JANUARY 20 was a special day for Chief Charles Chinwendu Odedo, a member of House of Representatives representing Idemili Federal Constituency, Anambra State.
Apart from Senator Chris Ngige, Chief Odedo is the only federal lawmaker elected on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN in the South-East geo-political zone.
Having gone through rigorous legal tussles that lasted for nearly two out of the four year tenure to recover his mandate in 2008, which has been renewed last year, and given the projects he had attracted or executed in his constituency, Odedo was the toast of eminent persons who converged at a town hall meeting he held penultimate week.
Odedo, who said his plan, is to touch all the 17 communities in his constituency, said so far Ogidi, Nkpor, Ideani, Uke, Abatete, Umuoji, Abacha, Oraukwu, Eziowelle, Obosi, Nnobi, Ojoto, Alor, Nnokwa, Akwukwu, Oba and Awka-Etiti have each benefited from at least two major federal projects he attracted.
These include motorized boreholes, solar-powered street lights, construction reconstruction of decayed primary/secondary school buildings. Though his women/youth empowerment and poverty alleviation schemes, the legislator has given out about 40
Commuter buses, sowing machines, generating sets, motor-cycles, hairdressing/salon equipment and accessories, poultry/piggery funds and other classes of vehicles.
So far, about 15 of the 17 communities have benefited from the 47 vehicles he had presented.
As part of his legislative duties, Odedo held a Town Hall meeting with his constituents two week ago during which he handed over some vehicles, scholarship scheme, a community Library and Computer centre, at Nnobi in Idemili South LGA. He also used the occasion to present three units of 18-seater buses to three private secondary schools, viz-Madonna International academy, Trinity Model School and Seat of Wisdom School, all located in Nnobi. He used the event to stress the importance of education, which he contended was the answer to idleness, unemployment, armed robbery, kidnap and general insecurity in the area.
Odedo has challenged other lawmakers – Tambuwal
At the event, Speaker of the Federal House of Representative, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who was represented by Hon Chris Azubogu, said he was very proud to be associated with Odedo.
Commending Odedo for his achievements that have endeared him to his constituents, Tambuwal said other members of the Lower Chamber of the National assembly have been given a challenge to take a cue from Odedo’s commitment to service.
He is a committed lawmaker – Ngige
Senator Chris Ngige appreciated the qualities of Odedo and his commitment to the welfare of the people through his numerous life-enhancing projects. He said that the Senate committee on Power where he is the deputy chairman was currently working hard to step up the quality and quantity of power supply in the country as a subtle measure towards tackling joblessness, insecurity, restiveness and idleness in the country. He charged the people of the area to endeavour to build on the achievements of the lawmaker for a better society.
Traditional ruler of Nnobi community, HRH Igwe Nick Obi, Omenyili spoke in like manner and commended the lawmaker for his selfless service and industry.
Education greatest form of empowerment – Odedo
Arguing that education is the greatest form of empowerment, and that campaign promises should be realistic and fulfilled, Odedo, who flagged off the construction of the first set of blocks of classrooms at the Community Secondary School, Abacha in Idemili North council, said it was in fulfillment of his 2011 general election campaign promise to the community, that he would build a secondary school in the community if elected.
Decrying the high number of jobless youths roaming the streets in the state, the lawmaker bemoaned a situation where Anambra is the most expensive state to acquire education in the country.
He therefore called on the Gov Peter Obi administration to consider declaration of free education at primary and secondary levels in the state and limiting the tuition cost of university education for indigenes to N20,000.
He commended Rivers, Delta, Sokoto and Imo states for making education free in their states, noting “the heavy burden of education for you today will be the prosperity and security we will enjoy in the years to come”.
The inspiration to make the best out of youths in the area, he acknowledged, was part of what inspired him to build the library, computer and skill acquisition centres.
He therefore urged others who are richly endowed and in positions of authority to do something and “take action to save our youth in the interest of the larger society because my heart bleeds whenever I see many able-bodied youths aimlessly roaming the streets and motor parks in cities as touts today, knowing they could have been world-class sprinters, academic or footballers if only high tuition fees had not prevented them from going to school.”
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.
As family petitions police For Solomon Thomas, a 36 year-old security guard who was murdered at his duty post on a parcel of land situated at Coker Estate, Shasha, Lagos ,by an unknown assailants, fate couldn’t have been more cruel.
The Eket, Akwa-Ibom State born father of two, who could not further his education to tertiary institution because of his humble background, took a run-off-the- mill job as a security guard for a paltry sum,to take care of his two siblings and an aged mother.
