Tuesday, 15 April 2014
US, UK condemn ‘senseless’ Nigeria bombing
The United States of America, USA and Britain, yesterday, condemned the bomb attack on a packed bus station in Abuja and called for a full investigation.
British Foreign Secretary, Mr William Hague, who condemned the bomb attack, in a statement in Abuja, said: “I was deeply saddened to hear of the bomb explosion in the east of Abuja. I unreservedly condemn those responsible and hope they are swiftly brought to justice. I offer the British government’s deepest condolences to the bereaved and those who have suffered injury.”
The UK foreign secretary reiterated that Britain would continue to work closely with the Nigerian government to help tackle the threat from terrorism.
Also, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters: “We are outraged by this senseless act of violence against innocent civilians,” as she condemned the series of attacks on three villages in Borno State over the weekend.
“We continue to stand with the Nigerian government and people as they grapple with violent extremism,” she added.
Washington was working with the Nigerian “government and its neighbours to address the growing threat of Boko Haram in a comprehensive manner,” Psaki said, but warned it was too early to say the attack had been carried out by Boko Haram.
The United States designated Nigeria’s radical Islamist Boko Haram network and an offshoot known as Ansaru as terror groups in November, bowing to months of pressure to act.
Council, Rep deny death of JAMB candidates
MAIDUGURI—THE Caretaker Chairman of Dikwa Local Government Area, Alhaji Ali Modu Gana and member House of Assembly, representing Dikwa, Mohammed Zakariya have denied reports by a section of the media that many students were ambushed and killed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists while on their way to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, held last Saturday nationwide.
This was even as authorities of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, in Yobe and Borno States have also denied that any of its candidates was killed as widely reported.
The senator representing Borno Central, Ahmed Zannah, was reportedly quoted as having said in Abuja that 210 people including students/ JAMB candidates were killed in the area, between Thursday and Friday last week.
But the caretaker chairman, Alhaji Gana and Zakariya said at a joint interview that the reports were not only false but misleading. They said that contrary to misleading reports that some students of Dikwa were killed, “some suspected terrorists invaded Government Secondary School Dikwa, but when they discovered that the council and the school authorities have already relocated all the students to Maiduguri following insecurity,
they asked for the whereabouts of the Principal, Mallam Modu Mai Abdullahi who was not even in the school, as he was in Maiduguri to monitor his students writing the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations, SSCE. Unfortunately, when the security guards on duty informed the attackers that the principal was not around, they killed seven persons including three of the security men, two teachers including the duty Master,
one SSII student and a store keeper, before torching the Principal’s official residence, some classroom blocks and the science laboratory complex.” They, however, commended the security operatives and men of the vigilante group, (popularly known as Kes Kes in Shuwa language), meaning ‘Volunteered Group Against Terrorists’ for the gallantry they displayed by repelling the attackers.
Bees kill 83-yr-old woman in Imo
OWERRI—Shock and confusion reigned supreme in Nchoko Amiri community, Oru East local council area of Imo State, as an 83-year old woman, Madam Nwanyiaro Orji, was reportedly stung to death by a swarm of bees.
It was gathered that the aged woman went to use the convenience located at the back of the family house when suddenly people heard an unusual noise.
A villager, who identified himself as Joe, told Vanguard that they thought the noise came from a bunch of ripe bread fruit tree at the backyard, pointing out that they never knew it was the beehive on top of the bread fruit tree.
He said: “The angry bees, which home had been dislodged, started stinging everybody within the vicinity, including the aged woman’s step-son, who was in the kitchen at the time.”
It was further gathered that as the bees were having a field day on his step-mother, the young man made a spirited attempt to pull her away from the scene.
He added: “This did not work as the aged woman was not agile enough to scamper into safety with her step-son. The boy hurriedly left the scene.”
Some youths later organised themselves, bought some cans of insecticide, wrapped themselves properly and went after the bees.
Joe said: “After winning the battle against the bees, the young men rescued the old woman and quickly rushed her to a nearby private hospital, where the medical team did everything possible to save her life. The woman died the next day.”
2015 Senatorial Election: Heavyweights line up for Kogi East
LESS than one year to the general elections, the question of who represents Kogi East Senatorial District in the Senate is generating lots interest.
BY BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO
THOUGH campaigns for the 2015 Senatorial elections are yet to commence in line with the guidelines of the Independent Electoral Commission,INEC, political heavyweights, have started consultations and permutations over who will represent Kogi East in the Senate.
A lot of names have come up as possible contenders to the seat that is currently being occupied by Senator Attai Aidoko.
The aspirants, include two former governors of the state, Prince Abubakar Audu and Alhaji Ibrahim Idris as well as Halima Alfa and Bob Alfa.
Though the duo have not formerly indicated or denied interest in the race, the body language of their supporters, has created the impression that Audu and Idris are interested.
Given that this is the usual pattern in Nigeria’s political culture, the silence of the former leaders could be described as an indication of their likely emergence as senatorial aspirants in the days ahead.
With robust political profiles, none of them could be dismissed as a light weight, leading to arguments that the race would be a heated one.
Attai Aidoko
Aidoko, who is the incumbent, was in the House of Representatives before now. He was in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before decamping to then All Nigerian Peoples Party,ANPP, following the party’s cancellation of his victory at the senatorial primaries. He sought redress in the court where he eventually got his mandate back. Since then Aidoko has remained in the All Progressives Congress,APC.
Regarded as a frontline aspirant, it is believed that he would have an easy ride in the absence of Audu in the race.
Abubakar Audu
Close associates of Audu have noted that he might be forced into the contest, should Idris vie for the ticket.
Whether he will heed the calls to contest is yet to be seen. But many are of the view that Audu remains an electoral asset to his party.
Though there are rumours that he is on his way to the PDP, the former governor has remained a leading voice in the APC.
Ibrahim Idris
But for the Appeal Court judgment that elongated his tenure in 2011,
Idris would have contested for the Senate at the expiration of his tenure.
The rosy relationship between Idris and the incumbent governor, Captain Idris Wada, has been linked to the former’s rumoured ambition.
Presently, the party structures in the state are indisputably under the control of the former governor, whose body language appears to suggest that he might contest.
There is also a group that wants him to contest.
Known as Ibro Leadership Initiatives, ILI, the Mr. Atabor Julius-led group said this during a courtesy visit to Idris.
It noted that the call became necessary following the need for someone, who will rescue the zone from political doldrums.
Responding, Idris said he would have loved to be left alone in his retirement, noting that he would give careful thoughts to the call.
“What I want to do now is to help the younger ones to grow. I believe helping them to grow will be beneficial to me than perpetually clinging to power,” Idris added.
The two Alfas
The duo of Halima Alfa and Bob Alfa, who incidentally share the same surname have also shown interest in the seat.
Halima is the only woman who has indicated interest and her ambition is generating ripples in the area.
Shortly after her supporters disclosed her intent for the seat, petitions began to emerge against her.
For instance a group under the aegis of Concerned Eastern Citizens carried an advertorial against her in the state owned newspapers, opining that her candidacy would spell doom for the PDP.
For Bob Alfa, his aspiration is still on the pages of newspapers.
Nigeria tops Africa in home remittances, $21bn involved
BY OMOH GABRIEL in Washington
Nigeria got a total of $21 billion as home remittances flows from Nigerians living abroad in 2013.
This puts the country as the fifth largest recipient of foreign remittances among developing countries and first in Africa.
Data released by the World Bank in Washington, weekend, showed that India remained in the top spot, with $70 billion in remittances in 2013.
Other large recipients according to the Bank are China ($60 billion), the Philippines ($25 billion), Mexico ($22 billion), Nigeria ($21 billion), Egypt ($17 billion), Pakistan ($15 billion), Bangladesh ($14 billion), Vietnam ($11 billion) and Ukraine ($10 billion).
