Seven dead in police post bombing bank robbery

FIVE
policemen
were killed
yesterday in a
sudden attack on a police
station in Bauchi State.
Gunmen operating in typical
Boko Haram fashion bombed
the Misau town police station
and invaded a bank, where
they killed a policeman,
carting away a huge sum of
money.
The hoodlums hurled a bomb
at the police station, killing
five policemen and a civilian.
They freed suspects detained
in the police cell before setting
the building on fire.
They left the area after
shooting sporadically into the
air to scare away people.
Misau is 163 kilometres from
Bauchi, the state capital.
The unknown gunmen then
moved to the Main Street Bank
(formerly Afribank) branch,
which is close to the police
station. They killed a
policeman on guard and
stormed the bank.
Eye witnesses said the
hoodlums carted away huge
sums of money.
Bauchi Police Commissioner
Ikechukwu Ayo Aduba
confirmed the incident on the
telephone. He said details
were being compiled and
promised speedy
investigation of the incident.
An eye witness said on the
telephone from Misau that
“five policemen and a civilian
were killed at the police
station, and the sixth
policeman was felled at the
bank”.
This is the third time the
Misau Police station has been
attacked. It was attacked
during the last general
elections.
No organisation has claimed
responsibility for the attack so
far.
Inspector General of Police
Hafiz Ringim last month
ordered the Bauchi Police
chief to investigate attacks on
financial institutions in the
state.
Governor Isa Yuguda has
consistently said that there
are no Boko Haram men in the
state but armed robbers.
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Jonathan speaks on power,security,tenure in libya

•The
President
takes
questions on
many issues in his maiden
media chat ... last night
President Goodluck Jonathan
last night assured Nigerians of
his administration’s
commitment to improving
security.
But he noted that the rising
security challenge is incapable
of leading to this country’s
disintegration.
“We are working on changing
the security architecture of
the country. We know we
have challenges, but I can
assure Nigerians that the
security challenges will by
brought under control,” he
said.
Dr Jonathan said efforts were
on to engage all stakeholders
to ensure a permanent
solution to the crisis in Plateau
State, which has claimed many
lives.
The President spoke in Abuja
during his maiden media chat.
It was broadcast on national
television.
Silverbird’s Stella Din anchored
the interview.
The President said he has no
regret mooting the
contentious constitutional
amendment proposal of seven
years single tenure for the
President and Governors.
He said it was aimed at
stabilising the country’s polity,
and argued that without
political stability, the economy
would not grow.
He disagreed with the
insinuation that the country
will soon disintegrate because
of insecurity. He said: “I, as the
current President of this
country, do not agree with
that insinuation that this
country will disintegrate. That
people are throwing bombs
does not mean that the
country will disintegrate.”
He observed that it was not
the first time people would
express fears about the
nation’s unity, but that the
country, despite its
differences and problems, has
always survived as one entity.
Citing past crises, particularly
the Civil War and the Niger
Delta unrest, Jonathan argued
that the level of economic and
social integration achieved by
the people does not indicate
that the country would
disintegrate.
“We will not disintegrate. And
I can assure you that between
now and 2015, Nigeria will
remain a single entity,” he
said.
He justified his suggestion for
a single tenure for the
President and governors,
saying although he is yet to
send a Bill to the National
Assembly to that effect; he
was proposing a single term
of seven years for president
and governors while the
Legislature should have
multiple tenure of six years.
He based his push for a single
term on the high cost of
running elections. He said
Nigerians would one day
decide on the issue and
assured that it has nothing to
do with personal gains.
Besides, said the President, he
does not have the fiat to
impose the amendment.
Jonathan chided those
commenting on the proposal
when it was yet to be
submitted to the National
Assembly.
“I have no regrets over the
single tenure proposal
because it will stabilise the
polity,” he said, adding:
“I said seven years actually; I
did not talk about six years.
My thinking is seven years for
President and governors, but
for the National Assembly, I
said six years.
“The feeling that probably you
have hidden agenda makes
people to oppose it, but one
day Nigerians will decide. Now
it is like a rumour.”
The President assured of his
government’s commitment to
improving power situation. He
said the government was
working on ways of ensuring
enhanced private sector
involvement in all power
production efforts, including
generation and distribution.
On the crisis in the judiciary,
President Jonathan admitted
that every Nigerian is
concerned about the recent
unhealthy development in that
arm of government. He
believed in the ability of the
judiciary, he said, and advised:
“We should allow the judiciary
to reform itself.”
In his view, the peace in
Plateau State is a function of
the people’s resolve to bring
about peace. No matter the
number of soldiers deployed
in the state, except the people
resolve to have peace, it could
be difficult, he said.
The President expressed his
support for dialogue among
Nigerians as a way of
resolving observed
contradictions, but he ruled
out the possibility of his
administration organising any
dialogue. Many have been
pushing for a national
conference to resolve some
critical national issues.
He said the government
would rather set up a body to
review past conferences and
reduce issues which have
been agreed upon to a bill for
consideration by the National
Assembly.
The President also spoke on
the Wikileaks reports, which
he described as mere beer
parlour gossips.
He said the reports failed to
find out the authenticity of the
information provided.
Though he did not deny that
most of the people mentioned
in the reports spoke to
American ambassadors,
Jonathan questioned the
authenticity of the report.

