UN office bombing: Concern over Jonathan’s safety

Security around President Goodluck Jonathan has heightened following the bomb explosion that rocked the United Nations Headquarters in Abuja on Friday. The explosion killed 18 people and maimed several others.
Fearing that the president might be the next target of the bombers, security chiefs in the Nigeria Police Force, State Security Service, the army, the Directorate of Military Intelligence ordered that security be beefed up around Jonathan and the Presidential Villa, minutes after a suicide bomber drove a vehicle laden with explosives into the UN office.
A reliable security source said, “The Boko Haram sect has shown that they can do and undo. The president has always had security around him but we have increased it. They won’t get him.”
Soon after the bomb exploded, armed soldiers were deployed in strategic locations in the Federal Capital Territory and the entrance into the Aso Rock villa. Four black jeeps belonging to the SSS were stationed outside the villa.
SUNDAY PUNCH found out that while rescue operations were going on at the UN building, soldiers were positioned round important public buildings and institutions.
A combined team of armed soldiers and plain-clothes officers of the SSS were sighted taking positions when our correspondent visited the areas.
Heightened security measures were also noticed at the entrance to the National Assembly complex. Armed soldiers were seen complementing the members of the police anti-bomb squad.
Soldiers in full battle fatigue, assisted by riot policemen, were noticed around the headquarters of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The Abuja International Conference Centre also had armed soldiers in front of the building.
The headquarters of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, which had been under the security watch of private guards, had riot policemen and soldiers complementing on Friday night.
Two major hotels in the FCT, the Transcorp Hilton and the Abuja Sheraton had soldiers strategically placed at their main gates.
The Federal Secretariat, which houses most of the government ministries, and the adjourning Eagle Square, were under the guard of armed soldiers positioned at the arcade of the Unknown Soldiers.
The Louis Edet House Police Headquarters was heavily guarded with two armoured personnel carriers in front of the multi-storey building.
Riot policemen stood guard at the FCT Police Command while the gates were shut.
Although no soldiers were seen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigeria Television Authority headquarters in the FCT, private security guards were put on red alert.
At public places where there were no soldiers and policemen, private security guards searched cars before they were allowed in.
Also, military checkpoints surfaced on the busy airport road. Thousands of city residents got stuck in the ensuing jam like the one that followed the June 16 attack on the police headquarters.
Reacting to the explosion, presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati said, “This is a barbaric, senseless and cowardly attack; a most despicable assault on the United Nations’ objectives of global peace and security, and the sanctity of human life to which Nigeria wholly subscribes to.”
Friday’s attack was the second major attack in Abuja since June when an explosion rocked the Louis Edet House headquarters of the Nigeria Police.
The militant Islamic sect, Boko Haram, had claimed responsibility for the attack in which over 70 cars were burnt.
A lone suicide bomber had breached security at the police headquarters in an attack that was targeted at the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim.
The Boko Haram said in a statement that it had targeted the IG because of his derogative remarks about the sect.
The sect, which seeks to establish Islamic rule in 12 states of Northern Nigeria, says Western education is evil and has vowed to enthrone Islamic law in the country.
The sect has carried out attacks in Bauchi, Borno, Kano, Niger and Katsina states.
Since the June attack, the FCT had been in a state of fear.
The FCT administration had placed a ban on night activities with a directive that night gardens and relaxation points should close by 10pm for security reasons.
It also directed private businesses to ensure security of their premises in view of the threats facing the city.
By Olamilekan Lartey and Adelani Adepegba                 Courtesy Of: Punch

Quotes on the explosion

“This was an assault on those who devote their lives to helping others. We condemn this terrible act utterly. This is evidence that the UN premises are increasingly being viewed as a soft target by extremist elements around the world.”
— U.N. Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon.

“This brutal act has killed and injured many innocent people, and I utterly condemn those who have carried it out. Around the world the U.N. works for peace, security and international cooperation and an attack on the U.N. is an attack on these principles.”
— United Kingdom Foreign Secretary, William Hague

“An attack on Nigerian and international public servants demonstrates the bankruptcy of the ideology that led to this heinous action. I strongly condemn today’s horrific and cowardly attack on the United Nations headquarters building in Abuja, Nigeria, which killed and wounded many innocent civilians from Nigeria and around the world. The United States strongly supports the work of the United Nations and its lasting bond with the people of Nigeria, a bond that will only emerge stronger in the wake of this murderous act.”
— United States President, Barack Obama.

“The United Nations is dedicated to preventing conflict, maintaining peace and helping the world’s poorest and most disadvantaged. An attack on the United Nations is an attack on us all.”
— Australian Prime-Minister, Julia Gillard.

“The Prime Minister described it as an appalling attack. He said Britain and Nigeria faced a common threat in Islamic extremism, and offered to do all we could to help find the perpetrators.”
— British Prime-Minister, David Cameron, through a spokesperson from Downing Street.

“Any attack against the United Nations is an attack against the entire international community. In the face of this hateful crime, France is more determined than ever to relentlessly fight terrorism.”
— French President, Nicolas Sarkozy.

“I was deeply saddened by the loss of life in the brutal attack on a United Nations building in Abuja today. The European Union strongly condemns this senseless act of violence towards the UN and its personnel.”
— President of European Union, Herman Van Rompuy.

“The United Nations is in Nigeria to assist the Nigerian people; it is therefore all the more shocking that this attack occurred. The European Parliament condemns this heinous act.”
— President of European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek.

“His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, was distressed to learn of the terrorist attack upon the United Nations offices in Abuja, and of the terrible loss of life among both local citizens and United Nations personnel. The pope appeals again to those who choose death and violence to embrace instead life and respectful dialogue.”
— Pope Benedict XVI, in a message to the UN Secretary-General and Nigerian President.

“I am deeply saddened by the cowardly attack and its high toll in human lives.”
— Italian Foreign Minister, Mr. Franco Fratini.