He had envisaged giving his siblings the best within his capability until Saturday morning of January 19, 2013 when he was shot dead at his duty post by unknown persons.
Investigation revealed that Solomon and his co-workers had resumed for duty that fateful morning , only to be allegedly confronted by a two-truck load of armed policemen from the ‘Area M’ Command, Idimu,Lagos.
While others were said to have taken to their heels on sighting the policemen, Solomon who at that time was changing into his security uniform, was reportedly arrested by the policemen said to be at the site to provide security for an unnamed land grabber contending ownership of the parcel of land.
He was reportedly taken to Idimu Area command but was released shortly afterwards , after a lawyer to his employer, Mr. Leo Ikeagwu contacted the Area Commander.
Tragedy, however, struck after he made his way back to the parcel of land . He was said to have called his colleagues to return,saying, that the police had released him. But no sooner had Solomon and his colleagues got back to their duty post than an armed group allegedly swooped on them, firing sporadically, in the process of which Solomon was gunned down while others who were hit by stray pellets in their hands and legs respectively, managed to escape.
Policemen at the nearby Shasha police station reportedly raced to the scene only to meet Solomon in the pool of his blood.He was rushed to a nearby hospital but unfortunately,died moments later.
Narrating in tears how he received the news of the death of his elder brother, Samuel Thomas, a university undergraduate said:“It is difficult to believe that my elder brother, Solo, is dead. As he was about leaving for work that Saturday, I asked him to give me some money with which to go to Badagry with our mother, over a land issue. He gave us what he had and left. When we came back, I dialed his number but there was no response and I became worried.
Next day, we received a letter from one Isiaka Adedokun, the Chief Security Officer in charge of Coker Estate, to come to Shasha Police Station, that Solo was with them. Initially, we thought there might have been a fight between him and somebody else. But again, I said to myself that Solo is such a gentle man and therefore, could not afford to fight with anybody for whatever reason. It was later we were told that he was shot dead by some thugs hired by a man that is contending the land with Solo’s boss, Engineer Adetokunbo Olowole Coker.
Solo had told me that there had been an age-long scramble for ownership of the land where he worked and that in 2007, a Lagos high court sitting before Justice L .A. Okunnu gave an interlocutory injunction restraining the contender from the land until the determination of the substantive suit last year. But the contender too got a counter ruling by another Lagos high court , granting him access in and out of the said parcel of land. He said since then , the man had been using thugs to harass and intimidate him and his colleagues.
He was planning to resign and look for another job because of the matter. It is painful that, the land matter has claimed the life of my brother.
We learnt that his assailants even trailed the corpse to a private hospital in Shasha with a view to snatching it, until Policemen from Afoka were alerted.
Trying hard not to betray his emotion, Samuel Thomas continued: “As I speak to you, I do not know how to break the news to our mother because she may collapse.
Each time she called to know the whereabouts of Solo ,I would simply lie that the Police case he had was over and that Solo just went out”
But again, I must confess that I am not happy with the way and manner the police are handling the matter. One week after his death, I went to the Isolo General Hospital where his body was deposited only to discover that he was not even embalmed. He was just dumped on a platter and left to decompose; ostensibly again, to kill evidence”
Crime Guard investigation showed that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police , Mr Umar Manko has mandated the Homicide section of the State Criminal Investigations Department to investigate the murder, following a petition by the bereaved family.
“ All we are asking the police to do for us is to fish out killers of my brother and prosecute them. That is only way his departed soul will rest in peace.” Thomas stated.
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.
For some time now, the talented actor, writer, producer and stand-up comedian, Okey Bakassi has been off the big screen because, he took a break to serve his father land as the Senior Special Adviser on Entertainment Matters to the past Imo state Governor, Ikedi Ohakim.
The Imo State born actor is fully back on the trenches.He was spotted in recent new films and has also been participating actively in the affairs of the industry.
Speaking recently with HVP, the television and radio presenter said, he prefers showbiz to acting as that will give him what he needs in his career. “ I will prefer to go more into showbiz because, that is what will give me what I need. I am not saying that I cannot act, I can act but it depends on the script. I cannot just jump into any script I see. It is not the quantity of movies you have acted, it is the quality that matters”.
The Agricultural Engineer- turned-entertainer attributes his success in acting to his background. Being somebody that grew up in the barracks, he was opportuned to meet different people from different tribes and he was able to learn how to adapt to such condition thereby building his acting career. He also didn’t deny his intentions of jverring into politics. “Every man is a political animal. If the need to serve my father land comes up again, I will not desist from doing that. I am still much willing to serve if the time comes again for me to do so”.
