North in the middle of civil war –Danjuma

By Luka Binniyat, Kaduna Former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilous Danjuma, yesterday, raised the alarm that Northern Nigeria is in the “middleof a civil war”, following the upsurge of insurgency in the region. Danjuma, who himself fought in the Nigerian civil war, otherwise called the Biafran war, then called on Northern elites tofind solution to the problem, saying attacks by faceless persons, in obvious reference tothe killings by Islamists groups, notably Boko Haram and Ansaru, had no immunity for anyone. The former minister, who made the declaration at the special convocation and N50 billion fund raising for Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria Phase II Development Project, held in Zaria, described the attacks as “highly contagious” and have crippled social and economic activities of the region. Danjuma said: “Our founding fathers soughtto create a united and self-reliant society based on respect for human life and respectfor the rights of others irrespective of tribe or religion. They would certainly be appalledthat, today, the nation is in total anarchy. Human life is very cheap and impunity has become the norm. In the case of the North, the danger is very real indeed. Ladies and gentlemen, we are in the middle of a civil war in Northern Nigeria. There is no definedfront in this particular war and, worse still,the enemy is faceless and unknown. There is no immunity for anyone. “This war is highly contagious. Needless to say, the social and economic cost is incalculable. I regret to confess that I have not suggested solution to this problem. It is up to us the elites to get together and brainstorm to solve our many problems. I take this opportunity, therefore, to appeal tothe nation for unity. We must unite in order to solve our problems”. From Left: Vice President Namadi Sambo; Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar; former Head of State, Gen Ibrahim Babangida; and Gen. Theophilus Danjuma during Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria special convocation ceremony and special launching of N50b ABU Phase 11Development Fund held yesterday. He commended ABU, the premier university in the North, for being the only truly federal university in the country. Earlier, former military president, Gen.Ibrahim Babangida, attributed security and developmental challenges facing the nation to the declining fortunes of the education sector. Babangida, who was chairman of the ABU convocation, said: “The security, peace and progress we aspire for ourselves and our families are not attainable if the majority of the citizenry remain locked in the traps of ignorance and poverty. Ignorance and poverty are two sides of the same coin. Pocketing one of these coins by any community would surely lead to peace and prosperity for all, while picking the other would certainly result into stagnation, insecurity and anarchy that would engulf everyone.” The high point of the convocation was the confirment of an award of honorary Doctor of Science on Danjuma.

Again, Madrid defeat Barca, win 2-1

Madrid – Barcelona’s recent slump continued as Sergio Ramos’ header nine minutes from time handed Real Madrid their second win over the Catalans in five days. Karim Benzema had given the hosts the perfect start as he stabbed home Alvaro Morata’s cross after just six minutes, but Barca were level just 12 minutes later when Lionel Messi equalled Alfredo di Stefano’s record for goals scored in Clasicos as he rifled in his 18th strike in clashes between the two. The rest of the first half was then played outat a rather pedestrian pace but the introduction of Cristiano Ronaldo from the Madrid bench livened up matters after the break and Madrid eventually found the winner when Ramos rose highest to power home Luka Modric’s corner. Jose Mourinho had signalled that Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Manchester United was clearly his priority as he made seven changes to the side that started the 3-1 win over Barca in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg in midweek with Ronaldo’s absence being the most striking. However, even without their talisman Madrid made the perfect start as Barca’s defensive woes of late continued when Morata swung in a delightful cross from the left and Benzema was on hand to prod the ball home from close range. Barca weren’t just slow to start at the back as their play going forward was also decidedly predictable until they quickened the pace and equalised with their first efforton goal 12 minutes later. A nice through ball from Dani Alves put Messi in behind the Madrid defence and he turned onto his favourite left foot to score for the 16th consecutive league game. The game then settled down into a familiar pattern with Barca happy to pass the ball around without overly threatening, but Messi did have a good chance when RaphaelVarane failed to cut out a pass from David Villa on the edge of the box just after the half hour. This time, on his right side, he couldn’t generate the power needed to trouble DiegoLopez. Six minutes later and Madrid could have been back in front as a lovely cross by Luka Modric to the back post found Morata in acres of space but he could only head into the side-netting. The visitors started brighter after the break and nearly found their way through with a trademark move as Messi picked out Alves on the right and then just failed to get on the end of the Brazilian’s dangerous cross. Another moment of magic from Messi then played in Villa moments later but a wonderful recovering challenge from Varane denied the Spanish international a clear effort on goal. Mourinho then unleashed Ronaldo along with Sami Khedira with just over half an hour to play and the Portuguese was soon involved as he fired a rasping 30 yard free-kick towards goal that Victor Valdes didwell to turn behind for a corner. Ronaldo came close again as he fired into the side-netting at the end of a solo run pastthree Barca players, before Morata had an excellent chance to win the game 15 minutes from time as he controlled a wonderful ball over the top from Pepe but couldn’t beat Valdes. However, the youngster’s miss mattered little six minutes later when Ramos outjumped Gerard Pique to leave Valdes helpless. And the score could have been even more flattering to the home side as Ronaldo then fired a wicked free-kick off the angle of post and bar. However, Barca were left furious in stoppage time as referee Miguel Perez Lasa didn’t award a penalty from what appeared to be a trip by Ramos on Adriano and Valdeswas sent-off after the final whistle for his protestations.

