Passengers were Friday thrown into confusion aboard an Aero Contractors aircraft scheduled to take-off from Lagos to Benin as one of the female passengers started screaming on top of her voice that she was no longer travelling, thus causing panic onboard.
The passenger’s strange behaviour is coming barely one week after a teenage boy, Daniel Ohikena caused scare at the airport when he stowed away on Arik Air plane from Benin to Lagos.
The female passenger whose identity could not be ascertained at press time was said to have been ignored by members of cabin crew and passengers alike but her persistence led to suspicion among the passengers.
An eye-witness who confided in Saturday Vanguard said that the female passenger after boarding the flight screamed on top of her voice that she was no longer willing to travel with the plane.
The strange behaviour, however led to the delay of the Benin- bound aircraft for two hours as all the passengers were asked to disembark while the plane was screened again.
Saturday Vanguard further gathered that all the checked-in luggage were also off-loaded for proper screening by both Aero and Aviation Security, AVSEC, of the Federal Airports authority of Nigeria, FAAN.
But despite the re-screening of the already checked in passengers and their luggage, nothing suspicious was found on board.
It was also learnt that the passenger was handed over to security agents by AVSEC while the other passengers proceeded on the journey to Benin.
According to the source, “All passengers were already onboard and the pilot was preparing to take off before the woman started the strange behaviour.
“At first, no one took her seriously, but when the shouting and soliloquy continued, the passengers became apprehensive and ordered the pilot to abort the flight.
”The situation was not funny at all. In fact, the woman was speaking in a language which no one understood. But I can tell you authoritatively that all the passengers have been taken to Benin with the same aircraft and they landed in the airport safely.
”This was not the first time such an incident would be happening. In fact, it is common among first time travellers but no one knows the motive behind this act. However, I believe the security agents will do their work and reveal what led to the strange behaviour.”
Saturday, 31 August 2013
No headway as ASUU battles govt over extra allowances, funding
When the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, embarked on a national strike on July 1, 2013 due to the refusal of Federal Government to implement the 2009 agreement it signed with the union which had several components, including adequate funding of education sector, Nigerians feared another long winter for their children forced to return home.
Strike by lecturers in public universities has become a normal trend every two years. The nation is accustomed to disrupted academic sessions that at times linger on for about six months.
To have an uninterrupted academic calendar in the university system is abnormal. So the strike factor is usually built into the calendar. An academic programme scheduled for three or four years, could last for seven years.
The blame for this can rightly be placed at the door step of the Federal Government, fond of breaching negotiated agreements reached with ASUU. There is the question of failed leadership, corruption, show of insincerity and lack of commitment to agreements; knowing that any breach would lead to shutting down of the universities by a frustrated union which feels government is unwilling to develop education in the country. The government is yet to understand that any refusal to honour agreement freely signed without duress tantamounts to a breach of contract, actionable in law.
Already, the public university system is in decadence in all ramifications. Most of the over 30 Federal and 36 State universities are in bad condition. Physical infrastructure for teaching and learning are grossly inadequate, dilapidated and over stretched. The laboratories and workshops are obsolete, poor furnishings, poor power and water supply, outdated equipment, crowded hostels and unhygienic living conditions.
Many of the universities don’t have video conferencing facility, only a fraction have or use interactive white boards. Many are without public address systems in their lecture rooms, while none of the universities had fully automated library resources.
Education Minister, Prof. Ruqayattu Ahmed and ASUU President, Nasir Issa-Fagee
Apart from all these inadequacies, it has been found in a Federal Ministry of Education Report, that many of the universities are grossly understaffed, relying mainly on part-time and visiting lecturers, with several under-qualified academic staff, lacking effective staff development programmes. Recently, the National Universities Commission (NUC) came out with a directive that all university lecturers must possess Ph. D degrees within a given time or lose their appointments. Only about 43% of academic staff in the university system have doctorate degrees, the remaining 57% don’t.
According to the report, there are 37,504 lecturers in public universities, but only 28,128 (about 75%) are engaged on full time basis, the rest 25% are either part-time, visiting, on sabbatical or on contract.
Against this sordid scenario, one can understand the struggle of ASUU to reform and transform public universities to meet with the standards obtainable in other climes.
Our leaders are not ready to embark of this transformation because they are not committed to proper and adequate funding of education of which UNESCO recommended 26% of national budget. But Nigeria allocates less than 10% of her budget to education which is even among the lowest in Africa. Yet this nation can do better.
People in government and politicians are quick to send their children to UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Ukrain, Russia, and even nearby Ghana, Togo, Benin for university education. Because of their ill-gotten wealth, they can patronise expensive private institutions, rather than increase funding to upgrade public schools at home.
Dr. Nasir Fagge, ASUU National President, had explained that the strike was not just to reposition the education sector, particularly the university system, but to salvage our country. He said ASUU was determined to prosecute the strike to its logical conclusion, and that the implementation of the agreement was a cardinal issue that must be accomplished by the union as this would transform the country’s university system. Government offered a paltry N100 billion for infrastructure, and N30 billion for earned allowances, a far cry from N87 billion demanded.
On accepting the offer of N30 billion and going back to class while reaching agreement on when the next installments will be paid, Fagge rejected this, saying, “We had made that mistake before whereby only the salary component of the agreement was singled out and so we can not afford to make such a mistake again. Until the whole agreement is fully implemented, we are not going to call off this strike.”
Over N500 billion is needed for infrastructure upgrade.
President Goodluck Jonathan and other eminent Nigerians had appealed to ASUU to take the N30 billion offer by government and return to classroom.
The union had demanded for N87 billion (not N92 billion) in extra allowances translated as excess work load, high carriage of students per lecturer, responsibility allowance which included supervision of academic projects for final-year students, Masters, Ph.D theses, course advice, administrative duties as heads of departments, deans of faculties, hall masters, etc.
Strike by lecturers in public universities has become a normal trend every two years. The nation is accustomed to disrupted academic sessions that at times linger on for about six months.
To have an uninterrupted academic calendar in the university system is abnormal. So the strike factor is usually built into the calendar. An academic programme scheduled for three or four years, could last for seven years.
The blame for this can rightly be placed at the door step of the Federal Government, fond of breaching negotiated agreements reached with ASUU. There is the question of failed leadership, corruption, show of insincerity and lack of commitment to agreements; knowing that any breach would lead to shutting down of the universities by a frustrated union which feels government is unwilling to develop education in the country. The government is yet to understand that any refusal to honour agreement freely signed without duress tantamounts to a breach of contract, actionable in law.
