Ex-Niger Delta Militants, PDP Officials, Part of Jonathan’s Outsized Entourage to New York

President Goodluck Jonathan had one of the most outsized delegation when he went to the United Nations General Assembly in the United States, drawing up personalities apparently irrelevant for the meeting, with likely cost implications in several millions if not billions of naira.

Several members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party for instance, joined the train to New York, so much that the party halted its activities since Monday.

On Tuesday, reporters also confirmed several ex-militant leaders, and known supporters of the president, and several others are presently in the United States for the same mission.

“I can tell you everyone I called today are in New York,” an associate of President Jonathan said. “Several ex-militants are also there, although there are claims they paid their way there.”

The source, who did not want to be named out of concern the disclosure he made might anger Mr. Jonathan, gave some names of militants he said travelled to New York with the President. We are withholding the names because we could not independently verify them as at the time of filing this report.

The sidekicks that accompanied the president are separate from the nearly a dozen ministers travelling with Mr Jonathan, several aides, hangers on with clearly no relevance to the trip.

Mr. Jonathan has managed to build a notorious reputation for travelling for international events with huge entourages that often put him up for stinging criticisms since taking office in 2010.

That year, the president reportedly travelled with 120 people to New York. In February 2013, officials who travelled with the president for an African Union meeting in Ethiopia, averaged 200, making the Nigerian delegation the largest to the meeting.

When concerns flared again this time about his team to the current UN meeting, with allegations that as many as 600 may have travelled with the president to New York, the presidency scrambled a denial, saying those who travelled officially with the president were less than 30.

The response, in a statement issued by spokesperson, Reuben Abati, however admitted more people were in New York but said they were “for their own purposes”. “We are certainly aware that many Nigerian citizens are currently on visits to New York.

These persons are here for their own purposes and neither President Jonathan nor his administration has any responsibility for the presence of these persons in New York,” Mr. Abati said. He said those include Nigerian businessmen for “an African Business Roundtable event, members of non-governmental organizations and tourists”.

Sources could however not ascertain the exact number of those who travelled with the president this time. But our reporters who visited PDP headquarters on Monday and Tuesday confirmed several party members were on the trip.

All events were accordingly suspended at the party office. Presidency sources also confirmed former militant leaders who since become loyalists of the president, were on the trip.

So awkward was the Nigerian team accompanying Mr. Jonathan that at the president’s meeting with Mr Obama on Monday, the ministers were left standing by the sides, apparently as seating arrangements were not made for the large number.

Ex-Niger Delta Militants, PDP Officials, Part of Jonathan’s Outsized Entourage to New York

Posted by Sylvester No comments

President Goodluck Jonathan had one of the most outsized delegation when he went to the United Nations General Assembly in the United States, drawing up personalities apparently irrelevant for the meeting, with likely cost implications in several millions if not billions of naira.

Several members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party for instance, joined the train to New York, so much that the party halted its activities since Monday.

On Tuesday, reporters also confirmed several ex-militant leaders, and known supporters of the president, and several others are presently in the United States for the same mission.

“I can tell you everyone I called today are in New York,” an associate of President Jonathan said. “Several ex-militants are also there, although there are claims they paid their way there.”

The source, who did not want to be named out of concern the disclosure he made might anger Mr. Jonathan, gave some names of militants he said travelled to New York with the President. We are withholding the names because we could not independently verify them as at the time of filing this report.

The sidekicks that accompanied the president are separate from the nearly a dozen ministers travelling with Mr Jonathan, several aides, hangers on with clearly no relevance to the trip.

Mr. Jonathan has managed to build a notorious reputation for travelling for international events with huge entourages that often put him up for stinging criticisms since taking office in 2010.

That year, the president reportedly travelled with 120 people to New York. In February 2013, officials who travelled with the president for an African Union meeting in Ethiopia, averaged 200, making the Nigerian delegation the largest to the meeting.

When concerns flared again this time about his team to the current UN meeting, with allegations that as many as 600 may have travelled with the president to New York, the presidency scrambled a denial, saying those who travelled officially with the president were less than 30.

The response, in a statement issued by spokesperson, Reuben Abati, however admitted more people were in New York but said they were “for their own purposes”. “We are certainly aware that many Nigerian citizens are currently on visits to New York.

These persons are here for their own purposes and neither President Jonathan nor his administration has any responsibility for the presence of these persons in New York,” Mr. Abati said. He said those include Nigerian businessmen for “an African Business Roundtable event, members of non-governmental organizations and tourists”.

Sources could however not ascertain the exact number of those who travelled with the president this time. But our reporters who visited PDP headquarters on Monday and Tuesday confirmed several party members were on the trip.

All events were accordingly suspended at the party office. Presidency sources also confirmed former militant leaders who since become loyalists of the president, were on the trip.

So awkward was the Nigerian team accompanying Mr. Jonathan that at the president’s meeting with Mr Obama on Monday, the ministers were left standing by the sides, apparently as seating arrangements were not made for the large number.

"ASUU Strike Will Soon Be Called Off"

Prof. Julius Okojie, Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) says he is confident that the protracted strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will soon be called off.

Okojie, who spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at a media parley with journalists, said the commission was doing everything within its powers to ensure a speedy resolution of the issues raised by ASUU so that students could return school.
“We are part of the system and we understand the issues, we are meeting with members of the union all the time and the issues are being tackled.
“So, we are optimistic the strike will soon be called off and our children can go back to school in the shortest possible time.’’
He also reacted to the call by ASUU for NUC to be scrapped, saying “the call is not in good faith as the commission has not gone to sleep over its duties”.
Also speaking on the recurrent disagreements between the commission and some professional bodies over accreditation and running of certain courses by some universities,
Okojie acknowledged that there were issues that needed to be resolved between both parties.
“There is no country in the world where regulatory bodies and professional bodies go to regulate at the same time.
“So, it is true we are having problems with professional bodies in carrying out our mandate, but the issues too will soon be resolved and we can move on.
The executive secretary, who said that the commission had closed many faculties not fit to run courses in certain universities, admitted that; “it is not easy to be a regulator’’.
According to him, the commission was “silently regulating the system’’ having to also pay professional fees and encourage professors to do accreditation.

"ASUU Strike Will Soon Be Called Off"

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Prof. Julius Okojie, Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) says he is confident that the protracted strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will soon be called off.

Okojie, who spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at a media parley with journalists, said the commission was doing everything within its powers to ensure a speedy resolution of the issues raised by ASUU so that students could return school.
“We are part of the system and we understand the issues, we are meeting with members of the union all the time and the issues are being tackled.
“So, we are optimistic the strike will soon be called off and our children can go back to school in the shortest possible time.’’
He also reacted to the call by ASUU for NUC to be scrapped, saying “the call is not in good faith as the commission has not gone to sleep over its duties”.
Also speaking on the recurrent disagreements between the commission and some professional bodies over accreditation and running of certain courses by some universities,
Okojie acknowledged that there were issues that needed to be resolved between both parties.
“There is no country in the world where regulatory bodies and professional bodies go to regulate at the same time.
“So, it is true we are having problems with professional bodies in carrying out our mandate, but the issues too will soon be resolved and we can move on.
The executive secretary, who said that the commission had closed many faculties not fit to run courses in certain universities, admitted that; “it is not easy to be a regulator’’.
According to him, the commission was “silently regulating the system’’ having to also pay professional fees and encourage professors to do accreditation.

