PHCN Deal with the Sabotuers

The Minister of for Energy (Power) Hajia Fatima Balaraba Ibrahim warned against movement by unauthorized persons within the nation’s power installations, describing as sabotage, the spate of vandalization of electricity installations.
The Minister who said no one is authorized to work on any power installation beyond 7 pm, described last Sunday’s vandalization of PCHN as “clear case of unprecedented” sabotage on the National power grid.
A 330KV transmission lines from Ikeja west to (Lagos) to Aiyede, was vandalized throwing five states of Oyo,Ogun, Osun,Ondo and Lagos into total darkness.
Balaraba, who painted the gruesome pictures of the sabotage to Energy Correspondent also said it had never happened that vandals would take so much effort, resources and time to bring down huge 330kv towers at two different places without stealing an inch of cable.
Describing the incident as deliberate act of sabotage to bring down the economic activities of the states served by these lines, she said that the federal government has declared one million Naira reward to anyone who has information on the criminals.
“The Patrol team of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) later found that the 330Kv Tower No.395 off Oko-Baba, near Abeokuta had fallen, as four legs of the tower were observed to have been cut with saw.
“It was more surprising that nothing was removed suggesting a clear act of sabotage and not ordinary vandalism,” she maintained.
She said the reconstruction of the fallen tower and beefing up security will cost between N15-N20 million, excluding the loss of revenue to PHCN.
She said that the tower would also take not less than a month of relentless work to rebuild, which mean that the affected states would have to remain without power from the utility company.
She then noted that after the first incident had occurred, last Wednesday the same group again fell another 330KV tower on the same Ikeja West – Aiyede 330kv Transmission line, saying the tower is No.507, close to Temperance Farms, Ota.
“The mode of operation was observed to be the same as that of the fallen Tower No.395. The three legs of the tower were cut with saw thereby collapsing the tower with the fourth leg pulled out of its foundation.Again nothing was removed!” she remarked.
“Althoutg the country has been fighting acts of vandalism in the energy sector for long”, she said “these latest ones on the transmission system are unprecedented as they are clear sabotage through wanton destruction, and this is a declaration of war on Nigeria”, she said.
She said that electric power grid system of any nation is its backbone for socio-economic development, noting that when it is attacked as if it is an enemy attacking during war situation, such unpatriotic acts calls for national re-think and prompt collective action in order to speedily reverse the ugly trend.

It is not enough to promise N1 million if indeed this is sabotage those behind it must be brought to book. PHCN must act to protect our propertu.

Salt of the Earth!

Hi Folks,

Life is indeed nothing! Like King Solomon said, all is vanity. Imagine! Today you are here full of dreams, aspirations, hope, vision and the next minute you are no more. What happens to all those plans?

Unfortunately for us in Nigeria we have a very short memory. Once we loose somebody close to us especially if the person is not a family, we wail for like a month at most and then we are back to our old ways, cheating, lying, stealing, hating, defrauding, killingetc.

The scenerio I saw this morning at the church were the final mass was held for Late Brig. Gen Giwa Amu made me wonder what the struggle is all about.

Everyone I met had encountered Amu, some had projects with him on how to reform the Army, some knew him way back as school mates, some met by chance and have remained friends and the story goes on and on.

The whole essence of this is to ask, if death comes knocking now what will you be remembered for? Giwa Amu made impact on his children, wife, brothers, sisters, mother, uncle, friends, church, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Military etc. The list is endless. Many came not just to register their presence but because they are truly hurt that indeed Amu has gone forever.

Many wished they had a chance to pay him at least less than one per cent of what he did for them. The tears were genuine but he has ran his race and he will be welcomed in the bossom of the Lord. He no longer feels our pain neither will we here his deep baritone voice either condemning, making fun or just offering advise.

Remember you are the salt of the earth and if you loose your taste of what use is your presence here?

You have every right to be hurt but forgive immediately. Heaven is real and so is hell.
God pls give us the grace to impact life each day of our lives here on earth. Amen

Is Mum’s Anniversary

I had slept in the hospital the previous day February 27, 2004 with mum in the VIP ward of the National Hospital. Her condition was pretty bad and at this point she could no longer sleep. She had refused eating (I never knew the time was near) and just kept looking at me in a way that gave me crisps.

