EMIR OF GWOZA KILLED BY BOKO HARAM TERROR GROUP

The Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idrissa Timta has been feared killed while the Emir of Uba, Alhaji Ismaila Manza, escaped with injuries after Boko Haram insurgents ambushed their convoy on yesterday morning as they were travelling to Gombe to attend the funeral of the late Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubabakar, who died in a London hospital a few days ago.

The traditional rulers were travelling in the same vehicle when insurgents attacked with rapid gunfire, according to sources in Borno State.

Soldiers in the area engaged the Boko Haram insurgents in a gun battle and later found the two emirs in the bush though the Emir of Gwoza reportedly did not survive the attack.

The Borno State Government has confirmed the killing of the Emir of Gwoza.

A statement by the Government said he was killed around 9am yesterday following a bloody attack by some gun men believed to be members of the Boko Haram along Tashan Alade on the way to Biu town, headquarters of Biu Lo‎cal Government Area in Southern Borno State.

The late Emir, according to the statement, “was in company of the Emir of Askira, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibn Muhammadu Askirama and Emir of Uba, Alhaji Ali Ibn Ismaila Mamza, all of whom drove in the same vehicle as they headed to Biu to pick the Emir of Biu so they could all drive in convoy to Gombe ‎State to attend the funeral of the late Emir of Gombe who is scheduled for burial in Gombe today.”

Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda, Secretary to the Borno State Government, who signed the statement further said, “The late Emir of Gwoza had visited his counterpart, the Emir of Uba ‎yesterday and passed the night in Uba ahead of their planned trip today. The two Emirs were this morning, joined by the Emir of Askira. The three drove in the same vehicle with the intention of going to Biu to be joined by their counterpart in Biu. Unfortunately as they were driving in convoy to Biu, they were ambushed by gun men around Tashan Alade, soon after passing Garkida. The gunmen came after the convoy, specifically targeted the vehicle conveying the three Emirs and opened fire. The Emir of Gwoza was unfortunately killed by the attackers while the Emirs of Askira and Uba escaped unhurt. A policeman in the convoy was shot by the attackers but he survived the attack.

“The late Emir was in the first class status following his recent elevation by Governor Kashim Shettima.

“The late Emir was indeed a great man who worked very hard to promote peace and progress in Gwoza. He was a pillar and one of the rallying points in Borno State. He visibly worked very hard in the search for peace in Gwoza since the insurgency began.

“Borno State Government is terribly shocked by this incident. The Government prays that Allah admits the late Emir into al jannah Firadaus and give family, members of the Gwoza Emirate Council, ‎the people of Gwoza, the State Council of Chiefs and the entire people of Borno State the fortitude to bear this very traumatic loss especially at a time the State is still dealing with equally disturbing issues related with security challenges in the State.

“May Allah grant us accelerated and lasting peace in Borno State and rest of Nigeria", the statement concluded.

PILOTS CAUGHT WITH SWALLOWED WITH 62 PELLETS OF COCAINE ATTACKS TV CAMERAMAN

A licensed commercial pilot, accused of swallowing 62 "pellets" of cocaine before boarding a flight from Bogota to Houston, has been freed from federal custody.

Stanley Rafael Hill, 49, of McKinney, also faces charges in the 185th State District Court, where he was scheduled to appear Friday.

As he left the federal courthouse May 29, he briefly tried to attack a TV news photographer and then ran away as a reporter chased him.

According to federal court records, Hill arrived May 23 at George W. Bush Intercontinental Airport on United Airlines flight 1008 from Bogota, Colombia.

Although not on duty as a crew member, he was wearing his pilot's uniform, according to an affidavit by a Homeland Security Investigations agent.

Hill passed through the Federal Inspection Service and U.S. Customs and Border Protection without incident and checked in at a hotel near the airport in the 6100 block of Will Clayton Parkway, according to an affidavit.

The next morning, he called 911 from his hotel room with a medical emergency and was taken by ambulance to Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital in Humble, records state.

At the hospital, he began to pass pellets that later field-tested positive for cocaine, authorities said.

On May 25, the Houston Police Department received an anonymous call stating that drug evidence was being flushed down the toilet and two officers were sent to investigate.

Hill told the officers he had purchased 250 grams (about nine ounces) of cocaine for $750 in Bogota and intended to smuggle it into the United States to sell it at a profit. He said he put the cocaine in 62 pellets he made from the fingers of rubber gloves and swallowed them.

The HPD officers took custody of 18 pellets, weighing 148 grams, but the whereabouts of the other 44 packets is unknown, police said.

40 DEAD IN FRESH TERRORISTS ATTACK IN NIGERIA

A fresh Boko Haram attack, yesterday morning, on Gurmushi village in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State killing no fewer than 40 persons.

Gurmushi village is situated in the northern part of the state along the Nigeria-Cameroon border.

Local sources disclosed that the Boko Haram gunmen sneaked into the village after the early morning Muslim prayer Wednesday and started shooting sporadically as they attacked the residents in their houses and those returning from the early morning Muslims prayer, killing 40 persons in the process.

Though no official confirmation of the attack was received from security officials in the state when filing this report, a top security source said the incident had not been reported to the security and military authority in Maiduguri, the state capital, as a result of the unavailability of telephone services in the area.

However, a BBC Hausa Service news report monitored in Maiduguri, Wednesday, quoted a woman as saying 40 persons were killed in the attack.

