The Police in Kano State said it had discovered 13 high calibre Improvised Explosive Devises (IEDs) at Sauna-Fafunga in Dakata area of Kano metropolis.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Aderenle Shinaba, displayed the devices to newsmen in Kano on Friday.
He said the explosives were discovered at about 1.30p.m. in a rickety car parked near a Friday Mosque.
“When we got the information, we quickly moved in to the place and in the course of screening the vehicle, our anti-bomb squad discovered the explosives.
“The explosives were primed to explode when the Juma’at prayer is going on and they can destroy a whole neighbourhood because they are of high calibre’’, he said.
Shinaba said the police had to detonate one of them but the Anti-bomb Squad advised that they should be removed from the area.
“The cylinders discovered are of high calibre as they can ruin and destroy a whole village’’, the commissioner said.
Shinaba commended the people of Kano for the timely information they gave to the police which saved the situation.
He also urged the people to continue to give security agencies useful information to enable them to carry out their duty effectively. (NAN)
Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state with Chief Mrs. Adanma Okpara wife of Late Micheal Okpara during the commissioning of renovated ultra modern Okpara square in Umuahia.Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state cutting the tape to commission the renovated ultra modern Okpara square in Umuahia. with him from L-R are Rt. Hon. Ude Okochukwu, speaker state house of assembly, Ndubisi Mbaka M/D Trademore Investments, Sir Emeka Ananaba, deputy governor and Lady Mercy Orji, wife of the governor.L-R Ayim Pius Ayim, SFG, Chief Mrs. Kama Chikwe, Lady Mercy Orji and Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state during the funeral service of Late Chukwudifu Oputa at The Sacred Heart Catholic church Oguta in Imo state.Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state condoling with the family of Late Jusatice Chukwudifu Oputa during the funeral service at The Sacred Heart Catholic church Oguta in Imo state.Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state laying the foundation stone of the new world class event centre in Umuahia. with him from L-R are Rt. Hon. Ude Okochukwu, speaker state house of assembly, Sir Emeka Ananaba, deputy governor, Lady Mercy Orji, wife of the governor and Engr. Ndubisi Mbaka M/D Trademore Investments
Since the “BringBackOurGirls” protests started after we learnt that about 276 girls were abducted by the radical Islamic group called Boko Haram on April 14th, 2014, there is nothing that many commentators have not compared President Goodluck Jonathan to in this trial period of our history as a nation. There has been what I perceive as induced slams on the President. These slams are what is regarded these days in Nigeria as ‘good press’, especially by the opposition groups and some individuals.
Anything contrary and most appropriate is regarded as a ‘bad press’. Some have said that Mr. President is weak, clueless and runs no government. But in my own opinion, Jonathan for who he has always been is only demonstrating his true self: A man who is quiet, patient, tolerant, objective and unassuming. The President does not need to be boisterous in order to run his government, what people need to understand is his knack for productivity and appreciation for constructive suggestions/ criticisms.
Perhaps, what these agents of disinformation expect is a President that is high handed and autocratic but unfortunately these are undemocratic methods that would rather fuel unimaginable crisis in the country and not expected of a man with the qualities earlier mentioned.
While we are all bothered by the current trend of militant activities and insurgency threatening our existence as a nation, it would be foolhardy to expect our President to engage in war of words with any religious sect after all our forebears have done to keep Nigeria together irrespective of tribe and religious beliefs. The subtle but yet firm approach of the Jonathan administration in tackling the Boko Haram menace has not yet given us respite but clearly we can see that the notorious sect has succumbed to negotiations through kidnaps like the sad incident of our 276 girls.
To get to the root of our discontents as a people, Jonathan was able to put us together for a National Conference currently sitting in Abuja to address all our desires and misgivings. This in itself even in the face of criticisms is most welcome but the “good / bad press’’ issue would not give peace a chance. Criticism must be objective and constructive enough to prompt a sitting President to appreciate its value, however what we see in our dailies is completely at variance with progressive values. Politicians whether in a ruling party or not must desist from making inflammatory comments capable of causing problems that could ordinarily be contained.
Nigeria without doubt is becoming a great country under Jonathan’s transformation agenda with an unconfirmed population of about two hundred million people; it is noteworthy to know that most sectors of our economy have improved appreciably. The recent rating placing the Nigerian Economy as one of the top three largest economies in Africa, with an industrial/agricultural sector GDP of 32% and 30% growth rate even with all the threats of Boko Haram depicts the efficacy and savvy of the Jonathan team.
