Nigeria President Jonathan reiterates commitment to tackle unemployment, poverty

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Read Time:2 Minute, 52 Second

Abuja President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday in Abuja reiterated that the Federal Government was committed to tackling unemployment and poverty in order to fight terrorism and other vices.

Jonathan gave the assurance while declaring open a two-day Peace and Security Summit organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

The president, who was represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, said the summit was timely given the present security situation in the country.

Commenting on the theme of the summit, “Comprehensive and Sustainable Peace and Security in a Plural Society: Extreme Challenges to Nigerian Internal Security, ” the president said the summit was timely.

He said terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of threats to national security were capable of eroding the core values of the nation if not well handled.

“Bombing of innocent men and children by the terrorist groups coupled with the wide range of kidnapping must be seen as a direct attack on the core values and integrity of Nigeria.

“It will be recalled that poverty, unemployment have been identified as some of the root causes of our present security challenges.

“ Government is, therefore, tackling the problem head on, on several fronts, “ he said.

He reassured Nigerians of government’s continued effort in canvassing for reconciliation to ensure that the nation’s core democratic values were not undermined.

He further said that the Federal Government was opened to constructive suggestions from the NBA and other stakeholders on the way forward in dealing with insecurity in the country.

On his part, the Senate President, David Mark, said that the National Assembly had commenced the amendment of some laws on security to adequately face the challenges of insecurity in the country.

Mark said that the National Assembly was equally amending the law on kidnapping so as to adequately tackle the problem posed by the crime.

He pointed out that the National Assembly was ready to take a look at recommendations that would be made at the end of the summit in order to find lasting solution to insecurity.

“ The National Assembly has gone extra mile to tackle the issue of terrorism.

“Arrangements are almost concluded to revise the terrorism law that was passed in 2011.

“We are ready to accept all recommendations that you find in our own law that require amendment.

Earlier, in her opening remarks, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Alooma Mukhtar, said dialogue was one of the key factors to peaceful coexistence in the country.

The CJN, who blamed the current insecurity on the plurality of the country, called on leaders to adopt a holistic approach in solving the problem.

“The plurality of ethnicity, religion and language in Nigeria, which is the primary cause of conflict and religious intolerance, has led to a number of conflicts.

“The relationship fractured by conflict must be restored as sustainable peace and democracy is unattainable without consensus, “ she said.

The NBA President, Mr Okey Wali, called on the National Assembly to carry out a referendum on the proposed amendment to the constitution.

According to him, the NBA, in 2012, sent a proposal to the National Assembly for a referendum.

According to him, there is the need to seek the consent of the people before amending the constitution.

“We still maintain that only a referendum can assuage the yearnings of the people, “ he added.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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NIGERIA: Two killed as gunmen assail Kano police station

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Gunmen with explosives attacked a police station outside northern  restive  city of Kano, killing a policeman and a civilian, police said Thursday.

“We lost a policeman in the attack and the body of a civilian was also found around the police station but it is still not clear if he was among the gunmen or a resident caught in crossfire,” Kano State police spokesman Magaji Majia told AFP.

He said the attackers had stormed the police station in the town of Bunkure, 40 kilometres from Kano late Wednesday and engaged policemen in a shootout.

The attackers hurled explosives into the police station which destroyed a section of the building, he said.

Majia refused to say if the gunmen were from the Boko Haram Islamist sect blamed for scores of deadly attacks in northern and central that have claimed some 3,000 lives, including killings by security agents.

The attack came just days after a purported Boko Haram commander declared a ceasefire on behalf of the group, although there are doubts if he was speaking for the group which has various factions.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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‘Yes, always you’ Milan tell Balotelli

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AC Milan have welcomed Mario Balotelli to the club following his arrival from Manchester City with a cheeky reference to the ‘Why Always Me?’ T-shirt the striker famously exposed in a 2011 derby against United.

‘Yes, always you’, was the headline on the Milan webpage officially welcoming Balotelli to the Rossoneri, a club he openly supported while playing for Milan rivals Inter.

Balotelli exposed the ‘Why Always Me?’ message after scoring two goals in an October 2011 derby against Manchester United.

