Here & There Gists: Algeria: Wheelchair bound Bouteflika sworn-in for ...

Here & There Gists: Algeria: Wheelchair bound Bouteflika sworn-in for ...: Abdelaziz Bouteflika was sworn in as Algeria’s president for a fourth term Monday, in a televised ceremony after his re-election in a campai...

Algeria: Wheelchair bound Bouteflika sworn-in for 4th term

Abdelaziz Bouteflika was sworn in as Algeria’s president for a fourth term Monday, in a televised ceremony after his re-election in a campaign he was too sick to participate in.

Sitting in a wheelchair, Bouteflika placed his right hand on the Koran as he repeated in a frail voice the oath read out by a judge, before saying his election was a “victory for the state”.

Bouteflika, who was also in a wheelchair when he cast his own vote on election day, has hardly been seen in public since a mini-stroke which confined him to hospital in Paris for three months last year.

The 77-year-old then issued a brief statement in which he said his election was a “victory for the state”.

After shaking hands with the head of a constitutional panel, Mourad Medelci, and members of his government, Bouteflika was greeted by celebratory ululation.

Official results showed he won 81.5 percent of the votes in an election marred by low turnout and claims of fraud by his opponents, including main rival Ali Benflis, who received just 12.18 percent.

The opposition had said they would boycott Monday’s swearing in ceremony, including five parties that had called on their supporters to stay away from the election.

Bouteflika remains very popular with many Algerians for helping to end a devastating civil war in the 1990s, although many people had been clamouring for change.

UK, US join search for abducted schoolgirls

Britain and the United States of America have joined the search for the 234 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno, by the Boko Haram sect, SUNDAY PUNCH can authoritatively report.

The girls were kidnapped in their hostel on April 14 after members of the sect, pretending to be soldiers, lured the pupils away from their hostel before setting it ablaze.

About 30 of the girls escaped from captivity while about a dozen, who fled into the bush when the sect attacked the school, have since returned to the school.

The military had initially claimed that it had rescued all but 18 of the girls but the school principal, Asabe Kwabura, debunked the statement.

Parents who tried to rescue their children from the Sambisa Forest where the pupils are reportedly being kept by Boko Haram had to turn back when they learnt that the sect was heavily armed and that they might lose their lives in the process.

An enlarged Security Council meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday directed the military to do everything possible to rescue the schoolgirls.

On Friday, British Foreign Secretary, William Hague, said his country had begun talks with Nigeria over the incident.

He stated this in a response made available to our correspondent by the spokesperson of the British High Commission in Abuja, Mr. Robert Fitzpatrick.

Hague said, “The appalling abduction in northern Nigeria on April 14 is a stark reminder of the threat of sexual violence faced by women in conflict prone areas.

“I am very concerned that the majority of the girls are still missing.  I spoke to Nigerian Foreign Minister, Wali, about this case on 18 April, and we are talking to Nigerian authorities about how best to assist in their efforts to secure the girls’ release and bring those responsible to justice.”

Similarly, in a response to SUNDAY PUNCH’s inquiry, the Canadian Counsellor in Abuja, Ms. Alexandra Mackenzie, said her country was disturbed by the news of the abducted girls.

She said, “We are very concerned about the case of the kidnapped girls in the North-East.

“The High Commission of Canada is following the development closely here in Nigeria.”

It was further gathered on Friday that the Federal Government had also enlisted the intelligence services of the United States in the search for the abducted pupils.

A competent security source said the Federal Government would rely on the higher technology of the US and UK to facilitate the search for the missing girls.

The source, who pleaded anonymity, stated that there would be no physical presence of operatives of the Western agencies in the operation to rescue the girls.

He added that security operatives engaged in the search for the pupils had made some arrests.

The source did not disclose the number of suspects arrested in relation to the incident.

It was gathered that those arrested included a security guard at the school and some members of the Chibok community, whose names came up during the military’s interaction with some of the girls who escaped from the insurgents.

The source stated, “The whole emphasis is on intelligence gathering; and that is why the Federal Government is contacting the US and the UK to assist in the area of intelligence gathering.

