Saturday, September 17, 2016
Saturday, September 3, 2016
RECESSION: Buhari’s way out – Presidency
THE Presidency has said that prior to the confirmation by the National Bureau of Statistics that Nigeria was now officially in recession critical measures were already ongoing to get the country out of the prevailing economic decline.
As a direct response to the fiscal crisis, it said the Federal Government and its agencies were now focusing on agriculture, solid minerals, taxation, infrastructure, industrialisation, plugging leakages, anti-corruption and reducing the cost of governance among others. A functional framework, it said, had been put in place at all levels of government to ensure that current reforms at resuscitating the economy result in a more stable growth that would not be dependent on global oil prices. Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu, who said these in a 2,176-page piece, dismissed insinuations that the government lacked a clear response to the cash crunch, adding that key sectors where the nation had comparative advantage were being developed. The statement which examined the current crisis within the context of insinuations that it was either caused or accentuated by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, said the immediate past administration had postponed the current downturn by borrowing heavily to run the country in addition to the oil revenue it generated. Hence, the admonishment that the present administration should not be blamed for the prevailing hardship across the country, noting the government was only acting truthfully in accordance with the state of the economy. He, however, said that calls for the country to forget the past misgovernance and move ahead were inimical to efforts at reviving the economy, noting that the wrongs of the past must be corrected to avoid repeating the same mistakes. In that regard, Shehu pointed out that the quantum of funds stolen in the past, if not recovered, could likely be deployed in threatening well-intentioned efforts of the Buhari administration. However, he said the present circumstance demands patriotism and sacrifice from all Nigerians to ensure that the country returns to sustainable growth. His words:‘’ See what the current administration is doing to sanitize the huge salary bill by eliminating payroll fraud. So far, the federal payroll has been rid of about 40,000 ghost workers. More than eight billion Naira stolen monthly has been saved. ‘’We are also saving on wasteful expenses like First Class travels and use of private jets for official trips. The federal government is not limiting the reforms to the center but forcing state governments to reform their spending and build savings or investments. ‘’Government is also increasing spending on capital projects especially on infrastructure needed to make Nigerian businesses competitive and create jobs. The administration is at the same time blocking leakages that allowed government revenues to be siphoned into private hands. ‘’Currently, there is a focus on key sectors apart from oil that can create jobs and or generate revenue such as agriculture, solid minerals and manufacturing. If these things had been done when the oil price was as high as $140 per barrel, Nigeria would not be in the current predicament. We would not be suffering now if we had cash reserves, regular supply of power, a good rail system, good roads and good housing. ‘’ From its records so far, this administration is trying to reset the Nigerian economy and ensure that it attains its potential. We are doing this at a time when the global economy is in crisis due to the oil price collapse. Even rich nations like Saudi Arabia are experiencing problems The government is people-focused and wants the economy to grow in a way that will create a more stable future which is not dictated by world oil prices. No more boom and bust. ‘’Nigeria wants to take responsibility for its own destiny. Therefore, our policies will ensure that Nigeria returns to growth in a sustainable manner. No more dependence on oil. Every part of Nigeria has a role to play in contributing to our growth. We will create an environment where people can thrive and where businesses can grow.”