HIV/AIDS Epidemic In Homosexual Men ‘Still Out Of control’ - UN

The United Nation’s HIV/AIDS agency (UNAIDS) has warned that the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome epidemic among homosexuals is “still out of control

The Deputy Executive Director, Luiz Loures said that  homosexual men are contracting the virus due to stigmatization against them and their not being legally protected.

“Homosexual men are getting AIDS because in many countries, they cannot come out, they cannot go to health centres, they cannot even buy a condom” he stated. Mr. Loures said the shape of HIV epidemic had changed, noting that it is now concentrated in regional and population-specific hotspots. These spots, he added, could be found all over the world.

According to him, these zones are the sources of the increasing epidemic and which also requires special attention. In the same vein, the UNAIDS’s 2013 Report on the global AIDS epidemic disclosed that fear of disapproval is a major obstacle preventing people from seeking medical help.

Reports and findings so far indicate that progress has been slow in securing HIV services for people most at risk of HIV infection, particularly homosexual men, sex workers, and people who inject drugs. Notwithstanding the gloomy picture, the deputy executive director said the epidemic could be over by 2030. He described the 17 years interval as a “viable target”.

This is following new figures which indicate infection rates to have dropped by a third since 2001. Compared with 12 years ago, there were 2.3million new HIV infections last year globally- a 33 per cent reduction. Data so far also stipulate new infections among children to have dropped by 52 per cent.

“I think that 2030 is a viable target to say that we have reached the end of the epidemic” Mr. Loures said. He, however, noted that “HIV will continue existing as a case here or there but not at the epidemic level we have today. We can get to the end of the because we have treatments and ways to control the infection”.

The 2030 projection, reports show, is not unconnected with the United Nation’s ongoing target implementation set at exceeding its own goal of providing HIV treatment to 15 million people in low and middle income countries by 2015. According to the UNAIDS 2013 report on the global AIDS epidemic, at the moment, nearly 10million people are already accessing life-saving antiretroviral therapy.

This is a 20 per cent increase when compared with 2012. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom on Monday pledged £1 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and malaria. This is meant for the provision of antiretroviral treatment to 750,000 people between 2014 and 2016.

HIV/AIDS Epidemic In Homosexual Men ‘Still Out Of control’ - UN

Posted by Sylvester No comments

The United Nation’s HIV/AIDS agency (UNAIDS) has warned that the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome epidemic among homosexuals is “still out of control

The Deputy Executive Director, Luiz Loures said that  homosexual men are contracting the virus due to stigmatization against them and their not being legally protected.

“Homosexual men are getting AIDS because in many countries, they cannot come out, they cannot go to health centres, they cannot even buy a condom” he stated. Mr. Loures said the shape of HIV epidemic had changed, noting that it is now concentrated in regional and population-specific hotspots. These spots, he added, could be found all over the world.

According to him, these zones are the sources of the increasing epidemic and which also requires special attention. In the same vein, the UNAIDS’s 2013 Report on the global AIDS epidemic disclosed that fear of disapproval is a major obstacle preventing people from seeking medical help.

Reports and findings so far indicate that progress has been slow in securing HIV services for people most at risk of HIV infection, particularly homosexual men, sex workers, and people who inject drugs. Notwithstanding the gloomy picture, the deputy executive director said the epidemic could be over by 2030. He described the 17 years interval as a “viable target”.

This is following new figures which indicate infection rates to have dropped by a third since 2001. Compared with 12 years ago, there were 2.3million new HIV infections last year globally- a 33 per cent reduction. Data so far also stipulate new infections among children to have dropped by 52 per cent.

“I think that 2030 is a viable target to say that we have reached the end of the epidemic” Mr. Loures said. He, however, noted that “HIV will continue existing as a case here or there but not at the epidemic level we have today. We can get to the end of the because we have treatments and ways to control the infection”.

The 2030 projection, reports show, is not unconnected with the United Nation’s ongoing target implementation set at exceeding its own goal of providing HIV treatment to 15 million people in low and middle income countries by 2015. According to the UNAIDS 2013 report on the global AIDS epidemic, at the moment, nearly 10million people are already accessing life-saving antiretroviral therapy.

This is a 20 per cent increase when compared with 2012. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom on Monday pledged £1 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and malaria. This is meant for the provision of antiretroviral treatment to 750,000 people between 2014 and 2016.

How Open Is The Open University of Nigeria? By Tola Emmanuel

The reality of an exponentially growing global population has over the decades mounted severe pressure on social amenities and public infrastructures, and education being the fundamental foundation of any enviable social development has also being affected by this sad reality.

Rising to this occasion, policy makers across the world conceived the idea of transferring knowledge through a non-conventional system of higher education which will still retain the relevance of university education and its structure – although students would necessarily not have to be physically present in lectures. This system was to be dubbed the “Open and Distance Learning Mode”.

In Nigeria, the open and distance higher education  mode had its take-off in 1983 with the establishment of the National Open University, but barely a year after its establishment, it was suspended by the then government. The reasons for such action are perhaps still unknown.

By 2001, the federal government of Nigeria resuscitated the model and this received much applause from conscious citizens who expressed high hopes that qualitative higher education would be democratized in the country through the National Open University of Nigeria.

Till date, the National Open University of Nigeria is the only specialist provider of open and distance learning at tertiary level in Nigeria and the West African sub-region, but the question to ask is how far and well has it gone in fulfilling the mandate of making higher education more accessible, flexible, and qualitative to the growing Nigerian populace?

From slow academic calendar to lack of basic learning resources, inconsistent academic policies, bureaucracy in administration, high cost of programmes and overall insincerity of purpose on the part of the school, the current system and structure of the National Open University of Nigeria leaves much to be desired.

After thirteen years of operation, it is rather bothersome that the Open University of Nigeria has only conducted convocation once despite the countless matriculations it has conducted. Students have continually groaned at the slow pace of the institution’s academic calendar, a situation which has forced many to withdraw from the system.

For those who have resolved to graduate with a certificate, the challenge for them is the non-availability of basic learning materials particularly  - course materials which are expected to be delivered through the CD-ROMs, radio and TV Broadcast, mail, textbooks and other platforms given that the university operates a non-conventional system.

It is absolutely terrific that the institution owned radio station has in the last five years paraded itself as a unproductive entity, which gallantly provides nothing for the yearning learning community but outright junk. The station has gained round in commercial music promotion as against elevating education and knowledge sharing even with its weak transmitting signals in Lagos State.

By its establishing mandate, the National Open University of Nigeria should admit about 500,000 applicants, but at the moment it only has a student number of  120,000, yet there are no plan in view to expand the capacities and structures that will make this mandate a reality, not even with the recent scrapping of satellite campuses across the country by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

As the only specialist provider of open and distance learning at tertiary level in Nigeria, the National Open University of Nigeria must stand up to the reality of a growing populace with the quest for knowledge acquisition which is aided by technological innovations if indeed the open and distance learning mode is to achieve much success in this country.