Already, the public university system is in decadence in all ramifications. Most of the over 30 Federal and 36 State universities are in bad condition. Physical infrastructure for teaching and learning are grossly inadequate, dilapidated and over stretched. The laboratories and workshops are obsolete, poor furnishings, poor power and water supply, outdated equipment, crowded hostels and unhygienic living conditions.
Many of the universities don’t have video conferencing facility, only a fraction have or use interactive white boards. Many are without public address systems in their lecture rooms, while none of the universities had fully automated library resources.
Apart from all these inadequacies, it has been found in a Federal Ministry of Education Report, that many of the universities are grossly understaffed, relying mainly on part-time and visiting lecturers, with several under-qualified academic staff, lacking effective staff development programmes. Recently, the National Universities Commission (NUC) came out with a directive that all university lecturers must possess Ph. D degrees within a given time or lose their appointments. Only about 43% of academic staff in the university system have doctorate degrees, the remaining 57% don’t.
According to the report, there are 37,504 lecturers in public universities, but only 28,128 (about 75%) are engaged on full time basis, the rest 25% are either part-time, visiting, on sabbatical or on contract.
Against this sordid scenario, one can understand the struggle of ASUU to reform and transform public universities to meet with the standards obtainable in other climes.
Our leaders are not ready to embark of this transformation because they are not committed to proper and adequate funding of education of which UNESCO recommended 26% of national budget. But Nigeria allocates less than 10% of her budget to education which is even among the lowest in Africa. Yet this nation can do better.
People in government and politicians are quick to send their children to UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Ukrain, Russia, and even nearby Ghana, Togo, Benin for university education. Because of their ill-gotten wealth, they can patronise expensive private institutions, rather than increase funding to upgrade public schools at home.
Dr. Nasir Fagge, ASUU National President, had explained that the strike was not just to reposition the education sector, particularly the university system, but to salvage our country. He said ASUU was determined to prosecute the strike to its logical conclusion, and that the implementation of the agreement was a cardinal issue that must be accomplished by the union as this would transform the country’s university system. Government offered a paltry N100 billion for infrastructure, and N30 billion for earned allowances, a far cry from N87 billion demanded.
On accepting the offer of N30 billion and going back to class while reaching agreement on when the next installments will be paid, Fagge rejected this, saying, “We had made that mistake before whereby only the salary component of the agreement was singled out and so we can not afford to make such a mistake again. Until the whole agreement is fully implemented, we are not going to call off this strike.”
Over N500 billion is needed for infrastructure upgrade.
President Goodluck Jonathan and other eminent Nigerians had appealed to ASUU to take the N30 billion offer by government and return to classroom.
The union had demanded for N87 billion (not N92 billion) in extra allowances translated as excess work load, high carriage of students per lecturer, responsibility allowance which included supervision of academic projects for final-year students, Masters, Ph.D theses, course advice, administrative duties as heads of departments, deans of faculties, hall masters, etc.
Friday, 30 August 2013
Female Corp Member burnt by boyfriend.
Two female National Youth Service Corps members, Amarachi Okey Winifred, a Batch C corps member and her friend, a fresh batch B corps member who recently left camp, were recently burnt beyond recognition by one of the victim’s boyfriend last month.
The victims, both serving in Community Secondary school Iddo in Asari-Toru LGA of Rivers State, were said to be locked in after he had poured fuel and then set the room on fire.
The incident was first reported on July 19, but the name of the other corps member could not be ascertained at the time of the report. The attackers were initially thought to be some community boys and students in their place of primary assignment (ppa) but the story turned out to be different.
Reports say:
It turned out that Winifred was burned by her boyfriend because he felt she was cheating on him with a fellow corps member. A corper who stayed in the same hostel with Winnie in camp related the events.
“He thought she would be the only one in the room, he locked the door from outside, put petrol and lit the fire. Unfortunately, a friend of Winifred was also in the room. She’s a Batch B corps member who just left camp some weeks ago. But, unfortunately for the boyfriend, he burnt his hands in the process. That was how he was identified and caught.”
“In camp she was always scared whenever he called and she missed it and all.”
After the incident, the victims were both taken to the Intensive care unit (ICU) of UNIPORT Teaching Hospital due to the critical nature of the burns. The victims did not survive the burns. Winifred died on the morning of July 31. The perpetrator however, has since been caught by the police.
Tuesday, 27 August 2013
Catholic priest dies from own gun
THE Parish Priest of St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church, Sobe, in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Rev. Father Peter Ayala, was, Sunday morning, found dead in his apartment, few hours before he was due to conduct the 7a.m mass.
Vanguard gathered that the cleric was said to be cleaning his double-barreled gun inside his apartment within the church premises, when the gun reportedly went off and killed him.
It was gathered that the incident took place in the early hours of Sunday before the Priest dressed up for the mass even as worshippers were said to be gathering for the service.
The incident, it was learnt, threw the church into confusion as mass servers and church elders made frantic efforts to know what went wrong with congregation waiting for the mass to begin but found the priest lying death in his apartment.
The Elders were said have later reported the incident to the Bishop of the Auchi Diocese, Dr Gabriel Duniya, who it was gathered conducted a quick investigation with security agents and confirmed that the priest died when the rifle he was cleaning went off.
Meanwhile, Sobe was still in mourning, yesterday, as the worshippers, irrespective of their denominations, on hearing the tragic news gathered near the church premises, discussing the incident in hush tones.
Contacted, the Edo State Police Public Relations, DSP Moses Eguavoen said the incident was unfortunate, adding that the state command was yet to get the full details of what transpired before the Priest’s death.
Vanguard gathered that the cleric was said to be cleaning his double-barreled gun inside his apartment within the church premises, when the gun reportedly went off and killed him.
It was gathered that the incident took place in the early hours of Sunday before the Priest dressed up for the mass even as worshippers were said to be gathering for the service.
The incident, it was learnt, threw the church into confusion as mass servers and church elders made frantic efforts to know what went wrong with congregation waiting for the mass to begin but found the priest lying death in his apartment.
The Elders were said have later reported the incident to the Bishop of the Auchi Diocese, Dr Gabriel Duniya, who it was gathered conducted a quick investigation with security agents and confirmed that the priest died when the rifle he was cleaning went off.