I was tired so I kept drifting in and out of sleep but each time I wake up, her eyes were on me as if she was sorry about something. So at about 4 a.m. when I woke and she still steering at me I had to say in a very harsh tone “Mumsi stop looking at me like that because you are not going anywhere”. I guess I was also afriad but just did not want to accept it.

She looked away immediately but she kept murttering the Lord’s prayer. And I shouted “Mumsi you will not die o!” With tears in her eyes she said, “yes I will not die”. She was only trying to console me.

A week before she had gone into coma at a private hospital and I had to be transfered to the National Hospital where she was revived. In fact my friend who drove us there had heard the doctors said in Hausa that she was already dead but on giving her insulin injection at the emergency ward, she came back to live. (My friend told me this later).

So on February 28, 2004 (saturday morning), I had left for home to refreshen up and take a nap before returning to the hospital at home. But just when I was about sleeping I got a call that I had an assignment at the Women Development Centre. I had grugely gone there and it was there my brother called to tell me my mum was in pains and was asking for me.
I abandon all and took the next available cab to National Hospital. I had just stepped in when I saw her vomiting blood and the doctors drove I and my brother out of the room.

I wailed and prayed that something could be done but it was too late. The doctor who had warned me while she was in the private hospital to prepare for the worse (she had cancer that started from her leg and spread later to her heart. This was responsible for her immune system collapsing two days before she died. She had refused to eat and was no longer passing out waste), said “Juliana, you did you best for your mum but she is gone”.

I shouted nooooooooooooooooooooo! Even when she was being wheeled to the mortuary I had begged them to stop because she could have gone into coma just like a week before.

Until she was lowered into mother earth on March 12, 2004, it was difficult to accept her death.

Mum was one in a million. She never went to school but she spoke English more than a graduate. My friends never used to believe me when I said she never went to school. The only thing she knew how to spell and write was her name. She was a business woman per exellence. She sold anything in season and had friends among the high and mighty.

I never forgot the fact that we were treated that millionaire kids by mum because every festive season we had the best of cloths and variety of menu.

It was not always smooth though growing up. This is because mum was always seek and during those times we will be taken away to leave with relatives who will treat us as slaves. But the moment she recovers she will look for us and we will go back to enjoying special treats from her.

I grew up more with dad (they were divorced) and so I had not seen mum for 10 years since dad came to take me away from her. We reunited in 1991 and we had fun more when I started working in THISDAY and she use to come for either Easter of Christmas holidays in Lagos and later in Abuja when I moved here.

Its been 5 years but I just can’t believe my mum is gone. This morning I was usually sad but never could place my finger on it only for my brother to send a text reminding me that today was her anniversary.

But I am consoled that she is in God’s bossom and we will meet to part no more.

I’m off to attend Brig. Gen Giwa Amu’s wake keep. Another great friend gone.
Death where is thy sting?

Girl with an Apple

I cried when I read this and just had to share. Enjoy!

Girl with an Apple
A wonderful, true story.

