Moscow: Iran will not cave in to external pressure and halt 20-percent uranium enrichment, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation said Tuesday.
Iran to continue uranium enrichment, says n-chief
“The Islamic Republic will not stop 20-percent uranium enrichment at the demands of other countries,” Fereydoun Abbasi Davani was quoted by Iranian news agencies as saying.
Iran to continue uranium enrichment, says n-chief
Abbasi’s remarks follow media reports saying that the next round of negotiations between Iran and a group of international mediators could take place in January 2013.
The IAEA has said an agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme could be achieved in January.
Western countries led by the US suspect Iran of pursuing a secret nuclear weapons programme, but Tehran insists it needs the enriched uranium for peaceful energy generation
Somalia’s Al-Qaeda linked Shebab insurgents said Monday they had broken ties with an U.S. extremist who rose to fame for his rap videos urging fellow Americans to join him to fight.
Omar Hamami — better known as Abu Mansoor al-Amriki (the American)– was once viewed as a key foreign leader within the Shebab, and was placed last month on the FBI’s list of most wanted terrorists.
But the Shebab on Monday accused Amriki of “spreading discord and disunity” amongst the insurgents, following video release and statements from the 28-year-old alleging he had been threatened by fellow fighters.
“Abu Mansoor Al-Amriki does not, in any way, shape or form, represent the views of the mujahedeen in Somalia,” a statement posted via a link on the Shebab’s Twitter site read.
The “superficial allegations” made in the videos and statements are “the results of personal grievances that stem purely from a narcissistic pursuit of fame,” the statement added.
Amriki, who grew up in the town of Daphne in Alabama, was raised by a southern Baptist mother with Irish roots and a Muslim father with a Syrian background.
Reportedly based in anarchic Somalia since late 2006, he has issued previous videos calling for foreign recruits, including singing rap songs praising jihad, despite the fact that the Shebab ban music under their strict interpretation of Islam.
Amriki had previously been seen as a leader for foreign fighters in the Shebab, alongside top Somali commanders Muktar Robow and Sheikh Hasan Dahir Aweys.
But the Shebab, while saying they still welcomed foreign fighters, dismissed Amriki’s importance.
“The jihadi theatre nevertheless accommodates people of all sorts. Some, above others, occasionally rise to prominence often with little merit save for their uniqueness,” the statement read.
“Contrary to portraits of the grand strategist, recruiter and fundraiser portrayed by the Western media, Abu Mansur Al-Amriki does not hold any position of authority.”
The Shebab are on the back foot having lost a string of key towns in recent months to African Union forces, Somali troops and Ethiopian soldiers.
HIS EXCELLENCY, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF KADUNA STATE,
(DR) MUKHTAR RAMALAN YERO for & on behalf of the Yakowa family & the entire people of Kaduna State, hereby announces the final burial arrangements for our Late Beloved Governor, SIR PATRICK IBRAHIM YAKOWA (CON) as follows:
1. Wednesday, 19th December 2012, Valedictory Executive Council meeting at the Government House by 10 am.
2. Wednesday, 19th December 2012, Wake – keep at Government House Kaduna, Time 3pm.
3. Thursday, 20th December 2012, Corpse leaves St. Gerard Catholic Hospital at 7am, for its final journey to Fadan – Kagoma.
4. Thursday 20th December 2012, Burial/Funeral Mass at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Fadan – Kagoma, Jema’a L.G.A at 11am.
MAY HIS GENTLE SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE, AMEN.
SIGNED:
His Excellency,
(Dr) Mukhtar Ramalan Yero
Executive Governor,
Kaduna State
The Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson escorts the procession bearing the remains of the Late Former Governor of Kaduna State, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa during the special valedictory session held on behalf of the deceased in Yenagoa Photo by Goodluck Ayebatonye, Government House, Yenagoa. Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson paying his last respect to his departed colleague, Sir Patrick Yakowa during the special valedictory service held on behalf of the late former Governor of Kaduna State in Yenagoa. Photo by Goodluck Ayebatonye, Government House, Yenagoa Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson paying his last respect to his departed colleague, Sir Patrick Yakowa during the special valedictory service held on behalf of the late former Governor of Kaduna State in Yenagoa. Photo by Goodluck Ayebatonye, Government House, Yenagoa Late Sir Yakowa final Journey home: the Pallbearers carrying the caskets bearing the remains of the Former Governor of Kaduna state Governor, Late Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa and other victims of Bayelsa Helicoter crash in Okoroba, in Bayelsa State. Photo by Goodluck Ayebatonye, Government House, Yenagoa.
The management of flour Mills PLC has donated relief items worth 5.7 million naira to the Abia state government to help alleviate the plight of victims of the recent flood that ravaged parts of the state.
