This is to inform the general public that the university of Uyo has started accepting application for 2012/2013 admission into the school through supplementary
Monday, 20 August 2012
Unilag 2012/2013 fresh students registration dates and venues
This is to inform the general public that the University of Lagos Unilag has released the time table of dates and venue for the registration exercise of new students which will start from 22nd to 31st of August. 2012
Salah celebration in Kano and Plateau disrupted by gunmen
Eid-el-Fitr celebrations were disrupted in Kano and Plateau states on Sunday after gunshots were heard in Kano metropolis and in Farin Gada, North Jos Local Government, where 12 cars were also destroyed.
Two bayelsa communities in war over alleged killings
Beseni community had accused its Okordia neighbours of the killing of Josline and Ebiyeyinama Okiogu.
Trouble was said to have started on July 19 following rumours that the two brothers had been killed in a forest where they went to fetch firewood along the border between both towns.
Thursday, 9 August 2012
El-Rufai detained
Past fct minister malam NASIRU EL-RUFAI was detained for about an hour at the murtala muhammed international airport on wednessday while he was trying to travel to Dubai
Wednesday, 8 August 2012
Wednesday, 1 August 2012
Tuesday, 31 July 2012
PDP Lagos call for speaker resignation
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday called for the resignation of the speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji over alleged N500 million scam.
The PDP noted that it was disheartening and unfortunate that in spite of the progressive posture of the party, no chieftain of the ACN has been prosecuted in its controlled states despite what the PDP described as ‘’the barrage of cases of misconduct in these states.”
Reacting to call by the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN that the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur must step down now, the PDP said, “The ACN has also turned the other way in the case of a N500 million fraud allegation against the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. There has been no call for the Speaker to resign. Till date, there is no record of any ACN official or chieftain standing trial in any ACN controlled State despite the barrage of cases of misconduct in these states”.
In a statement signed yesterday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the Party however threw its weight behind its National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, stressing that the party was not prepared to sacrifice his son, Mahmud Tukur over his prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on the subsidy payment scandal.
Metuh who also accused the ACN of interfering in judicial processes for its members, stressed that PDP was the only party in Nigeria that does not do that, adding, “the same cannot be said of the ACN. For instance, when the educational qualifications of Senator Bola Tinubu, the ACN’s National Leader were questioned, the entire Party machinery, operating under its earlier metamorphosis as Alliance for Democracy(AD) rose up and vilified anyone that called for a mere investigation. Every effort was deployed to frustrate the investigation.
According to PDP, it was not surprised as a party at the propensity of the ACN to make political capital out of every passing event in Nigeria, adding that it finds this posturing hypocritical, laughable and a desperate measure to smear the image of an individual who stands very tall in his contributions to the development of our country.
It will be recalled that son of the PDP National Chairman, Mahmud Tukur; Mamman Nasir, son of the former National Chairman, Dr Ahmadu Ali and Abdullai Alao, son of Chief Arisekola Alao are presently standing trial before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja for alleged offences in the oil subsidy payment scam.
Metuh who noted that there was the need for the PDP to put the record straight, said, “However, in order to set the records straight especially in the minds of those who may be swayed by the ACN’s warped logic, we wish to state categorically that the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Dr Bamanga Tukur, is not on trial, neither has he been linked to any of the allegations on the current petroleum subsidy trials.
‘’We have stated severally that the son of the Chairman currently facing trial is an adult and is fully responsible for all his actions in the eyes of the law. We shall therefore not allow the name and dignity of our revered Chairman to be dragged into an issue he knows nothing about.
“Secondly, it is interesting that the ACN, which has been on record as casting doubts over the Federal Government’s commitment to prosecuting those involved in fuel subsidy matters is suddenly enmeshed in a juvenile frenzy, dishing out judgments even before trials are concluded. What is expected from a responsible opposition like it is done all over the world is to give credit where it is due, and criticize where necessary.
“The decision by the Goodluck Jonathan administration to bring to trial those who have allegations standing against them is a clear signal that the government has nothing to hide and there are no sacred cows. We thought that the ACN will for once rise above petty partisan considerations and acknowledge this fact. Unfortunately, they have once more missed another opportunity to earn the status of a decent organization.