The institution should for once look off from the paraded achievements of yesteryears and focus on increasing the knowledge and capacity of the Nigerian populace particularly the work-force.

Learning programmes and policies should be locally adapted to meet up with our home needs, instructional materials should be delivered as promised using appropriate media, and there should be a flow of information between the institution and its students.

Workers capacity to handle diverse issues as peculiar to the open and distance learning model should be increased through result-oriented trainings, workshops and seminars and conferences.

The media undoubtedly plays a crucial role in knowledge transfer and societal advancement, the university should as a point of imminence overhaul its radio station, generate better educational contents, up-skill presenters and increase its transmitting bandwidth for better reception across Lagos and the nation at large.

If Nigeria must make any socio-economic development across boards, then education being the bedrock of such developments must be taken seriously and the reality is that conventional educational system cannot address this educational challenge, thence the Open University of Nigeria must act swiftly and positively to deliver this nation.

Emmanuel, is a Lagos-based legal practitioner and social commentator.
Email:sgsylvoo@gmail.com



The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of SaharaReporters

Add new comment

How Open Is The Open University of Nigeria? By Tola Emmanuel

Posted by Sylvester No comments

The reality of an exponentially growing global population has over the decades mounted severe pressure on social amenities and public infrastructures, and education being the fundamental foundation of any enviable social development has also being affected by this sad reality.

Rising to this occasion, policy makers across the world conceived the idea of transferring knowledge through a non-conventional system of higher education which will still retain the relevance of university education and its structure – although students would necessarily not have to be physically present in lectures. This system was to be dubbed the “Open and Distance Learning Mode”.

In Nigeria, the open and distance higher education  mode had its take-off in 1983 with the establishment of the National Open University, but barely a year after its establishment, it was suspended by the then government. The reasons for such action are perhaps still unknown.

By 2001, the federal government of Nigeria resuscitated the model and this received much applause from conscious citizens who expressed high hopes that qualitative higher education would be democratized in the country through the National Open University of Nigeria.

Till date, the National Open University of Nigeria is the only specialist provider of open and distance learning at tertiary level in Nigeria and the West African sub-region, but the question to ask is how far and well has it gone in fulfilling the mandate of making higher education more accessible, flexible, and qualitative to the growing Nigerian populace?

From slow academic calendar to lack of basic learning resources, inconsistent academic policies, bureaucracy in administration, high cost of programmes and overall insincerity of purpose on the part of the school, the current system and structure of the National Open University of Nigeria leaves much to be desired.

After thirteen years of operation, it is rather bothersome that the Open University of Nigeria has only conducted convocation once despite the countless matriculations it has conducted. Students have continually groaned at the slow pace of the institution’s academic calendar, a situation which has forced many to withdraw from the system.

For those who have resolved to graduate with a certificate, the challenge for them is the non-availability of basic learning materials particularly  - course materials which are expected to be delivered through the CD-ROMs, radio and TV Broadcast, mail, textbooks and other platforms given that the university operates a non-conventional system.

It is absolutely terrific that the institution owned radio station has in the last five years paraded itself as a unproductive entity, which gallantly provides nothing for the yearning learning community but outright junk. The station has gained round in commercial music promotion as against elevating education and knowledge sharing even with its weak transmitting signals in Lagos State.

By its establishing mandate, the National Open University of Nigeria should admit about 500,000 applicants, but at the moment it only has a student number of  120,000, yet there are no plan in view to expand the capacities and structures that will make this mandate a reality, not even with the recent scrapping of satellite campuses across the country by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

As the only specialist provider of open and distance learning at tertiary level in Nigeria, the National Open University of Nigeria must stand up to the reality of a growing populace with the quest for knowledge acquisition which is aided by technological innovations if indeed the open and distance learning mode is to achieve much success in this country.

The institution should for once look off from the paraded achievements of yesteryears and focus on increasing the knowledge and capacity of the Nigerian populace particularly the work-force.

Learning programmes and policies should be locally adapted to meet up with our home needs, instructional materials should be delivered as promised using appropriate media, and there should be a flow of information between the institution and its students.

Workers capacity to handle diverse issues as peculiar to the open and distance learning model should be increased through result-oriented trainings, workshops and seminars and conferences.

The media undoubtedly plays a crucial role in knowledge transfer and societal advancement, the university should as a point of imminence overhaul its radio station, generate better educational contents, up-skill presenters and increase its transmitting bandwidth for better reception across Lagos and the nation at large.

If Nigeria must make any socio-economic development across boards, then education being the bedrock of such developments must be taken seriously and the reality is that conventional educational system cannot address this educational challenge, thence the Open University of Nigeria must act swiftly and positively to deliver this nation.

Emmanuel, is a Lagos-based legal practitioner and social commentator.
Email:sgsylvoo@gmail.com



The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of SaharaReporters

Add new comment

We Are Close to Peaceful Resolution of Taraba Crisis – Acting Governor

Alhaji Garba Umar, the Acting Governor of Taraba State, raised hope of early resolution of the political crisis plaguing the state. The Acting Governor also assured that the matter would soon be resolved amicably.
Alhaji Garba Umar spoke about of peace in the state when he met with Emirs, religious and community leaders at a stakeholders’ parley in state capital city of Jalingo on September 24, 2013, Tuesday.
Chairmen of the 16 Local Government Areas of the state and traditional rulers drawn from all parts of the state were also present at the peace meeting, presided over by the Acting Governor.
Alhaji Garba Umar made it clear to the gathering that he was loyal and committed to the injured Governor Dambaba Suntai and that it was not true that he was trying to usurp his office.
“I make bold to say that I am 100 percent loyal to Governor Suntai, who is a friend and a brother to me,” the Acting Governor Stated.
It would be recalled that Taraba crisis escalated after ailing Governor Suntai has been brought back to Nigeria after being out for 10 months for treatment. He returned home on August 25, 2013, Sunday, and almost immediately tried to dissolve the old Cabinet and to appoint the new one.
However, this action led to nothing as it has been confirmed that Governor Suntai is still unfit to rule.
 

We Are Close to Peaceful Resolution of Taraba Crisis – Acting Governor

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Alhaji Garba Umar, the Acting Governor of Taraba State, raised hope of early resolution of the political crisis plaguing the state. The Acting Governor also assured that the matter would soon be resolved amicably.
Alhaji Garba Umar spoke about of peace in the state when he met with Emirs, religious and community leaders at a stakeholders’ parley in state capital city of Jalingo on September 24, 2013, Tuesday.
Chairmen of the 16 Local Government Areas of the state and traditional rulers drawn from all parts of the state were also present at the peace meeting, presided over by the Acting Governor.
Alhaji Garba Umar made it clear to the gathering that he was loyal and committed to the injured Governor Dambaba Suntai and that it was not true that he was trying to usurp his office.
“I make bold to say that I am 100 percent loyal to Governor Suntai, who is a friend and a brother to me,” the Acting Governor Stated.
It would be recalled that Taraba crisis escalated after ailing Governor Suntai has been brought back to Nigeria after being out for 10 months for treatment. He returned home on August 25, 2013, Sunday, and almost immediately tried to dissolve the old Cabinet and to appoint the new one.
However, this action led to nothing as it has been confirmed that Governor Suntai is still unfit to rule.
 