Handing over the items to the governor, the Group managing Director of the company, chief (Dr) Emmanuel Ukpabi who said the relief items comprises the assorted products of the company including rice, macaroni, spaghetti, semovita etc, also stated that the company is touched by the recent disaster that engulfed the country.
He said that the company has been going round the affected 14 states in the federation to give succor to the victims and appreciated the efforts of the various tiers of government in alleviating the plight of the affected persons.
Chief Ukpabi pledged to continue to identify with Abia state.
Receiving the items, the governor thanked the management of flour mills for the gesture and expressed joy that some companies are sympathetic to the plight of the victims.
He said that the phenomenon is above the capacity of the state and appreciated the commitment of flour mills to the people.
The governor called on other private and public companies especially those in Aba to emulate the gesture of the flour mills.
He pledged that the materials will reach the people for which they are meant.
Delta state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has flagged off the 2012/2013 Free Rural Health Scheme with an assurance to Deltans that adequate and affordable Healthcare remains paramount to his administration.
Besides, he warned health officials and dubious members of the society against extorting money from the people as the rural health scheme was totally free, saying anyone caught sabotaging the programme would be dealt with severely.
Dr. Uduaghan who gave the assurance yesterday, at the flag-off ceremony in Illah, Oshimili North local government area of the state, said that the initiative was to provide free health care for rural dwellers in the state.
He stated that the health of the people was pertinent to maintaining a wealthy state as such his administration was committed to building a healthy state.
Governor Uduaghan explained that the state free mobile hospitals have been provided by government to enable Health workers visit the communities in the different Local Government areas and provide free treatment to the sick.
“The free mobile Hospital is one of the best in the country. It is well equipped and better than many hospitals in the country. We have provided them to enable Health personnel go to the interior areas of the state to treat sick people”.
The Governor appealed to Deltans especially those living in the rural areas to avail themselves the opportunity of utilizing the program for qualitative healthcare delivery.
He stressed that the treatment is free and advised the rural women not to pay for treatment or medication whenever they visit any of the Rural Health Centres.
“This is a free treatment programme, there is no age limit,. This Scheme includes general medical consultation, lab investigation, Basic eye examination, surgical intervention, HIV counseling, Immunization, among others and it is available for everyone living in the state”, he stated.
He charged Health workers to be committed to the Scheme and always be at their posts to attend to the people.
Governor Uduaghan advised the people to avoid going to the Health Centers to collect drugs when they are not sick and store it at home saying, “please make una no claim say una dey sick and go dey collect medicine from the Health Centers and keep for una houses only for una to drink am when una they sick later.Na bad thing be that”.
He continued: “maybe wen una go wan come use the medicine e fit be say the medicine don expire. This get side effect oh! So make una dey go hospital wen una dey sick and no self medication.”
In a brief address, The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Otumara said the Free Rural Health Care include screening exercise for early detection and treatment of diseases, the preventive and curative care for all diagnosed medical and surgical disease conditions.
Dr. Otumara stated that the Scheme also included diagnostic laboratory services and pharmaceutical services among others adding that this services would be taken to the door steps of Deltans.
In a welcome address, the Chairman of Oshimilli North Local Government Transition Committee, Mr. Innocent Esewezie stated that the free rural health care has remarkably reduced the morbidity and mortality rate in the Local Government
He commended the governor for the initiative and said it has helped improved the Health condition of Deltans saying “I salute you Sir for the foresight and provision made so far to ensure the success of the programme.”
Esewezie assured the governor that his Local government would totally support the programme and called on his people to take advantage of the free Health Care Services.
Justice Salihu Garba of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, on December 7, 2012, sentenced Fidelis Teseer Tule, who was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to two years imprisonment for impersonation and obtaining money by false pretence.
Tule was arrested following an intelligence report that he was parading himself as a Senior Crime Officer with the EFCC and defrauded unsuspecting Nigerians through a bogus claim that he could secure job placements for them with the anti-graft agency. Among his victims were Ekundayo Theophilus, Gbaanongon Victor Tyosoo and Ogodi Linus.
The fraudster, who operated within the judicial division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, used a false identity card titled “Economy Fund Crime Commission” and bearing Mr. Fidelis T. Tule with ID card No: SCO/236/008 to hoodwink his victims.
He was arrested and subsequently arraigned on an 8 count charge on November 10, 2011 for committing the offence which is contrary to Section 363 of the Penal Code Law Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria ( Nigeria ) 1990 and punishable under Section 364 of the same Law.
One of the charge reads, “That you Fidelis Teseer Tule, sometime in October 2011, in Abuja within the Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, did with intent to defraud obtained the total sum of N21, 400.00 (Twenty One Thousand, Four Hundred Naira) from one Gbaanongon Victor Tyosoo by false pretence purporting same to be for employment into Economic and Financial Crimes Commission which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under section 1 (3) of the same Act”.
