Peace returns to Ife as Ooni inaugurates truth and reconciliation committee (Read full details)

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Burnt houses during the mayhem…last week

• Police probe panel arrives to investigate ethnic clash

Peace has returned to Ife in Osun State after last week’s fracas between Yoruba and Hausa communities.Meanwhile, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has inaugurated a truth and reconciliation committee to ensure peace between the warring communities in the ancient city.

Oba Ogunwusi inaugurated the committee in his palace on Saturday in Ile-Ife, Osun. The Ooni described members of the Hausa community in Ile-Ife as his subjects and co-owners of the town with whom he has enjoyed tremendous loyalty in the last 14 months of his reign.

“Thank God for the normalcy, I commend Governor Rauf Aregbesola for being proactive and the security agents for their efforts towards ending the crisis,” he said.

The royal father condemned the actions of those behind the fracas on Wednesday and expressed optimism that they will soon be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.

He assured the residents that the situation had been brought under control by the government and promised that such mayhem would not be allowed to occur again.

The monarch admonished the Hausa community not to retaliate, saying that the Abuja motor park would be relocated from Sabo, while the police station would be relocated too. He urged all the Yoruba citizens to always embrace the Hausa settlers and other ethnic groups as their brothers and sisters for a peaceful co-existence.

The committee is chaired by Obalufe of Ireland, Oba Idowu Adediwura. Other members are the Jaran of Ife, High Chief Ademola Adeyeye; Wasin of Ilare, High Chief Zacheus Olasode, Seriki Hausa of Ife, Alhaji Mamuda Mandagali; Ezendigbo of Ife, Ezekiel Onyejekde; Okobairo of Urhobo, David Akpomedaye; Chairman, Modakeke Progressive Union, Alhaji Tajudeen Oke and security agencies, while Senator Babajide Omoware is the adviser for the committee.

Meanwhile, the probe panel setup by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to investigate the communal clash arrived Osun State on Saturday.

The Osun State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Folasade Odoro, confirmed the arrival of the Hammed Bello-led panel in the state to newsmen in Osogbo.

Idris had appointed Bello, the Commissioner in charge of Military Police at the Force Headquarters, to head the panel.The panel is to look into the immediate and remote causes of the clash and submit its findings to the police authorities for appropriate action to prevent future occurrence of the incident.

The team is expected to visit leaders of the ethnic groups involved in the conflict as well as pay courtesy visit on the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, in his palace, and other stakeholders in the city.

Odoro told newsmen that detectives were still on the trail of some suspected culprits, adding that 10 persons have been arrested and were assisting the police in their investigation.

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2mhtmt3

Mandela, Tutu encouraged me to contest presidential election, says Obasanjo (Read full details)

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Olusegun Obasanjo

Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday disclosed that he sought advice from the late South African President, Nelson Mandela and renowned Reverend Desmond Tutu, another South African statesman before deciding to contest the 1999 presidential election.

Obasanjo who spoke in Abeokuta explained that after his release from prison in 1999 over his alleged involvement in a fathom coup, he became confused when people started putting pressure on him to contest the country’s presidency.

With this scenario, he sought advice from Mandela and Tutu who encouraged him to contest.

The former president spoke during a thanksgiving service, organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ogun State chapter as part of activities marking his 80th birthday, which falls on Sunday, March 5.

Obasanjo told the congregation which included politicians, traditional rulers, clerics, top government officials and a cross section of the society that God had been “partial” to him in the manner he has favoured him.

He stressed that he didn’t deserve the favour God had shown him to achieve his modest achievement in life.

Obasanjo recalled, “ When I came out from prison for an offence I didn’t commit and people started putting pressure on me to be Nigeria’s President, I was confused but in that confusion I sought advice. I went first to Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Mandela said Olu, whatever your instinct tells you, follow it.

“God have been so partial to me by showing me much favour to achieve what I didn’t deserve. God has done for me much more I deserve. I praise God and I thank God for this.”

Governor Ibikunle Amosun in his brief remark described Obasanjo as an exemplary leader, saying he means a lot to so many people.