“We hope that the identity of those behind the attack will soon be revealed and that they will be punished.”
— Polish Foreign Minister, Mr. Radoslaw Sikorski.

“I condemn with the greatest firmness the attack against the UN offices in Abuja today.”
— Norwegian Foreign Minister, Jonas Gahr Stoere, while confirming the death of his national in the attack.

“One thing is very clear Terrorist attack on any individual or any group is a terrorist attack to the rest of the world, it not just about the UN office in Nigeria. We will work with the UN and all the world leaders, of course, many of them have contacted me between yesterday and today. Of course, where ever you have terrorist attack in any country Nigeria is not an isolated case. Many countries have suffered from terrorists attacks may be it is the turn of Nigeria. But we are on top of the situation.”
— President Goodluck Jonathan

“The idea of any group unleashing violence on fellow human beings because of certain imperfections does not augur well, not only for the well being of the immediate location and victims but for the entire nation.”
— Nigeria Governors Forum

“The incident sends unsavoury signal across the globe that Nigeria is not safe, even for foreigners to do business. The consequences are, therefore, dire for our dear country.”
— National Publicity Secretary, Arewa Consultative Forum, Mr. Anthony Sani, in a statement.

“We still maintain that the perpetrators of these violent crimes and their sponsors are well known to our security agencies, particularly those who openly declared that they will make this country ungovernable, if the recently concluded general elections did not favour them. All peace loving Nigerians and friends of Nigeria must rise up to condemn this monster that is threatening to destroy our beloved country. The Federal Government must take full charge of this situation now before it gets out of control.”
— The President, Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor, Ayo Oritsejafor
By Agency Reporter                        Courtesy Of: Punch

Okonjo-Iweala: Ministers unhappy with president’s directive

There was disquiet in the Federal Executive Council over a directive by President Goodluck Jonathan that ministers should cooperate with the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, or get sacked.
Investigations by SUNDAY PUNCH showed that the ministers were not happy with the President’s threat and the power of Okonjo-Iweala in the cabinet.
Some ministers, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said it was wrong for the president to give the former managing director of the World Bank an impression that she was superior to her colleagues.
They said inasmuch as they recognised her prowess in the area of finance, there was no way she could also claim to be all-in-all in other areas.
One of the ministers said, “Well, it was true that the president called the meeting where he spoke about the need to cooperate with her in the assignment to lead the economic team.
“We all know that the economy is in bad shape and there is need for all members of the Federal Executive Council to work together in order to deliver dividends of democracy to our people.
“Yes, in doing that, we should all be treated with respect. We are all important in this national assignment. It is wrong to say one is more important than the other; after all, where was she when we were campaigning? She should not be made our boss.”
Another minister said most ministers also felt that instead of asking them to cooperate with Okonjo-Iweala or get sacked, the president ought to implore all the ministers to work together.
The minister said that the nation was already polarised and that the president’s comment was capable of dividing the FEC.
The minister said, “We already have a divided nation. We have a divided party in the Peoples Democratic Party, which is the ruling party. Now, I do not think it is in the interest of the nation and the government to also have a divided government.
“Of course, we are bound to cooperate with one another, irrespective of our ministries. But to say one minister is superior to the other is wrong.
“Okay, look at the security challenge facing the country. Will the president also give orders that the ministers in charge of security are second to Okonjo-Iweala? That is our dilemma now.”
It was also gathered that the finance minister might collide with her colleagues, if she unnecessarily pruned their budgets.
Investigations showed that the ministers would resist any reduction in their budgets that would affect the implementation of programmes of their ministries.
One of the ministers, who pleaded anonymity, said, “You know Okonjo-Iweala is the coordinating minister. Her ministry is the clearing house. We do not expect her to interfere in the affairs of our ministries in her mission to cut down government spending.”
The president had met with the ministers behind closed-doors before her inauguration as finance minister and threatened to sanction anyone who refused to cooperate with her.
The meeting was said to have been held to avoid conflicts among the ministers.
According to a presidency source, the president defined the role of Okonjo-Iweala as the coordinating minister at a meeting which had in attendance Mr. Olusegun Aganga (the Minister of Trade and Investment) and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Lamido Sanusi.
It was learnt that Okonjo-Iweala, as the coordinator of Jonathan’s economic management team, would serve as “de facto prime minister” in the cabinet.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, did not reply to SUNDAY PUNCH’s inquiries on the latest development.
He did not reply to calls or text messages sent to his phone on Friday night.
But the special adviser had earlier explained the functions of Okonjo-Iweala as the coordinating minister in an earlier interview.
He said the former MD of the World Bank was made the coordinating minister to ensure that the various ministries worked together to forge a synergy in government operations.
Abati had told one of our correspondents last week that the president had made the economy the centre-piece of his transformation agenda, saying there must be proper coordination for a strong economy to emerge.
He had said, “The duty of the minister of finance, making her the coordinating minister, is to ensure that the various ministries work together and there is a synergy in government operations.
“If everything ends with finance, it basically means that, every other ministry would have to have a robust relationship with that ministry. The emphasis is really on this synergy.”
By Olusola Fabiyi                        Courtesy Of: Punch

EFCC, ICPC not aware of Okonjo-Iweala’s three big corruption cases

Anti-corruption agencies in the country have said they are not aware of the three big corruption cases the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi-Okonjo-Iweala, wanted them to prosecute.
Okonjo-Iweala last Wednesday said there were three big cases of corruption and graft the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission were going to prosecute.
The minister spoke in Abuja while unfolding her economic blueprint for the country.
While talking about strategies for good governance and corruption, Okonjo-Iweala said the EFCC and the ICPC had to recover all stolen assets of the country.
SUNDAY PUNCH’s investigations at the EFCC and the ICPC, however, showed that the anti-graft agencies were not aware of the three big corruption cases the minister was referring to.
EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said he didn’t know the big cases the minister was talking about.
“If she mentions them I will know, but now I have no idea,” he said.
The response was the same from the ICPC.
The commission said since the minister had not identified the specific cases, it could not make a comment.
ICPC spokesman, Mr. Folu Olamiti, said, “Maybe if they forward the cases to us, but right now I don’t know about them.”
The Human Rights Watch had in a report released last Thursday said the efforts in the war against corruption had fallen short.
By Olamilekan Lartey                          Courtesy Of: Punch