The PDP spokesperson who warned that the party will not succumb to blackmail from a very vocal but politically impotent opposition, said, “the call by ACN for Alhaji Bamanga Tukur to resign is therefore not only an assault on his fundamental rights but also a wild misadventure by a clueless group that is ignorant on the workings of due process. We wish to remind them that the PDP is not operated on the basis of the opinions of the ACN.
‘’As the Party holding the mandate and trust of the people of Nigeria, we shall continue to show example on all matters of morality and good governance. We shall however not allow the integrity of our leaders to be wantonly violated, neither shall we succumb to blackmail from a very vocal but politically impotent opposition.”
The PDP noted that it was disheartening and unfortunate that in spite of the progressive posture of the party, no chieftain of the ACN has been prosecuted in its controlled states despite what the PDP described as ‘’the barrage of cases of misconduct in these states.”
Reacting to call by the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN that the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur must step down now, the PDP said, “The ACN has also turned the other way in the case of a N500 million fraud allegation against the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. There has been no call for the Speaker to resign. Till date, there is no record of any ACN official or chieftain standing trial in any ACN controlled State despite the barrage of cases of misconduct in these states”.
In a statement signed yesterday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the Party however threw its weight behind its National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, stressing that the party was not prepared to sacrifice his son, Mahmud Tukur over his prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on the subsidy payment scandal.
Metuh who also accused the ACN of interfering in judicial processes for its members, stressed that PDP was the only party in Nigeria that does not do that, adding, “the same cannot be said of the ACN. For instance, when the educational qualifications of Senator Bola Tinubu, the ACN’s National Leader were questioned, the entire Party machinery, operating under its earlier metamorphosis as Alliance for Democracy(AD) rose up and vilified anyone that called for a mere investigation. Every effort was deployed to frustrate the investigation.
According to PDP, it was not surprised as a party at the propensity of the ACN to make political capital out of every passing event in Nigeria, adding that it finds this posturing hypocritical, laughable and a desperate measure to smear the image of an individual who stands very tall in his contributions to the development of our country.
It will be recalled that son of the PDP National Chairman, Mahmud Tukur; Mamman Nasir, son of the former National Chairman, Dr Ahmadu Ali and Abdullai Alao, son of Chief Arisekola Alao are presently standing trial before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja for alleged offences in the oil subsidy payment scam.
Metuh who noted that there was the need for the PDP to put the record straight, said, “However, in order to set the records straight especially in the minds of those who may be swayed by the ACN’s warped logic, we wish to state categorically that the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Dr Bamanga Tukur, is not on trial, neither has he been linked to any of the allegations on the current petroleum subsidy trials.
‘’We have stated severally that the son of the Chairman currently facing trial is an adult and is fully responsible for all his actions in the eyes of the law. We shall therefore not allow the name and dignity of our revered Chairman to be dragged into an issue he knows nothing about.
“Secondly, it is interesting that the ACN, which has been on record as casting doubts over the Federal Government’s commitment to prosecuting those involved in fuel subsidy matters is suddenly enmeshed in a juvenile frenzy, dishing out judgments even before trials are concluded. What is expected from a responsible opposition like it is done all over the world is to give credit where it is due, and criticize where necessary.
“The decision by the Goodluck Jonathan administration to bring to trial those who have allegations standing against them is a clear signal that the government has nothing to hide and there are no sacred cows. We thought that the ACN will for once rise above petty partisan considerations and acknowledge this fact. Unfortunately, they have once more missed another opportunity to earn the status of a decent organization.
The PDP spokesperson who warned that the party will not succumb to blackmail from a very vocal but politically impotent opposition, said, “the call by ACN for Alhaji Bamanga Tukur to resign is therefore not only an assault on his fundamental rights but also a wild misadventure by a clueless group that is ignorant on the workings of due process. We wish to remind them that the PDP is not operated on the basis of the opinions of the ACN.
‘’As the Party holding the mandate and trust of the people of Nigeria, we shall continue to show example on all matters of morality and good governance. We shall however not allow the integrity of our leaders to be wantonly violated, neither shall we succumb to blackmail from a very vocal but politically impotent opposition.”
Saturday, 28 July 2012
Ini Edo says "im truely pregnant"
Nollywood superstar Iniobong Ini Edo has confirmed that she is definitely pregnant. Some of you will recall that rumours of the actress being pregnant went viral about a week ago.
