1.8million people enter job market yearly – Okonjo-Iweala

The Minister for Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Tuesday in Abuja said no fewer than 1.8 million graduates in the country move into the labour market every year.

Okonjo-Iweala, who is also the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, made this known during a meeting with delegates of the Arewa Youth Forum on issues of youth development in the Northern part of the country.

She said that the data was generated by National Bureau of Statistics and that it was to enable the Federal Government to ascertain the level of youth unemployment and come up with policies to address it.

“I am proud to say that after two months of methodological work, the statisticians have come up with the data that 1.8 million people in the country enter the job market yearly.

“I am happy to tell you that last year we were able to create 1.6 million jobs. So we are getting close to the 1.8 million that enter the job market.

“We also have a pool of 5.3 million unemployed graduates that have been accumulating over the years.

“So our strategy is to come up with policies that will cover the number of entrants every year before taking care of the backlog,’’ she said.

The minister said that President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration was doing a lot to create employment opportunities for the youth.

“Through YouWin programme, we have had 3,600 winners, among whom 2,400 winners have created 27,000 jobs so far. Our target is to create a minimum of 80,000 jobs through this.

“Through SURE-P, so far we have created 120,000 jobs. While YouWin is geared towards graduates, the SURE-P is for those youths who may not have gone through school or did not complete their education.

“ The President has launched the National Mortgage Re-finance Corporation which will not only provide housing for the low income earners but will simultaneously create thousands of jobs for our youth.

“ We are targeting 10,000 mortgages this year and for every house you build, you create five direct jobs and two and half indirect jobs, which can create another 75,000 jobs,’’ she added.

On agriculture, Okonjo-Iweala said that more than 400,000 part time jobs had been created and had become a source of good income for the youth.

She also said that the government was designing a special programme for states in the North-East region, adding that the scheme would focus on education and agriculture.

Earlier, the President of Arewa Youth Forum, Alh Gambo Gujungu, said that the visit to the minister was to deliberate on issues of development in Northern Nigeria with regards to unemployment.

“ The Arewa Youth Forum is making this important visit to rub minds with you on issues of national interest, particularly the development of Northern Nigeria as it affects youth unemployment.

“ We wish to also discuss the absence of peace and unity that has divided the country, washing away the inherent brotherhood we were known for,’’ he said.

Gujungu said the association had through the Chief of Staff to the President, presented a paper to the presidency on the issues.

He said that insecurity, marginalisation, underdevelopment, infrastructure decay, and youth unemployment in Northern part of country were some of the issues contained in the paper sent to the presidency.

He said the association had developed a strategic document titled“ Restoring the Security of Northern Nigeria through Youth Empowerment’’ as its contribution to resolving the issues.

The youth president commended the minister and President Jonathan for their “visionary leadership in piloting the economic affairs of the country”.

He noted the roles the duo played in the various empowerment schemes, including YouWin and SURE-P.

He, however, urged them to create a Northern Youth Empowerment Programme (NYEP) and re-double efforts in the existing empowerment schemes to address insecurity and insurgency in the country. (NAN)The Minister for Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Tuesday in Abuja said no fewer than 1.8 million graduates in the country move into the labour market every year.

Okonjo-Iweala, who is also the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, made this known during a meeting with delegates of the Arewa Youth Forum on issues of youth development in the Northern part of the country.

She said that the data was generated by National Bureau of Statistics and that it was to enable the Federal Government to ascertain the level of youth unemployment and come up with policies to address it. “I am proud to say that after two months of methodological work, the statisticians have come up with the data that 1.8 million people in the country enter the job market yearly.

“I am happy to tell you that last year we were able to create 1.6 million jobs. So we are getting close to the 1.8 million that enter the job market.

“We also have a pool of 5.3 million unemployed graduates that have been accumulating over the years.

“So our strategy is to come up with policies that will cover the number of entrants every year before taking care of the backlog,’’ she said.

The minister said that President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration was doing a lot to create employment opportunities for the youth.

