In the last few weeks, the issue of the abduction of nearly 200 students of a secondary school in Chibok, Borno State has been largely politicized. Rarely are the real mothers of the girls seen these days on television as some really concerned women and opportunists have taken the centre stage and relishing the attendant publicity pushing the parents to the background. But at least, some measures of good are coming from the situation as a stakeholders’ meeting by First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has come up with a startling revelation that the recalcitrance of Governors Murtala Nyako of Borno State, Kashim Shettima of Borno and Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe may have inadvertently left the nation with this nauseating situation. Head of the West African Examination Council (WAEC), Nigerian Office, Charles Eguridu, told the stakeholders gathered with Mrs. Jonathan the fertile ground that led to the abduction of the girls was laid, after its request to the state governments for the relocation of the examination centre was ignored. His story: “When we made that representation (letter) to the three affected states, none of them responded to the honourable minister’s request. “We followed it up and I directed my zonal coordinator in Borno state in particular, to liaise with the Ministry of Education in Borno State, and the response we got was so disheartening. We were told that they had security in place for the candidates and that we should come and conduct the examination in the schools and that they were not ready to relocate their students from Chibok and other areas to Maiduguri or nearby locations where security agencies could provide security. “They said if we failed to conduct the examinations, the world would blame us. And so at great risk, my officers went to Chibok and conducted the examinations. “After the unfortunate incident in which the students were said to have been abducted, our staff now got a response from the state that they were then ready to relocate the remaining students to another place called Ubah. And, as I speak, 189 candidates are continuing with the examination in Ubah.” While the most important move now is to get our daughters back home to us, away from the wicked and ravenous wolves that keep them, it is about time someone told the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors of these three states that while they may choose to play politics over other matters, they should not do it at the risk of the lives of our children. In addition, political gymnastics with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) controlled federal government may be acceptable in some circumstances, but playing politics with a sub-regional agency is the basest of political behaviour. See where it has led the state government. And who is to say the Borno State government is not to blame? While this is not the best of times for blame-sharing, it has become increasingly clear that the federal government should cease wanting to do what is politically correct and impose full and comprehensive emergency rule in the three states of the north-east, more so when the governors are intemperate. Away from irresponsible leaders, the federal government should bring to bear, its mighty weight upon the French-colonised countries of Niger, Cameroon, and Chad. A few oil deals the way of France may work the wonders that is required to bend France over backwards, while a strong message is delivered to these countries like General Muhammadu Buhari did in the early 80s when a similar group toyed with our territorial integrity. That bloody nose still remains fresh in the mind of our neighbours and a reiteration of our capacity to do it on a larger scale is needed at this time so that enemies without and within will know better not to mess with the federal government. Still on the matter of the kidnapped girls, it is a wonder that those who claim to be our international friends with all the technologies in space were oblivious of the movement of the fanatics who moved around and captured 200 girls and redistributed them across countries as it has been claimed in some quarters. Friends, indeed! Also, while contributing to debates on the floor of the National Assembly, lawmakers regaled the nation with the activities of the so-called Boko Haram operatives, including how they were marrying the abducted girls. It makes you wonder how they know so much so soon. Moreover, how come our daughters are escaping from the insurgents when it appears the army is helpless. So, what exactly is going on in Chibok, Borno State?
Josephine contributed this piece from Festac Town, Lagos.
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has consoled the family of Justice Chukwudifu Oputa who died yesterday, asking them to take heart as the late judge lived a long and fulfilled life.
In a tribute, signed by his special adviser on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President said that the retired Justice of the Supreme Court will always be remembered, amongst other career highlights, for his celebrated chairmanship of Nigeria’s Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission 14 years ago, President Jonathan.
He advised the family to be comforted by the knowledge that Justice Oputa “lived a long, very fulfilled and achievement-laden life.
The President believes that Justice Oputa will always be honoured now and in posterity for having served the nation as a most distinguished and courageous jurist who made very significant and indelible contributions to the advancement of Nigerian jurisprudence.
President Jonathan expressed confidence that although Justice Oputa has now left the world of the living, he will be long remembered for his spirited legal activism and will continue to serve as a splendid role model for present and future generations of Nigerian judges.
He prayed to God tol receive Justice Oputa’s soul and grant him a well-deserved rest from his diligent and exemplary labours on earth.