Pope Benedict’s retirement package

By Sam Eyoboka with Agency report After Pope Benedict XVI retires, he will get a 2,500-euro pension, a home in the Vatican, and other amenities. How does his retirement package compare with others? POPE Emeritus Benedict XVI, the 264th successor of Pope Peter and the 265th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, who made hisfinal farewell Thursday evening, is likely to have a much better retirement package thanmost American seniors, according to a CNBC contributor. The retired pontiff is expected to receive a monthly pension of 2,500 euros ($3,266), which is near the maximum a person could receive on US Social Security, according to Italian newspaper La Stampa. That translates to almost $3,300, or close to the monthly maximum of $3,350 that Social Security will pay to an American who retires this year. “That’s quite rare,” Richard Johnson of Urban Institute told the broadcaster. One would have to wait until 70 when they retire and would have had to make the maximum pay stipulated by Social Security for a long time. “For most people, if you look at the median, Social Security counts for about 40 per cent of their income. So it’s important, but peoplerely a lot on other savings, like pensions or 401(k) savings,” Johnson added. The Roman Catholic Church will cover the expenses of Pope Emeritus Benedict, born Joseph Ratzinger, and will give him a Vaticanhome with cooked meals and housekeepers,the report said. A big nest egg is not something the Pope emeritus has to worry about. The Roman Catholic Church will cover his living expenses, provide him with a spacious home inside the Vatican and pay for everything from cooked meals to housekeepers, according to The Telegraph. Such services are not available to the typical American senior, unless he or she pays for an assisted living facility or resides in a nursing home, Johnson said. What about waiting to retire until 85, as Benedict did? The average American retires at about 64, so working that long is unusual,Johnson noted. “If you have a job you love, it’s great,” he said. “(But) just like the pope, the biggest determinant of retirement is health status. When your health starts to deteriorate, that’swhat often pushes people into retirement, sometimes earlier than expected.” Health care costs are one of the big risks that older Americans face, and while Medicare pays for the bulk of their expenses, many things are left uncovered, Johnson said. Meanwhile, the pope emeritus will continue to be a member of the Vatican’s generous private health care policy, the BBC reported. “(But) just like the pope, the biggest determinant of retirement is health status. When your health starts to deteriorate, that’swhat often pushes people into retirement, sometimes earlier than expected,” Johnson said. When he stepped down on Thursday, he said that he was glad to be “surrounded by the beauty of creation,” reported The Associated Press. “I am simply a pilgrim beginning the last leg of his pilgrimage on this Earth,” he added. Next Monday, cardinals will meet to determine the next papal conclave to elect the new pope. “May the College of Cardinals work like an orchestra, where diversity—an expression of the universal church—always works toward a higher and harmonious agreement,” Benedict said, according to AP.

Miscreants attempt to bomb mosque in Jos

Jos – The Special Task Force (STF) maintaining security in Plateau said there was an attempt by some miscreants to bomb a mosque in Jos on Friday night. This is contained in a statement signed by the STF Media Officer, Capt. Salisu Mustapha, on Saturday in Jos. It stated that the attempted attack on the mosque took place at about 8.30 p.m. The mosque, the statement added, was located on the Bukuru expressway in Jos South LGA. According to the statement, the miscreants threw a hand grenade into the mosque but it failed to detonate and thereafter, they fired shots in the air and escaped. It stated that the STF had cordoned off the area and is closely monitoring the place. The statement added that investigations hadcommenced with the aim of apprehending the perpetrators. It called on the people to report any suspicious objects, persons and activities in their areas to security agencies. (NAN)

