Taliban attack on US guesthouse kills Afghan girl

Taliban militants on Friday attacked
a Kabul guesthouse used by a US anti-landmine
charity, killing two people including one girl as
gunfire and explosions rocked the Afghan capital
one week before the presidential election.
A terrified group of foreigners, including several
young children, briefly took shelter behind a
generator on the street as Afghan special force
commandos fought militants for more than three
hours.
“One small Afghan girl, who was a passer-by, has
been killed. We managed to safely evacuate 31
foreign nationals from inside the building,” Kabul
police chief Mohammad Zaher told AFP.
The interior ministry spokesman said one driver had
also been killed.
Roots of Peace’s country director Sharif Osmani
confirmed its guesthouse had been attacked, adding
that three Afghans were injured and that three
people had been trapped inside before being
rescued.
The charity, based in San Francisco, has been
working in Afghanistan since 2003, running projects
to turn minefields into vineyards and orchards.
Friday’s attack is the fourth significant attack this
year in Kabul targeting foreigners or places where
foreigners congregate.
The Taliban have vowed a campaign of violence to
disrupt the polls on April 5, urging their fighters to
attack polling staff, voters and security forces in the
run-up to election day.
Friday’s assault, involving five attackers, began
with a car bomb detonated in front of the building
and continued until after dark as commandos
hunted down attackers inside the compound.
“Roots of Peace has been a valued partner for
Afghanistan, with the support of USAID,” US
Ambassador James Cunningham said on Twitter.
“We condemn this attack on an organization that
only seeks to help Afghans improve their lives and
livelihoods.”
Afghan police said two Americans, a Peruvian, a
Malaysian and an Australian were among those
rescued, and that all five attackers had been killed.
There was no immediate confirmation of
nationalities.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack,
and said the target was a foreign guesthouse that
they alleged was also used as a church.
Roots of Peace clears minefields laid during the
Soviet occupation of the 1980s and the civil war of
the 1990s and to convert the land for agricultural
use.
Since 1989, when Soviet forces left Afghanistan,
more than 4,000 people have been killed and 17,000
injured by mines, according to an estimate by the
UN’s Mine Action Coordination Center of
Afghanistan.
- Rising violence -
The assault comes just three days after Taliban
militants stormed an office of the Independent
Election Commission in Kabul, killing five people.
Last Thursday four Taliban gunmen smuggled
pistols into Kabul’s high-security Serena hotel and
shot dead nine people including four foreigners.
The victims also included Agence France-Presse
journalist Sardar Ahmad, his wife and two of their
three children.
Those attacks followed the daylight shooting of a
Swedish radio journalist and an assault in January
on a Lebanese restaurant that killed 21 people
including 13 foreigners.
The vote to choose a successor to President Hamid
Karzai, barred constitutionally from seeking a third
term, will be Afghanistan’s first-ever democratic
handover of power.
But there are fears of a repeat of the bloodshed that
marred the 2004 and 2009 elections, when the
Taliban displayed their opposition to the US-backed
polls through violence.
Another bloody election would damage claims by
international donors that the expensive intervention
in Afghanistan has made progress in establishing a
functioning state.
The surge in attacks on foreigners in Kabul will also
raise fears that independent poll monitors will be
unable to work effectively, threatening the credibility
of the April 5 vote.
A disputed result would put whoever wins the
election in a weak position as Afghan security
forces take on the Taliban without NATO’s 53,000
combat troops behind them.
US-led NATO combat troops are withdrawing from
the country after 13 years of fighting the Islamist
insurgency, which erupted when the Taliban were
ousted from power after the 9/11 attacks on the
United States.

Kompany warns Manchester City: Title is not won yet

Though Manuel Pellegrini's men maintained their bid
to win the Premier League after their 3-0 victory over
Manchester United, the defender is wary of thinking
that the job is done.
Manchester City captain
Vincent Kompany has
warned his team-mates that
they cannot afford to get
carried away after beating
Manchester United on
Wednesday.
Tuesday's comfortable 3-0 victory at Old Trafford
saw City close the gap on leaders Chelsea to three
points, with Manuel Pellegrini's men boasting two
games in hand.

