu Lukaku has backed his latest employers Everton to beat his former club Chelsea in the Premier League this weekend.


Lukaku will not be permitted to play against Jose Mourinho's Blues at Goodison Park under the terms of his loan move, but he was quick to supporting his temporary employers when asked on Twitter about the upcoming Premier League last on Saturday.

"Do you want Everton to win on Saturday," was the question put up to Lukaku, who offered this reply in the Daily Mirror: "Yes, I have to be honest."

Lukaku went on to confirm his season-long loan to Everton was very much a last minute move, as he only heard about the possibility of a transfer in the final hours of the summer transfer window.

"It was a crazy evening," he recalled. "I was sitting in my hotel room in Brussels when the phone went to tell me I was going out on loan again. It was 7pm, and that was the first I knew of it.

"There had not been a mention of it before then, but after speaking to my parents, I decided to take the plunge. Different clubs called me and I had to take the right decision. Roberto Martinez called me for 30 minutes and explained me what he expects from me.

"I decided that Everton was the best choice. They are a more prominent club than West Brom where I had a good time. The important thing, at 20, is to be playing, and while West Brom was an option, Everton was a better one."

SAN KIDNAP: OZEKHOME GAINS FREEDOM

The renowned human rights lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has been released by his abductors.

The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Folusho Adebanjo, on September 12, 2013, Thursday, confirmed this information.

Kidnappers in Edo State struck in the afternoon of August 23, 2013, in the southern part of Edo state, seizing the lawyer and the chieftain of All Progressives Congress, Mr. Athanasius Ugbome. Mr. Ugbome has been released on September 8, 2013, Sunday, after his family paid ransom.

Ozekhome's release was also expected on the following day, however, negotiations with the kidnappers have failed.

More to follow...

MAN,45, BRUTALLY RAPES 11-YEAR-OLD GIRL,LEAVES HER BLEEDING

A 45-year-old married man with five kids has been arrested by the Bayelsa State Police Command for allegedly raping an 11-year-old female primary school pupil in Etegwe community, Yenagoa local government area of the state.

According to report, the suspect lured his neigbour's little daughter to an uncompleted building, where he stuffed her mouth with handkerchief, brutally raped her and left her bleeding.

It was gathered from the sister of the victim that she immediately rushed her bleeding sister to private hospital for first aid treatment after she came back home, crying and bleeding.

Further investigation showed that the arrested man simply identified as Omo, was reported to be in the habit of the alleged "immoral act" with kids in the neighbourhood.

When contacted, spokesman of the Bayelsa police command, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, said he was yet to get a full brief on the incident, "but I will look into it and get back to you."

EDO GOVERNMENT SECURES ADMISSION FOR STOWAWAY BOY IN THE STATE'S TOP BOARDING SCHOOL

The Edo State Government has secured admission in one of the state's top secondary schools for 13-year-old Daniel Oikhena, who stowed away in the wheel of an Arik Aircraft from Benin to Lagos on Saturday August 24, 2013.

The state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, disclosed this when the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Mr George Uriesi, led FAAN management team on a visit at the Government House, Benin City, yesterday.

According to the governor, "without meaning to encourage anyone else, we decided to support him by sending him to one of the top secondary schools in Edo State owned by the government. The reason for opting for a boarding school is that we think there's need to closely watch him, something his parents could not do.

"He is an intelligent young man with uncommon challenges, but one who has a vision. We had him examined by people who should know and the result confirmed that he is normal", Oshiomhole noted.

"This incident was probably the kind of trigger we needed to improve facilities at our Airports. You are never going to have all the money you need to do all you have to do. You should start from somewhere", he noted.

Earlier, Uriesi said they were in Benin City for ground assessment of the stowaway incident which has forced FAAN to review and improve on its security arrangements.

KESHI WARNS AGAINST MISTAKES IN PLAYOFFS

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi said the goal they conceded against Burkina Faso has warned the eagles ahead of next month's World Cup playoffs.



The Super Eagles on Tuesday let in a late goal to the mainly home-based team from Burkina Faso after they were coasting to a comfortable 4-0 win inside the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.

"Conceding a goal at home could be very dangerous as regards our qualification because an away goal could be very damaging and so we will need to be very careful," he said.

"Sometimes it's good this way because we have a point of reference and we will make corrections.

"In the proper game, we have to be very cautious how we defend and how we play."

He said the friendly against Burkina Faso afforded him the chance to have a closer look at players like Shola Ameobi, Victor Nsofor and James Okwuosa, who are knocking hard on the first-team door.

"I gave some players the opportunity to play, I wanted to see more of Nsofor, Shola and James," Keshi said.

"It was not about the score line, it was more about our tactical shape and understanding what we want to do in future."

Striker Emmanuel Emenike, who got his second goal in as many matches in three days, said with the current form of the team, the Eagles will be very difficult to stop on their way to Brazil 2014.

"With the way we played at the Nations Cup and against Malawi in Calabar, no team in Africa can stop us," declared the Fenerbahce striker.

"The most important thing is that we have to believe in ourselves and go out and do the job.

"We are African champions and every team wants to come out and fight to beat us."

Nigeria are expected on Thursday morning to know from the latest FIFA rankings whether they will be among the five seeded teams for the playoffs, which will be played on a knockout basis.

The main draw for the final playoffs will be staged in Cairo, Egypt, on Monday.

10 THINGS WOMEN WISH MEN UNDERSTOOD

It is a universal truth that men and women are different and both genders tend to make many mistakes while trying to understand or live with each other's differences.

Well, from a woman's perspective, here are 10 ways to understand her a little better.

1. We know men are low in EQ (Emotional Quotient) but make an effort to understand emotions. But remember we don't like men who can't control their emotions. No woman wants a crybaby for a partner,

2. When we talk, pay attention to what we are saying. Don't just nod your head and continue watching the match on television.

3. Your mother might be great in the kitchen and can whip up gourmet dishes in no time. But sorry we can't go on listening to your running commentary on her remarkable culinary skills.

4. We believe in the power of communication. So, talk, fight but don't just go into 'silent' mode. Leave that mode to your mobile phones.

5 All of us love a dash of chivalry in our partners. So be courteous and show us that you are well brought-up.

6 Don't brag. Showing off really acts against you. Be subtle about your fat pay packet, your swanky car and the likes. That shows us you have class.

7. Don't think that you own us. So, behave accordingly. Like men folk, we also like our own space.

8. Romance comes naturally to us. We love it when a man expresses his love. So, please show us that you love. Say it through flowers, dinners, gifts and of course count surprises as an important element of our DNA. Understand these basic points and act accordingly.

9. Don't try to give us lessons on moral science. And for heaven's sake don't comment on a low-neckline dress. That's a very cheap thing to do.