“Another thing you must know is that several arrests have been made, and a lot of efforts are being made.

“The security guard at the school in Chibok is being quizzed and some people from the community too have been arrested,” the source said.

When our correspondent contacted the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen Chris Olukolade, for his comment on the search for the abducted girls,  he said, “The search for the girls is being intensified.”

Boko Haram will pay for Abuja blast — Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday promised Nigerians that those behind the recent Nyanya bomb blast in Abuja that left about 86 persons dead would be punished.

Jonathan made the promise in his remarks at the Fourth Presidential National Prayer Breakfast held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said his prayers were with the victims of Boko Haram, their families and loved ones. He said his government would continue to offer the assistance needed to support them.

He said, “Today, our prayers are with the victims of Boko Haram, their families and loved ones. The last tragedy of these heinous ideology occurred while we were preparing to mark the resurrection of our Lord at Easter, bringing sorrow to many families.

“The government is offering all assistance to support the affected families as the security agencies work tirelessly to unravel the scourge of this evil and to forestall further senseless desecration of our homeland.

“And of course, no matter what the government does, we cannot recover the dead but one thing we promise is that all those who took part in that act will surely pay for it.”

The President said Nigerians need to rely on God to pursue peace and overcome enemies of the nation.

While thanking Nigerians for their prayers, Jonathan said their love for the country gives him hope and encouragement to do more for the good of Nigeria.

He said with the determination and commitment of all and with God on the side of the country, the nation would overcome its challenges which he described as temporary and ephemeral.

“I urge you not to relent in your prayers and dedication because overcoming the present challenges we face may look impossible with men, but with God, all things are possible.

“This is clearly seen in the scriptures and this is my faith. This is one of the things that make me smile whenever you see me.

“Nigeria is our home and it cannot be abandoned to anyone else,” the President declared.

The President added that no criminal would be able to stop the country from reaching its destination.

The President of Benin Republic, Boni Yayi, in his goodwill message asked God to forgive those who abducted schoolgirls in a school in Chibok, Borno State, saying they did not know the implication of their actions.

Yayi said his country, West Africa and Africa would always stand by Nigeria because the country has a divine mission in the sub-region and the continent.

The President’s Chaplain, Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba, said the event was organised to thank God for being merciful to the present administration and to ask for more grace.

Onwuzurumba said the country would not fail despite the activities of the enemies of the nation.

The Director-General of the National Institute for Transformation, Prof. Vincent Anigbogu, in his message described nation-building as the toughest job in the world.

He said, “Our response to enemies is to tell them that Nigeria must move forward. All great visions for Nigeria must move forward.

“The threat of Boko Haram shall be insignificant. If your (Jonathan’s) desire is to change this nation for better, God will honour it.

“Many great leaders like Nelson Mandela and others have faced similar challenges and overcame them. You are not alone sir, if they succeeded, you can succeed.

“During threat, we must focus on our goals. Don’t allow distractions. Nigeria must remain multi-lingual, multi-cultural and multi-religiou country.

“No single organisation can derail this country. We must arise during this season and be extraordinarily tough. we must be entrepreneurial in our thinking and be ready to find our ways to the top.”

The Bible lesson for the service was read from Luke 13:31-33 by the President’s wife, Patience.

Top APC Official In Ogun Beats His Mistress For Refusing To Attend Party With Him

Bayo Awosanya, a prominent member of the All Progressives Coalition in Ogun State, has gone underground after he allegedly battered his mistress who asked to be identified simply as Victoria. According to the victim and a police source, Mr. Awosanya beat his girlfriend over her failure to join him at a social party over the weekend.

 The victim, who has a child with her alleged assaulter, told SaharaReporters that she was determined to end the relationship.

Our police source said the APC official had asked Victoria to meet him at a “house warming” party, but got uncontrollably furious when he returned from the event and found her still at home. As the mistress attempted to explain her absence, Mr. Awosanya dealt her several blows to the face and head.

The victim, who showed serious head wounds, explained that she had fallen asleep after receiving Mr. Awosanya’s telephone call, waking up only after the party would have been over. Irate, the APC official reportedly pummeled her with punches before bashing her head into a glass-window steel grille, telling her it was time for her to die.

