NYSC Yet To Receive April 2012 Allowance, Ministry of Youth Development Fingered

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Minister Of Youth Development Alhaji Bolaji Abdullahi

Information available to 247ureports.com indicates that the Federal Ministry of Youth Development under the leadership of Alhaji Bolaji Abdullahi may have begun exhibiting symptoms of mismanagement of financial resources available to the Ministry. This is as the Ministry charged with the responsibility of disbursement of NYSC allowances to corpers across the nation failed to make available the said monies to the youth corpers for the month of April 2012.

As gathered through independent inquiry, the youth corpers staged in Kaduna, Zamfara, Oyo, Lagos confirmed to our correspondent that they have yet to receive their April 2012 allowance as of May 22, 2012. The corpers who have become agitated and visibly angry indicated that they find themselves helpless to the situation – as the representatives of the Ministry of Youth Development had warned the corpers not to talk to the media – or table their grieviance to any channel other than the Ministry of Youth Development.

The delayed allowance, it is feared may be symptomatic of a larger problem within the Ministry of Youth Development. It remains uncertain. When our correspondent attempted to the the media aides to the Minister – they did not answer their calls or text messages.

Stay tuned.

 

Is Iran really a threat?

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One can clearly observe several contradictions in the political scenario and attitude displayed by Kuwait. Kuwaitis can trace their roots and background either to Saudi Arabia or Iran. Some obtained citizenship after residing here for several years (like some well-known Palestinians families) or through marriage. A few may have been naturalized because of different reasons — a matter of speculation and suspicion in the National Assembly! Today, I am more interested in examining if Iran is actually a threat to us when compared to the population, beliefs and country status. This topic will be examined in two parts.

Kuwait covers an area of 17,820 square kilometers with a population of about 3.5 million including expatriates. Census statistics show that about seventy percent of Kuwaitis are Sunnis while the rest 30 percent are Shiites. A small number of Kuwaiti Christians exist too. The bedoons issue is a hot topic now. According to Human Rights Watch report, the number of bedoons in Kuwait total to 120,000. Since 2011, hundreds of bedoons from Jahra have taken to the streets demanding citizenship. They have clashed with security forces several times, but their problems remain unresolved.

In 2012, fresh protests were organized in Jahra and Sulaibiya where most bedoon reside. Many Kuwaiti political leaders believe that the bedoon are holders of foreign passports that choose to simply hide it. So, the saga of the stateless in Kuwait continues. Personally, I think that their situation could escalate if no prompt measures are taken. Kuwait’s citizens have the freedom to express their opinion through social networking platforms like Twitter, private TV channels. These are easily accessible at all times!

News about Bahrain planning to join with Saudi Arabia(proposed Gulf Union) provoked many of its Shia citizens to protest asserting that Bahrain was not for sale and that this plan would give Saudi Arabia an upper hand in Bahrain’s political affairs and future. This was clearly not welcomed by many Iranian officials and some people in other GCC countries, including Kuwait. Some feel that the so-called Gulf Union will benefit Saudi Arabia more than other countries, bearing in mind that not everyone agrees upon internal policies! I think I agree and understand that point and share concerns about the future. Will this unity have an impact on many of the historic privileges we enjoyed for a long time? What will happen to our Constitution , its articles and the many benefits that citizens enjoy in terms of individual freedom and freedom of expression.

I understand the concerns shared by Gulf countries if they were to become united under the leadership of Saudi Arabia. Does that mean that we will have to obey Saudi Arabia’s rules or Kuwait’s regulations? What about countries’ identities and the civil rights of all Shiites and Sunni, male and female? I think these are serious issues that need to be kept in mind if Kuwait decides to join this yet-to-be formed union. Think about European Union. The union was not formed because the countries were riding high on emotions and fears of being attacked by neighbors.

Forming a union is worthwhile only if each country commits to improve its economy, civil and human rights practices. So, the standards set should not be mere geographic proximity but on other interests and respect. No country should dominate the other! The problem with Gulf countries is that the existing Council did not serve as a role model of unity that benefits citizens and residents. This topic has brought in more differences between the Kuwaitis; some favored it while others like me are more skeptical. Now, if this move is motivated by perceiving Iran as a threat, then it is time to examine the Shiites say in this.

