10 People killed, 50 houses burnt in Edo kingship tussleThe tussle over the 'Aidonogie' stool in South Ibie clan in Etsako West Local Government area of Edo State took a bloody turn over the week end as supporters of the two claimants engaged themselves in a fight that left no fewer than 10 persons dead and over 50 houses and many cars burnt.Although, the police confirmed only two persons dead in the two-day battle, Daily Independent gathered that the communal war was still raging last night with women, children and the aged relocating to neighbouring towns and villages.It will be recalled that a Benin High Court, presided over by Justice M. O Ighodaro, on Wednesday restrained Edo State Government from presenting the staff of office to Kelvin Aliyu Danesi on May 23 or any other day pending the determination of a motion on notice brought before it by counsel to the plaintiffs, Roland Otaru (SAN).Chief Shaibu Imogere, Prince Abu Umoru, and Prince Yesufu Umoru, plaintiffs in the suit, filed the action for themselves and on behalf of the Ogiator branch of Okhokho ruling house.Reports had it that despite the court order, the Aidonogie palace was still putting every arrangement in place for the governor to perform the ceremony on May 23 and this was said to have provoked supporters of the other factionReacting to the latest development, however, Danesi told newsmen that the crisis was fueled by the chairman of the Estako West Local council, Gani Audu.He insisted that Oshiomhole did not recognize him because they were friends, adding that successive regimes of Lucky Igbinedion who presented him with the staff of office and Prof. Osunbor have already recognized him as the ruler of the townBut the Vice-Chairman of the local government. Jimoh Omogbeni, denied the accusation, insisting that as the chief security officer of the council, the chairman was out to ensure that peace and order were maintained in the area.In another development, 17 persons were on Sunday killed on the Lagos-Benin Expressway when a Toyota Hiace commuter bus plunged into Aden River near Okada Town in Edo State.This is coming barely 48 hours after 60 persons were similarly roasted inside a luxury bus on Benin-Auchi-Abuja Expressway.Daily Independent gathered that the Benin bound vehicle which took off from Ojota Motor Park in Lagos had a head-on collision while struggling the with a truck belonging to a construction firm which was carrying out repairs on the road.The bus, said to be carrying 20 persons made up of 17 males, one female and two children, then lunged into the river.The three survivors in the accident were rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).As at press time, officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) were still busy trying to recover the bus from the river.Some of the recovered bdies were deposited at the UBTH mortuary.The luxury bus that claimed 60 lives on Friday, according to reports, was heading to Onitsha from Sokoto when it collided with a broken down tanker conveying diesel oil.
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By Seyi Odubanwo and Ekene Okoro, LagosLack of conducive environment for the emergence of credible personalities has been identified as responsible for the seeming lack of quality leadership in the country.Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, said deterioration in the country's value system was to blame for antisocial tendencies among Nigerians in the present dispensation.Fashola, who made the declaration on Thursday, at the re-launch of uniformed voluntary organisations and clubs in Lagos State public schools, at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos, noted that the re-introduction of clubs such as the Boys Scout, Red Cross, Sheriff Guards, and the Girls Guide, was to begin the process of "building leaders from the scratch by using tried but abandoned methods".Fashola, while charging the students of the various associations to be prepared to take up leadership roles in the nearest future, also noted that the quest for a new generation of leaders and those to exercise uncommon leadership quality has become a matter of global concern, adding that the situation has not been helped with the fact that role models, and institutions created by leaders of yesteryears, such as the United Nations in 1945 and the World Bank in 1946, are the only references available for dealing with the global problems."Ironically, across the world, the models that are being studied are leaders before our generation like Winston Churchill, Eisenhower, Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Ghandi, Napoleon, Cyrus to mention a few", he said.Fashola also told the students that great Nigerian leaders, both past and present, living and dead, did not become great leaders by taking political office or by attending leadership training institutes, noting that they were leaders in their various professions first."This is the defining element of leadership, responsibility for self, responsibility for others and responsibility to a cause. Mandela, Awolowo, Bola Tinubu were responsible for themselves, so they took responsibility for others and for causes like the fight against apartheid, the enforcement of free education and the enthronement of democracy."This is what we expect from these young faces, who will lead our Police and Army in the not too distant future, people who will be our professors, doctors, teachers and professionals to train others".
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By Fidelis Soriwei, BeninThe carnage in the nation's roads continued again on Sunday as another accident resulted in the deaths of 18 passengers on Benin-Ore Road.The accident occurred a few days after the death of over 50 people in an auto accident involving a luxury bus and a tanker at the Benin-Auchi Road.Our correspondent gathered that an 18-seater Toyota Hiace vehicle in which the deceased passengers were travelling plunged into the Ovia River just after the Okada junction.According to an eyewitness account, efforts made by motorists and others to rescue the trapped passengers were unsuccessful as they lacked the capacity to drag the submerged bus out of the river.The Good Samaritans were said to have watched helplessly as the passengers were drowned inside the bus.The source added that nobody, including the driver, was able to escape from the vehicle at the time of filing this report.The Benin Zonal Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr. Zakari Nda, confirmed the accident, saying that his men were already on a rescue mission.He did not, however, confirm the casualty figure of the accident, saying he had not been briefed by his commander on ground.Investigation revealed that the driver of the ill-fated vehicle was heading for Benin from the Ore when it plunged into the river.The accident is coming shortly after about 66 people died in two separate auto accidents on the Benin-Auchi Road last week.While 16 market women lost their lives in the first accident which occurred on the Benin-Auchi Road on their way to Onitsha, over 50 people were killed in the second accident involving a tanker and a luxury bus loaded with passengers from Sokoto to Onitsha on Friday.Nda, who confirmed both accidents, said that while it was difficult to give the exact number of those killed in the latter accident, 43 burnt corpses were given mass burial in Benin on Friday evening.Meanwhile, about 10 people were feared killed in South in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State over a lingering chieftaincy dispute in the community.Our correspondent gathered that several other people were injured in the resumed hostilities between two cousins - Messrs Kelvin Danesi and Obebe Umoru - over Aidonogie of South Ibie chieftaincy tussle.According to an eyewitness account, several houses and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed during the clash between the supporters of the two principal actors in the crisis.It was learnt that crisis had been on for over 10 years and had once been put under control through the intervention of eminent groups like the Ibie Peace Forum based in Lagos in 2007.The source said the resumed violence, which commenced in the evening of Saturday, continued Sunday and had not abated at the time of filing the report.Our correspondent could not also ascertain what actually led to the recent crisis, but a source disclosed that the group loyal to Umoru was angry about the plans being made to mark the 10th year anniversary of Danesi, who is recognised by the state government.Speaking in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Sunday, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations in the Edo State Police Command, Mr. Clement Adoda, said that the situation had been brought under control.He said that the command had drafted riot policemen and the men of the Police Area Command in Auchi to the community.
