Randy Filipino impregnates 13-year- old Nigerian girl
A Philippine national, simply identified as Alex, has run into troubled waters for allegedly impregnating a 13-year-old Nigerian girl.
The victim, Nkechi (not real name), is a junior sister to Alex’s domestic staff, Victoria, who he sacked after putting the Junior Secondary School one (JSS I) girl in the family way.
The suspect was dragged to Apapa police station, after Victoria and other members of her family discovered that their daughter was six months pregnant for the randy Filipino.
At the station, Alex did not only tell the detectives that devil was responsible for his action, he also told them that he ate the forbidden fruit ‘only three times.’ He, however, pleaded for forgiveness and urged the victim’s relatives not to take the matter to court. He also promised to take good care of the girl till she puts to bed.
But the victim punctured his claim, saying he had sex with her five times. Nkechi, a native of Akwa Ibom State, recalled how the immoral act with Alex started. According to her, he first deflowered her in the bathroom before the ones that took place in his bedroom four times. She also disclosed how he enticed her with money before she fell for his bait, after resisting the temptation many times.
She explained that he usually gave him N100 and sometimes, N1,000. “It was when he threatened to sack my elder sister from work and evict us from the house that I succumbed. He forced me the first day and succeeded in having sex with me. My sister was not at home that day. But Alex had earlier told her that he would send me to buy boiled rice for him at Anjorin Market, Apapa. It's not too far from his residence at Randle Road, Apapa.
“I was living with my sister at the ‘Boys’ Quarter’. When I came back, I noticed he had locked all the windows and doors, leaving only the entrance door open. So, immediately I entered the house, he quickly locked the door. I wanted to wash clothes in the bathroom when he entered, tying towel round his waist.
“He warned that If I turned down his love overtures, he would sack my sister from work and send us out of the house. And I didn't want him to sack my sister or send us out of the house. I didn't want my sister and I to suffer,” she said.
The victim also recalled how blood gushed out from her private part when Alex first had sex with her.
“He has caused problems for me now. I'm a JSS1 student, I cannot marry him, he is wicked. He forced me and had sex with me when my sister travelled to the village.” The girl believes she can still go back to school after putting to bed. “I will not go to the Philippines with him, I will not marry him. If I put to bed, I will go back to school.
Alex begged the victim's family to allow him to take care of their feeding as well as hospital bill. But the family turned down the offer, saying the suspect was only looking for an opportunity to escape justice. Victoria, 23, told Daily Sun that Alex's contract as a canteen manager in a construction company was over. She said she suspected Alex to have concluded plans to escape before her younger sister is delivered of a baby.
“Alex was paying me N12,000 monthly. My duty was to cook food, wash clothes and clean the house. He sacked me when I fell sick and asked me to pack my property out of the house. I was rushed to a General Hospital in Lagos, where I spent one week before I was taken to a church, where I also spent one week. And when I returned to continue my job, Alex told me I had been sacked. I've been working for him more than four years now.”
Meanwhile, the suspect had invited some of his Nigerian friends to mediate in the crisis. One of them, a businessman, who identified himself simply as Kabaya, however, blamed the suspect for using a minor to satisfy his sexual urge
"We just want to assist him so that his family and that of the suspect will reach an agreement. Since a child is involved, I believe, the best thing to do is to make peace because of the child. We don't want the victim and her baby to suffer", he said.
The suspect was dragged to Apapa police station, after Victoria and other members of her family discovered that their daughter was six months pregnant for the randy Filipino.
At the station, Alex did not only tell the detectives that devil was responsible for his action, he also told them that he ate the forbidden fruit ‘only three times.’ He, however, pleaded for forgiveness and urged the victim’s relatives not to take the matter to court. He also promised to take good care of the girl till she puts to bed.
But the victim punctured his claim, saying he had sex with her five times. Nkechi, a native of Akwa Ibom State, recalled how the immoral act with Alex started. According to her, he first deflowered her in the bathroom before the ones that took place in his bedroom four times. She also disclosed how he enticed her with money before she fell for his bait, after resisting the temptation many times.
She explained that he usually gave him N100 and sometimes, N1,000. “It was when he threatened to sack my elder sister from work and evict us from the house that I succumbed. He forced me the first day and succeeded in having sex with me. My sister was not at home that day. But Alex had earlier told her that he would send me to buy boiled rice for him at Anjorin Market, Apapa. It's not too far from his residence at Randle Road, Apapa.
