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Sunday, March 29, 2009

Police orderlies: FG reverses order on judges, lawmakers

The Federal Government seemed to have bowed to pressure from the public as it announced on Saturday that judicial officers and those in the legislative and executive arms of government should continue to use their police orderlies.

The government’s new position negates the decision announced at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting last Wednesday, which was made known by the Minister of Police Affairs, Dr. Ibrahim Lame said that these categories of officers should continue to use their orderlies since they were approved by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro.

It will be recalled that the Federal Executive Council, after its meeting last Wednesday announced the withdrawal of police orderlies from certain categories of public officers, including judges, commissioners, members of the National Assembly, local government chairmen and others.

This has, however, drawn the ere of the public, who had described the directive a misconceived and capable of endangering the lives of these category of workers.

But government said the directive had been misinterpreted and this was why it was making the clarification.

In a press statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the minister, Mr. James Odaudu, government explained that the need to sanitise the Police profession necessitated the early order, adding that it had observed that rather than do their normal security job, many policemen were in the habit of engaging in an unprofessional job for their masters.

This, it said, undermined discipline and provided cover to criminals to shield their nefarious activities and to commit unpardonable crimes against the society

It called on Policemen who were not officially attached to government officials and individuals to return to their respective commands with immediate effect.

The FG, in the statement, called on individuals and corporate bodies that need the services of policemen to apply to the IG, who it said is in the position to approve such request.

The statement read, ”In response to the misinterpretation of the position of government regarding the use of Police men and women as Guards, Orderlies and Escorts which recently attracted some major headlines in the print-media, the Minister of Police Affairs, Dr Ibrahim Lame has deemed it necessary to make the following clarifications:

”The position of Government is that it frowns seriously at indiscriminate and unauthorized use of Police officers and men being attached to private individuals in the society.

”It is quite disgraceful to see Police officers and men performing demeaning and unethical jobs for their principals. This is identified as one of the major factors that debase the professional values and ethics of the Nigeria Police Force.

”It also undermines discipline and provides cover to criminals to shield their nefarious activities and even to commit unpardonable/unforgiving crimes against the society.

In light of the above, a directive was issued to the Nigeria Police Force for the immediate withdrawal of all police officers and men attached to private individuals and organisations without due authorization.

It should be noted that only those approved by the Inspector-General of Police should be given Police escorts or orderlies, while stern disciplinary measures will be taken against erring officers and men on such unapproved duties.

”Meanwhile, any person or organization needing such services should seek appropriate authorization from the Inspector General of Police. This will provide accountability and ultimately reduce the pressure on the force to provide such services.

”The Federal Executive Council has deliberated on this issue, noted the pressure on the Force and instructed that all unauthorised orderlies and escorts be withdrawn.

”It is important to note that this directive does not involve persons in positions in the Judiciary, Legislative or Executive arms of government. These categories of officials should continue to retain their orderlies if such orderlies were duly and officially attached.

”All police officers not officially attached to persons with whom they are currently performing such duties have been directed in their own interest to return to their respective commands immediately.”

Globacom boss, Adenuga, loses sister

Madam Esther Olusola Osunsade, eldest sister of the Chairman of Globacom, Dr Mike Adenuga Jr, has passed on.

According to a release in Lagos on Saturday, Osunsade died at the age of 70 in the early hours of Friday, March 27, 2009 in Lagos.

The deceased was born to the family of Late Chief Mrs Oyindamola Adenuga and Late Pa Michael Agbolade Adenuga on December 29, 1938.

“She attended St Anne‘s School, Ibadan among other schools and became an educationist. She taught in a couple of schools before retiring into business. Her business acumen was profound and she grew her business to an enviable standard before her demise.

“Mama Osunsade, as she was fondly called, loved and served God till she breathed her last. She was an active member of The Redeemed Christian Church of God and also the Full Gospel Businessmen‘s Fellowship,” the statement explained.

ASUU set for indefinite strike

Taken from punchng.com
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The Academic Staff Union of Universities, has concluded plans to embark on a nationwide indefinite strike if the Federal Government fails to sign and implement the joint agreement of December 2008 renegotiations reached by the two parties.

The ASUU Chairman, University of Calabar chapter, Dr Chike Ekeopara, said this on Saturday, while briefing journalists on the preparedness of the union.

He said one of the clause in the FG/ASUU agreement of June 30, 2001 was the renewal of the agreement after a period of three years which the Federal Government failed to oblige in July 2004.

He added that failure of the FG to renegotiate with ASUU until March 14, 2007 (three years after it was due), led to the three- month old strike action by ASUU which was called off on July 2,2007, after pleas from well meaning Nigerians and a letter from the Federal Ministry of Education dated June 26, 2007 that urged ASUU to call off the strike.

Part of the FG/ASUU renegotiation as contained in a letter from the Federal Ministry of Education to ASUU reads, “The negotiating team shall be empowered to negotiate with ASUU within the principles of collective bargaining with a view to addressing the problems of the rot and brain drain in the university system and to establish internationally competitive standards.”

The Don said since the renegotiation ended in December 2008, the Federal Government had demonstrated high level of insincerity through her non challant attitude toward the union‘s demand, brain drain and the proper funding of the Nigerian university system .

The Chairman who accused the FG of ‘footdragging‘ said ASUU had exhausted its patience which may likely spell doom for the Nigerian education system.

He condemned Federal Government‘s gesture of increasing the wages and other welfare packages for the military personnel and other para-military agencies with no consideration for the university system.

We mourn with President Yar Adua on the death of his sister

We at Nigerian News mourn with the president of Federal Government of Nigeria
on the death of his sister Hajia Hadiza who died in Cairo during the week.