NYSC evacuees redeployed to South-West states

Forty-six members of the National Youth Service Corps from Ogun State that were evacuated from Bauchi State following the post-election violence have been redeployed to some South-West states.
The state NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Olayide Adeniran, told SUNDAY PUNCH that 46 of the affected NYSC members who received their letters of redeployment last week were reposted to various places of their primary assignment.
He said, “The national directorate of the NYSC has been on top of the situation since the occurrence. The corps members had a delay in their redeployment process due to misinformation.”
The Ogun State government, just like other southern states, had ordered the evacuation of its indigenes from Bauchi State, shortly after the April general elections, following a post-election crisis that left 10 corps members dead and several others injured.
No fewer than 150 corps members were brought into Abeokuta, the state capital, on April 25, 2011.
The then Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Olukoya Adeleke-Adedoyin, however, said about 400 corps members were reportedly trapped in Bauchi and that some of them had found their way home, leaving 150 others for the state to rescue.
One of the evacuees, who pleaded anonymity, told SUNDAY PUNCH that the 46 redeployed corps members were those in Batch ‘A’ only and that those in the Batch ‘C’were excluded.
By Leke Baiyewu                         Courtesy Of: Punch

NBA wants CJN removed as NJC chairman

The Nigerian Bar Association has called for the removal of the Chief Justice of Nigeria as the chairman of the National Judicial Council, arguing that the 1999 Constitution arrogated too much power to the CJN.

This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 51st Annual General Conference of the association, which took place in Port Harcourt between August 21 and August 26, 2011.

The communiqué, signed by the NBA President, Joseph Daudu, read, “As a result of over concentration of powers in the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria by the 1999 Constitution leading to the abuse of such powers by the incumbent CJN, particularly in all the matters leading to the face-off between the CJN/PCA, the CJN should henceforth cease to be the chairman of the NJC and all other similar constitutional and statutory bodies.

“Furthermore, it is resolved that any suitable Nigerian with requisite experience, impeccable records of service and competence (like a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, former President of the NBA, professor of law or any legal practitioner etc.) could be appointed as chairman for only one term of five years.”

The conference resolved that the next CJN should not be any one who had either directly or indirectly participated in the ongoing attercation at the apex judicial body.

It stressed that, at best, such a person must be appointed from outside the Supreme Court to ensure transparency and continued sanctity of the judicial process.

The lawyers said the appointments into the bench at whatever level, the higher bench especially, must henceforth be predicated on merit and the recommendation of the bar to ensure that only quality people were elevated as judicial officers.

On the six-year single tenure bill, the conference affirmed and reiterated the stance of NBA at Katsina that the proposed bill by the presidency for the President and governors was a distraction.

It stated, “The bill is opportunistic and self-serving as the President was expected to build on the gains of the last elections rather than on political exigencies.

“The President should rather concentrate on economic transformation and deliverables rather than mundane constitutional amendments.”

Also the lawyers resolved that the government and legislature should pass laws for the effective enforcement of social, economic and cultural rights of Nigerians, irrespective of place of residency or state of origin.

The conference resolved, “That government at all levels should urgently take measures to address the contentious yet never-ending issue of ethnic identity or indigeneship versus citizenship with greater emphasis on residency rights to effectively address and permanently solve the recurring ethnic crises in many parts of the country.”

By Simon Utebor, Port Harcourt                                    Courtesy Of: Punch

Single tenure: National Assembly may get bill in October

The Federal Government is putting finishing touches to the single tenure bill and may forward it to the National Assembly in October.

An investigation by SATURDAY PUNCH on Friday in Abuja showed that the President was desirous of sending the bill and other proposed amendments to the National Assembly early so that work on them could be expedited.

A Presidency source said that the government was determined to ensure that the bills were passed before the commencement of the preparations for the 2015 polls.

He stated that the government would prevent a repeat of the 2010 situation in which the Electoral Act was amended twice because of the time constraint faced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

INEC was forced to demand amendments to the Electoral Act because of the time constraints it faced.

Sections 76(2), 116(2), 132(2) and 178(2) of the constitution, which stated that elections must take place between 150 and 120 days to the end of tenure, were amended to 150 and 30 days.

The elections, which were initially scheduled to take place between January and March 2011, were shifted to April, 30 days before the May 29 hand-over date. 

Justifying the move to ensure an early submission of the bills, the Presidency source said, “The President wants to prevent a recurrence of what happened before the April polls when the Electoral Act was amended twice to give INEC more time to prepare for the elections.”

It was gathered that besides the single tenure bill, other proposed amendments that would be sent to the National Assembly included the revenue allocation formula and the reforms of the local government.

The investigation showed that the single tenure bill contained transitional clauses that would prevent the President from contesting the 2015 presidential poll.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, had on July 18, 2011 stated that Jonathan would present a bill for the single term to the National Assembly. 

The proposed bill was criticised by opposition parties, which alleged that it was a ploy by Jonathan to extend his tenure.

The President had explained that the single term tenure proposal was not his idea, but that of all the political parties except the Action Congress of Nigeria. 

Jonathan had on July 28 said that he was not going to be a beneficiary of the proposed single term.

Following the criticisms that followed the plan, some newspapers (THE PUNCH not included) reported that the President had dropped the proposal.

But on August 14, Abati, in an interview with journalists, said that the President would submit the bill to the National Assembly after its resumption on September 13.

Abati had said, “It is not on record anywhere that the President said he was no longer interested in that proposal. If you have any evidence to the contrary, then you can present it. You wait till they (National Assembly) return, then we will see whether the proposal or bill had been jettisoned or not.”