10. Don't crack jokes on our family members, close friends. Show your great sense of humour with a touch of sensibility.

FIFA FINES KENYA $5,370 FOR ATTACKING THE EAGLES

FIFA has placed a $5,370 fine on Kenya for the improper conduct towards the eagles by their fans during the 2014 World Cup Group F qualifier return leg match against Nigeria in Nairobi on June 5, reports in Kenya say.



In a letter directed to Football Kenya Federation, FIFA stated that the federation was responsible for the improper conduct of its supporters which is a violation of Article 67 part 1 and 3 of the Disciplinary Code.

The committee was composed of chairman Claudio Susler of Switzerland members- Mike Edwards (USA), Hamid Haddadi (Algeria) and Syed Haider (Pakistan).

Fans threw plastic water bottles and other objects into the pitch during the match at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani which the Nigerians won 1-0.

FIFA FINES KENYA [$

FIFA Fines Kenya $5,370 For Attacking The Eagles

12.09.2013, 7:32  Football

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FIFA has placed a $5,370 fine on Kenya for the improper conduct towards the eagles by their fans during the 2014 World Cup Group F qualifier return leg match against Nigeria in Nairobi on June 5, reports in Kenya say.



In a letter directed to Football Kenya Federation, FIFA stated that the federation was responsible for the improper conduct of its supporters which is a violation of Article 67 part 1 and 3 of the Disciplinary Code.

The committee was composed of chairman Claudio Susler of Switzerland members- Mike Edwards (USA), Hamid Haddadi (Algeria) and Syed Haider (Pakistan).

Fans threw plastic water bottles and other objects into the pitch during the match at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani which the Nigerians won 1-0.

FIFA FINES KENYA [$

FIFA Fines Kenya $5,370 For Attacking The Eagles

12.09.2013, 7:32  Football

Share this story





Twitter

FIFA has placed a $5,370 fine on Kenya for the improper conduct towards the eagles by their fans during the 2014 World Cup Group F qualifier return leg match against Nigeria in Nairobi on June 5, reports in Kenya say.



In a letter directed to Football Kenya Federation, FIFA stated that the federation was responsible for the improper conduct of its supporters which is a violation of Article 67 part 1 and 3 of the Disciplinary Code.

The committee was composed of chairman Claudio Susler of Switzerland members- Mike Edwards (USA), Hamid Haddadi (Algeria) and Syed Haider (Pakistan).

Fans threw plastic water bottles and other objects into the pitch during the match at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani which the Nigerians won 1-0.

ASUU STRIKE: APC ATTACKS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has decried Federal Government's insincere and amateurish handling of the strike that has paralysed academic work in public universities.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the tepid and half-hearted way the government has handled the strike has shown that it does not place much premium on education, which is the path to national development.

It said there is no better indication of the government's disdain for education than the fact that the President Goodluck Jonathan administration has continued in its profligate ways even as students caught in the web of the strike have remained at home when they should be engaged in academic work.

APC said since the strike began, the Jonathan administration has thrown at least two mega, money-guzzling dinners in Abuja, perhaps the best example of the aphorism 'Nero fiddling while Rome burns'. In one of such frivolities, the President and his party folks feasted joyously at a post-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convention dinner even as hapless students were bemoaning their fate over the strike.

The party said it was also in the midst of the strike that the First Lady organised the so-called peace rally that brought hundreds of unsuspecting women to Abuja in what later turned out to be a march of shame. The Abuja gathering must have gulped millions of naira.

"Yet, some ministers had the temerity to insult the sensibilities of Nigerians by saying government will shut down if it meets Academic Staff Union of Universities' (ASUU's) demands. What an affront! They did not say Nigeria would shut down when the country paid out N3 trillion in non-existent fuel subsidies; they did not say Nigeria would shut down over the N1 trillion spent in the last eight years on less than 500 people; they did not say Nigeria would shut down due to Federal Government's monumental profligacy, which includes spending billions of naira to pamper ex-militants, some of who are now so overfed that they are threatening the country's existence!

"It is particularly shocking that the government has carried on as if everything is normal, without bothering about the fate of the students, who have been marooned at home since the strike started. Perhaps this is because the children and wards of those at the helm are luxuriating in schools abroad, or because they are too comfortable to worry about their less-fortunate compatriots," it said.

APC also said the fact that the strike has persisted despite President Jonathan's directive, widely reported by the media, to the Federal Government's negotiating team to do everything possible to end it, says a lot about the administration's credibility.

"In fact, the negotiations between ASUU and Federal Government were called off two days after the President issued his directive. So much for credibility!" the party said.

APC reiterated its earlier call on the Federal Government, in a statement it issued on August 20, to immediately implement the agreement it willingly reached with ASUU in 2009 and stop wasting its energy on why the agreement cannot be implemented, saying: "Agreements are meant to be respected, not repudiated."

ASUU STRIKE: APC ATTACKS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has decried Federal Government's insincere and amateurish handling of the strike that has paralysed academic work in public universities.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the tepid and half-hearted way the government has handled the strike has shown that it does not place much premium on education, which is the path to national development.

It said there is no better indication of the government's disdain for education than the fact that the President Goodluck Jonathan administration has continued in its profligate ways even as students caught in the web of the strike have remained at home when they should be engaged in academic work.

APC said since the strike began, the Jonathan administration has thrown at least two mega, money-guzzling dinners in Abuja, perhaps the best example of the aphorism 'Nero fiddling while Rome burns'. In one of such frivolities, the President and his party folks feasted joyously at a post-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convention dinner even as hapless students were bemoaning their fate over the strike.

The party said it was also in the midst of the strike that the First Lady organised the so-called peace rally that brought hundreds of unsuspecting women to Abuja in what later turned out to be a march of shame. The Abuja gathering must have gulped millions of naira.

"Yet, some ministers had the temerity to insult the sensibilities of Nigerians by saying government will shut down if it meets Academic Staff Union of Universities' (ASUU's) demands. What an affront! They did not say Nigeria would shut down when the country paid out N3 trillion in non-existent fuel subsidies; they did not say Nigeria would shut down over the N1 trillion spent in the last eight years on less than 500 people; they did not say Nigeria would shut down due to Federal Government's monumental profligacy, which includes spending billions of naira to pamper ex-militants, some of who are now so overfed that they are threatening the country's existence!

"It is particularly shocking that the government has carried on as if everything is normal, without bothering about the fate of the students, who have been marooned at home since the strike started. Perhaps this is because the children and wards of those at the helm are luxuriating in schools abroad, or because they are too comfortable to worry about their less-fortunate compatriots," it said.

APC also said the fact that the strike has persisted despite President Jonathan's directive, widely reported by the media, to the Federal Government's negotiating team to do everything possible to end it, says a lot about the administration's credibility.