“I counted over 40 corpses littered on the ground, while the village was razed down completely, most of us ran into the bush for our safety,” the woman told BBC, adding that 12 persons were also injured in the attack.

She disclosed further that she and some other residents of the village had to escape into neighbouring Cameroon out of fear that the Boko Haram gunmen may return for another attack.

Nigeria's military, president apparently split over how to rescue kidnapped girls

Nigeria's military chiefs and the president are apparently split over how to free nearly 300 schoolgirls abducted by Islamic extremists, with the military saying use of force endangers the hostages and the president reportedly ruling out a prisoner-hostage swap.

The defense chief, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, announced Monday night that the military has located the girls, but offered no details or a way forward. "We can't go and kill our girls in the name of trying to get them back," he said.

Previous military attempts to free hostages have led to the prisoners being killed by their abductors, including the deaths of two engineers, a Briton and an Italian, in Sokoto in March 2012.

A human rights activist close to mediators said a swap of detained extremists for the girls was negotiated a week ago but fell through because President Goodluck Jonathan refused to consider an exchange. The activist spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the activist is not permitted to speak to press.

Britain's Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds, said two weeks ago that the Nigerian leader had told him categorically he would not consider a prisoner swap.

Community leader Pogu Bitrus of Chibok, the town from which the girls were abducted on April 15, says authorities are speaking with "discordant voices" and the president appears under pressure to negotiate.

"The pressure is there if his own lieutenants are saying one (thing). Because if they cannot use force, the deduction is that there must be negotiation," Bitrus said. "And if their commander-in-chief, the president, is saying that he will not negotiate, then they are not on the same page."

Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno state, the birthplace of the Boko Haram extremists and the northeastern state from which the girls were abducted, said recently: "We impress on the federal authorities to work with our friends that have offered to assist us to ensure the safe recovery of the innocent girls."

Nigeria's military and government have faced national and international outrage over their failure to rescue the girls seized by Boko Haram militants from a remote northeastern school six weeks ago.

Jonathan finally accepted international help. American planes have been searching for the girls and Britain, France, Israel and other countries have sent experts in surveillance and hostage negotiation.

A Boko Haram video shows some of the kidnapped girls reciting Quranic verses in Arabic and two of them explaining why they had converted from Christianity to Islam in captivity. Unverified reports indicate that two may have died of snake bites, that some have been forced to marry their abductors and that others may have been taken across borders into Chad and Cameroon.

Suspected Boko Haram gunmen have killed 54 people in two separate attacks in northeastern Nigeria, local officials said Tuesday.

In Borno state gunmen killed nine people in two remote villages on Monday night, said Nglamuda Ibrahim a local government official.

The armed men shot at villagers, burned their homes and hoisted white flags with Arabic letters, the official said.

In a separate attack gunmen killed 24 soldiers and 21 policemen in an attack on a military barracks in Buni Yadi town on Monday night, said police constable Abdullahi Mohammed in Damaturu, the capital of Yobe state.

The gunmen also attacked the Gujba Emir's Palace and burned houses of retired policemen, said witness Adamu Ibrahim. He said the attackers targeted the military and police.

"When we started running they asked us not to panic as they will not harm the civilians this time; we locked our doors and we started hearing gunshots and explosions," said Ibrahim.

Buni Yadi was the site of a deadly attack in February, where Boko Haram suspects killed 58 students in a pre-dawn attack on a government college. The militants set fire to a locked dormitory at a school in the town, then shot and slit the throats of students who tried to escape through windows.

Amnesty International said the authorities failed to act even though they were warned hours before Boko Haram militants staged the abductions.

Similar accusations against Nigeria's security forces are now coming out about the twin bomb attacks in the central city of Jos that left more than 130 people dead on May 20.

Traders in the Terminus market that was attacked say police failed to act after traders warned them about an abandoned vehicle hours before the bombings.

"Our members reported to the police that they noticed the presence of the (Peugeot) J5 bus parked early morning on that fateful date, and we don't know the owner," said Kabiru Muhammad Idris, a member of the traders' welfare committee at the market. He said police only removed the plates of the bus, and didn't check its contents.

His testimony was backed by other traders but denied by Plateau state police spokeswoman Felicia Anslem.

"No one informed the police about the J5 bus that was allegedly parked," Anslem said.

A second explosion followed the bus bomb as first respondents arrived.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack, though Boko Haram is suspected.

Boko Haram - the nickname means "Western education is sinful" - believes Western influences have corrupted Nigerian society and wants to install an Islamic state under strict Shariah law. Nigeria's population of 170 million people is divided almost equally between Christians and Muslims.