Meanwhile, Sobe was still in mourning, yesterday, as the worshippers, irrespective of their denominations, on hearing the tragic news gathered near the church premises, discussing the incident in hush tones.
Contacted, the Edo State Police Public Relations, DSP Moses Eguavoen said the incident was unfortunate, adding that the state command was yet to get the full details of what transpired before the Priest’s death.
Saturday, 24 August 2013
Teenage boy hide in the tyre of Aircraft to Lagos
THERE
was confusion Saturday at the Benin Airport and in what seems to be a serious
security breach on a local flight, as a teenage boy stowed away allegedly in
the tyre hold of an Arik Aircraft from Benin to Lagos.
The
teenage boy
The
Aircraft with registration number, 5N-MJG Flight 44, left Benin Airport at 9am
for Lagos. Top officials of the Edo state government were on board the airline.
Passengers aboard the airline were shocked when security agents found the
teenager at the Lagos Airport after the aircraft landed.
Though
none of the officials at the Benin Airport agreed to comment on the issue,
but Vanguard observed that the teenager whose name is yet to be
ascertained may have entered the airport through the Akenzua road axis due to
lack of perimeter fencing at the Airport.
44 people slaughtered in Borno village
In yet
another reprisal attack by insurgents, some gunmen Tuesday night slaughtered no
fewer than 44 people at Dumba village on the outskirts of Baga town, in Kukawa
Local Government Area of Borno State.
Meanwhile,
the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of the security
Challenge in the North yesterday displayed video recording of Shura members of
the Boko Haram sect where they called on their field commanders to ceasefire as
being proposed by the government, saying that prophet Mohammed sanctions
dialogue during Jihad.
Sources told our reporter yesterday that about
50 gunmen stormed Dumba village which is some kilometers away from Baga and
slaughtered 44 people. Many people were also said to have been injured during
the attack that lasted for hours.
It was
gathered that the gunmen also set fire on some houses in the village. Baga is
about 157 kilometers away from Maiduguri, the State capital and an epicenter of
the insurgency which had witnessed series of attacks through bombings and
gunshots.
Our
correspondent gathered that rescue workers have been mobilized to the area from
Maiduguri with the aim of providing medical services to the surviving victims.
The assailants were said to have removed the two eyes of some of the victims while many others had their bodies decapitated.
A rescue worker told Journalists in Maiduguri that the village came under attack late Tuesday when some unknown gunmen stormed the settlement and killed many people when they were fast asleep.
The assailants were said to have removed the two eyes of some of the victims while many others had their bodies decapitated.
A rescue worker told Journalists in Maiduguri that the village came under attack late Tuesday when some unknown gunmen stormed the settlement and killed many people when they were fast asleep.
‘’ As am
speaking to you now, Red cross officials and the San Medicine Frontier are
attending to the injured victims,” a rescue worker with a federal government
agency who does not want to be named said.
According to him, the village has been deserted, as the people are now taking refuge at the Baga central primary school.
According to him, the village has been deserted, as the people are now taking refuge at the Baga central primary school.
A source
with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) who confirmed the incident
to our reporter, said the agency has mobilized to the area to access the
situation with a view to render humanitarian assistance to the injured victims
and those who were psychologically trauma-tized in the attack.
According to him, the agency will on Saturday(today) set up camp at the Baga central primary school for the displaced victims.
According to him, the agency will on Saturday(today) set up camp at the Baga central primary school for the displaced victims.
On the
ceasefire call by the leaders of Boko Haram on their field commanders, the
video recording, according to the chairman of Presidential Committee on
Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of the security Challenge in the North,
Barrister Turaki Tanimu, was recorded two weeks ago in the detention facilities
in Bauchi where the sect members whom he said, belonged to the highest decision
making body of the Boko Haram sect before their arrest by security forces in
various locations across the country.
Speaking
on the development, Barrister Tanimu who was flanked by some
members of the committee, said, the video clip is a recording of some members
of the Jama’atul Ahli Sunnat Nida’atul Waljihad, (Boko Haram) , ‘who sat down
in Shura, the highest decision-making body and analyzed from purely Islamic
perspective, taking into account the clear and unambiguous provisions of the
Holy Qura’an and taken also into account the teachings and fundamentally the
practices of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) on the issue of dialogue and
peaceful reconciliation; strengthening submissions again with the works of
other Islamic scholars globally who have had cause in their life times to also
make research and came out with a lot of literature supporting the cause on
dialogue and stating the parameters and conditions under which dialogue can
take place.
The
chairman said the committee was still making efforts towards meeting another
set of senior leaders of the group, and a splinter group – Ansaru – even as he
said he could not get confirmation from the military operatives in Borno state
to confirm the death of the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau.
Barrister
Turaki admitted that there is no clear nexus between this Shura committee and
the second-in-command with whom government reportedly secured an earlier peace
deal, or with Shekau who is yet to be personally reached.
In the
Video which was shown to Journalists, five members of the Shura committee of
the sect who spoke in Hausa and Arabic enjoined their colleagues ‘on the field’
to embrace the dialogue being proposed by government as both prophet Mohammed
and other Islamic scholars are in support of dialogue with infidels.
FG Releases N130 Billion To Universities
Appeals to ASUU To End Strike
THE Federal Government has ordered the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), to immediately return back to classrooms as all issues are being resolved.
Government’s position was anchored on its release of the N130 billion covering N30 billion for earned allowance of lecturers and N100 billion for infrastructural upgrade for public universities yesterday in Abuja.
The contentious N92 billion earned allowances as demanded by ASUU cannot be released as government said it is a merited allowance, which should be determined by council of various universities.
It has therefore directed the various councils to put machineries in place to determine lecturers who merit the earned allowance and begin payments accordingly.
Speaking at a meeting with Pro-Chancellors and Vice Chancellors of public universities in the country, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim stated: “ We are pleased to say that the committee has completed its work and the report has been approved by the Federal Executive Council and the National Economic Council. The President has set up the Governor Suswan Committee for its implementation. N100 billion has been harnessed for the committee’s disbursement and 61 universities in the country are benefiting from this take-off programme.
“Traditionally, universities pay this to deserving staff but because of the amount which ASUU claims as arrears, government decided to assist the university councils to pay. It should be noted that government did not receive any computation of amount involved until February 2013. By this computation, ASUU is claiming N92 billion as arrears for three years’ payment based on percentage range of between 15 and 20 per cent of personal cost.”
