Cannabis not more dangerous than drinking: Obama

 

President Barack Obama says smoking pot is no more dangerous than drinking but calls it a “bad idea,” amid a push for legalization in several states.
In comments to The New Yorker magazine published Sunday, the US leader also noted that poor minority youths are more likely to get prison time for using marijuana than their richer counterparts.
“As has been well documented, I smoked pot as a kid, and I view it as a bad habit and a vice, not very different from the cigarettes that I smoked as a young person up through a big chunk of my adult life,” Obama said.
“I don’t think it is more dangerous than alcohol.”
He added that he has told his two daughters Sasha and Malia that “it’s a bad idea, a waste of time, not very healthy.”
Obama, in a wide-ranging series of interviews with the prestigious publication, went on to say that “middle-class kids don’t get locked up for smoking pot, and poor kids do.”
“And African-American kids and Latino kids are more likely to be poor and less likely to have the resources and the support to avoid unduly harsh penalties,” he added.
In that vein, Obama welcomed the recent legalization of marijuana in Colorado and Washington.
“It’s important for society not to have a situation in which a large portion of people have at one time or another broken the law and only a select few get punished,” he said.
Couching his remarks somewhat, Obama called the move in the two states a challenging “experiment.”
“Those who argue that legalizing marijuana is a panacea and it solves all these social problems I think are probably overstating the case,” he added.
And Obama stopped short of calling for legalizing the drug at the federal level.
Colorado and Washington are creating a recreational market in which local authorities will oversee growing, distribution and marketing — all of it legal — for people to get high just for the fun of it.
While Colorado’s law went into effect January 1, Washington’s recreational marijuana shops are expected to open later this year.
Obama made a distinction between marijuana and more potent drugs.
“I also think that, when it comes to harder drugs, the harm done to the user is profound and the social costs are profound,” he said.
The article is published in the magazine’s January 27 issue.

 

Robbery kingpin, Tijani dies in Kirikiri Prison

Alleged cross-border robbery kingpin Hamani Tijani, has died.
He died on Sunday after a partial stroke at the Kirikiri Maximum Prisons in Lagos. He was aged 42.
DSP Biyi Jeje, the spokesman for the Nigerian Prisons Service, Lagos Command, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Jeje said that Tijani died at about 9.00 am in the clinic of the maximum prison.
He said that the service had earlier invited the state officials to examine Tijani’s health in December for possible transfer to another hospital.
According to him, a team of medical experts were sent to the prison by the Lagos State Government before Christmas to examine him, but the outcome of their findings was not made available.
Tijani, a citizen of Niger Republic, was arrested sometimes in September 2003 in Cotonou, Benin Republic, and moved to Abeokuta, Ogun State, briefly before he was transferred to Kirikiri.
The deceased spent 11 years in prison custody while his trial was still ongoing before his death.
Tijani was standing trial before Justice Sybil Nwaka of Lagos High Court on a three-count charge of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed robbery and receiving stolen goods.
The defendant had through his lawyer, J. H. Bashir, filed a “no case submission’’ and asked the court to discharge and acquit him for lack of diligent prosecution.
His request was, however, refused by Justice Nwaka in a ruling delivered on Oct. 23, 2012.
When the matter came up on Jan. 14, 2013, the prosecution was not in court and the case was adjourned till March 12, 2013.
However, the trial was stalled again on the adjourned date as the court did not sit and the case was further adjourned till May 9.
Jeje told NAN that Tijani’s corpse had been deposited at the mortuary in Ikeja General Hospital pending further instruction from the appropriate authority

 

Ex- Gov. Mu’azu, Accused Of Stealing N19.8billion, Is New PDP chairman - PREMIUM TIMES

  