The father of three applauded Nollywood’s development and contributions in the country’s economic development. He said the that the industry has tried so much by giving job to so many Nigerians who would have been jobless roaming the street. He therefor assures his fans to expect more from him especially, more from showbiz.
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.
Despite their passionate plea for clemency, an Abuja high court, yesterday, ordered the immediate remand of the erstwhile Chairman and Secretary of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy probe, Farouk Lawan and Boniface Emenalo in prison custody.
The court presided over by Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi ordered the accused lawmakers to be remanded for one week in Kuje Prisons, Abuja, pending the determination of their bail application on February 8.
The order was made shortly after the duo pleaded not guilty to a seven-count criminal charge preferred against them by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.
Specifically, the lawmakers were accused of demanding and collecting bribe from the Chairman of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, Femi Otedola, as an inducement to remove the name of his company from the report of the Ad-hoc Committee on Monitoring of Fuel Subsidy regime.
They were said to have collected an aggregate sum of $3million, with a view to ensure that Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd escaped prosecution even though the committee had ab-initio found it culpable in the fuel subsidy fraud, an offence that was contrary ‘’to Sections 17 (1) (a); 8(1) (a) (b) (ii), and 23 (i) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under section 8 (1) 17 (1) and 23(3) of the same Act.
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Besides, the commission further alleged that Emenalo, while being a public officer, an Assistant Director and Clerk of the Committee on Education of the House of Representatives sometime in April 2012, and while acting as the Secretary of the Ad-Hoc Committee, was offered gratification by Otedola but failed to report the offer to any officer of the ICPC or any police officer.
Whereas both accused persons were charged together in the first count of the charge, however, count two, three and four were preferred against Farouk alone just as count five, six seven 6 were preferred against Emenalo alone.
Meanwhile, shortly after they took their turns to plead their innocence of the crime, Counsel to the ICPC, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, implored the court to remand them in prison custody pending their trial.
Awomolo told the court that the accused persons served him with their consolidated bail application yesterday morning, adding that he had anticipated such move and prepared legal authorities he said would guide the court into deciding that it was in the interest of justice for the duo to be remanded in prison.
Relying on Section 8, 10, 17 and 23 of the ICPC Act 2000 and the decided case-law in Asari Dokubo Versus Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2007, 12 NWLR, he said: “We are opposing the application for bail and urge your lordship to refuse it.
The accused persons are charged with an offence punishable by two to seven years imprisonment and therefore not ordinarily bailable. An application for bail is an application in equity which requires my Lord to exercise your discretion judicially and judiciously.
‘’The principles that guide the court in granting bail have been well enunciated in the case of Bamaiyi Versus the State, 2001, the nature and gravity of the offence and the likelihood of the accused committing another offence while on bail…
“The offence by which the accused persons are standing trial is the case of corruption by a public officer at the highest level, particularly in the legislative arm. The accussed persons, in the affidavit did not give an undertaking that if they go back to the National Assembly, they will not be members of another committee and that they will not demand or obtain bribe in the discharge of their official duty.
“Your Lordship needs to be assured that what prompted them to demand $3million will not also prompt them to demand $10million.The accused persons were part of the making of the ICPC Act; they knew the intention of the lawmakers and deliberately violated the law, on that ground alone, I urge my lord to deny them bail.”
Earlier, the accused persons had through their counsels, Chief Ricky Tarfa, SAN, and Chief Mike Ozokhome, begged the court to either grant them bail on self recognition on liberal terms.
Moving the motion for their bail dated February 1, and filed pursuant to section 35, 36 (5) of the 1999 constitution as amended, and section 340 and 341(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code, Chief Tarfa urged the court to take cognizance of the fact that the first accused, Farouk, had in the course of investigation into the matter, reported to the Police on 37 different occasions, noting that the duo never violated the administrative bail given them by the police.
“The first accused has had cause to travel out more than four times since the commencement of the investigation, the second accused has had cause to travel to the USA more than two times since then. My Lord, the first accused has been a full time member of the House since 1999; he is also a member of the ECOWAS parliament and has been a member for the last 12 years.
“He is one of the founding members of the said ECOWAS parliament and he is presently chairing the committee on Administration of Finance.”
Tarfa then relied on decided case-law in Owudalu Versus the State, 2008, AFWLR, and Ebute & Others Versus the State, 1994, 8-NWLR, arguing that not only did the accused persons fail to abscond when they had the opportunities, they had voluntarily submitted themselves to the police for investigation.
