ABUJA— Police in Abuja are investigating the suspected murder of a female lawyer, Mrs. Ijeoma Micah, whose lifeless body was found mutilated, yesterday, in her chambers in the highbrow Maitama area of Abuja.
Ijeoma, the owner of Micah and Micah Chambers, was found dead in her office three days after she was said to have gone missing.
Her husband, who it was learnt, arrived from London on Sunday morning, rushed to her office, as it was gathered that he had not heard from her for three days, only to discover her lifeless body.
He reported the matter to Area Command of the police in Maitama.
Contacted on the development, Commissioner of Police FCT, Femi Ogunbayode, said that from investigations, it was discovered that some men had called Ijeoma to her office for some business, which she went for and afterwards, nothing was heard from her.
Ogunbayode told Vanguard that as a result of the killing, a security detail that was attached to Ifeoma was arrested and was being interrogated for alleged complicity.
He said that since the security detail did not report the case to the police until her husband came back from abroad and discovered her body, he was therefore a suspect.
He added that the Forensic Investigation Unit at the FCT Command was already at the office, where she was allegedly killed and had commenced investigation into the matter.
Sympathisers in the area said that the Ifeoma’s husband broke the door of her office and on seeing the lifeless body of his wife, almost killed himself while crying.
It was also gathered that Ijeoma’s car had been missing from the usual parking spot in front of her office building.
Sunday, 6 October 2013
Amosun blames delay in salary payment on FG
ABEOKUTA — GOVERNOR Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, said partial release of state allocation by the Presidency is responsible for the delay of the payment of September salary to workers in the state.
Amosun who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa , during the world teachers day held in the state, said civil servants in the State would start receiving their salary from next week promising not to owe the civil servants any salary despite the challenges.
Speaking, State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Dare Ilekoya urged the government to address some of the challenges confronting teachers in the State.
Ilekoya lamented what he described as irregular and delayed payment of school teachers salaries, non-remittance of co-operative deductions and union dues.
Ilekoya said, “some people were engaged by the Federal Govt as a way of creating employment. These teachers have served in the state in the last 24 months and their service expired last month. We believe that the state government should absorb them into the teaching service to address the shortage of teachers.”
He however commended the Amosun administration for timely intervention on regular payment of salaries, implementation of 15 Percent part payment of 27.5 Teachers’ Peculiar Allowance.
President of NUT, Michael Alogba, in the address on his behalf by Grace Faleye, charged the Federal Government not to commit the management of primary education into the hands of local governments.
Amosun who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa , during the world teachers day held in the state, said civil servants in the State would start receiving their salary from next week promising not to owe the civil servants any salary despite the challenges.
Speaking, State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Dare Ilekoya urged the government to address some of the challenges confronting teachers in the State.
Ilekoya lamented what he described as irregular and delayed payment of school teachers salaries, non-remittance of co-operative deductions and union dues.
Ilekoya said, “some people were engaged by the Federal Govt as a way of creating employment. These teachers have served in the state in the last 24 months and their service expired last month. We believe that the state government should absorb them into the teaching service to address the shortage of teachers.”
He however commended the Amosun administration for timely intervention on regular payment of salaries, implementation of 15 Percent part payment of 27.5 Teachers’ Peculiar Allowance.
President of NUT, Michael Alogba, in the address on his behalf by Grace Faleye, charged the Federal Government not to commit the management of primary education into the hands of local governments.
Tinubu visits crash survivors
Former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday visited the survivors of the Associated Aviation crash at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), where they are being treated.
The aircraft which was conveying the body of the former Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu and some others to Akure crashed on Thursday after taking off in Lagos.
Shortly after landing at the Murtal Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) visited the victims. He was accompanied by his wife Senator Oluremi, the interim spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji and other party stalwarts.
The former Lagos governor spent some time at the ward.
He described the death of the former Ondo State governor as a great loss to the country, describing Agagu as a good man he will miss despite their partisan differences.
He said Nigerians should give thanks to God for sparing the lives of Agagu’s son: Feyi and the son in law in the crash, affirming that government needs to fix the corruption and rot in the aviation sector.
Speaking in an interview on arrival at the airport, he described the crash as a national disaster, and called on the Federal Government to urgently overhaul the aviation sector.
He said until professionals are put in place to oversee the industry, the country may not meet the global standard of aviation it desires.
Rather than put the right personnel and equipment in place including a world standard runway, government he said has used the aviation sector to victimise perceived political enemies , whose aircraft are either grounded or recalled mid air.
