ACN says that government must refurbish Police Colleges

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has expressed the hope that the promise by Police Affairs Minister, Caleb Olubolade, that the government will restructure and refurbish police training institutions across the country, is not a hoax designed only to douse the nationwide anger generated by the Channels TV expose on the rundown Police College in Ikeja.

''If this is one of those ploys to divert attention from a burning issue and then continue with business as usual, the government is in for a rude shock, because Nigerians will definitely hold the Jonathan Administration to its promise to refurbish the police training colleges,'' ACN said in a statement issued in Oyo yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

''To convince Nigerians that this is not the usual government gimmick, the minister must give a time frame within which the government will redeem its pledge. This promise cannot be open-ended if it is to be credible,'' it said.

ACN also queried why the government has chosen to intimidate Channels TV, which decided to expose the rot at the police college in Ikeja as part of a strategy to forge a public-private partnership to help raise the resources needed to refurbish the college.

The announcement by the management of the TV station ''postponing'' the forum, which it had planned to hold in order to actualise its plan, is a direct result of President Jonathan's unnecessary and inexplicable anger at the station, when he should have channelled his energy into reversing the rot.

''Yes, Channels TV has not said publicly that it was forced to 'postpone' the forum, but any discerning person knows the TV station had to retrace its steps after no other personality than the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria left it in no doubt that its public service initiative was meant to 'embarrass' the Administration.''

Leadership

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Four army officers dismissed from military for rape

The Nigerian Army has dismissed four soldiers who were involved in cases of abduction, rape, extortion and assault.

The Commander, Guards Brigade, Brig-Gen Emmanuel Atewe, disclosed this Tuesday at a media briefing at Aguiyi Ironsi Cantonment, Abuja.

Atewe, who was represented by Maj. Peter Elayo, said the allegation was broadcast in one of the nation's broadcast station, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) on Jan 14, 2013.

The soldiers were later handed over to police for prosecution.

Following the incident, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had called on the Chief of Army Staff and the Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command to investigate the allegations that some men in Army uniform abducted and raped some women in Abuja under the guise that they were prostitutes.

The Executive Secretary NHRC, Prof. Bem Angwe further requested that the two concerned security agencies to update the commission with any action taken on the subject matter to enable it take further necessary action in line with its mandate.

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Super Eagles draw to Burkina Faso 1-1 in Nations Cup

Nigeria Monday night, marked their return to Africa Cup of Nations with a fumbling 1-1 draw with Burkina Faso in a Group C match at the Mbombela Stadium

In a largely uneventful game watched by vuvuzela-sounding fans, Emmanuel Emenike edged the Nigerians in front in the 23rd minute but sloppy defending by Godfrey Oboabona and Joseph Yobo gifted the Burnikabes a precious and well deserved draw, after Alain Traore equalised in the last minute of injury time.

For most period of the game, the Eagles looked out of sorts as they failed to stamp authority in a match that a first half goal ought to have given them the confidence to play better than they did. Save for Mikel, the others were making textbook errors. Mikel was voted man of the match. The goal by Emenike was the only silver lining that the Nigerian could hold on to.

It was a real poacher's goal from the Spartak Moscow forward, who dived to poke the ball home from close range ahead of the onrushing Burkina Faso goalkeeper Abdoulaye Soulama, after a deft knockdown from strike partner Brown Ideye.

But after the goal, the Eagles threw caution into the wind as they were booked for reckless fouls. The likes of Fegor Ogude, Efe Ambrose, Nosa Igiebor, Mikel all got booked by the Algerian referee. Efe pulled a defender's shirt and this earned him the red card.

The one man advantage paid for the Burkinabes, who mounted pressure on the Eagles and deservedly got their equaliser in the 94th minute.

Jonathan Pitroipa got clear in the penalty area but the chance looked to have been wasted as he put in a poor cut back while falling over. But the centre back pair of Yobo and Oboabona, then got in each others way, allowing substitute Alain Traore to expertly place his shot past Vincent Enyeama.

Vanguard

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