By Niyi Odebode, Abuja                   Courtesy Of: Punch

Sambo denies rumour of fire outbreak in his residence ...commiserates with victims of bomb blast

Vice-President Namadi Sambo has denied a reported case of fire outbreak in his residence.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Umar Sani, on Friday in Abuja, Sambo said he had been inundated with reports suggesting that his residence was engulfed in fire and that the floor being occupied by members of his advance team was affected.

He said that no such incident occurred in his residence.

The statement read, “We are compelled to correct the seeming misinformation and to bring to the notice of the public that no such incidence occurred in the resident where the Vice-President was staying, we further state that there was no such incidence affecting any member of the VP’s entourage.

“The (Vice-President Mohammed Namadi) Sambo is hale and hearty, and in good condition having successfully performed the lesser Hajj (Umrah), including members of his entourage.”

By Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja                    Courtesy Of: Punch

Bombing barbaric, senseless, cowardly –Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday condemned the bomb attack on the United Nations’ building in Abuja, describing the incident as “barbaric, senseless and cowardly.”

The President vowed that his administration would do everything possible to apprehend those behind the attack.

In a statement by his spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, Jonathan advised Nigerians and foreigners resident in the country to go about their normal businesses with the full assurance that the Federal Government would guarantee their safety. 

The statement reads, “(President Goodluck) Jonathan and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria utterly condemn the barbaric, senseless and cowardly attack on the United Nation’s building in Abuja this (Friday) morning.

“The President believes that the attack is a most despicable assault on the United Nations’ objectives of global peace and security, and the sanctity of human life to which Nigeria wholly subscribes.

“He extends his sincere condolences to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, and all members of the United Nations family who have lost loved ones in the heinous attack.

“(President) Jonathan reaffirms the Federal Government’s total commitment to vigorously combat the incursion of all forms of terrorism into Nigeria, and wishes to reassure all Nigerians and the international community that his administration will spare no effort to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“The President has directed all relevant government agencies to assist in the search and rescue effort at the UN building, and ordered heightened security across the Federal Capital Territory.

“He urges all Nigerians to cooperate fully with the government in its efforts to expose the desperate elements who promote violence, terrorism and division in the country.

“While noting that by today’s (Friday) attack, we are once again reminded of the international character of terrorism and its indiscriminate targeting of innocent civilians, President Jonathan affirms Nigeria’s determination to continue to play its part in the global effort to eradicate the scourge of terrorism in all its ramifications.”

By Ihuoma Chiedozie, Abuja                       Courtesy Of: Punch

Four bodies deposited at Garki hospital

No fewer than 10 bomb blast victims were on Friday referred to the Garki Hospital, Abuja, from the National Hospital.

While the victims had varying degrees of injury, four others were confirmed dead and wheeled to the mortuary.

Simultaneously, family members were seen going from hospital to hospital, making frantic efforts to locate their missing relations, some of whom work in the UN building.

A woman, who was searching for a relative, was inconsolable when she was informed that the person was not at the Garki Hospital, where she was directed to by medical personnel.

She almost created a scene as she kept demanding the missing relative, who appeared to be her husband.

“The doctor told me he was admitted here; but now they said he is not here. Someone please tell me where he is,” she cried as other family members tried to console her.

Esther Zachary, who works as a cleaner in the building, stated that she was on the third floor when the blast occurred, adding that she jumped down and landed on her chest.

She said, “I was on the third floor when a loud blast rocked the building. I was so afraid that I simply jumped from the floor to the ground. 

“I landed on my chest and was quickly rushed to the National Hospital from where I was referred to Garki Hospital. I’m having a serious chest pain, but I am getting better.” 

A riot policeman, Jerry Achie, who was also on admission, said he was with the Central Intelligence Bureau personnel when the explosion occurred.

The policeman, who sustained injuries in the head and on his hand, added that he was rescued by his colleagues.

The Chief Medical Director, Garki Hospital, Dr. John Olagunju, told SATURDAY PUNCH that the 10 patients were in relatively stable conditions.

No fewer than nine patients were admitted to the Abuja Clinic, Maitama, but our correspondent could not gain access any of them as they were being attended to by medical personnel.

A receptionist at the hospital explained that the medical director was busy attending to the blast victims. 

“The MD can’t see you because he is so busy. For him to join others to wheel patients, that should tell you how busy he is,” he said.

No blast victims were admitted to Asokoro Hospital, where our correspondent also checked.

By Adelani Adepegba, Abuja                          Courtesy Of: Punch

Govt, Nigerians must condemn attack –Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reacted to the explosion which rocked the United Nations’ building in Abuja on Friday. He said the government and the populace must condemn the attack.

He urged Nigerians to unite at this time against the attack, which he described as senseless.

“We cannot just take it. We have to reject it in its entirety for whatever reason or purpose,” he said.

Obasanjo, who spoke from Sierra Leone in a telephone conversation with journalists in Ogun State, stated that the development was not in the interest of the country.

He said, “It is condemnable. This is unfair. It is unfair to do that at a place where we have both our people and foreigners working for the peace and unity of the world. I do not want to know where it is coming from or those it was meant to target, it is not in the best interest of those who do it or Nigeria as a country.”

He urged the international community to “stand solidly with us in ensuring that the perpetrators are fished out and brought to book so that this type of senseless attack is not repeated.”

The ex-president condoled with those who lost dear loved ones in the explosion, adding, “It is saddening to hear this again.”

By Gbenga Adeniji, Abeokuta                 Courtesy Of: Punch

We have eight corpses with us – National Hospital

Authorities of the National Hospital in Abuja on Friday confirmed that eight corpses retrieved from the scene of the bomb blast at the United Nations’ building had been deposited at the mortuary. 

The Head of Management Information Services of the hospital, Dr. Tayo Haastrup, who confirmed the number of casualties in an interview with journalists, however, said the number could increase. 

He gave the sexes of the casualties as three females and five males. Asked about their nationalities, Haastrup said that would be difficult to give. 

