ACF to monitor soldiers in state of emergency zone

THE Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF)  has declared readiness to raise a team that would monitor soldiers and ensure that they abide by the rules of engagement in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. <br /> This was part of the resolution at the National Executive Council (NEC) of the ACF, in Kaduna, on Thursday.<br /> A communique signed by the deputy national publicity secretary of the ACF, Fati Ibrahim, said the meeting was presided over by its chairman, Alhaji Aliko Mohammed and was attended by delegations from all the states of the North. <br /> After reviewing and discussing recent developments in the country, the ACF took notice of the proclamation of the state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states by the Federal Government on the grounds that attacks and killings by insurgents and other terrorist groups required massive military response.<br /> “The meeting was concerned that the president appears to have more faith in a military solution, even where evidence from our experiences so far bears no such optimism.<br /> “It is the hope of the ACF, therefore, that the Federal Government does not consider the increased military deployment as a superior option or alternative to the slower and more tedious path of dialogue, negotiation and conciliation.<br /> “Given the dismal history of peace-making campaigns by the military all over the world, dispatching battalion after battalion to the field in the hope of combating insurgents or terrorists sound naive,” the forum said.<br /> The ACF called on the military to avoid the temptation of deploying tactics or adopt measures that would cause increased civilian casualties and bloodshed under the cover of emergency rule. <br /> “They are well advised to involve the local populace in their operational plans, in order to minimise collateral civilian suffering,” the group added.

ACF to monitor soldiers in state of emergency zone

THE Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF)  has declared readiness to raise a team that would monitor soldiers and ensure that they abide by the r...

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Insecurity: FG deports 19,000 illegal immigrants

A total of 19,000 illegal immigrants who gained entry into the country over the years have, so far, been deported, as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to boost security in the country.<br /> This came as the Minister of Interior, Mr Abba Moro, disclosed that the number of illegal immigrants in the country had soared as a result of the porous borders and the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) protocol on free movement of persons and goods.<br /> Speaking in Abuja at a leadership forum organised by the Nigerian Pilot/Newsworld, on Thursday, the minister lamented that Nigeria did not have an accurate figure of illegal immigrants currently in the country, due to the factors that fuelled their entry.<br /> The minister said the country required extraordinary measure to deal with what he described as extraordinary problem, noting that the government would consider construction of relevant perimeter fence at the nation’s borders if the means became available, so as to curb entry of illegal immigrants into the country.<br /> Moro said what the country needed to do was to classify the borders and construct legal border plazas and then deploy officers to the plazas to assist curb the trend.<br /> He, however, expressed disappointment that there was no quick solution to the myriad of illegal borders, while hinting that illegal immigrants were becoming impediments to effective policing of the country.<br /> According to him, the ministry was in the process of acquiring ICT equipment to effectively manage border security, so as to stem threats to national security.<br /> Moro said the Federal Government was thinking of decentralisation of the nation’s prison system, to enhance effective management, although that was subject to when the relevant prison act and the constitution were amended.

Insecurity: FG deports 19,000 illegal immigrants

A total of 19,000 illegal immigrants who gained entry into the country over the years have, so far, been deported, as the Federal Governme...

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Lagos employs 70 women truck drivers

The Lagos State Government on Friday said it had just employed 70 women as truck drivers, as part of efforts to empower women in the state. <br /> The Deputy Gov., Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, announced this at a news conference in Ikeja organised to mark Gov. Babatunde Fashola`s sixth year in office.<br /> She said that the women had been trained on driving large vehicles before they were deployed to the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) as waste truck drivers.<br /> “We are also considering training and empowering women as Taxi drivers. We are currently examining some security risks that these women might face driving taxis.<br /> “But we hope to partner with some hotels in the state on how we can attach some of these female taxi drivers to them, so that we can track who they are dropping off, in case there is a problem,“ she said.<br /> Orelope-Adefulire, who oversees the Ministry of Women Empowerment, stressed that gender equality and women empowerment were top on the agenda of the Fashola administration.<br /> She said the government had established a number of skills acquisition centres across the state, saying that thousands of women had acquired trade skills at such centres, to set up their businesses.<br /> The deputy governor added that women entrepreneurs who were in need of tools and equipment for their trades had also been assisted by the government with such needs.<br /> She said the government, through the ministry, had facilitated micro-credits for small-scale business women, to assist them grow their businesses.<br /> Orelope-Adefulire said the government was making steady progress at attaining the 35 per cent Affirmative Action with the appointment of more women into top positions in the state.<br /> “Though we are yet to attain 35 per cent Afirmative  Action, we are aggressively working towards it.Today. we have more and more women occupying top positions in government.<br /> “68 judges, 92 magistrates and 52 Permanent Secretaries is a indeed progress. We are still working harder and we will surely surpass the 35 per cent target at the end of the day,“ she said.<br /> The deputy governor, however, decried the growing cases of domestic violence in the state, saying that the government was taking appropriate steps to control the trend.

Lagos employs 70 women truck drivers

The Lagos State Government on Friday said it had just employed 70 women as truck drivers, as part of efforts to empower women in the state...

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Members of Boko Haram may face war crimes charges – UN

United Nations – Members of Boko Haram and other extremist groups in Nigeria, could face war crimes charges for deliberate acts leading to ethnic and religious cleansing, the UN has said.<br /> Rupert Colvile, the spokesperson for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said this in a statement made available at the UN Head quarters in New York on Friday.<br /> He reiterated calls on Boko Haram and other extremist groups in Nigeria to cease their “cowardly attacks” against civilians, members of government institutions, security forces and foreign nationals.<br /> “The High Commissioner noted that members of Boko Haram, if judged to have committed systematic attacks against a civilian population on grounds such as religion or ethnicity could be found guilty of crimes against humanity.<br /> “Deliberate acts leading to population `cleansing’ on grounds of religion or ethnicity could also amount to a crime against humanity,” Colville stressed.<br /> In recent weeks, more than 220 people have been killed in violent clashes between military forces and the Islamist group, Boko Haram.<br /> OHCHR has urged the Nigerian government to abide by human rights principles during security patrols.<br /> The rights body also said it was concerned about the large number of casualties, reportedly including many civilians, and massive destruction of houses and property.<br /> Colville urged the government to ensure that international human rights law was respected during its emergency operations.<br /> Similarly the Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon had said he remained very concerned about the ongoing instability in the country.<br /> He underscored the need for all concerned to fully respect human rights and to safeguard the lives of all Nigerians. <br />

Members of Boko Haram may face war crimes charges – UN

United Nations – Members of Boko Haram and other extremist groups in Nigeria, could face war crimes charges for deliberate acts leading to ...