“I was living with my sister at the ‘Boys’ Quarter’. When I came back, I noticed he had locked all the windows and doors, leaving only the entrance door open. So, immediately I entered the house, he quickly locked the door. I wanted to wash clothes in the bathroom when he entered, tying towel round his waist.
“He warned that If I turned down his love overtures, he would sack my sister from work and send us out of the house. And I didn't want him to sack my sister or send us out of the house. I didn't want my sister and I to suffer,” she said.
The victim also recalled how blood gushed out from her private part when Alex first had sex with her.
“He has caused problems for me now. I'm a JSS1 student, I cannot marry him, he is wicked. He forced me and had sex with me when my sister travelled to the village.” The girl believes she can still go back to school after putting to bed. “I will not go to the Philippines with him, I will not marry him. If I put to bed, I will go back to school.
Alex begged the victim's family to allow him to take care of their feeding as well as hospital bill. But the family turned down the offer, saying the suspect was only looking for an opportunity to escape justice. Victoria, 23, told Daily Sun that Alex's contract as a canteen manager in a construction company was over. She said she suspected Alex to have concluded plans to escape before her younger sister is delivered of a baby.
“Alex was paying me N12,000 monthly. My duty was to cook food, wash clothes and clean the house. He sacked me when I fell sick and asked me to pack my property out of the house. I was rushed to a General Hospital in Lagos, where I spent one week before I was taken to a church, where I also spent one week. And when I returned to continue my job, Alex told me I had been sacked. I've been working for him more than four years now.”
Meanwhile, the suspect had invited some of his Nigerian friends to mediate in the crisis. One of them, a businessman, who identified himself simply as Kabaya, however, blamed the suspect for using a minor to satisfy his sexual urge
"We just want to assist him so that his family and that of the suspect will reach an agreement. Since a child is involved, I believe, the best thing to do is to make peace because of the child. We don't want the victim and her baby to suffer", he said.
CBN, AMCON should create better platform for acquired shares of rescued banks – Mikail
Shehu Mallam Mikail, the national president of Nigerian Constance Shareholders’ Association (NCSA) and chairman, Mastel Limited, dealers in agro allied products, recently spoke exclusively with Daily Sun on the expectations of the minority shareholders from the on-going Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s reforms exercise and the need to create a better platform for the safety of their share certificates and funds through Asset Management Corporation (AMCON).
He also hinted on other factors that have been hampering the interest of the minority shareholders, and also the need for the association to desist from suing CBN...rather, they should sue their banks, who should be in the best position to charge the apex bank through industrial courts.
Has your shareholder organization considered formally presenting your grievances about the sale of banks and the worth of share certificates to AMCON?
Concerning this question, I will say that my association has been doing the right thing at the right time. So, we believe that through the management of the banks, or whenever we can, we have to express our minds so that the management will be able to know what next steps to take, being the shareholders of those banks. Most of these banks have been calling for shareholders’ forum to let them what is really happening in the banking industry.
With the on-going reforms, there is no one that will not believe that what CBN is doing is the right thing at the right time because if the CBN did not come out, we will not know what the banks are doing, even to their shareholders. So, that is why I give kudos to CBN. I think initiating the Asset Management Corporation (AMCON) is in the right direction, and at the right time...with the bad debts of the banks being acquired by the corporation, meaning that it is trying as much as possible to see that the banking industry is restored to stability.
If you look at the stock exchange now, shares of banks are appreciating little by little. So, I believe that by the time everything stabilizes, things will work out for the better. You could also notice what the CBN governor recently said that some banks are likely to be merged or acquired; that two banks have already signed an agreement, and some are in the pipeline. It is a clear line for investors to know how to go about their own financial risks.
I will say that for AMCON to get things right at the right time, they have to create a better platform for these acquired shares because if they are not being acquired, how will the banks be able to survive? I believe that both the banks’ management and CBN regulatory authority had an understanding with AMCON that the values of these shares will be better off with AMCON, so that the owner of the shares will be able to have the confidence on their income in the banks. I feel that CBN, AMCON and the management of these banks should agree on how to handle the shares, so that it will be for the benefit of both the minority and the majority shareholders of the banks.
