DUBLIN – The Algerian army opened fire on vehicles as Islamist gunmen tried to move their hostages from a gas plant, the Irish foreign minister said late Thursday after speaking to the wife of a man who escaped.

The hostages were forced to wear explosives as they were moved from the In Amenas facility, foreign minister Eamon Gilmore said after a conversation with the wife of Stephen McFaul, a man from Northern Ireland who has an Irish passport.

Gilmore told CNN that it was his understanding from the account that the Algerian army intervened when the kidnappers attempted to move their captives in a convoy of vehicles.

“The kidnappers attempted to move their captives by convoy. The Algerian authorities, it would appear, attempted to stop that from happening and in the ensuing confusion Stephen McFaul escaped and was brought to safety,” he said.

“The information that I have is that there were five vehicles involved; four of those vehicles were hit.

“The vehicle in which Stephen McFaul was, was not hit and he managed to get away, but as I said it’s still at a very early stage and we’re still assembling the information,” Gilmore said.

“I have been told at the stage where they were being transported explosives were strapped to them.”

It is expected that McFaul, a 36-year-old electrical engineer, will return to Northern Ireland on Friday.

There is mounting international criticism of the way the Algerian government mounted the attack on the plant, amid reports that many foreign hostages may have been killed in the assault.(AFP)

By Suzan Edeh

BAUCHI—tHE Bauchi State Government, yesterday, threatened to sack any primary school teacher without a genuine National Certificate in Education,NCE.

Governor Isa Yuguda who stated this while inspecting projects at Government Girls Arabic College, Alkaleri, said that government would not hesitate to sack non-NCE holders in the state.

Lamenting that the educational standard in the state had fallen drastically, he said that government was left with no other choice than to take drastic measures to santize the sector.

The governor said: “We are committed to the building and promoting of the standard of our educational institutions in the state so that our children can have a bright future. We want a government that will impact positively on the lives of its citizens by ensuring that the quality of education was up to standard.

“Those agitating over our decision and are thinking that we did wrong to them, should come out to defend their NCE qualifications that they claim they acquired from government approved institutions. The primary school teachers who are challenging the decision of the government over the screening exercise in the state should come forward with clear evidence and present their original NCE certificates to avoid being sacked.

“It has come to our notice that most of the NCE certificates presented by primary school teachers are not authentic and so many of the teachers secured their employment by the state government with fake certificates.”

Argentina’s Lionel Messi is undisputedly one of the most popular sporting personalities on the planet right now, with his goals played and replayed countless times in every corner of the globe and shirts with his name on donned by kids in even the unlikeliest of places. Not that the Rosario-born superstar, who has recently turned 25, has let any of it go to his head.

On the contrary, in fact, with his interview responses revealing him to be extremely reserved off the pitch – a far cry from the breathtaking and eye-catching performer that lights up the field when turning out for FC Barcelona or La Albiceleste. Just moments prior to collecting his fourth consecutive FIFA Ballon d’Or, the man who in 2012 set an all-time record for goals scored in a calendar year spoke to FIFA.com about an up-and-down 12 months.

Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi receives the FIFA Ballon d’Or award during the FIFA Ballon d’Or awards ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich on January 7, 2013. AFP PHOTO

On the agenda in this exclusive interview were such topics as Argentina’s fine current form, the change in attitudes towards him in his homeland and his hopes for full recoveries for Barça colleagues Eric Abidal and Tito Vilanova.

FIFA.com: You’ve come to the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala for six years in a row now. Does coming to this kind of event become something of a habit or does it always feel exciting?
Lionel Messi: To be honest, it hasn’t become a habit for me. Even though these events are similar or practically the same, every year is special. Just being here is always different: it’s always a lovely feeling knowing what days like this mean. And, what’s more, it’s a sign that you’re doing a good job.

When you first came back in 2007 you were a shy, long-haired youngster, but you’ve changed an awful lot since then, right?
So much! It’s true yes, a lot of things have happened to me and obviously I’ve grown up both as a player and a person. That was a lot of years ago, the first time I came I would’ve been 18 or 19. I’ve become more mature, my personality has developed and my career has taken shape. Loads of things have changed.

Diego Maradona often says that after the 2008 FIFA Ballon d’Or, when you finished second to Cristiano Ronaldo, he told you never to finish second again. Is that really the case?
To tell the truth I can’t even remember when Diego told me that (laughs), but it’s true that I went on to win the next three after that. Just being here is spectacular.

We’ve fired people’s enthusiasm and I’d say we’re more united than ever.

Messi on Argentina
You set a new record by scoring 91 goals over the course of 2012. If you had to highlight just one of them, which would it be?
Like I’ve said many times before, I’m always more likely to remember goals for their importance rather than if they’re beautiful or not. Goals scored in finals for example. So, in this case, the one I scored against Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey is the most important.