He cited examples of the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi and the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
Asiwaju said “Agagu was a committed family man. Tunji (Okusanya) was a close friend of every one of us. But God has done one thing, has shown us His wonders. In the midst of all of these, Feyi Agagu survived, his brother in law survived.
“He has given room for us to give thanks to God. Nigeria’s aviation sector is a risk, we have never allowed professionals to run the Aviation industry, and we created too much bureaucracy. Where are the professionals, where are the engineers? What is the age of the plane and the records of maintenance? But when they have already compromised the office, they waste our valuable lives and time.”
He lamented that corruption has crippled the system, as according to him, “We have to remove corruption that is a cancer in our society. We have to remove ethnicity and clannishness in our society; it is a shame on our society.”
The aircraft which was conveying the body of the former Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu and some others to Akure crashed on Thursday after taking off in Lagos.
Shortly after landing at the Murtal Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) visited the victims. He was accompanied by his wife Senator Oluremi, the interim spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji and other party stalwarts.
The former Lagos governor spent some time at the ward.
He described the death of the former Ondo State governor as a great loss to the country, describing Agagu as a good man he will miss despite their partisan differences.
He said Nigerians should give thanks to God for sparing the lives of Agagu’s son: Feyi and the son in law in the crash, affirming that government needs to fix the corruption and rot in the aviation sector.
Speaking in an interview on arrival at the airport, he described the crash as a national disaster, and called on the Federal Government to urgently overhaul the aviation sector.
He said until professionals are put in place to oversee the industry, the country may not meet the global standard of aviation it desires.
Rather than put the right personnel and equipment in place including a world standard runway, government he said has used the aviation sector to victimise perceived political enemies , whose aircraft are either grounded or recalled mid air.
He cited examples of the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi and the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
Asiwaju said “Agagu was a committed family man. Tunji (Okusanya) was a close friend of every one of us. But God has done one thing, has shown us His wonders. In the midst of all of these, Feyi Agagu survived, his brother in law survived.
“He has given room for us to give thanks to God. Nigeria’s aviation sector is a risk, we have never allowed professionals to run the Aviation industry, and we created too much bureaucracy. Where are the professionals, where are the engineers? What is the age of the plane and the records of maintenance? But when they have already compromised the office, they waste our valuable lives and time.”
He lamented that corruption has crippled the system, as according to him, “We have to remove corruption that is a cancer in our society. We have to remove ethnicity and clannishness in our society; it is a shame on our society.”
Ibori’s undeclared assets: English court has no jurisdiction – Defence
Mr. Ivan Krolic, lead counsel to Chief James Ibori, former governor of Delta State, has told the Southwark, London, court that the British court system lacks the power and jurisdiction to determine and reach a conclusion for Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau on which assets of the former governor to confiscate, over assets declared or undeclared in Nigeria, an independent nation.
The British Crown prosecution, among other allegations, had accused James Ibori of non-declaration or false declaration of his assets as required by Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau, during his time as governor.
As the legal battle in the assets confiscation hearing of the former governor enters its final stage, the British crown prosecution, in their arguments, had asked the British court to confiscate the assets of the former governor as he had breached Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau’s statutory requirements on assets declaration.
The crown’s lead prosecutor, Sasha Wass, asking for the confiscation of every single penny above the sum of Ibori’s emoluments as governor, said: “Every asset over and above that which was declared and which was referable to his level of salary can be shown to be the proceeds of his criminal conduct, namely, fraud and corruption.”
Ibori’s lawyer, Krolic, opposed that argument.
He contended: “Even where there is a legal obligation to make declaration of income or assets, the failure to make any such declaration or making of false declaration (if such exists), cannot cause the property to be confiscated.
“This cannot turn otherwise legitimately acquired assets into criminal property, since this procedure requires the intervention of a third party, Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau.
“And with the unknown outcome of the Bureau’s input, it is not possible for an English court to reach any conclusion about the attitude of Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau to issues as whether und
The British Crown prosecution, among other allegations, had accused James Ibori of non-declaration or false declaration of his assets as required by Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau, during his time as governor.
As the legal battle in the assets confiscation hearing of the former governor enters its final stage, the British crown prosecution, in their arguments, had asked the British court to confiscate the assets of the former governor as he had breached Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau’s statutory requirements on assets declaration.