source:Fox News

Passenger Demand Growth Accelerates in April

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced global passenger traffic results for April showing a healthy increase in demand. Total revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs) rose 7.5% compared to April 2013, an improvement over March growth of 2.9%. The year-on-year comparison is somewhat biased by the timing of the Easter holiday, which occurred in April 2014, a month later than in 2013. April capacity increased 5.8%, propelling load factor up 1.2 percentage points to 79.4 %. "Aprils demand growth was a pleasant surprise in the face of the moderating trend of recent months but it is not clear whether the acceleration in demand is sustainable in view of global economic trends including slower growth in China," said Tony Tyler, IATAs Director General and CEO. April 2014 vs. April 2013 RPK Growth ASK Growth PLF International 8.5% 6.9% 79.0% Domestic 5.8% 3.9% 80.2% Total Market 7.5% 5.8% 79.4% YTD 2014 vs. YTD  2013 RPK Growth ASK Growth PLF International 6.1% 6.4% 78.0% Domestic 5.9% 4.9% 79.8% Total Market 6.0% 5.8% 78.7% International Passenger Markets April international passenger demand was up 8.5% compared to the year-ago period with airlines in all regions recording growth and the strongest gains among Middle East carriers. Capacity rose 6.9% and load factor climbed 1.2 percentage points to 79.0%. Asia-Pacific carriers traffic rose 6.7% compared to the year-ago period but capacity rose 7.7% and load factor slipped 0.7 percentage points to 75.7%. Economic conditions in the region do not support further acceleration in demand growth, with China continuing to show weakness and Japan starting to see some reversal of previous growth momentum. In Japan, a recent sales tax increase caused indicators for economic activity to decline sharply in April. European carriers saw demand climb 7.9% in April versus April 2013. Economic activity in the Eurozone continues to improve, albeit at rates that are below expectations. Capacity rose 5.4% and load factor climbed 1.9 percentage points to 81.4%, the highest for any region. North American airlines experienced a 4.9% rise in traffic compared to April a year ago. Capacity rose 3.3% pushing load factor up 1.2 percentage points to 80.8%. Data suggest that underlying growth trends in business activity are positive and downward pressure on employment is easing, which should support stronger growth in air travel demand in coming months. Middle East carriers demand soared 18.6% in April, easily the strongest growth for any region. Capacity climbed 13.1% and load factor jumped 3.8 percentage points to 80.8%. Airlines in the Middle East continue to benefit from the strength of regional economies and solid growth in business-related premium travel. Latin American airlines traffic rose 8.2% compared to April 2013. The outlook for Latin American carriers remains broadly positive, with continued robust performance of economies such as Colombia, Peru and Chile, and the upcoming demand to be generated by the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. On the downside, however, trade volumes have made no progress this year compared to the highs reached at the end of 2013, suggesting that acceleration in business-related travel is unlikely in the near term. Capacity rose 5.2% and load factor climbed 2.2 percentage points to 79.1%.  African airlines had the weakest demand growth, with traffic up 3.9% compared to April 2013, while capacity rose 8.1%, resulting in a 2.7 percentage point drop in load factor to 66.2%, the lowest load factor for any region. The weakness could be in part reflecting adverse economic developments in some parts of the continent, including the slowdown of the major economy of South Africa. Domestic Passenger Markets Domestic travel demand rose 5.8% in April compared to April 2013, with the strongest growth occurring in Brazil, China and Russia. The timing of the Easter holiday, which fell in April this year and in March a year-ago, had a positive influence on comparisons in some markets. Total domestic capacity was up 3.9%, and load factor rose 1.4 percentage points to 80.2%. April 2014 vs. April 2013 RPK                  ASK PLF Australia 4.5% 3.9% 74.9% Brazil 11.1% 2.1% 79.1% China P.R 9.9% 9.8% 79.8% India 2.7% 5.8% 73.9% Japan 5.4% 3.4% 60.1% Russian Federation 10.3% 5.0% 74.7% US 3.8% 1.1% 85.3% Domestic 5.8% 3.9% 80.2% Brazil, China and Russia saw near or above double digit, with economic growth significant enough in China and Russia to sustain strong expansion in domestic air travel. Growth in Brazil was also very strong. Although economic fundamentals do not support the acceleration seen in 2014 so far, there could be some positive impacts of preparation for the FIFA World Cup.  Japans domestic air travel market saw demand rise 5.4% in April compared to a year ago, but this is a slowdown on growth year-to-date (7.9%). An increase in the sales tax could erode some of the previous progress made by the government to boost growth and domestic consumption. It has appeared to already have weakened the demand base for air travel. The Bottom Line: "In just a few days, the world air transport community will gather in Doha, Qatar for the 70th IATA Annual General Meeting. The strong demand for air travel recorded in April reinforces aviations importance as an enabler of global economic growth and job creation, while the slowdown in Japans demand growth illustrates the sensitivity of the sectorand the economic benefits that it providesto taxes. All those visiting the Gulf for the AGM will have a unique opportunity to see the potential for aviation to drive development when in a business-friendly environment and with the right infrastructure," Tyler said.

Int

NAHCO FTZ to Attract $500 Million Investment

L-R ; Comrade Benjamin Okewu, National President, Air Transport Services Senior 

Staff Association Of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Alhaji Suleiman Yahyah, Chairman, Board 

of Directors, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc, (nahco aviance) and Comrade 

Oludaisi Akinbogun, nahco aviance's branch chairman of ATSSSAN at the national 

executive council meeting of the ATSSSAN held in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State recently.

The establishment of Free Trading Zone at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Lagos by the National Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) PLC would attract nothing less than $500 Million investment to the nation’s economy within five years, the Chairman of the Company, Mallam Suleiman Yahyah has said.

Speaking at the national executive council meeting of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Yahyah said when the Free Trade Zone is fully operational, it would create employment opportunities for quite a number of Nigerians and the economy would surely feel the impact of the operation of the FTZ.

The nahco aviance chairman who reiterated the importance of making Lagos the aviation hub in the West Africa sub-region reiterated that the failure to do so would be devastating in the next few years. 

He explained that both Senegal and Cote d’ Ivoire are making good progress towards developing their aviation infrastructure and that soon, any of these may be designated the West African hub. 

The implication of such designation is that Nigerians, in the future, may need to fly to Dakar or Abidjan to sleep over before boarding a flight to a major European capital.

