NDLEA Parades 57 Suspects Over 11.75Kg Of Drugs

BRIEFS

THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Jigawa State command, has paraded 57 suspects with 11.747kg of illicit drugs between March and May 2011.

State commandant, Barrister Ibrahim Abdul, who made the disclosure during the weekend at the NDLEA office in Dutse, said the seizure includes Cannabis Sativa, psychotropic substances, rubber solution and Ethanol.

He said that the highest rate of drug abuse occurs predominantly in Dutse, Ringim, Birnin Kudu and Hadejia, with the four towns recording 62 per cent of arrests within the period.

He pointed out that Taura, Roni, Gumel and other parts of the state constitute 38 per cent of arrested suspects.

Abdul decried a situation where 72 per cent of suspects arrested are youths, who are expected to be future leaders.

He said that two females were also part of those arrested within the period.

The commandant pointed out that his command has secured conviction of 32 suspects, adding that the others are taking counseling lessons at the NDLEA office in Dutse.

He admonished residents of the state to assist the agency by reporting illicit drug abuse and dealings to the command’s office.

Glo Salutes Nigeria On Democracy

NIGERIA’S national operator, Globacom, has congratulated the government and people of Nigeria on the occasion of the country’s Democracy Day celebration.

In a statement released in Lagos at the weekend, Globacom’s Group Chief Operating Officer, Mohamed Jameel, said that there was so much to celebrate, as Nigeria marks yet another year of its return to democratic governance.

Jameel said that despite present challenges in the country, there is cause for Nigerians to cheer, as the country has in the last few years made appreciable progress in its journey to civil rule and nationhood.

A major reason for joy, he said, is the recent largely successful elections and the ability of Nigerians to have weathered the storm and remain one united country.

While acknowledging that Nigeria should by now have risen above current developmental challenges, given the country’s rich human and natural endowments, Jameel said that the foundation for the emergence of a truly great nation is being laid by government and that hope is gradually being restored among citizens.

“We are happy to be part of our young and growing democracy. Of great significance is the regenerative spirit, taking root in the country. The progress made so far since the return to democratic governance, such as the institution of due process and the acclaimed reforms in the economic, financial and telecommunication sectors, has positioned Nigeria on the path to steady growth,” Jameel said.

He said a major success story is the liberalisation of the telecom industry, which led to the emergence of Globacom; a development he explained has caused a revolution in the telecommunication industry and positively affected lives and businesses in the country.

The Globacom boss restated the company’s belief in the ability of Nigerians to rise above present challenges and excel in their endeavour.

He affirmed that Globacom would continue to empower Nigerians with world-class telecommunication services to enable them rule their world.

Robbers Attack Benin-bound Newspaper Vendors

DRIVERS of two vehicles belonging to two major newspapers were attacked over the weekend by armed robbers along the Ijebu-Ode-Sagamu axis of the Lagos- Benin Road.

The six-man gang was said to have blocked the road with a truck and unleashed terror on its victims.

Narrating his experience to journalists, one of the drivers, Ese Idehen, said the attack took place around 3am.

“They blocked the road with a trailer, and while I was approaching the place, I heard gunshots. They ordered me to lie down and collected all my money and belongings and went away with my vehicle, which they later abandoned.”

Idehen who sustained serious injuries in his left eye and shoulder was however denied treatment by a private hospital. According to him, the doctor insisted on getting a Police report.

—Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City

Keke NAPEP Is Govt’s Initiative, AGF Replies Firm

THE Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, has argued that NAPEP is an acronym for the National Poverty Eradication Programme and that he has responsibility to protect the initiative of the federal government designed to alleviate poverty.

According to him, he is also in a position to advise the government on protection of its interests and intellectual property.

Adoke said this in a counter-affidavit filed by his counsel, Fabian Ajogwu, which was made available to The Guardian yesterday in response to the suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/487/2011 initiated by Alban Ofili-Okonkwo’s Autobahn Techniques Ltd at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking the exclusive use of the trade mark and the name Keke NAPEP.

Autobahn Techniques Limited had sued the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice and others before the Abuja Federal High Court presided over by Justice Gabriel Kolawole, accusing him specifically of unlawful conduct that bordered on conflict of interest and brazen display of impunity.

In the suit filed by a Lagos lawyer, Ogbonnaya Agbafo, on behalf of the firm, the AGF was sued in his personal capacity and officially for “acting ultra vires the statutory powers of the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.”