In an interview with SaharaReporters on Friday, the victim, Ms. Victoria, said she had tried to escape the assault, but Mr. Awosanya grabbed her hair weave-on and violently pulled it out. She added that the APC official was fond of physically maltreating her. Ms. Victoria stated that she could no longer remember the number of times Mr. Awosanya battered her. She told a correspondent of the website that the last beating was too gruesome because she feared he was about to kill her. She vowed to end her relationship with the politician.

She said Mr. Awosanya had given her a vicious beating in 2008, two days before their “introduction ceremony,” a prelude to traditional marriage. She explained that she had often postponed their marriage plans due to fear of the politician’s horrible temper and his possible involvement in “fetish” and a dangerous lifestyle.

Mr. Awosanya was in line to become an executive member of the APC after a party congress that held yesterday.

Ms. Victoria accused the APC politician of practicing different kinds of religions out of desperation. She added that he engages in all manner of rituals in a desperate bid to advance his political goals and financial interests.

She disclosed that Mr. Awosanya had once forced her to swear to a “fetish” oath in which she had to pledge never to sleep with another man except after his death.

Ms. Victoria disclosed that she and Mr. Awosanya have a two-year old baby named Jomiloju.

Officials of the Ogun State police command claimed that they could not find Mr. Awosanya to arrest him, but a police source told SaharaReporters that they knew the politician was in town. The source added that the alleged batterer was expected to be present at his party’s state congress where he was going to be inaugurated as the APC’s financial accountant.

“We know where Chief [Awosanya] is, but our commander doesn’t want to be involved in this palaver,” our police source said.

Nigeria’s Vice President Younger Brother Dies In Auto Accident In Abuja

The immediate younger brother of Nigeria’s Vice President, Namadi Sambo has died in a ghastly road accident in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The VP’s brother, Sabo Sambo died on Sunday when his vehicle veered off the airport road in Abuja. The car hit a tree before exploding and instantly killing the former pilot according to eyewitnesses. 

Mr. Sambo was a pilot in defunct Nigerian airways, he listed his expertise as flying Boeing 737 aircrafts according to his profile on linkedin. He later became the CEO of  Manyata Engineering Services Ltd an aviation consultancy business he started 7 years ago.
 

The VP had just returned from a trip to Tanzania, tonight he  received President Goodluck Jonathan on a condolence visit.

In 2012, President Jonathan younger brother, Meni, also died of an undisclosed ailment in Abuja. 

Oba of Benin tells Jonathan to seek re-election

The Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa I, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to seek re-election even as he urged him not to be distracted by the wave of disturbances in parts of the country.

He assured the President that the spirit of the ancestors of the Benin kingdom would see him through.

The monarch’s message was delivered to the President by his first son, Ambassador Eheneden Erediuwa, who was accompanied to the Presidential Villa by the Chairman, Ocean Marine Tankers Limited, Capt. Hosa Okunbo.

He said, “He (Erediauwa)also prays that the opportunity will come for him to continue the good work he is doing in Benin and other parts of the South-South for at least another term.

He told State House correspondents at the end of his meeting with the President that his father decided to send him on the errand because the monarch no longer travels due to old age.

The prince said, “I am here on a special mission and having been an ambassador to many countries, I can say I am a special envoy who is carrying a special message on behalf of my father who sent me here to convey this message to Mr. President that we have been following the things that have been happening in the country.

“My father is praying for Mr. President in the Benin Kingdom. He is praying fervently for him to be able to withstand the pressure. He sent me to let Mr. President know that the spirits of the ancestors of the kingdom are with him and they will see him through.

“He also pray that the opportunity will come for him to continue the good work he is doing in Benin and other parts of South-South for at least another term.

“That is the commitment we have in this kind of special prayer coming from the Oba of Benin. He sent me as his eldest son, so you can imagine the importance that my father attaches to such a message.”

He said the monarch also requested that Jonathan finds time to visit him in Benin so that he could offer him fatherly advice that would help in nation building.