The crown’s lead prosecutor, Sasha Wass, asking for the confiscation of every single penny above the sum of Ibori’s emoluments as governor, said: “Every asset over and above that which was declared and which was referable to his level of salary can be shown to be the proceeds of his criminal conduct, namely, fraud and corruption.”
Ibori’s lawyer, Krolic, opposed that argument.
He contended: “Even where there is a legal obligation to make declaration of income or assets, the failure to make any such declaration or making of false declaration (if such exists), cannot cause the property to be confiscated.
“This cannot turn otherwise legitimately acquired assets into criminal property, since this procedure requires the intervention of a third party, Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau.
“And with the unknown outcome of the Bureau’s input, it is not possible for an English court to reach any conclusion about the attitude of Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau to issues as whether und
Saturday, 5 October 2013
Ex-Gov Agagu buried amidst wailing and confusion
THE sleepy Iju-Odo, Osooro community in Okitipupa council area of Ondo state yesterday witnessed an unprecedented number of dignitaries who came from all walks of life to bid one of their illustrious sons, late Dr Olusegun Agagu, farewell. Agagu,65, who was the former governor of Ondo State, died on September 13.
Apart from other visitors, thousands of people, both high and low trooped from across the 18 council areas of the state to witness his burial.
This was even as his family has condoled the families of 13 persons who died in the plane crash conveying Agagu’s corpse to the state Thursday.
A Commissioner in the State Deji Falae, a protocol officer Daji Bernard and two other liaison officers in the Ondo State government’s Lagos Laison office were among the 13 persons that died in the crash .The accident led to the scaling down of funeral activities ‘’to its barest and basic minimum,” as it was made a ‘’private family affairs devoid of pomp and pageantry.”
However, Agagu’s body was transferred into a new casket before being buried as the old one with which it was involved in a plane crash had cracks contrary to the belief that it was intact.
Agagu’s family made a stop-over in Ondo town yesterday to purchase a new purple -coloured casket from BELL with which the body was conveyed for the funeral service at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Iju-Odo, Osooro.
Sources also said that apart from the purchase of a new casket, the MIC Undertakers which provided the first casket held onto the corpse for hours before releasing same following alleged intervention of a top security chief.
Dignitaries at the funeral service included the Minister Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade who led the Federal Government delegation; Communication Technology Minister, Omobola Johnson; former Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Akin Aduwo, rtd; former governors of Oyo and Ekiti States, Adebayo Akala and Segun Oni; Osun’s ex governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Ogun State’s ex governor Gbenga Daniel.
Also present were business Mogul Jimoh Ibrahim; former Deputy governor of the late governor Omolade Oluwateru; as well as the former Managing Director of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, Joseph Makoju.
There were also rights activist Tunji Abayomi; Senator Boluwaji Kunlere; wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Bola; former Speaker, State House of Assembly, Victor Olabimtan; Senator Gbenga Ogunniya; Sola Oke; Eddy Olafeso; Otunba Solomon Oladunni; Princess Oladunni Odu; Dr Tayo Dairo and Taofiq Olawale Abdusalam among others.
Most of the mourners wore customized Ankara fabric with the picture of the deceased in the colour of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, with the inscription, ‘’Dr Olusegun Agagu, 1948-2013”, boldly written on it.
At exactly 1;45pm a motorcade and BELL hearse bearing the corpse of the former governor drove into St Paul’s Anglican Church for the service earlier fixed for 11am.
The church was filled to the brim just as canopies were used to provide shelter for well wishers outside the church building.
His remains were finally lowered into the grave at exactly 3:35pm.His final resting place which is at the right hand side while going into the Church through the main entrance, had earlier been completed. The tomb was constructed with marble.
Jonathan, others eulogize Agagu
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday eulogized the late former governor of OndoState, Dr Olusegun Agagu, describing him as an intellectual and a man of honour.
Speaking through the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade, rtd, Jonathan said that Nigerians would miss the former governor “very dearly.”
Agagu’s family condoles families of victims of plane crash
The condolence letter read, “The family of the late Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, even in its own bereavement, deeply mourns the death of all those who lost their lives in the ill-fated plane crash which occured when Dr. Agagu’s body was being taken home for burial.
”In deference to all the families who are in bereavement, and out of respect for the memory of the departed, the Agagu family has decided to scale down the details of the funeral to its barest and basic minimum. Accordingly, the funeral will now be a private family affair, shorn of all the pomp and pageantry of a State funeral.
