The Imo states governor,Owelle Rochas Okorocha has taken a swipe on Economic and Financial Crime Commission for delaying in arresting and prosecuting ex-governor, Ikedi Ohakim over fraudulent activities and obvious misappropriation of several billions of public fund within the four years he governed the state.

Governor Okorocha who was responding on Ohakim’s dismissal of the allegation during the Citizens Forum organized by Good Governance Team led by Labaran Maku in Owerri, said it is an unfortunate development in the fight against corruption for persons with clear evidence of corruption and fraud to be walking on streets freely while some other innocent Nigerians are constantly molested by the EFCC.

The governor who was visibly emotional said “I am begging to get convinced that there is an iota of truth in the allegation considering that for the four years the previous governor governed has nothing on ground as evidence to show proper utilization of 10 or 20 billion Naira in the state. It is a shame that outside the uncompleted Ahiajioku building ,Governor’s office, Governor’s lodge in Abuja and IROMA equipment which all the caterpillars are refurbished , there is nothing on earth to justify about 450 billion received by that administration and I stand to be corrected. If this nation and EFCC cannot fight that corruption by arresting Ohakim, they have lost the credibility of talking about corruption in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Let no Nigerian again be investigated or arrested for corruption if some, whose cases are evidently clear are left to walk freely in the country. So, the issue of 62 billion Naira is for the anti-graft agencies to investigate”.

He warned against further harassment of members of his Cabinet and other innocent Nigerians by the EFCC while those involved in corrupt activities are shield from prosecution.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has appointed four new Judges in the state.Those appointed are Mrs. Rita Irele-Ifijeh who has been appointed Judge of the High Court of Edo State; Mrs. Osaretin Stella Uwuigbe appointed Judge of the Customary Court of Appeal, Edo State; Mr. Victor Oziegbe Aghabue Oviawe, appointed Judge of the High Court, Edo State and Mrs. Nogi Aifuwa Imoukhuede, appointed Judge of the High Court, Edo State.

In their appointment letters signed by Governor Oshiomhole, he said the appointment of the new judges is in exercise of his powers under Section 271 sub-section 2 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and based on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council.

Swearing –in of the new judges will hold at a later date.

Delta state governor Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has directed the state Ministry of Education and Scholarship Board to ensure that all higher institutions in the state whether public or private enjoyed the scholarship and bursary scheme provided by the state government.

The governor who gave the directive when the Chancellor and management of Novena University Ogume, paid him a courtesy call in Asaba said the scholarship and bursary programmes were not restricted to institutions owned by the state government alone.

He said the bursary and scholarship awards were open to students of Delta state origin in both public and privately owned institutions of higher learning.

Dr Uduaghan therefore said there should be no discrimination of any kind as the scholarship programme were awarded to first class students.

‘’I am surprised to hear that students of private institutions were not benefiting from the bursary and scholarship programmes. The programmes are for all students of Delta state origin in higher institutions whether owned by government or private individuals,” he said.

The governor who commended the management of Novena University for the enormous responsibilities it was shouldering announced the grant of N100 million to the university to accelerate infrastructure development in the private institution.

He said the challenges involved in building a university was heavy and enjoined the institution to utilize the grant in building more infrastructure in the university.

Dr Uduaghan also announced that the Direct Labour Agency would start the rehabilitation of the Ogume-Kwale road as well as the Ogume-Abbi road to improve movement to the university.

He also commended the chancellor and management of the institution for reducing admission problems and contributing towards academic excellence in the state.

The Chancellor of Novena University, King Alfred Diete-Spiff commended the governor Dr Uduaghan for infrastructure and economic development of the state.

King Diete-Spiff said private institutions have the potential to impact on the development of education in the state and announced that Novena University would soon start running programmes in Marine education, Medicine and Law.

He also said that since the establishment of the institution admission issues have been addressed and drastically reduced in the state and appealed to the governor to extend water, electricity and good motorable roads to the institution.

King Diete-Spiff disclosed that Novena University was the first private government approved higher institution in the state and stressed the need for the state government to accommodate students of the university in the bursary and scholarship scheme of the state government.

