For the first time since he returned last weekend from his five-month long trip abroad, Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime told reporters today that he was hit by deadly cancer of the nose which he had to treat in a London hospital during his long period of absence from office. Governor Chime, however, shocked reporters when he said that he never regretted the fact that many were kept in the dark during his long absence, insisting that he owed nobody, not even the Enugu electorate any apology for keeping them guessing throughout the period.
Chime, who spoke to a select group of reporters at the Governor’s Lodge, Enugu described cancer as a deadly disease and added that its cure was deadly too.
“Cancer is a deadly disease and the cure is also deadly. The cure for cancer is not Panadol. The cure for cancer is not these drugs you buy off the counter. By the time you go through Chemotherapy and radiotherapy, you will be a changed person. So I started treatment and the treatment altogether lasted for twelve weeks. throughout the period of my treatment, I was an out patient. I was never admitted in any hospital. All my treatments, I took as an out patient,” he said.
President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday announced a cash gift of N5m to each member of the victorious Super Eagles and the team’s three assistant coaches that clinched the gold medal in the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
While the Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, was given N10m, members of the technical crew were also given N2m each.
The cash gifts also came with a plot of land and national honours for each member the team.
Keshi bagged the national honour of the Commander of the Order of Niger while his three assistants and the team captain, Joseph Yobo, were conferred with Officer of the Order of Niger.
The remaining players were conferred with Member of the Order of Niger.
Jonathan made the announcement amidst loud ovation from the lucky players during a state dinner he organised in their honour at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, few hours after their arrival in the country.
The President said two sets of Nigerians youths, musicians and footballers, had been placing the nation on the world map.
He described the players as super heroes, saying their victory was an inspiration to million of Nigerians.
He said the trophy was the most precious centenary gift presented to the nation by the team.
The President recalled that there was skepticism on the part of Nigerians on the ability of the team to deliver when they left for the tournament.
He commended them for ignoring criticisms and refusing to surrender by their superlative performance.
“The lesson in your victory for all of us is that we should never give up in the midst of criticism. Believe in yourself. With time, you will see the fruits of your labour,” he said.
He said the victory was an indication that there would be victory for his administration as he works hard to transform the country.
He said his administration would continue to give sports it’s pride of place in the country.
He assured the Chief Coach of his full support, urging him to ensure that the nation qualifies for the next World Cup.
The President urged Nigerians not to allow their differences to divide them, observing that the noise of joy during sporting victories were the same across the country.
Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the victory as another moment of national rebirth and fresh air.
He said as the nation savours the sweetness of the victory, sports administrators in the country were not unaware of the responsibility placed on their shoulders to sustain the victory at all levels and in all sports.
“Winning this trophy is only a milestone for us, not the destination. Until we fulfill your (the President’s) vision for us which is to be the best, we will not rest on our oars,” he said.
The minister asked stakeholders to put the years of rancour and acrimony behind them because a lot could be achieved when united.
He said the Nigerian character of resilience fetched the team, which he described as work-in-progress, the trophy.
In formally presenting the trophy to the President, the Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, said it was a national pride for the players to win the trophy after 19 years.
Jonathan had while engaging the players and their handlers in a teleconference ahead of the tournament’s semi final match against Mali promised to make them “very happy young men” if they could return to the country with the trophy.
The colourful event was attended by the wife of the President, Patience; Vice President Namadi Sambo; President of the Senate, David Mark; Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwwal; Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihediora, and state governors among others.
BARELY a week after four parties in Nigeria fused into one, ten governors under the platform of the newly-formed All Progressives’ Congress, APC, met in Abuja, yesterday, and picked zonal contact mobilisation coordinators for the country.
The announcement of the contact mobilisation committees was made after more than six hours of meeting by the ten governors at the Lagos House, Asokoro in Abuja.