By Muna Al-Fuzai, Staff Columnist

muna@kuwaittimes.net

Obama’s same-sex marriage announcement hasn’t moved the polls

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By David LauterMay 21, 2012, 11:39 a.m.
WASHINGTON — Almost two weeks after President Obama announced his support for same-sex marriage, polls provide some measure of the impact – zero.
Gallup’s tracking poll average for May 1-7 – the period that ended with Vice President Joe Biden’s statement that he supported same-sex marriage — showed Mitt Romney ahead of Obama by three points – 47%-44%. And the tracking poll average over the past seven days? Romney ahead of Obama by three points – 47%-44%. In between, neither candidate’s standing in the poll changed in any significant way. (Some Democrats believe Gallup’s poll underestimates the size of the minority vote, but whatever may be the poll’s flaws, they wouldn’t change the before and after comparison.)
Some caveats are in order. It’s possible that a national poll might miss subtle shifts in individual states. For example, if Obama lost ground in conservative Southern states and gained ground in more liberal coastal states and if the changes in those two sets of states precisely canceled each other out, the national numbers would remain unchanged. A very small shift in one or two swing states could make an important difference in the election outcome but still not register on a national tracking poll. Unfortunately, there aren’t very many recent public polls of swing states, so a “before” and “after” comparison isn’t possible so far.
A tracking poll also doesn’t measure voter enthusiasm. So perhaps some younger voters who favor same-sex marriage rights might have become more motivated to go out and work for Obama, for example, or maybe some conservative voters who already had planned to vote for Romney might have become even more firm in their convictions.
Still, the flat line on the poll average should be a good reminder that events that loom large in the day’s headlines often don’t have much impact on election results. The reason for that isn’t complex: In elections with an incumbent president, most voters lock into position pretty early while those who remain persuadable one way or the other generally focus on issues that directly affect their lives. In this election, that mostly means the state of the economy.
How about the other way around: Did Obama’s announcement shift voters’ views of same-sex marriage? There, too, the impact seems very small at best. UCLA political scientist Lynn Vavreck and Ryan D. Enos, an assistant professor of government at Harvard, looked at data from the weekly YouGov poll and wrote in a blog post that “very little of interest has happened to public opinion as a consequence of Obama’s revelation. The week before his announcement, 49% of Americans in the YouGov poll supported gay marriage. The week after — 48%, a change far too small to take seriously.  Essentially – opinion in general did not move at all after Obama’s interview.”
The YouGov data, they noted, did provide some indication that among the small group of people who had shifted their view in the week after Obama’s announcement, blacks were more likely to move toward a pro-gay-marriage stand. If that trend solidifies and continues, it could be important for referendums on marriage in states that have large black populations, including Maryland, which is expected to vote on the issue in November.
david.lauter@latimes.com

The Need For Action: Something Is Wrong With Nigeria

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Speaking in Enugu at the funeral service of late Nneoma Chime, mother of Governor Chime of Enugu state, President Jonathan was said to have stated that it was high time a change was made to correct the ills of successive past regimes.

According to the Nigerian Tribune of May 19, 2012, President Jonathan was quoted as having said :

  “Something must have gone wrong along the line from 1914 when the Southern and Northern Protectorates were amalgamated till date. When you look at the 1914 amalgamation of the Southern and Northern protectorates, and between the period Nigeria got independence in 1960 and the time I was sworn in as President, you will agree with me that I am not the problem of Nigeria….What we must do is to make a change for the development of Nigeria. We cannot check out like that of the television man ….”

One must thank Mr. President for acknowledging that Nigeria has been sick and wobbly since its amalgamation/creation in 1914. Something was definitely wrong and ill-conceived with that process that only benefited its creator and amalgamating power, Britain, which even at that time, acknowledged that the process was only for its administrative convenience! 

Britain supposedly left in 1960. Why have ‘Nigerians’ not taken the necessary step and action to REPAIR the damage done to them by Britain ?