In a recent interview she had with E24-7 the actress finally confirms it, said, “Yes, I am pregnant. I have become a real woman.”
Sick man vomits lizard in a hospital
It was really breathtaking as a strange thing occured in a community near the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.
Friday, 20 July 2012
House of Reps blasts> sack Oteh and Sanusi
The House of Representatives on Thursday asked the Federal Government to remove from office the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Ms Arunma Oteh.
The lawmakers said this in their adoption of report of the House ad hoc committee which probed the near-collapse of the capital market.
The report was debated and adopted on Thursday, barely 24 hours after the Federal Government recalled Oteh from the suspension slammed on her on June 12 by the Board of the SEC which indicted her for mishandling the Project 50 of the commission.
The report, which aslo faulted Oteh’s appointment as DG on grounds of qualification, said that she lacked the competence to manage human and material resources.
Oteh was also found to have lied on oath before the panel on the ownership of nationalised banks as well as “regulatory failure in some of the recent mergers, acquisitions and approvals of transactions by SEC.”
The report in fact recommended her removal and prosecution.
But the government in a letter recalling her said Oteh was not indicted of fraud.
Some of the legislators had on Wednesday accused President Goodluck Jonathan of “shielding corruption” with the recall of Oteh while she was being investigated. They alleged that the action of the government was to pre-empt the House decision.
Spokesman for the House, Zakari Mohammed, had also said that the lawmakers would take a decision on the SEC DG, notwithstanding the government’s action.
Workers of SEC had also on Wednesday protested the recall of Oteh, arguing that her recall would erode confidence in the capital market.
But the Presidency said on Thursday that the government’s decision to bring back Oteh was independent of the House decision and that due process was followed in her recall.
Jonathan’s spokesman, Reuben Abati, told one of our correspondents in Abuja that the accusation that his boss was shielding corruption with the recall of Oteh lacked merit.
Abati said, “If you look at the content of that letter issued by the office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, government indicated that under her (Oteh’s) watch, there were a number of lapses in terms of how procedures were managed. The letter strongly advises her to pay more attention to the management of procedures.
“Due process has therefore been followed; fair hearing has been allowed. And on the basis of the recommendation and findings of independent auditors, government has taken this decision. The allegation of shielding corruption cannot stand in this matter.”
He added, “What government has done has nothing to do with the report of the House of Representatives. They are two separate things.
“When the House was carrying out its probe, there was no communication with the Executive.
“If the House concluded its work on the probe and forwarded its recommendation to the Executive, it would be treated on its merit.”
The report of the House ad hoc committee, led by Mr. Ibrahim El-Sudi, specifically stated that the embattled DG’s appointment violated “Section 3(2) a and 4ection 38 (1)(b), 2 and 3; Section 315 of the Investment and Security Act, 2007 in that she did not have 15 years experience in the Nigerian Capital Market as required…”
“That the appointment of Ms Arunma Oteh be terminated forthwith as DG, SEC,” the report said.
The report added, “She has shown incompetence in the management of human and material resources at her disposal in SEC, lack of transparency in the management of Project 50…and general inability to carry along her staff, board and management in decision-making in SEC and questionable staff recruitment.”
In another recommendation, the panel directed the prosecution of Oteh for lying on oath over the “ownership structure of the nationalised banks.”
Also to be prosecuted with Oteh for the same offence are a Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Kingsley Moughalu; and the Managing Director of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, Mr. Umar Ibrahim.
The House directed the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, to prosecute the officials for breach of Section 10 of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act “for giving false evidence under oath to the committee.”
While the officials had told the panel that the nationalised banks were owned by the Asset Management Company of Nigeria, it was later discovered that private individuals were the directors of the banks.
On another ground, Oteh and the Governor of the CBN, Mr. Lamido Sanusi, were recommended for prosecution for contempt.
The panel explained that they refused to produce documents that would have assisted the investigation in breach of “Sections 4&11(b) of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act and Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution.”
Also to be prosecuted for the same offence is the MD of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi.
For their roles in the banking sector crisis, which led to the CBN intervening in eight banks in 2009, the panel recommended a former Governor of the apex bank, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for “further investigation.”
Others to be investigated for the same reason are the Deputy Governor (Banking Supervision), Mr. Tunde Lemo; and a former deputy governor, Mr. Ignatius Imala.