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NEF to Jonathan: You ‘ve declared war on Northern Nigeria

Northern elders, yesterday, broke their silence on the slamming of state of emergency on three states, describing the action of President Goodluck Jonathan as an indirect declaration of war on Northern Nigeria.<br /> The President’s action, which took the northern elders by surprise, came barely three weeks after Jonathan accepted a roadmap from the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, on how to end the Boko Haram insurgency.<br /> The elders had successfully impressed upon the Presidency to raise the Boko Haram committee to dialogue with the sect to restore elusive peace to the region.<br /> Jonathan, who met with the NEF leadership in Abuja in April, subsequently inaugurated the Turaki-led committee with a mandate to broker peace with the sect and compensate their victims within a two-month time frame.<br /> However, after inaugurating the panel, the sect leadership rejected the amnesty offer, saying that it was the government that should seek amnesty for having killed its Muslim brothers.<br /> But irked by continuous bloodletting in several parts of the north, President Jonathan on Tuesday called on the armed forces to move into the states of Borno, Yobo and Adamawa, arrest suspected terrorists and restore peace in those places.<br /> Many reports indicated that soldiers armed with armoured tank were already on the ground in the affected states preparatory to take out terrorists from their strongholds scattered in the North Eastern part of the country.<br /> But a spokesman for the NEF, Prof Ango Abdullahi, who relayed the position of the group, told Vanguard that they were disappointed by the sudden change of tactic by Jonathan on how to resolve the crisis in the north.<br /> <br /> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_365714" style="width: 422px;"> <img alt="President Goodluck Jonathan (C, R), standing next to Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima (C, L) waves upon his arrival at Maiduguri international airport on March 7, 2013. Jonathan visits two cities in northeast Nigeria, where Islamist group Boko Haram has carried out scores of attacks, his first trip to the embattled region since taking office in 2010. AFP PHOTO" class="size-full wp-image-365714" height="250" src="http://d12nfihn4mbl66.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Borno-Jonathan.jpg?119b56" width="412" /><div class="wp-caption-text"> <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">File photo: President Goodluck Jonathan (C, R), standing next to Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima (C, L) waves upon his arrival at Maiduguri international airport on March 7, 2013. Jonathan visits two cities in northeast Nigeria, where Islamist group Boko Haram has carried out scores of attacks, his first trip to the embattled region since taking office in 2010.  </span></i></div> </div> Abdullahi said: “It is very sad to see that the President has easily changed direction from dialogue and reconciliation to war in his bid to end the cycle of violence in the north.<br /> “The volte-face by Jonathan amounts to undermining our agreement with him on peace and reconciliation and we are disturbed that he has opted for force rather than peace to end the violence.<br /> “What the President has done has now justified the fear of those who rejected membership of the Boko Haram amnesty committee on the suspicion that he was not sincere in setting up the panel and that it was programmed to fail so as to justify military action against the north.<br /> “We hereby call on the President to immediately disband the so-called Boko Haram amnesty committee, as there is no need to continue to waste public funds on a matter, whose purpose has been deliberately truncated by the very person who initiated it.<br /> The NEF has lately been mounting opposition against Jonathan’s re-election bid in 2015, insisting that it is their turn to occupy the top post.<br /> Vows to truncate Jonathan’s 2015 presidency<br /> The group has vowed to wrestle power from Jonathan in 2015 by presenting a candidate that would defeat the President at the polls.<br /> At a meeting with the Borno State Governor on Tuesday, the NEF stated that they had what it takes to produce the next President of Nigeria and they would seek to do just that.<br /> Though Jonathan has not openly declared his intent to run, his kinsmen and foot soldiers have been threatening there would be war if he is dumped at the poll.<br /> The Presidency is yet to condemn or distance itself from the strident calls by various Ijaw groups and individuals in the Niger Delta for him to be re-elected or for Nigeria to break up.

NEF to Jonathan: You ‘ve declared war on Northern Nigeria

Northern elders, yesterday, broke their silence on the slamming of state of emergency on three states, describing the action of President ...

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Casualties as military launch air strikes on Boko Haram strongholds

Nigeria’s military on Friday attacked Boko Haram Islamist strongholds across the northeast, launching deadly air strikes on insurgent camps, the military said, while residents reported that forces had deployed in border areas to block the militants from fleeing. <br /> Several thousand soldiers have spread across three northeastern states where President Goodluck Jonathan imposed a state of emergency after Boko Haram seized territory and declared war against the government.<br /> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_389583" style="width: 422px;"> <a href="http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/05/casualties-as-military-launch-air-strikes-on-boko-haram/army1-7/" rel="attachment wp-att-389583"><img alt="Nigerian soldier, part of the "Operation Flush" patrolling in the remote northeast town of Baga, Borno State." class="size-full wp-image-389583" height="250" src="http://d12nfihn4mbl66.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Army1.jpg?119b56" width="412" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Nigerian soldier, part of the “Operation Flush” patrolling in the remote northeast town of Baga, Borno State.</i></span></div> </div> “There have been air strikes since Wednesday,” defence spokesman Brigadier General Chris Olukolade told AFP, specifying that they were continuing Friday.<br /> “Every one of their strongholds is under attack,” he said, adding that he believed “there are a lot of casualties,” without providing a figure.<br /> The offensive is ongoing in all three states put under emergency decree, including Adamawa and Yobe, but Borno state is expected to see the most intense fighting.<br /> Many have warned that there is a risk of high civilian deaths and Nigeria’s military has been accused of massive rights violations in the past, including indiscriminate attacks on civilians.<br /> The operation is the largest against Boko Haram since 2009, when soldiers flooded Borno’s capital Maiduguri, killing more than 800 people and forcing the insurgents underground for a year.<br /> In the town of Gamburu Ngala on the border with Cameroon in northern Borno, residents said that heavily armed troops and tanks arrived on Wednesday, sealing off previously unmanned border posts.<br /> Northeast Nigeria, the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency, has porous borders with Cameroon, Chad and Niger, with criminal groups and militants flowing freely between the countries.<br /> “Since January the border posts have been abandoned…but now these posts have been taken over by soldiers,” said resident Haruna Garba.<br /> Olukolade confirmed that forces had been sent to the region, but would not say whether the borders had been sealed.<br /> Reports of Boko Haram’s presence in Cameroon first emerged in February, following the kidnap there of a French family visiting a game park near the Nigerian border.<br /> The abduction was claimed by Boko Haram and the family was released in April.<br /> Soldiers have surrounded the town of Krenuwa in Marte district, also in northern Borno and one of the areas where Boko Haram has taken power, chased away all government officials and removed Nigerian flags, residents said.<br /> Abur Kullima told AFP Friday that he fled his home in Krenuwa in fear of the coming assault.<br /> He said that after the state of emergency was declared in a national broadcast late Tuesday, Islamist gunmen began moving through the district trying to mobilise people “in preparation to face Nigerian troops.”<br /> “I was so scared for my life and my family’s, which led me to decide to leave,” he told AFP from Gamburu Ngala, where he is staying with a friend.<br /> Anyone who tries to leave Krenuwa is screened by the soldiers who have encircled the town, he said.<br /> Boko Haram has become notorious for blending in with the local population, both in towns and major cities where they have carried out suicide bombings as well as gun and bomb assaults.<br /> The group says it is fighting to create an Islamic state in Nigeria’s mainly Muslim north, but its demands have repeatedly shifted.<br /> Some believe it has sought closer ties to foreign extremist groups like Al-Qaeda’s North Africa affiliate, but most analysts believe its agenda is primarily domestic.<br /> Nigeria is Africa’s top oil producer but the population remains extremely poor and many of Boko Haram’s fighters are believed to be youths radicalised out of frustration with government corruption.<br /> The conflict is estimated to have cost 3,600 lives since 2009, including killings by the security forces

Casualties as military launch air strikes on Boko Haram strongholds

Nigeria’s military on Friday attacked Boko Haram Islamist strongholds across the northeast, launching deadly air strikes on insurgent camps...