As a direct response to the fiscal crisis, it said the Federal Government and its agencies were now focusing on agriculture, solid minerals, taxation, infrastructure, industrialisation, plugging leakages, anti-corruption and reducing the cost of governance among others. A functional framework, it said, had been put in place at all levels of government to ensure that current reforms at resuscitating the economy result in a more stable growth that would not be dependent on global oil prices. Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu, who said these in a 2,176-page piece, dismissed insinuations that the government lacked a clear response to the cash crunch, adding that key sectors where the nation had comparative advantage were being developed. The statement which examined the current crisis within the context of insinuations that it was either caused or accentuated by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, said the immediate past administration had postponed the current downturn by borrowing heavily to run the country in addition to the oil revenue it generated. Hence, the admonishment that the present administration should not be blamed for the prevailing hardship across the country, noting the government was only acting truthfully in accordance with the state of the economy. He, however, said that calls for the country to forget the past misgovernance and move ahead were inimical to efforts at reviving the economy, noting that the wrongs of the past must be corrected to avoid repeating the same mistakes. In that regard, Shehu pointed out that the quantum of funds stolen in the past, if not recovered, could likely be deployed in threatening well-intentioned efforts of the Buhari administration. However, he said the present circumstance demands patriotism and sacrifice from all Nigerians to ensure that the country returns to sustainable growth. His words:‘’ See what the current administration is doing to sanitize the huge salary bill by eliminating payroll fraud. So far, the federal payroll has been rid of about 40,000 ghost workers. More than eight billion Naira stolen monthly has been saved. ‘’We are also saving on wasteful expenses like First Class travels and use of private jets for official trips. The federal government is not limiting the reforms to the center but forcing state governments to reform their spending and build savings or investments. ‘’Government is also increasing spending on capital projects especially on infrastructure needed to make Nigerian businesses competitive and create jobs. The administration is at the same time blocking leakages that allowed government revenues to be siphoned into private hands. ‘’Currently, there is a focus on key sectors apart from oil that can create jobs and or generate revenue such as agriculture, solid minerals and manufacturing. If these things had been done when the oil price was as high as $140 per barrel, Nigeria would not be in the current predicament. We would not be suffering now if we had cash reserves, regular supply of power, a good rail system, good roads and good housing. ‘’ From its records so far, this administration is trying to reset the Nigerian economy and ensure that it attains its potential. We are doing this at a time when the global economy is in crisis due to the oil price collapse. Even rich nations like Saudi Arabia are experiencing problems The government is people-focused and wants the economy to grow in a way that will create a more stable future which is not dictated by world oil prices. No more boom and bust. ‘’Nigeria wants to take responsibility for its own destiny. Therefore, our policies will ensure that Nigeria returns to growth in a sustainable manner. No more dependence on oil. Every part of Nigeria has a role to play in contributing to our growth. We will create an environment where people can thrive and where businesses can grow.”
Sultan announces Monday, Sept.12 as Eid el-Kabir Day
Sokoto – The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has announced Monday, Sept. 12 as the Eid-El-Kabir Day, 1437 AH. This followed the declaration of Saturday, Sept.3 as the 1st of Zulhijja, 1437 AH.
This is contained in a statement signed by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council of Sokoto . “The committee in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee had received reports from various Moon sighting committees across the country. ” The reports confirmed the sighting of the New Moon of Zulhijja,1437 AH, on Friday, Sept. 2, 2016, which was the 29th day of Zulka’ada, 1437 AH. ” The Sultan and President, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), accepted the reports and accordingly declared Saturday, Sept. 3, as the first day of Zulhijja, 1437 AH. ” Therefore, Monday, Sept.12, which will be equivalent to 10th Zulhijja, and will be marked as this year’s Eid el-Kabir, it added. The statement further quoted the Sultan as felicitating with the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and wished them Allah’s guidance, as well as blessings. The Sultan also urged the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace, progress and development of the country. He also wished all Muslims happy Eid el-Kabir, and prayed Allah (SWT) to accept our religious deeds.
This is contained in a statement signed by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council of Sokoto . “The committee in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee had received reports from various Moon sighting committees across the country. ” The reports confirmed the sighting of the New Moon of Zulhijja,1437 AH, on Friday, Sept. 2, 2016, which was the 29th day of Zulka’ada, 1437 AH. ” The Sultan and President, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), accepted the reports and accordingly declared Saturday, Sept. 3, as the first day of Zulhijja, 1437 AH. ” Therefore, Monday, Sept.12, which will be equivalent to 10th Zulhijja, and will be marked as this year’s Eid el-Kabir, it added. The statement further quoted the Sultan as felicitating with the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and wished them Allah’s guidance, as well as blessings. The Sultan also urged the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace, progress and development of the country. He also wished all Muslims happy Eid el-Kabir, and prayed Allah (SWT) to accept our religious deeds.
