A group of Nigerian farmers will find out on Wednesday if they have won a four-year legal battle against another oil giant, Shell. They took the company to court in the Netherlands, accusing it of releasing pollution and destroying their crops.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Video - Farmers await verdict in historical case against Shell for oil pollution
A group of Nigerian farmers will find out on Wednesday if they have won a four-year legal battle against another oil giant, Shell. They took the company to court in the Netherlands, accusing it of releasing pollution and destroying their crops.
First successful kidney transplant done in Nigeria
Gabriel Onogwu, 20, from Benue, has become a symbol of hope for patients with failing kidneys across the country, after successfully undergoing a transplant.
His surgery in December is the first recorded in Abuja, done by a team of surgeons at View Point Hospital, a private clinic in the suburb of Gwarimpa.
Gabriel's transplant was funded by Nafs Kidney Foundation, a philanthropic group run by Suleiman Sulu-Gambari.
For days after the surgery, he walked around with a mask across his nose to ward off germs that could compromise his immune system and force his body to reject the kidney donated by his elder brother.
Weeks later, the SS3 student of GSS, Karu is out of hospital and attempting to return to what his life was before his surgery.
"I feel great, normal, just the way I used to feel before my kidney failed" he says. This time, his mask is off as he speaks to Daily Trust. But the reporter who met him had a nose mask on. "I am very, very happy to have my life back."
Millions of Nigerians are not so lucky. Many are as young as 18 years, and are coming down with chronic kidney disease (CKD) -- the gradual loss of kidney functions. Leading figures from the National Association of Nephrology indicate up to 32 million kidneys in Nigeria are failing.
When a kidney is compromised, the body loses it greatest natural filter--and with that the ability to remove toxins from the body. Prompt treatment is dialysis--a procedure that imitates the function of the kidney to remove toxins and waste from the blood. It is effective, but it also expensive.
"They deserted us"
Experts worry that the age of Nigerians facing failing kidneys is falling. Gabriel's age at 20 makes him a poster child for the poster. His situation worsened in 2011 when "he started complaining of sever headache," recalls his mother Comfort Onogwu.
"He was healthier and fatter than we knew him. We could not look at him like that. We took him to hospital, did twenty something tests before they realized it was kidney failure."
His surgery in December is the first recorded in Abuja, done by a team of surgeons at View Point Hospital, a private clinic in the suburb of Gwarimpa.
Gabriel's transplant was funded by Nafs Kidney Foundation, a philanthropic group run by Suleiman Sulu-Gambari.
For days after the surgery, he walked around with a mask across his nose to ward off germs that could compromise his immune system and force his body to reject the kidney donated by his elder brother.
Weeks later, the SS3 student of GSS, Karu is out of hospital and attempting to return to what his life was before his surgery.
"I feel great, normal, just the way I used to feel before my kidney failed" he says. This time, his mask is off as he speaks to Daily Trust. But the reporter who met him had a nose mask on. "I am very, very happy to have my life back."
Millions of Nigerians are not so lucky. Many are as young as 18 years, and are coming down with chronic kidney disease (CKD) -- the gradual loss of kidney functions. Leading figures from the National Association of Nephrology indicate up to 32 million kidneys in Nigeria are failing.
When a kidney is compromised, the body loses it greatest natural filter--and with that the ability to remove toxins from the body. Prompt treatment is dialysis--a procedure that imitates the function of the kidney to remove toxins and waste from the blood. It is effective, but it also expensive.
"They deserted us"
Experts worry that the age of Nigerians facing failing kidneys is falling. Gabriel's age at 20 makes him a poster child for the poster. His situation worsened in 2011 when "he started complaining of sever headache," recalls his mother Comfort Onogwu.
"He was healthier and fatter than we knew him. We could not look at him like that. We took him to hospital, did twenty something tests before they realized it was kidney failure."
It took nearly a year, but Gabriel was finally placed on dialysis in June 2012. Each dialysis session cost N20,000 and required up to three pints of blood (blood is the medium used in dialysis). Gabriel estimates the weekly cost of his kidney management at around N150,000--money his family couldn't afford.
"It affected my family more, because getting that amount of money every week was not easy. We couldn't continue with [three dialyses] weekly, so we had to reduce to twice weekly." Experts recommend three dialyses a week as optimum, but Gabriel's sessions dropped to just once a week eventually.