"In fact, the negotiations between ASUU and Federal Government were called off two days after the President issued his directive. So much for credibility!" the party said.

APC reiterated its earlier call on the Federal Government, in a statement it issued on August 20, to immediately implement the agreement it willingly reached with ASUU in 2009 and stop wasting its energy on why the agreement cannot be implemented, saying: "Agreements are meant to be respected, not repudiated."

THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE ASUU STRIKE

In the past two months, university teachers have been on strike.

There is no sign of when the action will end, despite the Federal Government's release of N100 billion for renovation of universities' infrastructure and N30 billion for the payment of earned allowances. The money, the lecturers say, does not meet their demands. Parents and students are also urging the Federal Government to honour the agreement in full.



The Federal Government may consider the N100 billion it has released out of the N500 billion for infrastructural projects in 61 universities a big deal but university teachers think otherwise.

Despite pressure from various quarters that it should manage what the government has offered and end its 74-day old strike, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is not moved.

Members of the union in the public universities nationwide are insisting that the Federal Government must honour the agreement by providing the funds according to the timetable and conditions both parties set.

Ironically, many parents and students seem to be behind ASUU. They are urging the union to ensure they get all that was agreed upon so that there would not be another strike soon.

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Journey to 2009

ASUU/FGN Agreement

The 2009 agreement was a product of negotiations with successive administrations, beginning in 1992 with that of former military president Gen Ibrahim Babangida. There were also re-negotiations in 1999 (under Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar); and 1999/2001 (under former President Olusegun Obasanjo), until the agreement was signed in 2009 (under the late President Umaru Musa Yar' Adua).

ASUU President Dr Nasir Fagge said through the agreement, the union seeks to make universities competitive by ensuring that conditions of service are favourable to academic staff so as to reverse brain drain; provide adequate funding to universities; and ensure their autonomy and academic freedom.

But, the pact's implementation has over the years pitched ASUU against the government.

Two outstanding issues define the ongoing strike: the release of funds accruing up to N500 billion to improve facilities in 61 public universities (27 federal and 34 state); and the non-payment of earned allowances put at N92 billion.

In response to ASUU demands, the government set up a committee headed by Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, to implement the recommendations of the committee on Needs Assessment of Public Universities which submitted its report to the National Economic Council (NEC) last November.

The 11-man committee chaired by Prof Mahmood Yakubu, former Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), in its report, recommended that "Government shall consider the provision of quality infrastructure for teaching and learning in all universities as a national emergency." The panel noted that the classrooms, laboratories and hostels of the 61 universities had decayed.

The government released N100 billion for this purpose on August 21, almost two months after the commencement of the strike, to cover construction of classrooms, laboratories and hostels.

It also announced the release of N30 billion for the earned allowances.

However, the union is insisting on the full amounts stated in the agreement before calling off the strike.

Suswam has condemned the union's stand, especially as the government has released of some funds to meet part of the demands.

"There is nothing on the list of their demands that the government has not touched," Suswam said when he hosted the National Union of Benue State Students last week.

Why ASUU is not impressed

Some lecturers revealed that accepting what the government was offering would only be postponing the evil day because the amount would continue to mount.

Chairman, ASUU, Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), Dr Nsing Ogar accused the government of insincerity. He said the N100 billion the government is paying now should have been released in April last year - with an additional N400 billion this year. He said by 2015 the amount released should be N1.3 trillion.

He said: "Last year, there was an agreement between the government and ASUU that N100 billion would be injected into the university system to upgrade facilities. It was supposed to be released immediately. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in January 2012 and by April that sum of money was supposed to have been released. Also in that MoU there was an agreement that in 2013 another N400 billion would be released. Then in 2014 another N400 billion. Then in 2015 another N400 billion. That makes N1.3 trillion to upgrade facilities in the university system. We had tried to talk with government to ensure that these amount were released, they did not accept and that is why we are on strike. And if in 2013 they are releasing N100 billion, there is a shortfall of N400 billion, they have not told us, what next would happen in 2014 and 2015."

On his part, Dr. Abdulkadir Mohammed, the branch ASUU chairman, Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, said members were irked that the N100 billion was recycled from the universities' funds.

He said: "Even the N100 billion that the government is talking about, there is a recommendation of the Technical Committee on how the N100 billion should be disbursed, that has been breached by government. Secondly, Nigerians should know the source of the N100 billion because our MoU with the government clearly stated that this money should be sourced outside state fund; that government should scout for the N1.3 trillion from other sources outside the Tertiary Education Trust Fund but we realised that the government is trying to do now is to go and block all the money in the state fund, mop it up and channel it into financing the recommendation of the need assessment and that is also not acceptable.

"The union would not accept the effort by the government to mop the money belonging to universities within the Education sector for this purpose. The agreement is that they should scout for money elsewhere to finance this agreement and therefore if they fail to do that, this crisis will not abate."

Dr David Nanson Jangkam, Chairman of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) ASUU Chapter, said the N30 billion the government paid as earned allowances was just a third of the debt it owes the lecturers.

"Let me tell you the level of insincerity of the government, the earned allowance, they are owing us is N92 billion, out of which the government has offered N30 billion, this is one-third of what they are owing us. Regarding the so called N100 billion they claimed to have approved for need assessment, they are taking that fund from the TETFund, which means they are robbing the university to pay the university," he said.

Parents support ASUU's struggle

Contrary to expectations, many parents urged ASUU to ensure the government fulfils its promise this time so that there would be no strikes in future resulting from the present issues.

Mr. Lawal Morakinyo, a business man whose son attends the University of Ibadan (UI), said the N100 billon does not even scratch the surface of the problem.

"The N100 billion does not solve the problem because the school laboratories and the other situation have been on ground for many years and if they (ASUU) had been persistent in the sight of the government it wouldn't be as grave as this. The money they are putting on ground is not an issue; we have seen cases like this. The money the government is giving is just a waiver - that I am giving you this money to keep your mouth shut and stop your ASUU strike," he said.

Another parent, Mr Fidelis Inde, who resides in Calabar, the Cross River State Capital, said he was not happy his children are at home. yet, he supports the strike because he believes the government can indeed meet ASUU's demands.

"Although our children staying at home is not in the best interest of anybody, but I believe the right thing should to be done. If there was an agreement, then that agreement should be honoured. I believe it is high time we stopped cutting corners in doing things. It would not turn out well for us in the long run, if we continue like that. What the people have demanded is not impossible to achieve. You just don't dangle N100 billion before ASUU when you know that was not the initial agreement. It is important for ASUU not to set a bad precedent and ensure the agreement is honoured to the letter. Government, I believe can meet ASUU's demands if it is sincere."