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War in Niger Delta: MEND threatens northerners in oil industry
Careful Mr President MEND may just be what will MEND 9geria for good .
This is sadness for a group that so far their activities have been laughable with respect to being called Terrorists or kidnappers.The escalation of this crises by threatning the northeners may spark another Controversial question as to who is pulling the shots .The FG,Shell or a 3rd party .
1.What does MEND Really want ?
2.Why would they sacrifice their lives for this ? (9gerians are not known to sacrifice their lives)
3.Why has this situation continued and exploded into a full scale war ?
Their story is one of sadness while we enjoy the scraps that fall off the oil runners .Their Lands and livelihood have been scandalized by oil spillage , lack of jobs and general disregard for their environmental right to land and freedom.
No one supports terrorism but no one supports injustice either .Bombing villages in 9geria ? Is that the way forward ? The FG has to come up with a solution that will stop the senseless killing of People who want their voices to be heard .People with rights to land to cultivate their farms and extract fish from their rivers.
A people that is cast into despair that the only solution they can come up with is to put their very lives at stake .This shows an embittered people with a troubled psche that has failed to identify with the rest of a Nation.A Nation where democracy and the rule of Law has been replaced with an ambient Dictatorship.
Who dares speak agains the Federal governtment.This is a strong Statement to Citizens that Resistance is Futile.Get with the program or die doing so.
Yardua as Govenrnor belied a man of letters , a man of peace a man of absolute incorruptions to the tune of billions left in the coffers of the state when he assumed office as President of our nation.
I am beginning to understand that this was a smokescreen .He kind of must have looked at it as a savings account .His peaceful mien has been re designed as NO president has carried out bombing attacks on its citizens since the Biafran War.Some one correct me if am wrong.
Remember Osama bin Laden He was small FRY until his friends The USA turned him into what he is now .
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Umbrella body of the militants in the Niger Delta, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), has sent out a chilling signal, threatening an impending attack on the Federal Government, and particularly, Northerners who occupy prominent positions in the oil industry.
"Our message to the Northern Sultans and Emirs is this: The period of exploiting the Niger Delta is coming to an end. It is not the birth right of your people to rule the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
"The war is just beginning and by the time it ends, Nigeria will practice true federalism such as fiscal federalism which will benefit the entire populace. Let your people brace themselves to develop their resources and such a bold change will be remembered," Jomo Gbomo, MEND's spokesman said in an electronic mail on Sunday.
The threat came a few hours after the Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Budget, Austin Ngor, was kidnapped and moved to an unknown destination.
It was not clear what the demands of the kidnappers are, but the governor's Chief Press Secretary, Blessing Wikinaka, has warned them to free the man immediately as there was no just reason for his abduction.
Meanwhile, MEND two of the hostages in their custody killed "in the course of the war".
It said the remaining one has been relocated to an unnamed camp in Delta State.
MEND dared the security outfit, Joint Task Force (JTF), to destroy all its (MEND's) camps, which it said, were spread in many places across Niger Delta region.
The MEND's spokesman said, "The British hostage, Mr Matthew Maguire, has been relocated to Delta State and will be a guest of one of the camps there".
He added: "Nigerians should now brace up for the worst from the decisions of an incompetent leadership.
"The Niger Delta people who have endured injustice and genocide for over 50 years must be ready to fight for change as our destiny should not be in the hands of others but ourselves.
The group said it was embarrassed at the "performance of the Nigerian Armed Forces who performed like poorly trained amateurs by bombing indiscriminately into civilian communities using helicopter gunships and fighter jet planes.
"Civilians should have been allowed to leave the area before the attack. This simply has shown that the government is insensitive to the Niger Delta people.
"If the Army's mission was to also rescue the hostages, then that again was a botched and ridiculous attempt because the hostages were not at any immediate risk except for their temporary freedom.
"We regret to announce that two hostages have been killed by the indiscriminate shelling and two more are still in our custody.
"We are happy that all of them were not killed by the Army. The bodies of the dead men will be handed over to the Red Cross. MEND deeply regrets the avoidable deaths".
It denied claims that the Army captured a plane from one of its camps.
"If my memory serves me right, the plane in question is a toy remote controlled plane which can be purchased from any toy shop. It is rather shameful that they cannot distinguish the difference between a toy plane and a drone.
"As promised, we have begun nibbling again at the oil infrastructure. Already, two major trunk pipe and gas lines, which were recently repaired, have been blown up. This is just the tip of the series of attacks we plan to carry out.
"For the Nigerian government to declare victory, troops must be able to secure every inch of pipelines and eliminate the over 500 camps stretching from Ondo to Akwa Ibom.
"What the government has been successful in doing is committing genocide against the Ijaw communities whose offence, it seems, is discovering oil in their backyards," the group said.
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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has obtained a court order to freeze the accounts of the companies used for the contracts for which the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Nicholas Ugbane, and nine others are being prosecuted. The order was obtained at the Federal High Court in Abuja through an ex parte application.The EFCC’s lawyer, Chief Godwin Obla, had argued the application while Justice Anwuli Chikere granted the freezing order.Also, an Abuja High Court had on Monday, remanded Ugbane, and his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu and eight others at Kuje Prison, Abuja till June 4 when it would rule on their bail applications.The accused are standing trial for allegedly defrauding the Federal Government of N5.2bn.Also taken to Kuje were the Director-General of the Rural Electrification Agency, Samuel Gekpe, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Abdulahi Aliyu, Simon Nanle, Lawrence Orekoya, Abdulsalmad Jahun, Kayode Oyedeji, Igwe Paulinus and Jibo Mohammed.All the suspects had filed separate applications for bail which were argued on Monday by their lawyers.The accused had claimed that they were entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence at the trial stage.Having listened to the argument of the parties Justice Adebukonla Banjoko said she had a tight case load and that the earliest date she could rule on the bail applications was June 4.She, however, said that if she was able to write her ruling earlier than June 4, she would communicate unto the parties.Her decision to adjourn the case till to June 4 left all the suspects dejected while their relatives who had come to court hoping that the suspects would be granted bail could not hide their disappointment.The wife of one of the suspects, Jibo Mohammed, who is also the deputy chairman of House Committee on Power, broke down in tears when her husband was being driven to Kuje prison. With her baby in her hand, she wept uncontrollably.Opposing the bail applications, the EFCC’s lawyer, Obla, said that the evidence against the suspects amounted to about 513 pages.He said, “The cheques used in effecting the withdrawals are serially displayed.“Statements of witnesses show the meetings between the accused persons.”He also argued that most of the offences for which the accused were charged were economic and financial crimes, and abuse of office which were species or derivatives of corruption.Obla told the court that there was a high tendency that the accused would tamper with investigations.According to him, the commission is still investigating other offences that have been committed by the suspects and that to release them on bail means that they will stifle further investigation.