August 1942, Piotrkow’s, Poland. The sky was gloomy that morning as we waited anxiously. All the men, women and children of Piotrkow’s Jewish ghetto had been herded into a square. Word had gotten around that we were being moved. My father had only recently died from typhus, which had run rampant through the crowded ghetto.
My greatest fear was that our family would be separated. ‘Whatever you do,’ Isidore, my eldest brother, whispered to me, ‘don’t tell them your age. Say you’re sixteen’. I was tall for a boy of 11, so I could pull it off. That way I might be deemed valuable as a worker. An SS man approached me, boots clicking against the cobblestones. He looked me up and down, then asked my age. ‘Sixteen,’ I said. He directed me to the left, where my three brothers and other healthy young men already stood.
My mother was motioned to the right with the other women, children, sick and elderly people. I whispered to Isidore, ‘Why?’ He didn’t answer. I ran to Mama’s side and said I wanted to stay with her. ‘No,’ she said sternly. ‘Get away. Don’t be a nuisance. Go with your brothers.’ She had never spoken so harshly before. But I understood: She was protecting me. She loved me so much that, just this once, she pretended not to. It was the last I ever saw of her.
My brothers and I were transported in a cattle car to Germany. We arrived at the Buchenwald concentration camp one night weeks later and were led into a crowded barrack. The next day, we were issued uniforms and identification numbers. ‘Don’t call me Herman anymore.’ I said to my brothers. ‘Call me 94983.’ I was put to work in the camp’s crematorium, loading the dead into a hand-cranked elevator. I, too, felt dead. Hardened, I had become a number.
Soon, my brothers and I were sent to Schlieben, one of Buchenwald’s sub-camps near Berlin. One morning I thought I heard my mother’s voice. Son, she said softly but clearly, I am sending you an angel. Then I woke up. Just a dream. A beautiful dream. But in this place there could be no angels. There was only work. And hunger. And fear.
A couple of days later, I was walking around the camp, around the barracks, near the barbed- wire fence where the guards could not easily see. I was alone. On the other side of the fence, I spotted someone a young girl with light, almost luminous curls. She was half- hidden behind a birch tree. I glanced around to make sure no one saw me. I called to her softly in German. ‘Do you have something eat?’ She didn’t understand. I inched closer to the fence and repeated the question in Polish. She stepped forward. I was thin and gaunt, with rags wrapped around my feet, but the girl looked unafraid. In her eyes, I saw life. She pulled an apple from her woolen jacket and threw it over the fence. I grabbed the fruit and, as I started to run away, I heard her say faintly, ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’
I returned to the same spot by the fence at the same time every day. She was always there with something for me to eat – a hunk of bread or, better yet, an apple. We didn’t dare speak or linger. To be caught would mean death for us both. I didn’t know anything about her just a kind farm girl except that she understood Polish. What was her name? Why was she risking her life for me? Hope was in such short supply and this girl on the other side of the fence gave me some, as nourishing in its way as the bread and apples.
Nearly seven months later, my brothers and I were crammed into a coal car and shipped to Theresienstadt camp in Czechoslovakia. ‘Don’t return,’ I told the girl that day. ‘We’re leaving.’ I turned toward the barracks and didn’t look back, didn’t even say good-bye to the girl whose name I’d never learned, the girl with the apples. We were in Theresienstadt for three months.
The war was winding down and Allied forces were closing in, yet my fate seemed sealed. On May 10, 1945, I was scheduled to die in the gas chamber at10:00 a.m. In the quiet of dawn, I tried to prepare myself. So many times death seemed ready to claim me, but somehow I’d survived. Now, it was over. I thought of my parents. At least, I thought, we will be reunited.