In the area of unemployment which appears to be one of the issues frequently raised and has lived with us through successive administrations, Jonathan by providing funds in agricultural and other sectors has now provided the platform for genuine investors that would provide a vast number of employment opportunities to Nigerians. The privatization of power is a major success of his administration. We must all agree that one of the leading deficiencies we have suffered for generations now has been the lack of adequate power supply. This new development, a problem that only Jonathan has been bold enough to tackle, in no distant future will serve as the spring board for millions of employment avenues as manufacturing and production would be quadrupled.
President Goodluck Jonathan needs our cooperation and understanding as this will enable him achieve the remaining part of his promises to our people. We have to use our collective abilities in a productive way that would ultimately bring an end to the culture of violence and negative publicity that is fast becoming a trade mark. While the world over is protesting with the slogan of BringBackOurGirls, let us also BringBackOurCoexistence.
Prof. Baridam was Vice-chancellor UNIPORT (2005-2010). He contributed this piece from Khana, Ogoni, Rivers State.
Ever since the face-off between the ace Musician and anti-corruption activist, Charley Boy, with the governor of Imo State, Gov. Rochas Okorocha grew to an echelon dimension, it was never this messy until the actual burial day at the Oguta Home of Justice Chukwudifu Oputa of the famous “Oputa Panel” when Charly Boy Oputa metted out the worst humiliation to the governor of Imo State at the full glare of international media cameras. It was alleged that Charley had forcefully taken the MIC away from the governor thereby preventing him from speaking. It was such a monumental embarrassment to Imo State as a corporate entity and the man at the helm.
But to the majority of Imo people who has suffered heavily from the governor’s clueless leadership style and malgovernance, the said embarrassments was not enough to assuage their disappointments with the government.
This is the feeling of so many Imolites about the governor that if given the same opportunity, they could do worse.
Some people out of sympathy to the disgraced governor has been all over the place, condemning Charley Boy for his decision of not allowing the governor to speak at the burial ceremony of the late celebrated jurist, on the contrary, I beg to differ with so many reasons, there has been reports that the governor in his usual lawless manner, had disregarded the led down protocols and procedures.
I believe there is a limit to when, where and the level a people could be pushed on the face of irresistible provocation without reacting; their reactions could be dangerous to bear and difficult to manage. What Charley Boy clearly did was nothing else but a true depictions and feelings of the greater majority of Imo people, on the face of constant Tyranny, deceits, lies, impunity, massive corruption, reckless financial mismanagement and executive insincerity as administered by the Fiefdom Governor Rochas Okorocha, nothing could have been more soothing than rare and national show of frustration and disappointment.
Instead to condemn Charley Boy, he should be commended for summoning up the courage to show his frustrations on the governor, he should be celebrated for owning up to the reality on ground, instead to spit on Charley Boy, he should be eulogized for his strength to resist deceits and lies on the face of threatening pressure to abscond the truths.
Justice Oputa has been described by countless number of people, as a man of justice and equity and rule of law. His burial ceremony has proved it in the affirmation that he was a man of justice. It is Justice Oputa’s defiance to Tyranny that emboldened Charley Boy to utter the first nationally visible anti-bad-governance protest against Imo State government led by governor Rochas Okorocha.
Like the Okonkwo’s defiance to the colonial invasion in the classic of all times of Prof. Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”, Obierika summoned up the courage to chant the first anti-colonial protest speech. Likewise Charley Boy, he was moved by the spirit of the acclaimed incorruptible judge to utter the anti-bad-governance chants when he prevented the governor from speaking at the all important national burial. Many people has erroneously read different meaning to the said acts but the true position of the act is a protest against impunity, rascalism, executive financial recklessness, corruption, abuse of power, due process and rule of law and executive deceits which governor Rochas Okorocha represents.
Charley Boy is an anti corruption activist and one wouldn’t have expected less from him. According to my mentor, Idol and role model, Prof.Chinua Achebe, one will always use his position to fight against our oppressors, evil and bad omen. Prof. Achebe rejected a national award conferred on him by the federal government not just because he derived pleasure or wealth from it, no, but he used his position to protest against the Bad Nigerian state and Charley Boy who has always written against bad governance and corruption would not have missed such a golden opportunity to vent his angers on the governor whose administration has been adjudged as one of the worst civilian administration in Imo State in recent times.
What Charley Boy’s action did was purely the direct depiction and representation of the general felling and impulse of the Imo people. If the majority of Imolites should have any of such opportunity, what they will do might be unheard of and unprintable as they are enraged by the anger of betrayal of trust from the governor.