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If one should start counting the many unresolved issues plaguing the Nigerian nation, space would not be enough to exhaust it. They ranged from political assassinations, to frauds by some of the past leaders and (especially) serving State Governors and Ministers of the Federal Republic. It also includes vindictiveness in the heart of our leaders and mundane things they do.Let us take few of them: The assassination of Dele Giwa; the assassination of Dikibo; the assassination of Rewane; the assassination of Bola Ige, etc; the allegation that Vice President Jonathan Goodluck retains native doctor Sobowei as his spiritual consultant; the same native doctor was paid N800million to influence Governor Akpabio who awarded him a N7billion road contract without due process; the Governor awarded Ibom Tropicana Centre at N33billion when it actually would have cost about N7billion as represented by Abuja Water Parks Resource that has more facilities, including a Golf Course; the loot by former IGP Tafa Balogun; etc.A governor’s brother went to US Embassy with N1billion in his submitted bank account statement for Visa and when the EFCC was called in, instead of taking advantage, decided to shield who the governor and his brother are; EFCC has refused to name those in Halliburton bribery scandal just as its Chairman has refused to name the first-term governor that bought N1billion estate in Abuja shortly after assuming office; she has also refused to name those governors that push and use drugs; etc.The Press should realize that we depend on them now and therefore should try to help inform the public properly.
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At least 200 militants have been killed in the recent clash with the Nigerian military in the oil rich southeast Delta State, security sources said on Friday.
"The militants gave a feeble resistance but cave in to the firepower of our boys, there is no doubt that about 200 of them must have died in the engagement," the sources said.
An all-out war broke out on Friday between militants and operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) taking a military action code-named Operation Restore Hope.
Security sources told 9jabook sources that the soldiers moved into Camp 5, the major base of militants in Delta State axis of the Niger Delta, by 10 a.m. local time and bombarded the place with shells from gunboats.
Soldiers also used artillery on the ground while the air force covering the operation headed by the new commander of the JTF, Sarkin Yaki Bello, who was at the JTF headquarters with his deputy Wuyep Rimtip when the militants launch an attack on Wednesday.
The operation began at Oporoza where there was little resistance to the military entry. Exchange of fire was reported after the militants moved to Camp 5.
"The battle was simple for our boys, they had been spoiling for action against that Tompolo and his boys in that camp who always claim they have more strength than them," the sources said.
After the Oporoza raid, the soldiers then moved to the nearby Kunukunuma and Okerenkoko, all around Chanomi creeks where the militants held sway.
The leader of Camp 5 militants is feared to be killed, but could not be verified.
The Management of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has reportedly started evacuating their personnel from the troubled area while Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) restricted the movement of their workers within their facility.
With the battle going on, there was fear that residents in the region of Warri were caught up in the crossfire between the soldiers and militants in the town.
Rabe Abubakar, the spokesman for the military, said soldiers launched the operation to weed out the criminals that attacked their soldiers and hijacked two vessels in the area.
He said it was the responsibility of JTF to fish out the hoodlums that attacked their men.
Meanwhile, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta(MEND) said one of the hostages was killed by stray bullets from the Nigerian army who attacked an area they were being held in Delta state.
The hostage was a Filipino sailor seized from the boat, the MV Spirit, on Thursday morning, militants said.
The Nigerian military clashed with the MEND in southern Delta State on Wednesday morning.
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If you love real talent, you would love . She acts with extra grace. All you need do is watch her in The Rivals and Sweet Tomorrow, then you are hooked. She recently signed up with the Ope Banwo-led Stingomania to manage her affairs. This 31 year-old French graduate who has been married for 10 years spoke with SAMUEL OLATUNJI on what has kept her marriage and Nollywood.Why did you have to marry so early?I wonder! I just met the right person. You know what it is when you meet someone and you know that this is the man. It’s not that he was my first boyfriend; I just knew that he is the man. Again, I fell in love with the way he loved me. His love was overwhelming and when he proposed, I just said yes. He proposed to me after two weeks actually. I surprised myself by saying yes.Are you sure you did not rush into this?No, I did not rush into it. It’s been almost 10 years now and we have three beautiful children. I think the love is even getting stronger.You have three children and you look this stunning. How do you keep in shape?It’s hard work. I do a bit of dieting and fitness on the side. I know a lot about keeping fit.What kind of exercise do you do and what kind food do you eat?Six weeks after my last child in England, I used to leave my baby and go for one-hour power walk. I would be out there whether it was raining or snowing and in the evening I would go to the gym. And I would not touch cake even if my life depended on it. Even till now I don’t take sugary thing.Why all these hard work?My husband likes me like this.Your husband looks so gentle one would wonder if he is capable of handling you, or I’m I being deceived?No, you are not deceived, but he is also very strong. He knows when to accept something and when not to accept. Generally, he believes in what I do and he knows this is what makes me happy, so he would rather have a happy wife than an unhappy one. This is my life; I’m not going to do anything else.Weren’t you scared that marriage would slow you down?Talent has a lot to do with how you rise. I got into the industry when I was 17 or 18. I didn’t have to sleep with anybody to get there. I did three lead roles in one year. The films are Destined to die, Not my Will, and Campus Tail by Hilda Dokunbo. Since I wasn’t sleeping with them before, I don’t have to start now.How was it like on the set of Figurine by Kunle Afolayan?It was great. It is very different from what I’ve ever done. I’ve never seen the kind of equipment we used. The story is very different; it wasn’t your normal regular Nollywood story. We shot for a month and we all became like one family. We also had lots of cool locations.How was it like leaving your husband behind in Lagos for one month?My husband had to come once and spent about four days with me.When you spend a long time with people outside of your home, do you get to feel something emotional with them?There is no actor in Nollywood that is as tight as my husband. Why would I be tripping for a fellow actor? This is a job, you have to do what you have to do and go. I have friends among them. But that is as far as it goes. I don’t even think about it. Really, no one looks better than my husband.What’s been the most challenging role you’ve played?I think it is Sweet Tomorrow. I had to be in wheel chair. I fell so many times and I had bruises all over me. It wasn’t funny at all.Why is it taking you so long a time to breakthrough despite the fact that lots of people are saying you are so talented?I think everyone has his or her time. But