NIGERIA: I Have no Enemies, Says Fashola

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Read Time:2 Minute, 54 Second

 The Governor of Lagos State,  Babatunde  Fashola, has declared  that he has no enemies, adding that what appear to be enemies are critics who inspire him to fulfill his biggest challenges in governance.

He equally claimed that he has met the expectations of over 21 million Lagosians who gave him their mandate’’

The governor, who was responding to a question from one of the students, who took part in the Lagos State Science and Technology (LASSTECH) week, last week at the state Auditorium, Alausa, added that his belief in the promise of a greater Nigeria inspires him to always give his best.

He urged the over 750 students at the state auditorium to “work hard and hold on to your dreams, since all that had been thought impossible globally in the recent past have come to pass.’’

Meanwhile, the state government has appealed to Nigerians to rely more on science and technology in accessing goods and services, even as  the state government steps up its  infrastructural transformation to make living and doing business in the state easier for all.

The state Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr Adebiyi Mabadeje, made the appeal in his address at the take-off of the week-long LASSTECH, with the theme: ‘Emerging Trends in Science and Technology and their application in Nation Building’.

The commissioner said: “In line with global best practices, the state was determined to continue to deploy science and technology in delivering world-class services to a multi-facetted and increasingly sophisticated commercial community in the capital of Africa’s leading economy.’’

He said that the  programme was put  together by the state government “to promote the use of science and technology as tools in strengthening creativity, innovation, capacity building, infrastructure and institutions  all geared towards the realisation of good governance and  efficient service delivery to the people of the state.’’

Mabadeje said that it was only the deployment of science and technology solutions that could confront the huge challenges presented by the rapid rural-urban migration into Lagos in order not to compromise the quality of life of the inhabitants.

The state government said these challenges informed the yearly LASSTEC H week is aimed at creating awareness and early promotion of practical skills, entrepreneurial education, as well as the study of Science and Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in the state’s educational institutions.

In her welcome address earlier, the Permanent Secretary  in the Ministry, Mrs. Nike Animashaun, told  the participants that: ‘’Science and technology provide the best options for development in all facets of human endeavour, while also serving as the yardstick for measuring  the rate of economic development in any state or nation.’’

She commended the over 750 pupils and students drawn from all over the state for taking advantage of the week’s activities to justify the huge investment on science and technology by the Fashola’s administration  in  fast-tracking economic development of the state.

The Permanent Secretary said : ‘’The week will enable participants to explore and harness scientific and technological inputs, showcase indigenous technology and research products, provide platforms for  inventors and investors to interact for the development of Lagos and pro-actively proffer solutions to issues confronting emerging megacities like Lagos.’’

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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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Building Collapse: SON Reads Riot Act to Contractors

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Read Time:1 Minute, 24 Second

 The Director-General of Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr Joseph Odumodu, in what looked like reading a riot act, on Wednesday frowned on building contractors in the country, insisting that the organisation will force them to do the right thing if they refused to comply with its set standards to forestall incidents of building collapse.

Speaking at a South-east zonal stakeholders’ forum in Awka, Anambra State capital, yesterday on sandcrete, block and allied cement products, with the theme: ‘Safeguarding Lives Through Compliance with standards’, Odumodu expressed concern over the rising incidents of building collapse in Nigeria as a result of mismanagement by builders and contractors.

He expressed worries that Nigeria ranks high in incidences of building collapse, which he said had brought about death in most families and has also been a source of economic waste.

The SON boss warned that unless urgent steps were taken by builders and engineers to manage the sandcrete in stipulated proportion, the menace would continue.

According to Odumodu, who is also the President of African Union of Standardisation, “building can only come down if there is compromise on sandcrete which comprises sand, concrete, cement and iron rods.

“With this stakeholders’ forum, we expect that a new regime in building will set in. That means, if you build, it must have an approved design, with a certified builder as it is not an all comer affair.”

