The
Death of Alhaji Abdulkadir S. A. Dantata (MFR) Chairman of DANTATA & SAWOE Construction Company Nigeria (Ltd) has been reported…Alhaji Abdulkadir S. A.
Dantata passed away earlier today, Feb. 7, 2012.
May
his Soul RIPP…
UPDATE FROM LEADERSHIP: Dantata,
eldest son of the late Alhaji Sanusi, and the elder brother to Aminu Dantata
died at a German hospital on Tuesday.
Personal
assistant to the deceased, Alhaji Auwalu Dansadau confirmed his demise in Kano,
adding that his remains would be flown from Germany to Kano on Wednesday, where
he would be buried according to Islamic rites.
The
extremist Islamic sect, Boko Haram may be considering the invitation to
dialogue with the federal government as it named some Northern leaders to
negotiate with the government on its behalf.
Although,
the veracity of the video is being investigated by security agents,
as it came on a day that multiple blasts rocked Kaduna with the armed forces as
target.
Those
named in the video on the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, are:
Sheik Abubakar Gero, Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno, Alh Ali Bukar Ibrahim, the former
governor of Yobe State.
The
fourth name listed was not clear in the video to be identified.
The tape which NTA claimed was delivered by an unidentified
source featured two figures, fully masked in black. Only the voice of one
was heard, while the other was silent.
“We
here confirmed and accept the reported initiative of the President for a
dialogue as a welcome development”, the speaker who did not identify himself
said.
According
to him, the group trusts the named leaders and said “the decision taken by
these people can actually change the whole situation”.
The
Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar has ordered the officials
of the Nigeria Police Force to stop detaining suspects in cells for more than
24 hours as required by law.
Mr
Abubakar gave this order on Tuesday in a meeting with deputy commissioners of
police at Abuja. He said this new order was part of his reform agenda for the
police force. He also warned that “torture will no longer be allowed any more
in police cell” and that “any command found wanting will be heavily
sanctioned.”
The
new acting police boss also warned the officers against all forms of
indiscipline and corruption in the various post of duty.
He
announced that a monitoring team has been put in place to ensure that the rules
of engagement in the Police force are strictly adhered to.
Acknowledging
that the Force is overwhelmed with the spate of security challenges in the
country, Mr Abubakar stated that there are plans to “review the laws guiding
police operations to bring them to par with modern policing techniques.”
Mr
Abubakar assumed the office of acting Inspector General of Police a fortnight
ago following the removal of his predecessor, Hafaz Ringim due to the
unprecedented security challenges in the nation.
CHRISTOPHER GEORGE
LATORE Wallace,
a.k.a. The Notorious B.I.G., will be
recognized inXXL‘s latest issue. This year marks 15
years since the rapper was brutally murdered.
In
addition to honoring Notorious, XXLwill also reflect on the headway
that hip-hop made in the year 1997. According to many experts in the music
industry 1997 was by far the most successful year within the hip-hop arena. The
magazine will explore the progresses and failures of the industry during this
time through an essay.
B.I.G. had two children by Jan Jackson and Faith Evans. Both T’Yanna
and Christopher “CJ’ Wallace will
talk about their father in the issue.
According
to THISDAY at least five Boko Haram members have lost their lives while several
others sustained gunshot wounds following a shoot out between a combined team
of army and policemen and suspected sect members at Mariri on the outskirts of
Kano Municipality Monday night.
Residents
of the area told THISDAY under condition of anonymity that what happened was
that at about 6pm on Monday a combined team of army and policemen accosted a
man suspected to be a Boko Haram member who according to the eye witness ran
and entered into a house at Mariri Village, which is located on the outskirts
of Kano municipality.
He
said there was heavy exchange of fire between the security team and the people
inside the house, adding that the shoot out lasted for over six hours with
heavy explosions that shook the entire place.
