Four people who were among the youths protesting the NIS recruitment exercise that went awry few weeks ago,were arrested for attempting to dump nine coffins at the headquarters of the Ministry of Interior in Abuja on Wednesday(yesterday).
The security operatives, who were alerted in advance of the plan by some youths under the aegis of the Concerned Nigerian Unemployed Youths, also foiled attempts by angry youths to demonstrate at the ministry and the official residence of the Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, in Abuja.
It was learnt that the four leaders of the angry youths were picked up when they allegedly defied security instruction to leave the area.
The members of the group who gathered at the Area 1 Roundabout, were met with more than what they had bargained for. Eyewitnesses say the overzealous officers of the Corps had swooped down on them, confronted them and began asking them to leave. There was no permit issued from the police officials in respect to their protest.
The Leader of the group, Japhet Omojunwua, reportedly told the security agents that it was a peaceful protest, as the death of one of their colleagues still remains fresh in their memory. That explanation did not go down well with the law enforcement agents. Witnesses say one officer had slapped the leader of the group in the face several times, and then began kicking him to the ground. Within minutes, other security agents joined-in, numbering over twenty officers. It was a brutal attack.
After a thorough beating lasting over 15 minutes, Japhet Omojunwua was then pushed, and dragged to the security agents’ waiting Hilux Patrol Van, along other three members of the group. They were then all taken to an unknown location.
The Leader of the security squad who refused to identify himself, quickly removed his name tag shortly after the beating on Japhet Omojunwua. According to eyewitnesses the security squad leader then seized the iPads and cameras of some nearby journalists who were covering the protest.
A female security officer later identified as Rose Mary Inuwa, was the first to assault the protest group leader, according to eyewitnesses, before she was joined by others officers in the beating.
It was further learnt that the driver of a Pickup van, who was hired to drop the coffins at the ministry, escaped when the four leaders were arrested.
Meanwhile, an outrage followed the arrest of the protesters on Wednesday as many Nigerians said the clampdown on protesters amounted to a breach on constitutionally guaranteed freedom of peaceful protest.
A former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, while demanding the immediate release of the arrested persons, described their arrest as an attempt to gag the citizens from exercising their rights to peaceful protest.
“Learning to bear the pain of citizens’ protest is the hallmark of democratic maturity. Our government must learn this. You can’t gag citizens. I expect that officials of the Department of State Services have acute sense of how angry citizens are, about the immigration tragedy, and so will nip anything that fuels it more!” she wrote on her Twitter page.
Also, ex-minister of the Federal Capital Territory and Aviation, Nasir el-Rufai and Femi Fani-Kayode, also flayed the arrest of the protesters on Twitter.
“I call on the government to release Omojuwa. He is one of the most forthright voices in the land and he cannot be silenced,” Fani-Kayode said.
Omojuwa and three others arrested with him have however been released at the time of this report.
Showing posts with label Nigerian based news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nigerian based news. Show all posts
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Exposed: Nigeria's Female Minister in a N3.1bn private jet scandal
In what is seen as a reprisal attack, fresh allegations are flying over mounting profligacy by another female minister in the cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan. One of the remaining two super-female ministers is being alleged to be wasting billions from public purse to maintain a private jet.
A group, Concerned Aviation Professionals (CAP) in a petition to President Goodluck Jonathan against the minister whom they described as celebrated but most controversial in the history of Nigeria said she have committed up to N3.120 billion in maintaining the jet devoted to family businesses alone.
Although CAP fell short of mentioning names, researches by Economic Confidential suggest that the group could be referring to Mrs. Dieziani Alison-Madueke.
CAP requested Jonathan to immediately launch a probe into the ownership, maintenance and usage of the Challenger 850 Jet marked OE-ILA which was domiciled at one of the private hangers in a Nigerian airport in the last two years.
Continue...........
About 15 months ago, there were similar reports in the media linking a minister to a private jet impounded by the French government carrying a business associate of top public officers on suspicions that the jet-a Bombardier Global Express XRS- belongs to the public officer.
The jet was discovered to have been purchased by the Bank of Utah Trustee in June 2012 through the same process that was also used in purchasing private jets for the governors of Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.
The petition signed by Abdul Malik Masaya and John Obande Anihiru, a copy of which was made available to the Economic Confidential said CAP has “impeachable records which confirms that the super minister has been frittering away scarce Nigerian resources in maintaining the Challengers 850 Aircraft at one of the private Hangars in the Nigerian Airports in the last two years.
“The incontrovertible evidence we have is that the Minister has been committing 500,000 Euros (N130 million) monthly to maintaining the aircraft in the last two years. Thus, in two years, the Minister has committed the sum of N3.120 billion to keeping the jet which is used for personal use and that of the Minister’s family alone”, and thus demanded “a thorough probe of this allegation should start from the FAAN, NCAA and NAMA. The agencies have records of all the trips the Challenger 850 jet made on the payroll of one of the nation’s top revenue earning agencies.” Hmmmm...
The group said it “cannot comprehend the sense in keeping a plane solely for the use of a Minister, especially when the plane is not part of the Presidential fleet. We also know that Mr. President will promptly and readily oblige the Minister the use of any of the Presidential jets if it becomes imperative for the minister to embark on official trips on behalf of the government. Details at our possession include the series of flights the Minister had engaged in with the said plane in the last two years. The details include the different locations, time and date of the flights as well as the dates the plane returned to Nigeria at each instance. In fact we can confirm to you that the plane has been in use since July 2012.”
According to Economic Confidential independent findings however, this latest sleaze exposure might be a retaliatory action by a recently fallen super Amazon minister who was also caught in the act of monumental corruption perpetrated in some parastatals of the Ministry. Loyalists of the sacked minister claimed it was a jealous colleague within the administration that leaked the matter to the press.
There have been various speculations that in a bid to eliminate their rivals, some members of the cabinet engage in activities that will discredit such individuals by leaking confidential and sensitive documents to the public.
It would be recalled that Princess Stella Oduah was also accused of monumental corruption and wasteful spending following revelations that she forced parastatals under her supervision to procure armoured cars for her use to the tune of N255 million. There were speculations that she was not the only minister who had acquired armoured official cars in her fleet.
In the current allegation, the petitioners claimed that they have details of the series of flights the minister had engaged in with the said plane in the last two years. The details in their possession also include the different locations, time and date of the flights as well as dates the plane returned to Nigeria at each instance. They confirmed that the plane has been in used since July 2012 and that the waste has continued to gallop even in the wake of dwindling national budget.
In conclusion the petitioners admitted that “last year, there was outcry over the purchase of two bullet proof cars at N255m by the former Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah. Right now, the Minister is no longer in the cabinet and the Aviation sector has been reorganised. Incidentally, the bulletproof cars are available for public use. What do we then say of a Minister who lavishes billions of public money to maintain a private jet?”
SOURCE: ECONOMIC CONFIDENTIAL
A group, Concerned Aviation Professionals (CAP) in a petition to President Goodluck Jonathan against the minister whom they described as celebrated but most controversial in the history of Nigeria said she have committed up to N3.120 billion in maintaining the jet devoted to family businesses alone.
Although CAP fell short of mentioning names, researches by Economic Confidential suggest that the group could be referring to Mrs. Dieziani Alison-Madueke.
CAP requested Jonathan to immediately launch a probe into the ownership, maintenance and usage of the Challenger 850 Jet marked OE-ILA which was domiciled at one of the private hangers in a Nigerian airport in the last two years.
Continue...........
About 15 months ago, there were similar reports in the media linking a minister to a private jet impounded by the French government carrying a business associate of top public officers on suspicions that the jet-a Bombardier Global Express XRS- belongs to the public officer.
The jet was discovered to have been purchased by the Bank of Utah Trustee in June 2012 through the same process that was also used in purchasing private jets for the governors of Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.
The petition signed by Abdul Malik Masaya and John Obande Anihiru, a copy of which was made available to the Economic Confidential said CAP has “impeachable records which confirms that the super minister has been frittering away scarce Nigerian resources in maintaining the Challengers 850 Aircraft at one of the private Hangars in the Nigerian Airports in the last two years.
“The incontrovertible evidence we have is that the Minister has been committing 500,000 Euros (N130 million) monthly to maintaining the aircraft in the last two years. Thus, in two years, the Minister has committed the sum of N3.120 billion to keeping the jet which is used for personal use and that of the Minister’s family alone”, and thus demanded “a thorough probe of this allegation should start from the FAAN, NCAA and NAMA. The agencies have records of all the trips the Challenger 850 jet made on the payroll of one of the nation’s top revenue earning agencies.” Hmmmm...
The group said it “cannot comprehend the sense in keeping a plane solely for the use of a Minister, especially when the plane is not part of the Presidential fleet. We also know that Mr. President will promptly and readily oblige the Minister the use of any of the Presidential jets if it becomes imperative for the minister to embark on official trips on behalf of the government. Details at our possession include the series of flights the Minister had engaged in with the said plane in the last two years. The details include the different locations, time and date of the flights as well as the dates the plane returned to Nigeria at each instance. In fact we can confirm to you that the plane has been in use since July 2012.”
According to Economic Confidential independent findings however, this latest sleaze exposure might be a retaliatory action by a recently fallen super Amazon minister who was also caught in the act of monumental corruption perpetrated in some parastatals of the Ministry. Loyalists of the sacked minister claimed it was a jealous colleague within the administration that leaked the matter to the press.
There have been various speculations that in a bid to eliminate their rivals, some members of the cabinet engage in activities that will discredit such individuals by leaking confidential and sensitive documents to the public.
It would be recalled that Princess Stella Oduah was also accused of monumental corruption and wasteful spending following revelations that she forced parastatals under her supervision to procure armoured cars for her use to the tune of N255 million. There were speculations that she was not the only minister who had acquired armoured official cars in her fleet.
In the current allegation, the petitioners claimed that they have details of the series of flights the minister had engaged in with the said plane in the last two years. The details in their possession also include the different locations, time and date of the flights as well as dates the plane returned to Nigeria at each instance. They confirmed that the plane has been in used since July 2012 and that the waste has continued to gallop even in the wake of dwindling national budget.
In conclusion the petitioners admitted that “last year, there was outcry over the purchase of two bullet proof cars at N255m by the former Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah. Right now, the Minister is no longer in the cabinet and the Aviation sector has been reorganised. Incidentally, the bulletproof cars are available for public use. What do we then say of a Minister who lavishes billions of public money to maintain a private jet?”
SOURCE: ECONOMIC CONFIDENTIAL
Exposed: Nigeria's Female Minister in a N3.1bn private jet scandal
In what is seen as a reprisal attack, fresh allegations are flying over mounting profligacy by another female minister in the cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan. One of the remaining two super-female ministers is being alleged to be wasting billions from public purse to maintain a private jet.
A group, Concerned Aviation Professionals (CAP) in a petition to President Goodluck Jonathan against the minister whom they described as celebrated but most controversial in the history of Nigeria said she have committed up to N3.120 billion in maintaining the jet devoted to family businesses alone.
Although CAP fell short of mentioning names, researches by Economic Confidential suggest that the group could be referring to Mrs. Dieziani Alison-Madueke.
CAP requested Jonathan to immediately launch a probe into the ownership, maintenance and usage of the Challenger 850 Jet marked OE-ILA which was domiciled at one of the private hangers in a Nigerian airport in the last two years.
Continue...........
About 15 months ago, there were similar reports in the media linking a minister to a private jet impounded by the French government carrying a business associate of top public officers on suspicions that the jet-a Bombardier Global Express XRS- belongs to the public officer.
The jet was discovered to have been purchased by the Bank of Utah Trustee in June 2012 through the same process that was also used in purchasing private jets for the governors of Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.
The petition signed by Abdul Malik Masaya and John Obande Anihiru, a copy of which was made available to the Economic Confidential said CAP has “impeachable records which confirms that the super minister has been frittering away scarce Nigerian resources in maintaining the Challengers 850 Aircraft at one of the private Hangars in the Nigerian Airports in the last two years.
“The incontrovertible evidence we have is that the Minister has been committing 500,000 Euros (N130 million) monthly to maintaining the aircraft in the last two years. Thus, in two years, the Minister has committed the sum of N3.120 billion to keeping the jet which is used for personal use and that of the Minister’s family alone”, and thus demanded “a thorough probe of this allegation should start from the FAAN, NCAA and NAMA. The agencies have records of all the trips the Challenger 850 jet made on the payroll of one of the nation’s top revenue earning agencies.” Hmmmm...
The group said it “cannot comprehend the sense in keeping a plane solely for the use of a Minister, especially when the plane is not part of the Presidential fleet. We also know that Mr. President will promptly and readily oblige the Minister the use of any of the Presidential jets if it becomes imperative for the minister to embark on official trips on behalf of the government. Details at our possession include the series of flights the Minister had engaged in with the said plane in the last two years. The details include the different locations, time and date of the flights as well as the dates the plane returned to Nigeria at each instance. In fact we can confirm to you that the plane has been in use since July 2012.”
According to Economic Confidential independent findings however, this latest sleaze exposure might be a retaliatory action by a recently fallen super Amazon minister who was also caught in the act of monumental corruption perpetrated in some parastatals of the Ministry. Loyalists of the sacked minister claimed it was a jealous colleague within the administration that leaked the matter to the press.
There have been various speculations that in a bid to eliminate their rivals, some members of the cabinet engage in activities that will discredit such individuals by leaking confidential and sensitive documents to the public.
It would be recalled that Princess Stella Oduah was also accused of monumental corruption and wasteful spending following revelations that she forced parastatals under her supervision to procure armoured cars for her use to the tune of N255 million. There were speculations that she was not the only minister who had acquired armoured official cars in her fleet.
In the current allegation, the petitioners claimed that they have details of the series of flights the minister had engaged in with the said plane in the last two years. The details in their possession also include the different locations, time and date of the flights as well as dates the plane returned to Nigeria at each instance. They confirmed that the plane has been in used since July 2012 and that the waste has continued to gallop even in the wake of dwindling national budget.
In conclusion the petitioners admitted that “last year, there was outcry over the purchase of two bullet proof cars at N255m by the former Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah. Right now, the Minister is no longer in the cabinet and the Aviation sector has been reorganised. Incidentally, the bulletproof cars are available for public use. What do we then say of a Minister who lavishes billions of public money to maintain a private jet?”