Monday, August 22, 2016
IGP hails Onyema for building police station in Anambra community
ULI — Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris has commended Air Peace Chairman, Chief Allen Onyema for building a Police Station at Uli in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. IGP Idris
Speaking during the commissioning of the project at the weekend, the IGP urged other well-to- do Nigerians to emulate Onyema’s generosity and effort to ensure security and peace in the country through his Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria, FEHN. Meanwhile, Onyema has said he embarked on construction of the police station outside his Mbosi community because he was convinced that all Nigerians must support the Federal Government to set up a motivated, efficient and effective police force. Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Sam Okaula, who represented the IGP at the commissioning, said: “Security is everybody’s business. We need to collaborate and cooperate. We need to synergise so that we can create an enabling environment for peace to reign.” Government cannot do it all alone. Those God has blessed should contribute towards the establishment of the enabling environment for providing security for the people. And that is exactly what Onyema has done. I am overwhelmed that this is happening. “The IGP has directed me to appreciate the role that Chief Onyema is playing in our society. The peace we are having through the Amnesty Programme was what Onyema did. We want to urge the sons and daughters of this great land to borrow a leaf from this wonderful man. “He has touched so many lives across the length and breadth of this country. When he was to set up Air Peace, I was one of those who discouraged him because of what it takes to run an airline in this country, but he told me he loves to empower people and that he was not in it to make profit but to empower people and touch lives.” Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Uli Police Station, CSP Odion Ekeinde also commended the Air Peace boss for heeding his call to build a befitting facility for the police to operate in the area. The DPO praised the donor’s father, Chief Michael Onyema for facilitating his access to the Air Peace boss and for visiting the site twice to inspect the project while under construction. For his part, the Air Peace chairman said he was motivated to embark on the construction of the facility when he was told that security at the police station had become porous. Onyema said he was also responsible for the fencing of the police station about seven years ago. He urged Nigerians to support the government in providing security in the country, insisting that police personnel were working under very difficult conditions.
Speaking during the commissioning of the project at the weekend, the IGP urged other well-to- do Nigerians to emulate Onyema’s generosity and effort to ensure security and peace in the country through his Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria, FEHN. Meanwhile, Onyema has said he embarked on construction of the police station outside his Mbosi community because he was convinced that all Nigerians must support the Federal Government to set up a motivated, efficient and effective police force. Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Sam Okaula, who represented the IGP at the commissioning, said: “Security is everybody’s business. We need to collaborate and cooperate. We need to synergise so that we can create an enabling environment for peace to reign.” Government cannot do it all alone. Those God has blessed should contribute towards the establishment of the enabling environment for providing security for the people. And that is exactly what Onyema has done. I am overwhelmed that this is happening. “The IGP has directed me to appreciate the role that Chief Onyema is playing in our society. The peace we are having through the Amnesty Programme was what Onyema did. We want to urge the sons and daughters of this great land to borrow a leaf from this wonderful man. “He has touched so many lives across the length and breadth of this country. When he was to set up Air Peace, I was one of those who discouraged him because of what it takes to run an airline in this country, but he told me he loves to empower people and that he was not in it to make profit but to empower people and touch lives.” Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Uli Police Station, CSP Odion Ekeinde also commended the Air Peace boss for heeding his call to build a befitting facility for the police to operate in the area. The DPO praised the donor’s father, Chief Michael Onyema for facilitating his access to the Air Peace boss and for visiting the site twice to inspect the project while under construction. For his part, the Air Peace chairman said he was motivated to embark on the construction of the facility when he was told that security at the police station had become porous. Onyema said he was also responsible for the fencing of the police station about seven years ago. He urged Nigerians to support the government in providing security in the country, insisting that police personnel were working under very difficult conditions.
