Ms. Jumoke Akindele has emerged as the first female of the Ondo State House of Assembly. Akindele is representing Okitipupa Constituency II.
She was elected by a majority vote at the state House of Assembly session in Akure this morning. She polled Thirteen (13) votes
Akindele, who is a lawyer by profession, was until her election , the Chairman, House Committee on Education in the house. [myad]
An Australian senator, Senator Bill Heffernan who smuggled a fake bomb into the floor of the parliament on yesterday has painted the insecurity of members of the parliament.
The senator said in Sydney that the ease with which he was allowed to bring in the bomb showed how easy it is for criminal to smuggle dangerous material past security guards.
Sen. Bill Heffernan, at a committee hearing with Federal Police said that the smuggling of the fake bomb was to illustrate what parliament house security in Canberra had become.
He said that it had become imperative because as a result of the laxity in the security checks in the parliament, no one is safe again. Heffernan said he brought in the pipe bomb through the security pass way that he was concerned about changing the security arrangements to enable officials to conduct random searches on members of parliament and staff.
And the Federal Police Commissioner, Tony Negus has responded by saying Heffernan had showed him the mock bomb and informed him of his intentions before the hearing and promised that the security protocols would be reviewed.
[myad]
The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, has said that the security leadership in the country has located where members of Boko Haram are holding the abducted girls of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, who were kidnapped on April 14.
Badeh said that the military would not want use force to release the girls because of the need to prevent the insurgents from killing them.
The number one military personality in the country spoke while receiving a solidarity rally organised by the Citizens Initiative for Security Awareness, led by its National Coordinator, Mr. Chidi Omeze, outside the Defence Headquarters, Abuja on Monday.
Badeh said the military had the capacity to bring back the abducted girls but would not use force for the crucial assignment.
He stressed that the military knows what it is doing and should be allowed to continue with its work.
The CDS said that the military would not go and get the girls killed in the guise of bringing them back adding: “We want our girls back; we want our girls back; we can do it, our military can do it but where they are held, can we go with force?
“If we go with force, what will happen? (they will kill them). So nobody should come and say the Nigerian military does not know what it is doing. We know what we are doing, we can’t go and kill our girls in the name of trying to get them back. So we are working.
“The good news for the girls is that we know where they are but we cannot tell you, we cannot come and tell you military secrets here. Just leave us alone, we are working, we would get the girls back.”
[myad]
Nollywood star Tony Umez, Arc Tom Awagu, Prof Pat Utomi and Mr and Mrs Anthony Obiduluu presenting Al Grain noodles
The Nigeria ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised alarm over what it called attempts by the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to truncate the democracy by constantly abusing President Goodluck Jonathan.
PDP alleged that the leadership of the opposition has carefully laid-out plot to cause confusion and ultimately truncate the nation’s democracy.
In a statement in Abuja today by the National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, PDP said: “in continuously hauling insults against a democratically elected President upon whose shoulders lies the sacred mandate freely given by the Nigerian people, the APC is directly insulting Nigerians and showing their disdain for the institution of democracy.
“They have continued to show themselves as extremely unpatriotic elements blinded by narrow pursuit of power for very ignoble reasons for which they have contracted foreigners to undermine the government of their own nation, using negative paid write-ups and advertorials to dish out lies and vituperations against the Federal Government.”
Metuh said that the constant criticism of actions taken by President Jonathan on the insecurity situation in the country by the opposition political party, is aimed at denigrating the Presidency.
He said that PDP had carefully taken stock of the alleged insults, vituperations, lies and unending schemes by the APC against the office and person of President Jonathan.
“The National Chairman and the National Working Committee of the PDP find it very disturbing that the APC leadership, made up of elderly persons who ordinarily should have a sense of self respect and decorum, could condescend so low and resort to the use of uncouth language against the office and person of the President out of sheer frustration, bitterness and envy.”
Metuh said that having realised that it would never be elected into the Presidency, APC members are now using every means to denigrate and desecrate the presidency, bring it to public ridicule, poison the minds of the people and incite them against the government and set the ground for confusion and mayhem ahead of the 2015 elections.
He added that in constantly criticizing every strategy adopted by the President in the war against terrorism, the APC has not only confirmed its preference for insurgency, but also exposed its underlying design to distract the government and frustrate the overall anti-terrorism efforts.
He called on Nigerians to note that APC has nothing to offer other than to attack well-meaning individuals and institutions of governments and sow the seeds of discord among peace loving people ot the country.
“Theirs is clearly a question of the evil drummer who drums under the cover of the bush only to jump unto the footpath and mount enquiry regarding where the drumbeats came from.