“Through YouWin programme, we have had 3,600 winners, among whom 2,400 winners have created 27,000 jobs so far. Our target is to create a minimum of 80,000 jobs through this.

“Through SURE-P, so far we have created 120,000 jobs. While YouWin is geared towards graduates, the SURE-P is for those youths who may not have gone through school or did not complete their education.

“ The President has launched the National Mortgage Re-finance Corporation which will not only provide housing for the low income earners but will simultaneously create thousands of jobs for our youth.

“ We are targeting 10,000 mortgages this year and for every house you build, you create five direct jobs and two and half indirect jobs, which can create another 75,000 jobs,’’ she added.

On agriculture, Okonjo-Iweala said that more than 400,000 part time jobs had been created and had become a source of good income for the youth.

She also said that the government was designing a special programme for states in the North-East region, adding that the scheme would focus on education and agriculture.

Earlier, the President of Arewa Youth Forum, Alh Gambo Gujungu, said that the visit to the minister was to deliberate on issues of development in Northern Nigeria with regards to unemployment.

“ The Arewa Youth Forum is making this important visit to rub minds with you on issues of national interest, particularly the development of Northern Nigeria as it affects youth unemployment.

“ We wish to also discuss the absence of peace and unity that has divided the country, washing away the inherent brotherhood we were known for,’’ he said.

Gujungu said the association had through the Chief of Staff to the President, presented a paper to the presidency on the issues.

He said that insecurity, marginalisation, underdevelopment, infrastructure decay, and youth unemployment in Northern part of country were some of the issues contained in the paper sent to the presidency.

He said the association had developed a strategic document titled“ Restoring the Security of Northern Nigeria through Youth Empowerment’’ as its contribution to resolving the issues.

The youth president commended the minister and President Jonathan for their “visionary leadership in piloting the economic affairs of the country”.

He noted the roles the duo played in the various empowerment schemes, including YouWin and SURE-P.

He, however, urged them to create a Northern Youth Empowerment Programme (NYEP) and re-double efforts in the existing empowerment schemes to address insecurity and insurgency in the country. (NAN)

1.8million people enter job market yearly – Okonjo-Iweala

The Minister for Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Tuesday in Abuja said no fewer than 1.8 million graduates in the country move into the labour market every year.

Okonjo-Iweala, who is also the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, made this known during a meeting with delegates of the Arewa Youth Forum on issues of youth development in the Northern part of the country.

She said that the data was generated by National Bureau of Statistics and that it was to enable the Federal Government to ascertain the level of youth unemployment and come up with policies to address it.

“I am proud to say that after two months of methodological work, the statisticians have come up with the data that 1.8 million people in the country enter the job market yearly.

“I am happy to tell you that last year we were able to create 1.6 million jobs. So we are getting close to the 1.8 million that enter the job market.

“We also have a pool of 5.3 million unemployed graduates that have been accumulating over the years.

“So our strategy is to come up with policies that will cover the number of entrants every year before taking care of the backlog,’’ she said.

The minister said that President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration was doing a lot to create employment opportunities for the youth.

“Through YouWin programme, we have had 3,600 winners, among whom 2,400 winners have created 27,000 jobs so far. Our target is to create a minimum of 80,000 jobs through this.

“Through SURE-P, so far we have created 120,000 jobs. While YouWin is geared towards graduates, the SURE-P is for those youths who may not have gone through school or did not complete their education.

“ The President has launched the National Mortgage Re-finance Corporation which will not only provide housing for the low income earners but will simultaneously create thousands of jobs for our youth.

“ We are targeting 10,000 mortgages this year and for every house you build, you create five direct jobs and two and half indirect jobs, which can create another 75,000 jobs,’’ she added.

On agriculture, Okonjo-Iweala said that more than 400,000 part time jobs had been created and had become a source of good income for the youth.

She also said that the government was designing a special programme for states in the North-East region, adding that the scheme would focus on education and agriculture.