"Our relations couldn't help again. They deserted us. Help was coming from people we had never met, neighbours--helping with lots of test."
Gabriel started treatment at Asokoro General Hospital, then was moved to National Hospital. A transplant was the only option left when he came onto Nafs' radar at View Point "in a very, very pathetic situation and in severe pains," says Nafs founder Sulu-Gambari.
"When they were told the options of treatment and the financial implications, which obviously the family was nowhere capable of financing; I asked the management how we could assist."
The option was a transplant, and the choice was between the US at N16 million and India at N8.5 million. View Point, which has been doing minimal-invasion surgeries since it started, agreed it could do the transplant for N5 million but it didn't have every equipment needed.
"The foundation took it upon itself to acquire some equipment from London to enable them perform the surgery," says Sulu-Gambari. The acquisition was outside the N5m agreed upon, but the extra spending is being considered down payment for future surgeries for indigent patients.
Nafs has opened an account at the hospital through which anyone can directly fund future transplants. A second kidney transplant for a 50-year-old patient is scheduled for some time in March.
"The whole idea is not to assist only one person. We want it to be a continuous thing whereby other indigents that cannot afford it, the foundation will be able to step in to help. For us to have good result and sustainability, we have to be able to part with money."
Nearly 16 surgeons hovered over Gabriel in the theatre, headed by Dr Nadey Hakim, director of kidney and pancreatic transplant, Imperial College, University of London, with some 2,000 successful transplants under his belt.
The foundation has defended using a top brain in kidney transplant as a means of teaching local doctors to carry out future transplants on their own. It also plans to invite surgeons from as far as Maiduguri, Kano and Abuja to sit in on the next transplant.
Giving hope
The emphasis on chronic kidney disease is for a reason, says Sulu-Gambari.
CKD is not only a painful but expensive condition for patients and their families. "The cost of haemodialysis in government hospital is about N2 million in one year; in private hospitals, it is N4 million."
"If you have a successful kidney transplant, the patient becomes 100 percent, cured, he goes back to his normal life. That is the joy in it, as against diseases such as cancer whereby you spend so much money and the outcome is not pleasant.
"This one, if the transplant is done successfully then you are 100 percent sure the patient will enjoy a happy life and that happiness gives me great pleasure."
It has also immense publicity "and a lot of interest in the hospital," says View Point chief medical director, Dr Hauwa'u Bello-Gambari. "More people are coming in, trying to find out what else we can do, and patients with kidney problems have been coming too."
But Bello-Gambari says View Point "wouldn't be limited by kidney problems alone."
There have been few recorded successful transplants in other major hospitals, but that it is also possible in smaller, lesser known hospitals is a lesson for larger teaching hospitals--a lesson the foundation wants noted. It is also one score in favour of Nigeria in the rush to stem trips abroad for medical procedures.
Comfort Onogwu insists her family could never afford medical bills for any treatment abroad, and a transplant back in Nigeria still isn't cheap either.
"I never dreamt I could one day go for this transplant," says Gabriel. "My family cannot even raise half a million naira." But he's back home with a new kidney to show for it.
Daily Trust
"It affected my family more, because getting that amount of money every week was not easy. We couldn't continue with [three dialyses] weekly, so we had to reduce to twice weekly." Experts recommend three dialyses a week as optimum, but Gabriel's sessions dropped to just once a week eventually.
"Our relations couldn't help again. They deserted us. Help was coming from people we had never met, neighbours--helping with lots of test."
Gabriel started treatment at Asokoro General Hospital, then was moved to National Hospital. A transplant was the only option left when he came onto Nafs' radar at View Point "in a very, very pathetic situation and in severe pains," says Nafs founder Sulu-Gambari.
"When they were told the options of treatment and the financial implications, which obviously the family was nowhere capable of financing; I asked the management how we could assist."
The option was a transplant, and the choice was between the US at N16 million and India at N8.5 million. View Point, which has been doing minimal-invasion surgeries since it started, agreed it could do the transplant for N5 million but it didn't have every equipment needed.
"The foundation took it upon itself to acquire some equipment from London to enable them perform the surgery," says Sulu-Gambari. The acquisition was outside the N5m agreed upon, but the extra spending is being considered down payment for future surgeries for indigent patients.