A trader in Akure the Ondo State Capital, Mrs Margaret Okeke, who has two children in the Adekunle Ajasin University at Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State, recalled that the government and ASUU face off had been rocking the education sector since the late President Yar'Adua administration, urging President Goodluck Jonathan to find a lasting solution to the problem.

She urged the lecturers to shun appeals to resume when their demands have not been met.

"Urging University lecturers to resume work is just like suspension of a battle that must be fought. The issue of the strike had been lingering on for so long in the higher institution and this is because the government has failed to implement the 2009 agreement it has with the workers.

"If the ASUU should call off the strike, it will someday return to the battle field with the government since its demands have not been met. I think the government should fulfil its own part of the agreement. The PDP-led government spent more money on its convention, President's wife's women's rally. It can easily dash out billions of naira to some dubious politicians in order to secure or remain in power. We can see and hear how they share the "National Cake" with their families and friends leaving us to grow in abject poverty."

Pastor Andrew Ayinloge, who stays in Akure, urged the government to curb waste elsewhere and meet the union's demands.

He said: "I will advise ASUU to go on with the strike until the government is ready to fulfil the agreement because if they should call off the strike and its demands are not met, they will one day go back to the strike.

"Nigeria is rich enough to pay the workers. Let the government reduce the allowances of senators, governors, commissioners, House of Representatives and State Assemblies members if that will bring the solution to end the issue of strike in Nigeria."

Mr Remi Agunbiade, another parent agrees Nigeria is rich enough.

He said: "If you look at the history of ASUU problem or history of education in Nigeria these are all the tricks government is using, ASUU demands for something, they will give them part of it and ask them to go back so it is still better for government to do the right thing at the right time. N100 billion is nothing to write home about when you consider the decay in infrastructure in our system; there is nothing N100 billion can do.

"Mere organising PDP convention they will spend more than 100 billion so let the government do the right thing and solve the problem once-and-for-all, and I as a person I cannot blame government and I cannot blame ASUU. Why I cannot blame government is that most of their children are in private schools or overseas. So the children of the poor masses are in government schools. So the government officials don't feel the pain."

A Lagos-based parent, Mr Abiodun Phillips, said he does not believe that the government has even released the N100 billion. "They are saying that they have approved the money but I don't believe. That was how they signed an agreement in 2009 and they didn't keep to it," he said.

Some parents are appealing to ASUU to suspend the strike for the students' sake.

Abraham Dalyop, a resident of Jos, Plateau State, said ASUU should give the government a chance.

"Since the government and ASUU are discussing how to solve the issues, ASUU can suspend the strike and continue with negotiation. There is no point insisting on contnuing the strike; it is not healthy for our children," he said.

Another parent, Obinna Nwosu, who resides in Nnewi, described the situation as preposterous. His three children at home when they should be busy with their academic work. He appealed to ASUU to consider going back to their duty posts and urged the government to ensure that the agreement is kept.

Students for and against

Some students support the strike, while others are against it.

Julius Ona a 300-level undergraduate of English University of Ibadan said he is for the strike but does not believe government will yield ground.

"Though I see ASUU demands as genuine, but is it not possible to appeal to ASUU to accept the N100 billion now and continue negotiation later? Nobody in this country should pretend not to know government attitude to public education. ASUU demands had been for long and if government still turns a deaf ear, why should they believe government would answer now?"

The President of National Association of Ondo State Students, Comrade Afolayan Awoloda advised the lecturers to remain on strike until the government fulfil its promise.

He noted that the government was not blindfolded before signing the agreement in 2009, stressing that President Jonathan's action has dealt a big blow to education at the international level.

Awodola said: "Mr president should prove to Nigerians that he is worthy of leading us and stop embarrassing the nation. I still maintain that if there has been an agreement since 2009 and there has not been any modality on ground to fulfil the sealed agreement.

I think ASUU, should remain on strike till the government fulfill diligently the content of the agreement since the government was not under duress or blindfolded when it signed the agreement.

But, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) representative in Akure, Gbenga Ayenuro appealed to the lecturers to resume in order to save the future of Nigerian students. The strike, he said, had rendered the students idle at home, warning that such act is dangerous to the country's future.

"NANS appeals to both ASUU and Federal Government to work towards resolving the present ASUU strike that has kept Nigerian students at home for over two months.

"We are not happy with the way both parties are playing with the life and future of innocent Nigerian students. They have rendered us useless being at home, caused us hardship to survive and our parents to cater for us and caused more havoc by exposing Nigerian Students to social vices most especially our ladies.

"At this point, we urge ASUU to shift ground for the sake of Nigerian Students and return to the classroom while deliberation continues on the earned allowance claims and we also appeal to the government to reconsider ASUU earned allowance claims."

A student of UNIJOS, Monday Philemon said: "We know our lecturers are fighting a genuine cause but they should consider that they will ruin the future of students if the strike lasts longer than this. These lectures are holders of master and PhD certificates, most of them are professors, so they dot care much about going to school again but we are in school and we also need to acquire the certificates they have acquired, they should not frustrate us please, the government has done enough."

REVEALED: WHY JONATHAN SACKED NINE MINISTERS

President Goodluck Jonathan sacked nine ministers yesterday - in a shocking move that sparked questions on the motive of the action.


Five factors accounted for the ministers' sack:

According to highly-placed sources in government, some of the reasons are: non-performance; security reports on alleged corruption; political allegiance and doubtful loyalty to the President; poor management of turn-key projects; and the crisis in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

A source, who pleaded not to be named because of the "sensitivity" of the matter, said: "You will recall that the President asked the ministers to sign a performance bond. About four of the nine ministers failed to live up to expectations in the assessment of the Presidency.

"In fact, three of the ministers were yet to understand their mandate after being in office for two and a half years. One of the ministers had more than 20 agencies under him but his performance was poor.

"We cannot also rule out alleged corruption acts by two to three of the ministers. For instance, there is a particular outgoing minister who forced the parastatals under the ministry to buy a N17million Sports Utility Vehicle SUV for personal use.

"The money-spinning parastatals were unhappy but they had to do it. It also got to a ridiculous extent that the minister was always asking for remittance of interest accruable from funds kept in some banks by parastatals under the ministry.

"Another minister had problems with award of contracts, some of which were rated as inferior. The agencies supervised by the minister made a joint demand for change.

"Ironically, the minister lost a plum cabinet position at a time a platform was created in a state to fight political adversaries of Jonathan. The minister was dazed when the President announced the sack."

According to a source, there was also the alleged tardiness in the award of the $1.3billion (N212billion) Zungeru Hydro Project.

The Federal Government is expected to spend about N303million in generating one megawatt of electricity. The hydro project is said to be one of the most expensive in the world.