May God give him and the entire family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Nigeria: University student jailed for fraud

Culled from Africa News

Wole Arisekola, AfricaNews reporter in Lagos, Nigeria

  1. A final year student of the Department of Survey and Geo-Informatics Engineering, University of Lagos, Nigeria, Lawal Adekunle Nurudeen, has been sentenced to 19 years imprisonment for obtaining $27,900.91 from an Australian woman, Pee Loo Rosalind Summer by false pretense.

    The convict was arraigned before Justice M.O Obadina of Ikeja High Court on 19-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretense and forgery. 

    He was found guilty on all the counts and consequently sentenced to 12 months imprisonment on each count. The convict was also ordered to pay the sums of $5,900, (N526, 117.15) and any interest standing to his credit in his savings account with the Ikorodu branch of a new generation bank, to the victim.

    In addition, the convict is to pay $250 monthly to the victim until the total sum fraudulently obtained by him is liquidated. His two plots of land lying and situated at Mowo Kekere Ikorodu bought from the proceeds of the crime is to be sold and the money realised remitted to the victim.

    The Honda prelude car recovered by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from the convict is also to be sold and its proceeds remitted to the victim.

    A statement signed by EFCC's Head of Media and Publicity, Femi Babafemi, said sometime in 2007, the convict who was an undergraduate of UNILAG met the victim on the internet and introduced himself as Engineer Benson Lawson, a Briton working with a multi-national company in Nigeria.

    According to the statement, "Along the line the victim, a 56- year old woman from Australia told the convict that she wanted a husband and all the men she had met always disappointed her. The convict, who is married with three children instantly applied and told the victim that she had met her ‘Mr. Right.’

    "To convince his prey, he told the woman that he was a 57 -year old widower and that few years back, his wife and their only child died in a ghastly motor accident in Lagos. He sent the picture of a white man to the victim to foreclose any suspicions. The victim accepted his proposal and that gave room for the next stage of the 419 heist."

    Few weeks later, he called the woman to introduce himself as Dr. Saheed Bakare and informed her that her ‘fiancĂ©,’ Benson Lawson had an accident and needed money for his treatment. The love-struck woman sent some money. 

    "Two weeks after the convict called the victim and thanked her profusely for her kindness. He now told her that he would like to visit her in Australia so that they could consummate their relationship. He demanded for money for air ticket, police and customs clearances and all sorts. "At the end of the day he duped the woman to the tuned of $47,000 before his arrest and arraignment by EFCC."

Friday, March 20, 2009

Toni Payne returns with 9ice’s baby


This is sourced straight from ePunch
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The young Los Angeles-based entrepreneur who delivered her first baby for the singer on Thursday December 4, returned to Nigeria on Sunday March 15.

She left the country last year, shortly after she exchanged vows with 9ice, 28, on Thursday July 17, 2008.

She was already a few months pregnant when she said ‘I do‘ to 9ice at the Surulere Registry in Lagos.

Sources close to the couple told e-Punch Mrs Akande returned with her baby, Zion, around 5pm last Sunday aboard a Virgin Atlantic flight.

“Since she had the baby, she hasn‘t come home. And her parents and 9ice parents had been longing to see their grandchild,” a source close to her told us.

There are also indications she may be considering setting up her business in Nigeria. Before getting married to 9ice, Toni had established herself as a promising entrepreneur, running an online entertainment magazine, as well as a cosmetics and apparel company under the trade name, Toni Payne. Her real names are Anthonia Oluwaseun.

“Yes my family is back,” 9ice told e-Punch on phone during the week.

Champions League Quarter Final Draws Out!!!

Quarter-finals

Villarreal v Arsenal

Manchester United v Porto

Liverpool v Chelsea

Barcelona v Bayern Munich

* First legs to be played April 7 and 8

Second legs to be played April 14 and 15

Semi-finals

Manchester United or Porto v Villarreal or Arsenal

Barcelona or Bayern Munich v Liverpool or Chelsea

* First legs to be played on April 28 and 29

* Second legs to be played May 5 and 6

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Ogun Lawmakers Fight; for the people?



It was a sorry sight at the Ogun state house of assembly on the 3rd of March, 2009 as they
engaged each other in a free for all brawl.

The brawl was sparked by a debate on whether Hon Titi Oseni and another lawmaker should be sacked.
Oseni was the former speaker and is very loyal to Governor Gbenga Daniel.
The debate on whether to suspend the honourables became hot and as expected, it turned into a free for all.
After, when everthing had settled down and the mace returned to its original position as it had been
displaced during the scuffles; the decision was taken to suspend the two lawmakers indefinitely.

However, a group of 11 Lawmakers disagreed and said the decision would not stand.
There is of course more to come; as there are speculations that this is one of the steps to remove Governor
Gbenga Daniel from office, as it is his loyalists that are been suspended.

What do you think? Are these lawmakers fighting for their people?

Friday, March 13, 2009

Naijapulse VS Twitter

First, it was Hi5, next youtube, then myspace, then DIGG et al, now the rainingweb app is Twitter. Yes, Twitter. Twitter has an amazing following and it is so easyto use. No login problems like any other app. No friend requests, you just follow and pple canfollow you easily.You can even follow Big organizations like the CNN, celebrities like 50 cent.Most sites have links to follow them on twitter and those following canget updates easily.Twitter is a beauty... and then Naijapulse.
Naijapulse is a microblogging web app, and as the name sounds, it is Proudly Nigerian.I see it however as a chatroom board, plus networking tools.
To me Naijapulse is more interesting but you can network more on twitter cos it has higher traffic.What's ur take? www.twitter.com www.naijapulse.com