Odumodu said compromise in standard was caused by unhealthy competition among block builders and others, which leads to a drop in price and quality, but the organisation has the responsibility to enforce standard, and will continue to ensure so.

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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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Jonathan was leading a malfunctioning government – Tambuwal

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Read Time:8 Minute, 8 Second

The polity was astir, yesterday, with mixed views on President Goodluck Jonathan’s elaborate declaration to seek for re-election.

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK AKNOLEDGING CHEERS FROM HIS SUPPORTES

Leaders of the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday insisted that the timing was wrong and insensitive, given the killing of 47 students in Potiskum, Yobe State, adding that they will give President Jonathan a thorough electoral beating at the 2015 polls.

However, the Professor Ben Nwabueze-led Igbo Leaders of Thought, ILT backed the President’s re-election bid, saying it believes the president has the wisdom and capacity to transform the country into a better united nation.

House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, said Jonathan was leading a malfunctioning government just as the Labour Party, LP, described as unnecessary criticisms of the president’s action because he has the constitutional right to do so.

Rising from a meeting in Enugu, the ILT Executive Committee Deputy Chairman, Professor Chiweyite Ejike, commended Jonathan “For his wisdom in convening the National Conference, his humility, tolerance and ability to remain focused amid multiple distractions the country has never experienced before now. Some of these landmines are man-made but God gave Nigeria a wise and humble leader at this time of great tribulation.

Labour faults critics of Jonathan’s formal declaration

The Labour Party, LP faulted criticisms of President Goodluck Jonathan’s formal declaration to run for office for a second term, describing it as unnecessary.

In a statement by its National Secretary, Mr Olukayode Ajulo, the party described the declaration as the president’s fundamental right as enshrined in the Constitution.

“Jonathan has the right to present himself for election just as the Constitution gives Nigerians equal right to elect or reject him” the party stated.

It noted that the declaration, like others by various aspirants from other political parties, is an action that will deepen the nation’s democratic experiments.

The party equally faulted allegations that Boko Haram was created by the government to cause destabilization and shift focus from 2015 general elections. Noting that the Boko Haram pre-dated the Jonathan administration, LP said “such unfounded allegation is myopic and amounts to trying to score cheap political points with an issue that threatens the corporate existence of the country.”

Jonathan danced on the grave of dead students, APC insists

In Benin City, the Edo State capital, the national leadership of the APC and governors of the party led by Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, at a rally, faulted the second term declaration of President Jonathan, saying that the President danced on the graves of innocent children, who were killed by the Boko Haram sect.

Jonathan will lose Bayelsa in 2015 – Oshiomhole

On his part, Governor Oshiomhole declared that President Jonathan will lose in his Bayelsa State in 2015 and be sacked from Aso Rock for an APC President to take over, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal insisted that the PDP- led administration had failed the country, noting that Nigerians were deceived to vote President Jonathan in his first tenure, stressing that Nigerians must not vote any more based on sentiments but on credibility irrespective of the tribe of the person.

The leaders, who spoke at the six years anniversary celebration of Oshiomhole as governor of Edo include; National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie Oyegun; National leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Chief Audu Ogbeh, former Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Other dignitaries include Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State; Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who was represented by his deputy; former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva; former governor of Ekiti State, Niyi Adebayo; Senator Chris Ngige; Chief Segun Oni, former governor of Ekiti State; APC national and state Assembly members; representatives of the Oba of Benin and many others.

At the well attended rally, former Minister of State for Works, Engr Chris Ogienwonyi and his supporters defected to the APC from the PDP.

Governor Oshiomhole, who reeled out his achievements in the last six years pooh poohed Jonathan’s comment that the PDP will capture Edo and Rivers states in 2015 and 2016.

He said: “When President Jonathan was here in September to launch the South-South rally of the PDP, he was reported as saying that Edo State will fall to PDP.