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Christmas Day bombing: Kabiru Sokoto to move no case submission

<br /> <img border="0" src="http://tribune.com.ng/news2013/images/0101kabiru%20sokoto2.jpg" style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" title="Kabiru Sokoto" />Prosecution in the ongoing trial of the alleged master mind of the 2011 Christmas day bombing in Madalla, Niger State, Kabiru Sokoto on Thursday closed its case after calling six witnesses. <br /> This was just as Kabiru Sokoto through his counsel told the court that he would be filing a no case submission.<br /> A no case submission is filed by a defendant to show the court that the prosecution has not established any case against him.<br /> Kabiru is being tried on a two-count charge.<br /> Before announcing the closure of its case yesterday, prosecution counsel, Mrs Chioma Unuegbu called three witnesses.<br /> The witnesses, who had their identity hidden; identified only as officials of the State Security Service (SSS), wore masks.<br /> They told the court how they obtained statement from the accused person, who spoke to his interrogators in Hausa. One of the witnesses was also an official who translated the accused person’s statement into English language.<br /> They referred to some portions of the statement, where Umar allegedly gave an idea of how the sect operates.<br /> In a particular instance, Umar said, in the statement that he learnt that the group’s commanding body, the Shurah is concerned with planning and strategising for the sect’s operations, while the other members are involved in the execution of the plans well-being of other members.<br /> At the conclusion of the prosecution’s case, defence counsel, Hassan Lukman sought a fresh date for the defence to make a no-case submission.<br /> He said the defence would contend that no shred of evidence by the prosecution linked the accused to the alleged offence.<br /> The trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola who granted the defence’s request, adjourned to June 7 for adoption of parties’ written submissions in respect of the no-case submission.

Christmas Day bombing: Kabiru Sokoto to move no case submission

Prosecution in the ongoing trial of the alleged master mind of the 2011 Christmas day bombing in Madalla, Niger State, Kabiru Sokoto o...

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Emergency rule won’t affect amnesty for Boko Haram - Presidency

<br /> <img border="0" src="http://tribune.com.ng/news2013/images/0101jonathan3.jpg" style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" />THE Presidency has said that the declaration of state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States by President Goodluck Jonathan over continued violence has not affected the ongoing amnesty talks for Boko Haram sect.<br /> Special Adviser to the President on Student and Youth Matters, Comrade Jude Imagwe, while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, also appealed to the youths in the affected states to cooperate with the security agencies during the period of the state of emergency.<br /> He said the declaration of a state of emergency in the three volatile States of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, was not a declaration of war against patriotic and law abiding citizens.<br /> Imagwe said the military hierarchy has properly been briefed by President Jonathan on the need to observe the rules of engagement in the affected states.<br /> He told the youth in the affected states who are said to be agitated by the declaration of the state of emergency, to remain calm and give all the necessary support and cooperation to the security agencies in order to restore peace and order in the States, he said have been taken over by the insurgent groups.<br /> He emphasized that the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, headed by the Minister of Special Duties, Mr. Kabiru Turaki, would still continue with their work and that the state of emergency has not affected the Federal Government’s amnesty plan for the Boko Haram sect.<br /> Imagwe said: “The declaration of the state of emergency is a welcome development. Every available has been exploited to getting to where we are today; from wide range consultations to several stakeholders’ meetings.<br /> “The emergency rule has no interference with the ongoing consultations and negotiation on amnesty. But my concern is particularly about our young people, my brothers and sisters who constitute the major population of every part of our country, Nigeria.<br /> “I sincerely want to use this opportunity to appeal to my brothers and sisters across the affected states, Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, to see this call as an avenue for us to see how we can contribute to the return of peace to our constituencies, our states and government areas.<br /> “The responsibility is more on us as young people and our elders and younger brothers are looking up to us. The future of this country is solemnly rested on the shoulders of the young people and as such I feel that achieving peace should be a collective responsibility of government and the populace,” Imagwe said.<br /> <br /> <b>Nigeria to defend emergency rule before EU</b><br /> The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru is to brief the European Union (EU) on the current developments in the country, including the efforts of government at tackling the challenge of terrorism today, Thursday.<br /> <b>The briefing will take place in Brussels,  Belgium.</b><br /> Expected to be presented to the union is the recent state of emergency declared by President Goodluck Jonathan in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa and its justification.<br /> Also expected to be tabled before the union is the implementation of the Federal Government’s transformation agenda.<br /> Nigerian Tribune gathered from ministry source that the minister will equally present Nigeria’s perspective on regional peace and security, especially the situation in Mali, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry and Togo as well as other regional initiatives such as the post 2015 millennium development agenda.<br /> The minister, according to the source, is leading Nigeria’s delegation to the fourth Nigeria-European Union and the 19th EU-ECOWAS political meeting.<br /> According to the source, “Among other things, the Nigeria-European Union meeting will review political dialogue and cooperation as contained in the Nigeria-EU Joint Way Forward.

Emergency rule won’t affect amnesty for Boko Haram - Presidency

THE Presidency has said that the declaration of state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States by President Goodluck Jonathan ov...

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USAID partners SHOPS to strengthen health sector.

The United States Agency International Development (USAID) in partnership with Strengthening Private Sector Project (SHOPS) has once again strengthened private healthcare players as it presented a private health sector trade fair.<br /> The trade fair, held recently in Lagos, with the theme “Effective public-private partnership: A sure way of promoting Healthcare Delivery in Nigeria” was to facilitate stronger relationships between a variety of stakeholders in the private health care industry.<br /> The chief of party, SHOPS, Mrs Ayodele Iroko stated that the health fair was aimed at creating and strengthening linkages between financial institutions and private health providers.<br /> She said that private healthcare provider can now have access to loans from banks that partner with USAID, adding that more banks are showing interest in this project.<br /> The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris in his remark at the fair, lauded the initiative, noting that over 50 per cent of the health needs of Lagos residents are met by the private sector.<br /> He said the programme will build bridges and establish linkages between the private, manufacturing industries and other corporate outfits.<br /> Dr Idris while noting that the state alone cannot provide financial support for  healthcare delivery services, said the programme will ensure that the private health providers are fully equipped to run successful business enterprises whilst providing excellent reproductive health services to clients.<br /> Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, Chairman, Juli Pharmacy in a keynote address, expressed gratitude to USAID Nigeria for its support in building the capacity of private providers not only in health, but in business practices through the loan facilities and links to sources of finance.<br /> The National President, Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN), Dr Anthony Omolola, however noted that limited health insurance coverage and the slow progress in integrating the private sector into the policy enforcement has affected private sector effective participation in changing the dynamics of service delivery in the health sector.<br /> Dr Omolola said that government need to increase its commitment to health insurance to achieve universal coverage by providing funding to increase the number of people covered and improve and empower the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) regulatory environment.

USAID partners SHOPS to strengthen health sector.

The United States Agency International Development (USAID) in partnership with Strengthening Private Sector Project (SHOPS) has once again...