—Bola Olajuwon

Adefuye On How To Move The Nation Forward

AGAINST challenges threatening national cohesion, Nigeria’s future in the international community is bright if it remains one indivisible entity.   According to the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Prof. Ade Adefuye, the nation has essential components of a great country, and there must be willingness to resist, from any quarters, attempt to drive back the wheel of progress.  Adefuye spoke on Friday during the 4th Annual Lecture of the Wilson Badejo Foundation, with the theme: ‘Global Tension and the Less Privileged’ at the National Institute of International Affairs, Lagos.  He lamented that the poor of society often bear the brunt of social conflict, resulting from the ambition of few powerful elements. Admitting, however, that crises are essential ingredients of society, the ambassador said they can and must be managed.  Stressing that there is no alternative to good governance, Adefuye said there is need for Nigerians to demand accountability from the nation’s leadership. He reiterated calls for a society founded on the principle of equal rights and the dignity of labour. The Wilson Badejo Foundation is a non-profit, non-religious and non-governmental organisation that touches lives through award of scholarships, youth empowerment, free medical missions and community development, among others.

—Femi Alabi Onikeku

Pharmacists Countdown To World ‘No Tobacco Day’

AHEAD of World No Tobacco Day, which is observed on May 31, every year, pharmacists under the aegis of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACEN) have warned that smoking contributes to high rate of morbidity in Nigeria.     The body spoke in Lagos at the weekend during campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking. Chairman of ACPN, Lagos State branch, Mr. Felix Anieh, said use of tobacco is one of the biggest health threats responsible for increase in cancer, hypertension, kidney disease, impotence, low sperm count, female infertility and miscarriage. The group, among other places it visited, also sensitised youths at Kuramo Secondary School, Victoria Island Lagosm on risks of taking narcotic substances.

—Afoma Mordi

Annual Law Week Begins Tuesday

THE 2011 Annual Law Week of the Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association will commence on Tuesday, May 31. As part of activities lined up, there will be religious services at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, GRA, Ikeja, and the Old Secretariat Mosque, Oba Akinjobi Way, GRA, Ikeja at 1.00 p.m. This will be followed by a football match between the NBA Ikeja 11 and the Police College team at the Police College, Ikeja. According to release by the Chair of the Law Week Committee, Chief Fassy Yusuf, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, the Justice Enitan Inunmidun Akande, will lead a visitation to Badagry Prison on Wednesday, June 1 at 9.00 a.m, while the Variety Day of the Branch will commence at 5.00 p.m on the same day. The 2011 edition of the Annual Alao Aka-Bashorun Memorial Lecture ‘Deepening Democratic Culture in Nigeria- The Role of the Legal Profession’, will hold at Airport Hotel, Ikeja on Thursday, June 2. 

Indigenes In Diaspora Commend Obi

PRESIDENT of Anambra people resident in the USA (ASA-USA), Dr. Allison Anadi, has commended the Anambra State government for efforts at developing the state. He made the commendation at the State House during the weekend after a meeting with Governor Obi and other officials of the state.  Allison expressed satisfaction over attention paid to areas that could add value to the state in future. On the progress of work at the Anambra State University site at Igbariam, Allison said it would enhance teaching and learning and provide access to higher education for youths in the state. He commended the building of the Faculty of Agriculture and called for the setting up of departments for transportation and criminal justice.   Allison praised the government for setting up a roads maintenance agency. He expressed shock at the condition of federal roads and called on the federal government to intervene urgently.

Boy Beats Nine Females In Cooking Competition

THE wife of Adamawa State governor, Hajiya Zainab Nyako, has said that the Maggi Cooking Competition organised by Nestle Nigeria Plc would help address challenges facing girl child education in the country. Speaking during the event at the weekend in Yola, Hajiya Zainab said the only way to revive the education sector is for the private sector to complement government effort by providing assistance in areas, like training of teachers or organising events for students. The competition  was won by a 13-year-old boy of Capital Secondary School, Yola, Abdulkarim Mohammed. Mohammed who defeated nine girl contestants to emerge winner thanked his teachers for giving him best preparations for the competition.  Brand Manager, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Gloria Nwubike, said the aim of the competition is to encourage mothers to train children, especially girls on how to cook good food.

—Emmanuel Ande, Yola

Forgive Me, Shinkafi Asks Zamfara People

OUTGOING governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi, at the weekend, asked people of the state for forgiveness, if during the discharge of his duties, he had offended any. Shinkafi spoke in Gusau, the state capital, during a farewell broadcast on the expiration of his four-year tenure. “I call on all those whom we may have offended, one way or the other in the course of discharging our responsibilities, to forgive us. In our case, we hold no grudges against anyone,” he said. Some political analysts, however, say the broadcast indicates that the governor will not be present during today’s handing over ceremony.

—Isah Ibrahim, Gusau