SOURCE: ECONOMIC CONFIDENTIAL
A group, Concerned Aviation Professionals (CAP) in a petition to President Goodluck Jonathan against the minister whom they described as celebrated but most controversial in the history of Nigeria said she have committed up to N3.120 billion in maintaining the jet devoted to family businesses alone.
Although CAP fell short of mentioning names, researches by Economic Confidential suggest that the group could be referring to Mrs. Dieziani Alison-Madueke.
CAP requested Jonathan to immediately launch a probe into the ownership, maintenance and usage of the Challenger 850 Jet marked OE-ILA which was domiciled at one of the private hangers in a Nigerian airport in the last two years.
Continue...........
About 15 months ago, there were similar reports in the media linking a minister to a private jet impounded by the French government carrying a business associate of top public officers on suspicions that the jet-a Bombardier Global Express XRS- belongs to the public officer.
The jet was discovered to have been purchased by the Bank of Utah Trustee in June 2012 through the same process that was also used in purchasing private jets for the governors of Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.
The petition signed by Abdul Malik Masaya and John Obande Anihiru, a copy of which was made available to the Economic Confidential said CAP has “impeachable records which confirms that the super minister has been frittering away scarce Nigerian resources in maintaining the Challengers 850 Aircraft at one of the private Hangars in the Nigerian Airports in the last two years.
“The incontrovertible evidence we have is that the Minister has been committing 500,000 Euros (N130 million) monthly to maintaining the aircraft in the last two years. Thus, in two years, the Minister has committed the sum of N3.120 billion to keeping the jet which is used for personal use and that of the Minister’s family alone”, and thus demanded “a thorough probe of this allegation should start from the FAAN, NCAA and NAMA. The agencies have records of all the trips the Challenger 850 jet made on the payroll of one of the nation’s top revenue earning agencies.” Hmmmm...
The group said it “cannot comprehend the sense in keeping a plane solely for the use of a Minister, especially when the plane is not part of the Presidential fleet. We also know that Mr. President will promptly and readily oblige the Minister the use of any of the Presidential jets if it becomes imperative for the minister to embark on official trips on behalf of the government. Details at our possession include the series of flights the Minister had engaged in with the said plane in the last two years. The details include the different locations, time and date of the flights as well as the dates the plane returned to Nigeria at each instance. In fact we can confirm to you that the plane has been in use since July 2012.”
According to Economic Confidential independent findings however, this latest sleaze exposure might be a retaliatory action by a recently fallen super Amazon minister who was also caught in the act of monumental corruption perpetrated in some parastatals of the Ministry. Loyalists of the sacked minister claimed it was a jealous colleague within the administration that leaked the matter to the press.
There have been various speculations that in a bid to eliminate their rivals, some members of the cabinet engage in activities that will discredit such individuals by leaking confidential and sensitive documents to the public.
It would be recalled that Princess Stella Oduah was also accused of monumental corruption and wasteful spending following revelations that she forced parastatals under her supervision to procure armoured cars for her use to the tune of N255 million. There were speculations that she was not the only minister who had acquired armoured official cars in her fleet.
In the current allegation, the petitioners claimed that they have details of the series of flights the minister had engaged in with the said plane in the last two years. The details in their possession also include the different locations, time and date of the flights as well as dates the plane returned to Nigeria at each instance. They confirmed that the plane has been in used since July 2012 and that the waste has continued to gallop even in the wake of dwindling national budget.
In conclusion the petitioners admitted that “last year, there was outcry over the purchase of two bullet proof cars at N255m by the former Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah. Right now, the Minister is no longer in the cabinet and the Aviation sector has been reorganised. Incidentally, the bulletproof cars are available for public use. What do we then say of a Minister who lavishes billions of public money to maintain a private jet?”
SOURCE: ECONOMIC CONFIDENTIAL
Monday, March 10, 2014
Dino Melaye’s Group, Anti-Corruption Network Set To protest Against Petroleum Minister Alison-Madueke
The Anti-Corruption Network (ACN), led by former federal legislator Dino Melaye, is organizing what it described as “the mother of all protests” against the Petroleum Resources Minister, Allison Deziani Madueke and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), over the missing $20billion and other issues.
In a statement signed by Mr. Melaye, ACN said it would no longer keep quiet over issues that concern the Nigerian people and may destroy their future.
“Police and other security agencies should be ready to arrest, intimidate, harass, shoot and tear gas and maltreat us,” the statement said. “Nigerians should not be taken for granted. The time for change is now!”
“Through this protest we will prove that power truly belong to the people and will call the attention of the world on Nigeria. We have no other country to call our own but Nigeria. We will not allow bigots and power usurpers to destroy our God given country.”
The group noted that unprecedented mobilization for the protest is ongoing and that a date and time will soon be circulated.
“No one can stop a moving train. We shall and must salvage our fatherland even with our blood. We will prove that though tribe and tongue may differ but in brotherhood we stand,” it said in the language of Nigeria’s original national anthem. “We shall surely overcome the forces of evil.”
It stressed that corruption is the bane of Nigeria’s development and that ACN will fight it, warning that in an unjust society, silence is a crime.
In a statement signed by Mr. Melaye, ACN said it would no longer keep quiet over issues that concern the Nigerian people and may destroy their future.
“Police and other security agencies should be ready to arrest, intimidate, harass, shoot and tear gas and maltreat us,” the statement said. “Nigerians should not be taken for granted. The time for change is now!”
“Through this protest we will prove that power truly belong to the people and will call the attention of the world on Nigeria. We have no other country to call our own but Nigeria. We will not allow bigots and power usurpers to destroy our God given country.”
The group noted that unprecedented mobilization for the protest is ongoing and that a date and time will soon be circulated.
“No one can stop a moving train. We shall and must salvage our fatherland even with our blood. We will prove that though tribe and tongue may differ but in brotherhood we stand,” it said in the language of Nigeria’s original national anthem. “We shall surely overcome the forces of evil.”
It stressed that corruption is the bane of Nigeria’s development and that ACN will fight it, warning that in an unjust society, silence is a crime.
Friday, March 7, 2014
2015 Election: Gov. Ameachi warns of Anarchy in 2015
The Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, on Thursday came down heavily on the Goodluck Jonathan administration, alleging that it has institutionalised corruption in Nigeria.
Mr. Amaechi also warned that there would be anarchy if the 2015 general elections were not free, fair and credible because Nigerians had made up their mind to embrace change.
In a lecture he delivered at the 2nd Peoples Media Limited Conference in Abuja, the governor lamented that rather than fighting corruption, the Jonathan administration punish those who do.
The lecture titled, The Metaphor of Change and the Politics of 2015, was delivered on behalf of Mr. Amaechi by the Rivers State Information Commissioner, Ibim Semenitari, who said the governor was attending the National Summit of the All Progressives Congress, APC, which also held in Abuja.
The governor, who assessed the various regimes in the country from that of Tafawa Balewa in the First Republic to the current one, said corruption was not a repository of the military alone, stating that the politicians were also experts at it.
He singled out the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo for institutionalising the fight against corruption for the first time in the history of Nigeria through the creation of a state agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Corruption, EFCC.
The governor, however, said the degree of progress that was made might be open for debate especially as it was alleged that Mr. Obasanjo used the same agency to go after his political opponents.
“The progress made in fighting corruption began to erode under President (Umaru) Yar’Adua. His short-lived regime cannot be assessed in this wise. Currently in the present regime of President Goodluck Jonathan corruption appears to have been institutionalised.”
Mr. Amaechi said. “A whopping sum of $20 billion (N3.2 trillion) is alleged to be missing. The stories of both fuel and kerosene subsidy are nothing to behold; it reeks of corruption and rottenness. The aviation bullet-proof saga remains unresolved. The Shell-Malabu story is a macabre dance. The response of the regime to corruption is to imprison those exposing corruption.”
The governor stated that the suspension of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi, was unconstitutional.
“Constitution means nothing to the current government,” he said. “What we see is the re-emergence of civilian dictatorship.”
Mr. Amaechi noted that statistics emanating from both the World Bank and National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, indicated that unemployment rate was now 23 per cent in Nigeria, adding that it was far lower before the enthronement of the government of Mr. Jonathan.
He added, “Unemployment rate averaged at 14.6 per cent, reaching an all-time high of 23.9 per cent in 2011. It had an all-time high record low of 5.3 per cent in 2006. Nigerians live in want, hunger and penury. Unemployment and poverty may differ in regions to varying degrees, but it knows no faith or religion, knows no tribe or nation. It brews violence and has led to the annihilation of families in the North East and South-south of Nigeria. Death on the streets of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Kano, and Bauchi are no longer lessons for discussions; they are a daily occurrence.”
He noted that the current violence in the country had overwhelmed the government.
“Kidnapping is an everyday affair in the Niger Delta. It becomes strange, any day it does not occur. Political assassination is also on the rise. Violence is the order of the day,” the governor pointed out.
Mr. Amaechi said under the Jonathan administration, Nigeria had become famous for out of school children, saying, “We top the list with a figure of 8.6 million -10 million out of school children. Education is not affordable and accessible. Education infrastructures are deteriorating or non-existent. Beyond the education infrastructure are the softer issues, insufficient, poorly trained and ill-motivated teachers, a static curriculum, a lack of monitoring and quality control to ensure that education is not only available but is fit for purpose, competitive and qualitative.
The result is that our children leave school, half baked at best and uneducated at worst.”
He recounted that the Jonathan administration had spoken variously about its commitment to infrastructure development on a broader scale. He added that though the administration’s efforts in resuscitating the railways and its sale of the power infrastructure were commendable initiatives that should be followed through, complaints by the different buyers of the generation and distribution companies pointed to debilitating challenges in the roll out that might affect the government’s power delivery promises.
He pointed out that in the roads and maritime sector, much remained to be done while water and sanitation should have received better attention especially with donor agencies anxious to support investments in that sector.
Mr. Amaechi said it was evident that the failure by government to provide the appropriate environment for the people to thrive, and a failure to guarantee the people’s right could lead to a breakdown of society.
He stressed that democracy required more than just the right to vote and that democratic country had to guarantee basic human rights to every person.
“Although these rights are enshrined in the country’s Constitution, it is crucial that the rights are ensured and protected by government as well as the citizens themselves,” he said.
The governor stated that good governance was the responsibility of every democratic government working in the interest of the public, as was the smooth handing over of batons from one administration to another.
According to him, Nigeria was at the threshold of history with yet again another election, stressing that the electorate was already demanding a better deal.
He said, “The Electorate is already demanding a better deal. The poll commissioned by the All Progressive Congress being unveiled today has shown that more than half of those polled insist that they are dissatisfied with the status quo and want change. The message is clear: the people want to be allowed a chance to freely make up their mind about who should lead them.”
He however said in political circles, the drums of war and voices of intolerance was a source of worry because of the determination of the Federal Government controlled People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to guarantee free, fair and transparent elections in 2015.
“In political circles the drums of war and voices of intolerance gives cause for worry about the determination of the Federal Government controlled People’s Democratic Party to guarantee free, fair and transparent elections in 2015. It is crucial that the elite and those of us in government understand that disallowing free elections would not just be an albatross but could be an invitation to anarchy,” he said.
Source: PremiumTimes
Mr. Amaechi also warned that there would be anarchy if the 2015 general elections were not free, fair and credible because Nigerians had made up their mind to embrace change.
In a lecture he delivered at the 2nd Peoples Media Limited Conference in Abuja, the governor lamented that rather than fighting corruption, the Jonathan administration punish those who do.
The lecture titled, The Metaphor of Change and the Politics of 2015, was delivered on behalf of Mr. Amaechi by the Rivers State Information Commissioner, Ibim Semenitari, who said the governor was attending the National Summit of the All Progressives Congress, APC, which also held in Abuja.
The governor, who assessed the various regimes in the country from that of Tafawa Balewa in the First Republic to the current one, said corruption was not a repository of the military alone, stating that the politicians were also experts at it.
He singled out the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo for institutionalising the fight against corruption for the first time in the history of Nigeria through the creation of a state agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Corruption, EFCC.
The governor, however, said the degree of progress that was made might be open for debate especially as it was alleged that Mr. Obasanjo used the same agency to go after his political opponents.
“The progress made in fighting corruption began to erode under President (Umaru) Yar’Adua. His short-lived regime cannot be assessed in this wise. Currently in the present regime of President Goodluck Jonathan corruption appears to have been institutionalised.”
Mr. Amaechi said. “A whopping sum of $20 billion (N3.2 trillion) is alleged to be missing. The stories of both fuel and kerosene subsidy are nothing to behold; it reeks of corruption and rottenness. The aviation bullet-proof saga remains unresolved. The Shell-Malabu story is a macabre dance. The response of the regime to corruption is to imprison those exposing corruption.”
The governor stated that the suspension of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi, was unconstitutional.
“Constitution means nothing to the current government,” he said. “What we see is the re-emergence of civilian dictatorship.”
Mr. Amaechi noted that statistics emanating from both the World Bank and National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, indicated that unemployment rate was now 23 per cent in Nigeria, adding that it was far lower before the enthronement of the government of Mr. Jonathan.
He added, “Unemployment rate averaged at 14.6 per cent, reaching an all-time high of 23.9 per cent in 2011. It had an all-time high record low of 5.3 per cent in 2006. Nigerians live in want, hunger and penury. Unemployment and poverty may differ in regions to varying degrees, but it knows no faith or religion, knows no tribe or nation. It brews violence and has led to the annihilation of families in the North East and South-south of Nigeria. Death on the streets of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Kano, and Bauchi are no longer lessons for discussions; they are a daily occurrence.”
He noted that the current violence in the country had overwhelmed the government.
“Kidnapping is an everyday affair in the Niger Delta. It becomes strange, any day it does not occur. Political assassination is also on the rise. Violence is the order of the day,” the governor pointed out.
Mr. Amaechi said under the Jonathan administration, Nigeria had become famous for out of school children, saying, “We top the list with a figure of 8.6 million -10 million out of school children. Education is not affordable and accessible. Education infrastructures are deteriorating or non-existent. Beyond the education infrastructure are the softer issues, insufficient, poorly trained and ill-motivated teachers, a static curriculum, a lack of monitoring and quality control to ensure that education is not only available but is fit for purpose, competitive and qualitative.
