INFORMATION NIGERIA

Jos killings: Jang accuses army of complicity

informationnigeria — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:19:41 +0000

Plateau State Governor, Mr. Jonah Jang, on Monday alleged that the army was guilty of complicity in the recent attack on three Jos villages which led to the death of about 500 people, mostly women and children.

The governor, a retired military officer, told journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, that he got wind of the movement of armed Fulani into the Berom village on Saturday night and personally called the army commander to inform him of the development, and the need to take immediate actions to forestall any ugly incident.

The army has been in charge of security in Jos and other parts of Plateau State since the January 2010 episode of the crisis, which also resulted in the loss of many lives.

According to Jang, the army commander promised to move soldiers into the village to check the roving band.

Jang, who explained that he lives near the affected village, admitted that some moments after he made the call, he observed a tank, presumably belonging to the army, drive past his residence, moving towards the village.

However, Jang said that when he later received reports that people were being killed in the village, his efforts to contact the army commander were futile as his telephone lines “were unavailable.”

Other commanders of the army could also not be reached at the time the attack was going on, according to Jang.

Narrating his experience on the day of the attacks, Jang said, “I received reports at about 9pm that some movement of people with arms were seen around those villages, and I reported to the commander of the army and he told me he was going to move some troops there.

“And because it is near where I live, I even saw a tank pass through my house and I thought it was going towards that area.

“Three hours or so later, I was woken by a call that they had started burning the villages and people were being hacked to death. I started trying to locate the commanders but I couldn’t get any of them on the telephone.”

The governor said the attacks and the resultant deaths of innocent people could have been prevented if the security report he made available to the army that evening had been acted upon.

He said, “You are asking what am I doing; I have said it several times, state governors are highly incapacitated.

“You are the chief security officer of a state; you don’t command even a fly.

“What do you use to stop anything? The security report that I gave, I didn’t even get that security report officially; it was the villagers themselves that saw the movements and reported.

“I didn’t receive any security report about what was going to happen.”

The governor said the army should immediately leave the state if it could not guarantee the safety of lives and property.

He said, “I expect that the army should live up to expectations and stop the carnage in Plateau, if they cannot, then they should as well get out of the place.”

Jang also refuted reports that the attacks were retaliatory.

He said no Fulani was killed in January’s attacks in Kurujenta, a part of Jos.

He said, “We were caught unawares, the present attack I don’t know for what. But what was written in a northern-based national daily newspaper today (Tuesday) tried to justify it as a reprisal attack for what happened in Kurujenta on January 17.

“To the best of my knowledge, I don’t think Fulani were involved in what happened in Kurujenta.

“If you look at the houses that were burnt in Kurujenta (a tin-mining camp), I mean everybody who lived there was involved.

“You could not say it was one-sided because the houses that were burnt cut across, which means the killings cut across.

“But what happened there, some people moved Aljazeera (an international news channel) there, and then covered dead bodies and started labelling them.

“When you cover dead bodies and start labelling them, who knows who you are covering?

“And then today, Daily Trust was saying it was because of what happened in Kurujenta, because Fulani were killed in Kurujenta – Fulani don’t live in Kurujenta.

“And so to say it was a reprisal for what happened in Kurujenta was a distortion of facts.”

Jang also alleged that the attackers were not resident in Plateau State.

He said, “We know that what happened was that some people came across the border of Plateau State and started attacking villages, because nobody within Plateau got to these villages and started attacking them.”

When our correspondent contacted the Director of Army Information, Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, he referred him to the Army Public Relations Officer of the 81 Division, Jos, Lt.-Col. Galadima Shekari.

However, repeated calls made to Shekari’s mobile telephone lines last night indicated that they were either switched off or outside network coverages.

Attempts made by our correspondent to speak with the GOC 81 Division, Jos, Maj.-Gen. Faleh Maina, were not successful.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly on Tuesday passed separate resolutions condemning the violence and wanton destruction of lives and property in Jos, Plateau State.