”It is also instructive to note that the traditional Christian wake was entirely cancelled yesterday.
”The Agagu family deeply commiserates with all the bereaved families and prays fervently for the repose of the souls of all the departed, even as the family continues to remain in close contact with all the families affected by this tragedy.’’
Others who condoled the families included the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, the Edo State State Governor, Adams Oshiohmole, his predecessor, Lucky Igbinedion, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, Chairman of Fresh Party, Rev Chris Okotie, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and the All Progressive Congress, APC, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, United Progressive Party, UPP, among others.
Agagu’s profile
Dr Agagu was born February 16, 1948 at Iju-Odo in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the Ondo State.
He commenced his elementary education at St. Luke’s Anglican School, now known as St. Paul’s Anglican School Okitipupa, in 1954. In January 1958, he moved to live with his cousin, Edward Fagbohun in Ibadan, Oyo state where he continued his primary education at Ebenezer African Church School, Oke-Ado, Ibadan.
In 1959 he was transferred to Kano where he studied at the Ebenezer Methodist School and Baptist Primary School Sabon-Gari. He then moved back to Ebenezer African Church School, Ibadan where he completed his primary education in 1960.
Thereafter, he was in Ibadan Grammar School between January 1961 and 1967 where he passed his West African School Certificate and the Higher School Certificate examinations.
He was admitted to the University of Ibadan in 1968 to study Botany but later changed to Geology. He graduated with a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Second Class Upper Division, in 1971. As an undergraduate, his academic record was replete with laurels and prizes.
Agagu went to the University of Texas between 1973 and 1974 for his Masters degree in Geology. Returning to Nigeria, he obtained a Ph.D degree in Petroleum Geology from the University of Ibadan in 1978.
Agagu was appointed first Aviation Minister by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999. He served as the governor from May 29, 2003 to February 2009 under the umbrella of the PDP.
Apart from other visitors, thousands of people, both high and low trooped from across the 18 council areas of the state to witness his burial.
This was even as his family has condoled the families of 13 persons who died in the plane crash conveying Agagu’s corpse to the state Thursday.
A Commissioner in the State Deji Falae, a protocol officer Daji Bernard and two other liaison officers in the Ondo State government’s Lagos Laison office were among the 13 persons that died in the crash .The accident led to the scaling down of funeral activities ‘’to its barest and basic minimum,” as it was made a ‘’private family affairs devoid of pomp and pageantry.”
However, Agagu’s body was transferred into a new casket before being buried as the old one with which it was involved in a plane crash had cracks contrary to the belief that it was intact.
Agagu’s family made a stop-over in Ondo town yesterday to purchase a new purple -coloured casket from BELL with which the body was conveyed for the funeral service at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Iju-Odo, Osooro.
Sources also said that apart from the purchase of a new casket, the MIC Undertakers which provided the first casket held onto the corpse for hours before releasing same following alleged intervention of a top security chief.
Dignitaries at the funeral service included the Minister Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade who led the Federal Government delegation; Communication Technology Minister, Omobola Johnson; former Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Akin Aduwo, rtd; former governors of Oyo and Ekiti States, Adebayo Akala and Segun Oni; Osun’s ex governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Ogun State’s ex governor Gbenga Daniel.
Also present were business Mogul Jimoh Ibrahim; former Deputy governor of the late governor Omolade Oluwateru; as well as the former Managing Director of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, Joseph Makoju.
There were also rights activist Tunji Abayomi; Senator Boluwaji Kunlere; wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Bola; former Speaker, State House of Assembly, Victor Olabimtan; Senator Gbenga Ogunniya; Sola Oke; Eddy Olafeso; Otunba Solomon Oladunni; Princess Oladunni Odu; Dr Tayo Dairo and Taofiq Olawale Abdusalam among others.
Most of the mourners wore customized Ankara fabric with the picture of the deceased in the colour of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, with the inscription, ‘’Dr Olusegun Agagu, 1948-2013”, boldly written on it.
At exactly 1;45pm a motorcade and BELL hearse bearing the corpse of the former governor drove into St Paul’s Anglican Church for the service earlier fixed for 11am.
The church was filled to the brim just as canopies were used to provide shelter for well wishers outside the church building.
His remains were finally lowered into the grave at exactly 3:35pm.His final resting place which is at the right hand side while going into the Church through the main entrance, had earlier been completed. The tomb was constructed with marble.