At the meeting, which was presided over by Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, were the governors of Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi; Ogun, Ibikunle Amosun; Oyo, Abiola Ajimobi; and that of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. Others in attendance were Adams Oshiomhole of Edo; Rochas Okorocha of Imo; Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara; Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa; and Kashim Shettima of Borno State.
At the end of the meeting, the governors declared that they were pleased with the name APC adopted by the merger committee as it captures the spirit of cooperation and compromise that they all espouse and underscores the imperative of rescuing Nigeria from decay.
APC governors communique
The APC governors in a communiqué read by Governor Tanko Al-Makura, announced that the party would give priority attention to the promotion of radical social economic and political reformation of the country.
File photo; Tinubu and Buhari
In particular, the party said its priority programmes would be agricultural development, job creation, free education, affordable healthcare, infrastructural development, adequate power supply, eradication of poverty and corruption and rapid technological advancement and industrialisation.
They declared: “We shall pride ourselves as social democrats that are committed to organise our society based on the values of justice for all and individual freedom where everyone’s basic needs are fulfilled.”
At the meeting six governors were named as zonal contact and mobilisation committee coordinators. They were: Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe for North-East, Tanko Al-Makura for North-Central, Abdulaziz Yari for North-West, Rochas Okorocha for South-East, Adams Oshiomhole for South-South and Kayode Fayemi for South-West.
The committees are expected to mobilise support for the APC across the political, social, religious, ethnic and professional interest groups in the country.
Responding to questions as to why he was not present when the APC was formed last week, Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole said that he was not available and had made it known to his colleagues that he was not around at the time of the merger.
Oshiomhole stated that given the intent and purpose of APC, it was natural that he should pitch his tent with the party and that he was fully committed to its cause.
The governor said that Nigeria needed a strong and veritable opposition platform to move the country forward and provide enduring opportunities for Nigerians to achieve their ambitions.
Oshiomhole said: “What is in vogue now is that we should work together to move Nigeria forward and create a platform of progress and development for all Nigerians to excel. That is why I fully endorse what the APC stands for and what it is out to do for Nigerian and Nigerians.”
Reacting to a question by Vanguard, Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, declared that there was no question that the All Progressive Grand Alliance members were with APC and that he was not worried about the few persons who were trying to stay back from joining the new party.
Okorocha boasted: “Let me say emphatically that there is no division at all about where the real members of APGA are. As far as I know, the real members of APGA are with APC and Nigerians are aware of that.”
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos said that the issue of party logo, manifesto and flag were being handled by the party and that at the appropriate time; all the issues would be fully sorted out by the respective organs.
Fashola, who likened APC to a marriage, pointed out that the marriage had already been done but the certificate can be issues later. The governor said, “APC is a done deal. Whatever remains now is like a certificate of marriage which can be issues any time but we are already married.”
South African anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela is perhaps the only politician to serve several decades in prison and come out stronger than ever. In an attempt to silence the popular lawyer and African National Congress (ANC) activist, he was arrested and acquitted of treason in 1961. The following year, Mandela was arrested for illegally leaving South Africa. It was in 1964, however, that Mandela’s fortunes would turn for the worse.
He and other ANC leaders were sentenced to life for attempting to overthrow the government. Serving 18 of his 27 years behind bars in the harsh Robben Island prison just outside of Cape Town, the authorities tried to break Mandela’s spirit with hard labor and other forms of ill treatment. Correspondence with the outside world was scarce, as Mandela was only allowed to receive and write a letter once every six months.
Over the course of his imprisonment, Mandela’s fame rose as the spiritual leader of stamping out apartheid. He became known for staging protests and radicalizing other Black prisoners at Robben Island. Eventually, his disturbances sparked prison officials to improve the conditions. Mandela was moved to a different location and eventually put on house arrest. In 1985, Mandela was offered a chance at freedom by then-President P.W. Botha but only if he would renounce his militancy. In pure defiance, Mandela rejected the offer.