The result is that our children leave school, half baked at best and uneducated at worst.”
He recounted that the Jonathan administration had spoken variously about its commitment to infrastructure development on a broader scale. He added that though the administration’s efforts in resuscitating the railways and its sale of the power infrastructure were commendable initiatives that should be followed through, complaints by the different buyers of the generation and distribution companies pointed to debilitating challenges in the roll out that might affect the government’s power delivery promises.
He pointed out that in the roads and maritime sector, much remained to be done while water and sanitation should have received better attention especially with donor agencies anxious to support investments in that sector.
Mr. Amaechi said it was evident that the failure by government to provide the appropriate environment for the people to thrive, and a failure to guarantee the people’s right could lead to a breakdown of society.
He stressed that democracy required more than just the right to vote and that democratic country had to guarantee basic human rights to every person.
“Although these rights are enshrined in the country’s Constitution, it is crucial that the rights are ensured and protected by government as well as the citizens themselves,” he said.
The governor stated that good governance was the responsibility of every democratic government working in the interest of the public, as was the smooth handing over of batons from one administration to another.
According to him, Nigeria was at the threshold of history with yet again another election, stressing that the electorate was already demanding a better deal.
He said, “The Electorate is already demanding a better deal. The poll commissioned by the All Progressive Congress being unveiled today has shown that more than half of those polled insist that they are dissatisfied with the status quo and want change. The message is clear: the people want to be allowed a chance to freely make up their mind about who should lead them.”
He however said in political circles, the drums of war and voices of intolerance was a source of worry because of the determination of the Federal Government controlled People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to guarantee free, fair and transparent elections in 2015.
“In political circles the drums of war and voices of intolerance gives cause for worry about the determination of the Federal Government controlled People’s Democratic Party to guarantee free, fair and transparent elections in 2015. It is crucial that the elite and those of us in government understand that disallowing free elections would not just be an albatross but could be an invitation to anarchy,” he said.
Source: PremiumTimes
2015 Election: APC Finally Unveils its Manifesto, Code of Ethics….Prioritise Job Creation
Nigeria’s main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, Thursday, unveiled its manifesto and code of ethics. The launch was done at a well-attended national summit of the party held at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
The party’s Code of Ethics, a set of rules it said will govern its activities, has ten principles by which the party commits itself to Nigerians.
A copy of the code of ethics, which was signed by the party’s leaders including its 16 governors stated that APC is committed to working towards a nation that is economically and socially vibrant, peaceful, just and secure.
The first item on the code of ethics said the party considers the Nigerian people as its greatest asset and that it will do everything to protect human life and dignity.
It also pledges to uphold a Nigeria that is bound by the principle of freedom, justice, peace, unity and the rule of law.
The code also said APC respects every person’s choice of faith. The party said, in the code, that it has no tolerance for corruption and would manage the country’s resources responsibly.
Other items in the code of ethics include a commitment to a strong system of government at all levels in order to preserve the unity of the country.
Also, the party’s manifesto, tagged ‘Road map to a new Nigeria’ stated that the APC’s philosophy is the welfare of the common man, and the assurance of a great future for the youth, and a decent and quality life for all.
APC said the test it has adopted for all its policies as contained in the manifesto is “Will this policy create jobs and benefit the youth and ordinary Nigerians?”.
It said the cardinal principle of its manifesto is the commitment to a nation where every citizen has the opportunity to work and earn a decent wage, and where the disadvantaged elderly, the disabled, and the unemployed are assisted by the state.
The APC said it is committed to a nation where the curse of corruption is no longer tolerated in its political, social and civic affairs.
Details of Manifesto
The first item on the APC manifesto is job creation. It said roughly one in four Nigerians and half of young job seekers are unable to find work, adding that the number of people whose jobs do not cover the cost of food and housing is even greater.
To this end, APC said it will create 20,000 jobs in each state of the federation immediately for those with a minimum qualification of Secondary School leaving certificate and who participate in technology and vocational training.
It said it will encourage state governments to focus on employment creation by matching every one job created by the state government with two jobs created by the Federal Government.
The party said it will provide a direct conditional monthly cash transfers of Five Thousand Naira to the twenty five million poorest and most vulnerable citizens upon demonstration of children’s enrolment in school and immunisation, in order, it said, to help promote job empowerment.
APC also said it will establish Technology/Industrial estates which will be fully equipped with ICT, Power and other support across the country to attract and encourage small scale technology businesses and other entrepreneurs.
The opposition party said it will provide allowances to discharged but unemployed Youth Corps members for 12 months while they seek jobs or acquire training and skills for job placement or entrepreneurship.
Other job creation strategies by the APC as contained in its manifesto is the establishment of plants for the assembly and ultimately the manufacture of phones, tablets, computers and other devices.
It also said it will pay a guaranteed indexed-link price to farmers to ensure that there is always a readymade market for their produce.
The party said it will provide one meal a day for all primary school students which will create jobs in Agriculture, including poultry, catering and delivery services.
The second item on the manifesto is the fight against corruption. The APC said it will show zero tolerance for official and /or private sector corruption.
It said it will place the burden of proving innocence in corruption cases on persons with inexplicable wealth, just as it pledges to pursue legislation expanding forfeiture and seizure of asset laws and procedure with respect to inexplicable wealth, regardless of whether there is a conviction for criminal conduct or not.
It also said it will guarantee the independence of anti-corruption and financial crimes agencies by legislation, charging their budgets directly to the consolidated revenue fund.
The party also pledge free, relevant quality education. It said it will make the right of every Nigerian child to receive a free, relevant and quality education a reality, based on free and comprehensive primary and secondary education.
It pledged the provision of free tertiary education to students pursuing science and Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
It said it will provide free tertiary education to Education majors while also paying them stipends prior to their employment as teachers.
Other major items on the APC manifesto include the review and restoration of the country’s agricultural sector, as well as the construction of one million low cost houses within the first four years as part of its Agric and Housing policies.
APC said it will provide free quality comprehensive health care based on national health insurance scheme. It also pledged to stop all foreign travels at government expense for the purpose of medical treatment.
In the area of peace and security, the APC said it will allow states to have their own local police forces that will address special needs of each community. It also said it will establish a serious crime squad with state of the art training and equipment to combat terrorism, militancy and ethno-religious communal clashes.
APC said its government will provide a comprehensive compensation plan for victims of ethno-religious crisis, communal clashes and terrorism.
Prior to the unveiling of the code of ethics and manifesto, the leaders of the party sat on a panel moderated by Kadaria Ahmed where they discussed how the legacy parties merged to form the APC and how they were able to surmount apparent challenges to form the party.
Also, Governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Fashola, who delivered the commencement speech, said the summit was coming at a time the country needs a party like the APC to provide the required change necessary to move to a better future.
The Lagos governor stated that the country’s potential is being bastardised by the party in power, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
“People are tired of the politicians who turn one group against another for their own political gain. We’ve all seen it. We all know how it works. We all know how demeaning it is to our nation,” the governor said.
Also, House of Representatives minority leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, while speaking on behalf of the APC House of Reps said the APC seeks a new Nigeria for the good of all.
“In APC, we speak of a New Nigeria where our God given human and natural resources are fully harnessed for the greater good. Every time I remember the words of the great Bob Marley I wonder if he had Nigeria in mind when he sang “in the abundance of water, the fool is thirsty,” he said.
Mr. Gbajabiamila took his time to describe the new Nigeria that the APC seeks to ensure.
“We speak of a New Nigeria that can truly be called a federal republic practicing a federal system and not a unitary system.
“We speak of a New Nigeria where other arms of government are truly independent and where the rule of law reigns supreme.
“We speak very expectantly of a New Nigeria where no child will be left behind and education will be a right and not a privilege and where being shoeless will no longer mean being clueless.
“A new Nigeria where the word impunity will become a thing of the past and 16 will no longer be greater than 19.
“We propose a New Nigeria where whistleblowers will be protected as is done world over and corrupt officials will be served their just dessert.
“Ladies and gentlemen we speak of a New Nigeria where no one is a second class citizen and where we will all be our brother’s keepers and though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we will stand.
“We must take our country back from rent seekers and extortionists. Apologies to Mallam ElRufai for this seeming surreptitious plagiarism, but we must take our country back from accidental public servants who do not give a damn and hand it over to those who care and are prepared and ready for the job,” Mr. Gbajabiamila said.
Source: PremiumTimes
The party’s Code of Ethics, a set of rules it said will govern its activities, has ten principles by which the party commits itself to Nigerians.
A copy of the code of ethics, which was signed by the party’s leaders including its 16 governors stated that APC is committed to working towards a nation that is economically and socially vibrant, peaceful, just and secure.
The first item on the code of ethics said the party considers the Nigerian people as its greatest asset and that it will do everything to protect human life and dignity.
It also pledges to uphold a Nigeria that is bound by the principle of freedom, justice, peace, unity and the rule of law.
The code also said APC respects every person’s choice of faith. The party said, in the code, that it has no tolerance for corruption and would manage the country’s resources responsibly.
Other items in the code of ethics include a commitment to a strong system of government at all levels in order to preserve the unity of the country.
Also, the party’s manifesto, tagged ‘Road map to a new Nigeria’ stated that the APC’s philosophy is the welfare of the common man, and the assurance of a great future for the youth, and a decent and quality life for all.
APC said the test it has adopted for all its policies as contained in the manifesto is “Will this policy create jobs and benefit the youth and ordinary Nigerians?”.
It said the cardinal principle of its manifesto is the commitment to a nation where every citizen has the opportunity to work and earn a decent wage, and where the disadvantaged elderly, the disabled, and the unemployed are assisted by the state.
The APC said it is committed to a nation where the curse of corruption is no longer tolerated in its political, social and civic affairs.
Details of Manifesto
The first item on the APC manifesto is job creation. It said roughly one in four Nigerians and half of young job seekers are unable to find work, adding that the number of people whose jobs do not cover the cost of food and housing is even greater.
To this end, APC said it will create 20,000 jobs in each state of the federation immediately for those with a minimum qualification of Secondary School leaving certificate and who participate in technology and vocational training.
It said it will encourage state governments to focus on employment creation by matching every one job created by the state government with two jobs created by the Federal Government.
The party said it will provide a direct conditional monthly cash transfers of Five Thousand Naira to the twenty five million poorest and most vulnerable citizens upon demonstration of children’s enrolment in school and immunisation, in order, it said, to help promote job empowerment.
APC also said it will establish Technology/Industrial estates which will be fully equipped with ICT, Power and other support across the country to attract and encourage small scale technology businesses and other entrepreneurs.
The opposition party said it will provide allowances to discharged but unemployed Youth Corps members for 12 months while they seek jobs or acquire training and skills for job placement or entrepreneurship.
Other job creation strategies by the APC as contained in its manifesto is the establishment of plants for the assembly and ultimately the manufacture of phones, tablets, computers and other devices.
It also said it will pay a guaranteed indexed-link price to farmers to ensure that there is always a readymade market for their produce.
The party said it will provide one meal a day for all primary school students which will create jobs in Agriculture, including poultry, catering and delivery services.
The second item on the manifesto is the fight against corruption. The APC said it will show zero tolerance for official and /or private sector corruption.
It said it will place the burden of proving innocence in corruption cases on persons with inexplicable wealth, just as it pledges to pursue legislation expanding forfeiture and seizure of asset laws and procedure with respect to inexplicable wealth, regardless of whether there is a conviction for criminal conduct or not.
It also said it will guarantee the independence of anti-corruption and financial crimes agencies by legislation, charging their budgets directly to the consolidated revenue fund.
The party also pledge free, relevant quality education. It said it will make the right of every Nigerian child to receive a free, relevant and quality education a reality, based on free and comprehensive primary and secondary education.
It pledged the provision of free tertiary education to students pursuing science and Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
It said it will provide free tertiary education to Education majors while also paying them stipends prior to their employment as teachers.
Other major items on the APC manifesto include the review and restoration of the country’s agricultural sector, as well as the construction of one million low cost houses within the first four years as part of its Agric and Housing policies.
APC said it will provide free quality comprehensive health care based on national health insurance scheme. It also pledged to stop all foreign travels at government expense for the purpose of medical treatment.
In the area of peace and security, the APC said it will allow states to have their own local police forces that will address special needs of each community. It also said it will establish a serious crime squad with state of the art training and equipment to combat terrorism, militancy and ethno-religious communal clashes.
APC said its government will provide a comprehensive compensation plan for victims of ethno-religious crisis, communal clashes and terrorism.
Prior to the unveiling of the code of ethics and manifesto, the leaders of the party sat on a panel moderated by Kadaria Ahmed where they discussed how the legacy parties merged to form the APC and how they were able to surmount apparent challenges to form the party.
Also, Governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Fashola, who delivered the commencement speech, said the summit was coming at a time the country needs a party like the APC to provide the required change necessary to move to a better future.
The Lagos governor stated that the country’s potential is being bastardised by the party in power, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
“People are tired of the politicians who turn one group against another for their own political gain. We’ve all seen it. We all know how it works. We all know how demeaning it is to our nation,” the governor said.
Also, House of Representatives minority leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, while speaking on behalf of the APC House of Reps said the APC seeks a new Nigeria for the good of all.
“In APC, we speak of a New Nigeria where our God given human and natural resources are fully harnessed for the greater good. Every time I remember the words of the great Bob Marley I wonder if he had Nigeria in mind when he sang “in the abundance of water, the fool is thirsty,” he said.
Mr. Gbajabiamila took his time to describe the new Nigeria that the APC seeks to ensure.
“We speak of a New Nigeria that can truly be called a federal republic practicing a federal system and not a unitary system.
“We speak of a New Nigeria where other arms of government are truly independent and where the rule of law reigns supreme.
“We speak very expectantly of a New Nigeria where no child will be left behind and education will be a right and not a privilege and where being shoeless will no longer mean being clueless.
“A new Nigeria where the word impunity will become a thing of the past and 16 will no longer be greater than 19.
“We propose a New Nigeria where whistleblowers will be protected as is done world over and corrupt officials will be served their just dessert.
“Ladies and gentlemen we speak of a New Nigeria where no one is a second class citizen and where we will all be our brother’s keepers and though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we will stand.
“We must take our country back from rent seekers and extortionists. Apologies to Mallam ElRufai for this seeming surreptitious plagiarism, but we must take our country back from accidental public servants who do not give a damn and hand it over to those who care and are prepared and ready for the job,” Mr. Gbajabiamila said.