THISDAY
in Kano learnt that the shoot out lasted for about six hours Monday night and
left a bungalow which had been the centre of the exchange of gun fire shattered
while the corpses of two victims were mutilated.
It
was learnt that when the security team finally gained access into the house
they were said to have discovered a large trench dug in the middle of the house
and when it was dug opened they discover about 10 AK47 riffles, a large number
of magazines and ammunition and bags of fertilizers.
Fertilizer
is a key ingredient in the manufacture of locally made improvised explosive
devices.
State
Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris confirmed the incidence and stated
that 10 AK47 riffles were recovered in the house with 26 magazines, 106 rounds
of ammunition, seven bags of fertilizer with several arrests made while some
casualties were recorded.
KADUNA,
Nigeria (Agency Report) - Two explosions struck Tuesday near army and air
force bases on the outskirts of the central Nigerian city, Kaduna , the heart of riots
last year that killed hundreds, officials said.
"NEMA
rescue team alerted to explosion at military formations in Kaduna," the
National Emergency Management Agency said in a brief statement. "Yet to
confirm the nature of explosion or casualties."
Emergency
officials confirmed the blasts occurred at the base of the 1st Mechanized
Division near the town of Kawo and at the air force's training base near
Mando. The officials declined to be named given the sensitivity of the matter.
Army
and air force spokesmen could not be immediately reached for comment.
Nigeria’s
foremost economist, Prof. Sam Aluko is dead, aged 83. He died Tuesday, February 7, 2012 in a London hospital, United Kingdom.
His
views on the nation’s economy are internationally respected.
Although
he was criticised for serving in the late Gen. Sani Abacha as Chairman,
National Economic Intelligence, but Aluko in a recent interview before his
death, said he had no regrets in serving the late General Sani Abacha as
economic adviser.
The
late Aluko who hailed from Ekiti state, graduated with a distinction from the
London School of Economics. Whilst a student there in the 1950s, he criticised
the budget of the government of Obafemi Awolowo so often, that to shut him up,
the Western Region withdrew his scholarship and requested that he return to
Nigeria.
The
school authorities however replied that if the scholarship were to be
withdrawn, the school would take over and foot the bill. He was thereafter sent
a letter of congratulations signed by Chief Awolowo himself.
By
the time Nigeria’s Constitutional Conference was held in 1957, Awolowo invited
the young Aluko for dinner, and thereafter began to seek his council on
economic policies. When Nigeria attained independence in 1960, Aluko entered
politics as the Secretary General of the Ekiti Peoples Party from where he was
elected Chairman of the Ado District Council.
Many
notable economists passed through him in his days in the University of Ife
where he was the first Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences
Michael Okonko-Nwoso and Wife, Catherine at Ikoyi Registry, Lagos, Nigeria
DETECTIVES
are offering a reward of up to £20,000 in an attempt to catch the killers of a
minicab driver in Abbey Wood.
On
June 19 2010 at 4.55am Nigerian Michael
Okonko-Nwoso was found collapsed in Cookhill Road, lying by his silver Ford
Galaxy (ND52 DJX).
The
doors of the vehicle were open but valuable items such as a Sat-Nav were still
in the car. Mr Okonko-Nwoso, a
married father-of-two from Plumstead, was taken to hospital suffering from head
injuries but died later that day.
Officers
continue to appeal for help in identifying a person who was seen in the area
around the time of the 49-year-old's death, who was caught on CCTV in nearby
Eynsham Drive.
Detective Chief
Inspector Charles King,
who is leading the investigation for the Homicide and Serious Crime Command,
said: "Almost two years on from Michael's
death we are no closer to establishing a motive for his murder.
However,
what we do know is that Michael was
a law-abiding, hardworking family man who died whilst going about his everyday
business. He has left behind his wife
Catherine and two young daughters who are devastated without him. "We
know that he was in the Sewell Road area shortly after 4.30am on the day he
died.
