U.S. to help train police fight terrorism

United States  yesterday disclosed its intention to help train officers of the Nigerian Police on how to combat terrorism and other violent crimes.

The Ambassador of United States of America to Nigeria Ms. Robin Sander, disclosed this when she led five members of the U.S Commission on International Religious Freedom on a courtesy visit to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ogbonna Onovo.

Speaking on the occasion, she expressed the desire of her government to assist the Nigerian Police Force in the training of its personnel in community policing and combat training to contain civil disturbances experienced in certain parts of the country in recent times.

Sanders told the IGP that the US government was "ready to provide equipment/logistics as a way of supporting the Force in combating crime in Nigeria" .

Though she did not give details and the form the assistance would look like, she however said that her home governemnt was unhappy with the level of sensless killings in parts of the country, particularly the north, where she said Nigeria witnessed more violent crimes.

Expressing serious worry with the development, Sanders said she would personally do all within her capacity to bring in other forms of assitance to the police, stressing that effective policing remains one of the core ingredients of democracy.

In his response, Onovo expressed his appreciation to the Ambassador for finding time to visit him in spite of her tight schedules.

Onovo, told the US envoy of the willingness of the Police and the country as a whole to collaborate with the US government in any area of training which is aimed at building the capacity of the officers and men of the Nigerian Police with a view to advancing proactive policing.

He said that with the deep interest shown by US in the areas of crime prevention and control, it will equally help to protect investments by US citizens in the country.

The London Metropolitan Police was the first to offer assistance to the Nigerian Police and had also trained some of its personnel in community Policing, though the policy seem not to be working in the country due to corruption in the force.

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China's trade with Nigeria hits N1.053 Trillion

Mr Rong Yansong, the Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, says the trade volume between both countries increased from $3billion in 2006 to $7.24billion in 2008.

The counselor said this in Abuja on Monday while briefing 30 civil servants billed to attend a two-week training conference in China.

Rong said the trade volume, however, dropped to $6.35billion in 2009 because of the global economic meltdown." With the trade volume of $3 billion in 2006, $4 billion in 2007, $7.3 billion in 2008 which dropped to $6.35 billion in 2009, the trade between Nigeria and China still keeps a stable growth," Rong said.

He said China's investment in Nigeria at the end of 2009 was $7.24 billion in sectors such as free trade zone, energy, agriculture, manufacture, mining and infrastructure.

Rong said in appreciation of the increasing trade volume with Nigeria, the Chinese government was constructing four rural primary schools and a hospital in Nigeria.

" We are donating four rural primary schools in Katsina, Kaduna, Ogun states and the FCT.

" We are also constructing and equipping a modern hospital for the benefit of all Nigerians in Abuja," he said.

Rong said the training programme was organised by the Chinese government for Nigerians to acquire some useful technologies and experience from China in the area of free trade zone management.

"We want you to use what you learn from China and help in the development of local industries and businesses in Nigeria after your return," he added.

Also speaking, Mr Greg Onu, the China Desk Officer in the National Planning Commission (NPC), said the training was the fourth to be organised by the Chinese government since 2009.

Onu said that three more important training programmes would be sponsored by China before the end of the year.

"These training programmes are critical to the actualisation of the 7-Point Agenda and Nigeria's Vision 20:2020 and the overall development of the country," he said.

He said the training tagged, "The management of Free Trade Zones in China," was selected because China had managed its free trade zones efficiently and effectively.

Onu said the programmes were in the area of renewable energy, bilateral trade promotion, infrastructure development, anti-poverty policies and development of SMEs.

Responding on behalf of the contingent, Alhaji Hamza Tahir, the team leader and NPC's Director of Legal Services, commended the Chinese government for its capacity building initiatives.

Tahir pledged that members of the group would be law abiding during their stay in China.

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Victor Ikpeba wants mixture of youth and experience in Super Eagles squad

Ex-international, Victor Ikpeba, has urged Super Eagles Coach, Lars Lagerback, not to discard the players that won bronze at the Nations Cup in Angola.

Ikpeba said in an interview that the Swede must ensure he keeps many of the experienced stars, but admitted that he can also strengthen the team with revelations of last year's under-17 and under-20 teams.

"We are well prepared, but more effort has to be put into what they are doing. I think it is fighting time for this generation of Nigerian players.

"They have been condemned, they have been criticised, but it is our support that they need. I believe they have what it takes to do well.

"Now that we are planning for the World Cup, I don't agree that those that were taken to the Nations Cup in Angola should be dropped.

"I think we need a mixture of young players from the Under-17 and Under-20 teams to contribute and provide support for the older players, who we still need in the team," Ikpeba said.

Meanwhile, with Ray Nnaji and Dr. Sam Sam Jaja filing law suits against the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) and Coach Shaibu Amodu on the verge dragging Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to court, NFF General Secretary, Bolaji Ojo-Oba, insisted such moves run foul of world football body, FIFA and its African counterpart, CAF statutes.

Ojo-Oba said that he will review all the legal documents against the NPL on his return to Abuja, but warned that the litigants will not go scot-free.

"It's about the NFF statutes and FIFA statutes. It's about what the statutes say. Anyone who takes football matters to court just has to face it on his own. The federation will look into it.

"When I get to Abuja and the documents are presented to me, I will present it to the board and we will know what to do about it.

"But, I can assure you, they will not go scot-free," the scribe said.

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Acting President Goodluck Jonathan dissolves cabinet

Acting President Goodluck Jonathan Wednesday became more decisive in running the affairs of government when he ordered the immediate dissolution of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, bringing to an end lingering speculations on the existence of the former cabinet as constituted by the ailing President Umaru Yar’Adua.

Minister of Information and Communication, Professor Dora Akunyili, who took State House Correspondents through a very long briefing session, where she outlined so many contract memos that were approved by the dissolved council, said “the Acting President Goodluck Jonathan has dissolved the Federal Executive Council”.

According to the minister who could barely take few questions disclosed that “the Acting President did not give reason for dissolving the cabinet”; even as she added that “all ministers including myself are to handover to their respective permanent secretaries by tomorrow (today)”

She however pointed out that the dissolution of the cabinet also affect all presidential aides including special Advisers, Assistants and others stressing that “if they are form part of the cabinet it means they are also dissolved.

Although as unbelievable it may sound to many ministers who had engaged in the exchange of banters upon arrival at the Council Chambers of yesterday meeting, never expected that yesterday was going to be the last day in the Yar’Adua cum Jonathan led government.

Many of the ministers, against all protocol, abandoned their usual exit point from the Council Chambers, venue of the meeting, as they were seen taking different routs out of the premises; with some of them openly discussing how they intend to move swiftly to their office to collect their personal effects.

But as the meeting ended, visibly in disbelieve many ministers, particularly those loyal to Yar’Adua were seen in frowning mood as they refused to take questions from reporters; except the new minister of Labour, Alhaji Ibrahim Kazaure, who agreed to talk.

He said he want to thank both Yar’Adua and Jonathan for giving him the opportunity to serve his father land, adding that “I use to be the minister of Labour but now I am no more”.

On what he intends to do after being a minister he said “I am a politician and I will continue to be a Minister until I die.”

It was not however clear whether a chunk of the outgoing ministers and other cabinet members may be re appointed by the Acting President; even as it being speculated that some of them including those loyal to Yar’Adua are likely coming back.

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