He addressed journalists immediately after he came out of the mortuary. 

He said, “For now, there are eight corpses in the mortuary. They are three females and five males. We cannot give their nationalities for now. 

He said some of the victims had been discharged because they sustained minor injuries. He, however, added that some of those who sustained serious injuries had been moved to the wards. 

Haastrup said, “Our doctors have stabilised some of the victims, while some of them have been moved to the wards; a few others have been discharged. “

Our correspondents saw some of the victims with varying degrees of injury in some of the wards, including the emergency, orthopaedic, male and female wards. 

A female victim, who was brought to the hospital in a UN ambulance with registration number 201 UN 162, lost one of her legs to the incident. 

A relation of hers, who refused to give her name, was seen with her as hospital workers were battling to move her out of the ambulance into the hospital. 

A member of staff of the World Health Organisation, Mr. Sunday Agboh, who survived the attack, said he was happy to be alive. 

Some members of staff of the world body, who were not affected by the incident, were seen making frantic efforts to ascertain the whereabouts of some of their colleagues. Many of them had blood stains on their clothes. 

Also, security personnel and workers at the hospital had a hectic time controlling the sympathetic crowd as the relatives of those who work in the building besieged the hospital to ascertain the fate of their relations and colleagues. 

However, due to the large number of victims that were involved in the attack, authorities of the hospital had to appeal to people to donate blood for them. 

Also joined in the appeal were corps members, who were seen holding placards with inscriptions such as, ‘Please, donate blood to save lives,’ and ‘Help the blast victims to stay alive by donating blood for their survival.’ 

The appeal was well received by sympathisers as they trooped to the blood bank section to donate their blood. 

A nurse, who attended to the voluntary donors after they were screened, told our correspondent that “at least, we have 500 people who have shown interest to donate their blood.”

By Olusola Fabiyi and Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja                             Courtesy Of: Punch

Obama says attack cowardly

United States’ President Barack Obama has condemned Friday’s “horrific and cowardly” attack on the United Nations’ headquarters in Nigeria and offered America’s condolences to the victims and their families.

The British Broadcasting Corporation reported Obama as saying, “The UN has been working in partnership with the people of Nigeria for more than five decades. 

“An attack on Nigerian and international public servants demonstrates the bankruptcy of the ideology that led to this heinous action.”

A suicide bomb blast rocked the UN compound in Abuja, killing at least 18 people, leaving others trapped and blowing out large areas of the building.

Witnesses said the bomb went off after a suspect forced his way through security and rammed his car into the building. 

Parts of the first two floors were blown out and rescue workers scrambled to pull out those left inside.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but an Islamist sect known as Boko Haram has been blamed for scores of bombings in recent months.

Obama said, “I strongly condemn the horrific and cowardly attack on the United Nations’ headquarters building in Abuja, Nigeria, which killed and wounded many innocent civilians from Nigeria and around the world.

“The people who serve the UN do so with a simple purpose: to try to improve the lives of their neighbours and promote the values on which the UN was founded - dignity, freedom, security and peace.

“The United States strongly supports the work of the UN and its lasting bond with the people of Nigeria, a bond that will only emerge stronger in the wake of this murderous act.”

By Agency Reporter                          Courtesy Of: Punch

Bomb scare in Lagos

Hours after a bomb blast occurred at the United Nations headquarters in Abuja on Friday, there was panic in Lagos as news of an impending bomb attack made the rounds.

The news, which was spread through text messages and BlackBerry chats, warned Lagos residents to stay off the Third Mainland Bridge and its environs as there were unconfirmed reports of “a planned bomb blast to take place in Lagos within the next 24 hours.”

The message read, “Lagosians are advised to stay off the Third Mainland Bridge and its territory. There are unconfirmed reports of a supposed bombing in Lagos within 24hrs after the UN Abuja bomb blast. Military roadblocks and other emergency measures might result in traffic and congestion. Other alternative routes usage is advised. Please broadcast and save a life in Lagos.”

The Commissioner of Police, Anti Bomb Squad, Mr. Ambrose Aisabor, who was said to be away in Abuja, told SATURDAY PUNCH that he was not aware of such messages. “I am just hearing that from you. We would do all that is in our power to protect lives and property in Lagos,” Aisabor said.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Yakubu Alkali, was not available for comments as he did not reply calls or text messages made to his phone.

By Comfort Oseghale                       Courtesy Of: Punch

Attack wake-up call on FG – NLC

The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress has said that the attack on the United Nations’ building on Friday is a wake-up call on the Federal Government to give more serious attention to security issues in the country. 

The NLC, in a statement by its acting general secretary, Mr. Owei Lakemfa, condemned the attack. 

He said that the blast could only have been plotted and executed by people who had lost their minds, stressing that the congress was in shock over the incident. 

Lakemfa said that the sympathy of Nigerian workers was with those who lost their relatives in the incident. 

He said, “The NLC is shocked beyond words by the bombing of the UN building in Abuja, which houses 26 UN organisations in Nigeria. 

“This incomprehensible act of bestial terrorism against humanity could only have been carried out by people who have lost their minds. 

“Nigerian workers mourn with humanity, this tragic loss of precious lives. We condole with the families of the victims. 

“This attack is a wakeup call on the Nigerian government to take security matters much more seriously.”

By Fidelis Soriwei, Abuja                         Courtesy Of: Punch

Don’t turn victims back, FG tells hospitals

The Federal Government has warned authorities of hospitals in the Federal Capital Territory against turning back victims of the bomb explosion. 

The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Muhammed Pate, handed down the FG’s warning when he visited the National Hospital, Abuja. 

Pate was at the hospital to commiserate with the victims of the incident and assess the kind of treatment they were being given. 

The minister, in an exclusive interview, said that he had directed authorities of the hospitals to work hard and ensure that as many lives as possible were saved. 

He said, “We have directed the National Hospital and other hospitals to treat those that were wounded to ensure that as many lives as possible are saved. 