When P.W. Botha suffered a stroke in 1989, it gave way for Frederik Willem de Klerk to replace him in the post. Klerk lifted the ban on the ANC and related anti-apartheid groups in 1990 and announced that he would free Nelson Mandela. As he left Victor Verster Prison on this day in 1990, Mandela would address the nation with measurable humility and stern resolve.
From Nelson Mandela’s rally speech in Cape Town on the day of his release:
Our struggle has reached a decisive moment. We call on our people to seize this moment so that the process towards democracy is rapid and uninterrupted. We have waited too long for our freedom. We can no longer wait. Now is the time to intensify the struggle on all fronts. To relax our efforts now would be a mistake which generations to come will not be able to forgive. The sight of freedom looming on the horizon should encourage us to redouble our efforts.
Mandela would then return to lead the ANC between 1990 and 1994, leading way for the first multiracial elections in the country at the end of his tenure. On April 27, 1994, Mandela would be voted in as the country’s first Black president.
Traders of Suru-Alaba market located along Lagos- Badagry Express Way yesterday stormed Alausa, Lagos State seat of power to protest against what they described as continuous extortion including threat to close and re-construction of the market.
The traders made up mostly of women who came in their hundreds arrived at Alausa in six Coaster buses chanting solidarity songs and calling on the Lagos State government to rescue them from continuous extortion by their market leaders who are feeding fat on them through collection of one illegal levy or the other.
The traders are also demanding that Lagos State Authority should clarify the issue making the rounds that the market had been earmarked for reconstruction when in actual fact they have already concluded plans to fence the market as it is being done in other markets along the expressway.
They said the market leaders otherwise known as members of Suru-Alaba Market Committee are not taking the traders union head along in the course of entering meeting and making decision as stipulated in their constitution.
Speaking to newsmen, Spokesman of the traders, Mr Albert Ezenwa accused the market leaders otherwise known as members of Suru-Alaba Market Committee for not adhering to the rules which stipulated that all head of union members of the market are automatic members of Suru-Alaba Market Committee and should be part of any meeting process.
“Since after their appointment as new leaders of the market committee last year, they have not allowed the union heads to be part of the meeting. They enter meetings in secret and refuse to take us along on important decisions that affect we the traders. The irony of it is that sixty percent of these leaders are not traders. They just come to the market sit under a canopy throughout the day,” Albert who is the head of punk sellers in the market complained.
He said last year the leaders task the fifty six union in the market N10,000 each which amount to total of N560,000 to be use to purchase New Year gift for government officials they did not know. He added that their refusal to pay the money because it on a high side led to the leaders inviting officials of Kick Against Indisci0line (KAI) to close the market for a whole one week on a frame environment hazard.
“Many of us, mostly those selling perishable goods lost thousands of Naira as our goods got spoilt in the process. Beside, millions of Naira was lost for forcing us to stay out of our business place for a whole week. While they were insisting we must still pay N10, 000 illegal levies for New Year gift, they later came up with another obnoxious demand that we should come and pay them N2.5m they paid to KAI for re-opening the market.
“But on our investigation at KAI office, Layeni, Ajegunle, an officer who did not want his name on print informed us that they collected only N500,000 from the leaders. Despite our appeal to them to reduce the amount so that we can afford it the leaders refused and threaten to close the market finally if we refused to pay both N10, 000 per union New Year gift due and the N2.5m for re-opening the market after the closer,” Albert explained, adding that as they were deliberating on the issue, the leaders came with the idea of re- constructing market. They said they have concluded plans with the Chairman of Amukoko Council Area to destroy and re-construct the market
Albert argued that there were never time they discuss about re-construction of the market, stressing that the plan they arrive at was to fence round the market as it is being done in Orile market which is on the same expressway with Alaba Suru market.
“ We are here particularly with the news making the round about the reconstruction of the market because we do not want to be caught unaware. We want to hear from the horse mouth which is Lagos State government,” Albert hinted.