Defection: APC lambasts judge, vows to appeal ruling

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has lambasted a Federal High court judge, Adeniyi Ademola, for saying on Monday that the 37 lawmakers who defected from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the APC had no business being in the Assembly.

Mr. Ademola, while delivering judgement in a suit filed by the PDP, stated that the lawmakers no longer had any business, morally and legally, to stay in the House of Representatives. He said they should honourably resign from their seats as members, having moved to another political party while their tenure was yet to expire.

Media reports had suggested that Mr. Ademola’s remarks meant that the defected lawmakers would cease to hold their offices in the National Assembly.
The APC said the judge gave no such order because it was not in his power to issue such a ruling, as the issue of whether the lawmakers could defect or not was not before him.

The judge, however, ruled that the decampee lawmakers could not effect a change in the House leadership.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Tuesday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party, however, said it would appeal the ruling because Justice Ademola’s perpetual injunction restraining the lawmakers concerned from participating in motions and debates in the House was unconstitutional and defeated the very purpose for which the members were elected into the House.

It said Mr. Ademola’s unsolicited comments were ‘clearly gregarious, unnecessary, superfluous and had no foundation in law or fact,’ hence should be ignored.

APC asked the Chief Justice of Nigeria to act urgently to sanction Mr. Ademola for engaging in mischief that could bring the bench into disrepute.

APC recalled the alarm it raised in a statement on December 14, 2013, that the PDP was shopping for a pliant Judge who would be heavily induced to do the PDP’s bidding in the case over the defections from the ruling party to the APC.

In that statement, the main opposition party warned against any attempt by the PDP and the presidency to induce a servile and disreputable judge to do the duo’s bidding.

Quoting from that statement, APC said: ”We recognise the efforts of the present CJN to sanitise the Judiciary since she assumed the mantle of leadership but she should not allow any black leg to reverse the gains that have been recorded on the altar of unmitigated avarice. This is because if that happens, Nigerians will hold the Judiciary vicariously liable for the catastrophic consequences that may follow.”

Noting that its alarm had now proven to be prescient, the party said it wondered whether there was any link between what is ‘an exercise in judicial rascality’ and President Goodluck Jonathan’s recent boast in Kwara that the PDP would soon retrieve its ‘stolen’ mandate from those who defected from the PDP to the APC.

”That presidential boast raises the following questions: What did the President know and when did he know it? Was this judgement procured by the PDP for a price, in which case the President’s statement amounted to a Freudian slip? Are we to expect more of this?

”It is necessary to unravel this so the PDP and the presidency, in their desperation, will not paint the judiciary with their brush of failure and crash our democracy,” the APC said.

The party urged its supporters not to panic as the judgement was, according to it, intended to cause mischief. It added that the plan by the PDP and the Presidency had fallen like ‘a pack of cards.’

Source: Premiumtimesng

Defection: APC lambasts judge, vows to appeal ruling

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has lambasted a Federal High court judge, Adeniyi Ademola, for saying on Monday that the 37 lawmakers who defected from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the APC had no business being in the Assembly.

Mr. Ademola, while delivering judgement in a suit filed by the PDP, stated that the lawmakers no longer had any business, morally and legally, to stay in the House of Representatives. He said they should honourably resign from their seats as members, having moved to another political party while their tenure was yet to expire.

Media reports had suggested that Mr. Ademola’s remarks meant that the defected lawmakers would cease to hold their offices in the National Assembly.
The APC said the judge gave no such order because it was not in his power to issue such a ruling, as the issue of whether the lawmakers could defect or not was not before him.

The judge, however, ruled that the decampee lawmakers could not effect a change in the House leadership.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Tuesday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party, however, said it would appeal the ruling because Justice Ademola’s perpetual injunction restraining the lawmakers concerned from participating in motions and debates in the House was unconstitutional and defeated the very purpose for which the members were elected into the House.

Explosion in Kenyan Capital leaves Six dead

Six people have been killed in explosions in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, officials say.