The message was generally believed to target the many media reports of the many stunts and incidents that made Balotelli a household name during his time in the Premier League.

Two days prior to the derby in question, for example, Balotelli set his house on fire after throwing fireworks out of the bathroom window.

Balotelli arrived in Milan on Wednesday and said he hoped he could revive his career after a roller-coaster spell with the English champions.

“I didn’t start the season very well with City so I am coming to Milan to revive myself and to do well,” said Balotelli as he prepared to return to Serie A in a deal said to be worth around $30 million (22 million euros).

“I have wanted to play for Milan for a long time, but I was with other teams. When this chance came along I grabbed it. I hope Milan can become a big club again.”

Balotelli, who will wear the number 45 shirt, was set to complete a medical on Thursday and be unveiled to the press on Friday evening.

Milan, who have climbed to fifth place at 12 points behind leaders Juventus following a disastrous start to the season, host Udinese on Sunday.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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NIGERIA: PDP denies re-admitting Kalu

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Read Time:1 Minute, 25 Second

THE South East zonal leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday said it has rejected attempt by  former governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, to rejoin the party, insisting that he had not been readmitted into the party.
This came as Chairman of the party in Abia State, Sen. Emma Nwaka, accused the former governor  of using fake membership card to re-enter the party, saying his return would add no value to party in the 2015 elections.

A statement by the National Vice Chairman of the party, South East zone, Col. Austin Akobundu(Rtd), said the zonal leadership of the party had written to the national leadership to intimate it that Kalu had not been readmitted.

Akobundu also said the zone leadership had no intention of admitting the former governor.

According him, the zonal leadership of the party “has reason to believe that Chief Kalu is a paid agent of presidential aspirant whose mandate is to destabilize the party in the South East zone.

“it is for that reason that Chief Kalu’s attempt to rejoin the party has been roundly rejected by his ward, local government and state chapters of the party.”

He denied categorically that Kalu was admitted in his ward, saying the purported readmission was in contravention of Article 8, section 8 of the Constitution of the party as (amended) and, therefore.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abia State, Sen. Emma Nwaka, has accused former governor of the state, Orji Uzor Kalu, of using fake membership card to re-enter the party, saying his return would add no value to party in the 2015 elections.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Possibilities Of Nigeria @ 100

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Read Time:2 Minute, 15 Second

NIGERIA will be 100 by January 1, 2014, a date that marks the British amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates, some say for administrative convenience, to form the country called Nigeria.

Activities are lined up to celebrate the centenary. They would stretch from next month to October 1, 2014.

Some would be wondering what we are celebrating. Others remain strident about what they call “the mistake of 1914” which lumped parts that were never in union together. Calls for different ends of Nigeria to go their separate ways have not ceased.

These are different ways of expressing the same frustrations about the poor progress Nigeria has made in critical indices of human development.

Away from politics and the tendencies of the opposition, Nigeria at 100 should be a celebration of enduring achievements that have improved lives and firmed the sustenance of Nigerians in an overwhelmingly competitive world.

Blames on leadership and docility of Nigerians to challenge their leaders have been listed as factors in the Nigeria’s deteriorating state.

None of the positions provides answers to the more disturbing question of what to do with the country and its peoples.

Individualism shows in all we do. Those who lead, use the instruments of their offices to enrich themselves and constrain others – with such astuteness – from attaining power – that power becomes all there is to their leadership.

Barely a year to the centenary, our people still
doubt the bases of our nationhood, a legitimate inquest with the rashes of polices that do not mobilise our people for the greater good of the country.

The crippling poverty that has found affinity with diseases, hunger, unemployment, injustices and illiteracy do not call for celebration.

Education and health are key factors in the improvement of the human development indices of any country.

They deserve more importance, no matter what else governments intend to do. They are also about our future, which appear to be of little consequence as we wobble towards 100 years.

A country with dim consideration of its future is doomed just as a future hardly exists where leadership is about access to the common wealth for individual use.

We must act in ways that can sustain the country on keen awareness of the importance of being Nigerian rather than sectional in our decisions.

In addition to the planned elaborate celebrations, the centenary provides vast platforms to examine ways of making Nigeria work better. We should explore them for their relevance to our struggles to attain stable nationhood.