“That is our focus and I believe that my FCT colleague and other Federal Government agencies are working hard to ensure that they save as many lives as they can.”

By Olusola Fabiyi and Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja                          Courtesy Of: Punch

Obasanjo, IBB must apologise to Nigerians –Olutoye

A former member of the Supreme Military Council, Maj.-Gen. Olufemi Olutoye (retd), has asked former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and ex-military President Ibrahim Babangida, to apologise to Nigerians for their recent war of words.

Olutoye, in a statement in Akure on Thursday, asked the two generals to sheathe their swords and show remorse for the attacks and counter-attacks they launched against each other on the pages on newspapers.

He said the development was unfortunate as the few retired generals in the country deserved to be treated with respect and not to be subjected to ridicule which the recent show of shame of IBB and Obasanjo, could cause.

He said, “Like many Nigerians, I have had the opportunity to read your many exchanges on the pages of the newspapers. The media had indeed been awash with comments on the recent unsavoury effusions from these former leaders of our dear country.

“It started with a Freudian slip from Gen. Ibrahim Babangid a (retd) during his 70th birthday celebrations where he cast aspersions on the regime of Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo (retd), describing it as lack-lustre and un-eventful.

“In his usual abrassive manner, Obasanjo shot back his venom when he ended up his tirade by saying, ‘a fool at 70 is definitely, a fool to the grave.’

Olutoye said he felt disappointed with the action of the two generals as an elder statesmen from the same constituency where both former Nigerian leaders also belonged.

He said, “One cannot but feel disappointed with such a show of shame. Making such unguarded statements and with raw language in public and by former presidents.

“With the background of spartan military discipline, the rich experience and wisdom of old age and such hallowed position as former Heads of state, one begins to wonder why this show of shame and naked dance in the public place.

“Could this be because they are in their dotage, or could this be deliberate effort to seek relevance to avoid being forgotten in the stench of their dustbin of history?” 

Olutoye urged the two former leaders to emulate Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who was organising Nigerians to pray for their country instead of abusing themselves on the pages of newspapers.

By Sunday Aborisade                           Courtesy Of: Punch

Tough sanctions await corrupt govt officials –Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday stressed that any government official found guilty of corruption would be dismissed, and also made to face the full wrath of the law.

The President spoke at a meeting with a delegation of the Yoruba Council of Elders, led by Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo, in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Reacting to concerns raised by the YCE, Jonathan said the major concern of his administration was how to do things differently.

He said, “My main concern is how do we do things differently, that is why we are working and we have constituted the Economic Team and we are coming out with different things even in the ministries because we must do things differently.”

He identified corruption in public establishments as one of the issues that must be addressed by his government.

The President said drastic steps would be taken to stop corruption in the ministries, departments and agencies of the government.

He said, “Corrupt practices must stop.

“There must be drastic changes, we must stop these (corrupt practices).

“Three months is a long period but considering that our ministers and the people coming are new and it will take us more than a month to even get the ministers on the ground, but now I think we have them in place and we are now going to look at the ministries and see that those things that drag us back, those things that give this country bad name, are addressed.

“Now there appears not to be punishment, there must be punishments, there must be admonitions for those not doing things properly and there will be reward to appreciate those who are doing things well.

He used the situation in the Niger Delta Development Commission to illustrate his approach to issues concerning corruption.

Jonathan said he had received reports of corruption in the NDDC, as well as recommendations to him to sanction the Commission.

He said, “Because of what is happening there, there are too many complaints about the NDDC.

“Some people said I should dissolve NDDC and I said ‘no’, as the NDDC is made up of workers and management staff.”

By Ihuoma Chiedozie                  Courtesy Of: Punch

SAN awards: NBA restates order barring members

The Nigerian Bar Association has barred its members from attending the swearing-in of new Senior Advocates of Nigeria scheduled for Friday (today).

The NBA President, Joseph Daudu (SAN) gave the warning on Thursday during the presentation of reports at the ongoing 2011 Annual General Conference of the association in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Daudu said any members who accepted an invite to the investiture would be penalised.

He maintained that the association would not hesitate to strip any member who flouted the order and honour the invitation by the National Judicial Council of all the honours and privileges hitherto accorded to them.

He denied claims by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, that there was no unity among members of the association.

He urged members to maintain and adhere to professional standards, warning them not to yield to pressure from those trying to cause disunity in the association.

Daudu said, “Our position is that we will sanction our members who disobey our directive and attend the swearing-in of new SANs on Friday. We have also resolved not to recognise those who go ahead to accept the honour.

“Some senior members of the Bar and other stakeholders have been coming to meet with members of the NBA executive asking us to exempt the lawyers who will be sworn in as SANs, but we cannot be blowing hot and cold at the same time.

“The sanctions are clear. Lawyers who go ahead on Friday to take the rank will not be recognised as SANs. If they are in any of our committees, we will strip them of their membership and a roll of dishonor will be opened for them.

“At the opening ceremony of the NBA conference on Monday, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, was talking about disunity in the Bar. They want to divide us.

“We should not succumb to creating disunity by ourselves. We must be disciplined. We should maintain one standard and always speak with one voice.”

Daudu said it was the intention of the Bar to collaborate with the judiciary in introducing modern justice techniques, including having specialised courts to deal with various courses of actions and issues.

He said such was also meant to reform registries so that there could be unhindered flow of information between the courts and the public, thereby helping to stop corruption in the judiciary and the legal profession in general.

He insisted that the criminal justice system in the country had failed. He stressed that the process from apprehension of suspected criminals to their trial in court as well as the procedure for the conduct of the trial and quality of the adjudicator had been affected.

He said soon, the NBA would organise a national conference on reform of criminal justice system in the country, to save it from collapse.

By Simon Utebor                           Courtesy Of: Punch

‘Why we are against Salami’s removal’

The Action Congress of Nigeria has said its opposition to the removal of Justice Ayo Salami as President of the Court of Appeal is driven by its belief in the adherence of the constitution and the rule of law.