The World Bank in its release said: “In terms of remittances as a share of GDP, the top recipients were Tajikistan (52 per cent), Kyrgyz Republic (31 per cent), Nepal and Moldova (both 25 per cent), Samoa and Lesotho (both 23 per cent), Armenia and Haiti (both 21 per cent), Liberia (20 per cent) and Kosovo (17 per cent).
The report said: “After remaining broadly unchanged in 2012, remittances to Sub‑Saharan Africa grew by 3.5 per cent in 2013 to reach $32 billion. Flows are forecast to rise to $41 billion in 2016.
According to available data, Nigeria remains the largest recipient by far, with migrants sending about $21 billion in 2013.
Remittances to countries in East Africa continued to grow robustly last year, by 10 per cent to Kenya and 15 per cent to Uganda. In contrast, West African countries, such as Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal, saw only modest increases in 2013, after a slowdown in 2012.
Sub‑Saharan Africa is one of the few regions in the world where official development assistance is larger than remittances, and both are much more stable than either foreign direct investment or private financing flows.
Many countries in the region have large Diaspora overseas, with substantial Diaspora savings that could be mobilised for development financing.”
According to the Bank: “In addition to the large annual flows of remittances, migrants living in high income countries are estimated to hold savings in excess of $500 billion annually. These savings represent a huge pool of funds that developing countries can do much more to tap into.
The Bank further said: “International migrants from developing countries are expected to send $436 billion in remittances to their home countries this year, despite more deportations from some host countries, says the World Bank’s latest issue of the Migration and Development Brief, released today.
“This year’s remittance to developing countries will be an increase of 7.8 per cent over the 2013 volume of $404 billion, rising to $516 billion in 2016, according to revised projections from the latest issue of the brief.
“For many developing countries, remittances are an important source of foreign exchange, surpassing earnings from major exports, and covering a substantial portion of imports.
For example, in Nepal, remittances are nearly double the country’s revenues from exports of goods and services, while in Sri Lanka and the Philippines, they are over 50 per cent and 38 per cent, respectively. In India, remittances during 2013 were $70 billion, more than the $65 billion earned from the country’s flagship software services exports.
In Uganda, remittances are double the country’s income from its main export of coffee.
FG commences reconstruction of substandard bridges nationwide
Brazil World Cup: Eagles get S/Final target
By Tony Ubani
As the zero hour approaches swiftly for the Brazil World Cup( 58 days to go), Super Eagles have been given a semi final target.
The Nigerian Supporters Club(Worldwide) in a World Press conference yesterday at their Ayinde Giwa secretariat set the target noting that the target was solely for musical group who have been the back-bone of all national teams at all international competitions.
‘’Let me emphasise that this target is not from the Nigeria Football Federation or for the players. This is what we promised ourselves that the Super Eagles will get to the semi-final of the World Cup. And we are going to follow-up with prayers and fasting to achieve it’’, President General of the Supporters Club(Worldwide) Dr Rafiu Ladipo said.
He regretted that it was appalling that the Eagles who made their debut in USA ’94 and qualified for France ’98 and reached the second round respectively have not crossed that hurdle
in 2002 and 2010.
‘’It is not a good omen for us that instead of progressing we are retrogressing. This year, we’re going to break that yoke of a first or second round exits and go all the way to the semi-final and anything can happen from there’’, he said as the crowded hall quaked with a resounding ‘’Amen’’.
He pleaded with Nigerians to support the Super Eagles in their quest to break grounds in Brazil.
‘’This is not the time for distractions or divisive comments. This is the only thing that gives millions of Nigerians joy in the midst of hardship in the country’’.
Dr Ladipo also pleaded with corporate organisations to support the Supporters club as he announced that the Supporters Club would need a whopping N800 million to carter for their 800 army of supporters to Brazil.
‘’300 supporters from home will be flying to Brazil while 500 will from other parts of Africa, Europe, America. We happen to have representatives in all these countries.
A break-down of the expenses show that each supporter would pay $90 per match ticket in the first round and increases from the second round, Accommodation would gulp $250, 000 while transportation would be hectic as movement from one Eagles match venue to the next venue would see them spending 22 hours using a a fast train.
‘’We can’t afford to fly by air as that one is beyond us. We thank President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for his reception for us and his gift of N50 million.
Also, as part of their activities for the World Cup they plan to release a new song for the Eagles for the Brazil World Cup. ‘’Music is a tonic that propels Eagles to soar higher’’, Ladipo said.
And truly, the music army entertained guests with their danceable tunes promising to do more at the unveiling of the new song for Super Eagles
Fayose, Bamidele, no match for Fayemi — Sen Ojudu
Senator Babafemi Ojudu represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District in the Senate on the plank of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview, he maintains that neither Mr. Ayodele Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nor Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele of the Labour Party (LP) is a match for Governor Kayode Fayemi of the APC in the governorship elections in Ekiti State. Excerpts:
BY DAPO AKINREFON
How optimistic are you that the outcome of the polls will be in your party’s favour?
We have no doubt that the outcome of the election will be in our favour. The governor has worked hard to bring about positive change in the state. It is what everyone can see, touch and feel.
There is no government since 1990 that has done that much for the people of Ekiti. In appreciation of his hard work, his sense of purpose and his commitment to the development of the state, he will be rewarded with another term.
Ekiti State has been known to be a volatile state during elections, what do you think is responsible for this? How can electoral violence be stemmed?
Ekiti people are principled not violent. Ekiti people are conscious of their right and will not allow anyone to take or subtract from it.
It is when people try to prevent them to give free expression to their democratic rights that they come out to say no. It is the crooks, the undemocratic elements and the bandits who attempt stealing their votes that are violent and not the Ekiti people.
Do you see the LP and PDP candidates as a match for Fayemi?
Obviously not! Comparing them to Fayemi is like comparing death and sleep. The difference is clear.
How do you see the emergence of Mr. Ayo Fayose as the PDP flag bearer?
Interesting and God sent. We were looking forward to a robust contest. With Fayose it is no contest.
Considering the irregularities in recent elections conducted by INEC, do you see the commission conducting a credible election come June 21?
It is not about the commission. We cannot decide for them what they will do. It is for us to ensure they do what is right. Preparation, organisation, meticulousness and vigilance are our watch words.
Stanbic IBTC enjoins SMEs to tap into power reforms
Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, a member of Standard Bank Group, Mrs. Sola David-Borha, has called on small and medium scale enterprises in the country to tap into the power sector reforms for business growth.
She made the call at the 7th Lagos State Economic Summit where she was a panelist at one of the sessions on power sector funding.
According to David-Borha, “The power sector reforms have presented a huge opportunity for start-ups and small and medium scale enterprises to explore for growth.
There is a supply and infrastructure gap in the power sector that small business owners can plug to their benefit.
For instance, the distribution and generation companies would need metres, cables, electricity poles, payment cards, among others, which can be readily handled by small businesses.”
She said government’s determination to ensure the success of the privatisation process in the power sector and the local content policy, which ensures local businesses are not overlooked, are positive pointers to encourage investment in the sector.
David-Borha said the reforms and the enormous growth opportunity in the sector make it easier for financial institutions, including Stanbic IBTC, to finance SMEs involved in the power sector.
“I am hopeful that even when there are challenges in the power sector, the government will step in to address whatever needs to be done because there is so much at stake to allow the sector to fail,” she said.
On the question of how to get the right partnerships and funding for the power sector, David-Borha said smart pricing is critical to the power sector transformation.
“There have been calls for right pricing, but I would add that with smart pricing, everything will fall into place,” she said.
The panelists, who included the Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Ayo Gbeleyi, agreed that pricing could be done in a smart way to take care of all levels of consumers without overburdening consumers with high energy tariffs.