Owelle Rochas Okorocha only got what he bargained for and Imo State as an entity also got their own fair share of the national disgrace and embarrassment for electing a failure, an incompetent, fraudulent, corrupt and a deceit as their governor.
Anybody in the shoes of Charley Boy would not have done less if he or she had an opportunity to showcase ones anger and frustration. Charley boy as an Oguta man has been the worst hit and benefited immensely on the Okorocha’s malgovernance, deceits, lying character and corruption.
With the political negligence of the Oguta clan in the state’s political environment, Oguta People has been badly affected, it is on record that till the time am writing this article, Oguta Has no member representing her at the state’s house of assembly, the LGA is in disarray with the federal government millions of naira flood victims intervention fund on the question hanging around the neck of the state governor, therefore to The greater number of people of Oguta nation, Charley Boy was superb, revolutionary and their hero because to an average Oguta man; the governor has been their worst enemy.
We must celebrate Charley Boy because it is very rare in this era of political opportunism and sycophancy to see people of upright integrity that will continue to stick to their avowed principles, I celebrate him and he has indeed gained another fan in the person of Ambrose Nwaogwugwu.
Less than 48 hours after radical musician, Charles Oputa(aka Charley Boy) stormed out of a colloquium organized by the state government in honour of his late father at the International Conference Centre, Owerri, Imo State where he accused the governor of trying to play politics with the burial of his father, the son of the late jurist Friday stopped Governor Rochas Okorocha from speaking at the funeral mass.
The funeral mass which took place at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Oguta in Oguta Local Government Area in the state, saw dignitaries from all walks of life, including President Goodluck Jonathan whho was represented by Anyim Pius Anyim and the labour Minister, Chief Chukwuemeka Nwogu; the governors of Abia, Dr. Theodore Orji; Anambra, Chief Willy Obiano, hundreds of justices, senators and dignitaries from across the country and Igbo nation in particular present.
However, a mild drama ensued in the church when Charley Boy prevented Governor Rochas Okorochaof Imo State from speaking.
In order not to allow the governor to speak at the church in Oguta as protocol demands, Charley Boy, earlier caused the church to announce that it was only the president or his representative would be allowed to speak in the church.
As a result, the microphone was handed over to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan to deliver the president’s message.
Hardly had Anyim finished his speeches than Governor Okorocha rose from his seat, after a brief discussion with Prof. Anthony Anwuka, and met with some priests.
He told the priests that as the chief security officer of the state “I must speak. I must speak”.
He went straight to the alter and the approached the officiating priest and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah and immediately one of the priests appealed that protocols demanded that the governor of the state should speak in an occasion like that.
As Okorocha went for the microphone, Charley Boy rose from his seat and waved the governor aside and told the bishop that the governor must not speak at his father’s funeral.
He insisted that the governor should not be allowed to speak, calling him unprintable names.
Earlier in his speech, President Jonathan described the late jurist as a respected public servant, patriot and internationally acclaimed jurist, saying that it was on record that in his long service to Nigeria, distinguished himself and left an enviable legacy which he said the entire Oputa family would always be proud of.
Jonathan said Oputa was not only an outstanding legal icon, but one who readily gave himself in the service of fatherland in demonstration of his faith in the emergence of a strong, united and prosperous Nigeria.
Earlier during the homily, Bishop Kukah dwelt on the need for human rights to respected at all times by all especially the government, saying that the late jurist gave better part of his life towards entrenching human rights in the country.
Gov Owelle Rochas okorocha in a handshake with Charlie Boy Oputa during a Special Day of tribute in honour of late Justice Chikwudifu Oputa held at Imo International Conference Center, Owerri
The Imo State government wishes to take to the ugly scenario that played out at the funeral church service for the late Justice Chikwudifu Oputa, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Oguta.
It is highly regrettable that the son of the late Justice, Mr Charles Emeka Oputa, aka, Charly Boy threw caution to the wind and turned the church service into a political theater that saw him acting or playing out the script he drafted in Abuja with some Imo politicians who have remained cowed by the overwhelming popularity of Governor Rochas Okorocha.
The Imo State governor had worked together with Mr Charly Boy both when the late Justice was sick, until the time he died and the preparation for the burial which also encouraged the state governor to make substantial financial input and also organized a special day of tribute for the late Justice at the expense of state government with Charly Boy also present with other members of the family.