The Nigerian Senate gave constitutional approval to the deployment of 1,200 troops for combat mission as part of the Africa International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA) – an Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) organized military mission sent to support the government of ECOWAS member nation Mali against Islamist rebels in the Northern Mali conflict. The mission was authorized with UN Security Council Resolution 2085, passed on 20 December 2012, which “authorizes the deployment of an African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) for an initial period of one year. Nigerian troops had already been deployed by President Goodluck Jonathan before a letter was transferred to the Senate for approval. This action in itself raises serious constitutional questions.

The swift dispatch of troops belies the security challenges at home. It is now habitual and priority for Nigerian government to solve crisis in neighbouring African countries faster than the insurgency at home. If the federal government had responded in similar manner to the Boko Haram menace during its formative years, their activities would have been nipped in the bud. Security challenges now seem insuperable, extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses are now the hallmark of the Joint Task Force (JTF) on duty in the troubled northern states of Nigeria.                                                     The “brilliant record” of Nigeria’s participation in peace mission in neighbouring African countries counts for nothing when compared to the insurmountable security challenges at home. There is nothing ‘responsible’ about being proactive in regional conflicts when the Boko Haram menace has claimed over 3,000 lives and counting. The present security challenges at home does not warrant any form of peace-keeping outside the shores of the country.

The conflict in Mali birthed by the emergence of three Islamist groups now active in northern Mali – Ansar Dine, al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb, and the Movement for Oneness and Jihad all beefed up by an influx of mercenary fighters from Libya about a year ago. Defeats by Tuareg separatist aided by Islamist fighters coming back to Mali after the fall of Gaddafi triggered a military coup, in the confusion that ensued, the army were forced to retreat from the vast deserts of the north, with the secular Tuaregs swiftly pushed aside by their former allies, extremist militants took control of a vast area, big as France. For a country fettered with poverty, its citizens in perpetual pangs of hunger and most Malians practicing a temperate form of Islam, the insurgents in Mali were able to operate in shadow manner their presence undetected for years in the forests and deserts with strong ties and financial backing from al-Qaeda in the Middle East (AQIM). These Islamist rebels were also engendered by the subsequent destabilization of northern Africa after the war in Libya leading to the proliferation of arms and ammunition to groups masquerading as Libyan freedom fighters.

Nigerian government should take a cue from the reluctance of some European countries, particularly Britain whose Ministers were ordered to the Commons to stress that UK troops would not ‘undertake a combat role’ in the crisis in Africa, amid fears they could be sucked into a long, bloody conflict opting for logistical air assistance to France. The US played an active role in ousting Muammar Gaddafi during the Libyan uprising with air strikes without putting boots on the ground. Nigeria could have explored similar possibilities and should begin to think along such direction for future invitation to combat missions.

The suggestion by some senators that it is high time Nigeria considered her economic interest in foreign policies like the world super powers, US in particular, was instructive. We need not go on foreign missions without reaping the maximum benefits of our sacrifices. “It is no longer uhuru for the country to continue to play Father Christmas in its foreign policies” quipped a Senator.

The remark by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Azubuike Ihejirika, that Mali trained terrorists have crossed the border into Nigeria is rather preposterous as he gave no evidence of their presence. Actually, Nigeria does not share its border with Mali. In-between there is Burkina Faso, Niger republic and Togo. If all these nations did not report terrorist immigrants, then on what basis did the COAS raise alarm that Mali trained terrorist had landed Nigeria shores? A ruse it turned out to justify the deployment of troops to Mali.

There are real threats of retaliatory strikes of western targets across Africa and beyond, countries whose troops are part of the combined effort to flush out the terrorists. Mali may not play a significant role in world economy but it is surrounded, on far and near sides, by countries that do. Nigeria and Algeria with the largest and second largest gas reserves respectively in Africa, suppliers of petrochemical/minerals, make them potential targets of reprisals. Recently, al-Moulathamine, a group affiliated to AQIM has since claimed responsibility for the attack on a gas field in southern Algeria run by BP, Statoil and the Algerian state oil company Sonatrach.