The Stanbic IBTC boss said her bank will continue to leverage on the rich heritage and know-how of the Standard Bank Group to support the reforms and the sector by providing both debt and equity in the right balance and by attracting foreign investors into the country.
Ogun PDP faction denies joining APC
BY DAUD OLATUNJI
ABEOKUTA—A faction of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State loyal to former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, said they had not defected to All Progressives Congress, APC.
The faction said the former President had not issued any directive to them to move to the ruling APC in the state.
The faction, led by Chief Okanlawon Soboyede on behalf of the leaders of the Obasanjo faction, who met under the aegis of the Ogun PDP Mainstream, spoke at a briefing.
The immediate past state chairman of the party, Chief Joju Fadairo, said all the factions of the party would work together to ensure the success of the party in the state in the 2015 elections.
He, however, noted that the Obasanjo faction had set up a reconciliation committee which would meet with the other PDP groups in the state and submit its report to the leadership within the next seven days.
He said: “You will have heard that they said the mainstream people who are in Baba’s (Obasanjo) camp had gone to APC. We have not gone to APC.
“Baba did not tell us to go to APC. Baba is in PDP and we want to disabuse the minds of the people who are saying that Obasanjo’s supporters in the mainstream have gone to APC. That is the essence of this meeting.”
Some other chieftains of the Ogun PDP Mainstream that present at the meeting were Chief Okanlawon Soboyede, Chief Wale Egunleti, Asiwaju Jide Awosedo, Asiwaju Tony Ojesina, Asiwaju Yemi Oluyomi, Engineer Tetede, Job Akintan and Abiodun Akovoyan.
Insecurity: Nigeria needs competent leaders, says Soyinka
BY GBENGA OLARINOYE
OSOGBO— Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, yesterday in Osogbo, declared that the country was in need of competent leaders to confront, among others, the security challenges facing the country.
He said the security challenges facing the country could not be solved by prayers, but by leaders with capacity to deal with the situation without partisanship.
Soyinka suggested that learning from the history of nations that had faced similar situations could help Nigeria survive her present security challenges.
Soyinka, who was a keynote speaker at a colloquium with the theme Fundamental Imperatives of Cohabitation, Faith and Secularism, organised by Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, CBCIU, Osogbo, called for a frank talk among stakeholders in the affairs of the country to end the spate of bombings.
According to Soyinka, who said he received with shock the news of Nyanya Motor Park bombing, authorities concerned must arrest the situation.
Debunking a newspaper report, which quoted him as saying the nation’s security challenges could be resolved through prayers, Soyinka posited that Boko Haram insurgency should not be mistaken for a religious war, insisting that prayers alone could not end the crises.
He said: ”I have never said prayer can help resolve the security challenges facing Nigeria.
“I believe the situation must be tackled without partisanship and all these uninformed comments cannot help the situation.
“We should wake up to the reality. Nigeria is in war and only competence can solve the problem, not prayers.”
At the event, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State said the only way to respect God was by showing respect to human beings, emphasising the need for people to accommodate others’ religions.
KEROSENE SCARCITY: NLNG to flood markets with cooking gas
BY CHRIS OCHAYI
ABUJA: The management of Nigerian LNG Limited, NLNG, has expressed commitment to support Federal Government’sefforts to get more Nigerians to switch to cooking gas by making the product available for consumption.
The Managing Director, NLNG, Mr. Babs Omotowa, who disclosed this in Abuja, said the company is more determined to ameliorate the difficulties Nigerians were facing in accessing liquefied petroleum gas, LPG also known as cooking gas.
He said the use of cooking gas placed Nigerians at better advantages than the continued use of fire wood and kerosene, alternatives that have environmental and health disadvantages for citizens.
According to him, “In addition to ameliorating the difficulties Nigerians are having with LPG, NLNG commenced LPG distribution to the domestic market in 2007, and by that singular intervention brought down the price of cooking gas from N7,000 to N3,500 per 12.5 kg cylinder.
He added that, “we currently supply over 80 per cent of cooking gas, LPG, in Nigeria, and are increasing the volume to 250,000 metric tonnes per annum, MTA, representing 67 per cent increase. NLNG’s business has strong impact on key microeconomic variables and our contribution to the Goss Domestic Product, GDP rose to four percent in 2008.”
Omotowa pointed out that, “Nigeria’s strength is that with 187 trillion cubic feet, TCF, of proven gas reserves and 600TCF of unproven gas reserves, Nigeria has more than enough gas for both our domestic and export needs.
He noted that all our domestic power and petrochemical needs with all the expected exports from Brass LNG, OKLNG, come to less than 187tcf; yet we still have 600tcf unproven reserves.
“To further illustrate this, Australia with only 60% of our proven gas reserves, generate more than 40,000 megawatts power and is working to export 80,000mta, whereas all our three LNG plants will only come to 52,000mta with current plans,” he said.
Omotowa stressed further, “However, notwithstanding these historic achievements, we face significant challenges in the future, which we are already developing strategies to overcome. Internally, we face challenges of sustained feed gas supply as well as ageing plants and ships.
“Externally, the Shale Gas phenomenon and the expected start of mega LNG plants in Australia and East Africa, pose significant competition and threat to our business.
“As an insight into the extent of the threat, the huge unconventional shale gas discoveries in the USA, with over 100 years supply has led to the USA, who used to consume 10% of worldLNG, becoming an exporter.
“As a result, LNG price in the US, the Henry Hub, has fallen from $15/million British Thermal Unit, mmbtu, in 2005 to less than $4.50/mmbtu today. Along with Australia, East Africa, etc., these supply potential if all realised, may leave only a limited window of opportunity for LNG projects to remain robust. The challenge being that whilst demand may continue to grow, pricing is likely to become depressed due to supply slut.
“NLNG can stay profitable and continue to deliver excellent value to the country, if we are able to play the number game of volumes in the global market. Part of the next phase of our company’s strategic response to the growing competition is the addition of a seventh train.
“When achieved, this will enable NLNG to add some eight million metric tonnes to its current production capacity, and increase annual output to 30 million metric tonnes. This is potentially capable of monetising more of our gas, and yielding an estimated $3billion in additional revenues.
“More importantly, this will enable the creation of over 18,000 jobs during the construction phase, a deliverable that is in line with Mr President’s transformation agenda of creating jobs for the youths of the country.”
Abuja explosions: Delegates want Boko Haram financiers prosecuted
Ask Jonathan to implement Galtimari, Turaki, others’ reports
BY HENRY UMORU
WITH teary eyes, delegates, yesterday, condemned in strong terms, bomb explosions at Nyanya bus terminal in Abuja, the nation’s capital, by members of the Boko Haram sect in which about 100 people were feared dead and several others injured.
confab-new1111The delegates, who observed one minute silence for the victims, also condemned past and similar mayhem in other parts of the county. They called on the Federal Government and stakeholders to, as a matter of urgency, implement all actionable recommendations made to it by various committees such as the Gaji Galtimari, Kabiru T. Turaki and Borno/Yobe Elders among others, which recommended prosecution of some politicians found to be financing and empowering members of Boko Haram.
To heal the wounds inflicted on Nigerians and families affected in these massive killings and wanton destruction of property almost on a daily basis, they advised the Federal Government to immediately commence a process of reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the affected areas.
The Kawu, 19 others insecurity motion
The delegates’ positions followed a motion by Is’haq Modibbo Kawu, who is representing the Nigeria Guild of Editors and titled, “Motion of urgent Public importance over the security situation in the North, pursuant to Order V11 Rule (1) V of the Rules of Procedure.”