Several people were wounded in the attack, which took place in the Eastleigh suburb of the city.

More than 200 people were arrested in Eastleigh following the explosions, a police spokeswoman said. Eastleigh is known as "Little Mogadishu" because of its large Somali population.

Although no group said it was behind the latest attack, many are blaming it on the Somali militant group al-Shabab. Four members of the group were bEyewitnesses said devices appeared to have been thrown towards a bus stop and a food kiosk as people made their way home for the evening.

Kenya's Standard newspaper said that the twin blasts went off some 50m (165ft) apart on 11th Street, and some of those caught up in the attack had serious injuries. "We suspect it is a grenade," a local police officer told the AFP news agency.ehind the four-day siege at a shopping centre in Nairobi last September, in which 67 people died.

A week ago, more than 100 people were arrested following an attack on a church near the coastal city of Mombasa. Unidentified gunmen entered the church, killing six people.

Kenya's government has ordered all Somali refugees living in towns to move into designated camps in a bid to end the attacks.

Interior Minister Joseph Ole Lenku said the directive had been issued because of the "emergency security challenges" facing Kenya. A refugee group condemned the decision as illegal.

Source: BBC

Explosion in Kenyan Capital leaves Six dead

Six people have been killed in explosions in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, officials say.

Several people were wounded in the attack, which took place in the Eastleigh suburb of the city.

More than 200 people were arrested in Eastleigh following the explosions, a police spokeswoman said. Eastleigh is known as "Little Mogadishu" because of its large Somali population.

Although no group said it was behind the latest attack, many are blaming it on the Somali militant group al-Shabab. Four members of the group were bEyewitnesses said devices appeared to have been thrown towards a bus stop and a food kiosk as people made their way home for the evening.

Kenya's Standard newspaper said that the twin blasts went off some 50m (165ft) apart on 11th Street, and some of those caught up in the attack had serious injuries. "We suspect it is a grenade," a local police officer told the AFP news agency.ehind the four-day siege at a shopping centre in Nairobi last September, in which 67 people died.

A week ago, more than 100 people were arrested following an attack on a church near the coastal city of Mombasa. Unidentified gunmen entered the church, killing six people.

Champions League: La Liga top two clash as Barcelona host Atletico Madrid

The top two in La Liga put their domestic rivalry to one side as Barcelona and Atletico Madrid clash in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.

Atletico currently sit on top in Spain, a point better off than defending champions Barca, but the record between the two sides is weighted heavily in favour of the Catalan giants, who have not lost a Champions League quarter-final match since 2003.

Atletico do look to have a mountain to climb given their recent record against Barcelona, which has not seen them win at the Camp Nou since 2006 when Fernando Torres scored twice.

Their last win over Barca was in 2010, when they beat them at the Vicente Calderon, and although their successes are limited, they are unbeaten against them this season in three matches.

In addition, Barcelona's record against fellow Spanish sides in the Champions League is not wonderful, having only won two of those six clashes.

The two faced off over two legs in the Spanish Super Cup, with both games ending in draws as Barcelona prevailed only due to scoring an away goal in Madrid.

The two have also met in La Liga earlier this year but that match ended goalless.  Barcelona are looking to book their seventh successive semi-final appearance in the Champions League, which would extend the record they already hold.

Atletico have not reached the semi-finals since 1974, but along with city rivals Real, they are one of only two teams who are still undefeated in the Champions League this season.

Barca come into the game off the back of a narrow 1-0 win over their city rivals Espanyol, whilst Atletico claimed a 2-1 success at Athletic Bilbao in the Basque country.

The match interestingly also pits two Argentine coaches against each other in the shape of Gerardo Martino and Diego Simeone.

Source: Skysport

Champions League: La Liga top two clash as Barcelona host Atletico Madrid

The top two in La Liga put their domestic rivalry to one side as Barcelona and Atletico Madrid clash in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.