Similarly, the House endorsed the recommendation of the panel asking President Goodluck Jonathan to strip the former MDs of the eight banks of their national honours.
In addition, it called on anti-graft agencies to “hasten their prosecution to serve as deterrence and to help restore investors’ a deterrent in the market.”
Although the panel had recommended the prosecution of Sanusi over nationalisation of AfriBank, Bank PHB and Spring Bank by the EFCC, the House stepped down the recommendation pending the outcome of consultation between the panel and the Committee on Banking/Currency.
This came after an explanation by the Chairman of the banking committee, Mr. Chukwudi Onyereri, who told the House that the committee was adequately briefed on status of the affected banks.
Members had obliged the committee a request to brief the House after the two committees had consulted on the matter.
But, one member, Mr. Abubakar Momoh, warned that the consultations should be done transparently to avoid a repeat of scandal witnessed during the consideration of the fuel subsidy probe report last month.
To strengthen the capital market, the committee recommended that both SEC and the CBN should improve on their regulatory duties by “detecting infractions and malpractices in their supervisory capacity.”
The lawmakers said this in their adoption of report of the House ad hoc committee which probed the near-collapse of the capital market.
The report was debated and adopted on Thursday, barely 24 hours after the Federal Government recalled Oteh from the suspension slammed on her on June 12 by the Board of the SEC which indicted her for mishandling the Project 50 of the commission.
The report, which aslo faulted Oteh’s appointment as DG on grounds of qualification, said that she lacked the competence to manage human and material resources.
Oteh was also found to have lied on oath before the panel on the ownership of nationalised banks as well as “regulatory failure in some of the recent mergers, acquisitions and approvals of transactions by SEC.”
The report in fact recommended her removal and prosecution.
But the government in a letter recalling her said Oteh was not indicted of fraud.
Some of the legislators had on Wednesday accused President Goodluck Jonathan of “shielding corruption” with the recall of Oteh while she was being investigated. They alleged that the action of the government was to pre-empt the House decision.
Spokesman for the House, Zakari Mohammed, had also said that the lawmakers would take a decision on the SEC DG, notwithstanding the government’s action.
Workers of SEC had also on Wednesday protested the recall of Oteh, arguing that her recall would erode confidence in the capital market.
But the Presidency said on Thursday that the government’s decision to bring back Oteh was independent of the House decision and that due process was followed in her recall.
Jonathan’s spokesman, Reuben Abati, told one of our correspondents in Abuja that the accusation that his boss was shielding corruption with the recall of Oteh lacked merit.
Abati said, “If you look at the content of that letter issued by the office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, government indicated that under her (Oteh’s) watch, there were a number of lapses in terms of how procedures were managed. The letter strongly advises her to pay more attention to the management of procedures.
“Due process has therefore been followed; fair hearing has been allowed. And on the basis of the recommendation and findings of independent auditors, government has taken this decision. The allegation of shielding corruption cannot stand in this matter.”
He added, “What government has done has nothing to do with the report of the House of Representatives. They are two separate things.
“When the House was carrying out its probe, there was no communication with the Executive.
“If the House concluded its work on the probe and forwarded its recommendation to the Executive, it would be treated on its merit.”
The report of the House ad hoc committee, led by Mr. Ibrahim El-Sudi, specifically stated that the embattled DG’s appointment violated “Section 3(2) a and 4ection 38 (1)(b), 2 and 3; Section 315 of the Investment and Security Act, 2007 in that she did not have 15 years experience in the Nigerian Capital Market as required…”
“That the appointment of Ms Arunma Oteh be terminated forthwith as DG, SEC,” the report said.
The report added, “She has shown incompetence in the management of human and material resources at her disposal in SEC, lack of transparency in the management of Project 50…and general inability to carry along her staff, board and management in decision-making in SEC and questionable staff recruitment.”
In another recommendation, the panel directed the prosecution of Oteh for lying on oath over the “ownership structure of the nationalised banks.”
Also to be prosecuted with Oteh for the same offence are a Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Kingsley Moughalu; and the Managing Director of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, Mr. Umar Ibrahim.
The House directed the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, to prosecute the officials for breach of Section 10 of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act “for giving false evidence under oath to the committee.”