“The accused persons are willing and ready to face their trial. My Lord should also take cognizance of their status and positions in the society and grant them bail on self recognition. The constitution says they should be considered innocent until proven guilty,” he insisted.
In his short ruling, Justice Oniyangi, said he would need time to consider the application, saying the accused persons should be remanded in Kuje Prisons till February 8, when the case would come up.
The number two of the charge against them read: “That you Hon. Farouk Lawan (M) while being a member of the House of Representatives and chairman of Ad-hoc committee on Monitoring of fuel subsidy regime sometimes in April 2012 or thereabout at Abuja within the Federal Capital Territory under the jurisdiction of this honourable court did while acting in the course of your official duty corruptly obtained $500,000 for yourself from Mr. Femi Otedola, chairman Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd as an inducement to remove the name of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd from the report of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Monitoring of Fuel Subsidy regime, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 17 (1) of the Corrupt practices and other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under section 17 (1) of the same Act.
”That you Mr. Emenalo Boniface (M) while being a public officer, an Assistant Director and Secretary of the House of Representatives’ Ad-hoc Committee on Monitoring of Fuel Subsidy Regime sometimes in April 2012 or thereabout at Abuja within the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, under the jurisdiction of this honourable court did while acting in the course of your official duty as Secretary…corruptly asked for $3,000,000 for yourself from Mr. Femi Otedola, and thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) (ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under section 23 (3) of the same Act.”
Shortly after the Farouk Lawan- led panel released its report that exposed astronomical fraud perpetuated by various companies under the subsidy regime, Mr Femi Otedola, released an audio tape with a view to proving that the probe panel demanded cash-for-clearance from him.
Otedola specifically accused Lawan of demanding for $3million to exonerate his company, emphasizing that the lawmaker even went to the extent of stuffing monies in his cap on one of the occasions he came to receive bribe on behalf of the panel.
However, Lawan, through his lawyer, Chief Mike Ozokhome, SAN, refuted the allegation that he stuffed money in his cap, stressing that contrary to insinuation that he travelled to Lagos to collect the bribe as alleged, he only received money from Otedola on two separate occasions at his room at Protea Hotel, Apoin Abuja and at Otedola’s house at Aso Drive Asokoro also in Abuja.
Describing the audio tape which was released to media houses as “a devilish caricature”, Lawan then urged Nigerians to give him the benefit of doubt, insisting that he would not rest until he proved that the primary intention why he collected the money was to uncover the level of corruption within the oil sector of the Nigerian economy.
In a bid to further puncture the probe report, Otedola alongside his company, Zenon Oil and Gas, filed a suit before the High Court, seeking N250billion against Farouk and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, as exemplary damages for alleged oppressive and arbitrary actions allegedly meted against him.
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.
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, Friday, ruled that National Lottery Regulatory Commission, NLRC, lacked the powers to issue further lottery licences to firms interested in lottery business in the country in view of an existing exclusivity right granted a firm, Secure Electronics Technology Plc by the Federal Government.
The court also restrained the commission from issuing licences to any other person, pending the expiration of the exclusivity right granted Secure Electronics. Trial judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke, nullified all lottery licences issued by NLRC since its establishment.
The court held that the exclusivity licence granted to Secure Electronics Technology Plc by the Federal Government was still subsisting.
“All licences issued by National Lottery Regulatory Commission are invalid and nullified. The commission is restrained from issuing licences to any other person,” the court added.
Delivering judgment in the suit by Constant Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Shehu Malam Mikail, Oyetunde Olaitan, Sosanwo Sinai and Sonibare Waheed against the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, NLRC and Secure Electronic Technology Plc, the court noted that according to the exclusive right granted Secure Electronic by the Federal Government, the firm was entitled to exclusive rights on lottery licensing for 15 years beginning from December 19, 2001, to December 18, 2016, when it will expire and entitled to renewal.
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.
As Idoma farmers and Fulani herdsmen conflict claims three lives Nobody envisaged that a usually peaceful annual hunting festival of Otukpo clans would degenerate into a bloody conflict between Idoma farmers and Fulani herdsmen in Otukpo, an area of Benue state that hardly records such unfortunate incidents in the history of the state.
Before the outbreak of the bloody conflict, there had been an outcry by farmers along that axis of the state, of uncontrolled pollution of water sources and destruction of farmlands of host Idoma communities by herdsmen and their cattle who grazed repeatedly in the communities.
