Leaders of Riyom Local Government Area and Barkin-Ladi of Plateau State have called on the STF not to be quick in dismissing the story of a planned attack on the state.
On Monday, the state broadcast station reported that a helicopter and some Hilux vans bearing arms had arrived Mahanga village in Riyom Local Government Area, in readiness for a planned attack by unknown persons.
A day after the report, leaders of Mahanga and the Special Task Force (STF) debunked the report, saying it was baseless. The STF took journalists to Mahanga, to show that there was nothing like that.
But yesterday, leaders of Riyom and Barkin Ladi, urged the STF to investigate the matter properly to prevent possible attacks.
Chairman of Riyom Local Government Area, Mrs Josephine Piyo, said: “If STF said they didn’t see anything when they went to Mahanga, it is not surprising. Nobody said the vehicles stayed back in Mahanga and nobody expects whatever the vehicles took there to be kept in places where they can be easily seen.”
The United States hit back Wednesday at allegations by the Nigerian ambassador of failing to help fight Boko Haram militants, saying there had been “a great deal” of US aid to his country.
In the past six months since the Islamic militants snatched some 200 schoolgirls in northern Nigeria, Washington has shared intelligence with the Nigerian army, begun training a new battalion and held high-level talks on the threat of Boko Haram, a US official said.
In a speech made public Tuesday, ambassador Adebowale Adefuye appeared to have taken US officials by surprise when he launched into a tirade against the US administration.
Nigerian leaders were “not satisfied with the scope, nature and content of the United States’ support for us in our struggle against terrorists,” he said.
He accused Washington of not providing the “lethal” weapons needed to deliver “a killer punch” to the militants.
But State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki shot back that the US had “provided and approved sales of military equipment to its armed forces.”
“These decisions are made, of course, after careful scrutiny to ensure they conform with United States law.”
But she acknowledged the US had refused to transfer some Cobra helicopters due to concerns about the Nigerian army’s ability to use them.
There were also “ongoing concerns about the Nigerian military’s protection of civilians when conducting military operations,” Psaki said, adding these had been discussed with the Nigerian authorities.
Adefuye told members of the Council on Foreign Relations on Monday that allegations of human rights abuses by the military were “rumors, hearsays and exaggerated accounts” put about by rivals of President Goodluck Jonathan and rights groups.
But Psaki stressed the US would not raise such concerns “if we didn’t feel and others didn’t feel that they were warranted.”
Washington was ready to help Nigeria train and improve the effectiveness of its military, Psaki added, urging the government to investigate allegations of abuses.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/us-denies-failing-help-nigeria-fight-boko-haram/#sthash.wpPInDpA.dpuf
The United States hit back Wednesday at allegations by the Nigerian ambassador of failing to help fight Boko Haram militants, saying there had been “a great deal” of US aid to his country.
In the past six months since the Islamic militants snatched some 200 schoolgirls in northern Nigeria, Washington has shared intelligence with the Nigerian army, begun training a new battalion and held high-level talks on the threat of Boko Haram, a US official said.
In a speech made public Tuesday, ambassador Adebowale Adefuye appeared to have taken US officials by surprise when he launched into a tirade against the US administration.
Nigerian leaders were “not satisfied with the scope, nature and content of the United States’ support for us in our struggle against terrorists,” he said.
He accused Washington of not providing the “lethal” weapons needed to deliver “a killer punch” to the militants.
But State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki shot back that the US had “provided and approved sales of military equipment to its armed forces.”
“These decisions are made, of course, after careful scrutiny to ensure they conform with United States law.”
But she acknowledged the US had refused to transfer some Cobra helicopters due to concerns about the Nigerian army’s ability to use them.
There were also “ongoing concerns about the Nigerian military’s protection of civilians when conducting military operations,” Psaki said, adding these had been discussed with the Nigerian authorities.
Adefuye told members of the Council on Foreign Relations on Monday that allegations of human rights abuses by the military were “rumors, hearsays and exaggerated accounts” put about by rivals of President Goodluck Jonathan and rights groups.
But Psaki stressed the US would not raise such concerns “if we didn’t feel and others didn’t feel that they were warranted.”
Washington was ready to help Nigeria train and improve the effectiveness of its military, Psaki added, urging the government to investigate allegations of abuses.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/us-denies-failing-help-nigeria-fight-boko-haram/#sthash.wpPInDpA.dpuf
o State chairman of Labour Party (LP) Alhaji Muhammad Abdullahi Raji, has said that his party will gang up with other opposition parties to unseat the APC in the 2015 general elections.
Raji, in an interview with newsmen during the swearing-in and inauguration of the party’s elected officials, said: “I will tell you the bitter fact about our preparations and plans in the coming elections. We will gang up with other opposition parties to unseat the APC government in this state.”
The chairman warned that his party should not be underrated, as it won the Edo State governorship seat as well as some lesser posts during the 2011 elections.
He said the party has commenced sale of forms and urged officials to be steadfast and fair in their dealings.
Embattled Nollywood actress, Ini Edo, has been explaining to whoever cares to listen why she decided to walk out of her five-year old marriage unceremoniously.