Chairman, Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Federal Universities, Prof. Kimse Okoko, commended government for its efforts.
Okoko called on chancellors to use the funds judiciously while appealing to ASUU to show understanding and call off the strike.
Prof. Mohammed Hamise, Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors commended government for the N30 billion to university councils to defray the arrears of the peculiar allowances.
THE Federal Government has ordered the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), to immediately return back to classrooms as all issues are being resolved.
Government’s position was anchored on its release of the N130 billion covering N30 billion for earned allowance of lecturers and N100 billion for infrastructural upgrade for public universities yesterday in Abuja.
The contentious N92 billion earned allowances as demanded by ASUU cannot be released as government said it is a merited allowance, which should be determined by council of various universities.
It has therefore directed the various councils to put machineries in place to determine lecturers who merit the earned allowance and begin payments accordingly.
Speaking at a meeting with Pro-Chancellors and Vice Chancellors of public universities in the country, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim stated: “ We are pleased to say that the committee has completed its work and the report has been approved by the Federal Executive Council and the National Economic Council. The President has set up the Governor Suswan Committee for its implementation. N100 billion has been harnessed for the committee’s disbursement and 61 universities in the country are benefiting from this take-off programme.
“Traditionally, universities pay this to deserving staff but because of the amount which ASUU claims as arrears, government decided to assist the university councils to pay. It should be noted that government did not receive any computation of amount involved until February 2013. By this computation, ASUU is claiming N92 billion as arrears for three years’ payment based on percentage range of between 15 and 20 per cent of personal cost.”
Chairman, Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Federal Universities, Prof. Kimse Okoko, commended government for its efforts.
Okoko called on chancellors to use the funds judiciously while appealing to ASUU to show understanding and call off the strike.
Prof. Mohammed Hamise, Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors commended government for the N30 billion to university councils to defray the arrears of the peculiar allowances.
Thursday, 22 August 2013
Court dissolves 19 year-old marriage over non payment of bride price
Ikole (Ekiti) – An Ikole-Ekiti Customary Court on Thursday dissolved a 19 year-old marriage between Olawale and Mary Adeniyi over the inability of the husband to pay the bride price.
Mary had on July 27, 2012 dragged her husband before the court for failing to pay her pride price.
She also accused her husband of lack of care for the family, constant fighting and threat to her life.
Mary, who has now re-married and known as Mrs Oguntuase, told the court that the union between her former husband was a mere association and was blessed with three children.
She accused her former husband of chasing their eldest child with a cutlass when the child demanded for her school fees from him.
Adeniyi denied all the allegations levelled against him, saying that the plaintiff had always sought for an excuse to leave him despite all he had done for her.
The President of the court, Mrs Yemisi Ojo, dissolved the union and directed the two parties to be jointly responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the three children. (NAN)
Mary had on July 27, 2012 dragged her husband before the court for failing to pay her pride price.
She also accused her husband of lack of care for the family, constant fighting and threat to her life.
Mary, who has now re-married and known as Mrs Oguntuase, told the court that the union between her former husband was a mere association and was blessed with three children.
She accused her former husband of chasing their eldest child with a cutlass when the child demanded for her school fees from him.
Adeniyi denied all the allegations levelled against him, saying that the plaintiff had always sought for an excuse to leave him despite all he had done for her.
The President of the court, Mrs Yemisi Ojo, dissolved the union and directed the two parties to be jointly responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the three children. (NAN)
Chinese firm sells toxic waste to Nigerian importer
A Chinesebased company, Shijiazhuang Qixiang Chemical Co. Ltd, has been exposed over alleged exportation of sand-like toxic waste in place of caustic soda to unsuspecting Nigerian importer, Christo Ventures Ltd, in Lagos.
According to reports, the Nigerian importer had placed an order for 10 by 20ft containers of caustic soda (NaOH) from the Chinese company, but to the Christo’s amazement, the consignment was in contrast with what it expected.
Some of the seized fake products at the briefing, yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.
Christo Ventures Ltd is said to have been a chemical importer recognised by NAFDAC and has a current permit to import, N0. 1300280 of 2013 with the item, caustic soda listed as N0.15 on the permit.
However, luck ran out of the Chinese firm when the officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, upon examination during its routine joint physical checks at the Sifax Bonded Terminal on June 7 2013, observed that the physical characteristic of the consignment was in contrast with the expected caustic soda that usually appears in pearls.
The suspicion led the agency to draw samples from three of the 10 containers for further laboratory analysis.
Fortunately, the result of the analysis showed that the substance shipped to Christo Ventures by the Chinese company was not caustic soda, contrary to both parties’ agreement.
Reacting to the development, NAFDAC Director-General, Dr. Paul Orhii, who was represented by a director in the agency, Mrs. Hauwa Keri, told newsmen that the sand-like substance, which could be re-extracted to get hard drugs, could also constitute serious hazards to the environment as well as security risk.
On his part, Managing Director of Christo Ventures, Christian Udeh, who alleged that he was duped by the Chinese company said the had invested over N30 million in the business.
According to reports, the Nigerian importer had placed an order for 10 by 20ft containers of caustic soda (NaOH) from the Chinese company, but to the Christo’s amazement, the consignment was in contrast with what it expected.
Christo Ventures Ltd is said to have been a chemical importer recognised by NAFDAC and has a current permit to import, N0. 1300280 of 2013 with the item, caustic soda listed as N0.15 on the permit.
However, luck ran out of the Chinese firm when the officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, upon examination during its routine joint physical checks at the Sifax Bonded Terminal on June 7 2013, observed that the physical characteristic of the consignment was in contrast with the expected caustic soda that usually appears in pearls.
The suspicion led the agency to draw samples from three of the 10 containers for further laboratory analysis.
Fortunately, the result of the analysis showed that the substance shipped to Christo Ventures by the Chinese company was not caustic soda, contrary to both parties’ agreement.
Reacting to the development, NAFDAC Director-General, Dr. Paul Orhii, who was represented by a director in the agency, Mrs. Hauwa Keri, told newsmen that the sand-like substance, which could be re-extracted to get hard drugs, could also constitute serious hazards to the environment as well as security risk.
On his part, Managing Director of Christo Ventures, Christian Udeh, who alleged that he was duped by the Chinese company said the had invested over N30 million in the business.
Tuesday, 20 August 2013
Male prostitution causes rise in sale of pampers in Kenyan
Addis Ababa – The Police in Kenya said Tuesday said they were battling to contain a new trend of commercial sex tourism that targets young boys in the coastal towns of the country .