And, personally speaking, what would be your highlight of the year?
I think it was a good year overall. Although I would have liked to have won more with my club, I think it turned out to be a positive year with the Argentinian national team. That meant a lot to us all and that’s what I’d highlight: the national team having a great year after things not having gone well for such a long time.

What changed to finally help you hit your best form with La Albiceleste?
The national team in itself changed. For things to go well it depends on everybody involved, not just one player. And it’s not as if things were only going badly for me before, things weren’t right with the national team as a whole, for whatever reason. But once we started winning and our results improved, everything got easier. The fans are behind us, the press aren’t as critical as they have been in the past and we’re able to get on with the job in a different, calmer way. On top of that you end up getting more respect from opponents because of the form you’re in. The biggest change was the results, simple as that.

Do you feel more appreciated back in Argentina now?
Yes, I do. We’ve been fortunate enough to play in the capital, in the country’s interior region and all over the place, and the way the fans treated me and the team was amazing. That’s something we earned with our results and our football. We’ve fired people’s enthusiasm and I’d say we’re more united than ever.

You scored several hat-tricks in 2012, but was the one against Brazil in June’s 4-3 friendly win the most special?
They’re all special, aren’t they? But, in the way they came about and who they were against, regardless of the fact it was a friendly, those three goals were extra-special. But it’s scoring goals that’s great, whether against Brazil or anybody else.

Turning back to Barcelona, any doubts that surrounded the club when Pep Guardiola departed have now been dispelled. Have there been changes since Tito Vilanova took over as coach?
Yes, of course. The way we work and prepare for games is the same, but what’s changed is that Guardiola and Tito have different personalities and different ways of handling the squad. They’ve each got their own ideas and own style, but when it comes to playing and training we’re doing the same things we’ve been doing these past four years.

They hit us hard. It seemed like it was one thing after another, and they’re things that count much more than results or form.

Messi on Abidal and Vilanova’s health problems
This year has been a testing one for non-footballing issues, such as Pep’s exit and the health problems suffered by Eric Abidal and Vilanova. The Barça squad is known for being very tight-knit, but how hard did these events hit you all?

To be honest, they hit us hard. It seemed like it was one thing after another, and they’re things that count much more than results or form. They’re really awful situations. Of course we were hit hard, but we somehow managed to get through all of that by sticking together throughout. And thank God things began looking up for both Abidal and Tito. Though he (Vilanova) has still got to keep us his treatment, all the signs are good. That’s what matters most.

As far as this season’s La Liga race is concerned, is it hard not to get complacent now you’re so far ahead of the chasing pack?
We’re very aware that there’s a long way to go yet. Our La Liga hopes are in our hands thanks to the lead we’ve got and the way we’ve gone about things, but we can’t afford to relax. We know how good Atletico Madrid are, as we’ve played them already and they’re a great side. And you can never write Real Madrid off because they’ll fight till the end and they’ve clawed back big points’ deficits on us more than once. We’re not taking our foot off the gas, though we’re confident we won’t have problems staying on the same track.

Not long ago the renowned Uruguayan writer and journalist Eduardo Galeano wrote: “Me gusta Messi porque no se cree Messi” (I like Messi because he doesn’t think he’s Messi). Is that the case? Are you aware of your impact on this era in the modern game?

I don’t know. I’m just trying to keep doing my job and enjoying what happens to me, what we do and what we achieve every day. There isn’t time to sit and think about what you’ve been doing because everything happens so fast: as soon as one thing finishes another begins. I think that generally, as I’ve said many times, people are going to remember this Barcelona team once it’s gone, once time goes by. That’s when it’ll be awarded much more significance. And on a personal note, I think it won’t be until after I’ve retired that I’m fully aware of what I’ve done or what I’ve gone on to achieve in my career.

One of the aspects of your game that most catches our eye is the fact you’ll always chase seemingly lost causes and never deliberately go to ground. Is that something you’re born with or have learned?
To tell you the truth, I’ve been that way my whole life, since I was little. I’ve always tried to keep hold of the ball and keep going, whatever happens, and I still try to do that today. Every year I try to grow as a player and not get stuck in a rut. I try to improve my game in every way possible. But that trait is not something I’ve worked on, it’s part of me.

One last question: when you made a toast with your loved ones on New Year’s Eve, what did you wish for 2013 to bring?
Of course, my son is now my number one priority. It’s been a very nice and very big change and we’ll always put him first. Then I wished for Abidal and Tito to get well and put their health issues behind them for good. That and good health for me, my family and all my loved ones. After all that, on a sporting front, hopefully we can carry on what we’ve been doing and pick up some more silverware.

Taken from FIFA.com

BY JACOB AJOM
The Super Eagles of Nigeria flew into South Africa Wednesday and are about settling down in the former apartheid enclave for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations  which begins Saturday.