Nafs has opened an account at the hospital through which anyone can directly fund future transplants. A second kidney transplant for a 50-year-old patient is scheduled for some time in March.
"The whole idea is not to assist only one person. We want it to be a continuous thing whereby other indigents that cannot afford it, the foundation will be able to step in to help. For us to have good result and sustainability, we have to be able to part with money."
Nearly 16 surgeons hovered over Gabriel in the theatre, headed by Dr Nadey Hakim, director of kidney and pancreatic transplant, Imperial College, University of London, with some 2,000 successful transplants under his belt.
The foundation has defended using a top brain in kidney transplant as a means of teaching local doctors to carry out future transplants on their own. It also plans to invite surgeons from as far as Maiduguri, Kano and Abuja to sit in on the next transplant.
Giving hope
The emphasis on chronic kidney disease is for a reason, says Sulu-Gambari.
CKD is not only a painful but expensive condition for patients and their families. "The cost of haemodialysis in government hospital is about N2 million in one year; in private hospitals, it is N4 million."
"If you have a successful kidney transplant, the patient becomes 100 percent, cured, he goes back to his normal life. That is the joy in it, as against diseases such as cancer whereby you spend so much money and the outcome is not pleasant.
"This one, if the transplant is done successfully then you are 100 percent sure the patient will enjoy a happy life and that happiness gives me great pleasure."
It has also immense publicity "and a lot of interest in the hospital," says View Point chief medical director, Dr Hauwa'u Bello-Gambari. "More people are coming in, trying to find out what else we can do, and patients with kidney problems have been coming too."
But Bello-Gambari says View Point "wouldn't be limited by kidney problems alone."
There have been few recorded successful transplants in other major hospitals, but that it is also possible in smaller, lesser known hospitals is a lesson for larger teaching hospitals--a lesson the foundation wants noted. It is also one score in favour of Nigeria in the rush to stem trips abroad for medical procedures.
Comfort Onogwu insists her family could never afford medical bills for any treatment abroad, and a transplant back in Nigeria still isn't cheap either.
"I never dreamt I could one day go for this transplant," says Gabriel. "My family cannot even raise half a million naira." But he's back home with a new kidney to show for it.
Daily Trust
Victor Moses takes Super Eagles to Nations Cup quarter finals
Twice, goal-bound Moses was viciously hacked down in the box for the Super Eagles to earn deserved penalty kicks that ensured that cup holders, Zambia who played a goalless draw with Burkina Faso in the other game of the Group C at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, were eliminated.
It took 80 minutes of the tension soaked encounter before respite came the way of Nigerians who were already on the edge as the scoreless result was a clear signal of elimination of the Super Eagles from the contest.
But Moses, who until Tuesday has not been able to reproduce his Chelsea form for Nigeria stole the show, earning two spot kicks and scoring both to set up a quarter final pairing with the Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire on Sunday.
The first of the infringement on Moses happened in the 79th minute as he collected a pass from the left flank. He waltzed into the box and headed for a one-on-one with Basa Sisay Bancha in goal for the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia. One of the defenders tripped the Chelsea forward for Moroccan centre referee, Al Ahrach Bouchaib to point to the centre of the box for a penalty kick. Moses sent the ball to the wrong side of the keeper for the first goal on the 80th minute.
On the dot of 90 minutes, rampaging Moses was again tripped, this time, by the goalkeeper. Bancha was given a second yellow card and a second penalty awarded to Nigeria to seal Eagles qualification for the quarter final stage of the 29th edition they played the first two games with shared honours.
Speaking at the post match conference Tuesday night, Coach Stephen Keshi whose job has been on the line following the two draw results said that he needed the victory for Nigerians who have prayed and stayed with the team despite the sluggish start to the campaign.
"The victory is for all Nigerians who have stayed and prayed for us to win a game here. I know the quarter final game on Sunday is going to be a different ball game, we don't want to talk about that now," observed the coach who two players, John Mikel Obi and Ambrose Efe were selected as Fair Play award and Most Valuable Player award winners.
Keshi admitted that the Ethiopians were a difficult team to play, as they refused to come out from their half of the field.
"They choked the middle and made every effort to ensure that one or two players were always on any Nigerian player with the ball. They relied on counter-attack but were read the game right and ensure that we put pressure on them that resulted in the two penalty award," said the Super Eagles gaffer who savoured the victory long into the night with his players.