How can you access AMCON valuation method of loans backed by shares, which took an average price from the last 60 days to November 15, 2011, plus a premium of 60 per cent and five per cent payment for unsecured loans?
Basically, as regards the percentage, I think with the present situation in the country, AMCON is reasonable to leave it at that rate. I believe that the factors of the economy dictate how this percentage should be presented. If the economy picks up, I so much believe that things are likely to change. Concerning these prices and percentages, I will implore that AMCON should try as much as possible to see that when the economy improves, they should make things better, so that the banks will have the avenue to operate freely in the market.
Under what circumstances should shareholders consider withdrawing their cases against the CBN?
This question is very interesting, first and foremost, who are the shareholders that took CBN to court. Are they CBN shareholders, do they have shares in CBN because CBN is a regulatory authority. If at all CBN is to be taken to court, it has to be these banks that are under CBN’s authority. If the minority shareholders are taking CBN to court, it has to be through the banks where they have shares. They have to sue their banks first before taking any other steps.
Someone who is not a shareholder with CBN doesn’t have the right to sue CBN. If they feel that they have the right, then let them go on and see what will happen, because CBN is a regulatory authority that regulates the financial systems in the country. What CBN has been doing for the past few years now, has made things to clear and help us to know the effective and sound banks that do not have any skeleton in their cupboards.
Most of these banks have skeletons in their cupboards, and CBN has helped the minority shareholders to know what is really happening within the sector.
If not because of that, how will I be able to know that some banks are not doing well at a particular time, or that the shareholders funds are being misused? So, how can we start saying that because the shareholders are having good rapport with a director of one of the banks that he has the gut to sue CBN, let the person go ahead if he can, because I know that he does not have the authority to do that. CBN is a regulatory authority and only the banks have the right to sue CBN and that has to be through the industrial court.
If these shareholders should channel their grievances to the CBN rather than through the banks, don’t you think this might be as terrible as the Union Bank/NLC saga?
Before the advent of CBN in Nigeria there were banks, it was from there that they made a regulatory body that will be overseeing the activities of the banks in Nigeria, which is being backed by the Federal Government. As the power of BOFA confide on CBN, it now has the authority to oversee the activities of all the commercial banks to make sure the banks are viable.
This is a body under federal government initiative and it is a body to regulate the financial sector, while the commercial banks are people who establish a bank, apply for a licence through CBN and when CBN gives the licence, they will operate and the way you are operating is being monitored and controlled by CBN and if it is public quoted, it is been managed by the security exchange to regularize the in-to-in stock activities. If a minority shareholder puts his money on the purchase of share in a bank and the dividend and share is not appreciating, it is his right to go to the management of that bank to inquire. If you see discrepancies in your account, you have to take it up and find out what is going on. If they are not still reliable at this point, that is when consideration should be given to CBN.
So, the minority shareholder cannot just say that he wants to sue CBN, but he can notify CBN about the discrepancies of the systems of any bank. Then, it will be left to CBN to make the findings as regards to that, and while this is going, the shareholder should be monitoring the activities of the management. The problem is that the previous managements of those banks were not doing what was supposed to be done. CBN discovered the anomalies carried out by the directors of the banks, that is why most of them were changed. If you look at the things happening in these banks now, you could see that most of the new managing directors of these banks are doing fine.
Considering the fact that the CBN governor has said that the share certificates of the risky banks are worthless, is your organization thinking of coming together to raise fresh capital and constitute the much talked about more investors who will bid for the banks afresh?
The CBN governor can say that the share certificates of those banks are worthless because of the discrepancies that have happened in these banks. Secondly, the economic melt down might be a contributing factor, because for the banks to survive they must meet the demands, but most of these banks the shareholders’ funds were nowhere to be found, which means that they were working under zero per cent.
For instance, for the recapitalization, it is very hard for you to see a minority shareholder who has N20million, and decides to put the whole N20million into the banking sector. No! You can only see an investor whose interest is build in investing, perhaps from the offshore sector who will say that the regulatory body is making things better for the banks, let me put my money.