While the officials had told the panel that the nationalised banks were owned by the Asset Management Company of Nigeria, it was later discovered that private individuals were the directors of the banks.
On another ground, Oteh and the Governor of the CBN, Mr. Lamido Sanusi, were recommended for prosecution for contempt.
The panel explained that they refused to produce documents that would have assisted the investigation in breach of “Sections 4&11(b) of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act and Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution.”
Also to be prosecuted for the same offence is the MD of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi.
For their roles in the banking sector crisis, which led to the CBN intervening in eight banks in 2009, the panel recommended a former Governor of the apex bank, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for “further investigation.”
Others to be investigated for the same reason are the Deputy Governor (Banking Supervision), Mr. Tunde Lemo; and a former deputy governor, Mr. Ignatius Imala.
Similarly, the House endorsed the recommendation of the panel asking President Goodluck Jonathan to strip the former MDs of the eight banks of their national honours.
In addition, it called on anti-graft agencies to “hasten their prosecution to serve as deterrence and to help restore investors’ a deterrent in the market.”
Although the panel had recommended the prosecution of Sanusi over nationalisation of AfriBank, Bank PHB and Spring Bank by the EFCC, the House stepped down the recommendation pending the outcome of consultation between the panel and the Committee on Banking/Currency.
This came after an explanation by the Chairman of the banking committee, Mr. Chukwudi Onyereri, who told the House that the committee was adequately briefed on status of the affected banks.
Members had obliged the committee a request to brief the House after the two committees had consulted on the matter.
But, one member, Mr. Abubakar Momoh, warned that the consultations should be done transparently to avoid a repeat of scandal witnessed during the consideration of the fuel subsidy probe report last month.
To strengthen the capital market, the committee recommended that both SEC and the CBN should improve on their regulatory duties by “detecting infractions and malpractices in their supervisory capacity.”
Thursday, 19 July 2012
Aki wife a graduate of fashion school
Nneoma, was very proud to show off her certificate from the Needlecraft Couture Fashion School on Sunday, July 15, 2012 right at the graduation ceremony held in Ikeja, Lagos. We are unsure if Aki was present at the ceremony.
The ‘pint sized’ actor and beau Nneoma tied the knot on Friday, December 9, 2011.
Monday, 7 May 2012
Stanbic IBTC in need Tax Officer & Credit Research Analyst in Nigeria Today
Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc is part of the Standard Bank Group. Stanbic Bank Nigeria was merged IBTC Chartered Bank PLC to form Stanbic IBTC Bank.
The merger, by way of the first ever tender offer in Nigeria and a $525 million FDI.
The merger, by way of the first ever tender offer in Nigeria and a $525 million FDI.
Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC through its wholly owned stock broking and asset management subsidiary, IBTC Asset Management Limited has several excellent mutual funds including the IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund, which is Nigeria’s largest mutual fund with a net asset value in excess of N25 billion (as at December 2007). It is the only bank that has a direct subsidiary that is a pension fund administrator; through the market leading IBTC Pension Managers Limited (IPML).
The following job vacancies are available:
- Tax Officer
- Credit Research Analyst
2Face Idibia, Away & Beyond Album Review
When you think the quality and standard of Mr. Idibia’s music will experience decline in his fifth release, the father of six proves you wrong. The ‘Grass 2 Grace’ maestro recruited a handful of ace producers and artistes to create the soul food known as ‘Away and Beyond’.
The cuisine opens with the Huma Lara assisted ‘Higher (Spiritual Healing)’, on the number 2Face shows he has grown artistically and musically incorporating a spine-tingling Indian sample. ‘Higher’ possesses the ability of calming a troubled mind and sets the tone for the what lies ahead. On ‘Bother You’, the afro-pop titan team ups with Terry Tha Rapman to craft a soulful tune addressing the subject of rumours and third parties attempting to scatter the ‘party’ of his relationship. After being ‘Spell Bound, the singer chants ‘Steady, Steady’; a mid-tempo number urging Nigerians to live life by taking one step at a time.