“Let it be known to the APC that power belongs only to God and that those who denigrate and disrespect authority at any level will never be entrusted with it. In constantly insulting the President, the APC has shown that they will remain in opposition as no Nigerian will entrust ill-mannered and disrespectful persons with the leadership of our great country.
“The APC must realize that they have started irritating Nigerians. As a ruling party, we charge them to show maturity and shed their penchant for lies, deceit and unnecessary attacks on well meaning individual, government officials and institutions.”
Metuh said that the ruling party on its part would remain committed to the national interest and the welfare of Nigerians and that it would continue to stand solidly behind the President.
[myad]
Sambo DasukiFederal Government of Nigeria has arranged an all political parties’ summit in Abuja to discuss insecurity and others issues affecting the country.
Nigeria Supreme Court has shown an open anger towards a renowned Nigeria lawyer, Dr. Dickson Osuala who has been asked to cough out the sum of N8 million for what the court termed an abuse of the process of the apex court. Dr. Dickson is counsel to Chief Great Ogboru who contested the 2011 Delta state governorship election under the canopy of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP).
The N8 million, which the court said must come from the personal pocket of the lawyer, is to be shared amongst the Delta state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General of the Federation. Each of them will get N2 million.
The Supreme Court, in an unanimous ruling today, by seven Justices, said the case instituted by Osuala on behalf of Ogboru amounted to an affront on the nation’s judiciary as well as an abuse of the court process.
The court said that the N8 million is awarded as cost against the person of Dr. Dickson Osuala and is to be paid from his pocket to the respondents.
Ogboru, through his counsel, had unsuccessfully tried to get the Supreme Court to reopen his case challenging the election of Dr. Uduaghan as governor in the 2011 gubernatorial election in the state.
It is the third time the DPP standard bearer will be making such a move. But the Supreme Court panel, presided over by Justice Walter Onoghene, blamed Dr. Osuala for not advising his client rightly and embarking on a clear case of gross abuse of the court process.
The N8 million slammed on Dr. Osuala is for the said abuse and a deterrent to others who may attempt a similar move in future.
The justices further noted that Ogboru, through his counsel, wanted to resurrect a dead and buried horse and warned that this would be the last time such a case should brought before the court.
In a reaction at the end of the hearing, Dr. Uduaghan, through the Secretary to the Delta State Government, Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay, said the case and all such divisive battles were of God to deal with accordingly.
Uduaghan said that today’s ruling is a vindication that no man can fight God, hoping that Ogboru and his ilk would have learnt a lesson and allow the state to move forward.
“Our case has always been in the hands of God. And like we said, God’s Case has no appeal. That is what the Supreme Court has affirmed today and we hope Ogboru and his people would have learnt a lesson and realised that it is time to allow the state to move forward.”
The Ethiopian Prime Minister has been named to head a committee, set up by African leaders, to draw up a plan of action on how to wipe out terrorism from the face of Africa. The plan of action is expected to be tabled before the next African Union meeting between June 25 and June 26 in Malabo, Equitorial Guinea.
The committee is made up of ministers from selected countries and is aimed at forging a continental resistance against the spread of terrorism across Africa.
The committee emanated from the meeting of Heads of government in Africa which was concluded in Pretoria, South Africa yesterday.
The meeting was attended by the leaders of South Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana, Congo, Kenya, Uganda, and Cote D’Iv oire as well as President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria
Breifing news men today on the outcome of the meeting, the Presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati said the leaders discussed modalities for defining a stronger framework for cooperation and partnership amongst African states to deal with terrorism.
According to Abati, the African leaders recognized the fact that no one country can on its own deal with the challenges of terrorism in Africa.
“That what is required is not just a country-based approach or a regional approach but a continental approach which requires the cooperation of All African States. The realization, of course, is that when there is a threat of terrorism in one country it runs to another. And it has also been established in the narrative about the threat of terrorism in Africa that indeed there is a continent wide network and that many African states are facing this particular threat.”
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that President Goodluck Jonathan has shown by his actions and utterances that there is no hope for the rescue of abducted female students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno state by Boko Haram on April 14.
The party wondered how President Jonathan has abdicated his responsibility to Nigerian citizens with the statement that those who are calling for the safe return of the girls should address their protests to Boko Haram, rather than to him as President or the government he leads.
In a statement issued in Lagos by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed today, the party said that it is now logical to conclude that at this point, there is absolutely no hope for Nigeria and her citizens “under this capricious government.
”A government that is unwilling to take any responsibility for anything, and one that is unwilling to recognize that its raison d’etre is to ensure the welfare and security of its citizens has simply abdicated its responsibility, and should not be counted upon to do all that is necessary to rescue the over 200 girls who were abducted under its watch.”