Technology transfer: FG, Huawei boost IT education with N315m

As part of its technology transfer commitment in
providing more training opportunities to Nigeria in
2014, the Vice President of the leading global
information and communications technology (ICT)
solutions provider, Huawei West Africa, Mr. Hover
Gao has disclosed that the company in partnership
with the Federal Ministry of Communications
Technology, FMCT have committed about N315
million in ICT trainings in Nigeria.
It would be recalled that Huawei was the first ICT
solutions provider to establish an ICT training
center in Abuja back in 2004 and since then the
training center has provided more than 5,000
opportunities to ICT practitioners.
Before now, Huawei on the 4th of November 2013
had announced a partnership with the Federal
Ministry of Communications Technology, FMCT to
provide 1,000 Nigerian girls with basic ICT training,
which is part of the global campaign “Tech Needs
Girls” developed by The International
Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Gao who stated this in a press conference at the
weekend said that this global sensitization
campaign has raged for over 20 years and has
produced tangible results in many countries
including Nigeria.
With this, he further disclosed that , Marco Obiso,
the Cyber security Coordinator of International
Telecom Union (ITU), on November, 2013 had
visited Huawei Nigeria to evaluate this program and
to share the experience with ITU members globally.
Accordingly, the investment on this program, he
said form Huawei worth N215 million Naira and
additional N100 million from the FMCT.
The training program flagged off in November 2013
between the Federal Ministry of Communications
Technology and Huawei, according to Gao has
already provided 424 training opportunities for the
Nigerian girls during 9 sessions until now.
By the end of this program, he said hat 200 top
participants out of the 1,000 girls will get further
training for the attainment of a certification as
Huawei Certified Datacom Associate (HCDA).
Top achievers with Huawei HCDA certification ,
according to him, will have the priority-access to
Huawei Human resources pool to be employed by
Huawei.
“All the participants will be recommended by
Huawei to Huawei Channel partners such as
operators, ICT solutions providers and ICT
departments in enterprises. An awards ceremony
will be organized this April as ITU has designated
the 4th Thursday in April every year as a day set to
celebrate and encourage girls to take up careers in
ICT” he added.
To grow with Nigeria, the VP of Huawei West Africa
said that the ICT company increased its investment
in Nigeria year by year.
“Huawei is the first ICT solutions provider who
invests millions of dollars to establish its regional
network operation center in Lagos which is said to
have the capability of maintaining all the Huawei
networks in Africa.
“ In 2013, Huawei set up an ICT exhibition hall in
Lagos. Thousands of people of different background
have visited the exhibition hall to get a better
understanding of ICT industry,”explained.
By so doing, he said that Huawei strives to create a
platform to nurture work-ready and world-
To bridge the digital divide, he said hat Huawei also
established ICT scholarship programs in Nigeria to
support university students.
The Vice President of Huawei West Africa assured
that the company was committed to providing more
training opportunities to Nigeria in 2014.
Disclosing that Huawei is now trying to create a
platform for more people to get involved in this
program, he said: “Technology transfer is the key
strategy of Huawei Nigeria and localization is
another one. The ICT training programs for Huawei
partners and Huawei staffs are initiatives to make
these strategies practical.
“It is a Win-Win business for Huawei to provide the
training courses. Firstly, staffs of Huawei and the
telecom companies will be educated with the latest
ICT solutions and technologies, which will empower
them with the knowledge to find the best solutions
for Nigeria telecoms industry.
“Secondly, talents can be cultivated and selected
during the training program. Top trainees will be
recommended to core post such as networks
planning officer. Thirdly, the training program for
young students will inspire their interests in ICT
which will attract more talents to this industry.”
“ICT industry is booming in Nigeria and statistics
show that ICT industry has contributed about 8% to
GDP growth while this figure might be 15% by 2015.
But there are also challenges for ICT industry such
as stable power solutions for telecom
infrastructures, National Broadband construction,
better and cheaper access to internet.
“How to solve these problems and how Nigeria can
hold the leading position in building a modern
information nation are challenges for all the
stakeholders.
“The competitive Human resources are the key
factors for the sustainable growth in every industry.
Huawei would like to face the challenges and seize
the opportunities to make better telecom
connections for Nigeria by cultivating more local
talents and ICT professions besides providing
innovative equipments and solutions”, Gao
explained.

Student in prison custody pending over rape

What's the thing with rape in Nigeria?

An Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court in Karu,
FCT on Wedneday, ordered that a student, Fidelis
Ojor, 19, be remanded in Keffi Prison, pending ruling
in a bail application.
Ojor is arraigned for attempted rape of a minor.
Senior Magistrate, Anna Akobi, fixed the date after
hearing an oral bail application by the counsel to the
accused, Mr Sunny Egbaji.
Akobi fixed April 4 for ruling in the bail application.
Ealier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Bulus Samuel, told the
court that Ojor, who lives behind Gowon Barracks,
Abuja, lured a three-year-old girl into his house
where he attempted to defy her.
Samuel alleged that the case was reported at the
police station on Jan. 21 by Mr Chibueze Okereke,
the girl’s father.
He further alleged that the accused forcefully
inserted his finger into the minor’s private part,
leaving her with bruises and severe pains.
He said that the offence contravened section 285 of
the Penal Code, which prescribed a seven-year jail
term for attempted rape.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Counsel to the accused, Egbaji, made an oral bail
application, stating that “the accused is a promising
young man, who has unfortunately become a victim
of this allegation’’.
But the prosecutor objected to the application on the
ground that offences bordering on rape were not
ordinarily bailable, adding that investigation was still
on-going.
He stated that the police were still awaiting results
of the medical test carried out on the victim from
the hospital.
“Granting him bail could affect our investigation as
we are not magicians to fabricate facts.
“Besides, the accused had earlier been arraigned on
the same matter at the Upper Area Court in Karu
and the prosecutor applied for withdrawal of the
case which was granted.
“The prosecutor re-arrested the accused, who was
in police custody for more than two weeks, before
he was brought to this court today.