To recapitalize these banks, a minority shareholder cannot give what it takes to recapitalize them; it is not an issue of $1billion. It is only the recent initiative of CBN that can bring core investors to come over for recapitalization. Both the creation of AMCON by federal government and CBN is the only thing that makes things conducive for any investor to put money in the banking sector. There is no investor that does not know that doing business in Nigeria is more viable in Africa.
As the leader of a vibrant shareholders’ organization, in what areas are you contributing towards CBN’s effort to sanitize the banking system in Nigeria, or do you think there is nothing to be sanitized in the banking system in the first place?
As a leader of shareholders, there are a lot of things that we have done as regards to what CBN is doing and what CBN can also do. Series of interactions have been granted and a series of letters have been sent out as regards to our views to what CBN is doing. What CBN is doing is a clear step to make things work in Nigeria, so that we will be able to have a vibrant economy. The only area which I will like CBN to put more effort is to compel all these banks that no matter any steps to be taken within the systems, the minority shareholders must be called upon to give their own views as regards to the necessary steps to be taken. They should have a forum where all these minority shareholders will be briefed on the activities to ensure that the banks will move forward. That is one area that I will tell CBN to work on, most of the leaders of these shareholders association have to be notified and called upon when a crucial decision is going to be taken before the final ratification.
The minority shareholders are not happy that by the end of the year, they do not receive any penny from their banks. The minority shareholder is also a green light; because within the management or the board of all these banks, by the time they are taking decisions, some of them might not be happy over what the majority shareholders are going to take. The person that is not happy with the decision of the board can arouse the hope and make use of the minority shareholders by fueling their grievances. Even when a decision will not favor the minority, they should be notified that this kind of decision would be taken. This is where I will like the CBN to help the minority shareholders of these banks. In this case, the shareholder is going to build more confidence in whatever decision that will be taken.
Have you considered selling your shareholding on risky banks, or are you anticipating a recovery of those shares?
A core investor will not like to sale his shares out now no matter what it takes, because the way I see the economy of Nigeria and the stock business in Nigeria, there is going to be an improvement. Already, with what the steps the regulatory authority of both the CBN and others are taking now it shows that there is going to be an improvement in the economy. Why should I sale my shares? I know how much that I bought the shares when the times were rosy and the IPO, I know what it was before, and do you expect me to sale my shares now that they have gone down to N1 or N3. For what? I will rather keep my shares for future purposes, and I believe that once there is an improvement in the economy there will be an improvement in the shares.
For instance, the shares of TRANSCOP, do you know how much it was then and how much it is now and what is happening within TRANSCOP now? Core investors are coming and a lot of them are still going to come, sooner or later people are going to see that TRANSCOP has gone up. Even when ordinary shareholders are trying to buy more, it will be TRANSCOP. What is happening in TRANSCOP is also going to happen with all these rescue banks, after the negotiations which are being carried out within the core investors and everything is set, you will find out that vibrant banks are now in Nigeria. The decision being taken now is going to give incentive to ordinary shareholders to buy more shares.
How can you access the level of confidence in Nigerian banking industry?
If not because of CBN, I wouldn’t have known that the banking industry in Nigeria is at the zero level. So far, what the regulatory authority led by Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is doing now, has given ordinary shareholders and a layman a rest of mind to have the confidence that whatever they put in the banks are safe. The CBN equally compel that all the banks in Nigeria should regularize their customers data.
Has your shareholder organization considered formally presenting your grievances about the sale of banks and the worth of share certificates to AMCON?
Concerning this question, I will say that my association has been doing the right thing at the right time. So, we believe that through the management of the banks, or whenever we can, we have to express our minds so that the management will be able to know what next steps to take, being the shareholders of those banks. Most of these banks have been calling for shareholders’ forum to let them what is really happening in the banking industry.
With the on-going reforms, there is no one that will not believe that what CBN is doing is the right thing at the right time because if the CBN did not come out, we will not know what the banks are doing, even to their shareholders. So, that is why I give kudos to CBN. I think initiating the Asset Management Corporation (AMCON) is in the right direction, and at the right time...with the bad debts of the banks being acquired by the corporation, meaning that it is trying as much as possible to see that the banking industry is restored to stability.
If you look at the stock exchange now, shares of banks are appreciating little by little. So, I believe that by the time everything stabilizes, things will work out for the better. You could also notice what the CBN governor recently said that some banks are likely to be merged or acquired; that two banks have already signed an agreement, and some are in the pipeline. It is a clear line for investors to know how to go about their own financial risks.