He noted that to develop the aviation sector in Nigeria to meet up with world standard, Nigeria needs to invest a minimum of $10 Billion. According to him, an airport which Nigeria should designate as a hub should be able to handle about 25 million passengers annually.

While applauding the unique advantages of Lagos as a capital which connects to major world capitals in five to six hours, Yahyah pointed out that there is also the need to develop the soft infrastructure of the aviation sector.

He emphasized the need for the development of the human capital resource of the aviation industry while warning that “We should not jeopardize our Category 1 status.”

He commended the maturity of ATSSSAN in tackling issues in the sector adding that the aviation industry cannot survive a strike especially at this time when the security infrastructure of the country is undergoing severe stress.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Director of Operations, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. John Chuks Onyegiri observed that ground handling companies are a very important part of operations in the airport.

While also noting that training is key in the sector, Onyegiri added that the task of managing the air space safely is made more difficult by operators in the sector who fail to pay for services rendered. “The attitude of people wanting free service and yet refusing to pay for such a service would not help the industry.”

On his part, the national president of ATSSSAN, Comrade Benjamin Okewu, said that while the supervising Minister of Aviation may be doing a yeoman’s job, the industry needs the full attention of a substantive Aviation Minister.

According to him,: “Our members are presently disturbed and agitated by the plan of the Federal Government to merge three agencies of the Ministry of Aviation, NCAA, NAMA and NIMET. As we have profusely stated in our various public engagements in the media, petitions and appeals to pertinent authorities, this proporsed merger grossly violates the principles, letters and spirits of standards as prescribed by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) conventions and protocols. It is logitcal to perceive that if a regulatory agency like NCAA and a service provider body like NAMA are bundled into a single organization, the aviation industry would most likely become a bedlam of confusion.”

THE CRITERION CALLS FOR THE RELEASE OF ABDUCTED CHIBOK GIRLS

Calls on BOKO Haram to end killings of innocent citizens

"We, members of The Criterion, an organization of Muslim Women in Business and the Professions, have observed with grief in our heart and complete disbelief, the pronouncements and dastardly actions of insurgents widely referred to as ‘Boko Haram’ over the months. In particular, we abhor and protest the wanton disregard to life and rule of law. We ask the Government and good people of Nigeria to completely dissociate the actions of the group from Islam. This is because everything the “Boko Haram” has done and said, climaxing in the recent abduction of over 200 girls from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, is criminal and totally un-Islamic.

While ‘Boko Haram’ as these insurgents are called, preaches violence, illegal killings, kidnap and abduction, Islam is a religion of peace that abhors violence, murder or misconduct of any sort. As Allah says in the Qur’an:

“If anyone slays a human being — unless it be [in punishment] for murder or for spreading corruption on earth —, it shall be as though he had slain all humankind; whereas, if anyone saves a life, it shall be as though he had saved the lives of all humankind” (Holy Qur’an Chapter 5 verse 32)

Nobody can force another person to become a Muslim. Islam cannot be spread by force or war but by self-conviction through preaching with wisdom. Allah says in the Quran:

“Let there be no compulsion in religion” (Holy Qur’an Chapter 2, verse 256)

“Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knows best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance” (Holy Qur’an Chapter 16, verse125)

The Islamic state established by the Holy Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) in Madinah had Jews, Christians and atheists all of whom lived peacefully in the state.

Islam allows fighting ONLY for self-defense and Justice as a last resort when one is being oppressed:

“Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loves not transgressors….” ( Holy Qur’an Chapter 2, verse 190-191)

Regarding education and the position of females in Islam, Boko Haram prohibits education, abducts and maltreats female children while Islam adores and honors girls and women.

Islam stopped the preference of male over the female child and abolished the primitive practice of burying female children alive. Rearing with love and not discriminating against female children has the reward of paradise. The Prophet (SAW) was quoted to have said: “Anybody who has been blessed with two female children and he brought them up very well, with love and kindness, Allah will, on that account, grant him paradise”.

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said, "Whoever has a female child and does not bury her alive, nor holds her in contempt, nor prefers his male child over her, God will make him enter into paradise". (Abu Dawood)

Education is made compulsory for both males and females in Islam and in fact female education is given priority. The female in Islam symbolizes the human race and the custodian of human values, the conscience of society. If she is left ignorant and backward, so will the nation be and if she is educated and advanced, so will the nation. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

i. ‘Searching for knowledge is compulsory on every Muslim male and female’ (Ibn Majah)
ii. ‘whoever educates a male educates an individual and whoever educates a female educates a whole nation’
iii. “He who goes out in search of knowledge is on God’s Path (in the service of God) until he returns”

As to the fact that “Western” Education is haram, the Prophet wanted Muslims to have all-round education when he said
i. “seek education, even if you have to travel as far as China”
ii. “Education is the lost property of the muslim, wherever he finds it, he should take it”

It is then the duty of the Muslim to choose which aspect of his education he should utilize. As is well documented in history, Aisha, Prophet Muhammed’s wife, (may Allah’s pleasure be hers), was an acclaimed scholar and jurist. As a matter of fact, the oldest university in the world, the University of Al-Qarawiyyin in Fes, Morocco, was founded by a Muslim woman, Fatimah al-Firhi in 859AD.