The 15-track LP also boasts of a number of club friendly numbers like the groovy ‘Dancefloor’ where the vocalist pays tribute to the late King of Pop ‘Michael Jackson’ in his little way; using the phrase “Blood on the Dancefloor”. The show-stopping ‘Ihe Neme’ is another potential smash and there is the so-so ‘Bad Man, Bad Girl’ which features Ghanian belter ‘Becca’ not forgetting the up-tempo ‘O.N.D (Omo No Dulling)’, with guest appearances from Hypertek’s recording artistes ‘Dammy Krane’ and ‘Rocksteady’. Cerious Music and Hypertek collides and results in a disappointing ‘Chemical Reaction’, the Naeto-C assisted track might just be the weakest the link. ‘Omo Tosan’ which is the second track is another cut which should not be undermined.
At his ‘Buckwild & Breathless’ concert which was held at the prestigious Eko Hotel & Suites the ‘African Queen’ conferrer declared ‘Away and Beyond’ an album for matured mind and that sums it all up. Undoubtedly 2Face Idibia sets the trend and does not follow it, this he validates in this rich, matured, soothing, spicy, adventurous and solidly produced album.
Thursday, 3 May 2012
Bishop blasts; FG too weak to stop terrorists!
The Government of President Goodluck Jonathan came under attack from Nigeria’s senior bishops yesterday over the spate of bomb attacks in the country as they said the government was too weak to deal with growing threat from terrorists waging a campaign of terror against Christians.
This came as Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, declared that the serial bombings in some parts of the country was all about radical religious ideology.
Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, and Archbishop John Onaiyekan of Abuja both denounced government’s response to the growing threat from Islamist groups, saying Christians were increasingly at risk of attack.
Both spoke after at least 21 people were killed and more than 20 others injured last Sunday in coordinated attacks targeting Sunday services at the Bayero University in Kano, and a chapel in Maiduguri, belonging to the Church of Christ in Nigeria.
Speaking in interviews with Aid to the Church in Need, an international Catholic charity based in the United Kingdom, which helps suffering and persecuted faithful worldwide, both bishops said they had lost patience with government’s efforts to stem the crisis caused by an Islamic sect and other militant groups.
Archbishop Onaiyekan said: “At first we were ready to be patient with the government when it was saying that this kind of Islamic terrorism is new. They have had adequate time to learn how to deal with this situation, gathering intelligence about those directly involved and bring them to book.
“It has become clear that we have a weak government that has put together a whole lot of compromises; that means that the action that should be taking place is not taking place.”
The Archbishop said the government was too divided “to muster the political will” to deal with the crisis.
Archbishop Kaigama, in his reaction said: “The rampant attacks show that government security is not working. The government is not able to cope with the security situation and we feel quite apprehensive as a result.
“Why the government cannot identify the people involved baffles the imagination. We pay tax and we have a right to know what is being done about the problem.”
Archbishop Kaigama, whose northern diocese of Jos has been among those worst affected by Islamist violence, said: “Those young people killed at the university (BUK) represented the hope of our country. It defies all logic. They were people trying to build a better country.”
It is not about poverty, but religion —CAN
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria yesterday, said it was now convinced that the principal reason behind serial bombings in some parts of the country was not about poverty and youth unemployment, but about radical religious ideology.
The President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor at a press conference in Abuja said focusing on individual businesses, churches and masses is “to instill fear with the subsequent aim of eradicating religious freedom, democratic liberties with the church and Christianity as its primary target”.
The cleric who appealed to Christians to stay calm, however stressed the need for the government to use all the resources at its disposal to neutralize the activities of the Islamic sect, in the country.
Oritsejafor who said international community was made to understand that the problem of the sect is about poverty in the land noted that poverty and almajiri syndrome were babies of past northern leaders who amassed the country’s resources for themselves.
He said: “The question we should ask is that in the 51 years of governing this nation, who are those that have governed this country? They are from the north; what did they do with the opportunities and the resources they have? We need to ask the question, the Almajiris, can they read and write? We need to ask questions to understand what is happening, it is a pure religious ideology.
“Let me interject here that it is not to say we don’t know the beginning or the origin of this sect and all we are witnessing; it is basically a radical religious ideology, help us tell the world that western world is being deceived that the young people became terrorists because they were poor but they became terrorist because of religious ideology. The young Nigerian man who was about to bomb a plane did not do it because he was poor, his father is known in this country, very rich family. So it has nothing to do with poverty, that is not to say that people are not poor.
“We have been witnesses to the step-by-step escalation of violence on citizens with the Christian and the church suffering the greatest loss. We have persistently pleaded with government to take courage and act to stop the surge of terror.