"We
are still very keen to speak to anybody who was in Sewell Road or Cookhill Road
any time between 4am and 5am."I am still particularly keen to speak to a
man captured on CCTV running along the parade of shops between 4.42am and
4.44am in Eynsham Drive, Abbey Wood, around the time Michael was injured as they may have vital information.
Officers continue to appeal for help in identifying
a
person who was seen in the area around the time of
the 49-year-old's death, who
was caught on CCTV
in nearby Eynsham Drive.
"I
would urge anyone who recognises the man to contact the police."
Between
June 19, 2010 and January 19 last year four men, aged 19, 27, 28 and 34 were
arrested in connection with the investigation. They have all been released with
no further action.
Anyone
with information should call 020 8721 4054 or Crimestoppers anonymously
on 0800 555 111.
Detectives
from the investigation will be in and around Cookhill Road tomorrow today, February 7 from midday.
Jay-Z put on his white Tom Ford
dinner jacket and charitable cap for tonight's big event at Carnegie
Hall. And even Nas & Alicia Keys made surprise
appearances.
As
part of the Shawn Carter Foundation's philanthropic work to
benefit United Way, new papa Jay-Z
took the stage for the first of 2 nights of charitable concerts. Check
out his first live performance of the song he
did with (and for) his new baby girl Blue
Ivy:
Jay opened up
the whole with a 36-piece orchestra and his tracks "PSA" and
"Thank You". Then went into "Most Kingz" and "You
Don't Know." And performed umpteen of his other tracks throughout
the night.
Alicia
Keys made a surprise appearance to rock the stage with Hov for "Empire
State of Mind." And Nas hit the stage for "N.Y. State of
Mind" (Nas' track off Illmatic) with Mrs. Keyz-Beatz and also his own
track "If I Ruled the World."
How
is that even possible? She looks FABULOUS. First photo of Beyoncé since giving
birth to Baby Blue IVY Carter. She stepped out in support of husband Jay Z‘s
two night stint at New York’s historic Carnegie Hall. And it was
all in support of her hubby Jay-Z. Beyoncé in red at Carnegie Hall AND at the
afterparty at 40/40 inside...
That
Grape Juice is reporting that she is soon scheduled to return to the set of her
Clint Eastwood-directed next film ‘A Star Is Born’.
The
real question is, how did she get back in shape so quick. It’s only been a
month. Interesting OH!
A
police station (Sharada Police Station) has come under attack from gunmen in
the northern Nigerian city of Kano earlier this evening. Eyewitnesses spoke of
hearing a large explosion followed by gunshots in the Sharada district.
Explosions
were also heard at a market in the flashpoint north-eastern city of Maiduguri,
AFP news agency reports.
The
region saw a series of co-ordinated attacks last month by Islamist militant
group Boko Haram, which left more than 150 people dead.
Boko
Haram has said it wants to overthrow the national government and install an
Islamic state.
Gunfire
could still be heard around the police station in Sharada more than an hour
after the first explosion, Reuters news agency reports.
Resident
Bala Salisu told AFP he had just arrived home in time for a curfew when he
heard the blast.
"Shortly,
gunshots followed. From what I heard it sounded like a shootout," he said.
To
the east, a senior military official in Maiduguri, Col Victor Ebhaleme,
confirmed to AFP that blasts had been heard in the market area of the city.
Maiduguri
resident Aisha Goni told AFP: "I heard five explosions around the market
and plumes of of black smoke... filled the air.
"The
market is still on fire. Soldiers and policeman have taken over the whole
area."
Former
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Matthew Tawo Mbu, is dead. A statement by veteran
photojournalist, Sunmi Smart-Cole on behalf of the family on Monday announced
the passing of their patriarch in London at the age of 82.
Funeral
arrangements will be announced later.
Chief
Mbu was born on November 20, 1929, in Okundi, Cross River State. He received
his early education at Okundi Primary School from 1937 to 1940.