We call on all well meaning Nigerians to let us join hands to ensure “our daughters are brought back” unhurt. Islam prohibits enslaving persons especially females and the abduction of these innocent girls is abhorred. Allah says:

“...and force not your women into unchaste life when they desire to keep chaste....” (Holy Qur’an Chapetr 24, verse 33)

“It is unlawful to inherit women against their will, nor to detain them.....” (Holy Qur’an Chapetr 4, verse 20)

In the Last Sermon of the Holy Prophet Muhammed, he said “Treat your women well, and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers”.

At no time had Islam agreed to, or legislated the enslavement or ill-treatment of women. It is important that every individual and government show respect to the rights of others particularly human life, without discrimination based on religion or race or sex. Allah created all human beings as equal and institution of justice and preservation of basic human rights is binding on all.

As mothers, passionate about children and women in particular, and humanity in general, we call on the Federal Government to intensify efforts

➢ To find and BRING BACK OUR GIRLS unhurt
➢ STOP this wanton loss of innocent lives
➢ Make concerted effort to address the problems of corruption, youth unemployment and social injustices

We all must agree to STOP dignifying terrorism by ascribing it to Islam or any religion for that matter, and to STOP denigrating and vilifying Islam by ascribing “Boko Haram” to it. Islam is a religion of peace. We must work together to reclaim our nation from those who want to destroy us. We can only do this when we recognise “Boko Haram” as our common enemy.
“O you who believe, stand out firmly for God as witnesses to justice; and let not the hatred of a people cause you to swerve from justice; be just; that is the closest to piety.” (Holy Qur’an Chapter 5, verse 8).

BOKO IS HALAL NOT HARAM; BRING BACK OUR GIRLS"

Signed:Hajia Rahmat B. Egbeyemi​​​​​ & Hajia Idiat Salami

THE HERO NIGERIA NEEDS

By Tony Usidamen

To say that Nigeria needs salvaging is to state the obvious. And this isn’t just about the clamour to rescue our kidnapped Chibok girls from the claws of the devilish Boko Haram insurgents, and bring them back home to their families and loved ones.

Of course, the recent actions of the Boko Haram sect, like those of the Niger-Delta militants, pose a huge threat to the nation. So do the age-long problems of ethnic and religious bigotry, irresponsible leadership by successive governments, and institutionalized corruption. But the greatest threat to her national life yet is her people and skewed value systems.

Nigeria is on a suicide mission and, just as the comical “Batman” is to the city of Gotham - a dark and foreboding place rife with crime, grime, and corruption - Nigeria desperately needs a hero to pull her out from her over 54-year downward spiral into the fathomless abyss of self-destruction. But what kind of hero can save a people from themselves?

It definitely isn’t the executive, legislative or judicial arms of government whose main motivation and goal seems to be self-aggrandizement, with policies that, at best, enrich a few oligarchs while impoverishing the masses? Who enact laws that protect thieving colleagues in public office as well as their politician friends and business mogul associates?

No, it is not the political parties (incumbent or opposition) who, beyond seizing every opportunity to tear one another apart and score cheap political points, cannot articulate a clear and realistic agenda or footprint that will move our nation forward? Or whose leadership and membership alike are embroiled in a crisis of identity and credibility?

The hero Nigeria needs is not the corporate organisations, multi-national companies or international agencies who either shortchange Nigeria and Nigerians (in remittance of taxes, payment of employee wages and conditions of service, sustainability of their business practices etc.) or give a lot in aid while taking away so much more in our collective wealth?

It is not the organized labour that only protests harsh policies and actions of government and businesses when it appears not to favour them but turn a blind eye when it’s convenient? Neither is it the mainstream media or self-acclaimed social media activists who compromise the well-known media tenets of truth, objectivity and social responsibility, and needlessly overheat the polity in order to increase their ratings and promote the views of their paymasters?

The hero Nigeria needs isn’t even parents or teachers who can barely teach the children to read and write, let alone inculcate in them moral and ethical values, critical thinking and good citizenship? Or our pastors, imams and traditional rulers who have failed in their role as the moral compass of society?

There is a popular saying in Nigerian parlance “you no fit use Panadol cure AIDS” which simply means that every ailment requires its specific medicine or remedy. Given the peculiarity of Nigeria’s problem, what sort of hero does the country then need?

Well, you don’t need to search too far to find the answer to that question; just take a look in the mirror. Indeed, the kind of hero that Nigeria needs is you! People like you and I, with changed values and individual commitments.

The hero Nigeria needs is ordinary people, like you and I, who understand that a true democracy is a government of the people by the people and for the people and, as such, would get involved in the electoral process and do everything to protect their vote. People who understand that governance is as much about good leadership as it is about responsible followership, and fulfill their civic duties without persuasion.

The hero Nigeria needs are true humanists and patriots - everyday men and women like you and I - who will rise above ethnic, religious or political affiliations and differences, and uphold the values of love, unity, mutual respect, equity and justice. People who, in their work, study or social life, will shun corruption absolutely, and imbibe a culture of honesty, diligence and perseverance.

And where do patriots exist? In government and politics, working fearlessly and tirelessly for the good of society. In business, seeking to improve the lives of the people through provision of quality goods and services. In the media and civil society groups, putting pressure on the government and corporate organisations to provide responsible leadership and foster sustainable growth and development. In the families, schools, religious institutions and traditional establishments promoting peaceful co-existence and social responsibility.

We can pray without ceasing (and as a Christian I do believe in the power of prayers) for God to send a "messiah" that will pull Nigeria out of the doldrums and set her on a path to restoration and progress. But without a corresponding change in our collective value systems and individual attitudes and commitments, we will only sink further into the abyss and continue to gnaw our tongues in agony. The change Nigeria so desperately needs is its people; the hero Nigeria needs is you!