The reports monitored from a local radio station, quoted Police as saying the trend had caused the rise in the sale pampers in the region due to the rising health problems among boys indulging in the act.
Malindi sub county Deputy Police Commissioner, Joshua Nkanatha told Kenya local radio that boys from poor families were being lured into the trade by rich male tourists.
The Police official said the situation had lead to an increase in number of cases of HIV/AIDS spread in the area.
“A survey we conducted shows that boys engaging in sexual activities with male tourists are buying pampers because they can no longer hold their stool, “Nkanatha said.
Nkanatha, who spoke during a Public Baraza at HGM primary school, Malindi said “male prostitution had become high
in Malindi and contributing to increased cases of HIV and AIDS.
He urged educated and concerned members of the public to take up the responsibility of enlightening the youths
about the health risks of engaging in the vice.
Malindai is a resort town on the outskirt of Nairobi, the Kenyan Capital which attracts Tourists from within and outside Africa. (NAN)
The reports monitored from a local radio station, quoted Police as saying the trend had caused the rise in the sale pampers in the region due to the rising health problems among boys indulging in the act.
Malindi sub county Deputy Police Commissioner, Joshua Nkanatha told Kenya local radio that boys from poor families were being lured into the trade by rich male tourists.
The Police official said the situation had lead to an increase in number of cases of HIV/AIDS spread in the area.
“A survey we conducted shows that boys engaging in sexual activities with male tourists are buying pampers because they can no longer hold their stool, “Nkanatha said.
Nkanatha, who spoke during a Public Baraza at HGM primary school, Malindi said “male prostitution had become high
in Malindi and contributing to increased cases of HIV and AIDS.
He urged educated and concerned members of the public to take up the responsibility of enlightening the youths
about the health risks of engaging in the vice.
Malindai is a resort town on the outskirt of Nairobi, the Kenyan Capital which attracts Tourists from within and outside Africa. (NAN)
Monday, 19 August 2013
Era of abandoned projects over – FG
The Federal Government has instituted a mechanism that will check contractors and monitore the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, to stave off poor implementation or abandonment of projects nationwide.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Millennium Development Goals, SSAP-MDG, Dr. Precious Gbeneol, made government’s position known, weekend, while commissioning two primary health care centres, PHCs, and a water scheme.
Gbeneol said: “The era of poor implementation and abandonment of projects are over as the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has successfully put in place a mechanism that will effectively place both contractors and officials monitoring MDG projects in proper check.”
Gbeneol also used the outing to launch what she termed “enhancing citizens’ engagement protocol for accelerating the attainment of the MDGs in Nigeria”, also known as “Amebo”.
Explaining what Amebo was all about, Gbeneol said it would deepen community engagement by scaling up citizens’ action for participatory governance and development as a means of increasing the drive to achieve the MDGs in Nigeria.
While explaining that the protocol was designed to develop and strengthen tools and mechanisms to ensure that voices of the communities became part of the decision making process, Gbeneol said it would further seek to ensure that communities influenced the outcomes of development projects, as well as enhance local government authorities’ responsiveness to community demand.
She added that the project, being piloted in 21 local council areas through the Conditional Grant Scheme, CGS, of the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, would further complement government efforts in institutionalising transparency, accountability and entrench good governance in project implementation.
“We are in collaboration with our international development partners, particularly the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with assistance from the Democratic Governance Thematic Trust Fund (DGTTF), in implementing this project,” Dr. Gbeneol said.
Welcoming the Federal Government team earlier in his office, the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, described the new policy as “a worthy move to place citizens, who are the beneficiaries of the projects on the driver’s seat of projects implementation”.
He added that MDG projects in the state had gone a long way in positively impacting the lives of Imo people.
Contributing also, a representative of United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, Mr. Andrew David Adejo, said the UN was pleased with the efforts of putting the people first.
He added that they are optimistic that the initiative will ensure accountability and further strengthen the fabrics of good governance.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Millennium Development Goals, SSAP-MDG, Dr. Precious Gbeneol, made government’s position known, weekend, while commissioning two primary health care centres, PHCs, and a water scheme.
Gbeneol said: “The era of poor implementation and abandonment of projects are over as the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has successfully put in place a mechanism that will effectively place both contractors and officials monitoring MDG projects in proper check.”
Gbeneol also used the outing to launch what she termed “enhancing citizens’ engagement protocol for accelerating the attainment of the MDGs in Nigeria”, also known as “Amebo”.
Explaining what Amebo was all about, Gbeneol said it would deepen community engagement by scaling up citizens’ action for participatory governance and development as a means of increasing the drive to achieve the MDGs in Nigeria.
While explaining that the protocol was designed to develop and strengthen tools and mechanisms to ensure that voices of the communities became part of the decision making process, Gbeneol said it would further seek to ensure that communities influenced the outcomes of development projects, as well as enhance local government authorities’ responsiveness to community demand.
She added that the project, being piloted in 21 local council areas through the Conditional Grant Scheme, CGS, of the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, would further complement government efforts in institutionalising transparency, accountability and entrench good governance in project implementation.
“We are in collaboration with our international development partners, particularly the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with assistance from the Democratic Governance Thematic Trust Fund (DGTTF), in implementing this project,” Dr. Gbeneol said.
Welcoming the Federal Government team earlier in his office, the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, described the new policy as “a worthy move to place citizens, who are the beneficiaries of the projects on the driver’s seat of projects implementation”.
He added that MDG projects in the state had gone a long way in positively impacting the lives of Imo people.
Contributing also, a representative of United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, Mr. Andrew David Adejo, said the UN was pleased with the efforts of putting the people first.
He added that they are optimistic that the initiative will ensure accountability and further strengthen the fabrics of good governance.
Hunter mistakes colleague for antelope, kills him
THE Police have arrested a middle aged man, Musibau Mustapha, for killing his colleague during a hunting expedition.
Mustapha, 30, was said to have mistaken his fellow hunter, Sunday Ijasa, for an antelope and released the bullet which instantly claimed his life a couple of days ago at Igbara Odo Ekiti in Ekiti South-West Local Government Area of the state
According to the Public Relations Officer of the state police command, Mr Victor Babayemi, in Ado Ekiti, weekend, the suspect was arrested following an allegation that he killed the deceased while hunting at Igbara Odo Ekiti.
