The Sunday of May 6, 2012 in Sabon Gari, Kano saw the Christian dominated community under intense security siege as uniformed and plain cloths security operatives patrolled the streets of Sabon Gari and the gated entrances to the Churches and other locations where people congregate. As information available to 247ureports.com reveals, the Joint Task Force [JTF] staged in Kano State had received intelligence reports that the Islamic terrorist group, the Boko Haram were in the final stages of a planned attack against the Christian community resident in Sabon Gari, Kano.

Following the attack at the Bayero University [old campus] worship center, the intelligence gathering units of the JTF uncovered broad plans by the men of Boko Haram to orchestrate an Al Qeada-like attack in Kano particularly on Church goers living inside Sabon Gari. This information was obtained through the many raids against the Boko Haram hide outs in Kano. According to a security source in Kano, the men of Boko Haram, through the materials recovered from raids, have plans of attacking the various Christian owned businesses in Kano – in an effort to make true of their threat for non-Muslims to vacate the north and particularly the state. The source continued to add that the men of Boko Haram have adopted a dynamic approach to their methodology – in that they have made themselves difficult to track down by the men of JTF. “They are now constantly on the move” stated the security source, “but we will get them“.

Meanwhile church attendance at the christian dominate community of Sabon Gari has been reported to dramatically drop to near insignificant numbers. The St. Stephen Anglican Church located in Sabon Gari along New Road – which normally holds over 2,700 worshippers at a single seating was reported to witness less than a 150 worshipper on Sunday – despite the heavy security presence. Our Lady of Fatima [Roman Catholic] which is arguably the largest church in Kano state located across from the Sabon Gari market was reported to be virtually empty. The St Geoorge’s Anglican Church located at the outskirts of Sabon Gari saw less than 20 worshippers in attendance.

The security source told 247ureports.com that the drop in numbers of worshippers is attributed to the ongoing silent exodus of non-muslims out of Kano State. He adds that the BUK bombing accelerated the move out of Kano – more than any other attack that have happened in the past. “Everybody is packing and leaving BUK” said the source who continued to add that the entire non-muslim staff are on their way out of Kano – even the men of the JTF have become somewhat “edgy with the whole situation“.

The leader of Ohaneze Kano, Chief Tobias Idika confirms the same trend of persons evacuating Kano State in panic of additional Boko Haram attack. He stated that the Government of Kano have continued to give the men of Boko Haram cover under the guise of Hisbah Gaurds [Islamic Police]. In his summation of why the problem of Boko Haram continues to linger, he told our correspondent that vast population [including the state government] harbour a veiled sympathy for the men of Boko Haram – and for this reason the people of Kano State have continued to provide food and shelter to the men of Boko Haram. He pointed blame to the government for providing funding to the Islamic Police – and cited the funding of the Hisbah group as a ploy to supporting the terror group. “We are demanding for a state of emergency. These house to house searches by the JTF will not solve the problem. What will solve the problem is for Mr. President to declare a state of emergency” stated the leader of Ohaneze Kano.

The Ohaneze leader in tandem with other leaders of the minority groups in Kano – jointly – told our correspondent that the attacks in Kano against minority groups are aimed at chasing the Christians away from Kano – so as to enable them take over the priced real estates structures erected by non-muslim over the years. They pleaded for Mr.. President to rise to the call and “declare a state of emergency before it becomes to late“.

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has advised that recommendations made on study tours by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) be made available to government for improved developmental policies.

Dr. Uduaghan who gave the advised during a cocktail party organised by the State Government for participants of Course 34 of the Institute on study tour to Delta State, said such recommendations would assist the government in designing better developmental strategies.

He stated that the tour exposed participants to information and knowledge about the state adding that this would guide them in making recommendations on how best to improve on policies and strategies to ensure adequate security and massive developmentof the country.

“Please l will like to see the recommendations you make each time you come to the state on study tour, this will enable us as a state to gain more knowledge on how to formulate policies and strategies which will help us improve on our developmental strides.”

The governor noted that the institute has helped develop human resources in various fields in the country and advocated that short executive programmes be designed for the political class to prepare them for the odious task of governance.

“This Institute has been a place in Nigeria that has helped to develop human resources. I will not be surprise to see President Goodluck Jonathan here on a programme. Such programmes will  help the political class a lot,” he said.