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
N23bn Diezani poll cash: Ex-PDP chair refunds N6m to EFCC
ABUJA — Former Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Bagoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Andrew Adamu, yesterday, refunded N5 million of the N12 million he was said to have received in the build-up to the 2015 presidential poll. The payment of the N5 million was in addition to the N1 million he previously made available to the anti-graft agency in order to avert prosecution, thereby bringing his told refund so far to N6 million. The former chairman is said to have made the refund via bank draft to the EFCC North East Zonal Office in Gombe State. EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said Adamu admitted to the zonal office of the commission during an interrogation that he signed and collected the said amount in the presence of Marcus Bulus Makama, a current member of Bauchi State House of Assembly and former caretaker chairman of the local government, Mrs. Hasanna Arkila, who signed as witnesses for the collection of the amount. Adamu told EFCC operatives that the former Commissioner for Rural Development, Mr. Bukata Bayero Bukar, was the chairman of the stakeholders while Mr. Moses Hankali, who was the secretary, stakeholders committee of the PDP, shared the money for the re-election of the former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Havelange, FIFA king neither drank nor smoked
Joao Havelange, who has died at 100, was the man who made FIFA a global powerhouse, only to resign under a cloud of corruption that has darkened the world footballing body’s reputation. His death was confirmed Tuesday by the Samaritano Hospital in Rio de Janeiro. He had been treated there as recently as July for pneumonia. As head of FIFA for 24 years and with half a century on the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Havelange thought and acted big, becoming a central figure in the evolution of today’s sporting mega-events.
Among his last achievements was to use his clout to help Rio win its bid to host this year’s Olympic Games — the first held in South America. Havelange “sees the world through a telescope and not through a microscope,” former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger said. Born to a wealthy Belgian immigrant family in Rio de Janeiro in 1916, Jean-Marie Faustin Goedefroid de Havelange graduated with a law degree, but sport was his true love. He represented Brazil in swimming at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin and again in Helsinki in 1952, where he was on the water polo team. His real calling turned out to be in management where he rose to the top echelons of sporting bodies, setting a standard for the kind of lengthy — and deeply entrenched — reigns that some critics blame for fostering a culture of corruption. Havelange was president of the Brazilian Sports Confederation for 15 years and joined the Brazilian Olympic Committee in 1955, then the IOC in 1963 where he would remain until 2011. In 1974 he got the job of FIFA president, succeeding Sir Stanley Rous as the first non-European in the role. Over the next quarter century Havelange would change the way the world experienced football. – Global game – Under Havelange the World Cup expanded from a 16-nation event focused on Europe and a few South American sides to the planet-wide sporting festival it has become. By the time Havelange handed over the FIFA reins to Sepp Blatter in 1998, the number of competing nations had doubled to 32, with 12 coming from Asia, Africa or the CONCACAF region for North and Central America and the Caribbean. He also oversaw FIFA’s inauguration of the Under-17 World Cup, the World Youth Cup, the Women’s World Cup, the Indoor World Cup and also introduced the Confederations’ Cup, played between continental champions. “I did not become president of FIFA just to watch good football and applaud,” Havelange said just before making way for Blatter. – Money games – Havelange neither drank nor smoked and met with Pope John Paul II on no less than three occasions. However, there was a less savory side to the clean-living sports powerbroker. Amid swirling allegations of corruption, Havelange resigned from the IOC in December 2011. Officially he left for health reasons, but his departure was two days before he was due to face an ethics investigation into allegations he had taken bribes to funnel contracts to a marketing company called ISL. In 2013, Havelange resigned as honorary president of FIFA after confirmation of reports that he had taken bribes. Critics say that corruption was as much Havelange’s legacy as the successful internationalization of football. His successor Blatter would himself announce his resignation in June 2015 after a massive corruption probe led to the arrests of seven top FIFA officials. Havelange still casts a long shadow over international sport. Athletes competing in the Rio Games race in a stadium which — despite complaints from some quarters — still bears the name: Joao Havelange Olympic Stadium.
