Explosions hit Jos

A rocket explosion and unknown gunmen again hit Jos, Plateau State capital, yesterday morning, leaving no fewer than six persons dead, including a 10-year-old pupil of Jos Nura Islamic School, who was hit by a rocket fired at his school.

The development came just as two rocket launchers were said to have been launched around 7pm in Bukuru Jos south local government of plateau around the Bukuru Market

The spokesman of the special task force on Jos crisis Captain Salisu Mustapha confirmed the incidence and said it happened around the Gyel area of the locality and there was no casualty. He also said that large scale investigation is going on.

An eyewitness who did not want his name in print told LEADERSHIP in Jos that a man drove a Vectra Opel car, stopped close to the school, brought out a rocket-propelled gun, and fired at the school, killing the little boy who was sitting for examination alongside his classmates who narrowly escaped death but were injured in the attack.

The bursar of the Islamic school, Alhaji Usman Danlami, in a telephone conversation with LEADERSHIP, said there was no doubt that the school was the target of the attack, but the damage was minimal as the attacker missed his target and hit a house close to the school. It was the impact of the explosion that collapsed part of the wall which fell on the dead minor, he said.

Confirming the incident in Jos to LEADERSHIP, the spokesman of the Special Task Force on Jos crisis, Captain Salisu Mustapher, said there were attacks on Nura Islamic Private School in the Kerana area of Bukuru in Jos South local government Area of the state.

LEADERSHIP investigations revealed that four persons were killed in a particular attack by unknown gunmen at Sabon Gida Kanap in Bukuru, Jos South LGA.

The attackers stormed a house, killing a widow and her three children. They were reportedly killed at about 2am.

One person was reportedly killed by some youths in skirmishes following the explosion that rocked Jos Nura Islamic Private School and killed the 10-year-old boy.

The victim, Alhaji Boye, was allegedly killed at Jos Building Materials Market, along Bukuru Road.

However, in its report made available to LEADERSHIP, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said "only one person died in yesterday's crisis in Jos, particularly in the blast at an Islamic school in the Bukuru district of Jos, Plateau State, according to claims by a resident, which were corroborated by a security operative".

The statement quoted the spokesman of the agency, Yushua A. Shuaib, as saying "the explosion occurred in the morning in the Bukuru area of Jos South," but was silent on casualty figure thus far, though he confirmed that one person died from the explosion.

According to a NEMA report a resident of the area, Gyang Moses, confirmed that a high-calibre weapon was fired at a building from a distance, targeting the Islamic school not far from a government building in the area.

"The explosion was thrown out from a moving vehicle about 500 metres away from Islamic High School, Karen, Bukuru," it said.

There were also confirmed reports of sporadic gunshots in the area as people scampered for safety amidst confusion.

Meanwhile, Plateau State stakeholders have expressed dismay over the unending crisis in Jos and have called on prominent northern leaders to refrain from making inflammatory comments on the military intervention in five villages in Barakin Ladi and Riyom local government areas of the state.

In a 14-point communiqué issued after a meeting held at Government House in Rayfield, the stakeholders noted that recent comments by northern leaders fell short of reality of security challenges in the state, cautioning them to be careful in commenting on a matter they have little knowledge of.

The communiqué signed by chairman of the session, Rear Admiral S. B. Atukum, took exception to the incessant attacks on the people of the state, acknowledging that the state was under siege and that the terror attacks were not only aimed at the Berom but the state at large.

It called for synergy among the federal, states and local governments for effective border policing, observing that most of the nation's borders are porous, making it easy for infiltration into the country by foreign mercenaries.

The communiqué called on the State House of Assembly to enact an enabling law to empower traditional institutions through capacity building to effectively take charge of their domain and monitor activities of strange elements in their domain.

While calling on the federal government, through the NEMA to provide immediate assistance to victims, it called on government to provide employment opportunities, constant education and sanitisation programme for the youth.

Leadership

Longest reigning monarch in Nigeria dies at 102

Dr. Aliyu Ocheja Obaje, Attah of Igala, Nigeria's longest reigning First Class traditional ruler, is dead, Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State announced yesterday.

In the statement by Governor Wada, the Kogi State Government said Dr. Obaje died yesterday at the age of 102.

Obaje, who ascended the throne on November 2, 1956 was the paramount ruler of Igala, the dominant ethnic group in Kogi State and was chairman of Kogi State Traditional Council until death.