In a brief Remark, a participant of Course 34 at the Institute, Prof. A. Mobiye observed that Governor Uduaghan has a strategic mind which has geared him towards the development of the state.

“I think you have a strategic mind, this shows your commitment to building projects geared towards the development of the state,” he said.

He continued “We have every cause to appreciate you for this good work you are doing in Delta State. We have gone round and seen things for ourselves; we will leave the state with sweet memories.”

He appreciated Delta State government for the warm reception accorded the team on its one week study tour in the state and commended the governor for the progress he was making in his policy of creating a ‘State Beyond  Oil’.

He promised Governor Uduaghan that the recommendations made on the study tour would be made available to him and invited him to the presentation of the report next week at the Institute in Jos .

Eulogies continue to trail legendary Rashidi Yekini even as former Abia state governor Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu Weekend prayed the Federal government to honour him as a star who once refused to play against the Eagles in a 1994 friendly with Portuguese side Vitoria Setubal.

According to Kalu,”It was a pre-USA ’94 World Cup friendly. Yekini’s side listed him against the national team.He backed out.I remember his exact words.’It is possible at club level,but i would not do it against Eagles.I will not try it.I’d prefer to watch instead of playing against my country’.That is enough to honour this hero.

Of course,Yekini had tormented Iwuanyanwu Nationale in the 1990 CAF Champions’ Cup against Africa Sports of Cote D’ivoire.The game was moved from Abidjan to Seguela and club President Simplice Zinsou promised the Nigerian the equivalent of Twenty Four Thousand Naira[N24,000] for every goal scored against his countrymen.

“Yekini struck in the 18th minute,it took Ifeanyi Aghenu’s last minute effort for the Naze Boys to draw level.In the Benin second leg,Yekini did it again,in the 18th to cancel Thompson Oliha’s goal.Nationale were lucky to win 3-2,”Kalu disclosed.

The ex-governor could not come to terms with talks about the man’s mental state.However,he pleaded with Sports minister Bolaji Abdullahi to use more than ‘Kwara connection’ in bringing President Goodluck Jonathan to recognise Yekini even in death.

“As a footballer,Yekini was a party freak.He said it himself,loved rice with fried plantains,played basketball,dotted on his siblings Akeem and Sumaila,was a good swimmer and after marriage,was fond of his wife Patience whom he renamed Maryam,”Kalu added.

Born to Yekini and Sikiratu Balogun, October 23 1964,young Rashidi helped his glazier dad even as pupil of ABS school Kaduna.He would later train as a car painter.Active soccer began in 1981 when his friend Ade took him to coach Muniru Sule of UNTL Kaduna.In 1984, he joined Shooting Stars alongside Sola Akinsola,Daniel Abdulahi,Kayode Aina and Olu Kalejaye.Yekini also played for Abiola Babes.

The Peoples Democratic Party has re-assured Nigerians that in line with the cardinal agenda of its new leadership, it will not shield anybody who has a case to answer in the mismanagement of the petroleum subsidy.

It, therefore, called on the coalition of the civil society organisations to shelve its planned protest as their demand aligns with the stand of the party on the matter.

Some civil groups had insisted that its members would embark on a nationwide protest if the Federal Government fails to prosecute those indicted by the House of Representatives probe committee on the management of the petroleum subsidy.

But the party said in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh on Saturday that it would continue to uphold transparency and the rule of law in its determination to lead by example.

It described its position as “the ultimate ingredients for the realisation of the transformation programme of the federal government.”

The statement said, “The demand of the civil groups is already reflected in the resolution of the National Working Committee of our great Party.

“As the party in power, the one controlling both the Executive and the Legislative arm of government, our position is that the culpable should face the full weight of the law.

“This must however, be in compliance with due process so as to make sure that only the guilty suffers.”

The statement further called on the groups to give considerable time for the law to take its full course.

“In this light, we must allow government to articulate the findings of the House of Representatives and engender necessary legal actions through the appropriate agencies of government, ” the statement added.

Meanwhile six governors from the six geo-political zones of the country are to become members of the National Caucus of the PDP.

However, President Goodluck Jonathan or the sitting president is to nominate the six governors.

Also, all members of the NWC of the party have been made automatic members of the caucus.

These were contained in the report of the PDP 2012 National Congresses and Convention Planning Committee submitted last Wednesday to the national leadership of the party in Abuja.

The report was signed by the committee’s chairman, Chief Ojo Maduekwe and its secretary, Dr. Akilu Sani Indabawa.