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Secretary’s daughter begged gunmen to spare dad’s life - CAN chairman

<br /> <img border="0" src="http://tribune.com.ng/news2013/images/0101can_logo.jpg" style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" />THE chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Titus Pona, has said that his Secretary, the late Reverend Faye Pama Musa, was murdered by the Boko Haram sect, infront of his daughter.<br /> The Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Reverend Titus Pona, has said that his Scretary, the late Reverend Faye Pama Musa, was murdered by the Boko Haram sect, infront of his daughter, who followed them from the living room where they dragged him outside before shooting him severally.<br /> According to Reverend Pona, his daughter who called to inform him of her father’s demise, said she had begged them to spare his life but they would not listen, instead they also tried to shoot her but the bullet did not touch her.<br /> Pona said the killers according to his family claimed through the wall to the house where they met him in the living room and dragged him out with the intention not to killed him, before his children but the daughter followed and saw them taking life out of her father.<br /> He recalled that, last year, when they met with the governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, the governor, out of concern, asked whether the area they were living was safe for them.<br /><br />“We told the governor that our areas were safe. Of course, there were no killings around this area before and where I am living is also seen as safe until they started killing people again, and it is very unfortunate that they came to attack innocent man.” He said<br /><br />Also family members said the killers were seven in numbers that claimed the wall into the house of late Rev. Faye Pama at exactly 6:30 pm on Tuesday. “ They came in a gulf car and waited around the house. Alot of people saw them, even those children that were playing ball saw them but nobody thought they were here for a mission to kill anyone.”<br /><br />According to them, there was rumour last week that the Boko Haram are planning to kill or kidnap a pastor, but people took it lightly. “We never thought that the rumour could turn out to be true as it was written and drop within the Polo area. Only God can serve us from these blood suckers.<br /> Our prayers and hope is that the amnesty decleared by the President would help to fish them out and brought them to justice for the innocent lives they have taken.”<br />

Secretary’s daughter begged gunmen to spare dad’s life - CAN chairman

THE chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Titus Pona, has said that his Secretary, the late Reverend Faye Pama Mu...

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Tips on right TV

<br /> <img align="left" alt="" border="0" src="http://tribune.com.ng/news2013/images/right-tvs.jpg" />Buying a TV isn’t something you do every year. This is a medium- to long-term investment. All the factors involved — size, image quality, panel type, internet connectivity, USB and HDMI ports, viewing angle, and screen refresh time — affect not only your viewing experience, but also how future-proof your next TV set is.:<br /><br /><strong>What type of screen should I get?</strong><br />Big or small, if you’re in the market for a new flat panel TV, you’ll be looking at two main technologies: LCD and plasma. Rear-projection TVs of old are also available, but you won’t run into many on showroom floors. Technology has gone beyond these. <br /> Plasmas use an emissive display technology (i.e. self-lighting pixels) and colour phosphors, which means there’s no motion lag or lighting inconsistencies, unlike their LCD counterparts. The results are smoother, more accurate motion; deeper, more consistent black levels; and better picture detail.<br /> LCD TVs use transmissive technology (a separate light source to shine through the pixels — hence the “backlighting” for LCD TVs) instead of phosphors. LCDs have no potential for image retention or screen burn-in.<br /> So far, we’ve talked about LCD and plasma TVs, but there’s also a third category to consider: the LED TV. Despite some reports to the contrary, an LED TV is an LCD TV. The difference lies in the backlighting method. Typical LCD screens use a fluorescent backlight placed behind the pixels to light the image; red, blue and green colour filters are then used to create the colours you see on the screen. LED TVs, on the other hand, use LEDs as the light source. LED TVs can be configured in two ways: full-array backlit or edge-lit.<br /><br /><strong>What lighting conditions exist in the room?</strong><br />Today, LCD remains the most popular and versatile screen technology. Not only will these sets have the widest range of screen sizes, they’ll also reflect less light and have brighter pictures. This makes them ideal for bright rooms with a lot of windows. <br /> Plasmas are not the best for bright rooms because their glass screens reflect light a lot. However, picture consistency tends to be higher with<br /> Plasmas. That means there’s less saturation and contrast loss when viewing at wider angles. <br />When compared to plasmas, LED backlit sets also tend to have better energy efficiency, increased contrast and a richer colour gamut. <br /><br /><strong>General look and feel</strong><br />LED TVs use backlighting instead of traditional fluorescent lighting by LCD TVs. This has allowed for even slimmer designs (great for mounting on walls) and brighter pictures. LED TVs have a sleek overall look. Plasma TVs are heavy: often 120 pounds for a 60-inch TV. <br /><br /><strong>To 3-D, or Not to 3-D?</strong><br />If your budget is on the high end and you have space for a large TV, 3-D is another option you can factor in. 3-D TVs generally run 42-inches plus, and display both regular old 2-D content, and 3-D content. You’ll want to go plasma, not LCD, to avoid less-than-HD display quality. Plasma also offers near 180-degree viewing angles, which is necessary if you plan on watching flicks with the whole family. 3-D still suffers from its share of problems, though. Most times, you’ll need a pair of glasses for each viewer as glasses-free 3-D TV options are few. Content choices, while originally limited to a handful of Blu-rays and ESPN 3-D, are slowly improving, but by no means plentiful. Simply put, there isn’t that much content yet. <br /><br /><strong>What about smart TVs?</strong><br />A smart TV is one that can be connected to the Internet to access content like streaming video, music, and entertainment apps, like Netflix. More and more of today’s flat panels include built-in Ethernet or Wi-Fi connectivity to make this a reality. These TVs are perfect if you plan on watching a lot of streaming content without tethering yourself to your computer. Many of them also include peripheral inputs (like a USB or DVI input) and memory card slots so you can use your TV as your computer monitor, or view images straight from your camera or phone. With streaming content availability and home Internet access on the rise, you can be sure that there will be plenty more smart TV features in the years to come.<br /><br /><strong>Finally</strong><br />Before you get out there and shop, here’s a quick breakdown of some of the most important points: <br /><br /> •Plasmas tend to look best for darkened, theatre-like rooms; LCD displays perform better in bright rooms.<br />  •Many enthusiasts still prefer plasmas for overall picture quality and the most film-like experience.<br />  •When it comes to energy efficiency, LCD TVs (and particularly LED-lit LCD TVs) typically outperform plasmas.<br />  •LCD screens don’t experience “burn in,” making them preferable for gaming, showing static images or connecting to a PC.<br />  •Full-array backlit LED TVs use local dimming to achieve better contrast levels, but usually come in at the top of the price range.<br />  •Edge-lit LED TVs have thinnest form factor possible, but don’t look quite as good as full-array models.<br />  •Plasma displays don’t get any smaller than 42 inches, LCD TVs are available in almost any size.

Tips on right TV

Buying a TV isn’t something you do every year. This is a medium- to long-term investment. All the factors involved — size, image quali...

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Pope Francis hits out at global 'cult of money'

<ins style="border: none; display: inline-table; height: 90px; margin: 0; padding: 0; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 728px;"><ins id="aswift_0_anchor" style="border: none; display: block; height: 90px; margin: 0; padding: 0; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 728px;"></ins></ins> <br /> <div id="system-message-container"> </div> <span id="startOfPageId23467"></span> <div class="itemImageBlock"> <span class="itemImage"> <a class="modal" href="http://www.ipaidabribenaija.com/media/k2/items/cache/3762811fcbd1f467f59573f997c20af9_XL.jpg" rel="{handler: 'image'}" title="Click to preview image"> <img alt="Pope Francis hits out at global &#039;cult of money&#039;" src="http://www.ipaidabribenaija.com/media/k2/items/cache/3762811fcbd1f467f59573f997c20af9_L.jpg" style="height: auto; width: 490px;" /> </a> </span> </div> <br /><div class="itemIntroText"> Pope Francis has called on world leaders to end the "cult of money" and to do more for the poor, in his first major speech on the financial crisis. Free market economics had created a tyranny, in which<br /> </div> <div class="itemFullText"> people were valued only by their ability to consume, the pontiff told diplomats in the Vatican. "Money has to serve, not to rule," he said, urging ethical financial reforms.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the Vatican's own bank announced it would publish its annual report for the first time.<br /> The Institute for Works of Religion, which has been at the centre of various financial scandals in recent years, is to hire an external accountancy firm to ensure it meets international standards against money laundering.<br /> The bank would launch a website and publish its annual report in an effort to increase transparency, new president Ernst Freyberg said.<br /> The institute is considered one of the world's most secretive banks.<br /> 'Golden calf'<br /> Pope Francis said life had become worse for people in both rich and poor countries, the BBC's David Willey in Rome reports.<br /> In a biblical reference, the pontiff said the "worship of the golden calf" of old had found a new and heartless image in the current cult of money.<br /> He added that reforms were urgently needed as poverty was becoming more and more evident.<br /> People struggled to live, and frequently in an undignified way, under the dictatorship of an economy which lacked any real human goal, Pope Francis said.<br /> He made his remarks during an address to newly accredited ambassadors to the Holy See.<br /> The new pontiff, who took over from Benedict XVI in March, is renowned for his efforts of tackling poverty in his native Argentina.<br /> He has previously said that the Church has a special duty to defend the poor.<br /> "I would like a Church that is poor and is for the poor," he said following his election as head of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics two months ago.<br /> The pontiff said he had chosen the name Francis in a direct reference to St Francis of Assisi, the Italian founder of the Franciscan Order who was devoted to the poor.<br /> </div>