Source: PremiumTimes
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Breaking news:FG closes 5 Federal Government Colleges in Yobe, Borno, and Adamawa state
Following the killing of over 40 students of the Federal Government College in Yobe State by Boko Haram members, the Federal Government has shut five FG colleges in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa
The schools that were shut down are:
*Federal Government Girls College, Munguno
*Federal Science and Technical College, Lassa in Borno
*Federal Government College, Potiskum
*Federal Government College, Buni Yadi in Yobe
*Federal Science and Technical College, Michika, Adamawa.
Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, made this known yesterday Wednesday March 5th. The schools were closed because they were considered to be located 'within the high security risk areas in the North.'. The schools will remain closed until the security situation in the states improves, while the teachers of the affected schools will be sent to new schools.
The schools that were shut down are:
*Federal Government Girls College, Munguno
*Federal Science and Technical College, Lassa in Borno
*Federal Government College, Potiskum
*Federal Government College, Buni Yadi in Yobe
*Federal Science and Technical College, Michika, Adamawa.
Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, made this known yesterday Wednesday March 5th. The schools were closed because they were considered to be located 'within the high security risk areas in the North.'. The schools will remain closed until the security situation in the states improves, while the teachers of the affected schools will be sent to new schools.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Sports Minister sacked as President Jonathan swears in 11 new Ministers
The Presidency this morning March 5th announced the sack of the Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi who has been replaced by Tamuno Danagogo.
President Jonathan also swore-in 11 new ministers and assigned them ministries. The ministers are:
Musiliu Obanikoro (Lagos), Minister of State Defence
Mohammed Wakil (Borno), Minister of State Power
Abduljelili Adesiyan (Osun), Minister of Police Affairs
Aminu Wali (Kano), Minister of Foreign Affairs
Akon Eyakenyi (Akwa Ibom), Minister of Land and Housing
Lawrencia Laraba (Kaduna State), Minister of Environment
Tamuno Danagogo (Rivers), Minister of Sports
Asabe Asmau Ahmed (Niger), Minister of State Agriculture
Aliyu Gusau (Zamfara), Minister of Defence
Boni Haruna (Adamawa), Minister of Youth Development
Khaliru Alhassan (Sokoto State), Minister of State, Health
President Jonathan also swore-in 11 new ministers and assigned them ministries. The ministers are:
Musiliu Obanikoro (Lagos), Minister of State Defence
Mohammed Wakil (Borno), Minister of State Power
Abduljelili Adesiyan (Osun), Minister of Police Affairs
Aminu Wali (Kano), Minister of Foreign Affairs
Akon Eyakenyi (Akwa Ibom), Minister of Land and Housing
Lawrencia Laraba (Kaduna State), Minister of Environment
Tamuno Danagogo (Rivers), Minister of Sports
Asabe Asmau Ahmed (Niger), Minister of State Agriculture
Aliyu Gusau (Zamfara), Minister of Defence
Boni Haruna (Adamawa), Minister of Youth Development
Khaliru Alhassan (Sokoto State), Minister of State, Health
Monday, March 3, 2014
Extremist and Islamic terror preacher gets Nigerian Visa
The Federal Government is reported to have granted visa to a renowned extremist and Islamic terror preacher, Dr Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips, who has been banned from a number of countries because of his messages. The Minister of Interior, Abba Moro said Philips was granted visa because he met the requirements.
According to the TelegraphNG ..........
“Philips who lives in Qatar has been issued a Nigerian Visa to visit and preach in the Country. The cleric has already been banned from countries like Australia, Germany, United Kingdom, United States of America, Kenya, amongst others.
Reports had it that the cleric celebrated his Visa issuance with his followers on his facebook on
Sunday morning, saying, “Al hamdu lillaah. I just got a visa for Nigeria and will be going there in a few days, in shaa allaah. So, I hope to see all my Nigerian brothers and sisters. Baarakallaahu feekum”.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, the Minister of Interior noted that every country has its own requirement for the grant visa and in Nigeria’s situation especially against “the back drop of our security challenges, we also have our requirement for granting of visas.
“We have our own black list too of people that because of our security situation should not be allowed into country. And if this preacher that you talk about for instance did not fall within the list of people black listed for their activities that are inimical to internal security. If he is preaching and the content of what he has submitted for the granting of visa that will not undermine the security of the country, then certainly we will grant him the visa. That is the purpose we have achieved here”.
He further said it was double standards, as “when the Nigerian government signed the anti-law and the west was complaining, we started that Nigeria nation is a sovereign country that should be allowed to determine it’s destiny and practices”.
He added that Nigeria will therefore not use” the refusal of visa by Germany, UK as a basis for refusing anybody visa here.
“I can assure you that the Nigerian security personnel are equal to the task of detecting whose activities that are inimical to the situation of this
country.
“Any moment that his preaching and activities are seen to be inimical to the security of this country I can assure you that we are up to the task of repatriating him as soon as possible.
“And his specific activities in this country guides the request that he has made which has also guided the action of the Nigerian immigration service in granting
the visa.
“Apart from the preacher any other person that gains entry to this country whose activities undermine the integrity and security of this country will be properly treated.”
According to the TelegraphNG ..........
“Philips who lives in Qatar has been issued a Nigerian Visa to visit and preach in the Country. The cleric has already been banned from countries like Australia, Germany, United Kingdom, United States of America, Kenya, amongst others.
Reports had it that the cleric celebrated his Visa issuance with his followers on his facebook on
Sunday morning, saying, “Al hamdu lillaah. I just got a visa for Nigeria and will be going there in a few days, in shaa allaah. So, I hope to see all my Nigerian brothers and sisters. Baarakallaahu feekum”.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, the Minister of Interior noted that every country has its own requirement for the grant visa and in Nigeria’s situation especially against “the back drop of our security challenges, we also have our requirement for granting of visas.
“We have our own black list too of people that because of our security situation should not be allowed into country. And if this preacher that you talk about for instance did not fall within the list of people black listed for their activities that are inimical to internal security. If he is preaching and the content of what he has submitted for the granting of visa that will not undermine the security of the country, then certainly we will grant him the visa. That is the purpose we have achieved here”.
He further said it was double standards, as “when the Nigerian government signed the anti-law and the west was complaining, we started that Nigeria nation is a sovereign country that should be allowed to determine it’s destiny and practices”.
He added that Nigeria will therefore not use” the refusal of visa by Germany, UK as a basis for refusing anybody visa here.
“I can assure you that the Nigerian security personnel are equal to the task of detecting whose activities that are inimical to the situation of this
country.
“Any moment that his preaching and activities are seen to be inimical to the security of this country I can assure you that we are up to the task of repatriating him as soon as possible.
“And his specific activities in this country guides the request that he has made which has also guided the action of the Nigerian immigration service in granting
the visa.
“Apart from the preacher any other person that gains entry to this country whose activities undermine the integrity and security of this country will be properly treated.”
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Sanusi’s Bid To Reverse Suspension rejected!!!
Suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s bid to return to office suffered a setback,Wednesday as the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, dismissed his ex-parte application that sought to reverse his suspension by President Goodluck Jonathan, pending the determination of an interlocutory motion he filed along with a suit he initiated, challenging the suspension.
Shortly after the applicant’s lawyer, Sam Kagbo, informed the court about the application, Justice Kolawole said he felt hesitant and constrained to grant the reliefs sought. He ordered that the respondents be put on notice.
The judge held that it was unsafe, at the current preliminary stage of the case, for the court to embark on granting far-reaching interim orders which have all the attributes of a mandatory injunction without hearing from the defendants. Justice Kolawole noted that, when defendants have been duly served with the originating summons and motion on notice, he intends to inquire whether, in the light of the Third Alteration Act, No: 20 of the Constitution, the Federal High Court has the jurisdiction to hear the case, irrespective of the questions for determination contained in the originating summons.
On plaintiff’s apprehension that a delay would occasion harm to his interest, the judge noted that the court possesses the powers to declare the suspension unlawful and order his return to office, if at the end of trial, it finds that the suspension was wrong. He added that even where the tenure had lapsed, the court could order the defendants to pay the plaintiff such remunerations and allowances, if his remuneration and allowances were also suspended while his suspension lasted.
He consequently adjourned to March 12 for hearing.
In a suit filed on Monday, Sanusi wants the court to among others, restrain the President and two others from giving effect to his purported suspension pending the determination of his suit. Also to be restrained are the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Culled from Nationonline
Shortly after the applicant’s lawyer, Sam Kagbo, informed the court about the application, Justice Kolawole said he felt hesitant and constrained to grant the reliefs sought. He ordered that the respondents be put on notice.
The judge held that it was unsafe, at the current preliminary stage of the case, for the court to embark on granting far-reaching interim orders which have all the attributes of a mandatory injunction without hearing from the defendants. Justice Kolawole noted that, when defendants have been duly served with the originating summons and motion on notice, he intends to inquire whether, in the light of the Third Alteration Act, No: 20 of the Constitution, the Federal High Court has the jurisdiction to hear the case, irrespective of the questions for determination contained in the originating summons.
On plaintiff’s apprehension that a delay would occasion harm to his interest, the judge noted that the court possesses the powers to declare the suspension unlawful and order his return to office, if at the end of trial, it finds that the suspension was wrong. He added that even where the tenure had lapsed, the court could order the defendants to pay the plaintiff such remunerations and allowances, if his remuneration and allowances were also suspended while his suspension lasted.
He consequently adjourned to March 12 for hearing.
In a suit filed on Monday, Sanusi wants the court to among others, restrain the President and two others from giving effect to his purported suspension pending the determination of his suit. Also to be restrained are the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Culled from Nationonline
Must Read: Centenary Anniversary Broadcast by President Jonathan
This is the national broadcast by Pres. Jonathan on the occasion of Nigeria’s Centenary Celebrations today Wednesday, 26th February, 2014.
Read Below:
Dear Compatriots,
1. I extend warm greetings and felicitations to all Nigerians as we celebrate our nation’s centenary; a significant milestone in our journey to Nationhood.
2. One hundred years ago, on the 1st of January 1914, the British Colonial authorities amalgamated the Southern and Northern Protectorates, giving birth to the single geo-political entity called Nigeria which has become our home, our hope, and our heritage.
3. I have often expressed the conviction that our amalgamation was not a mistake. While our union may have been inspired by considerations external to our people; I have no doubt that we are destined by God Almighty to live together as one big nation, united in diversity. Continue...
4. I consider myself specially privileged to lead our country into its second century of existence. And as I speak with you today, I feel the full weight of our hundred-year history. But what I feel most is not frustration, it is not disillusionment. What I feel is great pride and great hope for a country that is bound to overcome the transient pains of the moment and eventually take its rightful place among the greatest nations on earth.
5. Like every country of the world, we have had our troubles. And we still do. We have fought a civil war. We have seen civil authorities overthrown by the military. We have suffered sectarian violence. And as I speak, a part of our country is still suffering from the brutal assault of terrorists and insurgents.
6. While the occasion of our centenary undoubtedly calls for celebration, it is also a moment to pause and reflect on our journey of the past one hundred years, to take stock of our past and consider the best way forward for our nation.
7. Even as we celebrate our centenary, we must realise that in the context of history, our nation is still in its infancy.
8. We are a nation of the future, not of the past and while we may have travelled for a century, we are not yet at our destination of greatness.
9. The amalgamation of 1914 was only the first step in our national journey. Unification was followed by independence and democracy which have unleashed the enormous potentials of our people and laid the foundation for our nation’s greatness.
10. In challenging times, it is easy to become pessimistic and cynical. But hope, when grounded in realism, enables and inspires progress. Therefore, as we celebrate our first century of nationhood and enter a second, we must not lose sight of all that we have achieved since 1914 in terms of nation-building, development and progress.
11. Today, we salute once again the great heroes of our nation – Herbert Macaulay, Ernest Ikoli, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alvan Ikoku, Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye, Dr. Michael Okpara, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Mallam Aminu Kano, Mokwugo Okoye and Chief Michael Imoudu among others.
12. We must be inspired by our past to overcome the obstacles we face in the present and honour our forebears by realising the promise of a Nigeria that is not only independent but also truly unified, prosperous and admired the world over.
13. The history of Nigeria since independence is the story of a struggle to fulfill our great promise. The discovery of oil in our country in the late 1950s offered new hope of prosperity but we have not always been able to reap the benefits in a fair and equitable way.
14. The situation was not helped by political instability and the frequent suspension of democracy by military coups. During the civil war, the very existence of our country was cast into doubt but through it all, the promise of a Nigeria that is united, free and strong remained in our people's hearts.
15. Thanks to the efforts of our statesmen and women, and millions of ordinary Nigerians, the union endured and flourished. I would like to specifically commend members of the Armed Forces for their contributions and sacrifices to keep Nigeria one.
16. General Yakubu Gowon had the wisdom and grace to declare that the civil war had seen "no victor, no vanquished" and welcomed, "the dawn of national reconciliation".
17. It was in this spirit that General Olusegun Obasanjo collected the instruments of surrender at the end of the war and later became the first military ruler in our country to hand over power voluntarily to a democratic government.
18. While the Second Republic did not last, his fine example was later followed by General Abdulsalam Abubakar who paved the way for our current democratic dispensation which has lasted longer than the previous three put together.
19. As we celebrate our centenary, I believe that it is vital that we focus our thoughts on the vast potentials of a unified and progressive Nigeria; and build on the relative stability of the Fourth Republic to achieve accelerated national socio-economic development.
20. I also believe that the future greatness of our country is assured by the favourable tail winds of a resilient population, ecological diversity, rich natural resources and a national consciousness that rises above our differences.
21. We are a unique country. We have been brought together in a union like no other by providence. Our nation has evolved from three regions to thirty six states and a Federal Capital Territory.
22. We have transited from the Parliamentary to a Presidential system of government. We have moved our capital from the coastal city of Lagos to Abuja, at the centre of our country.
23. Today Abuja stands as a monument to our national aspiration for greater unity; it symbolises our dream of a modern nation unhinged from primordial cleavages and designed as a melting pot of our diversity.
24. If in our first century, we could build a new capital city, we can surely build a newer, stronger, more united and prosperous Nigeria in the next century that will be an authentic African success story.