A former Governor of Lagos State, Sir Michael Agbolade Otedola is dead. He died today at the age of 87. His widow, Lady Doja Otedola announced his death today in a statement in Lago.
Michael Otedola is father of billionaire oil magnate, owner of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited, Femi Otedola.
Lady Doja, in the statement said: “Sir Michael Agbolade Otedola passed away this morning at 87. Funeral arrangements to be announced later by the family.”
It was learnt that the former governor died of a stroke related ailment that has kept him from public glare for the past five years.
Born on July 16, 1926 at Odoragunsin in the Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, the late Otedola won a scholarship to study Journalism at the Regent Street Polytechnic, London and graduated in 1958.
He returned to Nigeria in 1959 to become an information officer in the Western Nigeria Government and was later appointed the Editor of the Western Nigeria Illustrated.
In 1961, he moved to the Western Nigeria Television/Western Broadcasting Service and in 1964, he joined Mobil Oil Group of Companies.
Otedola continued as a consultant to Mobil after leaving the company in 1977 before joining politics that later saw him elected governor of Lagos State from 1992 to 1993 on the platform of the National Republican Convention.
Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) Atiku Abubakar has described the late retired Supreme Court Justice, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa as an extraordinary jurist with extraordinary pedigree.
In a tribute to Oputa, issued by his media office in Abuja today, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said the death of the retired Supreme Court Justice was like a huge branch being cut off from the nation’s judicial iroko tree.
According to him, apart from his extraordinary courage, the late Oputa was also a man of profound knowledge on account of which he was famously branded the “Socrates of the Supreme Court.”
He explained that for Oputa to earn this appellation from colleagues was a demonstration of his erudition and colossal stature.
Atiku recalled that with no less than 358 judgements and rulings under his belt, the late Oputa was a giant of law not only in Nigeria, but also the rest of Africa.
The former Vice President prayed for the repose of the late Oputa and condoled with his family on this irreparable loss.
The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has described the death of a former Supreme Court judge, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa as “a sad and an unquantifiable loss’’ even as Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta state also described the late judge as an exceptional jurist who sacrificed his time, knowledge and energy for Nigeria and the rule of law
These were contained in tributes issued today by their media aides, Uche Anichukwu and Felix Ofou respectively
Ekweremadu said: “Nigeria has lost one of her brightest legal luminaries. He was an upright, courageous, intelligent, and patriotic jurist and elder statesman.
“He represented the finest era of the country’s judiciary and it is indeed a sunset for a legal icon and the nation will miss him surely.
“We owe it to the memory of that golden era of the judiciary, which Justice Oputa represented, to engender a radical ethical and professional revival in our judicial system,’’ he said.
The deputy senate president condoled with the family of the late Justice and the nation in general and prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased.
Governor Uduaghan, in his tribute said that Oputa lived a fulfilled life, adding that the legal profession and the entire country had lost an icon and would be affected by his demise.
The governor said that the former Supreme Court justice was “fearless, bold and courageous” while protecting the rights of the poor, deprived and defenceless.
Uduaghan said that the landmark judgments of the late eminent jurist had continued to stand the test of time.
“His judgments have stood the test of time and like good wine are eternal epitaphs from which our laws draw inspiration and are admired.
“The philosophy and wisdom behind his judgments make them almost infallible,” Uduaghan said.
The governor further recalled fond memories he spent with the legal luminary at the instance of his son and musician, Charlie Boy Oputa.
He added: “Everyone knows Charlie Boy is my friend and through him I shared a special bond and relationship with the late justice who ultimately also became a father to me.’’
There are fears that members of the deadly Boko Haram might have killed 10 out of over 200 female students they abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno state a forthright ago. This is even as the leadership of Boko Haram was said to have asked Federal Government of Nigeria to comply with their request or 10 girls will be killed every 20 days. Information reaching us said that 10 dead bodies identified to be victims of the adducted girls were found lying on a lonely part of the road of Wala village in Gwoza Local Government Area, some 130 km southwest of Maiduguri, the Borno capital. The bodies were found in the evening of yesterday, Sunday, May 4. The site is close to the town near Gwoza Mountains where Boko Haram are said to be presently camping. It was gathered that seven of the dead victims are between the ages of 15 and 17 years out of which eight of them were virgins. The bodies have been identified by families and taken for funeral rites.