The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Thursday also slammed the Peoples Democratic Party for attacking the ACN.

The ACN said, “We are not crying more than the bereaved. We are actually the bereaved, and we will cry for as long as it takes to restore strict adherence to the rule of law. We are bereaved when the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is literally torn to shreds, as President Goodluck Jonathan did in acting on the illegal recommendation of the National Judicial Council.

“We are bereaved when the rule of law is supplanted with the rule of the jungle, as President Jonathan and the NJC did in the controversial removal of Justice Salami.”

ACN said those who were surprised by the party’s strong stance on the way the whole crisis in the judiciary had played out either lacked a sense of history or were being mischievous or both.

It said, “Do these people, most of them from the PDP and its sympathisers, remember that the ACN, more than any other party.”

By Agency Reporter                               Courtesy Of: Punch

Senator asks President to reverse Salami’s suspension

A Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial district, Olugbenga Ashafa, has advised President Goodluck Jonathan to reverse the suspension of Justice Ayo Salami as the President, Court of Appeal.

The suspension he said was a clear violation of the rule of law.

Ashafa, in a statement on Thursday, also declared that the President’s silence on the Salami issue was tantamount to betrayal. 

He said, “There comes a time when silence is betrayal. The sudden, wrong-procedural and unconstitutional suspension of Justice Ayo Salami not only portends debilitating dangers to our democracy, it also set a very dangerous precedent. We are gradually drifting back to the age of vilification of public office and sacrilege of the Constitution even to the detriment of the average man.” 

The senator pointed out that sacrosanct of the rule of law and its defence by the citizenry remained the only tonic that democracy needs to thrive in any nation. He added that arbitrariness would lead to lawlessness, which would not augur well for anybody.

He added, “The unfortunate removal of Justice Ayo Salami as the President of the Court of Appeal can be looked at in three ways: does the National Judicial Council have the power under any provision of the Constitution to suspend Justice Salami as it did? Should NJC have proceeded to exercise a purported power of suspension, when Justice Salami had gone to court to challenge the committee’s report that directed that he should apologise to the Chief Justice of Nigeria for offending the Code of Judges i.e. talking to the press? Can the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on his own alone, act on the recommendation of NJC to remove Justice Salami as the President of the Court of Appeal?”

Quoting Section 238 of the 1999 Constitution, Ashafa said the NJC power was to make recommendation to the President for the appointment of the President of the Court of Appeal and the other Judges of that Court, adding that the power to suspend was not added. 

He said, “By suspending Justice Ayo Salami, NJC acted without power under any enabling provision of the Constitution to do what it did. Let us agree that NJC could make recommendation to the President for the removal of the President of the Court of Appeal in view of its power to make recommendation for appointment, the power to remove the President of the Court of Appeal can only be exercised by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate.”

By Sesan Olufowobi                      Courtesy Of: Punch

PDP demands Kwara ACN leaders’ arrest

The Peoples Democratic Party, Kwara State, has called for the arrest and prosecution of the Kwara State Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Mr. Kayode Olawepo. The PDP also called arrest and prosecution of the ACN governorship candidate for the April general elections in the state, Mr. Dele Belgore (SAN).

But Belgore’s aide, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye, said the call had exposed the PDP’s ignorance of the judicial process.

In a statement on Thursday by the Kwara PDP Secretary, Mr. Yemi Afolayan, the party alleged that Olawepo and Belgore recruited witnesses who lied on oath at the Election Petitions Tribunal in Ilorin, where the ACN has challenged Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s election.

The party also called for the arrest of Mr. Adeniyi Razak, who claimed to have been an ad hoc official of the Independent National Electoral Commission at Unit 007, Kuntu, Adewole Ward of Ilorin West Local Government. 

The party alleged that Adewole lied on oath, saying he must be punished as a result.

It said, “We call on the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that no criminal is left unpunished, no matter how highly placed. The survival of democracy requires the eagle-eye vigilance of all patriotic Nigerians.

“We must therefore do everything to ensue that the ACN accomplishes like Adeniji do not get away with their acts.”

However, Ajakaye insisted that it was the court that had the powers to pronounce any witness as false, insisting that Razaq actually worked for INEC.

By Success Nwogu                         Courtesy Of: Punch

PDP, Oyo trade words over N19bn refund

The Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has said the demand by the state government for a refund of N19bn allegedly spent on the rehabilitation of federal roads in the state by the immediate past administration of Adebayo Alao-Akala, is a justification of the prudence and accountability of the past government.

The party said this in a statement by the Director of Media and Strategy of the PDP in Oyo State, Mr. Morohunkola Thomas, made available to our correspondent in Ibadan on Thursday.

According to the statement, the execution of the federal road project is a pointer to the fact that the past administration was not a non-performing government as projected by the incumbent.

However, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communication, Festus Adedayo, described the claim by the PDP as an idle talk.

He said, “The attention of the Oyo State Government has been drawn to the idle talk of the PDP concerning an alleged application for refund of N19bn from the FG on road projects in the state.

“The government is composed of very busy personnel for whom their precious time is akin to gold and which they cannot waste on bandying words with a party that was sent out of office by the people of the state, just a couple of months ago, for gross incompetence and massive allegations of tampering with their collective patrimony.

Adedayo stated that the state government was committed to delivering on its promises to the people rather than exchanging words with “a group of people who were jobless before they dramatically got into office.”

The PDP statement read in part, “The Oyo State PDP has observed that the Action Congress of Nigeria government has demanded from the Federal Government the payment of N19bn being the sum of money Alao-Akala-led PDP government spent on the construction of federal roads in Oyo State.”

The party noted that the request for the money had finally vindicated Alao-Akala as a man who judiciously managed the state resources.

By Akinwale Aboluwade                         Courtesy Of: punch

Jonathan phones Obasanjo, Babangida to cease fire

President Goodluck Jonathan has intervened in the public feud between two of his predecessors, Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida, asking them to bury the hatchet. Obasanjo and Babangida, both former heads of government and retired generals, had last week exchange words, calling each other fools.