While the Senate commended Acting President Goodluck Jonathan for the actions he had taken so far on the issue, the House of Representatives called for a thorough investigation into the incident and the punishment of culprits.

The Senate came out with an eight-point resolution after a three-hour session behind closed doors.

The eight-point resolution described the crisis in Jos as one too many. The Senate appealed to people of the state to eschew violence and learn to live peacefully with one another.

The Senate’s resolution was read by the Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Information and Media, Senator Anthony Manzo, on the floor of Senate after the session.

It reads “The Senate condemns the recent crisis in Jos that led to the loss of so many innocent lives. It is, in our opinion, one crisis to many. Our heart goes out to all those that lost loved ones during this recent crisis and indeed all previous crises.

“There can be no place for such barbaric acts in our democracy.

“Senate believes that the crisis is not religious and we must resist any attempt to give it any religious coloration.

“The Senate urges all Nigerians, especially leaders, to be calm and steadfast and should not do or say anything that will aggravate the crisis. The Senate further urges Nigerians to demonstrate greater respect for the sanctity of human life. The issue of internal security especially intelligence gathering must be taken more seriously.”

In its resolution, the House condoled with families that lost their loved ones to the violence, and advised the Federal Government to set up a truth and reconciliation committee to reconcile the various parties to the recurring Jos crises.

Also, the United States has condemned the Jos violence and asked that the perpetrators be brought to book.

A US-based news agency, Empowered Newswire, reported that the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton had to set aside her meeting with a foreign Head of State for a while to condemn what she called the ”tragic loss of lives in Nigeria.”

She said, “We continue to urge all parties to exercise restraint and seek constructive means for addressing the cycle of violence in Plateau State.

“The Nigerian Government should ensure that the perpetrators of acts of violence are brought to justice under the rule of law and that human rights are respected as order is restored.”
SOURCE: punchng.com

British Council Vacancies for Customer Service Officers in Nigeria

informationnigeria — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:08:56 +0000

The British Council in Nigeria is currently receiving applications for 4 Customer Service Officer Posts in the following locations:

• 2 in Lagos
• 1 in Abuja
• 1 in Kano

Please state clearly in your application, which of the locations you are applying to work in. You can specify more than one location in order of preference. We will endeavour (but not guarantee) successful candidates’ placements in their preferred locations.

Duties:

The selected candidates will assist in the delivery of high-quality, customer-focused services, and make sure that the needs of our customers are met. The selected candidates will have a proven track record of successful work in a customer-focused environment, and be adept at team-working as well as working independently. They will be used to meeting demanding deadlines. The selected candidates should have excellent IT skills.

How to apply:

Read through the job description document. To help you understand and complete the application form, read through theHow to complete the application and guidance for applicantsdocuments very carefully. Download and complete the application form.

Listed within the job description document, you will find a number of listed ‘competencies’, read through the competency dictionaryfor an explanation of the required ‘competencies’. Evidence against those competencies will need to be provided in your application form under the ‘Evidence in support of your application’ area.

You are also required to complete the Equal Opportunity Questionnaire. Please complete both the application form andEqual Opportunity Questionnaire electronically and submit to Hposts@ng.britishcouncil.org by 10.00a.m on 15 March 2010

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Recruits Assistant Chief Registration Officer

informationnigeria — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:02:06 +0000

Independent National Electoral Commission INEC Job Vacancies

Applications are invited from qualified candidates for the under-listed positions in the Commission

Job Title: Assistant Chief Registration Officer – (GL. 13)

Educational and Professional Qualifications

- Masters degree in Computer Science/ Computer engineering with at least 5 years cognate experience
- Bachelor’s degree/ HND in Computer Science/ Computer engineering with at least 10 years cognate experience
- Evidence of NYSC discharge certificate

Method of Application
1. Prospective candidates are expected to send their application before 20th March 2010 attaching the following documents
i) Curriculum Vitae;
ii) Photocopies of Certificates; and
iii) Two(2) Passport photograpgh

2. All application should be address to the
Secretary INEC
Zambezi Crescent, Maitama
Abuja

3) All written applications to be deposited in mail box at INEC State office where applicants resides

4) For Online Application, visit www.inecnigeria.org

“Genevieve Nnaji is my girlfriend; she’s my everything” – D’banj

informationnigeria — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:14:58 +0000

Dbanj and Genevieve, that is the latest from the Nigerian entertainment scene. Below is an excerpt of an interview of Dbanj by a reporter for Encomium Magazine:
You were spotted secretly and publicly at different places with Genevieve Nnaji and we heard you both are in some kind of relationship. Is this true?