He went on to say that Rivers will fall to PDP. Look at the word he used ‘fall.’ I want to put him on notice that Edo State is not an enemy territory to be felled by an Armed Forces and the Commander-in-Chief must not target Edo for falling, Edo will stand and march on. On the contrary, APC will defeat the President in Bayelsa State.

“APC will defeat PDP in Rivers State. APC will defeat PDP in Cross River State. APC will defeat PDP in Delta State. APC will continue to bury PDP in Edo State. What is the score card of the PDP in Edo State and in Nigeria? The PDP has commissioned the resurfacing of Ofusu to Benin in a period of 16 years.

That is all PDP has to show in Edo State over a period of 16 years. Don’t forget that the PDP Federal Government controls 52.8 per cent of declared Federal allocation. Don’t ask me what is not declared.

“So I ask the President, with all due respect, what his party the PDP has done in Edo State. This afternoon, I want to remind you of those powerful statements made by the Edionwere of Benin Kingdom, Chief Edebiri who said that this generation of Edo people will never again vote for anybody who carries an umbrella that is torn. In 2011, the President scored 96 per cent in this state. Let him show us the 96 per cent contribution of development from PDP. All we see is PDP appropriating federal money in the name of SURE-P, which is SURE-Fraud…

“By the special grace of God, by February next year, we will not vote on the basis of tribalism. we will vote on the basis of who provides power. For 16 years PDP keep promising power but it is clearly power to their stomach. As long as PDP is in power, Nigerian people will be out of power. For as long as PDP has power, Nigerian people will never have power.’’

How Jonathan erred –Tinubu

On his part, Asiwaju Tinubu, who commended Oshiomhole for his achievements in Edo State, said President Jonathan made a blunder by declaring openly when girls abducted in Chibok by the Boko Haram sect were either killed or yet to be found.

According to him, “Jonathan is stepping on the blood of Nigerian children and dancing on their graves by declaring yesterday (Tuesday). A wise President will stay in the villa and declare his intention to run in the memory of those children. He said he will not step on the blood of anybody to be re-elected but he is dancing on their blood. No leadership of any nation will sit idle and watch any part of its own territory being taken away by the so-called insurgents.

“Mubi is the second largest commercial town in Adamawa state, if it has been taken by the insurgents, then this President should resign. If a military barrack equipped with our weapon to fight the insurgents, the armoury was abandoned and the soldiers fled, leaving the weapons for the insurgents under your watch and you said you want to run again, no. God forbids, if you refuse to go, we will sweep you away.’’

He warned the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC against collaborating with the PDP to rig the forthcoming elections and berated the commission for reducing the number of voters in Lagos from the six million used in the 2011 elections to 4.8 million.

We have a malfunctioning govt in place –Tambuwal

Tambuwal blasted the PDP-led federal government saying, “The system we have in place today is malfunctioning.

The government at the centre has failed in several ways and when you have a system that is not working, what do you do? You change to a better system that will deliver. The objective is to deliver good roads, provide security, enhance development in this country.

“What we have at the moment is a cabal that has hijacked the instrument of authority of the Nigerian people and we will do everything humanly possible come May 2015 to ensure that they are out of the villa.”

 

and what we have is a progressive government of APC. When they came here last time, they said you should vote for him that he is from the South-South. But what have the people of the South-South benefited from this presidency in the last few years?

“When he came, he rode on the sentiment of being a minority, what have the minorities of Nigeria have to show in the last four years? Don’t be deceived again. All of us have been deceived before when we were persuaded that we needed to have this personality in government for some reasons. But it has been proven beyond reasonable doubt that he has not provided good governance. All of us must agree that what we need in Nigeria is good governance and whoever can provide that should be the leader of this country not minding where he is from,” he remarked.

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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3 Kids Die in Lagos Fire Disaster

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Read Time:2 Minute, 21 Second

 Three children, including an infant, who were trapped in their house, were on Wednesday burnt to death when fire razed the top floor of block 54 located at Jakande Estate, along the Mile 2 area of Lagos.