When the fireworks of the centenary die, we should have commenced the construction of a nation bound in freedom, peace, unity, and abundances they bestow.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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NIGERIA: 3 friends rape and impregnate a 13-yr-old student

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Read Time:1 Minute, 26 Second

Policemen at Makinde Division in Lagos, have arrested three men who allegedly raped a 13-year-old girl, last  August in Mafoluku area of Oshodi.

The victim, a Junior Secondary School student (names withheld), was reportedly invited into one of the suspects apartment at 19, Majaro Street, Mafoluku.

Report said when she got inside, the owner of the apartment Emenuwa Achonam, a married man with five children, whose family was away, had carnal knowledge of her, alongside his two friends, Godwin Udoh, 22, and Emenike Orji, 20,

She was, thereafter, instructed not to tell anyone and also  threatened to kill her if she did.

But the bubble burst after the teenager  fell ill and was taken to the hospital only to be confirmed that she was pregnant, a development that reportedly threw her parents off balance.

The teenager, who was apparently oblivious of her present state, told policemen that “brother Achonam called me to buy drinks for his visitors. But when I got inside to collect the money, he asked me to  pull my clothes and they  started dipping their hands inside my womanhood before they had carnal knowledge of me. At the end they said they would kill me if I tell my parents or anyone about it.

The prime suspect, Achonam, admitted to having  committed the crime, blaming it on the handiwork of the devil. He  disclosed that his wife travelled to the village to nurse their fifth child. On the part of his alleged partners in crime, they claimed they acted on Achonam’s instruction.

The  case, was charged to Oshodi Magistrate court, from where it was transferred to the Ikeja family court.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Afcon 2013: Akpoborie: Eagles need a miracle

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Read Time:2 Minute, 8 Second

EX-NIGERIA star Jonathan Akpoborie has said that Eagles will need a miracle to beat Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday.Nigeria will take on Africa’s top ranked team Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday night in Rustenburg for the chance to reach the AFCON semi-final.

But Spartar Moscow striker, Emmanuel Emenike has said the Eagles will defy the odds and oust favourites Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday.

Straight-talking Akpoborie said that as a Nigerian he would wish the Eagles are crowned African champions in South Africa, but if the team play the way they have in all their group games against the Elephants, they will exit the tournament.

”The Eagles performance against Ethiopia was nothing to write home about. The only good thing about the game for us is that we won. How we scored against the lowest rated team at the competition was not the best,” said the former Wolfsburg striker.

“On paper Cote d’Ivoire are favourites to win the competition and on the field, they have been acting like that too. But in football anything could happen.

“Chances of Nigeria winning this one, only Jesus can save. We need a miracle to beat them especially we play this match the way we played our last three matches.”

However, Akpoborie has singled out Chelsea winger Victor Moses for special mention in South Africa.
”I told you before the tournament that Moses will play a big part for Nigeria and he has been doing well, while Ahmed Musa has been the most disappointing player in the team after so much was expected of him,” remarked the former international.

Emenike talks tough

SPARTAK Moscow striker, Emmanuel Emenike has said the Eagles will defy the odds and oust favourites Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday.

The Super Eagles laboured to beat Ethiopia on Tuesday to set up a high-profile West African clash against the rampant Elephants, who stopped Nigeria at the 2006 and 2008 AFCONS.

Emenike added: “We are not afraid of them. We respect them but why should we be afraid of them?

“This is football and no team is too big and we are very positive we will win on Sunday.”

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi also said his team are looking forward to Sunday’s AFCON quarterfinal against star-studded Cote d’Ivoire.

Both West African giants clash on Sunday night at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg for a place in the semi-finals.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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NIGERIA: Polio immunisation not enough – Experts

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Read Time:1 Minute, 31 Second

MEDICAL experts have said periodic immunisation is not enough to eradicate polio and other preventable child killer diseases, even as the next round of National Immunisation Plus Days, NIPDs, is scheduled to begin nationwide in February.

Speaking, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, said routine immunisation was more sustainable in the fight against polio.

According to him: “This periodic exercise is not the best and that is why our target is routine immunisation, because you don’t necessarily have to wait for periodic exercise before you take your children for immunisation.

