Monday 17 December 2012

FEATURES: Untamed Business of Kidnapping


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As the Yuletide approaches, there seems to be an upsurge in the spate of kidnapping in many parts of the country. Security agencies have attributed this to the desperation of criminally-minded people to make money at all cost so as to get something to flaunt during the season.  Olawale Olaleye, Ademola Adeyemo, Omololu Ogunmade, Shola Oyeyipo, Anayo Okolie, Ayodele Opiah and Nkiruka Okoh examine this growing malady in the quest for a safer nation

For Nigeria’s security agencies, this is no doubt, a most trying period. It is bad enough that efforts to curb terrorism in different parts of the country, especially in the North have not stopped the Boko Haram insurgency. However, the rising cases of kidnapping and the mode of operations of kidnappers have further compounded the challenges facing the security agents.
Although the menace of terrorism, either by accident or design, appears restricted to certain parts of the country, the orgy of kidnapping knows no bound. Across the different parts of Nigeria, the fear of being kidnapped is the beginning of being security conscious by high profile targets and their family members. It does not matter who is involved; with a reliable insider, a kidnap operation is executed successfully and in most cases, the criminals smile to the bank.

Obasanjo: I Won’t Keep Quiet on National Issues


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Chief Olusegun  Obasanjo

Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Saturday said that the country  was on his mind, saying his passion, patriotism and love for the country, would not allow him to keep quiet  on burning national issues.
Obasanjo who spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, when the national chairman of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur , visited his Hilltop country home , disclosed that the country, the party and government would remain his primary concern.

Such a Hard Road to Travel

Simon Kolawole Live!: Emailsimon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com
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Is it me or are we not losing too many lives on our roads? Maybe I’m a bit emotional about this because of my own story. I lost my dad in a road accident 36 years ago. He was just 31.  He left behind five children, with the last child barely one-month old. My grandmother has not got over the death of her first child till today, and she shudders anytime she sees his picture with me. She told me years ago: “Maybe because you are young… that is why you are not distressed holding Kola’s picture. I just can’t bring myself to look at it.” Imagine the agony of his mother, the pain and hurt of his widow and the uncertain future we faced as little children when the tragedy happened in November 1976.

Don Moen: I Have Been Blown Away By Nigeria


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Don Moen

Born June 29, 1950 in Minneapolis, Pastor Don Moen made inroad into global scene more than three decades ago through his inspiringly spiritual songs. The America-born gospel songster spoke with Gboyega Akinsanmi last week before he performed at the Experience, an annual interdenominational musical concert put together by Pastor Paul Adefarasin of the House on the Rock church

What was your impression about Nigeria before your first visit?
I was actually afraid of what the production would be like. I got several calls. Ron Kenoly called me. Pastor Paul Adefarasin called me when I was first invited to perform in Nigeria. I did not know we would be able to help the production. A lot of things were giving me concern about coming to West Africa. When I came in, our brother in the House of the Rock set a high degree of excellence.

No Stone Will Be Left Unturned to Determine Cause of Crash, Says Navy


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Chief of Naval Staff , Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba

The Nigerian Navy has commenced investigations into the cause of the crash of its helicopter at Nembe-Okoroba area of Bayelsa State that killed the Kaduna State Governor, Mr. Patrick Yakowa, former National Security Adviser (NSA), General Andrew Owoye Azazi (rtd), and four others.
Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, told THISDAY yesterday that the navy would spare no effort in getting to the root of the crash, adding that the military would also contact the manufacturers of the helicopter, if need be, to ensure a detailed probe.

Navy: Crashed Helicopter Air Worthy, Well Maintained


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Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Ola Saad Ibrahim

The Nigerian Navy has stated that the ill-fated Augusta Helicopter that crashed on Saturday; killing all six people on board including the late Governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Yakowa and former National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Andrew Azazi was in excellent condition before the flight.

Okonjo-Iweala: My Mother was Abducted over Subsidy Claims, SURE-P

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Prof. Kamene Okonjo

About 72 hours after her mother, Prof. Kamene Okonjo was freed, Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala disclosed Monday, that the kidnappers told the octogenarian that the minister ‘s purported refusal to pay subsidy claims as well as the non-release of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) funds was the motive behind their action.