Police arrest Nasarawa Commissioner for jumping state House of Assembly fence

hmmmn i cnt stop laughing... Nothing we wunt see in 9ja

The Nasarawa Police Command, Tuesday,
arrested the Nasarawa State Attorney General and
Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Innocent Lagi, for
scaling the fence of the State House of Assembly to
serve a court order.
Lagi was at the Assembly to serve the officials with
a court injunction restraining the House from
summoning the  chairman of Nasarawa State
Independent Electoral Commission, NASIEC, and his
commissioners to appear before them.
However, the News Agency of Nigeria, reported
that he was not allowed to enter the premises by
the security officers.
The Attorney-General, after being denied access to
the complex, decided to jump over the fence, which
prompted the legislators to order security officials to
arrest him.
It was also reported that before Lagi arrived at the
Assembly complex, the Chairman of the
commission, Dr. Abdullahi Modibo, and five other
commissioners had already responded to questions
raised by members on the conduct of the exercise.

Liverpool 'calm' over title chances, claims Suarez

The Uruguay international hit a hat-trick in the Reds'
6-3 win over Cardiff but insists he and his team-
mates are refusing to be swept away by talk of a title
charge.
Luis Suarez claims Liverpool
are keeping “calm” about
their Premier League title
chances.
The Uruguayan hit a stunning
hat-trick in the Reds' 6-3
win over Cardiff City on Saturday, a result which
pushed the Merseysiders to within four points of
league leaders Chelsea, who defeated Arsenal 6-0 in
the early kick-off.

Malaysia says French satellites spot objects in search area

Malaysia said Sunday it had
received new satellite images from France showing
floating objects in the main search area for a
missing Malaysian jet in the Indian Ocean.
The images include “potential objects in the vicinity
of the southern corridor”, the Transport Ministry
said in a statement.

Namibians hail Jonathan ‘Igwe!’

President Goodluck Jonathan rounded up his state
visit to Namibia yesterday where he was conferred
with “Order of Welwitschia”, the Namibia highest
national honour, by President Hifikepunye Pohamba.
The ceremony took place at the Independence
Stadium, Windhoek, and was attended by the
founding President and the father of the Namibian
nation, Dr Sam Nujoma.
Over 35,000 persons witnessed the ceremony at
the stadium which was full to capacity.
President Jonathan who arrived the stadium in in
company of his wife, Dame Patience, was greeted
with a loud shout of “Igwe!’ (King) popularised by
Nigerian Nollywood film that is hugely followed by
other African countries.
President Pohamba said the honour was conferred
on President Jonathan in recognition of the selfless
contributions by the government and the people of
Nigeria to Namibia’s national liberation struggle.
He noted that, despite the geographic distance,
Nigeria played a prominent role together with the
Frontline states in supporting the liberation
movements in Southern Africa, including SWAPO of
Namibia.
He also hailed Nigeria’s steadfast and consistent
contributions to the resolution of conflicts and the
maintenance of peace and stability in Africa,
pointing out Nigeria’s role in the crisis in Cote d’
Ivoire, Mali and in other parts of Africa.
In a citation read before President Jonathan was
decorated by Pohamba, the Master of Ceremony
said that successive Nigerian government has
stood with Namibia in thick and tin.
She said that during the SWAPO struggle for
Independence, Nigeria consistently appropriated
specific budget vote for the liberation movement,
the distance notwithstanding.
“Many sons and daughters of Nigeria sacrificed
their lives for the freedom and independence of
Namibia,” she said.
The Master of ceremony also said that President
Jonathan has demonstrated astute leadership in
confronting the challenges faced by Nigeria and the
continent.
President Jonathan thanked Pohamba and the
people of Namibia for the award, which he said
underscored the long- standing relationship
between the two countries.
“Although I have been given the honour as Nigeria’s
President, I recognise that this gesture rightly
belongs to the Nigerian people, on whose behalf I
am privileged to serve.
“I want to thank you also for the privileged and
opportunity of sharing this indepence anniversary
celebration with you.
“Twenty four years in the history of any nation is no
mean achievement.
“This occasion rightly provides an opportunity to
reflect on the blessings of your independence and
freedom. It is also a special time to reflect on the
challenges that lie ahead,” he said.
The President paid tribute to the elderstateman and
leading Pan-Africanist, Nujoma, and all Namibia
freedom fighters for their vision and personal
sacrifice which won their nation’s freedom and
independence.
President Jonathan left shortly after the ceremony
the President left Namibia for Rome and the Vatican
for talks on Saturday with Pope Francis and
Monsignor Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of
State.

OOU lecturers protest alleged non- payment of 3 years salaries

Hundreds  of lecturers of the Olabisi
Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye  yesterday,
protested the irregular payment of their salaries by
the Ogun State Government in the past three years.
The protesting lecturers who are members of OOU
branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities
carried placards with various inscriptions such as
“It is ungodly to owe people their monthly dues,”We
need government intervention at Olabisi Onabanjo
University,” “The sweat of the labourer must not
dry” and “Ogun State Government please save OOU
from imminent collapse.”
Others bore placards saying, “Ogun Government
pays less than 70 per cent of our salaries. Is Ogun
government really broke?,” “We have earned our
salaries, we should be paid promptly” and “OOU
needs more funding. We say no to the present poor
funding.”
Addressing the protesting lecturers, the chairman of
the OOU branch of the Academic Staff Union of
Universities, Dr. Deji Agboola said that the state
government had in the past three years formed the
habit of not paying them their salaries regularly.
The lecturers who began their demonstration at the
OOU mini-campus, Ago-Iwoye at about 10am took
their protest to the institution’s permanent site
located about seven kilometres away where they
sensitised the students on their action.
They later presented their letter of grievances to the
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Saburi Adesanya for onward
transmission to Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