Nigerian troops are reported to be massing to launch an assault on the Boko Haram enclave in Sambisa forest to free hundreds of schoolgirls kidnapped whom they abducted from their school a fortnight ago, even as the Senate President, David Mark insisted on full military action against the sect as it is now clear that they are trying the will of the government and Nigerians.
It is believed that four battalions of troops have already been stationed at all corners of the forest, backed by fighter aircraft, helicopter gunships and police surveillance helicopters.
A large medical team with mobile clinics and air ambulances had also been sent to the area amid fears of casualties if and when an assault is launched.
Meanwhile, the Senate President, Senator David Mark has warned Boko Haram not to try the will of the federal government and the might of its military.
He said that by their continued refusal to release unconditionally, the over 200 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, who are still in their custody, they are inviting the full wrath of Nigerians.
In a statement in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Paul Mumeh, Senator Mark said: “they (Boko Haram members) have touched the hearts and souls of Nigerians by abducting and kidnapping our children. Children are our future. They have in effect, declared war on Nigeria and Nigerians. “I have been an advocate for dialogue with the Boko haram elements in this country. But things have gone absolutely beyond bounds and nogovernment will negotiate with Boko haram as long as they keep our girls and our boys. “They must free those they have abducted unconditionally. Nobody is going to negotiate with them on that basis. “They must never test the will of the government. They must never test the might of the Nigerian armed forces. Above all, they must never test the power of the Nigerian people because we must stand united against evil.
“They must have taken government decision to negotiate with them for weakness. They must not . Nigerian armed forces have performed creditably well across the globe. They will do even better at home to preserve our unity and sovereignty”. “We are not going to sit down and fold our hands. The federal government must intensify military action against the perpetrators and bring the issue of Boko Haram to a logical conclusion. “The current situation in the country where some children have taken arms against their own country is totally unacceptable. Parents must share in the blame.”
A 55 year old violent armed robber’ in the United Kingdom, Michael Wheatley, nicknamed ‘the Skull Cracker, appears to have jail-break as he refused to return to prison after being temporarily allowed out.
Wheatley was said to have raided 13 building societies and banks over 10 months in 2001 and 2002 and has been on parole from previous 27-year sentence for other robberies.
He was given 13 life sentences at the Old Bailey in 2002, did not return to HMP Standford Hill open prison on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, after he was allowed out on Saturday.
Wheatley was said to have raided 13 building societies and banks over 10 months in 2001 and 2002 while on parole from previous 27-year sentence for other robberies.
He earned his notorious nickname after pistol-whipping victims during the raids.
Jeremy Wright, the prisons minister, said there will be a “full review” of the case, looking at the decision to grant Wheatley temporary licence to leave prison.
The case raises concerns about the way day-release schemes have been operating, he said.
“We are not prepared to see public safety compromised, the system has been too lax up to now and we are changing that,” he said.
In future when prisoners are let out on temporary licence, they will be tagged, subject to tougher risk assessments and tested in the community under strict conditions before being released.
“Temporary release can be an important tool in helping offenders reintegrate but it should not be an automatic right,” he said.
Conservative backbencher Philip Davies, said that whoever allowed Wheatley out of prison was “a berk. It is completely ludicrous that a serving life-sentence prisoner is even in an open prison where they can simply walk out.
“As far as I am concerned, whoever allowed him to be in an open prison should be sacked.”
A Prison Service spokesman said: “This is now a matter for the police and we are supporting them in their investigation.
A spokesman for Kent Police confirmed a specialist team was combing the South East for Wheatley, who is known to have links across the region.
Officers are understood to be examining CCTV footage for clues and working with other forces to track down Wheatley, who is originally from Limehouse in east London.
The public have been advised not to approach the escaped convict and to call police with any information that could lead to his arrest.
Standford Hill prison, which has housed famous inmates including disgraced MPs Jonathan Aitken and Bob Devine, faced criticism in September last year when a convicted murderer walked out and went to stay with a friend.
Police tracked down 43-year-old Michael Bruce, who had been jailed for life at the Old Bailey in London in February 1997, three days after he failed to answer a roll call.
And in January last year, the prison faced further scrutiny when three prisoners walked out in a single week.
Wheatley, described as a “career criminal”, launched his most recent series of raids just three weeks after being released on parole.