According to the actress, she demanded for a divorce from her ex-husband because of a lot of irreconcilable differences. Contrary to reports that, her ‘barren marriage’ crashed following allegations of infidelity levelled against her by her husband, Ini Edo refuted the allegation, saying that she never cheated her husband since they got married.
In a tweet, confirming breaking up with her husband, Ini Edo alleged that “There is a conscious and malicious attempt at tarnishing my image. This saga is familiar, let’s not forget the past. Thanks and God bless.”
Ini Edo got married to her US-based husband, Philip Ehiagwina, about five years. The couple who lived separately for most of their marriage life decided to formally split in early August.
There were reports that Ini’s people have even returned the bride price paid by Philip in 2008. She has since removed her husband’s name from her social media accounts and she also removed wife from her bio on instagram. The marriage did not produce any child.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/10/asked-divorce-ex-husband/#sthash.bK7xRex6.dpuf
On March 27, 2014, a house help, simply identified as David, killed and beheaded his former boss, a 65-year-old retired Chief Magistrate, Olufunmilayo Timeyin, at her residence in Ogun State.
Timeyin had two weeks earlier sacked David for allegedly stealing her valuables, including phones and jewelry. He was arrested for the theft and ironically it was his victim who requested that David be released.
On February 24, 2014, I came back to the office and was informed about a show of shame and cruelty that took place in the neighbourhood in my absence. A clergyman’s wife beat her house help silly, biting her on the buttocks. On October 28, 2013, a 27-year-old woman, Chiamaka Nnajiofor, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for her culpability in the death of her housekeeper, Oliver Arakwe. What drove Nnajiofor to the extreme that landed her in this mess? These cases bring us to our topic today.
First, are house helps people you do not like but must learn to live with because you cannot really do without them (Necessary evil)? Second, can anything good come out of house helps (Necessarily evil)? The stories of house helps we hear are horrifying, intriguing and mind-boggling.
They range from stealing of employer’s properties sometimes running into millions to stories of sex abuse of, and unbelievable cruelty to, the children put in their care. They also organise armed gangs to rob their employers and orchestrate the kidnapping of their employers or their employers’ children. Like a needle in a haystack, you hear a good story occasionally.
One of the tales I heard recently was about a friend’s former neighbour. He said that the only way he knew his neighbour was home was when he heard the house help screaming. Any time the house was quiet, madam was not at home. This trend continued for a long time despite neighbours’ plea and advice that she should either stop beating the house help or send her away.
My friend said that on one of those days when the flat was quiet; he was passing by and noticed that the entrance door was slightly ajar. He knocked but there was no response. He called the house help and the children, still no response. Out of curiosity, he opened the door and went in. He started calling and walking around, still no response. As he was passing by the deep freezer, he heard a noise from within.
Luckily, it was not locked. He opened and behold the neighbour’s son and daughter were in there; the house help had tucked them in for-a-forever sleep and disappeared perhaps back to the neighbouring country from whence she came. For her, it was payback time; the enormity was inconsequential.
I do not believe in stereotypes, so I cannot label all house helps as evil. The issue is multifaceted. When teaching and counselling would-be couples; I always remind them of the challenges that come when they start having children. That is actually when the need for a house help arises.
If both are working class people with strict and long working hours, who will look after the children for the periods when they are not at home? The implication is that the house help is going to play a great role in their childrenfs early character formation. Is he/she well equipped for the assignment?
A lot of people have a trial and error approach to hiring domestic helps; I think that is dangerous. You are not just looking for a cleaner; you are looking for somebody who is going to play a major role in your children’s early formation willy-nilly. You should therefore approach it like you are choosing a spouse, because the only differences really are that the relationship is not spousal, not permanent, not covenanted and no vows are exchanged.
Before you hire a house help, first determine your needs and your expectations. Then how do you source the person? Is it through an agency, friends, relatives or some other sources? What about background checks and guarantors? Then you need to pray and fast for God to send the right house help.I guess we all need to do these when we are making important decisions and the choice of a house help is a fundamental decision.
Once you get somebody, you should check whether he/she meets your needs and expectations. If he/she does, the terms of the relationship must be clearly stated and understood by all parties. Then you should do medical exams for him/her. Some of them have contagious diseases, to which your children should not be exposed.
Once all these steps are completed, the house help moves into your family’s life practically. Please internalise it that he/she is a human being, not subhuman; he/she is only doing this job due to circumstances and not really by choice.
I am yet to see a house help who will not opt for a better job if given the choice. As a result of their disadvantaged background, a lot of house helps come with frustration and grudges. Do not rub it in with your attitude towards them. Deal with them as you would your own.
I am not suggesting they sit at table with you during meals, but heaven will not fall if you give them good meals. Some people give their house helps food that is not fit for animals while enjoying choice food with their family which the house help participated in preparing and serving the choice food!
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/04/house-helps-necessary-necessarilyevil1/#sthash.A4hqulLy.dpuf
By Marie-Therese Nanlong THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP ward congresses held nationwide on November 1 has come and gone with controversies trailing the exercise across the States.