Barring any last-minute change in plan, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will, at its National Executive Committee meeting on Monday (today), ratify a former governor of Bauchi state, Adamu Mu’azu, as its new national chairman, party and presidency sources have said.
The usually reliable sources told PREMIUM TIMES early Monday morning that Mr. Mu’azu emerged the consensus candidate for the job after a rash of meetings involving President Goodluck Jonathan, PDP governors and other influential chieftains of the party, including Vice President Namadi Sambo and President of the Senate, David Mark.
Mr. Mu’azu, who will now replace Bamanga Tukur, who was forced out of office Thursday, emerged ahead of Minister of Transport, Idris Umar, a former Minister of Commerce, Idris Waziri, former Acting National Secretary of the party, Musa Babayo, a former party spokesperson, Ahmed Rufai Alkali   and a former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Ibrahim Bunu, who were all widely reported to have jostled for the position.
A party source familiar with the maneuverings and negotiations that threw up Mr. Mu’azu said President Jonathan actually preferred Minister Umar for the position but was outfoxed by governors from the North-East geopolitical zone who all rooted for Mr. Mu’azu.
When Mr. Jonathan tried to insist on Mr. Umar, insiders say, the North-East governors reminded him of how they deferred to him two years ago when he insisted on Mr. Tukur for the position in spite of massive opposition from the zone.
Our sources said Bayelsa state governor, Seriake Dickson, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, and President of the Senate, Mr. Mark, joined the North-East governors in pushing that position.
They reportedly warned the president against foisting an unpopular candidate on party members to avoid a repeat of the Tukur situation where the party was perpetually  in crisis throughout his reign.
Mr. Mu’azu, 55, was among candidates who contested for the PDP chairmanship position in March 2012.
In a zonal congress election conducted by the North-East PDP in Bauchi to choose a consensus candidate for the zone at the time, Mr. Mu’azu got only one vote to place last.
Mr. Babayo got 14 votes  to defeat other contenders. Mr. Tukur, who was clearly the president’s anointed candidate for the position at the time, got four votes.
Former Ministers Bunu and Shettima Mustapha scored 2 votes each while Mr. Alkali , just like Mr. Muazu, scored only one vote.
Mr. Mu’azu and corruption
In November 2013, President Jonathan appointed the former Bauchi governor chairman of the Nigerian Pension Commission, PENCOM.
He was appointed to the position even though he is still being investigated for graft by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for allegedly looting N19.8billion belonging to his state while he was governor between 1999 and 2007.
The former governor has consistently denied any wrongdoing but he is yet to be cleared of the allegation.
The civic group, Transition Monitoring Group, protested the appointment at the time, saying it was morally wrong for the president to appoint a man being tried for corruption to such a high office.
Mr. Jonathan and the National Assembly disregarded that position and proceeded to clear the former governor for the position.
The TMG statement at the time reads in part, “The Transition Monitoring Group, TMG, is astonished and peeved by this move of the President, especially in the light of the fact that the former Governor is yet to be cleared by the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, of the corruption charges he is facing for allegedly defrauding the coffers of Bauchi State to the tune of N19.8billion when he was Governor of the State,” the group said in a statement on Monday.
“This and other similar acts of Mr. President, particularly his penchant for surrounding himself with famed corrupt individuals, makes his government’s so-called anti-corruption efforts a laughing stock, for it is patently obvious from his antecedents that President Jonathan endorses corruption.
“The EFCC is investigating Mr. Mu’azu for allegedly stealing billions of naira belonging to Bauchi State during his term as governor between 1999 and 2007.Other names forwarded to the Senate for confirmation as Commissioners of PENCOM include Chinelo Anohu-Amazu (South East), Reuben Omotowa (North Central), Mohammed Ka’oje (North West), and Adesojo Olaoba-Efuntayo (South West).But the group said that appointing Mr. Mu’azu to head the commission is in line with his practice of shielding corrupt individuals.

“TMG recalls that in the heat of the corruption charges against the same Mu’azu Adamu, President Jonathan appointed him in 2011 as Chairman of the Board of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA),” said the statement signed by Ibrahim Zikirullahi and Eddy Ezurike, the group’s Chairman and Publicity Secretary respectively.
“It was with the President’s nod that Business Mogul, Mike Adenuga and his wife, Titi Adenuga in late 2010 walked free from the EFCC charges they were facing for reportedly collecting bribes from Siemens officials; and it was this same attitude of Presidential Romance with alleged corrupt individuals that enabled controversial Lawyer, Dele Oye to walk scot free from EFCC charges of allegedly acting as front for the defunct Oceanic Bank CEO, Cecilia Ibru; and aiding her to loot tens of billions of Naira in Bank assets.
“The Nigerian people of course will not forget in a hurry how this same President granted presidential pardon to a notorious convicted corrupt former Governor and his kinsman, DSP Alamieyeseigha, and other criminals, including a paedophile.
“Those who recently looted the Police Pensions Board, including its former Director are yet to be brought to book. The list is endless; yet Jonathan’s regime talks about fight against corruption. The attitude of Mr. President in recycling corrupt individuals in public places is worrisome and does not inspire confidence at all.
“In fact, on issue after issue, he has shown that he will never combat corruption but will rather aid, abet and shield corrupt officials.
“The group called on President Jonathan to withdraw, immediately, Mr. Mu’azu’s nomination and take “creative steps” to rebuild confidence and imbue confidence in the anti-corruption war.
“This is the only pathway to redemption, prosperity and development in this country.”
 

 

Archbishop Desmond Tutu Launches The World's First Gay Political Party




ARCHBISHOP Desmond Tutu has surprised South Africans by announcing the formation of a gay political party called the Democratic Religious Alliance Against Minority Antagonism (DRAAMA), which will take part in a general election later this year.

Last year Tutu outraged Christians when he declared: “I would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven…No, I would say sorry, I mean I would much rather go to hell…I would not worship a God who is homophobic and that is how deeply I feel about this.”

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate and South African archbishop emeritus added that he does not believe religion provides justification for homophobia.

His passion on the issue has led him to form the world’s first gay political party to address an issue which he feels president Jacob Zuma “tiptoes” around.

The first and last time we ever heard president Jacob Zuma addressing issues around anti-homophobia was when he had to make a public apology regarding a damaging statement he made about this minority group.

In a media statement released on Wednesday, DRAAMA said it is set to be at the forefront of minority human-rights issues the current ruling party has dragged its feet in addressing.