Dr. Obaje was honoured with the national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR and was appointed a minister without Portfolio by the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello in the First Republic . He was also a member of two Constitutional Conferences in London in the build-up to Nigeria's independence.

According to the governor: "The Attah was renowned for his quiet but effective administration of the traditional institution in the state and for his humble and humane disposition to the affairs of his people.

"The late Attah of Igala who was highly revered by his people, enjoyed wide spreadrelationships in various parts of Nigeria. A devoted Muslim, the late Attah is survived by his widows and many children, among whom is Chief Abdullahi Obaje, a National Ex-Officio member of Peoples Democratic Party. The Kogi State Government is finalising burial arrangements with the family," he disclosed yesterday.

Vanguard

Nigeria's first female Chief Justice Maryam Mukhtar sworn in

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Monday swore in the first female Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Maryam Aloma Mukhtar, and also conferred on her the national honour, Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).

Mukhtar was the first female lawyer in the defunct Northern Nigeria and first female high court judge in the North before rising to become the first female Justice of the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court.

Describing the ceremony as "historic", the president advised the new CJN to acclimatise to her new portfolio so as to tackle the numerous challenges of reforming the Nigerian judiciary.

He called on her to adapt to the synergy already created with the judiciary and legislature by the presidency to tackle emerging national challenges like terrorism and corruption, adding that she must give attention to the thorny issue of the trial of corruption cases and terrorism by appointing special courts using her prerogative.



"Today we are witnesses to history with the swearing in of Justice Aloma Mukhtar as the first female CJN. I join millions of our country men, female and youth in congratulating the Nigerian judiciary and your lordship as we record this important milestone in the annals of our nation judicial history.

"Although this administration has remained focused in projecting women, the learned CJN achieved this outstanding feat on account of her brilliance, resilience and hard work," the president said.

He added that his administration would continue to accord excellence and give it its deserved place in the service of the country.

He recalled that the hand of destiny had played a big role in the life of the new CJN, stating that "her lordship has always been a trailblazer in her judicial journey.

"She was the first female lawyer of northern extraction, the first female high court judge from the North, first female second-in-command in the Kano State judiciary, and the first Nigerian female judge to be elevated to the Court of Appeal where she served for over 17 years

"Today, she has risen to the pinnacle of her judicial career as the first female CJN in further service of our great country. My lord, I congratulate you."

He added that Mukhtar's achievement is an inspiration to all citizens, especially womanhood not only in Nigeria but also in Africa and the rest of the world.

"The honourable CJN now joins an eminent and exclusive list of achievers recognised throughout the world as beacon of hope in this century. She will after leaving office become a member of our nation's highest advisory council, the Council of State. Here again, she will make history as the first female permanent member of that council.

"We are confident that this exceptional achievement will herald an era of institutional transformation in judicial activism and strengthen our socio-economic and political system," the president said.

He reminded the CJN that she was assuming office at a time when the nation is undergoing reforms in all critical areas of governance and that it is particularly gratifying that "Your Lordship pledged during her Senate confirmation hearing to pursue judicial reform.

"I am therefore confident that Your Lordship will quickly settle down to work and commence the urgent task of reforming and repositioning the judiciary for effective and efficient discharge of constitutional mandate.

"I have no doubt that your work at our nation's apex court will benefit from your essential character of integrity, humility and courage.

"Your lordship will preside over the judiciary at a time of profound changes that demand a united response. We believe that the judiciary can play a crucial role as we confront the critical challenges.

"We are dealing with security challenges occasioned by sporadic acts of terrorism in some parts of the country. The three arms of government must work together to overcome this terrorist threat and act in the country.

"The war against corruption is another endeavour that calls for concerted action by all arms of government. I am confident that the judiciary under your able leadership will rise up to the challenge and provide the most needed support for government to address these challenges.

"Our citizens have complained of delayed trials particularly in cases of corruption, terrorism and other matters of serious concern.

"These complaints have led to frequent calls for special courts or designation of special judges to handle them with the required experience and speed.

"It will be your prerogative to consider and decide on this call. But I am sure that the entire country is in agreement that justice delayed is justice denied."

The president assured Mukhtar of his administration's continued support and cooperation and commended the immediate past CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, for his effort within the short period he was in office.

He said: "I will like to place on record our immense gratitude to the immediate past CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher. Despite his short tenure, he made spirited efforts to restore public confidence in our courts.

