Canada to assist Nigeria in fighting terrorism

Canadian government has pledged to assist the Federal Government of Nigeria in the fight against terrorism in the north of the country, while restating its commitment to strengthen the ties between both countries.

Canadian Foreign Minister, John Baird, who made the pledge in a statement in Abuja shortly after concluding his official visit to Nigeria, noted the mindless killing of innocent persons by terrorists in the north and said his country would not abandon Nigeria in her hour of needs.

Baird said: "Sadly, Nigeria is dealing with a deadly insurgency by radical extremists in the North, who are bent on using a warped reading of religion as a pretext for cowardly violence. I pledged Canada's support in the struggle against the scourge of terrorism."

On the Bi-National Commission between both countries, he said: "I was honoured to inaugurate the Bi-National Commission, which is evidence of our cooperation as mature partners and friends. I'm confident that it will lead to real action and new opportunities for political, economic, security and development advances.

"We are prepared to announce today the start of exploratory talks toward a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement to encourage more Canadian businesses to come to Nigeria.

"Our discussions were productive and brought home just how much our two governments have in common: both are focused on creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for our peoples; both understand that prosperity and security are inextricably linked; and both are committed to religious pluralism."

Baird also met with the business community in Lagos, including representatives of the newly-formed Canada-Nigeria Business Association.

He expressed the satisfaction of his government about the expansion of Canadian business interests in the country, especially in the areas of oil and gas, aeronautics, electricity and information technology.

He said: "Our government recognises the importance of forging deeper ties with countries like Nigeria, whose economies are booming and where Canadian companies can expand and succeed. Canada's ties with Nigeria are strong and getting ever stronger, and that's good news for both our countries."

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University of Port Harcourt shuts down as student protest killings

Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, was on the boil Tuesday as students of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) protested the killing of four of their mates last Friday.

The protest forced the university authorities to order the closure of the institution indefinitely with a directive for students to vacate their hostels.

Also, 11 out of the 13 suspects arrested at Omuokiri Village of Aluu Community in connection with the murder were arraigned yesterday before the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt.

The students, under the auspices of the South-south and South-east zones of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), had barricaded the busy East-West Road, carrying placards, which blamed the Federal Government for not putting adequate facilities in the institution, a situation they said, led to the murder of the students.

The protest caused a massive traffic gridlock on the road, which leads to other South-south states.

NANS Treasurer of the zone, Iyere Onono, said the students would not leave the roads until they got assurances from either Rivers State Governor, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, or the Federal Government that their grouses would be addressed.

He, however, expressed disappointment at the low turnout of students of UNIPORT, saying they had not shown enough concern over the death of their schoolmates.

The protest spread to Omuokiri Village where rampaging students burnt down not less than 12 houses. More houses would have been torched but for the arrival of the Joint Security Task Force (JTF).

The protesting students were also said to have tried to attack UNIPORT Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ajienka, before the arrival of men of the JTF.

Ajienka, who later addressed reporters on the murder, condemned the killing, stating that nobody has the right to engage in extra-judicial killing.

"Inasmuch as we condemn all forms of criminality, the authorities of the University of Port Harcourt wish to state in unequivocal terms that nobody has the right to engage in extra-judicial killing or resort to self-help, no matter the level of provocation," he said.

Ajienka listed the names of victims as Biringa, Chiadika Lordson (Year two, Theatre Arts), Ugonna, Kelechi Obuzor (Year Two, Geology) and Mike, Lloyd Toku (Year Two, Civil Engineering).

He said the fourth victim, Tekena Erikena, was "yet to be formally identified as a student of the University of Port Harcourt."

He said in honour of the murdered students, the university authorities, in consultation with the Students Union Government (SUG), had also suspended the Students Union Week indefinitely.

Confirming the closure of the university, the institution's Public Relations Officer, Dr. Williams Wodi, said the authorities shut down the school to safeguard lives and property.

He said the authorities had also asked students to vacate the hostels, adding that the university would remain shut until normalcy returned to the area.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Thomas Etomi, said 11 of the suspects were arraigned to ensure that their human rights were not abused.

He told a delegation of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) led by its Executive Secretary, Prof. Bem Angwe, that the remaining two suspects were still assisting the police in their investigations.