Although the names of the deceased children were yet to be identified, THISDAY gathered that the fire was finally put out by the state fire service, but before then the 10 and seven years-old teenagers had been burnt beyond recognition, alongside their six months-old sibling.

According to eyewitness account, the bereaved mother had locked up the kids in the house late in the night and stepped down to her shop, but left a candle on, only to come back and meet the block of flat in flames.

The fire, which started little, was said to have snowballed into flames before a passerby who raised an alarm attracted neighbours.

Although the father tried all possible best to rescue his kids, the flame of the fire was said to have overpowered him as he watched helplessly alongside with his wife whilst the flat burnt.
Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), South-west Zone, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, said the fire, which started about midnight, destroyed the top floor of block 56 at Jakande Estate, where the two teenagers and infant lived.

“Two teenagers and an infant of the same parent were burnt to death in a fire incident that started around 12:30am on Wednesday. The fire service came to the rescue as soon as the incident was reported to the organisation but unfortunately, the children died in the inferno.”

Some of the residents said the fire could have been contained if the fire service had come a little bit earlier.

One of the residents who spoke on anonymity said, “When we noticed the fire, we tried our possible best to put it out, especially when we learnt there were three kids in that building.

“But our best was not good enough. And already, we had called the emergency numbers but they were not fast enough. When the two fire trucks from the Fire Service got here, the fire was still raging but the kids were dead.

“It took almost one hour after we called in that the Fire Service came to our rescue even though they kept assuring us they were on their way. It was disastrous.”

As at press time, the police had taken the corpses away to the nearest morgue, pending when they would be claimed for burial.

Attempts to contact the state police public relations officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, about the news making the rounds that the bereaved mother, out of heartbreak allegedly committed suicide, proved abortive as he didn’t take his calls.

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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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Russia 2018: FBI to Probe FIFA officials

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Read Time:1 Minute, 51 Second

Few hours after FIFA, the world football governing body, gave itself a clean bill of health, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has said it is stepping up the pace of a corruption investigation into senior leaders of FIFA, U.S. law enforcement officials have said.

The FIFA ethics committee Thursday announced that it was closing its investigation into alleged corruption in the 2018 and 2022 bidding process that awarded the World Cup to Russia and Qater, respectively.

According to reports from CNN.com, FIFA said its investigation found no corruption and has no reason to reopen the bidding process, but the FBI, which is leading the U.S. probe, is not ready to do the same.

Investigators are moving ahead with their probe, which could result in charges against senior FIFA officials, the U.S. law enforcement officials said.

FBI agents based in New York are moving ahead with their 3-year-old investigation, which will likely benefit from the findings of a former U.S. prosecutor, Michael Garcia, who was hired by FIFA to do an internal probe.

The FBI plans to seek access to Garcia’s report, which FIFA has not yet released. So far, the FBI has declined to offer an official comment on the development.

Garcia on Thursday distanced himself from the FIFA ethics announcement, saying: “Today’s decision by the Chairman of the Adjudicatory Chamber contains numerous materially incomplete and erroneous representations of the facts and conclusions detailed in the Investigatory Chamber’s report. I intend to appeal this decision to the FIFA Appeal Committee.”

The FBI investigation includes the cooperation of a former top FIFA official who has provided documents and recordings of meetings with colleagues, law enforcement officials said.

The New York Daily news, which reported on the cooperation of former FIFA official Chuck Blazer, quoted Blazer as saying: “I just can’t talk about that.”

FIFA has long been dogged by allegations of corruption. In 2011, the FIFA banned for life Mohamed bin Hammam, a Qatari member of its top governing body, for ethics violations.

Consequenly, the organization says it is planning unspecific improvements in the way it conducts World Cup bids.
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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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Boko Haram Attacks Force 13,000 to Flee to Cameroun

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Read Time:3 Minute, 30 Second

The United Nations refugee agency has reported that thousands of people continue to flee to Cameroun to escape attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in North-east Nigeria.