When asked his occupation by the custody officer after being arrested, he replied: “Armed robber.”
He later admitted 13 charges of robber and 13 of possessing an imitation firearm.
His robberies were mainly on small branches in areas he knew, ranging from Southampton to Royston in Hertfordshire and netted him more than £45,000.
As the robberies continued, the violence he used towards staff and customers worsened.
In March 2002 he pistol whipped a 73-year-old woman and a building society manager.
Sentencing him that yeat, Judge Michael Mettyear said: “You terrified staff and customers alike. Your victims were terrified and left shocked and dazed.
“I am sure they will never forget their experience at your hands. Some may never fully recover.”
He had been released from jail on in June 6, 2001, from 27 years handed out in three separate sentences. He had previously gone on the run from two of them.
He was locked up for nine years in the eighties for a single post office raid. In 1988 he was released to attend hospital but failed to return.
It was the start of a robbery spree in which he raided nine targets for which he was jailed for 16 years in 1989, to run consecutively to the nine years.
The 16 years was later reduced on appeal to 11 years, but still consecutive to the nine-year term.
In 1992 he went on the run again after he was released to see an optician and never returned.
This time he committed eight armed robberies for which he was sentenced to seven years in 1993 consecutive to the 20 years he was previously serving. His raid netted him more than 45,000 Pounds.
Abubakar Shekau, the leader of the deadly Boko Haram has said that he would “sell on the market” more than 200 schoolgirls abducted by his fighters last month, even as students in Borno state have declared May 7 a lecture-free day to enable them pray for the abducted female students of Chibok Girls Secondary School for them to gain their freedom.
In a video obtained by the French news agency Shekau said: “I abducted your girls. I will sell them in the market, by Allah.”
Shekau also said in the video, according to AFP, that the outrage over the kidnapping is “because we are holding people (as) slaves.”
AFP did not immediately make the video with Shekau’s comments available online for further analysis.
In the weeks since the girls were abducted from their school in the village of Chibok, Borno state, most observers had concluded that Boko Haram were the likely culprits, but until now the group has remained silent on the girls’ plight.
It had earlier been reported that at least 276 still missing girls have been sold to their captors as child brides for the sum of 2,000 Nigerian naira — or $12 USD — a situation that Shekau’s comments appear to verify.
Meanwhile, the Borno State Students and Youths Alliance declared May 7 as lecture-free day to pray for the safe return of the abducted girls. The spokesperson of the group, Miss Fatima Maliki, said at a news conference in Maiduguri today that the prayer would allow Nigerian students reflect over the situation, which she described, as unfortunate.
“We are pleading with students all over the country, especially those at the tertiary institutions, to observe next Wednesday as lecture-free day to enable them pray for safe return of the abducted students.
“We also plan to use the day for soul searching and reflections over continued killings by Boko Haram insurgents in the country.”
She appealed for understanding from authorities at the institutions for the success of the event.
“We are pleading for understanding from lecturers and other stakeholders to enable the plan succeed,” she said.
Maliki also said that the group would stage a mass procession of youths on May 23, in Maiduguri if the military failed to rescue the girls.
The spokesperson threatened to mobilise students from all parts of the country as well as members of National Youths Council to embark on a sit-in demonstration at the Ramat Square, Maiduguri.
“We are going to remain at the square until the students are rescued.
“We are passionately appealing to the Federal Government to strive towards bringing back the abducted students.
“They are our sisters and colleagues, after 21 days of their abduction we do not know their condition of health, we do not know their where about.”
With the $7.5 Billion United States of America’s initiative in power sector in Africa, dozen of foreign investors are already making moves to invest in Nigerian power sector. According to the Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil when he gave feedback on his trip to the United States for a Power Africa B2B Summit, organized by the US Department of Commerce in Miami Florida, the foreign investors are attracted by the opportunities in the solar, wind and other areas of the power sector in Nigeria. Some of the firms which were at the summit and showed interest in the Nigerian power sector include Chadbourne & Parks, Global Energy group, Greenberg Traurig, MGill & Associates and business partners of MBD Business Centre in Miami as well as those of Global Business Resources in the USA. The Summit was designed to mobilize investment fund from the private sector to power the African continent. The minister said that the Nigerian Power sector is set to reap the benefit of the $7.5 billion US Initiative which was launched in South Africa by President Barrack Obama in 2013. The Minister expressed happiness on the fact that most of the investors at Miami summit were positively disposed to investing in Nigeria, especially in the areas of renewable energy. Mohammed said that such potential investors were particularly moved by the existing incentives, such as risk guarantee, the waiver regime for renewable energy equipments, favourable policy frameworks among others. He expressed confidence that with is happening in the power sector, Nigeria, one of the six chosen countries, will benefit massively from the US Initiative.