Before their departure from Faro, Portugal, where the team had been camping for the past two weeks, head coach, Stephen Keshi declared  that his main task was to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians.

Keshi

Speaking in Faro, Keshi said, “the level of concentration has been high, high level of discipline and team work. I pray they continue like this throughout.

“What I have noticed that needs to be improved upon is their attitude. Their attitude in the game must improve and we are working on that. I am happy that the boys have been talking to themselves.

“I am happy the boys have realised it and they have to step up our game for us to achieve anything tangible for Nigeria in South Africa.”

Asked if he was under any pressure to do well at the tournament, Keshi smiled and said, “I am not under any pressure from any quarters. Perhaps, the only pressure I am under is from my own quarters. It’s from myself because I want to bring back smiles to the faces of Nigerians.

“People always want to put you under pressure. They tell you what they want, but I don’t listen to them.

People say what they want to say, if it is good I take it if not I ignore them. We live with that kind of pressure everyday, but I only do what I believe will be good for the team.”

LONDON (AFP) – The United States will become almost self-sufficient for its energy needs by 2030, boosted by shale oil and gas output and slowing demand, British energy giant BP forecast on Wednesday.

“By 2030, increasing production and moderating demand will result in the United States being 99-percent self-sufficient in net energy; in 2005 it was only 70-percent self-sufficient,” BP said in its latest Energy Outlook report.

“Meanwhile, with continuing steep economic growth, major emerging economies such as China and India will become increasingly reliant on energy imports. These shifts will have major impacts on trade balances.”

The London-listed giant added that the rapid growth of unconventional energy sources — like shale gas and oil which is extracted from low-pressure fractures in the ground — would redraw the global energy landscape.

“Strong growth in production from unconventional sources of gas and oil will have a major impact on global energy markets to 2030, redefining expectations for major economies and rebalancing global trade flows,” it said.

Unconventional oil sources were meanwhile forecast to provide all of the net growth in global oil supply needs until 2020, and more than 70 percent of growth to 2030, according to BP.

The Paris-based International Energy Agency had in November forecast that the US would become the world’s top oil producer over the course of the next two decades, overtaking Saudi Arabia on the back of surging shale oil and gas output.

Wednesday’s report was published on the same day that Al-Qaeda militants from Mali attacked a gas field run by BP in southern Algeria, killing one person and kidnapping one French and four Japanese staff, officials said.

The attack appears to be the first reprisal against Western interests for a French-backed offensive against jihadists in neighbouring Mali.

By Our Reporters

…As Uduaghan promises job opportunities to ex-servicemen
FORMER President, Olusegun Obasanjo, Tuesday, cautioned Nigerian leaders against acts that could lead to another civil war, even as he shunned the request by Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, to lay a wreath at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Abeokuta.

Obasanjo who spoke on the occasion for fallen heroes at Arcade ground in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State, said Nigerians should learn from history. He urged government at all levels to remember the families of the slain soldiers.

Lamenting the loss of many security personnel during civil and international wars, he said Nigerian leaders should ensure that  what led to the previous wars did not reccur.

According to Obasanjo, “war is not a picnic. When you engage in wars, lives are bound to be lost. That is why, as much as possible, wars should be avoided. For us in Nigeria, even when we were fighting against the colonial power, we lost Nigerians in Burma, in East Africa. But since the days of the constabulary, because that is where the Nigerian Army started from, Nigerian security forces have been losing lives either in support of civil authority or in fighting local wars.

Constant reminders
”The aim  of this celebration is  to constantly remember the sacrifice that the fallen heroes have made. It is also to constantly remind  us that they left families behind who need to be  catered for”

Meanwhile, there was a mild drama at the armed forces Remembrance Day ceremony when former President Obasanjo shunned the request by governor Amosun to lay a wreath.

When Obasanjo’s name was mentioned as part of the dignitaries to lay the wreath,the former President declined despite  pleas by the governor.

The programme was put on hold as many dignitaries including the Deputy governor, Segun Adesegun, the Iyalode of Egbaland, Alaba Lawson, pleaded with him to reconsider his stance.

Vanguard gathered that Obasanjo’s anger was because his name was not in the brochure as part of those that would lay the wreath.

File Photo: Gen. Obasanjo, Rtd

However, governor Amosun, the Brigade Commander, 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta, E E John, the commandant, Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Abeokuta  M A Adetunji, and the state Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Samuel Olaosebikan among others, laid wreaths.

Nation’s fallen heroes
In Bayelsa State, the government called on Nigerians to spare a moment of thought for families of the nation’s fallen heroes.

Governor Seriake Dickson, who made the appeal, yesterday, in Yenagoa on the occasion of this year’s armed forces remembrance day celebration, relived the trauma brought about by the death of  loved ones, saying, “Imagine what happens to the family of a soldier when he dies in active service.”