For the victory and qualification to the quarter final, each Super Eagles player is to pocket $30,000 for their efforts.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Nollywood movies to debut on American cable networks
A welcomed innovation in the entertainment industry is here, as Nollywood movies will now be available on major cable television networks in the U.S. courtesy of Brandcast Media, Inc. Nollywood, the leader in the African movie industry, is currently the third-largest producer of feature films in the world, ranking only behind Hollywood in the United States and India's Bollywood as number two.
Viewers of Time Warner, Cox, partners and affiliate cable television networks will now be able to watch Nollywood movies On-Demand starting February 1st, 2013. This will be a boon to millions of cable subscribers of various cultural orientations in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean.
Nollywood cable films
With the addition of Nollywood movies to Cable TV content, Brandcast Media, Inc. aims to generate crossover appeal through the exposure of this unique content to over 40 million North American homes. The movies are carefully selected high quality titles that will end the usual buyer's remorse viewers experience with some Nollywood movies they purchase without preview.
There will be no endless parts, just one complete uninterrupted movie viewing experience. With Cable, Nollywood fans that usually watch the movies online will have no concerns about Internet speed or buffering, just when the viewer is being captivated by the movie. About 80% of the movies to be shown on 'Nollywood Hits' have never been seen.
Some of the high quality productions to be featured on Nollywood Hits On Demand include 'Somewhere in Africa', 'Mind Games', 'Unwanted Guest', 'Married But Living Single,' etc., and will feature notable actors in the Nollywood Industry such as Genevieve Nnaji, Van Vicker, Funke Akindele, Majid Michel, Joke Silva, Omotola Jalade Ekehinde, Yvonne Nelson, and so many more.
"The distribution of Nollywood movies on major Cable networks in the U.S. is the next logical stage in the growth of the Nollywood Movie Industry. It's a dream come true for the many talents in the industry and the vindication of a culture often marginalized in the western market; a real chance for bilateral acculturation and the consequent achievement of crossover appeal for the movies as a cultural export from Africa. Now the world will see the real life and style of Africa in the comfort of their homes". - Perry Umoh, President & CEO, Brandcast Media Inc.
As a legitimate global distribution channel, Nollywood on major cable television networks will be an emergent answer to Nollywood's rampant piracy and lack of investment and theatrical release interest. Nollywood's presence on U.S. cable network giants will impact positively the industry's revenue growth and address existing piracy issues. These select Nollywood movies will be available On Demand at $3.95 each.
Video - Interview with the directors of Nigerian boarding school movie ZR-7
Viewers of Time Warner, Cox, partners and affiliate cable television networks will now be able to watch Nollywood movies On-Demand starting February 1st, 2013. This will be a boon to millions of cable subscribers of various cultural orientations in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean.
Nollywood cable films
With the addition of Nollywood movies to Cable TV content, Brandcast Media, Inc. aims to generate crossover appeal through the exposure of this unique content to over 40 million North American homes. The movies are carefully selected high quality titles that will end the usual buyer's remorse viewers experience with some Nollywood movies they purchase without preview.
There will be no endless parts, just one complete uninterrupted movie viewing experience. With Cable, Nollywood fans that usually watch the movies online will have no concerns about Internet speed or buffering, just when the viewer is being captivated by the movie. About 80% of the movies to be shown on 'Nollywood Hits' have never been seen.
Some of the high quality productions to be featured on Nollywood Hits On Demand include 'Somewhere in Africa', 'Mind Games', 'Unwanted Guest', 'Married But Living Single,' etc., and will feature notable actors in the Nollywood Industry such as Genevieve Nnaji, Van Vicker, Funke Akindele, Majid Michel, Joke Silva, Omotola Jalade Ekehinde, Yvonne Nelson, and so many more.
"The distribution of Nollywood movies on major Cable networks in the U.S. is the next logical stage in the growth of the Nollywood Movie Industry. It's a dream come true for the many talents in the industry and the vindication of a culture often marginalized in the western market; a real chance for bilateral acculturation and the consequent achievement of crossover appeal for the movies as a cultural export from Africa. Now the world will see the real life and style of Africa in the comfort of their homes". - Perry Umoh, President & CEO, Brandcast Media Inc.