"Although no corruption infraction was found against Hajiya Zainab Kuchi, she was sacrificed for not being vigilant," the source claimed.

It was also learnt that the alleged overstaying in the cabinet by the former Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, may have led to his exit.

Another source said: "I think Shamsudeen has been in the cabinet since 2007. Though he did well in designing the Performance Benchmark for the Federal Executive Council(FEC), the nation's planning system has not improved.

"An egg-head, who is a former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), he may have lost his post because of difficulty in measuring his achievements which appeared to be long term. And you know, politicians have no patience for long term gains."

As at press time, political motives were being read into the sack of some of the ministers but a source in the Presidency disputed these.

Some ministers were reportedly sent packing because of the rebellion of the G-7 governors in the PDP.

"People alluded to this factor because some of the Ministers were nominated by their governors. Such Ministers are Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai(nominated by Governor Sule Lamido); Zainab Kuchi(by Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State); Alhaji Bukar Tijjani(from Borno now being controlled by APC without being unable to mobilise PDP to launch counter-attack)," said the source, adding:

"For Shamsudeen, who was not nominated by Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, his alleged cold war with the Kano State Governor led to the factionalisation of PDP in his state. He became a political risk for Jonathan to retain him in the cabinet.

"But, contrary to political permutations, some ministers from the rebellious states, like Adamawa , Rivers and Kwara, are in the cabinet because of performance without anyone touching them."

Ms Amal Pepple, who is from Rivers State, is believed to have lost her job for being unable to read the President's mood on the crisis in the state.

"Concerned about her state, Pepple recently walked up to the President, knelt down and asked him to forgive Governor Rotimi Amaechi of whatever sin the governor had committed," the source said, adding:

"Although Pepple was not nominated by Amaechi, her U-Turn made the Presidency suspicious of her loyalty.

"Her innocent intervention in Rivers crisis and fact that she was also just waking up to make impact at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development cost her the job."

Ashiru's removal was said to have shocked his colleagues. "In fact, one of the ministers almost shouted as the President was reeling out the names of those to be dropped," the source said.

He said: "There is a strong suspicion that since the Presidency was uncomfortable with ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, who brought Ashiru into the cabinet, the minister's days were numbered. In spite of the mediatory role of Obasanjo in PDP crisis, the position of the Presidency was that he had only attempted to clear the mess he created. Ashiru might just be a scape-goat.

"As for the Minister of Environment, Hadiza Mailafia, the tempo of political situation in Kaduna requires a change of guard."

President Jonathan shocked the sacked ministers as he did not betray any emotions at the FEC meeting.

A Presidency source said: "We all went in with the usual exchange of banters. The President and his deputy and a few others came late but we did not suspect anything.

"After honouring a star athlete, Blessing Okagbare, we went into the business of the day with most of the nine ministers making contributions, oblivious that they would go.

"As we were about to say the closing prayers, the President said: 'I wish to inform you that some ministers will be attending this FEC meeting for the last time there will be some changes; some will be dropped.'

"A pin-drop silence overwhelmed the Executive Chambers as he was reading the names in a military fashion.

"After the list was read, the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, said the closing prayers."


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REPS,SENATORS, SUE PDP

Seventy-nine members of the two chambers of the National Assembly who defected to the new Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday asked the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to restrain the party National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, from declaring their seats vacant.

Tukur had, a few days after the defection, threatened to declare their seats vacant contrary to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The issue had generated robust debate before the lawmakers asked the court to intervene.

Out of the 79 lawmakers, 22 are senators while the remaining 57 are members of the House of Representatives.

The suit was filed on their behalf by Tairu Adebayo.

The legislators named Tukur, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th defendants, respectively.

They explained that the division within the party necessitated the holding of a parallel convention and that they were justified legally to defect.

In their originating summons filed at the registry of the court, the lawmakers asked the court to determine whether considering the circumstances in the national and various state chapters of the PDP, there existed a faction or division within the party; whether any of the plaintiffs or other members of the PDP holding elective seats who desires to become a member of another faction of the party or any other political party is not saved by the proviso to Section 68 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended; and whether in view of the proviso to Section 68 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, the 1st defendant or any other officer of the 4th defendant or authority howsoever described can declare the seats of any of the plaintiffs or other members of the 4th defendant that opted to join another political party vacant in the present peculiar and precarious circumstance of the 4th defendant.

They also asked for the following declarations:

A declaration that the circumstances prevailing in the various state chapters of the party which led to factions/divisions as witnessed at the Special National Convention of the 4th defendant held on 31st August 2013 and holding of a parallel convention simultaneously at another venue, followed up with the opening of a parallel national head office and release of the names of new parallel national officers constitute and qualify as crisis and divisions anticipated under Section 68 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.

A declaration that any of the plaintiffs or other members of the party who pursuant to the crisis that led to factions/divisions in the 4th defendant, joined or desires to join another political party is/are saved by the proviso to Section 68 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended without losing his/their elective seats.

A declaration that in view of the proviso to Section 68 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, whether the 1st defendant or any other officer of the 4th defendant or any person or authority whatsoever cannot declare vacant the seats of any of the plaintiffs or other members of the 4th defendant that joined or who may desire to become members of another political party in view of the present crisis that created factions/divisions in the 4th defendant.

An order restraining the 2nd and 3rd defendants from conducting any proceeding in their respective chambers aimed at declaring the seat(s) of any of the plaintiffs or other members of the 4th defendant who joined or intended to become members of another political party vacant in view of the present circumstance in the 4th defendant.

SACKED MINISTER BREAKS DOWN IN TEARS AS JONATHAN SHAKES CABINET

Sixteen days after the Youth Minister, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir, was relieved of his post, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday, carried out a major cabinet reshuffle that removed nine ministers.

The President announced the sack of the ministers shortly after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja even as he said that the names of new ministers will be sent to the Senate for approval.

One of them, former Minister of the Environment, Hadiza Mailafia, betrayed her emotions, when she shed tears. To discourage insinuations, the government said the dropping of the ministers had nothing to do with politics.

Another minister affected, Minister of Education Prof Ruqqayatu Ahmed Rufai has said she will return to her university job.

She spoke yesterday while handing over to the Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike.

The professor said she would return to the Bayero University, Kano where she was a lecturer before her appointment.

Rufai was a Commissioner of Education in Jigawa State under Governor Sule Lamido for three years before she was appointed Minister of Education by the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.

The former minister, who expressed gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan for allowing her to serve in his cabinet, promised to always support the President.

Prof Rufai, who spent three years in office, introduced the Four-Year Strategic Plan for the development of the education sector.