At 8 a.m. there was a commotion. I heard shouts, and saw people running every which way through camp. I caught up with my brothers. Russian troops had liberated the camp! The gates swung open. Everyone was running, so I did too.
Amazingly, all of my brothers had survived; I’m not sure how. But I knew that the girl with the apples had been the key to my survival. In a place where evil seemed triumphant, one person’s goodness had saved my life, had given me hope in a place where there was none. My mother had promised to send me an angel, and the angel had come. Eventually I made my way to England where I was sponsored by a Jewish charity, put up in a hostel with other boys who had survived the Holocaust and trained in electronics. Then I came to America, where my brother Sam had already moved. I served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War, and returned to New York City after two years. By August 1957, I’d opened my own electronics repair shop. I was starting to settle in.
One day, my friend Sid who I knew from England called me. ‘I’ve got a date. She’s got a Polish friend. Let’s double date.’ A blind date? Nah, that wasn’t for me. But Sid kept pestering me, and a few days later we headed up to the Bronx to pick up his date and her friend Roma. I had to admit, for a blind date this wasn’t so bad. Roma was a nurse at a Bronx hospital. She was kind and smart. Beautiful, too, with swirling brown curls and green, almond-shaped eyes that sparkled with life. The four of us drove out to Coney Island. Roma was easy to talk to, easy to be with.
Turned out she was wary of blind dates too! We were both just doing our friends a favor. We took a stroll on the boardwalk, enjoying the salty Atlantic breeze, and then had dinner by the shore. I couldn’t remember having a better time. We piled back into Sid’s car, Roma and I sharing the backseat. As European Jews who had survived the war, we were aware that much had been left unsaid between us. She broached the subject, ‘Where were you,’ she asked softly, ‘during the war?’ ‘The camps,’ I said, the terrible memories still vivid, the irreparable loss, I had tried to forget. But you can never forget. She nodded. ‘My family was hiding on a farm in Germany, not far from Berlin,’ she told me. ‘My father knew a priest, and he got us Aryan papers.’
I imagined how she must have suffered too, fear, a constant companion. And yet here we were both survivors, in a new world. ‘There was a camp next to the farm.’ Roma continued. ‘I saw a boy there and I would throw him apples every day.’ What an amazing coincidence that she had helped some other boy. ‘What did he like? I asked. He was tall. Skinny. Hungry. I must have seen him every day for six months.’ My heart was racing. I couldn’t believe it. This couldn’t be. ‘Did he tell you one day not to come back because he was leaving Schlieben?’ Roma looked at me in amazement. ‘Yes,’ That was me!’ I was ready to burst with joy and awe, flooded with emotions. I couldn’t believe it. My angel. ‘I’m not letting you go.’ I said to Roma. And in the back of the car on that blind date, I proposed to her. I didn’t want to wait. You’re crazy!’ she said.
But she invited me to meet her parents for Shabbat dinner the following week. There was so much I looked forward to learning about Roma, but the most important things I always knew: her steadfastness, her goodness. For many months, in the worst of circumstances; she had come to the fence and given me hope. Now that I’d found her again, I could never let her go. That day, she said yes. And I kept my word. After nearly 50 years of marriage, two children and three grandchildren I have never let her go.
Herman Rosenblat Miami Beach, Florida.
This is a true story and you can find out more by Googling Herman Rosenblat as he was bar mitzvahed at age 75.
This story is being made into a movie called “The Fence.”
With thanks to John & Ramona Rohrer For the Christian Prayer is not an option but an opportunity.
“In prayer; expect setbacks, but refuse retreat.” Richard Eastman. Do your best, Bring out the best in others. Don’t tell the Lord how big the problem is, tell the problem how Great the Lord is!!