Atletico currently sit on top in Spain, a point better off than defending champions Barca, but the record between the two sides is weighted heavily in favour of the Catalan giants, who have not lost a Champions League quarter-final match since 2003.

Atletico do look to have a mountain to climb given their recent record against Barcelona, which has not seen them win at the Camp Nou since 2006 when Fernando Torres scored twice.

Their last win over Barca was in 2010, when they beat them at the Vicente Calderon, and although their successes are limited, they are unbeaten against them this season in three matches.

In addition, Barcelona's record against fellow Spanish sides in the Champions League is not wonderful, having only won two of those six clashes.

Don’t extend emergency rule – Northern leaders caution FG

Leaders of Borno and Yobe states have accused security forces of complicity in the Boko Haram insurgency.

Under the aegis of Borno-Yobe People’s Forum in Abuja yesterday, the forum demanded answers to many attacks that had claimed hundreds of lives in the North-East region.

They also urged the Federal Government not to extend the state of emergency declared in the states beyond April 19 when it will expire.

Speaking, a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Al Amin Daggash, alleged that there were instances that suggested that security agents either had the knowledge of the attacks before they happened or neglected to act proactively to prevent them.

The group further posed questions including: “Who authorised the withdrawal of security personnel from the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi (Yobe State), hours before the attack that claimed the lives of 59 innocent children?

“Are the authorities unaware of helicopters dropping arms and ammunition, food and medical supplies to areas well known to be strongholds of the insurgents?

“How were the insurgents able to attack the Maiduguri Air Force Base and demobilise as well as burn planes and other military installations, despite existing state of emergency and curfew in the town? How could 20 to 30 Toyota Hilux vehicles move in a convoy freely with subsisting curfew and still go undetected?

“How did a little band of rag-tag misguided youths metamorphose into a well kitted, well armed killing machine moving freely in convoy, of vehicles and supported by helicopters?

“How did the Shilka Tank, a multipurpose self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery weapon positioned to secure Giwa Barracks fail to function, resulting in heavy loss of lives both civilian and military, as widely reported in the media? Are we dealing with fifth columnists in this crisis?”

On the state of emergency declared in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, the forum stated that the rule should not be extended after April 19 because it has failed to achieved the desired result.

Giving reasons, Daggash noted that about 18 communities had been attacked by insurgents in the last one month, with heavy civilian casualties.

“The continuous bloodletting has led to the loss of over 17,000 lives. Statistics released by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) showed that over three million people have been displaced by the insurgency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa in the first three months of this year.

“Most of the victims are women, children and elderly. These developments underscore the urgent need for the government, the international community, as well as all Nigerians to arrest the brewing humanitarian crises in the area,” he added.

He called on the government to unmask sponsors of Boko Haram and probe the genesis of the crisis “with particular regards to those who master minded, encouraged or financed it”.

“It is the considered view of many commentators that had the reports been implemented, the insurgency would have been largely contained,” AVM Daggash said.

The leaders recommended the implementation of the recommendations of Ambassador Usman Gaji Galtimari and Taminu Turaki Presidential Committees.

In attendance were elder statesmen Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe and Alhaji Shettima Mustapha.

Source: Dailypost

Don’t extend emergency rule – Northern leaders caution FG

Leaders of Borno and Yobe states have accused security forces of complicity in the Boko Haram insurgency.

Under the aegis of Borno-Yobe People’s Forum in Abuja yesterday, the forum demanded answers to many attacks that had claimed hundreds of lives in the North-East region.

They also urged the Federal Government not to extend the state of emergency declared in the states beyond April 19 when it will expire.

Speaking, a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Al Amin Daggash, alleged that there were instances that suggested that security agents either had the knowledge of the attacks before they happened or neglected to act proactively to prevent them.

The group further posed questions including: “Who authorised the withdrawal of security personnel from the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi (Yobe State), hours before the attack that claimed the lives of 59 innocent children?

“Are the authorities unaware of helicopters dropping arms and ammunition, food and medical supplies to areas well known to be strongholds of the insurgents?

