Former Nigeria minister of foreign affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru is dead. He died in a South African hospital yesterday after what family sources said “a protracted illness.”
Ashiru, who was a career diplomat was credited with re-energising Nigeria’s presence in international diplomacy in the post-Olusegun Obasanjo era.
The deceased has been described by President Goodluck Jonathan as
“the exemplary diplomat” who gave the most productive years of his adult life to the patriotic service of his nation.
In a condolence message today, President Jonathan said that Ambassador Ashiru will be remembered and honoured as one of the few elites, who after a long and very distinguished career as a Foreign Service Officer in the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was recalled from retirement to serve as Minister and political head of the same ministry in recognition of his widely acknowledged leadership qualities and diplomatic skills.
President Jonathan beleived that Nigeria will always owe the late Minister a huge debt of gratitude for his notable contributions, over many years, to the establishment of mutually-beneficial relationships with other countries where he served as diplomat and ambassador, and for the country’s many diplomatic successes in the international arena during his tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The President condoled with Ambassador Ashiru’s wife, children, other relatives, friends, associates, former colleagues and staff of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the loss and assured them of the fullest sympathy, solidarity and support of the Federal Government as they mourn.

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Minister of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed has solicited the support of the Central Bank of Nigeria towards the establishment of a Security Trust Fund aimed at boosting the fight against crime in the Territory.
Speaking when the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele paid him a visit in his office at the weekend, the minister said that the apex bank could assist the FCTA in the area of working out a good financial framework for the operation of the trust fund.
Senator Bala said that the CBN could assist through the window of its corporate social responsibilities, adding that the administration is already taking measures towards establishing its own Internal Revenue Board. He said that when operational, the board would enable FCT to float bonds as part of measures to strengthen it to operate the security trust fund.
“I know the CBN has been the front runner in terms of giving corporate social assistance so that people will sleep with their eyes closed. We are doing so well and we want to make sure we establish an institution that will access funds from security services.”
He said that with such method, his administration would be in good stead to lend its support to security organizations so that they can provide effective surveillance, monitoring and closed circuit television (CCTV) networking.
He added that the security protocol would be such that corporate institutions and individuals are supposed to comply with.
Senator Bala said that the FCT Administration would approach the CBN for the needed support once the security protocol is approved “so that you can see visible areas and we will establish a trust fund that you will be part and parcel of. “We must leverage on your presence in our capital to maximally benefit from your generosity and economic buoyancy that you are associated with.”
Emefiele had earlier commended the Minister for providing a conducive environment for the apex bank to operate.
He said that since he resumed as CBN Governor five and half months ago, he had witnessed a lot of transformational developments across the FCT.
According to him, there are certain projects that the CBN is doing in Abuja apart from banking transaction and services.
“I want to thank you for the excellent job you have been doing. As the Governor and Mayor of Abuja, you have transformed the city. You have ensured that the growth of Abuja is in line with the master plan.”

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An overland plane which flew from Abuja, overshot the runway today at the Ilorin airport with 59 passengers and four crew members coming out of the crash alive even as the airline insisted that it was not true that the plane crash-land..

A statement from the General Manager, Public Affairs, of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Fan Ndubuoke, today said that no life was lost in the incident, which he said is already being investigated.

The statement read, “An Overland flight 1186, an ATR 72 aircraft with Registration number 5N-BPG from Abuja airport to Ilorin, carrying fifty nine passengers and four crew members, veered off the runway at low speed after a normal landing at the Ilorin Airport.

“The incident which occurred today Saturday, November 29, at 4.45pm, has no casualty recorded. However, the Accident and Prevention Bureau in conjunction with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has begun an investigation into the cause of the incident.

“The authority wishes to use this medium to reassure Nigerians that safety of the traveling public is still paramount and cannot be compromised.”

One of the passengers, Ayuba Balami, commended the pilot for showing great experience by maneuvering the plane to safety.

However, a statement from the management of Overland, which confirmed the incident, said that there was no crash, adding: “‎It was a normal flight to Ilorin and standard procedures of flight were followed. The aircraft landed safely at Ilorin Airport at 1645hrs as scheduled and decelerated to a low speed, and in turning off the active runway, veered off the pavement.

“At the directive of the Pilot-In-Command, our cabin crew calmly evacuated all the 59 passengers safely and they were moved to the airport terminal. No passengers or crew sustained any injuries whatsoever.

“Our Ilorin passengers have since collected their baggage and gone home while the Ibadan Airport bound passengers will continue on Overland Airways to Ibadan Airport.” [myad]

 The primary election for the Kogi State House of Assembly held across the 21 Local government areas is now tearing the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state even as a thug who came with a gun and allegedly wanted to assassinate a Local government Council Chairman from the Eastern part of the state was arrested by security agencies. The local government chairman was said to have gone with the electoral materials.

Thugs and loyalists of aspirants who came to mount guard against possible high jack and diversion of election materials protested to no avail.

An aspirant for the House of Representatives in the struggle to gain access to the materials was said to have collapsed as he was outsmarted by opponents. The situation was said to be the survival of the fittest as materials were smuggled out of the secretariat by the strongest.

The primary election for the Lokoja 1 and 2 took place at the Student amusement park amidst security surveillance mounted by the police and other security agencies.

There were skirmishes at the entrance to the PDP secretariat as some thugs snatched vehicles leaving many with broken windscreens.

An aspirant for Okene 1 constituency, Abdulrasheed Adabara Ovosi in a press briefing in Lokoja expressed disappointment with the turnout of the primary whereby imposition was the order despite earlier assurances that there would be primary election.

He said the peace in Okene was very fragile warning the PDP not to do anything that would jeopardize their chances in the general election.

Ovosi who said he was speaking on behalf of other aggrieved aspirants asked the Governor to be honourable and allow the votes of the people to count. He said the opposition APC is waiting in the wings to catch in on the lapses.

Another aggrieved PDP stalwart from Ogorimagongo, Retired Major Abraham Sodje said they were also disappointed as a group loyal to one of the aspirant snatched the materials from the returning officer.

He said the PDP leadership has given them assurance that the election in the constituency would be cancelled.

The PDP chairman said the skirmishes noticed were normal in any primary election saying that after all there was no blood that was spilled.

On the diversion of materials complaints of which were rampart he said ‎any primary election with such allegation would be cancelled, stressing: ‘it is not acceptable at all.”

One of the aggrieved aspirants who spoke in the crowd said the Chairman knows all about the snatching and smuggling, adding that he was only trying to defend his heinous activities with such comments.

The screening committee later sneaked out of the Party secretariat claiming that the party chairman told them to leave as he cannot guarantee their safety

In Kabba bunu and ijumu local government areas, the accreditation of delegates started late while voting commenced about 5 pm on a peaceful note. [myad]