I will say that for AMCON to get things right at the right time, they have to create a better platform for these acquired shares because if they are not being acquired, how will the banks be able to survive? I believe that both the banks’ management and CBN regulatory authority had an understanding with AMCON that the values of these shares will be better off with AMCON, so that the owner of the shares will be able to have the confidence on their income in the banks. I feel that CBN, AMCON and the management of these banks should agree on how to handle the shares, so that it will be for the benefit of both the minority and the majority shareholders of the banks.
How can you access AMCON valuation method of loans backed by shares, which took an average price from the last 60 days to November 15, 2011, plus a premium of 60 per cent and five per cent payment for unsecured loans?
Basically, as regards the percentage, I think with the present situation in the country, AMCON is reasonable to leave it at that rate. I believe that the factors of the economy dictate how this percentage should be presented. If the economy picks up, I so much believe that things are likely to change. Concerning these prices and percentages, I will implore that AMCON should try as much as possible to see that when the economy improves, they should make things better, so that the banks will have the avenue to operate freely in the market.
Under what circumstances should shareholders consider withdrawing their cases against the CBN?
This question is very interesting, first and foremost, who are the shareholders that took CBN to court. Are they CBN shareholders, do they have shares in CBN because CBN is a regulatory authority. If at all CBN is to be taken to court, it has to be these banks that are under CBN’s authority. If the minority shareholders are taking CBN to court, it has to be through the banks where they have shares. They have to sue their banks first before taking any other steps.
Someone who is not a shareholder with CBN doesn’t have the right to sue CBN. If they feel that they have the right, then let them go on and see what will happen, because CBN is a regulatory authority that regulates the financial systems in the country. What CBN has been doing for the past few years now, has made things to clear and help us to know the effective and sound banks that do not have any skeleton in their cupboards.
Most of these banks have skeletons in their cupboards, and CBN has helped the minority shareholders to know what is really happening within the sector.
If not because of that, how will I be able to know that some banks are not doing well at a particular time, or that the shareholders funds are being misused? So, how can we start saying that because the shareholders are having good rapport with a director of one of the banks that he has the gut to sue CBN, let the person go ahead if he can, because I know that he does not have the authority to do that. CBN is a regulatory authority and only the banks have the right to sue CBN and that has to be through the industrial court.
If these shareholders should channel their grievances to the CBN rather than through the banks, don’t you think this might be as terrible as the Union Bank/NLC saga?
Before the advent of CBN in Nigeria there were banks, it was from there that they made a regulatory body that will be overseeing the activities of the banks in Nigeria, which is being backed by the Federal Government. As the power of BOFA confide on CBN, it now has the authority to oversee the activities of all the commercial banks to make sure the banks are viable.
This is a body under federal government initiative and it is a body to regulate the financial sector, while the commercial banks are people who establish a bank, apply for a licence through CBN and when CBN gives the licence, they will operate and the way you are operating is being monitored and controlled by CBN and if it is public quoted, it is been managed by the security exchange to regularize the in-to-in stock activities. If a minority shareholder puts his money on the purchase of share in a bank and the dividend and share is not appreciating, it is his right to go to the management of that bank to inquire. If you see discrepancies in your account, you have to take it up and find out what is going on. If they are not still reliable at this point, that is when consideration should be given to CBN.
So, the minority shareholder cannot just say that he wants to sue CBN, but he can notify CBN about the discrepancies of the systems of any bank. Then, it will be left to CBN to make the findings as regards to that, and while this is going, the shareholder should be monitoring the activities of the management. The problem is that the previous managements of those banks were not doing what was supposed to be done. CBN discovered the anomalies carried out by the directors of the banks, that is why most of them were changed. If you look at the things happening in these banks now, you could see that most of the new managing directors of these banks are doing fine.
Considering the fact that the CBN governor has said that the share certificates of the risky banks are worthless, is your organization thinking of coming together to raise fresh capital and constitute the much talked about more investors who will bid for the banks afresh?
The CBN governor can say that the share certificates of those banks are worthless because of the discrepancies that have happened in these banks. Secondly, the economic melt down might be a contributing factor, because for the banks to survive they must meet the demands, but most of these banks the shareholders’ funds were nowhere to be found, which means that they were working under zero per cent.