“How were the insurgents able to attack the Maiduguri Air Force Base and demobilise as well as burn planes and other military installations, despite existing state of emergency and curfew in the town? How could 20 to 30 Toyota Hilux vehicles move in a convoy freely with subsisting curfew and still go undetected?

FG accuses Sanusi of financing Boko Haram

These are indeed not good times for suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the Federal Government and the State Security Service are now accusing him of financial terrorism in the country.

This allegation was levelled against the embattled apex bank boss in counter-affidavits deposed before a Federal High Court by the respondents in the suit filed by Sanusi.

Sanusi is seeking a perpetual injunction to restrain the SSS and the police from arresting him.

Sanusi’s lawyer, Kola Awodein, while making reference to the allegation on Monday, told the court it was an afterthought which government came up with after seizing Sanusi’s passport.

Awodein said, “The seizure of the applicant’s international passport by the third respondent, is a violation of his freedom of movement.

“The first to third respondents give conflicting reasons as to the complaint made against the applicant: This conflict goes to show that they acted without due process of the law.

“The allegation against the applicant as to funding of terrorism, is an afterthought by the respondents, which is not backed by facts, as there is no reasonable suspicion that the applicant committed any crime.

“The law clearly defines how such duties should be performed, and so, I invite your Lordship to hold that the applicant has a cause of action against the respondent.”

The Attorney General of the Federation, represented by Dr. Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), and David Abuo and Moses Idakwo, representing the police and the SSS respectively, asked the court on Monday to dismiss Sanusi’s suit for lack of merit.

The AGF, the Inspector-General of Police and the SSS are the first to third respondents respectively.

Counsel to the AGF insisted that the applicant could not by his suit, seek to restrain the respondents from performing their constitutional and statutory duties.

Ajogwu said, “My Lord, this suit is speculative, hypocritical and an attempt to shield the applicant from the machinery of the administration of justice, which the Federal Government has started.

“My Lord, we respectfully submit that the applicant is not entitled to a grant of perpetual injunction, restraining the respondents from performing their constitutional duties.”

Ajogwu, while moving his preliminary objection to the suit, argued that the suit bordered on employment and as such the provisions of Section 254 (c) 1 (d) of the 1999 Constitution had vested jurisdiction to entertain such suit in the National Industrial Court.

He said, “Section 254 (c) 1 (d) of the constitution vests exclusive jurisdiction in the NIC , with respect to civil cases or matters touching on employment, labour or industrial relations.

“We respectfully urge the court to hold that it has no jurisdiction to entertain the reliefs sought by the applicant, and strike out the suit.”

He also quoted Justice Niki Tobi, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, as saying,

“A court cannot grant perpetual injunction on a mere prima facie case; the applicant’s suit is basically an action to shield him from the machinery of administration of justice, which has been kick-started by the respondents.”

“I, therefore, urge your Lordship, like the Biblical Pontius Pilate, to wash your hands off this case, as it is not the affairs of this honourable court .”

He maintained that the provisions of Section 6 of the National Security Agencies Act, empowered the Service to impound the international passport of a suspect, pending the conclusion of investigations.

He therefore urged the court to strike out the applicant’s suit.

But Awodein said it was not true that his client was trying to prevent the security agencies from performing their duties.

He said, “It cannot be suggested that the applicant is restraining the respondents from performing their duties, but they must be restrained from doing so, without due process of the law.

“The seizure of the applicant’s passport by the third respondent, is a violation of his freedom of movement.

“The first to third respondents give conflicting reasons as to the complaint made against the applicant: This conflict goes to show that they acted without the due process of the law.

“The allegations against the applicant as to funding of terrorism, is an afterthought by the respondent, which is not backed by facts, as there is no reasonable suspicion that the applicant committed any crime.

“The law clearly defines how such duties should be performed, and so, I invite your Lordship to hold that the applicant has a cause of action against the respondent.”

Justice Ibrahim Buba after taking parties’ argument adjourned ruling till April 3.