This is why the sudden change of character of Charly Boy at the church service, in which case, he insisted that the governor would not talk as protocol demanded could not be understood, except that he was acting out the script handed over to him by some of the gubernatorial aspirants from the state who might have been rattled by the thunderous ovation that greeted the governor by the crowd when he was first introduced.
At a function like, that protocol had demanded that the host governor must talk before any other speaker. But Senator Pius Anyim representing the President was first called to talk. Ideally, as a repsentative of the president, there was no way Senator Anyim would not have talked at the event. But protocol would have seen the governor talking first to welcome the invitees to the service as the host governor.
Perhaps afraid of the popularity of governor Okorocha among the Imo populace that has always made them to hail him where ever and whenever he talks, the few politicians from the state in Abuja who are desperate to capture power in the state in 2015, saw a willing tool in charly Boy for them to ensure that the governor would not talk at the event.
We condemn that ugly incident. And also wish to advise politicians from the state to stop heating the polity over power since God is the giver of power. In 2015, God will decide who will governor Imo State and when God decides that, there is nothing anybody can do about it.
And for Charly Boy, we ask God to bless him.
Sam Onwuemeodo
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media,
Following the conferment of a chieftaincy title of ‘Ugwu Ndi Ngwa’ of Ngwa land on the Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Diamond bank Plc, Dr. Alex Otti, a group in Ngwa land insist the top banker does not deserve the award as he has contributed nothing to the development of the area.
Addressing journalists in Aba on Thursday, chairman of the group, Barr. St. Moses Ogbonna said the Ugwu Ndi Ngwa title is only conferred on Ngwa sons and daughters who have made outstanding contributions to the development of Ngwa land.
The ‘Ugwu Ndi Ngwa’ title is a title given to outstanding Ngwa sons and daughters who have made remarkable contribution to the development of Ngwa land. The title can only be recognized if conferred by the Ezeukwu of Ngwa Land who is the traditional head of Ngwa Land with the approval of the traditional rulers of Ngwa land. The installation of the title is usually held at the ancestral headquarters of the Ngwa nation at Okpuala Ngwa”
Ogbonna added that the chieftaincy installation ceremony held for Otti at Our Lady’s Comprehensive Secondary School, Umueleghele, Isiala Ngwa South LGA by some group of traditional rulers is not recognized by the Ngwa nation as the recipient, did not qualify for the title.
“Alex Otti will not be accorded the recognition and respect as ‘Ugwu Ndi Ngwa’ by the Nzuko Ohanaeze Ndi Ngwa because he did not merit the title. The title is undeserved; we cannot recognize him as such. It is not according to Ngwa tradition; did not follow due process. The traditional rulers who conferred the title on him lacked power to do so. They deceived him.”
247ureports.com reports that the chieftaincy title conferred on the top banker has continued to general controversy as most prominent Ngwa sons and daughters argue that Otti who is believed to nurse ambition to succeed Gov. Theodore Orji, manipulated the selected royal fathers into giving him the title to qualify him for the governorship race, expected to be contested for by the Ukwa/ Ngwa people.
The Imo State Government has acknowledged the unguarded repeated threats and claims by the chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state following the defeat of the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in the Ekiti state governorship election held last weekend, Mr. Kayodi Fayemi by the candidate of the PDP in that election, Mr. Ayo Fayose.
The latest of such claims was that of Nze Elvis Agukwe, also a PDP chieftain in the state who was Commissioner in the PDP last administration in the state. Nze Agukwe was widely reported in the media to have said that following the PDP victory in Ekiti state, the party will also win in Imo in 2015 because Governor Rochas Okorocha and his party, APC have no place in Igboland.”
Let us first of all state that the PDP in Imo state is somewhat becoming funny. Is it not ridiculous that the PDP in Imo state has concluded that, because APC lost election in Ekiti state in 2014 therefore the party will also lose in Imo in 2015? Or, because Mr. Fayemi lost in Ekiti state, therefore, Rochas must also lose in Imo. This logic is not only strange but lopsided to every sound mind.
The same PDP chieftains giving these threats have also forgotten that in 2011 the PDP in Imo state lost the governorship election to APGA then, and the governor then, Chief Ikedi Ohakim of PDP losing to Owelle Rochas Okorocha. Did that cause the defeat of PDP in Abia or Ebonyi state?