He
also attended the Kakwagon Seminary School between 1941and 1943 before
proceeding to Middle Temple and University College, London, from 1955 to 1959
where he received the LLB and the LLM. Chief Mbu was subsequently called to the
Bar, Middle Temple.
Chief
M.T. Mbu’s political career began with his membership of Parliament from 1952
to 1955. He has also served his country in various capacities including:
•Federal
Minister of Labour, 1954
•High
Commissioner to UK, 1955 to 1959
•Representative
of Nigeria, Washington DC. 1966.
He
holds the distinction of being the youngest Nigerian ever to serve in the
federal cabinet. Between 1960 and 1966, Chief Mbu returned to serve again in
Parliament. During the latter stint in Parliament, he also doubled as Federal
Minister of Defense for Naval Affairs.
He
was appointed Chairman, Eastern Nigeria Public Service Commission in 1967, and
became Member Constituent Assembly, 1977- 78. He was first national
vice-chairman, Nigeria People’s Party, 1979 to 1981 before ‘decamping’ to the
National Party of Nigeria from 1981 to 1983.
On
several occasions, Chief Mbu has represented his Nation as an ambassador to
foreign countries including a recent appointment as Ambassador to Germany. He
has also served as the Pro-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife,
Nigeria.
Ambassador
Mbu is married to Katherine Anigbo and blessed with six children.
Chief
Mbu was also leader of the South-South Peoples Assembly, (SSPA); a
non-political organization that was created to help promote the interests of
the peoples of South-South geo-political zone.
According
to Vanguard ex-Militants undergoing training under the Federal Government
Amnesty Programme, Monday, bombed a hotel, (Vanguard withheld the hotel name) ,
Osubi in Okpe local government area of Delta State, which served as their
temporal home since last year.
The
ex-militants alleged that the consultant was colluding with the management of
the hotel to deprive them of their entitlements and shelled the hotel with
dynamites.
The
hotel management and a source close to the consultant, Generic College,
however, described the allegation as unfounded.
It was gathered that the ex-militants were not interested in staying in
the hotel or undergoing any training and what they simply wanted was for the
consultant to give them money meant for their hotel accommodation and other
allowances.
It
was gathered that for some months running, it had been a running battle between
the consultant and the recalcitrant ex-militants.
Lawfab Hotel...
When
Vanguard visited the hotel, it was discovered that a section of the two-storey
building collapsed as a result of the bombing. Several rooms were affected and
the debris of the shattered blocks, doors and roof were all over the place.
Delta
State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim MammanTsafe, Director of SSS in the
state, Area Commanders of Police in Ughelli and Warri visited the scene of the
incident, Monday.
The
Joint Task Force on the Niger-Delta, Anti-Terrorism Squad and Anti-Bomb Squad
were said to have made some arrest as the time of our visit but the details
were not available.
An
official of the hotel who spoke to Vanguard said he got a report at about 4.00
am on Monday that the hotel was collapsing and rushed down to the hotel, only
to find the ex-militants in a “war” mood.
THIS
week marks the eighth International Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation
(FGM) Day on February 6.
Highlighting the issue of FGM and seeking to improve the quality of life of
vulnerable African girls and women is FORWARD(Foundation for Women's Health
Research and Development); an African Diaspora charity, which has campaigned
for countless years to end FGM around the world.
Here,
Janelle Oswald speaks toFORWARD’s Executive Director Naana
Otoo-Oyortey, OBE, and Policy and Information Officer Estelle Robinson to learn
about the myths and realities of this widely condemned practice.
What is FGM, and who practises
it?
FGM
is sometimes called Female Genital Cutting (FGC) or Female Circumcision (FC)
and involves the removal of part of the external female genitalia for socio
cultural reasons.
People practice it because it is something that their mothers, grandmothers and
great grandmothers have practiced for a very long time and the primary reasons
for the practice of FGM are marriage, sexual control and economics for many
communities.