FG accuses Sanusi of financing Boko Haram

These are indeed not good times for suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the Federal Government and the State Security Service are now accusing him of financial terrorism in the country.

This allegation was levelled against the embattled apex bank boss in counter-affidavits deposed before a Federal High Court by the respondents in the suit filed by Sanusi.

Sanusi is seeking a perpetual injunction to restrain the SSS and the police from arresting him.

Sanusi’s lawyer, Kola Awodein, while making reference to the allegation on Monday, told the court it was an afterthought which government came up with after seizing Sanusi’s passport.

Awodein said, “The seizure of the applicant’s international passport by the third respondent, is a violation of his freedom of movement.

“The first to third respondents give conflicting reasons as to the complaint made against the applicant: This conflict goes to show that they acted without due process of the law.

“The allegation against the applicant as to funding of terrorism, is an afterthought by the respondents, which is not backed by facts, as there is no reasonable suspicion that the applicant committed any crime.

“The law clearly defines how such duties should be performed, and so, I invite your Lordship to hold that the applicant has a cause of action against the respondent.”

Helicopters drop arms for insurgents —Borno, Yobe elders

Political and opinion elders in Borno and Yobe states have alleged that helicopters drop arms and ammunition, food and medicine to areas known to be strongholds of the members of the violent Islamic sect,  Boko Haram, in the North-East.

They said the authorities in the states could not claim ignorance of the development and that it was a bad omen if a convoy of about 20 to 30 Toyota Hilux vehicles could move freely without being detected despite the curfew in place.

The elders, who spoke at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, also asked the government to provide answer to the attack on the Maiduguri Air Force Base by insurgents, who reportedly de-mobilised and set ablaze aircrafts and other military facilities even with the existing state of emergency and curfew in the town.

Speaking under the aegis of Borno, Yobe People’s Forum, the elders also asked those in authorities to tell Nigerians those that authorised the withdrawal of security personnel from the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, few hours before the recent attack that claimed the lives of 59 innocent children.

A former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Al-amin Dagash (retd.), spoke on behalf of the forum at the press conference.

Dagash was flanked at the press conference by a former Minister of Finance, Mallam Adamu Ciroma; a former Secretary to Government of the Federation, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe; an elder statesman, Shetima Mustapha and other political leaders from the two states.

He said, “Are the authorities unaware of helicopters dropping arms and ammunition, food and medical supplies to areas well known to be strong holds of the insurgents?

“How were the insurgents able to attack the Maiduguri Air-Force Base and demobilise as well as burn planes and other military installations despite existing state of emergency and curfew in the town? How could 20 to 30 Toyota Hilux vehicles move in a convoy freely with subsisting curfew and still go undetected?

“How did a little band of rag-tag misguided youths metamorphose into a well-kitted, well-armed killing machine moving freely in convoy of vehicles and supported by helicopters.

“How did the Shilka Tank, a multipurpose self propelled anti-aircraft  artillery weapon, positioned to secure Giwa Barracks, fail to function resulting in heavy loss of lives of both civilian and military as widely reported in the media? Are we dealing with fifth columnists in this crisis?”

He wondered how the insurgents were able to kill Gen. Mohammed Shuwa, whom he described as a civil war hero, despite the presence of a military detachment in front of his home.

The retired Air Force chief asked the Federal Government to unmask those behind the “online media campaigns of calumny stirring ethno-religious intolerance in the country.”

He also asked the Federal Government not to extend the state of emergency declared in the three North-East states, saying that the action had failed to achieve its purpose.

The state of emergency, originally declared in May last year and renewed for another six months in November, expire on April  19, 2014.

Dagash said that about 18 communities had  been attacked by insurgents in the last one month with heavy civilian casualties, adding that  rather than abate, the insurgency had continued to escalate and daring.

He said, “The continuous bloodletting has led to the loss of over 17,000 lives.