Jonathan, others eulogize Agagu
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday eulogized the late former governor of OndoState, Dr Olusegun Agagu, describing him as an intellectual and a man of honour.
Speaking through the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade, rtd, Jonathan said that Nigerians would miss the former governor “very dearly.”
Agagu’s family condoles families of victims of plane crash
The condolence letter read, “The family of the late Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, even in its own bereavement, deeply mourns the death of all those who lost their lives in the ill-fated plane crash which occured when Dr. Agagu’s body was being taken home for burial.
”In deference to all the families who are in bereavement, and out of respect for the memory of the departed, the Agagu family has decided to scale down the details of the funeral to its barest and basic minimum. Accordingly, the funeral will now be a private family affair, shorn of all the pomp and pageantry of a State funeral.
”It is also instructive to note that the traditional Christian wake was entirely cancelled yesterday.
”The Agagu family deeply commiserates with all the bereaved families and prays fervently for the repose of the souls of all the departed, even as the family continues to remain in close contact with all the families affected by this tragedy.’’
Others who condoled the families included the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, the Edo State State Governor, Adams Oshiohmole, his predecessor, Lucky Igbinedion, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, Chairman of Fresh Party, Rev Chris Okotie, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and the All Progressive Congress, APC, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, United Progressive Party, UPP, among others.
Agagu’s profile
Dr Agagu was born February 16, 1948 at Iju-Odo in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the Ondo State.
He commenced his elementary education at St. Luke’s Anglican School, now known as St. Paul’s Anglican School Okitipupa, in 1954. In January 1958, he moved to live with his cousin, Edward Fagbohun in Ibadan, Oyo state where he continued his primary education at Ebenezer African Church School, Oke-Ado, Ibadan.
In 1959 he was transferred to Kano where he studied at the Ebenezer Methodist School and Baptist Primary School Sabon-Gari. He then moved back to Ebenezer African Church School, Ibadan where he completed his primary education in 1960.
Thereafter, he was in Ibadan Grammar School between January 1961 and 1967 where he passed his West African School Certificate and the Higher School Certificate examinations.
He was admitted to the University of Ibadan in 1968 to study Botany but later changed to Geology. He graduated with a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Second Class Upper Division, in 1971. As an undergraduate, his academic record was replete with laurels and prizes.
Agagu went to the University of Texas between 1973 and 1974 for his Masters degree in Geology. Returning to Nigeria, he obtained a Ph.D degree in Petroleum Geology from the University of Ibadan in 1978.
Agagu was appointed first Aviation Minister by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999. He served as the governor from May 29, 2003 to February 2009 under the umbrella of the PDP.
Friday, 4 October 2013
ASUU BEING FORCED TO END STRIKE
Lagos-based legal practitioner, Daniel Onwe, has dragged the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, before a Federal High Court in Lagos, southern Nigeria, over the lingering crisis between the two bodies which has led to the closure of public universities in the country since 1 July.
In a motion dated 30 September, 2013, Barrister Onwe is seeking an order of court to compel ASUU to call off the strike it embarked upon in protest over the unwillingness of government to implement certain aspects of the agreement they reached over the parlous state of Nigerian universities and other issues.
In a 15-paragraph affidavit filed along with the motion, Onwe is asking the court to declare that the indefinite strike embarked upon by ASUU, leading to the closure of government owned universities for three months, violates the fundamental rights of the students affected.
He argued that the continued strike action by ASUU has traumatized many students who now engage in all sorts of vices.
Onwe posited that the plight of the affected students has worsened as their contemporaries in private universities continue to attend lectures while they remain idle at home.
He urged the court to compel ASUU to open the universities for lectures to resume while their negotiation with the Federal Government continues.
No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.
195 23
In a motion dated 30 September, 2013, Barrister Onwe is seeking an order of court to compel ASUU to call off the strike it embarked upon in protest over the unwillingness of government to implement certain aspects of the agreement they reached over the parlous state of Nigerian universities and other issues.
In a 15-paragraph affidavit filed along with the motion, Onwe is asking the court to declare that the indefinite strike embarked upon by ASUU, leading to the closure of government owned universities for three months, violates the fundamental rights of the students affected.
He argued that the continued strike action by ASUU has traumatized many students who now engage in all sorts of vices.
Onwe posited that the plight of the affected students has worsened as their contemporaries in private universities continue to attend lectures while they remain idle at home.
He urged the court to compel ASUU to open the universities for lectures to resume while their negotiation with the Federal Government continues.
No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.