Why the hypocrisy that all is well, when we all know that everything is wrong and deadly ? Since the so-called political independence in 1960, Nigeria has lost over 6.5 million of its peoples to internal strife, including a genocidal civil war, a recurring cycle of religious and ethnic massacres, more than 30 years of ethnically-induced military dictatorship which has impoverished the regions that lay the golden eggs for the country, massive corruption at the highest levels, lowest levels of economic development and growth inspite of being richly endowed with huge natural resources, insecurity of lives and property, and now Boko Haram. The ills of Nigeria go on and on !!

Every leader of Nigeria before the military incursion in 1966 agreed that Nigeria was a big fraud. Its founding fathers were agreed on that fact. Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the then leader of the Yoruba nation and first Premier of Western Nigeria called Nigeria, ” a mere geographical expression “. Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sarduana of Sokoto, and first Premier of Northern Nigeria, saw Nigeria “as an estate from our great grandfather, Othman Dan Fodio ” in which “we must ruthlessly prevent a change of power. We must use the minorities in the North as willing tools, and the South as conquered territories and never allow them to have control of their future…” Characteristically, this thinking of Ahmadu Bello has been the philosophy of the Hausa-Fulani oligarchy since 1960, and the cause of all the frustrations at nation-building in Nigeria.

But these were the sincere views of the founding fathers of Nigeria. However, under intense pressure, and in their eagerness to impress their British colonial masters, these founding fathers agreed to live together in a political structure that would allow for separate development of the different regions at their respective rates. This was the essence of the federal structure adopted at independence…..for the tolerance of one another. The bubble, however, burst in January 1966.

General Ironsi’s attempt to forge a united Nigeria with his Unification Decree No.34, ended in complete disaster, and triggered the chain reactions that led to the genocide of  1966-1970. Since August, 1966, when Lt. Colonel Gowon came on board, till now, its been hypocrisy in leadership. Convinced that the basis for unity did not exist in Nigeria, Gowon, the leader of the ARABA Northern military group which overthrew Ironsi on July 29, 1966, announced to Nigerians on August 1, 1966 : “….Suffice it to say that putting all considerations to test–political, economic, as well as social–the basis for unity is not there.” This matter-of-fact statement was to be a prelude to the North declaring its independence from the rest of Nigeria in August, 1966. Britain again intervened. Gowon was reminded that power was again in the hands of another Northerner, and that there was no need to take a piece of the pie, when the entire pie was in the control of the North. Gowon told his fellow mutineers this much, and in his second broadcast convinced them to go for ONE NIGERIA. So, their putsch turned from ‘Araba’ to ‘One Nigeria’ when power returned to Ahmadu Bello’s North. This has been the story of Nigeria since 1960. It is the story of the nature of co-existence that featured among the various nationalities that make up Nigeria…the ‘born-to-rule’ and ‘the ruled’ syndrome. The born-to-rule must be in power for there to be peace in the country !General Azazi is nobody’s fool !!

President Jonathan must recognize and appreciate this terrible condition for peace in Nigeria if appropriate steps must be taken to correct the anomaly. Past Nigerian leaders and regimes have not been sincere in acknowledging this terrible truth in dealing with the Nigerian dilemma. All other problems of Nigeria have everything to do with it. Political spaces must,therefore, be created where different peoples of the entity called Nigeria can exist, and maybe, co-exist, in peace and harmony, without fear of persecution and molestation by some over-zealous groups and nationalities wanting to impose their antagonistic agendas. The problems of Nigeria, therefore, have everything to do with the basic structure of the country and the rules of co-habitation.

Why do we all pretend all is well. Nigeria needs to be re-structured,and rules of co-existence streamlined, for people to develop to their full potentials. There is so much acrimony, envy, jealousy, bigotry, and selfishness among the various nationalities, particularly along the north/south divide, that the various peoples live in fear of one another.For example, parents and guardians of young university graduates from the south now resist the posting of their children and wards to the North for national service, for fear of losing them in the hands of “fellow Nigerians”. No country makes progress under such conditions ! This is the reality President Jonathan and the entire Nigerian leadership must come to terms with, and do what is necessary.