Pope Francis hits out at global 'cult of money'

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See Tosan’s “Tallest Cake in Africa”

<div class="itemIntroText"> The popular cake maestro, Tosan Jemide who embarked on baking 'The Tallest Cake in Africa' has accomplished his project and unveiled the cake today at the Silverbird Galleria, Lagos. Tosan said the 28 feet master cake<br /> </div> <div class="itemFullText"> was inspired by his love for arts and crafts, passion for Nigeria, desire to blaze the trail, thinking not only outside the box but without the box as well as his understanding of the focus on Africa.<br /> <br /> More so, according to a source, the team of Guinness Book of Records has been notified.<br /> <img alt="Cakes-by-Tosan-May-2013-BellaNaija04-450x600" height="600" src="http://www.ipaidabribenaija.com/images/stories/topstories/Cakes-by-Tosan-May-2013-BellaNaija04-450x600.jpg" width="450" /><br /> </div>

See Tosan’s “Tallest Cake in Africa”

The popular cake maestro, Tosan Jemide who embarked on baking 'The Tallest Cake in Africa' has accomplished his project and un...

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Emergency rule: Plateau warns of influx of fleeing insurgents from Borno, others.

<div class="itemIntroText"> The Plateau State Government has told the indigenes to be cautious, because due to the imposed State of Emergence in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, the suspected insurgents might likely flee to Plateau<br /> </div> <div class="itemFullText"> State to continue their deadly activities.<br /> <br /> It can be recalled that on Tuesday, President Jonathan declared a state of emergence in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States following the continuous attack and killings of innocent people by the Boko Haram sect.<br /> During a news conference on Wednesday shortly after an emergency Security Council meeting presided over by the Deputy Governor, Ignatius Longjan, the Commissioner for Information in Plateau, Abraham Yiljap, sounded a note of caution to all citizens of Plateau State, he said: "Some mischief makers were not happy that Plateau State was not included in the Emergency rule," he said.<br /> Therefore he urges all security personals in the state to double in their efforts in restoring permanent peace to Plateau.<br /> "I want announce to you that farmers are at the moment going about their farming activities without fears of being attacked and killed as was the case in the past. So also, cattle breeders are carrying out their grazing activities without fears of possible molestations. We pray that this development continue," he said.<br /> Furthermore, the state also used the opportunity to console those who lost their love ones in the recent Baga and Bama crisis as well as to the families of the police officers and members of the State Secret Service, SSS, who were killed by the Ombatse.<br /> Mr. Yiljap revealed that three Plateau indigenes in the SSS were among the officers killed by the Ombatse.<br /> </div>

Emergency rule: Plateau warns of influx of fleeing insurgents from Borno, others.

The Plateau State Government has told the indigenes to be cautious, because due to the imposed State of Emergence in Borno, Yobe and ...

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FG to encourage implementation of ECOWAS protocol

<ins style="border: none; display: inline-table; height: 90px; margin: 0; padding: 0; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 728px;"><ins id="aswift_0_anchor" style="border: none; display: block; height: 90px; margin: 0; padding: 0; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 728px;"></ins></ins> <br /> <div id="system-message-container"> </div> <span id="startOfPageId23471"></span> <div class="itemImageBlock"> <span class="itemImage"> <a class="modal" href="http://www.ipaidabribenaija.com/media/k2/items/cache/37dca1552cc6660a84e37c567646886f_XL.jpg" rel="{handler: 'image'}" title="Click to preview image"> <img alt="FG to encourage implementation of ECOWAS protocol" src="http://www.ipaidabribenaija.com/media/k2/items/cache/37dca1552cc6660a84e37c567646886f_L.jpg" style="height: auto; width: 490px;" /></a></span><span class="itemDateCreated"></span></div> <div class="itemHeader"> <h2 class="itemTitle"> FG to encourage implementation of ECOWAS protocol </h2> </div> <div class="itemIntroText"> The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has introduced an awareness programme to help enlighten Nigerians on the implementation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) protocol on free movement.<br /> </div> <div class="itemFullText"> This was contained in a message by the minister of Foreign Affairs; Dr Nuruddeen Muhammad on Thursday in Birnin Kebbi during the North West zonal workshop on "Understanding the relevance of ECOWAS protocol on free movement of persons, goods and services to national development."<br /> <br /> The Minister said the programme was to mobilise Nigerians to take advantage of the various protocols to empower themselves.<br /> "The ministry would serve as a focal point and appraise implementation of protocol on free movement for Nigerians to explore it for empowerment," he said in a message to the workshop delivered by Alhaji Yakubu Kalakala.<br /> According to him, the protocol on free movement of persons and services as well as trade liberalisation is principally to serve as bedrock for the development of the sub region.<br /> "The abuse arising from disregard to ECOWAS protocol had wide range of economic and security implications on Nigeria in view of activities of terrorists and economic saboteurs, " the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the minister as saying at the forum.<br /> He said the ministry would raise awareness on human security issues that included climate change, trafficking in persons and proliferation of small arms and light weapons.<br /> The ECOWAS Head of Free Movement, Mr. Tony Elumelu, commended the ministry for the programme, which he said was of considerable benefits to member countries.<br /> He advised participants to proffer modalities for the development of ECOWAS countries and identify impediments to free movement of persons, goods and services in the sub region.<br /> </div>

FG to encourage implementation of ECOWAS protocol

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Professor Andrew Jonathan Nok: A Hidden Wizard In Scientific Discovery