While some lauded the exercise, many others described it as “fraud, robbery, illegal” and called for its cancellation. In Plateau state, the case is not different as the party’s Acting Chairman, Raymond Dabo has not failed to brag about “the huge success of the ward congresses.” However, many party aspirants and supporters maintain they were robbed.
Jang: Stop complaining against God’s choice
Although the aggrieved members have already petitioned the national leadership of the party in Abuja, internal bickering and reactions continue to trail the exercise in the State.
Among the latest to complain are the immediate past Speaker of the State House of Assembly and member representing Mangu South, Rt. Hon. John Clark Dabwan and the Plateau PDP Youths of Conscience who called for the cancellation of the entire exercise in the state.
Dabwan, a governorship aspirant condemned what he called “obvious hitches which characterized the ward congress of the party in the state.”
Equity and fair play
He called on the national secretariat of the party to address the problem in the interest of equity and fair play and urged the people to be vigilant throughout the electioneering process and ensure that only those who have the interest of the people at heart and not impostors are elected into various offices.
Similarly, a group, Plateau PDP Youths of Conscience through Mangut Peter and Mizim Haruna, its coordinator and secretary respectively, called on the national secretariat of the Party to conduct a fresh congress in the State.
According the duo, “We are not unaware of the overflow of petitions that followed the poor conduct of the special delegate congresses held on the 1st of November, 2014. It is on record that there were no congresses conducted anywhere in the State.
“The attempt to conduct one in Pankshin local government area led to its cancellation and we are yet to know the outcome of the rescheduled congress that held the following day.
“We hereby urge the national secretariat to as a matter of necessity dissolve the State congresses and another exercise be transparently conducted. The committee that conducted the earlier exercise be disbanded and relevant state organs which encouraged the flouting of the constitution should be sanctioned.”
The group maintains its members will stand against all who seek to use and destroy the party and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to take note and address “these threats to internal democracy in the state chapter of the PDP.
In another development, another group under the aegis of Plateau Youth Vanguard said the exercise was credible and vowed to resist any attempt to short change the lists of delegates who emerged during the exercise.
The group urged the national chairman of the Party, Alh. Adamu Mua’zu to maintain the delegate list provided by the State PDP Acting Chairman, Hon. Raymond Dabo.
Chairman of the group, Joel Jonathan in a press statement issued in Jos described the process leading to the emergence of the delegates as rigorous, credible, free and fair and applauded the PDP family in the state for conducting itself in an orderly manner during the congress.
Peaceful character
He challenged Plateau citizens to exhibit the same peaceful character during the subsequent polls in the overall interest of peace and unity in the state.
The statement reads, “We wish to commend the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State for a peaceful conduct of the recent PDP Ward Congress. This attests to the fact that Plateau State is a PDP state, and the people have totally accepted PDP as a political party.
“We will therefore resist any attempt made by any individual or group of persons to change the original list of delegates which emerged during the congress, we want the national chairman of the party, Alh. Admau Mua’azu to honour only the list of delegates provided by the State Chairman, Hon. Raymond Dabo.
Jonathan chided those who petitioned the national chairman of the party and President Goodluck Jonathan against the conduct of the exercise describing them as agents who are not interested in the unity and success of the party in the state.
They warned that any attempt to change the list of delegates submitted by the state secretariat will be resisted, adding that “the delegates emerged during a free and fair contest where a level playing ground was provided and anybody who is aggrieved should go and lobby to win support of the delegates.”
To support the latter group’s stance, Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang took a swipe at the state’s gubernatorial aspirants on the platform of the PDP saying they should prove their worth if they want to govern the State.
Jang who lambasted the aspirants for “black-mailing him before the presidency and the party leadership at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja stated, “instead of you to campaign, you are running to Abuja, Abuja will not come and vote for you.”
Political offices
The governor spoke at the Government House, Rayfield after swearing in four newly appointed Commissioners to fill the spaces created by four of the Executive Council members who resigned to contest other political offices.
According to him, “Politicians should stop black-mailing me and accept God’s will. There is no zoning in the Plateau governorship seat, those running to Abuja to report me should cease henceforth.
“It is God that gives power and no human being can stop who God has anointed and if you are not anointed, nobody can bring you into power.
“God has already anointed someone, instead of people to go round and campaign and tell people what they can do, they are busy running to Abuja, Abuja will not come and vote in Plateau.”
Senator representing Plateau North Senatorial zone, Gyang Pwajok who is generally believed to be the anointed has on his part urged the people of Plateau State not to allow the forthcoming elections to divide them but all should work together to achieve greatness and a better Plateau for the coming generations.
“With or without zoning, I am eligible to run for the seat. There was no agreement from any quarter that after Jang’s tenure the northern zone should step down for any candidate from the southern zone.
“With the submission of my nomination form at the National Secretariat of our Party, I am determined to continue to reach out to all the people of Plateau state in the 17 local government councils. We should not allow the issue of zoning to divide us but we must stand together to achieve a greater Plateau.”
He reminded the people that “only God gives power” and tasked the youths to see themselves as people who have the opportunity to make a different in the coming dispensation.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/pdp-murmuring-plateau/#sthash.Ylh04fMK.dpuf