The President must get away from the hypocrisy and pretensions of past leaders and chart a new course, so that peoples that inhabit Nigeria can develop into the pride of the black race. ‘Nigerians’ and their children in America and Europe are performing wonders, and contributing immensely to the growth and development of technologies and advancements in their new homes. Most of this people are willing to come home to contribute their expertise and knowledge. But the enabling environment must be created, the political space conducive and un-inhabiting, and their nationalistic fervor challenged ! Ojukwu provided such leadership, and Biafra, the political space some 45 years ago ! The miracles of Biafra in a peaceful and non-war environment can be re-created all over the present Nigerian space for the benefit of all the peoples. Nigerians must be given the opportunity to create and sustain their well-being and welfare in accordance with their wishes in their fatherland. This is the beauty of democracy and the freedom of choice. President Jonathan and the National Assembly should have the patriotic guts to move the nation forward! They must provide the political environment for people to flourish. This is the function of any responsible government anywhere in the world.Otherwise, the Andrews will continue to check out to greener pastures where their talents are appreciated !

Responsible Nigerians have been shouting themselves hoarse over the call for a Peoples’ National Conference where Nigerians would seat down, look one another hard in the eyes, and speak the truth on the way forward. Why is it taking forever to resonate with the Presidency and members of the National Assembly that this is the only way forward for Nigeria ? Maybe, it is true what they say that people in government at those two levels are more concerned with their present fleecing of the resources of ailing Nigeria than bringing the sick amorphous giant back to life. I wonder what patriotism means to them.

To our President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, I humbly wish to say : “Sir, at your level now…..if I were in your position, I would be more concerned with the judgment of History than with my personal assets and possessions. You have a golden opportunity to write and etch your name and administration in gold in the hearts and memories of all well-meaning Nigerians, now and for generations to come, if you right the wrongs ignored by past regimes in Nigeria. You can transform yourself into a statesman, the Mandela of Nigeria by taking the bull by the horn! Nigerians are clamoring for leadership, and a positive change in their lives. They want to talk at a Peoples’ Convention or Conference. That wrong of 1914 must be corrected now…..in your time !”

Provide Nigerians that opportunity to discuss their future well-being.

I hope President Jonathan is listening !!

 

Nnamdi J.O.Ijeaku

 

Trouble in Bauchi: Yuguda’s Men Attacked As State Polytenic Shuts

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Secretary to the State Government, Bauchi State

New trouble brews in the metropolitan city of Bauchi State following the State Governor of Bauchi State’s announcement that the Abukakar Tartari Ali Polytechnic located along Rand Road will be shut down to make way for a teaching hospital. Information available to 247ureports.com through sources within the Bauchi State governor’s office indicate that the Governor’s move to house the teaching hospital at the school may have unravelled the peace long enjoyed by the residents of Bauchi State.

The Government of Bauchi State under the leadership of the Yuguda administration had received federal grants to erect a teaching hospital within the metropolitan city of Bauchi to serve the area and to complement the other medical facilities that may tap into the facilities that comes along with a properly equipped teaching hospital nearby. The agreement between the State government of Bauchi and the Federal government of Nigeria states that he federal government will repay the state government of its expenses once the state government completes the erection of the teaching hospital. The State government is to erect the teaching hospital.

The Yuguda led administration, in its attempt to search for a site to erect the teaching hospital, decided on one of the three campuses of the State owned Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic – as the location to house the teaching hospital. The decision, as expected, did not settle easy with the students and staffs of the said institution. And as a result, the effort by the Yuguda administration meet protests by the students. In April 2012, the students’ spokesman led a students; protest charging the government to get its acts together.

The students of the Abukakar Tartari Ali campus were reported to have been asked to relocate to the main campus located along Jos Road in Wuntin Dada – and make room for the contractors to begin work at the school. But the main campus have not been expanded to accommodate the new students. In the meantime, the occupants of the male hostel has been forcefully evacuated and asked to move to a temporally site – while the occupants of the female hostel have been asked to move over to the male hostel – the female hostel could be demolished – to give way to a new building. Eyewitness reports indicate that the students response to the forced evacuation was to physically attack the contractor and some of the official of the Bauchi State government. Bte the leader of the students, Saliu Sulaiman, denies that the students acted violently but insists that the State government must “provide amenities at the site where we are being transferred to“.   Specifically, he demanded “exam halls to fit 800 students, 20 classrooms and library with capacity for 1500 students“.