D’Banj “Yes, yes, yes. We have been trying to keep this quiet but yes, I am dating Genevieve Nnaji.

Okay. We heard you recently featured her in your music video, ‘Fall in Love.’ Is this a publicity stunt or is it a real relationship?

D’Banj “This is all so funny because beyond the personal feelings I have for Genevieve, on the business side, she is the only one who represented what we were looking for to shoot the video. She represents Africa. She represents the African Queen. She is the biggest and was even profiled on the Oprah Winfrey Show. So it was a mixed feeling for me. She was the perfect person to use for the song ‘Fall in Love’. She even was my perception of someone you would want to fall in love with and have in your life. I believe the average African man wherever you are, if you want to think of whom you would want to fall in love with, if you close your eyes and take a deep breath, it’s Genevieve that will come to mind. So business-wise, she represented everything we were looking for to make the video.”

You must have been looking at her whilst you were singing. Were you really telling her your feelings?

D’Banj “I am in love with Genevieve. It’s been long I felt this way about anyone. I don’t know what other words to use to qualify my feelings. But when you see the video, you will know that it’s not just a video, it was me talking to my girl for real.

So is this a marriage-headed relationship?

D’Banj “Like I just told you, Genevieve is my girlfriend. In fact, I don’t like using that word girlfriend. She’s my baby, she’s my every thing and I love her. We are both very mature and also very private. We would like to take it one step at a time right now and would appreciate if people will respect our need for privacy at this time.

When the news of this relationship hits the streets, we are sure you both know what will happen next. Are you ready for this?

D’Banj “Well, what can I say? Like I said, Genevieve is the biggest African star that I know and I am in the public eye, so it is to be expected. But I personally do not care about any news that wants to come out. I am proud of whom I am with. When I met Genevieve I knew what I wanted and I went after it and I am still with what I want and she’s the one I want. Right now the only woman in my life is Genevieve and she knows that. We want to be together and we don’t want to hide it any longer. I want to be able to take her out, walk into anywhere with her and not have to hide. I’ve found my kokolet, my woman. Please pray for us.”

Source: Stella Dimoko Korkus – Encomium Weekly

Nigerian Player Dies In Sudan Game

informationnigeria — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:48:18 +0000

During today’s Sudanese Premier League match-up between El-Merriekh and Al-Amal, Nigerian-born forward Endurance Idahor was rushed to hospital after a challenge from a fellow player left him on his back, unable to breathe.

Despite the teams’ best efforts to see that the striker was given treatment as quickly as possible, the 23-year-old is said to have passed away inside the ambulance on the way to the hospital.

Players, coaching staff and the 30,000 supporters stood in disbelief as the referee whistled the end of the match.

Sources close to El-Merreikh Club revealed to Goal.com that the player will undergo an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Meanwhile, early medical reports state that a heart attack is the most likely cause of death.

The club released a brief announcement describing the player as “An example of a professional and committed individual and a symbol of loyalty” and added, “We will assure that justice takes place”.

Endurance Idahor joined El-Merreikh from Nigerian outfits Dolphin in 2006, loaned to Al-Nasser of UAE for one season and since his return he became a key figure in the first team squad scoring over 67 goals, leading the club to their first CAF confederation cup final since 1989.

It remains to be seen whether the rest of week 3 matches taking place on Sunday will be postponed or not.

Source – Goal.com

Nigeria: More than 200 dead in religious violence

informationnigeria — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:22:38 +0000

JOS, Nigeria – Rioters armed with machetes slaughtered more than 200 people overnight Sunday as religious violence flared anew between Christians and Muslims in central Nigeria, witnesses said. Hundreds of people fled their homes, fearing reprisal attacks.