Tony Usidamen, a Communications Expert, writes from Lagos.
Email: tonyusidamen@yahoo.com, Twitter Handle: @tonyusidamen

TONY USIDAMEN
08023267110

ARREST OF OGWUCHE, GOOD OMEN FOR WAR ON TERROR – NSCI

The National Social Contract Initiative (NSCI), applauds the arrest in faraway Sudan, of one of the April 14, 2014 Nyanya bomb blast masterminds, Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche.

NSCI notes that the arrest of Ogwuche could not have been possible without the effective collaboration between Nigeria’s security operatives and INTERPOL. We are encouraged to note that the global collaboration is yielding dividends.

We also commend the efforts of the security agencies in the country in arresting suspects of the April 14, 2014, Nyanya bus terminal bomb blast that resulted in the unfortunate death of 75 innocent Nigerians and left many others injured.

The two separate arrests are a clear demonstration that our forces have the capacity and are capable of performing their constitutional roles.

The arrest of Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche in Sudan by our security agencies acting in concert with INTERPOL, is a testimony that the Federal Government is committed to fighting the war against terror and restoring peace to the North East geo-political zone in particular and the entire nation at large.

The close up on Boko Haram and their collaborators, locally and internationally, is also a clear indication that the war on insurgency and terrorism is being won and Boko Haram in Nigeria will soon be a thing of the past. We urge Nigerians to continue to support the security operatives in the country by being vigilant and providing useful information to the relevant authorities in the fight against terror.

Furthermore, the NSCI appeals to the National Assembly to expedite action and accede to President Goodluck Jonathan’s request, seeking to extend emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States. We urge our lawmakers to put aside political, ethnic and other considerations by quickly approving the President’s second request to extend the state of emergency as we areof the firm believe that emergency rule area is contributing positively to the restoration of peace in the North East.

ONAZI ADADU ONAZI

Assistant National Publicity Coordinator, NSCI.

Court sentences Olmert to 6 years prison time

First Israeli PM ever to go behind bars

Olmert expected to appeal decision to Supreme Court; judge fines former PM NIS 1 million while also ordering authorities to seize NIS 500,000 in funds from him; court says Olmert to begin sentence Sept. 1, pending appeal.

Tel Aviv District Court Judge David Rozen on early today(Tuesday)sentenced former prime minister Ehud Olmert to six years of prison time on conviction for two counts of bribery in the Holyland trial.

The prosecution had asked for a minimum sentence of six years in prison. Olmert's spokesperson has indicated that he will appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.

The judge also delayed the arrest and imprisonment of all of the Holyland defendants, including Olmert until September 1.

Rozen also imposed a fine of NIS 1 million while also ordering authorities to seize NIS 500,000 in funds accumulated by the former premier.

Olmert's lawyer Eli Zohar had asked the court to give him only community service and argued that even an extreme interpretation of Supreme Court precedent could not sustain a prison sentence longer than 18 months.

Experts had been estimating that Olmert would likely get at least a few years in prison, and that his being prime minister would not get him special treatment.

Still, on a separate prior and less serious conviction in his July 2012 Jerusalem corruption trial, Olmert received only community service with the court noting his service to the state as one of the reasons for leniency.

US deploys planes in search for Nigerian girls

The US has revealed it is flying manned surveillance missions over Nigeria to try to find more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by the militant Islamist group Boko Haram.

The US is also sharing commercial satellite imagery with the Nigerian government, officials said.

It comes after militants released a video of about 130 girls, saying they could be swapped for jailed fighters.

Boko Haram seized them from a school in the northern Borno state on 14 April.

"We have shared commercial satellite imagery with the Nigerians and are flying manned ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) assets over Nigeria with the government's permission," a senior administration official, who declined to be named, said.

A team of about 30 US experts - members of the FBI and defence and state departments - is in Nigeria to help with the search.

The BBC's Rajini Vaidyanathan in Washington says the types of aircraft deployed haven't been revealed, but the US does have sophisticated planes that can listen into a wide range of mobile phone and telecommunications traffic.

Other officials, quoted by Reuters, said the US was also considering deploying unmanned "drone" aircraft to aid the search.

US state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said earlier on Monday that intelligence experts were closely examining the Boko Haram video for clues that might help locate the girls.

In the video, released by Boko Haram, its leader says the girls will be freed only if imprisoned militants are released
Pogu Bitrus, a leader in the town of Chibok, from where the girls were seized, said vegetation in the video resembled that in the nearby Sambisa forest reserve.

The video showed some 136 girls wearing bulky hijabs. Militants said they had "converted" to Islam.

The girls' families have said that most of those seized are Christians.

Two girls on the video were singled out for questioning and said they were Christians but had converted to Islam.

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau said the girls could be exchanged for "our brethren in your prison".


Boko Haram released a video of more than 130 kidnapped schoolgirls

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau called for the released of jailed militants
"I swear to almighty Allah, you will not see them again until you release our brothers that you have captured," he said.

In a video last week, Abubakar Shekau threatened to sell the girls into slavery.

A Nigerian government statement said "all options" for the release of the schoolgirls were on the table.

However, Interior Minister Abba Moro appeared to dismiss the offer, saying no exchange would take place. The cause for the discrepancy was unclear.