“According to Camerounian authorities, some 13,000 Nigerian refugees crossed from Adamawa State after insurgents attacked and captured the town of Mubi in late October. The refugees fled to the towns of Guider and Gashiga in the North region of Cameroun and to Bourha, Mogode and Boukoula in the Far North,” United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in a statement from Geneva.

UNHCR cited local authorities in Cameroun as saying the “vast majority” of these 13,000 Nigerians had returned to Nigeria, saying that their final destination was Yola, the capital city of Adamawa State, about 200 kilometres south of Mubi.

Following the attack on Mubi, it was reported that refugees arrived in Cameroun in more than 300 vehicles – including many personal vehicles, as well as some trucks and rented cars. The Camerounian authorities reported that they facilitated onward transit movements and provided escorts to ensure the safety of those transiting through Camerounian territory.

On the Nigeria side, a UNHCR team confirmed that thousands of Nigerians were now being hosted at Girei (Gombe State) and at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camp in Yola, one of the five sites in Adamawa State hosting internally displaced people.

In Yola, UNHCR has interviewed some of the people who transited through Cameroun before re-entering Nigeria. “The vast majority of them are women and children. They told our teams that many families were forced to flee on foot, taking few belongings with them and walking tens of kilometres before finding safety in Cameroun,” the UNHCR statement said.

It added that UNHCR was also examining claims that some of these refugees may have been forced to return to Nigeria. “We are seeking assurances from both Nigeria and Cameroun that the return of these people was done on a voluntary basis,” it said.
Cameroun is hosting thousands of refugees from Nigeria and the Central African Republic. UNHCR urged Cameroun to maintain an open door for refugees.

In other areas in the far North region that border Nigeria’s Borno State, Camerounian authorities continue to report regular attempts by insurgents to carry out incursions into Camerounian territory, frequently launching attacks from their strongholds on the Nigerian side of the border. Before the latest attacks in Mubi, Camerounian authorities had confirmed that more than 43,000 Nigerians had sought refuge in Cameroun, of whom close to 17,000 are living at Minawao refugee camp, which is managed by UNHCR and other humanitarian agencies.

Meanwhile, in Niger, at least 1,000 people have arrived in the Bosso area, in the southern part of the country, following the capture by insurgents last week of the garrison town of Malam Fatori. The Nigerian town is located only a few kilometres from the border with Niger.

The new arrivals in Bosso said Malam Fatori is now almost empty, as most inhabitants have fled without taking any belongings with them. Children show signs of trauma. At this point, it is difficult to know exactly how many people have arrived in the past few days.

The crisis in the North-east of Nigeria has led to the flight of more than 100,000 people to Niger since May 2013. Both Nigerian refugees and citizens of Niger.

According to the agency, around 2,700  refugees have moved into Chad. At the same time, over 650,000 people are displaced within Nigeria’s six north-eastern states.

“The ongoing refugee crisis has seen more than 100,000 people spill over into Niger’s Diffa region since the beginning of 2014, while Cameroon is currently hosting some 44,000 Nigerian refugees. According to authorities, another 2,700 have fled to Chad.

“At the same time, recent violence on the Niger-Nigeria border has prompted at least 1,000 Nigerians to escape over the border into Niger’s Bosso area, particularly following last week’s capture of the garrison town, Malam Fatori, by insurgents,” said the statement.

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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Synagogue Tragedy: 54 S’African Bodies Ready for Repatriation

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Read Time:4 Minute, 11 Second

 Two months after the collapse of the guest house belonging to the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) in Ikotun,  a Lagos suburb,  resulting in the death of about 118 persons, the Lagos State Government on Wednesday approved the repatriation of the bodies of 54 South Africans who died in the incident.

Besides, the state government disclosed that 16 more bodies identified to be nationals of Nigeria, Togo and Benin had also gone through DNA tests, putting the number of victims certified for collection at 70.

