Bayelsa Govt Sends 250 Youths To Asari Dokubo’s University In Benin Republic For Training

The Bayelsa Government has sent 250 youths from the state on automobile technology, cinematography, photography and design in a bid to patronize the academy set up by former Niger Delta militant, Asari Dokubo, one of President Jonathan’s supporters for his re-election bid in 2015 polls.

The scheme was announced in Yenegoa at a reception for 200 Bayelsa graduates of a six- month agricultural training programme at the Songhai Integrated System, Cotonou.

The training programme will be held at the Amachree Royal Academy, Benin Republic, which is owned by ex-militant leader,  Alhaji Asari Dokubo.

Although the cost of the contract was not disclosed, Report has it that the scheme is calculated to empower Dokubo for the job of harassing Mr. Jonathan’s opponents before the 2015 Presidential Polls.

It will be recalled that the ex-militant leader had a brush with the authorities in Benin Republic last week, but was released days later following the intervention of Nigeria leader Goodluck Jonathan.

At the reception, which also doubled as a send-off orientation for the 250 youths going for the vocational training, Dickson declared his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, and charged them to take their training seriously.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Thomas Commander, congratulated the graduates for the successful completion of the programme in spite of some challenges.

He expressed the state government’s desire to engage some of the graduands, but disclosed that those who intend to be self-reliant, would be encouraged and supported by the government.

Maiduguri International Airport Closed After Boko Haram Raid On Air Force Base

Operations at the Maiduguri International Airport have been suspended and the Joint Task Force has taken over the airport following a raid on nearby military units by Boko Haram.

Residents of Maiduguri said the Islamist militant sect attacked the Nigerian Air Force base in the early hours of today in attempt to overrun the entire city of Maiduguri.  About 300 militants were reported to have arrived in pickup trucks with heavy weaponry

Several explosives were hauled at the base but Air Force personnel reportedly repelled the militants, killing several of them.

There is no word on casualties on the side of the military. Mobile telephone lines have been shut down since President Goodluck Jonathan imposed a state of emergency on three states, including Borno, in May.

A spokesperson for the ministry of Aviation, Yakubu Datti confirmed the closure of the airport, but he denied the airport was affected in the attack.

The Nigerian military despite its denial are fighting the Boko Haram sect with obsolete weapons that are less inferior to that of the sect’s sophistication, and also poorly remuneration for the troops on the war front.

A military source confirmed that for over month, both the Federal Government and the higher military command have been advised on the need to station detachment of counter-terrorist troops around Sahara Desert with sole aim of crushing Boko Haram Islamic sect in view of the sect penetration in Nigeria through several borders with Niger Republic, Cameroon and Chad.

Yobe state, which is second stronghold of the sect, also had international borders with Zinder and Diffa regions of Niger Republic.

The formation of a military base, according to the source remained most viable option in containing the increasingly strength of the sect, who are getting training, support and other logistic support in the un-policed deserts that stretch from Algeria and Mauritania up to Niger and Chad.

The source who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “It has become imperative for us to submit our candid position as military with sole responsibility of preserving Nigeria’s sovereignty. The terrorists find their way into Borno and Yobe via our porous borders. And their main planning and training is in the desert, afterwards they sneak into their camps inside Nigeria and so instead of waiting, we are proposing that we have full military base in the desert that would comprise both land and air operations.

“This is our submission to the government; it is dangerous waiting for them. They are becoming more sophisticated and organize by the day, and so we must move forward. Their trainees and those providing them with logistics are right inside the desert between Niger Republic and Chad.”, the source said