Oil discovery in Chad Basin realistic — FG

The Executive Secretary, Petroleum
Technology Development Fund, PTDF, Dr. Oluwole
Oluleye, has said that the discovery of oil in
neighbouring Niger and Chad Republic has given an
encouraging prospect that oil discovery in the
Nigeria’s sedimentary basins is realistic.
Oluleye, who said this at the  close out seminar of
the 2011/2013 Annual Oil and Gas Research Grant
Competition in Abuja, was optimistic that the
development will boost the nation’s oil reserves.
He stated further that findings from the research
conducted on the Nigerian section of the Chad Basin
revealed that oil discovery in the sedimentary
basins is realistic and achievable.
According to him, “I want to use this opportunity to
inform this gathering that adequate attention shall,
henceforth, be given to renewable and
unconventional energy in our grants. The discovery
of oil in neighboring Niger and Chad Republic has
given an encouraging prospect of oil discovery in
the Nigerian sedimentary basins. This no doubt will
boost the Nation’s oil reserve.
“While progress is made in the discovery of fossil
fuels in the Chad Basin, we should not lose sight of
the fact that there is a global shift to
environmentally source of energy. In this regard
the Fund will sponsor more researches on the
production of biofuels and biogas from non-edible
fruits.
“Resources have been committed in this area and I
am glad to inform you that the result has been
positive although more work needs to be done, as
we continue our efforts at ensuring biofuel
production on a commercial scale in the next
research cycle.
“The Fund has already endowed professorial chair
on renewable energy in the University of Benin and
the successful research work of Dr. Frank Oroka
and his team further shows our effort in this
direction. Findings from the research of Prof. John
Adekoya and his team on the Nigerian sector of the
Chad Basin shows further that oil discovery in the
sedimentary basins is realistic and achievable.
“I wish therefore to call on National and
International Oil Companies to cooperate with PTDF
sponsored researchers by providing them with
relevant data and other assistance when needed.
This will aid the solving of specific industry
problems; enhance job creation and knowledge
transfer in – country.
Oluleye, who was the pioneer Executive Secretary
of Petroleum Products Pricing and regulatory
Agency, PPPRA, said the sponsorship of indigenous
research into critical areas of the petroleum
industry is an aspect of PTDF’s intervention
programmes to develop capacity for the industry.

Death from NIS stampede “unfortunate” , says Tambuwal

The Speaker, House of Representatives,
Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, has described as
“unfortunate’’ the death of some Nigerians on
Saturday at recruitment centres of the Nigeria
Immigration Service (NIS).
This is contained in a statement issued by his
Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam
Imam Imam on Sunday in Abuja.
Some applicants died at some of the recruitment
centres as a result of stampede.
According to the speaker, the death of the innocent
youths was sorrowful and regrettable.
He said it was more regrettable considering the fact
that they were at the screening centres in search of
jobs that would better their lots and that of their
loved ones.
Tambuwal urged the authorities concerned to
investigate the remote and immediate causes of the
tragedy, and advised them to map out strategies to
prevent future occurrence.
He urged governments at all levels to work closely
with the Organised Private Sector to tackle the
unemployment problem facing the nation.
The speaker condoled with the families of those
who lost their loved ones, and prayed for quick
recovery of injured ones.

25 countries search for ‘mystery’ Malaysian plane

Malaysia said on Sunday the
number of countries involved in efforts to find a
missing passenger jet had nearly doubled to 25 as it
began a new push to find the plane across a vast
arc of land and ocean.
“The number of countries involved in the search
and rescue operation has increased from 14 to 25,
which brings new challenges of coordination and
diplomacy to the search effort,” said Hishammuddin
Hussein, Malaysia’s defence and transport minister.
Malaysia had said Saturday satellite data showed
Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 could have flown
anywhere from Kazakhstan to the southern Indian
Ocean after disappearing from civilian radar on
March 8.
Hishammuddin told a press conference that
Malaysia, which is coordinating the hunt, had
briefed representatives from at least 22 countries
today and requested their help in a search that has
become increasingly daunting.
This includes potentially sensitive military and
satellite data from the likes of the United States,
China and France.
Asked if any search for an aircraft in such a vast
area could be effective, Hishammuddin
acknowledged the size of the task.
“It is our hope that parties that can be of assistance
to us can come forward and help us to narrow the
search to an area that is much more feasible,” he
said.
Malaysian police also said it was seeking
background checks on all passengers from foreign
counterparts and intelligence agencies as it ramps
up investigations into who may have deliberately
diverted the Boeing 777 from its original course to
Beijing.
Police on Saturday searched the homes of both
pilots and seized Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah’s
self-assembled flight simulator.(AFP)