The State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, gave the report at a meeting with the delegates of South African Government at State House, Marina, noting that the bodies of other victims would soon be released.

The meeting, which started at about 5:00 p.m., had in attendance the leader of South African delegation to Nigeria, Mr. Jeff Radebe; a Director in the South African presidency, Mr. Cassius Lubisi and Chief Medical Examiner for the Ssate, Prof. John Obafunwa among others.

The tragic incidence which claimed  118 lives occurred on September 12. Among them are 81 South Africans, three Zimbabweans and one from Democratic Republic of Congo.

At the meeting, Fashola said the state government “has no reason to deny you the right to take those 54 bodies. You have my word already. You can take them whenever you are ready to do so.

“It is left for you to decide whether to take them in batches or wait until we conclude the exercise. But if you are ready, my team will ensure that you take them without any delay.”

The governor explained that the state government had no reason “to delay closure on the investigation, but ensure proper identification of the victims in line with the South Africa culture and traditions.”

But he expressed regret that the incident happened in the state, though acknowledging that he “has managed such post-disaster emergency during the Dana plane crash in 2012. I understand the anxiety of families who want closure and the religious undertone as well.

 “Our responsibility is to ensure that families get closure. The culture exists here. I know that this is an issue that has attracted global attention. I understand the call by South Africans to get the bodies of their relatives.

“But we cannot at this time get the process wrong because if we release a body, we want to ensure that each family takes the body of their relative. It will be unpardonable for us to make mistake. The choice of South Africa for the test was a special decision to make the process easier for South Africans who bore the bigger brunt of the tragedy.

“So, since the relatives were in South Africa, it was easier to use a laboratory in the country, where we could easily take samples from the deceased families for the test. It was meant to further demonstrate what our intention was.”

On the investigation, Fashola said Corona’s Inquest “is still ongoing to investigate the disaster and to prosecute anyone culpable.”

But Obafunwa, who is Chief Medical Examiner, said 116 bodies were recovered and had been subjected to post-mortem examination-finger printing, photography, collection of samples and so on.

Of the 116, according to him, they have been able to identify 70 through the DNA laboratory in South Africa. Out of the 70, 54 of them are S/Africans, the rest, from their names, are Nigerians, Benin Republic and Togolese among others.

He said: “We had to collect addition DNA samples to assist the laboratory. We have been working together and talking to the lab. It is expected that more results will come in more than the 70 we have identified.”

Radebe said South-African culture and traditions “demand burial within a week of bereavement. But today makes it two-month since the incident. So, I paid a visit to President Goodluck Jonathan two days ago to convey the message of our president and find ways of speeding up the processes and reparations of the mortal remains of those 81 South Africans.”

Radebe noted that arrangement had been made “to include the four and take them to Pretoria, from where three would be taken to Harare and one to Kinshasa.

“We are ready to repatriate them as soon as we get the green light from the state government. We appreciate your government for the cooperation. Our team has been briefing us on the challenges of identifying the bodies. But the bereavement was very tragic indeed and we have to get the bodies back to South Africa. So it does not get into more difficulties.”

“The planes to convey the bodies are already secured and the team made up of specialists will arrive as soon as we get the go ahead from the state government. They have all been paid for by the South African Government.

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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Airtel Named Best Company in Education CSR

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Read Time:1 Minute, 6 Second

In recognition of its laudable Community Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives aimed at improving the standard and quality of education in Nigeria, leading telecoms operator, Airtel Nigeria, has been adjudged the Best Company in Education CSR by Social Enterprise Report Awards (SERAs) at its 2014 awards ceremony in Lagos.

The award presentation to Airtel at the 8th edition of SERA is also known as the Nigeria CSR Awards, which is one of Nigeria’s highly acclaimed awards recognised by industry experts. Other nominees for the awards category included Samsung, Etisalat and Oando.