Can We Now Move Forward?

Hi folks,
Yesterday’s verdict of the Presidential Tribunal Elections has come and gone. The lawyers and opposition are giving mixed reactions and that is to be expected.
But if you ask me, I’ll say we are literally at a stand still as far as moving this country forward is concern. Three months into the new year, everything seems to be at a stand still no budget, the Niger Delta crisis is worsening, the political thugs are having a filled day and so are the armed robbers.
This government has been too slow and commentators before now had blamed it on the outcome of the tribunal. Now it is out and even though the opponents are heading for the Supreme Court can we please move forward?
There is crisis in the education sector – ASUU is on strike and so is ASUP. The kidnapping in the Niger Delta is now a major business soon to be quoted on the stock exchange, the bad roads in the country are killing our citizens daily etc.
President Yar’Adua owes us a duty to stop this rhetoric of rule of law and get down to business. We need to feel this government and not just the reversals of previous government even though is the same party manifesto.

Tribunal Verdict:The Celebrations in the Villa

For those who had earlier denied that there was no anxiety at the Presidential villa ahead of the pronouncements of the Presidential Elections Tribunal, the jubilations, backslapping and the open show of happiness immediately after the verdict yesterday say otherwise.
The beehive of activity that suddenly greeted the environment cannot be described many state governors, ministers, the leadership of the ruling party (PDP) and top government functionaries, private sector individuals (notable among them Aliko Dangote and Wale Babalakin), heads of parastatals openly embraced each other and some jerking all to celebrate. The only thing missing at the corridor of power was a bottle of champagne and the small chops to go with the celebration.
Protocol also inside the villa was for once kind of relaxed as minutes after President Umaru Yar’Adua and Vice President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan had sat down for the impromptu celebration, dignitaries including governors, ministers and aides who before now would have been stopped were allowed into the council chambers. Phones too were ringing with no caution, something that before now was a taboo and can earned you being walked out and the phoned sized. In the spirit of celebration all these were overlooked or ignored.
Even the sacked Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, embattled James Ibori, Ibrahim Idris, Musiliu Obanikoro were all around to celebrate.
Those who before now could hardly knowledge greetings from State House Correspondents and would have to be forced to grant interviews each time they are in the villa, were the first to congratulate the newsmen with stretch hands and even in some cases embrace.
In an impromptu get together to congratulate President and Vice President, Yar’Adua said he welcomed with humility and gratitude to God Almighty yesterday’s affirmation of his election and that of his vice, by the Presidential Elections Tribunal.
He enjoined his opponents to accept the verdict in the greater interest of the country.
The President who dedicated the victory to all Nigerians told the excited members of the audience that the celebration was a victory for the country’s democracy and the rule of law, while thanking his opponents for contributing to the development of democracy in the country and ensuring that it remains on course.
The President stressed that with the verdict, all Nigerians, particularly the leaders owed it a duty to put heads together, cooperate and unite to face great challenges of transforming the country from an under-developed country to a modern developed industrialized country capable of meeting the development and needs of all the citizens.
“I again extend my hand of fellowship, friendship and brotherhood to my brothers who are the petitioners in the case, to join hands with me and the vice president to continue to do what we know best, that is, to serve the people of this country selflessly and diligently”.
Yar’Adua also thanked all Nigerians who he said had remained steadfast in their support for his administration and reaffirmed his total commitment to serving Nigeria to the best of his abilities and running a purposeful and result-oriented administration, which would be beneficial to all Nigerians.
He also reaffirms his commitment to working with all stakeholders to fully address the problems associated with past elections in the country and achieve a positive reformation of Nigeria’s electoral system that will ensure that the problems do not recur in future.

People’s Opinion Doesn’t Matter!

Hi Folks,

Why do we allow people’s opinion to dictate our next line of action? Don’t get me wrong o! There is nothing wrong if genuine friends express concern about you and give suggestions on the way forward but when it turns to gossips and jealous talk, then to hell with all of them.
I read Linda’s blog today and I must stay she remains the best blogger I have ever known. Always hitting the nail on the head.
Hear Linda:
“They have no right to tell you you’re a bad person.
They have no right to tell you you will fail.
They have no right to spread false rumours about you.
They do have a right to dislike you…and you have a right…not to care”
….People who don’t like themselves are people who are empty inside.
You want to be as beautiful as Genevieve Nnaji but you are not.
You want to be as famous as Tuface…but you’re not.
You want to be as a rich as JJ Okocha…but you’re not.
You want to be as intlligent as Wole Soyinka…but you are not
You want to sing like Fela Anikulapokuti…but you can’t
You want to write as well as Chimamanda Adichie…but can not
You want to speak as eloquently as Fela Durotoye…but can’t
So what if you’re not? So what if you can’t?”

This just summarises my thoughts on this matter.

B4 now I use to loose sleep over comments people make about me.
My late mum had to drum it into my ears when she realised I was allowing every comment distablise me.
She’ll say: “Julie dear, the mouth is meant 4 talking so if you think nobody will ever talk about you, then you are not existing on this earth. You are nice they will say you are pretending, you are harsh they will say who go marry dis one? So my dear provided God is happy with you and your conscience does not judge you, don’t live your life pleasing anybody. It won’t change a thing”.
My mum started drumming that into my ears when I was almost going crazy about side talks. There were times I carried long face for days if not months if as much as hear any negative comment about me. I always want to prove them wrong and would go about explaining to whoever cares to listen my own version.
There was a day I heard one terrible gist about me. It was so bad I had to ask could that be me? I was even confused bcos the picture didn’t fit.
My Pastor says if you are not talked at you are not making impact.
I’ll tell you that it was when my mum died that I said to hell with everybody else. If I earn N100, 99.9% will be on me. I make me happy. I can buy whatever I like, wear what I like, eat what I like no matter the cost becos u know what? It is my sweat!