Despite the outcry, the unwholesome development continued unabated which perhaps culminated in a conflict that left three persons dead and many properties and farmlands destroyed.
To say the least, last weekends conflict would have gotten out of hand but for the quick intervention of the Otukpo local government council chairman, Dr. Innocent Onuh and the Benue State Police Command who were alive to their responsibilities and wasted no time in nipping the crisis in the bud.
Athough peace has finally returned to the affected villages, especially Amla in Otukpo Icho, security personnel have been drafted to the area to stem further break down of law and order while a manhunt for the masterminds of the devastation has commenced.
Conducting newsmen around the crisis zone and the displaced persons camp in Otukpo, the council Chairman, Dr. Innocent Onuh in company of top security personel disclosed that no fewer than 550 persons were displaced in the bloody conflict. Onuh said, “The total number of persons displaced by the crisis is a little over 550, and of this number, children are over 150 while women are about 50”.
The chairman who used the opportunity to donate relief materials to the affected persons said, “We have also provided them a makeshift camp here in Otukpo, and we have been able to avail them these relief materials to help them resettle themselves pending further assistance.”
Onuh who lamented the shed of blood and destruction of property and farmland in the belligerent villages assured that he would personally do everything possibly to ensure that the crisis did not degenerate and that there would be permanent peace among the feuding parties who hitherto had lived as brothers and sisters.
“Meanwhile, we have ensured that security is beefed up in the entire community consequent upon the decisions we reached at the councils security meeting we held on Monday.
“Aside that, we have also directed security personnel to embark on a manhunt of all those behind the crisis in order to ensure that they are made to face justice”, he said.
While appealing to public spirited individuals, Non Governmental Agencies and donor agencies, Benue State and the Federal Government to come to the assistance of the council, Onuh however appealed for calm between the Fulanis and the host communities assuring that government was on top of the situation.
In a peace meeting at the palace of the Sarki Hausawa in Otukpo, Alhaji Bala Dahiru, which had in attendance the paramount ruler of Otukpo (Ochi Otukpo) Chief John Enyimonye, the Ardoo (Chief) of Fulanis in Otukpo, Alhaji Isah Sule and other Fulani leaders in the state, Onuh lamented that the conflict was a strange phenomenon in that part of the state which should not be allowed to persist in the interest of the teeming populace.
In his speech, the Sarki Hausawa sued for peace, stressing that Hausas and Idomas were known for their peaceful coexistence in the history of the country; pleading that the spirit should be sustained despite the unfortunate crisis.
Responding, the Ardoo (Chief) of Fulanis in Otukpo, Alhaji Isah Sule who lost a 15 year old son in the crisis said he had taken the development in good fate and thanked the Council Chairman and the police for quickly stepping into the matter to avert further loss of lives and property.
In his remarks, the paramount ruler of Otukpo, (Ochi Otukpo), Chief John Enyimonye said, “this type of unfortunate crisis is strange in this part of our state; but I plead that we all take what has happened in good faith and ensure that peace reigns amongst us”.
While the Area Commander of the Otupko Police Command, Assistant Commission of Police Sam Dra-Koji who spoke on behalf of the Benue State Commissioner of Police disclosed that the Police had commenced a manhunt for the masterminds of the crisis,the Commissioner of Police assured, “We have started a thorough investigation of the crisis and from information gathered, we are already on the trail of all those behind the killings and we are positive that all the masterminds of the crisis will be apprehended; we plead for calm”, he said.
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.
NO fewer than 18 Nigerians are presently languishing in various prisons in Indonesia with the fear that some of them may be among 10 slated for execution soon.
The18 Nigerians were condemned to death by the Indonesian courts in 2008 for their alleged various criminal offences ranging from drug peddling and other related offences.
So far, the Indonesian government had condemned a total of 21 Nigerians to death, sentenced four to life imprisonment and eight others to various jail terms ranging from 11 to 18 years.
Out of the 21 condemned Nigerians, two of them, Samuel Iwuchukwu Okoye and Hassan Anthony Nwaolisa were executed on June 28, 2008, while another, Augustine Ogbonna died under mysterious circumstances in the prison custody in September, 2008.
Worried by the plight of Nigerians in Indonesian prisons, a human rights activist and an Onitsha based legal practitioner, Mr. Melly Eze, at a news conference in Onitsha yesterday urged President Goddluck Jonathan, as well as the senate president, David Mark and speaker of House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal to prevail on the Indonesian president, Suuilo Bambang Yudhoyonoto, who is visiting Nigeria today to revisit the case of the Nigerians.