Meanwhile, some of the traders who spoke to our correspondent are afraid that the idea to reconstruct the market is the handiwork of the market leaders who want them to deprive them of their shops, hence it would be sold to their favourites who would later come up with obnoxious prices which they could not afford.
The three radio journalists arrested and detained by
Kano police for alleged incitement resulting in the
Death of nine female health workers were
Yesterday charged to court by the Police
They are Suleiman Gama, Yakubu Musa and Malam Mubarak, all of
Wazobia FM Radio.
In his presentation during the arraignment the prosecutor,sergeant
Sadiq Na”Abba said the charges includes,criminal
conspiracy,abetment,inciting disturbances,intentional insult,obstruction
of public servant in discharge of public function.
Others are Deformations of character and injurious falsehood contrary
to sections 97,85,114,399,148,392 and 393 (1) of the penal code law.
They were said to conspired and to aired a programme discrediting the
polio immunization programme,defamed the character,reputation and
personality and insulted the district head of Tarauni.
According to the first information report of the case obtained by Radio
Nigeria in Kano,this is meant at instigating the public against the
immunization programme which resulted to the attacked and killings of
Nine immunization personnel.at Filin Cashew and Hayen Hotoro.
However in his submission counsel to the accused persons Musa Adamu
Aliyu,applied for bail for the accused persons,which was rejected by the
prosecutor.
In his rulings Chief Magistrate Ibrahim Bello ordered that the three
accused persons be remanded in police custody until the 14 of this month
when he would ruled on the issue of bail application for the accused.
The Presiding magistrate also ordered the Police to allow the accused unconditional access to their families and lawyers.
Re-Instated LGA Chairmen: Bayelsa PDP Stand On the Matter
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bayelsa State Chapter, notes with grave concern the activities of the Chairmen of the three local government areas of Ekeremor, Sagbama and Kolokuma/Opokuma and their desperate attempt to
undermine the peace of the LGAs under their care. It has come to our notice that the Chairmen are doing so with the active support and collaboration of some desperate politicians and power seekers who do not mean well for our dear state.
Barely two months ago PDP in Bayelsa State waded into the matter concerning the three LGAs. We took the decision because of several disturbing reports on the refusal of the Chairmen of the three local government areas to work with their respective Councilors.
As a responsible party, we at the time decried the action of the Chairmen, particularly their refusal to work with the Councilors. The party advised the chairmen to work harmoniously with their councilors and not see their reinstatement by the Supreme Court as a call to exact vengeance.
Sadly, rather than allow reason prevail, the said chairmen have chosen to embrace the path of self-destruction, apparently because they have long ceased dumped our great party and embraced little known Change Advocacy Party (CAP).
Having found themselves in councils dominated by PDP-elected councilors, these chairmen have since discovered that they cannot be Sole Administrators from their shaky CAP platform. The point must be made clear that no sooner had the Chairmen been reinstated than they appointed their Vice Chairmen without recourse to the councilors, who are constitutionally empowered to ratify such appointments.
The three council Chairmen must be made to understand that democracy at all levels runs on the time-tested Principle of Separation of Powers. They are not and cannot be imperial chairmen. The councilors, as legislators, should be allowed to do their job. The current crisis in the councils was solely the result of the reinstated chairmen trying to run their councils like emperors and the insistence of the legislators that the Constitution be obeyed.
No one can question the rights of the councilors to investigate or impeach the chairmen if they so desire. They have such powers under the constitution. The resort to blackmail is not only cheap, but belated. As a Party that believes in Constitutionality, we insist that the right thing be done no matter whose ox is gored.
Members of the combined Senate committees on Police Affairs and National Security/Intelligence yesterday in the conference room of the Anambr astate Government House, Awka expressed displeasure and dissatisfaction on what they saw as shoddy handling of the recovery and instant disposal of some the bodies of the victims of the Amansea mystery corpses.