a lot of my movies have not been released. So, you should watch out.How was life at UNIBEN and why didn’t you study Theatre Art?Funny enough, I’ve been acting since I was three. I’ve always loved entertainment and showbiz. I don’t think I have to study Theatre Art to be in the industry. There are so many people who did not study art in school, but they are great actors. I believe I have the talent, which was enough for me.Since global meltdown affected Nollywood, did it affect you?No, Nollywood is not the only thing I do. And for crying out loud, I have a husband that works.What does your husband do?He is an optometrist. That is different from optician. It is an optometrist who checks your eyes and determines whether you need to wear glasses or not.Is that why you are wearing contact lens?I have eye problem.Let’s talk about your deal with Stingomania. Don’t you think you are signing away your freedom?I think this would work because I’m not driven by money. If my management company is taking 20 per cent, I still have 80 per cent. I think that is a lot. The management company is getting me deals and things I couldn’t do on my own. If for instance I’m supposed to do two movies a year, I would probably be doing six with my management company. So, I’m making more money because of them. Stingomania will do a lot of things for me and will get me deals even outside of acting. And as per the freedom issue, the company doesn’t close a deal for you without discussing with you first. If I say I don’t want it, that’s it.So, the marketers will have to speak with your management company now, don’t you think that will get them pissed off?They won’t get pissed off because I’m a humble person. I think the way you present issue to people will determine how they react to it.What is your fan book all about?It is a place where my fans can interact with me directly. It is omoniobolifanbook.com. They can ask me any question on anything and I answer.What has kept your marriage going for 10 years?We just have to keep it fresh all the time and we keep the sex hot. I was ready for marriage and I told myself that once I get married I would stay married.How easy is it to break into Nollywood?It’s not easy, let me not lie about that. Some people are there and don’t want anybody to come up there, I don’t want to mention names. But if you have the talent and persistence, you will get there.Who is the most interesting actor you’ve worked with?I would say Ramsey Nouah because he is fun to work with. He is lively and always looking for what will make people happy.How old are you?I was 31 in April.Are you still going to make more kids?No. I’m done.At 31 you are done with kids, you seem to be doing everything early?I got married at 21 really. Honestly I didn’t think I would be married at 21. I just met the right person. Why wait again if I’ve met the right person? He would probably date me for a couple of years, get frustrated and move on to another person. And then I would have missed the right person. He wanted marriage and I wanted it too. Marriage has matured me. I’ve always been matured. I grew up before my time. His being with a good man has also helped me.Does he complain about your romantic roles?No. There was a scene in Figurine where I had to kiss someone. Everybody is talking about the picture on facebook. But what most people don’t know was that he was actually there when we were shooting the love scene in Osun.Why kiss somebody on set when you could fake it?It’s a job. There is nothing to it. There were about 20 people there, so you can’t really be moved emotionally. It is a job.What should your fans expect from you?They should expect the best. I’ll always give them the best, That is why I don’t do every movie that comes across my way, I chose my script. That is why I can confidently say that if you find me in a movie, it is really good.courtesy odili network
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It is only in Naija that a car crash kills as many people as a plane crash !Is it the roads killing people or the Drivers are bad drivers and are asking for death unusual for Naija or What does it really mean to have drivers license in naijaIT was yet another tragic yesterday, as no fewer than 70 persons were feared dead in an accident on the Okene-Auchi-Benin road.The burnt bodies were later given a mass burial with the assistance of the local council, Police and FRSC.The accident, which occurred shortly after the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital gate, involved a luxury bus said to be travelling from Sokoto to Port Harcourt.Eyewitness account said the bus rammed into a stationary truck, which apparently developed fault and had no caution sign on the road.we gathered that many of the dead victims were burnt beyond recognition while many of the survivors had severe burns.The Zonal Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Zakari Nda though did not confirm the number of dead victims, he said the accident was "very fatal."He confirmed that the accident involved a luxury bus fully loaded with passengers and that it ran into a stationary tanker.As at yesterday morning when contacted Nda, he said, "the bus is still burning. Survivors and dead cannot be ascertained now until the fire subsides. I am at the scene. Fire service has been contacted, it is a horrible scene," he said.Last Saturday, about 14 traders who were on their way to Onitsha lost their lives in Agbede bridge axis of the same road in Etsako West when their bus had a collision with a J5 bus.
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By the White House
Statement by the Press Secretary on Upcoming Travel by the President. The President is scheduled to travel to Moscow, Russia, July 6 to 8 at the invitation of President Medvedev.
The summit meeting will provide an opportunity for the United States and the Russian Federation to deepen engagement on reducing nuclear weapons, cooperating on non-proliferation, exploring ways to cooperate on missile defense, addressing mutual threats and security challenges, and expanding the ties between American and Russian society and business.
The President will then attend the G-8 Summit in L’Aquila,Italy, from July 8 to 10. The Summit and related meetings with world leaders from emerging and African economies will provide an opportunity for the United States to engage with its partners on a broad range of issues. The President will also chair a meeting of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate while at L’Aquila.
The President and Mrs. Obama will visit Accra, Ghana, from July 10 to 11. While in Ghana, the President will discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues with Ghanaian President Mills. The President and Mrs. Obama look forward to strengthening the U.S. relationship with one of our most trusted partners in sub-Saharan Africa, and to highlighting the critical role that sound governance and civil society play in promoting lasting development.
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A minor was on Thursday sentenced to 12 strokes of the cane by an Abuja Magistrate’s Court for trespass and theft.The minor was convicted for trespassing into Okwuelle Block Industry belonging to one Christian Nnamdi of Karu Site, Abuja and stealing 10 litres of diesel worth N8,000The Police Prosecutor, PC Francis Udofia, told the court that the minor committed the offence on April 26 and that the item was recovered from him.The convict pleaded guilty to the charge and begged for leniency.“I stole the item because I was looking for money to pay my school fees. I don’t have anybody to take care of me; I am asking the court to forgive me.I am too young to go to prison,’’ the minor pleaded.Magistrate Samuel Idiareh, however, sentenced the convict to 12 strokes of the cane.“This is in view of the fact that the convict is shown to be a minor of 13 years old,’’ Idiareh said.