The motion was co- sponsored by 19 other delegates. They were Mrs. Hannatu Ibrahim, Prof. Jerry Gana, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomasie, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, Dr. Magdalene Dura, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, Hon. Mohammed Kumalia, Senator Adamu Aliero, Prof. Auwalu Yadudu, Amb. Ibrahim Mai Sule, Prof. Iyorchia Ayu, Senator Jack Tilley Gyado, Gen. Jerry Useni, Senator Ibrahim Ida, Hon. Terseer Tsumba, Arch. Ibrahim Bunu, Major General Ike Nwachukwu, Chief Olu Falae, Chief Edwin Clark and Brig. General Geoffrey Ejiga.
The motion read in part: “The conference condemns the activities of the perpetrators of these heinous crimes. The Conference is concerned about the continuous deterioration of the security situation and calls upon the Federal Government to take urgently, drastic and concrete steps to arrest and immediately bring an end to these atrocities.”
They urged that all necessary measures be put in place to use proportional and non- excessive force to deal with the situation and safeguard the life, property and well- being of innocent civilian population in all areas affected. Leading a robust debate on the motion, Modibbo Kawu lamented that despite the declaration of state of emergency in three North East states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, the insecurity in those states has continued to escalate.
He said: “Whereas the Rules of Procedure has provided in Order V11 Rule (1) that matters of urgent public importance ( if) any may be tabled for discussion; whereas the security situation in the country has been deteriorating in the last 5-6 years; whereas the preponderance of the security breaches have been in the North
although security is a National issue; whereas in the last two months the security breaches have escalated in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa stares where over 20 villages have been completely razed down and thousands of people killed including school children in spite of the state of emergency which has been in existence for almost one year;
”Whereas in the North East the problem is Boko Haram, in the North West, it is armed banditry, cattle rustling and kidnapping of young women more particularly in Zamfara, Jigawa, Katsina and Kaduna states.
”Whereas in the North Central we have ethno- religious and herdsmen and farmers conflicts, which have led to
the sacking of several villages, destruction of property, displacement of people and killing of thousands of people in Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa states; whereas the Conference notes that Nigerian security forces have made a lot of efforts to bring the insurgency, armed conflict and banditry under control; in spite of the efforts of the security forces the situation has continued to escalate.”
Nwanyanwu, Ozekhome’s motion
Prior to Kawu’s motion, National Chairman of the Labour Party, LP, Dan Nwanyanwu who is representing LP at the conference ,had moved a motion condemning the killings. The motion was seconded by a Federal Government delegate, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), who argued that the wave of killings in the country is increasing in wavelength.
According to him, the killings have become endless as perpetrators of such acts no longer discriminate between Christians and Moslems or northerners and southerners in their crusade and called on the House to urge the authorities to re-strategise and come up with effective measures to address the problem of insecurity in the country.
Coomassie intervenes
However, former Inspector General of Police, IGP, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, representing the North West geo- political zone punctured the motion, saying that the North was ready with a prepared motion to be read on the insecurity situation in the North and sought the permission of Conference Chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi and the sponsor, Kawu, was then called to move it.
Attempts to scuttle motion
Speaking on the motion, Chief Sergeant Awuse, a South-South delegate almost scuttled the motion raising Order 8 arguing that the conference cannot entertain such motion because delegates were not served with the motion paper ahead of time, adding, “If a motion paper has been served on those at the table, delegates deserve to be served copies.
“While I sympathise with what is happening in the country, we must not add to the problem, but we must go by the rules and we should not create any problem for ourselves.”
However, Femi Falana (SAN), representing the Civil Society Organisation, cited Order 1 rule (2) and countered Awuse’s point of order, saying no formality was required on this issue because what happened yesterday where people were killed was an emergency situation and an issue of urgent National importance. He noted that the Galtimari’s report had covered these issues and urged the government to implement the report and those of similar panels.
These killers are not Nigerians –Abdullahi
Commenting, Amb. Yerima Abdullahi representing the Elder Statesmen category said: “We have been scratching the surface of this issue of Boko Haram. Some of these undertakers are not Nigerians. It may have started with Nigerians but these people are not Nigerians. Security may have better information. They have roots in Cameroon, Niger, Chad, etc. We have a very big problem. Security forces should show more interest. The earlier the authorities woke up to this situation, the better.”
Nigeria is under siege – Clark
Contributing to the motion, a former Federal Commissioner for Information and Ijaw leader, and a delegate on the platform of Elder Statesmen, Chief Edwin Clark, noted that what was happening at the moment with people being killed was not a matter of the North or South but requires a collective action because Nigeria was under siege.
His words: “The issue of my son that was kidnapped is no longer an issue compared to what has happened. What is happening now is a national issue. It is not a North or South issue. Wherever it is happening, Nigerians are being killed and Nigerians are under siege.
”We have a duty to look at this issue and not to play politics with it. Security is doing its job. They need the support of every one of us; soldiers alone cannot fight this war. I think it has come to a stage where all must be involved. When my son was kidnapped, all of you rallied together. He is not dead. Everyday we sit down here deliberating. What are we debating about? Will Nigeria be eradicated before we know it is here with us?
”This conference must do something about it. This conference must send a message to the authorities that something must be strongly done about it. Instead of me going to eat at 2 pm, monetise it and send it to those who are dying fighting this scourge. The time has come for all of us to do something.”
We need holistic approach —Anka
On his part, a delegate representing the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, Hassan Salihu Anka, who condemned the act, however, called for a holistic approach involving all stakeholders to solve the problem.
100 perish in motor park bombing
*243 injured, 16 luxury buses, 24 other vehicles burnt
*Eye-witnesses, survivors recount experiences
*We’ll defeat Boko Haram, Jonathan vows
ABUJA—‘Mummy, mummy, don’t let me die’, the agonising cry of a 15-year-old boy, whose legs were shattered and holding on to his mother trailed the deafening bomb explosion reverberating through the Federal Capital City. A woman was lying face down without limbs while another who was surrounded by her children, struggled for life before giving up in their arms. Several other corpses littered the ground in the midst of the injured, following the massive bomb blast that rocked the crowded Nyanya Bus Terminus, at 6.45 am yesterday. No less than 88 residents of the densely populated slum located at the suburb of the Federal Capital City were killed while over 200 sustained various degrees of injuries.
Some of the dead were burnt beyond recognition, while others were blown into pieces as only their severed parts were packed into bags by rescue workers. Over 40 vehicles were also destroyed.
The incident happened when the bus station which serves as a major terminus for commuters coming from satellite towns disembark before joining the high capacity luxury buses to the city centre.
Condemnations immediately greeted the gruesome incident just as survivours of the blast and eyewitnesses have been recounting their experiences.
Although Police Spokesman, Mr. Frank Mba, put the death toll at 71 and 124 injured, eye witnesses and hospital sources said that the dead were far more than the official figure.
An eyewitness who simply identified himself as Romanus said pieces of human flesh were flung to different parts of the motor park and beyond.
When Vanguard visited the scene of the blast, there were pools of fresh human blood which emitted a very strong smell. The explosion caused extensive damage at the park.
Charred remains of at least seven cars, as well as six buses were seen at the scene of the incident as a joint team of different security forces battled to evacuate the dead and injured.
How the bomb was planted
According to eye witnesses, a man drove a red Volkswagen space bus into the premises of the big capacity bus terminus popularly called El Rufai Buses and parked in front of two of the buses which were loaded with passengers and almost moving to the city centre.
Vanguard gathered that upon protest from drivers of the buses that he was obstructing their exit, the driver who allegedly came with four other passengers reportedly said he was going to get some lower denominations of money to settle his ‘passengers’.
It was learnt that just about five minutes after the driver and the passengers left the Volkswagen bus, it exploded, killing everyone near it.
The blast which left a large crater at the spot where the bus was parked also resulted in a huge fire which engulfed cars, the loaded and empty buses and all structures in the area.
At the scene of the blast, a pack of local delicacy, popularly called Okpa, whose owner was reportedly ripped into two was still intact, unaffected by the blast.