Brains Could Be Copied To Computers To Allow Life After Death – Physicist Stephen Hawking

Could your brain keep on living even after your body dies? Sounds like science fiction, but celebrated theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking recently suggested that technology could make it possible.

“I think the brain is like a program in the mind, which is like a computer,” Hawking said last week during an appearance at the Cambridge Film Festival, The Telegraph reported. “So it’s theoretically possible to copy the brain on to a computer and so provide a form of life after death.”

He acknowledged that such a feat lies “beyond our present capabilities,” adding that “the conventional afterlife is a fairy tale for people afraid of the dark.”
Hawking, 71, made the remarks in conjunction with the premiere of a new documentary about his life.

He has spoken previously about what he calls the “fairy story” of heaven and the afterlife. Likening the human brain to a computer whose components will fail, he said, “There is no heaven or afterlife for broken-down computers.”

Some people are actively working to develop technology that would permit the migration of brain functions into a computer. Russian multi-millionaire Dmitry Itskov, for one, hopes someday to upload the contents of a brain into a lifelike robot body as part of his 2045 Initiative, The New York Times reported recently.
A separate research group, called the Brain Preservation Foundation, is working to develop a process to preserve the brain along with its memories, emotions and consciousness. Called chemical fixation and plastic embedding, the process involves converting the brain into plastic, carving it up into tiny slices, and then reconstructing its three-dimensional structure in a computer.

Brains Could Be Copied To Computers To Allow Life After Death – Physicist Stephen Hawking

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Could your brain keep on living even after your body dies? Sounds like science fiction, but celebrated theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking recently suggested that technology could make it possible.

“I think the brain is like a program in the mind, which is like a computer,” Hawking said last week during an appearance at the Cambridge Film Festival, The Telegraph reported. “So it’s theoretically possible to copy the brain on to a computer and so provide a form of life after death.”

He acknowledged that such a feat lies “beyond our present capabilities,” adding that “the conventional afterlife is a fairy tale for people afraid of the dark.”
Hawking, 71, made the remarks in conjunction with the premiere of a new documentary about his life.

He has spoken previously about what he calls the “fairy story” of heaven and the afterlife. Likening the human brain to a computer whose components will fail, he said, “There is no heaven or afterlife for broken-down computers.”

Some people are actively working to develop technology that would permit the migration of brain functions into a computer. Russian multi-millionaire Dmitry Itskov, for one, hopes someday to upload the contents of a brain into a lifelike robot body as part of his 2045 Initiative, The New York Times reported recently.
A separate research group, called the Brain Preservation Foundation, is working to develop a process to preserve the brain along with its memories, emotions and consciousness. Called chemical fixation and plastic embedding, the process involves converting the brain into plastic, carving it up into tiny slices, and then reconstructing its three-dimensional structure in a computer.

Corrupt Former Gov. Alamieyeseigha Could Be Entitled To Billions He Stole Based On Presidential Pardon And Court Of Appeal Ruling On Obasanjo,Lawyers Say-Premium time.

DSP Alamieyeseigha

Former Bayelsa State governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, may be paid billions of naira, the value of the assets seized from him after his conviction for money laundering.

President Goodluck Jonathan had granted Mr. Alamieyeseigha a presidential pardon, rendering the former Bayelsa State governor a freeman.
While Mr. Alamieyeseigha was convicted, properties he acquired from his money laundering regime were seized, and most of them sold by the federal government.

After his pardon, since his rights and privileges will be restored according to Nigerian law, it is uncertain if he will retrieve the items or the value of the items he corruptly acquired from the Nigerian government.

Some lawyers say the presidential pardon bestowed on Mr. Alamieyeseigha grants him fresh rights to the items he acquired with wealth he stole. All, however, condemned the pardon granted the fugitive, who is still wanted in the U.K. for jumping bail after he was arrested for money laundering.

Though both the Federal Government and Mr. Alamieyeseigha are yet to speak on the forfeited property, lawyers said the former Bayelsa Governor has a case to demand the return of his forfeited property and may infact go to court for same.

Should he achieve success in court, and since the property have largely been disposed off, the federal government may pay billions of naira in lieu of the property.


He should get the property
Activist lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, said the precedence of an Appeal Court ruling on what pardon means, implies Mr. Alamieyeseigha can ask for his asset to be returned and actually get them.

“This is the implication of a full pardon,” he said.

Mr. Falana cited the case of Olu Falae versus Obasanjo, where Mr. Falae challenged the eligibility of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to contest for presidential election in 1999 saying the former military head of state was not granted full pardon by the then military junta.

“According to the Court of Appeal in the case of Falae V Obj, it means that a man who has been pardoned is a new man (homo novus) in the eye of the law. The conviction and sentence are wiped out and he is entitled to the full restoration of his rights and privileges as well as the return of his seized assets,” Mr. Falana said.

While challenging the result of the presidential 1999 election, Mr. Falae had argued that Mr. Obasanjo did not get “full pardon” from Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar after his conviction for involvement in the 1995 coup plot and therefore is not qualified to contest the election.

But the Court of Appeal while dismissing Mr. Falae’s argument had ruled that:

“The word used under Section 161 (1) and Exhibit 11 is “pardon”, and in this context, pardon may be with or without any conditions. It is clear from Exhibit 11 that the pardon granted to the 1st Respondent was not made subject to any conditions. In my view, under the Nigerian law, a “pardon” and ”full pardon” have no distinction. A pardon is an act of grace by the appropriate authority which mitigates or obliterates the punishment the law demands for the offence, and restores the rights and the privileges forfeited on account of the offence. The effect of a pardon is to make the offender, a new man (novus homo), to acquit him of all corporal penalties and forfeiture annexed to the offence pardoned. I am of the view, that by virtue of the pardon contained in Exhibit 11, the disqualification of the 1st Respondent was to suffer because of his conviction, has been wiped out.”

Lagos lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, also argued in his article that based on the Appeal Court’s ruling, which was not upturned by any superior court, Mr. Alamieyeseigha can demand the return of his asset. He said the ruling of the court suggests that Mr. Alamieyeseigha is free to make a claim for the property or their value.

The other side of the argument
Some other lawyers, however, disagree with this interpretation.

“The forfeitures were made before the pardon was granted, so what happens if the properties forfeited to the Federal government have been sold to a third party,” asked activist lawyer, Bamidele Aturu.

“When you forfeit something, it is what you forfeit that you will get back. Those goods have been forfeited to the Federal Government there is no way this act of pardon can release that. So I don’t know by what legal abragadabra that anybody will say that the forfeited goods should be handed over to him unless they want to perpetrate serious fraud on Nigerian people. Those properties have been forfeited and forfeited for life,” he added.
Another lawyer, Charles Musa, said forfeited asset cannot be returned to their former owners irrespective of a presidential pardon. But he said Mr. Alamieyeseigha can contest this in court.