Represented by his Deputy, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga, he said the people of the state are proud to have him as a citizen of the state.

In his sermon, Bishop Oke described Obasanjo as a great man who God raised for the greatness of Nigeria.

His words: “In every generation, God raises a man for his people. Like Abraham, Joseph, Samuel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Peter, and Paul, baba (Obasanjo) is a hero God raised for our generation.”

He said though Obasanjo had retired from the helm of affairs in the country, he was still working silently.

The clergyman said Obasanjo had laboured to see a new Nigeria, praying he would live long to see a better and new Nigeria.

He admonished Obasanjo to seek forgiveness from God, forgive every individual that had offended him from the heart as well as to bring close his associates to school and motivate them so that they would build on his legacy.

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Cameroun may lose Broos to South Africa before Eagles’ game

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Cameroun players lift their coach, Hugo Broos, in celebration after beating Egypt 2-1 to win the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations at the Stade de l’Amitie Sino-Gabonaise in Libreville…on Sunday. PHOTO: AFP.

Cameroun may meet Nigeria in their back-to-back Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers without their African Nations Cup winning coach, Hugo Broos.

Nigeria will host Cameroun in the first leg of the qualifier in August and travel to Limbe for the return leg in September.

Four points from the matches will push the Super Eagles closer to the World Cup, while Cameroun needs to beat Nigeria in the two games to overtake Gernot Rohr’s team on top of the Group B table.

However, Cameroun are in danger of losing Broos, who is being courted by South Africa to take over from the sacked Shakes Mashaba.

South African Football Federation (SAFA) yesterday listed Broos alongside former Cote d’Ivoire coach, Harve Renard, Portugal’s Carlos Quirezo, former England boss, Roy Hodgson and Cliff Baxter.

SAFA is expected to unveil the new coach as early as next month before the Bafana Bafana meet Angola and Guinea Bissau in two international friendlies.

Reports from South Africa say the shortlist was made by Bafana Bafana legends, Benni McCarthy, Lucas Radebe and Neil Tovey.

SAFA will meet next week where it is scheduled to announce the new coach.

According to the reports, negotiation of contract and salary with the prospect coach are already in place.

The new coach is expected to have his first competitive match with Bafana Bafana in June when they visit Uyo to face Nigeria at the start of the 2019 Nations Cup qualifiers.

He will also be tasked to guide the team in the last four 2018 Russia World Cup qualifiers from August to November against Cape Verde, Burkina Faso and Senegal.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lEtdDa

Why women should eat during labour, by study

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PHOTO: bebeimame.ba

*Scientists claim good dose of carbs could speed up birth, recovery

Women should eat during labor to make the birth quicker and shorten their recovery time, scientists claim.

Expectant mothers are often told they can have nothing other than ice chips after they enter the first stage of labour.

Until now, doctors have feared mid-push food could cause the woman to choke, or would affect the anesthetic if they needed an emergency C-section.

But a new analysis shows they can have much more than some frozen droplets, and it won’t cause them any problems.

In fact, keeping hydrated and having carbohydrates helps muscles to work better – especially the uterus – giving an energy boost, and allowing for a shorter stint in hospital.

Researchers from the Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, United States (U.S.), analyzed 10 trials that included 3,982 women in labor.

All participants were only delivering one child – not twins or triplets – and were not at risk of a cesarean section.

Those who were allowed to eat and drink more than ice chips and water had labors that were shorter by 16 minutes on average.

And they were not at an increased risk of choking or vomiting under general anesthetic – a concern raised in a study from the 1940s, according to the study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2kAVuY1

Court stops FCDA’s plan to demolish Abuja community

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High Court

Forced evictions are prohibited under international law, says AI

A federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo, Abuja has given judgment against the Federal Capital Development Authority (FDCA) in its bid to evict residents of Mpape community. The court described the attempt as illegal and unlawful.

Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi, after hearing the witnesses, evidence and processes in over four and half years of the court process and having himself passed through three courts in Bwari, Jabi and the judgment court at Apo, made the declaration in favour of Mpape residents in the matter.