They also discovered what may eventually be an incomplete investigation, if any is going on at all. Because when they made an on-the-spot inspection of the Ezu riverside from where the corpses were recovered, buried and later exhumed, they discovered there was no attempt on the part of anyone yet to speak to, or obtain the comments of other neighbouring communities through whose neighbourhoods the river traversed.
The joint committee led by Senators Paulinus Igwe Nwagu and Gen Mohammed Magoro(rtd) both chairmen of the standing committees on Police Affairs and National Intelligence/Security in their remarks urged members of the public especially all those who have been passing around claims on the source of the corpses to come forward with such details now. They assured anyone of confidentiality, protection and trust, so far such is not speculation, unfounded or lies.
They want those who cannot afford to come before them to provide written reports, providing their names, signature, telephone numbers and full addresses.
The team had to resort to finger-pointing when it downed on them that they may have to wait till eternity for anyone to make up their minds to speak up. First to be summoned was the Anambra state Commissioner for Health, Dr Ikeakor, his Local Government Affairs counterpart, Mrs Henrietta Agbata.
Dr Ikeakor had had time explaining his efforts to get things done right and in the required perspective. He told them he did not know who ordered the burial of the remaining corpses by the riverbank especially when the Senators wanted his reasons for allowing the corpses buried at the bank of the same river from where the natives collect water for their daily domestic needs. He denied ordering, directing or supervising the burial. He also did not know who instructed the burial.
Ikeakor told the Senators that all arrangement had been made to exhume all the 19 corpses, pointing out that police allowed him to go with initial four corpses, while police pathologists later removed another four.
He shocked the audience when he disclosed there was no report yet on the matter, and that the autopsy reports were not ready too, nearly one month after the mystery corpses were discovered by local citizens on Jan 19, 2013.
The state’s Deputy governor, Emeka Sibudu who received the Senators assured the continuous cooperation of the state government for the unraveling of the mystery surrounding the corpses.
Senator Chris Ngige who is a member of the team assured the people of the Senate’s resolve to ensure the people do not suffer more than they have, and that the Federal Government would do everything necessary to help them recover from the shock and social trauma. He said the boreholes he ordered for the community would be completed before weekend.
Senator Andy Uba who was represented by Chief Bright Nnebedum noted that the visit was on the strength of Uba’s motion on the floor of the Senate. That it was also evident the Senate was very conscious and concerned of the security of lives of citizens.
The public hearing continues as sources close to the team hinted they would likely change venue to a more accessible and neutral location enable more people come forward with evidence and submissions.
Imo state Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha has welcomed the Commissioner for Community Government Council and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr. Lady Ugochi Nnanna Okoro and thousands of her supporters from PDP to APGA.
Speaking during the public declaration at the Grass Hoppers International Stadium Owerri, Governor Okorocha commended Barr. Okoro for her wise decision to decamp from PDP to APGA, describing it as a welcome development in the Imo politics.
Gov. Okorocha assured her and her teaming supporters of the support and cooperation of the leadership of the party in the state.
Governor Okorocha who described Barr Okoro as a mobilizer and charismatic leader pointed out that APGA is one of the good things that has happened to Imo state, adding that for the past 12 years of the administration of PDP in Imo state, there is nothing to show for it, but now that APGA has come, the state is witnessing massive infrastructural development as well as free education from primary to tertiary institutions.
He charged the commissioner to use her position as the commissioner for community government council to mobilize the local communities to ensure that the community government is a success in the state.
Earlier in her declaration address, Barr. Okoro said that she was moved by the leadership qualities of Governor okorocha describing him as a pragmatic and visionary leader she would like to associate with to actualize her desire to move the state forward.
She further averred that her decision to cross over to APGA was not taken in a haste, rather, well taught out after serving as commissioner in an APGA-led government as a member of PDP.
She then declared “with my teeming supporters in Owerri zone and Imo state, I stand tall to declare for All Progressive Grand Alliance”.