According to him, Mustapha was said to have mistook the deceased for an antelope.
The police image maker added that there were inconsistencies in the statement made by the suspect after preliminary investigations conducted by the police.
Babayemi further said autopsy had been conducted on the corpse, while investigation is still on-going, adding that the suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed.
Meantime, police have arrested two men who specialized in car-snatching. The Police PRO named the suspects as Ajayi Gbenga and Fatoki Olabode, adding that they were arrested by men attached to Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, on June 28.
Investigation, according to the police image maker, later revealed that the arrested suspects and three others at large allegedly belonged to a car-snatching syndicate terrorizing some states in the South-West.
Babafemi added that some the cars allegedly snatched by them, according to the statement, were being sold at neighboring countries.
Stolen vehicles recovered from the suspects ,according to him, include: Toyota Sienna Space Bus with Reg No. TY 575 KJA CHASSIS NOS: 4T32F134YU228088 and ENGINE NOS: 5802316 and Toyota Camry car with Reg.No. BZ 567 AGL CHASSIS NO. 4TIBG22KYIU820886.
Also, one Alhaji Nuru Usman who acts as an intermediary between the car snatchers and buyers has also been arrested.
Mustapha, 30, was said to have mistaken his fellow hunter, Sunday Ijasa, for an antelope and released the bullet which instantly claimed his life a couple of days ago at Igbara Odo Ekiti in Ekiti South-West Local Government Area of the state
According to the Public Relations Officer of the state police command, Mr Victor Babayemi, in Ado Ekiti, weekend, the suspect was arrested following an allegation that he killed the deceased while hunting at Igbara Odo Ekiti.
According to him, Mustapha was said to have mistook the deceased for an antelope.
The police image maker added that there were inconsistencies in the statement made by the suspect after preliminary investigations conducted by the police.
Babayemi further said autopsy had been conducted on the corpse, while investigation is still on-going, adding that the suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed.
Meantime, police have arrested two men who specialized in car-snatching. The Police PRO named the suspects as Ajayi Gbenga and Fatoki Olabode, adding that they were arrested by men attached to Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, on June 28.
Investigation, according to the police image maker, later revealed that the arrested suspects and three others at large allegedly belonged to a car-snatching syndicate terrorizing some states in the South-West.
Babafemi added that some the cars allegedly snatched by them, according to the statement, were being sold at neighboring countries.
Stolen vehicles recovered from the suspects ,according to him, include: Toyota Sienna Space Bus with Reg No. TY 575 KJA CHASSIS NOS: 4T32F134YU228088 and ENGINE NOS: 5802316 and Toyota Camry car with Reg.No. BZ 567 AGL CHASSIS NO. 4TIBG22KYIU820886.
Also, one Alhaji Nuru Usman who acts as an intermediary between the car snatchers and buyers has also been arrested.
Sunday, 18 August 2013
Jonathan creates new army division, sends 8,000 troops after Boko Haram
President Goodluck Jonathan appears set to boost the strength of the military in the insurgency infested North-east after indications emerged that about 8,000 troops are being sent there.
The troops, according to security sources, will form the nucleus of an army division to be established in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.
Sunday Vanguard was made to understand at the weekend that the need to establish the new army division in the stronghold of the Boko Haram Islamist group is to firm up the successes recorded by special forces of the Joint Task Force (JTF) which have reportedly dislodged the insurgents from the forests and mountains of the North-east.
The move came to light barely 48 hours after the United States (US) said security efforts were necessary to protect innocent Nigerians, prevent Boko Haram’s acts of violence, capture and prosecute its leaders.
The US Under Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman, who gave the recipe to ending the insurgency challenge in Nigeria on behalf of her home government, spoke in Abuja at the opening session of the US-Nigeria Bi-national Commission’s Regional Security Cooperation Working Group on Thursday.
Also yesterday, the Chairman of Police Service Commission (PSC), Mr Mike Okiro, advocated the establishment of a civil force to complement the efforts of security agencies at the grassroots to curb terrorism and other crimes.
Sunday Vanguard learnt that the new army division to be domiciled in Maiduguri is tagged 7th Infantry Division and may have one General Etnan as the General Officer Commanding (GOC).
The 8,000 troops to be deployed there, according to sources, are made up of 7,000 troops from army headquarters brigade in Yola, Adamawa State, the army headquarters brigade (Mongonu) in Maiduguri, the battalion in Yobe and the army headquarters brigade in Sokoto as well as the about 1,000 troops recalled from operations in Mali.
Sunday Vanguard was told that the new army division will take over operations of securing the entire North-east and seal off the border axis between Nigeria and Niger, Chad and Cameroon where intelligence has shown that terrorists get their training and launch bombing attacks on Nigeria.
Before the establishment of the division which Sunday Vanguard gathered was on the recommendation of the Chief of the Army Staff, Lt. General Oyeabor Azubuike Ihejirika, parts of the Area of Responsibility (AOR) were under the 1st Infantry Division of the army in Kaduna, which has Major General Garba Wahab as GOC and 3rd Armoured Division in Jos which has Major General Awala as GOC.
Asked about the fate of the Major General Ewansiha led JTF in Maiduguri, with the establishment of the new division, a source said the JTF will work hand in hand with the new division, adding, however, that it (JTF) is an interim force which most likely will be scaled down after the first phase (6 months) of the state of emergency had achieved its objectives.
Meanwhile, Sunday Vanguard gathered, also at the weekend, that the Nigerian Airforce Strike Group with headquarters in Yola, Adamawa State, where some attack aircraft of the Tactical Air Command are stationed, is to be upgraded with the injection of more fighter and patrol aircraft as well as helicopter gunships.
The upgrade became necessary, according to sources, to provide air cover and patrols over the vast and dense forests of the North-east where Boko Haram insurgents held sway for months, hoisting their flags, claiming territories and collecting taxes from Nigerians.
Towards this end, it was gathered that the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh, has directed the relocation of some patrol and surveillance aircraft from the 81 Air Maritime Command in Benin, and the Special Operations Group in Port Harcourt to Yola. Some Alpha jets will also leave Kainji for Yola.
The PSC Chairman, Okiro, advocating the establishment of a civil force to complement the operations of security agencies, yesterday, believes the force, under the supervision of the police, will curtail terrorism and other criminal activities at the grassroots.