“My first call to all peace loving Nigerians is to remain calm in the face of all the insecurity challenges as I am aware that the greater part of the overall design is to instill fear in the populace. I will now make final call to the Nigerian government to use all resources available to it to clearly define and neutralize the problem as other nations have done.
“The church leadership has hitherto put great restraint on the restive and aggrieved millions of Nigerians but can no longer guarantee such cooperation if this trend of terror is not halted immediately.” SOURCE:VANGUARD
This came as Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, declared that the serial bombings in some parts of the country was all about radical religious ideology.
From left: Gen. Tony Hananiya; Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, President Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor; The Apostolic Church FCT Area Superintendent, Pastor Fakunle and CAN Acting General Secretary, Elder Albert Uko during a World press conference by the leadership of CAN on Terrorism in Nigeria, yesterday, in Abuja Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.
Both spoke after at least 21 people were killed and more than 20 others injured last Sunday in coordinated attacks targeting Sunday services at the Bayero University in Kano, and a chapel in Maiduguri, belonging to the Church of Christ in Nigeria.
Speaking in interviews with Aid to the Church in Need, an international Catholic charity based in the United Kingdom, which helps suffering and persecuted faithful worldwide, both bishops said they had lost patience with government’s efforts to stem the crisis caused by an Islamic sect and other militant groups.
Archbishop Onaiyekan said: “At first we were ready to be patient with the government when it was saying that this kind of Islamic terrorism is new. They have had adequate time to learn how to deal with this situation, gathering intelligence about those directly involved and bring them to book.
“It has become clear that we have a weak government that has put together a whole lot of compromises; that means that the action that should be taking place is not taking place.”
The Archbishop said the government was too divided “to muster the political will” to deal with the crisis.
Archbishop Kaigama, in his reaction said: “The rampant attacks show that government security is not working. The government is not able to cope with the security situation and we feel quite apprehensive as a result.
“Why the government cannot identify the people involved baffles the imagination. We pay tax and we have a right to know what is being done about the problem.”
Archbishop Kaigama, whose northern diocese of Jos has been among those worst affected by Islamist violence, said: “Those young people killed at the university (BUK) represented the hope of our country. It defies all logic. They were people trying to build a better country.”
It is not about poverty, but religion —CAN
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria yesterday, said it was now convinced that the principal reason behind serial bombings in some parts of the country was not about poverty and youth unemployment, but about radical religious ideology.
The President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor at a press conference in Abuja said focusing on individual businesses, churches and masses is “to instill fear with the subsequent aim of eradicating religious freedom, democratic liberties with the church and Christianity as its primary target”.
The cleric who appealed to Christians to stay calm, however stressed the need for the government to use all the resources at its disposal to neutralize the activities of the Islamic sect, in the country.
Oritsejafor who said international community was made to understand that the problem of the sect is about poverty in the land noted that poverty and almajiri syndrome were babies of past northern leaders who amassed the country’s resources for themselves.
He said: “The question we should ask is that in the 51 years of governing this nation, who are those that have governed this country? They are from the north; what did they do with the opportunities and the resources they have? We need to ask the question, the Almajiris, can they read and write? We need to ask questions to understand what is happening, it is a pure religious ideology.
“Let me interject here that it is not to say we don’t know the beginning or the origin of this sect and all we are witnessing; it is basically a radical religious ideology, help us tell the world that western world is being deceived that the young people became terrorists because they were poor but they became terrorist because of religious ideology. The young Nigerian man who was about to bomb a plane did not do it because he was poor, his father is known in this country, very rich family. So it has nothing to do with poverty, that is not to say that people are not poor.
“We have been witnesses to the step-by-step escalation of violence on citizens with the Christian and the church suffering the greatest loss. We have persistently pleaded with government to take courage and act to stop the surge of terror.
“My first call to all peace loving Nigerians is to remain calm in the face of all the insecurity challenges as I am aware that the greater part of the overall design is to instill fear in the populace. I will now make final call to the Nigerian government to use all resources available to it to clearly define and neutralize the problem as other nations have done.
“The church leadership has hitherto put great restraint on the restive and aggrieved millions of Nigerians but can no longer guarantee such cooperation if this trend of terror is not halted immediately.” SOURCE:VANGUARD
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