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Acne according to dermatologists ‘is a disorder resulting from the action of hormones and other substances on the skin’s oil glands (sebaceous glands) and hair follicles’. The sebaceous glands make an oily substance that is known as sebum. It empties onto the skin surface through an opening in the follicle called a pore. These factors lead to plugged pores and outbreaks of lesions commonly called pimples or zits.It is usually caused by five factors which are Hormones, Excess Sebum, Bacteria, Inflammation and Follicle fallout.There are many kinds of acne treatments that are available. Acne treatments can be natural or chemically based.Examples of Chemical acne treatments that are commonly used include: Salicylic acid: Common brands include1. Noxzema: Available as cleansers, creams and scrubs.2. Clean and Clear: Also available as cleansers and scrubs. Benzoyl peroxide: Available in gel, cream or lotion forms. Common brands are Clearex 10, Oxy 10, Oxy on the Spot, Panoxy 10 or Panoxy 5. Tretinion: The most common brand available is Retin A cream. Antibiotics like Doxycycline, Minocycline and Tetracycline. This can be found in any pharmacy shop (i said pharmacy not patent medicine sellers or chemists). Brands of doxycycline include Doxycap, Interdox e.t.c. Antibiotic, Anti-inflammatory and antifungal lotions or cream:1. Neo-medrol2. Neo-presol3. Acneaway cream.Most of these products can be found in most pharmacies with the exception of the salicylic acid products which can be found in cosmetics shops or supermarkets.Natural acne products include Sebamed anti acne range which has a gel for spots, cleansing bar, acne lotion, facial wash and cream.
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Robbers kill Christ Embassy pastor, newly married couple
...Pastor’s fiancée goes into coma, hospitalized
Mr. Chris Ipigbhe, a sub-pastor at one of the Christ Embassy’s satellite parish, Baruwa, at Ipaja area of Lagos, had just attended an evening service that fateful Wednesday , where he personally mounted the pulpit to preach.
He never had the premonition that it was going to be his last sermon, as he was later shot dead by some dare-devil robbers shortly after.
The robbers also allegedly killed no fewer than four persons, including a newly wedded couple.
Daily Sun gathered that the substantive pastor was said to be away and had asked the sub-pastor to take charge. The up-coming pastor did just that and was said to be seeing off one of the church members, an elderly woman, as it was already dark, when they ran into some armed robbers, who were operating in the same compound where the woman he was seeing off lives.
“She begged the robbers, who were holding sway at the gate, not to harm the pastor. She told them he was his son and that they were coming back from the church” our source said.
The pastor was said to have been ordered to lie face-down while the female member was asked to raise her two hands to the sky.
Unfortunately for the pastor, some of the robbers who were operating upstairs were said to have come downstairs with their loot when they saw the pastor and the woman “serving their punishment” and appeared not to be satisfied.
One of the bandits, allegedly shot the pastor ripping open his stomach and his intestines gushing out.
After shooting their victims, the robbers allegedly operated from room to room, carting away money and other valuables belonging to the residents of the two-storey building.
The rattled woman was said to have screamed for help until her co-tenants, who were also victims of the robbery incident rushed out to help her to take the pastor to a nearby hospital.
Two residents, Francis Alumhe and James Igbape narrated how the victim was referred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), adding that he later gave up the ghost.
Alumhe, who claimed to be the deceased’s bosom friend said the pastor, visited him in his office earlier in the day, adding that they were together till 2 pm that fateful day.
The pastor’s fiancée, who was said to have travelled to Abuja, came back the same day her husband to-be was brutally killed by the robbers.
Daily Sun gathered that when she arrived at the Airport, she made several phone calls to the pastor, unknown to her that he was in a coma as result of the gunshot.
The lady, who arrived in the house to be told that the pastor was shot right in her house, as he was seeing her mother off, also became unconscious and was taken to the hospital. She was at the hospital, receiving treatment when Daily Sun visited.
Meanwhile, police operatives at Ipaja were said to be investigating the tragic incident and have vowed to fish out the bandits and to bring them to book.
The bodies of the victims were said to have been deposited in the mortuary for autopsy as investigations continue.
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Noah's Story Noah is one of the millions of HIV-positive children worldwide, but his story is one of a kind. In June of 2008, Noah had no idea his life was about to change. Leigh Blake, who, with Alicia Keys, co-founded Keep A Child Alive (KCA), one of the most influential HIV/AIDS fundraising organizations, had traveled to Kigali,Rwanda to visit one of the many clinics KCA supports. After her work was done at the clinic, Leigh paid visits to a few patients' homes, one of which turned out to be Noah's. At the time Noah was surviving on one bowl of porridge a day. But despite his emaciated frame, Leigh saw something vibrant in his eyes so she asked him what his biggest dream in life was. "I want to record an album of my music," he told her. Leigh, a veteran of the music industry, was intrigued and asked if he would perform.Here he was in the slums of Kigali dreaming such an enormous dream," Leigh recalls. "He was someone with so little access to popular culture, really almost none at all. But as soon as he started rapping, I saw he had it- the talent and the intensity to be a star- and I knew I had to find a way make his dream come true." Noah first became interested in rap music when he was 8-years-old and heard a classmate rapping in French. He remembers asking himself why he couldn't do it too and decided to teach himself. While he didn't have a radio, CD player or any other way to access or record his music, he says he kept the music in his head, thinking about it constantly.At that first meeting, Leigh invited Noah to perform at Keep A Child Alive's Annual Fundraiser, The Black Ball in New York City, an a-list gala, and he accepted enthusiastically, though probably didn't believe her. Leigh kept her word and three months later he was on his way.When Noah arrived in the US, he went straight to producer Swizz Beatz's recording studio where he had his first taste of recording. Then, he met Alicia Keys, KCA's co-founder, and one of Noah's favorite artists. "Here I was in America, where anything is possible," he recalls. Finally, Noah performed his rap "Brothers" at the Black Ball. The audience, including Alicia Keys, Bono, Padma Lakshmi, Tyra Banks, Queen Latifah erupted. "The whole thing was like a dream," Noah remembers.Perhaps most importantly, American Idol's creator, Simon Fuller, was also at the Black Ball and was so impressed by Noah that he dedicated himself to making his dream come true. Noah returned to Rwanda, bringing back an iPod and other gifts that he shared with his friends. Most importantly, he brought back hope to a place where it is desperately needed. "My Grandmother wants me to live in America now but says never to forget about her, and to send money back," he says. Today through his music and his appearance on American Idol, Noah has the power to transform not only his life and the lives of his family, but the futures of millions of people with HIV. Thanks to the life-saving medication and care provided by KCA with the support of American Idol's audience, he can prove that HIV is not a death sentence for the millions of children infected by the disease, and that dreams really do come true.Watch this important video to see how you can help Keep A Child Alive. You can help by purchasing the charity single on iTunes. All proceeds go to Keep A Child Alive. Find out more at Keep A Child Alive.