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Nigerian troops are reported to be massing to launch an assault on the Boko Haram enclave in Sambisa forest to free hundreds of schoolgirls kidnapped whom they abducted from their school a fortnight ago, even as the Senate President, David Mark insisted on full military action against the sect as it is now clear that they are trying the will of the government and Nigerians.
With the $7.5 Billion United States of America’s initiative in power sector in Africa, dozen of foreign investors are already making moves to invest in Nigerian power sector.
What Exactly Is Going On In Chibok, Borno? By Josephine Babatunde
Rarely are the real mothers of the girls seen these days on television as some really concerned women and opportunists have taken the centre stage and relishing the attendant publicity pushing the parents to the background.
But at least, some measures of good are coming from the situation as a stakeholders’ meeting by First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has come up with a startling revelation that the recalcitrance of Governors Murtala Nyako of Borno State, Kashim Shettima of Borno and Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe may have inadvertently left the nation with this nauseating situation.
Head of the West African Examination Council (WAEC), Nigerian Office, Charles Eguridu, told the
stakeholders gathered with Mrs. Jonathan the fertile ground that led to the abduction of the girls was laid, after its request to the state governments for the relocation of the examination centre was ignored.
His story: “When we made that representation (letter) to the three affected states, none of them responded to
the honourable minister’s request.
“We followed it up and I directed my zonal coordinator in Borno state in particular, to liaise with the Ministry of Education in Borno State, and the response we got was so disheartening. We were told that they had security in place for the candidates and that we should come and conduct the examination in the schools and that they were not ready to relocate their students from Chibok and other areas to Maiduguri or nearby locations where security agencies could provide security.
“They said if we failed to conduct the examinations, the world would blame us. And so at great risk, my officers went to Chibok and conducted the examinations.
“After the unfortunate incident in which the students were said to have been abducted, our staff now got a response from the state that they were then ready to relocate the remaining students to another place called Ubah. And, as I speak, 189 candidates are continuing with the examination in Ubah.”
While the most important move now is to get our daughters back home to us, away from the wicked and ravenous wolves that keep them, it is about time someone told the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors of these three states that while they may choose to play politics over other matters, they should not do it at the risk of the lives of our children. In addition, political gymnastics with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) controlled federal government may be acceptable in some circumstances, but playing politics with a sub-regional agency is the basest of political behaviour. See where it has led the state government.
And who is to say the Borno State government is not to blame? While this is not the best of times for blame-sharing, it has become increasingly clear that the federal government should cease wanting to do what is politically correct and impose full and comprehensive emergency rule in the three states of the north-east, more so when the governors are intemperate.
Away from irresponsible leaders, the federal government should bring to bear, its mighty weight upon the French-colonised countries of Niger, Cameroon, and Chad.
A few oil deals the way of France may work the wonders that is required to bend France over backwards, while a strong message is delivered to these countries like General Muhammadu Buhari did in the early 80s when a similar group toyed with our territorial integrity.
That bloody nose still remains fresh in the mind of our neighbours and a reiteration of our capacity to do it on a larger scale is needed at this time so that enemies without and within will know better not to mess with the federal government.
Still on the matter of the kidnapped girls, it is a wonder that those who claim to be our international friends with all the technologies in space were oblivious of the movement of the fanatics who moved around and captured 200 girls and redistributed them across countries as it has been claimed in some quarters.
Friends, indeed! Also, while contributing to debates on the floor of the National Assembly, lawmakers regaled the nation with the activities of the so-called Boko Haram operatives, including how they were marrying the abducted girls. It makes you wonder how they know so much so soon.
Moreover, how come our daughters are escaping from the insurgents when it appears the army is helpless. So, what exactly is going on in Chibok, Borno State?
Josephine contributed this piece from Festac Town, Lagos.