According to this report: “With gay socialite and choreographer Somizi Mhlongo being poached as the party’s spin doctor, South Africans should brace themselves for a lot of DRAAMA!!!”

Said Mhlongo: “I was pleasantly surprised upon receiving a call from the honourable Archbishop Desmond Tutu informing me of his intentions and his request for my involvement.”

Before his election as South African President Jacob Zuma was forced to apologise after offending the gay community.

He was quoted as saying that same-sex marriages were: “A disgrace to the nation and to God.”

He also said that when he was a young man, he would have knocked down any homosexual person he met.

He later retracted his words and explained: “My remarks were made in the context of the traditional way of raising children … I said the communal upbringing of children in the past was able to assist parents to notice children with a different social orientation. I however did not intend to have this interpreted as a condemnation of gays and lesbians.”

He also said he respected: “The sterling contribution of many gay and lesbian compatriots in the struggle that brought about our freedom.”

Across the border Mugabe has condemned South Africa for their stance on gay rights, claiming that they should not be upheld as they are not human rights. He said: “Gays and lesbians are worse than pigs and dogs. We cannot allow our children to be worse than wild animals.”

Jonathan announces Tukur’s resignation

 

President Goodluck Jonathan has dramatically announced the resignation of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur at the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja, still in session Thursday afternoon.
Jonathan told the national executive committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that Bamanga Tukur had stepped down, seen as a move to try to calm competing factions and heal divisions.
“For us to make sure that we put to rest these issues, the party chairman agreed to step aside,” Jonathan told delegates at a meeting in the capital, Abuja.
Tukur had been considered an undemocratically appointed place man for Jonathan within the party, with critics using his presence to bolster their opposition to the president.
In November last year, five influential state governors defected to the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) while 37 members of the lower chamber of parliament crossed the floor a month later.
The lawmakers’ actions lost the PDP its parliamentary majority, raising the prospect that it could lose power for the first time since Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999.
At the heart of the dispute is the perception that Jonathan will ignore an unwritten party rule to rotate the presidency between a candidate from the Christian majority south and mainly Muslim north.
Jonathan is a southern Christian.
The president said he had given Tukur “a new assignment” to “market this country and market the PDP”, without going into details, and that his replacement should be from the north and named next week.
Jonathan also said he was unperturbed by the party defections, dismissing them as “normal” and vowing that the PDP would get “stronger and stronger”.
“Before the end of March, people will just relax and say, ‘it’s over’,” he said.
“As long as we do things the way we should do, I believe, and I’m convinced, that (the) PDP will continue to be the number one party in this country,” he added.
After announcing that the National Chairman has indeed indicated his intention to leave his post, the President dipped his hand into his pocket and brought out a letter written to him to that effect by Tukur, an action which was greeted by thunderous ovation.
The President handed over the letter to Professor Wale Oladipo, the National Secretary of the party and Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State was directed to move a motion for acceptance of the resignation.
All members of the party present at the meeting accepted the resignation.

Tukur had battled all week to retain his position as chairman of the party, amidst speculations about his resignation. Several times, he denied resigning. Several times, the news mill continued to churn out his purported resignation.
Wednesday night, Tukur still denied he had thrown in the towel when he spoke with State House correspondents on his arrival at the banquet hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, for the party’s Board of Trustee (BOT) meeting.
“I am not somebody who will resign and you will not know. I have not resigned,” he said.
But the signs were there that the Adamawa born politician was isolated already in the party, as he was excluded from a national caucus meeting of the leaders of the party presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.
The meeting was attended by the Senate President, Sen. David Mark and his Deputy, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal and his Deputy, Mr Emeka Ihedioha.
Also in the meeting were the BOT Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih and other party leaders, excluding Tukur.
Tukur was also missing at another meeting the President held with some PDP governors before the BOT meeting.
The governors were, Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Theodore Orji (Abia), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta) and Ibrahim Shema (Katsina).
Governors ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa) and Ramalan Yero (Kaduna) also attended the meeting.
Suswam told State House correspondents after the governors’ meeting that the discussion was centred on the need to re-strategise and restore the dwindling glory of the party.
“The issues discussed with the president was basically on how to re-strategise and re-position our party and how to move forward as a party.
“The second meeting is the national caucus and I am not in the position to comment on that,” he said.
He said the meeting did not discuss the issue of resignation of Tukur.
Suswam said the decision on Tukur’s fate would be taken at the BOT and the National Executive Council meetings of the party on Thursday.
Bayo Okunade, a professor of political science at the University of Ibadan, said Tukur’s resignation was inevitable to avoid the destruction of the PDP.
“It is a good thing for democracy. It is a triumph for democracy that the party was able to force him out,” he told AFP.
“His leadership of the party was already affecting the machinery and internal workings of the party.”
But he warned that trouble may still loom for Jonathan depending on the reaction of Tukur’s supporters and whether his replacement enjoyed broad support in the party.