Piles of bags of intending passengers were scattered as far as over 30 metres. In the midst of concerted rescue efforts, mobile phones of some of the passengers who either died or sustained injuries from the blast were still heard ringing.
Vehicular Abuja-bombing1damages
16 large SURE-P buses, popularly called El-Rufai buses and 24 others were either burnt or destroyed from the effect of the blast.
The National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (Rtd);the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh and all the service chiefs visited the scene of the incident.
Hospitals overwhelmed, call for blood
Hospitals across the capital city have sent out passionate appeals for voluntary blood donation from members of the public. They said that their blood banks were exhausted and that a large number of the injured had lost much blood and required transfusion.
The managements of the Asokoro Hospital and the National Hospital cried out that they had run out of blood and needed blood urgently to avoid losing those who suffered much blood loss in the incident.
Relatives recount losses
A relative of one of the dead victims, Sadiat, who could not hold back tears, told Vanguard that his nephew was to travel to Taraba and left home about to 5 am in spite of the fact that they live not far away from the park just for him to catch the first bus since Taraba is far. “Only for me to hear deafening sound of a blast and rushed to the scene. It took quite some time before I could locate my nephew’s charred body and identified him with his cloth. I could only identify the boy with torn cloth he wore”, she said as she wept sorely.
At the Asokoro General Hospital, relatives of the victims gathered in different corners, waiting to identify their relatives, who were probably involved in the bomb blast.
Miss Adigun Bidemi who was looking for her brother, Mr. Gbenga Oladele an architect said “my mother called me to tell me of the blast and that my brother used to join the high capacity buses to work. My mother and my brother left home together this morning but parted ways at the park shortly before the explosion and we have not been able to contact the young man who headed for the high capacity bus. My mum called me and said that there was a bomb blast at Nyanya, so we went there but we could not find him, we had gone to the National Hospital but we did not see him, so that is why we are here to check on him, but they did not allow us in to check”
Lucky survivors’ accounts
I was on the queue to enter a bus
One of the victims admitted at the Wuse General Hospital who gave his name as Cosmas Ugwuanyi from Enugu State told Vanguard that he was on queue to enter the El-Rufai bus when the blast occurred. Though, Mr. Ugwuanyi’s case was not so critical, the blast affected his eardrum and he was having difficulties hearing what people were saying.
The blast removed my shirt, scattered my car, killed my four friends- survivor
A survivor of the blast who escaped unscathed, said his survival without a scratch was because of providence.
The victim, who was still in shock as at the time he was responding to questions said he was grateful to God for being gracious to him.
Narrating what he witnessed, the victim who wouldn’t mention his name said: “I went to Nyanya to pick my friends. I was under the Nyanya Bridge to pick them, one person sat with me in the front, while the other three people sat at the back. I had to enter the Park to pick them because the Task Force would not allow people to pick passengers under the Bridge.
“We all saw the commotion that was happening as a car drove into the park and the people were complaining about the driver. The last person entering my car shut the door and I tried to move the car and everything went blank. The explosion threw me far away and scattered my car while all the four people with me in the car died.
“I really can’t say what happened, I just saw myself here, they kept me on a wheel chair, but I got up to call my people.”
As he turned round, some of his relatives arrived the hospital, jubilated with him, but the medical personnel took him in for further medical investigations.
An eye witness, Michael Chuks said: “Our vehicle just left the park and we have not even left that junction close to the park when we heard loud noise, some people said it was a burst tyre but we knew that the noise was more than burst tyre so we parked and the next we saw were plenty of dead bodies on ground.
“The blast affected more than four el-Rufai buses already loaded with passengers. There were more than 500 people. Very soon now the government will tell us that two or three people died.”
Narrating his ordeal, a survivor, James Igwe said a driver drove into the park and parked in front of the already loaded high capacity buses and disappeared before the explosion.
According to him: “A vehicle came in and parked and the driver disappeared from the vehicle, there were many people inside all those long buses you are seeing now, this bomb exploded and everybody was running, some people were seriously injured and we were calling for help but nobody came, because some people were still unconscious and they were on the ground.
How I cheated death —Chinenye
A food vendor who identified herself as Chinenye Emeka, was grateful to God for sparing her life as the explosion occurred immediately she stepped outside her shop and walked across the road to buy polythene bags with which to sell her snacks.
She, however, regretted that many other food vendors at the park died in the explosion.
Her account: “The vehicle just drove in at a point where two “El-Rufai” buses which were full of passengers were about moving while many passengers were on queue struggling to board other vehicles.
“I saw a red-coloured space wagon going inside the park as I was trying to cross the road back to where I kept my bread and other things which I sell but while waiting to make sure there was no traffic on the road before I crossed over, I heard a loud sound. I fell down but by the time I got up, there was thick smoke all over the place. I tried running but I couldn’t and when the smoke could clear a bit, I saw many people lying down dead while many vehicles were already on fire”.
Jeremiah Ofem, a civil servant had bruises but survived
Displaying his bruised body to Vanguard, Ofem insisted: “Those who planted the vehicle may have driven it to the place earlier and left. I believe they detonated the bomb through the use of a remote control as no one was inside the vehicle.”
Epuele was hit from a distance
One of the injured at the Nyanya General Hospital, Michael Epuele, who said he was a long distance driver at a near-by motor park, wondered how he was hit. He said he was hit even when he was many metres away from the point of explosion.
Epuele claimed that when he and others were being evacuated from the scene, he saw a big hole created following the blast. “I believe the blast was buried in the ground, maybe in the night, else, how come there was a very big hole at the scene,” he questioned.
How a local bitters saved my life
Though he was aware that driving under the influence of alcohol was a crime that could earn him either imprisonment or a fine if caught by law enforcement agents, Timothy Eze Okorie was grateful for yesterday’s decision to buy a bottle of Alomo, a local alcoholic bitters popular with artisans and commercial vehicle drivers across the country before beginning his job as a commercial bus driver.
Narrating his experience to Vanguard at the scene of the incidence, Mr. Okorie who was visibly shaken said he could not explain why he took the decision to buy the bitters rather than go back to Masaka to bring back passengers to the bus terminus when the bomb blast took place.
According to him, ‘I Left my House at about six in the morning to bring passengers from Masaka, Mararaba, One Man Village and Ado to the Nyanya bus Terminus where they will board El-Rufai bus to the city centre. I dropped the last passenger under the Nyanya Bridge and was supposed to enter the park to carry passengers back to Masaka. Strangely, I had this sudden and strong feeling to drink before beginning the day’s job. So rather than enter the park, I took the next turn, went round the bridge and headed towards Jukwoyi to buy a bottle of Alomo”.
That decision turned out to be his saving grace as less than three minutes after he left the bus park, a huge explosion occured.
What will I tell our parents, cries Francis Alozie
“My sister, Miriam Edozie Chinyere, left this early around 6.30 in the morning to catch up with their staff bus which normally waits for them at Nyanya Bridge.
Unfortunately, when I heard about this bomb issue I tried calling her but her number was not going through, all the two numbers were switched off. And it is not as if the battery was down because I was the one that charged the battery of the two phones for her. She is my cousin, we live together at Kurudu, she works at the Airport.
I went to Nyanya Hospital first and they said that only one female patient was kept there. They said they had the list where all female patients were compiled.
I tried to see the names and I did not see anywhere they listed names and here too I did not see any names I am just confused. I don’t know what to do. If our parents start calling now, what will I tell them?
I passed out — Abdullahi
One of the victims, who identified himself as Yaro Inusa Abdulahi, an Okada rider from Kano State, said, the blast occurred when he was trying to cross the road to see somebody when he heard a blast.