Child Witch Saga: Father tortures 6-yr-old daughter for five days

By Mma Una, Calabar A six- year- old girl, Edidiong Etok Akpan, who was subjected to a harrowing treatment by her father, Edet Etok Akpan, was rescued after she had been locked up ina room with her hands tied and mouth covered with a piece of cloth for five days. Edidiong said her 42-year-old father started beating her on Tuesday,19th of February, after one Prophetess Endurance, the pastor of the church they attend, told “my father that I was a witch and I was the one makinghim not to progress in life”. She said after the severe beatings, which, according to her, lasted for two days, on Thursday, 21st February, her father tied her hands with a cord and covered her mouth with a piece of cloth and “locked me in the inner room of our house and he never gaveme food and never allowed me to go to school ”. The girl, who said she attends Femos Nursery and Primary School, located at 24 Etyin Abasi Street, Calabar, was dying after days without food or water when luck cameher way on Sunday, 23rd February, at about11 am, as another child who lives in the same with her family came to their veranda,looked through the window and saw Edidiong bound on the floor and screamed. “The girl called her parents and neighbours to come and see Edidiong tied like a goat inside their house”, Mr James Ibor of the Basic Rights Counsel, a child rights advocate lawyer, who was called to the scene, said. Ibor said that when the neighbours saw the girl in that state, one of them called him and he, in turn, informed the officer in charge oflegal matters at the Cross River State Police Command headquarters, Superintendent George, and they both drove to the place. “As we were going there, we also informed the police at Efuk, Mbukpa to join us.When we got there, we saw a crowd outside and we knew that,that was the place and we went in and carried out the rescue by breaking the door”. He said the girl was “very weak because shehad been without food for days and so we had to give her water first, then, after aboutten minutes, we gave her milk before solid food an hour later”. Ibor said the father and mother had locked up the girl in the inner room of their two- room apartment and went to church in the hope that by the time they came back, the girl may have died. “God saved her and she is now living with her grandmother in another part of town,”the lawyer said. DSP John Umoh, Cross River State Police Command spokesman, said the father, from Akwa Ibom State, had been arrested and would soon appear in court to answer charges of felony. “To tie a small girl hand and mouth and lock her in a room for days without food is a grievious offence; he (the father) will soon appear in court”, Umor added

Nigeria lacks good leaders – OBJ

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Saturday, said Nigeria lacks good leadershipto administer her enormous potentials. Obasanjo, who identified lack of quality leadership, among other factors, as major hindrances to development in Nigeria as well as other African countries, lamented thelack of leadership that could harness the resources to the point of noticeable development. The former president spoke in Abeokuta during the final of Africa Region Inter-collegiate Debate on Human Security Africa, organised by Centre for Human Security (CHS), an arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library. The occasion featured universities and secondary school students from Nigeria andother African countries who participated in a debate as part of the activities marking Obasanjo’s 76th birthday. The former president opined that there were not many good leaders in the country, stressing that leadership in any country was very important to developmentand growth. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo “On the topic you have chosen for this debate, ‘Human Security in Africa’, whether itis a myth or reality, threat to human security, high economic growth, whether it is flash in the pan or sustainable, it all comesto one major thing and that one major thingis leadership. Very soon, I do hope that we’ll bring leadership in all dimensions and in all ramifications. “I realise that we have many Nigerians and there are not many good leaders in Nigeria. Whatever is the reason, it is something we have to tackle because we cannot continue the way it is. “That brings me to the hope and the bright future that I see in what Profs. Akin Mabogunje and Peter Okebukola are putting together (the debate). “It’s to try and prepare African youths, boysand girls, together that future belongs to you youths. “Nobody will help Africa, nobody can help Africa and that is the truth. If we expect others from outside to come and help us, it is a second class help. “What do I see for the future? We have caliber of women, men, young and old that Africa needs to put itself up and to make its voice heard in the world today and tomorrow. “Alfred Mills explains in his book, ‘Why Africais poor’ but it’s a choice, a choice that our leaders have made. “But here watching you (students) at the college level and university level. I believe that the materials are there.“ Obasanjo said he was shocked when Alhaji Aliko Dangote told him that six Ph.D holders and 600 master degree holders were amongapplicants for truck drivers in his (Dangote) company. He stated that the issue boils down to the problems of job creation, wealth creation, among others.

Tanker On Fire On Marina Bridge

A tanker just caught fire on marina bridge.it is loaded with petroleum products.have called fire service nd a simpleton had d nerves to ask me where marina is located in lagos.d guys name is seyi.pls pass d info..people should avoid d bridge.

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