Wednesday, 18 March 2015

Liberated villages still not safe as Boko Haram members exist there - Gov Shettima


The Governor of Borno state Kashim Shettima says the towns and villages liberated by the Nigerian military is still not safe and habitable as there are still pockets of Boko Haram members in some of the villagers. The Governor said this in a statement released today where he spoke against the immediate return of villagers living in various IDPs back to their villages for election.



He said that would expose the villagers to another attack which would mean sacrificing them on the altar of politics. Excerpts of the statement signed by his spokesperson, Isa Gusau after the cut...





"I am absolutely in support of elections holding in local government areas after all, I was elected with popular mandate in 2011 with elections taking place across in all local governments of the state and having to win more than two-third of the 27 local government areas of Borno State. One who has won elections and has kept fate with his people and is doing his best to meet his obligations has no reason to fear elections.

The voters are the same whether they vote in local government areas or anywhere else. However, I think it will be irresponsible on our part as a government to hurry our citizens back to liberated communities now mainly to go and vote because that will be very callous. We have pockets of insurgents in some villages, we have had attacks that are very recent on some routes, we all know that these liberated communities are still not fully safe and habitable.

The military has recaptured lost territories but we have one or two to go. Then, some insurgents fled to villages and they are still posing problems, how safe will our people be if we force them back today? How safe will it be to send people to Gamboru, Baga, Monguno, Malamfatori, Kala-Balge, Mafa and other places. What about the issue of landmines possibly planted there that everyone knows the military has been contending with? All those politicians that stay in Abuja and cause all manner of confusion for Borno, if they are so certain that liberated communities are now safe, let them go and live in Gamboru like ordinary people.

Why have they moved their entire families including their cats out of Maiduguri that is relatively safe not to talk of the local government areas? Why do they want our citizens to go to liberated communities and put their lives at risk knowing fully well that there is so much to be done. Apart from the issue of safety, there are decomposed bodies, we need to do so much fumigation and environmental cleansing, we need to rebuild homes destroyed, markets, schools, hospitals, many have been destroyed, we need to fix things because our citizens are human beings and they deserve to be treated as such.

Why should we push our citizens to live where we can’t send our wives and children to live? We are concerned about our people, we cannot allow them take unnecessary risks. We are confident all will be well eventually insha Allah but we need some careful planning. We want to set up a Task Force on Evaluation, Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Re-integration of Victims of the insurgency and the task force will have representatives of all stakeholders.

It will be a multi-faith and multi-ethnic based so that every segment of the affected population is covered be it citizens, associations, government or institutions from security to all others. We have a serious work before us, it is not child’s play that some people are advocating for mainly for their selfish and dehumanizing interests. We must learn to put politics aside where the existence of our citizens are involved. Power should not be our only concern at all points. There is more to life than desperation to access power.”




Does A Doctor Have The Right To Test A Patient For HIV Without Informing Them?

Dear NL, I went to a chemist to explain my health challenges but was referred to see a doctor in a nearby clinic.



When I got to the clinic, being my first time ever to visit a normal hospital set up, I was confused with protocol however got to see the doctor and gave him all the answers to the numerous questions he asked.



He told me that I should run some test including taking sample from my vagina.



I was told to come for the results the next day which I did. Before now, my boyfriend has done some test and insisted I should see a doctor.



When I got to the doctor for my results and probably to start up treatment, the doctor was in his office, strangely he stood up and hugged me warmly. I was like could it be because of my new hairdo or makeover?



He offered me a seat and raised a topic off the main issue why I came.



I wasn't moved until he keep talking as if he wanted to tell me that I failed an exams. Curiosity were all over me until he finally told me that I have the deadly virus.(HIV)



The gum I was chewing just fell off my mouth, I started sweating on my palms and nose. I held the chair firmly for support but was almost dead.



He told me that it was for my best interest to know now than later when I might come down with bigger signs and symptoms.



I never told him to include HIV test,



I can barely eat since then.



I have lost weight.



I see the doctor as a monster.



Please advise me on what to do.







This happened to my friend in bayelsa.

She needed advise if at all she will listen.


President Jonathan Fires FIRS Boss




President Jonathan has sacked the Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Alhaji Kabiru Mashi (pictured left) and replaced him with the Coordinating Director at FIRS, Mr. Samuel Ogungbesan (right). Ogungbesan's appointment takes immediate effect.



Mashi had served as acting Executive Chairman of the agency since 2012


Pres. Jonathan fires Chairman of FIRS, replaces him immediately


President Jonathan has sacked the Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Alhaji Kabiru Mashi (pictured left) and replaced him with the Coordinating Director at FIRS, Mr. Samuel Ogungbesan (right). Ogungbesan's appointment takes immediate effect.



Mashi had served as acting Executive Chairman of the agency since 2012.