Residents of Mpape community, which is within Bwari area council, had instituted a court action in July 2012 challenging the legality of demolition threat by officials of the Department of Development Control of the FCDA who served the residents with quit notice.

The residents, in response, protested the planned eviction of the densely populated community covering approximately 400 hectares of land, which, according to census figures of the Mpape Residents Community Development Association (MRCDA) has over 60,000 houses and thousands of residents.

At the court sitting yesterday, Justice Kutigi, in his declaration, granted judgment in favour of the plaintiffs due to failure of the defendants to issue statutory notices in compliance with provisions of applicable laws and due process before embarking on actions aimed at demolishing their properties at Mpape. He declared the action as illegal and unlawful.

The judge also declared that: “The defendants cannot demolish the plaintiffs’ house situated in Mpape. Properties identified included MT105 along Ajegunle street, No. RB55 Arab road, No. B239 behind Catholic Church on Ajegunle road, No. 1 Okenugo opposite Berger quarry road, No. 1 Olutanmola lane G.R.A Mpape and other structures and facilities attached to land in Mpape, FCT with strict compliance with requirements of applicable laws.”

He said the Federal Government is signatory to international treaties, protocols and conventions, adding that these obligations must be respected.While counsels to both the plaintiff and defendant were in court, Bwari Area Council, under which Mpape is situated was absent.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International (AI) has expressed concern on the fate of Mpape residents had the court judgment been pronounced in favor of the FCDA.

Nigeria’s Housing and Social Rights Researcher for AI, Morayo Adebayo said: “It will be used as an excuse to forcibly evict thousands of Mpape residents, many of whom have lived there for decades and have no alternative homes.

“This would be a violation of Nigeria’s human rights obligations under a range of international and regional treaties.“Forced evictions are prohibited under international law in all circumstances.”

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2k7D2bx

No going back on closure of Abuja airport as minister inaugurates security committee

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Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja

Minister of state for Aviation, Senator Hadi Serika, yesterday foreclosed the possibility of yielding to pressure not to temporarily shut down the Nnamdi Azikiwe international airport Abuja to pay way for rehabilitation work on its runway.

The minister who met with members of the House of Representatives committee on Aviation to defend his ministry ‘s 2017 budget proposal also allayed the fears being nursed by travelers that the Abuja – Kaduna expressway is unsafe.

He stated that his ministry, in conjunction with key stakeholders like security personnel have put in place measure to ensure a hitch free trip for those that will use the Kaduna alternate airport.

According to him: “The process has commenced and it will culminate in the closure of the airport. Unfortunately, for the period 8th of March and to open 19th of April.

“This as I said is done in the interest of safety. Just before coming, I inaugurated a high level committee headed by AIG, membership of an Air vice Marshall, top officials of the civil defence, SSS, and other paramilitary services. They will be in charge of the security of the road between Kaduna and Abuja and from Kaduna to the airport.

“They will carry out the operation using the normal patrol style and there will also be the air patrol and other means of ensuring the safety and security of passengers and goods as they travel. The Kaduna state government also deserves commendation.

“They are constructing the road from the airport to Mando, and also from the airport to Rigachikum. They have already put streetlights, they have cleared the bush and they are even servicing the road. And they are also doing total rehabilitation of the Nnamdi Azikiwe road to the western bypass in Kaduna. We have met with stakeholders, including hoteliers and car hire owners, restaurants and other service providers in Kaduna. So Kaduna is ready to receive the expected traffic within this period.”

The inaugurated security committee to be chaired by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Alkali Usman Baba, was given the task of providing security at the Abuja and Kaduna Airport including the road and rail transport.

It will also monitor traffic movements from Abuja to Kaduna airport, provide security to passengers and cargo between the airport, among other security issues as deemed necessary.

The Director Safety and Technical Policy in the Ministry would serve as the Vice Chairman, while members include Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Department of State Security Services (DSS), Nigeria Air Force (NAF) and the Nigerian Army.

Other members of the committee include Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Airport Authority Aviation Security (AVSEC), Department of Air Transport Management and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2k7q3GU