The Algerian government said 38 workers and 29 militants died in an attack during a three-day military operation to end the hostage crisis. After a special forces operation crushed the last holdout of the fighters at the Amenas plant. Considering that Algeria have been co-operating with the French military operations by allowing the use of its airspace and committing about 900 troops to the UN mission in Mali, the Islamists fighters vowed to avenge what they called the country’s support for French military action in neighbouring Mali. With Nigerian troops too in Mali, we may fear the worst.

There is a school of thought who believes the Malian crisis can be resolved with a bit of political persuasion rather than military intervention. Aside this, there lies a serious fear of Islamist fundamentalist taking over Mali and the country’s northern desert already held by insurgents and could become a breeding haven for terrorists to plan and launch international strikes. Already the fighters have taken control of major towns in the north. In the Taliban-Afghan style, they flog women for not covering up and amputate in public squares. The turban fighters have taken advantage of the political instability to capture territories hitherto used to stockpile weapons and train forces.

Few weeks ago, rebels seized control of a town called Konna, and gained entrance to Mopti, Mali’s second city which by extension means there capture of the whole south in addition to the already controlled northern part of Mali. Their aim is to topple the government in the capital, Bamako. French troops have provided effective shield for the capital. Reports say French and Malian forces reclaimed the key towns of Konna and Diabaly from militants after days of intense fighting.

Now here is the big question; what is the strategy of the Nigerian troop’s nay the AFISMA in Mali? Is it to crush the terrorist or chase them out? Whichever of the tactics they deploy, reprisals from splinter and allied terrorist networks in Nigeria, like the Kogi state attack, are cinches? But if their strategy is to push them out which is the obvious tactics from days of fighting in Mali, border countries should be prepare against the influx of fleeing Islamist rebels.

To stay ahead of the game in the fight against terrorism, Nigeria needs to be proactive on the home front. Have we deployed troops to protect or fortify, if any form of security already existed, Nigeria’s porous borders? Did we count the cost of an economic spill over of a full blown war in Mali, or of a military impasse or casualty?

From the foregoing, the deployment of Nigerian troops to Mali has raised more questions than answers.

Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has splashed N41 million cash reward on the state athletes to the 2012 National Sports Festival, which held in Lagos, condemning the win-at-all-cost attitude of some states, saying it does not augur well for the sports development of the country.

The Governor who held a reception for the athletes at the Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, yesterday, announced  a cash reward of N1m, N300,000 and N200,000 respectively for each Gold, Silver and Bronze medals won at the festival.

The coaches and officials that led the athletes to the Festival were not left out of the reward as the Governor announced a cash prize of one million naira each for every gold winning coach while other coaches received N300, 000.

Oshiomhole who said the spirit of the festival is gradually being eroded by the win-at-all-cost antics of some states said: “when a state government decides to use and hire athletes as if they were mercenary soldiers, just to record achievements, that for me is not the spirit of the National Sports Festival and it is important that the National Sports Festival must make conscious efforts to stop these malpractices, these corrupt tendencies.

“We cannot be talking of corruption in the economy, corruption in the oil sector and people are bringing corruption into the sports sector. It is risky, it is damaging and it doesn’t do our country any good in terms of image.

“That is why Nigerian referees are never listed to officiate in international matches as Assistant referees or main referee. Now we are playing in the Nations Cup and there are no Nigerian referees. I think  the sports authorities must do everything possible to remove corrupt practices frpom the Nationa Sports Festival so that the spirit of the Festival is not lost.”

The State won a total ninety three medals at the Festival, made up of 25 Gold, 24 Silver and 44 Bronze medals.

The stars of the state at the Festival were a female Swimmer Victoria Ajakaiye who won 5 Gold and 2 Silver medals; Weightlifter Gideon Aigbefor who won 3 Gold Medals and female Gymnast, Melvin Amenaghawon who won 2 Gold Medals.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has condemned the constant use of strike action by medical practitioners as a weapon of negotiation.

Oshiomhole who spoke at the First National Health Summit organized by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Asaba, Delta State said Government and the NMA need to interact more for peace to reign in the health sector.