The lectures and non academic staff of the said institution have been ordered to evacuate their residences to another venue. As gathered through the governor’s chief press secretary, a temporary residence have been secured by the State government for the workers – and the rent for the new temporal site have been paid for by the State government for two years. But the workers were said to turn the offer down – requesting instead a more permanent arrangement. Usman Mohammed Isuh, the leader of the Joint Action Committee comprising the workers of the three campuses of Abubakar Tartar Ali Polytechnic was quick to joint issues with the unfolding quagmire. He adds that “the government should have considered sites in the capital” while also adding that “the manner the relocation exercise is being handled is not good“.

Recent comments by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sani Malami may have unravelled some within the opposition and keen observers of the Bauchi state polity. The Commissioner had made it clear that the contract for the teaching hospital is behind schedule – and must be pushed forward. He stated that 70% of the contract value had been paid to the contractor by the state government. The contract is valued at N2.6biilion – and N1.81billion of it has been paid out as mobilization fee. “90% of the present structure at Abubakar Tatari Ali are not habitable for human beings. They will be demolished“, added the Health Commissioner who continued to explain that the selected site was the most appropriate site for the teaching hospital.

But keen observers and some within the opposition view the rush by the government and the contract sum with skepticism. They point to the large sum paid out as mobilization fee as highly suspect. One source attached to the governor’s office who aligns himself with the opposition told 247ureports.com that the in-house technical evaluation of the project pegged the project value at a lower value. The project sum was valued at N1.1billion. The source continues that the high mobilization fee paid to the contractor reflected the underlined criminality involved in the proposed scheme. He reveals that the project contractor, Babangida Zango, to be a front for the Secretary to the State Government [SSG]. He states that N800million out of the N1.81billion released as mobilization were shared among top officials of the government who facilitated contract. In particular, some of the money was shared among the following persons:

  1. Secretary to the State Government – N180million
  2. Bashir Bugaji – N100million
  3. Alhaji Adamu Alkali – N50million
  4. Dr. Sani Malami – N50million
  5. Ali Jibril – N50million
  6. Commissioner for Special Duties -N30million
  7. Director SSS, Mr Ajayi – N20million
  8. Commissioner of Police – N20million [the Commissioner, Uchechukwu Aduba was recently transfered but N20million was reserved for the CP]
  9. Director, Due Process – N8million
  10. Director, Engineering – N8million
  11. Director, Finance – N6million

But the chief press secretary denies the allegations of sharing money as fictitious and callous on the part of the opposition who have joined the students to cause unnecessary havoc in the state. He charged the opposition to provide proof of the money sharing or of the in-house evaluation that pegged the value of the project at N1.1billion. He revealed that the Islamic foundation which is located nearby the school campus has pledged to donate a cardiac center to the teaching hospital – upon completion. He added also that a school of midwifery located nearby campus makes the selected site a wonderful site.

In a related development, the state governor has announced the shutting down of the two other campuses of the Abubakar Tatari Ali Polythenic – the College of Education at Azare and the A. D. Rufai College for legal and Islamic at Misau. The decision as gathered was taken by the governor to avert solidarity demonstration by the other two campuses. Last year in June 2011, the Rand road campus degenerated into a bloody riot following the death of a second year accounting student [Sabo Mohammed].

Man arrested with grenades, ammunition at venue of ministerial briefing

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A man who gave his name as John Akpabu was arrested with 3 grenades and 37 rounds of AK47 ammunitions around 12:00pm today at the Radio House, Area 10, Abuja.
Radio House is the venue of the ongoing ministerial briefings ahead of the Democracy Day celebrations.
The building also serves as the headquarters of Radio Nigeria and houses the National Press Centre which is being used for the briefings. Among those at the briefing this morning are the Minister of Youths and Sports and that of Aviation.
The suspect had gained entry already into the compound housing the building and was arrested trying to gain entry into the main building.
Security checks at the venue was markedly heightened from early Monday  morning, before the arrest of the man, and a new detachment of soldiers and mobile policemen were on ground helping the usual guards at the building frisk visitors.
The suspect has been taken away for questioning by security operatives.
Sources at the FCT Police Command have confirmed to Daily Trust that the suspect is indeed in their custody and the Command will issue a statement as soon as it has gathered more details concerning his mission.
The Chief Security Officer at Radio House, Mr James Akindele, told reporters that the suspect was arrested at the main entrance.
Akindele said: “This afternoon, our operatives arrested a man with rounds of 7.7 mm live ammunition and three 86 hand grenades, all concealed in a polythene bag and put in a black bag.
“We have not interrogated him, we just apprehended him. What we want to do now is to hand him over to the police for further investigation and then you will all get to know more about his case.”
An earlier story had erroneously described the man as also being in possession of an AK47 rifle.