Eze had, in April 2010 written a strongly worded petition to Hon. Abike Dabire-Ewa, Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, urging her to mediate on behalf of the Nigerians.
He said: “ There is a fresh threat to execute the prisoners on death row anytime from now if no further diplomatic efforts and pressure are mounted on the Indonesian authorities.
“I have it on good and reliable authority that officials of Indonesian government who opened discussions with the Nigerian delegation are now expressing disappointment over an apparent display of unseriousness on the part of Nigerian government over the diplomatic move already initiated by Nigerian government officials.”
The human right lawyer recalled that his earlier petition to the Presidency, National Assembly and the Foreign Affairs Ministry in respect of the 18 Nigerians on death row and others serving various jail terms in Indonesia had attracted reactions from Senator Uche Chukwumerije who moved a motion on the floor of the Senate to that effect.
Saturday Vanguard also recalls that a former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, during his tenure, led a high powered delegation to Indonesia to mediate on behalf of the convicts and other prisoners serving various jail terms in Indonesia .
Senate President, David Mark was also said to have promised that the issue will be addressed.
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.
The Cycling Federation of Nigeria, CFN, will kick start its activities this year in Port Harcourt tomorrow with the River State Cycling Assoc-iation sponsored annual Cycling Championship which is open to all the states.
The Federation will also be attending the Confederation of Africa Cycling Congress in Cairo, Egypt on February 16 and the trip will be funded by the Federation’s president, AlhajiMohammed Nur Sheriff. In March, the cycling federation will attend an invitational tourney in Egypt as the Eygptian Cycling Federation has invited Nigeria to participate in the 45th edition of Tour of Egypt.
The CFN President has also approved the nomination of the Rivers State cycling team to represent Nigeria in the tour. This is as a result of their impressive performance at the last two National Sports Festivals in Port Harcourt and Lagos.
Later in the year, the CFN will be having the International Track Cycling Championship which will take place at the Velodrome in Abuja.
The federation in consultation with the Confederation of Africa Cycling (CAC) and the International Cycling Union, UCI is to ensure the certification of the Velodrome is carried out before the event comes up.
Meanwhile, the federation has sent a memo to the National Sports Federation, NSC requesting that the Velodrome is made functional, provision of basic track equipment as well as assisting it to procure Track Racing Cycles and racing equipment.
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.
Winning is more important than vengeance — Yobo West African heavy-weights Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire clash tomorrow in the headline game of the quarter finals of the 29th Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
Both nations have met five times previously at the Cup of Nations with honours evenly shared – two wins each way and a draw.
The Ivorians won the most recent match-ups – 1-0 in the semi finals of the 2006 finals in Alexandria, Egypt and a 1-0 win in Sekondi-Takoradi in the group phase of the 2008 finals in Ghana.
Nigeria triumphed on penalty shoot-out after 2-2 draw in a famous 1994 semi final showdown in Tunis and also pipped their West African rivals 1-0 in a group phase affair in Algiers in 1990. The draw was in a group phase match in Lagos in 1980, with the Eagles going ahead to win the Cup.
At other levels, Nigeria came out the stronger in a quarter final clash at the 2008 Olympic Games Men’s Football Tournament, beating the Ivorians 2-0 in Chinquadao.
Former Super Eagles’ defender Benedict Iroha, who played a huge role in that 1994 semi final, and is here in South Africa, said on Wednesday: “The Ivorians have always been tough customers. I played
against them several times.
“I can never forget that 1994 semi final clash in Tunisia. Most of their players were my team-mates at ASEC Mimosas, including Michelle Bassole who scored their two goals, as well as Abdoulaye Traore and Aka Kouame.
“We got back into the game when Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory) scored and I then exchanged passes with Jay-Jay Okocha to score the equalizer. We had chances to win it in the second half but their
goalkeeper, Alain Gou-amene, was something else. We eventually won on penalties and beat Zambia in the final to lift the trophy.” Nigerians are also unlikely to have forgotten the two teams’ clash in the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifying race.
Algeria, which represented Africa at the World Cup in 1982 and 1986, were favourites when lumped in the same final qualifying group with Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire. The Ivorians came from one goal behind to defeat Nigeria 2-1 in Abidjan but were turned back 4-0 in Lagos. The Eagles flogged Algeria 4-1 in Lagos and held out for a 1-1 draw in Algiers to reach their first-ever FIFA World Cup finals.
Tomorrow at the Royal Bafokeng, the royal showdown between these two teams will definitely come with plenty of fireworks and inferno.