US, Northern Govs to brain storm on Boko Haram

MOVED by the ravaging nature of activities
of members of Boko Haram who have engaged in
massive killing and wanton destruction of property
on daily basis, the government of the United States
and some Northern Governors hav concluded
arrangements to hold a three- day talk shop on
security in Africa and Nigeria in particular.
An Agency of the US government, not specified, is
to anchor the talk shop which holds in Washington
DC between March 17 and 19, just as governors of
Sokoto, Kano, Adamawa, Alhaji Magatakarda
Wamakko, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Admiral
Murtala Nyako and three others have agreed to
participate in the programme.
The workshop, as planned was coming on the heels
of worsening security situation in some parts of
Africa, with emphasis on Nigeria which in the most
recent time has been grappling with brazen
terrorism, even as the previous week had been
turbulent for Nigeria with over 500 persons
reportedly killed by members of Boko Haram sect in
Borno and Katsina states.
According to the letter of invitation extended to the
participating Northern Governors, the Organisers
stated that the talk-shop “Will Provide important
opportunity for Nigerian governors to inform and
discuss with the US government officials on current
economic, social and security challenges in the
region”.
Sokoto state governor in a telephone chat, said he
agreed to attend the programme in the US, against
th backdrop of the concern of the country on the
security situation in Nigeria.
According to him, the state of insecurity in Nigeria
has reached an alarming level which he stressed
required much efforts from all the tiers of
government in Nigeria, adding, “I was invited to the
symposium just like my other colleagues, and I felt
that going there to say how it is in Nigeria is what
would help us to galvanise international support for
combating the menace of terrorism in our place of
origin.
“The programme, no doubt, affords an opportunity
for those of us from Nigeria to rub minds with
experts on security matters with a view to finding
practicable solutions to the growing influence
insurgency in our region.
Wammako who noted that no amount of efforts
made by leaders in Nigeria to contain terrorism
would be considered too high or too little, however
advised that all hands must be on deck for Nigeria
to surmount the security challenges, adding that
while the government of Sokoto had designed
different measures towards a containing the
menace of terrorism in the State, Nigerian leaders
in general must wake up to the necessity of joining
hands to tackle the problem early enough.
Hailing what he described as the brave
performances by the Nigerian Military for
repressing insurgency in the affected parts of the
north, Wamakko urged the Federal Government to
start paying full attention to the menace of
terrorism, while preventing it from widening.

Immigration job test tragedy: Over 16 feared dead

Over 125,000 applicants in Abuja and Lagos alone
chasing 4,500 jobs! 16 feared dead in the scramble.
Thousands fainted from stampede and exhaustion.
Many more applicants thronged  the remaining 35
states of the federation.
These casualty figures from the recruitment test
centres of the National Immigration Service (NIS),
held across the country, yesterday, told the story of
Nigeria’s frightening unemployment situation.
In  Lagos and Abuja alone, 56,000 and 69,000
applicants respectively sat for the job test.
* Nigeria Immigration Service examinations
applicants at the 60,000 capacity National Stadium,
Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida
Thousands of others took the exercise in other
state capitals.
NIS allegedly raked N6billion from the applicants as
processing fee.
Each applicant paid N1,000.
At the National Stadium, Abuja, which was the
centre for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, eight
applicants were reported dead.
Four others were feared dead at the Port Harcourt,
Rivers State centre, three in Minna, Niger State and
one in Benin-City, Edo State.
Unconfirmed reports claimed the Benin-City victim
was a pregnant applicant.
Stampede was reported in Akure where 12,000
were invited for the test.
Thousands of certificates were allegedly lost at the
Ondo State centre.
At the Abuja centre, the thousands of applicants
were overwhelmed with emotions as eight of their
colleagues were allegedly taken to the mortuary.
About 50 were said to have fainted and several
others injured.
The tragedy, it was learnt, happened in the morning
when the crowd of applicants was trying to gain
entry into the test venue.
The test eventually started around 3.30p.m.
One of the applicants  at the centre, Abubakar Isah
Wada, told Sunday Vanguard, yesterday.
“Government is not treating unemployed youths
well. Due to this disorganised nature of our country
and lack of discipline, some persons died this
morning and several fainted,” Wada said.
“Government needs to recognise the plight of
unemployed graduates and not waste time and
money on issues that are not important to the
development of this country”.
Another applicant said: “Immigration (NIS) should
have divided the applicants and run this test on
different days rather than bringing all of us here like
this to pass through this  suffering. If President
Jonathan really wants to come back in 2015, this is
his ticket”.
At the National Hospital, Abuja, the Director of
Management Information, Mr Tayo Haastrup,
confirmed the death of seven persons and 40
sustaining various degrees of injuries in the
stampede at the recruitment venue.
Poor crowd control
At the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt venue
where four applicants reportedly died, no fewer than
23, 000 sat for the test.
Some of the applicants blamed the incident on poor
crowd control. According to them, the 16,000
capacity stadium was relatively small to
accommodate the 23,000 that turned up for the
exercise.
They said security men had a hectic time controlling
the crowd of applicants. “Some applicants who were
finding it difficult to get into the stadium suddenly
started pushing their way through. Some persons
reportedly stepped on those who fell on the ground,”
an eye witness said.
According to him security men had to fire shots into
the air to stop those still outside from pushing to
get inside the stadium. ” More persons would have
died if the security men had not shot into the air.
The shot stopped those who were outside from
pushing in “, he stated.
Some of the applicants said they lost the originals of
their certificate during the commotion.
Sunday Vanguard gathered that a pregnant woman
was among those who died from exhaustion.
But the spokesman for the NIS in Rivers State, Mr
Bisong Abang, denied deaths during the stampede.
He however said those who sustained injuries were
treated by medics on ground, adding that those who
turned up for the screening exercise far exceeded
the number of applicants.
Some critical cases were rushed in an army
ambulance vehicle with registration number NA 307
EOI to hospital for medical attention.
Applicants were still being attended to by NIS
officials at the time our correspondent left the
stadium.
Examiner confused
At the Minna centre, four of the 11,000 applicants
were said to have died  while scrambling to gain
access into the examination hall.The candidates
had  reportedly been subjected to standing on the
queue for several hours while the chief examiner
was calling the applicants into the hall. It was learnt
that the candidates, having waited for hours and
becoming restless, started shunting which led to a
stampede leaving the examiners confused.
In an effort to bring orderliness, officers of the NIS
stationed at the Women’s Day Secondary School,
venue of the test, fired cannisters of teargas into
the crowd. This led to several of the applicants
falling down and trampled upon.Three of them were
reportedly confirmed dead. The remains of the
applicants, it was learnt, were deposited at the
Minna General Hospital. Contacted,Controller of
Immigration in Minna, Ezekiel Kaura, confirmed that
five people were rushed to hospital after the
stampede but could not confirm how many people
died. He also said 11,000 applicants were expected
to sit for the test.
Many of the 12,000 applicants, who sat for the
examination at the CAC Grammar School, Akure,
lost their certificates in the stampede that attended
the exercise.
Tragic town
The NIS recruitment exercise in Benin-City turned
tragic when a pregnant woman died at the Samuel
Ogbemudia Stadium Benin-city venue after
collapsing. About 20 others were said to have been
injured.
She reportedly died in a stampede. The 20,000
applicants who came from different states of the
South- south thronged  the stadium at about 5am
but it was learnt that screening could not start till
about 2:30pm.
Many of the applicants complained bitterly that the
exercise was poorly conducted and wondered why
people could be subjected to such inhuman
treatment.
PDP shocked by deaths
In the meantime, the Peoples Democratic Party,
PDP, yesterday, challenged government agencies,
as well as elected and appointed officials at all
levels to  redouble their efforts to curb
unemployment in the country, just as it described
the death of the NIS applicants as shocking and
unfortunate.
In a statement by the PDP National Publicity
Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party, while calling
for investigation into the remote and immediate
cause, said it was extremely grieved by the death of
the young Nigerians.