On Sunday, a source in the Presidency told one of our correspondents that Jonathan, who was “embarrassed” by the conduct of the two former heads of state, had intervened on Saturday.

The source said Jonathan made separate telephone calls to Obasanjo and Babangida, who are also chieftains of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, on Saturday.

The source said, “Nobody should expect the President to fold his arms and be watching. He has done the natural thing to do in a situation like this. 

“He has called both Obasanjo and Babangida and appealed to them to sheathe their swords. 

“He urged them not to make further comments on the issue and encouraged them to settle it between themselves as they are friends and have access to each other. 

“He did not take sides with anybody; there is a disagreement between two big men here and the President is playing the role of a peacemaker.”

The source however could not say what the reactions of the two former leaders were.

Babangida had stirred the hornets-nest last Wednesday at a news conference to mark his 70th birthday in Minna, Niger State, when he said that Obasanjo’s eight year tenure was a huge waste. He said Obasanjo’s administration spent $16bn on electricity without result, adding that if his own regime had the enormous revenue available to the Obasanjo government, he would have given Nigeria power. 

But Obasanjo thundered back on Thursday, calling Babagida a fool at 70.

He said, “If Babangida has decided, on becoming a septuagenarian, that he will be a fool, I think one should probably do what the Bible says in Proverb Chapter 26, versus 4. It says don’t answer a fool because you may also become like him.” 

However, in a swift reaction through his spokesperson, IBB retorted, “One may excuse his (Obasanjo) present outburst as the effusions of a witless comedian.” 

Obasanjo who was the president between 1999 and 2007 was also a military head of government from 1976 to 1979. Babangida was military president from 1985 to 1993 when he “stepped aside” from power following the popular protests that greeted the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential poll by him.

Many at the weekend lashed at the two former leaders for “washing their dirty linen” in the public.

A former military governor of the old Western region, Vice Admiral Akin Aduwo (retd.), said the duo of Obasanjo and Babangida should be court-martialled over what he described as their indiscretion. Aduwo, who spoke over the weekend, also said the warring generals should be banned from the National Council of States.

On Sunday, the Octogenarian leader of the Yoruba social and political organization, Afenifere, Pa. Reuben Fasoranti, described the feud as a “show of shame.” 

Fasoranti, in a telephone interview with our correspondent in Akure, Ondo State, noted that the two leaders behaved like “kids”.

He said, “It is a pity that the two ex-heads of state decided to throw caution to the winds and behave the way they did. They should have exercised restraints. Their behaviour is unfortunate. They should not have lost their tempers. Only kids do such things.”

Fasoranti appealed to the two leaders to exercise great caution and control over their tempers, warning them to refrain from exchanging insults on the pages of newspapers.

Aduwo had described the public exchange of words by the former presidents as a ‘complete shame, completely out of character, an international disgrace, an embarrassment to Nigeria and the military that gave those two people prominence as heads of state.”

He said, “IBB is a subordinate to Obasanjo, at all levels of service to the nation, the military, government and politics. The superior officer remains the superior officer. 

“They went through all sorts of military training in discipline, leadership, mood control, conduct control. I have never been so shocked. Whoever is your superior up till retirement from active service remains your superior.”

By Niyi Odebode, Fidelis Soriwei, Olusola Fabiyi and Sunday Aborisade                  Courtesy Of: Punch

Jumbo pay cut: Lawmakers having problems repaying huge bank loans

Federal lawmakers who took huge short-term loans shortly after their inauguration in May are having problems repaying the loans, THE PUNCH has learnt.

Our correspondent gathered that the banks operating within the National Assembly, which also gave out the loans, are at a loss as to how get the lawmakers to start repaying.

Investigations by our correspondent showed that many of the lawmakers, especially the first timers, collected between N200m and N250m with the hope of commencing repayment with their quarterly jumbo allocations. Most of these lawmakers, a source said, used the loans to buy houses in Abuja. 

Our correspondent learnt that with the 40 per cent reduction in the jumbo pay of federal lawmakers, most lawmakers have not been repaying. 

The banks, our correspondent gathered, had granted the lawmakers the loans with the expectation that repayment would not be a problem once they collected their jumbo pay.

Before the reduction, members of the House of Representatives had each collected N42m per quarter, while their counterparts in the Senate had received about N60m. But with the slash, a member of the lower house now receives about N13m per quarter as running cost.

A source who spoke to our reporter over the weekend, said officials of the banks were worried by the failure of beneficiaries of the loans to keep to their promises. 

According to a member of the National Assembly, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, the majority of those who took the loans are from the House of Representatives. 

He said, “You know when we came in newly, these banks offered loans to lawmakers, most of them from the House. Some collected N200m, others N250m. 

“Now the banks are having serious problems getting their money back as scheduled because the allowances are not enough. They can’t pay and the banks are not finding it funny. 

“They cannot pay, the money is too small and you know it is not possible for the banks to take everything that is paid. I must tell you, there is a serious problem.” 

The 2011 Appropriation Act provides N1.5b which is made available for lawmakers in lieu of accommodation. They often collect the sum as soon as they are inaugurated. Each lawmaker got a little above N3m from the total.

But some lawmakers are said to have complained to the leadership of both Houses that the money was too small to address their accommodation challenges in Abuja, given the high cost of residential and hotel accommodation in the city.

At the inauguration of the Seventh Senate, commercial banks marketing executives within the National Assembly complex, had jostled for the attention of senators and members of the House of Representatives, wooing them with gifts and offering them loans. 

However, the banks expectedly denied having problems with the lawmakers when our correspondent sought their reactions. 

A branch manager of one of the banks told our correspondent that the issue of loans was a “personal matter between the banks and their clients”. 

“Any of our clients that met our requirements is qualified to get a loan and there is no problem about that.”

By Agency Reporter                                 Courtesy Of: Punch