<div class="itemIntroText"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVir2w9-cZYbp3L4ZYz_jOqPiTgtGtapzrnXYy5G1FE-8Gyp35ghelp-KRPaORvrD25Z6cJcWGjUlO__NgzFwW5q4pk0iP0BbChI38_9sclOK-dsfuH59PnS1izFQ9JZNlXvvUAnoRQ/s1600/f43768679f2373a61bb0d461883e980f_L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVir2w9-cZYbp3L4ZYz_jOqPiTgtGtapzrnXYy5G1FE-8Gyp35ghelp-KRPaORvrD25Z6cJcWGjUlO__NgzFwW5q4pk0iP0BbChI38_9sclOK-dsfuH59PnS1izFQ9JZNlXvvUAnoRQ/s320/f43768679f2373a61bb0d461883e980f_L.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Gone are the days when Africans were swindled to believe that only whites are making contributions to cutting-edge science discoveries. Today we have witnessed a brave and dogged African scientist who<br /> </div> <div class="itemFullText"> has demystified this belief in various fields of science. One of such scientist is Prof. Andrew Jonathan Nok.<br /> <br /> Prof. Nok clinged a prestigious science award in 2009 sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited, for his seminal work in discovering the gene responsible for the creation of Sialidase (SD), an enzyme which causes sleeping sickness (Trypano-somiasis). His research breakthrough is significant in forming the baseline for developing DNA based vaccines against Trypanos-oma.<br /> "Trypanosomiasis", popularly known as sleeping sickness in human beings and animals, is a disease that is resurgent in Africa.<br /> He is a brilliant scientist and scholar whose work is recognized in Nigeria and around the World. His seminal work on the causative pathogen for sleeping sickness, which is one of the scourges of Tropical Africa, culminated in an effort to develop a vaccine. The impact of having a vaccine for Tropanosomiasis will be felt throughout Tropical Africa and the potential economic effect will likely be immeasurable.<br /> A Fellow of The Nigerian Academy of Science, Nok, whose effort outclassed 25 other entries in wide-ranging fields such as engineering, agriculture, biology and chemistry, is a professor of biochemistry and dean of the Faculty Science at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and has supervised over 35 post-graduate theses.<br /> A scientist with over 80 research publications in national and international journals, Nok has won a number of international research grants and is the first African to win a grant from the Japan-based Mizutani Foundation for Glycoscience for which he received Â¥3,000,000 (three million yen) in 2004.<br /> In one of his interviews, Prof Nok said, "I would like to see my fellow Africans in the Diaspora pressure their leaders in Africa in this subject and create awareness in the Media on this vital chapter. Without immediate aid, many our valuable researchers will either drop their research or emigrate overseas... a classic brain drain dilemma.<br /> "Let me add one more. Some of those leaders will say we don't have money but that is not true. Africa is rich, very rich. They just need to be accountable to their respective citizens, not to overseas accounts," he added.<br /> <strong>Awards</strong><br /> Alexander Von Humboldt Fellowship (AvH) Humboldtainer • Institute of Biochemistry Universitat Tuebingen Germany. (Visiting Professor), 2005<br /> Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Fellowship. Institute of Tropical Medicine Nagasaki University Japan (Visiting Professor), 2003<br /> Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Fellowship Institute of Tropical Medicine Nagasaki University Japan (Visiting Associate Professor), 1998<br /> Alexander Von Humboldt Fellowship (AvH) Humboldtainer Biochemisches Institute Christian Albretch Universitat Kiel, Germany, 1997<br /> UNESCO Fellowship/Sabbatical Tokyo Institute of Technology, 1993<br /> Alexander Von Humboldt Fellowship (AvH) Humboldtainer Aug-Oct 2002 Kekule Institute of Organisches Chemie Und Biochemie Universitat Bonn Germany (Visiting Professor), 0000<br /> In 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan conferred a Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) Award on Professor Andrew Jonathan Nok for his research works on Trypanosoma congolense.<br /> <br /> <div class="mcePaste" data-mce-bogus="1" id="_mcePaste" style="height: 1px; left: -40px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: 393px; width: 1px;"> Awards<br /><br />Alexander Von Humboldt Fellowship (AvH) Humboldtainer • Institute of Biochemistry Universitat Tuebingen Germany. (Visiting Professor), 2005<br /><br /><br />Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Fellowship. Institute of Tropical Medicine Nagasaki University Japan (Visiting Professor), 2003<br /><br /><br />Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Fellowship Institute of Tropical Medicine Nagasaki University Japan (Visiting Associate Professor), 1998<br /><br /><br />Alexander Von Humboldt Fellowship (AvH) Humboldtainer Biochemisches Institute Christian Albretch Universitat Kiel, Germany, 1997<br /><br /><br />UNESCO Fellowship/Sabbatical Tokyo Institute of Technology, 1993<br /><br />Alexander Von Humboldt Fellowship (AvH) Humboldtainer Aug-Oct 2002 Kekule Institute of Organisches Chemie Und Biochemie Universitat Bonn Germany (Visiting Professor), 0000</div> </div> <br class="clr" />

Professor Andrew Jonathan Nok: A Hidden Wizard In Scientific Discovery

Gone are the days when Africans were swindled to believe that only whites are making contributions to cutting-edge science discov...

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David Beckham to retire from football at end of season

<ins style="border: none; display: inline-table; height: 90px; margin: 0; padding: 0; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 728px;"><ins id="aswift_0_anchor" style="border: none; display: block; height: 90px; margin: 0; padding: 0; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 728px;"></ins></ins> <br /> <div id="system-message-container"> </div> <span id="startOfPageId23462"></span> <div class="itemImageBlock"> <span class="itemImage"> <a class="modal" href="http://www.ipaidabribenaija.com/media/k2/items/cache/33100ab17920ae7a8c57fe0ee0d1a918_XL.jpg" rel="{handler: 'image'}" title="Click to preview image"> <img alt="David Beckham to retire from football at end of season" src="http://www.ipaidabribenaija.com/media/k2/items/cache/33100ab17920ae7a8c57fe0ee0d1a918_L.jpg" style="height: auto; width: 490px;" /> </a> </span> </div> <br /><div class="itemIntroText"> Paris Saint-Germain's midfielder, David Beckham, on Thursday announced that he will retire from professional football at the end of the season. The 38-year-old Beckham, who recently won a league title<br /> </div> <div class="itemFullText"> in a fourth country with Paris Saint-Germain, has become a global superstar since starting his career at Manchester United.<br /> <br /> Beckham says "I'm thankful to PSG for giving me the opportunity to continue but I feel now is the right time to finish my career, playing at the highest level."<br /> Beckham also played for Real Madrid and the Los Angeles Galaxy, winning titles with both those clubs as well as with United.<br /> On the international stage, the England international have won 115 caps for England and is married to former Spice Girl and fashion designer, Victoria; He is estimated to be the country's wealthiest sportsman.<br /> "If you had told me as a young boy I would have played for and won trophies with my boyhood club Manchester United, proudly captained and played for my country over one hundred times and lined up for some of the biggest clubs in the world, I would have told you it was a fantasy," said Beckham in a statement.<br /> "I'm fortunate to have realized those dreams."<br /> Despite the glittering career with some of the world's top clubs, Beckham singled out captaining his country as one of his "proudest achievements."<br /> "I knew every time I wore the Three Lions shirt, I was not only following in a long line of great players, I was also representing every fan that cared passionately about their country.<br /> "I'm honoured to represent England both on and off the pitch. I want to thank all my team-mates, the great managers that I had the pleasure of learning from.<br /> "I also want to thank the fans who have all supported me and given me the strength to succeed.''<br /> Though having the chance to join PSG in January 2012, Beckham opted to stay in the U.S., ending his American mission with his second MLS Cup title before announcing that he would not fulfill the second year of his contract extension.<br /> PSG's last two games are against Brest at the Parc des Princes in the French capital on Saturday and at Lorient next Sunday.<br /> </div>

David Beckham to retire from football at end of season

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Full text of President Jonathan's declaration of State of emergency in Borno Yobe & Adamawa