Jonathan celebrates govs defection from PDP

President Goodluck Jonathan says the defection of
some governors, legislators and their supporters to
the All Progressive Congress (APC) is a good omen
for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), pointing
out that since their defection, the PDP has been
waxing stronger.
Addressing PDP supporters at the North-central
solidarity rally held at the Trade Fair Complex in
Minna, Niger State, yesterday, the President
described the defectors as retrogressive.
“If some people have been with the PDP for 14
years and now they said they are leaving for
progressive, the question is where are they
progressing to? It means in past 14 years, they
have been involved in retrogressive activities in the
PDP and were problems to us and you will agree
with me that now that these retrogressive elements
have left, PDP will progress more,” he said.
Jonathan called on Nigerians, especially PDP
supporters, not to be frightened by anybody who
uses the media to preach violence but to be focus
on what PDP has done for the country in the past
years.
Vice President Namadi Sambo, in his brief remark,
thanked the people of North-central for their
support for the PDP in past years and called on
them to remain loyal and dedicated to the party.

Obi leaves N75bn; Iweala, Dangote, Achebe, others eulogise him

Governor Peter Obi says administration has
N75Billion Naira in savings for Anambra State. The
governor, who announced this during a public
presentation of his end of tenure report, said the
money included N25 billion  investment for the
state.
Obi said that expected bank balances as at March
14, 2014 would be N11.5bilion Federal Government
approved refund,  N10 billion and foreign currency
investment of (US$155m) N26 billion.
Obi also gave account of the investment Anambra
made in some projects being executed, some of
which are N3.5 billion in INTAFACT, N9b in Nigeria
Independent Power Project; N4billion in Orient
Petroleum Resources PLC, N1b in Onitsha Hotel;
N1b in Agulu Lake Hotel; N0.9billion in Awka
Shopping Mall, and N350m in  quoted investment
portfolio, among others.
The
governor explained that his administration received
about N620 billion and N20 billion naira from
Federal Allocation and interventions from donor
agencies and development partners. He noted that
in spite the state’s  low revenue profile, his
government completed over 801 kms of roads that
gave access to all parts of Anambra and opened up
rural areas. He noted that collaboration with the
church transformed and repositioned the education
and health sector to meet the needs of the people.