The former Inspector General of Police (IGP) spoke at the Corporate Council on Africa in Washington, US. The Corporate Council, which has on its membership Nigerians in diaspora, had invited him to deliver a lecture during a round table discussion on civil security in Nigeria.
Citing the civilian JTF in Borno State, he noted that “the positive impact of the youth civilian volunteer group in Borno State justifies such reasoning.”
Okiro based his belief on the principle of the American Homeland Security, stressing that the operation of the civil security force should be in line with Bahama and Sri-Lanka models, which are under the command of the police.
The troops, according to security sources, will form the nucleus of an army division to be established in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.
Sunday Vanguard was made to understand at the weekend that the need to establish the new army division in the stronghold of the Boko Haram Islamist group is to firm up the successes recorded by special forces of the Joint Task Force (JTF) which have reportedly dislodged the insurgents from the forests and mountains of the North-east.
The US Under Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman, who gave the recipe to ending the insurgency challenge in Nigeria on behalf of her home government, spoke in Abuja at the opening session of the US-Nigeria Bi-national Commission’s Regional Security Cooperation Working Group on Thursday.
Also yesterday, the Chairman of Police Service Commission (PSC), Mr Mike Okiro, advocated the establishment of a civil force to complement the efforts of security agencies at the grassroots to curb terrorism and other crimes.
Sunday Vanguard learnt that the new army division to be domiciled in Maiduguri is tagged 7th Infantry Division and may have one General Etnan as the General Officer Commanding (GOC).
The 8,000 troops to be deployed there, according to sources, are made up of 7,000 troops from army headquarters brigade in Yola, Adamawa State, the army headquarters brigade (Mongonu) in Maiduguri, the battalion in Yobe and the army headquarters brigade in Sokoto as well as the about 1,000 troops recalled from operations in Mali.
Sunday Vanguard was told that the new army division will take over operations of securing the entire North-east and seal off the border axis between Nigeria and Niger, Chad and Cameroon where intelligence has shown that terrorists get their training and launch bombing attacks on Nigeria.
Before the establishment of the division which Sunday Vanguard gathered was on the recommendation of the Chief of the Army Staff, Lt. General Oyeabor Azubuike Ihejirika, parts of the Area of Responsibility (AOR) were under the 1st Infantry Division of the army in Kaduna, which has Major General Garba Wahab as GOC and 3rd Armoured Division in Jos which has Major General Awala as GOC.
Asked about the fate of the Major General Ewansiha led JTF in Maiduguri, with the establishment of the new division, a source said the JTF will work hand in hand with the new division, adding, however, that it (JTF) is an interim force which most likely will be scaled down after the first phase (6 months) of the state of emergency had achieved its objectives.
Meanwhile, Sunday Vanguard gathered, also at the weekend, that the Nigerian Airforce Strike Group with headquarters in Yola, Adamawa State, where some attack aircraft of the Tactical Air Command are stationed, is to be upgraded with the injection of more fighter and patrol aircraft as well as helicopter gunships.
The upgrade became necessary, according to sources, to provide air cover and patrols over the vast and dense forests of the North-east where Boko Haram insurgents held sway for months, hoisting their flags, claiming territories and collecting taxes from Nigerians.
Towards this end, it was gathered that the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh, has directed the relocation of some patrol and surveillance aircraft from the 81 Air Maritime Command in Benin, and the Special Operations Group in Port Harcourt to Yola. Some Alpha jets will also leave Kainji for Yola.
The PSC Chairman, Okiro, advocating the establishment of a civil force to complement the operations of security agencies, yesterday, believes the force, under the supervision of the police, will curtail terrorism and other criminal activities at the grassroots.
The former Inspector General of Police (IGP) spoke at the Corporate Council on Africa in Washington, US. The Corporate Council, which has on its membership Nigerians in diaspora, had invited him to deliver a lecture during a round table discussion on civil security in Nigeria.
Citing the civilian JTF in Borno State, he noted that “the positive impact of the youth civilian volunteer group in Borno State justifies such reasoning.”
Okiro based his belief on the principle of the American Homeland Security, stressing that the operation of the civil security force should be in line with Bahama and Sri-Lanka models, which are under the command of the police.
Saturday, 17 August 2013
Premier League - Wenger hits out at ref's 'spirit'
Wenger, who hasso far failed to land any major summer transfer targets, saw his side race into an early lead through Olivier Giroud.
However, Villa - who spent much of last season battling against relegation - hit back when Christian Benteke equalised from a penalty rebound.
In what proved to be the defining moment of the match, the visitors were awarded a controversial penalty on the hour when Laurent Koscielny looked to have won the ball in his challenge with Gabriel Agbonlahor, before Benteke netted from the spot.
The France defender, booked for his challenge, was then soon shown a second yellow by Taylor for clattering into Andreas Weimann
Arsenal - who face a crucial Champions League play-off first leg away to Fenerbahce on Wednesday - rallied with 10 men, but were not able to break down a determined Villa defence, as goalkeeper Brad Guzan made a couple of smart saves.
New signing Antonio Luna added a late third for the visitors - before unhappy chants of "spend some money" rang out from the home support at full-time.
Wenger, though, was left perplexed by the whole series of events in a match which was also notable for featuring the first use of the Premier League's new goal decision system (GDS) when a 52nd-minute effort from Villa midfielder Fabian Delph struck the inside of the right-hand post and rolled across the line.
"I didn't like his performance, but more than his performance I didn't like his spirit of how he refereed the game," Wenger said of Taylor.
"I didn't like the fact the way the game was refereed and this is a deeper question that just one decision.
"I don't like to lie, I didn't like what he did.
"The linesman said to me he did not give the penalty and he was at the level of the tackle, so why does the referee who did not give the penalty straight away suddenly give the penalty? That is what is amazing to me.
"I would understand if the linesman said it was a penalty, but you have to live with that and just because you get these decisions given against you that doesn't mean you should go on to lose the game."
The Arsenal manager added: "Not only did we lose the game, we had many kicks, many injuries. We have some problems for some people to recover for Wednesday night."
Wenger felt his team had once again played out their opening fixture in a negative atmosphere because of criticism over the club's lack of moves in the transfer market, having failed to secure the signatures of both Gonzalo Higuain and Luis Suarez.
"You got what you wanted, you should be happy," Wenger said to reporters in his post-match press conference. "Before the start the season that was all you write in the papers so what do you expect?"
Wenger, though, insisted the defeat was not down to a lack of summer investment.
"Could we have won the game with the players we had on the pitch? I say yes," he continued.