Among his last achievements was to use his clout to help Rio win its bid to host this year’s Olympic Games — the first held in South America. Havelange “sees the world through a telescope and not through a microscope,” former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger said. Born to a wealthy Belgian immigrant family in Rio de Janeiro in 1916, Jean-Marie Faustin Goedefroid de Havelange graduated with a law degree, but sport was his true love. He represented Brazil in swimming at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin and again in Helsinki in 1952, where he was on the water polo team. His real calling turned out to be in management where he rose to the top echelons of sporting bodies, setting a standard for the kind of lengthy — and deeply entrenched — reigns that some critics blame for fostering a culture of corruption. Havelange was president of the Brazilian Sports Confederation for 15 years and joined the Brazilian Olympic Committee in 1955, then the IOC in 1963 where he would remain until 2011. In 1974 he got the job of FIFA president, succeeding Sir Stanley Rous as the first non-European in the role. Over the next quarter century Havelange would change the way the world experienced football. – Global game – Under Havelange the World Cup expanded from a 16-nation event focused on Europe and a few South American sides to the planet-wide sporting festival it has become. By the time Havelange handed over the FIFA reins to Sepp Blatter in 1998, the number of competing nations had doubled to 32, with 12 coming from Asia, Africa or the CONCACAF region for North and Central America and the Caribbean. He also oversaw FIFA’s inauguration of the Under-17 World Cup, the World Youth Cup, the Women’s World Cup, the Indoor World Cup and also introduced the Confederations’ Cup, played between continental champions. “I did not become president of FIFA just to watch good football and applaud,” Havelange said just before making way for Blatter. – Money games – Havelange neither drank nor smoked and met with Pope John Paul II on no less than three occasions. However, there was a less savory side to the clean-living sports powerbroker. Amid swirling allegations of corruption, Havelange resigned from the IOC in December 2011. Officially he left for health reasons, but his departure was two days before he was due to face an ethics investigation into allegations he had taken bribes to funnel contracts to a marketing company called ISL. In 2013, Havelange resigned as honorary president of FIFA after confirmation of reports that he had taken bribes. Critics say that corruption was as much Havelange’s legacy as the successful internationalization of football. His successor Blatter would himself announce his resignation in June 2015 after a massive corruption probe led to the arrests of seven top FIFA officials. Havelange still casts a long shadow over international sport. Athletes competing in the Rio Games race in a stadium which — despite complaints from some quarters — still bears the name: Joao Havelange Olympic Stadium.
Ban on conference souvenirs not addressing economic challenges- Shehu Sani
The Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Sen. Shehu Sani, has said that the recent Federal Government’s ban on conference materials and souvenirs was not a solution to the nation’s economic challenges.
Sani made this known when he featured at the News agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja. He said the ban would contribute little or nothing to tackling the current economic problems in the country, describing the measure as cosmetic. The lawmaker urged the government’s economic team and other relevant stakeholders to find lasting solution to the nation’s challenges rather than discouraging small-scale businesses from growing. He also urged the Federal Government to give a human face to any new policy on internally-generated revenue. According to him, any policy on revenue generation that will affect common Nigerians negatively will make life unbearable for them. “IGR should not be about making life unbearable for the people, because you want more money to do your own project. “It should be about targeting very key areas of business that will further add to revenue. “We have the upper, middle and lower class and I think the lower class of Nigerians has suffered enough. “They have suffered enough from previous governments and they should not suffer now in the name of trying to revive our economy,’’ he said. (NAN)
Sani made this known when he featured at the News agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja. He said the ban would contribute little or nothing to tackling the current economic problems in the country, describing the measure as cosmetic. The lawmaker urged the government’s economic team and other relevant stakeholders to find lasting solution to the nation’s challenges rather than discouraging small-scale businesses from growing. He also urged the Federal Government to give a human face to any new policy on internally-generated revenue. According to him, any policy on revenue generation that will affect common Nigerians negatively will make life unbearable for them. “IGR should not be about making life unbearable for the people, because you want more money to do your own project. “It should be about targeting very key areas of business that will further add to revenue. “We have the upper, middle and lower class and I think the lower class of Nigerians has suffered enough. “They have suffered enough from previous governments and they should not suffer now in the name of trying to revive our economy,’’ he said. (NAN)
My removal, act of God, says ex-JAMB registrar
Ibadan—THE immediate past Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor, Dibu Ojerinde, has said his removal was not occasioned by rumoured disagreement he had with the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu.