Jonathan speaks on power,security,tenure in libya

•The
President
takes
questions on
many issues in his maiden
media chat ... last night
President Goodluck Jonathan
last night assured Nigerians of
his administration’s
commitment to improving
security.
But he noted that the rising
security challenge is incapable
of leading to this country’s
disintegration.
“We are working on changing
the security architecture of
the country. We know we
have challenges, but I can
assure Nigerians that the
security challenges will by
brought under control,” he
said.
Dr Jonathan said efforts were
on to engage all stakeholders
to ensure a permanent
solution to the crisis in Plateau
State, which has claimed many
lives.
The President spoke in Abuja
during his maiden media chat.
It was broadcast on national
television.
Silverbird’s Stella Din anchored
the interview.
The President said he has no
regret mooting the
contentious constitutional
amendment proposal of seven
years single tenure for the
President and Governors.
He said it was aimed at
stabilising the country’s polity,
and argued that without
political stability, the economy
would not grow.
He disagreed with the
insinuation that the country
will soon disintegrate because
of insecurity. He said: “I, as the
current President of this
country, do not agree with
that insinuation that this
country will disintegrate. That
people are throwing bombs
does not mean that the
country will disintegrate.”
He observed that it was not
the first time people would
express fears about the
nation’s unity, but that the
country, despite its
differences and problems, has
always survived as one entity.
Citing past crises, particularly
the Civil War and the Niger
Delta unrest, Jonathan argued
that the level of economic and
social integration achieved by
the people does not indicate
that the country would
disintegrate.
“We will not disintegrate. And
I can assure you that between
now and 2015, Nigeria will
remain a single entity,” he
said.
He justified his suggestion for
a single tenure for the
President and governors,
saying although he is yet to
send a Bill to the National
Assembly to that effect; he
was proposing a single term
of seven years for president
and governors while the
Legislature should have
multiple tenure of six years.
He based his push for a single
term on the high cost of
running elections. He said
Nigerians would one day
decide on the issue and
assured that it has nothing to
do with personal gains.
Besides, said the President, he
does not have the fiat to
impose the amendment.
Jonathan chided those
commenting on the proposal
when it was yet to be
submitted to the National
Assembly.
“I have no regrets over the
single tenure proposal
because it will stabilise the
polity,” he said, adding:
“I said seven years actually; I
did not talk about six years.
My thinking is seven years for
President and governors, but
for the National Assembly, I
said six years.
“The feeling that probably you
have hidden agenda makes
people to oppose it, but one
day Nigerians will decide. Now
it is like a rumour.”
The President assured of his
government’s commitment to
improving power situation. He
said the government was
working on ways of ensuring
enhanced private sector
involvement in all power
production efforts, including
generation and distribution.
On the crisis in the judiciary,
President Jonathan admitted
that every Nigerian is
concerned about the recent
unhealthy development in that
arm of government. He
believed in the ability of the
judiciary, he said, and advised:
“We should allow the judiciary
to reform itself.”
In his view, the peace in
Plateau State is a function of
the people’s resolve to bring
about peace. No matter the
number of soldiers deployed
in the state, except the people
resolve to have peace, it could
be difficult, he said.
The President expressed his
support for dialogue among
Nigerians as a way of
resolving observed
contradictions, but he ruled
out the possibility of his
administration organising any
dialogue. Many have been
pushing for a national
conference to resolve some
critical national issues.
He said the government
would rather set up a body to
review past conferences and
reduce issues which have
been agreed upon to a bill for
consideration by the National
Assembly.
The President also spoke on
the Wikileaks reports, which
he described as mere beer
parlour gossips.
He said the reports failed to
find out the authenticity of the
information provided.
Though he did not deny that
most of the people mentioned
in the reports spoke to
American ambassadors,
Jonathan questioned the
authenticity of the report.