 

Shake Up In The Military : President Jonathan Removes Ihejirika As Chief Of Army Staff

 

President Goodluck Jonathan has removed long serving Chief of Army Staff, Azubuike Ihejirika in his place Major General Kenneth Tobiah from the Niger Delta region will now take charge of the Nigerian army.
Mr. Jonathan made the announcement today in a statement signed by his special adviser on media and publicity, Reuben Abati.
 The statement also announced changes within the military that completely overhauls the military high command.
The president will likely announce a new cabinet list in a few days time with  former National Security Adviser, Aliyu Gusau taking over as the new minister of defense.

See text of Mr. Abati press release announcing the shake up in the military high command below:
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria approved the following changes in the nation’s Military High Command:
Air Marshal Alex Badeh takes over from Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim as Chief of Defence Staff;
Major-General Kenneth Tobiah Jacob Minimah takes over from Lt.-General Azubike O. Ihejirika as Chief of Army Staff;
Rear Admiral Usman O. Jibrin takes over from Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba as Chief of Naval Staff; and Air Vice Marshal Adesola Nunayon Amosu takes over from Air Marshal Badeh as Chief of Air Staff.
All the changes are with immediate effect.
The new Chief of Defence Staff and former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Badeh was born on January 10, 1957 and joined the Air Force as a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s  21 Regular Course while the new Chief of Army Staff, Major-General Minimah was born on July 27, 1959 and joined the Army as a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s  25 Regular Course. Until his new appointment, Major-General Minimah was the Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps, Jaji.
The new Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin was born on September 16, 1959 and joined the Navy as a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 24 Regular Course. Until his appointment as Chief of Naval Staff, he was Director of Training at Defence Headquarters.
The new Chief of Air Staff and immediate past Commander of the Presidential Air Fleet, Air Vice Marshal Amosu was born on August 1, 1958 and joined the Air Force as a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 25 Regular Course. Until his new appointment, Air Vice Marshal Amosu was the Air Officer Commanding, Tactical Air Command, Makurdi.
President Jonathan has briefed the leadership of the National Assembly on the appointment of the new service chiefs and will, in keeping with the provisions of the law, request the National Assembly to formally confirm the appointments when it reconvenes.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
January 16, 2014

 

Aeroplane lands at wrong airport

Southwest Airlines flight from Chicago is under investigation after it landed at the wrong airport seven miles from its intended destination, Skynews reports.

Flight 4013, carrying 124 passengers and five crew members, was scheduled to fly from Chicago’s Midway International Airport to Branson Airport, Missouri.

But the Boeing 737-700 landed at Taney County Airport instead, on a runway half the size of it proper destination.

It was unclear why the flight went to the wrong airport.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Tony Molinaro said an investigation has been launched.

Airline spokesman Brad Hawkins said, “The landing was uneventful, and all customers and crew are safe.

“Our ground crew from the Branson airport arrived at the airport to take care of our customers and their baggage.”

Flight 4013 had been scheduled to go from Branson to Love Field in Dallas. Hawkins said another aircraft was flown into Branson at 10pm on Sunday to take the passengers and crew to Dallas.

The runway at Taney County, also known as M. Graham Clark Airport, is 3,738ft. Branson Airport’s website says its runway is 7,140ft long.

“As soon as we touched down the pilot applied the brake very hard and very forcibly,” said passenger Scott Schieffer.

Schieffer said the flight attendant announced “Welcome to Branson”, but after a few moments “the pilot came on and said, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, I’m sorry to tell you we landed at the wrong airport.”

Doctors in Edo state on strike over pay dispute

Doctors in Edo state have heeded the call of their association to begin an indefinite strike.

The strike is to protest the deduction by the state government of five days pay from the last December salaries.

The doctors’ action coincided with the threat by the State chapter of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), to embark on an indefinite strike over the deletion of the names of over 40 staff from the payroll in the month of December, 2013.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole had during the nationwide warning strike embarked by the NMA in which the state chapter participated, threatened to evoke the policy of “No work, No pay” on medical personnel who joined the strike, because the NMA had an issue with Federal Government and not the state.

The salary deduction prompted the leadership of the Edo NMA to call out its members to begin the indefinite strike.

Chairman of Edo NMA, Dr. Emmanuel Ighodaro, while commenting on the issue, said the Association had written to the State government not to carry out the deduction.

Ighodaro accused the State government of “selective victimisation,”.

He noted that the government did not apply “no work, no pay” policy when lecturers at the government owned Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, joined their counterparts in the federal universities in a strike that lasted for about six months.

He added that the union would not call off the strike not until the government pay the members the full salaries.

Members of JUSUN who threatened to also go on strike indefinitely if the state government fails to restore the names of the 40 members of the Union, disclosed that the State Chief Judge has been mandated to discuss with Governor Adams Oshiomhole on the possibility of resolving the issue amicably.

A bulletin from the Union signed by K. Igbarago, and Uyi Ogierakhi, Chairman and Assistant Secretary respectively, said its members would be duly consulted before it takes any action, should the state government remain adamant on the issue.

16 die in China shoe factory fire

Sixteen people died Tuesday in a fire at a shoe factory in eastern China, state media reported, a blaze which highlights poor workplace safety standards in the country.

A total of 20 people were rescued from the fire at the Dadong Shoes factory in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, China Central Television said in a post on its site on Sina Weibo, a Chinese version of Twitter.