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Poverty is the hallmark of underdevelopment (Akanbi, 2001). It is regarded as a condition where millions of people are hungry, malnourished, where there are high levels of illiteracy, unemployment and infantile mortality, a condition of poor infrastructural facilities and amenities. The social activist explain that poverty is a brutal denial of human right.Nigeria is one of the countries that is naturally blessed with human and material resources, yet poverty is observed among the people of rural and urban centers. Ogbulafor (2000) explains that Nigeria’s poor economic status is an embarrassment because the country has no reason to be counted among the poor nations of the world, since, it is blessed with abundant mineral resources like petroleum, gold, silver, coal lead, gravel, limestone etc.Onyesoh (1998) however, explain that poor political leadership has been one of causes of the continued fall in the standard of living and worsened condition of the poor since independence 1960. More importantly, some politicians’ ideology for independence according to Onyesoh is based on political greed, self ambition and anarchism while the comfort of the individual is little on the agenda of such leaders. As a result bribery and corruption, drug trafficking, embezzlement, unemployment, prostitution, rape and personal assault are on the increase.According to Ayagi (1990) corruption is pervasive that there is hardly any segment of the society that is free from this vice and the general public has come to accept corrupt practices as a way of life and as a part of our political culture.The effect of poverty is enormous on the child. Poverty as we all know has become endemic in our communities, both in the urban and rural areas and from all indications the child is at a disadvantage because of his or her dependence on the adult for sustenance, including access to basic needs and essential service. The inability of the adult to provide these basic need puts the child at the danger of the following.Malnutrition has a disturbing level among Nigerian children. The three main consequences of malnourishment in children are stunted growth which means the height of the child is below average for his age, wasting or advancement in height without the necessary corresponding increase in weight and underweight which refers to children who are below average weight for their age. A relevant data by Fos (1996) reveals that there is a high proportion of stunted and underweight children in Nigeria, whose daily intake of calories per capita fell from 2, 200.00 in 1992 to 2, 000 in 1995 and 1996. The figure depicts a disturbing level of malnourishment among Nigerian children. The rural areas were more negatively affected than urban areas.Teenage marriage which is attributed to cultural and socio-economic problems, has direct linkage with poverty. Nigeria has a high rate of female school dropouts. For example UNESCO (2000) reports that in 1995, 56.3% of boys completed primary school as against 43.7% girls. Most girls leave school due to inability to pay cost, distance or inaccessibility, religious factors, early marriage or sickness. When this is done, the next option they have is marriage. This type of marriage most times ends up in divorce, V.V.F and psychological stress because these girls are not biologically and psychologically mature for marriage.Stress 8 million of Nigerian children , which UNICEF describes as being involved in child labour may be going through some stress. Stress can be described as pressure, tension or worry resulting from problems in meeting the challenges of life. Stress is closely associated with anxiety, which is commonly experienced as general uneasiness, a sense of fore bearing and a feeling of tension. Stress per se is not a negative phenomenon (Agulanna, 1998).Moderate stress is said to be needed for actions necessary for adaptation in our changing world, but stress becomes detrimental when we have it in an overdosed form, which is disabling, disorganizing and disorienting (woodfolk, 1995, talent, 1988). The Nigerian child who is involved in child-labour is disabled when he has to take sometime off school, disorganized and anxious when he has to go up and down the streets and disoriented when he has to take up an adult’s responsibility of fending for himself and his family. All this calls for anxiety, anger, depression etc no wonder therefore, that we have been hearing of children with diseases such as hypertension, peptic ulcer etc. these are extensions of poverty.Child labour, an estimated 8 million Nigeria children are said to be trapped under the yoke of child-labour, while 3.2 million others were out of school, in spite of government’s efforts at stopping child-labour and ensuring the education of all children. The latest of UNICEF reveals that out of the estimated 8 million children in child labour, 67 per cent of the children are girls, “the largest population of out of school girls in sub-Saharan Africa” (Yakubu’s Punch 21st May, 2003). A lot of these girls are being trafficked to other countries for sexual exploitations, many others including boys are subjected to different kinds of abuses. Child-labour is a direct result of poverty.Powerlessness, according to Hetherington and Parke (1987) is a basic problem of the poor. In a more specific term the poor have less influence over the society in which they live and are likely to be less adequately treated by social organizations than members of the middle class.For instance, the poor receive poorer health and public services and they are more likely to have their individual rights violated by agents of the law or social workers or educators or the medical professionals. Subsequently, their lack of power and prestige and lack of educational and economic resources restrict the availability of options in most areas of the lives.According to Parke (1987) the poor are tragically vulnerable to disasters such as job loss, financial stress, and illness and they are subject to impersonal bureaucratic decisions in the legal system and in social institution such as welfare agencies.In view of these multifarious problems, poverty alleviation is a welcome idea in Nigeria. Every member of the community has to be dedicated and action packed for the needed success.There cannot but be a change or orientation, values, belief and aspirations in a place like Nigeria where poverty injustice, dishonesty, insensitivity to the plight of the common man and intolerant ethnic and religious practices are the order of the day. Therefore, a conscious and full fledged attempt must be made towards producing a new Nigeria.