—

Source: Daily Trust

Two Female [Yoruba, Igbo] Drug Traffickers Arrested At Lagos Airport

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bisola animasaun

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended two female passengers in connection with drug trafficking. The arrests were made at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. The suspects are Onuoha Faith, 24 years old hair stylist caught with one kilogramme of methamphetamine hidden in her brazier and inner wear and a 25 year old London-based fashion designer, Animasaun Sulikiatu Bisola Sunbo found in possession of 3 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed inside packs of chocolates.

bisola animasaun with the box of cocaine and chocolates

The Airport Commander Mr. Hamza Umar noted that Onuoha Faith was detected with the assistance of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). “I must commend the officials of FAAN for their support and cooperation. Onuoha wanted to take a local flight to Abuja where she will connect another flight to Malaysia but was caught at the local wing of the airport. She packed 750 grammes of methamphetamine on her brazier and inner wear while 250 grammes were also ingested by her. Animasaun Sulikiatu Bisola Sunbo was arrested during screening of passengers on a British Airways flight to London. Thirty (30) sachets of cocaine weighing 3kg was found inside two chocolates containers in her bag” Hamza stated.

onuoha faith at the time of arrest

Animasaun told narcotic investigators that she was lured into the drug deal describing her involvement as a big mistake. “This is a very big mistake on my part. I hope I will be given the opportunity to right my wrongs. They promised me 3,000 pounds to take the packs of chocolates. Apart from the financial inducement, I should have resisted the temptation. It is a mistake that will never happen again” Animasaun lamented.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the London based fashion designer was seen as a good courier that may not attract suspicion. She has dual citizenship and had lived in London all her life. Her British international passport number is 306673168 while her Nigeria international passport number is A0243146. Several seizures of cocaine wrapped as chocolates had previously been made by the NDLEA at the Lagos airport.

the 3kg cocaine and chocolates

Onuoha Faith hails from Orlu in Imo State. According to her, she wanted to use the proceeds of the drug business to further her education. “I am a hair dresser because I have no money to pursue my education. I completed my primary school in 2003 and wanted to use the proceeds from the drug business to further my education” Faith stated.

Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade said that the Agency will take steps to prevent drug trafficking in the country. “The officials that made the seizures and arrests must sustain their efforts in prompt interception of drugs. Drug traffickers male or female must be stopped from tarnishing the image of our country. I urge members of the public to collaborate with the Agency in tracing drug barons. We must stop them from the criminal trade and promote peaceful coexistence in our country” Giade urged.

The suspects will soon be charged to court.

Kano JTF Kills 13 Year Old Boy

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Jos, Plateau State

Information available to 247ureports.com from sources within the security agents stationed in Kano State indicate that the Joint Task Force [JTF] headed by Commander Iweha shot and killed a 13 year old boy in Kano State on Thursday May 17, 2012.

According to the information made available, the 13 year old boy was shot on Thursday afternoon near his home located a few yards away from the Emir of Kano State’s residence. Local news reports indicate that the boy was shot as he walked towards his home. It was said that the JTF who has been edgy of late mistook the boy for a possible Boko Haram suspect – who may have been approaching the Emir’s palace with dubious intentions. It was not certain whether the boy disobeyed the JTF orders – before he was shot. But what was certain was that the boy was unarmed.

The leader of the JTF was called for comments regarding the shooting but he failed to answer his calls. Text messages were sent to his mobile phone but he did not respond. The police public relations officer, Malam Magaji,when contacted, referred our corresppondent to the JTF.