The blaze, which started in the afternoon engulfed an area of 800 square metres, said the report, which did not give details on what caused the fire.

Workplace safety standards can be poor in China, where fatal accidents happen regularly at mines and factories, with some blaming lax enforcement of rules.

A fire at a poultry plant in the northeastern province of Jilin in June killed 120 and injured at least 70, in China’s deadliest blaze in over a decade.

Ewelike, President Jonathan’s photographer shot

Gunmen have shot Mr Callistus Ewelike, President Goodluck Jonathan’s photographer and staff

of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The shooting took place on Monday in front of his residence in Nyanya, Abuja, between 10p.m. and 11p.m.
Two men were said to have alighted from motorcycle when the victim was coming out from his car.
One of the assailants reportedly confronted him and shot him in the neck at close range.
The assailants reportedly sped off the scene when the gunshot attracted residents of the area.
Nothing was stolen from the victim.
Ewelike was taken to a nearby hospital by his neighbours and later transferred to the National Hospital, Abuja where medical doctors are currently preparing him for surgery.
He is said to be in a stable condition.
The Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Command, DSP Altine Daniel, confirmed the incident.
She said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Femi Ogunbayide, had directed full scale investigation into the shooting and had given order for the manhunt and arrest of the assailants.
It will be recalled that armed men had also visited Ewelike’s residence late last year.
They had forced themselves into the house and robbed him of his work tools including camera, laptop computer and other personal effects.

17 People Killed In Car Bomb Attack On Popular Maiduguri Market

17 People Killed In Car Bomb Attack On Popular Maiduguri 

MAIDUGURI (AFP) – At least 17 people were killed when an explosion ripped through a busy market in the north Nigerian city of Maiduguri, the state police chief said on Tuesday.

“From our preliminary reports, we have 17 dead and at least five injured from the blast in the post office area” of the city, Lawan Tanko told AFP, warning that the toll could rise.

“i Have A $1million Watch, I Use The Same Type Of Car Like The Queen Of England”
He further disclosed that his aquaqrium wrist watch costs $1 million.
 
“I also have a wrist watch that cost $1 million. I wear expensive wrist watches, shoes and chains, all made of diamond.”
 
The billionaire who described himself as a “stylish king” stated this in a recent interview with City People magazine.
 
On his love for diamonds, he said “First and foremost, I am very creative and secondly, I emulate the style of our forefathers, wearing royal beads as an old style. You know these days, if you want to become a popular and flamboyant king, you have to use diamonds; Diamond chains, diamond wrist watches, diamond shoes, diamond ring and my muffler is also made of diamond or gold.  And that will make you unique among other Obas and that doesn’t make you proud. I like to be the first in everything.  I have the largest oil tank in West Africa today.”
 
On his chain of cars, he said “I use the same type of automobile with the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth. We use the same Rolls Royce and Bentley.  Aside that, I have 7 door limousine Mercedes, I want to be the first in everything.
 
“Besides, I am a car freak and what I always very selective with what I wear; my shoe, my royal diamond cap, wrist watches, diamond ring. My diamond Moffla is the new thing I have added to it now. I do my shopping in London Jeweller, a special store for top ranking personalities of the world.” He said 

OBAT

Overnight clashes outside Ukraine court injure 10

Kiev, Jan. 11, 2014 (Reuters/NAN) No fewer than 10 people, including a former interior minister, were injured in the early hours of Saturday in clashes between riot police and protesters outside a courthouse in Ukraine’s capital Kiev.
In the first clashes since last month, police using tear gas and batons tried to disperse a couple of hundred people protesting against three activists being sentenced to six years in jail, a case seen by protesters as politically-motivated.
About 10 kilometres away, several thousand people have set up camp in central Kiev to protest against President Viktor Yanukovich’s decision to abandon the trade agreement with Europe in favour of closer cooperation with Russia.
Protests started in late November and increased significantly in early December after riot police violently broke up a student demonstration in Kiev’s main square.
Yuri Lutsenko, a minister in the government of jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, was among the injured protesters.
Lutsenko, who was pardoned last year by Yanukovich, was hit in the head, witnesses said.
However, the police said in a statement that they had no information about anyone being injured.

 

NNPC Says ‘Missing’ $11bn Already Spent

 The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC on Friday said it is regrettable that despite the clarifications it made earlier and submissions by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, a section of the media and some commentators have continued to distort issues on the subject of unremitted funds by the Corporation.

At the press conference, addressed by Mr. Ben Otti, member board of directors and group executive director, finance and accounts directorate, NNPC, the Corporation said contrary to what is being speculated, the $10.8 billion which is currently the subject of ongoing inter-agency reconciliation exercise is not missing.
According to Otti, the sum in question has been spent as expenditures incurred as part of statutory responsibilities which the NNPC as the National Oil Company executes on behalf of the Federal Government and by extension, the entire people of Nigeria.
Oti said a significant portion of the yet to be reconciled $10.8 billion constitute the subsidy which the Corporation had incurred in the course of importation of petroleum products to Nigeria in the last three years.
“For the purpose of strategic reserve, at the rate of 40 million litres of PMS national consumption per day, NNPC maintains about 32 days’ sufficiency of petrol. The cost incurred in this mandate is contained within the N10.8 billion yet to be reconciled figure,” said Otti.
The Corporation also listed the cost incurred in repair of vandalized products pipelines, loss of products thorough theft as some of the areas the yet to be reconciled sum of money was spent on.  On the legality of spending such funds unilaterally, the NNPC further said its action was backed up by Section 7, Sub section A and B of the NNPC Act.