Again, the PDP in Ekiti state fielded Ayo Fayose who had been governor on the platform of the party because he must have done well in his first outing, hence, Ekiti people preferred him to the APC candidate. And let the Imo PDP do the same, by fielding the ex-governor produced by the party who also served one term like Fayose in recent time, and see what will happen.“
Imo people will vote for Rochas Okorocha in 2015 because he has exceptionally done well. His achievements will form the basis of his campaign. Then, what will Imo PDP tell Imo people. That the party used 12 years to drink Moet and Hennessy in the state to the chargin of Imo people?
Yes, granted that Imo PDP is desperate to come back to power in the state, having stayed out of power for 4 years which is to them like 40 years, but there must be basis to ask to be allowed to return. The party came, saw and could not conquer. And Rochas has come, saw, and has to a large extent, conquered. And only those who have conquered get the nod to fight again and not those who could not conquer.
Imo PDP cannot rule Imo state again. The 12 years given to them were grossly misappropriated. And Imo people will be playing to the gallery allowing the PDP to come back again. If Rochas had won the 2011 election against the PDP with 20,000 votes margin, that of 2015 will be 40,000 votes difference.
The facts are on ground. The Imo PDP staying out of power for at least 60 years will be the best thing that will happen to the people of Imo state. And God will do it for Imo people. Again, Imo PDP coming back to power in the state in 2015 will be like the miracle of fish swallowing Jonah and vomiting him at Nineveh.
The Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, during the eight Abuja housing show awards emerged as the Housing Governor of the Year.
Governor Orji while receiving the award at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, dedicated it to the victims of the bomb blasts that rocked Emab Plaza in Wuse 2 which left over 20 people dead and many others injured.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Housing, Prince K.O.Mgbeahuru, at the well attended award ceremony organized by FESadeb Communications Limited, said the bomb blasts that killed innocent Nigerians who were mainly traders forced him to boycott the award ceremony at the last minute.
Governor Orji who expressed joy over the award bestowed on him, promised to complete the legacy projects started by his government. He also pledged not to relent in the delivery of democracy dividends to Abians.
The Programme Coordinator, Mr. Festus Adebayo, said the award to Abia State Governor Chief Theodore Orji, is in recognition of the governor’s laudable achievement in the housing sector.
According to him, the award is targeted at rewarding excellence in the housing and construction sectors of the economy.
Dignitaries from all walks of life including hundreds of Abians attended the ceremony while 16 other personalities and organizations also received awards at the event.
The axiom that everyday is for the thief, but one day is for the owner of the house played out yesterday when villagers in Umunakanu Community in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State caught up with a three-man gang of armed robbers tormenting the area and recovered stolen items from them.
The gang, operating on a motorcycle, had earlier shot its way into a brothel situated before Eke Umunakanu Market, where they dispossessed their unsuspecting victims of cash and other valuables at gun-point.
According to eyewitnesses, they thereafter stormed a petrol station at Oriendu and made away with the day’s proceeds.
Narrating his ordeal to our reporter, the owner of the petrol station, Hon. Kenneth Nwachukwu said hardly had he switched off the generating set after the day’s business than a motorcycle without lights drove into the station.
He said the rider and two other occupants on board requested to buy some fuel, “but I told him that we have closed for the day. I was however overwhelmed when they pulled their guns and pointed them at me. With that, they commanded me to cooperate with them and hand over the money in my custody or get shot”.
Nwachukwu added that the robbers ransacked him and collected all the money on him with his mobile phones.
He disclosed that it was his wife who saw what was going from a distance and ran out to raise the alarm that attracted the attention of youths and passers-by who promptly responded to her distressed call.
According to him, a man hunt ensued as the robbers quickly sped off. As they raced on, the villagers ran after them and gave them a run for their money.
The fleeing robbers were knocked down by one of the villagers with a motorbike.
Two of the robbers wielding guns escaped as they shot sporadically and scaring people away. However, the rider of the motorbike was not so lucky as he was overpowered and apprehended by the villagers who also recovered the loot from him. They gave him the beating of his life.
The suspect was about being lynched by the irate mob when some policemen and vigilante security operatives in the area intervened to rescue him.
It was gathered that the criminals hail from Okpofe community in Ezinihitte Local Government Area of the state.
Spokesman of the state police command, Mr. Andrew Enwerem could not be reached for more comments on the incident as at the time of filing this report
However, at the St. Vincent De Paul Hospital where the arrested the suspect was taken to for medical attention as a result of the beating by the mob, one of the intervening police officers they got the information about the raid on a brothel and were trailing the criminals when they also got the wind of fleeing robbers being pursued by villagers
He said in confidence that the suspect was already helping them in their investigation.