TRAGEDY: HUSBAND, WIFE, 3-MONTH-OLD BABY FOUND DEAD IN THEIR HOME

A middle aged man, Seyi Adewale, his wife, Felicia and their three-month-old daughter, Deborah, were on Tuesday, found dead in their room with the corpses already decomposing.

According to report, they just moved into their new house in Gbeganu area in Minna, Niger State last Saturday and they died that same night.

It was gathered that they switched on their generating at night, close to the room while the fume emitting from the set consumed them overnight and they never woke up to see the next day.

They were discovered on Tuesday by the junior sister of the deceased husband, who had been making frantic effort to locate her brother but couldn't.

It was a shocker to her after forcing the door of the house open to meet them dead after being killed by fume from the generator. She immediately raised alarm which attracted other neighbours to the scene.

When contacted, the state police command through its spokesman, Mr Richard Oguche, confirmed the deaths, and said they must have died as a result of inhaling the carbon monoxide from the generating set, which was turned on overnight and left close to their room.

The corpses have been buried in Minna, the Niger State capital.

MAN, 34, NABBED BY POLICE OVER DISAPPEARANCE OF HIS COUSIN

A 34- year-old man, Nonso Ekpunobi, from Orifite community, Ekwusigo local government area of Anambra state has been nabbed by policemen of Zone 9, Umuahia, Abia State of the Nigeria Police over the whereabouts of his cousin.

Obinna Etoniru, aged 29, was said to have gone missing over two months ago after he went out with Nonso.

Nonso was said to have came to Obinna's house at about 9am on July 18, 2013, and requested Obinna to accompany him to the Oraifite Civic Centre, an invitation the latter was said to have accepted.

According to Nancy, Obinna's elder sister, Nonso asked Obinna to accompany him to the civic centre, which turned into a nightmare as neither of them returned to the house.

They however reported the case to the police after days passed and they both didn't show up.

Nonso was said to have relocated to Lagos after he went out with Obinna without leaving any word concerning Obinna's whereabouts and his luck ran out a few days ago when he was arrested by a team of police detectives from the Police Zone 9, Umuahia, led by one Mr. Ise, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).

He is now in police custody, being interrogated.

PRESIDENT, 'REBEL' GOVERNORS MEET AGAIN ON SUNDAY TO DETERMINE WAY FORWARD

President Goodluck Jonathan will meet again with the aggrieved seven governors of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abuja on Sunday. The meeting is a continuation of the meeting he held with them in Abuja on Tuesday evening at the Presidential Villa.

It was however learnt that while the President was ready to listen to the grievances of other governors, he was not friendly with that of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, who sources said he(President) would have preferred to be made a scapegoat of the crisis.

That notwithstanding, the President and members of his team at the Tuesday meeting were said to be ready to make some concessions.

Presidential sources listed those who accompanied the President to the meeting to include the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the party, Chief Tony Anenih; Governors of Kogi, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, Idris Wada, Liyel Imoke and Godswill Akpabio respectively.

The aggrieved governors were represented by Amaechi, Governor Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Aliyu Babangida (Niger), and Sule Lamido(Jigawa).

On the issue of party structure, the source, who spoke with some journalists in Abuja on Wednesday night, said that the President directed that the State Working Committees of the party in both Kano and Adamawa States be restored.

The source said, "As for Rivers State, the President and his team advised all the parties to withdraw their suits in court to resolve the matter.

The source said, "When the tension was too much, it was agreed that 2015 poll should be put on the agenda at the next meeting on Sunday. Also, the fate of the PDP National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur, will be discussed at the next session on Sunday. I can tell you that Sunday's meeting will determine the way forward."

ASUU ATTACKS GOV. SUSWAM AND HIS COMMITTEE FOR THE LINGERING STRIKE

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has blamed chairman of universities' NEEDS Assessment Committee and governor of Benue State, Mr. Gabriel Suswam, for the lingering strike by the union, adding that the governor and his committee did not advise the Federal Government properly.

Briefing newsmen at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, the Calabar Zone of the union, led by Dr. Charles Ononuju, accused Suswam and his committee of trying to blackmail the union but warned that no amount of blackmail or intimidation would stop it from pursuing the implementation of the 2009 FG/ASUU agreement, which was the only way to move the nation's education forward.

"The government should honour the agreement it freely entered into with the union since 2009. ASUU is not making any fresh demands. This is our position and where we stand and shall continue to stand."

Ononuju also attacked Governor Suswam for accusing the union of playing politics with its demands, describing the governor's position as "false, dishonest, calculated to misinform the public and cause disaffection towards the union."

"We hereby call on our members and the Nigerian people to reject this cheap blackmail and continue to stand on the path of truth and social justice. No amount of blackmail will make the union jettison our resolve to get the government to implement the 2009 ASUU/FG Agreement and MoU of January 24, 2012.

"We wish to emphasise strongly here that our struggle has no political undertone as is being falsely and mischievously propagated. Those saying otherwise are economical with the truth," the union said.

STOWAWAY TEENAGER BEGS TO GO HOME WITH MOTHER

Ricky Daniel Ohikhena, who last month stowed away to Lagos in an Arik Air flight, yesterday, requested that he be allowed to go home with his mother to resume school.

It will be recalled that Ohikhena, who was brought back from Lagos two weeks ago, has been housed at Government House, Benin City.

The boy who answered questions in mono-syllables in the lonely facility, told newsmen in Benin City that he was happy with the award of scholarship to him.

He also said that he did not know that he took a risk when he hid in an airplane wheel saying, "I will not do it again. I regret the action. I want to go home. I am tired (of staying here). I will be happy to be trained as an engineer."

DISASTER: KADUNA FLOOD STRENGTHENS,HOUSES DESTROYED

Several houses and farmlands destroyed in a flood in Kaduna following a heavy thunderstorm that occurred in the State. The downpour began on the night of September 10, Tuesday and lasted till the early hours of Wednesday.

According to SaharaReporters, the most affected areas include Gonin Gora, Ungwan Romi, Narayi, Kamazo, Kabala Costain, and Ungwan Rimi, all in Kaduna North and Chikun local government areas of the state. Massive flooding also occurred in the Birnin Gwari area of the state.

"Everything we had in our house has been destroyed", a resident of Ungwan Rimi, Mr. Sani Abubakar said.

DISASTER: KADUNA FLOOD STRENGHTENS, HOUSES DESTROYED

Several houses and farmlands destroyed in a flood in Kaduna following a heavy thunderstorm that occurred in the State. The downpour began on the night of September 10, Tuesday and lasted till the early hours of Wednesday.

According to SaharaReporters, the most affected areas include Gonin Gora, Ungwan Romi, Narayi, Kamazo, Kabala Costain, and Ungwan Rimi, all in Kaduna North and Chikun local government areas of the state. Massive flooding also occurred in the Birnin Gwari area of the state.