“If you have suffered any punishment, the punishment remains,” Mr. Musa said.

“It’s left for his lawyers to argue that. He can go to court but I doubt if he will succeed. What of those who served time, can they get the time back?” he questioned.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, which successfully prosecuted Mr. Alamieyeseigha would not comment on its possible response should the ex-governor demand his seized

The commission’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, did not respond to calls or text messages sent to him on the subject.

The presidency has aggressively defended President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to pardon Mr. Alamieyeseigha, while Nigerians and the international community have condemned the pardon granted the former governor.

The National Council of States headed by Mr. Jonathan, had last week Tuesday, pardoned Mr. Alamieyeseigha and seven others.

Below are the asset seized from Mr. Alamieyeseigha and which he could claim back.
Assets fraudulently acquired by Alamieyeseigha forfeited to the state
a. Account number 10659347 with Barclays Bank Plc, United Kingdom with a balance of GBP203, 753.34 as at 15th February 2005;
b. Account number 3239940 with UBS Warburg AG, 1 Curzon Street, London, W1J 5HB with a balance of $2.5 million as at September 2005; account number 338931 in the name of FALCON INC. with UBS Warburg AG, 1 Curzon Street, London, W1J 5HB;
c. Account number 7341553/7341596 FOR us dollars with Barclays Bank Plc at International Banking Unit, 88 Dighemis Akritas Avenue 1644, Nicosla, Cyprus; account number 7341588 for GB pounds Sterling with Barclays Bank Plc at International Banking Unit, 88 Dighemis Akrltas Avenue 1644, Nicosia, Cyprus ;
d. Bank account number 5005220454-7 in Denmark with JYSKE Bank at Bseterbrogate, 9, DK-1780, Copeenhagen V with a balance of at $2.5 million;
e. Bank account number 005482562491 with Bank of America United States of America in the name of Peter Aklamleyeseigh with a balance of $160,000.00
a. Property known as Water Gardens, London W2 2DG which I bought at GBP1.75 million in the name of my company known as Solomon & Peters Ltd;
b. Property at 14 Mapesbury Road, London, NW2 4JB which you bought at GBP1.4 million;
c. Property at 14 Jubilee Heights, School Uphill, London, NW2 2UQ, which you bought at GBP241,000;
d. Property at No. 68-70, Regent’s Road, London, N3 bought at 3 million Pounds Sterling.
Chelsea Hotel Abuja worth of N2 Billion for which N1.5 Billion was paid;
Two block of luxury flats at Plot 26 Bashir Dalhatu Close, Abacha Estate, Ikoyi worth of N45;
c. Acquired a property at John Kadiya Street, off Jose Marti Crescent, Asokoro, Abuja worth N350 million;
An Estate of six luxury duplexes at No. 1 Community, Road, off Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos worth N200 million
One Billion Naira worth of Shares acquired in defunct Bond bank
• Plot 916 & 917, Wuse II District, Abuja
• Plot 7, Cadastral Zone A6, Maitama Abuja
• Plot1267, Amazon Road, Abuja
• Plot 3375, cadastral Zone A6, Abuja
• Plot 1372-1374, Cadastral Zone A7, Wuse II, Abuja
• Plot 1281, cadastral Zone A4, Asokoro, Abuja
a. A personal bank account with Barclays Bank Plc which was opened on 5 January 2004 and the balance stood at £203,753.34 as at 15th February 2005.
b. A personal bank account with HSBC, London, but the account was closed sometimes in March 2003 while all the money in the account was transferred to Santolina Investment Corporation’s account with National Westminster Bank, London.
c. Personal account with Bond Bank in Lagos which was opened sometimes in January 2004 and the balance stood at N105-14.942.61 as at 16th September 2005 and another personal account in Oceanic Bank Plc (The Salo Trust) in the names of Enitonbrapa Alamieyeseigha, Embelakpo Alamieyeseigha, Ebipadei Alamieyeseigha, Oyamuyefa Alamieyeseigha, Saleaka Alamieyeseigha and Margaret Alamieyeseigha.
d. Account with Bank of America in the name of Peter Alamieyeseigha with account number 0054 8256 2491 which balance stood at $1, 600,000.00 as at August 2003.
• 247, Water Gardens, London, W2 2DG, which is the registered address of Solomon & Peters Ltd. This property was purchased
for £1.75 million on 20/8/2003
• 14, Mapesbury Road, London, NW2 4JB. This property was purchased for £1.4 million on 6/7/2001.
• Flat 202, Jubilee Heights, Shoot uphill, London, NW2 3LJQ, purchased for the sum of £241,000.00 on 28/10/99.
• 68-70, Regent’s Park Road, London, N3 which was purchased in July 2002 for the sum of £3 million.

All the properties listed above have a combined value in excess of £S 381million
• A property at V & A Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa worth over £1 million.
• Royal Albatross Properties 67 a company registered in September 2005 in Cape Town, South Africa.
• A property in 504, Pleasant Drive, King Farm Estate, Maryland USA, and another one in 15859, Aurora Crest Drive, Whither, California, USA,

Corrupt Former Gov. Alamieyeseigha Could Be Entitled To Billions He Stole Based On Presidential Pardon And Court Of Appeal Ruling On Obasanjo,Lawyers Say-Premium time.

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DSP Alamieyeseigha

Former Bayelsa State governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, may be paid billions of naira, the value of the assets seized from him after his conviction for money laundering.

President Goodluck Jonathan had granted Mr. Alamieyeseigha a presidential pardon, rendering the former Bayelsa State governor a freeman.
While Mr. Alamieyeseigha was convicted, properties he acquired from his money laundering regime were seized, and most of them sold by the federal government.

After his pardon, since his rights and privileges will be restored according to Nigerian law, it is uncertain if he will retrieve the items or the value of the items he corruptly acquired from the Nigerian government.

Some lawyers say the presidential pardon bestowed on Mr. Alamieyeseigha grants him fresh rights to the items he acquired with wealth he stole. All, however, condemned the pardon granted the fugitive, who is still wanted in the U.K. for jumping bail after he was arrested for money laundering.

Though both the Federal Government and Mr. Alamieyeseigha are yet to speak on the forfeited property, lawyers said the former Bayelsa Governor has a case to demand the return of his forfeited property and may infact go to court for same.

Should he achieve success in court, and since the property have largely been disposed off, the federal government may pay billions of naira in lieu of the property.


He should get the property
Activist lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, said the precedence of an Appeal Court ruling on what pardon means, implies Mr. Alamieyeseigha can ask for his asset to be returned and actually get them.

“This is the implication of a full pardon,” he said.

Mr. Falana cited the case of Olu Falae versus Obasanjo, where Mr. Falae challenged the eligibility of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to contest for presidential election in 1999 saying the former military head of state was not granted full pardon by the then military junta.

“According to the Court of Appeal in the case of Falae V Obj, it means that a man who has been pardoned is a new man (homo novus) in the eye of the law. The conviction and sentence are wiped out and he is entitled to the full restoration of his rights and privileges as well as the return of his seized assets,” Mr. Falana said.