Islamic cleric condemns birthday celebration for Muhammed

A Nigerian Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Fadhilulah Hamzat, says it is not compulsory for Muslims to celebrate Mawlud Nabiyy or the birthday of Prophet Muhammad.
Hamzat, who made the remark during a Friday sermon at the W.O. Lawal Central Mosque, Ring Road, Ibadan, Oyo State, said that those marking the day which falls on Monday 13 January, were doing so for commercial gains.
Nigeria’s Federal Governmrnt has declared Tuesday 14 January a public holiday for the celebration.
“The annoying thing is that rather than limit the celebration to 12th Rabiul Awwal, when the Prophet was born, some Muslims continue the celebration months after,’’ he said.
The Imam said that there was no place in the Qur’an and Hadith, where the celebration of the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad was mentioned.
“Throughout the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, he never for once celebrated his birthday, and did not direct his righteous followers to do anything of that nature’’.
“The only reference point to marking his birthday is his saying that he fasts on Mondays, because he was born on Monday,’’ he said.
Hamzat said that Allah, the Creator of human beings, has honoured Prophet Muhammad enough in the Qur’an with blessings and directed the Prophet’s followers to always bless him, “whenever his name is mentioned’’.
He said that rather than printing envelopes for the purpose of collecting money to organise events to honour Prophet Muhammad on his birthday, Muslims should emulate his virtues and imbibe his teachings of peace and love.
Hamzat, however, said that there was nothing bad in organising lectures or symposium to mark the day, and enjoined Muslims to use the month of Rabiul-Awwal in which the Prophet was born, to rededicate their lives to Allah.
“They should live their lives in accordance with Islamic tenets and imbibe the teachings of Prophet Muhammad as exemplified by him while alive.’’

 

Maltreatment: Caverton Helicopters Expatriate Manager Resigns  

Surendra Bhagwandass, an expatriate and a manager at Caverton Helicopters, a company that has contracts spanning from SHELL to TOTAL, has resigned over the unfair treatment of Nigerian workers, he said in an email.
Bhagwandass, a Base Maintenance Manager at Caverton Helicopters in Lagos, southwestern Nigeria, said he became frustrated that while he was being well taken care of, Nigerian workers were poorly paid and their salaries were sometimes delayed.
He said it was a security breach not to pay people who work for oil companies.
“Shame on you guys,” he told Caverton management in an email distributed to most staff and obtained by our correspondent.
“(I) heard from the people I work with that they are not paid for the festive season.
“This is a security breach as I now feel uncomfortable to travel and work with, while you guys have a merry time.
“Please have a heart as these people have family while you all enjoy the best. Being with your family and Happy.
“You all break record as the only Company in the World not to pay your workers.
“Shame on you guys,” the expatriate said.
But Doyin Alegbe, a Personal Assistant to Caverton Managing Director, Mr. Shola Falola, dismissed the letter saying that it was “a gross case of insubordination”
She said because expatriate workers are paid in dollars and Nigerian staff are paid in naira, the company had challenges selling the dollars and this caused some delay in December.
She said everyone has now been paid.
She said Caverton does not discriminate between Nigerians and expatriate workers.
But some Nigerian workers who spoke with our correspondent said while expatriate staff are paid in dollars, Nigerian workers who put more effort and spend more hours at work, earn less.
Among the allegations, the staff said there was no salary structure and promotion was almost non existent for Nigerian workers.
The staff said while local workers are not given accommodation or security escorts, expatriates enjoy all the benefits but come to work late and leave before them.
“They earn dollars, we earn naira but we work more than them. Several staff have been attacked because you need to leave your house around 4 o’clock in the morning. There is no security for us. But they enjoy everything in our country,” a staff said, pleading anonymity.
The staff accused Caverton of promising oil companies such as SHELL that it will take good care of staff, but not doing so once the contract is signed.
“We signed a contract with SHELL for N94 billion,” he said, adding that the money doesn’t trickle down to Nigerian staff.

Jonathan Has Ordered 165 Terror Suspects To Be Set Free, Nigerian Military Says

 

The Nigerian military said on Friday it has been ordered by President  Goodluck Jonathan to release over 165 persons it apprehended in the course of military operations in the three states under emergency rule: Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.
A statement on the presidential directive signed by the spokesperson for the military, Major General Chris Olukolade however said the suspects would be released to their state governments soon.
The suspects were earlier recommended for release by the Joint Investigation Team, (JIT) set up by the Defence Headquarters last year.  Of the number, 157 are from facilities in Borno, nine from Yobe and one suspect from Adamawa. The spokesman recalled that other detainees, particularly women and children, have previously benefitted from the same gesture, which started in May last year.  More suspects in this category are also to benefit in the present exercise, he said.
One analyst noted that the presidential gesture may have something to do with Mr. Jonathan’s re-election bid in 2015, citing problems he is having with the electorate, especially in the northern part of the country.