For instance, for the recapitalization, it is very hard for you to see a minority shareholder who has N20million, and decides to put the whole N20million into the banking sector. No! You can only see an investor whose interest is build in investing, perhaps from the offshore sector who will say that the regulatory body is making things better for the banks, let me put my money.
To recapitalize these banks, a minority shareholder cannot give what it takes to recapitalize them; it is not an issue of $1billion. It is only the recent initiative of CBN that can bring core investors to come over for recapitalization. Both the creation of AMCON by federal government and CBN is the only thing that makes things conducive for any investor to put money in the banking sector. There is no investor that does not know that doing business in Nigeria is more viable in Africa.
As the leader of a vibrant shareholders’ organization, in what areas are you contributing towards CBN’s effort to sanitize the banking system in Nigeria, or do you think there is nothing to be sanitized in the banking system in the first place?
As a leader of shareholders, there are a lot of things that we have done as regards to what CBN is doing and what CBN can also do. Series of interactions have been granted and a series of letters have been sent out as regards to our views to what CBN is doing. What CBN is doing is a clear step to make things work in Nigeria, so that we will be able to have a vibrant economy. The only area which I will like CBN to put more effort is to compel all these banks that no matter any steps to be taken within the systems, the minority shareholders must be called upon to give their own views as regards to the necessary steps to be taken. They should have a forum where all these minority shareholders will be briefed on the activities to ensure that the banks will move forward. That is one area that I will tell CBN to work on, most of the leaders of these shareholders association have to be notified and called upon when a crucial decision is going to be taken before the final ratification.
The minority shareholders are not happy that by the end of the year, they do not receive any penny from their banks. The minority shareholder is also a green light; because within the management or the board of all these banks, by the time they are taking decisions, some of them might not be happy over what the majority shareholders are going to take. The person that is not happy with the decision of the board can arouse the hope and make use of the minority shareholders by fueling their grievances. Even when a decision will not favor the minority, they should be notified that this kind of decision would be taken. This is where I will like the CBN to help the minority shareholders of these banks. In this case, the shareholder is going to build more confidence in whatever decision that will be taken.
Have you considered selling your shareholding on risky banks, or are you anticipating a recovery of those shares?
A core investor will not like to sale his shares out now no matter what it takes, because the way I see the economy of Nigeria and the stock business in Nigeria, there is going to be an improvement. Already, with what the steps the regulatory authority of both the CBN and others are taking now it shows that there is going to be an improvement in the economy. Why should I sale my shares? I know how much that I bought the shares when the times were rosy and the IPO, I know what it was before, and do you expect me to sale my shares now that they have gone down to N1 or N3. For what? I will rather keep my shares for future purposes, and I believe that once there is an improvement in the economy there will be an improvement in the shares.
For instance, the shares of TRANSCOP, do you know how much it was then and how much it is now and what is happening within TRANSCOP now? Core investors are coming and a lot of them are still going to come, sooner or later people are going to see that TRANSCOP has gone up. Even when ordinary shareholders are trying to buy more, it will be TRANSCOP. What is happening in TRANSCOP is also going to happen with all these rescue banks, after the negotiations which are being carried out within the core investors and everything is set, you will find out that vibrant banks are now in Nigeria. The decision being taken now is going to give incentive to ordinary shareholders to buy more shares.
How can you access the level of confidence in Nigerian banking industry?
If not because of CBN, I wouldn’t have known that the banking industry in Nigeria is at the zero level. So far, what the regulatory authority led by Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is doing now, has given ordinary shareholders and a layman a rest of mind to have the confidence that whatever they put in the banks are safe. The CBN equally compel that all the banks in Nigeria should regularize their customers data.
It gives the banks an opportunity to know where their customers are staying all the time. This is one of the things that have given light into the banking industry recently. I believe that when everything is properly normalized in terms of the rescued banks, banking industry in Nigeria will be more vibrant and there will be more confidence in having business transactions with the banks.
As a shareholder group, what role has your association played in the capital market?
One the roles that my association is playing in the capital market is to lecture, to give confidence to ordinary shareholders about the market. We also give them the backing to know when and how to sale their shares, because of the economic meltdown in the country. Our role to the capital market is to ensure that things become normal and regulated in the market, to give confidence to the ordinary shareholders.