Source: Punch

Kano state government, northwest Nigeria, has spent N5.6 billion to improve water supply within 11 months.

The Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Bala Mohammed Gwagwaruwa said the fund was used for maintenance services in the existing Water Works across the state, particularly, the Challawa and Tamburawa Water Treatment Plants.

He decried the spate of abandoned projects inherited from the immediate past administration, noting that the current administration was committed to ensuring adequate water supply in the state.

“It is pertinent to say that way back before we took over the mantle of leadership, the situation at the water intakes was very pathetic and disheartening to the extent that only N0.3 water works at Challawa was partially functioning. No. 1 and 2 were not working.

“Additionally, the power situation at Challawa was also frustrating due to the fact that out of the 6 generating sets, only two were functioning. This seriously affected the water supply capacity of the Water Works,” he noted.

He said the bulk of the expenditure was used for maintenance services at the Challawa Water Works and Tamburawa Water Plant, pointing out that the Ministry also carried out comprehensive laying of pipes to meet the target of pumping over 350 million litres of water to Kano citizens before 2015.

He further noted that the projects carried out by the Ministry within the period under review include, rehabilitation of number six water intake, sand bagging of the coffer dam, procurement and installation of six KJI pumps to supply energy to two Water Works.

Apart from procuring generating sets to power the Water Works for adequate water supply to the state following the epileptic power supply by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), the Commissioner said the Ministry also repaired pneumatic system for the rapid sand filters and activation of surge tanks for the high lift pumping station at the water plants.

According to him, the previous administration under the state Water Board generated N32 million monthly as revenue, “while within eight months of Kwankwaso’s administration, we are able to generate N82 million as revenue on monthly basis.”

He also stated that the Ministry absorbed about 1000 applicants as casual staff on the payroll of the Water Board, “and I must tell you that this has not only improved working ability in the Board but has also reduced unemployment.”

He urged the people of the state to endeavour to pay their water bills as at when due in order to complement the state government’s desire to ensure adequate and steady water supply to all the nooks and crannies of the state.

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Source: PM NEWS

Nigeria’s all time highest goal scorer; Rashidi Yekini was on Saturday, buried in his home town of Irra, in Offa, Kwara state amidst cries and eulogies.

Hundreds of well-wishers gathered at the family’s compound, the site of his burial to pay their last respect to the striker who scored Nigeria’s first goal at the World Cup in USA 94, in a match against Bulgaria.

Prior to his internment, the 1993 African footballer of the year, wrapped in a white cloth, had a football placed by his head-famed for being a major threat to goal keepers with headings-at a tearful lying in state.

Leading the burial rites and prayers, the Chief Imam of Irra, Alhaji Shehu Tijani, noted that death is the end of everyone.

Yekini died in a private hospital in Ibadan, late Friday night aged 48. He was said to have suffered from bipolar disorder, depression and some other neuro-related ailments without receiving adequate medical attention due to financial troubles.

One of his widows, Adeola, and his daughter, Yemi, led the mourners at the burial weeping profusely as they observed the dust rites.

Former teammates, Ajibade Babalade, Mutiu Adepoju and Ike Shorunmu were also present and could not also hold back their tears.

Also present at the burial was the Kwara State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Prince Tunji Moronfoye, who pledged that government would do something to assist the deceased’s family. He announced a donation of N1.5million to support his family.

Others were representatives of Osun State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, Commissioner for Sports, Mr Stephen Kola Balogun who said the news of his death was received with shock.

The Osun state government donated N1 million as endowment fund for the soccer legend to cater for the family and children.

Born in Kaduna state, Yekini started his professional footballing career in the Nigerian league, before moving to Côte d’Ivoire to play for Africa Sports National.

He played for the Portuguese side, Vitoria de Setubal where he became the Portuguese first division’s top scorer 1993–94, with 34 goals in 32 matches. He was the first Nigerian to be crowned the African Footballer of the Year in 1993.

In 1994, he left for Greek side, Olympiacos FC, and after a brief stay, left for Sporting de Gijón of Spain. His career continued at FC Zürich, Club Athlétique Bizertin and Al-Shabab Riyadh, before returning to Africa to play for Julius Berger FC at 39 after retiring from international football.

As a member of the national team, Yekini had a remarkable career with 37 goals in 58 appearances, a record yet to be broken.

He is reportedly survived by three wives, three children and his aged mother.