CHIDI AMUTA: Invasion of Designer Tribesmen

Engagements By Chidi Amuta, Email: chidi.amuta@thisdaylive.com

Nigeria 2013. Just when you thought the next stage is the gathering of a possible Nigerian spring against bad governance and foolish politics, the outbreak of  an old disease threatens to overrun the country. A vile contagion of decadent tribalism has resurfaced among the elite. It is going viral, at a quite disturbing rate. Suddenly, people that one thought had been weaned of primal inanities are mouthing unprintable apostasy against fellow Nigerians on grounds of ethnic origins. All in the name of politics.

Report: 44 Killed at Mosque in Borno State

Nigerian troops

At least 44 worshippers have been shot dead at a mosque in northeast Nigeria, reports say. The killings reportedly took place during prayers on Sunday morning, although news only emerged on Monday. The attack took place in Konduga in Borno State, 35km (22 miles) from the state capital Maiduguri, reports the BBC. It is not clear who was responsible for the shootings. The Islamist group Boko Haram has killed thousands in northern Nigeria since 2009

Army, SSS Raid Hideout of Boko Haram Insurgents in Sokoto

Defence  Headquarter

The I Mechanised Brigade of the Nigerian Army,  Sokoto State, Monday said it had raided the hideout of some suspected Boko Haram terrorists at the Nakasari area of the Sokoto metropolis, leading to the arrest of one suspect, Mubarak (aka Dan-Hajiya).

The spokesman of the Brigade, Capt. Yahaya Musa, who made this known at a press briefing in Sokoto yesterday, disclosed that the operation was jointly conducted with the operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) on Sunday night.

Azazi’s Family Loses Brother to Boat Mishap

Waterways

Tragedy once again struck in the home of the late National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President, General Andrew Owoye Azazi, as his brother, Mr. Felix Azazi, has died from drowning, following a boat mishap, along the waterways of Ekeremor in Bayelsa West senatorial district of Beyelsa State.

The accident, which claimed his life occured on August 10, just as his corpse was recovered Monday, after frantic efforts by local divers and community youths.

EFCC Quizzes Saraki

Former Governor of Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki

Former Governor of Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki, was  Monday questioned by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The spokesperson of the commission, Mr. Wilson Owujaren, who confirmed the development, said Saraki, currently a Senator representing Kwara Central in the National Assembly, personally drove himself to the Abuja headquarters of the commission to honour an invitation extended to him by the anti-graft commission.

Ezekwesili and Fani-Kayode in war of words over Tribalistic Hateful Slurs

A former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili and her ex-colleague, Femi Fani-Kayode, on Tuesday got into verbal altercation over opinion articles targeted at the Igbo ethnic group published by Mr. Fani-Kayode.

Mr. Fani-Kayode had written a controversial opinion piece entitled “The Bitter Truth About The Igbo” (Read the article HERE) In what appears a reaction to the heated debate that followed Lagos’ repatriation of some destitute people believed to be of Anambra origin to Onitsha.

Amnesty Report: Forced Evictions Hit 9,000 in Lagos

Governor  Babatunde Fashola

Forced evictions in Lagos State have cost about 9,000 people their homes or livelihoods, Amnesty International and a local rights group said Monday. Tens of thousands more could be at risk if the state government proceeds with plans to redevelop the slum area of Badia East, said the report, issued jointly with the Social and Economic Rights Action Centre (SERAC).

According to Agence France Presse (AFP), residents said armed police and bulldozers moved in without warning in February, forcing them out, in what the government had termed the first phase of its clearance plan.

The DAME AWARDS BECKONS

Remarks by Lanre Idowu, DAME Trustee, at a Press Chat on the 22nd DAME Award 

Distinguished colleagues from the Media,

Let me join my Chairman and other colleagues from the DAME Trust Board to welcome you all to this Press Chat. My Chairman has reminded us that in 21 previous editions of DAME, we have awarded 434 prizes to deserving professionals and organisations. That gives an average of 20 prizes per annum. I don't know how many prizes we will award this year but I can confirm that entries are being invited in 30 categories, covering the fields of Print Journalism, Advertising and Broadcasting. 

FEATURES: Battle of Supremacy over Emergency Response

Rescue workers searching for survivors

Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that the lingering acrimony between the federal and Lagos State emergency management agencies has serious implications for victims of emergency situations

If you are unfortunate to be involved in a sudden accident or natural catastrophe in Lagos State, this may not be the best of times. Those who are responsible for disaster management are currently locked in a battle of supremacy, at the expense of lives.

In recent times, the rivalry between the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and its counterpart at the state level, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), has reached its crescendo with humiliation and embarrassment visited on one by another because of 

disunity in its ranks.

FEATURES: Canadians Rally Support for Two Nigerian Students Facing Deportation

Victoria Ordu and Ihouma Amadi

Supporters of two Nigerian students who have been evading authorities by hiding in Regina churches were planning a national day of action Monday. Victoria Ordu and Ihouma Amadi were ordered deported last year after they violated their student visas by working for two weeks at a Wal-Mart. The two had been studying at the University of Regina, Canada.

According to a report by the Canadian Press, supporters of the women say they’ll blitz Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander’s office with phone calls and faxes as part of the protest.Sitting inside a church, Ordu and Amadi start as a prairie wind rattles the front door.

Gunmen Kill 60 in Attacks on Borno Villages

Suspected members of Boko Haram

Despite the assurance by the federal government that it is winning the war against terrorism and has successfully dislodged members of the outlawed terrorist sect Boko Haram, 60 persons were killed by assailants suspected to be members of the Islamist group at the weekend in villages in Borno State. The attacks, which also led to scores of others being injured, occurred between Saturday and Sunday in Ngom, Maisarmari and Mailari in Konduga and Mafa Local Government Areas of the state.

The rising spate of attacks, especially in Borno and Yobe States, may have formed the main item on the agenda during a meeting yesterday between President Goodluck Jonathan and some service chiefs and members of the cabinet behind closed doors.