25. The whole world awaits this African success story. With our sheer size, population, history, resilience, human and natural resources and economic potentials, Nigeria is divinely ordained to lead the African Renaissance.
26. That is why I am confident that in the next 100 years, those who will celebrate Nigeria’s second centenary, will do so as a united, prosperous and politically stable nation which is truly the pride and glory of Africa and the entire black race.
27. The key to the fulfilment of that vision is our continued unity as a nation. Perhaps one of the most amazing stories of our political evolution in the last hundred years is that an ordinary child of ordinary parentage from a minority group has risen to occupy the highest office in our country.
28. As we march into the next hundred years, it is my hope that mine will no longer be an extra-ordinary story but an accepted reality of our democracy that every Nigerian child can pursue his or her dreams no matter how tall; that every Nigerian child can aspire to any position in our country, and will not be judged by the language that he speaks or by how he worships God; not by gender nor by class; but by his abilities and the power of his dreams.
29. I am proud and privileged to have been elected leader of Nigeria and I consider it my solemn responsibility to act in the best interest of the nation at all times.
30. Dear compatriots, in line with the thoughts of that great son of our continent, Nelson Mandela, let us not judge ourselves, and let not the world judge us by how many times we have stumbled, but by how strongly we have risen, every single time that we have faltered.
31. Even as we remain resolute in our conviction that our union is non-negotiable, we must never be afraid to embrace dialogue and strengthen the basis of this most cherished union. A strong nation is not that which shies away from those difficult questions of its existence, but that which confronts such questions, and together provides answers to them in a way that guarantees fairness, justice and equity for all stakeholders.
32. My call for the National Conference in this first year of our second century is to provide the platform to confront our challenges. I am confident that we shall rise from this conference with renewed courage and confidence to march through the next century and beyond, to overcome all obstacles on the path to the fulfilment of our globally acknowledged potential for greatness.
33. I have referred to national leaders who did so much to build our nation in the past hundred years but nation-building is not just a matter for great leaders and elites alone.
34. All Nigerians must be involved in this national endeavour. From the threads of our regional, ethnic and religious diversities we must continuously weave a vibrant collage of values that strengthen the Nigerian spirit.
35. The coming National Conference should not be about a few, privileged persons dictating the terms of debate but an opportunity for all Nigerians to take part in a comprehensive dialogue to further strengthen our union.
36. I am hopeful that the conference will not result in parochial bargaining between competing regions, ethnic, religious and other interest groups but in an objective dialogue about the way forward for our nation and how to ensure a more harmonious balance among our three tiers of government.
37. My dear compatriots, as we celebrate our centenary, the security situation in some of our North-Eastern States, sadly remains a major concern for us. Just yesterday, young students, full of hopes and dreams for a great future, were callously murdered as they slept in their college dormitories in Yobe State. I am deeply saddened by their deaths and that of other Nigerians at the hands of terrorists. Our hearts go out to their parents and relatives, colleagues and school authorities.
38. We will continue to do everything possible to permanently eradicate the scourge of terrorism and insurgency from our country. We recognise that the root cause of militancy, terrorism and insurgency is not the strength of extremist ideas but corrupted values and ignorance.
39. That is why our counter-terrorism strategy is not just about enforcing law and order as we have equipped our security forces to do. It also involves expanding economic opportunities, social inclusion, education and other measures that will help restore normalcy not just in the short term, but permanently.
40. I want to reassure Nigerians that terrorism, strife and insecurity in any part of Nigeria are abhorrent and unacceptable to us. I urge leaders throughout Nigeria to ensure that ethnicity and religion are not allowed to become political issues.
41. I hope and pray that one hundred years from now, Nigerians will look back on another century of achievements during which our union was strengthened, our independence was enhanced, our democracy was entrenched and our example was followed by leaders of other nations whose ambition is to emulate the success of Nigeria; a country that met its difficulties head-on and fulfilled its promise.
42. Finally, Dear Compatriots, as we enter a second century in the life of our nation, let us rededicate ourselves to doing more to empower the youth of our country. Our common heritage and future prosperity are best protected and guaranteed by them. We must commit our full energies and resources to empowering them to achieve our collective vision of greatness in this second century of our nationhood.
43. That is the task before our country; that is the cause I have chosen to champion and I believe we will triumph.
44. I wish all Nigerians happy Centenary celebrations.
45. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
46. I thank you.
Read Below:
Dear Compatriots,
1. I extend warm greetings and felicitations to all Nigerians as we celebrate our nation’s centenary; a significant milestone in our journey to Nationhood.
2. One hundred years ago, on the 1st of January 1914, the British Colonial authorities amalgamated the Southern and Northern Protectorates, giving birth to the single geo-political entity called Nigeria which has become our home, our hope, and our heritage.
3. I have often expressed the conviction that our amalgamation was not a mistake. While our union may have been inspired by considerations external to our people; I have no doubt that we are destined by God Almighty to live together as one big nation, united in diversity. Continue...
4. I consider myself specially privileged to lead our country into its second century of existence. And as I speak with you today, I feel the full weight of our hundred-year history. But what I feel most is not frustration, it is not disillusionment. What I feel is great pride and great hope for a country that is bound to overcome the transient pains of the moment and eventually take its rightful place among the greatest nations on earth.
5. Like every country of the world, we have had our troubles. And we still do. We have fought a civil war. We have seen civil authorities overthrown by the military. We have suffered sectarian violence. And as I speak, a part of our country is still suffering from the brutal assault of terrorists and insurgents.
6. While the occasion of our centenary undoubtedly calls for celebration, it is also a moment to pause and reflect on our journey of the past one hundred years, to take stock of our past and consider the best way forward for our nation.
7. Even as we celebrate our centenary, we must realise that in the context of history, our nation is still in its infancy.
8. We are a nation of the future, not of the past and while we may have travelled for a century, we are not yet at our destination of greatness.
9. The amalgamation of 1914 was only the first step in our national journey. Unification was followed by independence and democracy which have unleashed the enormous potentials of our people and laid the foundation for our nation’s greatness.
10. In challenging times, it is easy to become pessimistic and cynical. But hope, when grounded in realism, enables and inspires progress. Therefore, as we celebrate our first century of nationhood and enter a second, we must not lose sight of all that we have achieved since 1914 in terms of nation-building, development and progress.
11. Today, we salute once again the great heroes of our nation – Herbert Macaulay, Ernest Ikoli, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alvan Ikoku, Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye, Dr. Michael Okpara, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Mallam Aminu Kano, Mokwugo Okoye and Chief Michael Imoudu among others.
12. We must be inspired by our past to overcome the obstacles we face in the present and honour our forebears by realising the promise of a Nigeria that is not only independent but also truly unified, prosperous and admired the world over.
13. The history of Nigeria since independence is the story of a struggle to fulfill our great promise. The discovery of oil in our country in the late 1950s offered new hope of prosperity but we have not always been able to reap the benefits in a fair and equitable way.
14. The situation was not helped by political instability and the frequent suspension of democracy by military coups. During the civil war, the very existence of our country was cast into doubt but through it all, the promise of a Nigeria that is united, free and strong remained in our people's hearts.
15. Thanks to the efforts of our statesmen and women, and millions of ordinary Nigerians, the union endured and flourished. I would like to specifically commend members of the Armed Forces for their contributions and sacrifices to keep Nigeria one.
16. General Yakubu Gowon had the wisdom and grace to declare that the civil war had seen "no victor, no vanquished" and welcomed, "the dawn of national reconciliation".
17. It was in this spirit that General Olusegun Obasanjo collected the instruments of surrender at the end of the war and later became the first military ruler in our country to hand over power voluntarily to a democratic government.
18. While the Second Republic did not last, his fine example was later followed by General Abdulsalam Abubakar who paved the way for our current democratic dispensation which has lasted longer than the previous three put together.
19. As we celebrate our centenary, I believe that it is vital that we focus our thoughts on the vast potentials of a unified and progressive Nigeria; and build on the relative stability of the Fourth Republic to achieve accelerated national socio-economic development.
20. I also believe that the future greatness of our country is assured by the favourable tail winds of a resilient population, ecological diversity, rich natural resources and a national consciousness that rises above our differences.
21. We are a unique country. We have been brought together in a union like no other by providence. Our nation has evolved from three regions to thirty six states and a Federal Capital Territory.
22. We have transited from the Parliamentary to a Presidential system of government. We have moved our capital from the coastal city of Lagos to Abuja, at the centre of our country.
23. Today Abuja stands as a monument to our national aspiration for greater unity; it symbolises our dream of a modern nation unhinged from primordial cleavages and designed as a melting pot of our diversity.
24. If in our first century, we could build a new capital city, we can surely build a newer, stronger, more united and prosperous Nigeria in the next century that will be an authentic African success story.
25. The whole world awaits this African success story. With our sheer size, population, history, resilience, human and natural resources and economic potentials, Nigeria is divinely ordained to lead the African Renaissance.
26. That is why I am confident that in the next 100 years, those who will celebrate Nigeria’s second centenary, will do so as a united, prosperous and politically stable nation which is truly the pride and glory of Africa and the entire black race.
27. The key to the fulfilment of that vision is our continued unity as a nation. Perhaps one of the most amazing stories of our political evolution in the last hundred years is that an ordinary child of ordinary parentage from a minority group has risen to occupy the highest office in our country.
28. As we march into the next hundred years, it is my hope that mine will no longer be an extra-ordinary story but an accepted reality of our democracy that every Nigerian child can pursue his or her dreams no matter how tall; that every Nigerian child can aspire to any position in our country, and will not be judged by the language that he speaks or by how he worships God; not by gender nor by class; but by his abilities and the power of his dreams.
29. I am proud and privileged to have been elected leader of Nigeria and I consider it my solemn responsibility to act in the best interest of the nation at all times.
30. Dear compatriots, in line with the thoughts of that great son of our continent, Nelson Mandela, let us not judge ourselves, and let not the world judge us by how many times we have stumbled, but by how strongly we have risen, every single time that we have faltered.
31. Even as we remain resolute in our conviction that our union is non-negotiable, we must never be afraid to embrace dialogue and strengthen the basis of this most cherished union. A strong nation is not that which shies away from those difficult questions of its existence, but that which confronts such questions, and together provides answers to them in a way that guarantees fairness, justice and equity for all stakeholders.
32. My call for the National Conference in this first year of our second century is to provide the platform to confront our challenges. I am confident that we shall rise from this conference with renewed courage and confidence to march through the next century and beyond, to overcome all obstacles on the path to the fulfilment of our globally acknowledged potential for greatness.
33. I have referred to national leaders who did so much to build our nation in the past hundred years but nation-building is not just a matter for great leaders and elites alone.
34. All Nigerians must be involved in this national endeavour. From the threads of our regional, ethnic and religious diversities we must continuously weave a vibrant collage of values that strengthen the Nigerian spirit.
35. The coming National Conference should not be about a few, privileged persons dictating the terms of debate but an opportunity for all Nigerians to take part in a comprehensive dialogue to further strengthen our union.
36. I am hopeful that the conference will not result in parochial bargaining between competing regions, ethnic, religious and other interest groups but in an objective dialogue about the way forward for our nation and how to ensure a more harmonious balance among our three tiers of government.
37. My dear compatriots, as we celebrate our centenary, the security situation in some of our North-Eastern States, sadly remains a major concern for us. Just yesterday, young students, full of hopes and dreams for a great future, were callously murdered as they slept in their college dormitories in Yobe State. I am deeply saddened by their deaths and that of other Nigerians at the hands of terrorists. Our hearts go out to their parents and relatives, colleagues and school authorities.
38. We will continue to do everything possible to permanently eradicate the scourge of terrorism and insurgency from our country. We recognise that the root cause of militancy, terrorism and insurgency is not the strength of extremist ideas but corrupted values and ignorance.
39. That is why our counter-terrorism strategy is not just about enforcing law and order as we have equipped our security forces to do. It also involves expanding economic opportunities, social inclusion, education and other measures that will help restore normalcy not just in the short term, but permanently.
40. I want to reassure Nigerians that terrorism, strife and insecurity in any part of Nigeria are abhorrent and unacceptable to us. I urge leaders throughout Nigeria to ensure that ethnicity and religion are not allowed to become political issues.
41. I hope and pray that one hundred years from now, Nigerians will look back on another century of achievements during which our union was strengthened, our independence was enhanced, our democracy was entrenched and our example was followed by leaders of other nations whose ambition is to emulate the success of Nigeria; a country that met its difficulties head-on and fulfilled its promise.
42. Finally, Dear Compatriots, as we enter a second century in the life of our nation, let us rededicate ourselves to doing more to empower the youth of our country. Our common heritage and future prosperity are best protected and guaranteed by them. We must commit our full energies and resources to empowering them to achieve our collective vision of greatness in this second century of our nationhood.
43. That is the task before our country; that is the cause I have chosen to champion and I believe we will triumph.
44. I wish all Nigerians happy Centenary celebrations.
45. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
46. I thank you.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
BokoHaram: Senate Committee urges Chief of Army Staff to relocate to Maiduguri (for now)
The Senate Committee on Defense and Army,which is led by Sen. Thompson Sekibo had on Wednesday in Abuja urged the Chief of Army Staff to relocate temporarily to Maiduguri. This call was made at the 2014 budget defense of the committee.
Sekibo said the committee condemned what it described as the atrocity being unleashed by Islamist sect Boko Haram on the innocent citizens of North Eastern Nigeria.
He said that as part of measures to curb the activities of Boko Haram, the committee also wanted all schools and health institutions from now on to be provided with special security. “We heard of your planned relocation to Maiduguri. We hereby as the committee overseeing your activities, direct that your office relocate temporarily to the 7th Division in Maiduguri. This is so that you take urgent and appropriate steps to quell the situation. The Chief of Army staff should also re-strategise on possible new ways of curbing these excesses and mobilise all military resources and face the insurgents,”Sekibo said.
The committee further called on President Goodluck Jonathan to mobilize all the needed resources for the Armed Forces to face the challenge. “This battle must be won to sustain our nation’s stability and unity as it is only in the atmosphere of peace and tranquillity that development can be carried out,” Sekibo said.
He also said the committee would take a tour of the three affected states when senate resumed from its recess.