 Official statistics released by the National Emergency Management Agency revealed that over three million people have been displaced by the insurgency and terrorist attacks in the affected states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa in the first three months of 2014 alone.

“Most of the victims are women, children and the elderly. These developments underscore the urgent need for the government, the international community, as well as all Nigerians to arrest the brewing humanitarian crises in the area.”

Source:Punch

Helicopters drop arms for insurgents —Borno, Yobe elders

Political and opinion elders in Borno and Yobe states have alleged that helicopters drop arms and ammunition, food and medicine to areas known to be strongholds of the members of the violent Islamic sect,  Boko Haram, in the North-East.

They said the authorities in the states could not claim ignorance of the development and that it was a bad omen if a convoy of about 20 to 30 Toyota Hilux vehicles could move freely without being detected despite the curfew in place.

The elders, who spoke at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, also asked the government to provide answer to the attack on the Maiduguri Air Force Base by insurgents, who reportedly de-mobilised and set ablaze aircrafts and other military facilities even with the existing state of emergency and curfew in the town.

Speaking under the aegis of Borno, Yobe People’s Forum, the elders also asked those in authorities to tell Nigerians those that authorised the withdrawal of security personnel from the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, few hours before the recent attack that claimed the lives of 59 innocent children.

A former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Al-amin Dagash (retd.), spoke on behalf of the forum at the press conference.

Defection: Court asks APC lawmakers to resign

A Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, asked all members of the House of Representatives, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to vacate their seats. It ruled that in line with the 1999 Constitution, they no longer have the legal right to contribute to or vote on any motion in the House.

Delivering judgment in a suit brought against the lawmakers by the PDP, the court further issued an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defected legislators from taking steps, actions or doing anything to effect any change in the leadership of principal officers of the House.

Specifically, presiding Justice Ademola Adeniyi held that the affected legislators cannot “validly function as members of the 1st defendant (House of Representatives), contribute to or vote on any motion and or debate in the proceedings of the 1st defendant with a view to removing or sanctioning 2nd to 10th defendants or any of the Principal Officers of the 1st defendant.’

Justice Adeniyi noted that a High Court had in a previous judgment delivered on October 8, 2013, held that there was no division in the PDP to warrant the lawmakers defecting to the APC.

“The 12th to 53rd defendants were sponsored by the PDP and in accordance with provision of Section 68 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, the period of their election is yet to expire.

“Therefore, it is the court’s opinion that there is no division in PDP in line with Justice Elvon Chukwu’s ruling”.

The court also maintained that eight months had elapsed since that ruling was delivered, even as it observed that till date, no appeal was lodged by those alleging that there were factions in the PDP.

“The 12th to 53rd defendants ought to resign their seats honourably since they have left the party upon which their constituencies gave them mandate to represent them in the National Assembly.  They have no business morally and legally staying in the House of Representatives”, Justice Ademola held.

Besides, the court declared that the 12th to 53rd APC lawmakers, “are not competent to sponsor, contribute or vote on any motion calling for the removal or change in the leadership of the House of Representatives or the removal of any of the Principal Officers of the 1st defendant”.

Source: Vanguard

Defection: Court asks APC lawmakers to resign

A Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, asked all members of the House of Representatives, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to vacate their seats. It ruled that in line with the 1999 Constitution, they no longer have the legal right to contribute to or vote on any motion in the House.

Delivering judgment in a suit brought against the lawmakers by the PDP, the court further issued an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defected legislators from taking steps, actions or doing anything to effect any change in the leadership of principal officers of the House.

Specifically, presiding Justice Ademola Adeniyi held that the affected legislators cannot “validly function as members of the 1st defendant (House of Representatives), contribute to or vote on any motion and or debate in the proceedings of the 1st defendant with a view to removing or sanctioning 2nd to 10th defendants or any of the Principal Officers of the 1st defendant.’

Justice Adeniyi noted that a High Court had in a previous judgment delivered on October 8, 2013, held that there was no division in the PDP to warrant the lawmakers defecting to the APC.