Abdulahi, who lives at national headquarters lodge, Karu, said: “I heard a big blast and fainted, when I opened my eyes, I saw wounds all over my hands, legs and head. About five El-Rufai buses were loading at the scene of the incident.”
Another victim who spoke to our reporter, Daniel Job, who lives in Mararaba said: “I came with my brother to board a bus to town, and because there was no motor from Mararaba to town, I decided to enter a bike from Maraba to Nyanya, so that we could board a bus to town. After buying the ticket at Nyanya motor park, I discovered that the first bus had got filled up and we were asked to enter the second one, on our way to enter the next bus, that was when I heard the bomb explosion.
After the explosion, I discovered that I just had a little injury and started looking for my brother and sister, who were already inside the bus I missed.”
I came out of the car through the window- Busayo
Another victim, Mr. Adeoye Busayo, 40 year-old security consultant at a private security firm in Abuja, said he left his house around 6.00 am with “my Nissan sunny car with some people I wanted to give a lift.
“When we got to Nyanya around 6:30 am, there was a little traffic between Skakoma and the check point. I was about 30 to 40 meters to Nyanya park; all of a sudden, I heard a terrible blast, and there was dust everywhere, people were running helter skelter. Everybody was panicking, though the sound was very terrifying, after the first blast, all my windscreen and side glasses were already shattered because of the vibration.
“Then I heard another blast. This time, I just heard a terrible noise at the roof of my car; I managed to escape through the window because the door could not open. I over-heard the people in my car shouting help, help and blood was gushing out of their bodies.
“At this point, the weather became dark because there was durst everywhere. We started running and I saw a lady fail down from my car after struggling to get out of the car through the back glass and fire from the car at my back caught her.
“Everybody behind me all left their cars and ran away, instead of people running for safety, because you could neither see your back nor your front, they ran to where the fire was raging because it was only that direction of the fire that was a little bit illuminated, that was what deceived a lot of people.”
Abdul Isiaka, a welder at Golden Club company in Nyanya, said: “We had been at the garage since 6 am and when we could not enter the first bus, we decided to enter the second bus, in the process of entering, all of a sudden, I saw smoke under the El-Rufai bus and we started running, after running to a distance, the bomb exploded, and trying to cross to the other side of the road, another one exploded, that was how I got injured.
“It did not take too long before the rescue team came, in fact I went to them because I was crying for help,” said the 23 year old Mararaba resident.
I just found my self on the ground- Sake
Another victim, Anquer Sake, 40, a public servant in Asokoro, who lives in Orozo area said: “I got to Nyanya park, got my ticket and queued, I just found myself on the ground, I did not know how I was brought here at Asokoro hospital. I just did my x-ray, waiting for the result because I got an injury on my head.
The worst hit
The worst hit were inter-state commuters going to the Northern states of Benue, Bauchi, Nassarawa, Gombe, Tarraba, as well as, workers leaving the park to the city centre.
Others were: Petty traders, food vendors, Okada riders, tea brewers popularly called Mai-Shai and vehicles conveying passengers to various locations within and outside the FCT.
Inside the hospitals
The effect of the explosion on the dead was so gruesome that at the Asokoro and Wuse general hospitals, as the bodies were seen mangled, charred and sickly to even look at.
At the Maitama General Hospital, where scores were rushed to, the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Adetoun Sotimehin confirmed to reporters that 14 dead bodies including women, men and youths were in the mortuary, two persons were on danger list (critical condition) while 27 others who sustained injuries were receiving treatment.
At Asokoro General Hospital, the Chief Medical Director, Ahmadu Abubakar confirmed that 27 dead bodies were brought to the hospital with 25 others receiving treatment for various degrees of injuries. Staff of the hospital were later heard announcing that they needed blood donors from among the crowd of people that gathered round to enable them administer them on some patients.
At the National Hospital Abuja, 30 bodies were confirmed to have been taken to the mortuary while 40 of those injured were receiving treatment for injuries sustained.
At the Wuse General Hospital, the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Obiora Chibundu was uncooperative, telling reporters to go to the office of the GM Hospital Management Board for casualty figures.
Vanguard, however went to the mortuary and counted 16 corpses of the elderly, men, women and young boys whose extremely burnt bodies were being covered with cellophane bags by officials of the hospital, assisted by the police, NEMA and Civil Defence personnel.
A list of another 51 persons containing those injured was made available to relations to check for their loved ones. On the list, 40 were classified as injured but recognizable while 11 were classified as injured but unrecognized.
At the Nyanya General Hospital, It was confirmed that over 100 persons with various degrees of injuries were rushed there for treatment while the dead were referred to other hospitals because the Nyanya hospital cannot boast of a functional mortuary presently.
At the Asokoro, Wuse and Maitama general hospitals, Vanguard observed that there was serious apprehension as scores of people who came to check if their relations were there could not get clear information of what to do.
Meanwhile, the Police authorities have released what they said is the official list of casualties, saying that 71 persons were confirmed dead while 124 were injured.
16 luxury buses belonging to the FCT, 24 other privately owned vehicles were damaged with three of the luxury buses burnt to ashes.
Mr Romanus Ugwu, an Abuja-based journalist, resident at Nyanya, said that he ran to the scene on hearing the blast.
Ugwu said what he saw could be best described as a “gory sight” because many people were burning in some cars and were calling for help that never came to them while some were on the ground, helpless without limbs.
“You have to be hard hearted to look at these things. I saw a woman lying face down without limbs while one, who was surrounded by her children, struggled for life and gave up in their arms.
“These attackers appear to be more proactive than our rescue organisations and security agencies because so many lives would have been saved if help had come in time.’’
Ugwu said he counted many bodies littered on the ground in the park, but could not say if all of them were dead.
Mr Abdulrazak Haruna of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Response Unit of NSCDC, told NAN that he counted more than 100 bodies, including the injured while evacuating victims. “It is a sad experience. We counted 20 BRT buses, 14 cars, 24 commuter buses and 13 motorcycles.’’
Mr Femi Lawal, a survivor of the blast who could not contain his joy and gratitude to God for sparing him, said he had dropped from one of the green buses from One-man Village and was heading to the park when the blast went off.
Lawal said he fell and was dazed momentarily before realising what had happened.
He said that he heard a loud bang, which nearly blinded him, and saw a thick smoke while people ran in confusion.
The 32-year old man, who was apparently wounded on the wrist and neck, said “it is a day I will live to remember”.
A survivor, Prince Igwe, however, said a vehicle was driven into the park and parked in front of the already loaded high capacity buses.
“The driver hurriedly parked and disappeared shortly after the explosion went off. I was inside one of the buses; I struggled to come out.
“Many people died,” he said.
Security agencies on red alert in FCT— Mba
Abuja, Security agencies have been placed on red alert throughout the Federal Capital Territory following the explosion that occurred in Nyanya bus stop on Monday morning.
CSP Frank Mba, Police Force spokesman, told newsmen in Abuja at the scene of the incident that the blast occurred at about 6.55 a.m.
“The FCT police are already on red alert; security in and around Abuja is being strengthened; we are paying very close attention to all vulnerable points.
“We are also paying close attention to motor parks. We advise the public to avoid unnecessary huge crowd. We are also paying close attention to government buildings.
“We want to appeal for calm, cooperation and patience,” he said, describing the incident as sad.
Mba confirmed that 16 high capacity buses, some cars and motorcycles were affected in the explosion. He said investigation had begun.
“Experts from the Bomb Disposal Squad are on ground, the police are working with other security agencies.
“At this stage, we may not be able to give the casualty figure; the reasons are obvious; a lot of people are in the hospital; our detectives are visiting hospitals and taking count.
“We want to give you figures that we can back up with facts,” he said.
Remain calm — IGP
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has urged the citizens and the international community to remain calm and vigilant saying the Police and other security agencies were stepping up measures to uncover the authors of the crime and avoid a reoccurrence of this unfortunate incident.