As a shareholder group, what role has your association played in the capital market?
One the roles that my association is playing in the capital market is to lecture, to give confidence to ordinary shareholders about the market. We also give them the backing to know when and how to sale their shares, because of the economic meltdown in the country. Our role to the capital market is to ensure that things become normal and regulated in the market, to give confidence to the ordinary shareholders.
NIREC condemns violence in Northern states
The Nigeria Inter Religious Council (NIREC) has condemned the spate of violence in some Northern states over the results of the presidential election, urging the perpetrators of the violence to stop the carnage immediately.
The call was contained in a statement issued by the body on Tuesday in Sokoto and jointly signed by the Sultan of Sokoto and president-general, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Saád Abubakar and president, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayodele Joseph Oritsejafor.
The statement said although disagreement was natural and one of the ingredients of democracy, resorting to violence was a travesty of religious teachings as well as a betrayal of the claim to faith.
It stated the need for Nigerians to always explore constitutional means of seeking redress whenever they were aggrieved rather than take laws into their hands.
The statement added that it was the opinion of NIREC that at this stage of Nigeria's socio-political history, Nigerians should be able to address their political differences when they arise in a civilised manner without blood-letting.
It stated that this was because at the end of the day, Nigerians would always return to the round-table but those who might have been killed would not be brought back to life, adding that we should endeavour to give peace a chance by pursuing legal means in redressing whatever we perceived as wrong.
The statement further stated that apart from the legal means of fighting whatever people deemed wrong, there were other peaceful means in a democracy such as Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) like the NIREC which could assist in that direction.
CCDI condemns political killings in the North
The Centre for Convention on Democratic Integrity (CCDI) has condemned in strong terms the unwarranted killings in Kaduna and Kano states by supporters of Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), the defeated candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).
In a press statement issued in Lagos by the Director of Public Affairs CCDI, Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo, the body described as barbaric, baseless and criminal the mayhem in those states and urged the leadership of the party to call their supporters to order and stop further destruction.
Iwelunmo warned that Nigerians would no longer tolerate leaders who were not ready to accept defeat in any electoral contest in the country, saying that the masses had demonstrated at the polls that they were ready for a change in the country through a democratic process by voting the candidate of their choice.
The body, which urged the Federal Government to prosecute all those arrested in connection with the mayhem in Kano and Kaduna, noted that elections conducted so far by Professor Attahiru Jega-led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had been acclaimed to be free and fair as adjudged by both domestic and foreign observers and commended the umpire for the good job so far.
Iwelunmo explained that election would only be free and fair in any country when all agencies perform up to expectation during the election as demonstrated by INEC under Professor Jega.
US 'saddened' by death of journalists in Libya
PALO ALTO, (AFP) - The White House pushed Libya Wednesday to protect journalists covering the conflict there after the deaths of acclaimed photojournalists Tim Hetherington and Chris Hondros.
US President Barack Obama's chief spokesman, Jay Carney, said he was "saddened" to learn Hetherington, an Oscar-nominated film director and war photographer, had been killed and "deeply concerned" about other journalists wounded in the same attack.
Carney later released a statement after Getty photographer Hondros, an American, was confirmed to have died from his injuries in the attack, saying his "tragic death underscores the need to protect journalists as they cover conflicts across the globe."
Journalists, said the White House, "risk their lives each day to keep us informed, demand accountability from world leaders, and give a voice to those who would not otherwise be heard.
"The Libyan government and all governments across the world must take steps to protect journalists doing this vital work," Carney added after Obama made a campaign-style appearance at the home of social media titan Facebook.
Hetherington and Hondros were the second and third journalist killed in Libya in its two-month-old conflict.
They were cut down by a round of mortar fire, which wounded two other photojournalists in the western port city, medics in Misrata said.
The Liverpool-born Briton Hetherington produced and co-directed the acclaimed documentary "Restrepo," which won a Oscar nomination.
"The United States will work to do everything possible to assist those who were injured in getting the care they need. Our thoughts are with these brave journalists and their loved ones," said Carney.
Call your supporters to order, police warn politicians
A call has gone to politicians in the country to call their supporters to order as well as accept the outcome of last Saturday’s presidential election in good faith.