Iran weapons ship’ arrives in Israel

A ship allegedly carrying advanced
rockets from Iran to Gaza that was intercepted by
the Israeli navy was escorted into the Red Sea port
of Eilat on Saturday.
Israeli naval commandos seized the vessel on
Wednesday in the Red Sea between Eritrea and
Sudan, with the military saying it was carrying an
Iranian shipment of M-302 rockets destined for the
Hamas-run Gaza Strip.
The Panamanian-flagged Klos-C was escorted into
Eilat port by two Israeli warships.
Thousands of Israelis gathered on a hill overlooking
the port broke into applause when the ship came
into view.
“We will dismantle all the containers to verify if they
contain other weapons,” an army spokesman said,
adding that a news conference will be held at the
end of operations late on Monday.
Israeli radio said that ambassadors and military
attaches posted to Israel as well as “prominent
Israeli figures” would be invited to view the
weapons seized by the army.
This, the radio said, “will prove to the world that Iran
is providing weapons to terrorists active in the
Gaza Strip”.
Iran has flatly denied any involvement with the
shipment, which the Israeli army said was carrying
missiles capable of striking anywhere in Israel.
At the time of the vessel’s capture on Wednesday,
military spokesman Brigadier General Motti Almoz
told army radio that dozens of the M-302 long-
range missiles were on board.
“From what we understand, it was carrying dozens
of M-302 long-range missiles which can reach 150
to 200 kilometres (90-125 miles). It may be
carrying other weapons as well, but we can only
know this when it reaches Eilat.
“There is clear and unequivocal information that
this (shipment) came from Iran,” Almoz said,
without elaborating.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif
accused Israel of lying and noted that the
announcement of its capture coincided with a
speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu at the AIPAC pro-Israeli lobby in the
United States.
“An Iranian ship carrying arms for Gaza. Captured
just in time for annual AIPAC anti Iran campaign.
Amazing Coincidence! Or same failed lies,” Zarif
wrote on Twitter on Thursday.
Netanyahu has been pressing the international
community to maintain crippling economic sanctions
on Iran over its nuclear drive, and used last week’s
visit to the US to push his case.
The United States said on Wednesday its
intelligence services and military worked with Israel
to track the ship.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said
Washington started to work with Israel through
intelligence and military channels and at the
national security adviser level as soon as it knew
the shipment was on the move.
World powers have eased the sanctions on Iran as
part of a landmark deal struck in November, under
which Iran undertook to curb its nuclear activities
for six month.
The United States, other Western powers and Israel
have long suspected Iran of using its nuclear
energy programme as a cover for developing
atomic weapons, a charge denied by Tehran.

Yobe Govt. donates N100m to victims of Boko Haram in Buni-Yadi

The Yobe Government on Thursday donated N100
million to assist victims of Boko Haram attack at the
Federal Government College in Buni-Yadi.
It also deployed security operatives and vigilante
groups to search for missing students.
The Chairman of the Committee set up by the State
Government to assist the victims and
Commissioner for Justice, Ahmed Goniri, said this
during his visit to the college.
Goniri said his committee would liaise with the
school’s authority to ascertain the number of those
missing and also meet with their parents.
He said that the committee would assess the extent
of damage and advise government on areas of
assistance.
The chairman solicited the support and co-
operation of traditional rulers and citizens to provide
useful information to security agencies with the
hope to trace the missing students.
The college was attacked on Feb, 25 by insurgents
during which many students were killed.

Fani-Kayode pleads not guilty to money laundering charge

Former Aviation Minister, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode,
Thursday, pleaded not guilty to a 40-count money-
laundering charge, following his re-arraignment
before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.
He was re-arraigned by Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission, EFCC.
His arraignment was sequel to an amended 40-
count charge filed by the prosecution on January
24, on the alleged offence.
After his plea, his counsel prayed the court to allow
the accused continue with the terms of bail earlier
granted by the court.
The prosecution, did not object to the application for
bail.
Trial judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia in a rulling,
granted the prayers of defence counsel.
The court held that the accused being a senior
member of the bar, and a traditional title holder, who
had always been available in court at all times in
his trial, was allowed to continue on the earlier bail
granted and adjourned the case till March 10 for
trial.
Fani-Kayode was first arraigned in December 2008
before Justice Ramat Mohammed on a 47-count
charge.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge and Justice
Mohammed granted him bail in the sum of N200
million with two sureties in like sum.