While challenging the result of the presidential 1999 election, Mr. Falae had argued that Mr. Obasanjo did not get “full pardon” from Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar after his conviction for involvement in the 1995 coup plot and therefore is not qualified to contest the election.

But the Court of Appeal while dismissing Mr. Falae’s argument had ruled that:

“The word used under Section 161 (1) and Exhibit 11 is “pardon”, and in this context, pardon may be with or without any conditions. It is clear from Exhibit 11 that the pardon granted to the 1st Respondent was not made subject to any conditions. In my view, under the Nigerian law, a “pardon” and ”full pardon” have no distinction. A pardon is an act of grace by the appropriate authority which mitigates or obliterates the punishment the law demands for the offence, and restores the rights and the privileges forfeited on account of the offence. The effect of a pardon is to make the offender, a new man (novus homo), to acquit him of all corporal penalties and forfeiture annexed to the offence pardoned. I am of the view, that by virtue of the pardon contained in Exhibit 11, the disqualification of the 1st Respondent was to suffer because of his conviction, has been wiped out.”

Lagos lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, also argued in his article that based on the Appeal Court’s ruling, which was not upturned by any superior court, Mr. Alamieyeseigha can demand the return of his asset. He said the ruling of the court suggests that Mr. Alamieyeseigha is free to make a claim for the property or their value.

The other side of the argument
Some other lawyers, however, disagree with this interpretation.

“The forfeitures were made before the pardon was granted, so what happens if the properties forfeited to the Federal government have been sold to a third party,” asked activist lawyer, Bamidele Aturu.

“When you forfeit something, it is what you forfeit that you will get back. Those goods have been forfeited to the Federal Government there is no way this act of pardon can release that. So I don’t know by what legal abragadabra that anybody will say that the forfeited goods should be handed over to him unless they want to perpetrate serious fraud on Nigerian people. Those properties have been forfeited and forfeited for life,” he added.
Another lawyer, Charles Musa, said forfeited asset cannot be returned to their former owners irrespective of a presidential pardon. But he said Mr. Alamieyeseigha can contest this in court.

“If you have suffered any punishment, the punishment remains,” Mr. Musa said.

“It’s left for his lawyers to argue that. He can go to court but I doubt if he will succeed. What of those who served time, can they get the time back?” he questioned.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, which successfully prosecuted Mr. Alamieyeseigha would not comment on its possible response should the ex-governor demand his seized

The commission’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, did not respond to calls or text messages sent to him on the subject.

The presidency has aggressively defended President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to pardon Mr. Alamieyeseigha, while Nigerians and the international community have condemned the pardon granted the former governor.

The National Council of States headed by Mr. Jonathan, had last week Tuesday, pardoned Mr. Alamieyeseigha and seven others.

Below are the asset seized from Mr. Alamieyeseigha and which he could claim back.
Assets fraudulently acquired by Alamieyeseigha forfeited to the state
a. Account number 10659347 with Barclays Bank Plc, United Kingdom with a balance of GBP203, 753.34 as at 15th February 2005;
b. Account number 3239940 with UBS Warburg AG, 1 Curzon Street, London, W1J 5HB with a balance of $2.5 million as at September 2005; account number 338931 in the name of FALCON INC. with UBS Warburg AG, 1 Curzon Street, London, W1J 5HB;
c. Account number 7341553/7341596 FOR us dollars with Barclays Bank Plc at International Banking Unit, 88 Dighemis Akritas Avenue 1644, Nicosla, Cyprus; account number 7341588 for GB pounds Sterling with Barclays Bank Plc at International Banking Unit, 88 Dighemis Akrltas Avenue 1644, Nicosia, Cyprus ;
d. Bank account number 5005220454-7 in Denmark with JYSKE Bank at Bseterbrogate, 9, DK-1780, Copeenhagen V with a balance of at $2.5 million;
e. Bank account number 005482562491 with Bank of America United States of America in the name of Peter Aklamleyeseigh with a balance of $160,000.00
a. Property known as Water Gardens, London W2 2DG which I bought at GBP1.75 million in the name of my company known as Solomon & Peters Ltd;
b. Property at 14 Mapesbury Road, London, NW2 4JB which you bought at GBP1.4 million;
c. Property at 14 Jubilee Heights, School Uphill, London, NW2 2UQ, which you bought at GBP241,000;
d. Property at No. 68-70, Regent’s Road, London, N3 bought at 3 million Pounds Sterling.
Chelsea Hotel Abuja worth of N2 Billion for which N1.5 Billion was paid;
Two block of luxury flats at Plot 26 Bashir Dalhatu Close, Abacha Estate, Ikoyi worth of N45;
c. Acquired a property at John Kadiya Street, off Jose Marti Crescent, Asokoro, Abuja worth N350 million;
An Estate of six luxury duplexes at No. 1 Community, Road, off Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos worth N200 million
One Billion Naira worth of Shares acquired in defunct Bond bank
• Plot 916 & 917, Wuse II District, Abuja
• Plot 7, Cadastral Zone A6, Maitama Abuja
• Plot1267, Amazon Road, Abuja
• Plot 3375, cadastral Zone A6, Abuja
• Plot 1372-1374, Cadastral Zone A7, Wuse II, Abuja
• Plot 1281, cadastral Zone A4, Asokoro, Abuja
a. A personal bank account with Barclays Bank Plc which was opened on 5 January 2004 and the balance stood at £203,753.34 as at 15th February 2005.
b. A personal bank account with HSBC, London, but the account was closed sometimes in March 2003 while all the money in the account was transferred to Santolina Investment Corporation’s account with National Westminster Bank, London.
c. Personal account with Bond Bank in Lagos which was opened sometimes in January 2004 and the balance stood at N105-14.942.61 as at 16th September 2005 and another personal account in Oceanic Bank Plc (The Salo Trust) in the names of Enitonbrapa Alamieyeseigha, Embelakpo Alamieyeseigha, Ebipadei Alamieyeseigha, Oyamuyefa Alamieyeseigha, Saleaka Alamieyeseigha and Margaret Alamieyeseigha.
d. Account with Bank of America in the name of Peter Alamieyeseigha with account number 0054 8256 2491 which balance stood at $1, 600,000.00 as at August 2003.
• 247, Water Gardens, London, W2 2DG, which is the registered address of Solomon & Peters Ltd. This property was purchased
for £1.75 million on 20/8/2003
• 14, Mapesbury Road, London, NW2 4JB. This property was purchased for £1.4 million on 6/7/2001.
• Flat 202, Jubilee Heights, Shoot uphill, London, NW2 3LJQ, purchased for the sum of £241,000.00 on 28/10/99.
• 68-70, Regent’s Park Road, London, N3 which was purchased in July 2002 for the sum of £3 million.

All the properties listed above have a combined value in excess of £S 381million
• A property at V & A Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa worth over £1 million.
• Royal Albatross Properties 67 a company registered in September 2005 in Cape Town, South Africa.
• A property in 504, Pleasant Drive, King Farm Estate, Maryland USA, and another one in 15859, Aurora Crest Drive, Whither, California, USA,

International Criminal Court Indicts Boko Haram For Crimes Against Humanity-PREMIUM TIMES

Members of the violent Islamist sect, Boko Haram, may soon be dragged to The Hague to face war crimes as the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday indicted the sect for crime against humanity for its widespread and systematic murder and persecution of civilians.