The call was made, on Tuesday, by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Olusola Amore, while commenting on the security situation in some parts of the country, after the announcement of the election result on the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) programme.
He said that there was no cause for alarm as the police and other security agencies were on top of the situation, adding that, “security personnel have been deployed in the affected states, 24 hours curfew had been imposed, while discussion is ongoing with religion leaders and traditional rulers to appeal to their subjects to stop the spread of violence.”
Assuring Nigerians that the police in collaboration with other security agencies have been able to maintain security before and during the election, Amore said that post-election security had to involve all the stakeholders.
“Politicians should stop making inflammatory remarks on the outcome of election. The law courts are there to seek redress, burning and destroying opposition parties property would not solve the problem but add to it, the Nigeria police is using this medium to warn the sponsors of this violence to call their subjects to order, as anybody or group of persons caught in this act will face the full wrath of the law, no matter how highly placed,” he warned.
Amore, however, advised people of the affected states to remain calm, saying that they can call the Joint Operation Room (JOR) on 07083711826 or 07082212011, to report any attack or suspicious movement in their environment.
Nigerian footballer arrested with cocaine in Delhi
Nigerian footballer was arrested here allegedly with 25 grams of cocaine, police said today.
Kingsley Izuchukwu (34) was apprehended from Kotla Mubarakpur on Sunday allegedly with 25 grams of cocaine, Arun Kampani, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell), said.
The arrest came after police received an input about fine quality drugs being supplied from neighbouring countries through different borders which are brought to Delhi for further sale.
It was also learnt that this drugs syndicate was being run by some Nigerian nationals based in Delhi. These consumers mainly use these drugs at select parties at night at various private places, bars and night clubs here, Kampani said.
Izuchukwu told police that he was a leading national level football player of Nigeria. "He used to play regularly for Pepsi football club Aba Estate of Nigeria. He came to India for the first time in 2009 and got connected with international drugs peddlers of Nigerian origin operating in Delhi.
"The lure of making easy money brought him back to India in December last year and started working for the drug suppliers. These drug suppliers basically cater to high society clients and these drugs are consumed at select parties at private places and bars in Delhi," Kampani said.
On April five, a Nigerian Emeka Paul and an Afghan Mohd Sarwar were apprehended with 1.660 kg of fine quality heroin from their possession.
Two Nigerian nationals Mohemmed Owolabi Adigun and Akanbi Olamilekan Mohemmed were apprehended with 120 grams of cocaine on March 30.
During their interrogation, it was revealed that these Nigerian nationals supply drugs through their own network of select conduits belonging to Nigerian nationality.
Prior to that on February 24, Ekene Okeke, another Nigerian, was arrested with three gms of cocaine, who was also a national level football player.
Jonathan’s victory, watershed for unity -Gov Akpabio
THE Akwa Ibom State governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has said the voting patterns of the presidential election held on Saturday, which saw Presi-dent Goodluck Jonathan getting an overwhelming victory in most states, was a watershed for national unity.
Speaking at the Government House, Uyo, on Monday, the governor said for once, the outcome of the election would rekindle confidence of all the diverse nationalities in the Nigerian entity.
“I must thank the entire country for coming out en masse to vote for President Goodluck Jona-than.
“Those of us from South-South Nigeria are very delighted that our years of affiliation with other political blocs in the country have paid off.
“Because now that our son contested, our compatriots from other parts of the country also did what we had done for their sons in the past. They came out enblock and voted for our son and that shows the unity of this country,” he said.
Akpabio’s excitement stemmed from the fact that President Jonathan won even up to 25 per cent in his opponents’ stronghold, including Kaduna State.
“With the vote for Jonathan,” the governor added, “you have shown that any child, no matter where he is born in Nigeria, can rise to any position of responsibility.”
He said for once, parochial sentiments had been buried in Nigeria’s politics.
“You have buried the issue of racism; you have buried the issue of ethnicity; you have buried the issue of tribalism and you have brought about one Nigeria,” Akpabio said.
While appealing to Nigerians to eschew violence and bitterness, Akpabio expressed happiness that the nation’s democracy was growing to a point of full integration of the minorities and other diverging interests.
“Our youths must know that what has happened today is a watershed for unity; it is a very important event in the history of the country,” he said.
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