Police arrest 52 kidnap suspects, recover arms, N6.8m cash

Rivers Police Command says it has arrested 52 suspected kidnappers, rescued six victims and recovered N6.8 million ransom paid to the suspects.
Mr Joseph Mbu, the Police Commissioner in the state, announced this in Port Harcourt on Thursday at a news conference, saying that nine kidnap suspects escaped during arrest.
He said that a large quantity of arms and ammunition were also recovered and that the feat was achieved within three months of his assumption of office in the state.
The police commissioner said that the command recorded 18 kidnap cases.
‘’We have recorded 18 kidnapping cases; we were able to rescue six and we arrested 52, those who escaped were nine.''
He said the command recovered 20 Ak47 rifles, one G3, five pump actions guns and an automatic pump action ones.
Others care 82 magazines and 1,450 rounds of AK47 ammunition.
``We have also recovered some dynamites, some cars (nine) and welding pipes.''
http://localgovtswatch.blogspot.com/

Obama praises democracy in Africa, honours Mandela, visits former slave post

U.S. President Barack Obama has hailed Africa's democratic progress and ``amazing changes" during a visit to Senegal on Thursday, the first stop on a three-country tour of the continent. The U.S. President  visited a former slave-trading post in Senegal today, saying the experience was a ``powerful" reminder of the need to stand up for human rights.
Obama made the comments during an afternoon visit to Goree Island, a rocky isle that sits three kilometres off the coast of Dakar.
It is the site of the house of slaves, from where African slaves were shipped to America starting in 1740.
Obama earlier hailed Africa's democratic progress and "amazing changes", notably in Senegal - the first stop on a three-country tour of the continent.``I'm making this visit to Africa because I see this as a moment of great progress and great promise for the continent," he said, after meeting Senegal's President Macky Sall in the capital, Dakar
Obama said Senegal is one of the most stable democracies in Africa.
The U.S. President was welcome by crowds dressed in white who lined the streets waving posters and banners.
Obama's trip - his second to Africa during his time as president - is being overshadowed by the failing health of South African legend Nelson Mandela, who is clinging to life in a Pretoria hospital.
``Mandela is a personal hero and a hero for the world," Obama said from Dakar's presidential palace. ``If and when he passes away, his legacy will linger on through the ages."
The tour, which also includes, South Africa and Tanzania, is expected to focus on promoting good governance and forging stronger economic links. Obama and Sall discussed economic ties and bilateral relations.
``Africa is a continent that's going somewhere with a strong workforce...we want to offer greater opportunities to our young people and grow in prosperity and industry," said 51-year-old Sall.
Obama visited Senegal's Supreme Court, where he met with judges from several West African countries.
``I believe that the rule of law is a foundation for governance and also a foundation for human rights and economic growth," he said.
``Rule of law is what upholds universal human rights. Sometimes, when no one else will, a judge can stand up on behalf of someone."
Although Senegal has made great strides in the realm of justice in recent months, laying the groundwork for an international court and jailing the son of former President Abdoulaye Wade for fraud, Obama said it still faces ``great challenges."
Obama earlier praised the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on gay marriage as ``a victory" for human rights. But gay relationships remain against the law in Senegal.
Sall said he was not ready to make homosexuality legal in Senegal, ``although we do respect the rights of the individual.
``Each country has different cultures, different traditions. Just like with the death penalty, we must respect each others' stance," Sall added.
Obama is accompanied by first lady Michelle and his daughters Malia and Sasha on the Africa tour.
Michelle and her Senegalese counterpart Mareme, visited Martin Luther King school in Dakar where they met students.
The first lady honoured Mandela in a speech at the school.
``If President Mandela could endure being confined to a tiny cell, being forced to perform back-breaking labor...then you can honour his legacy by leaving a proud legacy of your own," she told students.
Senegal political analyst Aly Ndiaye said the choice of school was symbolic.
``There is solidarity between the Obama family and the Senegalese people," he said.
``Martin Luther King walked so that Obama could run, so that black children in Africa and the U.S. will be able to fly."
The Obamas are expected to visit former slave-trading post Goree Island on Thursday, a one-time launching point for West African slaves sent to the U.S.
http://localgovtswatch.blogspot.com/

FG recovers £22.5m Abacha loot

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke, said on Thursday that his ministry had recovered more than twenty million pounds allegedly stolen from Nigeria’s coffers.
Adoke, who said this at the 2013 Ministerial Platform in Abuja, noted that the money was recovered from one Raj Arjandes Bhojwani, an Indian national and associate of late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha.
He said that the assets were recovered in 2011, adding that the ministry was able to recover and repatriate the money following its negotiations with the Island of Jersey.
``During the period under review, the ministry intensified its efforts to trace and repatriate Nigeria’s stolen assets abroad
``In this connection, we have maintained effective liaison and communication with targeted jurisdictions to keep pace with assets recovery proceedings in those jurisdictions
``In 2011, our close liaison and negotiation with the Island of Jersey led to the recovery and repatriation of the sum of £22.5 million confiscated by the Royal Court of Jersey from Raj Arjandes Bhojwani, an Indian national and associate of General Sani Abacha on account of his money laundering transactions from Nigeria.“
Adoke also said that the Principality of Liechtenstein recently confiscated the sum of Euro 175 million from the Abacha family and associate companies in Liechtenstein
The minister said although Nigeria had not recovered nor repatriated the money following an appeal lodged by the companies involved, the ministry would ensure the repatriation of the money.
``We continued the liaison and negotiations with the Principality of Liechtenstein, which recently confiscated the sum of Euro 175 million from the Abacha family and associated companies in Liechtenstein following a confiscation order by the Supreme Court of Liechtenstein
``However, the companies involved have lodged an appeal against the decision before the European Court of Justice in Strasburg
``As soon as the appeal is concluded, firm arrangements consistent with the asset recovery provisions of the United Nations convention against corruption would be made to repatriate the forfeited sums to Nigeria. “
Adoke said that the ministry recorded significant improvement in the institutionalisation of reforms in the justice sector aimed at improving access to justice.
He said that the ministry also made improvement in terms of prosecution of crimes and defence of civil cases
Adoke also said the ministry had made improvement in mainstreaming the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act as well as effort to reform business and investment laws.
http://localgovtswatch.blogspot.com/