In his response, the Chief of Army Staff Maj.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah said that the Army was in dire need of more funds. Minimah assured the committee that the Army was up to the task and it was just a matter of time before it would bring the insurgents to their knees.
Meanwhile, the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba condemned the killing of students in Yobe on Tuesday,he described it as the “crossing the border of decency”. In a personally signed statement, Ndoma-Egba said the killing of about 40 students showed that the sect planned to plunge Nigeria into a “bleak and blank future”.
He called for an urgent modification of the security strategy to include hot pursuit as this was permissible in international law.
Credit: (NAN)
Sekibo said the committee condemned what it described as the atrocity being unleashed by Islamist sect Boko Haram on the innocent citizens of North Eastern Nigeria.
He said that as part of measures to curb the activities of Boko Haram, the committee also wanted all schools and health institutions from now on to be provided with special security. “We heard of your planned relocation to Maiduguri. We hereby as the committee overseeing your activities, direct that your office relocate temporarily to the 7th Division in Maiduguri. This is so that you take urgent and appropriate steps to quell the situation. The Chief of Army staff should also re-strategise on possible new ways of curbing these excesses and mobilise all military resources and face the insurgents,”Sekibo said.
The committee further called on President Goodluck Jonathan to mobilize all the needed resources for the Armed Forces to face the challenge. “This battle must be won to sustain our nation’s stability and unity as it is only in the atmosphere of peace and tranquillity that development can be carried out,” Sekibo said.
He also said the committee would take a tour of the three affected states when senate resumed from its recess.
In his response, the Chief of Army Staff Maj.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah said that the Army was in dire need of more funds. Minimah assured the committee that the Army was up to the task and it was just a matter of time before it would bring the insurgents to their knees.
Meanwhile, the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba condemned the killing of students in Yobe on Tuesday,he described it as the “crossing the border of decency”. In a personally signed statement, Ndoma-Egba said the killing of about 40 students showed that the sect planned to plunge Nigeria into a “bleak and blank future”.
He called for an urgent modification of the security strategy to include hot pursuit as this was permissible in international law.
Credit: (NAN)
Fmr CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sues President Jonathan
Suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has finally sued President Goodluck Jonathan before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, challenging his suspension from office.
In a suit filed late Monday by some of his lawyers, including Kola Awodein (SAN), Sanusi is urging the court to, among others, restrain the President and two others from giving effect to his purported suspension, pending the determination of his suit.
Also to be restrained are the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), sued with the President.
Sanusi is pleading for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants from obstructing, disturbing, stopping or preventing him in any manner, from performing the functions of his office and enjoying in full, the statutory powers and privileges attached to the office of the governor of the CBN.
He said the interlocutory application he filed with the suit was necessitated by the issues raised in the suit.
Sanusi is of the view that delay could occasion irreparable, serious damage and mischief against him in the exercise of his statutory duties as the CBN Governor. He urged the court to grant the prayers contained in his interlocutory application, on the ground that the President’s alleged unlawful interference with the management and administration of the CBN, unless arrested, posed grave danger to the country’s economy.
He argued that granting his application will encourage parties to maintain the status quo, pending the determination of the substantive case. In a supporting affidavit, Sanusi averred that in the course of his duties as the CBN Governor, that he discovered certain discrepancies in respect of amounts repatriated to the federation account from the proceed of crude oil sales between the period of January, 2012 and July, 2013 and that he expressed concern in respect of the said discrepancies and had cause to inform the National Assembly of the said discrepancies because they affect the revenue of the federation and the national economy.
He stated that the President’s action, in purporting to suspend him from office, is aimed at punishing him for these disclosures.
Sanusi stated that he is challenging the President’s power to suspend him from office, noting that the President did not approach nor obtain the support of the Senate, based on his discussions with several senators, including Senator Bukola Saraki.
“I have been informed, and I verily believe the information given to me by Senator Bukola Saraki to be true and correct that the Senate did not give the President any support for my purported suspension and removal from office as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.”
Sanusi stated that the President’s actions in suspending him from office is contrary to provisions of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act relating to the appointment and removal of the CBN Governor and that his purported suspension amounts to unlawful interference in the administration and management of the apex bank and is illegal, null and void. He urged the court, in the interest of justice, to grant his reliefs.
The suit is yet to be assigned for hearing.
In a suit filed late Monday by some of his lawyers, including Kola Awodein (SAN), Sanusi is urging the court to, among others, restrain the President and two others from giving effect to his purported suspension, pending the determination of his suit.
Also to be restrained are the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), sued with the President.
Sanusi is pleading for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants from obstructing, disturbing, stopping or preventing him in any manner, from performing the functions of his office and enjoying in full, the statutory powers and privileges attached to the office of the governor of the CBN.
He said the interlocutory application he filed with the suit was necessitated by the issues raised in the suit.
Sanusi is of the view that delay could occasion irreparable, serious damage and mischief against him in the exercise of his statutory duties as the CBN Governor. He urged the court to grant the prayers contained in his interlocutory application, on the ground that the President’s alleged unlawful interference with the management and administration of the CBN, unless arrested, posed grave danger to the country’s economy.
He argued that granting his application will encourage parties to maintain the status quo, pending the determination of the substantive case. In a supporting affidavit, Sanusi averred that in the course of his duties as the CBN Governor, that he discovered certain discrepancies in respect of amounts repatriated to the federation account from the proceed of crude oil sales between the period of January, 2012 and July, 2013 and that he expressed concern in respect of the said discrepancies and had cause to inform the National Assembly of the said discrepancies because they affect the revenue of the federation and the national economy.
He stated that the President’s action, in purporting to suspend him from office, is aimed at punishing him for these disclosures.
Sanusi stated that he is challenging the President’s power to suspend him from office, noting that the President did not approach nor obtain the support of the Senate, based on his discussions with several senators, including Senator Bukola Saraki.
“I have been informed, and I verily believe the information given to me by Senator Bukola Saraki to be true and correct that the Senate did not give the President any support for my purported suspension and removal from office as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.”
Sanusi stated that the President’s actions in suspending him from office is contrary to provisions of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act relating to the appointment and removal of the CBN Governor and that his purported suspension amounts to unlawful interference in the administration and management of the apex bank and is illegal, null and void. He urged the court, in the interest of justice, to grant his reliefs.
The suit is yet to be assigned for hearing.
FG Increases International Passport Fee By 50%
The Federal Government has increased passport fee by 50%. According to a circular signed by the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Operations/Passport and released a few days ago titled ‘Passport Reforms’, applicants will now pay N15,000 instead of N10,000. Also applicants for change of data will pay now N30,000.
A newly introduced 64-page passport for frequent travelers will cost N20,000, while Passport for applicants 18 years and below will cost N8,750. It’s N15,000 between 18-60 and N8,500 for people above 60 years.
Female applicants, who apply for change of name as a result of marriage/divorce or deceased spouse, will pay N8,750, while processing fee for request for change of data will cost N30,000.
All payments will be made online going forward according to the circular
A newly introduced 64-page passport for frequent travelers will cost N20,000, while Passport for applicants 18 years and below will cost N8,750. It’s N15,000 between 18-60 and N8,500 for people above 60 years.
Female applicants, who apply for change of name as a result of marriage/divorce or deceased spouse, will pay N8,750, while processing fee for request for change of data will cost N30,000.
All payments will be made online going forward according to the circular
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Boko Haram :Attacks Federal Govt. College In Yobe, Kills 40 Students
men suspected to be Boko Haram members has in early hour of today attacked and killed dozens students of Federal Government College Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Yobe state Police Commissioner, Sanusi A Rufai confirmed that twenty nine male students were killed and twenty four structures that include the Administration block, students hostel and staff quarters were burnt down.
A resident in the area said he has counted 39 lifeless bodies within the premises. “The attackers started the operation around 12:15 unpertubed until after 4 am, the students were slaughtered and fired with guns.
I counted 39 copses” he said. The assailants stormed the school premises in 6 Hilux pick up vans and motorcycles and separated only the male students before they opened fire on them. “It was too horrible because, some of the students were slaughtered, some were burnt inside the hostel”, a source said.
He said that many school structures were burnt down along with the occupants including the staff quarters residents in Gujba.
The source also stated that three ambulances passed to the school to convey the dead and injured. Armed Security operatives were seen moving to the town, although there was no telecommunication network in the area. Army spokesman, Captain Eli Lazarus confirmed the attack adding that they are yet to know the number of casualties.
Source: DailyTrust
Yobe state Police Commissioner, Sanusi A Rufai confirmed that twenty nine male students were killed and twenty four structures that include the Administration block, students hostel and staff quarters were burnt down.
A resident in the area said he has counted 39 lifeless bodies within the premises. “The attackers started the operation around 12:15 unpertubed until after 4 am, the students were slaughtered and fired with guns.
I counted 39 copses” he said. The assailants stormed the school premises in 6 Hilux pick up vans and motorcycles and separated only the male students before they opened fire on them. “It was too horrible because, some of the students were slaughtered, some were burnt inside the hostel”, a source said.
He said that many school structures were burnt down along with the occupants including the staff quarters residents in Gujba.
The source also stated that three ambulances passed to the school to convey the dead and injured. Armed Security operatives were seen moving to the town, although there was no telecommunication network in the area. Army spokesman, Captain Eli Lazarus confirmed the attack adding that they are yet to know the number of casualties.
Source: DailyTrust
Monday, February 24, 2014
REVEALED: Plot to Impeach Nasarawa State Governor Uncovered?
Plans by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Presidency’s foot soldiers to remove Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Al-Makura and replace him with his deputy has been uncovered.
Daily Trust reports that :Members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly are reportedly involved with the impeachment plot, and already impeachable offences are being complied against the governor. The PDP has 19 members in the assembly, while Al-Makura’s APC has five lawmakers.
According to Daily Trust’s source, the PDP is already wooing Deputy Governor Dameshi Barau Luka, who has had a frosty relationship with the governor since last year, to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the impeachment, after which he would take over as a PDP governor and work for the party’s victory in Nasarawa in the 2015 elections. This, according to him is the “game plan”.
Luka has also reportedly been seen hobnobbing with PDP chiefs, including President Goodluck Jonathan, and he had criticised the APC for asking its federal lawmakers to block executive bills over “impunity” in Rivers State.
The state chapter of the APC later suspended the deputy governor from the party, citing the statements he made on the APC directive.
The source added that President Jonathan and other PDP bigwigs are scheduled to attend a big rally in the next couple of weeks in Lafia to receive APC defectors, among them the deputy governor as well as Senator Solomon Ewuga, an ally of the Nasarawa governor before the Ombatse uprising in May last year. He has already announced his defection to the PDP.
When contacted yester night, the Presidency said it ”has never wooed or invited the deputy governor of Nasarawa State to join the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). It is the deputy governor himself that has decided to defect to the PDP and Mr. President cannot say no to it.”
Meanwhile, The deputy governor was unavailable for comments by telephone yesterday, but his spokesman Danjuma Joseph denied any impeachment plot against Al-Makura.
Also, PDP’s national publicity secretary Olisa Metuh could not be reached for comments.
For his part, a spokesman for Governor Al-Makura, Mr. Iliyasu Ali Yakubu, did not confirm nor deny the impeachment plot when contacted by our correspondent. He said the governor had survived the lawmakers’ onslaught previously and remained steadfast.
Daily Trust reports that :Members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly are reportedly involved with the impeachment plot, and already impeachable offences are being complied against the governor. The PDP has 19 members in the assembly, while Al-Makura’s APC has five lawmakers.
According to Daily Trust’s source, the PDP is already wooing Deputy Governor Dameshi Barau Luka, who has had a frosty relationship with the governor since last year, to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the impeachment, after which he would take over as a PDP governor and work for the party’s victory in Nasarawa in the 2015 elections. This, according to him is the “game plan”.
Luka has also reportedly been seen hobnobbing with PDP chiefs, including President Goodluck Jonathan, and he had criticised the APC for asking its federal lawmakers to block executive bills over “impunity” in Rivers State.
The state chapter of the APC later suspended the deputy governor from the party, citing the statements he made on the APC directive.
The source added that President Jonathan and other PDP bigwigs are scheduled to attend a big rally in the next couple of weeks in Lafia to receive APC defectors, among them the deputy governor as well as Senator Solomon Ewuga, an ally of the Nasarawa governor before the Ombatse uprising in May last year. He has already announced his defection to the PDP.
When contacted yester night, the Presidency said it ”has never wooed or invited the deputy governor of Nasarawa State to join the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). It is the deputy governor himself that has decided to defect to the PDP and Mr. President cannot say no to it.”
Meanwhile, The deputy governor was unavailable for comments by telephone yesterday, but his spokesman Danjuma Joseph denied any impeachment plot against Al-Makura.
Also, PDP’s national publicity secretary Olisa Metuh could not be reached for comments.
For his part, a spokesman for Governor Al-Makura, Mr. Iliyasu Ali Yakubu, did not confirm nor deny the impeachment plot when contacted by our correspondent. He said the governor had survived the lawmakers’ onslaught previously and remained steadfast.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
WEekend Special: Charlyboy writes again.......See Finish Syndrome Pt 2
A part 2 of Charly Boy's first article on See Finish Syndrome.
Check on it below..
When I published my piece about the death of desire in marriage/relationships (“See Finish Syndrome”) I didn't expect the kind of feedback I got on that matter, hummm see gobe!
It was clear to me that the marriage institution in Nigeria is in a big problem. Ninety percent of the overwhelming phone calls and emails were from angry, lonely, disgruntled and confused wives. It was then it hit me that millions of homes and marriage relationships are going through a very bad patch, wives are growing very disenchanted with their husbands and their relationship. Before I did the piece (see finish) apart from experiencing it personally, I have heard and seen so much sadness in too many homes that made me swear and ever determined not to allow my marriage be caught by the "See Finish" bug.
From the mails and the phone calls I received, it was clear to me that many wives whilst still in their relationship, DON PORT. They have emotionally moved on engaging in hot sizzling extra-marital affair. The number is alarming, their reasons are as enlightening as it is revealing and I must add, I learnt quite a lot from all the sad stories I heard and read. Thank God for the opportunity, I will always share with my readers some of my personal experiences, trusting that in coming clean I will also learn from the mistake of others. Long story short, it is for me therapeutic.