<div class="itemFullText"> <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQixgpxA76e9Sukp1BaSoL_6yfRT9olk1QiOLRCsWuo_D_r0QnEJQzuMoYeO8GLYOB_cyo7T84HF0hnTZzLfbRpd1ICaLmbN0aSOD5MzQK43CoNjPcKVcv5q52MquRVJ4w8jN6x2p24Q/s1600/aee46d4ec1d1e9e2335725de911bfa3c_L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQixgpxA76e9Sukp1BaSoL_6yfRT9olk1QiOLRCsWuo_D_r0QnEJQzuMoYeO8GLYOB_cyo7T84HF0hnTZzLfbRpd1ICaLmbN0aSOD5MzQK43CoNjPcKVcv5q52MquRVJ4w8jN6x2p24Q/s320/aee46d4ec1d1e9e2335725de911bfa3c_L.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> TO RESTORE PUBLIC ORDER, PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY IN THE AFFECTED<br /> STATES OF THE FEDERATION<br /> <br /> 1. It has become necessary for me to address you on the recent spate of terrorist activities and protracted security challenges in some parts of the country, particularly in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Plateau and most recently Bayelsa, Taraba, Benue and Nasarawa states. These unfortunate events have led to needless loss of lives and property of many innocent Nigerians including members of our security forces.<br /> 2. The recent killing of security operatives by a cult group in Nasarawa state is particularly condemnable. I have directed that no effort or expense be spared in identifying and bringing to justice all those who had a hand in the killing of the operatives.<br /> 3. The activities of insurgents and terrorists have been reprehensible, causing fear among our citizens and a near-breakdown of law and order in parts of the country, especially the North. We have taken robust steps to unravel and address the root causes of these crises, but it would appear that there is a systematic effort by insurgents and terrorists to destabilize the Nigerian state and test our collective resolve.<br /> 4. Since I returned to the country after cutting short my visit to South Africa and aborting a planned state visit to Namibia, I have received detailed briefings from our security agencies. These briefings indicate that what we are facing is not just militancy or criminality, but a rebellion and insurgency by terrorist groups which pose a very serious threat to national unity and territorial integrity. Already, some northern parts of Borno state have been taken over by groups whose allegiance is to different flags and ideologies.<br /> 5. These terrorists and insurgents seem determined to establish control and authority over parts of our beloved nation and to progressively overwhelm the rest of the country. In many places, they have destroyed the Nigerian flag and other symbols of state authority and in their place, hoisted strange flags suggesting the exercise of alternative sovereignty.<br /> 6. They have attacked government buildings and facilities. They have murdered innocent citizens and state officials. They have set houses ablaze, and taken women and children as hostages. These actions amount to a declaration of war and a deliberate attempt to undermine the authority of the Nigerian state and threaten her territorial integrity. As a responsible government, we will not tolerate this.<br /> 7. Previously, we adopted a multi-track approach to the resolution of this problem through actions which included persuasion, dialogue and widespread consultation with the political, religious and community leaders in the affected states.<br /> 8. We exercised restraint to allow for all efforts by both State Governors and well-meaning Nigerians to stop the repeated cases of mindless violence.<br /> 9. Yet, the insurgents and terrorists seek to prevent government from fulfilling its constitutional obligations to the people as they pursue their fanatical agenda of mayhem, mass murder, division and separatism.<br /> 10. While the efforts at persuasion and dialogue will continue, let me reiterate that we have a sacred duty to ensure the security and well-being of all our people and protect the sovereign integrity of our country. Therefore, we shall, on no account, shy away from doing whatever becomes necessary to provide the fullest possible security for the citizens of this country in any part of the country they choose to reside.<br /> 11. We have a duty to stand firm against those who threaten the sovereign integrity of the Nigerian state. Our will is strong, because our faith lies in the indivisibility of Nigeria.<br /> 12. Following recent developments in the affected states, it has become necessary for Government to take extraordinary measures to restore normalcy. After wide consultations, and in exercise of the powers conferred on me by the provisions of Section 305, sub-section 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, I hereby declare a State of Emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.<br /> 13. Accordingly, the Chief of Defence Staff has been directed to immediately deploy more troops to these states for more effective internal security operations. The troops and other security agencies involved in these operations have orders to take all necessary action, within the ambit of their rules of engagement, to put an end to the impunity of insurgents and terrorists.<br /> 14. This will include the authority to arrest and detain suspects, the taking of possession and control of any building or structure used for terrorist purposes, the lock-down of any area of terrorist operation, the conduct of searches, and the apprehension of persons in illegal possession of weapons.<br /> 15. The details of this Proclamation will be transmitted to the National Assembly in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. But in the meantime, let me make it clear that within the purview of this Proclamation, the Governors and other political office holders in the affected states will continue to discharge their constitutional responsibilities.<br /> 16. I urge the political leadership in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states to co-operate maximally with the Armed Forces and the Police to ensure that the exercise succeeds. We call on the citizenry to co-operate with our security agencies to ensure a return to normalcy within the shortest possible time.<br /> 17. I am again approaching our neighbouring countries, through diplomatic channels, as done in the recent past, for their co-operation in apprehending any terrorist elements that may escape across the border.<br /> 18. Nigerians are peace-loving people; these sad events perpetrated by those who do not wish our nation well have not changed the essential character of our people.<br /> 19. I want to reassure you all that those who are directly or indirectly encouraging any form of rebellion against the Nigerian state, and their collaborators; those insurgents and terrorists who take delight in killing our security operatives, whoever they may be, wherever they may go, we will hunt them down, we will fish them out, and we will bring them to justice. No matter what it takes, we will win this war against terror.<br /> 20. I am convinced that with your support and prayers, we shall overcome these challenges and together, we will restore every part of our country to the path of peace, growth and development.<br /> Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.<br /> </div>

Full text of President Jonathan's declaration of State of emergency in Borno Yobe & Adamawa

TO RESTORE PUBLIC ORDER, PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY IN THE AFFECTED STATES OF THE FEDERATION 1. It has become necessary for m...

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Why good posture is important.

