Presidency: Cancellation of Bill Gates’ Visit Had Nothing to Do with Alamieyeseigha’s Pardon

Bill Gates

The Presidency Tuesday described as false a statement credited to the Melinda and Gates Foundation that the billionaire software guru, Bill Gates, will not be visiting Nigeria as a result of the clemency granted to the former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, Gates had instructed his foundation to inform the presidency, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and other notable Nigerians that his scheduled visit to kick-start the campaign against polio had been cancelled.

Imoke Splashes Land, N25m on Eagles

Governor Imoke with the AFCON trophy flanked by NFF Vice President Mike Umeh, Coach Stephen Keshi, players and officials of the Super Eagles during Wednesday’s Cup presentation ceremony in Calabar

Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, Wednesday described the Super Eagles AFCON 2013 win as the tonic needed by Nigeria to reinvent itself as a country and become the best developed country on the continent of Africa.

Imoke made this declaration at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s Office, while playing host to the national team, which recently emerged champions of Africa during the last Nations Cup held in South Africa.

Defence Headquarters Appoints New Spokesman

Col Mohammed Yerima

The Defence Headquarters has appointed a new spokesman following recent postings in the Nigerian Army, which affected some senior officers. This latest change was announced in a statement signed by Group Captain Adedayo Makun for the Directorate of Defence Information.

The new helmsman, Brig-Gen Chris Olukolade will be replacing Col Mohammed Yerima as the Director of Defence Information (DDI).

Plateau: Nine Feared Killed in Reprisal Attack

Governor Jonah Jang

At least nine persons are  feared killed and scores of others seriously injured in a suspected reprisal attack on Fili Mavou village in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State by unknown gunmen on Wednesday morning.

Two Tarok men were on Sunday shot dead at Kadarko village in Wase while they returned from Langtan, where they had gone to celebrate Tarok Day.

Kidnappers of ACN Chieftain Demand N30m Naira Ransom

Police Headquarters

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has raised the alarm over the kidnapping of its Vice Chairman (South-east), Dr. Chudi Nwike, in Anambra State on Tuesday.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party quoted Dr. Nwike's younger brother, who has been contacted by him (Dr. Nwike), as saying the kidnappers are demanding 30 million naira (in foreign currency) as ransom.

While lamenting the ugly incident, the party urged security agents to try and secure the Nwike's freedom from the captors.

''We appeal to the security agencies to do everything within their power to ensure the safe release of Dr. Nwike, while assuring his family of our prayers and support at this very difficult time,'' it said.

Police Harvest Cache of Fake Drugs in Lagos

BY Chiemelie Ezeobi

The Ejigbo Police Division under the command of the Divisional Police Officer, Oliver Innoma-Abbey, a Chief Superintendent of Police, has arrested 58-year old suspected fake drug producer, Ikenna Nne and seized a large cache of the fake drugs. 

Among the recovered exhibit were two packing machines, five big cartons of counterfeited Albendazole (Zentel) tablets and large quantity of counterfeited Albendazole packed in 10 big bags.

KAYODE KOMOLAFE; Yet More Bloodletting in the Land...

The Horizon by Kayode Komolafe: Email: kayode.Komolafe@thisdaylive.com

While the security debate continues on the workable strategy to put an end to terror activities in parts of the country, it was yet another round of mass murder on Monday in Kano. The killers seem not to be part of the debate and that should be instructive to those who genuinely seek solutions to the problem.

At least 23 persons were killed in bomb blasts targeted at a Lagos-bound bus in a motor park. On the same day of these horrendous acts in Kano, three teachers were killed and some of their pupils injured in two secondary schools in Maiduguri. Bloodletting is almost becoming a routine act in some areas.

Kano: Gunmen Ambush Police Vehicle, Nine Injured

IGP Mohammed Abubakar

Nine mobile policemen on Wednesday escaped death when 
suspected gunmen ambushed their moving van. The wounded 
policemen have been admitted at the Armed Forces Specialist 
Hospital. State police command confirmed the attack, stating that 
the police repelled the attack and no arrests have been made.

-culled from THISDAY

Calabar Boat Mishap: Only Two Survivors from 128 on Board

Boats

Only two survivors have been found so far after a boat capsized off Nigeria with an estimated 128 people on board, emergency officials said on Wednesday.

"One hundred twenty-eight people were suspected to be aboard the boat, but only nine bodies have been recovered, while there were two survivors so far," Yushau Shuaib, spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency, told AFP.

He said the sinking occurred about two or three days ago some 40 miles (60 kilometres) off the coast of the southern city of Calabar, but that there was still some confusion about the origin of the boat.

Awka Indigenes Fight for their Homeland

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

With the seeming disappearance of their heritage and land on their minds, the indigenes of Awka, which also doubles as the capital city of Anambra State, recently had a forum to tackle the issue as well as means to develop the town. 

Tagged Izu Umunna,the form which was convened by the Awka Development Union, Nigeria under the leadership of  Engineer Tony Okechukwu, had all spheres of the society in attendance.

EXCLUSIVE: Man Rapes Daughters, 15-Months Old Grand daughter

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

Man's inhumanity to man was again brought to the fore as seven year old Chidimma Ehijere, today regaled onlookers at the office of the Lagos State Police Public  Relations, Oduduwa, Ikeja, how her father had repeatedly had carnal knowledge of her despite her appeals.

It was gathered that the suspect, Mr. Sylvester Ehijere, had continually had carnal knowledge of his two daughters; 23-year old Favour right from when she was 17-years old and then seven-year old Chidimma before he put his a year and three months old grand daughter into the equation.