He said contrary to reports that he had misunderstanding with the minister, there was no such thing, adding that he had prepared his mind for the removal several months before it was finally announced. He appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari and the minister for giving him the opportunity to stay in office till the time he was removed. The professor of Test and Measurement and pioneer Registrar/CEO of the National Examination Council (NECO) said this during a thanksgiving service at the First Baptist Church, Igboho, Oyo State. He said he was grateful to all Nigerians, especially former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan as well as President Buhari, for believing in him and giving the opportunities to serve his country. “I have always believed in God’s timing. I had prepared my mind that anything could happen and this development did not meet me unexpectedly. Even when I met with the minister, he said he would have loved that I finished my term, I told him that it was God’s time and that God’s time is always the best.” ”I am grateful to him and to President Buhari as well as his predecessors in office, Chief Obasanjo and Dr Jonathan. In fact, I am grateful to all Nigerians for giving me the platforms to serve my country in the last 25 years.” Before his appointment as JAMB boss, he was first appointed as the Director of Monitoring, National Primary Education Commission in 1990, and had since served in several capacities in the education sector including the National Board for Education Measurement, Minna, which later became NECO.
He said contrary to reports that he had misunderstanding with the minister, there was no such thing, adding that he had prepared his mind for the removal several months before it was finally announced. He appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari and the minister for giving him the opportunity to stay in office till the time he was removed. The professor of Test and Measurement and pioneer Registrar/CEO of the National Examination Council (NECO) said this during a thanksgiving service at the First Baptist Church, Igboho, Oyo State. He said he was grateful to all Nigerians, especially former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan as well as President Buhari, for believing in him and giving the opportunities to serve his country. “I have always believed in God’s timing. I had prepared my mind that anything could happen and this development did not meet me unexpectedly. Even when I met with the minister, he said he would have loved that I finished my term, I told him that it was God’s time and that God’s time is always the best.” ”I am grateful to him and to President Buhari as well as his predecessors in office, Chief Obasanjo and Dr Jonathan. In fact, I am grateful to all Nigerians for giving me the platforms to serve my country in the last 25 years.” Before his appointment as JAMB boss, he was first appointed as the Director of Monitoring, National Primary Education Commission in 1990, and had since served in several capacities in the education sector including the National Board for Education Measurement, Minna, which later became NECO.