“The Super Eagles are like the underdogs in this match,” said Chief Emeka Inyama, chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee. “But it is good for us because the players will not feel any superiority complex and will approach the game with the right mentality, to prove bookmakers wrong.
“I feel that something good will happen on Sunday. The Eagles will fly.”
Winning is more important than vengeance — Yobo
Skipper Joseph Yobo has a frightening credential of playing in his six Nations Cup here in South Africa. Out of the six outings, he has suffered humiliation in the hands of Cote d’Ivoire twice. Sunday would afford him an opportunity to get even with the boastful Elephants who said that they are going to fry the Nigerian Eagles and consume them in the open in South Africa.
“It’s true that I have lost twice to them in the cause of my many appearances. But I think that winning is more important to us than paying them back”, he said.
We’re ready for victory and we are working more on that than thinking of revenge
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.
JEFFREY BROWN: This was Hillary Clinton's last day on the job as secretary of state.
Ray Suarez looks at the diplomatic career of the former first lady and U.S. senator.
FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON, United States: I am more optimistic today than I was when I stood here four years ago.
RAY SUAREZ: Clinton bid farewell to her staff today as a standing room-only crowd packed into the State Department's lobby.
HILLARY CLINTON: I have seen, day after day, the many contributions that our diplomats and development experts are making to help ensure that this century provides the kind of peace, progress and prosperity that not just the United States, but the entire world, especially young people, so richly deserve.
RAY SUAREZ: Clinton visited more countries than any previous secretary of state, a total of 112, 401 days on the road, logging nearly 957,000 miles. She's been a vocal advocate for women's and girls' rights and empowerment around the world.
HILLARY CLINTON: We are now an administration that will protect the rights of women, including their rights to reproductive health care.
RAY SUAREZ: Clinton also worked to help free political prisoners, like Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who spent years under House arrest. She was the first secretary of state to visit that country in more than half-a-century.
Clinton has overseen the State Department while the U.S. military has fought wars on two fronts, in Iraq, where the forces are now gone, and in Afghanistan, where American combat troops have begun drawing down. Clinton also used social media and the Internet in her soft power and public diplomacy efforts.
The secretary garnered high approval ratings, both abroad and at home. In a recent Washington Post/ABC News poll, 67 percent of Americans expressed a favorable opinion of her. It's an open question whether her tenure includes a standout foreign policy achievement. Still unresolved issues include Iran's nuclear program, the lack of a Middle East peace process, and the raging war in Syria.
Clinton made her final appearance on Capitol Hill nearly two weeks ago to testify about September's attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. It claimed the lives of the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans. She took aim at Senate Republicans, who accused the Obama administration of deceiving the nation about what happened.
HILLARY CLINTON: The fact is, we had four dead Americans. Was it because of a protest or was it because of guys out for a walk one night who decided they would go kill some Americans? What difference, at this point, does it make?
RAY SUAREZ: President Obama gave her high praise in a joint interview Sunday with CBS's "60 Minutes."
PRESIDENT OBAMA: I think Hillary will go down as one of the finest secretary of states we have had. It has been a great collaboration over the last four years.
RAY SUAREZ: Clinton said her immediate goal is to catch up on 20 years of sleep deprivation. As for any political aspirations, she hasn't made her intentions known. But an independent super PAC has been created to support her with hopes, that she will run again for president in 2016.
Meanwhile, Clinton's successor, former Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, was sworn in at a private ceremony this afternoon and starts work Monday.
For more on Hillary Clinton's legacy, we turn to two Longtime foreign policy watchers. Trudy Rubin is the worldview columnist at The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Susan Glasser is executive editor of Foreign Policy magazine.
Well, Trudy Rubin, you heard the president just a moment ago say that Hillary Clinton was a great success as secretary of state. Was she?
TRUDY RUBIN, The Philadelphia Inquirer: I think it depends on how you define great success.
If you are talking about implementing his policy within the confines of the policy, then she did a good job overseas, carrying out his ideas and making a terrific impression when she did public diplomacy, because she's such a talented politician, even overseas.
But if it comes to signature achievements, either any big achievement under Obama's policy, for example, on Middle East peace, on Syria, on solving still existing issues in Afghanistan and Pakistan, apart from the pullout, or any doctrine of her own or signature issue of her own, I don't think there is anything you can point your finger to.
She basically was a loyal soldier who presented a terrific image of the U.S. abroad, but not in a way that is going to leave a lasting impact, I feel.