In a citation by the organisers, Airtel’s Adopt-a-School programme and the Bridge IT project were described as some of the key initiatives of the Telco which have contributed to the development of education in the country. While receiving the awards, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, explained that the Telco places high priority on its CSR programmes which cut across critical areas of societal needs such as education, youth empowerment among many other initiatives.

He also commended the commitment and sacrifices of all staff of the company which he said had been pivotal to the successes of the company’s CSR efforts, adding that the company
would not relent in its drive towards an improved society.

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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Two die as female suicide bomber strikes in school

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Read Time:3 Minute, 16 Second

A suicide bomber  struck yesterday in Kotangora, Niger State, killing a student. The female bomber also died.

The Federal College of Education (FCE) Kotangora incident came 48 hours after 36 pupils of the Government Science Secondary School, Potiskum, Yobe State died in a similar incident.

Unable to get to the school hall where Distance Learning undergraduates of  the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, were writing exams, the suicide bomber died along with another female student. Four others were injured.

The bomb blast occurred around 12:30pm as the suicide bomber  was rushing towards the hall. As the bomb detonated, students scampered for their lives, jumping through the windows.

Naomi Gana, who was lucky to have finished her papers before the explosion, said:  “I saw the bomber.  I saw her running towards the library and I thank God before she got to the entrance the bomb went off. The other girl I am sure was just unlucky because she is a student who was just walking along when the bomb went off. I am still in shock. After I finished my exams, I sat under the tree, waiting for my friend. Then the bomb exploded.”

Another eye witness said the bomber might have beaten the internal security arrangement.

“The situation would have been disastrous if the suicide bomber had hit her target. If she had got to the lecture theatre where students were writing examination, the casualty would    have been unimaginable,” he said.

The suspected bomber had her lower part – from the abdomen and the legs blown off. The upper part of her body was burnt beyond recognition.

Military men and the police anti-bomb squad cordoned off the explosion site.

The Provost of the college, Dr. Nathaniel Odediran, said that a female student who was taken to the hospital with critical injuries, a 300-level undergraduate of ABU Distance Learning degree programme in the College, Miss. Fasilat Oludege, passed on at about 5pm yesterday.

“ We lost one of our female students who was initially injured in the explosion this evening, bringing the number of casualty to two.”

The Provost added: “We thank God for answering our prayers because He did not allow the enemies to succeed in carrying out their enterprise.”

Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu condemned the blast and the insurgency in the Northeast.

He described the reports that soldiers retreated from terrorists as depressing, lamenting that the military is finding it difficult to end insurgency.

Aliyu, who spoke in Minna during the fourth annual MBA International Literary Colloquium, one of the activities marking his 59th birthday, called for the security alertness and cooperation of all Nigerians.

“We need to go round houses and enlighten our people on the need for peace to reign, which will, therefore, bring an end to all these killings. We must not be partisan about security; the role of government is to provide security for people, regardless of their differences.

“I am calling on my colleagues to support the president and fight Abubakar Shekau (Boko Haram leader) and his people,” the governor said.

In the address entitled: “Leadership and National Development”, former Mozambican President Joacquim Chissano urged African leaders to address “potential trouble spots”, saying they should not “wait until it is too late”.

Chissano said: “ Early warning demands early action. Leadership is the state of mind and not position, and as a result, we should try to develop leaders in all areas of endeavours, if we truly want to change the situation on the continent.”

Niger police spokesman Ibrahim Gambari said the situation had been brought under control, with the anti-bomb squad dispatched to the scene.

Gambari said the level of casualty was limited, adding that three injured persons taken to the hospital had been discharged.

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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Terrorism: Nigeria Needs Concrete US Support, Not Hide and Seek

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Read Time:3 Minute, 33 Second

Disturbed by the seeming lackadaisical attitudes of some foreign allies in the war on terror, the United States has been urged to provide more concrete support to Nigeria’s war against terrorism beyond the current ambivalence and grandstanding.

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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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