Boko Haram, which means Western education is forbidden, had previously said the girls should not have been at school and should get married instead.

The militants have been engaged in a violent campaign against the Nigerian government since 2009.

President Goodluck Jonathan - who has has faced heavy criticism of the government response to the mass abduction - said on Sunday that help from abroad had made him optimistic of finding the girls.

He says he believes the girls are still in Nigeria.

The kidnapping has triggered a huge international campaign with world leaders and celebrities calling for the children to be released.

Both the UK and US already have teams helping on the ground in Nigeria and an Israeli counter-terrorism team is also on its way.

BOKO HARAM LEADER,SHEKAU RELEASES NEW VIDEO SHOWING KIDNAPPED GIRLS

The leader of Boko Haram has said he will only release the schoolgirls kidnapped in Nigeria if the government releases his followers that are in prison.

A new video issued by Boko Haram claims to show some of the nearly 300 schoolgirls missing in Nigeria, who the group's leader says have converted to Islam.

AFP reported that Boko Haram's leader said the girls would not be released until members of the terror group being held in prison are freed.

More than 300 youngsters were abducted from a school on April 14 from the northeastern town of Chibok, in Borno state. Some 276 are still missing.

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau speaks on the video for 17 minutes
In the video, Abubakar Shekau speaks for 17 minutes before showing what he says are about 130 of the girls, wearing full-length hijabs and praying in an undisclosed rural location.

One of the girls then appears to talk directly to the camera.
The girls were shown wearing Hijabs and praying
None of the youngsters appears to be visibly distressed, but it appears as if they are clearly under duress.

Holding a pad of paper in his hand, Mr Shekau tells the camera: "These girls, these girls you occupy yourselves with their affair we have indeed 'liberated' them. We have indeed 'liberated' them.

"Do you know 'we have liberated them'? These girls have become Muslims. They are Muslims."

He continues: "It is now four years or five years that you arrested our brethren and they are still in your prison.

One of the girls comes forward and talks to the camera
"You are doing many things (to them). And now you are talking about these girls. We will never release them until after you release our brethren."

Sky's Special Correspondent Alex Crawford who has spoken to a father of one of the kidnapped girls says he does not want the government to release Boko Haram prisoners in exchange for his daughter.

He told her: "Its not right. They'll do it again."

Doctor Reuben Abati told Sky News Nigeria will not pay a ransom
A special adviser to the country's president Doctor Reuben Abati told Alex Crawford there were lines the government would not cross in the hunt for the girls.

Speaking after it was revealed authorities had made indirect contact with Boko Haram, Dr Abati said: "The government of Nigeria has no intention to pay a ransom or to buy the girls, because the sale of human beings is a crime against humanity.

"The determination of the government is to get the girls and to ensure that the impunity that has brought this about is checked and punished."

Boko Haram's leader Abubakar Shekau has threatened to sell the girls "at the market" and some are believed to have already been taken out of the country.

The search for the girls remains centred on the huge Sambisa forest, which is three times the size of Wales.

France said that Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan had agreed to attend a summit in Paris on Saturday to discuss what to do about Boko Haram.

Britain has been invited, as has the EU, the United States and the four countries bordering Nigeria: Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger.



Several of the countries in the region affected by the consequences of Boko Haram violence are French speaking.
The leader of Boko Haram has said he will only release the schoolgirls kidnapped in Nigeria if the government releases his followers that are in prison.

A new video issued by Boko Haram claims to show some of the nearly 300 schoolgirls missing in Nigeria, who the group's leader says have converted to Islam.

AFP reported that Boko Haram's leader said the girls would not be released until members of the terror group being held in prison are freed.

More than 300 youngsters were abducted from a school on April 14 from the northeastern town of Chibok, in Borno state. Some 276 are still missing.

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau speaks on the video for 17 minutes
In the video, Abubakar Shekau speaks for 17 minutes before showing what he says are about 130 of the girls, wearing full-length hijabs and praying in an undisclosed rural location.

One of the girls then appears to talk directly to the camera.

The girls were shown wearing Hijabs and praying
None of the youngsters appears to be visibly distressed, but it appears as if they are clearly under duress.

Holding a pad of paper in his hand, Mr Shekau tells the camera: "These girls, these girls you occupy yourselves with their affair we have indeed 'liberated' them. We have indeed 'liberated' them.

"Do you know 'we have liberated them'? These girls have become Muslims. They are Muslims."

He continues: "It is now four years or five years that you arrested our brethren and they are still in your prison.

One of the girls comes forward and talks to the camera
"You are doing many things (to them). And now you are talking about these girls. We will never release them until after you release our brethren."

Sky's Special Correspondent Alex Crawford who has spoken to a father of one of the kidnapped girls says he does not want the government to release Boko Haram prisoners in exchange for his daughter.

He told her: "Its not right. They'll do it again."

Doctor Reuben Abati told Sky News Nigeria will not pay a ransom
A special adviser to the country's president Doctor Reuben Abati told Alex Crawford there were lines the government would not cross in the hunt for the girls.

Speaking after it was revealed authorities had made indirect contact with Boko Haram, Dr Abati said: "The government of Nigeria has no intention to pay a ransom or to buy the girls, because the sale of human beings is a crime against humanity.

"The determination of the government is to get the girls and to ensure that the impunity that has brought this about is checked and punished."

Boko Haram's leader Abubakar Shekau has threatened to sell the girls "at the market" and some are believed to have already been taken out of the country.