”l am not a stranger to NMA. I have interacted with NMA as a union leader but also now as a steward in Government House. Therefore I have seen it from all sides. I was happy when I read through the programme, I saw that the oaths that the doctors subscribe to, the mission statement and the vision are all there. And I then asked myself if these things are binding, then some doctors have to be arraigned for conviction because they have breached that oath severally and serially” the governor added.

Comrade Oshiomhole advised that, “this conference must address those issues of commitment. There is no reason why a doctor should abandon an accident victim on account of the fact that his allowances have not been paid. Right now I have the privilege of having a daughter who is a doctor and she told me that in the US, it borders on treason for a doctor on account of dispute or remuneration to allow patients to die.”

According to him, the NMA must reinvent those old values that life is more precious than naira and kobo because allowances can always be paid but life lost cannot be reinvented.

“I feel some time that doctor’s rush a little bit too quickly to a strike action. I think in using that weapon to abstain from delivering healthcare we must ask ourselves if that was the only option or appropriate decision at the time,” he added.

The Governor argued that Nigeria must remain a federal state adding that the less powers Abuja has the healthier Nigeria will be.

“In amending the constitution we must devote more powers to the state, let states formulate policies on the basis of their own experiences and not one-drug-fits-all that is prescribed from Abuja,” Oshiomhole noted.

The Minister for Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu earlier delivered a key note address at the summit which has as its theme, “Repositioning the medical Profession and the Nigeria Health System for National Development,” and while declaring the Summit open, the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, assured the NMA of the National Assembly’s support in its determination to improve healthcare in the country.

—mass burial performed

— as Hon Nwogbo tasks IG of police, commends Mass Burial yesterday

Myths surrounding the dumping of over 50 lifeless bodies at the Ezu River Ugwuoba , Enugu state, a boundary town to Amansea , Awka North Anambra state will be revealed after 90 days if the perpetrators refuse to confess, The Nation leant yesterday.

The Ezu River was angry that people have continued to deface its serenity and healing powers and told its goddess that death sentence awaits all the people involved in dumping the dead bodies after 90 days and there was no confession.

‘’Ezu has appeared and re-appeared an indication that the spirits guiding the river are not happy and according to the deity , the perpetrators if they did not come to confess after 90 days would have problem’’, an Elder who gave his name as Nwankwo Nwanna stated in a rather reckless manner.

This is coming as Mass burial was given to the recovered dead bodies from the Ezu River yesterday after an autopsy. The Commissioner for Health, Dr Ikeakor led the state team to the mass burial while the Chairman of Awka North Hon Joy Enweluzor and Secretary to the Council Hon Paul Nnatuanya led the council staff to the burial.

Speaking to the Nation on the development, the Awka North secretary, Hon Paul Nnatuanya said the local governemnt has provided three tankers of water to avoid outbreak of epidemic to the Amansea people especially Iru-Owelle village.

Reacting Member Representing Awka North and South Federal Constituency , Hon Emeka Nwogbo has commended the quick intervention of the Anambra state Governor , Mr Peter Obi who cut short his stay at London to visit the scene Sunday morning , ordering an autopsy and mass burial of the victims which is stinking heavily.

Nwogbo further appealed to the Inspector General of Police to order a thorough investigation by the Commissioners of police Anambra and Enugu states into the circumstances surrounding the death and dumping of the dead bodies in his constituency.

Nwogbo solicited the patience of his constituents with the terrible situation , promising that he will promptly enlist relevant authorities ti initate actions towards finding out where the corpses came from and who dumped them into the river as well as toensure that there is no re occurance .
Nwogbo further said he would inform NEMA to take actions towards ensuring that no adverse health conditions and epidemic out breaks result because of that and commeded Awka North Transition committee Chairman and members for supplying clean water to the people in the interim.

It would be recalled that a combined team of policemen came in patrol vehicles with registration Number NPF 117 C, with inscription Anambra Cobra squad B division; NPF 2347 C Enugu state Anti robbery squad and another plate less van written Cobra squad .

The leaders of Amansea and Awka North local government as well as the Anambra state Government have all visited the scene in sympathy of the Ugwuoba community and Save Our Soul cry to the Enugu state government to come to the scene for further actions.