He was represented by his Deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd).

Similarly, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, has restated his administration’s resolve to rehabilitate the ex-service men and their families, especially those who lost their dear ones while serving the nation.

Speaking at this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day Ceremony  in Asaba, Uduaghan said the care of ex-service men should be seen as a responsibility while calling on Nigerians to take to the welfare of ex-service men in the country as a national challenge.

He said, “It is my belief that ex-service men, who served this great nation should be taken care of adequately. My administration will ensure that ex-service men in the state are exposed to some job opportunities and all promises made for their welfare will be fulfilled.”

In Ondo State, no fewer than 241 widows and wives of men of the armed forces have benefitted from the Armed Forces Resettlement and Empowerment Loan Scheme instituted by the Ondo State Government.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim, other Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police, taking the salute during the Wreath Laying Ceremony to mark the 2013 Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the Cenotaph, Eagle Square, Abuja, Tuesday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida

The N20 million revolving loan scheme was instituted by government to alleviate poverty among the wives and widows of the fallen heroes.

Over 200 women benefited from the scheme last year, while cheques of N100, 000 were distributed to new set of beneficiaries at this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration held in Akure.

Speaking during the celebration, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, said his government would continue to show concern for the welfare of the widows and wives of the men of the forces.

Mimiko who spoke through his deputy, Alhaji Ali Olanusi said “the event was very significant as it afforded the country the opportunity of paying respect to the fallen heroes. Mimiko said the empowerment programme put in place by government was meant to enable the families of the fallen heroes take care of themselves.

Defence of the nation
In Osun State, Governor Rauf Aregbesola, decried the neglect of some discharged soldiers, who fought in the defence of the nation by the concern authorities.

Governor Aregbesola spoke in Osogbo, yesterday during the Wreath Laying ceremony and commissioning of the newly renovated Military Cenotaph as part of the activities marking the 2013 Arm Forces Remembrance Day.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Otunba Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, lamented reports that the families of some soldiers that died in defence of the nation were yet to get their entitlements.

According to the governor, “Given the nature of the soldering profession as an organised armed service called upon to defend society to the death, how does the society respond to this ‘special calling’ through its treatment of the military and its members?

Does the society cater to its needs as an institution to be able to fulfil the essence of its special calling? And as individuals, what does the society offer them for their ultimate loyalty and patriotism in answering the call to lay down their lives on society’s behalf?

In Ekiti State, A House of Representatives member, Mr Opeyemi  Bamidele, called on  Federal Government to  make  special fund available  to cater for  the families of the fallen military officers

Bamidele, who represents Ado Ekiti-Irepodun-Ifelodun Federal, noted that many of the families of the fallen heroes  who  fought to preserve the territorial integrity of the nation were poverty-stricken

In a  statement   by his Media Aide, Ahmed Salami, in commemoration of the Day, Bamidele argued that staging annual parades in honour of these officers was not enough.

He said that government should take a step further,  by directly dealing with their families, saying “I am not against  annual honours for these men, but the Federal Government should do more. They should provide for their families who are suffering. We should remember that some of these fallen heroes fought many wars. They strived hard to keep the unity of this nation during the trying period and they deserve being taken care of, even after death.

“In light of this, a Special Fund can be set up by Federal Government to reach out to families of the fallen heroes, but before granting their requests, there should be evidence  that they are qualified to  make  such requests .”

Lafia – Nasarawa State Government on Tuesday announced its intention to convene a security summit to discuss strategies of averting frequent communal clashes in the state.

Gov. Umaru Al-makura, who announced this decision shortly after an emergency security meeting at the Government House, Lafia, disclosed that more than 50 people had been arrested in connection with the crisis.

The governor expressed worry about the constant killings among the different ethnic groups of Agatu, Eggon and Fulani.

According to him, traditional rulers, local government chairmen, elder statesmen and other stakeholders from the state will be invited for the meeting to discuss solution to the problem.

Al-Makura said that there was need for people of the state to continue to learn to live in peace with each other, irrespective of religious, tribal, political or ethnic differences.

“We strongly need this unity, if we are to continue to forge ahead as a united and indivisible entity,” he said.

According to the governor, without peace and unity, socioeconomic development will continue to elude any society.

He wondered why the people who have been staying peacefully with one another would now take arms against themselves because of an issue which could be amicably resolved.

The governor commended the efforts of the security operatives, especially the military personnel for the arrest and for restoring peace.

Al-Makura said that his administration would not sit on the fence watching disgruntled elements and enemies of the progress disturbing the peace of the land.

He assured that anybody found or linked with the crisis, no matter how highly placed in the society would face the full wrath of the law.

The emergency meeting had in attendance, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Abayomi Akeremale, alongside other chief security officers in the state. (NAN)