PENGASSAN gives FG 7-day strike notice

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) had given a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet its demand or face industrial action.
The PENGASSAN General Secretary, Mr Bayo Olowoshile, gave the notice at the end of its meeting in Lagos today. (Thursday)
The grievances are; migration of permanent jobs to contract and outsource labour to deny Nigerians the rights and benefits of full employment and commensurate compensations in the Oil and Gas Sector.
``We are also not happy that the government is paying lip service toward effective integration and compliance with the ratified International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions, as an integral part of Nigerian extant laws,’’ he said.
The PENGASSAN scribe said the union was unhappy over the exclusion of the union in the recently constituted committee addressing the its reported case on pipeline sabotage and oil thefts issues.
He said that the resultant divestment decision and imminent job loses triggered by oil theft and bunkering, coupled with unchecked illegal refining activities, should be resolved.
``Indecision around new and ongoing projects and investment flights considerations resulting from government’s delay in passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, is also a problem,’’ he said.
Olowoshile said it was the duty of the government to tackle the problem of illegal bunkering and oil theft to sustain development in the oil sector.
``It is our duty as labour to boost the confidence of the existing and potential investors who yearn for enabling environment for the existing and future business interests and projects lest the nation misses investment opportunities to the detriment of all and sundry.’’
He urged the government to fund the Department of Petroleum Resources as well as harmonise the nomenclature of agencies and institutions along NNPC.
http://localgovtswatch.blogspot.com/

FG gives Dana Airline 6 months ultimatum to pay claims of crash victims or face sanction

The Federal Government today (Thursday) gave Dana Airline six months’ ultimatum to pay the claims of the families of the victims of the June 3, 2012 plane crash or face sanctions.
The Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, gave the ultimatum at the 2013 Ministerial Platform in Abuja.
She said the airline had paid up to 60 per cent of the claims to the victims' families but experienced a delay due to double claims that needed to be clarified.
  ``Dana has actually done very well in terms of compensating accident victims. The challenge Dana has is that of multiple claims, the multiple claims made it difficult to ascertain who should collect.
  ``And until they are able to do that, they will not pay multiple claims and we will continue verifying and re-verifying to ascertain who should be the next of kin to claim the money but I know Dana has done up to 60 per cent.
``However, Dana is giving to December, if they fail to pay completely, we would have to sanction them, they are aware of that so I am sure they are accelerating the process.``
She said the sector had put up some strategies to ensure that air accidents became things of the past in Nigeria.
Oduah said the government was rendering additional assistance to families of victims of aircraft accident, adding that the approval of the Victim Family Insurance Package (VFAP) had been secured from the Nigerian Insurance Commission (NAICOM).
She said discussions were in progress between NCAA and Zenith Bank on the implementation of the VFAP, while family assistance centre would be established to take care of emergencies.

2013 FIFA U-20 WC: Nigeria qualifies for Round of 16 after beating S/Korea 1-0

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria on Thursday defeated South Korea 1-0, to qualify from Group B for the knockout stage or round of 16.
The match was at the ongoing 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey.
The Nigerians finished second in Group B with six points behind seven-point Portugal, which defeated Cuba 5-0 in the other match in the group.
Olanrewaju Kayode put Nigeria ahead when he headed home a free kick from the left by skipper Abduljaleel Ajagun in the ninth minute.
Defender Wilfred Ndidi came close with header after 15 minutes off a corner and moments later Kayode’s shot missed narrowly after he was put through on goal by Michael Olaitan.
Shehu Abdullahi also missed with a header inside the box after 32 minutes and minutes later Kayode turned sharply inside the box but his effort missed target.
In the 54th minute, Nigerian goalkeeper Samuel had to dive to stop Sunggyu Han right inside his goal area.
Nigeria continued to dominate the game, but failed to utilise the chances they had created.
Kayode then forced goalkeeper Changgeun Lee to make a big save after 73 minutes and seven minutes later, substitute Samuel Eduok saw his effort from the left hit the side net.
Here's how they finished after the final Group B matches Thursday.
Team        MP W D L GF GA Pts
Portugal    3     2   1  0  10  4     7
Nigeria      3     2   0  1    6  3     6
S/Korea     3     1   1   1   4  4     4
Cuba          3     0   0   3   1 10    0
The first two teams in each of the six groups qualified for the round of 16 alongside the four best losers.
http://localgovtswatch.blogspot.com/