As a legitimate global distribution channel, Nollywood on major cable television networks will be an emergent answer to Nollywood's rampant piracy and lack of investment and theatrical release interest. Nollywood's presence on U.S. cable network giants will impact positively the industry's revenue growth and address existing piracy issues. These select Nollywood movies will be available On Demand at $3.95 each.
Boko Haram agrees to ceasefire
The Jama’atul Ahalis Sunna Lida’awati Wal Jihad Islamic sect, popularly called Boko Haram, Monday again said it had agreed to a ceasefire with the Federal Government to pave the way for dialogue.
This will be the second time in months that the group has supposedly called for an end to hostilities, which was predicated on certain conditions being met, and had handpicked a committee that was to be headed by former military head of state, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, to hold discussions with the Federal Government.
However, two persons, who claimed to be representing the major faction of the group led by Sheikh Abubakar Shekau Monday met with the press in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Based on the sect’s antecedent, this is the first time anyone associated with Boko Haram is coming publicly to claim affinity with the dreaded group. On other occasions, communication with or through the media has been conducted via teleconferencing.
But in a swift reaction to the sect’s offer, the Federal Government Monday restated its condition for dialogue, adding that it was in the process of appraising the terms given by the sect.
Coincidentally, just as the representatives were calling for a truce, there were reports that eight persons, including a deputy treasurer of a local government area in Borno State, were in the early hours of Sunday killed by gunmen.
One of the two persons, who met with the journalists Monday, introduced himself as Sheikh Abu Mohammad Abdulazeez Ibn Idris, the commander in-charge of North and Central Borno of the sect.
He said the decision on the ceasefire came after meetings were held with the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima.
In the interview with journalists in Hausa language but translated to English, Idris said: “I, Sheikh Muhammed Abdulazeez Ibn Idris, the second commander-in-charge of southern and northern Borno, after Imam Abubakar Shekau of Jamaatul Ahjlil Sunna lidawati wal Jihad, otherwise known as Boko Haram; for sometimes now, we the members of Jamaatul ahlil Boko Haram sunna lidawati wal jihad (otherwise known as Boko Haram) have recently had a meeting and dialogue with the government of Borno State, where we resolved that given the prevailing situation, there is the need for us to ceasefire.
“We, on our own, in the top hierarchy of our movement under the leadership of Imam Abubakar Shekau, as well as some of our notable followers, agreed that our brethren in Islam, both women and children are suffering unnecessarily.
“Hence, we resolved that we should bring this crisis to an end. We therefore call on all those that identify themselves with us and our course, to from today lay down their arms.”
He further said: “Let every member who hears this announcement relay it to the next member who hasn’t heard. We have met with the Borno State Government on two occasions and the fallout of the meeting is to ceasefire.
“Presently we are going to comply with the ceasefire order and by the time we are done with that, then government security agencies can go ahead to arrest whoever they find carrying arms or killing under our name.”
Idris noted that the sect was aware of the fact that some criminals had infiltrated the movement and attacked and killed people in the name of Boko Haram, adding, “We have also told the government to try to live up to our demands that our members in detention should be released.
“We hope the government will not betray us this time around, because we all know that it was because of the continued detention of our members that this crisis has continued for this long.”
He however warned that should the government fail to meet the terms of the ceasefire, the sect would be forced to resume hostilities, while admitting that the group was fractionalised.
He said: “There is a faction within us, but the larger faction of our movement is the one in support of this ceasefire. Moreover, once top members of our group, including Imam Abubakar Shekau, are in support of the need for a ceasefire, other smaller factions can be dealt with easily.
“This message, by the Grace of Allah, comes directly from the office of Imam Abubakar Shekau, the supreme leader of Jamaatul ahlil Sunna lidawati wal Jihad.”
When contacted to confirm if the governor had been in meetings with the sect, the Special Adviser to the Governor, Media and Communication, Alhaji Isa Umar Gusau, said the governor had always insisted on dialogue with the group and has always tried to reach out to its leadership.
He said: “Well, I am just hearing from you, but you will agree with me that the issue is that of national security. I am not competent to speak on national security issues.
“We have a security council in Borno State; I am not a member of that council and, of course, you know as much as you will also agree with me that no governor will speak on such critical security issues, so I cannot speak on the matter.
“But what I know, which you can also confirm as journalists concerning the activities of the governor, is that from the day he became a governor-elect, even before he was sworn in, he was the first to speak on the need for dialogue as the best way out.
