NIGERIAN GOVT. STOPS REGISTRATION & DEPORTTATION OF NON INDIGENES BY SOME STATE GOVTS.

The Nigerian Government today, warned state governments involved in the registration and issuance of identity cards to members of other ethnic groups resident in their domains to stop forthwith.

It also halted the deportation of some Nigerians by some state governments to their state’s of origin.  The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Security Council summoned by President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja to discuss the issue.

Director-General, State Security Service, Mr Ita Ekpeyong, and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, announced this to State House correspondents yesterday, after the meeting.

Mr Ekpeyong said the council also noted the reactions trailing the controversial exercise, insisting that it posed bigger threat to Nigeria’s unity than Boko Haram. 

He added that government was doing a lot to curtail the current security challenges in the country, especially as it relates to the Chibok girls. Mr Ekpenyong said government knows where the girls are being held, but will not rush into rescuing them to avoid endengering their lives.

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar implored Nigerians to be patient and to continue to support the current efforts to end terrorism. 

Another council of state meeting will hold next week to further review the issues

ENUGU POLICE ARRESTS BOY FOR KILLING HIS FATHER WITH AN AXE

The Enugu State Police Command is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Christopher Onu.

A statement by the State’s Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amaraizu, said Mr Onu was axed to death by his son, Ikenna Onu. The incident happened on the 4^th of this month in Aguabosi village, Ugwuoba in Oji River Local Government Area, Enugu State.

Police said the late Mr Onu had called his son, Ikenna to advice his to desist from taking Indian Hemp, but Ikenna suddenly left his father and returning minutes later with an axe, which he slammed on his father’s head.

Mr Onu’s lifeless body was later deposited at the morgue of the General Hospital Oji River, for autopsy.

NFF CRISIS: FIFA SUSPENDS NIGERIA

The Emergency Committee of world football governing body FIFA on Wednesday announced the suspension of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) with immediate effect.

In a statement by FIFA’s Media Office, the football body said the suspension was on account of government interference.

``Article 13, paragraph 1 and article 17 paragraph 1 of the FIFA Statutes oblige member-associations to manage their affairs independently and with no influence from third parties.

``The decision follows a letter sent by FIFA to the NFA on July 4, in which it expressed its great concern after the NFA was served with court proceedings and consequently an order.

``The order preventing the Chairman of the NFA, the NFA Executive Committee members and the NFA Congress from running the affairs of Nigerian football was granted by a Nigerian High Court.

``The said court order compelled the Nigerian Minister of Sports to appoint a senior member of the civil service to manage the NFA until the matter was heard in court, without giving any date for such a hearing.

``The authorities then appointed a person who decided to convene an Extraordinary General Assembly (EGA) on July 5 and this EGA was convened in violation of the NFA Statutes.

`` Whereas, originally, an elective congress had been planned by the NFA to take place on Aug. 26, 2014.’’

The statement added however that Nigeria’s suspension would be lifted once the court actions have been withdrawn.

``And after the properly elected NFA Executive Committee, the NFA general assembly and the NFA administration are able to work without any interference in their affairs.

``As a result of this decision, no team from Nigeria of any sort (including clubs) can have any international sporting contact, according to article 14 paragraph 3 of the FIFA Statutes.

``During the period of suspension, the NFA may not be represented in any regional, continental or international competitions, including at club level, or in friendly matches.

``The most immediate effect is that Nigeria will not be entitled to participate in the upcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup should the suspension not be lifted by July 15.’’

``In addition, neither the NFA nor any of its members or officials may benefit from any FIFA or CAF development programmes, courses or training during the suspension period,’’ the statement said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup is scheduled to hold from Aug. 5 to Aug. 24 in Canada. (NAN)

BAN ON ON STREET PROTESTS: FCT POLICE BOSS ASKS COURT TO VACATE RULING

The FCT Police Commissioner, Joseph Mbu has approached an Abuja High Court seeking to vacate the recent decision to the ban of mass protests against the missing Chibok students.  The ruling, followed a suit by former House of Representatives member, Dino Melaye on the violation of his fundamental human rights.

DINO MELAYE

In a suit filed at the Federal Capital Territory by Mbu’s Counsel, Simon Lar, the FCT Police boss is praying the court to set aside the High Court ruling on the ban.

JOSEPH MBU, FCT POLICE BOSS

Mr Mbu contended that the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the suit by Dino Melaye, as the police is an agent of the federal government.  Mbu further contended that the mandatory five days reply was not exhausted before the court’s verdict.

In a counter argument, Counsel to Melaye, Rueben Eguaba held that the respondent’s claim was outside section 46 of the 1999 constitution, as both the police and the federal high court have concurrent jurisdiction over the matter.

Justice Mohammed Talba later adjourned the matter to July 21^st for ruling.

ORGAN TRANSPLANTS 'ON THE RISE'

The number of organ transplants is continuing to rise, but the UK still lags behind other countries, official figures show.

There were 4,655 transplants carried out in 2013-14 - a 10% rise on the year before and the eighth year in succession the numbers have gone up.

But the NHS Blood and Transplant data showed three people a day still died because of a shortage of donors.

By 2020 the NHS wants to increase the donor rate by more than 50%.

That would bring the UK in line with the best performing countries such as Spain.

The big push in recent years has been translating the number of people on the donor register - just over 20 million currently - into organs being made available.

Four in 10 families block organ donation after a loved one has died, despite them being registered as an organ donor.

Hospitals have increasingly been employing more specialist organ-donation nurses to approach and support bereaved relatives in hospitals to try to rectify this.

But Sally Johnson, of NHS Blood and Transplant, said it was also essential those signing up to the organ donor register let their families know and discussed it with them before death.

"Family refusal is our biggest problem and it's sad we lag behind some other countries in terms of consent," she said.

"We understand that families often have to consider donation in their darkest hour. So rather than wait for that moment, please ask yourself now whether you think it is right to accept people dying in need of a transplant in the UK?

"If we would accept an organ for ourselves or would want someone we love to be saved by a transplant shouldn't we be willing to donate too?"

Not all donations come from dead patients, however, with just over 1,000 of the transplants last year achieved by donations from living people, the figures showed.    (BBC)

Have you or a close relative undergone an organ transplant? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Organ transplant'.