The report titled “Situation in Nigeria” says there is reasonably basis that since July 2009, the group that aims to spread radical Islam in Northern Nigeria has committed crime against humanity.

After this indictment, the ICC says the next step is to assess whether Nigerian government is working on “conducting genuine proceedings in relation to those who appear to bear the greatest responsibility for such crimes and the gravity of such crimes.”

The ICC investigation may run into trouble with the Nigerian government, as the federal government has constituted a committee negotiating peace and amnesty with the sect.

The ICC, however, has the power to prosecute cases that national courts of signatory nations are unwilling or unable to investigate or prosecute.
Nigeria ratified the ICC statute on September 27, 2001 giving the court jurisdiction to over crimes committed within Nigeria from 1 July 2002.
The report highlights various attacks on civilian population by the sect. It also described these attacks as systematic and widespread spanning over the entire North Eastern region as well as Plateau, Kogi, Kano, Bauchi and Kaduna States.

True to the sect’s aim of Islamising the north, churches were singled out for constant attacks, the report noted. The report also concludes that the planning of this attacks shows they are products of organisational policy therefore qualifying them as crimes against humanity.

On the violence in the Niger Delta and confrontation between Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and security forces, the report says there “does not appear to be a reasonable basis to believe that the alleged crimes committed in the Delta Region could constitute war crimes.”

It however says the situation may be revisited in the light of fresh facts and evidence.

On alleged crimes committed by soldiers fighting the Boko Haram, while the report acknowledges that serious human rights violations may have been committed, it concludes that they do not constitute crime against humanity.

“Information available as of December 2012 does not provide a reasonable basis to believe that the alleged crimes were committed pursuant to or in furtherance of a State or organizational policy to attack the civilian population,” it said.

International Criminal Court Indicts Boko Haram For Crimes Against Humanity-PREMIUM TIMES

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Members of the violent Islamist sect, Boko Haram, may soon be dragged to The Hague to face war crimes as the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday indicted the sect for crime against humanity for its widespread and systematic murder and persecution of civilians.

The report titled “Situation in Nigeria” says there is reasonably basis that since July 2009, the group that aims to spread radical Islam in Northern Nigeria has committed crime against humanity.

After this indictment, the ICC says the next step is to assess whether Nigerian government is working on “conducting genuine proceedings in relation to those who appear to bear the greatest responsibility for such crimes and the gravity of such crimes.”

The ICC investigation may run into trouble with the Nigerian government, as the federal government has constituted a committee negotiating peace and amnesty with the sect.

The ICC, however, has the power to prosecute cases that national courts of signatory nations are unwilling or unable to investigate or prosecute.
Nigeria ratified the ICC statute on September 27, 2001 giving the court jurisdiction to over crimes committed within Nigeria from 1 July 2002.
The report highlights various attacks on civilian population by the sect. It also described these attacks as systematic and widespread spanning over the entire North Eastern region as well as Plateau, Kogi, Kano, Bauchi and Kaduna States.

True to the sect’s aim of Islamising the north, churches were singled out for constant attacks, the report noted. The report also concludes that the planning of this attacks shows they are products of organisational policy therefore qualifying them as crimes against humanity.

On the violence in the Niger Delta and confrontation between Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and security forces, the report says there “does not appear to be a reasonable basis to believe that the alleged crimes committed in the Delta Region could constitute war crimes.”

It however says the situation may be revisited in the light of fresh facts and evidence.

On alleged crimes committed by soldiers fighting the Boko Haram, while the report acknowledges that serious human rights violations may have been committed, it concludes that they do not constitute crime against humanity.

“Information available as of December 2012 does not provide a reasonable basis to believe that the alleged crimes were committed pursuant to or in furtherance of a State or organizational policy to attack the civilian population,” it said.

Poachers kill at least 81 elephants by poisoning Zimbabwe water hole in Hwange National Park

The country's tourism minister, Walter Mzembi, said more elephant carcasses were discovered after cyanide was used to poison the park's remote water holes. Nine accused poachers were arrested after rangers tracked them to a cache of ivory hidden in the park.

Zimbabwean authorities said poachers have killed at least 81 elephants using cyanide poison in waterholes.

 HARARE, Zimbabwe — Zimbabwean authorities say at least 81 elephants have been killed for their ivory tusks by poachers using cyanide poison in water holes in a vast western national park.

Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi, in Harare Tuesday after touring Hwange National Park, said more elephant carcasses were discovered after a first count of more than 40 earlier in the month.

RELATED: MOZAMBIQUE RHINOS NOW EXTINCT: EXPERTS

Zimbabwe’s state media reported that the newly-appointed environment minister has vowed harsher penalties for poachers.

Wildlife department officials said industrial cyanide, used in gold mining, was put in the park's remote water holes, killing smaller animals drinking there and vultures and other predators feeding on the dead animals.

Nine alleged poachers were arrested after rangers tracked them to a cache of ivory hidden in the park.

RELATED: ORPHANED BABY ELEPHANT RAISED BY HUMAN MOM IN MALAWI

Zimbabwe's state media reported Tuesday that newly-appointed environment minister Saviour Kasukuwere has vowed harsher jail penalties for poachers.

Poachers kill at least 81 elephants by poisoning Zimbabwe water hole in Hwange National Park

Posted by Sylvester No comments

The country's tourism minister, Walter Mzembi, said more elephant carcasses were discovered after cyanide was used to poison the park's remote water holes. Nine accused poachers were arrested after rangers tracked them to a cache of ivory hidden in the park.

Zimbabwean authorities said poachers have killed at least 81 elephants using cyanide poison in waterholes.

 HARARE, Zimbabwe — Zimbabwean authorities say at least 81 elephants have been killed for their ivory tusks by poachers using cyanide poison in water holes in a vast western national park.

Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi, in Harare Tuesday after touring Hwange National Park, said more elephant carcasses were discovered after a first count of more than 40 earlier in the month.

RELATED: MOZAMBIQUE RHINOS NOW EXTINCT: EXPERTS

Zimbabwe’s state media reported that the newly-appointed environment minister has vowed harsher penalties for poachers.

Wildlife department officials said industrial cyanide, used in gold mining, was put in the park's remote water holes, killing smaller animals drinking there and vultures and other predators feeding on the dead animals.

Nine alleged poachers were arrested after rangers tracked them to a cache of ivory hidden in the park.

RELATED: ORPHANED BABY ELEPHANT RAISED BY HUMAN MOM IN MALAWI

Zimbabwe's state media reported Tuesday that newly-appointed environment minister Saviour Kasukuwere has vowed harsher jail penalties for poachers.

Group Asks FG To Publish Details Of Size And Cost Of Nigeria’s Delegation To UN General Assembly

President Goodluck Jonathan and US President Barack Obama

he Nigerian Government has been challenged to publish the official list of its members of delegation and the cost of their trip to the United Nations General Assembly in New York in order to validate its claim that the delegation is made up of only 30 people.