He said the police were poised to ensure a speedy investigation and prosecution of all that were involved in the murder of the students.

Angwe said the NHRC had received petitions from across the world on the murder of the four students.

He condemned the murder and said the commission would hold a watching brief and follow the prosecution on the matter.

THISDAY gathered that the main actor in the murder of the students was arrested yesterday by men of the JTF.

A source said he was picked up in the community, stripped and marched round Omuokiri community by men of the JTF before being whisked away.

The university has declared seven days of mourning for the students.

This Day

Nigeria and UK to swap prisoners

The United Kingdom and Nigeria have reached an understanding to swap prison inmates the moment Nigeria signs its Prison Act into law.

The chairman of senate committee on human rights and judiciary, Senator Dahiru Tambuwal disclosed this yesterday at the national human rights commission (NHRC) flag off of the 2012 prison audit at Kuje prison.

Senator Tambuwal said that the Bill seeking the amendment of the Prison Act has gone through the second reading and would be finally passed by the senate next week.

United Kingdom, he added, has promised to provide money to fund the process of prison inmates' exchange, as well as rehabilitate the prisons where such prisoners from United Kingdom would be kept at least to meet minimum world standard.

This is coming against a disclosure by the chairman of House of Representatives committee on human rights , Hon Beni Lar that the amount budgeted to feed prison inmate per day is two hundred naira (N200).

Hon Lar who was also at the Kuje Prison for the NHRC flag off of 2012 prison audit said all hands were on deck by her committee to increase the N200 per day feeding allowance for prisoners in Nigeria in view of the current reality.

Meanwhile, the deputy comptroller of Nigeria Prisons, Mr Kasali Yusuf stated that as at yesterday, the total prison inmates in Kuje was 500, and out of this number, 401 were on awaiting trial list, 99 were those that have been convicted.

He said that the challenge of the prison condition in Nigeria was becoming everybody's challenge on the grounds that it was irreconcilable that more than three-quarters of the entire prisoners in Nigeria fall on the category of those awaiting trial.

"There are those held for capital offences that can not easily be disposed off. Before this can be done easily, the criminal justice system which is made up of the police, the courts, attorney general of the federation and Nigerian prisons must chart a course to make the system workable.

"Our justice system, especially, our criminal laws and criminal trial process requires overhauling. Justice can be on one side, both the complainant and the person being complained about must be heard equally".

The NHRC boss, Professor Bem Angwe, said that with the renewed effort, coupled with the NHRC Act 2010 in place, the Nigerian prisons would sooner or later no longer be the same.

Leadership

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Eat 'n' Go brings Domino Pizza franchise to Nigeria

Eat 'n' Go Limited, a restaurant group has introduced two world class food brands, Domino's Pizza and Cold Stone Creamery into the Nigerian market.

Domino's Pizza is a renowned global leader in pizza, while Cold Stone Creamery is bringing to Nigeria's shores the best variants of ice-cream and cake.

Speaking at the launch in Lagos, Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr Jean-Claude Meyer said the introduction of the brands was sequel to his company's efforts to serve Nigerians with varieties of food in line with their demands.

He said the development is Eat 'n' Go's first step in its mission to become the premier food supplier in Sub-Saharan Africa.

He said, "The confidence and entrepreneurial mindsets of these two brands must be commended here today as they accompany us on daily basis to transfer their knowhow to our teams comprised exclusively of extremely motivated Nigerian individuals.

"We also want to assure each and everyone of our commitment to the nation, as barely a year after incorporation, Eat 'n' Go already relied on over 80 employees, amongst which up to 14 have been trained for up to six weeks in the US or other parts of the world, and we do not intend to stop at that."

Also speaking, Managing Director Eat 'n' Go Ltd, Mr. Eric Andre said though two outlets of the brands are confined to Victoria Island and Lekki areas of Lagos, plans are underway to extend them to other parts of the country.

He said, "Eat 'n' Go is keen to excite your taste buds and wet your appetite with these diverse global brands and all this is done in line with our core values: putting people first, demanding for integrity, striving for customer loyalty, delivering with hustle and positive energy and winning by improving results every day."

Daily Trust

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