During trial, the false document titled “Economy Fund Crime Commission Identity Card” was admitted in evidence as Exhibit A by Justice Garba who in his ruling said that “from the totality of evidence adduced, I hold the considered view that the document or writing marked Exhibit A is a forged document as confirmed by Exhibit D. The defendant knew that the document is forged as he confirmed that he made Exhibit A and that he is not a staff of the EFCC”.
“In conclusion and by the overwhelming and uncontradicted oral and documentary evidence as presented by the prosecution, the prosecution has proved the offences as charged against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt as required by Section 135 of Evidence Act 2011 (as amended)”, Justice Garba said.
He therefore sentenced the accused to two years imprisonment.
When the screaming headline came on almost all the local tabloids in Imo State: “Cona In Trouble For Allegedly Deceiving Okorocha Over Billboard,” I was standing side-by-side at a newsstand close to Concorde Hotel reading newspapers with a contractor who I believe must have tasted the rod of Governor Okorocha. After going through the paper, he then asked, “Can Cona deceive this man who knows the in and out of politics, and who also play a deceptive one?”
Then, I furthered by knowing what really transpired between the duos. First, I started by reading the story line by line. It reads: “For allegedly deceiving Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State into believing that he constructed the giant billboard bearing his portrait in front of Rock-View Hotel (formerly Modotel) free of charge for the governor, the contractor, Prof Chinedu Asinu-Anosike popularly known as Cona, may be heading for trouble”.
“The reason, according to sources from the office of Chief of Staff to the governor, Prince Eze Madumere is that Cona had some months ago allegedly misled the Chief of Staff to believe that he mounted the billboard as part of his support to his Rescue Mission government”. As part of his contribution? How can Prince Eze Madumere now suddenly become a man to be fooled? I mean, how can somebody make him believe that he situated the billboard, or secretly supporting the government led by Okorocha without making it open? At least the likes of Leo Stan-Ekeh who did theirs, we saw them presenting car keys to the governor on the paper. If we can reason this together we will find out that this is just a written script by someone who is buying favour from the boss, or someone who wants to pull the fellow down.
Furthering, “one of the sources said the Chief of Staff went ahead to inform Governor Okorocha that Cona did the billboard for him resulting to the robust relationship, Prof Asinu-Anosike has been enjoying with the governor and COS without the latter knowing that Cona was paid by Rock-View Hotel management for the job. According to the source, “since the truth is known, it will be very difficult for Cona to get any contract again from the government.” Who is the source, and what could make Cona not to handle contract for the Imo State government again? Presently or in the past, people who have been following events in the State would agree that Cona has not done any printing job for the present government in the State, or has ever visited the government house for job solicitation, unlike the ones he did for Ex-governor Ohakim, and also doing for the Abia State government and other state governments he consults for; which also have his imprints boldly on them.
Interestingly, the writer stated that Cona has through this malicious act been enjoying robust relationship with Governor Okorocha. I think the writer forgot that since the inception of this government, the imprint we have been seeing on brochures and bills are all Lamonde Press, which belongs to Governor Okorocha, just like Lamonde hotel. Also, the writer forgot that the billboards we have been seeing, and which are being mounted by the government lack quality. Looking at the writer’s side of professionalism, should we not describe this as a junk and wack journalism?
Consequently, I would want us to pardon the Chief of Staff, Prince Eze Madumere, for imagining how people could believe that the hotel consultant, Mr. John Paul Ochemba, who is also the Chairman of Jorsil Limited was being told that Cona mounted the billboard free of charge for the governor, without him bringing to thought that there was no space on it where courtesy of Cona Print is being written. Already, sources revealed that when Ochemba first approached the Chief of Staff in search of why the governor has refused to honour their invitation to open the hotel, it was a tough appointment to meet the Chief of Staff alone, talk more of him citing that, “I did the billboard for Governor Okorocha without bothering to tell him. I don’t like blowing trumpet like politicians, because I’m not one of them. No matter I have met the governor severally,” he said.
So you’ve met the governor severally, and on the same note you went asking for favour on how to meet the governor through the Chief of Staff? Besides, how can he boast of doing a billboard for Governor Okorocha, when we already know that the Chairman of Rock-View Hotel, Chief Dr. Vincent Amaechi Obianodo did it for the singular purpose of covering the waste container which the Imo State government earlier threatened to destroy, together with the fence? Meanwhile, sources close to the hotel consultant revealed that if the Chief of Staff asks for the refuting of the story, that he would present a recorded tape of the visit as a prove. On this note, I dare Prince Eze Madumere!
Getting back to the writer, how could you be so cheap by adding flavor to such a malicious, defamatory and slanderous story? As a story sent out for character defamation, you added that Cona threatened to make a serious rejoinder if it’s being published. Today, what’s the outcome? I think Cona’s counsel should have served both parties paper for character defamation. Why not rejoinder again?