Protest over Lagos pastor accused of sexually abusing children

The peace of Akute, Ogun State was disrupted by
aggrieved non-governmental organizations, NGOs,
and women protesting the relocation of an
orphanage allegedly being run by a pastor standing
trial on a four-count charge of sexual abuse.
The protesters, led by Josephine Effah-Chukwuma,
Executive Director, Project Alert, and Dr. Joe Okei-
Odumakin, founder, Women Arise, were, mostly,
lawyers, child right and women activists. They
stormed Akute-Ijoko Road at about 12 noon
displaying placards with inscriptions: “Say no to
child abuse”, “This pastor is a pedophile”,
“Orphanage or child abuse center”, “Justice for
sexually-abused children”, among others. The
protesters lamented that the founder of the
orphanage had gone ahead to relocate it when he
had not been cleared of the case of sexual abuse
hanging on his head.
The protest was prompted by a text message about
the relocation of the orphanage allegedly sent by the
pastor. The text message read: “RELOCATION OF
ORPHANAGE – Beloved, come rejoice with us as
we celebrate God’s faithfulness in thanksgiving and
dedication of the new place God appointed us at
Akute-Ijoko Road on Saturday February 22, 2014, at
11am. Please pray and plan to attend. God bless
you.”
The protesters alleged that the orphanage is a killer
and “the people of this vicinity must know because
we can’t keep allowing these abuses to go on”.
They went on: “This place must be closed down.
We will not keep quiet and allow a pedophile to
truncate the future of our children.
All the children in this center are the future of
Nigeria and if they are being raped by the pastor,  it
means that Nigeria has no future. We are also
calling on the government of Ogun State and the
people of Nigeria to make sure that he is brought to
book. Every responsible Nigerian must ensure that
the pastor is brought to book.”
They questioned Ogun State government on why
the orphanage remained in operation and why the
pastor was becoming more courageous to the
extent of opening another orphanage under the
watch of the state. “Ogun State has not shut down
the orphanage in spite of the fact that the founder
has a  four- count charge of sexual abuse still
hanging over his head. Until the law takes it’s
course, until he is acquitted and the court of law
declares him innocent, this orphanage should be
closed down.”
Speaking during the protest,  Okei-Odumakin noted
that the pastor was relocating his orphanage from
Akute because he is running away from the
negative publicity he got as a result of the alleged
sexual abuse of the girls at the orphanage.
“Investigations revealed that despite the fact that
the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs instructed
the pastor to stay away from the orphanage, he still
frequents the orphanage. What system did Ogun
State put in place to monitor and ensure that the
pastor does not go to that orphanage?”
Josphine Effah- Chukwuma, Executive Director,
Project Alert, said that Ogun State Government and
the Ministry of Women Affairs have returned the
two girls that cried out that the pastor was sexually
abusing them to the orphanage. “Does it take a
wizard or a blind person to know that you don’t
return victims of a crime to crime site? Imagine
those two under-aged girls returned to the
orphanage on the grounds that they signed an
undertaking that they wanted to go back. According
to the laws in Nigeria, as long as they are under 18,
you are not an adult, you don’t have the right to
decide for yourself.”
The protesters demanded that the orphanage be
closed until the suspect is acquitted by the court of
law.
Although the pastor was not around, a jeep,
reportedly owned by him, was parked inside the
compound.  Building work was apparently on- going
at the site while hired chairs, a cake for the event
and visitors trooped in for the event.
Not sealed
According to one of the invited guests, one Mrs
Olagbemi, “I received a text message through my
phone that the orphanage was relocating. I have
known the pastor for about eight years now.
Because I run a Bible club and children Evangelism
Ministry, I usually visit the orphanage to give them
what we have for the children. And we have been
doing this for seven years. I am not aware that the
first home was sealed by government because of
alleged sexual abuse of children.”
Further investigation also revealed that the
orphanage at Akute remained in operation with
more than 26 children.

Roma are toughest along with Juventus, says Mazzarri

Walter Mazzarri praised
Inter for holding Roma to a
0-0 stalemate and put them
on par with Juventus as the
most difficult to play against
away from home.
Saturday's encounter proved to be a dour and bad-
tempered affair as both sides created few
opportunities to break the deadlock.
But Mazzarri took heart from the Nerazzurri 's
approach and Fredy Guarin's growing maturity, saying
their ability to hold their own at the Olimpico was
testament to his side's progress.
"I'm pleased with the way we played at one of the
toughest grounds you can play at, along with
Juventus," the coach told reporters after the match,
"We're looking to build this year and I'm happy with
the way the lads approached the game tonight. We
came here to have a go at them. We did very well in
the first half, we just needed a goal.
"Guarin has the occasional bad game but in the last
few he has always provided the decisive passes. We
missed them today.
"Guarin is a fantastic player but can be prone to dips
in performance. He still has high's and lows,
sometimes his game comes to a halt, but it has
improved this year. He is an important player.
"I'm satisfied with what we've done so far. There
have been lots of times when luck hasn't been on our
side and we've picked up less than we deserved."
The point allows the San Siro outfit to consolidate fifth
spot in Serie A, as they seek a return to European
competition for next season.

Poli: Pazzini can be Milan matchwinner

AC Milan midfielder Andrea
Poli believes striker
Giampaolo Pazzini can
inspire his side victory over
Juventus on Sunday.
The Rossoneri have endured a disappointing season
so far, lying ninth in Serie A after 25 games, while
Juve sit nine points clear at the top over Roma and
look to be closing in on their third straight league title.
But Poli believes that, in the probable absence of the
injured Mario Balotelli, his fellow ex-Sampdoria star
can step up and upset the reigning champions at San
Siro.
"I say Pazzini," Poli told La Gazzetta dello Sport when
asked who could fire Milan past Juve this weekend.
"He, like Balotelli, can always make a difference.
"Juve have dominated the league in the last two-and-
a-half years, but the points count only up to a certain
point. Last year I beat them with Sampdoria, both
home and away. We will try to win."
The 24-year-old also reserved special praise for new
boss Clarence Seedorf, who he says is unlike anyone
else under whom he’s worked due to the way he man
manages his players.
"[Seedorf] focuses a lot on psychology," he said. "It’s
the first time I’ve experienced that from a coach.
"He places a lot of importance on dialogue with the
individual, which is crucial because it creates a better
communication. [Former coach Massimiliano] Allegri
was different, he spoke less."