"Everything we had in our house has been destroyed", a resident of Ungwan Rimi, Mr. Sani Abubakar said.

CORRUPTION: POLICE SACK TWO WOMEN CORPORALS 'CAUGHT IN THE ACT'

Two traffic policewomen caught in an amature video, in which the duo was extorting N100 bribe from a bus driver in Lagos State, have been dismissed from the Nigerian Police Force.

The women corporals Elizabeth Itolor and Jenifer Azingbe, attached to the Makinde police station, were handed their dismissal letters on September 11, 2013, a source of the Nigerian Telegraph reported.

The corporals' dismissal was contained in a circular which stated that the policewomen were dismissed over despicable acts and corrupt practices contrary to Paragraph E(iii)and C(iii)respectively of Schedule 1 of the Police Act and Regulations 370 of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.

The policewomen have joined the Nigeria Police Force in 2004.

"They have been crying since morning. They have gone to Keyamo chambers and other human rights offices to seek for help. The dismissal has come as a shock," the source said.

The policewomen have been awaiting their fate since the police Provost Unit of the Lagos State police command had concluded the Orderly room trial into the allegation last week.

A video footage posted on YouTube got over 40,000 views and caused public outrage on social media. It showed a policewoman negotiating a N100 bribe with a commercial bus driver at the Oshodi-Apapa Express way.

A passenger in the bus recorded the bribe negotiation showing the driver pacifying the policewoman who had refused to allow the bus move after loading passengers.

The driver, after much pleading, angrily said, "Don't abuse me because of N100. How much is N100? Me I don pass N100."

The policewoman, who was sitting in the bus was adamant as she said, "E no concern me. Pay me my own money".

The driver was seen telling the conductor to settle the policewoman so they could move.

"Give her N100. I will return it to you later," the driver said in Yoruba.

The policewoman came down from the bus as she collected the N100 from the conductor and the two policewomen walked away from the bus to their duty of controlling traffic.

The policewomen suffered similar fate as their colleague one sergeant Christopher Omoleze, attached to the station Man Centre police station, who was also outed in a video posted on Youtube. He had negotiated a N25,000 bribe.

OBASANJO iS A LIAR -ATIKU ABUBAKAR

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar Wednesday took a swipe at former President Olusegun Obasanjo, noting that his former boss lied that he risked jail if he travels to the United States of America, USA.



In a statement Wednesday by his media adviser, Garba Shehu, Atiku Abubakar who noted that Obasanjo's statements in an EFCC magazine, "Zero Tolerance, "were not true, said, "The former President is wrong. It is widely known that Atiku didn't enter government broke.

He declared his assets at the commencement of his Vice Presidency and did so at the end of his term as required by the constitution, which is a sacred document to Atiku.

"Atiku, who is currently returning from China after leading a private economic trade mission at the invitation of the Chinese government, travels often and has a well-documented record of building industries and putting thousands of Nigerians to work. And this record, quite frankly, has been thoroughly investigated."

Garba who noted that Atiku has no case against him by any arm of the law in any country in the world, including the United States, said, "President Obasanjo's repeated 'jokes' about Turaki not being able to go to America have become cliché, tiresome and not true."

The Media Adviser recalled that in 2006, former President Obasanjo sent his National Security Adviser (NSA) to stop Atiku from travelling to the US, saying that the Vice President risked arrest on arrival. He said that Turaki spurned that advice, left Nigeria to land at the Andrews Air Force Base, the official airport of the US government, to receive the best reception ever on a visit to America.

"So, we are used to those taunts," he said.

He noted that when the former Vice President left office shortly before late Musa Yar'Adua was inaugurated as President, Atiku spent three months in the US, adding that if they (US authorities) wanted him for anything, they would have met him, adding, "It is time to start dealing in facts. Specifically, the fact that Atiku's visa to visit the United States has been recently renewed.

"Another fact is Atiku is one of the most investigated politicians in Nigerian history. And every investigation, whether politically motivated here at home or by the FBI abroad, has yielded the same result every time: not guilty.

"If Atiku is guilty of anything, it is crushing persistent attempts at re-writing our constitution.

"Atiku has chosen the path of optimism and hope. Moving forward, he will continue working to fuel Nigeria's economy through investment and job creation, while also passionately and persistently defending our young democracy."

Wednesday 11 September 2013

PRESIDENT JONATHAN SACKS 9 MINISTERS

President Goodluck Jonathan's administration has sacked nine serving ministers.

In a reshuffle that was carried out on Wednesday and announced to the ministers at the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Jonathan dropped six senior and three junior ministers.

They are: the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru; the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruggayat Ruf'ai; the Minister of National Planning, Samsudeen Usman; the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ama Pepple; the Minister of the Environment, Hajia Hadiza Mailafia; and the Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Bassey Ewa.

The Minister of States affected were those of Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, Agriculture, Alhaji Bukar Tijani; and Power, Alhaja Zainab Kuchi.

The development was confirmed the newsmen by the Special Adviser on Media to President Jonathan, Dr. Reuben Abati.

Speculations had been rife since the beginning of the year about a cabinet reshuffle and this had however been met with rebuttal each time.

Tuesday 10 September 2013

AGAINST A BACKDROP OF ONGOING ASUU STRIKE, FG REAFFIRMED ITS COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE QUALITATIVE EDUCATION

President Goodluck Jonathan and the former British Prime Minister, Mr. Gordon Brown, who presently serves as the United Nations Special Envoy on Global Education, exchanged commitments to support education of young Nigerians. They met in Abuja on Monday, September 9, according to a release signed by the Special Adviser to the President Reuben Abati.


President Jonathan reconfirmed the commitment of his administration to the effective implementation of policies and measures that aim to ensure that young people in Nigeria receive qualitative education that can prepare them to integrate into the labour market. Jonathan also said that in addition to providing the $250 Million required to match the amount raised by international donors, the Federal Government will provide the necessary support to state governments to ensure that they have access to the new funds and use them appropriately.

"Thank you for helping us in this area. Education is critical to making our youth more employable. The Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance and the Minister of Education will work with the states to make sure that the programme succeeds," Jonathan told Brown.

Brown, in turn, said he had a fruitful meeting with Vice President Namadi Sambo, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa'i and a range of other officials on international assistance to enhance access to educational opportunities for young Nigerias. He added that the UN and international donors were committed to working with the federal and state governments to expand teacher training programmes, improve girl-child education, and boost the use of the tools of modern technology.

This discussion took place against a backdrop of the ongoing strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The Union has embarked on industrial action on July 1 after accusing the FG of reneging on a 2009 agreement with the Union.

However, it has not been reported wether the politicians discussed the ASUU strike at the meeting.