Meanwhile, the mother of the boy and other family member along with supporters have begun making trips to the various media houses in Kano seeking redress for the death/murder of their son. Some of the activists who accompanied the group expressed blanket disapproval of the manner the JTF have harassed the residents of Kano. One of the activists who have his name as Yusuf told our correspondent that the men of the JTF have turned to abuse of power as their mode of operation. “Achaba [Okada] transporters can no longer work in Kano” said Yusuf who continued to lament the manner the men of JTF have taken matters into their hands illegal.

He states that Achada/Okada riders are made to dis-mount their motorbikes about 100meters  before reaching the JTF checkpoints. They are then made to re-mount their motorbikes after they have rolled their bikes another 100meters after the checkpoint. He explains that the JTF have been making indiscriminate arrests and detention of innocent Hausa boys. “Sometimes they beat them for nothing”

A JTF source has denied the allegation.

NFF used police to abduct, detain me – Jalla

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Olajide Ayodeji Fashikun
*‘List of 10 to be eliminated revealed to me’
President of the National Association of Nigerian Footballers (NANF) Harrison Jalla has explained how the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) organised the use of men of the Nigeria Police to invade his Lagos office to abduct and detain him using a complainant he had never met to frame up allegations against him.
Speaking in a telephone interview fromhis house yesterday, Jalla who had been the arrowhead of opposition to the board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said, “I was in my office when the Policemen arrived. I was abducted and denied any means of communication, taken to away and detained.”
When my arrest was effected, the complainant who I had never had anything to do with neither have I ever met him pulled a call through to Ademola Olajire, the NFF’s Chief Media Officer, detailing how I was arrested. That was the point I realised it was the NFF that organised the latest arrest and charges.
I was detained by the police and denied access to my lawyers or relations. I was however released on Saturday night. The arrest and detention has shown how much new level of desperation the NFF people are bringing into this matter. This is the third time they are using the Police as an instrument of oppression wrongly and unjustly.
Asked what will be his latest reaction to this, he said, “I will respond accordingly in due course. One thing is certain, I an not going to be daunted by all these. You know what? The entire arrest and detention was not incidented by the police meaning it was likely an illegal operation. You will get further details in days”, he promised.
Earlier in the interview, he revealed that, “they had planned to use hitmen to eliminate 10 of us. I am one of the 10. It was that I was battling with that Friday when my office was invaded. The list include some prominent persons who are regarded as disturbing their peace. My sources had told me the list of the people on the elimination scheme. I won’t release the list now. I, however, promise to make the list available to you in a matter of one or two days.”

Kaduna Government Threaten Sack Of Striking University Workers

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Kaduna State Governor, Yakowa

Information available to 247ureports.com indicate that the State government of Kaduna may be entangled in a knotted tussle with the striking workers/employees of the State owned tertiary institutions over a previously agreed salary scale. The state university workers had gone on a strike May 12, 2012 following the failure of the Kaduna State government to honor a previously agreed salary scale.

The two major institution that announced their strike were Sate College of Education and the State Polytechnic. The strike was said to come days before the start of final exams.

With the announcement of the strike, the Kaduna State government were reported to resume intense meetings with the leaders and representatives of the striking workers. The meeting began at minutes after 1pm and lasted till minutes past 9pm without producing a resolution between the two parties to end the strike. Sources involved in the negotiations tell our correspondent that the negotiations have not gone well between the two parties. The source indicates that the Kaduna State government had given an ultimatum to the striking workers to return to work or face immediate sack similar to the actions of the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola in sacking the 788 striking medical doctors.

To which, the striking workers rebuffed the government’s threat – telling the government that they were willing to face the threat of sack – rather than allow the Kaduna State government renege on agreed salary scale for the workers of state owned tertiary institutions.

Nonetheless, the State government maintains that the state is cash strapped and will not be able to pay the new salary scale demanded by the striking workers. One of the mouth pieces of the Kaduna State government, Reuben Buhari in confirming to 247ureports.com that the negotiations had reached a partial deadlock indicated that the State government remains determined to resolve the issue soon. He admitted to the complexity of the issues involved.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State government maybe faced with another labor related tussle in June 2012 – as the labor unions arrive in Kaduna State to protest the non-payment of the N18,000 minimum wage. It is expected that the streets may witness another round of organized protests.

[Stay Tuned for “Why The Kaduna Government Cannot Pay Its Workers“]

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