“Governor Shettima has been very firm and consistent in his belief as he has regularly advocated that unless we want to engage in an endless war, the best way out of the crisis is through dialogue towards a peaceful resolution.”
The governor's spokesman added: “I can confirm to you that Governor Shettima has consistently been exploring different ways to establish means of negotiating for fruitful dialogue to end the challenges.
“Anytime someone is killed, be it a civilian, security personnel of any member of the sect, Governor Shettima is deeply pained. He hates to hear that someone lost his or her family member, no matter who that person is.
“He believes that the life of every Nigerian is worth preserving. It is the hope and prayers of Governor Shettima that not just peace but indeed sustainable peace is reclaimed in Borno and the rest of Nigeria in the quickest time, because like he says, that no society can thrive without peace,”
Though Gusau did not confirm that his principal had met with the members of the sect, but investigations by THISDAY revealed that the governor has held two meetings with representatives of the sect and other major stakeholders, including security agencies at the Government House, Maiduguri.
Reacting to the sect’s offer to end hostilities, the Federal Government said Monday that it may soon re-visit the issue of holding discussions with Boko Haram.
A highly placed government official, who pleaded anonymity, dropped the hint to some State House correspondents Monday, saying the Federal Government was working towards appraising the negotiation terms given by the sect.
According to the source, the government was likely to be receptive to the sect's demands if it announces a unilateral ceasefire.
He said although the government was desirous of brokering peace, it was not in a rush to embrace the olive branch being waved by the sect.
The official, who said the government had not taken a formal position on the matter, added: “From our experience, the sect is not reliable and their word cannot be taken at face value.
“All facets of governmental apparatus would be consulted before a final decision is taken on the matter. We are not in a hurry to jump at their offer.”
He reiterated that although the incumbent administration was committed to the peaceful resolution of the problem, it was not going to negotiate with any group from a position of weakness.
He stressed that government would not relent in its employment of proactive security measures in order to safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians.
But in an incident certain to raise doubts over the sincerity of the sect, eight persons, including a deputy treasurer of a local government area in Borno State, were killed in the early hours of Sunday by gunmen.
The eight persons were killed in Gajigana community in Magumeri Local Government Area of the troubled state about 55 kilometres away from Maiduguri, the state capital.
According to residents of the town, the assailants stormed the village around 3 am and killed the treasurer, a woman and six other persons.
The gunmen were said to have selected some household in the community and carefully carried out the assassination of the eight persons.
Mallam Musa Grema, a resident of the town who spoke to journalists on the phone, said he saw eight persons, including three young men when the bodies were brought out for burial.
Joint Task Force (JTF) spokesman, Lt Col Sagir Musa, confirmed the attack on the community in a text message to journalists but did not give the exact number of victims affected by the attack.
He said: “Gajigana community in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State was attacked by unknown gunmen at about 3am on Sunday. Information revealed that lives were lost, the exact numbers cannot be ascertained now.”
A rescue worker also confirmed the killing of the eight people.
In a related development, Northern elders have called on the Federal Government to grant amnesty to members of the Boko Haram sect, adding that insecurity, a breakdown of the education system, massive illiteracy and leadership failure were part of the problems bedevilling the region.
According to a communiqué issued after a two-day summit in Kano by the Northern Development Focus Initiative (NDFI), they urged President Goodluck Jonathan to seek dialogue with Boko Haram and grant its members amnesty just as the Federal Government had done with the Niger Delta militants.
The communiqué stated: “Since security is the responsibility of the Federal Government as enshrined in the constitution, all northern states affected by the security crises should compute all monies expended by them for re-imbursement by the Federal Government.
“A judicial commission of inquiry should be set up to establish the remote and immediate causes of ethno-religious conflicts and prevalent insurgency.
“All persons identified to be involved in sponsoring, benefitting or involved in all forms of terrorism and insurgency be prosecuted.
“Federal Government should set up a Northern Nigeria Restoration, Reformation and Rehabilitation Programme to absorb repentant Boko Haram insurgents unconditionally and a special committee of respected northerners should immediately embark on a sympathy and solidarity tour of all states affected by insecurity in the North.”
According to NDFI, Jonathan, Vice-President Namadi Sambo and northern governors have failed to show sympathy for most states ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency.