The bodies of the dead — including many women and children — lined dusty streets in three mostly Christian villages south of the regional capital of Jos, local journalists and a civil rights group said. They said at least 200 bodies had been counted by Sunday afternoon.

Torched homes smoldered after the 3 a.m. attacks that a region-wide curfew enforced by the country’s police and military should have stopped.

The killings represent the latest religious violence in an area once known as Nigeria’s top tourist destination, adding to the tally of thousands already killed in the last decade in the name of religious and political ambitions.

Jos lies in Nigeria’s “middle belt,” where dozens of ethnic groups mingle in a band of fertile and hotly contested land separating the Muslim north from the predominantly Christian south.

In Dogo Nahawa, a village three miles (five kilometers) south of Jos, residents said the dead included a 4-day-old infant. Those who survived claimed their attackers shouted at them in Hausa and Fulani — two local languages used by Muslims.

A spokesman for Plateau state where Jos is located, Gregory Yenlong, said police were seeking to arrest Saleh Bayari, the regional leader of the Fulanis, because Bayari’s comments incited the attack. He offered no other details.

But the chairman of the local Fulani organization denied that his people were involved in the attack.

Nigerian military units began surrounding the affected villages Sunday afternoon, said Red Cross spokesman Robin Waubo. It was not clear if the violence was still continuing.

Waubo said the agency did not know how many people may have died in the fighting but workers have been sent to local morgues and hospitals to check.

Jos has been under a dusk-til-dawn curfew enforced by the military since religious-based violence in January left more than 300 people dead — most of them Muslims. It was not clear how the attackers managed to elude the military curfew early Sunday.

“It appears to be reprisal attacks,” Waubo said.

In a statement Sunday night, acting President Goodluck Jonathan said security agencies would be stationed along Plateau state’s borders to keep outsiders from coming in with more weapons and fighters.

“(We will) undertake strategic initiatives to confront and defeat these roving bands of killers,” the statement read. “While it is too early to state categorically what is responsible for this renewed wave of violence, we want to inform Nigerians that the security services are on top of the situation.”

In nearby Bauchi state, more than 600 people fled to a makeshift camp that still held victims from January’s violence, said Red Cross official Adamu Abubakar. He expected more to come, putting an even bigger strain on the already limited humanitarian aid for those fleeing the violence.

Jos has a history of communal violence that has made elections difficult to organize. Rioting in September 2001 killed more than 1,000 people and Muslim-Christian battles killed up to 700 people in 2004. More than 300 residents died during a similar uprising in 2008 and violence that began in January killed more than 300 people.

When religious violence takes place in Nigeria, it normally has roots in local issues, rather than being influenced by international extremist groups.

In Jos, Muslims have complained about being denied jobs and other benefits by the Christian-dominated government. However, many Muslims also operate shops and businesses in a nearby town where the tourist trade has dried up and the surrounding tin mines have been abandoned, stoking fears for Christians about retaliation from Muslim neighbors.

___

Associated Press Writer Bashir Adigun contributed to this report from Abuja, Nigeria. Gambrell reported from Lagos, Nigeria.

EFCC places ministers under 24-hr surveillance

informationnigeria — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 23:52:12 +0000