The defence chief get presidential order to stop killing in Jos

The serial
killings in Jos,
the
beleaguered
Plateau State
capital and its environs, got
President Goodluck Jonathan
cracking yesterday.
Dr Jonathan directed Chief of
Defence Staff Air Marshal
Oluseyi Petinrin to end the
killings immediately.
No fewer than 100 persons –
most of them members of
same families – have been
killed in attacks on homes in
villages within the last few
days.
The President also scheduled
a meeting with Governor
Jonah Jang today in Abuja
over the security situation in
the Northcentral state.
Rumours of attacks have been
circulating through text
messages in the state.
Many residents are having
sleepless nights over threats
of attacks.
The presidential directive,
which is with “immediate
effect,” was delivered after
yesterday’s security meeting
at the Presidential Villa.
Vice President Namadi Sambo,
security chiefs and the
National Security Adviser
(NSA), Gen. Andrew Azazi,
attended the three-hour
meeting.
A statement by presidential
spokesman Reuben Abati
said:
“In keeping with his avowed
resolve to ensure the full
security of lives and property
across the country, President
Jonathan has directed the
Chief of Defence Staff, Air
Marshall Oluseyi Petinrin, to
take full charge of the security
situation in Plateau State
immediately and take all
necessary actions to stop the
recent spate of killings in the
state.
“Following a meeting of the
National Security Council,
President Jonathan also
directed the Secretary to the
Government of the Federation,
Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, to
bring up all pending reports
by recent committees set up
by the Federal Government on
the Plateau for immediate
review and implementation.
“President Jonathan, who is
scheduled to meet with the
Plateau State Governor, Chief
Jonah Jang tomorrow, further
directed the National
Emergency Management
Agency (NEMA) to take prompt
action to address the plight of
internally displaced persons in
Plateau State.
“He renewed his call on
parties involved in the crises
in Plateau State to embrace
tolerance, dialogue and
compromise to ensure the
success of ongoing efforts to
achieve a lasting resolution of
their differences.”
The state police command
said it has uncovered the plan
by some youths to invade Jos
and cause further loss of lives
and property.
Rumours are rife of Muslims
mobilising youths from
outside the state to assist
them in attacking Christians in
Jos.
Text messages are being
circulated. People who have
relatives in Jos have been
calling their loved ones to alert
them.
One of such messages
indicated that many trucks
had been assembled to
convey youths from some
parts of the North to Jos for
the impending attack.
The police, who have been
monitoring movements into
the city in the last few days,
confirmed that they had
noticed an unusual influx of
youths from some states in
the North into Jos on
motorcycles.
In a statement yesterday, the
state police command said:
“Consequent upon the influx
of youths from other states of
the North into Plateau with
many unregistered
motorcycles, the Plateau State
Police Command wishes to
inform all owners of
unregistered motorcycles to
get them registered
forthwith.”
The statement, signed by the
Police Public Relations Officer
Apev Jacob, an ASP, said: “This
is to prevent them from being
used for criminal purposes.
“We want to warn that any
person who flouts this
directive by using such
unregistered motorcycle will
be traced, arrested and
prosecuted, in accordance
with provisions of the road
traffic Act.
“The command also wishes to
state in clear terms that
security is a collective
business and should therefore
be devoid of ethnic, religious
and political sentiments.
“Finally we want to reaffirm
our commitment and
determination to provide
maximum security to all law
abiding citizens in the state.”The serial
killings in Jos,
the
beleaguered
Plateau State
capital and its environs, got
President Goodluck Jonathan
cracking yesterday.
Dr Jonathan directed Chief of
Defence Staff Air Marshal
Oluseyi Petinrin to end the
killings immediately.
No fewer than 100 persons –
most of them members of
same families – have been
killed in attacks on homes in
villages within the last few
days.