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Dear Lagos, I am writing you this letter as a memoir, to the love I have for our dear son “Governor” and our daughters “Legislature” and our little niece “Judiciary”, you know the great Nelson Mandela, the well-known statesmen, once said, "Education is the great engine to personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine that the child of a farm worker can become the president of a great nation."The truth of this statement can only be fully appreciated if one considers the enormous importance of preschool education. The famous Japanese violin teacher and educationist, Shinichi Suzuki, once expressed a great truism when he said, "The destiny of children lies in the hands of their parents." The direction and the quality of this destiny are largely determined — by the parents — in the first seven years of the child's life.A study by High/Scope Educational Research Foundation of Ypsilanti, Michigan, showed the significant value of early learning. From 1962-1967, 123 African Americans, all aged 3 to 4 and born in poverty, and therefore at a high risk of later failing in school, were randomly divided into two groups. One group was exposed to a high-quality preschool program while the control group was not exposed to any preschool programs. The program that the experimental group was exposed to was based on High/Scope's active learning approach. In the study's most recent phase, 95% of the participants were interviewed at age 27. Additional data were gathered from the subjects' school, social service and arrest records. The most significant findings of this study were:• Almost a third as many of those attending the preschool program, opposed to those with no preschool exposure (71% vs. 54%) graduated from regular or adult high school, or received their General Education Development Certificate.• At age 27, four times as many of those exposed to the preschool program, opposed to those with no preschool exposure (29% vs. 7%) earned $2,000 or more per month, and they also scored higher on home and car ownership.• At age 27, only one fifth as many of those with proper preschool exposure, opposed to those with no preschool exposure (7% vs. 35%) had been arrested five or more times, and significantly fewer arrests for drug dealing were made under the preschool program group members. (7% vs. 25%)• The rate of out-of-wedlock births was lower among the group that had received preschool exposure. (57% vs. 83%)There is a proverb that one never gets too old to learn. This, however, is only partially true. There are indeed certain aspects of learning that can only be acquired effectively during the first seven years of life. Parents, who are desirous of offering their child an adequate preschool education, should therefore take care to concentrate on these aspects of learning. Some of the most important of these skills and aspects of learning are discussed below.1. Language:Language ability has been found to be an important predictor of reading ability. It is therefore of the utmost importance that parents should do everything possible to ascertain that their child be given optimum opportunities for language acquisition, more so because of the fact that, before the age of seven, a child has a phenomenal ability to learn language. From the age of eight years, the child's ability to learn language is equal to that of an adult. It is therefore very unwise if parents do not exploit the wonderful opportunity that is presented only once in every child's life, and only for a short space of time.Parents should talk to their toddler as often and as much as possible. The more the small child is exposed to language, the quicker he will start to understand speech and later also start speaking. It is important that on a daily basis time should be set aside for story reading and/or story telling. However, it is vital that the same story be read or told over and over every day. The same story should be read to the child for several months before a new story — a slightly more advanced one — is introduced. This new story must also be read over and over for many months.Effective language acquisition is dependent upon ample repetition of the same words, phrases and language structures.2. Concentration:Concentration is both an act of will and an acquired skill. For that reason it is important that parents make sure that the small child will receive enough opportunities to exercise this skill, so that he will be able to sit still and concentrate for at least 20 minutes or so by the time that he goes to school. From about two years the parents can start reading stories to the child. It is important, however, that the child must sit still and listen to the story. He must not be allowed to run around or play during the reading. To make this possible, the parent must start with a short story of about five minutes, and then little-by-little increase the time. In this way the child's attention span can gradually be stretched.3. Work attitude:The idea of school readiness is a universally accepted concept. However, readiness for work is probably even more important than school readiness. There has been a tendency over the past decades to try to make learning fun. This is certainly one of the reasons why there is so much learning failure all over the world at present, because learning isn't fun; it is work. Naturally, work — just like learning — can often be very interesting, and it can even be enjoyable. Moreover, there are always aspects of work — and therefore also of learning — that are neither interesting nor enjoyable. Regardless of this, however, they have to be done. It is of the utmost importance to teach a child that work is something that has to be done, and done to the best of one's ability — also those aspects of work that are not interesting or enjoyable. The child whose parents do not succeed in teaching him this, faces a very hard and difficult future.4. Coordination:Nowadays, two of the common symptoms of children, who have difficulties with learning and with reading, are that they have low muscle tone and that they never crawled. Both these problems can be prevented in a very simple and easy way.Low muscle tone is merely an indication of weak muscle strength, and a baby will only crawl if his parents teach him to do so. Children can only do what they are taught to do.General muscle strength of the body is to a large extent determined by the strength of the back muscles. Muscles remain weak when they are not exercised. Parents should from very early in his life provide their child with opportunities to exercise his muscles, especially the back muscles. This can — and should — start from as early as a month or two.By following a very simple procedure, parents can lay the foundation for their children to later have good coordination and strong muscles. From about a month or so the little baby should be allowed to spend as much time as possible on the floor in the face-down position. The baby will lift up his head, and this will develop strong back muscles. Being left in this position will also encourage the baby to try to move forward, which will encourage him to start crawling.Later, when the child is a little bigger, eye-hand coordination can be developed by playing throwing and catching games with the child with a ball or bean bags. Fine motor control, as a preparation for a good handwriting, can be developed by letting the child crumple papers. Start by tearing pages from an old telephone directory, and giving the child one page at a time to crumple into a tight ball with one hand only.5. Body parts:Put on a pair of glasses with blue lenses. Everything you look at will have a tint of blue.The great German philosopher, Immanuel Kant (1724-1804), once said that we "see things not as they are but as we are." This axiomatic statement is based on the fact that we human beings approach and interpret our world from inside our bodies. Just like everything appears blue to the persons with blue lenses, our perception of our world is tinged by our knowledge of our own bodies. The child, who has inadequate knowledge of his own body, will be inclined to misinterpret the world around him.For an example of this, consider the phenomenon of reversals. Our bodies have a right and a left side. It is therefore inevitable that we shall interpret all objects that we encounter in terms of two-sidedness. Unless the child has been familiarized adequately with his own sidedness, there is the distinct danger that he may misinterpret the sidedness of other things — like b's and d's, for example.Bath time presents an excellent opportunity to teach the small child body parts and sidedness. As soon as the child is able to sit up by himself in the bath, the teaching should commence. Don't simply take the little foot and scrub it; rather hold your hand and then say, "Give me your right foot," and wait for the child to place his right foot into your hand. If he gives you his left foot, say, "No, the right foot," and then scrub only this foot. Next, nominate another body part, with left or right, and wash this. In this way go through all the various body parts, each one — where applicable — with left and right.If a parent continues doing this every night for two or three years, the child will certainly have no uncertainties about left and right or body image. The effect of this, inter alia, will be that the child will not have any difficulties distinguishing between b's and d's.6. Counting:Counting can be regarded as the language of mathematics. It is therefore just as important to teach a child from very early in life to count well. The easiest way to teach a child counting is to start with his fingers, first with the fingers of one hand and then later both hands. Remember that, like with anything else, much repetition is required.7. Colors:Color is another very important very basic thing that should be taught to children very early in life. It is important to start teaching the basic colors first, white, black, red, green, blue and yellow. Again much repetition is required. One can, for example, play games with colors, e.g. "Put all the yellow blocks into the green box.Thus, my beautiful children cherish this informative information memoir that have written you.