The communiqué also revealed that the summit also advocated the death penalty or life imprisonment for indicted corrupt officials in the public and private sectors.
The communiqué was signed by a former governor of the defunct North-western state, Alhaji Usman Farouk, and chairman/secretary of NDFI, Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar.
This will be the second time in months that the group has supposedly called for an end to hostilities, which was predicated on certain conditions being met, and had handpicked a committee that was to be headed by former military head of state, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, to hold discussions with the Federal Government.
However, two persons, who claimed to be representing the major faction of the group led by Sheikh Abubakar Shekau Monday met with the press in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Based on the sect’s antecedent, this is the first time anyone associated with Boko Haram is coming publicly to claim affinity with the dreaded group. On other occasions, communication with or through the media has been conducted via teleconferencing.
But in a swift reaction to the sect’s offer, the Federal Government Monday restated its condition for dialogue, adding that it was in the process of appraising the terms given by the sect.
Coincidentally, just as the representatives were calling for a truce, there were reports that eight persons, including a deputy treasurer of a local government area in Borno State, were in the early hours of Sunday killed by gunmen.
One of the two persons, who met with the journalists Monday, introduced himself as Sheikh Abu Mohammad Abdulazeez Ibn Idris, the commander in-charge of North and Central Borno of the sect.
He said the decision on the ceasefire came after meetings were held with the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima.
In the interview with journalists in Hausa language but translated to English, Idris said: “I, Sheikh Muhammed Abdulazeez Ibn Idris, the second commander-in-charge of southern and northern Borno, after Imam Abubakar Shekau of Jamaatul Ahjlil Sunna lidawati wal Jihad, otherwise known as Boko Haram; for sometimes now, we the members of Jamaatul ahlil Boko Haram sunna lidawati wal jihad (otherwise known as Boko Haram) have recently had a meeting and dialogue with the government of Borno State, where we resolved that given the prevailing situation, there is the need for us to ceasefire.
“We, on our own, in the top hierarchy of our movement under the leadership of Imam Abubakar Shekau, as well as some of our notable followers, agreed that our brethren in Islam, both women and children are suffering unnecessarily.
“Hence, we resolved that we should bring this crisis to an end. We therefore call on all those that identify themselves with us and our course, to from today lay down their arms.”
He further said: “Let every member who hears this announcement relay it to the next member who hasn’t heard. We have met with the Borno State Government on two occasions and the fallout of the meeting is to ceasefire.
“Presently we are going to comply with the ceasefire order and by the time we are done with that, then government security agencies can go ahead to arrest whoever they find carrying arms or killing under our name.”
Idris noted that the sect was aware of the fact that some criminals had infiltrated the movement and attacked and killed people in the name of Boko Haram, adding, “We have also told the government to try to live up to our demands that our members in detention should be released.
“We hope the government will not betray us this time around, because we all know that it was because of the continued detention of our members that this crisis has continued for this long.”
He however warned that should the government fail to meet the terms of the ceasefire, the sect would be forced to resume hostilities, while admitting that the group was fractionalised.
He said: “There is a faction within us, but the larger faction of our movement is the one in support of this ceasefire. Moreover, once top members of our group, including Imam Abubakar Shekau, are in support of the need for a ceasefire, other smaller factions can be dealt with easily.
“This message, by the Grace of Allah, comes directly from the office of Imam Abubakar Shekau, the supreme leader of Jamaatul ahlil Sunna lidawati wal Jihad.”
When contacted to confirm if the governor had been in meetings with the sect, the Special Adviser to the Governor, Media and Communication, Alhaji Isa Umar Gusau, said the governor had always insisted on dialogue with the group and has always tried to reach out to its leadership.
He said: “Well, I am just hearing from you, but you will agree with me that the issue is that of national security. I am not competent to speak on national security issues.
“We have a security council in Borno State; I am not a member of that council and, of course, you know as much as you will also agree with me that no governor will speak on such critical security issues, so I cannot speak on the matter.
“But what I know, which you can also confirm as journalists concerning the activities of the governor, is that from the day he became a governor-elect, even before he was sworn in, he was the first to speak on the need for dialogue as the best way out.
“Governor Shettima has been very firm and consistent in his belief as he has regularly advocated that unless we want to engage in an endless war, the best way out of the crisis is through dialogue towards a peaceful resolution.”
