The criteria for nomination was based on selfless service; enduring achievements; sincerity of purpose; resilience; patriotism; uprightness; respectability and incorruptibility.

And in Abuja, President Umaru Yar’Adua, reacting to the news that militant leader, Ateke Tom, was ready to embrace the Government’s amnesty offer said “it would be a great joy for me to personally accept the first militant leader who takes advantage of this amnesty.”

According to him, “ this could be substantiated by the participation by Nigerian Armed Forces in peace keeping and peace enforcement operations in Somalia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Sudan and Yugoslavia, to mention a few, all of which its members earned commendations; therefore their so-called claims hold no waters. They (MEND) are just a body of criminals that has run out of ideas.

By Tony Edike ENUGU—THE Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu said yesterday that he was determined to ensure that the de ceased former Governor of old Anambra  State and  his in-law, Chief Christian Onoh was given a befitting burial.

By Ise-Oluwa Ige ABUJA—A Judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Justice Mrs. Akua Kuenyehia yesterday disclosed that the ICC has the jurisdiction to prosecute the masterminds of crimes against humanity taking place in the Niger Delta if Nigeria sends a petition to it for intervention.