‘My wife must swear in my village to prove her faithfulness’
A 41-year-old man, James Omale, yesterday, told an Igando Customary Court, Lagos, that his wife must go to his village and swear an oath to proof her fidelity. Omale, a self-employed, told the court while responding to a divorce suit of a two-year-old marriage filed by his wife, Yetunde, said: “My wife knows that she is guilty of adultery, that is why she is afraid to go to my village to swear. “She left her matrimonial home for a month to an unknown destination. In my tradition, when a woman leaves her matrimonial home and wants to come back, she must first go to our village to swear that no man has slept with her. “My wife left my house without my consent and when she returned, she refused to go to my village instead, she rushed to court to ask for divorce.” He described his wife as “an ingrate,” saying “I sponsored Yetunde from her 100 level to final year. After her graduation, I lost my banking job and she told me she was not interested in the marriage again.” Wife’s fears The petitioner, Yetunde, 29, had filed the suit seeking for the dissolution of the marriage over alleged use of force by her husband to make her swear an oath. She told the court that her husband asked her to go to his village to make sacrifice. According to Yetunde, “my husband tells me to travel to his village in Benue State to make sacrifice and swear to an oath to prove that no other man had slept with me. “He tells me that he always sees a man making love to me in his dream. His elder brother is an herbalist and his wife is currently mad, while his second brother’s wife has been sick for years without solution. “They cast spell on the wife of his other elder brother who is now a prostitute. I will never be a victim of their evil plan.” The mother of one added: “My husband always leaves the house without my knowledge and he will never care to call me. Because of his bad behaviour, I went to stay in my parent’s house.” The petitioner urged the court to dissolve the marriage because she was no longer in love with the husband. President of the court, Mr. Adegboyega Omilola, adjourned the case to September 6 for judgment.
Police, residents clash over estate in Aba
ABA—Policemen believed to be attached to the Police Mobile Force, PMF 55 Squadron, Aba, have clashed with residents of Unity Garden Estate, Osisioma Ngwa council, Abia State, over who has the right to occupy the estate.
A section of the Estate, serves as the base of the PMF 55 Squadron, while civilian residents occupy the larger part. The PMF 55 which was formerly located at Nsulu Games Village in Isiala Ngwa North council was relocated to the estate at the height of the kidnapping incidents which swept through Aba and its environs in 2009. Vanguard gathered that the Policemen, who were formerly living at the abandoned Enyimba hotel in Ogbor Hill, were ordered to vacate the area to give way to rehabilitation work on the hotel. But faced with inadequate accommodation, the policemen soon stormed the estate and sacked some residents. As at the time Vanguard visited the area, some policemen were stranded with their families. Some of the residents of the estate, including Virginus Eke, said, ‘the Policemen invaded our houses asking us to vacate. Some of us lost our houses while others were asked to vacate some of the rooms in their houses for policemen and their families. “What they did to us is inhuman. We rehabilitated some of the buildings in this estate before packing in. We pay rent to the owners of the estate and do not deserve this ill treatment. Where do they want us to go after using our money to rehabilitate the estate?” When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ogbonnaya Nta, said the Estate is for Policemen. According to him,”The Estate is for the Police as directed. No civilian is allowed to live in the estate with the Police. But the Commander, MOPOL 55 Squadron has shown mercy on them and asked those with families and occupying two rooms to vacate one and stay in one while looking for accommodation.”
A section of the Estate, serves as the base of the PMF 55 Squadron, while civilian residents occupy the larger part. The PMF 55 which was formerly located at Nsulu Games Village in Isiala Ngwa North council was relocated to the estate at the height of the kidnapping incidents which swept through Aba and its environs in 2009. Vanguard gathered that the Policemen, who were formerly living at the abandoned Enyimba hotel in Ogbor Hill, were ordered to vacate the area to give way to rehabilitation work on the hotel. But faced with inadequate accommodation, the policemen soon stormed the estate and sacked some residents. As at the time Vanguard visited the area, some policemen were stranded with their families. Some of the residents of the estate, including Virginus Eke, said, ‘the Policemen invaded our houses asking us to vacate. Some of us lost our houses while others were asked to vacate some of the rooms in their houses for policemen and their families. “What they did to us is inhuman. We rehabilitated some of the buildings in this estate before packing in. We pay rent to the owners of the estate and do not deserve this ill treatment. Where do they want us to go after using our money to rehabilitate the estate?” When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ogbonnaya Nta, said the Estate is for Policemen. According to him,”The Estate is for the Police as directed. No civilian is allowed to live in the estate with the Police. But the Commander, MOPOL 55 Squadron has shown mercy on them and asked those with families and occupying two rooms to vacate one and stay in one while looking for accommodation.”
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