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has placed all serving ministers on a 24-hour surveillance ahead of the investigation being conducted by the Presidential Projects Monitoring Committee into the various projects embarked upon and executed in the last two years.
An impeccable source at the commission revealed at the week-end that the anti-graft agency had mobilized operatives to monitor the movements of the ministers in a bid to forestall the possibility of their jetting out of the country.
According to the top EFCC operative, the action is a proactive one as, in the past, top government functionaries had suddenly vanished before findings are concluded by committees set up to carry out such a verification exercise of this nature.
The source explained: “We are not resting on our oars because we know very well that some of these ministers are neck deep in corruption and any attempt for us to allow a little laxity they will capitalize on it and junket out of the country making it very difficult for us to perform our tasks.
“We know the ministers that took laws into their hands and helped themselves with our commonwealth due to President Umaru Yar’Adua’s absence and turned their ministries into personal properties awarding contracts indiscriminately to their friends and family members in the name of the presidency.
“The acting president should be hailed for having the foresight to set up a committee of this nature as it will go a long way in helping us sanitize the country and bring the culprits to book.”
He stressed that “as I talk right now, they have been placed on the watch list and all borders are being monitored by our men and any attempt by anyone of them to risk traveling without approval from the acting president such a public figure will be accosted.”
Probed to comment on the most likely suspects, the source declined saying that”they know themselves and they know we know them too.”
When contacted, Head, Media and Publicity of the anti-graft body, Mr Femi Babafemi, simply said, “it is a routine that we carry out every now and then but I can assure you that there is no escape route for those that will be found wanting at the end of the verification”.
Last week, speculations had been rife as to the ministries that were flash points of corruption and embezzlement of government funds and some ministries that had thrown caution into the air colluding with contractors to defraud the Federal Government.
SOURCE: vanguardngr.com

Nigeria orders probe into ‘brutal bus robbery’

informationnigeria — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:43:17 +0000

Nigeria’s Senate has ordered an investigation into reports that the police failed to attend the scene of a brutal robbery, which left many dead.

Photographs of corpses littering the Lagos-Benin highway last week have been circulating on the internet and have been published by a local newspaper.

The victims were reportedly made to lie down in the road and then the bus driver ordered to run them over.

A police spokesman questioned why there was no outcry until the photos emerged.

Yemi Ajayi told Next newspaper that he was “puzzled” by the reports.

“We are already investigating the report. We have sent distress signal to the police command in Edo and Ondo States for adequate investigation to the story,” he said.

The reports suggest that female passengers were raped by the gang.

“I could not even look at the pictures and when I looked at the pictures eventually, I lost my appetite,” said Senator Ibrahim Ida.

“Where were the police? Where were the checkpoints?” he asked, reports Thisday newspaper.

The Senate held a minute’s silence for those reportedly killed.

Armed robbery is common in Nigeria and the police have a poor reputation.
SOURCE: bbc.co.uk

Yar’Adua: We’ll never contemplate coup or carry out security breach – Army

informationnigeria — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 03:45:09 +0000