UNBELIEVABLE: 27-YEAR-OLD MAN RAPES HIS 60-YEAR-OLD MOTHER

A 60-year-old woman has been sexually assaulted by her 27-year-old son, an Ado-Ekiti Magistrate Court in Ekiti State heard yesterday.

Akintunde Omotehinde is currently in prison custody for raping his mother, an incident which led her to be hospitalized.

Prosecutor revealed that the young man performed this evil act on the 23rd of August in Ajebamidele Area of Ado-Ekiti.

He added that on the same date, the accused assaulted and inflicted injuries on one, Isiaka Ojo, who attempted to separate him from his mother during the act.

The magistrate, Mrs Patricia Ajibade, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody, pending the DPP's legal advice and adjourned the case till October 16.

EDUCATION MINISTRY WEBSITE SUSPENDED AMID ASUU STRIKE

The website of the Federal Ministry of Education, www.fme.gov.ng, is down. Although it could not be ascertained how long it has been down, newsmen, who visited the website on Monday, had stumbled on the message, "This account has been suspended.''



No information was placed on the site to tell visitors that it has moved to another domain and no link was provided to redirect those in search of information about the educational system to a new one.

Besides, another website attributed to the ministry online, fmegovng.org, is also "ailing'' as the message on the site read, "This domain name will be on Godaddy Auctions soon."

Visitors to any of the two portals in search of reports related to the ongoing industrial action by university teachers may be disappointed as the ministry literally has no official website to inform interested members of the public.

A check on some education parastatals in the country shows that some of them are fast taking a cue from the supervisory ministry that is saddled with the responsibility for defining and shaping the structure of the education system in Nigeria.

For instance, a visit to the website of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, www.ncceonline.org, showed that the information on the site was far from being rich. The "About Us'' is the only section that the website has, while the welcome page contains two articles which only informed visitors on how to go about securing loan to study in higher institutions of learning abroad.

No mention was made of its activities, pertaining to the regulation of colleges of education in the country, as well as the issuance of the National Certificate of Education - the minimum certificate that qualifies one to teach in the country.

The National Educational Research and Development Council's website, www.nerdc.gov.ng, which prides itself as the "think-tank of Nigerian education'' is only a little better than that of the NCCE.

The first information that caught the attention of newsmen on the welcome page of the website on Monday was the date on it. The date on the site simply read Thursday, September 05, 2013.

A click on the "Achievement'' section of the site, which was expected to give the track record of the council from 2005 to 2012, showed it was empty. The message on it read, "This page is awaiting update." A similarly information was posted on the "Press Release" section.

Besides, the website managers did not deem it fit to input the contact person and phone number of the designatedofficial at its area office on 8, Orlu Street, Garki, Abuja as they simply left the spaces meant for it blank.

PDP CRISIS: KADUNA PDP CHIEFS DUMP TUKUR

Some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party led by a former Chairman of the PDP in Kaduna State, Alhaji Audi Yaro-Makanma have joined the Abubakar Baraje faction of the party.



Yaro-Makanma was the state party chairman between 2001 and 2007 under the Ahmed Makarfi administration in the state.

A statement signed by Yaro-Makanma and a former member of the State House of Assembly(1999-2007), Mr. Gideon Morik, in Kaduna on Monday, said the decision to join the New PDP was to save the party from destruction.

It noted that the decision of the former Vice -President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and seven governors elected on the platform of the party, was not only worthy of commendation, but should be emulated.

Specifically, the chieftains added that since the elevation of Namadi Sambo as the Vice-President, the party's fortunes had dwindled in the state.

The party noted that the Vice-President was unable to control the party because "he lacked the political wherewithal to do so."

The leaders said that the revolutionary moves to sack the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP and replace it with the current one led by Alhaji Kawu Baraje should "be replicated in all the states chapters of the party.

The PDP chiefs stated that in Kaduna, the support base of the party had been shrinking since 2007 when Sambo became governor and decided to rubbish the party and its supporters.

The party leaders said that in the last few weeks, a political Tsunami was unleashed on the nation with the emergence of a new leadership to pilot the affairs of the PDP.

They said, "The PDP in Kaduna State therefore proudly and wholeheartedly identifies with the new leadership of the party, under Alhaji Kawu Baraje and follows in the footsteps of its sister chapters of Adamawa, Jigawa and Taraba states in setting up new leadership to give our party a new lease of life."

But the Kaduna State chapter of the PDP said that it was in support of the Tukur group in the party.

The PDP's Public Relations Officer in the state, Ibrahim Mansur, in a statement said the party executive in the state rejected the "ploy" by the former chairman to destroy the party.

He said any attempt at creating confusion by political jobbers under the guise of dirty party politics in the state would surely attract the attention of law enforcement agencies.

The state read in part, "There is only one PDP, which is the one led by Bamanga Tukur, this much has been determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. The claim by the so called group is false and totally criminal, as the party is intact and united under the able leadership of Dr. A. G. Haruna.

"The PDP in Kaduna State remains undivided and one big family that is committed to the transformation agenda of our leader, His Excellency President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and his vice, Sambo."

17 STATE PDP CHAIRMEN SHUN MEETING WITH TUKUR

Recent reports have revealed that, on Monday, Tukur hosted 19 state chairmen of the PDP and their Federal Capital Territory counterpart in his bid to win their support against the Baraje-led group.

It was learnt that the majority of the 17 state chairmen that stayed away from the meeting attended the PDP post-convention dinner, which was held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Sunday night.

Before the dinner, all the state chairmen had also met at the Agura Hotel, Abuja where discussions were held on the party's crisis.

The chairmen that were absent from the meeting with Tukur were those of Kano, Sokoto, Kwara, Niger, Jigawa, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Anambra, Taraba, Kebbi, Borno, Bauchi, Delta, Edo and Bayelsa states.

In attendance were chairmen from Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Oyo, Cross River, Adamawa, Yobe, Ekiti, Benue, Kogi, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Nasarawa, Ondo, Lagos, Gombe, Ogun, Osun and Plateau states and the FCT.

The Chairman of the Conference of the PDP State Chairmen, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, confirmed to journalists that some of his colleagues who were absent from the meeting attended the post-convention dinner.

He said some of the chairmen from states such as Bayelsa, Enugu, Edo and Ebonyi sent apologies that they were returning to their respective states on Monday morning.

At the meeting, Tukur said it was only the PDP that could guarantee Nigeria's unity and that of the entire Africa.

He said, "Today, no party in Nigeria has spread like PDP and that means that people accept our party. It means also that it is a big responsibility, hence the people believe there must be equity and justice. I am analogue, while you are digital. I will give you wisdom to tackle tomorrow and we believe that every member of the party has the right to express himself. But the majority will always have their way while minority will have their say."