An association of civil society organizations, Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC), in a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Supervising Minister of Foreign Affairs, Viola Onwuliri, said this will give credibility to the government’s denial of reports that its delegation is made up of 600 people and an alarming N6 billion has been expended on the trip.

Making reference to reports on US-based Nigerian citizen journalism outfit, Sahara Reporters and Elombah.com, that the government delegation was 600-member strong and that N6 billion has been budgeted for the trip, CSNAC said the denial by media aide to the President, Reuben Abati, is not convincing enough.

“In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to President Jonathan on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, this morning, the 600-man allegation was debunked and disparaged the online medium as anti-government. The statement further put the delegation at 30-persons official delegate revealing a scanty identity of few members of the President’s delegation while it acknowledged the presence of some private Nigerians whose visit to the US coincides with that of the president and his delegations,” the organization said.

CSNAC said Nigeria is weighed down by serious issues that require huge financial commitment for the government to allegedly spend so much on a 5-day conference.

“Nigeria is reputed as the country with highest population of out-of-school children; one of the few countries with little chances of meeting the Millennium Development Goals; and heavily dependent on donor funds in the provision of basic necessities of life for its citizens.

The Nigerian government has a history of attending overseas events with bloated delegations and an unnecessary display of extravagance. The country’s delegation to the last Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Australia was criticized for its size and its brazen extravagance.

CSNAC gave the government 7 days to respond to its request.

Group Asks FG To Publish Details Of Size And Cost Of Nigeria’s Delegation To UN General Assembly

Posted by Sylvester No comments

President Goodluck Jonathan and US President Barack Obama

he Nigerian Government has been challenged to publish the official list of its members of delegation and the cost of their trip to the United Nations General Assembly in New York in order to validate its claim that the delegation is made up of only 30 people.

An association of civil society organizations, Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC), in a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Supervising Minister of Foreign Affairs, Viola Onwuliri, said this will give credibility to the government’s denial of reports that its delegation is made up of 600 people and an alarming N6 billion has been expended on the trip.

Making reference to reports on US-based Nigerian citizen journalism outfit, Sahara Reporters and Elombah.com, that the government delegation was 600-member strong and that N6 billion has been budgeted for the trip, CSNAC said the denial by media aide to the President, Reuben Abati, is not convincing enough.

“In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to President Jonathan on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, this morning, the 600-man allegation was debunked and disparaged the online medium as anti-government. The statement further put the delegation at 30-persons official delegate revealing a scanty identity of few members of the President’s delegation while it acknowledged the presence of some private Nigerians whose visit to the US coincides with that of the president and his delegations,” the organization said.

CSNAC said Nigeria is weighed down by serious issues that require huge financial commitment for the government to allegedly spend so much on a 5-day conference.

“Nigeria is reputed as the country with highest population of out-of-school children; one of the few countries with little chances of meeting the Millennium Development Goals; and heavily dependent on donor funds in the provision of basic necessities of life for its citizens.

The Nigerian government has a history of attending overseas events with bloated delegations and an unnecessary display of extravagance. The country’s delegation to the last Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Australia was criticized for its size and its brazen extravagance.

CSNAC gave the government 7 days to respond to its request.

Perez Decline To Say Bale’s Cost But Reveals United Tried To Scupper Real’s Deal.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has revealed Manchester United tried snatching Gareth Bale away from the Los Blancos and were ready to pay more than the La Liga giants.

There were speculations that an unnamed other club had entered for the race for the then Tottenham Hotspur winger during the long drawn out summer transfer saga, with the Old Trafford outfit and French Ligue 1 side Paris St-Germain mentioned as ring-leaders.
During an hour long interview with Spanish radio show El Larguero on Monday, Perez suggested that Bale’s own desire to join Real proved pivotal to the success of the deal.

“I believe that Tottenham truly did not want to sell him,” Perez said. “We respected that they did not want to sell him. We found out at a certain moment that Manchester United were going to make an offer. That is when we made ours. The player heard about that, and since he was small he has been a Madrid fan. His dream was to play for Madrid, and when he heard we had made a good offer for him, he did everything possible to come here.”

The Madrid club chief further reiterated the club did not pay over the odds for Bale despite the 24-year-old costing a world-record fee.
“Bale has come cheaply,” Perez added. “I have not said the amount. Every time there is talk of figures, the figures which someone wants to come out are those that come out.


“Signing the best player out there is Madrid’s philosophy and Bale was the best available player on the market this summer. We had been following him for years.”
However Bale’s transfer to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu has drawn discordant price quotations from both Spanish and English media with one agreeing it was just one of those ‘hefty’ (€91m) deals while the other believes it was a world-record deal (€101m).
Meanwhile, Manchester United boss David Moyes has refused to comment on Perez’s claims that United made a massive late bid to snatch Bale from under the Spanish giants’ nose.
“If I was I wouldn’t tell you,” said Moyes at a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s Capital One Cup tie with Liverpool. “We don’t talk about it.
“We only talk about the players we think there is a reason to talk about and I wouldn’t comment on that.”

Florentino Perez Claims United Made Unsuccessful Moves to Snatch Bale.

Perez Decline To Say Bale’s Cost But Reveals United Tried To Scupper Real’s Deal.

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has revealed Manchester United tried snatching Gareth Bale away from the Los Blancos and were ready to pay more than the La Liga giants.

There were speculations that an unnamed other club had entered for the race for the then Tottenham Hotspur winger during the long drawn out summer transfer saga, with the Old Trafford outfit and French Ligue 1 side Paris St-Germain mentioned as ring-leaders.
During an hour long interview with Spanish radio show El Larguero on Monday, Perez suggested that Bale’s own desire to join Real proved pivotal to the success of the deal.

“I believe that Tottenham truly did not want to sell him,” Perez said. “We respected that they did not want to sell him. We found out at a certain moment that Manchester United were going to make an offer. That is when we made ours. The player heard about that, and since he was small he has been a Madrid fan. His dream was to play for Madrid, and when he heard we had made a good offer for him, he did everything possible to come here.”

The Madrid club chief further reiterated the club did not pay over the odds for Bale despite the 24-year-old costing a world-record fee.
“Bale has come cheaply,” Perez added. “I have not said the amount. Every time there is talk of figures, the figures which someone wants to come out are those that come out.


“Signing the best player out there is Madrid’s philosophy and Bale was the best available player on the market this summer. We had been following him for years.”
However Bale’s transfer to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu has drawn discordant price quotations from both Spanish and English media with one agreeing it was just one of those ‘hefty’ (€91m) deals while the other believes it was a world-record deal (€101m).
Meanwhile, Manchester United boss David Moyes has refused to comment on Perez’s claims that United made a massive late bid to snatch Bale from under the Spanish giants’ nose.
“If I was I wouldn’t tell you,” said Moyes at a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s Capital One Cup tie with Liverpool. “We don’t talk about it.
“We only talk about the players we think there is a reason to talk about and I wouldn’t comment on that.”

Florentino Perez Claims United Made Unsuccessful Moves to Snatch Bale.