Chief of Army staff, Lt. General Abdurahman Bello Dambazau said, yesterday, that the Nigerian Army under his leadership would never contemplate any coup plot or security breach in the country as it is absolutely unnecessary . He disowned a statement credited to AC that he, Chief of Army Staff, is only loyal to President Yar’ Ádua, saying the party was trying to put words in his mouth .
Speaking through a statement signed by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Chris Olukolade, the Army Chief said: “For the avoidance of doubt, the Army would like to reassure Nigerians that it has not shifted from its commitment to the tenets of democracy and absolute loyalty to constituted civil authorities as consistently emphasized and demonstrated by the Chief of Army Staff.
“ It will be recalled that he has in several addresses to troops in Lagos emphasized in very clear terms, the resolve of the Army to offer unalloyed loyalty and support to the democratic order in the country.
“Gen Dambazau along with Chief of Defence Staff and other service Chiefs were among the earliest government functionaries to visit and pledge the loyalty of the military to the nation”.
The Army Chief condemned a statement issued by the Lagos State Chapter of the Action Congress, AC, over a statement said to be credited to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen AB Dambazau who was alleged to have said “he is only loyal to President Yar’Adua and no one else”.
In the statement, Mr Joe Igbokwe who claimed to be speaking for his party allegedly made a series of remarks denigrating the person of Gen Dambazau and the Nigerian Army as a whole, saying they would be held responsible if the present democracy is brought to a sad end.
“The Nigerian Army wishes to state categorically that the claims in that statement from AC are completely unfortunate as they were meant to put words in the mouth of the Army Chief. Mr Igbokwe and those propagating the said statement have not informed their audience of when, where and to whom Gen Dambazau made the statement they now attribute to him with a view to whipping up unnecessary but dangerous sentiment”.
“It is disturbing that a number of activists have also built additional unfounded insinuations on this false information to make a series of unfair, inciting, alarming and provocative remarks against the Army to buttress their campaigns lately”.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Army would like to reassure Nigerians that it has not shifted from its commitment to the tenets of democracy and absolute loyalty to constituted civil authorities as consistently emphasized and demonstrated by the Chief of Army Staff”.
“It will be recalled that he has in several addresses to troops and in a number of fora such as the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference in Lagos last November as well as the commissioning of Forward Operating Base in Abuja early this year, emphasized in very clear terms the resolve of the Army to offer unalloyed loyalty and support to democratic order in the country. Gen Dambazau along with Chief of Defence Staff and other service Chiefs were among the earliest government functionaries to visit and pledge the loyalty of the military to the Acting President on his assumption of office”.
“The call and warning coming from Mr Igbokwe and other political activists is indeed absolutely unnecessary as no coup or security breach (as they called it) is been contemplated by the Nigerian Army. The whole statements therefore amounts to an unfair comment founded on an imaginary statement which did not emanate from the Army’s leadership”.
“The persistent insults been thrown at the army and indeed the intelligence of the generality of Nigerians by desperate agitators and alarmists, despite repeated demonstration of the army’s commitment to democracy is indeed unwarranted and should stop. The army therefore calls on all well meaning citizens to disregard all the alarmist remarks and reports coming from certain quarters as they obviously have interests other than the peace and security of Nigeria”.
“Once again politicians and so called activists who thrive on spreading false alarm should please leave the army out of their game plan. The Army remains committed to supporting the practice of democracy, rule of law and submission to constitutional authorities in Nigeria , and would not wish to be dragged into unnecessary controversy meant to cause confusion in the country”.
SOURCE: vanguardngr.com

Niger Insurance Plc Recruiment 2010: Management Services Jobs

informationnigeria — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 03:30:30 +0000

Niger Insurance Plc Recruits Deputy General Manager and Managers
Niger Insurance Plc in pursuit of Engineered Growth Objectives came up with a new Enterprise Transformation Model that necessitates injection of new ideas and bright heads from the Fields of Insurance, Finance, Marketing and Risk Management into her Corporate structure. The model also meets the company’s revenue, fiscal and job creation targets under the NAICOM’s MDRI Initiatives, the FSS 2020 goal of 15th largest Insurance Market in the world by 2020 and Vision 20, 2020 goal of making Nigeria one of the 20 largest economies in the world by 2020.
Management Services
ASSISTANCE GENERAL MANAGER PR & COMMUNICATION
a) First Degree In Mass Communications or any of the Humanities in Professional qualification and or membership of APCON
c) Post graduate degree in Finance or Business.
d) Wide experience in Brand Building, Corporate Promotion and Media Relations.
e)Minimum of 15 years experience
Responsibility
- Corporate image laundering
- Corporate Information dissemination
- Protocol and foreign relations activities
- Corporate and product brand building
-Experience in insurance business will be an advantage.
SENIOR MANAGER ADMIN & PURCHASES
a) 1st Degree in any of the Humanities
b) Professional Qualification of CIPM of Nigeria
C) Post graduate degree in Finance or Business.
d)Degree in Law will be an advantage
e)Min. of 15 years experience
- Experience in Insurance Business will be an advantage
Responsibility
- Employees Performance Management.
-Employees’ Job Analysis and Evaluation.
-Employees’ Compensation and Benefits Management.
- Employees’ Selection. Recruitment a:,d Man-power Development
– Experience in Insurance Business will be an advantage
The Package
Generous pay, Car plus Driver, Pool Car, Generator and other benefits as they apply to each position.
Application to be forwarded to;
P.O. Box 17947, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
Or stanleylnd582@gmail.com
Application closes on Friday 12th March. 2010
Mode of Application
Send Application and CV indicating:-
• Age, sex, marital status
• Qualification with date and institution – Position and location applied for
• Detailed statement of job experience
• 24 hrs telephone contact numbers.