There are four types of FGM. Type one is where the clitoris or the clitoral
hood is cut off. Type two is where the clitoris and inner lips are removed.
Type
three is where the clitoris, inner lips and outer lips are cut away and the
remaining skin is sewn or sealed, leaving only a small opening (infibulation).
And type four is all other harmful practices, which could include pricking,
piercing, cutting, scraping and burning.
What is the biggest myth about
FGM?
The
biggest myth about FGM is that it is a religious/Islamic obligation. But there
is no evidence to suggest that FGM is required by Islam, Christianity, Judaism,
or any other religion.
Islamic scholars and clerics have stressed that Islam forbids people from
inflicting harm on others, and that those putting their daughters through FGM,
or carrying out or aiding FGM, are going against the teachings of Islam.
However, FGM is not only practised by Muslims but is also common among
Christians, particular Coptic Christians in Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia.
Further myths that surround the female genitalia include its impact on hygiene,
basic biology (e.g. it will grow, it will damage the baby), sexuality and
fidelity. The reality is that so many different reasons are given to justify
this practice.
SAD: A young girl is held down before undergoing FGM
Is FGM only an African problem?
No.
While FGM is predominantly seen to be an African problem – and is practiced in
at over 28 countries in Africa – it is also prevalent in parts of the Middle
East and South East Asia.
FGM is also a major issue of concern in Australia, Europe and North America.
This is a result of the increased migration of affected communities.
Does FGM take place in the UK?
It
is practiced in the UK on girls including British born girls from families from
FGM-affected countries. In the UK, current estimates indicate that over 100,000
women have been affected by FGM in England and Wales alone.
The European Parliament estimates that over 500,000 women and girls have
undergone FGM within Europe. Unpublished data from the Midwifery Department of
City University indicates that between 2007 and 2009, about 7000 women affected
by FGM delivered babies in UK hospitals.
What can readers do to fight
against FGM?
FGM
is a global human rights violation and requires action at a global level to
ensure effective accountability and action to end this practice. As we mark theInternational Day of Zero Tolerance to FGMon
February 6, this is a time for global action. It would be great to ask the UK
government to put in place a national action plan to tackle FGM.
Action areas required for readers include writing to your local MP to influence
the UK government to take more proactive action to end FGM in the UK and to
provide development assistance to end it globally. Join campaigns at local
levels to support community-based organisations to empower communities to end
FGM and join the global move to end FGM and raise your voice.
TRADITIONS: Some of the instruments used for the practice
What medical help is available
for women who have been affected by FGM?
In
the UK, girls and women who have had FGM and experience health complications
can access specialist health services that meet their specific needs.
GPs, or health care professional (e.g. midwives or health visitors) are there
to help with any health issues associated with FGM. Some hospitals and clinics
also provide specialist FGM services in their African Well Women Clinics.
These free specialist services provide a wide range of medical support, advice
and information to any girl or woman who has undergone FGM.
How
does male circumcision differ from FGM?
Physically,
in male circumcision only the foreskin is removed without harming the penis
itself. If male circumcision was the same as FGM for women, then most of the
penis would be cut off.
Psychologically and medically, there are more lasting damage inflicted on a
woman who has undergone FGM than a man who has undergone male circumcision.
But the most important differences are the reasons behind the practices. FGM is
carried out as a societal control on women.
Unlike FGM, male circumcision is not performed to preserve virginity or to
decrease male sexual desire or drive. Male circumcision is not linked to the
control of men’s sexual behaviour while FGM is practiced as a way to control
women’s sexual behaviours to make sure they remain virgins before marriage and
faithful during marriage.
REALITY: Blunt and Dirty instrument used to carry out FGM
Where do you see the future of
African Women?
While
many people have wrongly said that the campaign against FGM is being pushed by
Westerners, this seems to negate the role of many committed African women who
have bravely stood up against this practice and paved the way by breaking the
silence on this taboo subject.