RAY SUAREZ: Susan Glasser, how do you assess her four years as secretary?
SUSAN GLASSER, Foreign Policy magazine: Well, you know, Ray, I do think there is this paradox about Hillary Clinton, right, that as popular as she is, everybody says she is doing a terrific job as secretary of state, and then if you ask them, well, what is it that she has done, nobody has any idea what she has done or even what a secretary of state is supposed to do in this day and age.
I think this phrase implementer is one that Denis McDonough, who is now the chief of staff in the Obama White House, but was the deputy national security adviser, when I asked him who was really in charge of setting foreign policy strategy in this administration, was it Hillary Clinton or was it the White House, he made it very clear the White House was in charge of the big picture, and he described her as the principal implementer.
RAY SUAREZ: Well, the president is the boss. Was she an effective advocate for the Obama administration's worldview around the world?
SUSAN GLASSER: Well, I mean, that's where clearly she gets marks that are off the chart.
She brought a level of celebrity star power and just sheer wattage to the job, not to mention her absolutely relentless desire to travel around the world. And we did it a slide show the other day of all 112 countries that she went to, from Afghanistan to Zambia, called her the secretary of schlep. And in some ways, there is actually a real debate that has opened up.
Michael Kinsley wrote a column recently trashing her for it and saying that it was a complete waste of time.
RAY SUAREZ: Trudy, the boosters of Hillary Clinton have noted that at the time that she became secretary, U.S. prestige around the world was heavily damaged by very contentious relationships during the Bush years. If you limit the question to whether those have been repaired, how does her record as secretary look then?
TRUDY RUBIN: You know, the Obama administration put an emphasis on alliances. And there's no question she set out — she repaired the relationship with Europeans. She brought about closer relationships with Southeast Asian countries in an effort to pivot towards Asia and sort of create a buffer against China.
But if you look at how that translates into policy, I think there is a bigger problem. She was very good at going out to a country, soothing ruffled feathers, for example, with officials in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and speaking out to the public.
But what kind of a lasting impact did it have. For example, in Pakistan, where I was there when she deflected criticism, angry shouts from students, and she had them eating out of her hands. But, in Pakistan, the government is still providing shelter for the Taliban. And there's still no real solid rapprochement between us and them.
So it is very hard to see that her soothing, her repairing of alliances necessarily resulted in concrete policy achievements.
RAY SUAREZ: Susan, wasn't it a pretty complicated map, not only with places, as Trudy notes, like Pakistan, but even with some of America's closest allies?
SUSAN GLASSER: Well, that's exactly right.
I mean, these are times where, you know, you play the hand you are dealt as secretary of state, not only because the White House decides the big-picture policy, but the world over the last four years has been a complicated place. Who would have expected that actually Europe, our closest allies, would have been in a period of enormous internal turmoil greater than anything that they have seen since the end of World War II?
So Clinton was left to manage those relationships. I think I would say that she was often a soother, but often as not she was also someone who would speak out in a tough manner. Look at her relationship with the Russians. Even as President Obama was proclaiming a reset in our relationship with the Russians, Hillary Clinton was always often cast in the role of the tough guy in that relationship.
And remember that when Vladimir Putin came back to power, he publicly castigated her for seeking to foment a revolution against him. So she wasn't afraid to speak out in this role either in many ways.
RAY SUAREZ: Trudy, do you think she pulled the Obama administration in a more hawkish direction than its own instincts might have done?
TRUDY RUBIN: Not necessarily.
You know, I think she hewed to the Obama administration's position on Syria, which was trying to get a deal between the Russians and the Americans and not helping militarily. She stuck with that. On Iran, she was a hawk during the primaries between her and Obama. But Obama has — publicly, at least — advanced a hawkish position.
So she seems to be walking in tandem with him there. So, you know, it isn't really clear, if she had been left to her own devices or if Obama had played Richard Nixon and made her his Kissinger, whether she would have taken positions very different from his. As it is, because she was the implementer, she tried to carve out some areas of her own, networking, public diplomacy, and working on women's issues.
But, even in those areas, including women's issues, I'm not sure how lasting the impact is going to be. For example, if we pull completely out of Afghanistan, all the gains that women have made may be lost.
RAY SUAREZ: Susan Glasser, quick final thoughts?
SUSAN GLASSER: Well, I guess we're all going to be talking about Hillary Clinton for some time to come. We have got four years to wait and speculate to see whether she runs for president or not.
RAY SUAREZ: Susan Glasser, Trudy Rubin, thank you both.
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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