Many wives these days "DON PORT", alarming unconfirmed statistic show a large number who have grown disinterested in their marital sex, while husbands are busy reassuring themselves that their wives are still "The Good Girl" they married. Hummmmmm. For many who wrote in and I spoke to, swore that they never thought they were the "Type" that would ever cheat, but now they are far too deep into it and never want to stop. I begin to see a pattern in all of this confusion, if we don’t develop an accurate understanding of our wives; very soon, marriages will become old fashion because so many people are becoming disillusioned with the whole institution. In all of this, so many men are stuck with their societal beliefs about females that are grossly distorted and completely erroneous. Wahala dey my people.
The following is a letter from one of my numerous readers, since she doesn't mind me sharing it with you, I don't mind either…
Hello AreaFada,
I am writing this because there is a serious issue I'm struggling with, I desperately need to share it with someone. I felt I could open up to you and not be judged having followed you for long. I don’t mind if you use this mail on your several platforms, i believe i speak for many too.
I got married in the 90's to perhaps the most wonderful man on earth and together, we have one of the best families anyone would wish to have. My husband and I are doing very well on our jobs and our kids are excellent both at home and at school.
We have no reason to suspect each other or anyone, there is nothing like lack of trust in this relationship. We live in each other's body and so, privy to what the other is doing per time and we are very supportive of each other, at the same time, being each other's worst critic because we always are on the look-out for areas to improve. We're absolutely loyal and faithful to each other, nothing less than a 100%.
This is a summary of the home I had until 3years ago.
I met a man in the course of my job who came along with a new information and completely opened my eyes to a new feeling.
Ours wasn't a chance meeting, we worked together on a project so we exchanged phone numbers and since then he has always called. That was the beginning o, he would not let me rest, calling and texting nice stuff almost by the minute. Before long, I started looking forward to this. We started bonding like you can never imagine. In a very short space of time, we became an item. This means spending more time with him........at the expense of my family time.
I didn't start sleeping with him o, we kept things off SEX Lane and surprisingly, he didn't make a fuss. Of course, each time we saw, he wanted to get it on but as soon as I told him 'No', he just let me be without getting angry. At least not obviously.
This singular act, I think, is the clincher that made me very fond of him because back home, the only thing that caused quarrels between my gentleman husband and I was the fact that he made too much fuss each time I refused him sex, when I'm tired or not just in the mood. He gets angry to a convulsive state and I used to wonder if it was running away.
For more than a year of seeing each other, my now boyfriend (OMG, am I writing this?), asked for sex and I felt obliged. He had been very understanding, so why don't I do him this honors. So I agreed. He was so gentle and alluring, handled me the way no man had ever done me before. I felt like a woman, perhaps for the very first time, allowing me experience orgasm before him, Wow, is this heaven or what? After which he gave me my 1st bath as an adult. I had never seen that before. It's a season of firsts for me and I was loving every second of it,
Please pardon me, I crave your indulgence, I needed to open this up to someone and I'm glad I found your platform. Thank you. Just hear me out, that's all I ask.
I no longer have time for anybody and anything else. I get infuriated by the smallest things, making mountains out of moll hills. Any small thing, I resign to my basement and ask that no one disturbs me. My basement, which hitherto was a dungeon of not-frequently-used items in the house, is now my get-away, to be alone with my lover, who incidentally is also married. My loyalty to my family is brutally divided or is it totally eroded? My husband has been and remains a good man, i doubt if he ever has been unfaithful to me in the close to twenty years of our marriage and I know he doesn't deserve this. At least, one good turn they say....
I know, I have a feeling this is bad, very bad, but I'm enjoying this new information. Imagine, it's been well over two years since we started sleeping with each other and I can’t even find a word for the kind of sex we share. My boyfriend just knows how to keep it ever new and fresh, every single time.
The strange thing is my husband doesn't even have a clue I've been cheating. Even if the thought crosses his mind, he would probably think something is wrong with him 'upstairs' for thinking such thoughts. AreaFada, please don't advise me to stop o, just counsel me on the best way you think I can keep the groove on without breaking eggs...how to have the best of my now two worlds.
My happiness is very important, am sexually alive with my boyfriend.
Thank you for your time, may God bless you.
Check on it below..
When I published my piece about the death of desire in marriage/relationships (“See Finish Syndrome”) I didn't expect the kind of feedback I got on that matter, hummm see gobe!
It was clear to me that the marriage institution in Nigeria is in a big problem. Ninety percent of the overwhelming phone calls and emails were from angry, lonely, disgruntled and confused wives. It was then it hit me that millions of homes and marriage relationships are going through a very bad patch, wives are growing very disenchanted with their husbands and their relationship. Before I did the piece (see finish) apart from experiencing it personally, I have heard and seen so much sadness in too many homes that made me swear and ever determined not to allow my marriage be caught by the "See Finish" bug.
From the mails and the phone calls I received, it was clear to me that many wives whilst still in their relationship, DON PORT. They have emotionally moved on engaging in hot sizzling extra-marital affair. The number is alarming, their reasons are as enlightening as it is revealing and I must add, I learnt quite a lot from all the sad stories I heard and read. Thank God for the opportunity, I will always share with my readers some of my personal experiences, trusting that in coming clean I will also learn from the mistake of others. Long story short, it is for me therapeutic.
Many wives these days "DON PORT", alarming unconfirmed statistic show a large number who have grown disinterested in their marital sex, while husbands are busy reassuring themselves that their wives are still "The Good Girl" they married. Hummmmmm. For many who wrote in and I spoke to, swore that they never thought they were the "Type" that would ever cheat, but now they are far too deep into it and never want to stop. I begin to see a pattern in all of this confusion, if we don’t develop an accurate understanding of our wives; very soon, marriages will become old fashion because so many people are becoming disillusioned with the whole institution. In all of this, so many men are stuck with their societal beliefs about females that are grossly distorted and completely erroneous. Wahala dey my people.
The following is a letter from one of my numerous readers, since she doesn't mind me sharing it with you, I don't mind either…
Hello AreaFada,
I am writing this because there is a serious issue I'm struggling with, I desperately need to share it with someone. I felt I could open up to you and not be judged having followed you for long. I don’t mind if you use this mail on your several platforms, i believe i speak for many too.
I got married in the 90's to perhaps the most wonderful man on earth and together, we have one of the best families anyone would wish to have. My husband and I are doing very well on our jobs and our kids are excellent both at home and at school.
We have no reason to suspect each other or anyone, there is nothing like lack of trust in this relationship. We live in each other's body and so, privy to what the other is doing per time and we are very supportive of each other, at the same time, being each other's worst critic because we always are on the look-out for areas to improve. We're absolutely loyal and faithful to each other, nothing less than a 100%.
This is a summary of the home I had until 3years ago.
I met a man in the course of my job who came along with a new information and completely opened my eyes to a new feeling.
Ours wasn't a chance meeting, we worked together on a project so we exchanged phone numbers and since then he has always called. That was the beginning o, he would not let me rest, calling and texting nice stuff almost by the minute. Before long, I started looking forward to this. We started bonding like you can never imagine. In a very short space of time, we became an item. This means spending more time with him........at the expense of my family time.
I didn't start sleeping with him o, we kept things off SEX Lane and surprisingly, he didn't make a fuss. Of course, each time we saw, he wanted to get it on but as soon as I told him 'No', he just let me be without getting angry. At least not obviously.
This singular act, I think, is the clincher that made me very fond of him because back home, the only thing that caused quarrels between my gentleman husband and I was the fact that he made too much fuss each time I refused him sex, when I'm tired or not just in the mood. He gets angry to a convulsive state and I used to wonder if it was running away.
For more than a year of seeing each other, my now boyfriend (OMG, am I writing this?), asked for sex and I felt obliged. He had been very understanding, so why don't I do him this honors. So I agreed. He was so gentle and alluring, handled me the way no man had ever done me before. I felt like a woman, perhaps for the very first time, allowing me experience orgasm before him, Wow, is this heaven or what? After which he gave me my 1st bath as an adult. I had never seen that before. It's a season of firsts for me and I was loving every second of it,
Please pardon me, I crave your indulgence, I needed to open this up to someone and I'm glad I found your platform. Thank you. Just hear me out, that's all I ask.
I no longer have time for anybody and anything else. I get infuriated by the smallest things, making mountains out of moll hills. Any small thing, I resign to my basement and ask that no one disturbs me. My basement, which hitherto was a dungeon of not-frequently-used items in the house, is now my get-away, to be alone with my lover, who incidentally is also married. My loyalty to my family is brutally divided or is it totally eroded? My husband has been and remains a good man, i doubt if he ever has been unfaithful to me in the close to twenty years of our marriage and I know he doesn't deserve this. At least, one good turn they say....
I know, I have a feeling this is bad, very bad, but I'm enjoying this new information. Imagine, it's been well over two years since we started sleeping with each other and I can’t even find a word for the kind of sex we share. My boyfriend just knows how to keep it ever new and fresh, every single time.
The strange thing is my husband doesn't even have a clue I've been cheating. Even if the thought crosses his mind, he would probably think something is wrong with him 'upstairs' for thinking such thoughts. AreaFada, please don't advise me to stop o, just counsel me on the best way you think I can keep the groove on without breaking eggs...how to have the best of my now two worlds.
My happiness is very important, am sexually alive with my boyfriend.
Thank you for your time, may God bless you.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Update: Zenith Bank's MD Mr Godwin Emefiele to replace Sanusi
Following the suspension of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the CBN Governor, President Goodluck Jonathan has nominated Mr Godwin Emefiele for the position of Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Emefiele, the current Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc, is to replace Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who was suspended on earlier today by the president for alleged “financial recklessness and misconduct’’. In a letter to the Senate President, Sen. David Mark, for approval of the nomination, the president said the request was in view of the fact that the tenure of the incumbent would end on June 1.
The letter read in part: “Pursuant to the provisions of section 8(1) and (2) of the CBN Act of 2007, I hereby forward the name of Mr Godwin Emefiele for your kind consideration and confirmation.’’
The president had earlier appointed Dr Sarah Alade, the most senior Deputy Governor in the bank, Acting Governor, pending the confirmation of Emefiele’s nomination. In a separate letter, the president asked the Senate to confirm Mr Adelabu Adekola as a Deputy Governor with CBN.
The president expressed the hope that the letters would be handled in the usual expeditious tradition of the Senate.
Meanwhile, the Senate has commenced a two-week recess after which it resumes on March 11.
Emefiele was until now the Group Managing Director, Zenith Bank Plc, a position he has held since August 2010. Until then he was the Deputy Managing Director of the bank, having been appointed into that position in 2001. Emefiele has been on the bank’s management team since inception and has held various management positions in the bank, including serving as the Bank’s Executive Director in charge of Corporate Banking, Treasury, Financial Control and Strategic Planning.
Until he took over as Group Managing Director, Emefiele was directly responsible for all the Group’s local subsidiaries, Treasury and Correspondent Banking, and Multilateral, Conglomerates, & Private Banking. He also had responsibilities for direct supervision of majority of the bank’s branches in Lagos and Northern Nigeria.
Emefiele has over twenty-six (26) years banking experience and holds a B.Sc and an MBA in Finance both from the University of Nigeria Nsukka. Before commencing his banking career, he lectured Finance, Bank Management, and Insurance at the University of Nigeria and University of Port Harcourt respectively.
Emefiele, the current Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc, is to replace Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who was suspended on earlier today by the president for alleged “financial recklessness and misconduct’’. In a letter to the Senate President, Sen. David Mark, for approval of the nomination, the president said the request was in view of the fact that the tenure of the incumbent would end on June 1.
The letter read in part: “Pursuant to the provisions of section 8(1) and (2) of the CBN Act of 2007, I hereby forward the name of Mr Godwin Emefiele for your kind consideration and confirmation.’’
The president had earlier appointed Dr Sarah Alade, the most senior Deputy Governor in the bank, Acting Governor, pending the confirmation of Emefiele’s nomination. In a separate letter, the president asked the Senate to confirm Mr Adelabu Adekola as a Deputy Governor with CBN.
The president expressed the hope that the letters would be handled in the usual expeditious tradition of the Senate.
Meanwhile, the Senate has commenced a two-week recess after which it resumes on March 11.
Emefiele was until now the Group Managing Director, Zenith Bank Plc, a position he has held since August 2010. Until then he was the Deputy Managing Director of the bank, having been appointed into that position in 2001. Emefiele has been on the bank’s management team since inception and has held various management positions in the bank, including serving as the Bank’s Executive Director in charge of Corporate Banking, Treasury, Financial Control and Strategic Planning.
Until he took over as Group Managing Director, Emefiele was directly responsible for all the Group’s local subsidiaries, Treasury and Correspondent Banking, and Multilateral, Conglomerates, & Private Banking. He also had responsibilities for direct supervision of majority of the bank’s branches in Lagos and Northern Nigeria.
Emefiele has over twenty-six (26) years banking experience and holds a B.Sc and an MBA in Finance both from the University of Nigeria Nsukka. Before commencing his banking career, he lectured Finance, Bank Management, and Insurance at the University of Nigeria and University of Port Harcourt respectively.
Boko Haram: Strikes again in Bama
The Boko Haram sect has launched another brazen attack on Bama town killing several people.
Although details are still sketchy credible military sources confirmed the attacks and that hundreds of residents are presently fleeing the town after the sect launched an attack around 3 AM. The sect had been attacking villages and towns in Borno and Adamawa states despite the state of emergency declared by President Jonathan.
During the fresh Bama attack on Wednesday morning, 47 people lost their lives.
The attackers were said to have also torched the palace of the Shehu of Bama, Alhaji Kyari Elkanemi, the LGA headquarters, and nearly all other key public buildings in the town.
Elkanemi’s whereabouts were unknown as of 9pm on Wednesday.
The attackers were however more daring in the Buratai incident on Tuesday evening as they stormed the private and family homes of the Commander of the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, Maj. Gen. Tukur Buratai.
One person was said to have been killed in Buratai’s family house and a soldier in his private residence in the village.
The Bama attack occurred barely a few hours after the Chief of Army Staff, Maj.Gen Kenneth Minimah, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, visited the community which had been attacked several times by the insurgents.
They also took place barely three days after 146 people lost their lives during a raid on Izghe, a largely Christian community in Borno State.
The state police commissioner, Lawal Tanko, who confirmed the death toll to Reuters, however did not provide further details about the latest attack.
