PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013
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News Sallah: FG declares Tuesday, Wednesday public holidays By Tobias Lengnan Dapam
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he federal government has declared Tuesday, 15th and Wednesday, 16th October as Public holidays for this year’s Eid-elKabir Celebration. Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro who made the declaration in a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Fatima B. A. Bamidele, urged all Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for peace and unity across country. He also enjoined Nigerians to join hands with President Jonathan in his “sustained efforts to raise Nigeria to the next level of development”.
Ram display as Eid-El-Kabir celebration draws near, yesterday at Apo round about ram market, in Abuja.
Jonathan to attend extraordinary session of AU leaders in Addis Ababa
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resident Goodluck Jonathan will begin a twoday official visit to Addis Ababa tomorrow to participate in an Extraordinary Session of the African Union’s Assembly of Heads of State and Government. The Special Adviser to the
President, (Media & Publicity), Reuben Abati, in a statement said the Extraordinary Session will consider the Progress Report on the Implementation of the Assembly’s Decision of May 2013 on International Jurisdiction, Justice and the International
Criminal Court and, Election (by the Executive Council) and Appointment (by the Assembly) of a new Commissioner for Peace and Security. President Jonathan will be accompanied to Addis Ababa by Senator Emmanuel Paulker, the
Minister of Justice and AttorneyGeneral of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN) and the Minister of State (Foreign Affairs), Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed. He will return to Abuja at the conclusion of the summit on Saturday.
EFCC docks 3 pastors, church member By Joy Baba
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he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) yesterday arraigned three pastors and one other before a Federal High Court, Port Harcourt for allegedly obstructing the operatives of the Commission from performing their lawful duty.
The suspect, Pastors (Mrs) Ruth Abbah, (Mrs) Deborah Jefferey, Shedrack Ajadi and Imomotimi Bowei were arraigned on a 2-count charge at the court, sitting before Justice Lambo Akanbi. An EFCC statement said the suspects were arrested on October 8, 2013 at Warrior of Christ International Church,
Off Odili Road, Port Harcourt, for allegedly obstructing and assaulting operatives of the Commission in the course of inviting one Rev. John Richard who was alleged to be involved in a case of obtaining money by false pretence. The statement also said the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges and the trial
Judge, Justice Akanbi however granted them bail in the sum of N 500,000 and one surety in like sum. The surety must be a Level 14 officer and must have landed property within the jurisdiction of court. The case was adjourned to November 27, 2013 for commencement of trial.
NCPC inspects aircraft for this year’s pilgrimage By Evelyn Okakwu
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team of technical experts have departed Nigeria to Istanbul Turkey to inspect the approved Aircrafts that will fly intending pilgrims to Israel, Rome and Greece for the 2013 Christian Pilgrimage operations. The team is led by the Chairman of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim’s
Commission (NCPC), His Grace, Most Revd. Nicholas D. Okoh. The inspection team which also includes three technical officials of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have the duty of inspecting the two Aircrafts, Airbus – A330 – 300 with 387 seats, the aircrafts have 12 Business class each with 8 toilets.
According to a statement forwarded by the head of media services of the commission, Mr Celectin Ogugua, Atlasjet of Turkey was selected as the official Airline for the 2013 Christian Pilgrimage operations. This is as result of the fact that the airline was approved by President Goodluck Jonathan, following the recommendation of
the NCPC. Also, as part of preparations for the safe airlift of Pilgrims, the commission has organised a training exercise for the security operatives to spare-head this year’s Pilgrimage programme. The Airlift of intending pilgrims to the Holy Land will commenced on 19th October, 2013.
Kebbi records 80% immunization coverage – Official By Abbas Bamalli
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he Kebbi government has recorded 80 percent success during the integrated measles and polio eradication immunization exercise concluded on Wednesday.
Dr Abubakar Koko, the Coordinator, Kebbi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KPHDA), who disclosed this, said the exercise was successfully conducted in 225 electoral wards, adding that 65 percent coverage was recorded
in 43 of the wards. He said, “The agency will establish health camps in high risk areas that recorded below 80 per cent in addition to a oneday mop up exercise. He said 1,031 teams of 3,000 personnel were engaged
to immunize 500,000 children across the state. The coordinator commended the contributions of UNICEF, Rotary Club International, the state and local governments, which ensured the success of the exercise.
Photo: Justin Imo-Owo
FG calls on legislators to reform Human Rights Law By Albert Akota
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he Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro has called on legislators to reform Human Rights law in Nigeria in order to meet the international human rights standards. The minister who stated this in Abuja said the prevention and provision of effective rehabilitation to torture required legislative reforms and concrete steps to ensure implementations. Moro who reiterated the federal government’s determination to respect human rights and promote the rule of law, said Nigeria had signed and ratified the UN Convention Against Torture, Cruelty, Inhumane and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) and Optional Protocol, which recommended the establishment of National Preventive Mechanism. He said Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution provides for fundamental rights, including prohibition of torture, adding that the evidence collected under torture is also inadmissible in the court of law in Nigeria. Moro, who was represented by the Director, Para-Military Service of the ministry, Mr. Kent Amuga, expressed hope that the seminar would serve as good example in promoting awareness on torture. Speaking earlier at the event, Chairman of the Governing Board of PRAWA, Mr Gabriel Toby, said the theme of the seminar was a clarion call on human rights defenders, particularly the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims to rise up to the task of fighting the monster of torture.