If actually I was to be in the shoes of Prof. Chinedu Asinu-Anosike, I would rather not sue anyone, because this alone has shown that while some people are envying what he has achieved so far in life, they are also somewhere looking for a way to get connected to his success. By the way, who wouldn’t want to get close to this young man who transformed and rebranded what used to be an ordinary graphic designing to brand consulting? Ultimately, he was able to be mentioned amongst the 50 Most Influential Imo Citizens, as brand wizardry. Doesn’t this worth being celebrated? Why is it that we Ndi Imo have chosen to celebrate failure through the promotion of Pull Him Down (PHD) syndrome?
Personally, this same young man has been able to shape the future, by making himself a role-model to the youths, and a great philanthropist who has touched the lives of so many people. I wonder how the writer could quote him as being a staunch PDP member, when for so long he has been offering help to the downtrodden without blowing trumpet of it or even showing sign of someone who is interested in politics. Continuously, even in PDP gatherings, he had told them he is not the party’s card carrying member. So, how come after it made news during the last general election that even if he is not into politics, that it wouldn’t stop him from supporting his friends who are into it, and today the writer quoted him as being a staunch PDP member who is contributing to APGA government? Anti-party! The worst of this is that the plotter forgot that Cona is a media person; meaning to get him hurt would at the end of the day bring resolute of dog eating dog. If the said John Paul has any issue with his boss, should that warrant him hurting or pulling someone to buy favours? Isn’t that the case of robbing Peter to pay Paul? There are certain things which should not be allowed to go fallow. Meanwhile, as a result of bringing an innocent man down, he has opened his stomach for many to see his hidden secrets.
While briefing the press, he even stated that he paid Cona firm the sum of 2 Million Naira, while it has come to public that what he paid out was Nine Hundred Thousand Naira. Now, who is fooling who? If John Paul Ochemba were to be among those Jesus asked in the Bible to stone the harlot if none of them had sinned, would he not have done it? Will I say at times God does something for a purpose? Now, look at the issue of the management of Rock-View paying the sum of 2.4 Million Naira to OCDA through their too many tongues consultant, for them not to shut-down the gate they opened along Okigwe round-about.
Already, OCDA in Imo State is today a child of controversy, as many business outfits in the State have been defrauded. I even wonder if our Rescue Mission governor has not heard it. Even it was reportedly told that Ibari Ogwa is also a victim of this same dubious act. Yet, what is the government of the day doing? A government that set up an organization that is privately making money for themselves through an unscrupulous ways, making Imo the home of deceit and betrayal; I wonder why I won’t agree with a friend who wrote that the present government of Imo is running the state like a banana republic.
–
Ugochukwu Favour-Mayor is a media consultant who writes in from Owerri, Imo State. cenamayor@yahoo.com, 08164980379
Justice Adebunkola Banjoko of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, on November 21, 2012, convicted Femi Maurice who was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to four years imprisonment
Maurice was arraigned on July 1, 2007, on a four count charge of obtaining under false pretence, contrary to Section 1 (1)(a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act.
His road to prison followed a petition to the EFCC, where the complainant alleged that sometimes in February, 2007 on his way to Lagos via C.N. Okoli luxurious bus from Abuja , he met the convict who introduced himself as a visa agent and protocol officer with the National Assembly, Abuja .
The complainant wrote that the convict claimed he processes visas for people and buttressed his claim by showing him six Nigerian International Passports with visas which he said could be procured at the cost of N350, 000.00 apiece and also told him that there are slots for four people but that he only succeeded in presenting three people including himself, his brother, Bello Kabir and his landlord’s son.
The court was told that the accused person, after succeeding in convincing the complainant, collected the sum of one million, one hundred and twenty six thousand Naira (N1, 126, 000.00) under the false pretence of procuring a U.K visa for him, his brother and his landlord’s son but that the visas which the convict procured were fake.
He however pleaded not guilty to the four count charge. Prosecution counsel, Gift Odibo, in proving her case, called three witnesses and tendered about sixteen exhibits. At the close of the prosecution’s case, the defence called just one witness and tendered no document.
On the 21st of November, 2012, the accused was convicted on all four counts and sentenced to four years imprisonment on each count which adds up to sixteen years. The sentence is to run concurrently from the date of judgment.
Witnesses said Bakura was shot at a close range in head and waist around 7:30 pm along Sokoto Bypass on Sunday shortly after he observed his Isha prayer before his killers had fled.
It was gathered that the gunmen were on a motorbike and when they met the former commissioner at a place where he used to stay and rest, they just opened fire on him. And after they killed him, they went away with his car.
The killing was coming 48 hours after some robbers attacked and killed ten vigilante group members in Dumburum village in Zurmi local government area of the state.
Zamfara State police command confirmed the killing of the former commissioner.