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Recently, I read in one of the national dailies about a couple who was involved in child Trafficking, the couple were caught while trying to move these children to a neighbouring country. Well, the excuse they gave was that they were taking the children on a tour. According to the paper, the police said investigations were on-going and they would be charged to court if found guilty.The National Agency for the prohibition of Traffic in persons and other Related Matters (NAPTIP) said in Abuja recently that it rescued 809 victims from traffickers between October 2008 and March, 2009. Alhaji Babadede Muhammed, Director, Investigation and Monitoring told newsmen that the period witnessed a jump in the incidence of trafficking. Those rescued were 278 male victims and 531 females indicating that women and girls are at higher risk than men. Distribution by age also showed that children and youths are being trafficked more than adults. Three hundred and seventy-two of those rescued were 17 years of age. While 347 were between the ages of 18 years and 27 years. The remaining 90 victims that were rescued were above 28 years of age.The director noted that 748 victims were rescued within Nigeria, 28 victims in Togo, 30 victims in Benin Republic while three of the victims were from Cameroon. He said with the support of The Nigeria Immigration Service, NAPTIP smashed a major trafficking ring operating between Nigeria and Niger Republic and arrested 16 persons including a driver and some agents.But what is being done to reduce the incidence of human trafficking? Over the years, government, Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs, and even international organizations have been up and about waging an all out war against the trade. Eki Igbinedion formed the Idia Renaissance, Titi Abubakar came up with the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation, WOTCLEF. she sponsored a private bill which culminated in the Trafficking in persons (prohibition) law Enforcement and Administration Act 2003 to address this menace that had turned Nigeria into an object of ridicule in the comity of nations. This law gave birth to the National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Person, NAPTIP.Now, what borders me and I am sure also borders the public is why all these reported cases are not tried and brought to a logical conclusion. You hear or read in the news that a traffic syndicate had been napped and investigations are on-going. That is the end of the story. Nothing is ever said of the case again. This I think is what is giving the perpetrators the impetus to continue in their nefarious acts.One would also wonder why somebody would decide to make humans their source of livelyhood. Sacred Human being unlike animals you can buy in the market has become a lucrative business for evil people. Using your own children for trafficking is enough offence, not to talk of other people’s children. Some consent to being used because of the poverty level and some others, out of sheer ignorance or deceit.Stories abound of children (under age) being used for all sorts of trade-like hawking, house help etc. recently, I met this fine young girl in the house of a friend I went to see. I asked who she was and I was told she was the new help. I was taken aback because she was just too young, (12 years according to her) to be out of her parent’s glare not to talk of working and bringing home money.Funny enough, she does not even understand English. The couple who took her uses gesture trying to communicate while they try to teach her to understand basic English. She is from the middle-belt of the country. The inquisitive nature in me came out and I started asking the couple how they got such a young child who is just a little older than their first child to be working for them. They told me it was through an agent.So, you see that even with the awareness that NAPTIP is creating, the quest for young children as helps and all sorts will not end because the society itself is not ready to face the challenges. A couple who probably work in the bank gets a help or helps as the case maybe because they need somebody to help take care of their domestic front while in the office. these set of people do not care who the person is or whether under-age because it is not their child and the common excuse is that they are paying. It is so very sad that even the children being trafficked do not even get to see the money they are labouring for. The agents collect the money at the end of each month or quarterly, depending on the agreement with the “client”. Most times, the agent take their own and take the others to their parents for those who knows what their children are doing. But for some others, the story is different. What about those taken into prostitution. I could go on and on and it makes me begin to sound like a broken record.I think for us to be able to completely and judiciously fight this trafficking issue, all stakeholders must live up to their responsibility. Parents should have the children they can conveniently take care of. The society at large should also be their “brothers keeper”, the government should intensify efforts and get quick justice for citizens.Source:Gladys Omoragbon
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I do not agree that the Lagos state Governor is doing a tremendous job, he is only doing the bare minimum, even though he has created jobs by using manual labour.Nigerians deserve more that just street pavements, lawns, tree planting and painting of kerbs, that should be left to the environmentalist, the role of government is to provide "MODERN INFRASTRUCTURE" ie; Metro lines, inter-city networks, electricity, clean portable water, security and stability, good health service, housing for the people, social welfare and secured pension schemes etc, to say the least.I refuse to go along with the crowd in praising Mr. Foshola, "He is only doing the bare minimum".
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Anxiety has heightened in the police over the implementation of a new promotion policy that bars the rank and file who are 40 years old and above from being promoted beyond the rank of inspector.Skip to next paragraphFileInspector-General of Police, Mike OkiroOur correspondents learnt that some of those who could be affected by the new policy were becoming increasingly worried and might consider a strike to press for the suspension of the policy.In Lagos, a random interview conducted by one of our correspondents among policemen whose ranks ranged between corporal and inspector, showed that seven out of every 10 were above 40 years.One of the policemen attached to Area “G” Command, Ogba, (a sergeant) bitterly complained about the new promotion policy and said, “These people will never do anything that will benefit the poor man; what else do they want us to do?“I have served in the police for over 20 years. Look at me, I am still a sergeant and I am above 40 years; does that mean I will never get any promotion till I leave the police?”Some policemen at a roadblock on a major highway in the South-South zone told one of our correspondents on Tuesday that most of them would soon be flushed out of the service because of the age barrier.The policemen, who identified our correspondent through a sticker of the Nigeria Union of Journalists displayed on his car, flagged him down at the check point and politely asked him to park.Instead of asking for particulars of the car, the policemen complained about their deplorable condition of service.Visibly despondent, the five policemen narrated how they had been working under the rain and the sun for years with very little to show and added that instead of being rewarded, some of them would soon be sent away.They said a signal had been received from the Force Headquarters ordering the state commands to implement the new policy that would stagnate all rank and file from age 40.The following conversation ensued between one of the policemen and our correspondent:“Old boy, you are a journalist. You people are not writing about what is happening in the police. You only write about the bad things.Why, we don’t write bad things about the police. Besides, we cannot write bad things about our friends. The police are our friends.That one is grammar. We know that people don‘t like us, so stop talking about friends or enemies. That is not our problem.What is the problem then?The IG has sent signals to all the commands directing that all of us who are 40 years old in the rank and file should not be promoted again. We learnt that they would keep us in the same rank for some time and later retire us from the service.Why would they do such a thing?We heard that they want to bring in graduates and OND holders to take over. I have served the police for 23 years and have only been promoted sergeant. I don‘t have a house and my children are very young. I wonder how I will train them if I am stagnated and later flushed from the police. This is the only job I know how to do. Go and write and tell them not to sack us.”But when contacted, the Commissioner, Rivers State Police Command, Mr. Bala Hassan, denied the claim.Hassan said there was no intention by the police authorities to stagnate or disengage policemen in the country.Although he agreed that a new promotion policy might be in the offing, he disagreed with the view that the rank and file who are above 40 years would be stagnated and later sacked from the service.Describing the rank and file as the foot soldiers of the police operations, the CP noted that it would be impossible for the service to function without them.However, our correspondents learnt that the commands were not in a hurry to make the signal public because they were still not sure of its modus operandi and workability.Police spokesman in Lagos, Mr. Frank Mba, also denied knowledge of the signal.
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