Speaking during his visit to the scene of the explosion where he assessed the extent of damage and the impact on the surrounding environment, the IG noted that security agents have relentlessly worked round the clock with significant success to stave off such attacks on the Federal Capital and the entire country at large.
He therefore reassured Nigerians and foreign nationals that security agencies will do anything possible to further strengthen the security within and beyond Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
As a result, the IG directed all Police operatives to be on red alert. He has equally ordered the Police to intensify surveillance on all vulnerable targets within Abuja.
A statement signed by CSP Frank Mba said: “Meanwhile, the Police, supported by other law enforcement agencies, have commenced a full-scale investigation into the incident with the deployment of the Police Anti-Bomb Squad and other detectives to the scene with the view to solving the crime.
“Regrettably, seventy-one (71) persons have been confirmed dead while one hundred and twenty-four (124) persons sustained various degrees of injuries” he said.
“While commiserating with the families of the victims of the blasts, the IGP called on the members of the public to go about their normal businesses without fear and to cooperate with the Police by providing useful information in order to ensure that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to book” the statement said.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/04/100-perish-motor-park-bombing/#sthash.pOfWdnEC.dpuf
Nigeria’s refining capacity rises to 26%
By MICHAEL EBOH
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has put the combined average capacity utilisation of Nigeria’s four refineries at 25.95 per cent for the month of December 2013.
refinery.
According to data from the NNPC’s December 2013 Monthly Petroleum Information, this is a significant improvement from the 6.46 per cent average capacity utilisation of the refineries in November 2013, and a slight decline from the 30.87 per cent utilisation year on year to December 2012.
The refineries are the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC 1 & 2), and the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC).
Specifically, the NNPC put the respective average capacity utilisation of the refineries in December, as: KRPC – 32.96 per cent, PHRC – 4.48 per cent, and WRPC – 40.41 per cent.
According to the NNPC, 388,000 metric tonnes, MT, of dry crude oil, condensate and slop was received by the refineries, in the month under review.
“With an opening stock of 433,000MT, total crude oil available for processing was 816,000MT, out of which 403,000MT was processed.
“Total national domestic refining produced 368,000MT of finished and intermediate products. Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, which lifts products from the refineries evacuated 284,000MT of products,” it noted.
Meanwhile, in November 2013, the NNPC stated that 474,000MT of dry crude oil, condensate and slop was received by the refineries.
With an opening stock of 215,000MT, the NNPC explained that total crude oil available for processing was 689,000MT, out of which 86,000MT was processed.
It disclosed that the respective average capacity utilisation of the refineries in November 2013 was 19.37 per cent for KRPC, and zero per cent for both PHRC and WRPC.
“Total national domestic refining produced 84,000MT of finished and intermediate products. PPMC which lifts products from the refineries evacuated 225,000MT of products,” the NNPC said.
However, the NNPC said 40,314MT of products was used by the three refineries as fuel and loss, adding that consumption as fuel was 9.03 per cent while loss and flare accounted for 0.98 per cent of production in December.
Continuing, the NNPC said, “NNPC Retail Limited and Independent Petroleum Products Marketing Companies distributed about 673.92 million litres of various petroleum products in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, in December. This shows an increase of 150.33 million litres or 22.31 per cent when compared with 523.58 million litres distributed in November 2013. “The NNPC Retail Limited distributed 140.66 million litres, 20.87 per cent of the total sales of petroleum products, while the independent marketing companies distributed 533.26 million litres, representing 79.13 per cent of the total.
Monday, 14 April 2014
Much Ado Over Lavish Gold-plated iPhones For Guests At Jonathan's Daughter’s Wedding
I Quit Education After I Scored 17 In Jamb - Timaya
Abuja explosion: Security agencies on red alert – IGP
Security agencies have been placed on red alert throughout the Federal Capital Territory following the explosion that occurred in Nyanya bus stop on Monday morning.
CSP Frank Mba, Police Force spokesman, told newsmen in Abuja at the scene of the incident that the blast occurred at about 6.55 a.m.
“The FCT police are already on red alert; security in and around Abuja is being strengthened; we are paying very close attention to all vulnerable points.
“We are also paying close attention to motor parks. We advise the public to avoid unnecessary huge crowd. We are also paying close attention to government buildings.
“We want to appeal for calm, cooperation and patience,’’ he said, describing the incident as sad.
Mba confirmed that 16 high capacity buses, some cars and motorcycles were affected in the explosion.
He said investigation had begun.
“Experts from the Bomb Disposal Squad are on ground, the police are working with other security agencies.
“At this stage, we may not be able to give the casualty figure; the reasons are obvious; a lot of people are in the hospital; our detectives are visiting hospitals and taking count.
“We want to give you figures that we can back up with facts,’’ he said.
A survivor, Prince Igwe, however, said a vehicle was driven into the park and parked in front of the already loaded high capacity buses.
“The driver hurriedly parked and disappeared shortly after the explosion went off. I was inside one of the buses; I struggled to come out.
“Many people died,’’ he said.
The car was burnt beyond recognition but its chassis number could still be located on the engine.
A NAN correspondent who got to the scene shortly after the blast, counted about 70 corpses at the scene.
The huge explosion left a big crater at the scene of the blast.
Those affected were passengers, mostly workers leaving the park to the city centre, petty traders and vehicles conveying passengers to other locations within and outside the FCT.
Police and other security agencies as well as para-military agencies carrying out rescue operation had hectic time controlling crowd at the scene.
The force spokesman appealed to them to leave the scene for unfettered investigation.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar; Commander, Guards Brigade, Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Anthony Omozoje and top security personnel visited the scene. (NAN)
Man arrested for tweeting Boko Haram jail break photos freed
LAGOS (AFP) – A man who was arrested for tweeting pictures of an attempted jail break at the headquarters of the intelligence agency Department of State Service DSS in Abuja has been released, his younger brother told AFP Saturday.
Yusuf Siyaka Onimisi, who works for a national electricity firm, was arrested and held incommunicado for at least 11 days after tweeting the pictures.
“I confirm that my brother has been released. I spoke with him earlier today and our mum is with him in Abuja,” Sanusi Onimisi told AFP on telephone from the northern city of Kano.
“I thank all Nigerians, the media and human rights organisations within and outside the country who stood to fight for the release of my brother,” he said.
Frank Edohor, a family friend, had earlier told AFP about the release.
But neither Sanusi Onimisi nor Edohor were able to provide details surrounding the release.
“All I can say is that he has been freed by those who arrested, detained and held him incommunicado for about 11 days. I have not slept well since his arrest,” the younger brother said.
Onimisi’s case sparked concern from human rights groups, with Amnesty International on Friday urging the Nigerian security forces to disclose his whereabouts.
The 32-year-old works for Nigeria’s national electricity firm and was assigned to a sub-station within the presidential compound in Abuja.
The compound is near the Directorate of State Services (DSS) headquarters where the agency said there was an attempted jail break on March 30, sparking a gun battle that killed 21 detainees.
Reports suggested Boko Haram militants were among the detainees trying to escape, but there has been no official confirmation of the group’s involvement.
Nigeria’s security forces, including the secret police, have frequently cited national security concerns to justify arresting people who publish sensitive material.
DSS spokeswoman Marylin Ogar did not respond to phone calls seeking comment on Onimisi.
NYSC member murdered in Edo
BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE
BENIN — A National Youth Service Corps member in Asaba, Delta State, Mr. Osaro Edeghonghon, was weekend murdered by unknown assailants at Ekpoma, the administrative headquarters of Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.
He was allegedly murdered at a drinking spot along the Benin-Auchi road at about 9.00 am.
The killing of Edeghonghon came on the heels of the murder of an aide to the Chairman of Esan‑West Local Government Area by a woman two weeks ago at the same drinking spot.