Pain, stiffness, fatigue are issues that affect us all as we age, but, how many times has someone asked the question, “What is good posture?”  Good posture involves training your body to stand, walk, sit and lie in positions where the least strain is placed on supporting muscles and ligaments during movement or weight-bearing activities.<br /> When it comes to posture, mother knows best. Her frequent reminders to stand up straight and stop slouching are good advice. Good posture contributes to a good appearance. A slumped posture indicates a curvature of the spine. Good posture keeps bones and joints in the correct alignment so that muscles are being used properly. It helps decrease the abnormal wearing of joint surfaces that could result in arthritis and decreases the stress on the ligaments holding the joints of the spine together.<br /> Good standing posture<br /> When standing, keep these tips in mind: Hold your chest high; keep your shoulders back and relaxed, pull in your abdomen and buttocks, keep your feet parallel and balance your weight evenly on both feet. Try not to tilt your head forward, backward or sideways, and make sure your knees are relaxed — not locked.<br /> Take the wall test<br /> To test your standing posture, take the wall test. Stand with your head, shoulder blades and buttocks touching a wall, and your heels about two to four inches (five to 10 centimeters) away from the wall. Reach back and slide your hand behind the curve in your lower back, with your palm flat against the wall.<br /> Ideally, you’ll feel about one hand’s thickness of space between your back and the wall. If there’s too much space, tighten your abdominal muscles to flatten the curve in your back. If there’s too little space, arch your back so that your hand fits comfortably behind you. Walk away from the wall while maintaining this posture. Keep it up throughout your daily activities.<br /> Proper posture requirements:<br /> Correct sitting position<br /> Sit up with your back straight and your shoulders back. Your buttocks should touch the back of your chair. Distribute your body weight evenly on both hips. Bend your knees at a right angle. Keep your knees even with or slightly higher than your hips. (use a foot rest or stool if necessary).<br /> Your legs should not be crossed. Keep your feet flat on the floor. Try to avoid sitting in the same position for more than 30 minutes. At work, adjust your chair height and work station so you can sit up close to your work and tilt it up at you. Rest your elbows and arms on your chair or desk, keeping your shoulders relaxed. When standing up from the sitting position, move to the front of the seat of your chair. Stand up by straightening your legs. Avoid bending forward at your waist.<br /> Correct driving position<br /> Use a back support (lumbar roll) at the curve of your back. Your knees should be at the same level or higher than your hips. Move the seat close to the steering wheel to support the curve of your back. The seat should be close enough to allow your knees to bend and your feet to reach the pedals.<br /> Correct lifting position<br /> If you must lift objects, do not try to lift objects that are awkward or are too heavy. Before you lift a heavy object, make sure you have firm footing. To pick up an object that is lower than the level of your waist, keep your back straight and bend at your knees and hips.<br /> Do not bend forward at the waist with your knees straight. Stand with a wide stance close to the object you are trying to pick up and keep your feet firm on the ground. Tighten your stomach muscles and lift the object using your leg muscles. Straighten your knees in a steady motion.<br /> Don’t jerk the object up to your body. Stand completely upright without twisting. Always move your feet forward when lifting an object. If you are lifting an object from a table, slide it to the edge to the table so that you can hold it close to your body. Bend your knees so that you are close to the object. Use your legs to lift the object and come to a standing position.<br /> Best position for sleeping and lying down<br /> No matter what position you lie in, the pillow should be under your head, but not your shoulders, and should be a thickness that allows your head to be in a normal position. Try to sleep in a position which helps you maintain the curve in your back (such as on your back with a pillow under your knees or a lumbar roll under your lower back; or on your side with your knees slightly bent).<br /> Do not sleep on your side with your knees drawn up to your chest. You may want to avoid sleeping on your stomach, especially on a saggy mattress, since this can cause back strain and can be uncomfortable for your neck. Select a firm mattress and box spring set that does not sag. Try to do what’s most comfortable for you.<br /> <br /> <strong>This information could save your life! Beware of pain medications</strong><br /> Whether rescription or over-the-counter, there are incredible hazards linked to pain medications.  The concern about pain medications is significant to the point that the risk of someone dying directly from a side-effect from pain medication is higher than the chance of dying from illegal narcotics, diabetes, lung disease, or even an automobile accident. Take note of the following:<br /> Opiates<br /> Common opiate-based prescription drugs such as Codeine, Morphine, Hydrocodone, Vicodin, and Oxycodone are often prescribed after surgery, major accidents, severe injuries or for painful medical conditions. Research shows that the number of overdose deaths from opiate pain medication overdoses is now greater than those of deaths from heroin and cocaine combined.<br /> Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID)<br /> You have heard the names before: ibuprofen, naprosyn, Motrin, etc. Research shows that patients with a history of prior heart attack that took NSAIDs — even in the short term—  had a greater risk of death, or another heart attack.<br /> COX-2inhibitors<br /> The National Cancer Institute discovered that those taking 400mg doses of the drug had a 250 percent greater risk of dying from heart attack or stroke and those taking 800mg had a 340 percent higher risk.<br /> Message: Beware. Avoid self-medication and do not use any drug without doctor’s advice.<br />

Why good posture is important.

Pain, stiffness, fatigue are issues that affect us all as we age, but, how many times has someone asked the question, “What is good postur...

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President Goodluck Jonathan declares state of emergency in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa States.

The Federal Government,Tuesday,  declared a state of emergency in three states — Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states due to rising insecurity and breakdown of law and order in the states.<br /> President Goodluck Jonathan, quoting Section 305 (1) of the 1999 constitution in a nationwide broadcast, however, failed to remove the governors of the states, saying that they are to continue discharging their constitutional duties.<br /> “After wide consultation, I hereby declare a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. The Chief of Defence Staff has been directed to deploy more troops to these states and take all necessary actions to put an end to the activities of these insurgents,” he said.<br /> He further stated that those encouraging rebellion will be dealt with, adding, “we will hunt them down, fish them out and bring them to justice.”<br /> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_288428" style="width: 422px;"> <img alt="President Goodluck Jonathan " class="size-full wp-image-288428" height="250" src="http://d12nfihn4mbl66.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Jonathan-G-E.jpg?119b56" width="412" /><div class="wp-caption-text"> President Goodluck Jonathan</div> </div>

President Goodluck Jonathan declares state of emergency in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa States.

The Federal Government,Tuesday,  declared a state of emergency in three states — Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states due to rising insecurity a...

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Four confirmed dead in building collapse in Umuahia

FOUR persons have been confirmed dead after a building under construction collapsed in Agbama Housing Estate, Umuahia, Abia state capital. <br /> Four other persons sustained various degrees of injury and are now receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.<br /> The identity of the victims was not ascertained as at press time. However, unconfirmed information pieced together from some residents claimed that a family of four was involved.<br /> The incident occurred Wednesday night at about 8 o’clock  which threw the entire Umuahia city into confusion as no such a thing has ever happened here before.<br /> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_389171" style="width: 422px;"> <a href="http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/05/four-confirmed-dead-in-building-collapse-in-umuahia/collapsed-umuahia/" rel="attachment wp-att-389171"><img alt="...Debris of the collapsed building" class="size-full wp-image-389171" height="249" src="http://d12nfihn4mbl66.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/collapsed-umuahia.jpg?119b56" width="412" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text"> …Debris of the collapsed building</div> </div> The reason for the collapse of the building was not clear but residents alleged that the owner was trying to extend the building originally designed for one storey to three stories without proper reinforcement.<br /> Regrettably, the collapsed structure was said to belong to popular building materials merchant in the city.<br /> The incident happened when the National Emergency Management Agency [NEMA] was holding a seminar in Umuahia. NEMA officials who arrived the town that evening rushed to the scene to assist in the rescue efforts.<br /> Security agencies, the Red Cross and other paramilitary agencies were all involved in the rescue exercise. A construction company and the state ministry of works moved in their equipments to assist in the evacuation effort.<br /> Early visitors to the scene were the deputy governor of the state, Chief Emeka Ananaba, outgoing Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Mgba Agu Mgba, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 9 and the commissioner of Police, Usman Tilli Abuabakar. Governor Theodore Orji is out of the state in an official assignment in Abuja.<br /> The deputy governor later went to the hospital to see the wounded and urged the hospital management to take proper care of them.

Four confirmed dead in building collapse in Umuahia

FOUR persons have been confirmed dead after a building under construction collapsed in Agbama Housing Estate, Umuahia, Abia state capital....

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Nigerian Army begins offensive against Boko Haram, raids Sambisa camp

Nigerian Army has begun an offensive against Boko Haram Islamists, raiding camps in a remote northeastern park, while more than 2,000 troops have been deployed to retake territory seized by the insurgents, a military source told AFP Thursday. <br /> “Our men raided some terrorist camps in the Sambisa Game Reserve,” in Borno state, said the senior officer who requested anonymity. “So far 2,000 troops have been deployed to Borno,” he added, declining to comment on the forces sent to the other affected states of Yobe and Adamawa.(AFP)<br /> <img alt="army1" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-136761" height="270" src="http://d12nfihn4mbl66.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/army1.jpg?119b56" width="400" />

Nigerian Army begins offensive against Boko Haram, raids Sambisa camp

Nigerian Army has begun an offensive against Boko Haram Islamists, raiding camps in a remote northeastern park, while more than 2,000 troo...

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