 

Woman caught sneaking into US in suitcase

 

 

Customs and Border Protection officers foiled a smuggling attempt at the U.S.-Mexico border when they discovered a woman contorted and hidden inside a suitcase.
Officials released a photo this week showing the woman tucked into a ball and laying inside the luggage in the back of a vehicle.
The woman, a Thai national named Pornkamol Mongkolsermsak, was charged with re-entry after deportation, CBP spokesman Victor Brabble said.
She was discovered on December 30, when inspectors at the border referred the driver of a Honda SUV for a secondary inspection, CBP said in a statement.
When officers inspected the vehicle, they opened up the suitcase and found the 48-year-old woman hidden underneath some clothing.
Authorities did not release the name of the 56-year-old Phoenix man who was driving the SUV.
The case has been turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, CBP said.

 

Somalia's al-Shabab militants issue internet ban

Islamist militants in Somalia have issued a directive banning companies from providing internet services.
The al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group has given firms 15 days to shut down mobile internet and fibre optic services, which are due to launch soon.
Those who do not comply would be seen as "working with the enemy" and dealt with according to Islamic law, it said.
Correspondents say the group often executes those it accuses of spying for Somalia's government or Western powers.
Al-Shabab was driven out of the capital, Mogadishu, in August 2011, but still controls many southern and central areas of the country.
Analysts say this is set to grow as more internet services come to Mogadishu, with a returning diaspora and the imminent connection to fibre optic cables.
The BBC's Mohamed Moalimu in Mogadishu says telecom firms have begun advertising cut-price deals ahead of the broadband launch.
They currently provide internet services via dial-up or satellite.

Al-Shabab's statement was issued on the Facebook page of its Al-Andalus radio station.

"Services known as mobile internet and fibre optics must be stopped in Somalia," it said.

 

Liverpool legend wants Moses out

 

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge feels Nigeria international Victor Moses has failed to live up to expectations since joining Liverpool on loan from Chelsea last year, according to Football411.

Aldridge has even suggested that it would actually be in everybody’s best interests if the loan agreement between the Merseyside club and Chelsea was cancelled.

“I don’t know whether Chelsea would agree to take him back as they’ve got a big squad but it might be in everyone’s best interests if the loan is cancelled,” Aldridge wrote in his column this week.

“If Moses wants to stay at Liverpool until the end of the season then he needs to buck his ideas up. He’s in a precarious position. He needs to realise that and start fighting for a shirt,” added Aldridge.

Moses has breached the opposition defence just once since he joined Liverpool last September and that goal was scored in his debut fixture against Swansea at the Liberty Stadium.

Aldridge feels that Moses is squandering a glorious opportunity and he can’t quite put his finger on why the Nigerian has not thrived at Anfield.

“Victor Moses was handed a big opportunity when Brendan Rodgers brought him to Liverpool FC from Chelsea last summer,” Aldridge told the Liverpool Echo.

“Not many players get the chance to go out on loan to a bigger club but I don’t think he realises how lucky he is. When Moses arrived I thought he would be a decent acquisition. He did very well for Wigan and did okay during his first year at Chelsea.

“He talked about wanting to nail down a place at Anfield but to achieve that you need to deliver on the pitch and he hasn’t done that. He has let himself down,” added the former Liverpool striker.

Moroccan midfielder Oussama Assaidi was loaned to Stoke City when Moses was signed for Liverpool.

 During his brief spell at Stoke Assaidi has scored four goals in 16 appearances for the club.

He has also contributed to the team effort with two valuable assists in cup competitions. Aldridge thinks letting him go might have been somewhat misguided.

 

Lagos tanker fire burns 15 to death

 

At least 15 people lost their lives in Lagos on Tuesday night  when  a tanker  laden with 33,000 litres of petrol lost control and rammed into vehicles at Kirikiri, Lagos.

Our correspondents learnt that the tanker spilt all its content, thereby  causing the  fire that burnt  a branch of Sterling Bank at  Berger Suya Bus Stop, one  Automated Teller Machine, 11 vehicles and 60 shops.

Most of the  dead were said to be passengers of a commercial bus  (danfo)  that was  behind the  tanker when it fell and exploded.

An eyewitness claimed that  the  fire caused by the explosion  spread to Suya spots in the area  and burnt parked  vehicles . He added that the body of the tanker driver was glued to  his  seat for  over 40 minutes  before    rescue officials  removed  it.

A commercial bus driver, Murhi Lawal, who spoke to journalists while weeping profusely, said his bus was completely consumed by the fire.

He said, “Around 10pm on Tuesday, my bus developed a fault so I parked it in front of the  Sterling Bank branch. However, the guards on duty said I should move the bus  elsewhere so I decided to park  on the other side of the road so  that I could buy a fan belt.

“As I was attempting to install the belt, I saw the big truck speeding and it rammed into two vehicles before falling on its side and spilling all its content.