ICPC quizzes Duke, wife

This is very interesting. Like Gbenga Aruleba of Focus Nigeria on AIT said today, this is very sad that the finest couple from 1999-2007 have today join the growing list of thiefing governors and their spouse.
Imagine collecting N18 million monthly for eight years for fund personal projects? But we were given the impression that these guys where not poor now? That they even have the franchise for Uncle Benz Rice inAfrica.
How could they allow themselves to be rubbished after the Tinapa, Obudu Ranch Tourist Resort, Maintain Race, Calabar Xmas Carnival etc?

I am waiting to see the end of this!

PC quizzes Duke, wife

Written by Ise-Oluwa Ige, Tony Edike & Emeka Mamah
Monday, 18 February 2008

*Court relaxes Igbinedion’s bail conditions*Ibori asks judge to hands off case
THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), yesterday, quizzed the immediate past Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, and his wife, Onari, over their disbursement of a total of N4.3 billion public funds.
Also yesterday, the Federal High Court, Enugu relaxed the bail conditions it gave Edo State former Governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, while Delta State former Governor, Chief James Ibori, has asked Justice M.L. Lawal of the Federal High Court, Kaduna trying him for embezzlement and money laundering to hands off the case.
Mr. and Mrs. Duke were summoned by the ICPC on the strength of statements by former council chairmen in the state to the effect that they were made to contribute one million naira every month to Mrs. Duke’s Non-Governmental Organsiation (NGO).
There are 18 local government areas in the state and the contribution lasted the eight years of Mr. Duke’s administration.
By the time he left office in May 29, 2007, a total of N1.728 billion had accrued into the NGO’s account.
Mr. Duke was separately quizzed on how he spent another N2.5 billion public fund. The couple arrived the ICPC’s premises to meet a team of interrogators.
It was also gathered that Duke was asked questions about TINAPA.
The Resident Media Consultant to the Commission, Mr. Folu Olamiti, was contacted yesterday on the responses of the accused couple to the allegations but he declined to make any disclosure.
He only confirmed that Duke and his wife appeared before the commission.

February 18th My Saddest Day

Hi Folks,
I am sad, very sad!