Tanko said, ‘’Every landmark building, the Local government secretariat, the state lowcost housing estate, schools and several other buildings, as well as a part of the Shehu’s palace were destroyed.
“As of the last time I spoke to my DPO in Bama, we had 47 dead casualties recorded, while several number of persons were confirmed injured. Some are already in hospitals there. I have instructed my men to liaise with the hospitals if we can have the actual figure of the dead.’’
Although details are still sketchy credible military sources confirmed the attacks and that hundreds of residents are presently fleeing the town after the sect launched an attack around 3 AM. The sect had been attacking villages and towns in Borno and Adamawa states despite the state of emergency declared by President Jonathan.
During the fresh Bama attack on Wednesday morning, 47 people lost their lives.
The attackers were said to have also torched the palace of the Shehu of Bama, Alhaji Kyari Elkanemi, the LGA headquarters, and nearly all other key public buildings in the town.
Elkanemi’s whereabouts were unknown as of 9pm on Wednesday.
The attackers were however more daring in the Buratai incident on Tuesday evening as they stormed the private and family homes of the Commander of the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, Maj. Gen. Tukur Buratai.
One person was said to have been killed in Buratai’s family house and a soldier in his private residence in the village.
The Bama attack occurred barely a few hours after the Chief of Army Staff, Maj.Gen Kenneth Minimah, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, visited the community which had been attacked several times by the insurgents.
They also took place barely three days after 146 people lost their lives during a raid on Izghe, a largely Christian community in Borno State.
The state police commissioner, Lawal Tanko, who confirmed the death toll to Reuters, however did not provide further details about the latest attack.
Tanko said, ‘’Every landmark building, the Local government secretariat, the state lowcost housing estate, schools and several other buildings, as well as a part of the Shehu’s palace were destroyed.
“As of the last time I spoke to my DPO in Bama, we had 47 dead casualties recorded, while several number of persons were confirmed injured. Some are already in hospitals there. I have instructed my men to liaise with the hospitals if we can have the actual figure of the dead.’’
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Chimamanda Adichie's take on the anti-gay law (Must read)
This Article was written by award winning writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie titled 'Why can’t he just be like everyone else?'
Read below...
I will call him Sochukwuma. A thin, smiling boy who liked to play with us girls at the university primary school in Nsukka. We were young. We knew he was different, we said, ‘he’s not like the other boys.’ But his was a benign and unquestioned difference; it was simply what it was. We did not have a name for him. We did not know the word ‘gay.’ He was Sochukwuma and he was friendly and he played oga so well that his side always won.
In secondary school, some boys in his class tried to throw Sochukwuma off a second floor balcony. They were strapping teenagers who had learned to notice, and fear, difference. They had a name for him. Homo. They mocked him because his hips swayed when he walked and his hands fluttered when he spoke. He brushed away their taunts, silently, sometimes grinning an uncomfortable grin. He must have wished that he could be what they wanted him to be. I imagine now how helplessly lonely he must have felt. The boys often asked, “Why can’t he just be like everyone else?”
Possible answers to that question include ‘because he is abnormal,’ ‘because he is a sinner, ‘because he chose the lifestyle.’ But the truest answer is ‘We don’t know.’ There is humility and humanity in accepting that there are things we simply don’t know. At the age of 8, Sochukwuma was obviously different. It was not about sex, because it could not possibly have been – his hormones were of course not yet fully formed – but it was an awareness of himself, and other children’s awareness of him, as different. He could not have ‘chosen the lifestyle’ because he was too young to do so. And why would he – or anybody – choose to be homosexual in a world that makes life so difficult for homosexuals?
The new law that criminalizes homosexuality is popular among Nigerians. But it shows a failure of our democracy, because the mark of a true democracy is not in the rule of its majority but in the protection of its minority – otherwise mob justice would be considered democratic. The law is also unconstitutional, ambiguous, and a strange priority in a country with so many real problems. Above all else, however, it is unjust. Even if this was not a country of abysmal electricity supply where university graduates are barely literate and people die of easily-treatable causes and Boko Haram commits casual mass murders, this law would still be unjust. We cannot be a just society unless we are able to accommodate benign difference, accept benign difference, live and let live. We may not understand homosexuality, we may find it personally abhorrent but our response cannot be to criminalize it.
A crime is a crime for a reason. A crime has victims. A crime harms society. On what basis is homosexuality a crime? Adults do no harm to society in how they love and whom they love. This is a law that will not prevent crime, but will, instead, lead to crimes of violence: there are already, in different parts of Nigeria, attacks on people ‘suspected’ of being gay. Ours is a society where men are openly affectionate with one another. Men hold hands. Men hug each other. Shall we now arrest friends who share a hotel room, or who walk side by side? How do we determine the clunky expressions in the law – ‘mutually beneficial,’ ‘directly or indirectly?’
Many Nigerians support the law because they believe the Bible condemns homosexuality. The Bible can be a basis for how we choose to live our personal lives, but it cannot be a basis for the laws we pass, not only because the holy books of different religions do not have equal significance for all Nigerians but also because the holy books are read differently by different people. The Bible, for example, also condemns fornication and adultery and divorce, but they are not crimes.
For supporters of the law, there seems to be something about homosexuality that sets it apart. A sense that it is not ‘normal.’ If we are part of a majority group, we tend to think others in minority groups are abnormal, not because they have done anything wrong, but because we have defined normal to be what we are and since they are not like us, then they are abnormal. Supporters of the law want a certain semblance of human homogeneity. But we cannot legislate into existence a world that does not exist: the truth of our human condition is that we are a diverse, multi-faceted species. The measure of our humanity lies, in part, in how we think of those different from us. We cannot – should not – have empathy only for people who are like us.
Some supporters of the law have asked – what is next, a marriage between a man and a dog?’ Or ‘have you seen animals being gay?’ (Actually, studies show that there is homosexual behavior in many species of animals.) But, quite simply, people are not dogs, and to accept the premise – that a homosexual is comparable to an animal – is inhumane. We cannot reduce the humanity of our fellow men and women because of how and who they love. Some animals eat their own kind, others desert their young. Shall we follow those examples, too?
Other supporters suggest that gay men sexually abuse little boys. But pedophilia and homosexuality are two very different things. There are men who abuse little girls, and women who abuse little boys, and we do not presume that they do it because they are heterosexuals. Child molestation is an ugly crime that is committed by both straight and gay adults (this is why it is a crime: children, by virtue of being non-adults, require protection and are unable to give sexual consent).
There has also been some nationalist posturing among supporters of the law. Homosexuality is ‘unafrican,’ they say, and we will not become like the west. The west is not exactly a homosexual haven; acts of discrimination against homosexuals are not uncommon in the US and Europe. But it is the idea of ‘unafricanness’ that is truly insidious. Sochukwuma was born of Igbo parents and had Igbo grandparents and Igbo great-grandparents. He was born a person who would romantically love other men. Many Nigerians know somebody like him. The boy who behaved like a girl. The girl who behaved like a boy. The effeminate man. The unusual woman. These were people we knew, people like us, born and raised on African soil. How then are they ‘unafrican?’
If anything, it is the passage of the law itself that is ‘unafrican.’ It goes against the values of tolerance and ‘live and let live’ that are part of many African cultures. (In 1970s Igboland, Area Scatter was a popular musician, a man who dressed like a woman, wore makeup, plaited his hair. We don’t know if he was gay – I think he was – but if he performed today, he could conceivably be sentenced to fourteen years in prison. For being who he is.) And it is informed not by a home-grown debate but by a cynically borrowed one: we turned on CNN and heard western countries debating ‘same sex marriage’ and we decided that we, too, would pass a law banning same sex marriage. Where, in Nigeria, whose constitution defines marriage as being between a man and a woman, has any homosexual asked for same-sex marriage?
This is an unjust law. It should be repealed. Throughout history, many inhumane laws have been passed, and have subsequently been repealed. Barack Obama, for example, would not be here today had his parents obeyed American laws that criminalized marriage between blacks and whites.
An acquaintance recently asked me, ‘if you support gays, how would you have been born?’ Of course, there were gay Nigerians when I was conceived. Gay people have existed as long as humans have existed. They have always been a small percentage of the human population. We don’t know why. What matters is this: Sochukwuma is a Nigerian and his existence is not a crime.
Read below...
I will call him Sochukwuma. A thin, smiling boy who liked to play with us girls at the university primary school in Nsukka. We were young. We knew he was different, we said, ‘he’s not like the other boys.’ But his was a benign and unquestioned difference; it was simply what it was. We did not have a name for him. We did not know the word ‘gay.’ He was Sochukwuma and he was friendly and he played oga so well that his side always won.
In secondary school, some boys in his class tried to throw Sochukwuma off a second floor balcony. They were strapping teenagers who had learned to notice, and fear, difference. They had a name for him. Homo. They mocked him because his hips swayed when he walked and his hands fluttered when he spoke. He brushed away their taunts, silently, sometimes grinning an uncomfortable grin. He must have wished that he could be what they wanted him to be. I imagine now how helplessly lonely he must have felt. The boys often asked, “Why can’t he just be like everyone else?”
Possible answers to that question include ‘because he is abnormal,’ ‘because he is a sinner, ‘because he chose the lifestyle.’ But the truest answer is ‘We don’t know.’ There is humility and humanity in accepting that there are things we simply don’t know. At the age of 8, Sochukwuma was obviously different. It was not about sex, because it could not possibly have been – his hormones were of course not yet fully formed – but it was an awareness of himself, and other children’s awareness of him, as different. He could not have ‘chosen the lifestyle’ because he was too young to do so. And why would he – or anybody – choose to be homosexual in a world that makes life so difficult for homosexuals?
The new law that criminalizes homosexuality is popular among Nigerians. But it shows a failure of our democracy, because the mark of a true democracy is not in the rule of its majority but in the protection of its minority – otherwise mob justice would be considered democratic. The law is also unconstitutional, ambiguous, and a strange priority in a country with so many real problems. Above all else, however, it is unjust. Even if this was not a country of abysmal electricity supply where university graduates are barely literate and people die of easily-treatable causes and Boko Haram commits casual mass murders, this law would still be unjust. We cannot be a just society unless we are able to accommodate benign difference, accept benign difference, live and let live. We may not understand homosexuality, we may find it personally abhorrent but our response cannot be to criminalize it.
A crime is a crime for a reason. A crime has victims. A crime harms society. On what basis is homosexuality a crime? Adults do no harm to society in how they love and whom they love. This is a law that will not prevent crime, but will, instead, lead to crimes of violence: there are already, in different parts of Nigeria, attacks on people ‘suspected’ of being gay. Ours is a society where men are openly affectionate with one another. Men hold hands. Men hug each other. Shall we now arrest friends who share a hotel room, or who walk side by side? How do we determine the clunky expressions in the law – ‘mutually beneficial,’ ‘directly or indirectly?’
Many Nigerians support the law because they believe the Bible condemns homosexuality. The Bible can be a basis for how we choose to live our personal lives, but it cannot be a basis for the laws we pass, not only because the holy books of different religions do not have equal significance for all Nigerians but also because the holy books are read differently by different people. The Bible, for example, also condemns fornication and adultery and divorce, but they are not crimes.
For supporters of the law, there seems to be something about homosexuality that sets it apart. A sense that it is not ‘normal.’ If we are part of a majority group, we tend to think others in minority groups are abnormal, not because they have done anything wrong, but because we have defined normal to be what we are and since they are not like us, then they are abnormal. Supporters of the law want a certain semblance of human homogeneity. But we cannot legislate into existence a world that does not exist: the truth of our human condition is that we are a diverse, multi-faceted species. The measure of our humanity lies, in part, in how we think of those different from us. We cannot – should not – have empathy only for people who are like us.
Some supporters of the law have asked – what is next, a marriage between a man and a dog?’ Or ‘have you seen animals being gay?’ (Actually, studies show that there is homosexual behavior in many species of animals.) But, quite simply, people are not dogs, and to accept the premise – that a homosexual is comparable to an animal – is inhumane. We cannot reduce the humanity of our fellow men and women because of how and who they love. Some animals eat their own kind, others desert their young. Shall we follow those examples, too?
Other supporters suggest that gay men sexually abuse little boys. But pedophilia and homosexuality are two very different things. There are men who abuse little girls, and women who abuse little boys, and we do not presume that they do it because they are heterosexuals. Child molestation is an ugly crime that is committed by both straight and gay adults (this is why it is a crime: children, by virtue of being non-adults, require protection and are unable to give sexual consent).
There has also been some nationalist posturing among supporters of the law. Homosexuality is ‘unafrican,’ they say, and we will not become like the west. The west is not exactly a homosexual haven; acts of discrimination against homosexuals are not uncommon in the US and Europe. But it is the idea of ‘unafricanness’ that is truly insidious. Sochukwuma was born of Igbo parents and had Igbo grandparents and Igbo great-grandparents. He was born a person who would romantically love other men. Many Nigerians know somebody like him. The boy who behaved like a girl. The girl who behaved like a boy. The effeminate man. The unusual woman. These were people we knew, people like us, born and raised on African soil. How then are they ‘unafrican?’
If anything, it is the passage of the law itself that is ‘unafrican.’ It goes against the values of tolerance and ‘live and let live’ that are part of many African cultures. (In 1970s Igboland, Area Scatter was a popular musician, a man who dressed like a woman, wore makeup, plaited his hair. We don’t know if he was gay – I think he was – but if he performed today, he could conceivably be sentenced to fourteen years in prison. For being who he is.) And it is informed not by a home-grown debate but by a cynically borrowed one: we turned on CNN and heard western countries debating ‘same sex marriage’ and we decided that we, too, would pass a law banning same sex marriage. Where, in Nigeria, whose constitution defines marriage as being between a man and a woman, has any homosexual asked for same-sex marriage?
This is an unjust law. It should be repealed. Throughout history, many inhumane laws have been passed, and have subsequently been repealed. Barack Obama, for example, would not be here today had his parents obeyed American laws that criminalized marriage between blacks and whites.
An acquaintance recently asked me, ‘if you support gays, how would you have been born?’ Of course, there were gay Nigerians when I was conceived. Gay people have existed as long as humans have existed. They have always been a small percentage of the human population. We don’t know why. What matters is this: Sochukwuma is a Nigerian and his existence is not a crime.
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