“Routine immunisation is more practical and standard. It is necessary for children to be immunised as at when due without waiting for periodic exercise and that is why we have immunisation schedule on our leaflets.”

Idris noted that to maintain a polio free state, efforts were on to strengthen “routine immunisation which is more sustainable and cost effective than the periodic campaigns.”

Meantime, no fewer than 4,376,609 children under the ages of 0 – five years, are to be immunised in Lagos during the NIDs exercise billed to hold February 2-5, 2013.

Idris explained that the exercise was aimed at reducing and eliminating vaccine preventable diseases, including polio.

He said already the state had sourced about five million doses of oral polio vaccine through the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency.

The commissioner urged parents and care-givers to ensure that their children were taken to primary health care centres, PHCs, to receive all scheduled immunisations before they were one year old.

He said polio “is a viral disease and it is transmitted through contaminated food and water. Many infected persons have no symptoms, but they excrete the virus in their faeces which other people can be contract through contamination.”

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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NIGERIA: Lagos state government assures residents of flood control

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LAGOS State Government, Wednesday, asked residents not to panic as it had put adequate measures in place to reduce cases of flooding to the barest minimum in the state this year.

Commissioner of  Environment, Tunji Bello, at a briefing on the work plan and activities of the ministry for the year 2013, noted that drainages and road construction projects contributed to the flood  recorded last year.

According to him, at the end of year 2012, the government dredged 70 primary channels  across 20 local government  areas totaling about 32.3 killometres.

He said 330 secondary collectors’ drains were cleared to complement the free flow of storm water into the primary channels, stressing  that the constructions of new channels at Awori/Moricas, Elere, Arigbanla, Gbagada, among others, would help tackle flood when the heavy rainfall commences.

Bello said; “Over 25 projects are expected to be constructed to further de-flood some major areas of the state,” noting that over 50 primary channels had also been programmed for maintenance.

Bello listed some of the projects for construction to include construction of Coconut Drain Reach 11, Ajegunle, channelisation of storm water at Ajegunle, construction of Shogbesan/Raypower collector drain Alimosho, construction of Mumuni Adio collector drain Ijegun, among others.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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NIGERIA: Touts take over rail ticketing

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Read Time:2 Minute, 20 Second

Increased patronage of rail services by Nigerians coupled with limited and poor service delivery by railway attendants and the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC officials, have led to touting at the Iddo railway terminus, Codewit investigation revealed.

Following the taking off of the sixth trip of the Lagos to Kano train, a huge crowd was recorded at the terminus, giving opportunity for touts to do brisk business

As a result of the huge crowd, the ticket queue stretched past the ticketing office and those who could not wait or struggle in the line had to patronise the touts, paying additional N50 or N100 on the original cost to get a ticket for the ride.

Investigations revealed that the Lagos to Kano ticket that cost N1,950 became N2,000 in the hands of the touts who had smooth access to the ticketing office. The touts did not have to get into the ticket line.

When confronted, an official of the station who preferred anonymity admitted that there were touts before but that they had been dealt with and no longer operate.

According to him, the station management had used the security operatives to scare them away.

“We used to have people come in here to do such business but we have used the police to stop them.”

When he was presented with evidences of those who got the touts’ tickets, the official said he was not aware of that and that the management will look for a new way to deal with them.

“You see, this is a railway station. A lot of things go on here unnoticed. We are not aware of any activities of the racketeers, but I can assure you that the authority would fashion out a new way to handle them.” He said.

However, some of the passengers who expressed dissatisfaction with the disorderly arrangement at the ticketing office also complained about the disrespectful manner with which passengers are treated.

According to Utman Sanusi, a senior civil servant, who was making her second trip on the inter city train route, “I was there to buy my ticket and when I asked the attendants how much they were selling the ticket, the man there told me I should go to the board, whereas, it is not written bold enough to let a first time passenger see. They should not think that it is only the low class persons that are there. Let them treat the passengers with respect regardless of their status.”

Government’s effort to rehabilitate the railway has produced an alternative means of transportation for millions of Nigerians who hitherto relied on road transport.

However, with limited infrastructure, the Nigeria railway corporation has been battling to deal with the surge in human traffic.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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