The search for the girls remains centred on the huge Sambisa forest, which is three times the size of Wales.

France said that Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan had agreed to attend a summit in Paris on Saturday to discuss what to do about Boko Haram.

Britain has been invited, as has the EU, the United States and the four countries bordering Nigeria: Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

Several of the countries in the region affected by the consequences of Boko Haram violence are French speaking.

Boko Haram Bombs Bridge Linking Nigeria and Cameroon

The Boko Haram yesterday bombed the sole bridge linking Borno State, Nigeria and Cameroon.

The strategic bridge is located at the border town of Gamboru, where the Boko Haram killed over 300 persons on Monday.
Residents of Gamboru told journalists that the downed bridge has cut off some of their relatives from Nigeria and left them stranded in Cameroun.

One source said “The only option left for people traveling to and from Gamboru, is to go into Banki near Bama local government area of Borno into Cameroon and later enter Gamboru from another Cameroonian village.”

The source further revealed that 315 corpses were buried following Monday’s attack.

Residents Malam Kolomi, a trader in the commercial city of Gamboru and Mamman Abu told reporters via telephone that several persons are still trapped under roubles following the attack.

The Boko Haram a few weeks ago abducted over 200 teenage female students from a secondary school in Chibok town, Borno State and its leader Ibrahim Shekau has boasted that the girls would be sold into slavery or married off to men.

The United States, UK, China, South Africa and the UN have promised to help Nigeria secure the girls’ freedom.

AIRPORTS TO REMAIN OPEN TO TRAFFIC DURING WEF

Air travellers and other airport users have been assured that the closures of schools and public offices by the Federal Government in Abuja between May 7th and 9th, 2014 for the World Economic Forum(WEF) will not in anyway affect operations at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja and all other airports in the country.

The assurance was given by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in a press statement by the General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr Yakubu Dati who said that normal flight operations will continue to take place at all airports, as scheduled, throughout the period of the forum.

Dati noted that: "We are constrained to issue this release in view of possible misconception in some quarters that the Abuja Airport, being a public utility, is affected by the closure order".

He added: "We also wish to assure all passengers and other airport users that adequate security and operational arrangements have been put in place at all our airports to ensure hitch-free passenger facilitation during and after the World Economic Forum".

Nigeria cracks down before World Economic Forum event

Nigerian security forces have detained several people in Abuja over recent bomb attacks, days before a World Economic Forum event in the capital.
Most of those held were said to be foreign, but no details were announced.
Officials have ordered schools and government offices to close during the WEF event, which will be attended by the Presidents of Rwanda, Senegal and Kenya as well as Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
The government is under pressure to tackle widespread unrest.
An explosion late on Thursday killed 19 people, two weeks after a nearby bombing left 75 dead.
No group has said it carried out the attacks, but Islamist militant group Boko Haram is being blamed.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said those detained on Saturday were being interrogated and had provided "useful information."
Boko Haram is also believed to be behind the kidnapping of more than 200 teenage girls from their school in Borno state in north-eastern Nigeria more than a fortnight ago.
President Goodluck Jonathan is due to give a national address on Sunday after criticism of his handling of Islamic militants.
The government is tightening security in Abuja ahead of next week's World Economic Forum event
Boko Haram has staged a wave of attacks in northern Nigeria in recent years, with an estimated 1,500 killed in the violence and subsequent security crackdown this year alone.
But recent bomb attacks in Abuja, including one on 14 April that Boko Haram admitted to, have raised fears that the militants could be trying to expand their area of operation.
On Saturday the US warned its citizens of a plan to attack one of two Sheraton hotels near Lagos, Nigeria's main commercial hub.
In a statement on its website, the state department said those behind the plot were "groups associated with terrorism", but gave no further details.
Heavy security in north-eastern Nigeria has not stopped attacks by militant Islamist groups
President Goodluck Jonathan's government says 5,000 police and soldiers will be deployed for the WEF on Africa, which begins on Wednesday.
The official reason for closing all schools and government offices in the capital is to ensure traffic flows smoothly.
But the BBC's Will Ross in Abuja says security concerns are also a likely reason, with fewer vehicles on the roads enabling stricter searches and cutting potential targets for further bomb attacks.
The government minister said the security measures were aimed at calming nerves but told Nigerian media the focus on returning the abducted girls to their families was "much more important".

Nigeria cracks down before World Economic Forum event

ANOTHER BOMB EXPLOSION ROCKS NYANYA,ABUJA

A loud explosion Thursday night shook Nyanya area of Abuja barely three weeks after a major bus station in the area was bombed by Boko Haram terrorists killing over 70 persons and leaving scores wounded.

The bang shook the entire area and sent residents and motorists into panic.

Residents say a wired vehicle exploded in a crowded area of Nyanya. The exact number of casualties are unclear at this time.

Residents say a wired vehicle exploded in a crowded area of Nyanya. The exact number of casualties are unclear at this time.

However, Police say 12 persons were killed by the bomb while 19 others were wounded. Five vehicles were also destroyed in the blast.

The site of the blast is opposite the bombed Nyanya bus station which was targeted about three weeks ago by the Boko Haram. Victims of this evening’s bomb blast are believed to be those trying to find transportation to their various destinations at the end of the Labour Day holiday.

Witnesses say emergency personnel have removed scores of dead bodies and transported the wounded to the hospital. The exact numbers of casualties remain unclear at this time.

The National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) had earlier said nine persons were killed while 11 unconscious bodies were also removed and taken to the hospital for revival.