One of the most intelligent and honest Nigerian, the Director, Army Public Relations and one time aide-de-camp (ADC) to former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, is dead.
Just like his saddest day in his life was when he lost his bestman at his wedding six months after in Liberia, mine is February 18th when Giwa-Amun died. I lost my own mum on February 28th four years ago, so February for me is going to be full of terrible memories that I will never forget no matter how I try.
I am so pained because just two weeks back he had called me to see him after my report on the Army Consolidated salary but somehow I never found the time. There was a little tension between us and I really wanted all to calm down before I go see him but it will never be.
My prayer is for God to help his young family in this period of pain. When you have a dotting husband and father, the pain will be too difficult to handle.
Live each day as if is your last and ensure you impact as many lives as possible just as Giwa-Amun did.
This is the full story of how he died.
Brigadier-General Solomon Giwa-Amu died Monday February 18th in a motor accident that occured at the Abuja-Kaduna road on his way to Jaji, Kaduna State, for an official assignment.
News about the death filtered into Abuja around eight O’clock in the morning. It was gathered that the Army spokeman, who was in a Toyota Hiace bus with some soldiers left Abuja in the morning for the journey, and along the way, the back tyre of the vehicle suddenly bursted at Dikko, a village in Niger State.
The driver was said to have tried all he could to control the vehicle and bring the bus to a stop but could not due to a trailer which was ahead, going at a slow pace.The driver, in his bid to prevent the bus from running under the trailer, reportedly lost control, which resulted into the vehicle somersaulting several times before coming to a halt.
It was gathered that Gen Giwa-Amu, who was sitting in the mid-section of the bus, was suddenly flung out, and smashed his head on a stone.When the bus finally came to a stop, the soldiers embarked on a search for their boss, and found him on the ground, with his head on the big stone, bleeding. They carried him to the bus before making contact with Army authorities to tell them what had happened.
It was further gathered that Gen. Amu was still alive when they picked him from the ground, and he was rushed to the Suleja General Hospital.It was on the way to the hospital that he gave up the ghost, a fate confirmed by doctors on duty.
As soon as the news of the accident got to the Army Headquarters in Abuja, they quickly dispatched three ambulance vehicles with the medical team to the Suleja hospital to see what can be done to save Giwa-Amu and the other wounded soldiers from dying. But it was too late as they were told that he died as soon as they got to the hospital.The medical team, led by Dr. Lieutenant-Colonel Agada, who is also the medical officer to the Chief of Defence Staff, then took the body of the late Giwa Amu into a Peugeot Expert ambulance car, covered it with an orange colour blanket, while his orderly, Salaudeen, who was in a very critical condition and in coma, was transfered into a Peugeot station wagon car, along with the remaining five soldiers, and driven to the National Hospital, Abuja.
A press release issued by the Army authorities Monday announcing the sudden death of Gen Amu, and signed by one Lieutenant-Colonel M.M. Yerima reads: “The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenat-General L.N. Yusuf, regrets to announce the death of the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Solomon Giwa-Amu. He died today as a result of injuries sustained following a road traffic accident along Kadun-Abuja road. Burial arrangements will be announced by the family later”.
It’s been shock expressed everywhere you turn, from his office, to his house, the pain can be sliced with a knief.
The Chief of Army Staff says “Solomon, was supposed to be with me here in Singapore, but had to stay back because of our programme on the barrack foundation that is coming up in March. I was shocked when somebody woke me up this morning to tell me that Solomon is no more. Well, the Bible says in everything we should give thanks, but I tell you I am so devastated by the news, I just cant believe it”.
U.S.A, as he was popularly called among close friends and course mates, had only on Sunday, February 10, organized a thanksgiving service on his promotion to the rank of a Brigadier-General, and for his wife, who only few weeks ago bagged a PHD in Biological Science from the Lagos State University.Solomon Giwa-Amu, who was appointed Army spokesman sometime last year, had said in an interview that his greatest priority was to bridge the gap between civillians and soldiers and make the average Nigerian love the military.
He was the first as Aide-de- Camp to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and later Defence Attachee to the Nigerian Embassy in New York, U.S.A.

Doctors’ Strike Takes Toll on Patients

Must we all die before something is done about these doctors demands? Why the heck do we complain about brain drain when we can’t even manage the ones we have at home? Do governments at all level realise that doctors are also human beings with families to feed and take care off? Forget ethics if you do not take care of your workforce this is what you get, “gabbage-in-gabbage out”. Any wonder why these people do not give a damn? They go to UK or America to treat headache and small fever. God will never forgive these people and they will reap what they sow a million fold.

Doctors’ Strike Takes Toll on Patients
From Ahamefula Ogbu in Port Harcourt, 02.13.2008
THISDAY

No fewer than eight patients on admission, including free lance reported with one of the national dailies in Port Harcourt, have died as a result of the current strike embarked upon by resident doctorsin the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital(UPTH).
Management staff of the hospital have, however, resolved to provide skeletal services to serious cases among the patients while they explore ways of resolving the labour problem .
When THISDAY called at the hospital, some patients were seen openly weeping without anyone to attend to them while attempts made to see the Chief Medical Director were unsuccessful as he was said to be attending to some emergencies.
The doctors embarked on the strike over alleged failure of the hospital’s management to pay the new salary structure approved for resident doctors, the arrears of which have run into 11 months.
Chairman of the resident doctors, Dr. C. Amadi had blamed the management for the impasse, saying they had issued ultimatum that were ignored after series of letters on the issue.
The doctors have, however, resolved to continue with the strike until they are paid all their arrears.
However, Chairman of the Medical Advisory Council, Mr. Aaron Ojule, said they were doing everything to ensure that the striking doctors returned to work and appealed to the doctors to consider the effect of their strike and return to their duty posts.
He assured that everything was being done to ensure that their grievances were attended to, citing several meetings they have held with them as pointer of their resolve to tackle the problem.