The governor's spokesman added: “I can confirm to you that Governor Shettima has consistently been exploring different ways to establish means of negotiating for fruitful dialogue to end the challenges.
“Anytime someone is killed, be it a civilian, security personnel of any member of the sect, Governor Shettima is deeply pained. He hates to hear that someone lost his or her family member, no matter who that person is.
“He believes that the life of every Nigerian is worth preserving. It is the hope and prayers of Governor Shettima that not just peace but indeed sustainable peace is reclaimed in Borno and the rest of Nigeria in the quickest time, because like he says, that no society can thrive without peace,”
Though Gusau did not confirm that his principal had met with the members of the sect, but investigations by THISDAY revealed that the governor has held two meetings with representatives of the sect and other major stakeholders, including security agencies at the Government House, Maiduguri.
Reacting to the sect’s offer to end hostilities, the Federal Government said Monday that it may soon re-visit the issue of holding discussions with Boko Haram.
A highly placed government official, who pleaded anonymity, dropped the hint to some State House correspondents Monday, saying the Federal Government was working towards appraising the negotiation terms given by the sect.
According to the source, the government was likely to be receptive to the sect's demands if it announces a unilateral ceasefire.
He said although the government was desirous of brokering peace, it was not in a rush to embrace the olive branch being waved by the sect.
The official, who said the government had not taken a formal position on the matter, added: “From our experience, the sect is not reliable and their word cannot be taken at face value.
“All facets of governmental apparatus would be consulted before a final decision is taken on the matter. We are not in a hurry to jump at their offer.”
He reiterated that although the incumbent administration was committed to the peaceful resolution of the problem, it was not going to negotiate with any group from a position of weakness.
He stressed that government would not relent in its employment of proactive security measures in order to safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians.
But in an incident certain to raise doubts over the sincerity of the sect, eight persons, including a deputy treasurer of a local government area in Borno State, were killed in the early hours of Sunday by gunmen.
The eight persons were killed in Gajigana community in Magumeri Local Government Area of the troubled state about 55 kilometres away from Maiduguri, the state capital.
According to residents of the town, the assailants stormed the village around 3 am and killed the treasurer, a woman and six other persons.
The gunmen were said to have selected some household in the community and carefully carried out the assassination of the eight persons.
Mallam Musa Grema, a resident of the town who spoke to journalists on the phone, said he saw eight persons, including three young men when the bodies were brought out for burial.
Joint Task Force (JTF) spokesman, Lt Col Sagir Musa, confirmed the attack on the community in a text message to journalists but did not give the exact number of victims affected by the attack.
He said: “Gajigana community in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State was attacked by unknown gunmen at about 3am on Sunday. Information revealed that lives were lost, the exact numbers cannot be ascertained now.”
A rescue worker also confirmed the killing of the eight people.
In a related development, Northern elders have called on the Federal Government to grant amnesty to members of the Boko Haram sect, adding that insecurity, a breakdown of the education system, massive illiteracy and leadership failure were part of the problems bedevilling the region.
According to a communiqué issued after a two-day summit in Kano by the Northern Development Focus Initiative (NDFI), they urged President Goodluck Jonathan to seek dialogue with Boko Haram and grant its members amnesty just as the Federal Government had done with the Niger Delta militants.
The communiqué stated: “Since security is the responsibility of the Federal Government as enshrined in the constitution, all northern states affected by the security crises should compute all monies expended by them for re-imbursement by the Federal Government.
“A judicial commission of inquiry should be set up to establish the remote and immediate causes of ethno-religious conflicts and prevalent insurgency.
“All persons identified to be involved in sponsoring, benefitting or involved in all forms of terrorism and insurgency be prosecuted.
“Federal Government should set up a Northern Nigeria Restoration, Reformation and Rehabilitation Programme to absorb repentant Boko Haram insurgents unconditionally and a special committee of respected northerners should immediately embark on a sympathy and solidarity tour of all states affected by insecurity in the North.”
According to NDFI, Jonathan, Vice-President Namadi Sambo and northern governors have failed to show sympathy for most states ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency.
The communiqué also revealed that the summit also advocated the death penalty or life imprisonment for indicted corrupt officials in the public and private sectors.
The communiqué was signed by a former governor of the defunct North-western state, Alhaji Usman Farouk, and chairman/secretary of NDFI, Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar.
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