Boko haram threathens to bomb UNIBEN

•National
Assembly
tightens
security
There was panic yesterday at
the Ugbowo and Ekenwan
campuses of the University of
Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State,
over plans by the dreaded
Islamic sect, Boko Haram, to
bomb the university.
Visitors and students were
frisked before leaving or
entering the university.
Many students in the hostels
were seen packing out.
Boko Haram had, last
Thursday, sent an e-mail to
the Registrar in which they
said the university would be
bombed.
It gave September 12-17 as
their target date to detonate
bombs at the university.
It warned that the message
was “not a threat, but a
notification which must be
strictly adhered to.”
The group also listed 19 other
universities it planned to
bomb within the period.
The university’s spokesman,
Harrison Osarenren,
confirmed the receipt of the
threat message.
In a September 7 letter,
Osarenren urged “mischief
makers to disassociate
themselves from any evil plan
as security operatives are on
their trail.
“Management of the
university views with serious
concern plans by some
persons who do not mean
well for the institution to
cause mayhem on our
campus..”
At the University of Ibadan,
Oyo State, motorists entering
the campus had a hard time
as the university authorities
mounted an intensive security
check at the gate.
The security measure, which
left motorists sweating for
hours, followed unconfirmed
reports that the university had
also been marked down for
bombing.
Many motorists abandoned
their mission at the university
after spending hours in the
traffic created by parking
outside the gate and walking
into the campus.
Others who could not take the
decision endured the traffic
snarl, which led to a long
queue towards Sango.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor
(Administration), Prof Elijah
Bamigboye, said though the
bomb scare came as a
rumour, the authorities did
not want to take chances in
view of the experience at the
United Nations house in
Abuja.
His words: “We heard
rumours that a group is likely
to descend on institutions
where education is being
imparted.
“We heard that U.I is top on
the list.
“When we heard the rumour,
we did not want to take
chances.
“The essence is to sensitise
the community and to alert
people on the rumour.
“We directed the security
department to step up
screening of all vehicles into
the campus.
“ My car too was subjected to
thorough search this
morning.”
The authorities of the National
Assembly yesterday
introduced new security
measures ahead of
lawmakers’ resumption today.
Visitors and staff were made
to go through a series of
checks before being allowed
into the complex.
Already, staff and visitors are
not allowed to drive into the
complex, following reports
that Boko Haram has listed the
Assembly and other
government institutions as its
next target.
To cushion the effect of
trekking the about one
kilometre distance into the
complex, the Clerk of the
National Assembly has
provided two buses to convey
both staff and security-cleared
visitors to the complex.

Do coaches need certificates to practice?Do coaches need certificates to practice?

Last week, the
first
installment of
this topic was
published. The above question
was provoked by the
statement credited to the
Ghanaian footballer star, Mr,
Abedi Ayew, Pele, who
declared that a good coach
does not need certificates to
practice or do his job. We
have examined some of the
emergent issues previously,
arguing that coaching, sports
management and other social
roles in sports do require
profound training and
education. In this second
examination of this question,
an attempt would BE made to
the argument that a coach like
any other profession must be
properly trained,
Why does a coach need sound
education and training? Being
an excellent footballer is a
critical factor in coaching for
those of them who choose
that career. My position is that
playing the game and
managing or coaching are
different challenges. And
anyone who wishes to choose
coaching as a career must be
properly educated and
trained. So it is with all
professions - nursing, law,
medicine, engineering, sports
equipment and facilities
manufacturing and
agriculture. All respected
professions do have
mandatory occupational
socialization and internship
process to enable the
intending practitioner
becomes acquainted with the
cognate knowledge skills and
ethics of the profession.
The coaching profession is
notoriously reputed to be one
area of human endeavours
with one of the shallowest
depth of education and
training for their members
even when they do not
possess prerequisites
Most coaches fall back to their
experience as players or
athletes; always quoting or
recessing to their games or as
ex-international engagements.
While these are vital elements,
it should be said that an
occupation based on this kind
of background as its main
cognate requirement leaves
much to be desired. Definitely,
depth of decision making,
creative ability and
imagination, critical thinking
faculties will lack the
resourcefulness that is
fundamentally nourished by a
trained and educated intellect.
Why will a coach not even
endeavours or attempt to
possess a first degree in
addition to usual coaching
license, wherever it is
acquired? Have you listened to
some coaches level of
communication competences,
analyses and interpreting of
games, social relations, ethical
conduct and understanding of
the multivariate factors that
affect sports? The apparent
lack of proper education or
lack of belief in it as Abedi
Ayew’s statements suggests,
diminishes the level and
quality of coaching, its
professional status as well as
the entire gamut of sporting
activaties.
With out a sound Ordinary
level SSCE and Diploma, a short
time coaching certificate is
not even enough to prepare
an individual for any serious
minded profession that
wishes to make indelible or
significant contributions to
human and sociocultural
development. Those who
manage sports must raise the
bar of pre-requisite
qualifications for prospective
practitioners. This is the way
culture of all reputable
professions. This is the way
coaches should go to stand
and film pedestal as they
manipulate sports
performance variables to
achieve results of greater
significance and relevance to
society. Coaches indeed, need
a lot of education, training
and certificates.
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