Vanguard learnt that the late NYSC member was accosted by his assailants while making his exit from the beer parlour and sensing dangers, he took to his heels, but was pursued by his assailants who caught up with him before raining bullets on him.
He was thereafter left to die in the pool of his blood.
However, his father, Mr. Patrick Edeghonghon had accused the police of handling the case in a shoddy way and alleged that he was prevented from seeing a suspect arrested in connection with the murder.
He, therefore, appealed to the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Folusho Adebanjo, to intervene in the matter to ensure that justice was done.
Charles Novia Shares His Experience At GEJ's Daughter's Wedding
Jonathan’s Frank Advice To Daughter, Husband
President Goodluck Jonathan who gave out his daughter, Faith in marriage today advised the newly married couple.
He gave the advice while speaking at the wedding reception at the International Conference Centre, Abuja saying “ My advice is that, today is a very special day we are all smiling and dancing but also note that there will be periods when the relationship will not work smoothly. That is a part of the life of husband and wife.”
“There is no couple that will not have some moments when their faces will not be too bright, but it depends on how you reach out and really find time to understand themselves. And we pray that you have a really happy married life and we will continue to pray for you as your parents.”
“Our duties as parents is to continue to pray for you, to encourage you and if there are some issues you feel we can solve, you can tell us. But don’t depent on your parents to solve your matrimonial problems. If you have disagreement with your husband…., don’t always run to parents or get advice of your mother or father, sometimes, they will not give you the best advice. Because your parents are analogue people while you are digital generation.”
“So, we don’t belong to the same generation and so don’t expect us to give you the advice of the modern way of life. But we will encourage you to succeed,” he added.
Dignitaries present at the wedding were former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (chairman of the occasion), Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, and Chairman of PDP Board of Trustees, Tony Anenih, Jonah Jang (Plateau), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta) Theordi Orji (Abia), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina) and Liyel Imoke (Cross Rivers)
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim was also at the occasion along with some ministers including Olajumoke Akinjide (FCT State), Emeka Wogu (Labour) and Diezani Alison-Madueke (Petroleum).
Among the artiste that performed at the occasion include Iyanya, D’Banj.
Happy People Pose For Picture While Man Threatens To Kill Himself
The man in Los Angeles, USA, could not even imagine that while he was threatening to kill himself standing on an overpass, a group of people with happy faces got out of their cars to pose for the photo.
Local police had to block the freeway for 3 hours, as around 5:30 p.m. an unidentified man was spotted on the overpass.
Due to the long-lasting negotiations, he was persuaded to come down without injury and was immediately detained for the investigation of incident details.
However, some didn't find the situation tragic at all, as several people were spotted taking selfies and group photos around the blocked freeway.
Motivational Speaker Nick Vujicic, Born Without Hand and Leg, Having Fun At The Beach With Wife And Son
Femi Adebayo Shot & Attacked By Armed Robber On Movie Set In Ilorin
Check Out This BADT $340,000 Gold Ferrari 458 Spider
Since Talk of Naija seems to be growing pretty nicely, I've recently been thinking about buying new car. My current car is an Acura TL that drives perfectly but is almost 10 years old. Every time I get into a friend's new car, I am instantly envious of all the fancy technology that comes totally standard. Wireless iPhone syncing, touchless navigation, satellite radio, voice command controls… It definitely might be time for an upgrade. Maybe I'll head on down to my local Acura dealership this weekend and trade up to the 2014 TL. Or maybe I'll splurge a little and jump up to the luxurious Acura RL! Or maybe I'll say screw it and just buy a gold coated Ferrari 458 Spider…
This car was spotted in Kensington, London parked on the street outside a kickboxing gym. It turns out the car is owned by Iraqi-born kickboxing champion Riyadh al-Azzawi. Born in Baghdad, Riyadh al-Azzawi was a six-time Iraqi National Champion and two time Arabic Champion before moving to the UK. He is now a two time British Champion and one time European Champion with a lifetime record of 47-0 with 35 wins by knockout.
The standard Ferrari 458 Spider in the United Kingdom costs the equivalent to $335,000 US dollars. The car comes with a 4.5-litre V8 engine that produces 562 base horsepower. It can go 0-60 in roughly 3.4 seconds and has a top speed of 199 MPH.
Riyadh reportedly spent $7,000 USD on top of the $335,000 base price to have the car wrapped in gold vinyl. It's pretty incredible looking, don't you think?
No change in Eagles’ pre-World Cup programme – NFF
Liverpool 3-2 Manchester City: Coutinho Settles Dramatic Title Showdown
Liverpool took a huge step towards their Premier League title dream with a 3-2 victory over Manchester City on an emotional day at Anfield.
Philippe Coutinho's late strike took Brendan Rodgers' side seven points clear of the visitors, who had hit back to level things up at 2-2 after falling two goals behind in the first half.
The hosts looked to be easing to a 10th consecutive Premier League triumph on Sunday after goals from Raheem Sterling and Martin Skrtel capped a dominant first-half showing.
With City having been robbed of the Yaya Toure's services in between those two strikes due to injury, Manuel Pellegrini's woes were mounting.
But David Silva turned the game on its head with a goal early in the second half before the Spaniard's effort was deflected in by a combination of Glen Johnson and Simon Mignolet to equalise.
However, there was time for one last twist in the tale - and one that could ultimately end Liverpool's 24-year wait to be crowned champions of England - as Coutinho pounced on Vincent Kompany's woeful clearance to fire in a dramatic 78th-minute winner.
Jordan Henderson's late dismissal mattered little in the context of the game as the result ensured that the destination of the top-flight crown now rests exclusively in Liverpool's hands.
Anfield fell silent before the game to remember the 96 Liverpool fans who lost their lives at Hillsborough 25 years ago, with supporters of both clubs paying their respects.
Liverpool, unchanged from last Sunday's 2-1 win over West Ham, set a high tempo from the start and deservedly took the lead inside six minutes.
Luis Suarez split the City defence with a pass that picked out Sterling, who deceived Kompany - named in the starting line-up despite struggling with a knee injury - and Joe Hart with some excellent footwork before firing home Liverpool's 100th goal in all competitions this season.
Sterling then provided a superb right-wing delivery for Daniel Sturridge in the 14th minute but the England striker's close-range effort sailed wide of the far post.
City's hopes suffered another blow when Toure pulled up injured three minutes later, having appeared to twist his knee with an earlier off-target shot.
His replacement Javi Garcia was booked for his first tackle on Henderson as the visitors struggled to get to grips with the game.
Hart came to City's rescue with a stunning one-handed save to keep out Steven Gerrard's header, but the Liverpool captain's delivery from the subsequent corner was nodded in by Skrtel after 26 minutes.
A rare City attack saw Edin Dzeko denied by Gerrard's well-timed block before a rash Mamadou Sakho challenge sent the Bosnian tumbling in the box, only for referee Mark Clattenburg to wave away the visitors' half-hearted penalty appeals.
The home side survived a couple of late first-half scares as Mignolet produced a full-stretch save from Fernandinho's off-balance volley, the goalkeeper atoning for his error of judgement at a corner in the previous minute, which forced Sterling and Johnson to scramble off the line.
Silva did reduce the arrears 12 minutes after the break with a tap-in from substitute James Milner's cross and the Spaniard's delivery was almost turned in by Dzeko two minutes later as City cranked up the pressure.
And the leveller arrived just past the hour mark after Samir Nasri slid in Silva, whose shot across the face of goal took a deflection off Johnson and wrong-footed Mignolet.
But Liverpool had the final say, Coutinho curling home on the turn from inside the box after Kompany's limp attempt at a clearance.
Henderson was sent off in stoppage time for a wild challenge on Nasri but the title is now Liverpool's to lose.
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