Indeed, while action is required from all players to address the issue, what is
required to make a break with this age old tradition is when women from
communities that practice FGM come together to take action to end it.
African women can play a catalytic role to build the capacity of key players,
make their voices heard and raise resources to provide support services. The
time is now and we all need to play our part.
As
part of measures to ensure sustainable peace and reduce social tension in the
state, the Kano State government has planned to marry off 1,000 widows any time
from now.
This
was revealed by Malam Aminu Daurawa, commander-general of the state Hisba
Board, at the command’s office on Sharada Road in Kano metropolis.
He said that the measure is aimed, among
others, at making young men become more
responsible to themselves and to the
society, “and is going to be sustained,”
he said.
This
is coming on the heels of the havoc wrought on the state by the attacks of Boko
Haram during which over 200 lives were lost recently.
All
that Seun, the shocked husband of 22-year-old woman, simply known as Mama
Favour, who allegedly hanged herself last week Wednesday, could mutter was “my
wife o” as the lifeless body dangled from the room ceiling. Seun, a 28-year-old
petrol station attendant, living at No. 31, Sumonu Giwa Street, Ile-Epo, Iyana
Ipaja area of Lagos State had come home on that fateful night to discover the
lifeless body of his wife hanging by the rope in their room in what appeared to
be an apparent suicide. No one could say specifically the reason behind her
action as she left no suicide note.
However,
some of the neighbours who spoke with Community Mirror on condition of
anonymity, said the deceased had been behaving strangely of late. They noted
that said she was too reclusive and never related with anyone in the
neighbourhood. Investigation revealed that Seun returned home late and found
the door to his room locked as their 10 month old baby was crying
uncontrollably.
Following
this, he continued knocking, expecting his wife to open the door. Agitated, he
bellowed and threatened to break down the door. Later, he forcefully broke into
the room and came face to face with the gory sight of his deceased wife
dangling on the rope she allegedly used to hang herself some hours earlier. At
that point, he raised the alarm, alerting the neighbours, especially his
landlord, Mr. Ajadi, who later called the police.
Narrating
the unfortunate incident to Community Mirror; Mr. Ajadi said: “At 10pm on
January 25, 2012, I was about taking dinner when I heard a loud noise from Seun
and I rushed to ask what had happened. He was just shouting: ‘my wife my wife!’
“I asked about his wife and he replied that I should come to the room to see
for myself. When I got to there, I saw the body of his wife dangling from the
ceiling. I was shocked but I immediately went to the police station to report
the incident. They later came to see what had happened. The police later took
pictures of the scene.
She
had, on several occasions left home in the dead of night and wandered till day
break. In fact, some of the husband’s relatives had advised him to take her to
her parents till she would be psychologically stable.” Another neighbour said:
“Truly, we heard the baby’s cry last night, but that was not the only time it
had happened. We did not bother to find out what was amiss because she never
related with anyone in the compound as she was always keeping to herself and
had no friends. So, we thought it was just the usual baby cry. It was only when
her husband came back and shouted that we knew what had happened.”
Fabio
Capello has risked the wrath of his employers the Football Association after
expressing his disapproval at their decision to strip John Terry of the England
captaincy.
In
candid interview with Italian state broadcaster Rai 1 Capello has openly backed
the Chelsea man, who on Friday learnt he will not captain his country at the
European Championship.
"I
completely disagree with the FA about the John Terry decision and I have told
that to the chairman," said Capello.
"The
court will decide. It's going to be civil justice, not sports justice, to
decide if John Terry committed that crime that he is accused of".
"I
considered and still consider Terry as the England captain. I think we first
should wait for the trial conclusion."
Terry
is awaiting trial after being accused of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers
defender Anton Ferdinand in a Premier League game which took place in October.
The case will be heard on July 9, just days after the end of Euro 2012.
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