"If we don't spend the money, it is because we don't find the players.
"I am not the only one to work on that, we are a team that works on that and we are ready to buy the players if we find the players good enough for us.
"My job is to make the fans happy, but we haven't lost a game because of that (not spending).
"We take our work seriously and we analyse every player in the world and spend 24 hours a day doing that.
"We are ready to spend, but until we buy players we have to win football games and it is not an excuse not to win the game today."
However, Villa - who spent much of last season battling against relegation - hit back when Christian Benteke equalised from a penalty rebound.
In what proved to be the defining moment of the match, the visitors were awarded a controversial penalty on the hour when Laurent Koscielny looked to have won the ball in his challenge with Gabriel Agbonlahor, before Benteke netted from the spot.
The France defender, booked for his challenge, was then soon shown a second yellow by Taylor for clattering into Andreas Weimann
Arsenal - who face a crucial Champions League play-off first leg away to Fenerbahce on Wednesday - rallied with 10 men, but were not able to break down a determined Villa defence, as goalkeeper Brad Guzan made a couple of smart saves.
New signing Antonio Luna added a late third for the visitors - before unhappy chants of "spend some money" rang out from the home support at full-time.
Wenger, though, was left perplexed by the whole series of events in a match which was also notable for featuring the first use of the Premier League's new goal decision system (GDS) when a 52nd-minute effort from Villa midfielder Fabian Delph struck the inside of the right-hand post and rolled across the line.
"I didn't like his performance, but more than his performance I didn't like his spirit of how he refereed the game," Wenger said of Taylor.
"I didn't like the fact the way the game was refereed and this is a deeper question that just one decision.
"I don't like to lie, I didn't like what he did.
"The linesman said to me he did not give the penalty and he was at the level of the tackle, so why does the referee who did not give the penalty straight away suddenly give the penalty? That is what is amazing to me.
"I would understand if the linesman said it was a penalty, but you have to live with that and just because you get these decisions given against you that doesn't mean you should go on to lose the game."
The Arsenal manager added: "Not only did we lose the game, we had many kicks, many injuries. We have some problems for some people to recover for Wednesday night."
Wenger felt his team had once again played out their opening fixture in a negative atmosphere because of criticism over the club's lack of moves in the transfer market, having failed to secure the signatures of both Gonzalo Higuain and Luis Suarez.
"You got what you wanted, you should be happy," Wenger said to reporters in his post-match press conference. "Before the start the season that was all you write in the papers so what do you expect?"
Wenger, though, insisted the defeat was not down to a lack of summer investment.
"Could we have won the game with the players we had on the pitch? I say yes," he continued.
"If we don't spend the money, it is because we don't find the players.
"I am not the only one to work on that, we are a team that works on that and we are ready to buy the players if we find the players good enough for us.
"My job is to make the fans happy, but we haven't lost a game because of that (not spending).
"We take our work seriously and we analyse every player in the world and spend 24 hours a day doing that.
"We are ready to spend, but until we buy players we have to win football games and it is not an excuse not to win the game today."
Premier League - Van Persie and Welbeck give United opening win
Braces from Robin van Persie and Daniel Welbeck helped Manchester United go top of the nascent Premier League with an impressive 4-1 win at Swansea City.
Two goals in quick succession towards the end of the first half gave the visitors a commanding 2-0 lead, Van Persie hooking in a clever finish and Welbeck tapping in from close range after a low cross by Antonio Valencia.
Swansea had dominated possession until that point, although they had gone off the boil before those goals. Michael Laudrup responded with the half-time introduction of new signing Wilfried Bony, who had been left on the bench due to jet-lag.
Swansea improved with his power and pace but, with Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic solid at the back, there was no way through.
Van Persie added his second and United’s third with a fantastic shot into the roof of the net after dummy runs from substitute Wayne Rooney and Welbeck.
Bony netted a late consolation on his Premier League debut with the score 3-0, but United were never going to be denied as Welbeck completed the rout with a fantastic chip from Rooney’s pass.
KEY MOMENTS
PRE-MATCH: Stars on the bench – Both sides dropped their big-name strikers, with Swansea’s Bony and United’s Rooney out for different reasons, the former jet-lagged and the latter simply out of favour. Both had an impact as subs, Bony scoring and Rooney grabbing two assists.
34’ – GOAL: Van Persie is played onside by Angel Rangel, takes a high ball on his chest and – despite the touch not favouring a finish – manages to contort his body and execute a brilliant volley.
36’ – GOAL: After Van Persie causes problems with a clever run, the ball drops to Valencia on the right, whose low cross is tapped in by Welbeck. Scrappy, but 2-0. Swansea shell-shocked.
72’ – GOAL: A magical finish by Van Persie, who wraps his left boot around the ball from the edge of the box, swerving it into the roof of the net. Bonus points to Rooney and Welbeck for dragging the defence all over the place with smart off-the-ball runs.
82 – GOAL: Bony drills a cool low finish past De Gea after Welbeck and Tom Cleverley dither on the edge of the box. A way back in or consolation?
90+2’ – GOAL: Consolation. Welbeck atones for his earlier error with a superb chipped finish after Rooney’s through-ball.
TALKING POINT: Who needs megabucks signings when you have Van Persie? He is arguably the most accomplished striker of a ball in football, and with a hard-working team and a hard-working manager like Moyes, there is no reason why he cannot fire United to the title again. And props to Welbeck, who doubled his meagre 2012-13 Premier League goal tally in his first match of this season.
MATCHCAST: FULL COMMENTARY AND STATS
KEY STATS
Manchester United have never lost a Premier League game after leading by two goals at half-time (130 wins, three draws).
Bony became the first Ivorian to score on his Premier League debut.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Robin van Persie (Manchester United): Gonzalo who? Radamel what? Edinson eh? Van Persie is the best out-and-out striker in the world. Probably.
PLAYER RATINGS
Swansea: Vorm 6, Rangel 6, Chico 5, Williams 5, Ben Davies 6, Canas 6, Britton 6, Dyer 6, Shelvey 6, Routledge 6, Michu 5; Subs: Bony 7, Hernandez 7, Ki 6
Man Utd: De Gea 7, Jones 6, Ferdinand 7, Vidic 7, Evra 7, Cleverley 6, Carrick 6, Valencia 7, Giggs 6, Welbeck 8, van Persie 9; Subs: Rooney 7, Anderson N/A
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