"We wish Justice Musdapher a well deserved retirement and hope that he will avail his wealth of experience in the continuous service of our nation especially as he is now a member of Council of State."

Speaking to reporters at the end of the ceremony, Justice Mukhtar re-iterated her earlier stand during her Senate screening that there was no need for a special court.

According to her, "I think I talked about that at the Senate that there is no need for a special court.

"A judge, two or three in the states can be designated to take care of that. I will again go back to what I said in the Senate, that I will lead by example and I will hope and pray that the others will follow."

On the nation's security challenges, she again repeated her presentation at the Senate screening, stating that the judiciary would partner the authorities to ensure that the menace is curbed.

In attendance at the swearing in was the First Lady of the country, Dame Patience Jonathan, who was accompanied by female ministers. This is the first time the First Lady would be attending a function of this nature.

Also in attendance were Vice-President Namadi Sambo; the Senate President, Senator David Mark; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu; and Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha.

The governors of Bayelsa and Kano States, Seriake Dickson and Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso respectively, were among other dignitaries at the ceremony.

This Day

Nigerian government fines oil firm $5 billion for oil spill

The Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, SNEPCO, has been fined U.S.$5 billion over the massive oil spill that occurred at its Bonga oil field on December 20, 2011.

This was disclosed yesterday by the Director General, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, Dr. Peter Idabor, when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Environment.

The committee's public hearing was meant to provide key actors in the Bonga oil spill an opportunity to brief the committee on the claims of affected communities.

Oil spill in the river

Idabor said the sum was an "administrative penalty" considering the large quantity of crude oil discharged into the environment by Shell and the impact of the incident on the water and aquatic life.

According to Idabor, the penalty was also consistent with what was obtainable in other oil producing countries such as Venezuela, Brazil and the United States of America.

He explained that this penalty was not the same as compensation since compensation could only be demanded from a polluting company after a proper post impact assessment has been conducted and scientific evidence of impact established.

Idabor disclosed that NOSDRA, Shell and other relevant stakeholders have concluded plans to conduct the post impact assessment on the spill as soon as approval for funding is secured from National Petroleum Investment Management Services.

Shell disagrees with fine

However, Shell has contested the fine, saying it has done nothing wrong to deserve the fine. In a quick response to Vanguard enquiries, a spokesman for Shell, Mr Tony Okonedo, said: "We do not believe there is any basis in law for such a fine. Neither do we believe that SNEPCo has committed any infraction of Nigerian law to warrant such a fine.

"SNEPCo responded to this incident with professionalism and acted with the consent of the necessary authorities at all times to prevent environmental impact as a result of the incident."

In the heat of the controversies over the spill, especially with regard to third party spill which was cited in several other parts of the Niger Delta, Shell claimed it had sent samples of the spill to laboratories abroad for tests to confirm its liabilities. But till date, nothing was heard of the result of the tests.

Reason for fine

The NOSDRA boss explaining the reason for the $5 billion fine noted that "although adequate containment measures were put in place to combat the Bonga oil spill, it, however, posed a serious environmental threat to the offshore environment."

He said: "The spilled 40,000 barrels impacted approximately on 950 square kilometres of water surface; affected great number of sensitive environmental resources across the impacted area and has direct social impact on the livelihood of people in the riverine areas whose primary occupation is fishing.

"It also potentially caused a number of physiological effects on aquatic lives while surviving aquatic species around the spill site would migrate to a farther distance to situate new habitat thereby forcing coastal communities to move deeper into the sea to carry out fishing activities."

Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Hon. Uche Ekwunife had at the opening of the interactive session expressed displeasure that seven months after the spill, there were doubts if Shell carried out a thorough clean-up programme as the oil firm was said to have hurriedly resumed operations on the facility.

She further stated that there were also indications that Shell had refused to accept full responsibility for the incident and had rebuffed claims from communities affected by the spill.

Vanguard

Video report - Northern Nigerian state organises mass wedding to reduce divorce

Divorce rates in northern Nigeria are among the highest in West Africa with one in three marriages said to fail within the first three years. That is why the State Government of Kano has hosted a mass wedding ceremony for 250 divorcees, widows and young unmarried girls. That comes with a strict condition though. Organisers say the men who marry through this program will not be allowed to divorce their wives without permission from the state government.

Al Jazeera