APC said that the insurgents who have inflicted so much pain on the nation would not have succeeded as much as they have if the government had believed that it had any responsibility to the people, in which case it would have taken its responsibility very seriously instead of engaging in its pastime – blame game!
”If the Jonathan-led government is right, then anytime a country suffers from deadly flooding, for example, the people should rather blame the sea or the sea goddess instead of looking up to their government for succour. If the Jonathan-led government is right, then the US, Britain France, China as well as the UN, which have all been asking the government to do more to secure the homeland, are wrong and do not understand the concept of governance. Certainly, there is a problem somewhere.”
This is even as APC said thatit will neither be browbeaten nor blackmailed into abdicating its own responsibility as a virile opposition party by keeping quiet in the face of the government’s continued to tread on the dangerous path of running the nation aground.
”There seems to be a grand plot by the Jonathan Administration to silence all criticisms and sweep all ongoing corruption investigations and government incompetence under the carpet under the guise of uniting to fight terrorism.
”This is fraudulent as President Jonathan is only trying to profit from his own corruption and incompetence. While we are ready to partner with the Administration and join all Nigerians in the fight against terrorism, especially in efforts to ensure the safe return of the missing girls, we refuse to be cowed or tricked into submission and allow the looting of our resources and the bad governance to continue unchallenged.
”A government that is quick to accuse others of failing to sympathize with the victims of the insurgency that it had allowed to fester has no qualms campaigning aggressively for a second term of office for a President who has made a failure of his first term. A government that rushes to the media to condemn even an INEC-sanctioned rally, rather than the illegal rallies it engages in, has no shame running a daily advert, under the guise of the hitherto unknown Protectors of Nigerian Posterity, thus showing no respect for the mood of the nation.
”If the Jonathan and the PDP want to be taken seriously, they should ask their campaigners to apply the brakes out of respect for the mood of the nation. They should try to make a success of their yet-unfinished term of office before even seeking another.
”President Jonathan and the PDP cannot continue with their campaigns and then continue to blackmail us into keeping quiet. If anyone is exploiting the national tragedy, it is Jonathan and the PDP. If anyone is politicizing the insurgency, it is Jonathan and the PDP! Thankfully, Nigerians are aware of this double-standard of this feckless, clueless and incompetent federal government.”
[myad]
Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, today, launched National Prayer for Peace and Security in Nigeria. The event was held at the National Mosque in Abuja, the nation’s federal capital territory.
At the launching during which Prayers were offered by renowned Muslim clerics from all over the country for continued peace, unity and the development of Nigeria were Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar III.
Also at the occasion were the Acting Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Garba Umar, Deputy Governors, members of the legislature, federal executive council members, royal fathers and several Muslim faithfuls.
Speaking at the launching, Vice President Namadi Sambo advised Nigerians to continue to pray for peace and tranquility in Nigeria, saying that prayer is a strong weapon against any adversity.
He said that the government is ever committed to provide adequate security and ensure the stability and unity of Nigeria.
“Let me reiterate that when any adverse situation befell the (Muslim) Ummah during the time of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and the Sahabah, their greatest weapon was resorting to prayers to seek for Allah’s intercession.
“We shall continue to organize prayers as frequently as possible and Allah SWT in his infinite mercy, will answer our prayers in removing, in totality the act of terrorism by the Boko Haram and all other vices in Nigeria.” Vice President Namadi Sambo called on Nigerians to continue to pray for lasting peace and unity of the country, even as he also called on the Muslim Ummah to promote the ideals of Islam by living according to the tenets of the religion, which promotes peace, good neighbourliness and kindness.
He further advised Muslims not to allow few disgruntled elements to portray Islam and Muslims in bad light.
He similarly called on Muslim clerics to apply modesty in their sermons and preaching and that they should adhere to the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW).
On the ongoing efforts to ensure the safe return of the abducted Chibok girls, Vice President Sambo said that government is working assiduously to support the efforts of the military by increasing their capacity in the search of the abducted girls and to further secure the territorial integrity of the nation.
The Vice President expressed appreciation of Nigeria to the support of it’s neighbours, including, Niger Republic, Chad, Cameroon and Benin Republic and all African countries in the fight against the scourge of terrorism in the country. He also commended the United Kingdom, France, as well as the United States of America, China and all other countries of the World that are against the terrorism in Nigeria, Africa and the World in general.
Speaker Aminu Tambuwal said that the National Assembly would do everything within its constitutional powers to support the government’s effort to fight terrorism.
Also Sa’ad Abubakar stressed the importance of justice, equity and fairness to the maintenance of peace in every society.
He advised Muslims, especially those in leadership position to shun corruption and any act that affect the development of the country.
[myad]