195 23
Boko Haram Will Be Defeated — US Govt
The United States government has said that Boko Haram will be defeated in Nigeria just as it said that it remained concerned about the security situation in the country. The US added that it would continue to provide necessary supports for the Nigerian government to conquer the people behind the insecurity in the country.
Speaking during a press briefing with journalists at the Department of State in Washington, DC yesterday, spokesperson of the White House Ms. Marie Harf, Deputy said that the United States government would not relent in its efforts to ensure that terrorism was eradicated in Nigeria.
Asked why the United States preferred to assist Nigeria to tackle Boko Haram and abandoned Mali when both countries are facing the same security challenge, Ms. Harf said: “Well, actually, I think it’s really comparing apples and oranges here, right? Because, as you know, the assistance was cut off to Mali as the result of a specific political situation in the country, that we ended assistance in response to a very specific situation.
“Look, in Nigeria, obviously, we remain deeply committed to helping the Nigerian Government in its fight against Boko Haram. We remain very concerned about ongoing attacks in Nigeria being perpetrated by Boko Haram, and we will continue discussing with Nigerian authorities appropriate steps to counter this group. We will work with the government and we are sure that Boko Haram will be defeated.
“Obviously, if we have issues with reports of things that they’re doing, we will raise those as well. So I think they’re very different situations, but clearly, we are committed to countering the extremist threat wherever it operates around the world”
Just two days ago, the United States and the United Nations had condemned the attack that was made on some students of the College of Agriculture at Gujba local government area of Yobe State on Sunday.
Jen Psaki, a Department of State Spokesperson, who reacted on behalf of the US government said that the United States stood with all Nigerians to reject the heinous violence that continues to be perpetrated by Boko Haram and other extremist groups.
The official continued that those attacks on innocent civilians had no place in a democratic society. He stressed that : “Following last week’s heinous attack in Benisheikh, where more than 160 people were shot and slaughtered, this weekend’s attacks in Yobe state took the lives of more than fifty innocent students and civilians. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in these senseless acts of violence”.
She also urged the government of Nigeria to work together with the families of the victims and affected communities to find and bring those responsible for this deplorable violence to justice, and to enhance the protection of civilians to ensure respect for the rule of law.
In his swift reaction,the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, strongly condemned the murder of more than 40 students and the wounding of several others by gunmen at an agricultural college in Yobe state.
Speaking during a press briefing with journalists at the Department of State in Washington, DC yesterday, spokesperson of the White House Ms. Marie Harf, Deputy said that the United States government would not relent in its efforts to ensure that terrorism was eradicated in Nigeria.
Asked why the United States preferred to assist Nigeria to tackle Boko Haram and abandoned Mali when both countries are facing the same security challenge, Ms. Harf said: “Well, actually, I think it’s really comparing apples and oranges here, right? Because, as you know, the assistance was cut off to Mali as the result of a specific political situation in the country, that we ended assistance in response to a very specific situation.
“Look, in Nigeria, obviously, we remain deeply committed to helping the Nigerian Government in its fight against Boko Haram. We remain very concerned about ongoing attacks in Nigeria being perpetrated by Boko Haram, and we will continue discussing with Nigerian authorities appropriate steps to counter this group. We will work with the government and we are sure that Boko Haram will be defeated.
“Obviously, if we have issues with reports of things that they’re doing, we will raise those as well. So I think they’re very different situations, but clearly, we are committed to countering the extremist threat wherever it operates around the world”
Just two days ago, the United States and the United Nations had condemned the attack that was made on some students of the College of Agriculture at Gujba local government area of Yobe State on Sunday.
Jen Psaki, a Department of State Spokesperson, who reacted on behalf of the US government said that the United States stood with all Nigerians to reject the heinous violence that continues to be perpetrated by Boko Haram and other extremist groups.
The official continued that those attacks on innocent civilians had no place in a democratic society. He stressed that : “Following last week’s heinous attack in Benisheikh, where more than 160 people were shot and slaughtered, this weekend’s attacks in Yobe state took the lives of more than fifty innocent students and civilians. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in these senseless acts of violence”.
She also urged the government of Nigeria to work together with the families of the victims and affected communities to find and bring those responsible for this deplorable violence to justice, and to enhance the protection of civilians to ensure respect for the rule of law.
In his swift reaction,the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, strongly condemned the murder of more than 40 students and the wounding of several others by gunmen at an agricultural college in Yobe state.
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