“I subsequently heard an explosion and then fire ensued. Before I could save my bus, the fire spread and consumed it.”

Some residents of the area told our correspondent that immediately the accident occurred,  15 people, mostly passengers of a commercial bus, lost their lives.

They said that Capital Oil, Julius Berger and Swift Oil deployed water trucks to put out the flames.

It was learnt that as they fought the fire, it continued to spread to other streets.

A shop owner, Collins Okafor, who claimed to be part of the rescuers, said he counted 13 bodies, excluding those of the tanker driver and his assistant.

He said, “Immediately after the explosion, we came together and started fighting the fire. We tried to save people but about 13 bodies littered the place. The tanker driver and his assistant were also burnt to death.

“One policeman was severely burnt by the fire but we were able to save him. We then proceeded to Sterling Bank and forced the gate open. The security guard had collapsed but we brought him out and he was taken to a nearby hospital.”

One of our correspondents, who entered the premises of  the bank, observed that its heavy duty generator was completely burnt.

The banking hall was also burnt while computers and other equipment were said to have been stolen by hoodlums during the rescue operation.

The President, Berger Business Community, Mr. Okey Udeagba, said about five  injured traders  were  rushed to   hospitals.

Udeagba said the market had been closed due to the fire, adding that  traders alone  lost at least N100m due to the  incident.

He said, “We did not lose any member to the fire  but five people were injured and are recuperating in different hospitals. Most of those killed were passengers and bystanders. However, we lost over N100m   to the fire.

“One of our members, Jones, lost all his goods which were stored in a truck while his shops were also burnt. He is probably the biggest victim financially speaking.”

He urged the state government to indemnify the victims and also avoid demolishing the shops.

When one of our correspondents approached Jones for comment, he said he was too distraught to speak on the issue.

Another victim, Okechukwu Mmadu, said he lost 12 heavy duty engines worth N8m to the fire.

He said, “When the accident happened, the truck spilled petrol  into  the gutters, leading to our shops. When the fire started, it spread to our shops through the gutters. I immediately fled but luckily not all my goods were burnt,” he said.

Policemen, officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were seen controlling the   crowd at the scene.

The spokesman, National Emergency Management Agency, South-West Zone, Ibrahim Farinloye, said the fire was put out around 1am on Wednesday.

Farinloye said, “Fifteen bodies were recovered by NEMA and the police. The fire was put out by a combined team of federal and state fire services. The fire lasted for about three hours. Many vehicles and 60 shops were affected.”

The Baale of  Ibafon, Kayode Okunlola, said there was a need for the Federal Government to curb the excesses of truck drivers, especially in the area.

The General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Femi Oke-Osayintolu, said the  injured victims were taken  to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja  and Gbagada General Hospital, Gbagada.

Oke-Osayintolu said a soil test would be conducted to ascertain the strength of the affected buildings after which the area would be fumigated.

Here & There Gists gathered that  three  injured  victims were admitted into the  Gbagada General Hospital, while    others were referred to other general hospitals  in the state.

Two of the victims at the hospital in Gbagada are  23-year- old Suraju Adeniyi, who suffered 80 per cent burns and  45- year- old,  Moses Adebayo,  who suffered 40  per cent burns.

Another victim,  70-year-old Mrs. Rose Idowu, was said to have  been  rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching  Hospital, Ikeja,  where medical personnel battled to save her life but she passed on within an hour due to the severity of the burns she suffered.

 

Soldiers kill 38 suspected terrorists in Borno -Millitary

 

No fewer than 38 suspected members of the radical Boko Haram sect have been killed by troops of  7 Division of the Nigerian Army in the early hours of Thursday while allegedly planning to attack Damboa town in Borno State.

A statement in Maiduguri by the spokesman for the division, Col. Mohammed Dole, said the troops, working on information, responded timely, killing 38 of the insurgents.

The statement further revealed that one soldier was killed while two others sustained injuries.

The statement read, “During their regular robust patrols of their Area of Responsibility (AOR), the troops of 195 Battalion in Damboa successfully repelled planned Boko Haram Terrorists’ attack on residents and military camp. In the early hours (0100 hours) of Thursday, 9 January 2014, the insurgents attempted to launch an attack on Damboa to cause havoc and mayhem, but due to the timely information and gallantry displayed by the troops, the attack was repelled and inflicted heavy casualty on the terrorists.”

The statement also revealed that “some of the insurgents fled with various degrees of injuries.”

“Three (3) vehicles, one Sienna LE, (AE 844 DKW) laden with cylinders and Improvised Explosive Devices, one 911 truck (SA 575 BBU) loaded with 200 bags of food stuff and one Mitsubishi canter truck (XD 441 GG) were recovered,” the statement added.

It also disclosed that “large cache of assorted arms of high caliber weapons and ammunition comprising of General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), Light Machine Guns (LMG) and two AK 47 rifles were seized”.

The statement said a combined ground troops and Nigerian Air Force aircraft were tactically pursuing the fleeing terrorists in the general area of Damboa and surrounding villages.

The Command appealed to the public to avail the troops with useful information to track the fleeing insurgents.